Lotus Of The Leaf ~Book One~

Chapter 42! New Technique!

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Worry blossomed deep within my belly as we strolled down the dirt road. I hopedthat Sasuke would be okay. It made me queasy to know he'd been beaten that bad by Itachi. By the one man he vowed to kill none the less. I let out a soft breath of air and gazed back up.

I gazed at the white hair trailing down Jiraya's back, wondering how the hell this old geezer was a Legendary Sannin. Naruto just stared down at the ground as we walked, and honestly, it felt a little too quiet for my tastes. Naruto stopped walking, making me look back at him in curiosity. "Naruto? You okay?" I hum, cocking my head as Jiraya turns around as well.

"Pervy Sage," Naruto starts, his gaze still on the ground. "What exactly do those guys want with me, anyway?" A twinge of pain spreads over my heart as I gaze at him. It seemed to odd to me to know that they were after Naruto and I. Jiraya just remained silent. "Come on, out with it, Pervy Sage. You know, don't you?"

"Don't get the wrong idea. It's not you they want. It's what's inside of you." He answers, casting a glance towards me.

"What the hell is this thing, anyway?" Naruto asked, rubbing his lower stomach gently. "Some horrible demon that terrorized the Leaf Village. That's why everyone is so afraid of it, right? So, why do these guys want it so bad?"

"The Nine-Tailed Fox has appeared in times of consequence, all through the ages. A ghastly spirit destroying all that lays in it's path. As powerful as any act of nature, men trembled before it." Jiraya started to explain. I tightened my hold on my backpack straps, and swallowed roughly. 'Ameonna only wishes to protect the vessel she's in. She's not dangerous unless she's provoked....' "As for what they could want with that malicious monstrosity, that's a hard question to answer, Naruto. I honestly can't say. I suppose with the Nine-Tails sealed up inside you, they might be thinking of somehow seizing control of that power, bending it to their will. It's a bitter pill to swallow knowing that those, too, will be after you two." Jiraya confirms, making me look up. "But that is your fate. Not to worry though. After all, you will have me around!" He gloats.

"Oh well, I'll just have to hurry up and get stronger! No other choice!" Naruto cheers. Jiraya looks surprised. I start to giggle at his gung-ho attitude. "All right! Let's find this Tsunade lady your talking about, so she can fix up Sasuke, and we get down to some serious training!" Naruto declares, and just as he takes a step, he stops. "Wait, us two? What does that mean, Pervy Sage?" Naruto asks, gesturing to myself and him.

"Hm? You never knew? Ren here's in the same boat as you." Jiraya jeers as I start waving my hands around to signal him to stop. "She's got a demon sealed up in her, too!"

Naruto just laughed. "Oh, come on! There's no way that Ren would-" He stops short as he see's my embarrassed expression. "Wait a minute- WHAT?!"

"Eh, heh heh.... Surprise?" I say nervously, holding my hands up.

"Why of all the- I thought we were friends!" Naruto frowns heavily, and I feel a pit of guilt in my belly.

"Now just wait a second, we are friends!" I plead. He just huffs and turns his head from me, a full blown pout on his lips. "Look, I only just found out when we did that mission in the Land of Waves." I explain.

"That was-"

"I know it was forever ago, Naruto, but I was told never to tell anyone. You, Jiraya, Kakashi, and the Grand Elders know. No one else does." I explain again. He just peeks over with one eye. "So how can we not be friends? Jiraya obviously shouldn't have known since he's such a blabber mouth, but not you Naruto!" I praise, and clasp his shoulder. "And in return for being such an amazing friend, how about I treat you to some ramen when we get back, yeah?"