Kuroi Kage VS. Konoha Shinobi
Chapter four for you guys. Enjoy.
Pairings: KakIru, GaaNaru and SasukeKankuro.
Summary: The peace in Konoha is about to be destroyed. Who are the Kuroi Kage, and what is their purpose? Do they want the Jinchuurikis in Konoha, or do they want more than that? What will the shinobis in Konoha do to protect those they love?
"Talking"
'Thinking'
"Talking in minds" (Naruto and Gaara whenever they talk to Kyuubi or Shukaku in private or in this case, when Hoshigaki Kisame speaks with someone telepathically)
"Demons talking"
Flashback (In flashbacks, both 'Thinking' and "Talking in minds" can be used)
-
Chapter Four: Survival…
Tsume coughed as she tried to get up. A kunai was imbedded in her side and she felt blood running out of her mouth. Kuromaru was beside her, protecting her.
"Kuromaru", she hissed and the dog leaned closer. "Get back-up now."
The dog only hesitated for a moment before racing off. Anko was busy dealing with the three attackers. She set off the traps that had been put up and you could hear the occasional yell when one of the three got caught up in a trap. Tsume hid behind a tree and took out a soldier pill. She would need it.
-
Gaara jumped away and landed on a tree. He swiftly got out an explosive note, attached it to a kunai and threw it. It exploded, and a blood-curling scream satisfied him that the enemy would have some trouble moving again. He closed his eyes and gathered up his sand again. Naruto jumped down next to him, his white trench-coat soaked in blood.
"Iruka isn't gonna like that", Gaara noted.
"Not one bit", the blonde said and gripped his katana harder. "Sasuke is in a clearing just a bit west from here, and Kankuro is in the east. They have too many people attacking them."
"I take Kankuro."
"Alright, I'll go and collect Aniki then."
Naruto moved but Gaara stopped him. He was pulled into a hard, fast kiss and then the redhead was jumping down from the branch, away from his lover. Naruto let a finger touch his lips. They felt icy under his hand. Why?
-
Kisame swung Samehada and three of the Kuroi Kage was struck in one blow. Itachi was fighting beside him. The Uchiha had yet to use Sharingan; or rather, the man did not want to use it. If he did, the enemy would know he was an Uchiha, and he was still far too aware of the nightmares he had have the last few nights.
"Itachi-san."
"Yes?" he said as the big man and he was back to back.
"More is coming. We need help."
"I know", the raven-haired said. "Let's send a flare."
Kisame nodded and kicked away an enemy. He sent up a flare and then there was only to hold out until reinforcements arrived.
-
Chouji jumped down on a thick branch, hidden from possible threats, and set down Shikamaru on it. The Nara's leg was bleeding furiously and he had a deep wound in his side. The Akimichi waited for his father and Shikaku, who soon arrived.
"Dad" Chouji called out. "I need bandages."
Chouza gave them to his son, who turned his attention to Shikamaru again.
"I'll take care of his leg", Shikaku said.
"Okay."
The younger Nara groaned as they began.
"It's alright Shika", Chouji said. "Just hang on."
Shikamaru nodded and tried to relax. Chouza kept watch for any enemies.
"Someone is coming", Shikamaru said after a little while.
"Friend or enemy?" Shikaku asked.
"Dunno… wait. I think it's an Aburame."
Just at that moment Shibi jumped down silently at their branch.
"You better go", he said quietly. "A group of enemies are moving this way."
"We can't leave you all alone", Chouza protested.
As on cue, Ibiki and Jiraiya came.
"Go", the Sannin said. "We'll handle business here."
Shikaku picked up his son and moved to leap away but Shikamaru's weak voice stopped him. The younger Nara took out a package and handed it to Ibiki.
"What's this?" the scarred man asked.
"I never got the chance to use it", Shikamaru said. "It's a trap Naruto made."
Ibiki grinned devilishly and thanked him. Shikaku jumped down and soon the two Akimichis followed him.
-
Kiba hurled a shuriken at an enemy and jumped down on a branch. Akamaru jumped down at his side before jumping down right on the enemy. Kiba was panting and winced as he moved his left shoulder; he had taken a pretty bad hit on it. Akamaru barked and Kiba jumped down.
"Where are Tenten and Ino?" he asked the dog.
Akamaru barked again and the Inuzuka swore. The two girls were too far away, and he needed help now.
"This is so gonna fail", he muttered before starting to run again.
