Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor am I an affiliate of TV Tokyo.

Rated Mature for Violence, Language and Sexual Situations

Golden Child
by Kraen

Rain Over Konoha

She looked out the paned window and watched as the rain gently glided down the glass. The streets were now dark and blanketed with a haziness brought about by the rumbling storm. She casually observed a man as he hurriedly strolled down the street, using a newspaper as a makeshift umbrella. It was obvious his attempt at keeping dry had failed - his loose jacket now heavy with water; the rest of his clothes clinging uncomfortably about him.

‘Why run in the rain, when you are already wet?’ she thought.

She released a long sigh and let her head rest heavier on the palm of her hand. With her fingers curled about her cheek, she let her pinky softly tickle her lower lip. Her thoughts were drifting, not settling on anything too serious. The last few months had been very hectic for her; what her mind and spirit needed most was rest.

“Care for another?” came a feminine voice.

There was no reply …

“Sakura, do you want another drink?” spoke the voice more forcefully.

“Oh Ino-chan, sorry,” sighed Sakura to the woman across the table. “My mind was elsewhere.”

Her table companion and long time friend snorted, “I hear ya, Sakura-chan,” She held up a small bottle and dangled it playfully between her thumb and middle-finger, “and that’s why we part-take of this ambrosia.”

Sakura grinned and held out her small saké cup for Ino to fill. The blonde-haired woman grinned at her friend’s offering and daintily filled the cup to half. Sakura, leaving her arm outstretched looked to her cup, closed her eyes for a brief moment and then returned her stare to her friend. Taking the hint, Ino returned the bottle and poured the cup to the rim.

“Arigato Ino-chan.”

“My pleasure,” replied Ino.

Before drinking, both girls made eye contact and together they raised their cups in a silent salute.

Huddling under an umbrella the two women did their best to keep dry from the assaulting storm.

“And then, “ laughed Ino. “He attempted to perform a Transformation Technique of Hokage-sama and oh!” she hooted, “Did he look terrible! If Tsunade-sama had been there, she would have put her foot so far up his ass, there’d be brain damage!” at this, both women laughed uncontrollably.

“Reminds me of Naruto-kun!” laughed Sakura. The last statement brought about a great deal more hoots and laughter.

Wiping a joyful tear from her eye, Ino admitted, “You know, I thought I would hate teaching these little rugrats, but they grow on you.”

“Oh, I would imagine,” stated Sakura thoughtfully.

The rest of their stroll was filled with pleasant talk and laughter. After a while, they finally came to Ino’s apartment building.

“Hey,” Ino said seriously. “I know things have been stressful for us all lately. Kami-sama knows we’ve all been working our asses off.” Ino smiled softly, “But don’t let it get to you OK, Sakura-chan?”

Sakura smiled softly, “I know Ino-chan. I’m just a little fried.” Sakura hugged her friend tightly, “Thanks for the night out.”

“Sure! We should do this more often,” laughed Ino.

Sakura turned to leave, “If our livers can handle it!” Her statement was rewarded with more laughter.

As Sakura trudged home through the rain, she noticed a figure moving towards her. She immediately noticed it was the man she had seen earlier from the restaurant, only this time instead of covering his head with the wet newspaper, he was holding it above something he held at his waist. As he drew closer she could see it was a small bouquet of flowers.

‘How beautiful,’ she thought as he walked past.

She stood there for a few moments and watched him fade into the dark, misty curtain of the night-time storm; all the while secretly envying the one those flowers were for.

He shifted in his hidden position and let out a soft sigh. Only a few more hours till his shift was over and he would be able to go home and get some much needed sleep. ‘These 24 hour shifts are murder,’ he thought. But he liked the challenge. It taught him discipline and that was something he valued. Though standing in a tree, during a torrential downpour was trying even his patience.

He turned his head to the left in an attempt to realign the vertebra that had slipped their way loose. He was pleased to hear a rather large crack followed by a bit of relief.

Unfortunately that relief didn’t last long.

“Goddammit Lee!” came an angry voice over his ear piece. “Stop that shit, or I will break your fucking head off.”

Lee gritted his teeth, “Sorry Kiba-san, I forget how loud these microphones are set.” He touched the electronic device around his neck and adjusted it to a better position.

“Lee,” sounded another voice. “The mic. is pressed directly against your larynx, so the slightest sound you voice, we can hear. When you crack your neck, it sounds like a firecracker bursting in our ear.”

“Again, I am very sorry Shikamaru. I will refrain from doing it again.” He could hear a chorus of irritated sighs and someone mumble, “troublesome”. After a few moments, all was quite.

