Rebirth of the 4
A Naruto Darksiders Crossover
Written by Silent Soul Ken
Beta'd by ChaosTatsumaki
Rating: M for Mature
Reason: Blood, Violence, Gore, Language, Nudity
Summary: The legendary Four Horsemen are dead and the angels and demons fight from realm to realm destroying them. The Charred council has no choice but to bring back the four but they only have enough power for one… War…
Chapter 6
A Village in disarray, Missing Friends and the Start of Training
Jiraiya stood in Tsunade's office facing the window while Tsunade sat at her desk, back to him, hands steepled together as she stared at the door. A full 2 weeks had passed since Hinata was recruited to Heaven and Sasuke to Hell. Things were not looking good for the village. "So you said Naruto was in the desert where he fought a winged woman and the woman defeated him with such ease as if she was toying with him?" Jiraiya lowered his head slightly closing his eyes unable to swallow that information fully as well but it was the truth.
"Yes… that is what happened," He said, "This winged woman… she was armored practically from head to toe, and had white wings like a dove, symbols on her face and her eyes were pure gold." Jiraiya described. "What do you think?" He asked her turning to face her.
"Hmmmm…" Tsunade sat there, 'In the long years of my life I have never heard of such a being… it's ridiculous but… it seems like…' she turned her chair to face him. "It seems you saw… an angel." She said, "As ridiculous as it sounds that's the only possible conclusion." She said sighing. The slug princess looked at the frog hermit. "I've already begun making escape routes… but it seems like it's almost too late to eve bother." She said. "So now comes the most important question," and she locked eyes with her white haired friend. "Is he dead?" The toad hermit was silent for a minute as he looked away.
"I don't think so." He said finally.
"That's not what I meant," She pointed out.
"Well I think he's alive, I didn't see his body so who knows." He affirmed. Tsunade put a hand to her forehead.
"Well I'll assume he's alive as well," She said, "None of this leaves this room; everything is already in chaos with the disappearance of both Hinata and Sasuke." Tsunade said.
"Yes I know… it's a big thing two members of Konoha's most powerful clans, key members in particular, just vanished as if into thin air." Jiraiya said. "I've sent spies everywhere that would want to capture them and so far I got nothing. The only ones left are the Akatsuki but somehow, even to my own disbelief, I don't think they took them." He continued. The hokage narrowed her eyes at his implication.
"You aren't really thinking that-" He looked at her with steel and she clenched a hand into a fist. "What the hell do angels and demons want from us?" She hissed.
"I don't know… but I think Naruto does." Jiraiya said, "I want to look for him," the Sannin asked his companion.
"Hmmmm…" Tsunade closed her eyes again, 'If Jiraiya can find Naruto we'd be in a better position but… something is brewing and it's best if we have every able bodied we can… and Jiraiya is our best hope for survival now his powers are almost greater than my own when he's serious.' The slug mistress looked at him. "I can't tell you not to go but I would prefer it if you stayed here with us in case something goes wrong." She admitted.
"Then I shall stay," the spikey haired elder said, "I'll have my frogs search in my stead also if I remember right you have a team out don't you?" He said, "May want to advise them to search the north western part of the desert that's where Naruto was fighting the angel." Jiraiya advised.
"I will," she acknowledged, he nodded and opened the window stepping on the ledge and leaping into the sky and out of sight. Tsunade watched him go then she turned back to the door. "Shizune please come in," She said finally and there was rustling and the door opened to show a blushing Shizune holding a sweaty Ton Ton in hand. "Not a word." Tsunade said as she turned to a pile of papers, "Not even a peep, understood?" Tsunade said turning to glare at Shizune who nodded.
"How're the Escape routes proceeding?" the Hokage asked turning to the paper on the desk.
"They're 73% completed the men have been working double time due to rumors of an attack closing in." Tsunade who had went to reach for her quill paused and looked at Shizune.
"Rumors? From who?" She asked.
"We have yet to find the starters but we believe it to be the members from Naruto's ninja group." Tsunade groaned.
"Get them in here I don't care how! Just do it use the black ops if you have to!" she growled, "We can't have them causing more trouble we're already in enough already!" she stood up Shizune bowed and headed off to get the ANBU members gathered. Tsunade sat down putting hand to her head to wipe the sweat away part of her was somewhat relieved. 'Them being blabbermouths sped up the progress… but we can't let them keep doing what they want' she turned her chair to the window. 'We cannot let things go out of control if we do we're finished if he enemy finds out, Angel, Demon or even the other villages!' She looked out the window 'Damn you Jiraiya for forcing me into this.' She couldn't help but think.
-Ulthane's home-
Ulthane stood staring at Naruto, the boy stood his armor on fully again, Ulthane had his arms folded over his chest as Naruto stood there, his hood lowered. "Well look at that the pup is back and wagging his tail after a week… I must say I'm somewhat impressed by that healing ability." Naruto couldn't help but smirk. "Wipe that smug look off your baby face it's too early for 'ya ta be so cocky! I could beat you with my pinkie toe if I wanted ta' but I decided ta train ya so you better be grateful, pup." Ulthane said, Naruto's smirk slid off his face replaced by a serious glare.
"Alright… well then before I can really train 'ya I need to see if you have tha patience to accept it." Ulthane said, he reached for his belt and grabbed a small type of container and opened it. He pulled out a scroll closed the container and tossed it to Naruto. "Go get these," Ulthane said as Naruto caught the scroll and opened it. One the scroll were written various items, '10 pounds of Iron ore, 5 pounds of steel ore, a pound of diamond, a…' and on it went up to 15 different items that Naruto had to collect. He looked up at Ulthane.
"You can't be serious." He said.
"Deadly," Ulthane said, "and I'm more than willing ta prove it to you," Ulthane said popping his knuckles slowly.
"I'd think I'd enjoy that more than this menial bullshit," Naruto said standing up his armor clinking slightly as he closed his clawed hand into an orange fist.
'Heh… he truly does have War's attitude for battle.' Ulthane was impressed, 'Maybe the council did choose well,' he admitted again. "Get going ya little blighter, bring the stuff back and we'll start training for real!" He said, "Go on, git!" he said. Naruto frowned then he went to the door opening to come to a blast of sand he growled then he held up his giant gauntleted hand and walked out. Ulthane nodded, 'Good now I can get to work,' and he went to his forge.
Naruto stood in the sand storm then he looked around. "Tch he had to give me something I would know nothing about." He said.
"I do though," And the Kyuubi emerged from his gauntlet. "I'll help out kid we should head that way first." And the demonic fox pointed to a rock formation. Naruto looked at the fox wide-eyed. "What?" The Kyuubi said noticing the stare.
"You've never helped me before why now?" He asked.
"Listen up brat… You. Got. Your. Ass. Handed. To. You." Naruto growled at that, "You need to become more powerful you need to become a thousand times more powerful than what you are now! Ulthane is the perfect teacher for you, while he won't get you to the level you need to be he's a good start to get at least eight hundred times stronger." Naruto blinked at that.
'Ulthane is that powerful? Damn, I would love to see him take on Uriel then.' The horseman thought then he turned to where his ghostly companion had pointed to before. "Over there huh? Well let's get to it," Naruto said and he began his journey.
-Konoha, Ichiraku Ramen-
Jiraiya sat at the counter gazing down at a small cup of Sake in hand swirling it around slowly. "Here you are, one Naruto Ramen!" Ichiraku said as he set the bowl in front of the Sage. Jiraiya looked up and nodded. "Tell me Lord Jiraiya did you order this because of him?" The old man asked. Jiraiya chuckled.
"Yeah partially," He admitted, and he began to recall to earlier.
-The Desert-
Jiraiya followed the desert toad as it crawled along the sandy floor, desert gear on, scarf wrapped around his face and mouth, goggles over his eyes and a desert cloak covering his body. He pulled down the scarf on his mouth slightly. "How much further," He quested.
