Hehehe....another three week update. I mighta kinda sorta forgot to warn you guys about that last time....my mom had a double-sided neck surgery eight days ago and she got pneumonia afterward, just to make it even better, so I spent my update-day at the hospital with her, and was waaaaaaaaaay to tired afterward to even consider writing five words. My bad....
Then to make things better, my muse decided to temporarily say 'fuck you fanfiction' and give me a possible plot idea for an original story. So I'm fighting that story to work on this one. It really isn't working well. If I'm not careful I'll start righting about the freaking Bermuda Triangle. (Don't ask....really...)
Easter Dinner and surprise visits from unwelcome family members make nothing easier. And the people who I would gladly murder from Michigan would just love to take a road trip down to NY. So....I've got a shitload and a half of stress to deal with -.-
Anyways, onto people far more amazing than myself.....
Thank you my AMAZING reviewers: TrenchcoatMan, Saiai Angel Alchemist and Sora Hoshi. I love you guys.
And I am STILL not JKR or Kishimoto. I own nothing.
Sasuke growled quietly, muttering darkly to himself as he rubbed his sore shoulder. Shino's fight alone wouldn't have been that bad, but he still ached horribly from the 'spar' with Naruto, and he was nowhere near thrilled about what he was sure would be hell that Naruto had cocked up for him next.
Just the thought made him want to throttle the blond boy.
Walking hurt after running through the forest for so long, his head still ached horribly from being slammed into a tree, his lungs ached from the smoke from his fight with Shino, and his back was killing him from being slammed into a tree. Add all that to his current exhaustion and lack of chakra, and he was truly shocked he was still standing.
Briefly, he despaired over the fact he couldn't see Madame Pomfrey for even some of his grievances. She would notice whatever he didn't point out with a simple diagnostic spell, and then she'd want him to explain. And there was no way to explain just where he'd been running to, and why he was so exhausted when he'd been fine at breakfast, or where the hell the fire had come from. Meaning he'd have to suffer in silence.
Sometimes he wondered if the smiling blond planned it that way. Making him suffer through meals and classes until he healed seemed like something he'd enjoy doing, just to see how he reacted.
He glared lightly at the blond as he all but through himself into a chair at the Gryffindor table, pulling Sasuke into the chair next to him, forcing Sasuke to comply to act normal, and subsequently setting his aching muscles on fire. He would kill Naruto....once he was good enough at least.
It seemed Harry was catching onto Naruto's happy and confident mood. The boys green eyes shone with excitement as Naruto launched into a discussion on Gods-knew-what with him. For a moment he considered the prospects of Naruto, The worlds most hyperactive, knuckle headed ninja, and the son, god son and adoptive uncle of three of the best pranksters: the Marauders. With proper influencing for Sirius and Remus, it would be a deadly combo. Sasuke hated to imagine what that would do to the mental well being of everyone in the school. Pranks from Weasley Wizard Wheezes, the particular ingenuity from Harry and his guardians, and Naruto's shinobi stealth and skills would lead to the school being pranked like never before.
Even the antics from fifth year would be insignificant compared to the havoc that could be wreaked. And it was debatable that Lupin would stop them, instead of giving them ideas. From Harry's descriptions, he'd been the tamest of his friends, the Marauders, but he could also enjoy a good prank, and he'd definitely encouraged the usurping of authority with the DA.
Making a mental note to keep Naruto far away from George and his shop (and with Shino would could hopefully restrain him from doing anything too drastic), Sasuke turned to the conversation, digging into his food as he did so.
"-tterbeer. Or better, if we can. But that was amazing last time, if we can get it, and I think we need to do it again!" Naruto was speaking quickly and energetically, obviously enthused. "How often do we all just give it all up, let loose and party? I mean...come on!"
Harry just shook his head, this was the first time in a week that Naruto had tried to persuade the others in their year to get some more firewhiskey or even butter beer if they had to settle for it, and have a party. He'd apparently enjoyed the mini-party enough to want to do it more, probably constantly. Of course, given the Kyuubi's hand with getting rid of all side effects from alcohol and letting him have a clear head, he probably just wanted to watch the other's bear their secrets.
Unfortunately for Naruto, Harry had a point. "We're not exactly able to smuggle alcohol in here. It's not like someone can owl it here. And it's not exactly easy to sneak it in from Hogsmead, and we're rarely there anyways."
