DOWNFALL OF THE LIGHT 2
Chapter 1: Delinquent Chase
Disclaimer: That's it, this thing has ruined my lunch! I possess absolutely nothing from Naruto or Warcraft3, I'm just a big fanatic who loves fiction! Man, this thing is so damn annoying! It's done a terribly good job at pissing me off this time that blasted son of a gun! (Takes out an Assault Rifle and fires at it recklessly to ease rage)
Legend:
"...": Speech
'...': Thoughts
(...): Author's Notes or Scene Change, you will know the difference.
AN: This is OpposingForce report in for orders! Guess what, I'm back with a new Assault Rifle and ready for any action! Well, anime action that is! It's good to see that many people enjoyed my previous fiction. After about 2 months worth of work, it has really paid off. Like I mentioned before, I loved writing Downfall of the Light volume 1, I'm sure that volume 2 would be the same or better! To remind anyone in case you forgot, this second volume is a continuation from the first so no total different plots would be written. However, the way I present it would be different, if it was the same you all might as well read the manga! There will be polls around sooner or later but definitely more than the first book. I would need some 'reinforcements' by some time since I am writing this from absolute scratch. I really can't believe that ideas seem to flow in like a river non-stop. Hey lucky me ne, I get to sit here and continue to write fiction for you guys. Glad to do it though, not like it was a complaint mind you. Anyway, please enjoy the first chapter of my second creation, rating most likely increase later on due to both violence and romance.
Reviewers' Period: No need for one this time around, no one reviewed on the last chapter of Downfall of the Light 2 since this is the first! Those who bothered to review on the final chapter of the last volume, I thank you so much!
More AN: I want to dedicate this volume to Dream Walker! He's been by real backbone in the support and encourage department, not to mention a good friend. Others who have supported me in the past, you have my sincere respect!
(Interlude)
"We better lay low..." ordered a Sound nin who was the leader hiding within the forest with two other of his allies. One of them was injured so they needed the rest.
"Are you sure no one could spot us?" asked his uninjured subordinate cautiously. "If any shinobis find us, we're in deep trouble..."
"Damn it, I'm sick of this hiding shit... I don't remember signing up for this shit, we were supposed to beat those Konoha freaks but what gives? That Orochimaru gave the signal a month early and the attack was so uncoordinated. Damn this, we have to get back to the Sound soon."
"Sorry guys... I'm sorry for slowing you down..." groaned the injured shinobi painfully.
"Hey, it ain't your fault," assured the subordinate in the best of his ability. "Who would've known that silver hair boy to be that powerful..."
"He was the one who messed up this entire operation!" said the leader.
"I ain't here to put up with this shit, those genins were exceptionally tough... this is such bullshit, it's like we were sent on a suicide mission..."
"I don't recall joining in for this shit, this is crazy, this is crap man! This is bullshit, this is really shit!"
"You better keep it down... and stop swearing!" the subordinate advised quietly. The leader only flashed an annoyed glare.
"We better leave soon..." said the wounded ninja weakly.
"No need, it's not like the fact anyone is here... I hope..."
"Guess again." An unfamiliar voice came from above shocking the three Sound nins. Their eyes widened in fear knowing who it was. The mysterious figure gave a dark an amused grin, this would prove to be interesting. The unknown shinobi then flashed a pair of radiating teal eyes, those on the ground twitched and trembled in most horror.
"It's him, that guy with the sword!" shouted the wounded chunnin in alert pointing upward.
"You got that right," said Naruto darkly as another smirk came across his face..
"We'll deal with him," the leader declared as he and the other uninjured shinobi prepared themselves to engage the Death Knight. Naruto simply smirked and vanished abruptly. The two Sound nins were now terrified. At that mark, the leader gasped in sudden pain. His expression was a terrifying one when he vomited blood from his mouth as the knight's runeblade pierced through his intestines leaving him to have a slow and pitiful death. The leader fell on the ground backwards, that action caused the blade to venture deeper into his flesh creating more sensations of agony. A smile crept up on the Death Knight's face, that position of dying was so amusing to watch. Not to mention dramatic.
As the other chunnin attempted to attack Naruto, the boy readily faulted his body to avoid. It was then when Naruto used his left hand and rush through the chunnin's chest forcefully destroying his flesh until Naruto's arm came out the other end. No doubt the victim was screaming in excruciating pain, it was music to Naruto's ears.
The Death Knight smirked sinisterly as he began to apply more force in his left arm making a tearing action. The chunnin cried in even more pain as he figured out what the boy was trying to do, as he weakly glimpsed the dark shinobi, Naruto gave him a look saying he was correct.