"Juuuuuuuuust over this Duuuuuuune," the toad croaked, and Jiraiya saw a large dune. He nodded, for the past few days he had his frogs and toads sent out to find Naruto. He had just gotten a tip off from one of his spies that Naruto was in the desert facing off with 2 member's the Akatsuki. He instantly was out of the brothel and headed straight for the desert.
He walked up the dune as the Toad sat on the top licking its eyes. It pointed with a toady hand down, "There," it said Jiraiya sprawled on the ground and pulled off his goggles and grabbed a pair of binoculars and looked through. He could see it very clearly. Naruto dressed in armor his hood pulled down to reveal his spikey head of hair that extended down his back with two tendrils of hair trailing down the front. In his hand was a large blade with a bulging screaming face on the flat of the blade, which he swung in a large orange clawed hand that looked like an armored version of the Kyuubi's hand like paw. He noticed the claw engulfed more or less his entire arm even up to the shoulder.
'He's changed…' that much was certain, 'question is how and why?' in order to find he would have to watch and watch he did. The Sanin watched as his prospective pupil fought the Akatsuki at an even level, something that should've been something Jiraiya and a few others could accomplish. Yet this 12 year old boy was beating them back. When the battle reached its peak that's when it began to change for the strange. From the air, a golden door appeared, and from it a meteor fell, causing Naruto to break from his fight. The meteor though turned into a winged woman.
Jiraiya focused on the woman, noting every bit of her body he could and written mental notes down. The pervy side of him whistled at her body, but the shinobi in him regarded her with caution and suspicion. The hair at the back of his neck stood up as the woman turned to face Naruto. Jiraiya could see in her eyes a hatred that seemed to be deeply rooted, as Naruto had his hood up again.
'But why? He's never met her before…' Jiraiya couldn't understand but he could see it clearly. He watched as the woman easily toyed with the boy; it was mind boggling to see his prospective pupil be toyed with like a ragdoll. Especially since said pupil was putting up such an admirable fight with two members of the Akatsuki. Jiraiya kept watching as the woman finally knocked Naruto down his hood falling off. She charged then paused, and the old hermit saw her lips move, his lip reading skill had diminished over the years, but it was quite clear that she was utterly confused. He continued to watch as the boy got to his feet holding the sword tightly with that clawed hand.
The woman scowled then she held up her blade, and the two clashed again a series of attacks that quickly lead to the fact that the woman was in total control. The woman struck him hard with powerful punches, then light swords, a few more punches, shattering his sword, and finally the impalement.
Jiraiya was shaking he wanted to leap out and come to the boy's aid but his reasoning stopped him reminding him of the obviously stronger opponent. 'I would be no better against her.' And so he waited and watched, watched as the woman pulled her sword out, say something then turned her wings opening wide and she took off a gust of wind blowing out and smacking Jiraiya knocking him back he grunted but quickly crawled back up. He saw Naruto begin to crawl away. He stood up "I gotta help him!" He shouted.
"Wait!" The toad croaked, "The Akatsuuuuuuuki are moving again!" Jiraiya looked and indeed see that Kakuzu was already moving again.
'Tch I can't do anything those guys really are immortal!' Jiraiya looked at Naruto but found the boy had somehow vanished. 'What? How did he? Agh!' There was a howl of wind and the sand blew in his face temporarily blinding the sage. 'Damn this desert!' he cursed.
-Konoha Village-
Jiraiya stared into the bowl silently after the wind he lost complete sight of Naruto and whatever trail the boy might've made. He grabbed his chopsticks and broke them apart, they split cleanly in half he paused, 'Hmmm a good omen?' he wondered, 'Perhaps… this is a sign that Naruto is still alive,' whatever good news there was he would take gladly. He clapped his palms together, "Itadakimatsu," and he looked at the bowl again, 'Naruto please… be alright,' and he began to eat.
-Heaven, Uriel's Chambers-
Uriel stood her blade in hand observing the one blood stain that had refused to be flung off from her battle with the replacement 'War' she stared at it, wondering, questioning, and interrogating herself. 'Why did I spare him?' she gripped the hilt tightly her body glowing with golden energy as anger flooded her. "WHY!?" she screamed and she flung her sword at the wall where it hit the blade quivering and ringing.
"Kck…" she turned angrily to the window and stared out it, "Why? What is it?" she growled, "Why did… I have to spare his life! I should've killed him so that he wouldn't become a problem," She banged her fist on the table, sinking a hole into the wood. "…" She stood there then she went to her chair and sat down.
"I…" She remembered his face, young, defiant, and filled with, inexperience… much like she was when she had fought War… all those years ago. Her and War… when they had first fought he had defeated her easily despite her using all her strength. So easily it was almost as if he was… she paused then she clenched her hand into a fist. 'That's… it dammit!' she realized, 'To think that of all things was the reason why!' she looked at the sword in the wall. "He reminded me of myself," She said
"…" She stood up and walked to the sword, grabbed it's hilt and pulled it out, "I guess I want to see how strong he'll become… if he can become strong enough to one day beat me." Saying it now got rid of the ache in her mind but it drove another ache in. "But can he beat me the next time we meet? One thing is for sure I will not spare him the next time," She said, "That I can be certain of." She gripped the hilt of her sword and looked at the blood stain.
-Konoha, Hokage Tower-
Neji, Lee, Tenten, Kiba, Shino, Choji, Ino and Shikamaru were shoved into the Hokage room each escorted by one ANBU Black op Ninja. Shikamaru grunted as one pushed him hard and he stumbled forward, they all had their hands bound, he looked to see the back of the Hokage's chair. "Leave us," The Hokage said and the Black ops left the doors closing behind them. Tsunade spun around to look at them. "Where's Sakura?" She asked immediately.
"No idea," Ino said immediately, "Why do you care?" She snapped.
"Watch your tone," Tsunade growled.
"And why should we?" Shikamaru asked, "You sure are ignoring the fact that our friends are disappearing!" he challenged.
"You kids-" the hokage began.
"Shikamaru's right! First Naruto, then Sasuke and Hinata, and now Sakura! What the heck is going o-" Choji began but then Tsunade slammed her hand on the desk which bounced up slightly.
"Enough!" She snarled, "I have half of mind to throw you all into prison! But I won't…" She snapped then she inhaled deeply. "Look I appreciate what you guys are trying to do, but spreading rumor's isn't gonna help." The genin's stared at her silently, listening and judging her words. "Look there's a situation going on, I can't tell you anything because you'll probably blab but know that things will soon be getting… really, really dicey I want you kids to keep your mouths shut. But I also want you to help with our evacuation procedures." The elder woman said, Shikamaru absorbed all this his brain taking the information dissecting then deducing.
"War is it?" He asked, she turned her head her eyes locking onto his own.
"Typical of a Nara, but yes… we are at the eve of war… and this looks like one we can't win straight up," She said, silence as the words sunk in. "Please don't create a panic we need everybody to be calm and ready for this… Now I'll have to suspend you guys from missions for about a week use the time to get everything ready ok? Anything can happen," She said, she stood up. "You kids are among the bravest I've seen," She said and she unbound them.
"Lady Hokage are you sure there is a war coming?" Neji asked.
"Yes, Naruto himself confirmed this using Gaara of the sand." She said.
"That seems…" Tenten began.
"Worry not my comrades!" Lee said, "As long as we have each other and the will of fire! We will prevail over anything!" Lee shouted.
"Hmmm… I'll need to talk to my father about this to set up protection." Shino said.
"Anything you guys can do; will be appreciated… Now Ino you said that Sakura's missing as well," Ino nodded, "In that case you guys need to stick together cause something is picking you off one by one." She advised.
