Thank you everyone that took the time to review for the last chapter. And I appreciate all the suggestions that were given to me. Anyway here's chapter two enjoy!
Chapter 2: What the future holds
(Outside Konoha)
Kakashi was racing through the trees at a brisk pace. He was following close behind a small brown dog, wearing a blue vest and a leaf village headband.
"How's it looking Pakkun?" Kakashi questioned the small pug.
Pakkun turned his head to address Kakashi. "The scent is very weak" he spoke in a gruff tone that didn't fit the dog's small stature in the slightest. "He must have passed through here over a week ago."
"Damn" Kakashi muttered. "Do you think you'll lose the scent?"
Pakkun shook his head "No, luckily for us it hasn't rained in quite some time, the scent is just strong enough for me to follow."
"Good, let's pick up the pace then" Kakashi ordered as he and Pakkun started to increase the speed at which they traveled.
(Outside Kirigakure)
Naruto and Haku had arrived at Naruto's makeshift campsite. He had a crudely put together tent set up, along with a small fire burning. Naruto turned to face Haku "well this is it I know it's not much, but I plan on leaving it soon anyway."
Haku nodded "I think it's just fine, it's far more then I would be able to accomplish."
"Well thanks" Naruto says while rummaging through his rucksack and pulling out two cupped ramens. "My teachers didn't think too much about my skills at setting up tents." Naruto says recalling one of his teachers scolding him about his poorly executed tent. Naruto then pulled out a small pot and set it over the fire before he grabbed his canteen and poured the water into the pot.
Haku cocked his eyebrow "teachers?"
Naruto took a seat next to the fire and Haku followed suit. "Yeah my academy teachers back in Konoha" Naruto continued. "I'm training to become a ninja and setting up tents and building fires, are one the first things they teach you."
Haku looked interested, he knew since he was on his own now skills like that would surely come in handy. "That sounds like an interesting profession; you think I could do it as well?"
Naruto shrugged "Don't know, I mean are you sure it's something a pretty girl like you could handle?" Naruto deadpanned.
"Handle?" Haku asked obviously confused with Naruto's vague comment.
"Well yeah it takes a lot of hard work and guts to become a top notch ninja." Naruto boasted loudly. "That's why I'm out here in the first place, doing a bit of extra training yah know?" Naruto then grabbed the pot of now boiling water and poured it into the two cups of ramen he had. 'Now the part I hate waiting' Naruto thought as he placed the pot off to the side.
Haku didn't look perturbed at what Naruto had said. "I don't know much about being a ninja, but I'm no stranger to hard work."
Naruto nodded thoughtfully "well that's all good, but do you have any skills?" Naruto questioned figuring the petite girl before him, might have been in over her head.
"Skills, I'm not sure what you mean." Haku answered.
"What I mean is are you fast and strong, or are you any good with weapons. You know stuff like that." Naruto says as he handed Haku one of the cups of steaming ramen.
Haku took the ramen graciously and thanked Naruto before he answered. "To be honest I don't believe my speed or strength is anything special, and I've never used a weapon before." Haku says before he began to debate if he should show Naruto, his ability to manipulate water as memories of his mother and father flowed through his mind. Ultimately deciding he should he continued. "But there is something else I can do, though I'm not sure if it counts as skill."
Naruto's face instantly portrayed a look of intrigue. "Oh yeah mind showing it to me then?" Naruto questioned as he began to shovel the hot ramen into his mouth.
Haku placed his soup down and eyed the pot that still had a bit of left over water in it. Haku stood up and walked over to the pot while Naruto watched him curiously. Crouching down Haku positioned his hands above the pot and the water in it began to float out and form into a ball.
Naruto's eyes widened and his mouth was agape at what he was seeing. "No way" Naruto says with an air of astonishment radiating from his voice. "How did you do that, it was completely awesome!"
Haku smiled appreciating that Naruto was impressed with his ability he than allowed the water to fall back into the pot, before he answered. "I'm not sure; it's just something I can do."
Naruto eyed Haku carefully, as he pondered the ability he had just seen. 'I don't get it; Haku doesn't know anything about being a ninja, so he shouldn't know how to mold chakra. But what I really don't get is how he was able to do it without hand signs; Iruka-sensei always said all Jutsu required hand seals.'
Haku was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable with the silence that enveloped them as Naruto was staring intently at him, so he decided to break it. "Is there something wrong Naruto?" Haku asked softly.
