I'm back with another chapter. It didn't really like coming out much, though. I'd been stuck on this one for a good long while unlike normal. Most times what I have in mind usually pours out on paper just fine. I hope it's satisfactory. Only one more chapter after this before the Finals (I think).
FanGirl2010: I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
xxXMariSawadaXxx: Wow, you mused a lot over the story. You've brought up things I never even considered. You made a good point about Kyuubi and her training Naruto, it shouldn't just be Minato, right? I'll think about that a little. Glad you're enjoying the story.
Aiko Yamazaki: Yeah, the vines are a Kekkei Genkai. Did I forget to mention that in the story?
Czxw: Using the wind to fly? That's a rather fun image.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 32: Time Goes On
Three and a half weeks had passed since Naruto and Shikamaru broke up and everyone was now heavily focused on preparing for the Chuunin Exam finals, which were only a few days away.
They worked hard as they all had something to prove.
Naruto was out to show Neji what Hinata hadn't managed to get across: you can change your fate no matter what cards had been dealt to you.
Sakura wished to prove her worth as a true kunoichi.
Sasuke was determined to assert his power as an Uchiha and prove, once and for all, that he was stronger than Naruto.
Gaara was intent on learning to be a more holistic shinobi so that he wouldn't be entirely dependent on his sand and Shuukaku. Not to mention, he intended to curb the threat of the Uchiha before it got any bigger.
Temari and Kankurou had originally planned to focus more on the upcoming invasion rather than the Finals but Gaara had made it clear that they would play no part in the invasion, other than trying to avert it as subtly as possible. Now, they planned to conserve their energy and train not for the exam but to prepare to fight against the invaders instead.
Neji aimed to put Naruto in his place and spit in the face of the Main Branch while doing so, not realizing he was being favored by the goddess of Fate herself.
Chouji didn't have that much confidence in himself but he wanted to make his family proud in addition to his sensei and friends. He would prove to them that he was a worthy heir to the Akimichi clan.
Shikamaru wouldn't rest until he defeated Daichi and won his lover back from his own fears. He would show how strong he really was.
Daichi, on the other hand, trained to destroy everything Naruto held dear starting with the annoying kage-nin that the Namikaze held strong affections for.
Michiru had a simple cause: support Daichi and show everyone how strong Iwa nin really were.
Lastly was Shino, who didn't care for much other than to fight his best and show that he deserved to be a Chuunin.
They all had their own reasons and they all aimed to win... No matter how difficult it may be.
"Do it again," Kurenai instructed the exhausted Sakura, who was practicing her Genjutsu.
"Hai," Sakura conceded. "Magen: Jubaku Satsu!"
Kurenai observed the Genjutsu unfold with a critical eye. Nodding in satisfaction, she dispelled it. "You've come a long way," she complimented the pink-haired girl.
"Thank you, Kurenai-sensei," Sakura smiled, proud of her achievements. It had been difficult but Sakura had enjoyed her time under Kurenai's tutelage. She felt like she was finally making her way to becoming a worthwhile kunoichi... one that would make her team proud.
"You still have a way to go to be on par with the other Rookies but you're on the right track," the dark-haired Jounin commented. "You're an intelligent girl, Sakura, with more experience and a built up stamina, I can see you becoming a strong kunoichi. Don't disappoint me."
"I won't," Sakura promised, beaming under the praise. She wouldn't let anyone down. Not anymore.
"The month's almost over, Kakashi! You've barely taught me anything!" Sasuke exclaimed irately.
Kakashi fixed Sasuke with a stern look.
"Have you gotten faster?" the silver-haired Jounin drawled.
"Yes, but..." the Uchiha began but was interrupted.
"Have you gotten stronger?" the teacher continued.
"Yes," Sasuke remarked sulkily.
"Have I not dedicated every second of my precious time ensuring that you improved on every front as a shinobi?" Kakashi pressed.
"...Yes," the duck-butt-haired teen admitted reluctantly.