"So then guys what's next?" Kiba asked his friends, Shikamaru put a hand on his chin his eyes closed thinking.
"We'll begin preparations, and plan as best we can, this enemy will be as strong as Naruto is now so we can't win through brute strength traps, deception and strategy is our friend for this. Lady Hokage we'll do what we can." He said turning to the Hokage opening his eyes to stare into her eyes. "We'll do our best, in return keep searching for Naruto and bring him home… please…" The young genius asked.
"Will do," She said, "Now get going and remember. No. More. Rumors." She said steely and they all nodded and left. She sighed and went to her chair and sat down. "I just hope things will go well; a war with Angels and Demons don't sound fun." She muttered and she ran a hand through her hair as she closed her eyes to rest for a bit.
-Ulthane's home, 3 days later-
Ulthane observed the blade in hand, the whelp's sword. If a normal person looked at it then they would've seen a large cumbersome blade with bizarre faces on the flat of the blade. But Ulthane had forged magical weapons and he could see it. He could see the magic inside the sword, and on it. He saw that the sword would grow more and more powerful as it absorbed the blood of his enemies be they human, angel or demon. When it absorbed a certain amount of blood it would transform, and would do this 3 times till it reached its final form which would rival Chaoseater in its base form. Essentially this sword was perfect to match Naruto's own power.
'The council thought about this very carefully. They took everything into account,' he realized, 'Well… let's speed up the process a bit,' and he set the blade back into the burning forge and went to his cabinet where various magical objects were. He paused when he heard the door open. "Hmph… that was quick… I expected him ta be a wee bit longer," He muttered and he stomped out of his room and quickly closing the door. He saw the boy standing there, sweating, and covered with black grime, with his right hand bleeding while his clawed hand looked a bit banged up while a large bag laid in front of him. Naruto was perfectly calm his blue eyes shining brightly. Ulthane could see his muscle build was slightly more pronounced.
"Hmmmm not bad… Let's see if ya got everything." Ulthane said he began to walk when Naruto grabbed the bag and threw it at him, the ore clattered out and onto the floor. Ulthane stopped staring at the scattered ore. "Watch yourself… pup, you may have gotten a bit stronger but that doesn't mean you're ready to tangle with me." Ulthane growled.
"And I'm not some lap dog, I want to fight and if you give me bullshit training I'll give you bullshit attitude, I ain't got time to play games!" Naruto hissed back.
"Shut yer mouth whelp I can beat you with my pinkie finger… no my little toe would be more appropriate." Ulthane snapped, "Besides you need to get a few more things before I say you're ready for training." Ulthane finished calmly. He heard the metal clank as Naruto's metallic hand curled into a fist then… he sighed.
"What's next?" He finally relented.
"Next I need you to get some jewels, here's the list." And Ulthane once again opened the tin, pulling out another scroll. Naruto took it and grabbing the bag he pulled it away from the ore and shouldered it again.
"I'll be back soon." Naruto said as he closed the door.
"I doubt it," Ulthane muttered and he went back to the sword.
-Orochimaru's Hidden Lab #6, Wave Country-
A hooded figure walked in through a door hidden by rock formations and entered the hall with soft, clacking footsteps. Suddenly from above several guards appeared. "Who goes?" The hood fell revealing Kabuto. They instantly relaxed, "Lord Kabuto… what-" but Kabuto stepped forward urgently.
"Quick get the defenses ready! Lord Orochimaru has been slain by a monster!" He ordered. "I barely escaped but it found me and I believe it followed me! It could be here any second," he warned.
"Alright, Mozun, Quinblee, get Darvhos, and Jubuguma to meet our guest, I'll fortify our inner defenses." One man said, "Lord Kabuto quickly to the inner sactum," He said putting a hand on Kabuto's arm who nodded but as the men turned he gave a dark grin before following the man.
-The Inner sactum-
Kabuto stood walking around silently hands behind his back as 4 rogue ninja stood, sat, or lounged against the wall. "How many men are still in this building?" Kabuto asked casually.
"There's 29 of us sir and 40 test subjects." One said. "7 Scientists and 22 shinobi…" Kabuto nodded slowly then he smiled.
"Tell me men… are you afraid to die?" He asked, they all turned their heads to Kabuto, then they stood at attention as a rattling sound emanated from him. "Are you afraid to die for your lord?" Kabuto's voice was shifting now… becoming slightly higher and his face cracked, the bones, skin and muscle distorting horrifically then it became Orochimaru's face, the men stood there unable to belive what they just saw. Then the cloak moved and four large white scaled arms emerged and grabbed them they squeezed them, their bones cracking loudly then they snapped their blood and guts spilling out from where the hands were digging in.
"Mmm you truly are brave men… I shall remember this as I absorb this." He said and then the hand morphed into jaws and began to eat them all. He could feel their essence absorbing into him, their memories, techniques, powers… he was taking it all.
One of the doors exploded flying apart into pieces smoke billowing in. As it did kunais and shurikens flew in, Orochimaru stomped the ground and the floor moved turning into a stone wall. The kunai and shurikens clinked off Orochimaru finished his feeding and he retracted his arms and punched the wall it flew toward the door and crushed a few rogue ninja's. He stood there licking his lips as several others began to make signs for justu's but he moved in arms held up and he thrust it forward. The massive hand extended as it stretched forward grabbing ninja and gripping him hard crunching his bones and then slamming him into his friends also turning their bones into so many pieces.
Death flooded the building as Orochimaru moved through devouring his own workers absorbing them with maniacal glee. Nothing was safe as he burst through walls and practically made the facility crumble on his body.
Within minutes all the guards were dead, and Orochimaru had moved to the cells where the test subjects were. They all watched from the corner fearfully as Orochimaru chewed then swallowed. He turned his head slowly to them and they pressed their backs against the walls in fear. He then turned his body to them and held up his massive arms. His arms were thicker than the thickest tree trunks and almost as long with large claws that looked ready to tear into them and slice them apart. He held up one hand and his finger gently curved down scratching the bars of the cell he did this with another finger and when he did the bars fell out clinking to the ground. The people inside pushed against the walls even harder but nothing they could do would spare them. Orochimaru reached in one hand, and pulled the bars away with ease. He lunged hands raised and he began to stab and slice them up. They all fell some screaming while others quietly accepted their fates.
Within seconds they were all devoured, Orochimaru could feel power flowing through him as the power, blood, meat and memories of his victims filled him. However despite that he needed more, much more. He growled then he shrunk his body and turned into Kabuto again. He then turned and moved through the bloodstained halls; heading for another base to also devour.
-Konoha, 3 days later-
Shikamaru stood his back against a wall of Naruto's complex, his eyes scanning above finally he heard footsteps and turned to see, Lee, Tenten, Neji, Ino, Kiba and Choji walking toward him. He narrowed his eyes. "So you are still here." He said.
"What's that mean?" Choji asked.
"About 2 days ago Shino suddenly just vanished, as well has half the Aburame clan, the other half including his father the clan head were found dead. Their bodies horribly mutilated and even some of their flesh was eaten. From what I've found out reports indicate a very strong smell of sulfur." The lazy genius informed. Silence as the processed that information.
"So you're saying…" Kiba began slowly, "That, he was taken by demons?" The lazy genius shrugged.
"I'm not saying that… I'm saying you guys should be careful from now on, we don't know what's going on, but one things for sure Tsunade believes what Naruto is saying, and he says that angels and demons exist. We're probably fighting an enemy that's not only stronger than us, but possibly smarter, and totally ruthless. Take the best precautions you can and we might survive." They all nodded when he finished. "Now what other news are there?" he asked.
"The Hyuuga are organizing a rescue party that I'm to lead," Neji said, "I leave within the next few days." Tenten looked at serious Hyuuga her eyes wide.