At that instant, the chunnin was torn apart in two vertically when Naruto ripped his hand right out of the body. He made sure the chunnin would never have any kids. Who was he kidding, he torn him in a way that he was immediately killed! Piles of bloody mess and meat scattered everywhere and some of the flesh was still in the boy's hand. The remaining shinobi was as pale as snow. Naruto with his hand covered with blood took back his blade that was in the leader's body and charged it with energy. He eyed the survivor with a sinister smile, he knew his victim was a goner. As he pointed the blade aiming at the face, bullets of terror sweat came from the survivor's neck and forehead.
"Don't cry," said Naruto with hidden lust for blood. "Now say die." Once the energy was released, flashes of raging lightning and a scream of absolute terror could be heard from the distance...
(So it begins... again...)
Naruto ejected himself high to the trees and decided to scout using his eyes after an hour's worth of travel when he left the hotel. It was a wise idea for him to do so since he wanted to sense the sennin's chakra signature within his bloodline's ability. He knew he couldn't sense the chakra if the person is too far off, he needed to know if he was at least within a decent distance. As he engaged his Unholy Sight and scanned the area with his magnification distance ofeighty meters, he could tell something was amiss. He couldn't read any chakra levels, as if that ability was disabled. With only the see through,eighty meters of closer view, reading thoughts in extreme close range and able to witness demons, his eyes were nearly completely useless in his search. What in the heck was going on here?
'Hey, Kyubi-chan,' called the Death Knight in his head. 'I need your help now.'
'What is it, my little dark one?' asked the demon master playfully. Naruto sighed at her behaviour, she could be so cute at times.
'It's about my eyes,' Naruto stated flatly.
'What about them?' asked Kyubi innocently.
'I can't read chakra signatures, that's what.' Naruto replied obviously not enjoying that tone his master was using.
'You should've known your eyes were damaged before.'
'Damaged?' he asked in disbelief. 'When did it happen? Why didn't I know?'
'Yes, when Sasuke used that jutsu of his and ignited the wall, sparks of that chakra flared and blinded part of your ability since your eyes were activated. You must've looked into it directly.'
'I don't think I did...'
'Then the flares must've entered your eyes,' Kyubi explained, the Death Knight could only blink in confusion. 'Chakra is an essence, not a physical object. It could enter through your body and you may not know it. You have to be more careful in the future.'
'Without the detection ability, my search would take a lot longer!' Naruto blurted not believing this.
'These things happen, at least you're not blind. Don't worry, it's only temporary. I'm sure you would heal in days.'
'Days? I don't have days! Not having that ability is a huge disadvantage in battle.'
'You're looking for that baa-chan, not to pick a fight with her. It's just a minor setback.' Kyubi took a good glimpse of heryoung apprentice, who had his hand forming a tight fist. She obviously figured that her words were not all out pleasing to the dark warrior.
'This could get bothersome...'
'Don't worry about it too much, as long as you know where you're going you'll be fine,' Kyubi then hugged her apprentice softly. 'Don't bother me now, I'm going to take a nap.'
'Wait, what if I need you to help me again?'
'I'm sure you can deal with it on your own.' With that, the demon vanished just when the warrior wanted to protest. Naruto just let out a grunt of distress, also wanting to shake his fist angrily. This was not good, he couldn't believe he would now continue the mission blindly in a sense he had no idea where the target may be. With his eyes partially disabled, he had to be more alert. He sighed once again before executing a jump and continued on with his task. Eyes or no eyes, he was determined to finish this mission even if he had to drag himself back to Konoha. He made himself a pact, he wasn't going to break it now. Konoha needed this as if its future depended on it, the mission must be completed, that was what he must do.
(Meanwhile)
Hinata and Sakura were in the state where they urged themselves not to cry when they carried Sasuke back to Konoha. They couldn't believe what they just witnessed moments before, Sasuke was pummeled to a defenseless state in two hits, and Naruto showing no signs of remorse or the intention of stopping the older Uchiha. If Hinata heard carefully, it was Naruto who commanded Itachi to knock Sasuke out. However, when they thought that was crushing, they've seen nothing yet until Naruto used his eyes to demand them to leave. His voice was as cold as ice itself or colder. They've never been yelled at like that from the Death Knight, for both girls it wasn't something that easy to swallow. It was then when Hinata lost her composure and wept out loud.
"Hinata-san..." said Sakura while enraged as she remembered Naruto's face. "Don't cry... if you do you'll make me cry too..."
"I can't..." cried Hinata as she tried to wipe her tears but to no avail, it just wouldn't stop.
"You don't need to care about that bastard anymore!"
"Don't call Naruto-kun a bastard!" snapped the heiress harshly while sobbing. "He is your brother!"
"I don't have the right to call him a bastard now, Hinata?" questioned the pink hair genin returning equal amount of raging emotions. "Sasuke-kun got beat up and Naruto-ni-chan didn't do a thing to stop him! He just let it happen in front of his face! If he had a conscience, he would've did something! Anything!"
"..." Hinata couldn't argue with that at all, she was speechless.
