Hey, hey!
Happy Saturday! Please enjoy the latest chapter and the latest torture lol. Naruto gets creative here.
Also, some Naruto and Sasuke brotherly bonding can be seen here. In case some was missing it.
The silence in the forest of death made the hairs on the back of Sakura's neck stand.
Maybe she was naïve, but Sakura never realized how true the name for Konoha is. The 'forest of death', it was huge. The trees were taller than any trees she has seen, even while out on missions. The trees here were thick and Sakura felt they were impossible to penetrate. The way multiple people could fit on one branch amazed Sakura. You could set up camp and sleep in these trees comfortably.
The trees made it perfect for one to be hidden. The leaves from the trees were the size of a grown man's fist, or even the size of someone's head. The forest was so dense, impossible to see up ahead. This would be one of those perfect times to have a dōjutsu like the Byakugan.
Maybe Sasuke-kun's Sharingan could see up ahead? Maybe he had something similar to the Byakugan. Where he could at least see chakra in this dense forest. To give them a heads up.
That's the main issue Sakura had right now. Sight. She hated that she couldn't see anything up ahead. The forest of death felt like this could very well be their grave.
To make it worse. Sasuke and Naruto were dangerously silent. Like they were expecting something and were on edge. The two were more in sync as well. Since being on a team together, and going on a few missions out the village. Naruto and Sasuke had formed a tight brotherly bond. Well, that's how Sakura saw it.
It was nice to see them like that. It honestly made Sakura happy that her team went from total dysfunction, to being unified.
Did she feel left out sometimes? Yes. Sometimes Sakura felt like Naruto and Sasuke were in a league of their own. Physically, she would put them both at the top of their academy class.
Intelligence wise. Sakura knew there were smarter people from their class, but the way Naruto and Sasuke thought. The way they were willing to make human sacrifices for the greater good. Dark and gut wrenching decisions. It made them seem smarter, because they weren't hesitant to take a life.
Sakura learned early on while she wasn't afraid to be a ninja. Taking a life just wasn't something she wanted to do. She loved the lifestyle of helping people, and doing the right thing. However, she was learning that maybe she was more so into the field of healing ninja's. The medical lifestyle. Kakashi told her about medical ninjutsu and she was really leaning on studying that when team seven finally runs it's course.
Sakura felt confident that she'd be a good medical ninja. That she could help a lot of people. Their career field caused a lot of death and pain. Sakura wanted to alleviate that. She wanted to help the world become better. She supposed that's the disconnect between her and the boys on her team. Sakura wanted to save lives. Naruto and Sasuke didn't care for that.
Each member on team seven played their part. Sakura knew at the moment, she wasn't a heavy hitter. She relied more on her wits and accuracy than she did her strength and chakra. She was decent with her chakra output and stamina, but not on the high level as Naruto and Sasuke. Yet, she helped greatly with strategizing and programming.
Sakura knew that after the Chunin exams, team seven was going to split. She already knew Naruto and Sasuke wanted to dive into the Anbu pool, and that just wasn't her thing. Sakura would support them from a distance.
Well, maybe she'll just support Sasuke. It was obvious that Naruto at most, tolerated her. Which was odd because the two didn't head butt as much. Compared to when Naruto and Sakura were first put on team seven together. For some reason the silent treatment Naruto gives Sakura, it made her want to understand him more. She found herself becoming interested in Naruto.
How he carried himself. The switch of personalities. One minute he was silly, then he was brilliant, and then he could be downright rotten. Sakura didn't know when she started to really pay Naruto attention, but she did. Did she like him? Not on the same level as Sasuke, but Naruto was someone that just…interested her. He was a puzzle.
Sakura felt like Naruto picked up on her curiousness of him. It was probably about two months ago Naruto picked up on it, because Sakura noticed Naruto became more short with her. Annoyed if she asked him to help her with something one on one, and Naruto had completely stopped doing team dinners with her and Sasuke.
Sakura didn't know Naruto did this for her own good.
For the sake of the team, Sakura took a step back from Naruto. However, in the future she hopes the two of them can create a proper friendship. Or more.
At this moment, walking in the forest of death. Naruto could feel Sakura staring at him. He could feel her staring holes in the back of his head. Meanwhile, he was focused on the presence following them. It was a dozen of ninja's and that sannin. Naruto could sense his strong force.