"Then why are you complaining?" the Copy Nin commented.
"You haven't taught me anything new! How am I supposed to defeat Itachi like this? At this rate, I'll never catch up to him and it will be your fault!" Sasuke snapped harshly. "Teach me your Chidori."
He was instantly met with a good deal of Killing Intent. It was not as fearsome as Orochimaru's but it was still enough to send Sasuke to his knees gasping for breath.
"Listen here, brat. You are one of my subordinates, not the other way around. You don't have right to demand anything of me, much less my personal jutsu. The Chidori is an A-class assassination technique... something that will never be taught to a mere Genin, especially one as unstable as you. Training with me is a privilege, not a right. You will do best to remember that," Kakashi stated coldly. "I've helped you master every jutsu that you already have and that's have and that's more than most Genin have anyways. Don't get greedy."
With that, he pulled his Killing Intent back in, allowing Sasuke to take in large gulps of air.
Sasuke glared at Kakashi. "I'm an Uchiha, of course your training is my right," he declared and Kakashi sighed at the boy's shamelessness. He would never learn.
"That means nothing" the Uchiha clan is no more. There's only you and a traitor left... You are no reflection of the once great clan. You're just a pathetic child trying to fill the shoes that are too big for you. Don't think you can sway me in any way," Kakashi stated icily.
Sasuke let out a loud cry of rage, lunging for his callous teacher with murderous intent. Kakashi downed him with a casual flick of his wrist.
"Grow up, Sasuke-chan. You won't get everything handed to you on a silver platter. You're not a child anymore. If you want something, fight for it. Don't take the easy route by taking what isn't yours to have. If you want me to teach you something new, earn it," the Yondaime's former student declared with conviction. He really hoped Sasuke would take his advice. If Sasuke was to abandon his strong Uchiha beliefs and strive to improve himself using his merits alone, he may actually have a chance for redemption.
Realizing fighting Kakashi was futile, Sasuke was forced to abandon his anger.
"What could you have me do?" Sasuke asked his sensei.
"Fight in the Finals with the skills you have and prove that you're worthy of being a Chuunin that way. If you succeed, I might consider teaching you a jutsu that would help you defeat Itachi," the masked nin stated. He was taking a risk but if he could do anything to get Sasuke off his dark path, he would do it.
Sasuke smirked. "Deal," he agreed.
Shikamaru panted with exertion, standing in the center of a training ground that looked completely torn up.
He'd been working like a man possessed since the stakes of his match with Daichi had gone up. He couldn't afford to lose...
"You should come home, Shikamaru. You've trained enough," his father declared, hiding his parental concern under a mask of nonchalance.
"Not yet," Shikamaru responded. "I can still do more."
"If you do anymore, you will be hospitalized for chakra exhaustion," Shikaku retorted. "Let's see you participate in the Chuunin Exams then. I know how determined you are, Shikamaru, but don't be stupid. You know your limits. Don't exceed them so recklessly, especially when there's so much at stake."
The older Nara sighed as he saw the stubborn look on his son's face. He hated having to do this. "Troublesome," he grumbled as he walked over to his son. Before Shikamaru could do anything, the Jounin cast a Sleep jutsu on him. "Sorry, Shikamaru, but your mother would kill me if I let you stay here any longer."
Slinging the Genin onto his back, the scarred Nara began the trek back home.
"What happened?" Ino exclaimed in panic as she, Gaara and Jiraiya rushed over to Naruto's unconscious form. "The synchronization worked, I know it did! What could have gone wrong?"
"I don't know," Jiraiya hated to admit. The complete dynamics of Naruto and Minato's connection was still a mystery to him. "For all I know, they simply got overwhelmed by the process. All that we can do for now is observe them closely to make sure there aren't any complications."
"We can't do anything else?" Gaara frowned. He didn't like the idea of them just sitting back and watching to see if anything went wrong.
