Heyah. It's been a while since I sat down to this piece the last time... frankly, for a longer while I did not anticipate I'll be returning to it again, but every now and then I still get reviews asking me to continue, despite a huge void after the last update. And, while personally my love for "Naruto" basically died, I came to a realization that I'll never be able to sleep peacefully unless I actually sign this piece of mine off...
It still has a long way to go and I might've became rusty about Naruto fics, so bare with me if this isn't chapter is not as good as the previous ones, but as I go along the muse will return (I recall the first, few chapters before getting edited left things to be desired also :D).
Anyway, after much nagging from... well, pretty much everyone, I sat down to it, finished the next installment and so I present to you another chapter of NNG! First and foremost we'll see if this little tale can still attract as much attention as it did back in its early years. If so, there's a good chance I'll keep going, though naturally that depends on reviews mostly.
There's also one, more reason behind me returning to this, particular piece of mine, but I'll reveal more on that once some things will be certain. At this point I wouldn't wish to 'brag' and then end up stating "no can do".
So, lets get on with it:
Side note:just a reminder to all of you who are not familiar with NNG beginnings; this story was started when "Naruto" was only launching its Part II and so over time it became slight AU... basically, anything that took place after Naruto and Sasuke meeting for the first time after the gap should be considered non canon for this story, unless stated otherwise.
Chapter #134: Like the Desert Missed the Rain
Chapter Cover: Hanamaru at the gym is running using a treadmill and sweating greatly
"Are you sure this is wise, Gaara?" Temari asked as the two stared at the twins' cradle. The Kazekage merely gave her a glance of his jade eyes, not saying a word. Kankuro, who stood beside the wall further back, crossed his arms, while his head lowered. He knew his sister would shift to him next and he certainly had no desire to part take in a staring contest.
"This isn't right" she announced, calming down. "They are brothers and with their mother dying at birth, they are also the only family to each other. And certainly Tarakudo could use some support..."
"Tarakudo is not the one I'm worried about" the Godaime responded, his voice as emotionless as usual. "It's Horamaru that I'm concerned with. I can see it in their eyes... you mustn't forget of Honemaru and Takai, they're a factor as well. It should be better this way..."
"What, riding a newborn of his twin?"
"Temari, settle down" the puppeteer finally joined in, gaining the attention of his eldest sibling. "Frankly, I figured you'd understand this the most; what was done... Horamaru will fall, regardless to what we'll do. This way, at the very least, he'll have a chance of redemption. He'll hate them all at first... there's no doubt in my mind that he will... and this is why he mustn't know..."
"But..." the kunoichi began, but Kankuro was not about to let her finish: "Looking back all those years, tell me: did our experience with Gaara makes you believe your solution is better?" he asked, gazing at her sternly. The blonde lowered her head and then shifted her eyes at the redhead, who still stared at the two boys asleep in the cradle.
-Flashback end-
Tarakudo watched as the medics took Horamaru away to the infantry, not bothering to give Kokoro, who now stood beside him, a glance. The young leaf-nin scanned the bandaged boy for a few moments until he decided to speak: "He hates you, you know…"
To this the Suna gennin shifted his gaze at the shorter ninja, his face from what the blond could tell, indifferent: "Your point being?" he asked calmly. The telepath also remained stoic, though a note of worry could be heard as he spoke again: "Well, considering your ties, I figured you'd be unhappy about that."
"That just proves how inexperience of a mind reader you are" the Sand shinobi replied, turning his attention to Tsuino. "It's more fun this way... if Horamaru actually knew we were brothers, I might lose him" he added, smirking beneath his bandages as Kokoro decided to leave.
The rain-nin glanced after the blond for a moment before shifting back to his adversary, Lee walking between the two: "Sixth match: Furikuzu Tsuino from Ame against Tarakudo of Suna... BEGIN!" he announced, jumping out of the way. In a flash the scar-faced gennin reached for his dagger swords and charged forward, appearing before the Sand shinobi in a matter of moments.
Immediately Tsuino swung horizontally, bringing his blades at Tarakudo's chest from both sides. To his slight surprise however, the sand-nin managed to bend his torso back, leaving both the upper body and legs in the same spot. As the weapons zoomed by, he brought his head down, aiming at the bended rain-nin.
Sensing the attack, the scar-faced boy jumped forward and rolling on the ground, went between the bandaged gennin's legs, stopping just behind his opponent. Instantly Tsuino rose to his feet and spun around with another, horizontal swing, this time going for his adversary's head.
