Hey people Here is the next chapter. I'll be going back every once in a while to fix mistakes in passed chapters so don't be to surprised if you see a few things change. I know progress with my stories is extremely slow but I really appreciate everyone who reads it or even the people who say it sucks because your opinions help me to try and do better. -Arson Uzamaki.
And I saw a beast coming out of the had ten horns and seven heads with ten crowns on his horns and on each head a blasphemous name. - The Bible, Book of Revelations 13: 1.
One week ago, Tea Country:
On the main island in the center of town a black cloaked figure stands as he pedals his merchandise from his cart. The excited laughs of children comes to his ears as three run towards his cart. The three children skid to a halt in front of him.
"Hey Mister what are you selling?" The first child asked with curiosity. His male and female companions were curious as well and nodded at his question.
The cloaked man let out a chuckle at the children's enthusiasm. "I have many things that I wish to sell, if people are willing to pay the price", he said with a raspy voice and eerie laugh.
With a boney hand he pointed to his carts which had glass jars containing strange things and mechanical contraptions that the little ones were positive were dangerous. Curiously there were three masks hanging off the side of the cart by worn strings.
The first one was red with oval slits for the eyes, with small horns curving at the top and to finish white jagged teeth painted on in a malicious grin, under a pointy nose.
The second was a green mask with oval eye slits. It's most defining feature is the large wooden beak like nose and carved upside down smile that oozes agitation.
The last mask was a plain white in color and had two circles for eye holes. Under those sat small nose with two thin slits for nostrils. This mask had a grin but not as evil as the first.
"Hey old man why do you have these masks? It's not Halloween yet," the second boy said.
The air around the small town square seemed to chill at that was as if a deity had suddenly decided to turn on the air conditioner too high. The area became like a grave nothing but silence. Not even the wind seemed to cause any noise. Anyone who had been outside before had quickly gone inside as if sensing something evil coming.
The carter owner let loose another round of fierce laughter. "The original owners of those masks were firm believers in the Halloween season. So I carry them around every now and then searching for three children that have the same interest in the holiday", the stranger said with excitement glowing in his one visible green eye.
"We really love Halloween Mr. Cart Man so can we have these masks for when Halloween comes?" The little girl asked with her blinking full of innocence like a puppy wishing to be adopted.
The man showed no visible reaction on the outside but inside his mind was a different story. 'Haven't been to earth for ten thousand years and they still do that puppy eye crap. Makes me want to puke. At least they want the masks. Now I can get rid of them and get that lunatic of my back!', the cart person thought.
"Why of course you can have them! How much do you have?" The cart man asked. His green eye was twinkling now with genuine happiness at the thought of how much cash he could get if these kids were rich brats.
The three children let loose a cheer when the man announced they could buy the masks. When he asked for how much they had they pulled what they had from their pockets and their total was ten ryōs worth of pigs iron.
When they presented their total to the vendor he went completely still for a second. Then he began to stomp his foot and thrash about even going as far as to bang his head on the cart and sob.
'Fuck! These mortals are pathetic and ...poor. In my day people would give whole chests of gold and even silver . At worst they would give you some cattle,but pig iron is just pathetic! Oh well I might as well take it and pawn it for cash later. If don't sell these masks that bitch will nag my ass off for eternity!'
Thankfully for the merchant the children were oblivious to his true intentions and nature and simply believed he had a bad case of itching and bug bites.
"So mister do we have enough to buy the masks?" The little girl asked.
"Yes of course you have enough for them. This merchant shall not lie that this is a small amount but for masks that give children fun and laughter, a great price should not be taken." the merchant said truthfully.
The merchant unhooked the masks from his cart and passed them to the three children.
"Thank you mister but we have to go now" the first boy announced.
" With these we can scare the pants off anyone "the second boy boasted.
"We'll be the scariest in town" the little girl giggled.
Three children ran off without paying the merchant. The merchant swore and cursed his luck.
" Hmm that bitch can't complain about me not selling those accursed masks now. Who says that that I don't make a great salesman?" He said as a mysterious fog rolled in and started to obscure his cloaked form further.
If anyone were to try and peer at him now all one would see is two giant glowing red eyes.
The merchant chuckled as even his eyes began to fade into the fog. As this was taking place one man was brave enough to open his door and see what was happening. He heard a deep unearthly voice say:
"I bid you a good evening Tea Country for you shall need it , for alls is truth by which the demon Mammon swears. My sisters wrath you shall face and for her it shall be sweeter than any eclair or cake. Hahahaha"
Two hours ago Sarutobi's office:
"Anyway Kakashi I have a mission for you and your team. We can't have team seven going out in the world with no experience can we?" the third hokage asked.
"No not at all Hokage-sama. So what is the mission?" The copycat ninja said. Her one uncovered eye focused on the hokage.