"When were you going to tell me this?" She demanded.
"Before I left," he replied.
"Bullshit you would've left and I'd have to find out the hard way!" She said.
"Look not to interrupt your love talk we got more important things to take care of." Kiba snarled.
"You shut up!" Tenten snapped.
"Say what!?" The Inuzuka snarled rotating his arm.
"Guys cool off!" the shadow user butted in, silence engulfed them as Tenten folded her arms and turned away from huffing. "Anything else Neji?" He asked.
"I'm afraid that's it, we're to search for her till told otherwise." He said.
"Hmmm…" Shikamaru rubbed his chin, "I get the feeling you'll be out for a long time." He finally said, has Hiashi said why he wants her back so much? Far as I saw Chunin exams wise he didn't really care." Neji shook his head.
"He has not divulged that information to me." Again the shadow user stroked his chin.
"Alright is there anything else that should be said?" Shikamaru asked.
"I got something to say." Kiba said, all heads minus Tenten's turned.
"What is it?" The dog tamer shifted slightly.
"2 days ago we were asked to track down something that butchered a jonin, we got the call in the middle of the day and were told to use our dogs to find the culprit. We couldn't find the killer but we lost 2 dogs and one of our clan members." His tone was serious, "Whatever killed them did it within seconds and before they could even warn or shout to us and with such brutality as well they were cut into pieces barely any of them was left to recognize." Shikamaru narrowed his eyes.
"Where did this attack take place?" the Inuzuka sighed.
"The training grounds… so you may want to keep your guard up if you train there." Kiba said.
"Hmmm, anything else?" the cloudgazer asked, no one spoke, "Alright then guys watch yourselves." He walked away the other's following suit. Tenten pursued Neji and the two ended up in an alley. Tenten glaring at him then her gaze softening as she looked away.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She asked.
"Like I said I would have before I left." He insisted, and that was the honest truth. She looked at him then she walked forward pressed against him. "I'll be fine," he said in a comforting.
"I… don't want to lose you." She confessed.
"Nor do I," he returned, she looked into his large white eyes.
"Promise me that you'll return… no matter how long it takes… promise me!" She said Neji closed his eyes smiling.
"I promise," he said then he lowered his head and kissed her. Despite the kiss Tenten was not reassured, for she knew that with the coming threat the chances of her seeing him again were slim at best and non-existent at worse. She pressed against him even as tears streamed down her eyes. They broke and she looked at him teary eyed.
"I love you." And she hugged him tightly.
"I know…" He said and returned the hug.
-Shikamaru-
Shikamaru stood in the kitchen of his house the table covered by a large map of Konoha. The map was marked and he twirled a pen in silence. His father stood across him his gaze also fixed on the map. He then looked at his son, he was reminded of himself in his youth, lazy, but brilliant and calculative. "What do you think about the defenses?" He asked his son.
"For invaders it's perfect but for when they get inside it's lacking. We need to build shortcuts that lead straight to the exits or at least get them to other exits." Shikamaru said. "This is a force we cannot beat with conventional equipment and items. In fact I don't think we can at our current level." His son admitted.
"What makes you think that?" The father asked puzzled.
"When Naruto went to the hospital to heal Shizune he took out 50 Jounin of which 40 were Anbu Black Ops, with utter ease I was able to find the recording he had no challenge. If he was given the power to deal with this threat then it's safe to assume we'll be fighting beings as strong and possible even stronger than him." The young genius looked at his father, "If we go up against that with what we currently have? We'll suffer very heavy losses." Shikaku put his hand on his goatee stroking it thoughtfully.
"There's one way we could possibly repel this threat but it's best as a last resort." He opened his eyes and gave a stern gaze to his son. "We release the prisoners a lot of them are very powerful but dangerous." Shikamaru shook his head.
"It's really risky, the only way we'd do that is if we got 80% or more of the civilian population out first." His son countered.
"70% would be more acceptable; despite our diversity we need at the very least 20% of the survivors to be our clans. Konoha's strength lies in that." Shikamaru closed his eyes.
'Drastic but I see the logic still we can't consider that much of the civilian population to be fodder. There must be another… wait!' he looked at his father, "How many of our Shinobi know the summoning technique?" Shikaku paused as he processed that then he smiled.
"Very good son, but we must consider their chances of beating this force only 8% higher than our own." The younger Nara nodded. "Very well then I'll get all our summon users together to work on the defenses," And with that the elder walked away to find the specific Shinobi.
-Kiba-
Kiba stood in front of his family's house his arm and forehead resting on the door. His teeth gritted tears falling from his face while Akamaru whimpered. In his other hand was a letter that was crumpled. He turned and ran toward the hospital remembering the letter's words.
"Kiba… We regret to inform you that your mother Tsubame is dead. Your sister Hana is alive and at the hospital, emergency health ward. Her condition is… degrading. Come to the hospital for more details. Signed, Tsunade the 5th hokage." The letter fell as he ran with all the speed he could muster. He had heard that his mom and sister had gone to help with the investigations, but… he wasn't worried they were strong, far stronger than him and had always survived. But now… 'but now…' he ran even faster.
-Konoha Medical Hopsital-
Kiba burst through the doors sweat covering his body, his breath coming in painful hoarse gasps. He went to the counter, "Hana Inuzuka." He said, the woman nodded and she stood up asking a colleague to take her spot and she lead him up to the emergency ward. A minute later and he was inside. He stepped in turned and froze. What he saw he would never forget. Hana Inuzuka, his older sister, was in a bed with medical tubes in various parts of her body, which was covered in thick bandages many of which were extremely moist and bloody. He heard heels and he turned his head to see Shizune walking toward him a clipboard in hand. Her face was grim and it told him everything he needed and didn't need to know.
"Kiba w-" he slammed a fist onto the metal door bending it inward.
"…" he lowered his head to hide his tears, "How long?" he asked after a minute of silence.
"We… don't know it could happen tonight, tomorrow or a week from now. All we can say is that… nothing can be done." The assistant to the Hokage replied. She walked forward and placed a hand on his shoulder he stiffened then relaxed. "I'm sorry," was her final reply and she pushed past, walking out and closing the door behind her with a ominous 'cong' he stood there. Then he walked to his sister numbly grabbing a chair and pulling it so he could sit down and look at his sister.
'This is so… unreal… mom dead… and now Hana… my sister is near death? And there's nothing, nothing in the world that can make this better!?' he gritted his teeth and growled clenching his fist in anger. "Why…" he said his voice cracking tears falling from his eyes. "Why is this happening!?" no one could answer him, "Why did I lose my mother!? My clansmen!? And my sister is going to be taken away!?" He gripped the railing and it began to creak in his hands, bending slightly. "I wouldn't care what happened to me, but my sister… I would do anything for her!" The youth rested his on the railing sobbing loudly. He sniffed and a pungent aroma caught his nostrils. He heard Akamaru snarling and barking. He sniffed again and he raised his head as the hair on his back stood on end and goose bumps erupted on his body. He got up and turned hands raised ready to fight.
"Heh heh heh… no need to be so hostile," A cool, refined, and masculine voice said.
"Whose there!?" Kiba demanded his eye's searching yet he couldn't see nothing but a black smog that made it hard to breathe.
"While that is a good question the better question should be 'Why are you here?' and I mean you saying that toward me." The voice said the young Inuzuka heard a cane tapping the ground. He turned did a powerful sliding uppercut.
"Tch!" he had missed and the voice chuckled again.
"My, my you certainly are hostile and just when I was gonna give you a chance to heal your sister well then I guess I should-"
"Wait!" Kiba lowered his guard but Akamaru who had glued himself to his masters feet kept growling. "Akamaru enough!" he said and the small dog gave a whimper and gave weak growls that faded to small whimpers. "You can heal my sister?" he asked.
