Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ Ｎｉｎｅ
Days passed as y/n started to disappear more and more while the others saw less and less of her.
When they did see her, she was uncharacteristically quiet and there was an almost focused look on her face.
Today, however, she was out looking for Naruto.
He was still training but he he'd been away for a while.
Worried, y/n went to check on him.
She was hopping through the trees rather quickly, checking spots and moving on when she confirmed that her best friend wasn't there.
"Y/n!"
"PFFF—!" y/n missed the next branch completely, startled by the sound of her name being called she dropped from the trees and landed on her butt, "OW!!!"
She sat there, looking tense as she tried to ignore the waves of immense pain flowing through her body.
Y/n opened an eye to glower up at Sasuke as he walked over to her, "What is it? It'd better be important! I hit my tailbone, you idiot!"
"Should've landed on your feet."
"Oh well I'm sorry I wasn't born a cat."
Sasuke rolled his eyes, "Have you managed to find Naruto yet?"
"If I had, I would've brought him along with me." y/n scoffed before easing up a little, "I'm guessing you haven't either. If you find him first, please let him know that I'm really worried."
Sasuke nodded and was preparing to leave, gaze remaining on the oni for another moment. Something here was... a little different.
Y/n had remained quiet but the staring eventually got to her, "What're you starin' at me for, Sasuke?" She pursed her lips and raised a brow, "With all that gazing you're doing, I'd think you'd fallen for me."
Sasuke scowled, "In your dreams."'Her attitude is mostly the same...'
"More like my nightmares." y/n shuddered before smiling, "I'll see you later! Whoever finds Naruto first gets to pimp slap the other!"
Sasuke was off like a rocket, failing to hide how eager he was to smack the obnoxious oni across the face for once. Any other time, she'd laugh and say he hit like a baby or she would just dodge/grab his hand. Any opportunity to get a free hit on y/n wasn't one that Sasuke would usually give up.
What? He found her extremely annoying!
Y/n watched as Sasuke left before a much more serious look settled on her face. She didn't move though, remaining where she was. She had a feeling that something was going to happen soon and she really didn't want to miss out on it.
Time passed before the person y/n was looking for arrived.
She tilted her head a bit, "Huh, you don't have your mask with you. I thought you would've had it on even now. Mm... I guess I was wrong on that one."
The newcomer was the person from a few days before, the one who she couldn't tell if they were male or female. She still didn't know for sure now so she was trying to avoid using any specific pronouns.
What? Even enemies are worthy of respect!
Unless they're truly despicable, then you can 🚚 up their pronouns all you want.
"After all, you're a fake. Aren't you?"
Y/n's voice and eyes were cold as she stared at the older boy who stood across from her, the two of them separated by a small clearing of grass.
The oni's expression was stoic and uncharacteristically serious as she locked eyes with the so called tracker shinobi that herself and her team had encountered the other day.
This was the fake tracker shinobi.
The one who was working with Zabuza.
The person's calm expression didn't change, "Huh. I underestimated you. You're more intelligent than you appear."
Yeah, y/n knew from the voice now. This was a dude.
Y/n placed her hands on her hips, "I'm not dumb, y'know?"
There was a moment of peace before the boy was gone in a flash. Y/n blinked in surprise but turned in time to block his attack with her kunai, the two of them locking eyes as their weapons clashed.
He was using a needle yet was strong enough to still push against y/n's kunai, the only weapon she had since she had left her kanabou at Tazuna's house.
'He's strong.' y/n thought.
He had some strength, she'd give him that.
But he was still human and y/n was still an oni.
To put it simply, in a head on fight without ninjutsu, it would be an unfair battle. It would either result in y/n crippling him on accident, or crippling him on purpose.
Y/n showed temporary restraint, pushing back only a little to give herself the time to put distance back between the two of them once more. She didn't want to be in a fight with this guy.
Now would be the worst possible time.
"Where's Naruto?" she demanded, "I know you've been near him!"
"Naruto?" the fake tracker ninja questioned, "You mean the blond kid who worked himself half to death, right?"
Y/n tensed, "Huh? He did what?"
"I found him laying not too far off. He looked worn out."
The two fell silent, trying to tell if they were gonna fight or not.
It was when y/n relaxed and tucked her kunai away that this strange person allowed himself to at least chill out a little bit.
