A/N: Wow. Hell of a good reception. Also, be advised that my updating might be slow. Thanks for your patience. And I am SORRY for the long ass wait.
On a side note, I am SORRY I got Susanoo's name wrong. That was a careless mistake on my part.
Also, check out my friend Bramha god.
Chapter two: The Nightmare revived! Ghosts of the past strike back!
Falling. Falling. And falling. Leone felt she was falling out into empty space. Pain throbbing in her abdomen, she looked up at the sky. The world fading to black. A promise unable to be kept. What was the promise? Why was she in so much pain? Why was she falling? She couldn't remember. She felt anger, disappointment, and above all… fear. She didn't want to die. She felt like she was going to. Then… [SPLAT]
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" screamed Leone as she snapped awake from one of her 'cat naps' she flailed about on the ground screaming hysterically. Where was she? What happened? Her eyes were still bleary from sleep and she couldn't focus in her panic.
Then she saw the blurred figures of people. Someone yelled "Hold her down!" she screamed in terror and struggled violently from the grip of her captors. Fighting for life and limb. She heard someone yell "LEONE! SNAP OUT OF IT!" then a loud slap crossed her cheek. The stinging pain of a handprint forcing her back into focus.
She babbled for a few moments and latched onto the first thing she recognized. Naruto Uzumaki. She gripped his shirt tightly and pressed her body to his. Like a kitten seeking protection. She shivered and shook, her hair seemingly standing on end.
She felt an alien hand touch her shoulder and immediately swiped at it and screeched "DON'T TOUCH ME!" a loud yelp sounded from the one who touched her and Leone gripped onto her fellow blonde harder. "Leone. It's okay. You're fine. You're among friends." Spoke the whiskered boy.
Friends? Friends? Yes… she now knew where she was. She remembered falling asleep during school lunch hour… and then she had that horrible dream. She hyperventilated for a few more moments before her breathing finally slowed. She rubbed the tears from her eyes and spoke in slightly hoarse voice "I'm okay. I'm fine now."
Akame asked her with a concerned expression "Are you okay? You just started screaming for no reason. We thought you might have had a stroke or a seizure." Leone reluctantly let go of her friend Naruto. She then spoke in somber tone "I'm okay. Just… just a bad dream."
Her friends stared at her for a few moments. All wondering what had gotten into her to scare her do badly that she would go into a state of panic. "Was it about a giant dog creature?" asked Sheele as she adjusted her glasses then elaborated "I have been having super scary dreams about a dog monster eating me."
Some of them paled at the rather gory image that went through their heads. Leone shook her head and replied "No. Not that. I remember falling. I remember some fatass threw me off a roof. That's about it."
Naruto rubbed his chin and shrugged "Hopefully this won't repeat itself. Hey Chelsea, you were saying about the remaining Guilds?"
The brown haired girl put a lollipop in her mouth and replied in a matter of fact tone "Well, there are only three left. Ours, Sasuke's and the Clan heirs. Since we preempted and took out all the weaker Guilds we have no need to eliminate our remaining competition. Though we shouldn't let our guard down either. If I know Sasuke, he won't hesitate to try and one up us."
"Then we won't let that happen! Anyway, anyone wanna go to the Golden Leaf? Meals on me!" spoke Mine with a grin while poking the Uzumaki in the ribs. He chuckled and rubbed the Feline woman's shoulder "Come on Leone. I think a nice meal will cheer ya up." He spoke with a comforting smile.
She nodded eagerly and marched off to the famed restaurant together. Seemingly choosing to skip School of their own accord, piss off Iruka and simply spend time as friends. This wasn't an uncommon occurrence since they occasionally skipped school together, knowing they can easily catch up since Iruka's class was both repetitive and boring.
When they approached the famed restaurant, one of the greeters. immediately recognized Mine and allowed her inside. Suddenly that same greeter cut off the rest of the group and spoke "Sorry. But this place isn't for rabble and common folk." The nasal like tone of voice obviously showed a sense of superiority and discrimination.
"Oh Mine-hime? I think this guy doesn't know who we are." Spoke Naruto with a large grin. The pink haired girl puffed her cheeks then kicked the greeter on the kneecap making him fall to the floor and yowl in pain.
"Do you know who I am?" asked the adopted Haruno with a glare. The man on the floor looked up to her with a puzzled expression and answered her "Mine Haruno-sama?"
She gave a rather cheeky grin and planted her foot dangerously close to his crotch "That's right. I am a loyal and frequent patron of this establishment… however you have just denied entrance to my little entourage. I find that insulting. You called them rabble and common folk yes? Does that mean you believe I waste my time with such people? Wrong. You have insulted me and my friends. Just for that I shall tell daddy and mommy what a horrible restaurant the Golden Leaf is. The complaints of my Daddy, who is a Civilian council member could seriously tarnish this place. You might even be fired for this slight against me."
The employee of the Golden Leaf paled in horror at this and begged her "Please Mine-sama. Anything but that! I'm sorry! It won't happen again!."
"See that it doesn't. Or next time I will crush your pathetic balls and have your life financially ruined, forcing you to live in a cardboard box in a decrepit roach infested alley. Is that clear?" she asked while applying pressure to his balls with her foot.
He nodded in understanding, groaning in pain and allowing the others to enter. "Done and done. Naruto. I demand a foot massage for my generous assistance." Spoke Mine with a triumphant grin. The blonde looked towards the rest of his friends and mouthed 'Worth it.'
They chuckled at their friend though for some reason… Leone felt a spark of jealously. They eventually found their usual table and sat down. A waitress quickly took their orders after hearing the incident at the front door and left without a word.
They all made small talk and shared a few jokes. Suddenly Chelsea spoke up "Don't look now… but we have company." She pointed at the approaching figure which was revealed to be Sasuke Uchiha. Their number one annoyance.
