He'd also gotten her feelings about him when that revelation had slammed into him. Disdain, annoyance, and generally nothing positive.
All of which had pushed Naruto into an unusual mood.
"So," said Naruto, mostly to himself, "Sakura really likes Sasuke. Does Sasuke really like Sakura?"
"No. At this point in time, he doesn't care much for her at all. He doesn't care for much of anyone at all."
Naruto closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "Is there nobody who likes ME?"
"There is one," admitted the dragon. "However, there are potentially a lot more."
"Oh, who?" asked Naruto, looking up.
Images flicked across the surface of the cavern, most were of girls his age - a few were older and at least a couple of them were younger.
"Who are all these?" asked Naruto. "Some of 'em look kinda familiar. Others... not."
"They are all girls who could be in a relationship with you, if things went a little different in your life. At your current age, admittedly, 'relationship' means friendly and you really wouldn't expect anything more advanced than holding hands."
"Oh, you mean like kissing and stuff," said Naruto, shrugging a little. "So, like... that one. What's she like?"
"Like this."
"Naruto!"
"It's dangerous here! Run!"
"No way," said the girl, jumping next to him and then turning her back towards him. "Back to back. We can defend from all directions that way."
"Where was that?" asked Naruto.
"The Forest of Death, three months from now, during the Chunin Exams," said the dragon.
"I didn't recognize that girl," noted Naruto.
"She doesn't exist in this universe at the moment," said the dragon. "You rescue her, and despite being an Artificial Lifeform - she gets to like you."
"I don't understand that," said Naruto. "What about someone who DOES 'exist in this universe'?"
The dragon didn't reply, in words at least, this time.
It was the same cleared area in the same forest.
"Naruto! Back to back!"
"Where's the rest of your team?"
"Gone! We were attacked by some nin from Hidden Rain," the girl said, drawing her sword and settling into a stance. "I don't know if they are dead or fled though. There was an explosion and I was knocked out. When I came to, I was alone. You?"
"Monster wind blew me away, giant snake swallowed me, I think my team is nearby though," admitted Naruto. "Know anything about who's doing this?"
"Not really... Here they come! Sword Art Special Defense! Damascus Wall!"
"I don't recognize her, and what was with that forehead protector?"
"She's from Waterfall, not Konoha."
"Waitaminute! I'm friends with an enemy?!" asked Naruto.
"You're ninja. It happens. Romances between villages often end tragically, but not always."
"You can't just make people fall in love!" declared Naruto, thinking that was kinda icky.
"Kid, I could make Orochimaru fall in love with you. However, that would also likely end tragically. That wasn't a love spell either."
"How could I end up with a foreign nin?" asked Naruto.
"Without your assistance, she dies in two months. Because you save her life, she looks at you a bit closer. She sees the you beneath the surface you show to the world."
"How about someone I actually know?" asked Naruto.
"Somewhat trickier," said the dragon. "Unless I manipulate things a bit here and then."
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(Posted Sat, 11 Aug 2012 17:50)
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