So, what's happening everyone? Chapter 2 is here, and this is where we really get to see the Fox Knight in action.
FK: So, who am I fighting today?
LR: You'll see.
FK: It better be some better opponents than the one's I've been fighting for the past three months.
LR: Dude, relax. And cheer up.
FK: Why should I?
LR: Cuz I'm the writer, and I'm telling you to.
FK: And I'm the one with the weapons (pulls out sword)
LR: (sweat drop) Right. Just don't go emo on me.
FK: Like that Uchiha teme? No chance.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, and I apparently don't have much control of Fox Knight either.
Chapter 2
The Raikage of Kumogakure no sato angrily slammed a report on his desk. He looked up at the head of his ANBU.
"Another squad lost? Who, or what is this Fox Knight?!"
The ANBU remained silent, as the Raikage stood up, and paced behind his desk. "Every spy and contact we have in Konoha has been killed or arrested! Every ninja squad with orders against the Leaf and it's allies have been destroyed! What is he!"
The ANBU placed another report on the desk. "We have received reports that Iwa, Ame, and Oto have had similar problems. Whoever this Fox Knight is, they are effectively destroying our spy network, and defending Konoha and it's allies."
The Raikage snarled at the ANBU in anger. "This must end! Get our four best jounin, and have them report here! Immediately!"
The ANBU shunshined away. The Raikage sat back down, and glared at the reports on his desk.
What has Konoha done? What is this thing that is in the Land of Fire?
Suddenly, four ninjas entered his office. One had a sword strapped to his back, and a bandana tied around his head. Another had a black eyepatch over his left eye, and a bald head with scars all over his scalp. A third was shorter than the others, and had dull grey hair and goatee. The last one was tall, ripped with muscles, and had dark green hair that covered his eyes. Each had a Kumo headband, and wore grey brown clothes, and grey white vests.
The muscle bound one stepped forward. "What are your orders, my Lord Raikage?"
The Raikage stood up. "We have lost another squad of ninja's in the Land of Fire. It is time to end this once and for all. I'm sending the four of you in to find this 'Fox Knight' and end him forever. Also, I'm giving you a secondary objective. If you can manage to find a Hyuuga, catch them, and bring them back here. It is time for us to gain the Byakugan, and give Kumo a Kekkai Genkai of it's own. Do you all understand?"
The four of them nodded. As one they disappeared, and the Raikage sat back, smirking. "My four finest jounin. They should dispatch this Fox Knight easily."
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Tsunade sat back, looking over the report that Team Kakashi had given her. "So, you found a team of Kumo shinobi?"
Kakashi nodded. "There was four of them, all chuunin, and all dead. We found this on them."
He tossed a shred of cloth onto the desk. On it was the now familiar symbol of the Fox Knight. Tsunade sighed. "So... him again. Any ideas what this group was up to?"
Sakura placed a blood stained paper on the desk. "Apparently, they had orders to raid the supply cache's for our border patrols. The Fox Knight jumped them somewhere past the border between Fire and Lightning. It seems that only two of them even got a chance to fight. The other two had shurikens and kunai's riddling their backs."
Tsunade sighed. "This Fox Knight is increasing tensions with Iwa, Kumo, Ame, and Oto. We need to find out some way to stop, or control him. Any luck on tracking him?"
Kakashi shook his head. "Pakkun couldn't track him. He covered his scent with some plant life, and erased his physical trail. Whoever this person is, they know how to become untraceable."
Tsunade shook her head. "No one is untraceable. We'll just have to wait for Team Kurenai to get back. Their border patrol mission should have ended today, so they should be on their way home. All right. Get some rest, and be ready. I may send you guys out with Kurenai's group to find this Fox Knight. Dismissed."
