Project: Terminator

Summary: Amongst the midst of battles, an enigma's presence changes the courses of history.

Disclaimer: I don't own both Ikkitousen and Naruto.

-X-

"Hey, Yun-chan, why do you always squint your eyes?" A blonde boy, barely five, sat on the swing beside his curious companion. His fishing rod situated comfortably on his shoulder.

"I don't squint, Naruto-san. I only closed them to conserve energy. There isn't any need to open them anyway. A true warrior feels his or her vicinity and make it part of him or her. A true warrior feels the echoes produced by the reverberation of footsteps and determine the enemy's location. A warrior feels the world around him or her and strikes with precision accuracy and at the appropriate timing. One requires not just logic, but instincts to guide them for a smooth victory." The girl said softly as she sat beside her friend, her hands clutching on the steel chains that held her seat in suspension.

Truth be told, Chou'un Shiryuu wasn't sure whether the boy saw her as a friend or not. She only found him a few weeks ago being attacked by mobsters. The fury of righteousness burns within her and she assaulted those bullies, saving the boy in the process. From that day onwards, whenever Chou'un returned to the playground, she would inevitably find the boy greeting her with a cheery smile. Unlike other boys, Naruto wore a silver coloured shirt with the sentence, 'I fish for fish!' imprinted on the fabric in black ink and a casual pair of jeans; he pretty much looked like a street urchin.

"But why do we need to fight? Are battles really that necessary for you, Yun-chan?"

"A warrior cannot seat idly by and debilitate his or her strengths purposely. One must-"

"But I don't want you to get hurt, Yun-chan." Naruto protested, which caused the girl to blush unconsciously. "I believe true victory comes from a benevolent purpose, maybe a slight tweak of wit here and there, but ultimately, if a battle can seek victory without violence, it is the best victory."

"…Really? Is this how you feel? Is this why you don't stand up for yourself, Naruto-san?"

Naruto shook his head. "Nope. I don't mind them beating me up. I'm not a masochist, if you're thinking that way. I just feel that they are too young to understand the notion of violence. I forgive them for their ignorance."

Chou'un couldn't help but giggled lightly at the blonde's dramatic speech. "You speak like a wise, old man, Naruto-san."

"R-Really?" Naruto scratched his head sheepishly, embarrassed by his friend's comment. "I look stupid, don't I? Hehe."

"No, Naruto-san. I find that part of you very attractive. Putting into account of the fact that you're only at my age and yet you speak such profound wisdom, I am impressed." Chou'un smiled benignly and caught a glimpse of the fishing rod resting on the boy's shoulder. She had opted to ask for an inquiry of that equipment and now was her chance. "So, why do you carry that fishing rod with you all the time? Do you like fishing?"

"Why do you carry that sword with you all the time, Yun-can?"

"Because it is my lifetime partner. I live, the sword lives. I die, the sword dies. This is the conduct of foundation all warriors must carry." Chou'un lectured.

"Then you have already answered your question." Naruto stated cryptically.

"What do you mean, Naruto-san?"

"I like fishing." The blonde chuckled impishly, which caused Chou'un to pout uncharacteristically. Naruto found his friend's girlish demeanour rather appealing. She was always smiling while emitting an aura of maturity and potent strength. Chou'un was the type of girl who didn't know how to express their emotions, but Naruto understood the partial reasons. She was an orphan living in a monastery and had spent her time training diligently. Her childhood revolved around growing stronger and besting superior opponents; they termed her a prodigy amongst prodigies.

"Why do you like fishing, Naruto-san?"

"Why do you like training, Yun-chan?"

"It's because I need to become stronger so I can protect those I loved."

"My reason isn't a far cry from yours."

Chou'un arched a perplexed brow. "How would your fishing let you protect those you love?"

"How would violence allow you to protect those you love?"

"It's because… it's because… I… need to become stronger…" The girl stammered, struggling to find her purpose in her regime.

Naruto flicked the girl's forehead comically and Chou'un winced, nursing the sore spot instinctively. "Oww… W-Why do you do that for, Naruto-san?"

"You didn't reply to my question. Until you can find an answer, your questions remain ambiguous." The blonde grinned as he swung his dangling feet, appreciating the orange rays radiating from the sun, which was gradually descending through the horizon.

"So… where do you live, Naruto-san?"