"The hell does Piss-for-brains want?" asked Lubbock with a frown.
"Don't worry. If he causes trouble, I'll give it to him." Spoke Bulat while flexing his muscles to further his point.
"Is it just me… or is there something missing from this picture?" Sheele asked while adjusting her glasses.
Akame's crimson eyes surveyed the situation then she replied "He isn't accompanied by his guild members. How careless."
The Uchiha approached them with his trademark scowl and spoke in his usual tone of disrespect and superiority "Hn. You're at my table. And a loser like you doesn't even deserve to be here." The last part he directed at Naruto who was sipping at his drink in a casual manner.
"Oi! Watch what you say about my precious property, Uchiha swine!" spoke Mine as she threatened to throw something at the Uchiha, wishing she had her weapon Pumpkin with her.
The other members of the group got up from their seats angrily. Leone's eyes turning to slits as she spoke with a snarl "Don't insult Naruto-sama in front of me." The others didn't take notice of her using the honorific 'Sama' and spoke in unisom "What she said."
The tension was broken when Naruto asked with a grin "Where's your guild Sasuke?"
At this the Uchiha clenched his fists. His silence being his answer. This caused Naruto to burst out laughing "You disbanded your guild?! Oh my god, you really are a prideful imbecile."
Sasuke was about to lash out in anger but shouting from the streets cut him off. Then a random civilian burst into the Golden leaf and shouted "THE DAIMYO AND HIS WIFE ARE DEAD! THEY HAVE BEEN MURDERED!" the patrons of the Golden leaf all sat perfectly still and silent, the gears in their brains having grinded to a halt. The shock evident on their faces. Finally a chain reaction began with people screaming and breaking out on mass hysteria.
"Damn it! What do we do?!" yelled Mine, not knowing how to handle the situation.
"Head to the Hokage tower! The Sandaime might have answers!" yelled Naruto as he began pushing past the various Civilians, his friends quickly following suit as they all rushed out the doors. As they ran through the streets they noticed that many Residents of Konoha had the same idea as they surrounded the Hokage tower to demand answers.
From atop the Tower, Hiruzen was desperately trying to calm down the populace "Please everyone! This news is recent! I shall notify you all when more details are ready!" he yelled down to the people, however they couldn't hear him over their hysteric screams and shouts for answers.
In the back of the Crowd, Naruto was sitting on Bulat's shoulders to see over the crowd "Anything?" asked Bulat as he looked up at the whiskered boy.
"I can't hear what the Old man's trying to say. These people are too loud. Hang on. Looks like the Old man's talking to some fat geezer. Might be from the Daimyo's court." Spoke Naruto as he squinted his eyes a bit.
In curiosity, Leone leapt on top of a trash can to get a better look. Naruto was correct, the Hokage was indeed talking to… a fat… geezer. That beard, that fat gut, those disgusting beady eyes. It was HIM. The one from her dream. Her killer. The very incarnation of Greed and Evil. The Prime Minister Honest. The memories from her past life flooded her mind.
"Leone! Get down from there before you hurt yourself!" spoke Sheele as she helped her friend off the trash can with a small smile. She then noticed the blonde girl was shaking. Badly. Leone's whole body was now trembling. "Leone-chan? Are you okay? You're… you're shaking." Sheele asked in a worried tone
Leone didn't answer, her eyes unfocused, staring into empty space as her nose bleeds from the mental overload. "NARUTO-KUN! I THINK SOMETHINGS WRONG WITH LEONE! SHE'S SHAKING AND HER NOSE IS BLEEDING!" yelled the purple haired girl in fright.
"Say what? Aniki, lemme down!" yelled Naruto causing his friend to lift him off his shoulders and place the whiskered teen back down on the ground. The Jinchuuriki approached his fellow blonde and put a hand on her shoulder and asked her "Leone! What's wrong? Say something!"
Thick tears fell from Leone's golden eyes, a gross mixture of snot and blood falling from her nose. Then, without warning she collapsed to her knees and let out a loud wailing. Her cries were so loud that her friends were forced to cover their ears. Out of all the cries in Konoha, Leone's rang the loudest. From the Hokage monument, to the gates of Konoha, to the Forest of Death, Leone's screams could be heard throughout Konoha.
She screamed and screamed until her voice was spent, then she began to vomit all over the ground, her puke splashing against the dirt making her friends reel back in both surprise and disgust. Finally, after she finished, she passed out. She slowly tilted forward, about to land face first into the former contents of her stomach but both Naruto and Lubbock caught her by her arms.
"Damn it! She passed out! What do we do now?" asked Lubbock in a panic, soon the Guild themselves devolved into chaos and panic like the Civilians. All mindlessly chattering and falling apart, even the normally stoic Akame was freaking out. Naruto repeatedly tried to gain their attention and restore order but they couldn't hear him over their panicked jabbering.
Naruto himself felt hopeless, a lone tear escaping his eye as he cradled Leone's unconscious body close to him. He had no idea what happened to her, but she was his friend and he would help her no matter what. His resolve now reaffirmed he shouted as loud as he could "EVERYONE! SHUT! UP!"
At last his friends quieted down allowing him to speak "You're all losing it just like these Civilians! Get a damn grip already! Leone needs our help and freaking out isn't helping her! I know we're confused as hell and a little scared cuz we don't know what's happening. But we can't fall apart like this! We need to organize and handle this strategically.
Lubbock, head back to the Sarutobi estate and get your Teigu, then gather everyone else's Teigus. Bulat, go and find our friends; Get Anko-chan, get Kurenai, get Neko-san, get your dad Guy-san, get anybody! Mine, go home and get your Teigu, Pumpkin. Also ask your parents if they know anything about what's going on. The rest of you will help me take Leone to the Inuzuka compound. Got it?"
