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Next chapter! A little slower in storyline progression then I wanted but I guess it gives me more to work with when I change it to novel. ;)
OH! And I have almost done the next chapter too! So I might be able to release the next chapter after just 1 week!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any affiliated products. I do however own any original plot-line or characters of this story.
Chapter 27: A Boy of Angst, Hatred and Fury
Kurenai squinted slightly at the onrush of light that met her fiery red eyes as she walked out of the inn they were staying at and into the early morning light. Yawning slightly at still being slightly tired, she had stayed up a little later with Hinata then she had been planned. The girl was a prodigy and complete genius when it came to chakra control, easily performing the most complex of exercises. Exercises that had taken herself many months of practice and yet Hinata was able to perform them after a few attempts alone.
Her fascination with her students hidden talents and the new technique she was practicing had caused her to lose track of the time of night. Which was a grave mistake and one she was ashamed of as a Jonin shouldn't make such foolish mistakes that could endanger their team. She just hoped that letting Hinata sleep in a little bit more before they set out would be enough to keep her at full strength. If not she had a few energy pills that should help her along.
Her eyes slowly adjusted enough to the direct morning sun and low and behold the first sight she saw was a rather large fox running about the village in a rather odd fashion.
Kurenai rolled her eyes as she watched Naruto carry a number of the villager's children on his back, having transformed into a fox the size of a large dog he was able to fit 5 kids on his back while he was carrying another four with his tails. He ran around the main square jumping around playfully but careful enough to not to drop any of the laughing children on his back.
At being called by one of the villagers she watched her student eagerly bound over to the woman and carefully knew down so one of the children could dismount his back.
"Say thank you to the nice young man." The mother of the child instructed as she herself gently scratched his ears.
"T-Thank you Mr. Fox." The little girl giggled out as Naruto licked her face with his long tongue.
Kurenai watched from the doorway as he slowly returned all the children he was playing with, all except Kikyo who still road on the back of his neck. It was interesting to see how he interacted with everyone as she didn't see much of him back at Konoha, he always seemed to be afraid of going near anyone there.
After awhile Naruto slowly slip Kikyo off his neck and transformed back to his normal form, but Kurenai was rather surprised when she felt a rather large pulse of chakra from him, she watched in amazement as the village slowly melded away, revealing in its place a beautiful field of flowers, a plain stretching as far as the eyes could see. A few of the villagers that had gathered to watch Naruto play with their children were rather shocked at the illusion and began to fret at what had happened.
But Naruto slowly began to explain what exactly it was and began to slowly lift the illusion to reveal the village was still there.
Kurenai wanted to scowled him for his foolish display, not only was he giving away his abilities to unknown people but she just couldn't stand show-offs and would beat that bad trait out of him. But as she took a step forward she felt Shino's hand touch her shoulder and was stopped when she heard the whole village cheer and clap for Naruto when the illusion finally disappeared in full.
"While I myself would never do such a thing sensei as to show my abilities, Naruto-san is different. Look at his face sensei, there is a lot of normal things in life that he has been deprived of, all this attention he is receiving is something he craves. He use to do all sorts of pranks back at the academy, just to see some of us laugh and to see our smiles. He is an open book when it comes to emotions, and while that may endanger him one day, it is his strengths." Shino said insightfully, he had known and watched Naruto since they had started the academy together and as such been studying him as carefully as he could, being that Naruto was the most 'different' person he had ever met.
"Its there acceptance he likes so much, see his smiles as they clap for him? They are not afraid of him and do not think wrong of him like Konoha does. He is so unuse to such attention and acceptance that he is just naturally clinging to it. Think of it in terms of a pet, sensei. All pets coward and fear being mistreated, but show them kindness, feed them and care for them and they will love you unconditionally."
Kurenai nodded slowly at her students words, Shino was perhaps the best person to observe and explain Naruto's everyday behaviour as he and his clan specialized in understanding nature and all its creatures. She had been judging Naruto as a normal young man ever since she met him, she just didn't see his perspective of things, being able to be part kitsune was a difficult thing to comprehend and it irritated her that she would be a bad sensei to him for it. Especially when even her other students can understand him better then she could.
"Yes… I know. Shino-kun, did you know him before you two started the academy?" Kurenai asked off-handedly, only now just noticing Naruto's big grin and he showed the villagers more of his illusions, he genuinely looked happy, a look she had only seen on her hanyou student when he was with Hinata.
"No I did not, I had seen him a few times around the village, but usually just passing glances and I never really spoke to him even at the academy. We of the Aburame Clan do not interact much with many people, especially when our insects are agitated by someone else's presence, he chakra is always unsettling for my companions." Kurenai nodded slowly as he spoke, her team was so different from one another it was astounding, Shino seemed so 'mature' compared to her other students.
"So what do you think about the suppose campsite we will find the bandi-" While she thought it best to change the topic to a more mission focused one she was forced to stop as she felt another large pulse of dark chakra, this one a little different and for her easily recognisable on what technique Naruto was about to display this time. "-NARUTO UZUMAKI DON'T YOU DARE USE THAT JUTSU!"
