Ok so here we are at chapter Seven. Before I begin lets just get the legal stuff out of the way.
I don't own Naruto or any related characters. (Wish I did though.)
Now thanks to all those who have reviewed my last chapter:
GravenImage; Narusakufan22; airnaruto45; maxslayer10; Jade Destiny; Forgotten Werewolf; kudo-shinichi90; gilmaxter; Ericarden; timdog
Now on to the answers:
Maxslayer - Well buddy I never actually said she now loves Naruto and not Sasuke. She's still quite confused and it scares her.
ErikArden - Sorry my writing style but I guess I just follow more classical writing styles. But if you notice i always put a "she said" or "said Naruto" to show who's speaking and when someone else is talking. Sorry if it's hard to follow.
And now on to Chapter Seven and as always reviews are welcome.
Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh
Book One: Dissension
Chapter Seven: Last Stand
"Ah!" He screams as he falls down the hill. He had been running throughout the night without stopping. Before he had fallen he knew he had temporarily blacked out and was literally running on will power alone. Long ago he had decided to travel on the ground instead of in the trees. If he lost consciousness while up there the fall could kill him. Finally landing in a pile of dead leaves Konohamaru struggled to find his footing. He was exhausted, hungry and racked with pain. Several hours ago, just after dawn his pursuers had caught up to him. He had barely made it out of that encounter alive. From his count there were twelve of them. He was able to kill two of them before he escaped. That would leave ten. But in his condition, he knew now that one would be too many. If they caught up with him again he would not survive. His only chance, their only chance, was to make it past the border and to a friendly village where he could get word to Konoha.
Elsewhere
They had been moving steadily through the forest since dawn, leaping through the trees. Once again Sakura was amazed at Naruto's regenerative abilities. Last night he was so beat he couldn't stand on his own, she thought, now he's moving so quickly we can barely keep up.
They were moving within the formation that Naruto had decided upon the day they left. "Ok," Naruto said, "as far as our formation while moving is concerned, I'll take the lead. With Sage mode I can sense chakra patterns so I should take point. Sai, you'll be second. With your abilities and reflexes you'll be able to react quickly to situations. Sakura, as our medical ninja you'll take the rear so you can respond to emergencies."
Sakura had to admit, she was impressed. Naruto had everything planned out and so far was executing flawlessly. She could barely believe this was the same guy who, as a kid, was one of the most undisciplined shinobi in Konoha. You sure have grown up Naruto, she thought while smiling.
Suddenly Naruto stopped and raised his right hand, signaling the others to halt as well. Naruto paused and seemed to focus on something no one else could see. Looking back he said, "Ok, we're heading this way." And without another word he again began to move, this time veering slightly more Northeast. What's going on, Sakura thought, why is he taking us off our route?
Elsewhere
Doing what he has done dozens of times for the past four days, Konohamaru willed his body to move. Getting up he quickly calculated his route and once again began to run. Moving deftly through the forest Konohamaru was hoping, praying that he would soon run into a village. There he could find perhaps some shelter and food. He prayed that he could find a messenger pigeon service and he could get word to Konoha and they would send assistance. His team, his friends, depended on him.
Suddenly, Konohamaru heard the familiar sound of a sharp object slicing through the wind. Instinctively he ducked as the kunai flew over him, where his head previously was and imbedded in a nearby tree. Spinning and moving into a defensive stance Konohamaru see four of the Cloud ninja above him on the branches. Before he could react, several more kunai came flying at him. Quickly Konohamaru leapt forward through bushes to avoid the assault, landing in a small clearing.
Damn, not now, he thought, I've got to figure a way out of this. Out of the forest ten Cloud Ninja leapt into the clearing with kunai at the ready. Not taking any chances the ninja quickly surrounded Konohamaru at all sides to ensure that escape was impossible. Directly in front of him, one of the ninja, who, in previous encounters Konohamaru had learned was their squad leader stepped forward. "You've done well kid," he said while smiling, "I got to hand it to you I never thought a kid like you could give us so much trouble. Konoha must be pretty strong if kids like you are there. Unfortunately, our game of cat and mouse is over. You've got two choices. You can tell me where your other friends are and we kill you quick. Or don't, in which case we have a little fun first."
