AN:Yo, sorry for the little late update from regular times, was packed with assignments.
As always, thanks for the feedback (very special thanks to Yami Umi once again.)
I am curious though with Lady Dragons feedback, I wonder if that was the turn off for many readers too, hmm. (although the next chapter did say where all his training had gone...)
Anyways enough with my rambling.
Chapter 49 Maybe, it's like cheating...
The moon towering above showed no signs of making an exit, as it still dimly lit over the darkness of the ghost town. The blue hue was more than enough for both of the teens to see each other, as they sat side by side in a meditative stance, with a lone green light stick glowing between them.
Naruto opened up his eyes, "How you going Sakura-chan?"
Sakura perked open one eye to see him, "Give me a second."
Feeling that cold rush drip down her arm, she opened her palms to show her progress. Running her thumb to feel its texture, she could feel a familiar pattern to her previous attempts.
"Little to no progress Naruto, just some dried bits." Naruto nodded and decided to try for himself, breaking his hands apart to reveal his own progress. Even if her vision was mostly just different shades of green from the light stick, she could tell from the dark appearance of the leaf, just how far he had come with his kage bunshin's.
"You have got it!"
Twirling the leaf by its stiff stem, he gave a victorious chuckle, "Hell yeah! This kage bunshin training is absolutely si -..."
Naruto's joy died down, when he inwardly cursed at the wash over of disappointment in the kunouchi's eyes, "Ah...it is an amazing training method Naruto."
Letting the dry leaf fall, he held an apologetic face, "Sakura-chan..."
She turned to give him a proud smile, trying to hide her frustration at her efforts from him, "I am sure you will have mastered suiton in no time at this rate."
Muttering his thanks, Sakura looked elsewhere to inwardly sigh, 'I knew Naruto would pull ahead of me so early, how couldn't he? I have been training in this suiton exercise for just under a week, and he has been training for over several months thanks to his kage bunshin's..like I even had a chance to keep up.' She mused, still feeling disappointed she had practically hit a brick wall in their training. Knowing Naruto, she didn't need to wonder wether he would wait for her to catch up. To the blond, it probably wasn't even an optional choice. She felt like Naruto was deliberately crippling himself just so she could keep up, and she hated that she was being a hindrance to him once again. It was the very reason she was against them learning their shared affinity together, because she knew it was going to end up this way.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden solid connection into her hips, that then began grinding into her sides. She first gasped in surprise to the contact, but when they began to dig in, she on reflex began to involuntarily twitch and giggle, as her head looked up to sky to see her attacker standing behind her.
"N-Naruto?! Wh-what-what t-the hell-are!-"
She never could finish her cackled sentence, as her giggles erupted into loud laughter, "I am seeing some doubt in those eyes Sakura-chan, so I am just helping you laugh it out."
"B-B-Ba-Baka! T-Tickling me doesn't hel-help!"
She had lost complete control of herself after that, and fell on her back as the blond continued his assault on her sides, making her completely twitch under his mercy, "S-Stop damn it!-Naruto! I-can't- Enough- Need- Breathe!"
Listening to her cackled and incoherent request, he removed his drilling fists, allowing her to pant for the air her lungs were denied, while rubbing the tears that had fallen.
Still giggling lightly, she turned her head on the ground to look at his lively smile, "When did you get the guts to tickle ME of all people?!"
That mischievous grin made her eyes narrow in feigned annoyance, "Hehe, things change I guess."
'He is starting to become more comfortable with our relationship...'
"Yeah I suppose...I don't have doubt though. I knew this was going to happen in the first place."
"Then it is my turn to help you out."
Still breathing in audibly for air, she let out a quick sigh, "We aren't the same person Naruto, Kakashi-sensei told us that already."
"Who gives a damn? I am still going to help."
Looking up at the stars above, she voiced her thoughts to him, "I don't want to slow you down Naruto. You can learn something great in next to no time at all, but if you waste your time waiting for me, well...you get the idea."
Sensing warmth on her arm, she looked to him to see him stroking her arm at her side while he was sitting, "I don't want to slow YOU down, Sakura-chan."
Partially agape by his words that sounded like a confession, she recovered with a long sigh, "Idiot. I am the one trailing behind. Make sense."
She didn't know if he was doing it by thought, but he was running his fingers up and down her arm while giving a soft smile, "Then let me help, so then you can catch up, and we go to the next step together." Sakura could see what he was doing, he was basically saying that he didn't care about slowing down for her sake.
Only issue was that didn't do anything for her in regards to him, "That does not make me feel any better."
Sensing his running fingers pause, but still continued to 'run' on the spot at her elbow, showed her that he was stuck in thought of what to say back. It was amusing enough, that she lightly giggled at the drumming touch of his fingers that were changing rhythms, as if to show his possible suggestions flying behind his blue eyes, "Don't think too hard Naruto."
Deciding to get more comfy, she shifted so she now was lying perfectly straight on her back, but still watched in hilarity of his thoughts visibly showing in his changing expressions.
Finally, Naruto removed his hand from her arm, to scratch his head, "Bah! You are not making this easier Sakura-chan." Chuckling again, she folded her hands so they were resting on her gut, "Fine then, I will play along...What do you have in mind to help me catch up?"
"Umm..."
"Are you doing anything different from what we have discovered so far?"
"No."
She closed her eyes at his answer, "Now look who isn't making it easier. Naruto, some things simply take time. I came to accept long ago that I am not like you and Sasuke-kun. I know what you told me before though, and I mean it when I tell you I am not giving up, I am simply acknowledging this is my limit. Give me something to memorize, like a book or something like that, and sure, I will literally recite it word for word after reading it just once. I will tell you the name of the author, and the publisher, of any book I have read if you pop a surprise test on me. I can see Iruka-sensei's lectures from the academy, and I can even tell you who he stopped to scold for interrupting him. ...but that is all I am good at, and to be honest, that's simply because it's my hobby to memorize things...not a very grand hobby hey?"
Naruto looked down at her, while his eyes flickered over what she said, "You really can?"
"...Do I hear a surprise test coming up Naruto? Trust me, you aren't the first one who has tried to see if I forgot something."
"What is my favourite ramen flavour?"
She at first shot her eyes on in surprise at the question, then looked over at him to giggle, "Oh come on you idiot, its miso pork. Jeez, at least Ino tries harder ones-"
"What did I henge into back in the academy?"
Grinning, she looked up at the night sky again, "Be more specific."
"Before and including the last surprise test."
Again with a giggle, she answered, "Now you are getting into it...You turned into a horrible version of Sandaime-sama first time, then after that you really started to get pretty good at it. You somehow conned Kiba once, in for both of you to swap places with a henge, and revealed it after you tricked Iruka-sensei. There was that one time you tried to fool us all by walking in as Iruka-sensei...which would have gone well, if he did not walk in, the split second after you did. Finally, there was that stupid harem no jutsu...you baka."
Naruto scratched his head while thinking, "What do I dislike?"
"Waiting the three minutes it takes for cup ramen to cook...give up already, Naruto."
"How about the shinobi rules?" "...You don't even know them, I would be wasting my breath."
"I really would like to hear them though."
Looking over in disbelief, she saw his fascinated gaze, and she did not miss just how much of the same emotion was held in his soft request. She grew a smile, and looked back up at the stars, "Stop me if you get bored."