"Oh yes… but…" He heard the cane again and from the smog a figure appeared. He had a Fedora on his head and one gloved hand on it tipping the brim low. The other hand, which was holding the cane, was bare and the boy recoiled at the sight of flesh stretched so thinly that he could see the bone protruding slightly. "In order for me to do you this favor you need to do me a favor." Kiba swallowed then he spoke.
"Whatever you want." Sealing his own fate.
"Hmmmm… well now, that certainly is a big thing to promise…" said the figure and he raised the fedora brim. The young shinobi blanched as he stared into the skull-like face the skin stretched so tight it gave off the haunting effect. "Well to be fair I don't like doing raw deals so let's make things interesting and make it a game… does that sound agreeable?" The dog master winced as the thing spoke it's skin moving grotesquely with each word and syllable.
"A game…?" Kiba responded.
"A gamble would be more correct for what I'm suggesting," The creature cackled. "You must serve me… till your sister recovers." The young boy narrowed his eyes.
"I thought you could heal her," He snapped.
"Ah yes I can but it'll take time… so to show a gesture of good faith I'll take her out of her critical state." He spun his cane and then grabbed the head which Kiba now noticed a grinning devil head and snapped his fingers. The beeping intensified and he turned to see Hana shuddering he growled and raised his hands claw like Akamaru growling in front of him now. Then the beeping slowed, and her normal heartbeat returned.
He paused unsure of what to do as the demon, he now surmised, grinned it's ghastly grin. "Check the bandages." He said and Kiba paused then he walked to his sister his hands lowering to cut one of the bandages. He pulled it up to see her skin was more or less healed. There was some slight scarring and some of the skin was still cut. If he had seen it earlier he would've seen horrific gashes that cut to her very bone. Now the muscle and bones were healed all that was left for the skin to regenerate.
"Well then…" the demon spun the cane and then it held out it's skin tight hand, "Do we have a deal?" It was then that Kiba saw the eyes. Blood red cat slits that seemed to shine with malevolence, but he swallowed his disgust and took the hand.
"Yeah." He said, and so his misery began.
"Now just to make things clear if you disobey me for whatever reason you lose the bet and your sister… well let's just say that I claim ownership of her… understood?" The demon said grinning it's wide horrifying grin.
"Y-Yes." The youth confirmed.
"'Yes' what?" The demon said utterly enjoying what it was doing.
"Yes…" Kiba's pride welled up then he squashed it down. "Master," from now on Kiba was no longer a Shinobi… he had more or less sold his soul to the devil and this particular devil was not one he would be able to fully trust not even his own kin did.
"One more thing," The demon said, and he released his new servant's hand and held it up and a locket appeared he grabbed it and pressed the button on top. "There just as a… reminder of our deal." And when it opened it showed Hana, Kiba took unaware that his inner torment was just beginning.
-Naruto, Ulthane's Cave 2 days later-
Naruto grunted as he hefted the bulging bag forward and then dumped them into the bin that Ulthane was holding. When he emptied it Ulthane observed the pile of gems and stones. "Hmmm ya got them all… very well first thing we'll have to bulk up is your body and to do this we'll need these," And Ulthane pulled up another bin filled with the metals Naruto had gotten earlier. Ulthane tossed it to Naruto who caught it… and fell straight to the floor his head slamming into the metal bin painfully. He growled then he planted his feet firmly on the ground and gave a roar and he began to lift the bin then his grip faltered and it was on the ground again resting on his hands. "Pick that up and hold it over head for 10 hours once ya do that we'll get to the next part." Ulthane said and he lumbered back into his workshop. Naruto panted then he grunted again as he tried to lift the bin.
-Hinata, Heaven-
Hinata thrust her arms forward the rosary beads wrapped around her arms shining. "Not good enough!" came Gabriel's voice. "You must strike with intent just attacking will not bring out the beads full power!" Hinata nodded then she struck again but… since her heart had been sealed she had no intent. For the past week Gabriel had been trying her best to rekindle some emotion from the girl. Truth be told she was succeeding, as the cool demeanor was being chipped away by a rising frustration.
Gabriel had chosen these weapons due to the fact that the persons emotions ultimately molded their usage. These beads were chosen specifically for the purpose of reviving Hinata's emotions and personality. Gabriel sighed and turned to look at the main command center, the angel hated Uriels current campaign strategy, so focused on destroying the enemy that she sacrificed entire worlds to do so. The Left hand of God shook it's head then focused on it's pupil and raised an eyebrow as it saw Hinata starting to snarl the beads rippling on her arms. Then they stopped as she once again sank into the icy shell. "This is gonna take a while," Gabriel said.
-Akatsuki Stronghold-
6 of the 9 Akatsuki stood on the fingers of the statue, 4 holographics while two were solid hidden by shadow. "So Kakuzu AND Hidan have left us as well… is the Kyuubi Jinchuriki that much powerful now?" Kisame demanded.
"It appears so," Pain said, "At this rate all of us will have to take him on at once."
"That's not the issue," Itachi suddenly said, silence fell.
"What is it Itachi?" Konan said it was very rare for the former leaf ninja to speak out without being addressed and even if he was he spoke little.
"The issue is these monsters that have been appearing in various parts of the nation." He said.
"You mean the strange crawling beasts? What of it, they are not a threat to us." Pain said.
"I beg to differ, reports that two, four teams of Rock ninja only encountered 3 of these beasts and yet they were completely annihilated with no sign of injury on their attackers." Itachi said.
"Your point being?" the shark like swordsman asked.
"These monsters may challenge us and when they do we won't be able to defeat them with ease. I think we must abandon our current goal and work on fighting this new threat," the Uchiha advised.
"You do as you wish Itachi we will continue our operations, if you think this threat as severe as it is then finding and acquiring the other Bijuu is more vital than ever." The leader of the Akatsuki coldly stated.
"Tch," the silent Ninja vanished.
"Looks like you pissed him off," Kisame said, and he vanished as well.
"He's right, Pain." Konan said and then the two vanished.
-Hidden Rain Village-
Konan stood next to Pain, "These strange creatures present a problem." She stated after a silent minute.
"I do not see how," he responded tersely turning his head. "They are not important and even if they are all will be solved when we have all the Bijuu." Konan just stared back then she lowered her gaze.
"Very well, Tobi is behaving strangely," She finally conceded.
"Hmmm he just joined us not long after Satori resigned…" Pain said.
"Within the time that Deidara has healed Tobi took on and defeated the Mizukage who had the Three Tails in him." Pain was silent, "His act of a buffoon is… troubling… as he also seems to have something in motion that I cannot seem to discover at the moment."
"He's keeping secrets… like all shinobi…" Konan narrowed her eyes and looked at him.
"This is more than keeping secrets he's plotting something, something that involves a plan that is not yours!" She snapped.
"What other secrets can he have? He's Uchiha Madara, he's the true leader of the Akatsuki and his plan is our plan… but slightly different what else is there for him to keep?" Pain said stubbornly.
"I'm not going to see another Yahiko!" Konan shouted. Silence, which was broken by a thunderclap as the rain began to fall.
"Continue your search and report your findings as soon as possible."
"I will," and Konan vanished.
'The last thing we need is an internal struggle… it will ruin his plans… but if he has another agenda that he is hiding.' Pain raised a hand and clenched it into a fist. 'Then we must be ready to eliminate him. Regardless if he really is Uchiha Madara, my power… is far superior.'
-Konan 3 days later-
A slip of paper fell from the sky, and landed on the damp ground then several more finally a whirlwind of papers fell. As the whirlwind blew they formed into Konan who instantly flattened herself onto the wall her head turned as she glanced out the corner to see Tobi heading into a series of passages. She waited then followed. She made sure to use the shadows to her advantage taking great care that she wasn't detected. But unfortunately for her a new presence was watching one that was familiar yet also utterly alien. From the ground Zetsu's black head poked out and watched her go then it sank into the ground again ever so slowly.