-
Sasuke screamed as a sword pierced his right shoulder and continuing into a tree. The enemy licked his lips and said:
"Uchiha, right? Why don't you use those pretty eyes of yours?"
"Because you want them", Sasuke growled.
"Just activate them and I'll kill you quickly", the man said.
As the man came closer, Sasuke's eyes began to burn and he screamed again.
"I'll pull them out if I have to", the man hissed. "Your power will be ours."
Then something jumped down in front of the Uchiha. The enemy stopped and observed the newcomer. Blonde hair, pale skin and piercing blue eyes. A katana was strapped to his left hip and a cloth with a fox on his right hip. The man noted that the katana was glowing scarlet. The newcomer had a white trench-coat that ended around his ankles and with wide arms. He had a fishnet-shirt and black pants. Three marks on each of his cheeks made him stand out a bit.
"Who the hell are you?!" the man screamed.
"Naruto", Sasuke whispered.
Naruto locked eyes with his enemy, let out a roar and with one movement he had severed off the man's head. Naruto sheathed his blade and ran up to the Uchiha. He gently removed the blade and caught Sasuke as the man slumped forward.
"Aniki", Naruto murmured warmly. "It's okay now; I'll take you back to Konoha."
"Not so fast brat."
Naruto turned around to face ten more enemies.
"Our lord wants the Sharingan", the apparent leader of the group said. "Leave the body or else you will die."
"I'll die for my Aniki", Naruto said with a smile. "So you better prepare to die, since I'm in a hurry."
"Brat!"
The man had almost reached Naruto when he made a few one-handed seals and shouted out:
"Katon: Kuroi Ho!"
Black flames roasted the man to death and when the other men could look, Naruto was already racing towards them like a bloodied angel.
-
Itachi fell to the ground as a kunai sliced his leg. Kisame came to stand protectively over the Uchiha immediately. Itachi coughed and began to consider using Sharingan.
Suddenly one of the enemies fell down. Tsunade came and hurled her fist at another one. Genma threw another senbon, and Kisame found himself and swung Samehada again.
Soon there were only corpses lying on the ground. Itachi was helped up by the big man and he looked up at Kisame. He had a long slash over his chest that was still bleeding. Itachi put his hand over the wound and it began to close.
"Itachi-san?"
"Quiet", the Uchiha said. "Let me do this."
The man eyed him oddly but did not question it.
'I fear I will do something later on I will regret deeply Kisame', Itachi thought. 'So I want you to be strong and perhaps kill me if you must.'
-
Sasuke opened his eyes to see the whole clearing looking like an execution spot. Blood and limbs from the enemies lay spread around the whole place. He located his otouto, who stood still in the middle. His trench-coat and hair had bathed in blood. Naruto turned around and looked at the raven-haired man. Sasuke gazed long into those deep orbs of ocean, and quietly spoke:
"Thank you."
Naruto broke out in a smile, and Sasuke smiled back. No matter how much blood Naruto would shed, no matter how many the blonde Jinchuuriki would slay, he would still stay pure just as now. He may be covered in blood, but the aura around him made Sasuke think of only one thing:
'Angel.'
-
Gaara jumped from tree to tree, crushing enemies as he went. Just how many could the enemies be? Were they even worse than Blood Fang and his gang? Gaara sighed and twisted in the air as a shuriken hurled towards him.
"It's a Jinchuuriki!" one of the enemies screamed. "Catch him!"
The redhead made a Ryuusa Bakuryu and quickly finished with Sabaku Taisou. He came just in time to stop the enemies from killing his older brother.
"Kankuro!" he screamed.
The puppeteer looked up and smiled a bit. Gaara got up a kunai and hurled it at the last enemy. A sickening crack was heard as it penetrated the man's skull. Gaara scanned the area before getting to his brother. The sand gently collected the broken forms of the puppeteer's puppets.
"What happened?" Gaara said softly.
"Met the leader", Kankuro said. "He wants Naruto and Neji the most. You gotta warn Naruto and Neji."
"Why Neji?"
"Neji's Byakugan is strong as hell", Kankuro gasped. "More powerful than Neji is even aware of. You gotta warm them."
"You're coming with me."
"I'm just slowing you down. Go."
"No!"
Gaara picked up his brother and leapt away.
-
Neji fell down on his knees and screamed in agony as a searing pain came to his eyes. Lee quickly held the convulsing body close and looked up at Gai, Kakashi and Hiashi. The older Hyuuga bent down and said:
"I feel the pain in my eyes as well. Kakashi?"