Naruto instantly snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh sorry about spacing out like that, it's just I've never seen anything like that before."
Haku looked hopeful "then do you believe I have a chance at becoming a ninja now?"
Naruto grinned "If you can learn to use that water trick in combat, I bet you could." Naruto then went back to eating his ramen "but even with that cool water move, there's still a lot more you would have to learn."
Haku stood up and walked back to his previous seat, and picked up the ramen and started eating as well. "Please explain to me Naruto, what else does being a ninja in tell?"
Naruto rubbed his chin in a thinking pose, he was no teacher but he figured he could give Haku the basic rundown or his rundown of it at least. "I guess ninja are people who use Jutsu, and other awesome moves to kick ass. They work for the village there from and get to go out on super cool missions; you know that kind of stuff." Naruto replied with enthusiasm.
Haku being from a small rural town didn't quite understand what Naruto was talking about. "What's a Jutsu?" Haku asked curiously.
Naruto slapped his hand over his forehead "you mean you don't know what a Jutsu is!?" Naruto says obviously shocked with the revelation. "Don't you live in that village we came from; they have ninja in there remember that tall guy with the sword?"
Haku shook his head "I'm not from that village, I had just wondered into it by chance." Haku says while trying to repress the painful memories of his previous home. I'm from a small snowy village about a weeks walk from here."
"Oh well that explains it then, well anyway how about instead of explaining Jutsu I'll just show you?" Naruto says as he stands up and cracks his knuckles. "Now stand back and watch this!" Naruto performed three hand seals and shouted "Clone Jutsu!" a small cloud of smoke appeared and when it cleared a very pale sickly looking Naruto was lying on the ground next to Naruto. Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of head bashfully. "Well you can see it's still a work in progress, but you get the idea."
To Naruto's surprise Haku didn't look disappointed at what he had seen "That's amazing how was you were able to make this replica of yourself?" Haku says as he made to touch the clone, but it disappeared.
"You just have to use your chakra and perform the right hand seals." Naruto answered.
"Chakra?" Haku says with a confused expression.
Naruto sighed Haku sure had a lot to learn and he wasn't quite sure he could be the one to teach him. Especially considering he wasn't a genius by any means. Squinting his eyes Naruto racked his brain on how to explain chakra before he remembered he had brought along one of his academy text books. Naruto mentally berated himself for being so stupid before he grabbed his rucksack and dug through it. Pulling out a thick book he opened it up and scanned over the pages until he found what he had been searching for.
Clearing his throat Naruto began to read from the book. "Alright it says here that chakra is the energy that all living individuals naturally produce. It's contained in the chakra coils that mainly connect to each chakra producing organ. The chakra circulates through the body in a network called the chakra circulatory system." Naruto paused for a moment to let the information he was reading sink in to Haku's brain.
"You following me so far Haku?" Haku merely nodded so Naruto continued. "Chakra is the resulting form of energy when two other forms of energy are mixed together. The two energies are referred to as physical energy and spiritual energy. Physical energy is collected from the body's cells and can be increased through training, stimulants, and exercise. Spiritual energy is derived from the mind's consciousness and can be increased through studying, meditation, and experience. Having these two energies become more powerful will in turn make the created chakra more powerful. Therefore, practicing a Jutsu repeatedly will build up experience, building up one's spiritual energy, and thus allowing more chakra to be created." Content with himself Naruto shut the book closed "Man I must have sounded like one of those academy teachers reading from that book."
Haku nodded thoughtfully once Naruto had finished. "So to become a ninja I need to learn to use this chakra you speak of?"
"Yeah, but that's not all learning to use your chakra is just the first step to becoming a ninja" Naruto says while stuffing his book back into his rucksack. "Though I think you might already be able to use your chakra, I really can't think of any other reason for you being able to do what you did with that water." Naruto then got an idea "Wait a minute I know a way to put it to the test."
"Really" Haku questioned "what do I have to do?"
"Don't you remember that Jutsu I showed you?" Haku nodded "Well all we got to do is have you try it out; it only has three hand signs so that won't take long to teach you." Naruto then proceeded to show Haku the proper hand signs.
About ten minutes later Haku had memorized the hand seals perfectly, much to Naruto's irritation 'Damn it, it took me two days to learn those hand signs.' Naruto thought as he watched Haku practice the hand signs.
"Alright Haku you already know what to do, so let's see what you've got." Naruto ordered.
