Greetings faithful readers. I bring to you the long awaited next chapter of Ruby Claims The Sapphire. I know I say often I will update often but things are not always so simple. Aside from work, I have other duties to attend to. On a bitter note, I have lost my job and will do well to tend to my other stories. That is particularly was inspired this chapter; dealing with the consequences of your actions and the outcome that comes with it. Also, there will need to be explanations for Sasuke's actions. In a lot of fics; Sasuke is made to be a shallow, vindictive, jealous, possessive, spoiled brat who gets agitated when not given immediately what he wants. Also, they depict him of abruptly forcing Naruto or his choice of conquest into something he/she does not want. I will not make him like that. Although, he will retain his possessive and jealous personality; he will not be so cruel to take Naruto by force. That is just so people do not misunderstand our favorite emo raven (XD).

I had mentioned in previous chapters, I will divert from the typical SasuNaru cliché and have them develop some real personality. Naruto is not purposefully trying to distance himself from people or cause them trouble. He is unsure of what he truly wants in life and is doing what he can to distance himself from his traumatizing past. More on that later. For now, just enjoy the story.

Warnings: slight language, verbal confrontations, mischievous Naruto.

Sugoi-very good

Teme-bastard

Dobe-Idiot/ Dead last

Sayonara- Good bye

Chapter 7: Ramifications


Naruto ran as fast as his feet could carry him. He held the clasp of his hood to prevent his hood from falling off as he sped through the thicket of trees and brush. He dared not to look back lest one of the guards spot him. It was a good half mile from the castle to the village and he wanted to spare no minute. Finally, he reached the fork that pointed in two directions; the way to the village square or the direction of where his former home was. He couldn't go back to his home since that is the first place where Sasuke would think to look. He couldn't go to the caves either. That only left the village. He looked inside his cloak to see if he had everything he needed; his journal and his necklace. Smiling in satisfaction, he continued on his way. He soon reached the village. He lifted off his hood and walked through the bustling crowds. He wasn't all too put off that no one acknowledged his absence or took notice of his reappearance. Then again, the only people he ever spoke to was the food shop vender, the miller and his three daughters, and occasionally the town herbalist for when he needed medicine. He shook off his depression. Now was the time to tie up loose ends and find a new life elsewhere if possible.

First on the agenda was to stop by the food vender shop where he worked. The man who worked there was a tall man with deep brown hair that went down to his shoulders that he kept in a ponytail. His name was Kazuko (1). He was dressed in a dark grey tunic, and dark pants with boots. He was a man in mid 40's with a few wrinkles signifying he was on the verge of old age. He did not appear all too thrilled to see the blonde again; far from it.

"You have a lot of nerve showing your face here" he said crossly.

Naruto stood his ground and clenched his fist. "Actually sir, I have a reason for not showing up" he replied. The man scoffed. "Let me guess; you pig out on ramen and fell asleep for two days?" he retorted sarcastically. Naruto simmered. "No! I was held up and could not get out. For reasons I don't want to mention, I was help up and was not able to get out. So now here I am" he replied hotly. The shop keeper sneered and leaned over.

"Well it don't matter to me anyway cause you a'int working here no more. I will not have an assistant that can't get to his job on time" he retorted. Naruto guffawed in shock. "What?! You can't do that! You need me to help you run the store!" Kazuko shook his head. "Actually I can. See truth be told kid, I only hired you out of respect for your old man and that I felt sorry for you. I tolerated you simply because your good looks helped to attract customers and that I needed someone to run errands. But that was a false hope. You are so damn incompetent and clumsy. Of course, I wouldn't expect any less from a nameless orphan from some far off land to put a curse like the one you put on…"

SLAM!

The man's eyes widened when a fist landed loudly causing the shack to shake. Naruto's eyes shadowed his bangs. His lips straightened to a tight line. He lifted his head to glare at the man. He then leaned forward and let the man have it.

"No you listen you miserable old bastard. There is no need to fire me because I quit! I have been putting up with your crap for the last two and half years with no complaint because I had no choice. No one in this town wanted to give me job because I was an outsider and a stranger" he seethed. Naruto then laughed sardonically.

"Honestly, I don't know anyone in this town or pretty much the whole world that would want to work for someone as miserable and abhorrent as you. You are completely repulsive, rude, obnoxious, and a complete bigot at that. You know why the customers stop coming? It's because the food matches your personality; rotten. You never listen to reason when it is recommended or you blow a gasket when you are told what you don't want to hear. Remember one time when I told you that we could get more business if we sold fresher items? As I can recall, you chewed my ear out for a half hour and threatened to beat me with a wooden stick if I ever tried to 'correct' you ever again. No wonder you're fiancé left you!"

