The Outcasts Whirlpool

Chapter 7

As Naruto and Tayuya traveled back to Konoha, they noticed that they weren't alone. Something was following them, something that lurked in the shadows, that breathed down their necks, that waited for the right moment to attack.

"Stay on your guard, Naruto. Something's not right. "She whispered.

The two exchanged glances, their expressions grim, their bodies tense. They knew that they were in danger, that they were being stalked, that they were being tracked. They didn't know what to do, didn't know how to act. They could only wait, could only watch, could only pray.

Suddenly, a blade whistled past Naruto's ear, a dagger striking the ground inches from his foot. He whirled around, his eyes narrowing, his gaze sweeping the trees. He didn't see anything, didn't sense anything.

"Show yourself!"He shouted.

Tayuya sighed, her eyes rolling. She knew that there was no use in shouting, that there was no way to locate them. She gripped her flute, her fingers running along the smooth surface. She was prepared for a fight, prepared for anything. She couldn't let herself be caught off-guard, couldn't let herself be outwitted, outsmarted.

Another knife flew past her face, a blade brushing her cheek, a thin line of blood trickling down her face. She ducked, her body twisting, her legs kicking, her chakra exploding from her feet. She was ready for a battle, ready for a war.

As she scanned the forest, her eyes widening, her heartbeat quickened. She saw a flash of metal, a glimpse of silver. She whirled around, her hands clutching her flute, her grip tightening, her teeth grinding. She didn't know what was happening, didn't know who was attacking them.

Suddenly, a dozen figures leaped from the bushes, weapons held in their hands. Their faces were obscured, their eyes hidden by a mask. They didn't answer, their bodies crouched, their muscles coiled, ready to launch themselves at the three teens.

"Who are you? What do you want?"She yelled.

A single figure stepped forward, his gaze locked on hers. She saw his eyes, his expression, his intent. She saw the malice in his stare, the hatred in his grin. She saw the power, the fury, the desire to kill. As it approached, she stared at his mask and recognized it as the same as Konoha's anbu wear.

"What the hell.."She cursed under her breath.

"Give us the Kyubi and we'll make your death as painless as we can." He offered.

The red haired girl snarled, her fingers curling into fists, her nails digging into her palms. She hated being underestimated, being belittled. She was a shinobi, a warrior. She could handle herself in any situation, in any battle. She was not afraid.

"Try me. I dare you."She challenged.

He laughed, his body quivering with mirth. He raised his sword, his eyes flashing, his stance changing. He was preparing for a fight, a bloody, brutal battle.

"If you insist. Your funeral."He grinned underneath his mask.

The redhead cracked her knuckles, her gaze sweeping the clearing. She saw the enemy's numbers. She knew that they were outnumbered. But she couldn't give up, couldn't surrender. She had to fight, to survive.

"Let's dance, assholes."She hissed.

The men charged, their movements swift, their bodies lithe. They surrounded her, their gazes fixed on hers, their faces hidden, their intentions clear. They were here for a purpose, a goal. They wanted the Kyubi. They wanted Naruto.

Naruto clenched his fists, his jaw tightening, his eyes flashing. He was annoyed that even there in the middle of nowhere people still saw him as the Kyubi and not as Naruto Uzumaki. He was fed up with it. He made a clone that he entrusted Kimimaro with and ran toward the group of masked enemies. He felt his anger boiling inside him, felt his frustration rising, felt his rage surging through him. He was not going to let himself be used, was not going to let himself be a pawn in someone else's game before knowing it his eyes turned a crimson red and pupils were now vertical.