"Hmm? Oh, somewhere far away. Even if I tell you where it is, you won't be able to find it. And if I bring you there, you won't be able to return." Naruto said, but fixated his gaze at the sun.

"I don't understand, Naruto-san."

"This universe is a mystery from the start. You can't understand everything. Appreciate what you have understood now and be pleased about it." The blonde stood up, dusted his pants and flashed a toothy grin at his friend. "I'll meet you here tomorrow, okay, Yun-chan?"

The girl hesitated for a moment, but nodded.

"That's a promise!" Naruto ran and Chou'un watched as the boy disappeared from the crowd.

The girl finally realised something important; she knew nothing about the boy, except his favourite food was ramen and his favourite hobby was fishing. Other than that, Naruto was an embodiment of a puzzle.

-X-

Shiba'i Chuutatsu loved the ocean; its empyreal blue, its soothing breezes and its crashing waves brought serenity to her soul. She only realised in depth of her Magatama and the accursed power it possessed recently. Unhesitatingly, she went to the local library and read about the book called, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It was her instincts that compelled her to do so and she was engrossed in capturing the details of the context. When she finished reading the book, she concluded that she had only two nemeses that would inadvertently obstruct her path.

Sousou Moutoku and Shokatsuryou Koumei would be the ones who would plot her demise.

But the ocean robbed those horrid memories from her. The ocean took away the pain she suffered from her siblings' constant abuses. She had many brother and sisters, no thanks to her parents. No, she didn't know how many parents she had. Her father divorced her mother and had a mistress, and then those events accumulated to incessant chains of mishaps and torments.

Her guitar and the ocean were invaluable to her. She had to work extra hard to buy her precious guitar and for a little girl like her, she was outmatched by those who were older than her. She could only do jobs under harsh conditions and she received a terribly low income as a result. It took her two years to finally be able to buy her first guitar.

However, she hated to be interrupted when she was alone seating on the beach.

There was this boy who had invaded her sanctuary.

The beach didn't belong to her, but she was sure nobody came to that segment of the place.

After all, she never accepted miscalculations lightly.

It was unnerving and it tended to harm egos.

Gritting her teeth in frustration, Shiba'i walked, in an unstable gait, towards the blonde boy, who was seating at the edge of the harbour with a fishing rod in hand. "Hey, why are you fishing out here? Those ocean fishes don't swim to swallow places like here."

The boy didn't respond and it only caused to aggravate Shiba'i.

If there was one thing the girl hated the most, it was to be ignored.

"Are you listening to me?"

"Shhh…" The blonde placed a finger on his lips and frowned. "You'll scare off the fishes."

"Idiot! There are no fishes here!" The girl noticed that there was no hook on the fishing rod. What kind of idiot fished without a hook or a bait? "You must be a troubled child."

"You make lovely music."

Shiba'i was taken aback by the compliment and was flustered. "H-Have you been listening?"

"I was only attracted by your music. I'm sure your music will lead the fishes to me."

"You're flattering me." The girl sat beside the boy and secured her guitar beside her; she was overprotective of her possessions, especially her guitar. "It's kinda dark here now. Why don't you go home?"

"It's getting darker now, why aren't you going home?"

"Hey! Don't reply my question with a similar question." Shiba'i fumed indignantly.

"I assure you I'm not. You ask me why I'm not going home, but why are you not going home?"

Shiba'i averted her eyes. "I don't have a home."

"Do you mean you don't count your house you are currently living in as a home, or are you an orphan with a home?"

"You sure know how to decipher interpretations."

"Your lack of an actual response tells me one thing." The blonde smiled sadly at the girl, as if he was empathising with her. "You are living under those conditions I have mentioned before. Your parents don't care about you and you live in a house where you don't like. You might as well be an orphan. Am I not right?"

"Perceptive. I'm getting scared now. If you're older, I might actually have to hit you with my guitar for being a stalker or a possible paedophile. But if my guitar is broken from that ordeal, I might have to kill you to avenge my precious." Shiba'i whipped her eyes up and down, trying to scrutinise the boy keenly. "You look about the same age as me, but you speak like an old man. I wonder why."

"So I've been told." The boy scratched his wild locks of golden hair slyly. "Do I look weird like that?"

"Yes, very much." The girl smiled warmly. "In a good way though. I'm Shiba'i Chuutatsu."