She started from number one, and went all the way through, without him interrupting her once. She didn't even know why, but her smile never left her serene expression. If anything, it grew. She paused at rule twenty four, to look and confirm that he still was listening to her intently, which made her continue. Sakura didn't understand why, but Naruto's simple action of listening to her speak with such interest really touched her, it brought an amazing rush of self value, and showed her how much Naruto respected her. She finally finished on the fifty fourth rule, and brought silence between them, with the crickets and night animals causing a unexpected relaxing atmosphere.
She began to wonder if maybe her rambling had put him to sleep, and turned to only see amazed blue eyes looking at her with a partially agape, but pride baring smile.
Blushing at his appearance, she looked back up at the sky, "That's it." She announced, which finally made the blond voice his astonishment.
"Wow, you really can remember so much from so far back...that's insane!"
Rolling her eyes, she emitted a light chuckle, and decided to share with him, "Ino used to say it's the reason I have such a big forehead, as I can even remember things far back as I was very young."
Letting her joke die down, she closed her eyes, "So, back to the point before we got off track. Don't worry about me, we can still work together on the suiton training, I will just have to catch up as you progress further."
Hearing no response from him, made her open her eyes in question while looking up the sky, "Naruto? do you hear me?"
Shifting her head, she saw his familiar gaze held deep in thought.
Deciding to let him go, she waited from him to finally speak, "...Then do what I do."
"Huh?"
"You said you can remember things perfectly, like a picture or something like that?"
Groaning, she looked up the night sky again, "They call it a photographic memory, Naruto."
"Yeah well, one of those things. Just picture what I do then, and repeat after me."
Tilting her head so she could see him, she perked an eyebrow, "I don't understand what you mean Naruto." Putting his index finger to signal 'wait!' he began looking around for a fresh leaf, and then presented it. Feeling she was required to do something, she half sat up, to see him hold open his hand, with the leaf resting in it.
Sakura guessed he was prompting for her to enclose her own over his, so she did as she was silently told. Growing a small smile though, she looked up to him, "Is this another excuse to just hold my hand?"
Mumbling a flushed 'n-not really' he tried to explain, "You have an amazing memory-"
"I get that, and thank you. But I still don't-"
She paused when she suddenly felt an odd tickle brush over her enclosed hand, and looked down in surprise, "Naruto...are you?...-"
"-Then just remember what I do then!"
She was shocked, as she felt a drip of water hit the concrete, still feeling the odd sensation brushing over her hand. Feeling the odd tingling numbness fade away, she let go of his hand to see a partly dried out leaf.
"...Because your chakra control isn't very grand, you cannot cover the entire leaf with just one hand, so you are not able to absorb the water entirely." She voiced her surprise, while the blond shrugged.
"Guess that means you can compare with me on the spot, as you copy what I do then."
"Naruto..."
Giving his bright and warming smile, he scooped up another leaf in preparation, "So now, when you are able to copy me exactly so a leaf is completely sucked dry, we will be equal in suiton!" He beamed.
Sakura was honestly at a loss, she didn't know if Naruto knew this was going to happen, or he was an excellent improviser. Despite this discovery, she reluctantly shook her head to his suggestion, earning him to raise an eyebrow in question.
"...Chakra does not work this way Naruto, and I don't have the sharingan."
"What you mean?"
"It's the rule of spiritual energy Naruto. You get better with a jutsu with repetition, so they become more effective. The sharingan bends this rule, allowing the user to copy a jutsu near equal strength with just seeing it performed once. That is why your kage bunshin training is so amazing Naruto, you bypass that rule, or speed it up to the point where its worthless."
"But what if you watch what I do? I mean surely there is some good in my idea."
"..."
"Maybe it's like cheating."
"Say what?"
"You know, when doing that stupid number working out stuff-"
"-Mathematics-"
"-Yeah, that. You look at the back of the question book to find the answer with, without knowing how they got that...then you try to work it out backwards."
"Are you telling me...to work backwards?!" Was his idea as stupid as it sounded, or did it somehow really make sense? "Ah, exactly that. I have the answer to the question, you have your shot at it...you have to work out what you are doing wrong in between."
Ok, now she was impressed at just how much of an improviser he was, but she did have a solid conclusion on one thing, "...I think you may be right Naruto...but I fail to see where my memory comes into this."
Sheepishly grinning, the blond scratched his head, "Well, I sort of forget the answer sometimes after looking at it...so-"
His explanation was cut off by her laughter, "Oh you bloody goof Naruto, that's because you don't give a crap about that kind of stuff...you remember things when you feel you need to, baka."
Ignoring his muttered excuses, she thought over his idea some more. Was it entirely hopeless? She didn't know, but either way, it meant she had an opening to catch up much faster, and it was once again thanks to him.
Taking his hand, she smiled, "Yet another smart suggestion...I swear you are not Naruto."
"This again?! Sakura-chan, that hurts."
Giggling, she stared into his capturing eyes, "Thank you Naruto." Finding his warming smile inviting, she was leaning in to capture them with her own smile.
"Awww!" Both teens yelped, snapping their heads to see a deeply amused scare crow lookalike step out of the shadows, "K-Kakashi-sensei!?!" Sakura muttered, as both teammates suddenly growled and shouted in union their new phrase to greet their sensei with.
"STOP DOING THAT SENSEI!"
Laughing, Kakashi still continued to walk forward, "What are you doing here anyway sensei?"
Kakashi gave a too innocent to be genuine eye smile, "Just ensuring my students are being...responsible." An identical wash over of confusion brushed over the two, but Kakashi didn't give them the opportunity to pursue.
"So what is it my two students are doing out here so late?"
Naruto answered, while giving Sakura's hand a squeeze, "I am helping Sakura-chan out with the suiton training sensei!"
"O-h? It looks to me though. you are just holding hands?"
'Is he really trying to trick me, or is he being serious?'
"No really, check it out sensei!"
Turning to Sakura he ushered her, "Come on Sakura-chan, let's show him!"
It all happened so fast, she didn't even think when he raised their hands up as if they were arm wrestling. Giving in, she smiled, "Talk about putting me on the spot."
Kakashi watched in interest, as he stood now in front of them, 'What exactly has Naruto thought up?' Kakashi soon noticed the drips running down their arms, as Naruto gave a wide teeth revealing grin, and pulled apart their hands to catch the leaf by the stem. Kakashi securitised the leaf, taking note that Naruto's half was very dry, while Sakura's had splotches all over.
Picking up one of Sakura's leaves from before, he now held hers up to Kakashi, "This is Sakura-chan's progress by herself."
He then twirled the leaf to reveal Sakura's half, and held both next to each other, "This is her first attempt when trying to copy what I do."
Shifting his one eye back and forth, he concluded Naruto's claim was true, "There is slight improvement, but that could be because you were doing half the work for her, since you are just draining a mere leaf after all."
"Nah, I don't have enough control to drain it from both sides."
Kakashi gave his student a dull look, while raising a said leaf between his face, "Naruto...it's a leaf that is not even a couple of mileometers thick...are you feeling alright?"
Not giving in to the sarcastic remark, he passed a fresh leaf to Sakura, "Show him Sakura-chan how amazing your memory is."
