~TimeSkip!~
"Unfortunately" Yamoto said as we all stared down at Sai "I'll have to keep you here with a clone to monitor your actions while we go and search for Sasuke."
Sai stared at the wood that was tightly wrapped around his body and remained silent. Naruto nodded firmly and slammed his fist ino his open palm before turning around walking off.
"Alright!" He exclaimed, that familair determination in his voice "lets go!"
"I wouldn't bother" Sai said quietly as he hung his head "I...I've met Sasuke."
Naruto stopped in his tracks and a harsh breeze flew through the air as sand blew everywhere and my hair thrashed about. Naruto turned around and stared at Sai with wide eyes.
"I told him that Sakura said you considered him like a brother" Sai continued "and that you were risking everything to get him back...but he didn't care. He told me he didn't consider you as anything but a obstacle in his way, and that he only had one brother that he must kill...he...he didn't care about you."
Naruto stared at the ground sadly and didn't reply. I could tell Sai wasn't trying to provoke him or anyting; he was just telling him everything he heard and saw. However, Sai will never understand, no matter how much he sees or hears.
"Why" Sai questioned "why do you risk life and limb for someone like that? Why would you put your own life on the life for someone if no one has ordered you too?"
Naruto contiuned staring at the ground for a minute and didn't answer. Finally, he raised his head and gave Sai a small smile that shocked me.
"Sasuke is my friend" he said simply "he's one of the few people in this world that showed me kindness when the world was trying to beat me down. All my life I always wanted to be better then Sasuke, but now that I'm older, I realized all I wanted was for him to acknowledge me...to say he was proud of me. He and I have a special bond that I don't want to end. I'd do anything to see my friend again and make fun of him...just one more time."
"O-Orochimaru will rip you to shreds" Sai stuttered, his eyes wide in disbelief.
"So what" Naruto sid laughing slightly "I'll fight anyone I have to in order to protect the people I care about. If Orochimaru rips my arms out, I'll kick him to death! If he rips my legs off, I'll bite him to death! If he rips my head off, I'll stare him to death! If he gouges my eyes out, I'll curse him from the grave! No matter what I'll take Sasuke back from Orochimaru! I'll protect Sakura with my life! And I'll stay by Ruka's side until the day I die! BECAUSE THEY'RE MY FRIENDS! I WON'T LET ANY HARM COME TO THEM!"
Sai stared at Naruto in pure shock as Sakura smiled deeply and I smirked. Sheesh...what a baka.
"You're not staying with me 24/7 Uzamaki" I said playfully glaring at him.
"Aw, come on Ruka..."
I giggled slightly and was about to reply when a shuffling sound brought me to my senses. I hurriedly slid my sword out of its sheath and deflected the Kunai that were sailing towards me as I leapt back; Yamoto, Naruto, and Sakura following my example. I looked up just as Kabuto landed in front of Sai and smirked at us; making my blood boil in my chest.
"Seems you've been captured Sai" Kabuto said simply "how unfortunate."
"Don't interfere" Naruto said coldly as the clones he had created on top of the cliff conjured up a Rasengan "get the hell out of here!"
"Come now" Kabuto said adjusting his glasses "is that anyway to address an old friend? I thought we had a strong friendship during the preliminaries...or maybe...was watching Ruka cough up blood to much for you to handle?"
Naruto tightly clenched his teeth together as his clones came running down the cliff. Kabuto smirked and activated that familair blue glow on his hands as he easily sliced the clones down and grabbed Sai. Yamoto began making hand signs and I infused Chakra into my sword as I glanced at Sakura who nodded. Pillars of wood shot out of Yamoto's hands and chased after Kabuto as he dodged them effortlessly. Sakura and I ran up the pillars of wood and towards Kabuto as his eyes widened in surprise.
Sakura and I have only used this technique once...I hope it works...
"Ninja Style" we said in unison as my sword glowed blue and her fist began glowing the same color "Chakra Bomb Jutsu!"
Sakura slammed her fist hard into Kabuto's stomch as I did the same with my sword and a bright light blinded my slightly as the rock Kabuto had been standing in front of exploded into what seemed like thousands of pieces. I removed my sword and looked to see Kabuto had used a clone, and was safely on the ground with Sai; far away from my sword and Sakura's fist.
"My, my" Kabuto said surprised "good thing that didn't hit me ladies...what powerful Chakra you two have!"
I growled angrily and Sakura clenched her teeth. A small wave of pain struck my back and I winced before leaning against Sakura for support. Sakura frowned and helped support my weight as she stared at me with worried eyes.
"I have to get you to Tsunade-sama" she muttered.
I heard a loud splintering sound and looked up to see Kabuto had released Sai from his wooden imprisonment. We all gasped and stared at Sai as he slowly stood up and stared at the ground.
"Rescuing Sasuke is a fools task" Kabuto said smirking "people change greatly over the course of three years and Sasuke is one of them. He doesn't give a damn about you anymore."
Naruto clenched his hands into fist and I saw his eyes water slightly but he held together his angry expression.
"Y-You're wrong Kabuto!" I said angrily as Naruto looked up at me surprised "we'll bring Sasuke back to Konoha if it's the last thing we do!"
Pain spread across my back again and I winced as Sakura discreetly slid her hand on my back so Kabuto wouldn't notice, and began to heal me. However, Kabuto smirked knowingly and stared at me.
"Back still hurting you?" He asked "I'll never understand you Ruka. You had the chance to become Orochimaru's vessel and be strong...but you declined. Then you go as far as to call the one who gave you that scar a friend! Last time I checked, friends aren't suppose to give you scars and leave you in pain."
"SHUT UP...!" I yelled through clenched teeth as the pain increased.
I groaned in pain and dropped to my knees as Sakura gasped and increased the effectiveness of her healing. I saw Naruto hang his head in shame and his figure shook slightly as his unshed tears threatened to spill out.
Naruto...
I heard a loud thud and looked up to see Sai had pinned Kabuto to the ground. We all stared in shock as Kabuto angrily glared at Sai and struggled to get free, but to no avail.
"You're right Kabuto" Sai said calmly "people do change over time. I finally see what these bonds are that Naruto speaks of. When you mentioned Sasuke he was angry, and when you mentioned Ruka he was on the verge of tears. Naruto...has a special bond with Ruka. So, in order to keep that bond firm I will punch you if you speak ill of her again...and...I will...help them get Sasuke back."
Kabuto growled angrily as Naruto stared at Sai in shock and disbelief. Yamoto walked forward and captured Kabuto in one of his Wood Jutsu as Sai let go of him and took a step back. Yamoto made a clone to watch over Kabuto as we all walked over to Sai.
"Is what you said true" Yamoto said firmly.
"Yes" Sai said without hesitation turning towards Naruto "I want to help you get Sasuke back...will you let me?"
Naruto smiled brightly and slammed his fist into his open palm.
"Of course! So let's get going dattebyo!"
"Hai!"
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Me: Hey guys! That's the end of chapter. 22! I hope you enjoyed it!
Naruto: Why is this chapter so long?
Me: I have no idea...sorry...I'll work on that
Ruka: It didn't bother me
Naruto: I hate doing all this running...I WANT TO FIND SASUKE ALREADY!
Me: *Punches him*
Naruto: Owie!
Ruka: Story_of_Fate13 doesn't own Naruto
Me: Later guys!
Naruto: You're so aggressive