Konan kept following Tobi till she came to a rather large room and she looked in amazement. The room was very large, at least over 20 meters and it had a large tree in a depression and as she looked she saw a highback throne like chair. There was a person in the chair. She knelt down looking closely. It was a man, a very old man, with hair that was whiter than snow, his body and face ravaged by both age and battle. It was then she saw Tobi standing there along with Zetsu, they were talking as she watched she found she couldn't quite hear them well enough. Turning into paper she flowed toward the tree and reformed on one of it's branches taking care to hide in the shadow.
"…what exactly are you worried about Obito? These demons and angels hold no importance to our plans." Said the man, Konan narrowed her eyes. She knew that name… but she couldn't remember where she heard it.
"Lord Madara if these things are as strong as reported it could make things harder when we go to gather the Jinchuriki. I've also heard talk that the demons are gathering on the outskirts of the village, as if they are readying to invade!" Konan's eyes widened.
''Lord Madara?' if that's Madara then…' an anger boiled in her, 'We have been played for-' suddenly she felt it. A killing intent, and bloodlust. She turned to see black Zetsu and then she was falling as his hand pushed her. She reacted holding out her hands and using them to bounce off the ground and land on her feet she formed paper shurikens and threw them 2 heading for Zetsu while the other 4 zoomed toward the old man and the imposter Madara. All of them were deflected.
"So we have a mouse…" Tobi, Obito, said.
"You should've been more cautious," Madara said, "Now you must kill her," Konan gritted her teeth.
"You must be a fool if you think I'll die this easily." She said and she began to make hand seals. Suddenly the Zetsu next to Obito lurched toward her and she was forced to block interrupting her seals. She slid across the ground briefly then she lowered her arms to see that the fake Madara was gone.
"Too slow," shivers ran down her spine, she turned a Paper Kunai forming the clanking of chains and she gasped as her arms were restricted. She gritted her teeth and she pulled her arms forward and took a step back her head slamming against her aggressor. Obito surprised was stunned, the blue haired kunoichi turned her hands to paper the rest of her body becoming a deadly whirlwind of paper. The masked manipulator though was unharmed as the paper went straight through him he stood away then he made seals at impossible speeds. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" he shot a giant ball of flame that burned the paper and cause Konan to cry out in pain as she reformed and fell to the ground her cloak burned most of it missing revealing some the ninja armor she had on underneath but the leg was severely burned and melted metal and rubber was burning her skin.
"Agh ha… ha…" She glared at the masked schemer hatred in her eyes, she tried to move but one of her legs were severely burned and bits of flesh were flaking off like paper.
"So your flesh is like paper too." He said, "Well then let's finish this." And he clapped his hands together in a seal when Konan threw a slip of paper. Giving a grunt of annoyance he used a kunai to slice it in half only for his single visible eye to widen as the paper hissed "You sneaky bitch" he snarled.
Konan threw her wrist and a stream of paper flowed out and wrapped around the tree then it tightened pulling her away as the paper bomb exploded. She flew through the air her tattered cloak ripping off when the black Zetsu emerged a ghastly smile on it's face. It raised it's hand but the paper style user flicked her other wrist and another rope of paper flew out. This one latched to another branch and she released the first paper rope and swung heading for the entrance. However the rope was cut as Obito threw several chakra infused shurikens she screamed as she fell. The cunning backstabber appeared and he jumped forward a kunai in hand, she tried to turn into paper but her body was still burning, he flew up she threw another paper bomb when a vortex formed and the paper bomb vanished!
"What!?" Then the kunai was in her gut she gasped as she was carried then slammed into the ground. The kunai then was removed from her gut and stabbed into her heart. She gasped then gave a gurgling groan as blood spewed out. Her breaths were ragged and rapid each one causing blood to spurt out of her mouth painfully her throat burned with pain. "Y-You'll never get away with this!" She grunted he pulled out the kunai again and started to walk away.
"Maybe, but you won't be alive to see it happen… good bye Konan say hello to Yahiko in the next world." And he turned, the kunai flying out of his hand and lodging into her throat. Her head hit the ground and her breathing slowed even more. "Zetsu, get her out of here." Obito ordered and the white half of Zetsu nodded sinking into the ground as he did the ground below Konan shifted and she sank into the ground as well. "Now then where were we?" He said walking up to Madara.
-Nearby River-
Zetsu emerged both halves now whole again and in his hand was Konan's limp barely alive body. He tossed her in and watched as she was carried away her body sinking under the murky depths. He chuckled, "That takes care of that." And he sunk into the ground once again. Konan sank into the water, her eyes closed her body cold and devoid of feeling.
'Nagato… I'm sorry… I can't come back…' she sank even farther, 'Yahiko… I… I…' suddenly light hit her closed eyes and she weakly and grudgingly opened her eyes.
'Konan…' she saw a blackened figure yet it was emitting light, light so bright it cleared the murky waters. She saw armor… and wings, features that belonged to… angels.
'Is that an angel?' she wondered.
'Yes I am,' her eyes widened time slowed.
'You can read my thoughts?'
'Yes…'
'Am I dead then?'
'No, not yet.'
'Then why-?'
'Your spirit and heart are pure, despite the goal of your leader. Your loyalty is unwavering such traits are valued by the order of heaven. We offer you… another chance at life, to live again to protect the ones you hold dear.' Konan was silent the words reverberating in her skull.
'Another chance at life… another chance to protect Nagato.' There was only one answer for the blue haired kunoichi. 'What must I do?' she asked, time resumed and the angel held out it's hand when it did the light shone, showing a stocky yet large man, covered from head to toe in armor, and with large white feathered wings.
'Take my hand,' and she reached for it, her fingers trying to grab it, then the angels hand grabbed her's and light enveloped her.
-Ulthane's Cave-
Naruto tossed the bins filled with heavy metals around with ease his right arm having bulked up a lot as well as some of his torso. Hard abdominal muscles had formed and flexed as he tossed the bins. He felt the ground rumble and caught the bins watching Ulthane come out from his forge. He watched as the fledging Horseman balanced the bins 4 in his right hand 2 his left, the boy was smart. "So ya figured out that yer' left arm had 50% more power than yer' right… not bad pup, we might make a solid swordsman out of you yet." Naruto gave a slight smirk, "Don't get cocky… we're gonna up your training now." The blonde youths face was serious again. "Come on," the old one said and he headed out. Naruto set the bins down and he walked out, when he came out a light breeze was playing and he stiffened as he saw Ulthane standing with a large hammer in hand.
The hammer was very long and tall more than Naruto at his current height and he had gain a few inches since he was reincarnated. "Alright now, lesson one… dealing with a surprise attack." And he swung his hammer and threw it… above Naruto's head. The boy was puzzled then he heard a loud explosion and he turned, eyes widening as a large boulder fell straight at him. He raised both hands and caught it. His legs buckeled and he was nearly forced on his front his arms shaking as he tried to hold up the boulder. The he gritted his teeth, and growled he used his elbows to give him some lift. When he was up high enough he shifted his leg and foot and he tried to stand but the sweat was pouring down his body.
"Now hold that up for oh… 5 days if you can do that we'll get ta the next lesson," Naruto's face twisted with rage.
"I fucking hate you so damn much…" He snarled, suddenly the weight was lifted slightly as Ulthane lifted the boulder with one hand.
"Heh good thing lad! You do that... you're gonna need it! To be War you'll want ta be angry! Cause that'll be what drives ya boy! It's good to have your fancy little principles but remember in the end it's your fury that will give you the strength to carry them out! Remember boy... it's the fury of war..." Ulthane said and he released the boulder forcing Naruto even lower as he tried to hold it up but within in that brief relief he moved his feet. And now squatted but held up the massive boulder panting deeply anger boiling in him. 'He better watch his back… cause when I'm stong enough I'm gonna kill him.' He seethed.