Maybe it could be his additional training with Obito that has him capable of sensing chakra that's being suppressed. Opposed to Sasuke and Sakura. Naruto couldn't deny Obito has helped him greatly growing up. Putting him ahead of the curve.
Naruto stopped walking and in sync, so did Sasuke. Naruto dug in his assault pack, and pulled out three masks. They were gas masks. "Put this on. Now." Naruto tossed Sakura and Sasuke their masks and while Sasuke did it with no question, Sakura looked confused but still followed through. Naruto put his mask on and pulled out a mechanism that looked like a launcher with a bag full of capsules the size of a fist. "Sasuke. Sakura. Stay behind me."
After Naruto made the demand, he started to fire off a barrage of medium sized capsules and the surrounding area started to turn green and yellow. Sasuke watched as multiple bodies started to fall out the trees. The bodies that didn't fall, he could hear a series of people choking and coughing.
It wasn't a regular cough either. Not one that's dry or with phlegm. This was a wet cough, gargling on liquid. Choking on something within their bodies. Sasuke wondered if Sakura figured out by now that they were choking on their own blood that filled in their lungs. So, he decided to tell her. "It's chlorine gas."
Sakura looked at Naruto while she was gripping Sasuke's shoulder. One by one bodies fell around them. Sakura has never seen bodies convulse like this! Their faces turning blue from absolutely no oxygen, and not red from gasping. She was watching people die. Terrified in their last seconds of living, and right in front of her.
This wasn't right. This was inhumane. "What?!"
Naruto kept surveying their surrounding area and kept launching the gas capsules. The sounds of death seemed not to bother him what so ever.
He eyed one particular ninja and held the grenade launcher to his cheek as he set its sights on his target. Firing the launcher and hitting his target perfecting, no movement from the recoil. Sharp shooter accuracy. He proceeded to do this to several other targets, and watched as the chlorine gas scattered in the area after hitting the bodies.
The capsule would hit the target and immediately burst into the giant greenish yellow gas cloud. The ninja inhaling the gas immediately suffering the same fate as the rest that's been breathing the toxins in. Their bodies instantly failing and bleeding from the inside out.
"Did you know, when chlorine hits the mouth and throat, it automatically makes you hold your breath? It controls your mind and body like that. You start to gasp. Your body has water in it. It's our anatomy. We're made up of water. It's in our cells, and the chlorine combined with the water in our bodies turns it into acid. The acid rips the air sacs in our lungs and spills out the fluids. This stops the lungs from taking in oxygen."
Sasuke looked at Sakura as he summarized everything. "They're 'dry' drowning." These people were slowly dying from the inside out. Dry drowning wasn't a real term, but they were basically drowning from liquid in their bodies, without taking in liquid from the outside. Sakura looked at Sasuke and saw his red eyes looking at her through the mask. His Sharingan was active. Him and Naruto knew there was a threat out here and she didn't sense it.
He wasn't terrified that the gas could get in his mask?! How was he sure they were even wearing this properly?! At any given moment it could slip through a crack or something and they could all die! Sakura was concerned and she was terrified. These two didn't care about life the way she did.
What the hell was going on?! Also, why was Naruto killing ninja's that's in the competition with them? "What if the gas gets out to people that weren't trying to attack us?!" Naruto held the launcher over his shoulder and put his hand on his hip. Slightly annoyed with the question.
Why did Sakura care? She was on their team. Her loyalty resided with them. Hinata wouldn't ask him such a question in this moment.
"Sucks to be them then. Hopefully they have the brains to avoid a green cloud coming their way and don't sit there breathing it in." He finally turned around and looked at Sasuke for clarification. "Is he still out here now that half his people have dropped?"
Sakura snapped her head over to Sasuke. Her eyes still wide as saucers. Who was 'he'?! Why was she not in on this grand plan of theirs to go on a mass murder of people from the exams?!
Sasuke shook his head, but still pulled out two kunai's. He's gotten some one on one training with Obito over the past few weeks. Of course nothing in comparison to Naruto and Hinata's years of training. However Sasuke picked up on some useful tips on how his Sharingan could be used for multiple ways. Like seeing chakra when it was concealed. Not as detailed as a Byakugan, but good enough.