"What else can we do? None of us are experts on the bond between the two of them. I'd say we could use the help of a Hyuuga to see what's going on based off of their chakra but I would rather not bring anybody else into the fold, especially without Naruto and Minato's permission. I won't break their trust," Jiraiya declared. "For now, I think it would be best to admit him to the hospital."
Gaara and Ino nodded in agreement. They only hoped that whatever was going on with Naruto would resolve itself before the Finals. There wasn't much time left.
Iruka laughed in amusement at the joke Jin had just shared with him.
"I wasn't aware that you had such a sense of humor, Kyougyoku-san. You always seem so serious," the Chuunin remarked, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes.
"Well, I'm just chalk full of surprises," Jin answered easily. "You have a nice laugh, Iruka-sensei."
The brunette flushed in embarrassment. "Thank you," he answered, pushing a loose strand of hair behind his ear.
"You should let it loose," Jin told Iruka, who look confused.
"Huh?" the scarred Academy teacher asked, scrunching his nose up as he tried to make sense of what Jin said. The Iwa nin found that kind of adorable.
'If I don't kill you, I might just keep you,' the older man thought darkly. "Your hair," Jin elaborated as he reached over and released Iruka's hair from the confines of his hair tie. "It looks good loose."
"A-ah," Iruka stuttered uncertainly. That move had kind of crept him out. While Jin seemed relatively nice, they weren't that familiar with one another to the point that the Chuunin would allow him into his personal space like that. Glancing at his watch, he gave Jin an apologetic look. "It looks like my lunch hour is over. I should be getting back to my class now," he stated, starting to slip away.
"Oh right, I wouldn't want to hold you any longer. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, Iruka-sensei," the Iwa nin stated.
"You too," Iruka answered before turning away. He missed the malicious look that crossed Jin's face.
'You can run all you like, Iruka, but you can't escape me. I will get you eventually,' he thought.
Shikamaru groaned as he slowly began to wake up.
"It's about time, sleepy head," a familiar voice rang out.
Opening his eyes, Shikamaru saw Ino sitting by his bed.
"What are you doing here, Ino? Shouldn't you be training right now?" the Nara queried, slowly getting into a seated position.
"Jiraiya-sensei is giving us a break. He's a little preoccupied right now," the blonde answered.
"I still can't believe that you managed to bag a Sannin for a sensei. What he sees in you is beyond me," Shikamaru said without any real bite.
"Well, that wasn't very nice," Ino pouted. "I came to see you because I was worried about you. You don't need to get so snarky with me."
"I'm sorry," Shikamaru apologized. "I'm just a little stressed out right now."
"I can see that," Ino declared. "I've never seen you work this hard in your life. You will prove nothing to Naruto if you overwork yourself to the point you won't be able to fight at your best during the Chuunin Exams."
Shikamaru just scowled. "I can't afford to just sit back. If I fail..."
"You won't," Ino stated firmly.
"How can you be so sure?" Shikamaru frowned.
"Because I know you. You are the smartest person I have ever met. If there is anyone who can defeat Daichi, it's you... especially because you're so motivated for once," Ino remarked. "You just have to have a little faith in yourself."
Shikamaru smirked. Ino had changed a lot from the self-absorbed, Sasuke-obsessed girl she used to be just a few weeks ago. "It looks like Naruto has been good for you," he commented, the faintest hint of jealousy in his voice. Ino got to be at Naruto's side with no problem whatsoever while he had to fight for that right. He had seen Naruto's worth long before Ino so how was this fair?
"Naruto has that kind of effect on people," Ino replied, eyes softening with understanding of Shikamaru's feelings. She wished she could explain the difference in the bonds they shared with Naruto but she couldn't, not without talking about what she had seen inside the Jinchuuriki's mind.
"So what really brought you here, Ino?" Shikamaru queried. " Surely you didn't just come to watch me sleep."
"I just thought I should tell you... Naruto's in the hospital," Ino finally got down to business.
Shikamaru's eyes widened in shock. "What happened?" he demanded.