Shaking her head at his never ending praise, she accepted the challenge he was so confident she would not fail in. To say the least, she really didn't want to disappoint him for having such strong faith. Once she was done, she twirled the leaf around to present, then brought it in front of Kakashi, who now looked at the three leaves.
"...Naruto..." Sakura felt her nerves pick up, while the blond held no such worry, he even gave his victory fox smile prematurely.
"...You never cease to amaze me. "
"It is better?" Sakura asked in surprise, while Kakashi nodded.
"Hai, I can even see your alone attempt is better than your shared one with Naruto. I wonder why?"
"It's because Sakura-chan was following my actions the first time round, and the second time she did it from memory." Naruto explained like it was fact.
Kakashi took a few moments to reply, "I see, so that is what you mean by memory...you are making Sakura copy her chakra motion the same way you do the exercise. She has superb chakra control, so she can follow your chakra's movement pretty close to exact. Since this form of exercise is only the basic step of accumulating water, by using her chakra like you, it will have similar, if not exact, same results, given she practices it enough...that is genius Naruto."
If it was even possible, his fox smile widened, "Hehe, Sakura-chan is so cool, she doesn't need a sharingan to be epic."
Blushing at his comment, she nudged him, "You are doing all the work, I am just following."
"Maybe, but you are the one that explained to me how to manipulate your chakra in water. You also found out about moving our chakra in a current, to speed up the time it takes to drain the leaf...You did just as much work as me Sakura-chan."
Sakura gave in and rubbed her neck with a grin, "W-Well if you put it that way."
'The sharingan can copy jutsu's at a great distance perfectly just by looking at it once Naruto...you are in physical contact with Sakura, so she can see what you are doing, and yet, she still can't copy it perfectly like a sharingan.' Kakashi mentally scolded his blond student, but decided to just let him go with that one.
Continuing his musing, he watched his students interact, 'Spiritual energy build up is still her barrier, which is why she could not perfectly copy Naruto's method...so she still has to gain it, by practicing the exercise over and over again . But if she studies Naruto's method of accumulating water to the teeth, she can build it up much faster than what she would achieve on her own.'
Naruto prepared another leaf, and they did the same exercise again. As his musing on the rules of chakra had predicted, Sakura's leaf this time was very similar to her previous attempt.
Naruto however, was far from giving in, "Come on Sakura-chan, let's keep at it till your equal with me!"
Kakashi standing up straight brought their attention to him, "I think you both have had your fun for tonight together, it is time to rest. We can continue this tomorrow...or should I say, later today."
At his announcement, both teens looked up at the moon to gasp at just how much it had shifted, taking a guess it was now one or two in the morning. Looking at each other, they shrugged and turned back to Kakashi, "You go back then, Naruto and I will come in later."
Kakashi was getting used to a lot of things, but Sakura not caring it was now early in the morning, and wanting to continue training was something that purely caught him off guard.
'She is picking up more and more of Naruto's bad habits...she would never say that normally.' He mused, while running his hand through his silver hair, "Very well then, looks like I will stay and watch."
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Sakura could never think holding someone's hand could be so tiring in her life. The dawning sun also did not help. Looking at the pile of leaves next to them, which almost were at her crouched height, she could only think about two things. One being how it was possible the tree above still had no visual change of losing so many leaves, and how much she really was beginning to hate leaves in general...was that considered heresy for a Konoha ninja to think?
Sakura looked to the two blonds sitting in front of her, while rubbing the sweat off her forehead, "Ready again Sakura-chan?" Taking the two offered crinkled hands with her own that had the same crinkled appearance, she nodded, as they began again. After several attempts, Naruto decided to 'up' her training to now her dual jutsu exercise he thought up. This was why she was now performing it twice with one of his kage bunshins to handle the other, since he couldn't perform it in each hand alone like she could.
Kakashi was simply leaning back against the tree and watching. once again it was surprising to him just how motivated Sakura was, and looking to the source of said inspiration, he could understand. While Naruto was pushing Sakura a fair deal, his unwithered confidence in her was driving her to meet his expectations. Kakashi had a feeling she was not going to call it quits until she was literally knocked out from chakra exhaustion, despite her tired demeanour, her eyes held no such traits in them.
Breathing in the sharp air which felt almost like it was ripping apart her oesophagus, the pain brought an odd smile instead of a wince, as both Naruto's held up her attempt like it was a medal.
"You are doing better Sakura-chan, it looks hell brown now, hey sensei!?" Naruto beamed, holding up one of the leaves high for Kakashi to see. The leaf itself was mostly yellow, with the faintest of brown splotches being visible if you squinted your eyes at it.
"Well, if you call that brown, then sure Naruto."
"That's because he keeps giving me completely different shaped leaves every time sensei. You are enjoying this aren't you?"
"Hehe, I am just helping Sakura-chan."
"At least try and keep them similar sizes, this is hard enough as is."
"How troublesome."
All three turned to see a yawning Shikamaru, "Do I even want to know what on earth you two are doing this time?"
Looking at Sakura's tired demeanour, he put one and two together, "...We have a load of strong shinobi heading this way soon, and you are willing to risk going a whole night without sleep to just train...you had let them do this Kakashi?"
Kakashi gave an innocent shrug, "I don't know what you are talking about, Shikamaru-'kun'."
"...When this is all over, I am going to take a long leave."
"That is a poor display of discipline Shikamaru-kun." A wide awake Lee announced, revealing himself next to the Nara, "You should embrace complicated matters, and use them to blossom in the days of your-"
"Youth...yeah, yeah...take my advice Lee, do the same...but away from your 'ecstatic' sensei as well." Not responding to the shadow user's comment, Lee walked up to the two sitting teammates that were holding hands.
"Oh, what a fuzzy display of such burning passionate affection!"
Both teens were caught completely off guard by the beamed comment, and blushed, "I-It's training Lee-san! "
Lee stopped his emotionless tears to hold complete surprise, "I see...so there is training in relationships too."
As if a brick had fallen from the skies, and knocked both their heads to hit the ground, Naruto and Sakura cursed out their 'No's!', while Kakashi was laughing loudly. Lee was only making the whole situation worse by writing down in 'that' notepad of his, "How curious, I may have to investigate more into this peculiar training method."
Shikamaru could not resist chuckling, while walking up to Kakashi, "As we discussed during the meeting, Shino's team is picking up some supplies from another town. Hopefully if they go noticed, it will allow us to make them believe we aren't at a specific town."
"Very well...are you not interested in what Lee-kun said?" Shikamaru took a moment to think, while looking over to see a surprised Lee, as he was being given a very exact explanation from Sakura.
"Honestly Kakashi, to look into it any more deeply would be too much of a drag."
"So you knew?"
"I knew from the moment, both of them were in shock at the sight of the other, from the start of this mission. I have seen every twist, and turn, that has been made to lead to this point...you really think I didn't notice how strange Sakura was acting around Naruto, or how much they have changed from the moment the ANBU announced themselves?"
"I see...so you have been analysing this with deep interest then?"
"Eh? well it has been interesting and even amusing to observe, nonetheless."
"Yosh! for every leaf you have attempted this vigorous exercise on, I will match it with ten one handed push ups of bliss filled encouragement!"
"Now Kakashi...there is an example of somebody I am more concerned about."