They all gave a shout of confirmation and ran off to do their assigned tasks. Naruto carried his fellow blonde in a bridal carry as he, Akame, Chelsea and Sheele sped towards the Inuzuka compound. "Naruto-san. Wouldn't it be more prudent to take Leone to the hospital?" asked Akame as she glanced at her unconscious friend.
"Normally yes, but with all this chaos and crazed Civilians, it might be too dangerous to take her to the hospital. If things don't get under control we might be looking at village wide riots. Now keep running!" the whiskered teen yelled out as he charged down the streets. His friends close behind as they sped away, leaving a dust cloud in their wake.
Minutes later they found themselves at the Inuzuka's estate. Leone had awoken but… she was now completely catatonic. She did not say a single word, her eyes were unfocused and seemed like a deep dull void, her face a blank canvas showing no signs of emotion.
Naruto was beating on the door hoping someone would answer. "DAMN IT! OPEN UP ALREADY OR I'LL KICK THE DOOR DOWN!" the whiskered teen yelled out. Finally the door was open by their classmate Kiba.
"What the hell Naruto what're you… Leone? What's wrong with her?" asked Kiba as he noticed the adopted clan member… wasn't herself.
"No idea! Now let us in already! It's a nightmare out there!" yelled Naruto impatiently. The dog boy nodded and ushered them inside. Naruto carried Leone over to the couch and set her down. She hugged her knees to her chest but then became perfectly still and statue-like.
The whiskered boy sighed and spoke "Chelsea find a blanket for Leone, something soft and fuzzy. Akame, warm up some milk for her. Warm milk usually calms Leone down." The two nodded and did as instructed. Sheele sat next to her friend in order to try and comfort her.
Naruto then asked his classmate Kiba "All right. Where the hell's your mom and sister? We have a potential crisis on our hands."
The dog boy nodded as his partner Akamaru yipped out. Kiba scratched his cheek and replied "Mom is out for an Emergency Council meeting, and my sister Hana is helping the other Chunin and Jonin restore order to the public. According to my mom, she told me that the Daimyo and his wife were somehow poisoned, the news wasn't meant to be released to the public yet, but someone leaked the news and now it is spreading like wildfire."
Naruto huffed while crossing his arms "Great. The allegedly strongest village in the Elemental Nations that survived three Shinobi World Wars, and now it's tearing itself apart from the inside out. How could things get any worse?"
Meanwhile with Mine.
'I really don't want to be here.' Mine thought in her mind while clutching her weapon Pumpkin. She had returned home to retrieve her Teigu, and ask her father what was happening. Instead of answering her, he instead brought her to the Council chambers so that she may 'See history in the making'. She desperately wanted to leave and check on her friends, but this may be the best way to get some information as Naruto wanted.
She quietly sat next to her father, but her eyes kept glancing to the fatass speaking to the Hokage. She felt a deep sense of disgust and a pit formed in her stomach, he seemed so familiar to her that it made her sick, but she couldn't remember where she knew him from.
At last Hiruzen asked for the silence of the Council's so he might address them. When they had settled down, the aged Hokage spoke in a grave tone "Members of the Shinobi, Civilian, and Elder councils. By now you have heard the tragic news of the Daimyo's and his wife's deaths. This news has somehow been leaked to the public and drove the masses to panic. I am pleased to inform you that numerous Shinobi are now hard at work to restore order and has made significant and steady progress to calming the people. Now I turn this matter over to the Daimyo's Elite Guard, General Esdeath."
A lone woman appeared out from the shadows, her light blue hair gleaming in the light. She adjusted her cap and spoke in a professional manner "It is my sad duty as a Samurai, to inform you that my charges, the Daimyo and his wife have both been assassinated. You have probably heard it was by poisoning, which is correct. They were both killed by a highly concentrated and fast acting toxin, they never stood a chance to get medical help. We have detained all witnesses for their protection and we have arrested any and all individuals with motive and/or unable to produce a solid Alibi. We have no confirmation about this being a political killing from a Foreign Nation, or a personal grudge murder from someone on the inside. If you have any matters you wish to discuss then please direct them to the Prime Minister. Additionally any information regarding possible suspects would be greatly appreciated."
Once the announcement had been made, the Hokage and the Shinobi council left so they may continue coordinating the various Shinobi from their respective clans. Kizashi stood up and approached the Prime Minister, which Mine knew meant bad news.
The Pink haired man bowed to the obese man and spoke "Greetings Honest-sama. I am Kizashi Haruno, the elected Head representative of the Civilian Council. There was two things in particular I wanted to inquire about. Firstly, if I may, who shall be the next Daimyo?"
The Prime Minister made an obviously fake sympathetic face and replied "The late Daimyo's only child shall take the position now. Poor boy doesn't know what to think right now."
A dark expression stretched across Kizashi's face as he spoke "A child Daimyo eh? The boy shall need people he can trust. People who won't say… take advantage of him."
A sinister expression formed the Minister's face as well, a devious chuckle escaped his lips as he replied "Great minds think alike Kizashi-san. For those who prove their loyalty… there are great rewards."
The Ex-Shinobi crossed his arms and then spoke with a devious grin "Which brings on my second question. What do you know about Jinchuuriki?"
Honest raised an eyebrow as he asked, his curiosity piqued "Jinchuuriki? Aren't they freaks and weapons of war?"
"Correct on both counts Honest-sama. We have one in our midst. A real troublemaker really, goes by the name Naruto Uzumaki. You see, we can't simply get rid of him because of him being a military asset. If we kill him, we'll lose the Kyuubi since it can only be contained by those of Uzumaki blood. We thought about trying to place loyalty seals on him, but then we feared that it might interfere with the one seal keeping the beast locked up. However, I have heard rumors about your General Esdeath. That she is a master of torture and can break the Will of anyone into being her loyal pet. Imagine if you employed her talents to bring a Jinchuuriki to heel." Explained Kizashi, his plan to get in Honest's good graces being transparent.
