Losing Battles

Hey, I know it's been awhile since I posted... sorry. I've been writing... just forgetting to post ^^;

To everyone who reviewed, thanks. I'm sure the next few chapters will answer some of your questions ;)


Now on with the story~



Losing Battles
Time Out

"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost."
~Billy Graham


~*~Battle 11~*~
Jiraiya


A week before departure…

Jiraiya’s back ached from the strain of hunching over. As fit as he was, he was definitely getting older. He remembered the good old days when he could hunch in the bushes quietly for hours, nay, perhaps even days on end while young nubile women splashed around playfully in the water- breasts bouncing like the water droplets sliding down their well toned flesh. He had been here for maybe a few hours tops and his back was already protesting.

“Oi, ero-jiji, what the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Jiraiya, startled at being caught, nearly dropped his notepad but managed to hold on to it. He whirled around to see angry blue eyes glaring at him, a bucket and bath supplies firmly gripped in one hand.

“Oh! Naruto! Hisashiburi!” He smiled broadly, hoping to not dwell on the fact that he had been caught peeping again. Naruto rolled his eyes.

“Don’t let Sakura catch you. She’s worse than Tsunade-baba these days.” Jiraiya chuckled nervously, recalling how fierce the young kunoichi had proven these past few years. He could definitely believe that. “Anyway, I’m going to take a bath. See you later.” Naruto turned towards the bathhouse entrance and waved with one hand.

Jiraiya took one last look at the bamboo fence and sighed. He wasn’t getting very far anyways.

“Hey! Naruto, hold on.” His former pupil paused at the door, waiting for him to catch up.

Jiraiya slid into the hot water and sighed in content. “Ahh, now this feels nice.” He positioned his back in front of the stream of hot water being pumped into the bath. It was piping hot but it felt relaxing and he definitely needed the break. For once he didn’t mind that he couldn’t peek from his side of the fence, though if he could, that would have definitely been a bonus.

“Naruto, how is your training going?”

The young man seemed to ponder this, gazing out absently. Jiraiya knew he was reflecting on something and merely uncertain of what judgment to pronounce, meaning things were not going the way he wanted them to.

“Having trouble with nine tails again or are you still not content with Rasengan? It wouldn’t hurt for you to learn how to do it one-handed ya know.” Naruto’s petulant glare was all the answer he needed.

“Not like you’re any help!”

Jiraiya’s chest rumbled with laughter. “You’re never content, are you?” Naruto turned his nose away and crossed his arms. He could be 12, 15, or 18 and old habits always had a way of resurfacing. “Come on, Naruto, you know I taught you all that I could.”

Naruto’s chest puffed out in anger, his mouth opening wide to start the torrent of protests. “You gave me a WATER BALLOON while you stole my savings and spent them on women!”

“I was researching. There’s a difference. I got a lot more out of those women than they got out of me,” he smiled. He couldn’t help smiling. Those were some good times… “Besides, consider it my instructor’s fee. Rather cheap if you ask me.”

“That’s cuz you didn’t DO anything!” Naruto was waving his arms around in rather over exaggerated gestures. Really, there was nothing at all to get so worked up over. It was a pitiful amount really. For a man of his talents, he should have been paid twice, or even three times the amount! Jiraiya half suspected that Naruto’s penny pinching tendencies were a remnant of that chuunin, Iruka’s influence.

“You know, once we’re out of the bath, we can always go for a round at the izakaya. Buy a round and I may feel generous to share a few tips.”

“Forget it! I can study on my own now!” Jiraiya chuckled. Kids these days. They learn a few things on their own and suddenly they’re all independent, don’t need a word from their elders or a single bit of advice. They think they’ve got the whole world figured out.

Jiraiya sank deeper into the water. “Ahhh,” he let out a deep groan of content. He remembered what it was like to be young. He’d strut around with the confidence of three kages and ladies would flock to him whether he had a wallet full of money or just a hole in his pocket. It was good to be young.