"While you will be going with your team on this mission you will be doing a special solo mission. The mission is to watch Kaori who will be attending a health convention on both islands in Tea Country. You are to report back to me anything strange or out of the ordinary that's happens while Kaori is around." Sarutobi forgot to mention that the reason he wanted Kaori watched during this mission specifically was because the strange happenings of Tea Country might trigger Kaori's powers so that he could grasp her full potential.
"Now that you know the mission I'll summon your team" the hokage said. With a flare of his chakra two anbu appeared in the office.
The first anbu was the off duty Itachi Uchiha with her mask hung on her side by a string.
The second anbu had short spikey brown hair tied into a loose ponytail in the that could be seen of her face that wasn't covered by her mask were her eyes which were a dark onyx color. If a man were to get close enough to her they would notice the smell of wood coming off her.
"Itachi go and find Naruto and bring him to my office. Tenzo I want you to bring Sasuke and Sakura to my office. Dismissed!" Sarutobi said.
With a bow both anbus disappeared as they went about their assigned task.
Time passed slowly with the hokage and Kakashi discussing different topics most ending with a perverted giggle from both shinobi. Tenzo arrived with Sasuke and Sakura in tow. Soon even the morning crew that decided missions had come. Now the only missing piece was the hyperactive blond ninja.
The Present Konoha streets:
'Why is it that this crap happens to me? I just had sex with Shikara now I have a mission and both Itachi-oneesan and Kaori-San are following me hoping for an explanation,' the young demon container thought while running.
Right behind him Itachi and Kaori jumped and leaped from building to building following the boy as he went to his destination. Quite a few people were surprised to see a medic ninja and an anbu chasing the kyubbi brat. Some wore smiles assuming that Naruto was going to be locked up in an asylum.
Thankfully neither payed the civilians any mind and instead kept following the jinchūriki who stopped outside the Hokage Tower. With a quick glance to the two approaching kunoichi Naruto ran into the building and up the stairs.
Bursting past the Hokage's secretary the blond threw open the door and skidded to a halt in front of the mission council and the other members of team seven.
"Your late Naruto-baka!," Sakura screamed as she punched Naruto on the head.
Sasuke simply hmped while Kakashi rolled her eye completing their usual routine despite Naruto being late.
Naruto for his part was silent for a second as he cradled his head. Then with a scream he surprised everyone close enough to hear.
"Ahhhhg! What the FUCK is wrong with you Bitch?! Are you on crack! I mean danm just because your pussy smells like a penguin and neither me nor Sasuke would hit that shit does not give you the right to go slappin' on me like I'm a ho!," Naruto shouted at the pink haired girl.
Sakura stood shocked and slightly scared that the person who admired her the most had yelled at her with such hatred. Sakura would never say to anyone how she depended on Naruto to lift up her spirits when she gets rejected by Sasuke.
The whole room was silent as all the occupants eyed Naruto who had slapped his hands over his mouth in silent horror.
'What is wrong with me? Why did I say that to Sakura-chan? It's like I had no control of my body.', Naruto thought.
Many other different thoughts went through the mind of those people in the room at that moment.
'His eyes flashed light blue again! Is he possessed by Bell again?' Iruka silently worried.
'Are the other seals I put on the boy failing!? No one else probably saw it but his eyes flashed blue for a second. I really should keep Naruto and my other pawns here in the village but I can't afford for them not to have any combat experience.' Hiruzen brooded.
'When did that dope grow a backbone?' Sasuke internally smirked.
'Its not Icha-Icha but its still entertaining. Now what will happen next?' Kakashi thought with a smile.
'I'll have to talk to Naruto about screaming out profanity at people but at least it was projected at that pink haired harlot. Now if only I could somehow get him away from that other skank all would be fine' Itachi wondered while glaring at Kaori.
'Oh my it seems that Bell doesn't like that Haruno girl either. This day would only get better if Naruto were to tell off that raven as well.' Kaori smiled and stared right back at Itachi. In her mind she imagined a chibi version of herself and Naruto pushing both Itachi and Sakura over a cliff and smiling afterwords.
A cough interrupted any other thoughts before they could be made. All eyes turned to the Hokage as he prepared to address everyone in the room. Thankfully his secretary had closed the door keeping the rest of this meeting away from prying ears.
"Myself and the mission board has decided that team seven is to receive its first C rank mission today. In Tea Country there has been a strange series of events taking place that started some time last week. People have been reported as going missing. Also there have been reports of strange noises on the secondary island. Your job is to find the cause of these disturbances. The client has decided to meet you in Tea Country at the Green Tea hotel. You will leave as soon as you are dismissed. Dismissed!" He said as he pretended he didn't just here what Naruto said.
"Kaori once you have handed over the paperwork I requested you to bring you will leave with an anbu I choose to escort you. And that person is-"
"Hokage-sama I hate to interrupt like this but would it be possible for me to be Kaori-sans anbu escort?," Itachi interrupted.
A gasp left both Naruto and Sasukes mouth although neither would admit it. The reason for their shock was Itachis request. They booth knew Itachi hated Kaori with a passion, the only time they act somewhat civil is when others are around.