"That's a very nice name." The boy continued to stare at the ocean impassively, as if waiting for a fish to actually be hooked by a fishing rod with no hooks. Unbelievable. Shiba'i was starting to question the boy's mentality.

"Hmph! You're supposed to tell me your name." Shiba'i pouted.

"Oh? I'm not familiar with such interactions. I'm Naruto." The blonde grinned.

"Hm? You don't have a surname?"

"A name is only a preference for others to call upon with either respect or disdain. Surname doesn't matter much."

"You know, I'm starting to think that you might be an old geezer's incarnation."

The boy only chortled. "Maybe I am."

Naruto spent the rest of his night fishing while leaning his back against Shiba'i's lithe frame, much to her annoyance. The girl spent her night practicing her guitar while chattering with her new enigmatic friend. Somewhat, Shiba'i wanted to know more about the boy.

He was different than many boys she had met.

That's for sure.

-X-

Kanu Unchou was a formidable warrior since the day she could walk. Although she had a loving father, her stepmother was phony and cruel and would vent her anger at her from time to time. She spent most of her day at an abandoned temple located on the outskirt of the town and trained. Yes, training was her hobby, period. She had been mocked by her classmates for being a tomboy, but she just pummelled them to unrecognisable trashes.

She knew about the existence of the Magatama, and though terrified by its ominous strength, she accepted her fate. It eventually led her to find the legendary Blue Dragon Crescent Blade, a pole-arm crafted by excessive amount of jewels, buried on some wasteland located in the middle of nowhere. Whether how she ended up in a middle of nowhere was a mystery.

She was annoyed by one thing though. A blonde boy found her hideout by pure luck. She would try her hardest to ignore the existence of the boy, but his constant whistling and attentive gazes were perturbing. He would seat on a broken bench silently and watched her trained vigorously. Enough was enough; Kanu stormed towards the boy and hoisted his collar, her eyes glowing threateningly. "What is your problem, brat? Can't you see I'm training here?"

"I am truly confused." A mischievous smile curled up his lips. "Are you blind?"

"What?" Kanu was enraged.

"I was watching you the whole time. That means I am indeed seeing you train. Besides, I'm just as old as you. You can't call me a brat." Naruto tried his best to remove those death grips but to no avail could he shake them off. "I'm getting a bit uncomfortable here."

"So am I!"

The blonde blinked. "If you're uncomfortable then why are you holding my collar?"

"I am uncomfortable of you watching me train, shrimp!" Kanu bellowed.

"Oh." Naruto chuckled. "I find you very beautiful when you perform those moves with grace. I'll say you're a natural. There is nothing to be ashamed of that."

Kanu dropped the boy and flushed a deep crimson at the boy's praise. "S-Shut up! Leave me alone!"

"This isn't your property."

"I have a weapon and I'm not afraid to use it on shrimps like you! I will stab you good if you don't leave!" Kanu seized her Blue Dragon Crescent Blade and aimed its tip intimidatingly at the boy's neck. "This is the last warning!"

"If you win a war without arduous battles and pointless violence, you will become the most honourable fighter in a battlefield." Naruto pointed at Kanu's head and smirked. "If you use more of this, you will amount to many things."

"Are you saying I'm stupid?"

"Are you?" Naruto's impish grin only served to irritate Kanu tremendously.

"Y-You… You idiot!" The girl swung that oversized weapon at the boy recklessly; however, Naruto only evaded those strikes effortlessly. "If you relax your hold a bit, pull back a bit more before you swing and shift your momentum into body weight, your attacks will cause more damages."

"I don't need you to teach me!"

(An hour of dodging and battle cries…)

Naruto was seating on the bench, fanning himself with his hand and nibbling on his bun. Kanu, in the other hand, lied on the ground, sweating profusely and utterly defeated. What truly hurt Kanu's pride was the fact that the blonde didn't even retaliate with any strikes from her persistent onslaught; he only ducked clumsily and laughed at her failed attempts of bifurcating him. She was defeated by her lack of stamina. Hell, Naruto was only sweating a bit.

Kanu hated being dominated and she scorned those who dared to even think about that, but Naruto was overpowering her with his shrewd moves. The blonde offered a bun to Kanu but the girl spat at the food. Naruto took back the bun and devoured it, much to Kanu's disgust. He was swallowing her spit! That's gross! "You… why don't… you just… give me… the final blow!"