"But there's got to be something! Come on!!!" Naruto was really pushing for this, Sasuke couldn't help but wonder if there was some ulterior motive or another. He gave Harry a look, that despite, Kyuubi-altered, red tinted, dark blue eyes that were more animal than human, could easily test the will of the strongest wanted it, badly.
Poor Naruto. Sasuke kind of wanted to help him out, provide a loophole through floo powder or something, or even a refilling charm on an empty bottle...if that would work.
But on the other hand, who knew just what Naruto would do with the damn alcohol. That alone was worrisome.
"I'm telling you Naruto, I don't think we can pull it off. And I am NOT getting expelled, after six years of crap happening. Not over alcohol."
"But we're of age. All we have to do is not given to the little people and we're fine."
"Until they find it in your crap and get drunk on us." Ginny interjected.
"But don't they make candy and stuff with it in them?"
"Yes, but there's not nearly enough in there to get someone drunk." Sasuke pointed out, "Especially when you've got friends like ours who steal them all."
"Hey! I get mine stolen." Harry protested
Sasuke just smiled, "Precisely."
Lunch had been finished with the announcement that Heads of Houses would be having career counseling starting that after noon. Much to Sasuke and Naruto's amusement, Shino had to go, immediately , and lie through his damn teeth about something he would consider if they had to stay in the wizarding world. Naruto's bet was an Auror, seeing as that was mostly what they were now, or at least it was the wizarding world's equivalent. Sasuke disagreed, and was betting it had something, anything to do with his damn bugs.
After all, if there were magic demons....maybe there'd be magic Kikai too. And if anyone could find them, it was Shino.
Sasuke had barely gotten out of the Great Hall with Naruto before he was confronted by a first year with a note from Lupin, asking Sasuke to come by before the career counseling for discussion about...something. The note was sadly lacking in information, but Sasuke was more than willing to meet with the Gryffindor Head of House. Naruto however, opted to meet Sasuke at the Room of Requirement after the meeting. He normally didn't mind the professor, but he didn't like how canine the other man seemed. It was subtle, well hidden, but he'd given off canine-like vibes since the day they'd met, and though he could normally ignore the feeling the older man carried it was harder for some reason, now. For the second time since Naruto had arrived.
Sasuke smirked, probably guessing the blonds reasoning, having once been confided in about the Professors oddities. He normally wouldn't have minded telling the blond, but he knew it was merely because the full moon was nearly upon them. It was the same way that he knew Naruto would worry until he could see that Lupin wasn't a hazard. And that alone would endanger both Lupin and Naruto.
Bidding the Uchiha heir a quiet goodbye as they parted, Naruto sighed, wandering the stairs, bored. Through the corridors, past empty classrooms, wandering aimlessly instead of heading straight to the Room of Requirement. The Defense room was on the other side of the school after all, so no matter what, Sasuke would be later than Naruto. He paused for a moment, looking out the window, towards the mountains. He itched to explore them, to see just what he could find up there, but Sasuke had explained they were to far away, the grounds were warded against letting students out. So he would never be able to find out.
Running a hand through his hair, Naruto grinned, wondering if he could somehow make the Room turn into the mountains, and debating on just what he could do to Sasuke if they would. Oh the ideas were endless.
Laughing as he turned to the corridor that led to the steps to the next floor, Naruto smirked, spotting his fellow Jinchuriki. Speeding up, he slipped an arm around her shoulder, ignoring the Kyuubi's half-hearted complaints. "Hey there, Kitty-cat. What'cha doing?"
She tried, in vain to shrug off his arm. "Nothing..." She sounded hesitant, obviously not quite adjusted to his touchy-feely behavior. "And why do you insist on calling me that?"
"Because you are Kitty-cat. End of story. Resistance is futile." He replied, "And if you're not doing anything....you should help me try to torment Sasuke..."
"Torment....Sasuke?"
"Yep. Remember that chakra we showed you?" A nod, "We're making him use that more....so it's my job to think of different ways to do it. We could do it to you too..." He suggested as an afterthought
She looked more than a little wary at the last suggestion, but also like she might consider it.
The Kyuubi liked that idea a little to much. The thought of putting, not Lexi, but the Nibi-lookalike, through hell and back, was appealing. It'd prove plenty about the demon, maybe make it worth something more than a nuisance, and more importantly, make sure it realized the Kyuubi was superior, and would always remain superior.
Lexi was quiet for to long, and they were almost at the Room, "Please?" Naruto wheedled, "You've known Sasuke more recently so you'll be able to help him better. And it'll be fun. And you can finally see just what we get up to when we train."