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Five hundred supportive one handed push ups later, Kakashi made Sakura stop, both to end Lee's display, and force her to go rest. Naruto was the one though, who claimed she was too tired to walk, which was why she reluctantly had let him carry her on his back...he already received a firm, bruise bringing answer to carrying her the other way again. Why he deliberately was walking so slow both amused her, and annoyed her at the same time.
"Hey, if I am really that heavy for you, I can just walk?"
Tilting his head back so she could just see the corners of his fox smile, he chuckled, "You are freakishly light, so there is no problem there Sakura-chan, if anything, you should eat more."
The semi harsh hit to his head made him look at the dirt around his feet, "What is wrong with how much I weigh?!" Naruto mumbled a 'nothing', while continuing.
'Wait a second, Ero-sennin told me never to imply a woman is fat..but I can't say when I think they are too light either?! I don't get it.'
"Just hurry the hell up! I am tired."
"Yosha." He never did walk any faster despite his words though. It was almost like he was thoroughly enjoying this situation.
"You did great Sakura-chan."
Tightening her arms around his neck, she smiled into the back of his head, "Thanks Naruto." She still had more to go, but even Kakashi was impressed by her progress for one training session.
"You can sleep on my back if you want to Sakura-chan, I don't mind."
"Heh...I don't trust you, you pervert."
Naruto almost slipped on his next step to her blunt and cold reply, while looking down dully to the footpath, "Is that so..."
She then pinched his cheek while laughing, "And you said I was moody, you are so effortlessly easy to tease, it should be illegal."
"Ow!"
As if she was humoured by his yelp, she did it again, earning him to start giggling after another cry out, "Knock it off Sakura-chan, that really hurts!"
"Awww, poor little baka."
Pinching his other side resulted in his head trying the futile attempt to evade it, which was impossible, "Ow! Stop being mean!"
He turned partially to see pink hair and a wide sheepish smile, "Is there something wrong with me teasing my baka, hmm?" Naruto blushed when she snuggled her head next to his, but grew the same sheepish smile, and mumbled off incoherent words. After a few moments of Sakura laughing at his mumbling, they finally entered the empty outpost.
Once inside, Sakura stood on her own two legs, while Naruto turned, scratching his head, "Well, good morning I guess Sakura-chan."
"Mm, guess so."
Looking to their makeshift beds, being nothing but their abandoned blankets and bags, they walked to their separate parts of the room, while placing their forehead protectors and weapon pouches by their bags.
Sakura did not miss the cold floorboards she left vacant last night, as she laid on her back, and let out an exhausted sigh, "Let's try to not sleep for too long, I want to continue later on."
"Sure thing."
She glanced over in his general direction, hearing him shuffle around, unable to get comfy. When he had settled, she began to close her eyes, feeling like a brick from both staying up so long, and from her draining task. Before slumber could win, she ran over all the events that had happened, and wondered about the future when it was all over. Things were never going to be the same again...For both of them, and for everyone. They still had to bring back Sasuke, along with defeating the Akatsuki, both being no easy task. She probably would go back to Konoha with everyone, and resume her training, but what about Naruto?
Looking over at his seemingly sleeping form, she gave a sympathetic smile, 'With Jiraiya-sama now gone, I guess he would just come back with us...'
She heard him sniffle lightly, and then saw him rubbing his face. How long had it been now, three days since Jiraiya was announced dead. Naruto only really let out his hearts ache with her that night, so mourning was something she expected. It was not as if they were given time to move on from their loss, instead she nearly died the next day, she was once again surprised, but relieved, to see her teammate was still sane.
But as proud as she was of the blond for his strength, she wasn't going to let him go through it alone. Naruto meanwhile, rubbed the tears off his face, 'Ero-sennin...'
That painful image of the sannin flashed again, making him wince, as he tossed over onto his other side, 'Could anything have been done to keep him here? was there something I could have done?'
The loud thump next to him made him turn in question, to then snap his gaze over to see Sakura lie a foot away from him.
She smiled at him, "What's the matter Naruto?" She asked softly, although she already knew what the cause was.
Looking at her for a moment longer, he let his gaze meet the scarred ceiling, "Nothin-"
The sharp nudge into his shoulder cut him off, "What is the matter?" she repeated again, a little louder than before, but still held that almost mythical like whisper from the first time.
Time past by in silence, making the kunouchi sigh to his lack of response, "Why don't you trust me?" She whispered aloud, and was about to give in, but then he spoke suddenly.
"Could anything have been different?"
She was partially agape from his blurted question, but recovered to then join his gaze up at the ceiling, bringing up her sheet to cover herself, "What could you have done to save Jiraiya-sama?" She corrected him, and listened to him shuffle uncomfortably.
"There must have been something I could have done, anything."
"Naruto...you know the truth already."
She replied back lightly, looking in concern to see him wince, "Yeah...I guess."
Trying to help him, she reached over and squeezed his hand. She wanted to say something along with it, but her mind could not think of what words she could say, so she simply stroked his larger hand with her thumb. Naruto was now blaming himself for Jiraiya's death, it was always like Naruto to take responsibility for everything, even when like now, he was not to blame. Sensing his grip tighten, made her head now fully turn, to suddenly feel warmth rest on her face.
Naruto stroked her face affectionately, wishing for that warmth to not disappear from his touch, "I won't lose you too."
His indestructible confidence made her lightly gasp, "Naruto..."
"I won't let them hurt or take away anyone else, I swear on it!"
His confidence made her lean her head into his stroking head, to then cup the hand on her face, "I know you wont...but if you die to try and save me, or anyone of us...mark my words Uzumaki Naruto, I will kill you."
Lightly snickering, he played with one of her bangs with his index finger, "What's with the death threats? and how is that going to work? Wouldn't I already be de-"
"Shut up baka!"
Laughing loudly, he brought his head in to kiss her forehead, "No matter the costs, I will protect the people that mean the world to me." He murmured now serious again, but left his lips to rest on her tensed forehead as if sensing her growing anxiety.
"Naruto, I Don't want to see yo-"
"-But I also swear, I will do everything I can, to not make you cry, Sakura-chan." He whispered, bringing his head down to look at her straight in the eye, "That is a promise of a life time, dattebayo!" he still whispered, but in a way that sounded amazingly firm.
It made her heart throb, bringing a tear running down her cheek, "Well...You failed in that promise pretty damn quick."
He chuckled, and rested his head back on his bag, "I will be careful."
"You promised me that last time...and just as I said, you and staying out of trouble is unheard of."
Shifting their intertwined hands, he gave hers a firm squeeze, "Then I just will have to try harder this time."
Just like that, she had lost all reason to argue with him. After rubbing her eyes, she smiled, "You are one of a kind Naruto. Ever change, and I will kill you."
"Huh? What is up with the constant death threats? at this rate Sakura-chan, if I do one thing wrong, I'm screwed!"
Laughing, she squeezed his hand back, "You better believe it."
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Walking out of a store with a full bag on his back, Kiba sighed, 'Stupid Shikamaru, and his plans.'
Shikamaru deduced that there was a possibility that Ronan's team may know their exact position based upon the town they were utilizing for supplies. So the shadow user suggested that they should mix it up, by going to the furthest town, in a blind hope to delay them further. Too bad the farthest town was three hours away, and the one who suggested this move, found it too much of an effort to undertake this plan..and that is where team 8 came in. The waiting by the door Akamaru barked, to get his master's attention.