"Final blow? What final blow?" Naruto scratched his cheeks absently before a proverbial light bulb shined in his mind. "Do you mean this?"

The blonde raised a hand, eclipsing the sun climatically before bringing it down. Kanu thought she was doomed and cursed her stupidity. She didn't want to die! She had many things to do. She was only astounded when she felt a soft hand ruffling her hair. "What conditioner did you use? Your hair is very smooth."

"Y-You…"

Kanu's blush only deepened when Naruto placed her head on his lap and removed the dirt from her face. "You have a nice skin. Dark complexion but very nice indeed."

"P-Pervert!" The girl punched the boy in the face before standing up hastily. "I'm Kanu Unchou! You better remember that name because the next time you hear it, it will be your last!"

Naruto rubbed his bruised nose as tears started to swell in his eyes. Kanu felt guilty punching him and found those whisker marks on his cheeks very adorable, but shoved those ideas away and snarled vehemently. "You're supposed to tell me your name!"

"…I'm Naruto."

"…That's it?"

"Yes."

"You don't have any surnames?"

"No." Naruto glared at Kanu childishly; his nose still hurt.

"Why not?"

"Because I just don't."

"You're lying."

"You never lie in your entire life?"

Kanu narrowed her eyes to vicious slits. "I, Kanu Unchou, never lie! I honour my honours with pride. Lies with only blemish my honours!"

"Deceptions are part of tactics. It always lures naïve people like you to the abyssal pits of death. A human won't be a human if he or she never lies before."

Kanu stuck her tongue out juvenilely at the boy and spun around. "I don't need no tactics to win! And I'm not ordinary human! You better be here tomorrow."

"Why?"

"So I can defeat you, shrimp!" With that, Kanu ran away with her pole-arm. She didn't notice that she was blushing the entire way to home.

-X-

Ryofu Housen grew up in an orphanage and was raised by a cantankerous woman who always called her an attention seeking whore. She had to toughen her own façade to protect herself. She was a prankster in heart and though jovial, she was terrorised by the caretakers who always sexually abused the other orphans. She always ran away from the orphanage in the morning and returned at night; when interrogated, she gave feasible excuses to rid the morbid fascination from the caretaker.

Her latest prank was to implant a beehive into the caretaker's bedroom and be intoxicated by her screams. Yes, she wanted to hear those screams of horror so very much. Ryofu was a sadist, she admitted but who could blame her? She was only bemused when a blonde agreed to help her.

"Are you new in town?" Ryofu asked buoyantly.

"Yes, I met many interesting people here but I haven't met a prankster yet."

"Te-he, I'm honoured. Now, how do we throw that beehive into that bitch's room?"

"Easy! Here!" Naruto raised his fishing rod like it was a trophy and they stared at it in awe.

"You're brilliant!" Ryofu giggled and caught sight of Naruto's whisker marks; she assumed they were birthmarks and were highly amused by them, but didn't declare her opinions to the boy. What were important now were their sinister plan and the beehive!

"I know I'm awesome."

Ryofu studied the rod and cocked a brow. "Where's the hook?"

"I don't have a hook. It hurts when it hooks on me."

"No, silly! If you don't have a hook, how can we hook that beehive up?"

"Why do we need a hook?"

"To hook the beehive!" Ryofu was growing impatient steadily.

"But why a hook?"

"It makes things easily."

"No it doesn't." Naruto folded his arms and shut his eyes haughtily.

"Idiot! We need to find a hook!"

"No! It might hook on me and it hurts!"

"Are you a fisherboy?"

"No, I'm just a boy."

Ryofu rolled her eyes. "Whatever! You fish with a hook, you should have one."

"No I don't. I fish without a hook."

"What? Are you shitting me?" Ryofu was starting to think that the boy might have some loose wires in his head or something. Which idiot in this world fished without a hook? No, that's not the point. "Tell me, how do you intend to get the beehive from there to that bedroom? It's now or never!"

Naruto sighed and conceded. The boy held the fishing rod up high and thrust it forward. The feeble-looking strings sailed through the air before furling over the brunch directly beside the beehive. Ryofu beamed ecstatically and hugged the boy. "Yay! We did it!"

"No, we didn't. I did it. You did nothing." Naruto said with a matter-of-fact tone.