Naruto slid off the counter and crossed his arms. "There is another upside about me quitting this dump you call a shop; I will be leaving this village soon to start a new life and I won't have to see you or any of the rest of these prejudiced jerks. With any luck I will find a new place with more pleasant folk. So Sayonara and Good Riddance Asshole!"

Naruto flung his cape off his shoulder and stalked off satisfied with himself. Kazuko could only stand there flabbergasted and devastated. Some of the people that were watching smirked silently congratulating the boy for finally sticking it to the repugnant codger. Others simply shook their head at the nerve of the precocious boy. The blonde's small victory was short lived when he heard the sound of scurried feet. Naruto swerved his head and spotted the distant shapes of several armed men coming into the village.

"Crud, gotta get out of here!" he exclaimed donning his hood and making a run for it.


Just then, the guardsmen approached the spot where Naruto previously stood. They caught their breath before voicing their disappointment. "Damn! The kid slipped from our grasp!" complained Raido. Genma gave a wry smile.

"You gotta hand it to him though, he is quite the spry little thing. Our prince has his work cut out for him I tell you what". He was swat in the back of the head by an irate Kotetsu. "Quit messing around, Genma. If we don't capture him soon, it will be more than our heads on the line" he snapped. The other guards nodded their head. Izumo cleared his throat. "He's right. Let us get a move on and hope that he hasn't left the village already". With that the royal guards followed in pursuit of their illusive quarry. The civilians only blinked in confusion wondering what was going on. Naruto sped through the village doing all he could to avoid his pursuers. He ducked behind wine barrels, dove into alleyways whilst of course fighting off the hordes of vagrants and perverts attempting to cop a feel. He wound his way through some shops much to the chagrin of the patrons. He spotted the main entrance into the village just a couple feet away. With newfound zest, he jolted for the gate. Sadly, his way to freedom was blocked by none other than the same four men who saved his life earlier that day. Raido stepped forward and spoke authoritatively.

"Uzumaki Naruto-san, you most certainly have made our job interesting to say the least" he replied with no condensation in his voice. "However, I am afraid you have two options at this point; come back with us willingly or be arrested and come by force though I hope you choose the latter" he stated hopefully. Naruto narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

"Namiashi-san, you know quite well I cannot do that. Although you and the others have shown me great courtesy, I will have to decline your offer. Like I said before, I have no intention of being the prince's courtesan, mistress, or anything for that matter" he replied with conviction. Genma cleared his throat and smiled crookedly. "Regardless Naruto…if you don't come back with us, it will be trouble for you and for us" he stated. Naruto crossed his arms and laughed bitterly. "Like I give a damn if that teme throws a tantrum. That is not to say I don't feel bad' he assured them 'about your plight. But understand, I have plans for my future that do not include being the prince's plaything. So please forget this and let me pass through". The blond walked upwards. Much to his chagrin however, his path remained blocked. They then pulled out their swords.

Raido exhaled in frustration. He hated to do this but if he didn't, he would not only put his job on the line but that of his comrades. "Then I guess we have no choice…seize him!" he commanded. His troupe moved toward the youngster hesitantly. The lad gulped as his soon to be captors closed in on him. Just as the men were an inch from grabbing him…Naruto disappeared.

"What?!" they all shouted simultaneously. Naruto jumped about an impossible 12 feet in the air before landing perfectly on his feet (2). He gave a cheeky grin and a peace sign. "Sorry guys, but like I said; I have places to go so bye!"

The soldiers broke from their shock before setting foot once again. Raido led the chase with each of the guards trying and failing to grab hold of the whelp. The village was like a giant maze with its twist and turns and obstacles. The men were amazed to find how agile and swift the boy was; hence the high jump flip. If he met a dead end, all he had to jump at certain angles and jump over the wall. It was proving to be a tedious chore for the guards, if not fun for the boy. Never before had they met anyone whose dexterity could rival that of the prince. After what seemed to be an eternity, there seemed to be found no trace of the errant boy. They were all breathing hard with sweat dripping from their brows.