"What is it?"
Kiba translated Akamaru's barks and moans mentally, 'You smell that too?'
Taking in a sniff, Kiba groaned, "Ah...I think Shikamaru was right, they are trying to lead us to a trap." The Inuzuka could be so certain that was the real case, since this scent lead to another direction from the trail he discovered in the previous town.
Picking up a familiar eerie scent, Kiba voiced his discovery aloud, "I have another scent."
"That is what Shikamaru predicted, so it doesn't surprise me."
Turning to Shino, Kiba nodded, "Let's head back then."
With Hinata joining them, team 8 left the town, mostly in silence, but cautious. After all, their plan was to delay Ronan's team in discovering their exact position.
Closing in, Kiba decided to spring some conversation with his teammates about some recent discoveries, "So, who noticed?"
There was no expected 'noticed what' from either, so the Inuzuka snickered, "Who would have thought eh? Didn't see Sakura getting over Sasuke, and falling for the knucklehead."
Hinata gave a melancholy smile to the ground, but her soft voice was full of genuine happiness, "Ah, it is quite a beautiful thing to observe, wouldn't you agree Kiba-kun?"
Receiving the shine of Shino's goggles made Kiba inwardly curse his stupidity. Many may not have noticed, but even if Hinata was a private person, her two long time teammates were able to note just how strange she acted around Naruto.
Akamaru's weak whimper made the heiress perk a questioning eyebrow, since she, over time, could understand some of Akamaru's gestures, "I am not sad Akamaru-kun, I am very happy for Naruto-kun and Sakura-chan...But Kiba-kun, they wish to keep their relationship quiet, you should respect their wishes, and grant them that."
Kiba, Akamaru, and even Shino paused mid step at Hinata's words. She had just openly talked about Naruto and Sakura's new relationship to both of them, and instead was talking with a more genuine smile.
Shaking his head, Kiba shrugged with a smirk, "Yeah, I know that, Naruto pretty much warned me he would 'pound me to the ground' if I blurted it out."
"So what you just did then Kiba was not that? you should respect your comrade's wish-"
"Hoi! what's with the double team here?!"
Dismissing his teammate's scolding with a wave of his hand, he pushed on, "Meh, Sakura will keep that idiot in check, that's for sure..."
Remembering the heated woman's scolding at the blond earlier, he shivered, "Sucks to be him."
Hinata chuckled while continuing to walk, "Either way, it really is magnificent to witness, they were so shattered when Sasuke-kun left."
Shino remained silent, which made Hinata prompt, "What do you think Shino-kun?"
"..."
"Pfft! You are kidding right Hinata? The day Shino even says one thing in that rega-"
"I am quite certain their relationship will work out..." Kiba and even Hinata froze in shock, this was like they was being let in on a major secret, since Shino, by far, was the most mysterious person either had ever known...and he was their teammate!
"Despite Naruto's...loud antics, he is noble, and respectful to everyone he knows. If Naruto still feels the way he does about her, since the academy, then to him she obviously is more than a 'crush'. Sakura, I cannot make an accurate assumption since I do not know her very well. She appears though to have come a long way from the academy in maturity and personality, since she does not put on a facade around Naruto like she, and many of the kunouchi did around Sasuke. "
"Shino-kun..."
Kiba simply blinked, while inwardly, 'Holy shit! Shino actually looks at it that deep?!'
"In saying that...that is quite appalling for a comrade to know another comrade so littl-"
'Scratch that...he is as freaky and baffling as he always is.' Kiba corrected himself, as they entered the abandoned town.
Entering the outpost, Hinata looked to the centre of the room, and partly went agape. Kiba looked over and instantly grew a mischievous smirk, while Shino simply gazed in that general direction. Sakura and Naruto were asleep, facing each other as they slept with roughly a foot between their separate sheets. Sakura was bearing a soft smile on her peaceful face. Naruto was far less 'charming', with his mouth partially open, as he had a small trickle of drool running down the side of his mouth, and was emitting a partial snore...it was like the complete opposites of finesse, one being very acceptable, the other being outright appalling.
The clutched hand between them made Hinata's breath leave her lungs, 'How beautiful...'
Kiba was by far on the opposite end of his teammate's musing, and snickered impishly, 'Oh...I am so going to bag the hell out of you later Naruto.' Kiba began to bring up his hand to emit an ear piercing whistle.
"Kiba-kun." Hinata said softly, but with strong enough meaning as if to say 'don't'.
The Inuzuka pouted and placed the pack aside roughly, but it didn't stir the sleeping team 7. "It's too mushy in here, Let's get the hell out of here already." Hinata smiled softly as she followed her teammates out, with Kiba rolling his eyes.
"The thought of that idiot being sappy, and acting all sweet...bleh! I think I'm going to puke."
"And you playing with Akamaru by rubbing your noses together isn't any better Kiba?"
Kiba froze and then glared slits at Shino, with Akamaru baring fangs, "OI! There is a difference! do not compare me and Akamaru's master and beast relationship to that fluff crap!"
Akamaru's growl made the Inuzuka groan, "Fine then...COMPANION relationship, to that stuff in there!"
The heiress could do nothing but laugh at her teammate's argument. "Everyone has a soft side to them Kiba-kun, even you."
Kiba scoffed, while shaking his head in a blur like a dog, "Yeah right! I will own a freaking cat before that happens!"
Hinata giggled and continued walking, 'Someday Kiba-kun, you will understand...'
Making their way to the school yard, they saw Lee doing some very bizarre training. Breaking off from the group with Akamaru at his side, Kiba approached Lee and looked up at the upside-down hanging spandex wearer.
"What the heck, are you doing?"
Lee had his legs wrapped around a branch, and was hanging upside down with his arms folded like some kind of bat, with his eyes closed in concentration.
"I am doing an enhanced version of the training Kakashi-sensei suggested I do...which requires much more concentration, and without using chakra, makes it physically exhilarating."
Kiba, with a risen, and twitchy expression, looked to the moaning Akamaru, 'Has he lost his mind?!'
"Yeah...I think he has Akamaru...and how is that training working out for ya?"
Kiba watched a large teardrop of sweat run 'up' the miniatures Gai's face, before dripping off his temple, and making a very exaggerated 'splash' on the wet concrete.
"This is quite intense, I feel the immense strain already, but the results must be incredible in due time."
While Kiba could only stare at Lee like he was some freak accident, Shino spoke to the sitting Shikamaru, "We discovered another scent in the distant town, it appeared more fresh than the one on their attack."
Shikamaru groaned, "So they are baiting us, probably into a trap or something. It most likely is all they can do until the rest of the group get here..."
"Shikamaru...you are going to have to tell him."
Cringing, the Nara turned to Kakashi, "Why me? You are meant to be the leader of this group now, you talk to him."
"He would be more willing to listen, if it comes from you." Kakashi added smoothly, while the Nara sighed, "Great...what a drag." Standing up, the shadow user muttered incoherent curses, as he started to head back to the outpost alone. 'Naruto is not going to like this.'
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Naruto felt his eyes focus on the ceiling, as he yawned and rubbed the wet feeling away from the corner of his mouth. His eyes narrowed though in confusion, when the scarred marks of the ceiling were not visible. Instead, he had two bored onyx eyes staring straight at him.