"You're mean!" Ryofu pouted.

"No, I'm just practical. Now…" A wicked grin plastered on Naruto's face and it was infectious; Ryofu had a similar malevolent grin tugging at her lips as well. Applying with slight forces, Naruto managed to break the brunch and threw the beehive into the window. Ryofu giggled and counted. "3…2…1…"

As anticipated, a shriek blared so loud, it had alarmed the entire village.

Naruto and Ryofu were laughing at the rooftops, clutching their stomach from their hysteria. When their laughter subsided, the girl sighed in content. "Thanks for the day."

"No problem." The blonde grinned.

Unexpectedly, Ryofu straddled Naruto's hip and smirked deviously. "I should repay you for the fun you've given me."

"W-What? But that was for my own entertainme- mmgh!" Naruto was silenced by Ryofu's kiss. For what seemed like an eternity of passions had passed, the girl pulled away gently and smirked. "That's my first kiss. You must be responsible for it and marry me when we grow older."

"Huh? That's my first kiss too! You have to take responsibility for stealing my virgin lips!" Naruto protested, completely neglected, or possibly unfazed by Ryofu's impromptu request about marriage. Since Ryofu wasn't even concerned by the blonde's whining, therefore, Naruto used his final tactics. He collapsed to the ground and started crying.

"Since when did boys ask girls to take responsibility for their lewd actions?" Ryofu placed a hand on her hip.

"Since… uh… today! I'm the one here whose being violated, you know?" Naruto continued to weep pathetically, trashing his hands and legs like a lunatic.

Satisfied by Naruto's defeat, Ryofu chortled in victory. "Yes! It is I, Ryofu Housen, who steals your first kiss!"

Reminiscing about the kiss, Ryofu blushed. "Besides, that's my first kiss too."

The girl hid her embarrassment and looked away.

Naruto chuckled. "I'm Naruto."

"… Just Naruto?"

"Just Naruto."

-X-

Ukitsu prided herself as an esteem warrior who had an undying fighting spirit and an unquenched thirst for challenges. If anybody stood before her and demanded for a fight, she would never back down, even if it was for spite. Still, she was a perfectionist and was proud of her undefeatable records. She had heard the speculations involving a girl who seemed to wield a katana proficiently and had appeared in the playground numerously and was at her age. Also, there was another rumour stating that another girl was seen carrying a spear strolling through town aimlessly.

She would find those potential combatants and challenge them to a duel. Now, she needed to train. And to train, she needed to be alone. Her favourite training ground was at the riverbanks of a waterfall. Nature's beauty was unfathomably unquestionable. She loved the sound of the cascading water colliding against the beneath surface, sending scattering ripples in its doings.

However, there was an oddity in her imagination. Nobody fished near a waterfall; at least, Ukitsu had never seen anybody fishing near her training ground.

It was unsettling and Ukitsu didn't like to be unsettled.

The girl puffed her chest with newfound courage and confronted the boy. "Oi, this is my training spot. Shoo! Go away!"

"Really? I don't see your name carved anywhere here. It seems your statement is pretty contradictive, isn't it?"

Ukitsu shook her fist menacingly at the boy. "Don't make me hurt you!"

"I got my fair share of pain. Your punch won't hurt me… much." Umbrage clouding her judgement, the girl launched a fist forward, but to her surprise, the boy shifted slightly and had completely avoided her attack. Without hesitation, Ukitsu unleashed a barrage of punches and soon resorted to random kicks, turning her styles more predictable. Accidentally stumbling onto a wet rock, Ukitsu yelped as she lost her bearing and fell, taking the boy with her to the water as well.

Naruto was startled at the asserted force, pulling him into the lake. Luckily for him, it was shallow and the current was insufficient enough to knock them away. The boy felt an additional force upon his chest and found the girl atop of him, flustered in embarrassment… or anger.

Surveying his predicament, the boy abruptly broke into a series of laughter.

It was contagious. One moment, Ukitsu puffed her cheeks in petty rage, and the next, she accompanied the blonde and guffawed.

"Wow, that was classic." Naruto tilted his head and stared at the magnificent scenario of nature. "I see why you like this place."

Ukitsu sat on the blonde's lap, much to Naruto's chagrin and leaned her body against the boy's. "Yeah, I found this place when I got lost in the woods a few years ago."