Konohamaru was trapped and he knew it. Unless I do something soon, I'm dead. "I guess," the squad leader said, "we get to have some fun first. Take him down." With that command the Cloud ninja all moved in to attack. Konohamaru quickly performed seven hand signals. "Shadow clone jutsu," he said as four duplicates appeared in a puff of smoke. Just like the last time, thought the squad leader, he's going to use those clones to cover his escape. Suddenly the clones transformed yet again; this time into beautiful naked women.
Caught off guard by the sudden change the Ninjas all stopped in their tracks not sure whether to attack or not. Two of the ninja leapt close to the women and attempted to touch their beautiful, full breasts. "Oh yea," said one of the ninja, "Now this is what I'm talking about!" While another screamed, "boobies, boobies, boobies!!" The Squad Leader knew better though and immediately reigned in his men. "Hey," he said, "You fucking idiots. That's still the kid. He just turned his clones into women to distract you!" Surveying the area, the Squad Leader was looking around for signs of movement. In the bushes, on the other side of the clearing, he saw a figure moving. There you are, he thought, you're not getting away this time kid.
"Hey you morons," he said, "There he goes. Five of you come with me. You others, destroy those clones." With that, five of the ninjas leapt after Konohamaru, while the others destroyed the clones one by one. Just as the Squad Leader was about to leave he heard the screams of the ninja he left behind. Turning he saw one of the clones leap into the air stabbing one of the ninja with a kunai and striking another with what seemed like a ball of chakra.
Wait, he thought, no clone could do that. Unless…. At that moment his suspicions were confirmed as the remaining clone turned back into Konohamaru. That's the real kid, he thought, which means the kid the others are chasing is a clone! Konohamaru was losing consciousness. That last Rasengan had drained him to dangerous levels. If he was going to escape he had to do it while they were caught of guard. The last two remaining ninja, quickly regained their composure and closed in, kunai's in hand. Using his last kunai Konohamru blocked the attack of one ninja who attempted to strike at his head. Slowed by injuries, Konohamaru was unable to dodge the other's attack and received a vicious cut to his back before turning and kicking him away.
Konohamru leapt back to clear space between him and his two foes. Once again the two ninja circled waiting until one was in front and the other behind. Again, they closed in. Konohamaru leapt to the right to dodge the front attack and quickly turned to engage the foe behind him. Slipping his foot just under the ninja, Konohamru slid the legs out from under his attacker and embedded his Kunai into his chest. Using, the opening Konohamaru provided, the final ninja lunged at him. But Konohamru expected this and quickly grabbed the Kunai out of the dying ninja's hand and threw it at the attacker just as he closed in, the kunai striking him in the heart.
But before the final ninja could fall dead he seemed to lunge one final time. Konohamru quickly realized that this ninja was not moving on his own free will. Something had hit him and the momentum was pushing the ninja towards him. He realized too late that it was the Squad Leader. He had thrown a kunai at his own ninja with such force that the body was thrown at him and landed at his feet.
Wait, Konohamru thought, something's not right. Why would he do that? Konohamaru, soon knew the answer. Looking down at the dead ninja he saw the kunai that was thrown and attached to it, an explosive tag. Desperately, Konohamru ran to avoid the explosion, but found his body far too weak to move quickly enough. The tag exploded hitting Konohamru in the back and launching him into the air; his limp body landing hard some ten feet away.
Slowly, confidently, the Squad Leader walked over to his prey just as the other ninja, the five he had sent after the clone, arrived. "Sir," one of them said, "we caught up with the enemy but it was a clone." "Of course," he said, annoyed, "I already knew that. This kid was good. But no matter, it's over now. We'll bring his body with us. Perhaps we can learn something from an autopsy." "Ugh," Konohamru moaned. I'm still alive, he thought, but my body, I can't move. The ninja surrounding him were shocked to see he was still alive.
Who is this kid, the Squad Leader thought. Konohamru's back was burnt badly, and his legs numb. His vision was slowly turning to darkness. Instinctively, he tried to move, but knew he couldn't. I can't believe this is it, he thought. Seeing Konohamru still trying to move, he Leader thought, he's still trying to get up? I better end this kid before he tries any other surprises.
Pulling a kunai from his belt, the Squad Leader walked over to Konohamaru and used his foot to turn him over. "End of the line pal," he said. Raising his Kunai into the air he continued, "We don't need you to tell us. We'll find your friends without your help." With blinding speed, he lowered the Kunai, aiming it at Konohamaru's heart only for his hand to be stopped inches away. Someone had grabbed his arm!