Shino took a step back at the sudden rage his sensei. He had grown in just a few weeks to have great respect for his sensei as he could relate to her high level of thinking and analysis and logic. But to see her just suddenly 'snap' in almost all sense of the word was a little unsettling for the Aburame to say the least, his Kikai beetles buzzing to imitate his shocked expression.
A good portion of the villagers quickly scattered seeing a rather angry woman walking there way, the rest looked on in mild amusement having realised that the young fox man before them must have been about to do something that his sensei forbade.
Naruto instantly turned to the direction he heard his sensei yell, his sensitive ears ringing at the sheer volume and he lowered them and his head in preparation for the lecturing he knew was coming.
"Naruto Uzumaki! I forbade you from ever using that 'jutsu' of yours unless I allow it. It is an insult of a technique and I will not be having you show it off!" Naruto shrinked down at the scolding, he honestly knew that most women found his technique offensive, except for Anko who fully supported it of course, but he knew that it was a very useful technique.
"But Kurenai-sensei, I wasn't going to do all of the technique, I was still going to have clothes on." Naruto begged as his head and ears drooped further at his sensei's intense gaze. He knew he was dead meat but it was his nature to try and wriggle out of trouble. His chances of that happening dropped to zero when Kurenai lifted him up to eye level by his scruff.
"I don't care, you know I forbade you to do it and you went to attempt it anyway, I will be increasing your ban on Ramen by another week." Kurenai had a difficult time keeping her 'scowling teacher face' and not burst out laughing when she saw his eyes shoot open in horror. While he couldn't move his body she could certainly feel that he tried.
"Now if you try to argue it further I will increase it by double that. Shino and myself are off to see Kiharu to get the last minute mission details before heading off, can you please go and get Hinata and meet us at the monastery in ten minutes." Slowly putting her hanyou student down she almost chuckled at his solemn expression, his ears and head bent down as he dragged all four of his unmoving tails along the dirt as he silently headed to the inn.
Kurenai had to admit that while she sometimes found him difficult to teach he really could easily be controlled with a simple threat of no food. 'He really is like an animal in that respect.' Kurenai thought to herself with a chuckle, before beckoning for Shino to follow her as she began to walk through the village.
Naruto was grumbling to himself about 'stupid unfair senseis' as he slowly dragged himself through the inn front door, one of his tails lashing out slightly at the door frame in frustration. It was only a light tap but it still was enough to dent it. Naruto didn't even acknowledge the innkeepers good morning as he slowly started to ascend the stairs.
"Well at least Kurenai-sensei is letting me get Hinata-chan, that was nice of her atleast." Naruto's mood instantly picked up at the thought of having a quick snuggle with his Angel before the mission really began, suddenly forgetting that the lack and ban of Ramen was plaguing his mind.
Naruto raced up the stairs and down the corridor, making sure that his tails didn't make any further dents as he sped along. Although he was in quite a hurry, he did skid to a stop outside the door, intent on entering as quietly as possible in case she was still sleeping.
He wasn't sure why his sensei had told him and Shino to let her sleep a little longer, he had assumed the extra few run overs of the mission plan were probably good if she heard them. But no matter how he argued Kurenai just kept telling him to leave her sleep.
Slowly nudging the door open his ears twitched as he listened carefully for the sound of her sleeping breaths. But when he heard nothing but the sound regular heartbeat his curiosity overpowered his better judgement and he leapt into the room, preparing to big his beloved angel and big hug. But he froze when he saw his angel sitting up in her bed, staring down with a worried glance at her hands.
Hinata could barely concentrate on the stinging from her hands as she applied her homemade healing salve, her mind was far to lost in both worry and memories to notice the small burn looking marks that had appeared on her hands from last nights training. 'Do they really think that's all I am? Do they really think I'll just be nothing... but a burden?'
Flashback
"Hiashi-sama! I must protest! We can't send our heiress out on a potentially life-threatening mission!" Hiashi just scoffed at the elders of the clan before him. Each of them presenting various reasons on why not to send his daughter on a C-Rank mission.
Hiashi had always been particularly gifted when it came to the analytical side of the Byakugan, leaving him the ability to easily see true emotions as well as reasons behind why people say and think what they do. Also giving him the ability to see the truth behind all words. But he didn't even need his byakugan to see why the elders were so against a 'low danger level' mission: They didn't believe his daughter could handle it.
"And why shouldn't she be sent on the mission? She will be amoungst two other high level graduating genin, one from the Aburame Clan the other the Jailor of the Nine Tailed Fox as well as sharing in its traits. Not to mention she will have Kurenai Yuuhi, Konoha's Genjutsu Mistress as a Jonin sensei. Not only will she protected by her fellow teammates and sensei, but she is also more then capable of defending herself against any dangers that are possibly involved in a C-Rank mission. Unless you all of course doubt this? That you doubt she is capable of performing the duties involved as a Shinobi of Konoha?"
There was a long pause followed Hiashi's accusation, the elders were all sharing odd looks as they spoke quietly amoungst themselves before one of the eldest spoke up.
"Will all due respect Hiashi-sama, your daughter does show a great deal of 'potential' but she does not in our eyes posses the skills and the shinobi 'instincts' that may be needed on a mission that could involve the need to kill." Hiashi's eyes narrowed at the elder who had spoken up. In a way he agreed that he doubted his daughter could kill so openly, but the Gentle Fist style could also be used to disable just as easily as kill so he knew she would be fine.