"Not only that, he left the village without saying a single word! How do you explain that? He didn't tell me or Sasuke-kun, but more importantly he didn't even tell you! Do you think there's a problem to that? I think that ni-chan has betrayed us and joined Itachi and that other bastard!"
"Don't jump to such conclusions, Sakura-san."
"What other assumptions are left for me to choose from? If he isn't on their side, why isn't he here with us right now like he should be?"
"He must have a reason..."
"You still believe him after that?" Sakura questioned her best friend in disbelief and fury. She soon grinned a dark smirk."Has his charm got to you? Has he brainwashed you so much that he corrupted your thinking? He yelled at you with the most cold face I've seen him make to the both of us."
"You and I both know Naruto-kun well," justified Hinata standing her ground. "He would never do something like that if he didn't have a good reason. If he was helping Uchiha Itachi all along, why bother saving the Leaf from the Sound's invasion? Why did he even attempt to accept people as his friends? If he was part of them, he can't afford to have connections with anyone." Hinata then wiped a remaining tear on her face, a quick realization hit her. "I think Naruto-kun is hiding something from us..."
"What makes you say that?" asked the emerald eye girl curiously but still angry.
"Did you remember seeing the names on the entry clipboard?" Hinata asked her friend trying to remember, this was her only hope.
"I don't recall it, we left in a hurry."
"I remember seeing Naruto-kun's name." Hinata then finally grinned a hopeful grin.
"What does that suppose to mean?"
"If he's not planning to return, he wouldn't have signed it..."
"Your point being?"
"He's hiding something from us, I can tell."
"You're putting too much faith in him, Hinata-san," Sakura said in a growl, a snarl might have been put in there as well.
"He's the man I love... I have to believe him."
"What are you going to do now?"
"I'm going to find out what he is up to, I'm following him." It was then when the heiress turned around and made a sprint to the direction she came from.
"Hey, if you're going then I'm coming with you!" Sakura called to her friend nearly yelling. Hinata stopped and shook her head gently with a smile.
"You should take care of Sasuke-kun, I'm sure he would like it to see you there when he wakes up." Sakura sighed in defeat, Hinata made a good point. If she left now, who would take Sasuke back to the hospital? Sakura didn't have the heart to abandon the man she loved to die like this. With a farewell wave, Hinata formed a series of hand seals and disappeared in a flash. Sakura frowned as her friend left,somehow a sense ofloneliness overwhelmed her heart. She glanced at the fainted Uchiha who was leaning against a tree and went to him. She kissed him softly on the cheek before lifting him back in an aiding position.
"Hinata-san, ni-chan... please come back soon..." Those were the final words Sakura spoke to the winds before heading back to their home. Raising her head to take a good glimpse at the sky, she frowned sadly. Things were taking a turn for the worst.
(At the same time in the headquarters of the Sound)
"Damn this pain!" cried Orochimaru in most agony. He was thrashing his arms in a frenzied state due to the torment of the effects that the Death God had given him when he encountered the Third. Even though he had killed the Third Hokage, he didn't find this as a victory, he considered it a stalemate or something lower. He may have murdered the Third but the cost of this was to lose all of his techniques. Not only that, he needed to kill that Death Knight who made a fool out of him during the exam. Not only that he was beaten to a certain extent (AN: Orochimaru still won in the end so Naruto technically lost), he failed to give both Sasuke and Naruto the curse seal. The plan was after the Third was finished by his hands, he could get Naruto for certain but this was the outcome. How could he have been so naive? It only angered him more as each passing second went by.
"Orochimaru-sama," called a servant in a panic rushing to his side. "Are you okay, do you need your medicine?" It was then when the snake sennin flashed a jeopardous glare and plowed his arm through the servant's chest killing him in an instant. Blood splattered everywhere but he had no mood to care.
"What's the matter now, Orochimaru-sama?" asked a familiar person who was standing a good distance from the sennin.
"What does it look like, Kabuto?" Orochimaru returned the inquest with a harsh snarl. "My hands are burning with pain, that's what!"
"Then why aren't you taking your medicine?"
"I don't need your damn medication, fool! Their effects do minimal recovery!"
"Taking it is better than not taking it you know." Kabuto stated as if it was the correct decision.
"Shut up, don't make me kill you..." Orochimaru threatened dangerously but Kabuto simply smirked.
"I don't think you would be able to do that anytime soon, Orochimaru-sama."
"You don't think I am able to?"
"No, not that," Kabuto assured calmly. "It's just that you wouldn't be able to do that in the state the Sound is in right now. After that kind of unprepared attack, we did lose a lot of men and killing me isn't the wisest thing a leader like you should be doing."
"You are always expendable."
"Am I? The old blood in me can still prove useful to you, you wouldn't go wasting it now would you?" The sannin merely snickered darkly.
