Naruto: The Beast Within

Raimu's feet barely touch the ground as he moves, his blanket fluttering behind him like a flag in the wind. He takes a sharp turn, weaving through the busy hallway, dodging students left and right.

Takuma is right behind him, relentless in his pursuit.

The students, now fully invested in the chase, follow after them, laughing and cheering, their voices bouncing off the academy walls.

"Left! He went left!" someone shouts.

Takuma skids around the corner, eyes locked onto Raimu's retreating figure. He's fast, ridiculously fast for someone who always acts half-asleep. But Takuma refuses to let this end like all the other times.

He grits his teeth and pushes forward.

Raimu, still gripping his dessert tightly, slides down a short flight of stairs, barely keeping his balance. He catches himself with one hand, then immediately propels forward again, his golden eyes sharp and calculating.

He spots an upcoming obstacle—a group of students walking slowly down the hallway.

Raimu makes a split-second decision.

With one swift motion, he tugs his blanket from his shoulder and throws it forward. The fabric spreads out, billowing in the air, catching the attention of the students ahead. Instinctively, they step back, confused by the sudden movement.

Takuma, distracted for just a second by the flying blanket, blinks—

And in that moment, Raimu vanishes.

Takuma skids to a stop.

"Where did he—?"

A flash of movement behind him.

Takuma turns just in time to see Raimu reappear from behind the group, his blanket now back over his shoulder, a small smirk on his lips.

"You—!" Takuma growls.

Raimu simply gives him a lazy wave before darting off again.

Takuma clenches his fists and takes off after him.

The chase continues, weaving through classrooms, dodging stray kunai training dummies, and even jumping over a row of desks hastily left outside one of the rooms.

The growing crowd of students follows after them, some laughing, others running just for the fun of it. It's chaos. Absolute chaos.

Then, somewhere in the distance—

A teacher hears it.

Funeno-sensei stands in the hallway, arms crossed, his sharp gaze flicking toward the growing noise. The dull rumble of footsteps turns into full-blown chaos as students come barreling down the hall.

And at the very front of it all—

Raimu.

Followed by Takuma.

Followed by half the school.

Funeno's face twitches.

Raimu is seconds away from the exit—freedom. He can practically taste his dessert already. Just a few more steps and—

A hand grabs his collar.

His body jerks back, feet skidding against the ground.

Takuma, still running at full speed, doesn't even realize what's happening until a second hand snatches the back of his shirt, yanking him upward.

Both of them are lifted into the air.

The hallway falls into stunned silence.

Raimu blinks.

Takuma blinks.

The entire school blinks.

Standing before them, his grip firm, his expression dark, is Funeno-sensei.

A tall, intimidating man, his patience worn thin by the sight of dozens of students running wild through the academy like feral animals. His sharp eyes sweep over the gathered crowd, silencing them with just a look.

The students begin to slow, nervous now. The fun is over.

A heavy silence settles over the hallway.

Then—

Plop.

The sound is soft, but in the quiet tension, it might as well be an explosion.

Everyone's gaze drops to the floor.

Raimu's dessert.

The small pastry, once perfect, now lies on the ground, ruined beyond saving.

A tragedy.

A heartbreak.

Raimu stares at it, his golden eyes wide in disbelief.

His fingers twitch, as if, even now, he considers somehow rescuing it. But Funeno's grip on him is firm. He is helpless.

Takuma shifts uncomfortably, feeling a little guilty. Even he wasn't cruel enough to ruin someone's food.

Funeno doesn't care. Without another word, he turns and begins marching down the hall, still holding both boys like a pair of misbehaving kittens.

The students, still frozen in place, watch in horror.

He's taking them to Iruka-sensei.

That can only mean one thing.

They're doomed.

__

The door to the head of the Ninja Academy creaks open.

Iruka-sensei looks up from his desk, his expression already shifting into one of suspicion as Funeno enters, still holding the two boys aloft.

He sets them down unceremoniously.

Raimu, still mentally mourning his dessert, barely reacts. Takuma, still determined but nervous, straightens up slightly.

Funeno sighs, rubbing his temples before turning to Iruka.

"These two," he says, his voice heavy with frustration, "have been causing a disruption. Running through the halls, gathering half the school in a ridiculous chase, and—" he gestures to Raimu, "—causing complete disorder."

Iruka's gaze darkens.

Raimu and Takuma sit up a little straighter.

"You two," Iruka says, voice sharp, "explain."

Raimu exhales, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Well… it all started when Takuma wanted to fight me—"

"You ran away," Takuma interrupts.

"Because I didn't want to fight you."

Takuma crosses his arms. "You always run."

Raimu shrugs. "And you always lose when you do catch me, so…"

Takuma's eye twitches.

Iruka sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Enough."

The two fall silent.

Iruka leans forward, fingers interlocked.

"You both understand why you're in trouble, right?"

Takuma nods, at least somewhat remorseful.

Raimu, however, tilts his head. "I mean, technically, I was just trying to eat…"

Funeno exhales sharply, resisting the urge to rub his temples again.

Iruka narrows his eyes. "And did you?"

A pause.

Raimu looks down, eyes clouding over slightly at the memory of his ruined dessert.

"…No."

Iruka gestures to Funeno. "And whose fault is that?"

Raimu glances at Takuma.

Takuma glares.

"You're not blaming me."

Raimu looks away. "Didn't say anything."

Iruka sighs.

"You're both on clean-up duty. After classes, every day, for a week."

Raimu slumps. Takuma groans.

"And," Iruka continues, eyeing Raimu specifically, "if I ever catch you causing another school-wide disturbance over food, you'll be scrubbing the entire training hall with a toothbrush. Understood?"

Raimu pouts slightly but nods.

Takuma sighs, accepting his fate.

Iruka leans back, exhaling. "Good. Now get out of my office."

Without hesitation, Raimu stands, tossing his blanket back over his shoulder.

As soon as they step into the hall, Takuma glances at him.

"This isn't over."

Raimu gives him a sideways glance, his sleepy golden eyes calm.

"Mm. Maybe next time, don't get distracted by a blanket."

Takuma twitches.