He thought of all the things he’d do if he was that young again. Hell, at this age, he still had no problem getting the ladies to warm up to him, but if he were young again…

His eyes drifted over to his former student. Naruto had started out as such a scrawny boy, but he had shot up the past few years, even catching up to Kakashi. His lean form had solidified a bit more and blond hair looked invisible against his tan skin. He bet the ladies would eat him up for breakfast, if he ever gave them a chance.

Suddenly, an evil plan began to hatch- a brilliant one actually. After finishing his hit Icha Icha series, he had been suffering writer’s block for sometime. Sure he could turn out the occasional trashy romance, the kind that housewives and curious teenage girls giggled over in secret, but none that really swept the country like Icha Icha. The problem was he had run out of jokes. Or rather, he had accumulated a large portion of wisdom and had struggled to find something new- something that hadn’t been beat up beyond recognition, swallowed and regurgitated a few times before. Perhaps it was because he was getting older. Perhaps he was out of touch with today’s generation. But he had a feeling he had just discovered his window back into it.

“Hey Naruto,” he sat up a bit, trying to grab the boy’s attention. “How would you like to help me with something?”

“I’m not going to spy on the girls for you. Sakura-chan would KILL me.” The look on his face as he mentioned his teammate sent him into another fit of laughter. “

“I promise, it doesn’t involve any peeping… not on any girls anyways.”

“Please don’t tell me you want to spy on guys.” Naruto watched him warily, cautiously reaching out with one hand for his towel.

“No, no, goodness no,” Jiraiya chuckled. “All you have to do is a favor for a friend.” He gave his most charming smile.

Naruto visibly gulped.


Ichiraku was relatively empty around this time of day. It was that hour when it was too late for lunch and too early for dinner- when the cafes were packed full and lines wound their way around the block but every restaurant as far as the eye could see was relatively unmolested.

It was at this moment that the owner of Ichiraku was working on a small bit of construction. His daughter was tidying up the dishes and boxes of ingredients while a small sign advertised that they were closed at the moment.

“Looks like you’re just about to get started.” Jiraiya waved in greeting. The ramen shop owner raised his hand in return, the other hand being weighed down with a hammer poised above a few boards.

“What’s going on?” Naruto asked confused. “Why is Ichiraku closed?”

“Oh, Naruto! I’m afraid if you want some ramen, you will have to come back later. Ichiraku needs a few renovations.”

“Renovations?” Naruto looked at Jiraiya suspiciously.

“I didn’t do anything. I simply heard that Ichiraku would be closed for a few hours today because of some maintenance issues. I thought you might like to help him.” He smiled again and Naruto seemed to be only increasingly worried.

“What do I have to do?”

“Just help him out. You think he can fix that roof by himself?” Naruto seemed to be evaluating the situation. True, the yatai was small and easily disassembled for the sake of repairs, but a ninja could probably make the repairs without having to disassemble the entire construction.

“Alright.” Naruto seemed to agree. “Ugh, and I just took a bath. I’m gonna get all sweaty in this heat.” Jiraiya smiled and nodded. He certainly would.

“If it gets too hot, just take off your shirt. You’ve trained topless before.” He watched him carefully to see if the younger boy would take the bait and Naruto hardly seemed to register his statement. That was a good sign. At least he wasn’t suspicious. “I’ll just be sitting over there… supervising.”

Naruto gave him a disgusted look. “Supervising? As in sitting on your ass and pretending to do something? Just don’t harass nee-chan. She’s a nice girl.”

Jiraiya stopped and seemed to consider this. He hadn’t even thought of it. He merely flashed Naruto a grin and looked for a cozy place to watch. Pulling out his notebook, he got ready to watch the show.

Much to his dismay, Naruto didn’t seem to take his suggestion right away. Since it was his day off, he had no jacket on and continued to work in his old blue t-shirt. But it was a hot day, and the hour between late afternoon and early evening was always particularly brutal at this time of year. The more the sun beat down on his neck, the more the droplets of sweat began to form along his brow. Jiraiya noted him wiping away the sweat with the back of his hand and smiled. The shop owner helped and gave him instructions while his daughter watched carefully from the side.

Eventually, Naruto succumbed to the heat and pulled off his shirt. The shop owner was kind enough to lend him a handkerchief that was promptly wound around his forehead to soak up the sweat and prevent it from dripping into his eyes. Jiraiya smiled. Now he was certain it would get interesting.