He was about to adjust his footing again when someone sounded over the channel, “This is Kiba. Akamaru and I have picked up an unfamiliar scent in the Northwestern sector. Do we engage?”

Shikamaru’s voice could be heard in reply, “Negative Kiba, do you have visual contact?”

“Negative, we do not ha-,” Kiba’s voice was cut off, followed by a long pause.

“Kiba, repeat. We did not hear your last transmission,” commanded Shikamaru. “Kiba, please respond.”

No reply …

“Squad 3, move to the Northwestern Sector and report on Squad 2.”

“Hai,” could be heard over the channel by five distinctive voices, including Lee. He jumped quietly from his perch in a large tree, crouching low to the ground, being sure to use the shadows for concealment.

He scanned the area.

He was probably the closest to Kiba and Akamarus’ position and would be the first to arrive. The best and safest route quickly played in his mind before he took off.

He moved very fast; faster than most people could comprehend. He dodged between bushes, trees and any shadow large enough to hide him. If anyone was watching, all they would have seen was a blur, followed by a slight breeze swaying the flora. It took only seconds before he reached the Northwestern Sector.

Nothing …

He scanned the area as best as he could with his plain eyesight, being critically limited by the storm. He had gotten use to Neji’s Byakugan ability and secretly wished his rival was here to assist in his search. He scanned the area three times before his eye caught something in the ground. Quickly and quietly he moved to it’s location to get a better look. From a new and safe position he could tell what it was; a kunai.

“This is Lee; I am in the Northwestern Sector. No visual contact on Squad 2,” he looked at the weapon stuck in the ground. “Possible combat.”

“Affirmative Lee,” replied Shikamaru. “All Squads, report to Northwestern Sector. Backup squads, assume assigned posts. House squad, move the Cargo to the safe house and begin lockdown procedures.”

A synchronous “Hai,” could be heard.

Lee was about to move to a new spot for a better survey of the area when something felt wrong, very wrong. Behind him, the tree he had been using for cover quickly grew two arms and attempted to grab him. Fortunately for Lee, his uncanny dodge ability allowed him to escape the tree’s grasp in time.

‘A genjutsu?’ he thought. He quickly put his hands together and formed a seal, “Release!” he shouted.

With the illusion faded, he could see what looked like a camouflaged shinobi standing in front of the tree. At first, Lee didn’t know what to think. The ninja appeared to be wearing a mask, and a dark brown suit with a pattern of green and lighter shades of brown covering it. He didn’t recognize the outfit, and thus didn’t recognize the origins of this enemy. Not wanting to take any unnecessary risks, he readied himself.

Nothing had prepared him for the barrage he just managed to spot headed straight for him, originating from his distant left. Quickly, he back-flipped to dodge four kunai, did a tumble roll through the rain soaked ground to avoid two more and was just about to dodge the last three when he spotted the camouflaged ninja taking the opportunity to attack him with a wakizashi while he was in a prone position.

“Shit!” he cursed as he was just barely able to compensate for avoiding both attacks.

“Lee, have you engaged?” voiced Shikamaru.

“Affirmative! I have engaged,” he stopped for a second to duck another strike from his camoed-assailant; taking water to the eyes. “At least two targets. Ranged and melee.”

“Affirmative, backup is arriving,” stated Shikamaru.

Lee, seeing an opening did a whirling kick to trip the target, but was surprised to see his attacker easily avoid his attack with a simple back-flip. Once the camouflaged ninja got a safe distance, the invader formed a seal and disappeared in a flurry of red rose pedals. Before he was able to release the genjutsu for a second time, from the darkness he caught site of a large spiked-ball and chain headed straight for him. Fortunately, he had seen the weapon soon enough to easily avoid it and allow it to strike the tree behind him.

It took him two seconds to recognize the weapon.

He pulled from his pouch three kunai and threw them in the direction from which the spiked-ball came from. Each kunai soaring at a 30º from each other; with any luck they will hit his intended target if they were spread out. Hoping he had bought some time, he quickly went to release the genjutsu.

“Relea-“ was all he managed to speak before he felt the point of a blade penetrate the right side of his chest from behind. He grunted as the sword was none to gentle with his ribs as it negotiated through his torso. As soon as the weapon found its home, he released the breath he had held. He closed his eyes tightly and furrowed his brows at the pain; the rain creating trails down his face like tears.

“I’m sorry, Lee,” softly whispered Kurenai into his ear.

Please review as this is my first fanfiction. It has been a pleasure to write this story thus far, but a little motivation helps.

Thank you for reading ...