The argument escalated from there on, both sides arguing on reasons why and why not Hinata should be allowed to go on the mission. Some of the elders bringing up old records of her failings in certain training areas while others argued on her recent odd behaviour and such. One even brought up the fact that the 'demon' she was teammates with could kill her if he got too out of control on a mission.
As the argument raged on, off to one side of the open room, standing behind a small pillar, was Hinata listening intently to everything that was said about her. From her failings, to her inability to kill, to her lack of Byakugan ability. It hurt her, it hurt quite deep in her heart that her own family thought so little of her. While she was happy that her father was defender her, it still hurt knowing that the elders of the clan thought she was 'inadequate' to perform a simple C-Rank mission.
Small tears had begun to fall from her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away to prevent them from continuing. She had never had much self-confidence, and what she did have was always inspired into her by her beloved Kitsune Hanyou. And it was at his mention, and particularly his mention as a demon that she felt a small spark of anger at there words.
Naruto was everything to her, everything! And yet the elder members of her family always thought nothing of him, like he was little more then a devious beast! She knew they hated the Fox they lay caged inside him, but he was not a demon, he was her reason to go on and the only reason she trained every day. So she could be someone he truly deserved, he was a wonderful person to her, and she would not let them speak ill of him.
While her nerves were a little shot, her anger at the elders of her clan was stronger and steel herself as she slowly turned from behind the pillar and slowly took strong steps towards the gathered crowed. Silencing them all by her sudden appearance, even her father who was looking at her wipe eyed.
It wasn't the fact that she had appeared before them that had them all wide eyed, nor the fact that she may have overheard parts of their 'conversation', nor the fact that as long as they had known the shy heiress she had never had the courage to stand before them. It was the look in her eyes, the fiery passion burning within them, showing her determination and a look of fierce confidence they had never seen on her face before. A look that seemed quite out of character on her normally shy and gentle face.
They half expected her to start yelling at them all with the look she had, but instead she shocked them with a few simple words, words that seemed to hold more power in them then anything they had ever heard come from her mouth.
"Naruto-kun is not a monster, I will not have you speak of him in such a way." That was all she said before turning her back on all the gathered elders and walking away, and yet it held more feeling and power then anything else she could of said to them. A small tear could almost be seen forming in Hiashi's eyes, cause as he watched his daughter walk away he could of sworn he saw the image of his late wife walking in her stead.
Flashback end
Hinata shot up in sudden surprise when she felt something touch her, pulling her from her memory. Although she relaxed into the object when she realised what touched her was soft and fluffy.
"Are you ok Hina-tenshi?" Naruto said as he sat down next to his girlfriend, pulling her closer slightly with his tail that had wrapped around her. He had grown use to Hinata's occasional introspectiveness, but the look she had earlier worried him.
Hinata giggled slightly when one of Naruto's tails tickled her, and she giggled even more before going bright red when he nipped slightly at her neck. "S-S-Stop it N-Naruto-kun! Kurenai-sensei or S-Shino-san could w-walk in." She stammered out in sudden embarrassment at his actions. Playfully trying to push him away, despite how futile it was considering his strength.
Naruto's response was to just hold her hands back, forcing her to lie down on the bed as his tails started to tickle her all over. Causing her to burst out in laughter while trying desperately to squirm away from his playfully onslaught. "Hahahaha-P-Please N-Naruto-kun-Hahaha-S-Stop! P-Please Stop!"
"Hehe only if you tell me what's bothering you Hina-tenshi!" Naruto called back, laughing himself at his girlfriends predicament. He liked to make Hinata laugh, even if it was from just tickling her, she just had the purest of laughs, one he really enjoyed to hear. He continued his tickle torture until Hinata's laughs could barely even be heard, having been replaced with a squeal as she fought to throw him off her. But he wouldn't let up until she promise between breaths that she would tell him.
Quickly jumping back, he allowed his girlfriend to catch her breath, smiling cheekily as she glared at him in mock anger, his tails waving gently behind him making him look like a large pet at the end of its master's bed. Although looking at the forlorn visage that passed over Hinata's face, his cheeky mood was quickly dropped. She looked hurt… by what he didn't know, but whatever it was also seemed to have her worried, a look that cut his hurt to witness on her beautiful face.
"I… I'm just sort of w-worried about the mission Naruto-kun… I know o-our mission is to retrieve the t-treasure… but what if we need t-to well 'defend' o-ourself from the bandits… I'm not sure i-if I could do that…" It had been awhile since Hinata looked so vulnerable and it made Naruto seethe in fury at what could have upset her. Although he could tell that right now she didn't need him to be angry so instead he moved closer to her, pulling her into a hug as his tails wrapped around her tightly holding her close to him as she shook slightly in worry.
"Don't be so silly Hina-Tenshi, you are much stronger then you think! Remember you kicked Sasuke-teme's arse the other day in that spar? He was soooo angry too!" Naruto exclaimed with a boisterous laugh, and smiling when he heard Hinata giggle too. He continued to recount the events of the spar, emphasising completely on how 'awesome and amazing' Hinata was throughout the whole match.