"You're using me as a chair, aren't you?" The blonde's brow twitched.

"Yup! Be glad a girl is willing to do this on you."

"No, I'm not glad. You're heavy."

Ukitsu gasped in horror and twisted around in an inhumane speed before delivering a harsh slap across Naruto's face. "How dare you! Never, I mean NEVER, call a lady heavy!"

The blonde deadpanned and rubbed his swollen cheek. "There is absolutely no need to hit me just to get your point across. Damn it, what's with me and violent girls? I always have to meet the feisty ones. This is probably God's sign. A sign of telling me that I have no luck with girls. Is this what you want to do? Answer me, Kami!"

"Shut up. Be glad a girl is willing to slap you and not kick you in the balls."

Naruto sighed and scratched his hair. "Girls are so troublesome. Are we going to stay on the lake all day or what? My underwear is wet."

Ukitsu flushed five different shades of pink and jolted up before skipping towards the shore. The blonde stood up, muttering incoherent matters under his breath and followed the girl. Fortunately, his fishing rod was unharmed or there would be hell to pay! The girl shook herself like some wild animal, spraying water droplets all over her surrounding and Naruto was practically speechless; what's with girls nowadays? Extending a friendly handshake, Ukitsu smirked. "I'm Ukitsu, by the way."

"If I'm not wrong, I'm supposed to say my name, right?"

"Well, duh. That's called being polite."

Naruto stared at Ukitsu's hand and queried. "What are you doing?"

"Offering a handshake!" The girl was doubtful of the boy's social life; he probably had none, what a sad child, not that she had any rights to condescend him in the first place.

"Oh. So what am I supposed to do with a handshake?"

Ukitsu rolled her eyes, snatched Naruto's arm and intertwined their fingers together. "Here, this is what handshake is."

"Oh, very interesting. I'm Naruto. It is not nice to meet you."

Ukitsu shrugged off the blonde's verbal jab and asked curiously. "No surname?"

"No surname." Naruto confirmed.

"Cool." The girl grinned.

"Yeah…"

-X-

Ryuubi Gentoku was a bookworm, and she felt that there was no quandaries being a lover of books. Books were knowledge and they were priceless. Ryuubi despised those who denounced the worthiness of books. Without books, there won't be history. Without books, there won't be information. Books depicted an infinite load of sagacious wisdom written from professionals or historians and Ryuubi was a fan of many genres. The library was her personal sanctuary.

Her mother died during labour and her father was an alcoholic. Staying in the library helped Ryuubi to avoid the domestic violence in her household; she only cleaned the house at midnight when her father was asleep. However, Ryuubi was a frail soul who abhorred violence with a passion; she believed firmly that everything could be solved with diplomatic solutions.

That only meant she was defenceless when it came down to bullies. She was mocked as, 'Nerdy Ryuubi'. Today was no different; those same bullies came again to the library just to toy with her. Although the librarians tried to restrict them from entering the library, that didn't stop them from sneaking in.

"Hey, it's Nerdy Ryuubi."

A boy snatched the girl's book and eyed cynically at the content. "Why are you reading this book? The threat of Global Warming? You actually believe this shit? It's full of crap!"

"Yeah, my dad told me global warming is just a lie to fool idiots like you!" Another boy snickered.

"Well, your dad must be a real idiot not to believe that." An unfamiliar voice intruded. "Like father, like son. If he's an idiot, I guess you're not much a different after all."

"Why you? Who do you think you are?"

"I think I'm a human being… I hope." Naruto's doleful silence coupled with his downcast sights irked the bullies.

Gulping in consternation, the boys shivered at the odd boy's… oddity. Concealing their anxiety with their pretentious glory, the boys sneered. "F-Freaks! The two of you are just freaks! Go die somewhere!"

The bullies left, trying to tame their egotistic attitudes. Naruto chuckled in victory and sat beside a frightened Ryuubi with his fishing rod resting on his shoulder. "Heh, they might think they're tough, but they're all sad, ignorant fools. Don't mind them."

"W-Whoa, you beat them without t-the usage of v-violence… I thought that w-wasn't possible…" Ryuubi sighed depressively.