"You are always so sharp... it's that fact that makes me can't trust you completely."
"I'm the only true ally you've got."
"Trust is like a game, you have to earn it. Don't worry, the Sound still has enough men..."
"No they don't," corrected Kabuto cutting him off. "Most of them have been killed and I'll be blunt to you, most of the casualties happened in the arena." Orochimaru winced in pure anger. How could he had such a huge miscalculation? He cursed himself at his own carelessness,it was obviousthat the casualties were this high because of three shinobis; Naruto, the girl from Air and that Mist boy.
"How about the retreating platoons?" Orochimaru asked knowing some of them did retreat and some did arrive back to the Sound safely.
"About seventy percent of the survivors made it back." The sennin's eyes raised a bit hearing those words.
"What happened to the remained thirty percent?" He seethed his words demanding an answer. "Stop stalling and tell me, damn it!"
"Some were still hiding out in the outskirts of Konoha due to injuries. That alone should be fine but they were under attack midway. I heard it from the communication radio just now and I'm sure that I heard him say Uzumaki Naruto was down there. I'll assume they have all been killed."
"So that Uzumaki is still alive... it's a good thing I killed those two who fought him for failing... That Death Knight is too powerful..."
"I don't think you should be wasting any more men at a time like this," advised Kabuto warningly. "You are thinning out the chances of survival for the Sound for doing so."
"I don't need you to tell me what to do..." Orochimaru hissed threateningly not wanting his pride to suffer anymore than it already have. "Kabuto, have you found the person that I need to look for to heal my arms?"
"We've located her, Orochimaru-sama. However, I wonder if Tsunade-sama would just do that favor for you that easily. You do have to tell her that you killed the Third."
"It doesn't matter, I know Tsunade the best, I'll have a way to convince her so don't you worry." It was then when Orochimaru awkwardly got off his bed and prepared to leave the room. "C'mon, we're going." Kabuto smirked and followed knowing he would be Orochimaru's right hand man. Shortly after, the two left the vicinity and headed straight for their target in a considerate pace.
(2 hours later at a town in the west at about 6:30 PM)
Naruto managed to arrive at the next town around that current evening. He would've made it faster but he had some matters that he had to intend to. Most of them were obliterating some other Sound chunnins who were taking shelter until the situation was more promising for them. However, Naruto wouldn't allow them to do that. Those who threatened his friends didn't deserve the gift of life, anyone who helped Orochimaru was guaranteed to meet their maker if the demon hunter had hands on them. He just couldn't fully continue his mission until all other 'loose ends' were tied up.
The boy ventured into the town, he immediately grimaced when he saw a festival was happening. Based on some of the banners, it told him this thing would last forthree days. Threedays... this would be like invitation to hell but in a much more happier atmosphere. To Naruto, there wasn't much of a difference. Obviously, the place was crowded, bright and not to mention loud. He hated this type of places, he wondered if Hinata liked them. As he mind pondered a bit more, Naruto safely jumped to the conclusion that his girlfriend preferred to have time alone with him instead of this. He smiled a bit and decided to continue to investigation.
"If I was Tsunade... where would I be?" Naruto asked himself that question once every minute while looking at every shop he passed by. Because without his detection, the wisest option he had was to start thinking like his target. Even though he knew the slug sannin, her attitude indeed made her quite a spontaneous woman. He was beginning to understand how Hinata felt at times toward his delinquency. In aweak exasperated voice, Narutosighed a bit when he saw a bar. Despite how much he hated those places, those happen to be places where most info were.
After one hour and searching through a bar, restaurants, mini casinos, night clubs, Naruto had found absolutely nothing. Not only that he didn't find anything, people were looking at him funny. The boy could tell it wasn't because of his demon heritage, it was something else. In this kind of remote region, they might not know the history of Kyubi, which was fortunate nonetheless.What he noticed were how people were looking at his clothes, it was covered in fresh blood. In spite the Death Knight tried to avoid these gazes of confusion, he had to admit it was a bit agitating.
The dark shinobi was beginning to hate this mission as time went on, searching for someone was unquestionably annoying, not to forget tiring. The Death Knight looked at his watch, it said it was nearly 8 PM. Seeing there was no point in searching any longer, he decided to look for an inn to rest. This time around, he won't be involved in any wall explosions, at least he hoped. As he signed in and given a room, he went to the room that he was designated to. Once hewalked in,he saw the feathery bed at the side of the room,Naruto immediately fell asleep on it and rested his mind elsewhere. Quickly making a pact in his mind, the Death Knight intended to pursue the search early the next day.
(2 hours later, Hinata's situation)
The Hyuga heiress panted heavily in exhaustion after that final Blink that she did. She then fell on her knees due to the limited chakra she had left within her. If she recalled correctly, she did around a set of 2 dozen Blinks consecutively and traveled about 5 km. At this stage, exhaustion would only be an understatement, dead tired was more like it. However, she wondered why it was so draining? It was then when a small warning appeared in her head. Naruto warned her once about this technique, it was good for escape in and out of combat and one shot travel, but using Blink as if it was your source of movement was never advised since considerable amounts of chakra would be required after a several times in a row.