"I always feels pain in my eye", the Copy-nin said, "but now it's more than usual."
"Hello there", a voice behind them said.
They turned around to see a man in his forties stand there. He had greenish hair, yellow eyes and a battle armour.
"Who are you?" Gai said as he got into a Taijutsu stance.
"Me?" the man said. "I'm Haishin, the leader of Kuroi Kage. Hand over that Hyuuga boy to me."
-
Itachi fell down to his knees and clawed at his eyes. Tsunade quickly pulled his hands away and screamed:
"What's gotten into you, Itachi?!"
"Take it away!" the Uchiha screamed. "Take away the pain! Please!"
Blood began to come out from his eyes and he screamed in agony. Tsunade looked up as she heard another scream and she paled.
Hinata was screaming and clawing at her eyes as well. As far as Tsunade could see, all the Hyuugas did and Itachi.
"Tsunade", Jiraiya said. "I heard about something but I never thought it was true."
"What?!"
"A man who could concentrate on bringing other people pain by just wishing so", the white-haired man said. "His name is Haishin."
-
Naruto tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable. He could hear Sasuke screaming nearby, but he could not call out for his best friend. The blonde retreated into his mind.
Kyuubi's chakra soothed away the pain immediately, and Naruto was lying in front of the prison. Kyuubi walked out from it and sat down near Naruto.
"What's going on?" Naruto asked.
"I've only met a guy like this once", Kyuubi began. "They control others by pain."
"Control them?"
"Yep", the demon said. "Remember how he wants Uchiha eyes, Hyuuga eyes and Jinchuurikis?"
"Yeah, so what?"
"By making them feel his pain, he takes control over them", Kyuubi said. "Means you gotta get your ass up and beat the guy before Sasuke kills you."
"He will control Itachi and Kaka-san as well?"
"Neji, Hinata, the girl's dad and all the Hyuugas too. And the worst is, once someone beats him, you gotta defeat all of those he controls. Pain in the ass, I tell you that."
Naruto stood up.
"I will need your help", the blonde said.
"I'll give you everything I got."
Kyuubi stood as well.
"But my power can make you die", the demon warned.
"I won't", Naruto said. "I'm too stubborn."
Kyuubi held out his hands and Naruto took them. Red chakra exploded, and a roar from the demon tore from Naruto's mouth.
-
Shino was lying on the floor. He was hardly hanging on to consciousness and everything was a blur to him. His fever was raging, and he unsuccessfully tried to move again. The smoke was coming thicker this time. Shino blinked owlishly as he looked at the door. Something was on fire out in the hall. If he would not get out soon, he would be burned alive.
-
Itachi suddenly stopped struggling. He fell down, motionless. Moments after, all of the Hyuugas did the same. Kisame was holding Itachi and looked at Tsunade for an answer.
Suddenly a man with green hair and yellow eyes jumped down. He had Neji on one shoulder.
"You should run", he said. "Soon the Hyuugas and that Uchiha brat will attack you guys."
"What?!" Tsunade shouted.
"That's my ability", Haishin said with a chuckle. "I turn friends against each other."
"So you're the guy?" a demonic voice said.
Haishin froze as he felt the chakra; never had he felt such terrifying chakra. It was even more terrifying than Kyuubi no Kitsune no Youkai. He looked for the source of the voice and the voice laughed. He growled and said:
"Let's see what you'll like this!"
He snapped his fingers and suddenly Itachi attacked Kisame. Tsunade looked into empty black pools to eyes and whipped her head around. All of the Hyuugas had the same black eyes. Kisame leaped away a bit as Itachi lashed out towards him again. The Godaime could see the panic rise in the blue-skinned man's eyes. She turned to the man with a growl.
"Change Itachi and the Hyuugas back!" she screamed.
"Why?"
"It will lie in your best interest to do so", the demonic voice said once more, but now they finally got vision on the source.
A young man jumped down and Haishin's smile left his face. The smile was replaced by a look of wonderment, and horror.
The young man had white hair, pale skin and purple eyes. He was long and slender, enough to make any man drool for his body. He had only a transparent shawl around his neck and a pair of white ANBU-pants. His bare feet made no sound whatsoever and had claw-like nails. On his stomach however were marks of a seal that had been destroyed rather violently. He had long, thin fingers with claw-like nails there as well. His right hand was gripping a katana that was emitting an eerie light. The man twisted his vermillion lips into a smile and laughter danced in his eyes. But when he spoke, the same demonic voice was heard:
"What's the matter? You seem a bit pale."