As Ulthane hammered the sword he was aware that the boy hated him enough to kill all honesty he didn't fault the boy. Death would be a nice reprieve especially since this mess was created because of his trust in Abaddon that cost Earth and several hundred other planets. He was not proud of it not even a little. It was a sin that no matter what he did it would not wash away. He stopped hammering and looked at the blade he was re forging. The only thing I can do now is guide this pu- no… this young Horseman and turn him into a being that would surpass War… and all of the previous Horseman.' He resumed hammering, 'I need to give him this… but I need to make sure that it will be a weapon worthy of his hand.'
-Hell, Lilith's Palace-
Sakura blinked she was bound to a bed her body nude, and spread. She tugged at a rope but it held fast. "Don't struggle too hard, it'll affect how you look in the end." Lilith said.
"W-What's going on?" the pink haired girl asked.
"Why you are in my humble abode and now I'm gonna start the sequence needed for you to become a demon." Sakura turned to see the demon sitting on a chair near her and in her hand was a metal tube and she could see a glass pot filled with a liquid that was steaming. The succubus put the tube to her lips and inhaled her cheeks ballooning. The young ninja wouldn't of known but what Lilith was currently using was a Hookah but what was inside it was the catalyst for her transformation. The demoness exhaled blow a black and red smoke toward Sakura. "Don't breathe in too quickly or you'll kill yourself, just take nice steady breathes and this'll be over within minutes." However the girl was not convinced.
She began to panic, the moment the smoke touched her skin it latched on and began to burn her flesh she started struggling twisting and turning trying to break free but more smoke was floating towards her eating her flesh and contorting it. In her panic she inhaled the smoke; she gagged and choked as the smoke burned her mouth, throat and lungs. "Do you want to die without telling him how you feel?" Lilith's voice cut through her emotions. The girl was tearing but she closed her eyes forcing herself into calmness then… after several seconds of fighting inner instinct she was breathing slowly. 'She's so easy to manipulate… how cute.' The female demon thought smugly.
As she kept breathing the skin on the human girl began to shift and bulge, but she noticed it seemed to refuse to take definite shape. 'This shouldn't be happening her body should be solidifying into her new form by now… what's going on,' she blew out a large plume of smoke and it hovered over Sakura some of it falling on her. The smoke glittered then began to change and Lilith smiled at what she saw. 'She has a split personality. It's interfering with the transformation… well then… let's see what to do.' She twirled the hookah pipe in her hand lazily, "Let's just get this over with," and she raised a finger and lowered it to Sakura's head pressing on it gently. Dark energy pulsed from her finger as she began to alter Sakura's mind ever so subtly.
-Sakura's Mind-
Sakura blinked then she looked at herself, she wasn't burning… she was… normal. She looked around everything was black but in the ground was a great white crack that ran just before her feet. 'What is…?'
"Oh you fucking know this isn't real!" she looked to see… her… but on her forehead were the letters spelling out 'Inner' and she suddenly knew.
"This is my mind? But… it doesn't feel like it." She commented.
"Please don't sound stupid she's a demon I think mental alteration is among her skills," 'Inner' Sakura said.
"But why make this one?" a chuckled answered her.
"Because darling you need to be sure of what you want," Lilith purred, "A divided mind is unhealthy for a demon you need to know exactly what you want."
"But what does this have to do with us?" again a chuckle.
"Well one will have to… take the other out if you get my meaning. Only one can be allowed to rule the mind. Have fun!" and a dark cackle sounded.
"OH this is just perfect," said Inner she cracked her knuckles menacingly. "It looks like YOU will be the one talking in the back of you- oops I mean MY head!" Sakura turned sadly only to find her inner feelings charging at her a powerful uppercut that sent the pink haired girl flying. "God that felt GOOD!" her inner thoughts said viciously, her normal self sat up, looking at her fearfully.
"W-Why? What did I do to deserve this?" She asked.
"What did you do?" the inner her gave a dark smile, "It's what you DIDN'T do!" and she walked forward each step she took made her seem larger. "If you had listened to me we wouldn't of been in our messes! You ignored me when you should've listened!" Sakura shrank back her inner herself seeming larger and larger. "Hell if it weren't for me you would've lost the Chuunin exams for sure! Though you technically lost anyways thanks to your monumental incompetence, but that stops TODAY!" she stomped in front of Sakura and it was then she realized that her innerself was a giant dark, gloating, and powerful. "And I'm gonna be the one on top! With me in charge everything is going to be smooth sailing!" a giant hand reached down. The young kunoichi got up and ran from her giant inner persona fear filling her, but she was so small. The hand closed around her grabbing her tightly! She cried out as she felt her bones groan she looked at her inner self which looked like a giant being of pure evil… a being she had created.
Tears filled her eyes, "Aw you're crying… just like you've done a hundred times already!" And she was swung down and released she hit the ground hard her body bouncing once, she spun and hit the ground again hard and a horrible pop sounded. She screamed, a high pitched scream that echoed in the silent air. Inner Sakura advanced and raised a giant foot, she sent it down on her normal self but she was surprised as her counterpart rolled away quickly. She got up and began to run inner was about to chase her when the ground rumbled and large walls began to rise higher and higher till Sakura was obstructed.
"Cat and Mouse huh? Fine with me!" and she raised a clenched fist and punched a wall. She expected it to fall but instead it just broke where she punched, the split personality scowled. "Fine then! I'll hunt you down you stupid bitch and then I'll take control!" And with that she began to break through the walls in a maddened hunt for her normal self.
Sakura sat against a wall her broken arm in one hand. She sat there, 'She's… crazy! She's insane! If she take over… thing won't be pleasant… she cannot win but… I… I'm too weak to beat her.' Tears filled her eyes. Her mind drifted to Sasuke then Naruto… both were strong… stronger than her, confident, proud, and hard workers. She just wished… and it was then that the wall above her was punched in by the giant fist of Inner Sakura.
She got up and ran but the giant form of Inner burst through! The demented personality laughed and she began the chase busting through labyrinth walls like cardboard. Then she stopped and stomped the ground. The pink haired ninja, was thrown off balance, she fell and within seconds her inner self grabbed her with one large hand and snickered maliciously. She looked at her normal self the eyes seeming to burn with dark hatred.
"Now all that needs to be done is for you to let me take over. Just say that I win and this is all over!" inner said with a cockiness that made her normal-self fume.
"Fuck you!" She shouted her answer was the hand to squeeze her tighter and tighter she screamed a high scream that echoed. 'It hurts! It hurts! God it hurts!' she whined. 'I… I… I- I won't! I won't submit!' and she closed her mouth glaring at her inner self. "I won't submit!" She shouted.
"Oh yeah? I think you will wanna know why?" her inner self snarled, "Cause you're weak," she squeezed, "you're lazy!" she squeezed again, "you're helpless!" something was starting to strain, "and you have no spine!" she squeezed again and Sakura's leg snapped. The girl screamed again a high scream that shook her mind. She then inhaled deeply and panted trying to take the pain and shelve it away. She glared at her inner self trying to raise steel but only lowering her head and closing her eyes and starting to sob weakly.
'I-I… I am weak…' she thought, 'Naruto… Sasuke… I wanted to be strong just like you. I wanted to be respected and appreciated like a real teammate. But… but I was always behind while you two went forward becoming stronger…' There was a groaning that caused Inner to look around. 'I cared about you two so much… and I wanted… what I wanted more than anything in the world was the strength… the strength to be of use…' the ground cracked, 'I wanted to be strong enough to become strong enough! I want strength!' A large crack suddenly ripped through the ground cracking in front then behind Inner growing larger and larger as it went through the ground! Inner looked at it then at Sakura.
