Of Inner-Demons, Drunken Pity-Parties, and Third Exams
-Of Inner Demons, Drunken Pity-Parties, and Third Exams-
Click!
...
Click!
...
Click!
“Damn it...!” Amaya curses under her breath, her eye twitching slightly as another piece was captured from the board.
Shikamaru smirks at her struggle, chuckling to himself as he made another move. He then sighs, looking over to the bedridden blond to his right. “Man. Is he ever going to wake up? Maybe the kid croaked...”
Amaya hums and places another shogi piece down with another light click. She then looks up. “Saa~… I heard he’s been training hard... All day, everyday this entire month. Barely taking time for breaks.”
“Heard?... You guys haven’t been training together?” Shikamaru questions, turning to look at her curiously.
Sighing, the brunette folds her legs underneath her and shakes her head. “No. It’s kinda hard to do when over half of the team is participating in the Finals... Plus, Kakashi’s helping Sasuke, so Naruto and I pretty much had to do things on our own with whatever help we could get.”
“Sounds like a drag...” The Nara drawls, moving to make his turn only to pause. “Huh? The sand stopped...?”
Amaya follows his gaze and hums to herself, picking up the hourglass to closer inspect it. She shakes it a bit and tilts it upright, but the sand still refuses to fall. “That’s weird...”
It’s then Naruto grunts in his sleep and slowly wakes up, his eyes squinting at the sunlight peeking through the thin curtains.
“So, you decided to wake up, huh?” Shikamaru muses, smirking when the blond looks his way.
“Where am I? What is this?” Naruto asks, his gaze trailing over to Amaya as she stands and makes her way over to the sink, intending to get him a glass of water.
“The hospital. They said you’ve been out cold like this for three days straight.” Shikamaru replies.
Naruto squints. “Three days...?” He murmurs before realization hits. “THREE DAYS STRAIGHT?!” He exclaims, shooting up from the bed, standing on the mattress.
Shikamaru flinches at the boy’s volume and stares up at him in surprise. “Uh, yeah. More or less.” He answers again.
“Shikamaru, Amaya, when does the final competition begin?!” Naruto asks, his wide-eyed gaze moving between the two.
Shikamaru shares a look with Amaya as she nears the bed, glass of water in hand. “Uh... Tomorrow.”
“WHAT?!” Naruto screeches, jolting forward to grab the Nara’s shirt collar, pulling him closer. “Are you crazy?! Why the heck didn’t you wake me up sooner?! I can’t be lying around here at a time like this! I’ve gotta be getting ready!... And Pervy Sage...! Where’s Pervy Sage?! That old coot’s supposed to be supervising my training!”
“Hey, calm down, kid! Get a grip!” Shikamaru grunts, gripping the boy’s wrist. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
“Saa~… He left you outside the hospital. But I haven’t seen him since he stopped by the house to see Mama. That’s how I found out you were here.” Amaya cuts in, flinching backwards slightly when Naruto spins to face her.
Once her words register, the blond releases Shikamaru’s collar and jumps off the bed, frantically riffling through the bedside table’s drawers. “Where are my clothes?! I’ve got to get dressed! Where’d they put ‘em? Where are my clothes? Oh, c’mon, where are they…?!”
Shikamaru sends Amaya an annoyed look and rubs his forehead. “Oh, man. This kid gives me such a headache! I liked him a lot better when he was in a coma...” He grunts lowly before turning his gaze back to the still panicking blond. “WILL YOU KNOCK IT OFF?!”
Naruto immediately goes silent and freezes in place.
Shikamaru huffs, and Amaya couldn’t help but snicker. “Now, listen. You don’t wanna be freaking out the day before a big competition. Resting can be the best thing...” He begins, trailing off when Naruto sits back down onto the bed. “Huh? Are you okay? Is something wrong?”
Naruto turns to them, tears streaming down his cheeks as his stomach lets out a large growl. “Yeah... I’m really starving.”
“Is that all? Man, stop scaring me like that!” Shikamaru scolds, bending over in his chair. “Oh, look at this...”