"He's not, but if we get attacked again, I'm sure he won't retreat, it'll be all or nothing. Since they know we're not pushovers. We've been out here long enough anyways. We already got all the scrolls we need. Took us a few hours, but we got them. Let's hurry up, and get the hell out of here Naruto."
That was the smart answer. The logical plan, and not what Naruto wanted to hear at all.
Naruto paused a little. Not fully agreeing to Sasuke's idea and Sasuke already knew why. "She can take care of herself." Hinata could handle herself perfectly fine. There was no need for them to stay in this forest and risk being attacked again. All because Naruto was becoming over protective.
Sakura unlatched herself from Sasuke, and looked between Naruto and Sasuke completely lost. Who were they talking about? Hinata? Was he really that emersed with her that he was willing to stay in this crime scene forest any longer?
She was looking at Naruto as a completely different person now. He belonged somewhere like Anbu. She knew Naruto could be cruel, but this took it to another level. She didn't know this was Naruto. She didn't know this was the real him.
Naruto rolled his neck in frustration but nodded his head in agreement. "Alright. Let's get the hell out of here. Fast, before I change my mind." At this point. Naruto was frustrated, and not for what Sasuke and Sakura thought.
He teased himself with this one. The sounds of people choking to death wasn't enough for him. He needed to see the skin rip. The flesh blister and turn several colors. He needed to feel more misery from them, and he didn't get it. Now he was riled up. On edge. Once Naruto started, he didn't want to stop until he got what he wanted, and he wanted to see the blood.
Now wasn't the time, and this was a learning curve for Naruto to learn when it was and wasn't. Neji would be proud at how he was able to control himself right now.
Team seven fled the area. The gas faded after about a mile, and that just meant they had to move faster. Upon entering the rally point, Sasuke was taking large gasps of air as he carried Sakura on his back. They needed to move fast, and she couldn't keep up with Naruto's pace. Shit, Sasuke barely kept up with Naruto's pace.
Naruto was in no mood to carry Sakura though. Sasuke could see that. One thing and one thing only was on his mind right at this moment, and that was Hinata. Sasuke was starting to see that Hinata just being present seemed to control Naruto's blood lust. So, right now, Naruto was all sorts of discombobulated.
When they were cleared as the second team to return, Naruto stood near the entrance. His arms crossed over his chest and he just looked out at the forest. Debating whether or not he was going to go back in for her. "You and Lady Hinata will be disqualified if you go back searching for her Naruto. I am 100 percent sure she is doing fine."
"Sasuke tell you we were attacked? By people that had nothing to do with these exams?" Naruto didn't look at his sensei, but he could sense Kakashi standing right next to him. Kakashi looked on at the forest with Naruto and put his hands in his pockets. "Yes he did."
Naruto's true persona creeps out and a frown graced his face. He was no longer in the mood to fake smile and laugh. To act as if being on this team was okay with him. No, Naruto was going to be authentic now. He wasn't happy and he wanted his Hinata. "Yet, you're telling me she's fine out there?"
Kakashi turned to look at Naruto and arched his brow, "You came back just fine. From what I gather from intel, this threat was after my team. You're back here now Naruto. Calm down. Besides. Your best friend. She's with a good team."
Naruto's jaw clenched, and he knew Kakashi long enough to know he was teasing him. "Her team is good, but they're not me."
Kakashi's eyes lit up in amusement and he turned to leave. Patting Naruto on the shoulder. "Invite me to the wedding Naruto."
A whole day passed, and team eight still hadn't arrived. Naruto hadn't slept or left that spot the whole time.
This was bad. This was bad for Naruto's mental, and this was bad for anyone he had to go against in the near future. He was just staring out in the forest of death. His eyes were growing red from lack of sleep, and putting his body through turmoil. Naruto's patience was little to none right now, and he was starting to have mental conversations with that wicked fox within.
"Here. Eat." Sasuke approached Naruto from behind and gave him a prepackaged meal. The ones that came in packages, and all you had to do was add water and the bag self-heated. Naruto hated these things. They were so disgusting, but it put food in his belly. Sasuke had beef stroganoff and gave him chicken and dumplings.
