The Life of Ki (Naruto Fanfic)

Neji Hyuga

Everyone is silent as we leap from branch to branch in the leafy forest.

The five of us left Choji behind a long time ago, and we have yet to hear from him.

My mind has mostly been focused on my surroundings, but slight worry has begun to fill it.

Ahead of me, Naruto suddenly screeches to a halt on a sturdy tree.

It would be great if ninjas came with brake lights, as I'm forced to leap over Naruto to another branch to avoid crashing into him.

I land on a branch next to Shikamaru, and I note that he has had his hand raised in a signal to cease moving; I just couldn't see it over Naruto.

"Oh, just the person I needed to speak to," Shikamaru says, crossing his arms as he leans up the base of the tree behind him.

"You got a good look at the enemy, correct?" He asks me as he watches me regain my bearings across from him.

Naruto wrinkles his nose as he leaps onto the branch that supports me and Shikamaru.

"Are we stopping here to evaluate the features of the enemy?" He says in irritation as Neji and Kiba land on the branch to take part in this conversation.

"Do you think you could transform into him, Ki?" Shikamaru asks me as he ignored Naruto's statement.

"I guess I could try." I offer unenthusiastically. "I think I got a good enough look at him, but it may not be perfect."

Shikamaru smiles, giving me an encouraging nod.

"I am working on a plan, but it revolves around us having an impersonation of that guy. I understand that you probably didn't get a good look at him, but we can help you modify it once you have an attempt." He explains.

"You're the best at these things," Kiba says as he looks at his nails.

Shikamaru nods in agreement. "Just attempt. If it doesn't work, try again."

I nod as I concentrate.

I make a few hand signs as I picture what the enemy had looked like.

With a poof, I appear in a new body, slightly different than my old one.

For starters, I'm a male--tall, plump, and balding.

My body feels heavier as if I'm wearing an extra coat over my rain cloak.

"Looks believable to me," Neji says with a rapt glance over at me. "I wasn't aware you are adept with the Transformation Jutsu."

I clear my throat in hopes it will sound more like the enemy.

"Why thank you," I say, frightening even myself with how dark that statement sounded in another voice.

Shikamaru nods in agreement.

"It's perfect--we just need to get your voice formed." He gives me an appreciative smile at my willingness to take this role in the plan. "Now, let me explain the plan."

Everyone crowds around on my branch as Shikamaru begins to speak in a lower voice.

I struggle to remain still so I don't accidentally knock someone off the branches as I adjust to this new body.

"We need to strike while they are vulnerable." Shikamaru begins explaining.

"With one man down, we can exploit this weakness. Ki, do you think you can handle a full-on impersonation of this guy? We'll need you to actually interact with the enemy, although not too much."

"Yes," I say, my voice finally close to the pitch I was aiming for. "So long as I don't spend too long with them."

"Great." Shikamaru nods contently.