“Hm?” Naruto hums, watching as the boy lifts a moderately sized fruit-basket from the floor.
“I went through all the trouble of getting this stuff for Chōji, and then the doctors told me he couldn’t have it.” Shikamaru groans, looking down at the basket. “But at least we can eat it.”
Retaking her seat and scooting it closer to the bed, Amaya snorts and hands the blond the glass of water. “Before that though, here, drink this first or you’ll get sick.” She orders, and Naruto has no other choice but to comply.
As Naruto chugs the water, a thought comes to him, making him pull the glass away from his mouth. “Chōji? You mean he’s here in the hospital, too?”
Shikamaru smirks. “Nothin’ to worry about. All he’s got is a bad case of indigestion... He ate one short-rib too many.”
Amaya scoffs, but doesn’t hide her smile. “It’s not all his fault. You and Asuma-sensei are enablers, what with taking him out for barbecue everyday after training.”
Shikamaru turns to her with a huff, as if he was insulted by her accusations. “It’s the only way we can get him to do anything... If nothing else, Chōj is too weak-willed!”
Listening to the two banter for a moment, Naruto laughs. “I should’ve figured! That’s just like him.”
“Yeah. Well, you two are just lucky we’re around, or you wouldn’t have any visitors.” Shikamaru grins before tossing the blond an apple from the basket. “Here.”
Naruto laughs again and catches the fruit, wiping it on his shirt. “Oh, wow, this looks delicious!” He muses, opening his mouth to take a bite before pausing with a gasp.
Shikamaru fidgets. “What...? What is it now?”
Naruto grins mischievously. “Lets eat it in front of Chōji, it’ll drive him crazy...!”
“Man that’s mean... I like it.” Shikamaru snickers.
Amaya sighs and stands from her chair, shaking her head fondly. “Well, while you two do that, I’m gonna head out.”
“Where are you going?” Naruto asks, frowning slightly.
“I’m not in the mood for tormenting Chōji today...” Amaya smiles, though it quickly fades as she reaches into her back pocket and pulls out a card. “Besides, I was gonna stop by and visit Lee. Poor guys been in and out of it because he keeps trying to sneak out to train.”
The two boys share a look at her words, both deciding that teasing the Akimichi can wait for another day.
Opening the door to Lee’s hospital room, the trio freeze instantly at the sight of Gaara standing ominously at the boy’s bedside, all lighthearted banter forgotten as they notice the sand coiling around Lee’s sleeping form.
Clenching his teeth, Shikamaru takes a step forward and makes a hand-sign. In response, his shadow stretches and moves forward, connecting with Gaara’s and forcing him to remain in place.
The redheads eyes widen and he struggles to turn his head. “I can’t move my body...!”
As soon as the words leave his lips, Naruto surges forward and clocks the nin square in the jaw, making Shikamaru also cry out in pain.
The blond then backs off, though his stance remains tense. “What the hell do you think you’re doing in here, you rat?!”
Shikamaru grunts. “Hey man, go easy! I’m using my Shadow Possession Jutsu! So when you’re bashing him, you’re bashing me, too! You got it?”
Naruto sends him an apologetic look. “Oh, sorry, Shikamaru...” He then returns his gaze back to Gaara, his anger returning full force as he watches clumps of sand fall from the boy’s face and to the floor. “Out with it! What were you trying to pull?!”
Amaya tucks the card she intended to leave Lee in her pocket, her own eyes narrowing. “Answer him!”
Gaara’s gaze drifts between the trio, but he stays silent.
Naruto clenches his fist. “Well?! Are you gonna tell us what you were gonna do?!”
“I was going to kill him.” Gaara finally replies, and the response makes the trio’s eyes widen in surprise.
“What...?!”
Shikamaru tenses - even more if possible- as he met Gaara’s gaze head-on. “You already beat him once in the competition. What’s your problem?! Do you have some kind of personal grudge against him or something?”
Gaara remains apathetic. “I have nothing against him... It’s nothing complicated. I simply want to kill him, that’s all.”
“You know what? You’re sick in the head! You’re crazy!” Naruto exclaims, pointing at the redhead angrily.