Haku nodded his head and performed the three hand seals, before he muttered "Clone Jutsu." A cloud of smoke appeared and when it cleared one pale sick looking clone was standing next to Haku. Haku lowered his head in shame.
Naruto placed his hand on Haku's shoulder. "Hey why you look so down? Yours looks a lot better then mine; I mean at least yours is standing."
Haku smiled before the clone disappeared "Perhaps I should try again, I must have not used enough chakra." Naruto simply shrugged while Haku performed the hand seals once more and muttered "Clone Jutsu." Another cloud of smoke appeared and when it settled a clone equally as sick and pale as Naruto's was lying on the ground.
Haku cocked his eyebrow, he was more then sure adding more chakra would solve the problem. After all more chakra meant more strength right? But somehow his clone was in an even worst state then the first. Haku sighed "Maybe I just have no talent for this." Haku says disheartened.
Naruto shook his head "stop giving yourself so little credit Haku. That was only your second try, and you've already made as much progress as I have. Now try it one more time."
Haku nodded, before he started to contemplate the Jutsu. 'If adding more chakra only, serves to weaken the Jutsu perhaps I should try just the opposite.' Haku performed the hand seal and shouted "Clone Jutsu!" the familiar smoke appeared and when it died down two perfect clones stood on either side of Haku.
Naruto's eyes widened "no way Haku two clones on your third try, damn you must be a genius or something." Naruto says obviously impressed with Haku's talent. "I guess you really do have what it takes to become a ninja." Naruto added.
"You really think so" Haku says with anticipation written on his face.
Naruto nodded "Oh yeah, not even Uchiha Sasuke learned that Jutsu so fast. And all the teachers say he's a genius. I guess you'll be able to put him in his place when we return to Konoha."
Haku's eyes widened "you mean you'll take me with you back to your village?" Haku asked with hope in his eyes.
Naruto flashed Haku a wide toothy grin. "Sure, why not? You did say you wanted to become a ninja right? The Leaf village is as good as any other place to try and reach that goal."
"Thank you Naruto" Haku says with a genial smile on his face.
"Hey don't think anything of it. Besides it's a least I can do for a friend."
"You consider me your friend?" Haku questioned while eyeing Naruto.
Naruto nodded eagerly "of course I do, don't you consider me your friend?" Naruto asked trying to hide the apprehension in his voice.
Haku smiled brightly "yes you are indeed my friend Naruto-san just so long as you don't refer to me as a girl any longer."
Naruto looked taken aback "you're a boy!?" Naruto shouted in disbelief.
(Five Hours Later)
Kimimaro wandered aimlessly through the forest, as he pondered his fate. For years his purpose had been simple, he was told when to eat when to sleep and when to kill. But what was left for him now he wondered for his clan had been completely destroyed. He was free no more stone walls and prison cells, but what was freedom without a purpose nothing but mere existence.
Sighing to himself Kimimaro set down and rested his back against a tree. The fierce battle against Kirigakure had caused him more damage to his body then he realized. He would need rest, shutting his eyes he soon let sleep slowly take him over.
(Seven Hours Later)
The following morning Kimimaro could scarcely hear muffled chatter between two people.
"So Haku do you think he's dead?" One of the voices asked.
"No he's still breathing Naruto-san" Haku answered. "But if we don't wake him he's bound to catch a cold sleeping out here."
"Fine I'll wake him" Naruto says while reaching down to shake Kimimaro.
Kimimaro felt said person gently shaking him, but he reacted on impulse. In a blink of an eye Kimimaro's eyes shot open and he pounced on the person that had been shaking him. Drawing a bone from the palm of his hand he pressed it against the boys' neck that he was looming over.
Kimimaro's emerald eyes stared down at frightened sapphire blue ones. Realizing the mistake he made Kimimaro withdrew the bone and stood up. "Please forgive me I reacted on impulse." Kimimaro states while extending his hand to help lift the boy back to his feet.
"No problem" Naruto says while rubbing his neck where the sharp bone had been mere seconds ago. "But that is the last time I ever try waking up someone in the middle of the forest." Naruto added irritably.
Haku stepped forward and Kimimaro eyed him carefully. "Was there a reason you were sleeping out here on the forest floor?" Haku questioned.
"I was tired" Kimimaro replied bluntly.
"Oh, but it really isn't good for your health to sleep on the ground like that" Haku says.
"Why are you concerned about me?" Kimimaro asked curiously. He wasn't used to anyone showing him any kind of compassion, and the feeling it brought was foreign to him.