The Suna ninja easily ducked however and placing his hands on the ground, he thrust his legs back, straight at his enemy's stomach. The rain-nin saw that coming though and quickly jumped up, grabbing one of them by the ankle. Using that as a turning point, he flipped, throwing a kick of his own at Tarakudo's head.
To this the bandaged boy reacted immediately and flipped forward, launching a drop kick, only in stead of attack his opponent, he dragged him behind his own leg. Going head-first towards the surface, Tsuino twisted the dagger in his free hand and struck at the ground. As his muscles tensed, he broke the fall, making both combatants freeze; him standing upside down on left hand, while Tarakudo's body was now positioned parallel to the ground, propped only by his hands now located behind his head.
As their strength gave in, the Ame gennin quickly somersaulted, jumping away while the sand-nin put his body into a spin, throwing his legs to the side in a helicopter move. The instant the scar-faced boy landed on his feet, the Suna ninja froze and rose to his feet as well, already standing in an awkward, fighting stance.
"That Sand guy's fighting style resembles my Drunken Fist" Nazaa noted from the stands, narrowing his eyes. "With his abilities, there's no telling from where the attack will come" he added worryingly, but as his statement reached his teammates, a new voice joined the quartet: "True... but thanks to years of sparring with you, this Tarakudo fellow can't really surprise him either."
Karei turned around at the familiar figure with a headgear and a body armor. The boy, slightly older then them, watched the match below closely, three umbrellas attached to his back. Youji stared at him, shocked, for a mew seconds, before he managed to speak up: "What are you doing here, Mushi-san? I heard your cell got eliminated during the Third Exam and you returned to the village..."
"I have" the boy, Mushi, replied calmly, without glancing at the kunoichi. "But Tsuino made it to the finals... how would it look if I haven't come to watch my own brother fight? I've decided to join father on his way, tis all" he explained casually.
Meanwhile the two fighters engaged once more with the rain-nin cutting from below. At this Tarakudo strafed right, but that proven to be pointless as the scar-faced ninja simply thrust his other dagger at his chest right there and then. With the blade ripping air as it came, the Suna gennin clapped his palms, grabbing the steel between, stopping the assault inches before his stomach.
Tsuino was not fazed though and flipped his, other hand, bringing the dagger at the bandaged head from the side. Seeing this, the artificial shinobi tilted his head back and while the attack missed, he 'grabbed' his opponents arm by placing it between his chin and torso.
This took his adversary off guard and while the surprise lasted no more then a second, it was all Tarakudo needed; before the Ame ninja could react, his tossed his legs to the sides, bringing his back towards the ground. The momentum had Tsuino follow as he was unable to free himself from the grip and as he bended forward, the sand-nin launched a double kick, making it connect with his opponent's chest.
The sudden impact rid the scar-faced teen of air, forcing the body to stop to take a breath. The bandaged warrior wasted no time and already laying on the ground, he brought his legs together, this time trapping Tsuino's neck in between. With a quick flip, Tarakudo tossed the rain-nin, having him collide with the wall.
"That scar-faced guy" Galu thought to himself, narrowing his eyes at the sight. "He actually took a blow!"
With a crack of the bones, Tarakudo straightened himself up while the rain-nin rubbed his shoulder from the hit, his eyes set on his adversary. The two engaged in a short, staring contest, before Tsuino finally decided to speak: "Before we go on, there's one thing I'd like to ask you" he announced, making the Sand shinobi raise his eyebrow. "Just a bit earlier, when that blond from Konoha spoke with you... you mentioned something about the string guy being your brother, right?"
"Oh, another one" the bandaged boy shook his head as his voice sounded tired. "Don't tell me you aim to lecture me as well. Frankly, I don't see how this is any of your business. Whatever ties me and Horamaru have is none of your concern... nor that brat, for that matter. How I handle things is my decision and mine's alone!" he proclaimed, somewhat agitated.
"Wait a second" Kai leaned over just before turning to his friends. "Did that guy just said 'brother'? I thought that mummy-like freak hated the string psycho!" the young gennin recalled as his gaze settled on the sand-nins. None of them reacted at first, but finally Dekai decided to reply: "Well, it's not like any of us knew up till now... Tarakudo is not the most sociable person in the world and Horamaru is no better... but I suppose, all things considered, the two could be related. I have a memory of Honemaru once mentioning Hora's father was the one behind... creating Takai, Tarakudo and Honemaru himself..."
"But how is that relevant?" Kumiko asked curiously.
"That's not really something you should concern yourself with" Takai responded with a straight face. "Granted it is the truth: Tarakudo and Horamaru are brothers, as much as it's hard to accept that fact. We were all placed in the dark about this earlier, but as off now I suppose Horamaru is the only one who doesn't know. But, from what I understand and judging from his behavior, it's a safe bet Tarakudo knew all along."