“Yeah, you think we’re just gonna stand by and let you do whatever you want?” Shikamaru agrees, his mind working a mile a minute. ‘This guy gives me the creeps. There’s always been something weird about him... Scary... If he decides to make a move, I’m not sure we’ll be able to to stop him.’ His eyes then flick over to the girl standing between himself and Naruto. ‘Amaya could probably hold him off for a bit until higher ranking ninja show up, but the chances of that are already slim due to such close quarters...’
Gaara’s eyes narrow. “If you don’t stay out of my way, I’ll have to kill you three as well.” He informs gravely.
Naruto glares. “Oh, really?! Well, let’s just see you try it!”
Shikamaru gives a somewhat small smirk. “Yeah. We watched your last match against Lee. We know your tough... But you know, Naruto, Amaya, and I have a few little tricks up our sleeves as well. We were holding back during the competition, so there are things you haven’t seen yet. On top of that, hey, it’s three against one. So don’t be a fool, okay? Just take my advice and go quietly.”
‘He’s obviously bluffing...’ Amaya thought to herself as she subconsciously takes a small step forward, positioning herself somewhat protectively in front of the two boys behind her. “Lets all just calm down. Shikamaru’s right, and the way I see it, no one really wants a fight.” She states, holding her hands out placatingly as she meets Gaara’s gaze. “Also, you’renot in any position to be making any threats here. Just leave while you can. There’s no need for things to escalate the day before the competition.”
Gaara, however, remained unfazed. “I’ll say it once more. If you get in my way, I’ll kill you.”
“HA! AND I’LL SAY IT AGAIN! LETS SEE YOU TRY IT!” Naruto roars, more peeved than before.
Shikamaru scowls and holds out his arm, stopping the blond from moving any further. “Back off, will ya?! We don’t wanna go there!... This guy fights like he’s mad. Like he’s a demon or something...”
Naruto’s glare deepens. “He can act like a demon if he wants to, but you know what...?! I’ve got the real thing inside of me!”
Amaya turns her head slightly, making sure to keep Gaara in her peripheral as she looks back at the blond. “Naruto...”
Shikamaru nudges the boy. “Idiot, leave this to us! What’s the point of getting him mad?”
“A demon, huh?... My demon is just as real as yours.” Gaara murmurs, making the three look at him in surprise. “From my birth, my upbringing was not what most people would consider a happy one... To ensure that I became the strongest of Shinobi, my father had cast his Ninjutsu on me, infusing my unborn self with a sand spirit... I destroyed the life of a woman who gave birth to me. I was born a monster.”
At their stunned silence, Gaara continues. “It’s name is Shukaku, and it’s the living incarnation of an old monk of the Sand Village who’d been sealed up in a jar of tea.”
“Yeah. Some kind of demonic jutsu. But to use it on a baby? Before it’s even born? Man, that’s creepy.” Shikamaru mutters, his tone eventually becoming full of sarcasm. “Gee. What a swell guy your dad must’ve been... He really must have loved you a lot.”
Naruto looks away from Shikamaru, his eyes wide. ‘Can it be true...? He’s got one inside of him, too?’
Gaara scowls. “You speak of love?... Don’t measure me by your standards. Love. Family. The only emotional ties I have to my family are the ones I’d like to wrap around their necks. They’re only ties of hate... Given life by the death of my mother, I was brought into being and nurtured as the salvation of the Village. I was the Kazekage’s child. My father taught me the innermost secrets of the Shinobi. He pampered and protected me and left me to myself. For a time, I thought that was love... And that was when everything started.”
“When what started?” Shikamaru questions, his brow furrowing curiously.
When Gaara doesn’t answer, Naruto scowls. “What was it? Are you gonna tell us or not?!... So go on, what started? What was it?”
Gaara smiles an almost bloodthirsty smile. “In the six years since I became six-years-old, my father tried to destroy me more times than I can count.”
Shikamaru scoffs. “Hmph. You just finished saying how your father pampered and protected you. So which is it?”