Hinata cursed herself for not remembering what her boyfriend had told her when the first time he taught it to her, she caused herself to be in this mess.At that moment, from a short distance she could see bright lights of various colours, she was curious to know more. Her body miraculously gathered enough strength for her to walk, as she made her way in to this town, she could tell a major social event took place. Little did she know, this was the same path Naruto walked by a few hours back.
Despite how much she wanted to check out this festival, she at least wanted to scout this place with Naruto by her side. Come to think of it, ever since they have been together, they hadn't went out on a date once. Hinata silently pouted at that thought, she couldn't believe that it never hit her before. They have been together for how long? She then thought about it and the conclusion was around 3 weeks. The Hyuga girl flushed a bit as she remembered that they made out more than actual dating, she soon giggled at the times she would make him fall in her touch.
Even though she could think about him all night, Hinata knew better to daydream at this hour. One, it was pitch dark. Two, she would look kind of silly if anyone caught her like this. Hinata was getting tired herself, luckily she had enough money with her to stay at an inn or something in that category. When she found one, she didn't hesitate to go in and stay for the night. Little did she know that the person she was searching for was resting in this exact same place. What dramatic irony, she didn't suspect a thing.
"Good evening, miss," greeted the attendant who was luckily a female. "Looks like you're running late."
"Yeah, I am," replied Hinata timidly. "Sorry if I troubled you for coming in at this time..."
"No problem, if people won't come and stay here, I'm sure my job wouldn't last long." Hinata giggled at her joke, it certainly sounded humorous to her ears. "Anyway, would you please tell me your name?"
"I am Hyuga Hinata and I'm from Konoha." The attendant raised her brow a bit and smiled. Her expression didn't go unnoticed by the Hyuga heiress. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, it's just like we have quite a few young people like you from Konoha coming here tonight."
"There has been another person like me here?" 'Could it be Naruto-kun?' "Do you know his name?" Hinata asked rather hopefully in a polite voice and gesture.
"Let's see the records here..." The worker then turned a page and saw the record. "The person is a boy with a sword, anyone could remember that..." Hinata was getting desperate. "His name is Uzumaki Naruto." Hinata mentally was jumping in absolute delight hearing his name. Outside, she simply smiled. She had to admit that her acting skills were improving quite well.
"Oh, what a coinscidence! He's my friend," she lied somewhat smiling brightly, he was her boyfriend. "Which room is he in?"
"He's in room 229, do you mind if you take the single room next to his? That's room 230." Hinata then showed a small frown, it was insignificant so the attendant didn't catch it.
"Is his room a single room too?" asked the heiress politely.
"Yeah, all the rooms on the second floor are like that. I think you need your rest, you seemed to be really out of it." Hinata looked away nervously. Her shell was being shot through like glass, indeed she was tired. As she dragged herself up to the second floor, she stopped at room 229 and leaned on the door.
'Should I surprise Naruto-kun?' she thought trying to make a decision. 'Should I enter his room and then make him jump? That would be so funny!' As she wanted to Blink inside, another thought struck her mind. She remembered what Naruto said to her when she did it the first time. Naruto told her that it was immoral for people to abuse their abilities. Just because you have it, it didn't mean anyone could just use it like as if you want to. She didn't want to upset the boy for doing that. The Hyuga girl then yawned softly, she could tell that she was tired. As a tear of tiredness escaped her eyelids, the best option was to sack up. She would surprise him tomorrow, she could hardly wait until it was daybreak. Once Hinata entered her room, she quickly took a shower and prepared herself for the day ahead.
(The next morning at 4:30 AM)
Naruto woke up the next morning when the sky was still dark. He looked at the clock by the bed, it told him it was 4:32 in the morning. He grinned immediately knowing this was a good time to start the day. As he poured hot water in his instant ramen, Naruto made his way into the washroom with a new change of clothes. He couldn't believe he was that tired last night that he forgot to take a shower. The odour on the bed was quite irritating at this point, blood was stained all over it.
10 minutes later the Death Knight exited the bathroom in similar style of clothing and this time with a cloak. He needed stealth, this black cloak could prove to be useful. He then reached for his now prepared instant ramen and consumed it in 5 minutes flat. As he made his way out of the room, he made a final check before leaving just in case he didn't leave anything valuable or crucial. Somehow, he could feel a very pleasant aura nearby. Unbelievably, it made him smile genuinely.