"And he still acted the way he did?" Torune yelled, shocked at the revelation. "Surely, he was never much of a gentle person, but... I mean... he literally provoked Hora on every turn!" she reminded the scythe user, to which the latter merely shifted his eyes to avoid eye contact.
"It's no wonder Takai knows" Karame told himself as he observed the conversation. "The reason behind Tarakudo's action. All things considered, he should understand him the most. But can you really accept that, Takai?"
"Brothers, eh" Kusari wondered, glancing at the bandaged boy below as an image of a certain person popped in his head. Meanwhile Tsuino seemed to be angered by the given reply: "So that is your answer?"
"Why shouldn't it be?"
At this fury rushed through the rain-nin's body as he bite his finger, drawing a quick seal on the ground. A moment later he sprayed the surroundings with the crimson liquid from his thumb, rising Tarakudo's curiousness. Mushi on the other hand widen his eyes, noticing the pattern and let his body shook at the notion: "He... he's planning to use THAT jutsu?"
Takaru was shocked as he recalled the events from the Forest of Death a month back: "I know this technique!"
At the same time Genmei at the honorary lounge narrowed his eyes at the development: "Wind's picking up already... don't tell me he's taking it all the way..."
Tsuino saw nothing of that. In stead he clasped his hands in a single seal as wind currents began circling around his opponent: "Kisei Hazama!"
-the match reached its climax... who'll come out on top?-
And so this chapter ends... it turned out less spectacular then I imagined it'll be, but I'll classify that as me being rusty when it comes to "Naruto" fics. Hopefully as I write more I'll get the feel of my earlier drafts :D Now, I would appreciate a review to see if this tale still picks up interest overall. And, before signing off, here's the usual content of my A/N at the end, meaning jutsu encyclopedia, the list of gennin and the match up for the final exam. Enjoy:
Kisei Hazama (Death Valley) – a technique invented by Genmei, the Leader of the Hidden Rain. He passed the technique to his two sons. The jutsu itself has two levels of power; first was shown during the Forest of Death as Taraku recalled by Mushi (yes, that name should sound familiar... go way back to chapters 45-46 and you'll realize how far in advance Tsuino's match with Tarakudo was planned :D)... and now Tsuino is gonna show you its higher version...
Konoha #7 (Naruto): Murasakki Kumiko, Tanken Ibuki, Gekido Takaru, Hagane Kusari, Haisha Kai
Konoha #3 (Shikamaru): Konpaku Rei, Rikoteki Kogane, Amagasa Toku, Debano Kitsune, Gusoku Hanamaru
Konoha #4 (Hinata): Igaku Mikka, Inuzuka Tsume, Benda Kokoro, Hatake Senkou, Kobushi Galu
Konoha (Shino): Hamano Taki, Hyuuga Hitomi, Manako Akira, Tanken Funbo, Horohoro
Suna #1 (Temari): Aoru, Torune, Tarakudo, Takai
Suna #2 (Kankuro): Sabaku no Sabure, Hari, Dekai, Karame
Kusa (none): Hokku Tobane, Kanraku Nezumi, Kuchibashi Taka, Kyohaku Tokame, Wanabi Hizoku
Ame (unknown): Kasano Youji, Nokogiri Karei, Eshaku Ryo, Furikuzu Tsuino, Hebereke Nazaa
Tsuki (Hinami Hoshiru): Junsei Teela, Tenka, Chishio Nobu, Chishio Kumo, Kihako Tasuki
Kane (unknown): Futatsu
Fight 6: Furikuzu Tsuino (11) vs. Tarakudo (12) – in progress
Fight 7: Manako Akira (13) vs. Dekai (14)
Fight 8: Hyuuga Hitomi (15) vs. Tenka (16)
Fight 9: Hokku Tobane (17) vs. Sabaku no Sabure (18)
Fight 10: Murasakki Kumiko (19) vs. Debano Kitsune (20)
Fight 11: Junsei Teela (21) vs. Kanraku Nezumi (22)
Fight 12: Horohoro (23) vs. Hagane Kusari (24)
Fight 13: Aoru (25) vs. Hamano Taki (26)
Fight 14: Torune (27) vs. Hari (28)
Fight 15: Amagasa Toku (29) vs. Kyohaku Tokame (30)
Fight 16: Kobushi Galu (31) vs. Karame (32)
Fight 17: Takai vs. Wanabi Hizoku
Fight 18: Tanken Funbo vs. Gekido Takaru
Fight 19: Benda Kokoro vs. ?
And that's that... for now, I hope. Do leave a review and have a nice day!