Haku smiled which threw Kimimaro off even further. The only smiles he had ever seen were blood thirty grins from his crazed clans' men. Nothing like what Haku was showing him now. "I suppose it's because what I see in your eyes." Haku answered.
Kimimaro looked confused, "my eyes?"
Haku nodded "your eyes are the same as mine, eyes that seek purpose for living."
Kimimaro's stared at Haku intently "and did you ever find that purpose for living?" Kimimaro questioned.
"I did, and I'm sure you will as well." Haku replied softly.
Kimimaro allowed a small smile to grace his lips. "Thank you….uh"
"Haku" Haku says finishing Kimimaro's sentence.
"And I'm Naruto!" Naruto interjected loudly catching both boys attention. Naruto shrugged as Haku and Kimimaro stared at him questionably. "What I was starting to feel left out. So anyway what's your name" Naruto asked.
"My name is Kimimaro Kaguya"
Naruto nodded "so I'm guessing you're a ninja, after all that bone thing you did was amazing."
Kimimaro shook his head. "No I'm no ninja, though I do have experience in combat." Kimimaro added.
"Oh yeah, so you have some experience?" Naruto says with a grin. "How about me and you have a sparing match then?"
"If that is what you want then I will oblige." Kimimaro stated.
"Awesome! I've been needing to get some practice." Naruto says while tossing his rucksack off to the side and positioning himself into a sloppy Taijutsu stance.
Haku walked a few steps away so to not get in their way.
Kimimaro eased himself into a fighting stance as well, and stared at Naruto with calculating eyes. "When ever you're ready" Kimimaro says dryly.
Naruto smirked before he charged Kimimaro whom waited for him patiently. Naruto tried to hit Kimimaro with a straight jab. But Kimimaro easily blocked the blow with his forearm and used his free arm to grab Naruto's arm and slam him into the ground.
Haku's eyes widened in fear for Naruto's safety. "Naruto-san!" Haku shouted.
Naruto quickly stood up and gave Kimimaro a wide grin. "Not bad, but try this on!" Naruto says as he charged back into the fight. Naruto tried to deliver a leg sweep to Kimimaro, but Kimimaro effortlessly jumped over the incoming sweep and countered with a roundhouse kick to Naruto's chest.
Naruto was sent crashing into the ground from the force of Kimimaro's kick. Naruto slowly lifted himself to his feet and stared blankly at the spot where Kimimaro had been a few seconds ago before he felt something press against his neck.
Kimimaro had a dagger forged from bone pressed against Naruto's neck. "This match goes to me." Kimimaro stated before he pulled the blade away from Naruto's neck.
Naruto frowned 'damn am I really this bad? First Haku performs the clone Jutsu better then me, and now Kimimaro whips my ass in a Taijutsu spar. And what makes it worst I'm the only one that even goes to school for ninja training!' sighing to himself Naruto dusted himself off and gave Kimimaro a thumbs up.
"You know you're really strong Kimimaro, I've never had my ass that thoroughly whooped before. I mean I couldn't even land one single hit on you." Naruto says while rubbing his soar arm. "Hell I bet you could become one kickass ninja if you tried."
Kimimaro stared at Naruto. "If that is what you want me to do then I shall do it."
Naruto cocked his eyebrow. "I didn't say you had to do it, it's your choice not mine."
Kimimaro looked as if he couldn't comprehend what Naruto had said. For his entire life he was always told what to do, never given a choice in any matter. "I don't understand."
"What do you mean you don't understand? You either want to become a ninja or not which is it?" Naruto says a bit agitated with Kimimaro.
Kimimaro then turned to Haku "Shall I do it?" He questioned with pleading eyes.
Haku looked at Kimimaro with pity; after all he had been in a similar position. Deciding it would just be easier on Kimimaro Haku choose to make the decision for him. "I think you should" Haku replied. After all Haku didn't want to simply leave Kimimaro where he was and if he wanted to become a ninja they had a reason to bring him along.
"Then I shall" Kimimaro replied.
"Well it's settled then" Naruto cut in. "we'll all become ninja's of the hidden leaf village!" Naruto says with vigor.
Well that's the chapter forgive me if it sucked, but it definitely will get better. Just having them all meet up was the biggest stepping stone for me. And now that that's over its smooth sailing form here, well hopefully. Anyway please review and be on the lookout for the next chapter.