"Well, I guess I'm good at talking. Bullies are insecure individuals. It is comprehensible when you think it this way; they refute others so they can avoid being refuted. They purposely point out other people's mistakes because they are well aware of theirs, but refused to admit it. I know my strength well and attack those bullies' palpable weakness. Human's psychological complexities can only be understood at a certain level. Still, I believe that a battle win without violence is the sweetest vengeance." Naruto smiled.

"R-Really? Do you t-think that w-way as well? They say my virtues and p-pacifisms will lead to my d-downfall." Ryuubi eyed her book sorrowfully before trying to reform a weak smile. "I'm g-glad somebody understands my beliefs."

"If humans can learn to understand one another, then there won't be war in this world. That's why it is nice to have people persisting in this deplorable world to find true peace." Naruto and Ryuubi shared a light chuckle.

"All this talking and I didn't even introduce myself. I'm Naruto, nice to meet ya."

"I-I'm Ryuubi Gentoku, it is a p-pleasure meeting y-you."

"Ryuubi, huh? Can I call you… Bi-chan?"

Ryuubi blushed at the pet name and nodded promptly. "If y-you wish."

The mysterious boy grinned excitedly and thrust his fishing rod forward; the string attached onto the tip of the rod flew towards a random book and coiled around it. Naruto jerked his hand backwards and the book fell into his hand. Ryuubi was marvelled at Naruto's skills and her eyes shined stars of admirations. "Wow, that's s-so cool! I-I wish I c-can do that. You're amazing, N-Naruto-kun."

"So I've been told." Naruto gave a thumb up shamelessly. "I am amazing. But…"

The blonde unexpectedly leaned forward, invading Ryuubi's personal space as he examined the girl's soft features. "You're very amazing as well, Bi-chan. I mean, look at the stacks of book over here."

Truth to be told, the stacks of books were tantamount to miniature skyscrapers and they could easily tower any adult with ease. Ryuubi blushed at the compliment and giggled. "I love reading. I learn many things from them."

"I know. Without them, the world will perish. Don't you think so, Bi-chan?" Naruto flipped open to the first page of the book and had an avid read.

Ryuubi was glad that she found somebody who could understand her love for books. Perhaps, her life had made a dramatic turnover. It was a good thing nonetheless. Giving her saccharine smile to the blonde, Ryuubi grabbed her book and continued her reading.

She didn't notice her blonde friend was reading Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

-X-

Ryomou Shimei was everything but shy. There were many things she loathed; she hated perverts with a passion, she shunned chauvinists and she detested the whole concept of luck! She was born in a family where her father had died when she was just an infant. Her mother was severely ill and could only stay at home to do dry cleaning for their neighbours in order to earn some income. Ryomou had to venture to the city and find jobs. She was the major provider of the house and she could not afford to become sick.

Even if she was sick, she endured the pain and continued her work. It was the brutality way of life and she knew it well. If she antagonised herself with self-pity due to her poverty, there won't be anybody to pay the bills. Her mother could only earn that much. The world was pragmatic, and she got over it.

Ryomou had her scheduled. In early morning, she would ride her bike and deliver newspaper to the neighbourhood. In the afternoon, she would wash dishes for a local restaurant. At night, she would serve as a waitress for her uncle's café. It was her routine and Ryomou couldn't recall a time where she had ever played in a park like an ordinary kid. This was her childhood.

As usual, she was seating in an alley, located directly behind the restaurant she worked at and was scrubbing the oil from the plates. God, she despised those who wasted food. She had to earn her ass off for a month to actually eat a whole course meal and yet people had the audacity to throw food away like it was nothing? It was unforgivable. She made an oath to never waste food in her life. Engrossed in her own thoughts, Ryomou didn't realise a blonde boy was staring at her.

"Eh, you're daydreaming."

The girl jolted in fright and squeezed her eyes shut, waving her hands fanatically. "No! Boss, I didn't daydream! I swear! Please forgive me!"

She was rewarded with someone's laughter frenzy. Turning her attention to the stranger, Ryomou blushed in a mixture of mortification and humiliation. "W-What's so funny, jerk?"

"N-No! Nothing's funny! You should look at your face! PRICELESS!" The blonde clutched his stomach while pointing an accusing finger at the girl, who was currently fuming with vexation. "You jerk! I'll show you for laughing at me! Take this!"

Ryomou sprayed some soapy water at the boy and it immediately took effect. The blonde blinked dumbly and sat beside the girl quietly, his fishing rod situated beside him. "Now, are you repenting for your stupidity?"