Hinata remembered the spar very well, she could swear she still could feel one of the bruises Sasuke had left on her. Sasuke far outclassed her in fighting skill and had been dominating the entire spar and while it was only a friendly spar he hadn't been holding back so she had been on the defence the whole time. She had only won that fight on a lucky Gentle Fist strike she made to his chest, effectively winding him completely.
But the way Naruto retold the spar made her smile, he always as so much confidence in her and was always so amazed by everything she did. It made her feel so special on how highly he thought of her, it always made her feel so loved and appreciated whenever he spoke to her. To him she truly was like an angel to him, and she couldn't ask for a better person to love.
Feeling the warmth of his hold, the touch of his words Hinata could almost feel tears coming to her eyes at how wonderful he always made her feel in the smallest of time, with the simplest of gestures.
Naruto hadn't stopped yabbering on about how awesome she was the whole time, but his ramblings were brought to a sudden stop when she surprised him by kissing him gently on the lips. Leaving a rather funny dazed look on his foxy face when she pulled back. "I l-love you N-Naruto-kun." She said genuinely, her face slightly hidden as she looked down in mild embarrassment. Although it was her turn to be surprised when she was scooped up off the bed by Naruto's powerful tails, before behind held bridal style.
"I love you too Hina-tenshi." Naruto replied gently, before leaning down and planting a passionate kiss in return. The young couple loved to treasure these moments together, even if they were only short kisses and hugs the fire that exploded within them both at the simplest of touches brought them such joy and happiness. Moments they would trade for anything in the world.
Slowly pulling back Naruto looked down with a smile at the lightly blushing angel in his arms. A sense of peace and belonging always filled him when he watched her smile. "Hehe come on Hina-tenshi! We can't be late for the mission." Before Hinata could even think of replying he spun her around onto his back with his tails before taking off at blinding speeds.
Running out of there room onto the balcony before he leapt clean off the third floor, landing oddly gracefully as he continued to speed through the village towards the monastery stairs. A mirthful laugh was the only thing that could be heard from the young couple as they watched the villager's jaws drop in awe.
In the monastery
"So Kurenai-san, are you sure that your team will be able to find these bandits? We have known about there possible threat for a long time, but have never been able to locate them. Mainly because we have never had a reason to find them." Kiharu said calmly, almost as flat and solemn as he had spoke yesterday. Team 8 didn't know why, but it seemed the head monk was so much wiser then he looked, reminding them greatly of their Hokage.
"Yes Kiharu-san I am sure they are quite capable. We are to only find and return the relic that is all. For a Konoha Tracking Team that will be a simple task, and if we run into any trouble with the bandits my team and I could easily handle it." Kurenai confirmed with pride, she knew such a mission was easy for her team, she had great confidence that they would be fine.
"As you say it, now before you head off is there any assistance we could offer your team?" He asked genuinely handing a small piece of paper to a still raging Daisuke next to him.
"Actually we need just one, to be allowed into the room that the bandits raided the relic from." Kiharu's brow creased slightly at the request, it was an odd one and one that he wasn't sure if he could grant. That room was a very sacred place and only monks from the monastery were allowed to enter. It wasn't until Kurenai exaggerated on why that he considered it.
"You see, as a tracking team we can rely on many different skills to find out target, in this instance my student Naruto Uzumaki, will need the scents of the bandits to find our first heading direction."
Kiharu shifted his vision to the young hanyou that sat with his teammates behind there sensei, he could tell so much about him from a simply glance it was amazing. He could see so much of the boy's past and current feelings just by looking long enough into the red-rimmed blue eyes. So much latent power, so much wisdom, yet so much crushed sense of self, a hidden vault of pain and sorrow, memories of the past that held such a weighting burden and a part of self hatred buried under part real and part false pride.
He also understood the young hanyou's abilities and therefore knew they would need his keen sense of smell. "Very well it shall be done, Daisuke please escort our guests to the hall of the first Lord of the Land of Fire. If there is anything else you need Kurenai-san please feel free to ask, I will pray for the success of your mission." Without another word the head monk stood slowly, before bowing in respect to Team 8 and leaving silently, his hands being placed together obviously already starting his prayers.
Team 8 looked expectantly at Daisuke, but the young boy was still refusing to look any of the in the eyes, and it truth, Team 8 didn't really want to see his eyes. His whole being still extruded rage and malice, an over powering mixture of hatred and revenge seemed to fill and darken the air around him.
It was a presence that made Naruto in particular shiver, it reminded him so much of the Fox that he kept caged within himself, cause everything he travelled to the 'sewer' that was his inner mind that fox always felt the same as Daisuke did right now. It was an eerie resemblance.
Without warning Daisuke stood up, his head still looking down as his hands continued to shake in rage. He didn't even glance in Team 8's direction, or acknowledge there presence, he just started walking away and out of the main hall, forcing Team 8 to follow behind him. All hoping he was at least heading towards the room they had asked to see.