Oh gosh.
It was evening on day two and the other teams started to settle down for the night. Tomorrow at noon was final time for teams to arrive or they'd be disqualified. Naruto was more concerned on what was out there more than anything.
His team was back. Team ten was back. Some other village teams were back. Where the hell was team eight? "That sannin. Was insanely strong. I could feel his chakra the moment we entered the forest. His killing intent freezes you on the spot."
Sasuke said this as he started to eat his food and ignored how awful it tasted. "That being said. Kakashi is right. He was only after our team. Your plan, it saved us back there."
Naruto didn't reply back. His food just finished heating up and he was trying to force himself to enjoy the fact he got a meal. Living with Hinata spoiled him. Having Hinata as his friend since he was six years old spoiled him in general. Hinata always made sure he ate well. That he was taking care of himself. In return he always protected her.
This was the first time since knowing Hinata that he's letting her fight her own battles. He hated this.
"You and this Hyuga girl are weird. You two label each other in the friendzone. Yet, you two are very hands on with each other. Possessive. I saw you kiss her before we went into the forest of death. A 'good luck' kiss I presume. You two are off the charts."
Naruto smirked as he continued to force feed himself. "Friends kiss." This brought a smirk to Sasuke's own face. He even laughed at the statement. "I'm not kissing Sakura. Especially like that."
Naruto finally started to relax and a chuckle left his lips. "So what man. I don't get you sometimes Sasuke. Okay look, you kill your brother like you want. Then what? Who are you gonna settle down with? Some random girl? That would suck, what if her genes are trash. You'd have to settle with a kunoichi, and the only one I know that's willing to deal with your bipolar personality is Sakura. You might as well accept that, and start finding things you like about her."
Sasuke scuffed at the thought and shook his head. "I don't care how long it takes me to find someone to be with after Itachi is dead. I don't like the agenda that people make of me, and figure Sakura is my type because of my 'personality.' Hn."
Naruto forced himself to swallow a mouth full of food and covered the fact it was disgusting. "What agenda?"
Sasuke fought the urge to roll his eyes and stuffed his mouth again. "That my 'gloomy' personality needs a happy personality. That high spirited personalities are my only pairing. I'm not a statistic. After my main goal is completed, I can find my own partner. Look…I have nothing against Sakura, she's starting to find herself. Good. Just not for me."
Naruto could see Sasuke was being sincere. Well damn, he read Sasuke all wrong. "You really don't like her? I thought by now she was starting to rub off on you. One of your dreams is rebuilding your clan. You have a girl that's wild about you. Letting you know that later on down the line, she'll do that for you. Yet you're into dark haired, silent girls that pay no interest in you."
Sasuke stopped eating and looked at Naruto, who was looking at Sasuke with hooded eyes. His smirk still on his face. "I'm not stupid Sasuke. If Hinata didn't interest you, you'd be ignoring her like you do every other girl you come across."
The historical saying of, 'keep your friends close, and your enemies closer' crossed Sasuke's mind.
Sasuke shook his head and smiled as he dug into his meal packet with his spoon. "She sparks my interest, but she doesn't interest me like she does you. What kind of fool do you take me for? I see what you two have. Why would I set myself up like that? Only idiots fall for one sided love or love triangles. Only idiots end friendships over a love interest. Besides, I can tell her bloodline is dominant. I need a woman without dominating traits. She's in line to lead her clan. I want a Uchiha wife. There are many reasons I do not take high interest in your girl, Naruto."
Sasuke really didn't want Hinata. Like he thought before, she was attractive, but he wouldn't pursue her at all. Now another Hyuga, he probably would. After getting to know Hinata a little more, and visiting the Hyuga compound. There were a plethora of females he wouldn't mind dating.
Naruto shrugged his shoulders as he finished up his food. "She's not 'my girl'. Working on it though."
Sasuke looked at Naruto and Naruto looked back at Sasuke. The two shared a smile and finished their food. A comfortable silence before Sasuke shifted to another topic. He was trying to take Naruto's mind off the Hyuga girl and her still being out in the forest. Trying to take the negative thoughts out and replace them with positivity.
Sasuke at some point took up the job of babysitting Naruto when Hinata wasn't around. "What is up with her by the way? You act like you don't see it, but you know she's not all there."