"…" The boy tapped his lips in wonderment.

"W-What?"

"You're very cute." The boy chuckled, grabbed a spare sponge and started scrubbing the dirtied plates.

"W-What are you doing? This is my job! Don't you dare steal it!"

The boy arched a confused brow. "I'm not stealing your job. I'm lessening up your workload. Jeez, you need to take a chill pill."

"But why?"

"I don't know. I just feel like helping. You look like you need some helping anyway. Relax, I don't work here. Judging by the fact that you're quite afraid of your boss, I guess I'll act as your cousin if he asks. He can pay you if he wants, I don't need any money. I only want to help." The blonde stated with a tone of sincerity. Ryomou was dumbfounded; she had never seen a person who would want to help others just because he or she wanted to help. There was always an ulterior motive.

"What do you benefit from helping me?"

"Oh? I never thought about that. Hmm… I guess I benefit from being close with a cute girl like you." The boy continued to scrub the dishes, utterly oblivious of the fact that Ryomou was blushing immensely.

"Fine, b-but don't think I'm gonna share my salary with you."

"You bet." The blonde grinned.

"So, what's your name? Do you have any to start with?" Ryomou smirked playfully.

"Hey, what do you mean by that! I'm not a weirdo!"

"Heh, really? I have met many weirdos, you're the weirdest of all weirdos."

"How rude. Here I am, trying to be nice, and what I get? Mockery. This world is so cruel!" The boy pouted, which caused the girl to giggle at his antics.

"I'm sorry for teasing you. I'm Ryomou Shimei."

"I'm Naruto. I know what you're gonna ask but I have to break this to you; I have no surname. Don't ask, don't tell."

"Indeed, you are a weirdo." Ryomou smiled warmly at Naruto. "But that's a good sign."

-X-

"I see, you have finally returned, Taikobo." A silhouette was seen seating on a throne, shadowed by the darkness.

Naruto had abandoned his former getup and dressed in a black bodysuit, his eyes signified his apathy. "Yes, I have."

"Have you located the fighters?"

The blonde smirked. "Yes. Chou'un Shiryuu, Shiba'i Chuutatsu, Kanu Unchou, Ryofu Housen, Ukitsu, Ryuubi Gentoku and Ryomou Shimei, I have found all of them. It is all according to plan."

"Good, you have done well. Make them trust you. Make them drop their guard. Make them know you love them. Make them fall into the pitiful trap of love. Nurture them. Watch them blossoms to the beautiful maidens they will become and… kill them. End the era of the war and bring peace to this world. Only by killing them will you accomplish great goals. I have resurrected you from the grave and combined the spirit of Taikobo into you. His Magatama is embedded into your sternum and had empowered your former strength by folds. You are undefeatable in the likes of those fighters."

Naruto's subtle grin widened. "I will end all of them and bring true peace to this world."

"Good, now proceed to your training. I have already prepared the necessities for today. I want to see progress in your Light Speed, God's Fists. Do not disappoint me, Naruto. You are, after all, the Terminator that shall cleanse this world from the repugnant souls of the wicked."

-X-

If some of you are Chinese or played Dynasty Warriors before, then you should know that Chou'un Shiryuu is Zhou Yun. Naruto is, in this case, using Chou'un's Chinese name, Zhao Yun, as his way of addressing Chou'un. In her case, it is 'Yun', hence Yun-chan. I'm not so sure about Zhao Yun's 'Yun' but it does sounds like the 'cloud' in Chinese. Cloud in Chinese is also written as 'Yun'. I guess it reminds me of clouds whenever I see Chou'un.

She does resemble cloud's nature. When she is placid, she is beautiful. When she is provoked, she is deadly… and beautiful.

By the way, Naruto is not the Terminator from... the Terminator. It's just a title. .

As for the pairing…

1.) NarutoXHarem – quite possible.
2.) NarutoXKanu
3.) NarutoXRyomou
4.) NarutoXRyofu – most likely
5.) NarutoXChou'un
6.) NarutoXRyuubi – Ryuubi reminds me of Hinata
7.) NarutoXShiba'i
8.) NarutoXUkitsu
9.) NarutoX Your Suggestion

Google Taikobo if you don't know who he is. Or, you can Google 'Taigong Wang' or 'Jiang Ziya'. They're all the same person.

Please review.