“Those who get to be too strong are apt to become feared.” Gaara replies. “The jutsu that gave me birth had unbalanced something in my mind. Even the fools in my Village finally realized I had emotional problems. My father, the Kazekage, had created me as the ultimate weapon. But I eventually became a threat to the very Village I was meant to save... By the time I was six, I became a figure of terror to the villagers. To them, I was a relic of the past that they wished would disappear.”
He stares at them for a moment. “So you see, I had failed at the one purpose for which I was given life. What then was left for me in this existence? Why go on living? For a long time, I couldn’t find an answer to that. But in order to live, you need a purpose. To exist for no reason is the same as being dead... Then in time, the answer came to me. To put it simply, my reason for living is in the killing of others. For years, I lived in fear of those who were sent to murder me. But now I am at peace. I killed many would-be assassins, and it was while I was doing it that the truth was made clear to me. I live solely for myself. I love only myself... As it was the death of my mother that first gave me life, now it is the death of others that sustains me, that makes me almost happy to be alive. And there’s no end to it, as long as there are still people to kill in this great, crowded world. I will never disappear.”
‘This guy...’ Amaya thought to herself before shaking her head, her expression solemn. “I can’t agree with that.” She murmurs as the redhead focuses entirely on her. “Aren’t you causing yourself even more pain and suffering by choosing to live that way?... No one wins in this situation. You’re proving all those against you, right, by becoming the monster they say you are... All the while subjecting yourself to an almost unbearable loneliness.”
Gaara’s eyes widen slightly before quickly reverting back to normal, and the room goes silent for a moment until Shikamaru is the one to break it.
“Hey, where are you going? What’s wrong?”
Amaya turns her head to see that Naruto had taken a step backwards, his gaze locked firmly on Gaara’s face.
Not long after, the sound of sand hitting the stone flooring resonates around the room, regaining the duos attention. Turning in Gaara’s direction, they watch in surprise as the sand rises threateningly into the air.
Shikamaru’s eyes widen. ‘He shouldn’t be able to do that! Not with my Shadow Possession Jutsu on him...!’
The sand surges forward and Amaya quickly pulls out a kunai from her weapons pouch before falling into a fighting stance. “Get ready, you two...!”
Shikamaru follows her example before pausing slightly as he took notice of Naruto’s frozen form. “Naruto! Hey, wake up!... Oh, man, what a drag...! Naruto!”
The sand splits off into three streams, picking up speed as it slides across the floor. However, before anything could take place, a voice rings out throughout the room.
“All right. That’s enough.”
Turning towards the door, Amaya and Shikamaru couldn’t help but sigh to themselves out of relief at the sight of Gai as he walks further into the room.
“Save it until tomorrow. That’s when the final competition begins.” Gai states before turning his attention solely onto Gaara. “You’re just wasting it today. Is that what you want?”
At the sight of the green-clad teacher, Gaara clutches his head with a grunt, and everyone watches as the sand recedes back into his gourd.
Breathing heavily, the redhead backs away from Lee’s bed and slowly crosses the room before stopping in the doorway, looking back at them over his shoulder. “All the same, I willkill you. Just you wait... I’ll kill you all.”
Amaya feels a shiver crawl down her spine at the threat, knowing better than to doubt the redheads ominous words.
-Later That Night-
Kenji can only smile as Chōza lets out a loud and boisterous laugh as he turns to Inoichi. “Well, at least with a daughter at home, it’s not so bad on the wallet... Most of my money turns into food and then vanishes!”
“Quit complaining.” Shikaku grunts on the other side of the Yamanaka, taking another swig of his saké. He then leans forward to look down the table at the Akimichi. “You’re not the only one who’s got problems.”
The Nara then pats Inoichi on the shoulder. “Look, I understand. Daughters are a real drag.” His glazed eyes then settle on Kenji. “Though I suppose no one understands better than you... What with Amaya being the infamous Minamoto Spitfire ‘n all...”
The Minamoto chuckles and takes a sip of his own drink. “It’s not easy... Mitsuko’s really the only one who can keep her and that temper in check.”
Inoichi nods in agreement. “Yeah... Man, there are times I really have no idea how to deal with her.” He mumbles, referring to his own daughter.