They followed him down many long corridors, the only sound to be heard was the soft echoing of their shoes against the stone fall, well, except for Naruto of course as he hated wearing shoes. Naruto never liked silence, and Hinata was a little too reminded of her Training House back home from the enclosed space, so both Genin tried to entertain a conversation with Daisuke both asking him a few questions or trying to get him to talk back. But he just refused to even acknowledge there presence. Something that ticked off Naruto in particular.
At one time Shino even asked a interested question about the monastery and the role of the monks here, but still Daisuke gave no reply. It was at that lack of reply that Kurenai was shocked to see Shino raise his arm slightly, allowing three very small Kikai beetles to fly from under the sleeves and hide themselves on Daisuke's person. Of course unknown to him. Kurenai would have said something to her student, but she trusted his judgement as he was the most rational of her three students.
It wasn't long until the long corridors came to an end opening up into huge room easily three times bigger the Naruto's little house. It was the same stone walls and flooring as the rest of the monastery but this particular room was brightly lit by about 20 fiery torches.
There was nothing significant about the room except at the furthest wall stood a small stone alter with a lavish red silk cloth covering it. Upon it sat three golden candlesticks and a large framed painting of an regal looking old man. Whom Team 8 could only assume was the first Lord of the Land of Fire. There was also a small red pillow with gold trims sitting on the middle of the alter, a small indentation on it indicating that it must have had something resting on it, perhaps the artefact they were employed to retrieve.
"Alright team, search the place, study everything you can find. Naruto, see if you can get us a scent to follow that is easily different to the scent of the monks. Hinata, can you please analyse the room any residual chakra, the bandits don't use chakra but if any of them know the basic of chakra manipulation we can follow them by there chakra signal. Shino, search the room and analyse it as best you can, see if your companions can find anything that Hinata's eyes can not." Immediately on their sensei's word Team 8 set out to complete there tasks, Naruto getting down on all fours, smelling the air for residual scent, Hinata activating her Byakugan to scan the room, while a huge swarm of black beetles flew out from Shino's long coat, covering various areas of the room as they searched for anything their master might be interested in.
All through the search, while it may have been considered a little bit sacrilegious, Daisuke said nothing, and remained motionless as he continued to look at the ground, not once looking at the Shinobi team he was escorting.
Kurenai stayed back, keeping a close eye on her students and Daisuke, not trusting his continually oppressive aura and killer intent.
"K-Kurenai-sensei, I f-found traces of s-some chakra around the r-room, p-particularly around t-the alter... It seems to b-be the chakra of only o-one person and the person using i-it doesn't seem to be v-very experienced in chakra control." At Hinata's report, Kurenai noticed a small shift in Daisuke 's stance, and he seemed to look in Hinata's direction. She could only assume that something Hinata had said actually got a reaction out of him.
As more and more of Shino's insect returned to him, his understanding of the room increased, key details easily missed by the normal human eyes were relayed to him. "Sensei, my insects have reported a number of fresh scratches and dents in the floor and walls, most of the small damage seems to have been done with sharp objects so this room may have been the focal point of the bandits attack." At Shino's report Kurenai watched Daisuke start to shake slightly, again obviously upset with the information. And she could almost start to guess why.
Naruto was a little longer in his report, having found his task a little more difficult. He could smell the scents of rusted iron, obviously from weapons. The smell of dry paper and cloth, perhaps that was the scent of monks who lived in the monastery. The area also held a very 'pungent and off' scent, similar to how man get after weeks without bathing, he could only assume that was the bandits who attacked and would report this scent to his sensei. But there was also one other scent that caught his attention, one he knew well but wasn't sure of the source.
Naruto continued to niff around the room, seemingly following a certain scent as he reported. "I can smell a few different scents Sensei, a few of them I think are the monks who live here, but I can also smell a few of scents that may be from the bandits... but I can also smell blood..."
"Can you identify anything from the blood Naruto-kun? Anything to help is always useful, blood can contain many secrets." Naruto followed the scent of blood around the room trying to find something useful from it for his sensei, but it wasn't until he was near enough to Daisuke that he could relate the blood properly. It had a similar smell to Daisuke but with a more 'sweeter' tinge, indicating female.
As he passed Daisuke, Naruto stood up to face him. Suddenly feeling the boys rage spike once more. It made him sad to realise what the blood was, and he felt a piece of his heart shatter at the memories it brought up. "It... It was her wasn't it Daisuke? This is where Lady Kia, your mother fought th-" Naruto didn't even have a chance to react as Daisuke lunged at him without warning, quickly slamming him into the stone wall with a surprising amount of force. Nearly enough to knock the wind of the hanyou as he struggled against the fist
"DON'T YOU TALK ABOUT HER! DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK OF MY MOTHER! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT'S IT LIKE TO HAVE EVERYTHING YOU LOVE TAKEN FROM YOU!" Naruto froze slightly in Daisuke's hold, not even attempting to lift the hands from his throat. He was frozen by the look on Daisuke 's face, it was the first time he had seen the boy's eyes, and it was the darkness, the hatred, the sheer level on... murder they held within that shook Naruto to his core. Daisuke 's eyes looked the exact same as the Fox's.
But that shock was short lived, cause as his mind registered the words Daisuke had screamed at him, his rage surged as he was reminded of Hitomi, the only woman to ever been considered his mother. The person who was taken from him by her own family.
