Permission To Seek

Chapter 42 Shino vs. Naruto

Shino stared at the enraged blue-red eyes of his comrade, their confrontation over the last fifteen minutes taking its toll on the bright haired ninja; however, he is persistent.

“Get the hell out of the way!” Naruto growled, he somehow could sense where Sasuke was although every time he tried to get to the bastard Shino blocked or slowed his progress.

Standing with his arms over his chest glaring at the angry face, it reminded him of his own short temper from along time ago. “Uzumaki, you cannot face Uchiha with the red chakra, if you try I will stop you.” His concern for what damage Naruto would inflict under the influence of the Nine-Tails-Fox.

“Grrrr!” Naruto pointed his finger at the man blocking his progress, “Stay out of it! This is between Sasuke and me! That bastard is going to pay for what he did!” Naruto put his hands together activating his technique, his eyes flashing a darker red. “Kagebunshin-No-Jutsu!” A dozen clones appeared all charging to attack and or get pass the Bug Guy. Naruto had tried the same move before, he failed but made progress it was wasting his chakra and feeding his anger.

Shino stood his ground, feeling he had to get through to Naruto make him see reason as a dozen clones closed in. ‘He has not lost control in the same manner as when we fought he has learned to control that chakra better; in that case.’ He raised one hand, and then slammed it to the ground half crouched, watching Naruto’s clone spread to the offensive. “Mushi Yose No Jutsu!” The soil around the clones began to swirl causing some to trip and poof in a puff of smoke. Others jumped trying to avoid the insect induce quake only to be met by Kikai that quickly over took them consuming their chakra to the point they too exploded into nothingness.

Avoiding the confrontation Naruto jumped into the trees pass Shino, taking a wide arch around the blockage. Diving through the trees at a surprising speed, his mind zoning in on Sasuke’s exact location, he could smell him. Too late, he sensed his pursuer closing in; as he turned to avoid the attack, he crashed head on into a trap.

The large ninja landed on the blond’s back pinning him further to the ground with one foot on the back of his head while pulling both wrist high between his shoulder blades. “Ochitsuita!” He snapped as the Kikai trap tightened around his body consuming his chakra. “This is not the way, Naruto you can not endanger your comrades life!” Although angry at Naruto’s stubbornness, he was greatly impressed at how strong his friend had grown over the years.

“KUSO! KUSO! GET OFF ME!” Naruto struggled against the one clamping so tightly on his arms he felt they would break, as the Kikai continued to consume his strength. “You stay out of it! This has nothing to do with you!!” Naruto growled.

“WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?! UCHIHA IS NOT A FRIEND BUT HE WILL ALWAYS BE A COMRADE!” Shino bellowed back his own temper getting the better of him; however, he felt the struggling ninja relax more in his grip, his eyes now vivid blue.

“Kuso!” Naruto agonized, thinking how much it hurt when Sasuke played that trick on him and how he wanted to be as far from the one restraining him now. “You just don’t get it. You don’t know what he did.” He turned his angry flushed face into the grass bare ground, thick with dead leave and thin weeds.

The Kikai released him returning to the host, Shino let him go. “I would if you will talk about it Naruto.” He slid off the smaller males back, staying on guard just in case this is a feint attempt on the blonds part. However, Naruto eased his arms in front of him sitting up, rubbing his painful shoulders unable to face the man sitting across from him.

“Listen, Uzumaki.” He paused until the blue eyes turned to him. “You do not need to share the incident with me; I just wanted to help if I could.”

“That’s the problem, you help too much sometimes. I do not need you to fight my battles; I can take care of this myself. Sasuke needs to pay this time and you need to stay out of it.” Naruto’s angry eyes did not leave him while he spoke the intent very real.

“I understand you should punish Uchiha; however, I know about the darkness that dwells inside you.” Naruto eyes flashed in surprise but said nothing. “I’ve known for some time now, I understand you wanted to protect me from that ‘Fox’. However, if you feel punishment is the best way to deal with your comrade, do it with your own power, do not utilize the energy of the Nine-Tails in this confrontation. Otherwise, your victory can not be counted as your own.” He stared as the eyes widened subtly as if understanding the meaning.

“You want me to use my own power, and then you will stand aside?” Shino nodded. Naruto grinned evilly, blue eyes flashing brightly. “Yo, Shino do you mind if I barrow you for a little bit.” The blue eyes gazed over toward where he knew Sasuke lurked near the Hokage Tower.

“I thought you wanted me to stay out of this, Naruto.” He grinned back, enjoying the dark intent in the blue eyes.