Finally, Lexi consented, if only because she knew the blond boy was to stubborn to let her go. "Fine...but I'm not actually doing anything."
"That's all I need you for Kitty-cat." He replied, grinning as he sped up and dragged her into the room. To his amusement, and her confusion, it looked like a Konoha tactical planning room, which Naruto had seen once, and only in a tour of a building. He was, after all, a fighter of instinct, not strategy. But the chairs were comfortable enough, and there was plenty of paper, so it seemed suitable to the both of them.
Lexi was still tense, and Naruto wondered if it was her demon that kept her on edge, after all, it liked Kyuubi no more than Kyuubi liked it, but Naruto ignored that as he spread out a few sheets of paper. "So...I'm thinking....we throw Sasuke in the mountains and see what he can do."
Ten minutes later, neither Sasuke or Shino had shown up yet, and they could only assume that one or both of them had been distracted by something, or were on their way. But Naruto now had today's little session planned out nicely, and ideas for several more running through his mind. Naruto had spent the majority of training sessions with purely physical or jutsu related means of creation and testing. But just a bit into the planning session, Lexi had opened up, and brought ideas of magical creatures, poisons and charms into the equation. Sure Sasuke couldn't use magic, but he could use any other skills to defend against it.
He would have some fun with the Uchiha this time around.
The room had shifted around them, and though there were mountains less than three feet to his left, the comfortable chairs remained for their relaxation, and Naruto was currently grilling Lexi on everything and anything he could think of. Their small bonding time had opened her up, not a lot, but enough he was getting answers, an accomplishment in itself, and he'd milk it for all it was worth. He'd learned a bit, she lived with a librarian, she didn't like the cities, or people for that matter. But he was temporarily through with small stuff, and there was a burning question he just had to ask.
"Alright. Sasuke said you helped him a lot last year...right?" Lexi nodded, "How?" Sasuke had passed it off as stubbornness and pranks, Naruto sensed their was more.
Her hesitancy returned once more, and Naruto cursed it silently. What the hell was she so nervous about?
"Well....you know how I...." A pause, "I'm not..." She sighed, "My Bijuu." Ah...now there was a start, though it was one the Kyuubi still wasn't fond of. "We...worked together...I guess. I'd mediate before we started...and when I snapped out of it, I was stronger and faster, and since no one here actually does anything because of magic, so thanks to that... I wasn't caught..."
"So Doku-neko-baka-san....is the only reason you could do anything?" Naruto summed up, curiously. That would have to hurt....people not liking you....and then if they tolerated you it was because of something you didn't actually do yourself. Ouch.
"What?"
Oh...right. She didn't have a clue what she just called the cat-bijuu...did she?
"Roughly translated....Poison cat idiot. No offense...."[1] It wasn't like the Kyuubi was the smartest either. Hell, the damn fox was the reason he got into some of his messes.
"Idiot?" Her eyes flashed acid green for a half second, to fast for anyone not a shinobi to catch. He'd probably made the bijuu mad, and if something happened, the Kyuubi was far to happy to reciprocate.
"Well yeah. I mean....you got caught. In public. And could have seriously done some damage to Shino." He pointed out. "Not all that smart."
A low, nearly inaudible growl sounded, he doubted Lexi was even conscious of it, but it still took effort not to reply, the Kyuubi had to remain reigned in. It'd be bad if she died.
Lexi fought for a moment with herself, or rather her demon. "It's reversible, if I catch it in time..." she protested, though it was weak, had he struck a nerve? "It's happened before."
She'd lost control? Near a civilian? That wasn't smart, and they were lucky to be alive. He leaned towards her, catching the green glint of light in her eyes. "Then who'd you almost kill?"Fear flashed for a second in her gaze, as he closed the distance between them; the Kyuubi was close to the surface, she could sense it, and sense she wasn't nearly as strong as him. "Tell me." His words were half growl, half speech, the Kyuubi wanted to know.
It was her, or the Bijuu-he couldn't tell which- that submitted to his demands, "It was Sasuke."
Control was lost in a second, the Kyuubi snapped, as much as Sasuke irked it, he was territorial about the Uchiha. The mountains and chairs dissolved, and Naruto slammed the girl against the wall, pinning her by the throat. He was aware of demon chakra flooding her, of poison forming, but the Kyuubi could easily destroy that. He'd done worse to himself, after all.