"ha, ha, ha' that 'hah' kid is sure a 'hah' slippery one" Genma said breathily. Kotetsu, Raido, and Izumo all glared not bothering to iterate with a response. Genma chuckled nervously stretching out his collar to let out needed heat. Raido rolled his eyes in annoyance. He stood up. "It's getting late. If by sunset we don't find him, we will report back to the palace" he explained. Kotetsu bit his lip nervously. "But taishou-san, we go empty handed; who knows what Sasuke-sama will do? The last time one of us defied his orders, he threatened to have us confined to stable duty for three months". Kotetsu shivered at the memory. Izumo rolled his eyes at his melodramatic comrade's rant. Raido stood up regaining the strength in his legs.

"Alright, split up and meet back over by Hikigaeruhoppā (The Toad Hopper) (3)". Immediately, all men began a futile search for the spry lad. They failed to realize that their target was already winding his way to the village outskirts beyond the gate.


Naruto reached the outskirts after successfully evading his persistent chasers. He was now in a grassy grove littered with all manners of trees and shrubs. He rubbed his arms as a cold wind passed over him. It was getting colder as the months rolled by. His thoughts were interrupted when he saw a faint sliver of light in his peripheral.

"A light finally!" he shouted excitedly. He ran toward it until he stopped just in front of two wooden platforms and a wooden fence with an arch between them. The arch was made of dark wood and black writing. He squinted his eyes to try to get a better look to no avail. The writing was shaded over and hard to decipher. "Damn! Oh well, whoever it is probably doesn't like trespassers poking about their property" he surmised understandably. But when another gust of wind blew by him, he held his cloak tighter around him. "Then a-a-gain…it wouldn't hurt to peek inside for a bit. Maybe they have a nice warm barn I could sleep in. I'm sure they won't mind too much if I just rest for one night" he reasoned. With that Naruto climbed up the tree closest to the gate. He sat atop the branch and looked inside.

Inside was a medium sized house with a straw and mortar roof, several windows and a large wooden door. The yard was relatively large with a wooden stable complex, and across was a water well. Naruto slowly climbed to the edge of the branch before dropping his weight to grab onto the branch in a swinging momentum. He swung until his body was at an angle that he could just drop in...literally. He swung over the fench and landed in a sitting motion on the grass. He stood up steadily and nearly shouted in triumph had he not remembered that he was on another person's property. He looked over to the house and saw the lights were turned on and the chimney was blowing smoke. He figured the family was having dinner. The smell was not helping things much. He looked over to the stables and decided to go inside. He checked the door to see if it was locked. He smiled when the door opened easily for him. He walked inside slowly and checked his surroundings. He closed the door behind him. The inside was wonderfully warm smelled of fresh, sweet hay and apples. He grinned widely when he saw there was in fact a large bushel of apples against the wall and a hay pile next to it. He grabbed hold of one and bit into it. He closed his eyes and moaned in ecstasy.

"Sugoi! Sugoi! This apple is so ripe and delicious. Whoever these farmers are, must really take good care of their farm" Naruto thought happily. Once he finished, he threw it to the side. He took off his cloak and laid it down beside the hay pile. He lay on his side atop the yellow mass and inhaled deeply. He curled into a ball and inhaled deeply. A smile crossed his lips. Everything about the barn reminded him of a far distant time; when he was a young boy that had not yet been exposed to the bad side of life. That he was not some concubine-to-be for some spoiled, depraved monarch. He was not some trophy wench set on a pedestal to be ogled, paraded around and lusted after. No, for this brief moment he was just Naruto Uzumaki. He was free of any burden, grief, and demons. As he drifted off to sleep, he let out a sigh of content. He was finally free.


Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Naruto…breaking and entering. Have to add that charge to your list of 'crimes'. At least I hope some of you had fun reading this chapter. I sure had fun writing it. Like in the old version; I had fun writing the chase scene though I wanted to make tremendous changes to how the story goes. I sort of feel sorry for Genma, Raido, Kotetsu, and Izumo. The four amigos just don't have it easy, not with Naruto causing havoc. It is essential for the plot I have in mind.

For those who are just tuning in this version, I will introduce the Nara Family next chapter. Shikamaru will still remain bitter but will be lenient with Naruto. It is uncertain how he will handle the idea of reconciling with Chouji but it won't be all roses. Naruto's past will remain vague until the middle where it will come to fruition. Hopefully, I will do better on updating more frequently. To assist with adding "fun" to the story, listen to some old Naruto OST or whatever you choose.

Read and review.

Chapter Footnotes:

(1) Every story has to have a rude shop keeper guy.

(2) Imagine the scene from Tarzan when he jumps from the rope climb and up the chimney.

(3) The name of an imaginary tavern or brothel. Not related to the toad Sanin in any way.