askerian: Serious Karkat in a red long-sleeved shirt (naruto_TAKE MEEEE)
askerian ([personal profile] askerian) wrote2008-09-12 04:49 am

BACK BACK YESSS -- also teamwork tidbit.

The internet company told us it would take two weeks to transfer the line, right? That would have worked better if they'd actually DONE THEIR JOB RIGHT. Two weeks and two days, I call, and "oh oops, the other guy didn't finish the transaction, our deepest apologies. well um another week? :DDD"

aaaaaah I don't want your apologies I WANT INTERNET.

Buw now I have internet back, and all is good. My back still twinges, but I don't care. Internet. Yes.


I've added stuff here and there to a ton of fics while I was offline, but I couldn't concentrate long enough to actually finish anything. *sucks and loses* .__. But anyway, here's a Teamwork snippet and a FF7 Restore snippet. The Restore one might be edited to fit, since it's in the middle of the actual chapter, and the Teamwork one seems to miss some description especially toward the end, but i'll fix that later.

Anyway. >.>

For previous chapters, either click the Teamwork : main fic tag and scroll down, or go to ffnet. ;p



"Huh. There's a lot of foxes on this island."

Naruto wrinkled his nose; the pungent scent was unmistakable. And then he dodged hurriedly as a blade-tipped staff whizzed over his head, taking off an inch of blond hair.

Sasuke frowned and glanced at Naruto's stomach, both hands closed over his own adversary's fists. The girl spat some kind of poison at his face and he dropped low to the ground and kicked up, catching her under the chin and sending her flying back. "What kind of foxes?"

"How should I know? They all smell the same to me." Rolling to the side, Naruto crouched and plucked a tuft of orange-red fur from a bush. "Low to the ground, so... Normal kind? Normal-sized at least."

"Hey, you mind paying attention to the fight?" his opponent complained, a hand on his hip. "What are you, an amateur zoologist?"

"Oops, sorry."

"I'll make you sorry!" The boy stood back, staff ready. "Beehive storm!"

"What kind of name is -- whoa!" Naruto stepped back hurriedly as the pointy end of the spear came at him -- ten, twenty times, so fast it looked like a barrage of stingers to the eye.

"Why d'you care about foxes anyway?" his adversary asked as he stabbed away. Naruto snorted.

"Eh, no reason. I know it's -- not the kind of place you find elephants -- but I woulda -- expected -- weirder stuff -- I dunno, more killer wasps, or -- cat-sized fire-lizards or something." Phew, so much dodging, he was getting a workout. Nice.

"We saw a giant, meat-eating armadillo, that count?" the boy with the spear asked as he tried to skewer Naruto again, though a little slower.

Twisting aside, Naruto deflected the blade with his kunai and grinned at his adversary. "Nice! Armadillos look weird on their own already. Did it have fangs? Horns?"

They grunted in effort as they attacked each other again. This time Naruto knew how to stop the flow. He kicked the blade down to the ground -- it nicked his shin, and a few drops of blood flew -- and stepped on it; then whirling on his toes, he brought his other foot down on the shaft, heel first. Wood splintered.

His opponent pulled the broken shaft free, unbalancing Naruto, who wobbled just enough that the first counterattack scythed over his head by pure blind luck. Naruto flailed and rolled to dodge the follow-up.

"Naruto, I know you're having fun but could you hurry up?" Sakura complained from where she stood, by a low, twisted tree just sturdy enough to tie her own opponent to the trunk. The boy sulked for all he was worth, his cheek a bright, swollen red where she'd backhanded him. From the corner of his eye, Naruto saw Sasuke dump the KOed girl across her teammate's legs.

"Aw geeze, okay, okay!" He shaped a hand seal, eyes narrowed. "Behold! My most terrible technique!"

The boy braced himself, expression fierce and a little alarmed.

"Sexy no jutsu!"

Poof.

It was cruel, cruel, cruel, to throw a naked babe at a thirteen-year-old.

It was even more cruel from the part of the thirteen-year-old not to even have working hormones yet. Well, not enough. "D-don't joke with me! Beehive storm!"

He stabbed at Naruto, still woman-shaped. Naruto eeped cutely and fell on his tush.

"Got you! URAA!"

The broken spear plunged.

Naruko's long, shapely, bare leg flew up. Her delicate little foot planted itself right between her opponent's wide, shocked eyes and sent him flying head over heels.

Naruto dissipated the jutsu and jumped back on his feet. The boy was sprawled on his back, and didn't try to get up again. He turned around to check on his teammates, feeling his shoulder where the broken tip of the spear had torn his shirt.