'Why does it feel so nice here?' he asked himself not knowing that Hinata was in the room next to his sleeping soundly. 'It's also very familiar... why can't I stop smiling? It really does feel warm and welcome, I don't remember feeling like that when I arrived. Maybe I'm just in a good mood today.' He quickly banished that thought in his mind and continued with his task not even thinking where the source of that aura was from. Once that was done, he went to the lobby and paid the bill that he needed to give.
"Good morning, sir," greeted the same attendant, Naruto wondered if she was someone that didn't need rest. "What brings you up this early in the morning? Did you not have a good sleep?"
"I had a great one, thank you," said Naruto calmly devoid of much emotion. "I'm just going to check out."
"But it's 5AM, don't you want to stay for breakfast? Our inn does provide that."
"There's no need for that," Naruto stated flatly ending the conversation completely. "How much do I owe you?"
"That would be seventy five hundred yen please," the attendant said politely even though she found the boy's attitude was very dark. Naruto then took out his wallet and gave them eight thousand yen. "That will be five hundred yen change." However, the boy simply smiled.
"Just keep it, your hospitality was very much appreciated." With that, Naruto took out his blindfold and tied it around his eyes. Part of it was covered by the forehead protector with the symbol of the Leaf on it. The inn worker didn't know why he needed one when she knew his eyes could see. She ignored it since it looked real cute on him. Once that was dealt with, the Death Knight went on his way towards the exit without a single word. As the woman looked at his backside, she noticed that he had a long blade equipped on his thigh.Suddenly, shethen remembered she told someone about him a few hours back. Just when she tried to call him to get his attention, Naruto was already outside walking away. She decided to drop it.
(2 and a half hours later at 7:30 AM)
Hinata snapped her eyes open at that exact moment. She looked around trying to remember where she was, she didn't recall ever sleeping in this room before. Suddenly, yesterday's events began to kick into her system. In a sudden realization, Hinata remembered why she was out in these regions, she wanted to search for her lover. It was also at that point when she remembered that Naruto was in the room next from hers. She jumped a bit with absolute joy, Hinata couldn't wait to see him again, but more importantly to get the entire truth from him.
After her daily routines, which was much quicker than usual for obvious reasons, she rushed out of her room and sprinted to the room that said 229. However, when she made it there, a cleaning maid came out from the room. Hinata knew that she had been cleaning in there but that only meant one thing, she just hoped it wasn't true.
"Miss," Hinata called to the cleaning maid in a hurry. "Was there anyone in that room?"
"No, when I entered an hour ago, there was no one in there." Hinata's mind shot from partially awake to complete alert immediately. 'There was no one in there an hour ago?' the Hyuga girl noted to herself. 'This isn't good...'
"Thanks so much, thank you!" After that gratitude, Hinata dashed to the lobby to look for the information she needed while leaving a very confused maid watching her.
'What was that about?' thought the maid in much astonishment. 'She's sure one strange girl...' The maid banished that thought at the back of her mind and sooncontinued with her own tasks.
"Miss!" Hinata called in a hurry while she nearly tripped while running. "I need to ask you something!"
"What is it? Why are you in such a hurry? Is something wrong?" The attendant lady was shocked at that outburst from the Hyuga girl.
"I just want to know that boy from... 229... is he still... here?" Hinata asked between breaths.
"Are you talking about that cute silver hair boy with the sword along with a blindfold?" Hinata nodded quickly wanting a response at that instant. "I don't think you would be able to find him, he checked out overtwo hours ago."
"He checked out? Overtwo hours ago?" 'Oh Naruto-kun... how am I going to kill you...' Hinata stated that mental statement threateningly. The inn worker nodded with a smile, Hinata's face went from drained to exasperation.
"Yeah, I wanted to tell him that he had a friend here..."
"Why didn't you halt him?" questioned the heiress in disbelief.
"I tried to but he when I remembered he was already gone." Once hearing that justification, Hinata grunted noticeably with annoyance.
'It's so like you Naruto-kun, to just come and go so mysteriously' She made this mental note admiringly. Then a irritated frown appeared ' And for that, you are so impossible!' "How much do I owe the inn?" Hinata asked with slight want to deal with things as quickly as possible, she was in a desperate hurry at this stage.
"Seventy five hundred yen please." The heiress easily placed eight thousand yen on the counter and bid a farewell before the attendant could even give back the change. At the next second, Hinata disappeared in a warp leaving the inn worker in amazement of confusion. The Hyuga girl had no time to spare, she was hours behind her target. Knowing Naruto would be travelling quicker than her, those few hours meant many more time was lost. She narrowed her eyes in irritation andcursing herself mentally for not to wake up earlier or as early as him.
(Meanwhile, somewhere in the Fire Country outside a mini casino)
"Tsunade-sama..." groaned Shizune not very pleased. "I suggest that you quit gambling while you're ahead, you've been losing at leastsixteen times in a row, not to mention that you lost a lot of cash this time..."