Kakashi, Sakura, and Sai bowed, and left. Tsunade turned, and looked out the window. In the three months since Yajirobee was found dead in his apartment, this Fox Knight had been busy. There had been four more deaths of Konoha shinobi, who had been spies and traitors. Another seven ninja's had come in to ANBU headquaters, confessing to lesser crimes of spying, and babbling about the Fox Knight. Not only that, but all of these traitor's contacts with the foreign powers would turn up dead at the gate as well. Numerous reports had come in of the finding of corpses of foreign ninja's, all of whom usually had orders against Konoha, or one of their allies. The bodies were also usually stripped of weapons and supplies.
Konoha always returned the bodies to their respective homelands. But they had been receiving many angry reports, and accusations. If things didn't cool down soon, there could be a Fourth Shinobi War.
Tsunade shook her head, and looked at the sky. Overhead, the clouds lazily drifted by.
Naruto, wherever you are, I could use your laughter right about now.Tsunade dropped her head, as she silently prayed for the blond ninja.
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A few days later, Team Kurenai had stopped for the night. They had completed their mission, but had been held up by a group of Iwa ninja's, who had taunted them from within Konoha territory. The ninja's had scampered away, causing Team Kurenai to waste time in chasing them back to their own land. Now, they were three days behind schedule.
Kurenai, Shino, and Kiba had all turned in for the night, but Hinata had elected to stay up, and keep watch for enemy ninja's. She sat by the fire, while the others sleapt in the large tent. Ever since Naruto's disappearance, she had put on a strong face for others. She had been training hard, determined to become stronger. But at night, or other times when she was all alone, that is when she let the mask slip. She would cry, and silently pray for Naruto's safety. That is what she was doing now.
Hinata cried quietly, so as not to disturb the others. She looked up at the night sky, with tears running down her cheeks.
Please, whoever is up there, and watching over us. Please, keep Naruto-kun safe. Please, keep him alive and well. And let him be happy, wherever he is.
She started to sob, and dropped her head. She was weak. Neji had been right. Her father was right. She was weak, and worthless. If only I had been stronger, if only I had the courage to tell Naruto-kun how I felt, then maybe he would still be home. I don't deserve to wear this headband.
(A/N: What is the word for it? I keep seeing it in fanfics, but I forgot. Let me know please?)
As Hinata sat by the fire, she was unaware of seven eyes that were watching her. The four Kumo jounin sat in nearby trees, watching the depressed Hyuuga heiress.
The one with the eyepatch turned to the one with green hair. "So, when do we move, Hidoi?"
"Not yet. We need to make sure she hasn't spotted us yet. Be patient Souken."
The sword wielding one sat back against the tree trunk. "Well, I'm going to get some sleep. Wake me up when you all are ready."
Hidoi jumped over, and shook the sword wielder. "Oh no you don't Suimin. You keep awake, or I'll take that blade, and let Kashaku have his 'fun'."
The short one snickered at the thought. "That would be nice. I haven't lived up to my name in a while."
Hidoi moved over to him. "You'll get your chance. This is the plan. Me and Souken will capture her, and draw the others out. You two deal with them. Then we will have our fun."
The four Kumo jounin smirked, and waited a bit more. Unknown to them, however, a figure stood against a tree not far from them. His cloak fluttered in the slight breeze, as a pair of eyes glowed blood red from inside the shadow of his cloak hood.
Hinata had finally stopped crying, and was about to place another log on the fire, when she heard the snap of a twig being broke. She immediately activated her Byakugan, only to barely see the two ninja's rush up behind her. The one with muscles slammed an arm into the back of her head, causing her to fall unconscious. Souken grabbed her, but all ready the tent that had been set up was moving. Kiba and Akamaru came bursting out the door, and seeing what was happening, charged forward. Hidoi immediately turned to him, finishing his handsigns. Electricity burst from his fingertips, and tazed both boy and dog. Their nervous systems were overloaded, and they fell, temporarily paralyzed.
Kurenai and Shino came out next. Kurenai had a kunai drawn, and Shino was summoning his bugs. Souken held a kunai knife to Hinata's throat. "Stop, or the girl dies!"
Kurenai and Shino both hesitated for one fateful second. Suimin's sword hilt, and Kashaku's fist smashed into their heads, rendering both of them unconscious.