His fingers and arms tingled with the poison, he was aware of clawed fingers digging into his arms, trying to force him away, but Kyuubi was pissed and Naruto was furious and content to let Kyuubi take control, and he wasn't going to let this go. "How dare you touch him?" He snarled, baring his teeth "How dare you consider harming him?" It was an accident, he didn't care, Sasuke was never to be touched. They'd fought to long for the Uchiha heir, and dammit he was theirs.
He'd no more than thought the words when he sensed chakra and a drain on his own. Lexi's lessened as well, though he wasn't sure if that was the Kikai's doing, or her own weakness shining through again. But he consented to Shino's silent demand after a moment, drawing the Kyuubi's chakra back into his body and releasing the girl, who tried to stumble backwards, and failed to due to the wall. She pressed against the wall, fearful.
Shino moved between them, Sasuke was behind him, hand on his shoulder, restraining him slightly. The Kikai had yet to leave him, the drain continued. "Call them off." His voice still held a hint of a growl, a hint of the Kyuubi's influence. He was grateful when the Kikai swarmed Shino and vanished, though the Aburame didn't drop his stance, and Sasuke had yet to relax behind him."I'm in control. It's over."
Shino's look was speculative, Naruto knew that even with the shades, he knew there was more than Naruto was willing to say. But he was a true comrade, and would save him the pain of answering immediately.
"Just get her away from me." Naruto urged, "Let me calm down....let us..." he trailed off. Let them do what? Find out if she was telling the truth? Find out if Sasuke knew before hand? If he was still okay? When it had happened?
Shino looked deliberately at Sasuke "Watch him." He ordered "If something happens, the Kikai will know."
Naruto looked momentarily pained "Get her out of here....now." He urged, and finally, Shino obeyed, guiding Lexi quickly out of the room. She still looked mildly frightened, shell shocked and stunned.
"Come on." Her said quietly, not stopping as he lead her through the halls. "You're fine, I'll....explain later. Just keep moving for now." He worked to make his voice soothing. He wasn't nearly as good at keeping people calm as his teammates, but it would be just wrong to have her start hyperventilating because of the blond idiot.
Naruto was trying to keep his calm. He really was. It just wasn't working, because Sasuke had been poisoned. By Lexi. By a Bijuu. And he'd had no chakra. No skills. Nothing to defend him. He should have been safe away from Orochimaru and Akatsuki. But he could have died. At the hands of one of his friends. It was wrong. And yet, so familiar it hurt. After all, he'd nearly killed Sasuke too. And he'd nearly been killed by Sasuke.
Sasuke stopped his pacing-wait, he'd been pacing?- by stepping in front of him. "That's it, Naruto. What the hell's wrong with you? What did she do that set you off?"
Naruto opened his mouth, closed it, shook his head to clear it and tried again. "We were talking, we brought up her Bijuu. She said, she could reverse the poison effects. She said she knew because it had happened to you."
Sasuke frowned, "What? I've never been poisoned anywhere near her!" He paused, shaking his head, "I mean there was this one time when we sabotaged Snape's stuff and dismantled his potion stores....And afterward I felt like shit. But he just set a curse to keep them safe. That's so like him...why wouldn't he. It was Snape."
The silent question hung in the air, 'or was it her?'
"She said she did it to you. It could have been then, it could have been some other time and you didn't feel it." Naruto said, quietly, subdued. "But she did poison you somehow, on accident....I guess."
Sasuke shook his head again, trying to clear it. "Why did it set you off though? You wouldn't have known I'd died, after all."
Naruto averted his gaze for a moment, remembering his realization from earlier. Sasuke was his. Words weren't, and never would be, Naruto's style. But Sasuke had the right to know. And so, he reached out, hesitantly touched Sasuke's shoulders, mentally bracing himself. And giving himself no time to think, he swiftly leaned forward, and pressed his lips to Sasukes.
[1] Honestly...I'm guessing. I don't speak Japanese. I'm not that awesome. So if one of you guys do....and that's wrong....or something. Tell me? Please? Nicely that is...
So....Umm....yaoi anybody?
Oh....I finished this chapter at 11:56 my time. Meaning I love you all because my family is completely CRAZY (not on the good way) and there was plenty of tension in my Easter gatherings today..and before them (I hate my Uncle) and after (stupid people). But I love you all far to much to make you wait another week for a chapter. I'm not that mean. Am I?
Anyways....Reviewers get Easter Eggs (of either the chocolate or eggy variety)
And now, my friends. I. Am going. To sleep.
Niiiiiiiiight!
~CP