"Don't say that, Shizune," said Tsunade with a nervous grin on her face. "You're saying that I'm bad at this? I've been doing this for years already, I'm bound to get it right sooner or later." Shizune's face, however,didn't change at all.
"You don't havethat kind of money to waste trying to get it right. You do know why your nickname is the Legendary Sucker? That's because you keep losing and you truly suck! Don't you remember how Itachi-kun and Kisame-kun called you the first time they met you?"
"Yeah, I remember..." replied the sennin dully trying not to remember what Itachi's nickname for her was. "Hey, Shizune, don't say I am that bad, there are things that I do win at!"
"Like what, Tsunade-sama?" asked Shizune crossing her arms while looking at the sennin closely.
"Let's try rock, paper, scissors." Shizune nodded and shook her hand three times before revealing a pair of scissors while Tsunade made paper. The attendant's grin became wider while Tsunade was fuming inwardly. "This doesn't count, best two out of three!" Again, Shizune agreed and dueled again.
(Time passes)
"I don't wanna do this anymore..." pleaded Shizune on her knees with a puppy look. "Let me go, Tsunade-sama..."
"Come on, just one more time!" said Tsunade with much fiery determination. "I'm going to win this time for sure!"
"Just quit it already... you've lost 94 matches in a row... isn't this enough for you yet?" (AN: 94... that's a lot of losses on a mere game of rock paper scissors... man she sucks at this! Of course I made her that way because I like to dramatize her misfortune)
"NO!" snapped the blond hair woman flashing a glare. When it came to gambling, no one could out do her.
"Oh, please, I'm not doing this any longer!"
"Come on, Shizune, just one more round, I promise!"
"You said one more roundninety games ago," argued the black hair woman. "You have to keep your word you know, you are a respectable sannin. Besides, I don't want to waste all my morning on rock paper scissors only."
"Fine..." said the sannin giving in as well, deep down she didn't want to witness herself in another losing scenario, her pride was on the line here. This was a pure game of chance and she messed it up completely. "But I'm going to another gambling shop, care to join me?"
"Fine, be that way..." This was definitely better than playing another match of rock, paper and scissors. After this day, this had to be Shizune's most hated game on her list. She didn't want to be forced into another game like that anytime soon.
(Inside another casino nearby)
"You hit the jackpot!" exclaimed Shizune as 3 sevens appeared on the slot machine where Tsunade was playing. The female sannin grinned as her luck finally changed, loads of coins rushed out soon after.
"Would you look at that," said Tsunade really happy. "I got it on my first try."
"Congratulations, Tsunade-sama!"
"Thanks!" However, it was then when Tsunade pulled the rod to play again, she achieved the same results.
"You got another jackpot!" shouted the attendant with joy. However, this time around Tsunade merely grinned with not much signs of excitement. As time passed by, more and more jackpots came and eventually Tsunade was dead silent with a suspicious look while Shizune was still cheering. The young black hair woman's cheering alone alerted others around who were amazed at Tsunade's great luck. Little did everyone know, the slug sennin was having uneasy thoughts about this.
'I'm winning so much...' Tsunade thought emotionlessly. 'Why don't I feel happy? Why do I believe something is going to go wrong? I can't get this feeling out of my spine...Is it just me or is this feeling telling me something...'
When Tsunade was done with her gambling, Shizune was amazed at the amount that her master had won. There were at least 24 million yen there, she had never see Tsunade having this kind of luck. However, the sennin didn't look one bit happy, something was amiss. She could feel an unpleasant aura nearby but just couldn't grasp at what it was that bothered her so much. (AN: That is about Three Hundred Thousand Canadian and around Two Hundred Ten Thousand American. This is a lot of money, I JUST WISH I WAS 18 AND WIN BIG TIME! One advise from me, don't gamble, it will ruin your life)
"C'mon Tsunade-sama," called Shizune running after her master with two suitcases of cash. "Why do you seem so unhappy? We did win a lot back there!"
"Just be quiet, okay?"
"Oh, cheer up! 24 million yen is a lot of money!"
"It's not about the money!" Tsunade growled in a harsh tone. Shizune knew when to keep her mouth shut. "I'm sorry, something just got to me..."
"It's okay... Tsunade-sama," said Shizune in a timid voice. "I was just wondering if we could visit the castle before we leave."
"The castle?" asked Tsunade turning her head over her shoulder slightly. "Why do you want to go there?"
"It's the key monument in this town, we have to visit it! You can tell that it is absolutely beautiful."
"It looks like any ordinary castle to me if you want my honest opinion."
"We don't get to see that many castles these days, come on Tsunade-sama, let's go!" The blond hair woman bit her lip softly, she could feel the aura getting stronger each passing second. Deep down she wanted to get out of this town as soon as possible. The last option for her was to linger any longer than necessary.
