Chapter 4: Power of the Moon
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Kiara had followed Haku's orders, and barely made it to the Land of Mist before the third night. She stepped off the boat, and thanked the man who had kindly given her a ride here, in exchange for a small sum of money.
The man waved, as Kiara turned, and walked down the dock, unto the path that led unto the city. What now? She wondered this, as she entered the city, looking around. She was now on the, she paused, and looked up at the sun, thinking. East, she had come through the east gate.
"Ma'am." she said, as a woman passed by her. The lady turned, and looked at her annoyed, as if she was in a hurry.
"What do you want?" she asked, crossing her arms.
Kiara paused for a second. "How far from here is the north gate?" she asked. The woman blinked.
"Its only about 5 minutes from here." she said, rolling her eyes. "Now goodbye to you." she turned again, and continued on her way, and Kiara had to keep herself from growling at the woman.
It was just now growing dark, and she had many hours to go before midnight came around. Kiara sighed, and began to head towards the north gate. She'd just to have to be early, wouldn't she? She glared up at the sky, as a cloud passed by the sun, blocking it out, and casting a shadow over the small land.
"It wasn't supposed to rain today, was it?" she asked herself out loud, noticing the clouds beginning to move it. "I hope not..."
Kiara yawned, stopping to lean against a tree. She wasn't getting anywhere in this, not even finding a trace of Haku's grave anywhere. How the hell could she not be able to find it, this island couldn't be more than 2 miles wide...
Going back over every place that had been searched so far, Kiara noticed that there was a huge gap that she hadn't searched in. The north side of the island... she had subconsiously been avoiding it. She guessed that she was avoiding that area; trying to avoid having the memories come back to her...
With a smirk, Kiara laughed, relising that she would have to go over there, no matter if she wanted too or not. The memories would not overcome her, because soon he would no longer be dead. It was only a matter of time.
With a deep breath, she pushed herself from the tree, and began to walk again, heading for the northern gate. Her thoughts drifted away, as she took one step after another, now zoning out in her own thoughts. It happened alot...
A stabbing pain shot through her arm, snapping the thoughts out of her head. She was suddenly fully alert, as she looked over to see a kunai in her arm, she jerked it out, and glared around. Two more kunai came from behind, but she turned, and deflected them with her own kunai.
In front of her, appeared a cloaked man, dressed in colors of blue and red, that Kiara immeditly recognised.
"Kiara, Its been a while." he said, smirking. Kiara narrowed her eyes.
"What do you want Kyko?" she asked, growling in her throat. "I thought you would have learned by now that you cannot win a fight against me."
"If I remember correctly, dear Kiara-san, there was a time when I could beat you with my hands tied behind my back." he said, taking a offensive fighting stance. "You might have gotten lucky, and escaped last time. But now, your going to pay for what you did to our village. I shall avenge my master."
He paused, seeing her glare, but no responce from Kiara.
"...Your father."
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"Why did I have to open my mouth..." Kiara asked herself, ducking under the think branch of a tall tree to avoid the pouring rain that was coming down. It was a little past midnight now, and she had been waiting for hours.
"Haku, if you don't show up, I'm going to kill you next time I see you..." she mumbled, shivering as some rain splashed upon her.
"Good thing I showed up then, huh?" Haku's voice came from the branch she was ducking under, and she looked up, blinking. "Haku-kun... you did come..." she whispered. "I didn't think you would..."
"Of course I would Kiara-chan." he said, looking around. "Here, follow me, I know a place were its dry.." he said, jumping down from the branch, and placing a hand upon her shoulder.
"Ha-kun, what are y--" she paused, as the wind around them swirled, and she suddenly found herself in a dark, but dry, room.
"Where are we?" she asked, looking around as her eyes adjusted to the darkness.
"Shhhh." Haku said in a hushed tone, putting his hand over her mouth gently. "You must be quiet here, or you'll wake Zabuza-san in the next room."
Kiara nodded, and his hand was removed from her mouth. Haku reached over, and lit the small candle that was used to light the room. As the light filled the room, and Kiara could finally see better, she looked around the room. All she saw in the small room was a bed, a dresser, and the candle sitting on the dresser.
"This is my room..." Haku said, before she asked. "Its a little bare, but Zabuza-san says that this is all I need."
"He's nice, isn't he..." Kiara asked sarcasticly, but before Haku could respond, she added. "Well, at least you found somebody to take you in..."
Haku nodded. "So... did you ever... find... somewhere to go..." he asked. "I mean, you just, well, dissappeared on me Kiara-chan." he looked at her. "I thought you might even be... dead... this whole time."
"Ah Ha-kun, I--" Kiara stopped in mid sentance, as her eyes turned from Haku, to the door. A light engulfed her, and she retained the form of a wolf. Haku looked at her strangely. He had seen her transform once before, the day she had dissappeared. But then she had merely transformed into a puppy, now she was a rather large wolf, and she looked rather threatening.
"Kiara?" he asked. "Are you okay?"
She looked at him, but didn't respond, as she layed on her stomach and looked at the door. "Kia--" Haku froze when the door swung open, revieling Zabuza.
"Haku! We have a client that needs an assassination done.." he said. "Get ready to go."
His eyes fell upon Kiara, and he huffed.
"You brought another animal home?" he said in an annoyed tone. "What's this one's story?"
Haku looked at Kiara, then back at Zabuza. "Um.. I found her in the rain Zabuza-san, she seemed...cold... so I brought her here..." he said, trying to sound as if it were completely true.
Zabuza merely shook his head in responce. "I'll deal with this later, but we have to go now, come."
"Yes sir..." Haku said, following Zabuza slowly as he went out the door. Before he left completely, he glanced back at Kiara, who nodded for him to go on. He did, closing the door gently behind him.
Kiara sighed as they left, shaking the water that was still on her off of her fur, and jumping up on the bed, slowly dozing off.
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The sun was setting now, and Kiara knew she was running out of time to find Haku. She stood there, breathing heavily, and glaring at Kyko. Last time, she had been able to take him out quickly. But now, he was stronger, and maybe be even stronger than Kiara, she had to admit.
Now they stood, glaring at each other, waiting for the other to make the next move. It seemed as if time was standing still, and finally, Kiara charged at him, hurling her kunai. He dodged it quickly, appearing at her side, and knocking her strongly into a tree.
She hit it hard, knocking the air out of her, as she fell to the ground. Slowly, she regained her breath, and looked up, glaring at him with hate in her eyes.
"I don't have time for you!" she snarled. "Run now, or you'll see the same thing my father saw-- and now, where is he?" She smirked.
A glint of fear shone in the man's eyes, but he quickly masked it. "You don't scare me, come at me little wolfie." he said, trying to sound taunting.
"We'll see about that.." she said, closing her eyes, and starting to chant.
"Great Tsuki Ookami-sama,
the one that I have gained the power of,
allow me to harness the power of the moon fully,
and become my true form once again."
The sky suddenly began to darken, and soon, it was pitch black. Were the sun had been, the moon appeared in the sky, blood red in color. Kyko looked around, fear now beginning to show in his eyes. Then he glanced at Kiara, who smirked.
"It has begun." she said, her eyes beginning to glow the same redish hue as the moon.