Naruto tilted his head and looked at Sasuke. Another playful grin gracing his face. "You're talkative today. Hinata grew up getting beat on by her dad. I'm sure he knocked some screws loose in her head. When I met Hinata we were six. She was outside by herself because she got kicked out her house. Her dad use to do that when he was in a 'bad mood' as Hinata would put it. Long story short the rumor about Itachi killing him isn't true. Boss man killed him. He became Hinata's friend before me apparently. Again, if you ask me, he played a part of Hinata being a little out there too. When Hinata's father died. It just completely took her for a nosedive in the head."
Hinata could see no wrong in anything Naruto did. Or what Obito did. Hinata didn't understand what they've been doing was wrong. The day she finds out, Naruto knew it would crush her. No worries, he'd be there to heal her.
Sasuke blinked as he looked at Naruto. It was a little nerve racking that Naruto knew all these secrets about Konoha, and just kept it to himself. Like it wasn't important or anything. "Hinata takes care of her duties just fine though. We're so young, yet Hinata gets a lot of respect in the Hyuga clan. I get what you're getting at Sasuke. I do think I'm the best guy out there for Hinata. I just need the competition to stop coming in, biding for her hand, and I need to fix this issue with me and the nine tails. I have no issue with the fox anymore, but I need these people in the village to be on the same page."
Naruto did explain to Sasuke about the nine tail demon fox sealed inside him while they were in Sasuke's apartment. Recruiting him is what Sasuke called it. Sasuke thought that was a style of Naruto's at first, wearing bandaged wrapping around his stomach and torso. When in reality it was to hide the seal that Naruto altered years ago.
Naruto grew a bond with what Sasuke called pure evil. A real demon. That killed many and had no guilt. Yet, Naruto befriended that beast and found out its name was Kurama. His name was Kurama, and Naruto respected him.
Still Naruto was beating around the bush. "What does that have to do with you claiming her now? Why do you insist on walking around here still labeling each other as best friends? When it is very clear you're not. Let me rephrase that. It's clear YOU do not want to be just her friend."
Naruto shrugged his shoulders and looked back into the woods. It was dark outside now. They couldn't see far into the woods anymore. "I want her to come to me. I want her to realize I'm the best choice. I want her to hate not being around me. Want to gouge out anyone's eyes that tries to be with me. I want Hinata to make the first move. Or close to it."
Sasuke shook his head and this actually brought amusement to him. A smile gracing his face. "You know she has mental issues. I've counted at least three personalities come from her at any given moment. You know she has abandonment and dependency issues. Yet you want her to be CRAZY over you? All these mixed signals you give her is on purpose I see now. It's slowly driving her even more insane. You want her like that. You…you want her just as crazy as you are."
Naruto's smile was huge. From ear to ear. His fangs showing and looked to be sharpened. His eyes flashed a raging red and that was the first time Sasuke has seen the demon side of Naruto. Just like that, Naruto reverted back to his typical self. His demonic smile receding and he appeared normal again.
Things were making so much sense now. Hinata becoming Naruto's friend might have been her first mistake. Naruto had never had a friend. He clung to her, without her even seeing the dangerous signs.
When Naruto showed Hinata his 'hobbies', and she didn't push him away. Naruto clung on to that as love. She must love him.
Hinata's father died, and the first person Hinata sought out was Naruto. She took him to her home. He became her protector. Her family's protector. Naruto became possessive.
While Naruto's emotions towards Hinata matured. She became the Hyuga face. She grew and excelled. She was making changes and growing recognition from her family and from the council of Konoha. Hinata was becoming something special.
She was already special to Naruto though, and he needed her to understand this.
Naruto needed Hinata to see what he'd do for her. He needed her to feel how he felt. That burning heat that rages through the body when you see the love of your life. That heart drop feeling. That insanity that you would do anything for this love to last forever. Naruto would crawl to Hinata and beg for her to be his for all of eternity. He needed to SEE her do that for him. He needed to SEE what she would do for him.
Until then. He'd settle for being her best friend.
It was only a matter of time though. He'd get what he wanted.
Naruto perked up when he sensed the person he's been sulking over. He looked towards the forest of death and saw three figures emerging. It was team eight, and the closer they got, he could see they had their scrolls. They made it! His Nata passed! "Hinata!"