Konohamru, just before the ninja was about to kill him, had closed his eyes. In that instant, he thought of home, his friends and family. He thought of those he would miss and those he had let down. Dozens of friendly faces passed through his minds eye. Until he finally came to one, one that meant so much to him. Naruto, he thought, I guess you'll have to be Hokage for the both of us. Sorry I won't be there to take it from you one day. A moment or two had passed and Konohamru realized the death blow had still not come. Fighting the urge to sleep, he struggled to open his eyes. There kneeling just above him he saw a shadowy figure who had apparently intercepted the Ninja's attack. With the sun, directly above and his vision fading it was hard at first to make out who had saved him.
All he could make out was that he wore a red coat. "Is this the best you can do, Konohamaru?" That voice, Konohamuru thought. Forcing his eyes to focus, Konohamaru could now make out this person, who was now looking down at him. He saw the red coat, the familiar smiling face, the blonde hair and the…..Leaf insignia on the forehead protector! In utter shock, Konohamaru thought for a moment he was hallucinating, that perhaps in his last moments he had gone mad. In near disbelief he asked as if expecting this figure to disappear mockingly, "Naruto?" "Yep," Naruto responded, "Looks like you've done all you can, huh? Rest up, I'll take it from here!"
Shocked by his sudden appearance, the Squad Leader yanked his hand free and leapt back, along with his squad. "Who are you," he asked. "My name is Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto responded, "Ninja of the Leaf Village and his comrade." The Squad Leader was amazed. This is the Uzumaki kid? I was told he was no longer a Leaf Ninja. No matter, if I defeat him I will gain great favor in Akatsuki. "I see," the Squad Leader responded, "Well now that I know that, you can die now."
The Squad Leader raised his right hand and pointed two fingers at Naruto. With the signal given two of the ninja drew kunai and ran at Naruto. Suddenly, without warning, Sai landed in front of one of the ninja and kicked him hard in the head and, before he could fall kicked him once more sending him flying. On the other side the other ninja was intercepted by Sakura who punched him to the ground as she landed from the trees above. The Ninja was hit so hard a small crater was formed beneath him.
Looking on the final four ninja, Naruto spoke to Sakura. "Sakura, Konohamaru is in bad shape. Go see to him. Sai, you go help her. I'll finish things here." "Right," Sakura responded and both she and Sai left. "So," Responded the Squad Leader, "You plan to finish us alone? You're pretty cocky you little asshole. Don't you know who I am? We are elite Ninja of the Akatsuki! And I'm their leader! My name is Shinsuo Muramasa, Master of the Wind Scythe technique!" Muramasa performed several hand signals and as if out of thin air, create a long scythe in each hand.
I see, Naruto thought, he's like Asuma, except instead of using weapons as a medium to control his chakra he creates the weapon completely with chakra. Muramasa signaled his men and they attacked as Naruto formed hand signals and called forth six clones. Within no time Naruto had made quick work of the remaining Ninja and all that was left was Muramasa. For a moment Muramasa stood spinning both scythes between his fingers while merely watching Naruto. Seemingly deciding on an attack strategy, Muramasa moved in with blinding speed. For moment Naruto was taken off guard by Muramasa sudden speed. Damn he faster than he looks, he thought.
Muramasa leapt at Naruto, swinging his scythe's at him with blinding speed. But Naruto seemed to easily dodge them, finally leaping back several yards to create space. "Are you planning to dodge forever," Mauramasa asked. "Not really," Naruto responded, "I just wanted to see how fast you are. I wanted to make sure I was faster. This attack wouldn't work if I wasn't." "Really," Muramasa said, "And what attack would that b…" Before he could finish the sentence, a clone had punched him in the face sending flying to the left. Before he could regain his balance another clone punched him again sending him back the other way. Reeling, Muramasa tried once again to regain his balance but before he could, from below another clone kicked him high into the sky. Looking up, he saw Naruto falling down feet first and kicked him in the head. "Sage Barrage!" Naruto screamed as he kicked Muramasa in the head. Muramasa fell to the earth with such force a crater was formed.
With his body broken and slipping into unconsciousness Muramasa looked up to see Naruto land deftly, turn to his friends and walk away. His last thought before falling into darkness, so this is him, this is Uzumaki Naruto.
End of Chapter Seven