He began with the shop owner’s daughter. As soon as Naruto’s shirt had come off her eyes immediately glued themselves to his skin. She seemed to tear her eyes away for a moment before tentatively glancing back. He could tell she felt embarrassed by the lines of her body, the frozen position in which she kept her body turned, but her neck bent to allow her to look the other way. She quickly tried to find something to keep herself occupied after that, but every now and then, she would look at her father and then her eyes would cautiously drift to Naruto.

Jiraiya congratulated himself mentally. Now this was something he could use. He tried to imagine the novel from a female point of view- a young woman in the blossom of her youth rediscovering an old acquaintance; one she had known as just a boy, a mere child, and discovering that he had transformed into a man.

Yes, he would write that down.


::Kanako brushed back a thread of her silky black hair, bashfully peeking at the young man now helping her father. The hot summer sun beat down upon her. Yes, that was the only reason she was feeling like this. The only reason why her cheeks felt so hot and not the way his golden skin rippled- or the strong muscles in his back flexing with each swing of his arm as he hammered another nail into the boards. It was a hot day. She could feel the beads of perspiration along her neck, sliding between her breasts in an attempt to cool her heated flesh.::


Just then, a pair of girls walked past the makeshift construction site. They had to have been 13 or 14 at most, and like most teenage girls they were obvious in their stares and giggles. A young blonde pointed at Naruto to her teenage friend and whispered something urgently. Her brunette friend tried to look not too obviously, failed and continued the mad whispers. This continued for all of 3 minutes while they slowed their gait to perhaps enjoy the view a bit longer. And when they had passed, a chorus of giggles erupted.

Curiously, Naruto seemed not to notice. He remained intent on his work, making sure he didn’t hammer a thumb or stick a nail in the wrong spot. He really loved his Ichiraku ramen which showed in the devotion he was giving to this impromptu project of his.

Jiraiya considered both girls for only a second before he immediately out ruled them as too young and went back to considering “Kanako”. There was nothing more exciting to a girl than first lust, er, love.

He could see this going somewhere…

Over the course of the hour, he noted that there were increasingly more and more women walking past. The men ignored the work of course except to perhaps greet the ramen shop owner, but interesting enough, the same teenage girls came by again with a few new friends in tow. With the way they were carrying on, you would think they had never seen a topless man before. Sheesh. Still, the range of responses was interesting. The young giggled as if someone had just said a bad word, the mature women glanced shyly or appreciatively while the older women sighed as if they were remembering something long past.

Jiraiya was genuinely amused.

And then he came along. The general stick in the mud, Uchiha Sasuke. Jiraiya first contemplated getting him to join the scheme as well, certain that he would attract a fair number of ladies even with his shirt on, but he took one look at Naruto and then paused.

That was not what Jiraiya expected. Uchiha seemed to be considering Naruto, though whether he was lustfully pining for his teammate or sizing him up, Jiraiya couldn’t tell. Not that it would surprise him if Sasuke was unappreciative of women entirely. He did study under Orochimaru and Jiraiya was pretty sure about which side of the fence Orochimaru had been spying on.

But just as all Uchiha’s were prone to do, this one decided to stop all the fun.

“Dobe, what are you doing?”

Naruto glanced up from his work and noted Sasuke’s presence. “You’re the one with the sharingan. What does it look like?”

“We were supposed to meet half an hour ago.”

“Yeah well, someone else needed my help, so that’s what I’m doing. We can train as soon as I’m done.”

“I don’t like waiting.” What was he, five? Jiraiya thought to himself.

“Uchiha-kun,” he called attention to himself. “Go easy on Naruto. He’s doing a favor for a friend. I offered training secrets in return so you see, I’m to blame.” Jiraiya gave a big smile. Uchiha gave him an undeservedly cold glare and quietly walked away.

Naruto dropped his tools and darted away from the stall to yell at him. “Oi! I said we could train when I’m done!”

Uchiha didn’t respond.

Naruto cursed and looked much angrier than Jiraiya thought the situation warranted. He got up from his perch and walked over to pat Naruto on the shoulder.