"What the hell are you?!" Haishin screamed and snapped his fingers again so that the Hyuugas and Itachi stood still.
Kisame relaxed his stance somewhat, but still had his eyes stuck on his friend. He had not unsheathed Samehada, and the man inwardly hoped he would not need to.
"I am a monster", the man said. "I am two in one; one human and one demon. I am a Biju and a Jinchuuriki at the same time."
"If you want them to survive", Haishin said with greed in his eyes, "you better surrender to me."
"Surrender? Me, surrender to a lowly human such as you?" the man said with disgust. "You must be crazy."
"I guess I have to get rid of you then", Haishin said coldly and cast away Neji's body. "Tell me your name."
The man only smiled. He brought the katana higher up and said:
"If you can't guess, you're worthless."
"You're stronger than Kyuubi", Haishin said. "But at the same time you said you're one of the Bijus. There are no more than nine, and no one of them is stronger than the ninth, Kyuubi. So I don't know. Who are you?"
The man showed Haishin a feral grin.
"I am Kyuubi no Kitsune", the man snapped. "But in the same time, I am also Uzumaki Naruto. You have never seen me fight, so you assumed that I, Naruto, was weak?"
"You are", Haishin said. "Everyone reported it back to me, that you were weak."
Naruto smiled again. He made a few seals, brought the katana together in his hands and said:
"Youjutsu: Chikai no Ketsueki."(1)
He cut his thumb and the blood travelled upwards on the blade. Haishin looked on in horror. Naruto made a sweeping motion, bringing the katana's edge to the ground before starting to run. His steps were light, much lighter than before. His whole skin seemed to shine and a mist of blood laid itself around him. Haishin only had time to see Naruto's smile before the demon-human cut off his left arm. Naruto made a simple flip and went back a few metres. Haishin tried to stop the bleeding, but it was futile. He looked up at the white-haired young man and said:
"Why won't the bleeding stop?"
"Because I don't want it to stop. I shared my blood with you, and when you cut a human with a demon's blood the wound will not close until the demon wants it."
"You gave up your humanity to kill me?" the man asked in horror.
"I have to defeat all the Hyuugas, the Uchihas, the Copy-nin and Ichibi after you", Naruto said softly. "Once you have them under your control, they must be defeated by the one who defeated you."
"You seemed to have figured me out, but you didn't answer my question", Haishin said.
"I was never human", Naruto said and they all froze. "Do you think a child like me could compare to the Kyuubi? You have to be something much more than a human to be able to defeat the strongest tailed beasts."
"You have defeated Kyuubi?"
"All my life", the demon-human answered. "So many times I've lost count."
Haishin brought up a scroll.
"I'm not out of the fight yet", he said. "I got a nice trick left."
"One? I got hundreds. Try to kill me, human", Naruto said and licked his lips as his eyes sparkled in amusement.
-
Kiba had gotten into the village when he had seen the smoke from the house he knew Shino was in. he leaped there as fast as he could and broke into a window to their shared apartment. Smoke billowed out but the Inuzuka did not stop. He made a quick Wind Jutsu Naruto had taught him, and spotted Shino's motionless body. He rushed forward and gathered the Aburame in his arms. He got out and moved up to another roof. There he gently examined Shino and sighed of relief when he noted the man was alright.
"You got me scared for a while there", Kiba whispered fondly to Shino. "Don't do that again."
Suddenly someone jumped down. Kiba looked up and stared into black eyes of a Hyuuga member.
'Black eyes? Hyuugas don't have black eyes---, oh shit!'
He jumped away as the Hyuuga attacked him.
"What the hell?" he muttered. "Akamaru, come and help me!"
The white dog jumped up and growled at the Hyuuga. Kiba looked at his furry friend and said:
"What do you mean, he's not there? The guy is standing there!"
Akamaru barked.
"You mean someone trapped his soul and use his body to fight?!"
Another bark.
"And that has happened to all the Hyuugas?!!"
Two more barks, nervously.
"Oh, shit. We gotta fight Itachi, Sasuke, Gaara and Naruto as well?"
Akamaru sniffed and then barked some more.
"Oh, not Naruto? Good, because no one can beat him."
A kunai thrown made Kiba aware of the Hyuuga once more. He looked at the man.