Kurenai jumped almost on instinct to help her student, she had been watching Daisuke since they first arrived at the monastery and wasn't overly surprised to see his sudden violence. But before she could help, a strong and firm hand clasp her shoulder holding her back.
"Let them be Kurenai-san, I can tell they both need this. Daisuke-kun needs this as he has yet to find an outlet for his anger, he needs to see there are other coping from the same loss in a more constructive way then he." Kiharu said from behind Kurenai, completely surprising her as she hadn't heard or detected his approach. She wasn't too sure what he meant or how he knew they would be fine, and her nature and training urged her to stop the conflict, but for some reason she found herself listening to him. An order she silently passed to her other two students as them quickly made their way to stand beside her.
Naruto didn't take lightly to the physical assualt and growled darkly in response, his emotions slowly growing stronger as more images of Hitomi and her loving hugs, smiles and complements flashed before his mind. "Let go of me..." Naruto 'demanded' in a dark commanding voice. "Let go now!..." He ordered once more, Daisuke just pushing him into the wall further.
"NO! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE! You ninja are the ones who take lives and yet you know nothing of what it's like to have life taken from you! YOU PROBABLY NEVER EVEN HAD A MOTHER TO LOSS!" That was close to the worst thing Daisuke could have said in his anger, completely ignorant of the fact that he had read the reports on the Hanyou that lived in Konoha. The Hanyou he held by the throat right now.
"I said... GET OFF!" Naruto's eyes narrowed in an instant, his pupils slightly dilating more then usual at the comment. One that actually more cut his heart then invoked his rage. Using his ridiculous natural strength Naruto forced himself off the wall, two of this tails wrapping around Daisuke 's hands, forcing them away from his throat and causing Daisuke to stumble back at the sudden force.
Looking up at the hanyou he had held Daisuke had barely any time to react as he felt a sudden pain erupt in his chest, a loud crack was the last thing his mind registered before he was blown back from the force of the punch he received from the furious hanyou.
"I don't know what you problem is with me, but you have NO RIGHT! to say those things! What do you possibly know about me? At least your mother died in honour m-" Naruto stopped in surprise as his arms instinctively went up to block Daisuke's counter attack, closing his eyes in response to the close strike. A strike strong enough to knock away Naruto's guard and force him to the floor. 'What the hell? I didn't even see him move! And how did he hit so hard? His strength in incredible!'
Naruto's ear's twitched slightly, hearing a thin 'whistle' in the air was his only warning to the second incoming attack. Rolling to the side in reaction, Naruto's eyes shot open in surprise as the attack shattered the very ground where he lay, pieces of the stone flooring blasting away almost like they were blown up by a paper bomb or explosive jutsu.
Flipping back up into an attacking stance, Naruto lowered himself and shielded his front with his tails. All four moving infront of him to block the exploding debris. In the dust and dirt cloud that erupted from the attack Naruto's sharp eyes spotted Daisuke lunge forward from within it.
Naruto reacted accordingly his hands moving up and forward as he charged forward, catching Daisuke 's attack as his tails quickly wrapped around his limbs.
The rest of Team 8 and Kiharu watched in complete silence as the dust slowly cleared. Hinata and Shino in particular were rather shocked to see the damage Daisuke did with a single strike. Hinata was watching intently with her Byakugan, and she was shocked to see Daisuke using chakra to enhance his muscles as he struck. And in her shock she turned to ask Kurenai, but it was Kiharu who explained the irregularity.
"Most of the monks living here are able to manipulate chakra, not in the same manor as you Ninja, but in a more 'self enhancing' way. We all seek perfect inner self so to assist in that task we all utilize our chakra to enhance our body as we train and fight. Lady Kia, Daisuke and all the guardian's before them have always had rather exceptional ability to perform this 'self enhancing'. He will be quicker, more agile, and stronger then any normal person as long as he has chakra to spare on the enhancing." Hinata and the rest of Team 8 nodded in understanding, they had performed similar exercises where they would strengthen there legs as they jumped through the trees or along rooftops... but not to the degree where they could shatter solid stone flooring!
As the smoke cleared Naruto and Daisuke were revealed to be in a stand off, Naruto's clawed hands were viciously plunged into Daisuke 's bo staff while Daisuke was using his enhanced strength hold his own by forcing his weapon constantly down while stopping Naruto's tails from hurling him away.
'That's what it was? All he hit me and the ground with before was a wooden staff! Where did he even get it from? I'll snap the stupid thing!' Naruto growled as he pushed forward, determined to use his supierior strength to push Daisuke and his staff back before slicing it in two. But for some reason he could not get him to even budge slightly!
'What is he? To be able to stand up to my strength! Don't worry mother, I'll get him for insulting you mother! JUST LIKE I GOT THE REST WHO TOOK YOU FROM ME!' All Naruto saw in his opponent's eyes was empty rage, but there was a second there where he saw a hint of insanity, and in that instant he feared if Daisuke would go to far.