“Just a bit of advice- don’t take Uchiha so seriously. That kid has a bigger stick up his ass than a hung over Tsunade. Sheesh, he needs to learn how to relax.”

The hour was almost up and the work was mostly done, but he was sure there were always a few more ladies that could possibly walk by. Glancing around and seeing a particularly fine pair, he smiled lasciviously. He thumped Naruto on the back before steering him back to the yatai.

“Now back to work!”


"What looks like a loss may be the very event which is subsequently responsible for helping to produce the major achievement of your life."
~Srully Blotnick

~*~Battle 12:~*~
Shikamaru

The day before departure

Shikamaru had become very good at masking his presence. So good in fact, that Uchiha himself hadn’t seemed to notice. Though in defense, the Nara family was the master at shadows.

He had been watching them for some time, perched upon a branch comfortably. They were practicing again, trying to work on that damned jutsu again even though Tsunade warned Naruto. Shikamaru only knew about it because she was ranting around the office for days on boys and their stupid rivalries.

It looked like they were just about finished, which was good, because Naruto had a mission tomorrow and Shikamaru was the one given the delightful task of being his messenger for the evening. It didn’t help that it was dark and well past his dinner time. Naruto himself seemed a little worse for wear and was currently spread out on the floor, panting from the exertion of their earlier skirmishes. He must have been spent for the day. He attempted to sit up, but quickly gave up and sank back into the grass.

Sasuke stood over him, glaring down at him. “We’re almost there. One more time. I’ve nearly got it.”

Naruto groaned and covered his eyes. “I’m beat. Let’s try again later.”

“You have a mission tomorrow.” Shikamaru noted the slight emphasis on “you”. So Sasuke was sore about being excluded after all. “I want to finish it now.” His leg nudged Naruto, prompting him to move. “Get up.”

“Teme! I said I was tired!” Naruto shot up at the waist and glared at Sasuke. “My hand is nearly shot! Once more and it may go numb for days!”

The forest was particularly quiet. He managed to hear Sasuke snort in derision.

“Fine, but don’t bother coming over tonight.” Naruto promptly responded with a curse. Shikamaru watched in interest. His predictions hadn’t been too far off. He knew Uchiha was lousy with personal relationships, he just didn’t realize how bad. Temari would have had his balls if he ever tried that crap with her.

“I’m not a dog you know. You can’t just say good boy, you get a treat tonight or send me to the dog house when I don’t leap at your command.” Shikamaru smirked. That was the Naruto he was used to.

“No, you’re a fox that would rip apart the town if I didn’t hold you in check.”

Shikamaru’s eyes slit in concern. That was a low blow, even for the Uchiha. Everyone knew Naruto was the nine tails by now, but none of his comrades feared him that he knew of. Naruto seemed to be angry as well. He could see the anger bubbling up in him, could note the tension rolling off him in waves as he slowly pulled himself onto his feet.

“Yeah, well you’re not the only one. Or did you forget that this little problem started long before I dragged your ass back here? Act superior if you want, but the truth is, *you* need *me*. You’re just too much of a prick to admit it.”

Sasuke glared at him. Shikamaru could feel the murderous intent rising from him. He was pissed.

“I don’t need anyone.”

Naruto met him stare for stare while barking out his laughter. “Of course not mister lone avenger. That’s why you ran away ready to blow Orochimaru for power, and why you let me help you take down the Akatsuki. Hell, I bet you even have a list of guys to take my place keeping your bed warm until you’re ready to risk knocking up a girl. Not quite ready to spawn the next Uchiha line, are you?”

Shikamaru nearly leaped from his position when Sasuke’s hand suddenly went around Naruto’s neck. His eyes bled red before he calmed and relaxed his grip.

“Go ahead. Choke me,” Naruto managed to spit out. “But you’ll never find anyone in this village whose wind chakra can match mine.”

Sasuke dropped him, and Naruto fell to the floor sputtering and gasping for breath. Sasuke walked away from the training grounds.

“We try again after your next mission.”

Naruto rubbed at his throat. He lowered his eyes to the floor and slammed his fist into the ground.