"GWAHH!!?"
His shout of surprise was enough to make Sakura bolt up and look all around in alarm, until she saw another person squatted next to Naruto. The unchanged crouched figure muttered 'troublesome'.
Recovered from his shock, Naruto shook his head violently to growl as he sat up, "W-What the hell Shikamaru?! How long were you staring at me like that for?!"
"Five minutes, just evaluating the pluses and minuses of whether to wake you up, or just wait."
Sakura now catching up to what was happening, frowned, "And what did you conclude then?"
"...Both would lead to a big headache."
Ensuring she was decent, Sakura sat up properly, "How long has it been anyway since we left you guys?"
"Around four or five hours."
Once both were sitting cross legged, the Nara continued as if nothing happened, "Sorry for waking you both, but I need to talk to you Naruto."
Said blond questioned why Shikamaru looked so tense, but nodded, "What is it Shikamaru?"
"I have been trying to think of some way to encounter these guys..." The Nara trailed off, leaving both teens holding puzzlement.
"Yeah, what have you thought up?"
Naruto's innocent question was rewarded to hear Shikamaru let out a frustrated groan, "The odds are not good Naruto."
Sakura looked down to the ground, while Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Huh? What are you saying?"
"He is saying Naruto that fighting them is too much of a risk."
"Sakura's right, I am not saying this to insult anybody here Naruto, but these guys are too much for us alone. If we try and resort to heading to Suna, we are bringing these guys to their doorstep-"
"We can't do that!"
"-Exactly, but we can't fight them, since even though we have the superior numbers, we are outclassed. "
Sakura bit her lower lip, while Naruto was silent. When he didn't respond for a minute, Sakura looked in concern, but then tried to say something to put an end to this suffocating atmosphere, "Then what do you suggest Shikamaru?"
"...We lay low for a while, maybe even change location. Meanwhile, two of us, preferably one of team 8 and another, goes to Konoha and gets backup." Naruto suddenly stood up, making the other two look up to have trouble seeing his eyes on his otherwise tense face.
Sakura snapped out of her gaze when he walked to the door, "Hey! Where are you going Naruto?!"
The Nara didn't turn, but could tell the blond was gripping on the edge of the door frame, "Training. If we are that bad in shape, then I will train until I am up to kicking those guys asses, and I will do it without your help if I have to, Shikamaru."
Sakura was stunned by his emotionless tone, but glared, "Naruto! He is onl-"
"Let it go Sakura."
Sakura looked to Shikamaru in question, as he looked over his shoulder, "Humour me then Naruto, what do you want me to strategise? These guys are out of all of our leagues now...Jiraiya-sama even fell to them-"
Hearing the sound of the blonde's finger nails digging into the doorframe did not stop him, "I understand you want to avenge him, and I am not saying you shouldn't...I am saying to do so now, would only get you killed."
Naruto finally turned to reveal his watery eyes, but still had more anger in them than pain, "Then go Shikamaru! get the hell out of here before you get roughed up. I am not running, not from the Akatsuki, not from these guys-NOBODY!"
He then stormed out, earning an agape Sakura looking at where he stood in shock, since neither missed how that voice did not sound like the blond they knew.
"N-Naruto!" She shouted out, but no response came.
Shikamaru rubbed his temple, 'I knew that was going to happen too...damn it.'
"You did nothing wrong Shikamaru."
Looking up, Shikamaru gave a lazed grin, "You weren't the person I was trying to convince, but thanks anyway."
"He didn't mean what he said Shikamaru, he knows you mean well. That voice though..."
'The Kyuubi's chakra...I can feel it as he is walking away.'
"He is just very upset about Jiraiya-sama."
Shikamaru accepted her explanation, and hit his fist on the wooden floor as he cursed himself for mentioning the sannin, "What am I meant to do?"
Standing, Sakura sighed, "I don't know, however, if anyone of us has a plan to get us all out of this mess it's you. I am sure you will work something out...otherwise, let me try and talk to him."
"Thanks..." Looking at the still sitting Shikamaru, Sakura walked out to find Naruto.
Once Shikamaru was alone, he snorted to Sakura's supportive words, 'If anyone has a plan it's me? Gee, no peer pressure or anything...what a drag.'
Forming his thinking seal, he sat in the empty room in silence, 'There has to be something I overlooked.'
----------------------------------------------
Naruto found himself for the second time now wandering off, with the constant images of the sannin flashing before his eyes again, blinding him from knowing where he was walking. Shikamaru was right, but he was going to be damned if he was going to just let it go, or push it aside. He couldn't...he was not going to let Jiraiya's name go in vein, his sensei, that was now gone from a mission that blew out of proportions.
Why a low chuckle echoed in his mind bewildered him, but he payed no attention to it.
Why did this have to happen to him in the first place?
He had a dream, one that he wanted since he was a child. He was starting to feel that dream coming closer with each step up the steep hill, but then Sasuke suddenly left, and it all nose dived after that.
The Akatsuki and their plans for him.
Sasuke being manipulated by both Itachi and Orochimaru.
The ANBU that have a grudge against him...
Jiraiya being gone.
Hearing that low chuckle grow louder, he cradled his head with his hands, while turning and sliding down a rough surface like he was intoxicated. Studying the chuckle as it grew louder, he heard just how dark, and low it vibrated his very core.
Gritting his teeth, he whispered, "What is it?"
"Muahahaha!"
Opening his eyes, he realised in an instant where he was from the echo, and the water at his feet. The evil chuckles continued from behind the recognisable gigantic cage.
Not taking it anymore, Naruto shouted to the voice, "WHAT IS SO DAMN FUNNY!?"
The water around him began to sizzle and steam, as the red slit eyes of the Kyuubi revealed themselves to him in the darkness.
The chuckles never stopped, and Naruto cursed the great beast, "WHY AM I HERE?! YOU SAID-"
"You also can be brought here, when your soul becomes sinister, you weak child!"
"S-Sinister?!"
The Kyuubi laughed again at the stunned Naruto's expression, "This feeling is so stimulating, it feels like I am roaming free again, liberated to destroy all in my way, muahahaha!"
Not wanting this, Naruto stood up and walked to the exit, "Whatever, go preach to someone who gives a damn!"
He then marched off into the tunnel, wanting to get away from the great beast. Naruto couldn't help but get the feeling of not getting anywhere, as he was walking on the water's surface through the dark tunnel.
'What is...'
Reluctantly looking back, he went agape to see the Kyuubi's chamber was still right in front of him, despite his long walk.
"You are not leaving this time, you weak cry baby."
"W-What are you doing?!"
"Muhahaha-"
"Shut up!"
The Kyuubi ignoring him to only continue laughing, made Naruto dig his hands into his face, not wanting to see the Kyuubi, and wishing out of this place.
'Why can't I leave?!'
"You act big in front of everybody, and make such pitiful promises to that despicable crush of yours...but you cannot hide your dark thoughts from me, since I am stuck in this disgusting place! You want to kill them, kill the one's that took away your 'Jiraiya'."
"Don't you dare talk about Ero-sennin you teme!"
"You feel it, the anger that is being bottled up, you want to tear these selfish bastards apart for murdering him!"
"Shut up..."