Daisuke felt Naruto's hold on his limbs lighten for just and second, and used the opportunity to force the hanyou's tails off his limbs, quickly jumping back out of his adversary's grasp, he then lunged forward, hitting a solid strike downwards to knock away Naruto's guard before twisting suddenly slamming the back end of his staff straight into his gut. "Honour? HONOUR! YOU THINK MY MOTHER DIED WITH HONOUR? SHE WAS MURDERED! WHAT DO YOU FIND HONOURABLE ABOUT BEING MURDERED?" In his rage and partially from his training, Daisuke didn't give his opponent a chance to move as he yelled his objection. Following from the slam to the gut to another spin, slamming Naruto hard across his head. Causing him to yelp out in pain as he was forced flying back, crashing harshly into the stone wall on the other side of the room.
Hinata's hand's unconsciously were brought to her chin as she saw her Naruto brutally bashed to the wall, she never liked seeing him hurt and when she heard him yelp it almost made her cry, he sounded like a wounded animal when he did that and it always crushed her heart to hear such a shattering sound. By nature and instinct she pulled forward, ready to rush to him and defend him if need be, but Shino pulled her back gently by her shoulder. "Don't interfere Hinata-san, he will be alright, you will see. Naruto is a fast thinker when it comes to the battlefield."
Almost in response to Shino's claim a large pulse of dark chakra was heard, followed by a short mumbling barely heard by the members of Team 8. In an instant the dust cleared from the room, but the light from the torches were blocked out by a strange darkness. The darkness shifted around the room like a creepy gas, blackening out every inch of light, leaving everything pitch black.
Daisuke looked around him, the darkness encroaching around him blocking out his sight of his adversary. Thinking the gas was tangible he took a few swipes at it to see if it dispersed, but it didn't move, instead it just continued on its path until Daisuke couldn't even see his hands infront of him. "SHOW YOURSELF YOU COWARD! MY MOTHER NEVER RESORTED TO TRICKERY TO WIN HER FIGHTS!" He didn't know why but the darkness was getting to him, not being able to see anything at all seemed to distress him. Something a certain Hanyou hidden within the dark was counting on.
"Well maybe if she did, she might not have died..." Naruto's voice echoed from the other side of the room, as he spoke a small wisp of blue flame danced in the darkness in the same direction as the voice had come from. It was a cruel thing to say, one that Naruto wished he hadn't, but he needed his opponent to lose his cool to win this fight.
As planned and predicted Daisuke charged at the wisp in a fit of rage, delivering a roundhouse kick to it hoping to strike Naruto hard enough to end the weird darkness he had created. To his shock the wisp just disappeared, allowing his foot to phase straight through it. In response Daisuke spun round, his training stating that he must never give his back to his opponent. But he freaked out and jumped back as a large fox with dripping fangs and blood red eyes lunged at his face. Only to pass straight through him.
He quickly jumped to his feet and swung out with his staff, hoping to strike his opponent but when another vicious and monstrous looking fox lunged at him from the side he lost a bit of his nerve and stumbled. Daisuke 's heartrate and breathing rapidly increased as his fear suddenly began to overcome his better judgement.
Like before a wisp appeared in the darkness, followed by several more as they all began to dance around in the darkness and were the only things anyone could see. "You say your mother was murdered, and from what I have heard that is true..."
"SHUT UP!" Daisuke screamed in frantic fright as he dodged another illusionary fox, only to scream in pain as he felt claws sink deep into his back. Causing him to drop his staff.
"But to have your mother die protecting other, performing her duty to the fullest you should be proud to be her son! She left this world having known she did everything she was suppose to do and she saved many lives in doing so. What is not honourable about that?" Naruto continued his horrible illusion, having various illusions appear of fox's or wisps of Fox Fire all around Daisuke, while attacking every chance he got. Each time causing Daisuke to slip more and more into his fear.
Five fox's appeared this time, each of them instead of lunging forward began to circle Daisuke, growling darkly as they gnashed there teeth at him. Instinctively he tried to kick them away, screaming at them to leave him alone. And when they disappeared he found himself pressed up against a wall. "B-But you don't k-know! Y-YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE!" Daisuke screamed once more through the darkness, desperately trying to find his staff to help defend himself from.
Naruto was slightly surprised at how fast his illusion was effecting Daisuke, if anything he was only expecting to have him slightly nervous but he was literally shaking in fear. Something Naruto could only attribute to the boy's slightly unhinged mindset. And to the fact he was only around 10 years old.
In the middle of the room, a large fox easily the size of the largest of dogs slowly phased into view from within the blanket of darkness, like its predecessors this one had large dripping fangs and eyes that spoke of murder. But this one stood its ground, growling darking as it stared its target down, before speaking in a dark and evil tone, but oddly enough Team 8 could not feel the presence of Naruto's Yokai Chakra emerge even once.. "You say I don't understand? That I don't know what its like? But I know exactly what its like!" The large fox roared in a dark and sinister tone, it's four large tails thrashing around violently.
Whether it be a fit of rage again, or a complete lose of common sense from the fear, Daisuke charge forward screaming for the creature to die knowing this one was certainly Naruto. But the great fox just lashed out with one of its tails, slamming hard into Daisuke causing him to crash into the wall, and before he could even fall a huge paw the size of his chest pounded into him, holding him tightly in place.