In the background, Mine overheard every single word that was said. Her face slowly turning green. She had to get out and warn Naruto and the others as quickly as possible. They were about to be pulled into grave danger.
As Mine snuck out of the Council chambers, Honest let out a bellowing laugh and spoke "How interesting! I like that little idea! General!"
At his call, the General walked up sharpening her rapier "Yes Honest-san? Something come up?"
The Prime Minister grinned and spoke "I need you to find and capture a Jinchuuriki named Naruto Uzumaki. I want him alive no matter what it takes. I. Want. Him. Alive. He's useless to us dead."
Esdeath chuckled as she ran a hand through her hair "Not to worry Honest-san. My Jaegers are professionals. They'll bring this 'Naruto' alive no problem. Just give us a description and we'll get right on it."
At this Kizashi spoke up and gave a brief description of her target "The Jinchuuriki you're looking for is about yea high. Blonde hair and blue eyes. Has these distinctively unique whisker like birthmarks on his cheeks. You can't miss him."
"Much obliged. Did you get that everyone?" asked Esdeath as she adjusted her trademark cap. From the shadows emerged six individuals, the Shinobi hunters called the Jaegers. All handpicked by Esdeath herself. Seryu, Bols, Dr. Stylish, Kurome, Wave, and Run.
Seryu spoke up first while petting a little doglike creature "Not a problem General! We'll find this guy in no time!"
The blue haired woman adjusted her cap again and spoke with a slight hint of malice "Good. Remember, he's to be brought ALIVE. If he comes back missing any pieces or dead, then it's your asses. If he puts up a fight then it's okay to slap him around a bit. Got it?"
They all saluted her and nodded in confirmation. She smiled then jabbed a thumb behind her to point at the door and spoke "You might want to start with following that girl. I think she'll take you right where you need to go."
Back at the Inuzuka compound.
"Please Leone? At least a little? You need to eat." Spoke Chelsea while holding a plate of food out for Leone. The blonde girl merely stared ahead into empty space, holding the blanket wrapped around her all the tighter.
Naruto entered the room and asked "Any luck with Leone?" he sat down on an adjacent couch and looked worriedly at his feline friend.
"Nothing. She won't even talk to us. I have tried everything. I've tried warm milk mixed with honey. I have tried offering her favorite snacks, but she won't take anything. Naruto-kun… I don't think Leone is home right now." Explained a saddened Chelsea as she rubbed the building moisture in her eyes.
The whiskered teen looked at his friend in a somber tone, he stood up and walked over to her, he reached out and when his fingers barely brushed against the golden eyed girls shoulder, her hand snapped upwards and grabbed Naruto by the throat and squeezed tightly, cutting off some of his air supply.
Sheele's hands covered her mouth in horror, Akame stood up and was prepared to rip Leone's hand away from Naruto's throat. "LEONE! LET GO! IT'S NARUTO! HE'S YOUR FRIEND!"
Naruto stared deep into Leone's eyes, and what he saw wasn't anger, it was a deep pit of despair. The kind that one might find inside of a person… who can only be described as Broken. He opened his mouth and wheezed out "Leone? It's your pal Naruto. You know? Whiskers? Please, I don't know what happened. I don't know why you're like this. But I swear that we will help you. Okay?"
For the first time since her initial breakdown a small spark of recognition entered the feline females eyes. Her hand shakily left the whiskered teens throat and she resumed her position of trying to shrink into the blanket covering her.
Naruto gasped for air and was held up by Akame, the black haired girl asked him "Did she hurt you?"
He shook his head and replied "A little. But I'm fine. I shouldn't have done that. I'm okay." His assurance made the red eyed girl nod reluctantly. A knock was heard at the front door, which was answered by Kiba. When the door opened it revealed Lubbock with his arms full of Teigus.
"Coming through!" yelled the green haired teen as he rushed through and almost slammed the Teigu's to the table. "Special delivery from Lubbock mail services. I have a Teigu for Akame, Chelsea, Leone, and Sheele. How's the patient doing?" he asked at the end with a bit of hope for improvement.
The silence was his answer making him ask "Like that huh? Damn."
Naruto sighed and rubbed his temples asking "How's things on the streets?"
Lubbock sighed and crossed his arms, and plopped on the couch tiredly and answered "Better than before. I met up with Bulat before I got here. The Shinobi are getting things back under control and the Civilians are going home. Good thing too, some people were threatening violence. Bulat won't make it for awhile since our Shinobi friends are being debriefed. Word is that the Hokage might declare a total lock down of Konoha till the assassination plot on the Daimyo's is considered internal or a foreign plan. Sorry guys. I don't have much more than that."
"Don't worry about it. You did your job." Spoke Sheele with a small smile to which the others, excluding Leone nodded.
The Jinchuuriki shook his leg, an itching feeling was crawling up his spine and he couldn't seem to shake it. He felt… a sense of danger. "Lubbock? Chelsea? Why don't you two step out and form a perimeter around the compound? I think trouble's on the way."
The two addressed members glanced at each other and shrugged with Chelsea speaking calmly "Wouldn't hurt to be practical. Let's go Lubbock." The green haired boy sighed but nodded and followed suit outside so he can use his Teigu to make a perimeter with his threads.
Akame and Sheele each picked up their Teigus in preparation as well. "Akame. Come with me for a bit. I wanna make sure no one might be hiding in the compound. Sheele, you stay with Leone." With a nod, the red eyed girl followed him outside to investigate the interior of the compound. Thunder rumbled outside as the rain came down quite heavily
They shut the door behind them leaving Sheele, Leone, Kiba and his partner alone. The dog boy stamped his foot and spoke "Ah screw this! I'm not gonna spend the whole damn day as a doorman. I'm going with them." His partner barked in agreement and leapt into his jacket as the two went after Naruto and Akame.