Kaori merely raised an eyebrow at the request. 'What is that Uchiha up to now?,' the nurse thought.
'This is surprising but I probably couldn't have asked for a better situation. My pawns get combat experience, and with both Kakashi and Itachi their I can get a reading on how powerful my ace is.' Hiruzen thought.
"It's a splendid idea seeing as you need the relaxation time after being on so many high class missions this week. I approve. " the hokage said.
"Thank you hokage-sama", Itachi turned toward Sasuke who's team had yet to leave the room. "I look forward to seeing your improvement in combat Otōto." Itachi said.
Meanwhile at Naruto's Apartment :
Shikaru rolled gently in Naruto's bed. She awoke fully and took in her surroundings. The room she was in was small and was painted in a blue color. Ninja scrolls and instant ramen cups litter the floor.
Without much other evidence Shikaru deduces that she is in Naruto's room in his Apartment.
Shikaru sits up in the bed and stretches her arms out. She realizes two things. First she is completely naked in her friends bed with a hickey from said friend. Two Her mom will be expecting her home for lunch and this time she threatened to send out her clans men to hunt her down if she doesn't show.
Almost instantly Shikaru jumps up from the bed and flings open Narutos closet in search of clothes to wear. It's only when then the cool air in the room hits her body that she realizes she still has some of the blond ninjas essence dripping from her womanly parts.
Shikaru blushes as she awkwardly shuffles over to the bedroom door. She opens the door and quickly peeks outside. Not seeing anybody she retreats back into the room and grabs whatever is clothes that are not orange from the blond's closet.
'Man Naruto you really need to get some other colors in your wardrobe. Oh great now I sound like my mom.' Shikaru thought as she crept out of the room and into the bathroom down the the small hallway.
Once in the bathroom Shikaru ran herself a shower and jumped in. She immediately stepped out with her teeth chattering. "Naruto be glad I'm not your girlfriend otherwise me and you would have to have a serious talk about your living conditions!" She shouted.
Calming her nerves Shikaru stepped back into the bath tub and into the stream of cold water. She shivered as the cold spray rinsed her body but she allowed her mind to wonderd.
'I didn't think about it before but what are me and Naruto now? We were somewhat friends before the incident, after that me and kiba sort of ignored him for a while. I mean its not like he isn't interesting. Everyone talks badly about him but yet there is so much stuff that people don't know about him' Shikaru thought.
Most villagers didn't know very much about the boy they speak badly about. If most of the villagers were able to see past their ignorance then they would know that Naruto isn't the evil jinchūriki they think he is.
Shikaru turned the water off in the tub and stepped out. The cold air in combination with her cold shower made her body shake as she dried herself with a towel that was already sitting on the sink.
With quick and shaky movements Shikaru quickly slipped on a black shirt ,ramen patterned boxers and a non obnoxious pair of brown shirts. She didn't put on socks but just stepped into some of Naruto's sandals.
Not bothering with anything else Shikara dashed out the the bathroom and out the hallway into the living room.
Shikara did not stop to examine the room and took no notice of the fact that the front door was now in the kitchen. She simply ran right out of the apartment and began to leap from building to building.
Once she was at the Nara Clan Forest she slowed her pace before stopping in front of her home which was in the middle of the house itself was small in comparison to other clan houses but it had enough room for the few clan members that didn't move out once they were a ninja.
Shika was hesitant to enter because despite being home before her mothers deadline she still didn't want to go. Apparently her mother had been wishing to speak to her about a clan tradition which basically equated to politics.
"What a drag!", She sighed as she prepared an excuse for why she wasn't there earlier.
"My daughter actually decided to come home early? The world must be coming to an end.", A voiced called from behind her.
Turning around Shika saw her mother Yoshino, her father Shikkaku and Ensui who lazily stood behind them next to Rikumaru their deer.
"I figured that if I got here early I could finish up and go back to napping.(Yawn)" Shikara stated before a hand slapped the side of her skull.
"It's already bad enough how much you sleep. Hm I don't remember you wearing this earlier this morning! And since when did you wear your hair long? Is there something you want to tell me Shikara Nara?" Yoshino questioned with critical eye as she circled around Shika, checking for any other changes.
Shika mentally cursed, she knew that there was something that she was supposed to do. However in her haste to get to the compound and out of the apartment she forgot that her mom remembers the small details.
All eyes were on Shikara now. All thirsty for the answers to Yoshinos questions. For some odd reason even her pet deer Rikumaru seemed to be questioning her with his gaze.
Shika took a second to scan the situation and realized escape was impossible. So with a sigh she prepared to answer.
I'm going to stop right there because its been a long week and I need a nap. So lets review! In Tea Country Mammon is selling masks? Meanwhile Sarutobi is plotting to see how powerful the mysterious Kaori is. To make matters worse Itachi is coming. And Naruto is possessed for the second time by Bell? And Shikara has some "splaining" to do at her home! How will it all go down find out next time! - Arson Uzamaki.