"I know what its like because I had my mother taken away too! She was murdered just like yours!" For a second there Naruto saw Daisuke 's eyes widen slightly in shock at his words, a small slither of clarity seeming to seep into the raging young man's mind. "But unlike yours it wasn't defending her friends and family that she died, it wasn't performing her duties that she was killed. NO! She was murdered without remorse, MURDERED BY HER OWN FAMILY! She was taken away from me, and from her daughter! And from her second daughter who was barely a week old! You say I don't understand! BUT I UNDERSTAND THE PAIN IT BRINGS JUST AS MUCH IF NOT MORE THEN YOU WILL EVER! And unlike you I don't live in anger or hatred! I live so that I can make her proud! I will do everything she couldn't do so that when I finally do see her again in whatever afterlife exists I know she will happy to see what I have become! She wont see a wrenched useless fool like you have become! Your mother would be ashamed of you!"
As Naruto's final words were spoke he felt his own tears slowly start to well up from the memories that were surfacing throughout the whole fight, as short as it was. Everyone watched in the room as the darkness slowly retreated, and the many wisps of blue fire dissolved into the nothingness they truly were. And in the great fox's place, it slowly shifted back to the normal Naruto, whom still had his clawed hand pressed firmly against Daisuke 's chest.
Moments passed in silence as the two just stood there. Naruto staring at his opponent as small tears fell from his eyes, and Daisuke he still looked at the ground. A few more moments passed and to the surprise of all present Daisuke slowly lifted his head to look at Naruto, the rage and hatred within his eyes replaced with a look of lost, confusion and perhaps even regret.
"You... Y-You lost your mother just like me?... but her own family... killed her?... My mother... would s-she really be ashamed of me?" Naruto didn't answer, instead he chose to remove his hand leaving Daisuke to fall on his own two feet.
Naruto looked in pity at the younger boy, he could see the pain that was piercing his heart and hoped that in one way he had done Daisuke some good by giving him a different perspective on things. Even if it was only a little bit.
Kiharu walked passed Team 8 and placed an aged hand on Daisuke's shoulders, the boy slowly looking up at his mentor with glassy eyes, the rage completely vanished from them. "Come Daisuke-kun, we have much to do and must leave Team 8 to there mission. You have alot more training to complete if you want to be able to follow in your mother's footsteps." Daisuke didn't say anything, he just continued to look at his mentor with the same lost expression, almost like the boy had his entire purpose taking away, but to everyone's shock he spoke in response after a few moments, his voice sounding so different without its usual rage and hatred.
"F-Follow in my mother's footsteps? I... I can make mother proud... if I achieve what she did... and protect the monastery like she did?" Kiharu just nodded with a big smile as he ruffled the boy's hair before urging him to follow him out of the room.
The two walked in silence out of the room, but as Kiharu passed Kurenai, he withdrew a small envelope from within his robe and handed it too her. "Please, make sure Naruto-san is given this when your mission is complete. I know you will be completely successful in retrieving the artifact." And without another word he and Daisuke left the room, leaving Team 8 alone once more. Although Daisuke seemed to struggle slightly as he held his chest, now that the adrenalin was gone he could obviously feel the cracked rib Naruto gave him at the very start of the fight.
Hinata instantly rushed to Naruto and leapt into his arms in joy that he was ok. Little tears falling from her eyes as she kissed his cheek. "N-Naruto-kun, I'm so glad your o-ok... I was so w-worried when K-Kiharu-sama told us not t-to interfere..."
"Hehe, ah you know me Hinata-chan, I'm not so easy to beat, I kicked his arse!" Hinata just chucked at his response before hugging him tightly, blushing slightly when his tails gently wrapped around her.
"That you did Naruto-san, your method of invoking fear in Daisuke-san was an excellent tactic, one that I'm sure was the absolute best choice for the current situation." Shino complemented his teammate, showing an odd amount of emotion in his voice clearly indicating his amazement and sincerity.
"Yes, very well done indeed Naruto-kun. Though it was a short fight you showed an impressive way of dealing with the situation. Although I don't really think you needed to frighten the poor boy as much or the 'moral' talk necessary, I still believe you did an excellent job and you should be proud of yourself." Naruto smiled brightly as he scratched the back of his head in slight embarrassment at his sensei and team's praise. It wasn't really a good fight, but it was one he certainly wouldn't forget.
Apart from that there was a certain place in his heart that he felt heal in that battle, knowing that he was fighting and living for his mother brought him a sense of comfort that he hadn't felt in a long time. A peace he could feel was blooming in Hinata as well when she whispered a loving 'thank you' into his ear.
As the events from the conflict were resolved, Team 8 finalised there investigation of the room, finally leaving to find there targets when Naruto was able to decidedly track down a distinct sent that seemed to lead them in the direction Kiharu had said the scouts had reported sightings, meaning that had found a good starting trail.
Naruto, Hinata and Shino stood on the edge of the forest surrounding Kuzaku Village with Kurenai standing firmly behind them. Anxiety filling the teens to there very bones as they took there first steps into the forest at their sensei's orders. Knowing that in a few hours, they could very well be finishing there first C-Rank Mission.
"Come on guys! Lets go kick so butt!"