Sheele sighed as she clutched her giant scissor Teigu close to her. Her leg shaking as she turned to Leone and spoke "Leone-chan. I'm going to the bathroom. Stay there please. Okay?" with that she rushed out of the room to head towards the nearest toilet.
If Leone heard the spectacled girl, she didn't show it. Her eyes still facing forward and staring into nothingness. Suddenly her eyes flicked to her Teigu on the table. Her eyes hardening into orbs burning with white hot fury. She snatched up her Teigu and snapped it across her waist. "I am going to kill that fucking pig." She muttered and marched out.
A few minutes later Sheele returned with an embarrassed expression on her face. "Sorry Leone-chan, I couldn't find the… toilet… paper…?" muttered Sheele, her eyes widening as she noticed that both Leone and her Teigu was missing. "LEOOOOOOOOOOOOONE! NOOOOOOOOOO!" she cried out in terror.
At her scream, Naruto and Akame came rushing back, only to find Sheele in the rain crying out for Leone. "Sheele? What's happening?" asked Akame in worry.
The purple haired girl sniffled and replied "I was only gone for a few minutes because I had to pee… THEN LEONE DISAPPEARED!" she wailed while rubbing the tears and rain from her face.
"SPREAD OUT! FIND HER! SHE CAN'T HAVE GOTTEN FAR!" shouted Naruto, causing the two girls to mod and run off in different directions.
With Mine.
"Damn this rain! I can't see where I'm going!" yelled Mine as she rushed through the woods, wishing she had stayed on the road to make a straight shot to the Inuzuka compound. However she felt eyes on her and decided to cut through the woods to lose them.
She stopped for a few moments to catch her breath, she leaned against her Teigu for some support. "I have to warn everyone! I have to warn Naruto! He might be an idiot that can't do stuff without our help… but he's my idiot!" she spoke to herself and was about to continue on. Then the bushes rustled. She prepared Pumpkin in case of attack but instead a small dog came out.
"Huh? Oh. It is just a dog. Funny… I don't remember seeing you from the Inuzuka kennels… wait... I… I know you from somewhere." She muttered, thick beads of sweat pouring down her face, mixing with the rain that fell on her.
An alarm rang off in her head warning her of danger, she cocked Pumpkin and fired a shot at the dog making it sail through the air with a howl. It then came back snarling angrily with a girl. "Well well well. I was hoping you'd let Koro-kun follow you. Guess that didn't work. Say… do I know you from somewhere?"
Mine raised an eyebrow, this girl and her dog did seem familiar for some reason. But she couldn't place why. "I… I don't know! Who the hell are you?!" the pink haired girl asked while aiming her Teigu.
"Fufufu. I am Seryu! And this is Koro! Tell me where this Naruto Uzumaki guy is and I'll let you go!" the auburn haired girl spike with a crazed grin.
The pink haired girl shook her head and yelled out "Go to hell! I'm not telling you where my property is! Now die already!" she fired her weapon Pumpkin at Seryu, but the auburn haired girl whistled, causing the dog creature to exponentially grow on size and block the shot with its massive body.
'Holy hell! I knew there was something weird about that dog! Grr. Forget the dog! I need to take out the owner!' she thought in her mind and cocked Pumpkin.
"HERE I COME!" shouted a new female voice, a blur of purple sped by and cut across Koro's stomach making it yowl from pain.
"Sheele? What're you doing out here?" asked Mine, surprised at her friends appearance.
"I heard your Pumpkin fire so I came running. Who is this girl? She's an enemy right?" the purple haired girl asked as she readied her scissor Teigu.
"That's right! She and her gang wanna take Naruto away! We can't let them! You've gotta be careful, there's something weird about them!" yelled Mine as she fired Pumpkin again, this time aiming at the dog creature, hitting it square between the eyes.
"Understood! I'll protect Naruto-kun even if it costs me my life!" shouted Sheele in determination, wanted to protect her precious friend.
"Grrr. Koro! Arms!" Seryu shouted, causing the beast to grow massive forearms. Both Sheele and Mine glanced at each other and nodded in agreement, they both knew that girl needed to be taken out no matter what and they needed to do it now before it overpowered them.
Mine fired Pumpkim repeatedly, laying down covering fire to disorient the beast and give Sheele an opening. The spectacled girl skirted around the canine monster, an itching feeling that she'd seen it before entered her mind. She shrugged it off and continued to make her way towards the monster's handler.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw that ditzy purple haired girl closing in, she was too focused on the girl shooting at Koro to have noticed this one. Regardless, she wasn't defenseless.
Sheele felt a sense of danger, something about this seemed familiar, in one quick motion she brought her Teigu up in a defensive posture, a loud bang came out as well as the sound of clang. That Seryu girl had a weapon hidden in the back of her mouth, and had fired it on Sheele who managed to stop the shot just in time with her Teigu.
'What the? How did she know?' thought Seryu as she broke into a cold sweat. "Koro! Prey! Get the Scissor girl!" the auburn girl commanded, causing the canine to spin around, its massive jaws open showing rows of teeth.
"Sheele! Get away!" yelled Mine in panic. Sheele however, was frozen in terror. This was it. The dog monster from her own nightmares that ate her. No matter how much she screamed in her mind, her body refused to move. Then in one swipe of its massive forearms, it obliterated the lower half of Sheele's body.
"Sheele? SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEELE!" screamed out Mine, tears leaking down her face as lightning flashed, temporarily illuminating the area. Sheele's upper body half lied still in the mud. Blood freely mixing with the rain water.
Seryu laughed at how the spectacled girl lost her nerve and fell prey to her Teigu. She then turned her attention to the pink haired one and yelled out "Koro! Kill!" on command the dog creature charged at Mine, fully prepared to crush her with its massive jaws.