Naruto stood up from his position and jogged over to his best friend. However, upon seeing her tattered and scratched up. The joyous feeling left him almost immediately. He frowned and his eyes widened in shock…or maybe anger.
He ignored Kiba and Shino and pulled Hinata into a tight embrace. One hand circling around her waist and the other swimming in her hair before he lightly gripped the nape. Naruto closed his eyes and smelled iron on her. He knew it was hers. Someone hurt his precious person. Did they understand what that meant for them?
Naruto's heart sunk. His hands started to shake, and he was getting upset. "It's okay Naruto-kun. Please calm down." He hated that Hinata had this control over him. That she'd tell him to do something and he'd almost always do it. Like now.
Naruto cradled her head beside his and leaned towards her ear. Whispering through her hair, so no one could see his lips. "Who did this?"
He'd find them. He'd hurt them, and he might even kill them. He'd make Hinata accept a body part from the offender as a token of his love for her. These people HURT her. He wasn't there for her. This exam did nothing but prove to Naruto the lengths he'd go for Hinata.
All Hinata did was close her eyes and wrap her arms around his neck. She pulled closer to his embrace and returned the affection. Letting him know she was alive and okay. That they could talk about this later, because right now, they couldn't be who they wanted to be.
There was a time and place for everything.
Naruto closed his eyes too and paid attention to her chakra. Her warmth was comforting him as usual. He was regaining coherent thoughts. Accepting the fact they were in a professional, work atmosphere. This would do. For now.
Naruto and Hinata separated, and he didn't say anything else as he watched team eight turn in their scrolls, and be accepted to the next stage. Finally when he saw Hinata navigate to her sensei, Naruto went back to where Sakura, Kakashi and Sasuke were. He sat beside Kakashi and leaned his head against the wall. His eyelids growing heavy because now he finally felt relaxed enough to sleep.
Before fully closing his eyes, he saw her frame walk by him. Naruto saw Hinata walking alone and when he looked up at her face, he saw her looking at him. Just for a second, but that was all he needed.
Kakashi watched Naruto stand up, like on autopilot and follow after Hinata. The two sitting in a dark corner alone now. Teenage romance. That's what Kakashi saw and he grinned while shaking his head. Best friend his ass.
Perhaps Kakashi should pay a little more attention? Instead of thinking this was 'sweet'.
Hinata sat on the cold floor and Naruto sat beside her, but soon laid on the ground with his head nestled on Hinata's lap. She proceeded to take the role in massaging his head. Her fingernails soothing his scalp. She didn't speak. Hinata just hummed a gentle melody and lulled Naruto into a deep sleep.
She knew he was worried about her. She made him upset. It bothered her to see Naruto so distraught.
In Hinata's life, she never understood what love was. However, she knew Naruto was special to her. A special person in this dark world they were stuck in. When everything was wrong, Naruto somehow made it all right. He made life enjoyable again. He made her smile and feel like each day living was worth it.
Hinata couldn't help but think about how he was such a good friend to her.
End of chapter.
So, not a lot of NaruHina here in this chapter. However, it's showing Naruto making his connections and building his bond with Sasuke. This will go further along in the story. Also, foreshadowing for Kakashi not taking Naruto's 'puppy dog love' for Hinata serious.
I wanted to stress out Hinata's mental in this story. The lack of understanding she has for real emotions, like love. The fact Naruto, someone who probablyyyy shouldn't be teaching her emotions, is teaching her emotions. How her interpretation of love will be viewed with him guiding her. I'm telling you now. My girl is going to fight the good fight to be a good girl.
Sigh, yes Sakura is traumatized. Watching people throw up their insides can be a mental eyesore to a 14 year old growing ninja. No SasuSaku this story. Just Sasuke being Naruto's right hand man in the gore department.
Cause of Death (COD) this chapter is Chlorine Gas incase you haven't noticed. I'll post a link for the content on my tumblr if you guys want to see more about it. Or maybe I'm the only one fascinated by it all lol. The food Sasuke and Naruto ate were the infamous MRE's. If you'd had one, you know they aren't the best. My favorite was sloppy joes lol.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you next Saturday!