“I sure do, but after all it was Sasuke who brought you into this equation.” The bright eyes fixed on him again, “This is what I want to do…”

**What The Future Holds**


The shower water help relieve much of his fatigued, beating hotly on his aching body. A warm peace filling every corner of his soul, as he shut the water off at last stepping out to pull on a black Yukata that his caretaker had provided. What a wonderful women she is I wonder if there is someone precious to her. He glanced up as a soft knock on the door cut into his thoughts.

“Yes, please come in.”

The large brown eyes appeared in the opening staring at him fondly, with a slight blush, “You should have told me you needed more time.” The smile grew but did not look away, “I guess since I have cared for you the past week; I should be accustomed to your beauty, but it is still stimulating.”

Kimimaro cocked his head to one side, this would be the first time she flirted with him. “I thank you for the complement, and I should say I am happy my old self has not grown to the point where young eyes can no longer see its beauty.”

Stepping in the bath handing him another towel, the caregiver’s face flushed a little more. “You are not so old, I don’t suspect anyway. Come I will dry your hair before we leave.” Leading him back to the kitchen where they had some things prepared for their trip.

He sat on a chair, his mind thinking over the last three years in captivity the nightmares returned every night. ‘Will Morino still want me after the things I had to endure, does he still care for me?’ The hair dryer cut into his thoughts, the warm air whipping around his face as she pulled a comb through the bright hair. ‘What if he has been killed searching for me?’ While the snake demon kept him, Kimimaro eased his mind by imagining the deadly Jonin Ibiki was constantly searching for him. Although now as the time to head back to the Hidden Leaf has finally come, he felt an increasing dread at the final meeting.

His caretaker gazed at the side of his profile seeing the worry, turning off the hair dryer and putting it away. Kimimaro ran his fingers through the length glad his hair had begun to grow. “Kimimaro-san can you tell me about your precious one, you seem lost deep in thought and I feel a lonely sadness whenever I see you unaware.”

The brown eyes focused on him, unwavering. She was not tall, in many ways she reminded him of Iruka, cunning, quiet, soft-spoken and endlessly beautiful with modest elegant style, always keeping her body well hidden which to Kimimaro made her more desirable, longing to see what mystery lay beneath the clothing. Part of him wondered if she possessed that hidden violent temper that the young Chuunin concealed so well.

“Well he is a dangerous man he has the ability to invoke fear at a glance. He is a beautiful person but I do not think others will agree. A very passionate lover and I believe loyal to everyone lucky enough to be a friend. He has a witty sense of humor but nothing compares to the sadistic retaliation he would deliver to his enemies.” He smiled at the large brown eyes, they seem to darken, and he wondered if she wanted to make a connection to him. Standing from the chair, feeling his heart is still bound to the Jonin, he step closer to the sad face now peering out the kitchen window.

Shifting the brown eyes on him as he drew nearer, Kimi whispered. “I would not have you alone Nee-chan; do you desire something more from me, I have no certainty what I will find when I return.” He had not shared the details of his ordeal with the sweet caregiver, feeling she may not be able to handle the extent of cruelty. Despite knowing his heart is bound to another he wanted to offer the tender young person something for helping him in his time of need.

“You offer yourself to me?” The large brown eyes widened as Kimimaro’s soft fingers reached to caress the gentle lines of the young caregivers face, his pale green eyes staring with concern and pity. “What is missing from those eyes is love, Kimimaro-san.” He step back his hand dropping from her face, staring as a sweet smile lighted the beautiful full lips. “I feel you are a beautiful person, and I have wondered about a bond with you. However, my heart is not so certain, and now I know yours is not free so we can only remain friends. Your words of the one precious to you reminded me of my most precious person, however he died long ago.”

“What if, my heart…” He felt tear sting his eyes, he could not allow the thought that Morino would not want him form in words.

“If you kiss me I will tell you what our future holds, I have my own conclusions; even if the one most precious is not waiting for you; one kiss.” The huge brown eyes drew him near.

‘Why not, I think she is beautiful and I will know what she feels for me if Morino will not have me back.’ He cupped the gentle features drinking in the beauty as the mouth parted slightly. His heart hammering in his chest at the thought of contact with this person, by his own will, he paused wondering if he should continue.

“Do not hesitate, kiss me now Kimimaro-san.” The full lips breathed reaching up for the collar of his robe and pulling him into a breathtaking and controlling kiss; not much different in intensity from the one Morino gave him so many years ago