"You want to, but you know you can't. Your own 'friend' pointed out you are too weak to fight for your sensei's name!"
"I said stop it!"
"If you release that anger, you will have the power you crave so badly, to avenge your 'Jiraiya'!"
"STOP IT!"
"EMBRACE YOUR BLAZING INFURIATION! USE MY LIMITLESS POWER!"
"SHUT UP!!!"
"Naruto-"
"I SAID SHUT THE HELL UP YOU BASTARD OF A FOX!!!"
Naruto screamed at the top of his lungs, only to discover he no longer was in the dark pits of the Kyuubi chamber, but was greeted to a blazing and blinding sun overhead. He didn't know where he was, but all his wide eyes were fixed on at the moment was the shocked, and partially afraid green eyes looking down on him. It then all clicked what he had done, and he didn't need to know his eyes weren't their soft blue hue. He could feel the Kyuubi's enraged chakra flowing throughout his system, meaning the shocked Sakura was staring into burning red angry slits.
"Naruto..." She whispered, still not looking away from him, while the blond tried to hide his face for his dignity, as he started to cry.
"I-I'm so sorry!" He whispered, but it was as if he was in a loop, he did not stop saying it, until he had to make a sharp gasp for air to only continue. Sakura kneeled down, and gently pulled his hands down so she could see his jammed shut eyes.
"Naruto...look at me." Her unimaginably soft voice made him open his eyes, as she stroked his face, but he still didn't stop his rushed apologies.
"Shhh. It's fine Naruto."
"I-I'm sorry!"
"Enough."
Pulling his trembling head into her shoulder, she stroked the back of his head, "It's ok Naruto."
"I'm sorry!"
"There is nothing to apologise for."
Feeling the demonic chakra disappear from him in her arms, she pulled him back to continue stroking his stunned face, and smiled supportively at his hurt blue eyes, "Naruto...the Kyuubi can talk to you?"
Naruto was about to run a hand through his hair, but she stopped him. Looking at his hand in question, he realised the blood present on his finger tips, "You were gripping your face so tight, you dug in with your clawed nails...but the wounds already have healed." She explained softly, while running her hand through his hair instead, before cupping his face to rub his streaming tears.
"O-Oh..."
"You didn't answer my question Naruto. Tell me, please."
"...It can." He admitted weakly, never being so scared to close his eyes again, so he tried to stare into her jade orbs like his life depended on it.
Her smile was soothing, but her voice was firm, "Can it do that whenever it wants?"
He didn't know if his eyes were stinging from staring, or from his tears, but he answered, "I-I don't know. When Ero-sennin made me go to it the first time, I was in control, I could go to it if I wanted the Kyuubi's power...but now...I don't get it!"
Rubbing her thumb over his left eye to force him to blink, he was never so relieved to see those soft emerald eyes still looking at him squarely, "Is this the first time it has come to you?"
"N-No...It came to me, when Sasuke and I fought at the Valley of the End, then when Itachi was attacking us, and again now..."
Showing her surprise for a moment, she restored her soothing smile, "What happened when it came to you when Itachi attacked us?"
"...T-The Kyuubi said it wasn't it that came to me, I came wanting it's power...The Kyuubi said I would not be able to help you if I didn't."
"What made you not use the Kyuubi's power then, but did this time?"
"...I don't know!" He cried out in defeat, but she continued to rub away his tears in a systematic manner, and still didn't break eye contact.
"What about with Sasuke-kun, was it the same thing?"
"No...I umm..."
Sakura sighed lightly to his trailed off words, "Stop hiding things from me just because you know I won't like it Naruto."
She wondered if he ever would listen to her about that, while watching his gaze fall, "...I was nearly dead then, it was not the same."
Her eyes flickered with shock, but returned to its amending gaze, "Ok...What about this time? What did it say to you?"
"...I-It said how I was bottling up my anger, and it could see it...it said how much it loved that feeling, and then tried to make me use its power again."
"Did you want to though?"
"NO!-"
"Shhh, I am not accusing you. Just relax. Breathe..."
Nodding, he took a deep shaken breath, and exhaled, "...No, I didn't want it's power. But I don't know what happened...It wouldn't stop laughing...I couldn't leave, even when I tried."
"Leave?"
Realising Sakura didn't know how he spoke to the Kyuubi, he lowered his head, "Nevermin-"
Seeing her eyes hold disappointment again at his distrust, he bit his tongue, and corrected himself, "...I can't hear the Kyuubi like a voice in my head randomly, at least not yet. Every time it happens, it's like I am having a nightmare, and before I can work out what's happening, I end up in this creepy place. I guess you can call it a sewer, if you have ever seen or been in one before. It's dark, cold, and flooded with this stinking water...The Kyuubi is in this huge chamber, behind this cage, hidden in the darkness. Usually, only it's eyes which are bigger than me can be seen...I hate going there."
Holding his face with both her hands, she leaned in and kissed his nose affectionately, and then pulled away to smile, "Thank you..."
Getting back to the matter at hand, she nodded slowly, "This may be happening because the seal is weakening, which could explain why you had control over it before, but now, it is able to come to you at times. You being upset about Jiraiya-sama may be the other reason. At least, That is what Jiraiya-sama told me earlier."
"That's sort of true."
"Sort of?"
"Remember about Ero-sennin's...wound?"
Widening her eyes slightly, she nodded, as Naruto's gaze sunk, "Before that happened, Ero-sennin told me he had this kind of key, that he could use to allow me more access to the Kyuubi. He said it as just an idea, but I was the one who wanted the chance for that power...I thought I could use it to help bring back Sasuke..but-"
Naruto was forced to stop when the hands cupping his face jammed his head up to see firm jade irises, "Enough, stop blaming yourself for everything. What happened then was a genuine accident. You hear me?"
'He is falling apart, I need to stay strong for him, like he always has done for me.'
Naruto didn't know how long the deafening silence was held between them, but he had to breathe in air sharply from his lungs protests, "...You're right Sakura-chan, I am such an id-"
"-Hey-"
She ruffled his head with a warming grin, "Only I can say when your an idiot, got that?" That weak chuckle that had subtle traces of happiness made her grin widen.
Still with his light chuckles, she lowered her head to rub her nose against his, never looking away from his glassy blue irises, "You were able to reject the Kyuubi when you wanted to with Itachi...what happened? Surely you must remember."
"...I remembered what you said to me, and what the others said in believing in me."
Smiling, she studied his eyes, "Naruto, I don't think what the Kyuubi said to you with Itachi is true, you are a man of your word...I truly believe it was just lying to you to make you think that."
"I keep my word?"
Her warm breath from her light giggle brought unbelievable amounts of relaxation to his face, "Of course Naruto you silly baka. It really sounds to me, that the Kyuubi is just trying to control you. It, however, cannot force you to use the chakra, be it from the Yondaime's seal, or some other reason, I don't know. It is up to you though to accept it. However, it can try and convince you to. You are angry about Jiraiya-sama, which was why it came to you now, as you are in an emotional state, because of what is happening. However, because you let it manipulate you and frustrate you, you were allowing it win."
Collecting his thoughts to her explanation, he had to agree. The Kyuubi was just trying to get out, after all, as it claimed how much he hated being stuck in his gut, it would make sense for it to try and manipulate him. It made him wonder if that's why the Kyuubi decided to allow him to use its chakra whenever he asked for it, so every time, it had another opportunity to escape.