But then, a blur of purple appeared, revealing it to be Sheele who launched herself towards Koro's open mouth and was now keeping it pried open with her Teigu. "MINE! GO! WARN THE OTHERS! I'LL HOLD THEM OFF!" yelled Sheele as she desperately clung to life and her Teigu. The massive beast shaking its head to loosen the scissors keeping its mouth open.
Mine could barely move, she and her friends hadn't even graduated from the Academy, and now here they were, unprepared, in a REAL life and death fight for their very lives. "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR MINE? I CAN'T HOLD ON FOR LONG! GO! I WON'T LET YOU DIE BECAUSE I AM A USELESS AIRHEAD!"
The pink haired girl bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, then ran off into the rain screaming "I AM SO SORRY SHEELE! PLEASE FORGIVE ME!"
Sheele smiled weakly, hot tears streaming down her face. "It's okay Mine-chan. It's my fault for panicking. I only wish… I could have told Naruto-kun what he really meant to me." Her eyes slowly drifted closed, accepting her end… then they snapped wide open. She remembered everything now. The Capitol, Night Raid, this girl, her death. It all came flooding back to her. And her regret of unable to be there for Tatsumi whom she befriended and hugged when he needed a friend.
"NOOOOOOOOOO! I'M NOT GOING TO DIE AGAIN! I'M NOT GOING TO DIE AGAIN! I WON'T LEAVE NARUTO-KUN! EVEN IF I HAVE TO CUT OPEN THE SHINIGAMI'S STOMACH, EVEN IF I HAVE TO DESTROY HEAVEN ITSELF, I REFUSE TO DIE!" she screamed out in desperation.
She let herself fall out of the canine beasts mouth, leaving her Teigu lodged inside making the beast roll around on its back to try and get the scissors out. Sheele used what strength she had to launch herself towards Seryu with the force of a cannonball, what's left of her body colliding with the auburn haired girl, sending them both to the ground.
"I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL STRANGLE THE LIFE OUT OF YOU! AND IF MY ARMS FAIL, I'LL RIP OUT TOUR THROAT WITH MY TEETH! I'M NOT DYING HERE!" screamed Sheele as her hands wrapped around Seryu's throat, choking her.
In a panic, Seryu fired the gun hidden in her mouth, the bullet grazing Sheele's neck. Round after round was fired and each to the bullet failed to hit its mark. The spark of was quickly fading from the purple haired girl's eyes, desperate she opened her mouth and sank her teeth into Seryu's neck, drawing blood.
"Hang on! I got her!" yelled one Dr. Stylish as he pried the massive scissors from Koro's mouth. "KILL HER! KILL HER! FUCKING KILL HER DAMN IT!" screamed Seryu in terror. The doctor then drove the scissors into Sheele's back, aiming for her heart. The pain caused her to bite harder… but not enough to kill her target. Sheele then became limp. Her body unable to continue functioning.
Seryu threw the deceased girl off and put a hand over the bleeding bite mark. "FUUUUUUUUCK! That hurts! That chick was a goddamm psycho! She tried to bite out my throat!" she screamed causing more blood to spill out between her fingers.
Sighing, the doctor proceeded to patch up her bleeding neck and commented "You know… since being a member of the General's Jaegers, I have seen many of our enemies deaths from A to S ranked Shinobi. But none of them showed the same kind of tenacity as this girl. Barely clinging to life, no chance of survival at all, and yet still she fought on desperate to live on…. What a stylish end."
The girl growled out "Yeah whatever you quack doctor! Who the hell is she anyway? She didn't have a headband."
The doctor finished his work and replied "Indeed. She might be an Academy student I think."
"You're kidding right? We've faced down mercenaries, Missing Nins from all over the Elemental Nations, and a fucking Academy student nearly killed me?!" she asked quite bitterly.
"Indeed. I suppose that's what happens when you get careless. Most unstylish." He replied while inspecting his new prize, the Scissor Teigu Extase.
Seryu growled angrily and glanced down at the corpse of the girl who had almost killed her and grinned in a sinister manner "Koro. Eat."
Meanwhile.
"LEONE! WHERE ARE YOU? AMSWER ME! KAMI, I WISH I'D BROUGHT ALONG KIBA AND AKAMARU FOR THIS!" Naruto shouted as he ran through the rain and mud. Then he stopped and felt the powerful urge to vomit. A pit formed in his stomach and he felt… dread. Like a piece of his hart had been torn out.
He heard a twig snap and glanced in the direction of the sound. It was then he saw the golden hair of his friend Leone. "LEONE! WAIT UP!" he yelled after her and ran, it didn't take long to catch up to her as he placed a hand on her shoulder to turn her around to face him she smacked his hand away.
He reeled back and noticed her body was rigid, as though she were an enraged predator ready to pounce on its prey. "Go away." Was all she said as she continued marching on.
"Hey wait a second! We've all been worried about you! What happened to you?" he asked hoping to understand what was wrong with her.
"I remembered something important. That's all." She replied in a bitter tone. Not even giving him a backwards glance.
"Leone! Stop talking like that to me! We're friends. Just talk to me so I'll understand. Maybe I can help you?" he asked her gently, trying to coax her out of her hardened posture.
"Help me? HELP ME? YOU'RE JUST A USELESS IDIOT THAT CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITHOUT US HOLDING YOUR HAND! I DON'T WANT YOU FOLLOWING ME AROUND LIKE A PUPPY! GET LOST ALREADY! THIS LIFE I HAVE LIVED IS NOTHING BUT A LIE! THERE IS NO MEANING TO IT OTHER THAN REVENGE! YOU WERE NEVER EVEN MY FRIEND! JUST A PHANTOM THAT PRETENDED TO BE MY FRIEND!" she screamed out, when she turned her eyes were bloodshot and red, even in the rain tear marks could be seen running down her face.
Naruto didn't fully understand what she was talking about… but what she said about him… really hurt his feelings. It felt like a stab in the heart for him as moisture built in his eyes.