Sasuke and Sakura were staring at him like they were thinking of finishing the job. Naruto rubbed his neck and grinned. "What? My legs have more reach like that."

"... True blonde..." the boy whispered.

His friend who was currently tied up glared at Naruto, all the contempt in the world in his pointy little face. "That's your ultimate technique?"

Naruto huffed and leaned over his dizzy opponent to tie him up and search his pockets. "Hey! I beat a Hokage with that, I'll have you know. ... Aw, no token."

"Me neither," Sakura said, as she finished searching Sasuke's adversary. The girl was still unconscious; Sakura tested her heartbeat and pupils as Naruto dragged the third guy to sit with his teammates.

The ropes weren't that tight; they'll get free soon enough. Naruto sniffed the wind, and started to follow Sasuke, Sakura at his side.

"Hey, what about Ramenko?"

"... No."

"Misoko?"

"No."

"Sobako?"

"Damn it, you ate two hours ago. You're not naming our potential daughter after food because you couldn't be bothered to buy snacks when you still could."

Still bickering, they walked away from the beaten trio, in search of a team to steal those elusive last tokens from.



Next


+



Sephiroth was awake. He sat on the edge of his mattress, long legs crossed loosely, one foot extended just enough to pop the barrier like a soap bubble; he didn't seem to have moved since.

Cloud came to a stop just beside the chest of drawers and watched him. Sephiroth had been awake. He could have left. He hadn't. Instead he'd warned Cloud by breaking the barrier and waited.

And now he looked up at the skylight with a neutral expression that didn't, to Cloud's eyes, manage to hide his wistfulness. Outside a couple of stars melted away into the first blush of dawn.

"You'll have a better view if you get up," Cloud said quietly, and couldn't even to himself tell why.

Sephiroth looked at him then, surprise lurking in his strangely solemn eyes. Cloud wanted to cross his arms defensively, but it might have broken ... he didn't know. So he stood, quiet and solemn too.

Then Sephiroth slowly unfolded his legs and climbed to his feet, and made his way through the clutter. He didn't try to open the window any wider. He didn't look at Edge or the ruins of Midgar -- just at the sky.

Cloud wondered if Sephiroth had come awake with the thought that it was time to die.

"It's early for a phone call."

Cloud frowned a little. "That's what woke you up?"

"Yes." A hint of humor sparked in his green eyes and went into hiding again. Cloud arched an eyebrow, prompting him, and while Sephiroth still didn't look directly at him, he did keep talking. "That ring tone sounds like President Shinra's personal line. Combined with the hour of the day..."

Heh. "Afraid of another callgirl emergency?"

It was only when Sephiroth turned to meet his eyes that Cloud realized he shouldn't have known about the time a prostitute left with the content of Shinra Senior's personal safe. Shouldn't have remembered Seph's execrable mood when he stalked down to the mess hall and growled in clipped words why he'd spent half the day at Don Corneo's and the rest combing the slums for a whore he hadn't even found in the end, and good riddance to her; that would teach Shinra to call the police next time instead of an army general.

Shouldn't even have understood, from so many silences, that the little ups and downs of Sephiroth's ordinary Shinra days were even still remembered, after he'd tried to become a god and everything that ensued.

Sephiroth's eyes narrowed, staring at Cloud as if trying to guess how much he knew and how. But if there was a list of things Cloud didn't want to discuss with him, that unexplainable moment of understanding was probably close to the top.

"Phone call was from Wutai," he said, not even knowing why he bothered to tell him except he needed a distraction. "Lord Godo Kisaragi just died."

Sephiroth arched an eyebrow. "Assassinated?"

Cloud blinked. "Not to my knowledge." But now the possibility was a little more present in his head. There were poisons that could make it look natural -- especially in Wutai.

Sephiroth's thoughts had followed a different path. "It seems an internal matter. Why were you called?"

Cloud arched an eyebrow. Sephiroth had seen Yuffie a couple of times -- but then again he probably hadn't really made the link, or cared to remember. "Yuffie Kisaragi was part of Avalanche."

"Ah. I see." By his faintly puzzled frown it was obvious he couldn't place her, though.

"Scrawny brunette with a boomerang. She whacked you a couple of times."

The frown didn't change. "... If you say so."

[identity profile] uminohikari.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
*giggles* Sobako is an amazing name

[identity profile] gypsy-sonata.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 04:20 am (UTC)(link)
*comes outta lurking*

YOU'RE BACK! YEAH! and you brought goodies as well!

