Kitsune no Akuryō - Under Maintenance

Surveying the Competition!!

Welcome to the next chapter of Kitsune no Akuryō. I know that I missed last month, so this will be kind of like have two chapters in one go, but it's also make up 'cause I messed things up. Anywho, apparently, we're at chapter 27 which feels a little crazy. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Theif was done over five chapters ago. Heehee:) Things are only just getting messy over here. Team 7's first C rank mission has at last been completed, but before Naruto can worry about losing his mind over D ranks, and Sakura or Sasuke can complain about the absolute boredom of such missions, the Chūnin Exams are just around the corner with their own set of surprises and characters.

Sakura Haruno's P.O.V.

     Team 7 was getting back into the grind of doing regular D ranks again, which were mind-numbing but thankfully not terror-inducing. I was glad to be back home. I was walking down the street, on my way to training with Kakashi-sensei and my teammates when I was run into. I stumbled out of the way and could already hear, "Sorry!" and the "Watch where you're going!" followed by the laughter. I sighed with a smile...kids these days.

     "What do you think you're doing brat? Watch where your going!" 

      I looked away from the houses to see a stranger snatching one of the kids by the throat. Oh no you don't!

      I raced towards the two newcomers, yelling, "Take your hands off them!"

      The big stupid boy grinned, "So the pretty lady wants to take a go?"

       The sensible girl sighed, "Leave it be, Konkaro."

       "That brat ran into me and hasn't apologized, and now this lady wants to fight with me about it."

       "Ugh...boys."

       Before I could tell him to let go of the boy again, something flew passed us, picking up the wind as the child was swept off his feet and taken out of harm's way.. 

       The boy, Konkaro, looked around, "Where did the brat go? He still owes me an apology."

       "He doesn't need to apologize to you. He's only a child."

      "So the children of Konohagakure are allowed to run into anyone they please?!"

       I grit my teeth, "The children of Konohagakure are allowed to run around and play free which is apparently lacking wherever you come from."

        He smirked, "So you really do want to fight after all."

        I held my hands up ready for anything when I saw the senbon fly and strike the boy's wrist. I looked around to see Naruto sitting on the path's fence appearing completely innocent.

       "It was you," I heard turning to see the two strangers anger as they prepared to draw their weapons, a large-looking fan and some wrapped thing, "Alright, now I'm really going to show you not to mess with---" 

       "If you don't stop meddling, Konkaro," a voice as dry as the desert called out, "I'll kill you."

        I observed a red haired ninja standing upside down on a tree.

        "Gaara! but they---"

        "So you have chosen---"

        "No, we'll stop, right Konkaro? Let it go."

        "Don't mind the mute either. He won't be too good at apologizing for the senbon in your hand."

        Our eyes swiveled to Sasuke and then darted to Naruto who was waving and smiling cheekily at us. He hopped off the fence and, walking up to the strangers, held out a hand to Konkaro.