"I am so-"
"Ahem!"
"-Oh- ermm-" She pecked his cheek and shook her head, but became more serious when his smile went half hearted. "What do I do?"
He sounded so desperate, but she was only guessing with her memories of what Jiraiya told her.
"...If anger drives it Naruto, maybe the opposite can reject it. I don't honestly know, but if you thought of all of us believing in you, then it would explain how you were able to reject the Kyuubi earlier. Just think of thoughts that warm you up here."
She placed a hand over where his beating heart was and gave a comforting smile, "Think of anybody special to you, or a memory that truly touched you. If it uses Jiraiya-sama to try and manipulate you...think about those stories you told me, or whatever brings that lively smile you always have. Whatever you do though Naruto, you must not let it push you around, do not listen to a single word it tells you. I know I can't talk about how easy that is, since I don't know what it says to you, but I know you are amazingly strong up here Naruto."
She ruffled his hair and continued, "I know you can do just that, ignore whatever it tells you. Remember, it only wants you to use its power Naruto."
'I must speak to Kakashi-sensei or somebody afterwards, but this is all I can think of to help him.'
Seeing his eyes drop in despair, she brought her lips to touch his, tasting the salty dampness from his tears, and then broke it early, "Are you ok now Naruto?"
Nodding, he gave a sad smile, "You make it sound so easy. Thank you Sakura-chan."
Grinning to his eyes holding that familiar spark of liveliness, she traced his whiskers with her fingers, "You are always welcome Naruto, I don't care how many times I have to tell you, I will say it till I am blue in the face...talk to me, ok? Or if you really are uncomfortable with speaking to me, then talk to Kakashi-sensei, or Tsunade-sama, anybody...don't keep these things to yourself, just because you feel you are dumping your issues on someone else, you deserve our time."
"I know Sakura-chan."
"You know..but you still don't do that anyway, baka."
Ruffling his hair yet again, she then took his hand and pulled him up to stand. Looking around to discover his location for the first time, he realised they were out of the town, and in the forest, "Where the hell was I going?"
"I don't know, but I followed you from the Kyuubi's chakra you were leaking."
Scratching his head, he sighed, "Great, I always screw things up."
"Don't worry about it Naruto, Let's just go back." On their journey back, Naruto decided to brighten the mood.
"...I always end up yelling at Shikamaru, don't I?"
Grinning at his joking tone, she played along, "Oh, I am sure he is used to it."
"I know he is only trying to help, really I do."
"He understands that Naruto, don't worry."
"But I still don't want to run."
"Then what do you plan to do?"
"Keep up with my promise to not let them hurt anyone else."
Sensing her questioning gaze, he elaborated, "I wanted to go ask Kakashi-sensei to teach me something, or anything."
"New jutsu?"
"Ah...but I instead got lost, and stormed off."
"Fine then, we will go ask Kakashi-sensei together. Don't think I am not feeling the same to want to do something."
"You already have."
Smiling, she nudged him, "So have you, so let's stop this stupid game of comparing, and just call it square already."
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Meanwhile...
Karin sighed while still keeping up with Sasuke, 'We are so far from the hideout now, if he really is going to do what he said to me before, I will be the only one who can help him...that both is so ideal, and frustrating at the same time.' She mused. They were still travelling up north, at the moment they were within the forests of Swamp country.
She stopped at the next jump between trees, when her senses sent a chill run all across her body from a horrid and dark chakra source.
Turning to the east, she looked in the direction of the demonic presence, 'This chakra...is so evil...so inhuman.'
Looking back to in front of her, she was startled to see the Uchiha standing on the next branch, waiting expectantly for her to comment on something.
She recovered from her shock by adjusting her specs, "Sasuke, I am detecting some strange chakra very far away from us."
"Describe it."
"It's...not human, it's evil, enraged...and there is so much chakra that it cannot belong to one person, nobody can control this much."
Sasuke scowled, already knowing what Karin was describing to him, 'Naruto...'
"There's another chakra source approaching the other. This one is calm, composed, and fine...but has a scoff worthy amount of chakra."
Sasuke's scowl formed a full blown frown, while his eyes hardened, 'Sakura...'
Karin raised an eyebrow, "The demonic chakra...it's gone? No wait...it is there, but it's now just withdrawn to behind a more lively, and warming chakra...There still is unreal amounts of chakra though, from whoever the person is."
Karin then looked to Sasuke in surprise, sensing a dark entity being carried within his own chakra's cologne like scent.
She immediately recognised the stench, 'The curse seal...'
Silence fell between the two for a good minute, while Karin watched the chakra of the curse seal battle the Uchiha for dominance. It even got to the point she could see the plague like marks begin to stretch across his otherwise stale face. Suddenly, as if something clicked within, the stench and viral markings subdued from Sasuke.
"Leave them."
Karin watched the Uchiha turn, but then looked back to her east, "The chakra sources are moving away now, we will probably catch up to the-"
"I said leave them...they are not what we have come out here for."
Karin noted this time how definite Sasuke sounded, and nodded. Starting off again, she looked up to see the over towering mountains of the Lightning country up close. In the distance, she could feel the rumbling of thunder vibrate the tree she just jumped to, "This is still stupid Sasuke!"
"Hn."
"Really, of all the things anybody can do, this is by far the most reckless thing!"
"Kabuto mentioned that I should have been killed by the lightning, but instead it passed through me, and discharged at my feet. Even I am aware that I should not be able to move around so freely after being struck...I am curious."
"So you are going to get struck again?! Maybe it did do some brain damage after all!"
'Sasuke is such a thrill seeker! so-o fearless and cool!' Karin inwardly contradicted.
Once over her silent praises, she sighed, "What is my purpose again?"
"You are to tell me what is happening between me and the lightning."
"You should have got Kabuto to come along too the-"
"I do not trust Kabuto, he will only just get in my way."
Karin accepted his flat reasoning, while inwardly cheering, 'So he trusts me?! EEEK!'
"More importantly, I want you to remain alert for other presences nearby...I do not want to be disturbed by any nuisances this time."
Karin felt her cheer die down, "So I am also being used as a radar...Hmmph, whatever."
"I gave you a choice, if you are having second thoughts, then just go back." Sasuke stated with no emotion, earning a scowl from the red head.
"Sure, and let my colleague go and get struck by lightning with nobody around...do you even think before you speak?!"
'Still wishing to continue alone with no assistance...what iron will!'
"Hn."
Was all the Uchiha replied with, as they came to the end of the forest, and were now introduced to the bombardment of rain, as they crossed the invisible border into lightning country. Sasuke looked up from the foot of one of the monstrous sized mountains, the tip being fogged from a black storm cloud.
"...If you encounter either of those two chakra sources again, inform me immediately."
"Ok...care to tell me then wh-"
Before Karin could even finish her sentence, Sasuke was off again, beginning the long journey up the mountain.
Karin scrunched her nose, while trailing behind, 'Did Sasuke know those people?'
AN: Hope I got the rules on spiritual energy right.
Exams are once again coming up for me, but I will try my best again to ensure I don't leave it for over a month without an update.
little word about next chapter below
And yes, new jutsu once again...and they aren't 'another' rasengan variant :P