Nebula's Echo (a Naruto Fanfic)

Chapter 21

AN: Why hello there again!

So, thing is, I promised FanGirlies101 to post a new chapter so here it is folks!

I'm just gonna let you know, this chapter became rather long (3900 words), so I divided it into two chapters. The first one is going to be a bit shorter but the second one makes up for the length. Also, I thought I'd give a fair warning... some rather vivid descriptions of gore and violence in the next chapter (22). So, read at your own risk.

Thx, bye~~

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Ceiren POV

I was lying on a branch, one of my legs hanging off of it, swinging. I stayed the night and half the day in the woods, avoiding confrontation with Kakashi. I really, really didn't want to explain to him how I managed to defeat Zabuza, when even he couldn't. I mean, I think I did pretty well getting Naruto and Sasuke off my trail, but Kakashi isn't going to fall for it.

Should I blame the anti-lolicon arts again?

I sighed. The chance of him accepting that as a reason twice isn't very likely. And I'm in no mood to rack my brain to come up with something better. So, resorting to my best method of confrontation; avoidance.

So anyways, I have now concluded that living in the woods wouldn't be hard for me. I don't get dirty or hungry, and it's not as if any dangers even dare to near me. So if I get kicked out of the Leaf Village, at least I know I can survive in the woods...

What a depressing thought though. I sighed again.

I seem to be sighing all the time nowadays...

Naruto and Sasuke had left me about after midnight, needing to go to the house for food and sleep. They told me to come with them, or more like, for them it was the most obvious thing that as their teammate I should come too. But I told them I was avoiding Kakashi, and after nearly an hour of convincing and attacking them with my secret weapons (a few upturned eyes there, a few pouts there..) they agreed to let me stay here and not tell Kakashi about it.

They'll just tell the rest that I'm fine, just so they won't get worried and come looking for me.

Later into the night though, Naruto came back. He barely even greeted me before resuming training, trying hard to fully master the tree climbing technique. Something was different about him, his mood was off.

I'm sure that damn kid, Inari, must've said something.

I could tell he was running low on chakra, and dad wasn't helping and I couldn't communicate with him yet, but Naruto still kept at it. He kept at it till morning. I watched him the whole time.

By the time the sky was bright, he was lying passed out on the ground. I thought of going there to help him, but stopped when I heard someone approaching. They're footsteps were faint, quiet. Trained.