Shikaku sighs. “I know what you mean. We dads have it rough.”
“Hmph. And you’re telling me to quit complaining.” Chōza grunts before turning to a nearby waiter with a smile. “Hey, Mister, one more order here!” He calls, flipping the menu around. “These two pages, everything on them!”
The server nods but before he could fill the order, the door to the restaurant opens with a light chime, gaining his attention.
“Welcome!”
Chōza hums and turns towards the door, immediately setting sights on Shikamaru and Amaya as they enter. “Aha! Reinforcements are here... Come in! Order something!”
As they near the table, Shikamaru sends Amaya a look and sighs. “Hey. Tou-san, come on. Can we go home already?”
Shikaku turns to his son, squinting. “What? Listen, don’t be a drag. You’re supposed to be living it up at this festival.”
Amaya snorts in amusement as she moves to sit next to her own father and across from Chōza - who immediately begins to pile food onto a plate for her, making her sweatdrop.
Shikamaru scoffs and rolls his eyes. “Yeah, right. Some festival.” He groans. “It’s a total drag.”
Shikaku fixes him with an unimpressed stare. “You idiot. Since ancient—“ he begins before pausing to take a swig, “—times... The final competition has always been like a festival.”
Shikamaru stares at his father annoyed. “I’m in that final competition tomorrow.” He informs before motioning to Amaya. “We both are... Oh, man, I don’t have time to babysit you.”
“Huh?” Shikaku grunts, looking between the two surprised before focusing on his son once more. “You’re in it? What? Seriously?”
Shikamaru stammers, staring at his father in disbelief. “Never mind. Just forget it.” He groans, hanging his head with a sigh as Amaya laughs from her spot at the table.
-THE NEXT MORNING-
Amaya flinches when fireworks are set off, signaling the beginning of the Third Exam and final rounds.
Beside her, Shikamaru looks around. ‘Looks like we’re missing quite a few people here.’ He thought to himself, nudging the brunette in the side. “Hey, where’s the kid and Sasuke?”
Amaya worries her bottom lip with her teeth and also looks around. “I haven’t seen Naruto since yesterday. And it’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen Sasuke or Kakashi.” She informs, mentally taking attendance of the participants. ‘Not that I care, but that Sound guy, Dosu, is missing, too... If they don’t show up before their matches start, it’ll be an automatic disqualification...’
***
“What’s going on? Where is everyone?... This is about to get started...!” Ino murmurs, her gaze briefly meeting Sakura’s.
Sakura looks back down to the participants, her eyes focusing on Amaya’s form below. ‘Yeah, what’s going on? Amaya’s the only one down there from our team. Sasuke and even Naruto are nowhere to be seen...!’
***
Suddenly, loud screams could be heard before Naruto comes flying through the arenas entrance, skidding across the ground roughly.
‘He sure knows how to make an entrance, the idiot.’ Shikamaru muses, rolling his eyes as he moved to help the blond up. “Oh, man, what a drag.”
Naruto groans before jerking away from the Nara with a jolt. “Guys, run...! You won’t believe this, but there’s a herd of stampeding bulls coming this way!”
“What? Yeah, you’re right. I don’t believe it.” Shikamaru replies with a huff.
Amaya squints at the blond. “Saa~… Naruto, are you still asleep...?”
“I’m serious! There must be a million of them coming right this way...” Naruto exclaims, trailing off as his eyes scan the gathered Genin. “Huh? Hey, wait... Where’s Sasuke?” He asks, turning his gaze to Amaya.
The brunette shrugs. “Saa~… Don’t ask me, he’s running late like you.”
“Hey, knock it off.” Genma Shiranui - the new proctor, and replacement for Hayate Gekkō - grunts, making the trio turn to him. “Quit your fidgeting, you three. Stand up straight and present yourself proudly to the spectators.”
The three do as told, and it’s then that Naruto takes time to look around - just now taking notice of the packed stands of cheering civilians and ninja alike. “Huh? Oh...”
Genma adjusts the senbon in his mouth. “You guys are the heroes of this final competition.”