"Umm. Excuse me?" spoke a voice behind them, they turned and saw it was a large muscular man wearing a strange mask. He waved at them and asked "Umm, sorry to interrupt this moment. But are you Naruto Uzumaki? If you are, then I need to capture you. Nothing personal."
Naruto sweat-dropped at the man's strangely polite manner of speech despite his intimidating stature. "Ummm. No?" spoke the Jinchuuriki in an unsure tone.
"Sorry but I do not believe you. We were given a clear description of you. Guess I can't blame you for lying. Scary guy like me saying that I need to capture you and all that. Sorry Naruto-san. Oh, Pardon my rudeness, my name is Bols." Spoke the now identified man called Bols.
'WHAT THE HELL IS WITH THIS GUY'S POLITENESS? IS HE SOME KIND OF WEIRDO?' screamed the whiskered boy with a sweat-drop that doubled in size.
Then from out of the bushes two more people showed up, a girl with a dog and some strange looking guy with rose petals showering him. "Good work Bols! You found the Jinchuuriki! Now grab him so we can bring him to the General!" spoke the girl.
Naruto shook his head and spoke in a confused manner "Who the hell are you people and why do you….. oi…. Where did you get that?" he asked as he pointed at the giant pair of scissors in the Doctors hands.
"Oh? This stylish little weapon? I got it from that stylish purple haired girl." Replied the Doctor with a grin.
"Purple hair? Sheele? WHAT DID YOU DO TO SHEELE?" screamed Leone in fury, her eyes turning to slits as her animal characteristics came into existence.
"The bitch tried to kill me, so I decided to punish her. Koro-kun was kinda hungry." Seryu replied and tossed an arm at the two blonde's feet. Naruto turned green in the face upon realizing it belonged to Sheele.
"How about this? You give yourself up, and we don't harm anymore of your little friends? Seems like the stylish option." Spoke the Doctor as he raised up Extase.
"You… you assholes… I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" screamed Leone as she charged at the three. With a whistle from Seryu, the canine grew in size and knocked aside Leone.
Bols prepared his weapon and unleashed a torrent of flames, even in the rain and with the trees being wet, they caught aflame forcing Leone to retreat back. "How unstylish. You cannot defeat all three of us on your own like this." Spoke the Doctor.
"FUCK YOU! I WON'T EVER FORGIVE YOU!" screamed Leone in rage. Hot tears falling down her face. It was happening all over again. Her friends and comrades dying. Sheele was the first to go. And now it has happened again. The Prime Minister NEEDED to die. She HAD to kill him. No matter the cost.
Naruto growled, his eyes flashing red for a moment, and then he ran headlong towards the doctor holding Sheele's Teigu. Bols spoke to his comrade "Dr. Stylish, Seryu. Please keep in mind not to hurt the boy too much. We were told to bring him alive."
The doctor smiled and adjusted his glasses "Understood. It wouldn't be at all stylish to disobey the General's orders." He spoke as he shoved the boy away with the flat side of Extase. As the blonde rolled back from the blow he was grabbed by the collar from Leone.
"STAY OUT OF THIS DAMN IT! IT ISN'T YOUR FIGHT! NONE OF THIS IS YOUR FIGHT YOU DUMBASS!" yelled the feline as she shoved her fellow blonde away.
Naruto growled as he got up from being knocked around and screamed out "SCREW YOU! SHEELE WAS MY FRIEND TOO! I CAN'T JUST SIT AROUND AND LET THESE ASSHOLES GET AWAY WITH IT!"
Leone was about to yell at him again, but then a loud crash of thunder drowned out her voice… then a bleeding hole in her abdomen appeared. Seryu grinned as she fired more rounds into Leone. The blonde girl coughed blood as she sustained more wounds. She slowly turned towards her foes, but was stsbbed through the chest by the scissor blades by Stylish.
"Hehehe. I hope you make a stylish exit like your friend, Feline-san." Spoke the doctor as he kicked the blonde girl away.
"LEONE!" Naruto yelled out as he picked up the blonde girl from the mud, gently cradling her. He knew that her Teigu's regenerative properties were unable to keep up with the damage she sustained.
The blonde cat girl coughed blood and muttered "Damn it. This is what I get for being careless. Naruto? I just want you to know… I'm sorry about what I said before. I… I didn't mean it. I was just so angry. I was so angry that I couldn't keep it together. And I lashed out at you. I'm so sorry."
Naruto sniffled as he held her close "Don't… don't worry about it. You're gonna be fine Leone. I forgive you okay? Just please don't go. Don't leave."
She smiled and whispered with tears leaking down her face "I can't stay. I'm sorry Naruto-sama. I really am. I wish… I wish I could have done more for you. I wish I… I could've told you how… I felt."
He choked back tears as he asked "Felt? Leone? You…" she put a finger to his lips.
"Shhhhh. Don't worry about it. It's too late for that. I shouldn't have mentioned it. There's just one thing I wanna ask." She whispered gently to him, the light slowly leaving her eyes.
"Anything. Ask me anything." He whispered to her, his shoulders shaking as he cried.
"I… never got… to touch… your whisker… marks." She wheezed out.
"Go… go ahead. Do as you like." He whispered to her. Thunder crashed in the sky as she slowly traced her fingers along his whisker marks.
"So… soft… how… cute…" she breathed out, and then her hand fell limp into the mud. The last bit of her life used up. Naruto cradled her, pulling her head into his chest. He wailed out in despair at the loss of another friend. His psyche now starting to fall apart. His cries fill the entirety of the woods. The harsh rain coming down all the harder and the thunder rumbled ever louder.
"Hehe. How touching. I think that's a pretty stylish end. Bols-san? Would you mind picking up the Jinchuuriki? I don't think he'll be walking for a while." Spoke the Doctor as he leaned against the giant scissors.