"Seems he can't use Byakugan in that state", he said to the dog. "Means it's a little easier for us."
Another kunai, thrown with a precise aim. Blood dripped down on the roof as it had grazed Kiba's cheek.
"Oooor… maybe not."
-
Gaara was twisting on the ground, screaming. The pain was the worst he had even known. He called out for Shukaku, who recognized the chakra of the pain immediately. Quickly he pulled Gaara into the mindscape.
"Wake up brat and accept my powers now!"
"Why?"
"That's the only way to not get trapped by that guy's chakra", Shukaku said in a hurry.
Gaara looked up at the demon and nodded, a bit dazed. Shukaku put his hands on Gaara's and looked him in the eyes.
"I don't think you can return to be human from this."
"It doesn't really matter do it now? Everyone treated me as a monster while I was human."
Shukaku grinned and a golden chakra broke up. Gaara's motionless body arched up and the redhead snapped open his eyes to reveal green-gold orbs.
-
Konoha lay in ruins. Shinobis lay scattered, unconscious and unknowing about the battles still going on. One lone man was fighting to save his friends.
Naruto had just knocked out Hyuuga Hiashi and the man's eyes returned to normal before he slipped them close. The white-haired demon-human panted as he looked around. He had taken care most of them. But he still had two left. He had felt Shukaku's chakra flare to life on full power and knew at that moment Gaara had not been tricked by the pain.
So now Naruto only had the Uchiha brothers. He walked lightly to where he knew Sasuke was, hoping that he had been luckily unconscious through the whole thing.
Sasuke jumped down to the younger Uchiha's body and peered one of the eyes open. Black, yes, but not the same black as the others. It was just Sasuke-black. Naruto sighed in contentment and stroke his 'Aniki's' cheek.
"Sorry Sasuke", he said. "I got your brother to defeat."
He leaped off towards the Hokage Tower.
-
Neji woke up to a pounding headache. He moaned and got up. With horror, he realized he could not feel his legs. He turned to look at them and nearly threw up.
They were crushed as an attack had made boulders fall on them. Tears prickled Neji's vision as he saw his blood slowly seep out from his body. He lay back on the hard surface now when the pain returned. He now discovered it came blood from his mouth and nose as well. He clawed at the cement for a little while as he tried to get any words out. However, his mouth would not cooperate with him. His pale eyes darted back and forth. He saw no one that could help him. He tried once more to speak and one word slipped out from his bleeding mouth:
"Help…"
-
While Naruto took care of Itachi, Gaara took care of the rest of Kuroi Kage. The redhead, although now black-haired, laid down Kankuro on a hospital bed so that he would get treatment as soon as possible.
The Jinchuuriki continued to get people closer to the hospital and the healers as Naruto reached Itachi.
-
The Uchiha was clawing at his eyes again, and Naruto was glad Itachi tried to fight of the Jutsu Haishin had placed on them all along with the pain.
"Itachi", the demon-human spoke softly and the raven's head snapped up. "Please don't fight me. I can take your pain away."
At first, it looked like Itachi would fight. But then the man slumped down and remained so even as Naruto pulled him closer.
"Itachi", he spoke again. "You're going to take a small nap. When you wake up, everything is gonna be fine."
The Uchiha nodded and Naruto sought out a special place on Itachi's neck. Once he found it, he pressed down with his thumbs, causing Itachi to faint.
He carefully lowered the Uchiha's body to the ground and let out a yelp as his own pain came back. Kyuubi had broken, he noted sadly as he crawled away. Suddenly a hand on his back made him turn around. Black hair, green-golden eyes and black clothing. It could not be…
"Gaara?" Naruto croaked and the man nodded.
Gaara carefully gathered up his lover in his arms and said:
"What's going to happen now?"
"I'm dying", Naruto said. "Kyuubi broke. He's gone."
"Shukaku is going as well", Gaara said slowly. "I can feel it."
"Please", Naruto said, not knowing why he said so.
Gaara caught the hidden meaning and rose up. Without taking a last look, he left Konoha.
-
The village woke up to see they had come out as victories. But some of them had lost something. They had lost two very special people.
Tbc…
(1) Black Art: Oath of Blood
Short chapter, I know. But… I can't really write more. Don't yell at me, please. And don't kill me either.
As you may understand, this sequel is short. It will probably be one more chapter, a short one I guess, and then an Epilogue. Then this story is wrapped up.
Sorry if I made it so sad, but… not everything can end happy.
Later,
Tiro