"So he's alive..." y/n let out a loud, obnoxious sigh of relief, "That's good! I was real worried there for a second!"
The mysterious pretty faced dude deadpanned as y/n laughed to herself boisterously, rubbing the back of her neck as though she were embarrassed.
"Man, no breaking rules then!" y/n exclaimed.
"Rules...?"
"Yep! I have a very strict Talk before you sock rule. Also a, No fighting other ninja when they're in casual clothing rule." y/n explained before turning away, "I'll be on my way now, ahaha!"
As the oni walked away, her laughter died off and that serious look from before returned as her brows furrowed and she began to think deeply.
"I should really just stay inside for the next few days..."
Y/n did eventually find Naruto and Sasuke. Except it took all day. ALL GOSH DARN DAY. By the time she arrived, she found the two of them hanging from a tree branch.
Sasuke was hanging upside down from the branch, using his chakra to keep him on the it while he held onto the lightly swaying Naruto by the foot so he wouldn't fall and hit his head.
"Oh my..." y/n's eyes lit up, "Naruto, you did it!"
Naruto looked to y/n, surrised to see her before grinning with pride.
As Naruto happily began shouting to y/n while Sakura fangirled about Sasuke *who was still keeping Naruto from falling to the ground* y/n couldn't help but glance over her shoulder.
There was nothing there. At least, none that she could see.
She felt it though. And, to be honest...
It scared her.
"Im really sorry, y/n, I didn't know!"
"Haha, it's not your fault. I should have mentioned it."
Y/n smiled warily as she laid in the futon that Tsunami*Tazuna's daughter* had let her sleep in, too weak to even get up.
The woman really hadn't known that y/n was allergic to beans nor had the oni known that there was beans in the breakfast which had been prepared for Team 7.
Y/n was left behind with a resting Naruto while Kakashi, Sasuke and Sakura headed out to the bridge with Tazuna. Kakashi had left Naruto as well to make sure he could get some much needed rest after all that training he did.
Now that y/n was momentarily out of commission due to her allergic reaction, she'd be staying with him.
At one point, she dozed off only to wake up and find Naruto gone. She figured that he'd gone off to join the rest of the team at the bridge after realizing that he'd been left behind.
As y/n was resting, she noticed that kid she'd seen around the house. Tazuna's grandson. He was peeking into the room, staring at y/n with that weird look.
'Emo at such an early age.' y/n thought, "You suck at stealth."
The boy jumped, somehow surprised by the fact that he'd been spotted by the Genin. Rather than hastily retreating, he silently opened the door and awkwardly made his way over to the oni.
"You... you're friends with the blond ninja, right?" Inari questioned.
Y/n gave him a glare, "Best friends, you bozo."
"O-Oh... right."
"So, what would you like to know?"
Inari seemed to fidget and y/n smiled at him, "Don't be nervous, just go on and ask. I do bite but I don't bite little kids who ask me questions."
Before the little boy could reply and finally voice his questions, his Mother called, "Inari! Could you come help me out with something?"
"Hm?" y/n blinked.
"Coming!" Inari shouted back before glancing at y/n, "I'll ask later."
"Nah, I'll come with you." y/n assured him, wincing as she sat up, "I only got a bite in when I realized that there were beans. So, thankfully, I can at least help out a little."
"You really don't have to. You should rest!" Inari told her.
Y/n shrugged, "I'll be fine. I've been sneaking around and doing so much investigating, I haven't actually taken the time to help out around here. Please, let me repay you and your family for your hospitality. I can answer all your questions too."
"Hm... alright then. Lemme help you up."
As Inari was helping y/n up, she heard the sound of a sword as well as falling debris. It was at that moment that she sensed four newcomers. They weren't friendly, y/n knew that already.
The sound of a scream then shattering glass confirmed it.
"Mom!" Inari gasped but y/n grabbed him before he could run to help.
"Don't, you don't know what you're running into!" she warned as she glanced over at her kanabou, 'I don't think I can hold it right now. I'll have to stick to my shuriken and kunai.'
Before either of them could speak again, there was the sound of foots steps as some dude walked up the stairs and appeared in the door way. Then another. The two others were downstairs with Inari's Mother.
...
'Well 💩'