The masked man nodded in agreement, thunder rumbled as a burning tree fell over. He approached the boy and was about to pry him away from the deceased girl, but then he and his comrades heard a whine come from Koro.
"Eh? Koro-kun? What's wrong?" asked Seryu, her Teigu was clutching its stomach, beads of sweat pouring out of its fur as it whined and groaned and made several gagging noises.
"What's wrong with your Teigu Seryu-san? Does he have a tummy ache? I think I might have some antacid in my pack." Spoke Bols in a concerned manner.
The auburn haired girl was about to thank him for his concern. But then the canine Teigu yowled in pain as a thick bulge appeared from its stomach which made a 'Bam' sound. "What the hell was that?" asked the doctor in a surprised tone.
"How am I supposed to know? I've never seen Koro act like this!" Seryu snapped angrily. Then suddenly another bulge appeared in Koro's stomach. Bam. Bam. Bam. Bam. And with each time the same bulge kept appearing, and the Canine seemed more and more desperate to keep its mouth clamped shut.
Its beady eyes threatened to pop out of its head as it strained more and more to keep from puking. Finally another bulge appeared and Koro puked up the contents of its stomach onto the ground making the three Jaegers groan in disgust. What appeared from Koro's stomach was the remains of Sheele, chewed up and partially digested, as evident by the acid burns.
"Oh that's gross. What's wrong Koro? She not agree with your tummy?" asked the auburn haired girl as she patted Koro's back as it returned to its Chibi form.
"Never forgive. Never forget." Spoke a quiet feminine voice behind them. They slowly turned and saw that the remains of Sheele was moving, her hand gripping a clump of mud as she dragged herself along the ground.
A look of horror filled Seryu's face as she whispered quietly "That… that's not possible… IT'S NOT POSSIBLE! YOU WERE DEAD! YOU WERE DEAD!" she screamed at the end, point at the remains of the spectacled girl. Sheele continued whispering the same line over. Her head slowly lifted off the ground, her hair shadowing her face.
Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating Sheele's face. Her eyes were nothing but pitch black and empty voids. The whites of her eyes, and irises were all gone. Nothing but black filled her eyes. She lunged forward at an alarming speed, clotheslining the doctor with her remaining arm and snatching away the Teigu in his hands.
She landed back into the mud, sliding along with her Teigu. "You died once, so I'll make sure you stay dead. Koro! Prey!" Seryu shouted, her Teigu growing in size and lunging towards, Sheele. Just as it was about to crush her with its massive body, it froze up.
"Never forgive. Never forget." Whispered Sheele, her void-like eyes and blank face showing no signs or fear or acknowledgement of danger. Koro looked down at her for a few moments and then began shaking, taking several steps back. Then it changed back into its Chibi form and ran to hide behind its owners legs. "Koro? What's wrong? Why didn't you kill her?" asked the female Jaeger.
The three looked at the remains of Sheele and noticed something, down where her lower body used to be, bone was forming, followed by flesh, then muscle began to intricately weave itself around her flesh, then skin formed covering the exposed muscle, then her missing arm also regrew in the same manner until at last she was whole again, her skin now flawless and supple, showing no signs of damage anymore from the stomach acid. And standing on both her feet. Staring blankly at the Jaegers with her black eyes.
"Never forgive. Never forget." Joined another voice, revealing itself to be Leone who also stood up. Her wounds now gone, her eyes replaced by black orbs that showed nothing but black. Naruto also stood up, showing the same black eyes, he too was whispering in unison with the girls.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?! BOLS! LIGHT THEM UP! AIM FOR THE SCISSOR GIRL!" yelled the Doctor in a fit of panic. The masked man's self-preservation instinct kicked in and let out a Torrent of flames from his Teigu, the flames consumed Sheele's now reformed body.
The his attack was interrupted when he was kicked aside by Leone, who tore the Teigu from off Bols' back as he flew back. Seryu shook her head and begin to fire her weapons at Leone. The blonde girl thrust out her now clawed hand and in one swift motion caught the bullets. She opened her hand, allowing the bullets to fall to the ground. "KORO! KILL! ARMS! PREY! BERSERK! DO SOMETHING!" Screamed the Female Jaeger, however her canine Teigu continued hiding behind her leg in terror.
The flames Bols had shot moments ago dissipated, and Sheele emerged from the flames unscathed. Her flesh showing no signs of burns as she stalked towards them. "RETREAT! RETREAT! GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE! RETREAT!" yelled Dr. Stylish as he ran off into the woods, with the disarmed Bols following after him. Seryu picked up the Chibi Koro and ran off after them in order to catch up and alert the General.
Once they had gone, the forms of Sheele and Leone walked towards and gathered around Naruto. Their blank eyes and faces showing no signs of emotion as they hugged his form. Their heads resting on top of his as they cradled his body as though they were protecting him.
Elsewhere.
"Hello? Anyone out there?" Naruto called out into a deep darkness. The only illumination being a spotlight focusing on the blonde. Outside of the spotlight there was nothing but darkness far as the eye could see… figuratively speaking.
"Naruto-kun? Is that you?" called out the Voice of Sheele as she stepped into the blonde's light, followed shortly by Leone.
"Leone? Sheele? You're both okay! I'm so happy that you're okay!" Naruto spoke as he hugged them both, crying tears of joy.
"I know! I thought I was a goner! Then I felt… I dunno… I felt something pulling me back. And, I came to here." Spoke Leone as she rubbed her forehead. Sheele adjusted her glasses then asked "Speaking of ehich…. Where IS here?"
The three looked about in the black empty void and knew… that it might take a while to find the exit.
End chapter two.
A/N: HA! CLIFFHANGER! I got ya good! Thought Sheele and Leone was dead huh? Hahaha! I figured I'd lead you on and then pull a bait and switch on ya. Hahahahaha! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please leave lots of reviews!