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Naruto's POV (Southern Swamps of Irminsul - Terra)
but I doubt it. These "demons" are no joke."
"Even if they do, Blondie, they won't last long, we should expect them to fall too. The main thing we've gathered from this scouting force is the strength, numbers, and weakness of these "demons." You also managed to save me, and we have a lead on Kiba; this mission is going well." Yuno told the blonde, smiling softly at him and touching his shoulder. "We need to rest for the night. We've done all we can, and now know we can't travel tonight. The others aren't helpless…"
"I know their movements and weaknesses. With your sharing and my new experience, we may be able to cleave a path through them…" Naruto tried.
"You really are just like Sasuke…" Yuno responded, cutting through Naruto's words. The blonde could not stop his eyes from snapping at Yuno. He had never been compared to one Sasuke Uchiha. In fact, while Naruto does not know him well, he seems like the opposite of him. 'She thinks her arrogant, hateful, stick in the mud of a cousin is similar to me?' Naruto thought to himself in disbelief.
Yuno met his silent shock and indignation with a teasing smile. "He gave me the same look when I said it to him too…"
"Probably because he and I have nothing in common!" Naruto snapped.
"Just hear me out," Yuno said with a placating smile, resting her head on his shoulder. "I know the two of you seem to think of each other as competition, but I have always seen the two of you as cut from the same cloth. And by the time he and I finished our convo, he agreed as well."
"Bullshit."
"He did. And it only makes sense; the two of you are the most interesting people I've ever met." Yuno professed. "The two of you are the kind of people who dream of reaching the hardest goals and have the gall to think it possible and the drive to endlessly pursue it. Sasuke and you are the type of people who would face the world if they had to. The two of you are the kind to win, too…"
"I guess…" Naruto said with a shake of his head. He recognized that Yuno was talking the two of them up, grouping compliments to build the idea up. But there was no way someone who came from some infamous Clan who had lost his family was similar to Naruto, who barely had a clan or family in the first place. Naruto had never been the best student; he had worked tooth and nail to get even the easiest of basics down. Through his efforts, he became a Chunin; there is no way some prodigal genius could ever be the same as him. Not when Naruto was certain he had worked harder.
"Think of it like Neji," Yuno continued, seemingly emboldened by Naruto's hesitation. "He also comes from a major clan, is considered a prodigy genius, and is a bit of a dick. The two are similar in many ways, yet you see them as majorly different. But you have befriended Neji, and he treats you as an equal. It can be the same with Sasuke. You merely have to get through to him."
"Maybe, though that was after we beat the shit out of each other. But I still don't see your point. Even if Sasuke and I are similar, what does that have to do with this?" Naruto surrendered.
"Sasuke right now would be pondering the same thing as you. Knowing my troublesome cousin, he likely has been marching around, invading clans, and inspecting each with care to ensure the others aren't there. Planning to leave no stone unturned as to not fail his loved ones. He'll likely be okay, but even if he is, hell he likely is with a clan tonight, but all the same. I imagine the idea of searching through the night despite the danger that could occur. Hopefully, if he's with someone, they think to stop him. The two of you are similar due to your inability to back down. You both are brave and determined, and you have the potential to back up the crazy ambition inside you. You two are the type of people who change the world around them. Two who are heralded as the greatest at whatever they pursue… But much too often, they die all the same, before their time, before their peak, and often, it's an avoidable death. One that mere acceptance or caution would have spared them from… I worry Sasuke's stubborn drive and ambition will lead him to doom, and now I know you might be the same. We should do all we can to help our friends, but we must also care for ourselves. We can't take care of others if we don't take care of ourselves…"
Naruto did not answer; however, as a burst of memories hit him, it seemed the clones had been trapped in a cave by the demons and attempted to fight them off, only for the battle to be interrupted by the arrival of a swarm of giant mosquitoes. It seemed in their rush to escape they had stumbled upon the home of the mosquito clan. The clones had fought tirelessly and exhausted just about every trick he had at both groups. But still, the clones had eventually been overwhelmed. And both torn about and speared through in equal measure. Naruto dropped to one knee as the mentally exhausting and haunting images of his own death momentarily overwhelmed him. He recovered quickly, rising as if there had been nothing wrong.
"That was the last of your clones, wasn't it?" Yuno asked knowingly.
Naruto sighed and began marching back to the play to watch with the Blechumi Clan. Yuno followed him, seeming pleased he had "wisened up." "Yep. Damn creepy demons. Fine, we'll rest, but we must find the others once we wake up. If we look for the wolves, we'll find Kiba, maybe even the rest of them."
"Naruto," Yuno said, her suddenly harsh and blunt tone made the blonde turn to face her. Gone was the often amused or focused look Yuno carried, and in its place was a look that spoke of a determination to speak her mind, one that was driven by desperation. Caught off guard by the sudden shift, Naruto stared back dumbly. "I said all of that for a reason. I don't just worry that Sasuke will die; somehow, I'm sure of it. During the exams, it became clear how to avoid this potential future for him. He needs someone to balance it out, someone he'll consider a true equal, someone to count on when he needs it most."
"Yuno, I wouldn't let the bastard die, and if he needed my help, I'd offer it willingly. I don't know if I would call him my friend, but he's my ally; I'd never turn my back on him. But I still disagree with us being the same. Sasuke seems angry as if he's determined to get back at something or someone. And if I was in his shoes, I'd probably be the same. But I'm not angry about my life; I'm just determined to live a better one and make it so others can have the same," Naruto assured.
"You're not even a little resentful about the recent treatment? Besides more than that, Sasuke is utterly convinced the only thing that will make him happy is redeeming our clan. But I'm certain it won't; I'm terrified one of my best friends will waste the best years of his life pursuing a massive goal. And once he achieves it, he'll realize he's wasted his life… Sasuke needs a friend, not just anyone, but a friend like you, Naruto Uzumaki…" Yuno trailed off, hopefully.
"I'd gladly be his friend, but we seem pretty different. Hell, before the exams, he seemed to downright resent me. I'm not sure we could ever be all that close. Maybe I'm wrong… anyway. I can swear to keep an eye on him. He's a friend of a friend anyway; I won't ignore you asking for help. I swear on my mother I'll watch for him; if he needs help, he'll have it. I'll even try getting closer to the emo, but there is one thing." Naruto answered, his face settling into a slight frown as he matched eyes with Yuno with his own intensity. "As for convincing him to live life and not only pursue his dreams… well, for some people, that's all they really have." Naruto finished his reply and walked silently on.
'That's more than I could hope for. Thank you, Naruto; you are one of the most interesting people I know.' Yuno replied mentally as she followed.
However, Naruto could admit to being stunned himself; he had never seen Yuno smile so brightly!