*goes back into lurking*
ext_2686: (Default)

[identity profile] stripedpetunia.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
By the time I reached "Behold!" I was giggling, so after that it was straight-up laughter. Fluffy and hilarious.
edenfalling: stylized black-and-white line art of a sunset over water (Default)

[personal profile] edenfalling 2008-09-12 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
Welcome back!

Naruto is insane. I'm with Sakura and Sasuke -- I'd be thinking about finishing the job myself. :-)

Also, nice bit with the memories in the FF7 snippet. It's interesting to wonder why Cloud and Sephiroth remember certain things and not others. How much is voluntary -- ie, they hung onto certain things like grim death -- and how much is random chance?

[identity profile] lurker-lost.livejournal.com 2008-10-01 10:47 am (UTC)(link)
Dude, I love your rambles almost as much as I love your fic =D

...btw, would you happen to tell me the easiest way to get into the ff7 fandom? I don't will never have access to the game. =S

I've seen Advent Children, but that just confused the hell out of me. =/
I've been surfing on Wikipedia, but that's about it.

How did you get into the fandom? I really, really want to read this fic (and fic by a number of other awesome ppl), but I can't appreciate it unless I know the fandom. =/

....Also: NARUTO!!!!!!<3<3<3 *SQUEEE*

[identity profile] lurker-lost.livejournal.com 2008-10-01 06:19 pm (UTC)(link)
....Video walkthrough?? O___O
HOW DO PEOPLE HAVE THE PATIENCE TO DO THAT???

Omg must watch this. Thank you so much! I had no idea video walkthroughs even existed, I never thought to look up "Walkthrough" on youtube!!!!


....Is that a part 57?? And each part is a half hour.... *faints*

[identity profile] rurounitriv.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
ROFL! Love how it looked for a second like Naruko was going to get beaten... and then s/he gets him right between the eyes when the usual nosebleed doesn't happen.

[identity profile] rurounitriv.livejournal.com 2008-09-14 04:10 am (UTC)(link)
LOL Well, Naruto has been using that jutsu for years, so it's not like it's anything new to Sasuke. Might be fun to tease Naruto with, though. XD

[identity profile] trishalynn.livejournal.com 2008-09-21 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Me? I chalk it up to more of Kiba's mom's craziness. Use everything at your disposal, right? Body awareness training?

Are my plot bunnies working?

[identity profile] lurker-lost.livejournal.com 2008-10-01 10:49 am (UTC)(link)
XD Totally. He could be like "AAAAHHH MUST CONFUSE SCENT HOW HOW HOW???"
Then *ping*, idea. XDDD

[identity profile] m-a-foxfire.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
Aw. Naruto's a cunning fella, he is.

[identity profile] wanderingscroll.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 06:33 am (UTC)(link)
Welcome Back!

"Aw geeze, okay, okay!" He shaped a hand seal, eyes narrowed. "Behold! My most terrible technique!"

The boy braced himself, expression fierce and a little alarmed.

"Sexy no jutsu!"

Poof.

It was cruel, cruel, cruel, to throw a naked babe at a thirteen-year-old.

It was even more cruel from the part of the thirteen-year-old not to even have working hormones yet. Well, not enough. "D-don't joke with me! Beehive storm!"

He stabbed at Naruto, still woman-shaped. Naruto eeped cutely and fell on his tush.


BEEP. We're sorry, but the person you're trying to reach is not available, as they are currently on the floor laughing their head off, please leave a message and they will get back to you when capable of breathing again.

Asuka, you Rock!

[identity profile] mikkeneko.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
HOORAY INTERNETS. *GLOMS ASUKA*

[identity profile] shini-tenshi.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 11:01 am (UTC)(link)
Callgirls. Shinra was so stupid. It's so funny that Seph can't remember Yuffie (I think she's really memorable).

I love the way Naruto ended his fight. He must have been fighting a repressed 13-year-old though... a naked anything would've been distracting to guys I knew at that age.

[identity profile] bookem-dano.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)

"Ah. I see." By his faintly puzzled frown it was obvious he couldn't place her, though.

"Scrawny brunette with a boomerang. She whacked you a couple of times."

The frown didn't change. "... If you say so."


LOL@Sephiroth, especially the last line.

[identity profile] aubuyn.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 03:50 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm gonna go ahead and quote the same line as well: "Scrawny brunette with a boomerang. She whacked you a couple of times."

The frown didn't change. "... If you say so."


Wahahaha, that seriously cracked me up! And I'm so happy to see a snippet from Restore, but something about the scene just seems off. I mean, even if Cloud has had the entire night to think about the Sephiroth predicament, I feel like he's becoming too, I don't know, not comfortable or relaxed, but...? It just feels too fast, and their conversation too familiar. Sorry that I'm not much help; I'm not very specific, ha.