"What the fuck did you do!?" she snapped.
"Hello there!" Inner looked around, "Down here tiny!" Inner turned to the sound and glared at… another Sakura. But there was something different about her, for one she was younger, yet her eyes told of a hidden maturity, "Hee hee, looks like she finally found me." The Sakura said and she looked at the normal Sakura still in Inner's grip.
"Who the hell are you!?" inner demanded standing form not wanting to give up.
"Me? I'm simply the one that she had never known she had. If you could call me anything I guess you could say I'm… mmm… Potential Sakura." The child Sakura said.
"Potential huh? We both know she can't do it!" Inner shouted at the new Sakura.
"Oh but she won't do it… the one running the boat will be me," Potential Sakura said coolly, "And I don't need your consensus either all I need to do is absorb you and then erase you." Inner laughed a loud mocking laugh.
"YOU!? Absorb me!? Oh that's rich! I'm ten times your size, I'll squash you like a bug!" And she raised a foot and slammed it down. Dust exploded upward and she waited for it to clear when she suddenly felt something poking her cheek. She turned to see the child poking her left cheek. She turned and gave a toothy grin.
"Hi!" she said childishly, Inner swung her hand up two swat her but only for the girl to suddenly vanish! "Do you really think you're a threat to me?" A voice above her said, and suddenly Inner felt a strange sensation, like she was being sucked away. She raised her hand to squash the girl but once again missed. "You're making this too easy!" potential said and the giant Sakura felt the draining sensation again coming from her chest!
"D-Dammit!" she shouted and swatted at her chest only to send herself stumbling backwards. She hit the labyrinth wall and froze when she didn't break through it. She turned her head to see that the hole she had made was suddenly much higher than before!
"Hey there!" a voice said, and she looked to see in front of her was Potential Sakura but she was… bigger, and in more ways than one. She looked older, more mature, and stronger, her hair trailed behind her back, while jade eyes stared into her, and she was wearing a very loose and somewhat revealing kimono that showed a rather impressive figure. It also was nice to point out she stood several stories taller too.
"W-What the hell!?" Inner stood back, "how the hell are you so big!?" Potential giggled.
"I told you I'm absorbing you… I'm taking your being and fusing it to my own." She said squatting slightly, her giant head looming closer.
"B-But you're at least 2 times taller than me!? How the hell are you so huge!?" the larger Sakura smiled.
"I told you I'm potential and I have a lot to me, even taking a little bit of you is enough to make me become immensely larger. So imagine how I'll be when you're gone?" she gave a playful yet predatory smile. "So be a good little personality and fuse with me." And she reached for Inner who jumped back.
"You think I'm gonna let you grab me!? You're dead fucking wrong!" She held up her hand a giant Shuriken appeared she threw it. Potential stood there then she raised one hand and caught it between her middle and forefinger with ease. The shuriken then sunk into her skin and Inner watched horrified as she became even larger!
"Like I said before you aren't really a threat see? Now let go of the normal us and I'll make this enjoyable. Mmm hm hm hm hm…" the now colossal Sakura said. Inner dropper the normal Sakura and held up her hands, several hundreds upon hundreds shurikens formed into a giant ball, when it was as big as a boulder and she threw the ball of shurikens. The ball split into a barrage of shurikens. Potential then raised a fist and punched down a large block appearing and she hid behind it the shuriken's clinking away or onto the block.
Innr charged and she punched the massive block and it cracked and fell forward. "Ha can't beat you huh? I just fucking did!" the cocky personality held her arm up in triumph. Suddenly the ground then shook and a breeze blew so strong that inner nearly fell. She however stood her ground and turned to the source only to gape and drop Sakura. Right there in front of her was Potential Sakura, but was different for one she was much, much larger than inner at least 3 times bigger, so big in fact that she could only see her face and one massive arm. The face was older looking and mature, the eye lashes styled, the lips with red lipstick, the eyes a deep jade, and long pink hair that fell around her face and arms, "W-What the-!?" Potential chuckled creating a small hurricane.
"I told you I'm the potential your negative energy is just feeding me with more possibilities to put it to better use. You can't beat me, but I can beat you." And she moved a giant arm and raised her giant hand and pointed one finger at Inner who was starting to shrink her fire dimming.
"B-But why? Why must I be the one to lose!? I just wanted to be the one taking charge for once!" the now pathetic personality whined.
"And there's nothing wrong with that… But you cannot be the one… you would destroy us…" Potential said and she moved her finger down and touched Inner's head and she screamed as she began to merge with her finger and within seconds she was no more. A crack groaned then it began to vanish becoming new ground. The massive Sakura shuddered then she closed her eyes, "Hmmm trying to take over from inside." She was silent then she sighed, "Now she's gone… next… you…" She said and turned to her normal self. Sakura couldn't move but she gazed at her with great fear. The enormous potential lowered her head her hair obstructing view, and with a great rumble it shuddered and then parted to reveal a smaller version of the former giant, but with long flowing hair, shapely adult features hidden behind long strands of pink hair. Her face had a mature, exotic look that would surely charm all those that saw it, and her eyes were a deep jade that shone with an inner light. She walked to her normal personality who could only start to sob.
She stood over Sakura then she knelt down and reached for her hand. She grabbed it and wrapped her other hand around it. Sakura was silent, utterly confused. She looked into those deep eyes and saw a sad, and apologetic look in them. "I am sorry…" She spoke her voice echoing around the mental space. "I am sorry for not coming sooner, but you needed to find me first, and unfortunately you found me at a moment where you cannot be the one on top." She then pulled her normal self into an embrace. "I won't force it," Sakura was stunned.
"Why are you being so nice to me?" She asked.
"Because that is part of your potential… but believe me that there is evil in me as well… it's just not needed right now." She broke the hug and looked into Sakura's eyes. "You and I will become one but you will not be destroyed just made into one being… into a being with limitless and unfounded potential… are you ready?" She asked, the main Sakura nodded, her other self, put her hand against her's lining them up perfectly and Sakura felt the strangest sensation as her body began to merge with the other her. The other hand was up and she felt it start to merge. She looked at the her she never knew she had and their faces pressed, their noses, then their cheeks, and finally their minds.
It was a strange sensation becoming thought, she could see within her hidden strength, dexterity, reason, beauty, and confidence. Within seconds she was fully merged and herself a mere thought to a her that she would be now in body and mind. Now she was a new Sakura, she was… a demon.
-Lilith's Palace-
Sakura opened her eyes and thrust her hand up. She saw ash fall off and saw gray skin with a slight rose hue to it, with small scale-like plates on the knuckles. Her nails were elongated and shaped like talons. She then sat up the ash falling away from her body. "Oh my look at you," Lilith cooed the new demoness turned her head to elder demon and saw a mirror appear, she blinked and stood. She looked at her new nude self.
Sakura saw a woman with should length pink hair, one arm was rather larger than the other with some hard scales on the back of the hand. She realized it was the arm she had been looking at. The rest of her body was pinkish-white coloration, and she had small horns that curved slightly with some light pink and white marking motif. Her bust was larger than before, not as big as Tsunade's or Anko's but still sizable, the real growth seemed focused on her hips. She looked and then turned admiring her newer, sexy and powerful body. She also saw that her wings were on her hips and right-side up not upside down like Lilith's. "Interesting…" Lilith purred, "Well my dear all we need now is your new dress and you're good to go. I'll go bring some over," the demoness walked away.
"Thank you," Sakura said, and she looked at herself again in the mirror preening. 'Now… Naruto… you will be mine!' and she chuckled quietly.
Sorry for the long delay but here it is Chapter 6! Been Beta'd by ChaosTatsumaki, hopefully it should be better than before!