"It's nothing to worry about," Ino stated. "He's just suffering from chakra exhaustion." She didn't mention that was only a working diagnosis. She didn't want to go into explaining how Naruto's entire chakra system was in complete chaos at the moment. She'd even attempted to use her Shitenshin no Jutsu to enter Naruto's mind in order to see what was going on within him. It hadn't worked. She had been repelled the moment she tried. She'd ended up knocked out for a good hour for all of her efforts.
"How long has he been there?" Shikamaru asked.
"Almost a day," Ino admitted.
"Has he woken up yet?" Shikamaru continued his questioning.
"Not to my knowledge," Ino responded. She blinked as she saw Shikamaru start bustling around his room. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to go see him. I don't care if he doesn't want to see me right now," Shikamaru declared.
"He never stopped wanting to see you. It's his own fear paralyzing him," Ino mused.
"Then I will just have to free him for that fear," Shikamaru stated with conviction, causing Ino to smile. She honestly believed Shikamaru would be able to save Naruto from himself.
"Good luck," she stated, watching him leave.
"Great job, Sakuya!" Kiba cheered the growing fox on as she successfully pulled off a Henge into Naruto.
Sakuya barked happily, dispelling the jutsu and prancing over to her current trainer for a treat.
"You're turning into quite the nin fox," Kiba complimented her, stroking her soft fur. "Naruto picked out a good familiar."
Sakuya purred in pleasure at the mention of her mother. She wanted to see him soon. They hadn't got to spend much time together recently. Naruto had been busy with his father.
Kiba picked up on her longing. "How about we go see him later? I'm sure he will love to see you," he offered. Besides, he still needed to make an official apology to the blonde. He had chickened out so far, attempting to make more subtler efforts to make up for his rudeness, such as being the one who personally trained Sakuya, under his mother's watchful eye, of course.
Sakuya yipped excitedly, tackling Kiba and licking him to show him her gratitude. He laughed in amusement. The fox was rather likable.
Akamaru voiced his jealousy quite loudly, causing Kiba to smirk. He was just too predictable.
"Come on, Akamaru, you know you will always be my favorite," he reassured his own familiar. "Now how about we go find Naruto?"
Minato slowly opened his eyes, feeling oddly cramped up. Frowning in discomfort, he slowly sat up and stretched out his body. Again, it felt incredibly foreign and it took a moment for Minato to remember he didn't actually have a physical body to feel such sensations in.
Growing alert, Minato gingerly got onto his feet, stumbling as he found his center of gravity to be different than what he was accustomed to. It was like having gone through reverse puberty. His eye level was certainly lower than normal...
'How strange...' he thought to himself before he walked to the nearby mirror. He gaped openly as he stared at his reflection.
Naruto stared right back at him.
'I don't recall taking over Naruto's body,' Minato mused to himself. Even if he had, he wouldn't have looked like Naruto. He always gained his own form while he did so unless he was taking over only half of the mental control like he'd done while fixing Gaara's seal. He was quite certain that he had full control right now so he k we that wasn't the case now.
'What do you think is going on, Naruto?' he asked his son, only to be met with absolute silence. He called out to the boy again but no one replied.
He attempted to call out to Kyuubi but he met a dead end there as well.
Now Minato was worried because for the first time in thirteen years, he was completely alone in his mind.
A/N: I have also been working on another story. A Kingdom Hearts AU type story and I'm looking for a beta who might help me move it along.
Working Title: Scattered Hearts
Pairings: Riku/Sora, Akuroku, Leon/Cloud, and Terra/Ven, one-sided Sephiroth/Cloud
Summary: Cloud, Sora, Roxas and Ven are mermen living in Atlantica but when they interfering with Ursula's attempts to take over the world using the Heartless, things take a turn for the nasty. Now as they have been scattered across the worlds, they're going to need all of the help they can get to be reunited and win back all that they have lost… including their Keyblades.
I'm really bad at giving summaries… tell me what you think.