"No, we're getting out of here now," stated the sennin as a demand. However, before she could make her point straight, Shizune already took off with the suitcases of money forcing Tsunade to follow her attendant. A few minutes wouldn't hurt right?
(At the outskirts of the town that Tsunade was currently in)
'Looks like I find myself in another town,' thought Naruto from a higher peek watching the area with his Unholy Sight scanning the area. He cursed himself when he found his detection ability still wasn't enabled yet, this was troublesome indeed. In truth, he was at least a several kilometers away from the town, if it wasn't for the height he was in, he wouldn't be able to see the higher buildings. The key building had to be the large isolated building that was a small distance away from the town. It was on a high peek location, he could identify that was the castle that Itachi and Kisame mentioned earlier. A grin came across his face, with any luck he would be able to find Tsunade in there somewhere. 'I bet she is still here.'
The Death Knight decided to observe the castle a bit longer. From here, the castle looked like a sanctuary in the divine sky. He was astonished by the beauty of the ancient monument, it looked as it was surrounded by clouds. Itachi was right, this was easy to spot. Just when he thought that he could enjoy the scene a little while longer, the castle erupted in a violent ignition.
'What the hell just happened?' Naruto noted to himself in shock. He then magnified his vision byeighty meters, that short distance alone did the task just fine when he was able to identify what those things coming out were. His eyes widened in disbelief when he saw giant snakes coming out from the ruins of the castle, this didn't look something that was non-hostile. The dark warrior could tell who summoned those serpents, there was only one person he knew that had that technique. Naruto quickly leaped from his spot and dashed in a quick sprint towards the town. He ran as fast as his legs could take him. Orochimaru's aura was present, he could feel it in the bottom of his corrupted veins.
'What in the hell is that bastard doing here?' said the Death Knight in his head to himself. 'Damn it...'
'I don't know...' answered Kyubi doubtfully. 'I know you can't expect nothing with his presence around.'
'I don't care why he's showing up in this kind of remote region, I seriously don't expect he is here for doing any sort of sightseeing.'
'You can count on it. Be careful, my little dark one.'
'Don't worry, I will. I'll make sure he suffers.' He then executed a jump to the air forming a hand seal. Instantly he disappeared in a warp using the move Blink. He will eliminate all obstacles.
(Back to Tsunade)
"What is this?" asked Shizune in absolute vigilant as she heard the explosion from the castle. Tsunade somehow expected this kind of entrance but when she saw giant anacondas rising from the ruins, her eyes narrowed with fury. As the two ladies looked at the top of the chieftain serpent's head, she saw two figures. The one with large round glasses was a mystery to them but the other one certainly proved otherwise.
'Orochimaru...' thought Tsunade dangerously. 'What do you think you're doing here showing yourself to me?' Shizune quickly prepared herself for combat, she noted that this could probably be her final fight.
"So, she's the person Orochimaru-sama is looking for..." whispered Kabuto silently to himself. 'She looks really young, is she really the same age as Orochimaru-sama? Man... she looks nothing like a fifty year old lady...'
"You have been a real pain to look for," said Orochimaru in a weak but frightening voice. "But looks like I have found you at last," He then flashed her a sinister smile from above. "Tsunade..."
AN: Alright, looks like my first chapter is done. I suppose it's a good start, not very direct in the action, romance category but I needed to get the main points through first. To those who wanted action, I made a gruesome intro deliberately to put on a small twist. Those who wanted to see mushy romance, sorry, I just wasn't in the mood to write it. Besides, I really couldn't have any of the romance in this chapter. Hinata and Naruto didn't even see each other and I can't have Sakura having a make out session with an unconscious person. That would just be really weird! If I keep the violence up like the one in the beginning, this thing would be rated R for certain. This chapter was all search and destroy, it was a pity that I couldn't add anything more interesting. Don't worry, there will be a lot more interesting scenarios that you all would want to witness.
A very short Question and Answer Period:
1Q: Why does Itachi call Naruto Demon Hunter?
1A: The answer is simple, Naruto is capable in seeing demons with the Unholy Sight and he hunts them. Man, this is gotta be the easiest question that I had to answer.
2Q: Why did I disable the detection of the Unholy Sight during this mission?
2A: Seriously now, if he had the detection ability the mission would go too smoothly and guess what, it wouldn't be fun at all! Not to mention that Hinata is following him, if I had his eyes functioning completely he would've sensed Hinata coming and I don't want that since it ruins the suspense considerably. At this point, Naruto has no idea that he is being tailed. Did I make him dense all of a sudden? No. Hey, who would suspect a thing like that anyway?
3Q: Why didn't I make Naruto and Hinata meet another in the inn?
3A: That would sabotage my plot completely and don't forget, meeting another too quickly does spoil the tension. I don't intend to make it too long but when they do meet, prepare yourselves for a shock.
AN: Feel free to ask anymore questions, I will be more than welcome to answer them. Read and Review!