You should draw a picture of Naruto defeating his opponent. The very mental image is hilarious xDDDDD

[identity profile] armina-skitty.livejournal.com 2008-09-12 04:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Hurray for the interneted Asuka! Hiphip hurray! Hiphip Hurray!

[identity profile] armina-skitty.livejournal.com 2008-09-15 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
*dances in confetti and offers huggles*

[identity profile] tricia1224.livejournal.com 2008-09-13 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
Your BAAAAACCCCCKKKK!!! *Smothers with huggles and hands over plate of cookies* I will get off the floor in a minute. ROFLMAO

YAY

[identity profile] mommyr.livejournal.com 2008-09-13 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
Let me voice join the joyful chorus of "you're back!" :D

Love the Teamwork bit! It works. I can so see it happening, young offended person and all "true blonde" *snerk* XD

and then the baby names? D'awwwwww

[identity profile] bootoye.livejournal.com 2008-09-13 03:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Umm, Sobako doesn't seem too bad LOL

[identity profile] w-inds-no-unmei.livejournal.com 2008-09-13 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I thought the same thing. ^_^

OwowowI'vegotanosebleedfromlaughing

[identity profile] muryx.livejournal.com 2008-09-14 11:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I admit, I kinda like Ramenko myself...

Sasuke: Naruto.
Naruto: Hmm?
Sasuke: You are NOT naming our child after a NOODLE.
Sakura: Not.
Sasuke: NOT.
Naruto: *Chortling* What, teme, are you worried it's gonna be a boy who looks like you, in more ways than onOWWWW!!!

I, personally, myself, found the end nicely fluffed, very rabbit-scut; but if you say it needs work, I greatly look forward to seeing what elegant insanity you produce. You da best! And welcome back!!!!!

(P.S. Can't comment on the Sephiroth one, since I know nothing of the story...Isn't that sad? I thinks it's sad.)

(P.P.S. Is it me, or are there even more cool icons in the responses column than usual? I especially like Mikkeneko's... Must come up with some of my own one of these days...)

Hmmmmmm

[identity profile] muryx.livejournal.com 2008-09-14 11:44 pm (UTC)(link)
You know, rereading my earlier post, I've come to see that it doesn't adequately express the mine-shaft-deep level of my joy at:

1) Seeing you back online, and

2) Reading this fabulous "snippet" (your word, not mine: I would call it something more like, hmm, maybe, "AAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH *wheeze* HAHAHAHAHHUK *keels over*)

So. Suersized, Texas-belly, Dick-Cheney-Arrogance-level GLLLLOOOOOMMMMMP!!!!

There. (Consider that glomp to be in bolded, 250-point font, and you'll get the idea.)

--What's the matter with your back, hun?

[identity profile] jmercedesd.livejournal.com 2008-09-16 12:08 pm (UTC)(link)
ASUKA-DONO!!!!! :D :D :D

Yays! Teamwork! And awkward-yet-fluffy Cloud and Sephiroth interaction!

I'm in the middle of playing Crisis Core right now, so I've seen what not-megalomaniac Seph is like and how he and Zack work and why it would be confusing for Cloud with his Zack-ish memories and very mixed feelings. It's cute, though and hovers on the edge of something peaceful while still being fidgety. I like it. ^_^


The Teamwork scene, of course, is fantastic. We all know, at this point, Team 7 is FAR too advanced to be in much danger from many of the genin teams at the exams. Proven here by the fact that Naruto is playing with his "food". XD Silly boy. Good fight scene, though.

for the Teamwork part

[identity profile] garmiet.livejournal.com 2008-10-03 10:39 pm (UTC)(link)
(I review as I read.)

Nice opening line. ^_^ ____ Lol, they’re just chatting while fighting. This is so funny. ^^ ____ Really like it when his words start breaking while he’s dodging. XD ____ Hah! Love it when Sasuke “dumps the KOed girl.” ♥ ____ Uh-oh. Could it be. . . ? ____ YES IT COULD! Boy, that is cruel. (Though the kid’ll have nice dreams later, so he shouldn’t be too bummed.) ^^;;; ____ O-or not. ____ (*cough*) “Broken spear.” Is there some hidden innuendo in here? >_>; ____ Lol. “Hey! I beat a Hokage with that, I’ll have you know.” ^^

Cute. Very cute. ^^ ♥

[identity profile] sara-the-lazy.livejournal.com 2009-11-21 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
Yay, I'm reading more Teamwork! I love the casualness with which they fight. Naruto's defeating move was entertaining of course. And I liked the food name conversation.