“Chikusho!” He flopped onto his back and covered his eyes. Shikamaru was afraid he’d start crying. Even at this age, Naruto was still prone to show his emotions. Fortunately he didn’t start crying; Shikamaru discovered a moment later when Naruto uncovered his eyes and stared up at the sky. He gave the other shinobi a moment, allowing him to calm himself before choosing to reveal his presence.

He took a moment to pause and look at the stars. The nights were getting warmer, the rainy season would soon approach, but tonight was clear and the stars were beautiful. He enjoyed it for all of perhaps a minute before impatience won through and with a sigh he hopped down from his tree. He let a few leaves crunch underfoot to alert Naruto of his presence. Naruto startled at first, but quickly relaxed and maintained his position.

Shikamaru stopped a few feet away from the stationary boy. Naruto stubbornly ignored him, probably too embarrassed to uncover his face.

“For what it’s worth,” Shikamaru began, “I don’t think Ino holds any grudges against you anymore.” Naruto chuckled, but it sounded harsh against his ears. “She seems pretty content trying to molest your other emotionally constipated teammate.”

Naruto’s head popped up. “Sai? Are you kidding me?”

“You gotta admit, he and Uchiha are pretty similar. Though personally, I think Ino got the better deal.”

Shikamaru gazed in the direction Uchiha had left.

“Anyways, I’m not here to say I told you so, or to feel sorry for you and make you feel better. I’m here on business.”

Naruto nodded, pulling himself back onto his feet and dusted himself off.

Shikamaru removed the sealed scroll from his chuunin vest and handed it to Naruto. The other boy stared at it, not moving to open it or to even put it away. He knew what it was and it had come at a rather bad time.

“These are the final details. It contains a list of all the members to be present at the conference. I believe Tsunade-sama also added her own personal note.” Naruto nodded solemnly.

Shikamaru tilted his head a bit, realized Naruto’s thoughts were still elsewhere and punched his shoulder.

An angry look of surprise rippled across his features in response.

“This is a big mission. Hokage-sama is counting on you, so don’t blow it.”

Naruto nodded. His face hardened into the familiar lines of determination and the subdued look in his blue eyes twinkled with new resolve. “Got it.”

Shikamaru smiled. “Good. You will meet Sakura and Shizune at the gate tomorrow morning. Check the scroll for any additional necessary supplies.”

“Sai isn’t going?” Shikamaru pointed at the scroll, encouraging him to read it.

“I’m just the delivery boy. I can’t explain everything to you.” He tucked his hands into his pockets, gave a slight nod of the head and turned to leave. “Have fun.”

He got about five feet away when Naruto yelled at him to stop. Turning back around he noted that Naruto still had the unopened scroll gripped tightly in one hand.

“You’re not gonna tell anyone, are you? About what you saw?”

Shikamaru sniggered. “Do I look like a gossip?”

Naruto chose not to answer that. “Just don’t tell Sakura… or Temari.” He seemed surprisingly more concerned about the latter. Shikamaru immediately pondered why when his mind quickly filled in the answer. She was Gaara’s sister. Naruto was afraid of Gaara finding out.

“Then I suggest you tell the Kazekage about it yourself, before he hears it through the grapevine.”

He had no intention of spreading rumors. He really wasn’t the type for gossip. But he had a feeling that Naruto needed to confront some fears. Especially if he was going to successfully work with the Kazekage on this mission.

His comment provoked a rather startled look. Naruto was struggling with something. It was then that it suddenly dawned on Shikamaru that Naruto was feeling a sense of shame. He was floored for a moment, not quite accustomed to that response from Konoha’s loudest and perhaps most honest ninja. For months now, everyone had foolishly believed that he was being duped by Sasuke. Weren’t they the ones in for the surprise.

“But what will he think of me now?” Naruto looked up at Shikamaru, startled. “That’s what you’re thinking, right?” Naruto, shame faced, looked at the scroll in his hand and nodded. “Then you should remember that you’re also his closest friend. You, more than anyone, know how to answer that question best.”

Shikamaru removed one hand from his pocket and gave a casual salute. “Good night, Naruto.”


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A/N: I hope this chapter wasn't as angsty as most. :) Please R&R