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Hinata slowly woke up, her head throbbing. She tried to raise an arm to feel it, but her arms wouldn't move. Slowly, she realized that she was tied to a tree, with her limbs bound, and a gag over her mouth. She turned slightly, wincing at the pain in her head. Nearby, her teammates were tied up like her. Kiba and Kurenai were struggling, but Shino was still out.
"Well, well. The Hyuuga brat is finally awake." Hidoi came over, and smirked at the bound girl.
"You weren't our primary objective, but still, the Raikage will be glad that we brought you in."
Kashaku turned to the others tied up. "What about them? We don't need them, do we?"
Hidoi shook his head. "Not at all. Why don't you have some of your 'fun'. It might be good for the girl to see."
Kashaku laughed happily, and reached into a pouch as he stood up. He approached Kurenai, and was about to pull out whatever it was he was going to use, when there were several whistling noises, followed by a series of thuds, and a "Grk!" from Kashaku. He fell to the ground with a kunai in his head, one in his neck, and two more in his spine.
Almost immediately, the other three Kumo jounin leapt up, and formed a triangle, back to back to back. Suimin had his sword out, while the other two had pulled out kunai's. They scanned the surrounding trees, watching. Hinata was doing the same. Her Byakugan could barely make out a movement in the woods. Souken noticed the movement as well, and flung his kunai knife ahead of where the movement was. It hit the movement, only to yield a poof of smoke. Suddenly, a figure erupted from the ground in front of him. The figure, wearing a red cloak, had red glowing eyes, with black crosses. His lower face was covered in an armored face mask, shaped like a snarling fox muzzle.
"You guys never look down." The figure growled, before punching Souken in the face. But when he did, there was a pulse of chakra, followed by a squishing noise. Hinata gasped in revulsion at what had happened.
Hidoi and Suimin turned to see Souken with three blades exiting the back of his head. The figure pulled his fist back, and the blades came out with a wet squish. Souken's dead body slumped to the ground.
Hidoi and Suimin looked over the quarry they had been sent to kill. The Fox Knight had on a pair of armored gauntlets. On the right one, three claw like blades, each a foot in length, extended from above the back of the hand of the gauntlet. The Fox Knight channeled his chakra into the blades, and they retracted. He opened his cloak to reveal a sheathed katana at his side. He grabbed it with his right hand, and unsheathed the blade. It was three and a half feet in length. The blade gleamed in the moonlight, running down to the cross guard, which was shaped like an open fox mouth, with the blade coming out of it. Both the scabbard, and the hilt were red, while the hilt had a black diamond pattern running down each side of it.
The cloak figure pointed to Suimin with his blade. "You, me. Right here, right now."
Suimin charged forward, and attacked with a blinding fast head slash. The figure ducked, punching out with his left fist. It connected with Suimin's stomach, and he fell back a pace. When he recovered, he tried a stab. The Fox Knight parried the blade away to the left, before smashing his right elbow into Suimin's face. As the Kumo sword ninja backed up, the Fox Knight swung around to his right. His blade knocked Suimin's aside, before his left fist smashed into Suimin's all ready damaged face. He drew his sword back, and then it entered Suimin's body.
The Fox Knight stepped back from his third dead opponent, only to grunt as Hidoi's kunai plunged into left arm. The Fox Knight grabbed Hidoi, and threw him with his right arm. As Hidoi landed, Fox pulled the knife from his arm, and crushed it with one fist. He slowly advanced on Hidoi, who had managed to regain his feet. Hidoi unleashed the lightning jutsu he had used on Kiba, but it was absorbed by the Fox Knight's blade. Suddenly, he found himself thrown against a tree, staring into those blood red eyes.
"Tell me your secrets. NOW!" The Fox Knight's eyes bored into Hidoi's mind, reading everything from the fact that he had been a bed wetter until he was 12, to his secret ambition of assassinating the Raikage, and replacing him.
"So, you are a traitor to your Raikage? And you intended to kill the girl so as not to have to take care of her on the way home? Then, it is time for your judgement." The Fox Knight pulled back his left fist, unsheathed the blade's in that gauntlet, and stabbed forward.
He turned away from the dead jounin, and looked at the five figures tied up. He cleaned his sword on Kashaku's body, and sheathed it before slashing Kiba's and Kurenai's bonds with a kunai knife. Kiba went to Akamru, while Kurenai freed Shino. The Fox Knight turned to Hinata, his eyes becoming a warmer red in their glow. Hinata felt that she should be scared, but instead, she felt drawn to those eyes. There was something almost familiar about them. He cut away the gag, then the ropes. He grabbed her as she fell. Tears welled up in her eyes, as the blood began to circulate through her limbs.
The Fox Knight lowered her to the ground, and began to rub her wrists. She looked at him in gratitude. "T-thank y-you." She whispered.
"No problem. I'm glad I was nearby." He said, as he moved to her ankles. He rubbed them too, before helping her up. The others cautiously approached him. The Fox Knight shook his head.
"You have nothing to fear from me, unless you betray Konoha, or your comrades."
Kurenai looked him up and down. "I am thankful for what you did for us here. But I'm afraid your actions are causing problems for our Village. Several of the Villages whose ninja's you have killed are angry, and could attack us."
The Fox Knight looked to the sky. After several moments he sighed in frustration. "Even now, my actions still hurt the Village. It seems I can do nothing but hurt those I protect."
He suddenly pulled a sealed letter from his cloak, and handed it to Kurenai. "Give this to your Hokage. It is for her eyes only. Do you understand?"
As Kurenai took the letter, the Fox Knight turned and disappeared into the trees. They heard his voice echo from their surroundings. "I will continue to watch you as you journey home. Be careful!"
Hinata looked out into the woods, where their rescuer had disappeared.
Who are you? And why do I feel like I know you?
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Two days later, Team Kurenai reported in. Per the Fox Knight's orders, Kurenai handed the letter to Tsunade, as she finished her report.
"So, you were attacked by Kumo ninja's, who were sent to retrieve a Byakugan wielder? And the Fox Knight saved you, and gave you this to give to me?"
As Kurenai nodded, Tsunade opened the letter. Her eyes began to scan it.
To the Godaime Hokage of Konoha
From the Fox Knight
Tsunade-sama. It has come to my attention that while I have done no harm to Konoha, or it's allies, you are not entirely pleased with my actions. I am truly remorse for any trouble I have caused you. If you like, we should meet, and talk face to face. I will be waiting in a clearing two miles north of town, two days from now. This is not a trick. I truly wish to speak with you, and see how we might resolve our problems. I shall await you, but I will speak with only you. I hope to see you soon.
Fox Knight, shadow defender of Konoha.
Tsunade read the letter a second time, before putting it down. She looked up, and nodded to Team Kurenai. "Thank you for bringing this in. Get yourselves check out in the hospital, then rest. Two days from now, we are paying this Fox Knight a visit.
Team Kurenai bowed, and left. Tsunade pulled one of her hidden bottles of sake out, and looked out the window as she slowly drained it. "All right Fox Knight. We'll meet. But I just hope mine and Jiraiya's suspicions of you aren't true."
LR: Sorry about taking so long. I got sidetracked by other things. By the way, this story seems to be doing great so far. 349 hits, 20 reviews, and I'm on 3 communities with it.That's better than Rebirth did on it's first few days. Anyways, for you Romance and NaruHina fans out there, just hang on. I like to draw it out a bit.
So, how many of you know the Fox Knight's true identity? I bet it was pretty obvious to you guys. If you think you know, review me, and tell me who you think it is. I'll let you know if you are right or wrong. If you wan't to know why the characters don't know, it's simple. The Fox Knight doesn't act like the prime suspect does.
By the way, I'm not ripping Wolverine off. There is a weapon similar to the claw blades I'm using, called the cat claws. Real ninja's wore this arm brace things with four long claw blades, that you could use to slash and stab opponents with. I've havn't read anybody using them on fanfiction, so I decided to be the first. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Please Review, and hang around for chapter 3.