Shadows of Dawn

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer - Would I really be writing OC stories if I owned Naruto? :P

Author's Note - Thanks to Nutella's Biggest Fan, A. E. Stover, and UnagiKeki for reviewing! *hugs* ^.^

Part 7 – The Hunter and the Hunted

-Tanakachi Kaoyumi-

I let out a slow breath and strode forward, mind set to the burden I now had to face. Across the field, luminous eyes surveyed me from behind a concealing mask. I shuddered faintly; I still couldn't get over the fear I'd experienced during Hanabiki's fight, and now here was terror staring me right in the face.

I passed my limping sister and she appraised me with a look. Don't lose, her expression said. I swallowed hard, trying to summon that same strength in myself.

Hana had fought with everything she had, and she'd lost fairly. Had I the same power, the same will to fight? I had my uncertainties. If I faltered at all… I would die.

Relax. I unclenched my fists, wiping my palms across the cargo pants I wore beneath my long tunic. I adjusted the strap across my chest that held my bow and arrows to my back, jaw set.

Hana has faith in me, I reassured myself. I, too, can do this. I raised my clear eyes to Kakuzu, now putting my sister from my mind. Any thought would distract me; I had to focus.

The taller ninja was unmoving, surveying me. He obviously awaited me to make the first move. I measured out the distance between us – ten meters, maybe. I hopped backward, reaching over my shoulder for my bow.

String won't work on him, I surmised. He's a lot faster and stronger than me. I'll have to keep my distance.

I notched an arrow, holding it in place between the fingers of my left hand. I'll have to step this up a level, I deduced. After all, he hasn't seen everything I can do with this string.

I clenched my teeth, taking confidence in that fact. I didn't know how effective my assault would be; the only thing I could do was hope. Subtly I wound thin, nearly invisible thread around my right hand before raising my fingers to my lips. Grimacing, I bit down on my index finger until I tasted blood; then I gently swiped it along the wooden curve of my bow, leaving a red smear.

"Ninja art," I murmured, forming a hand sign. "Elemental Barrage: Air!"

The arrow jolted to life; I could feel it thrumming with chakra against my fingers. Swiftly I grasped the string of my bow and pulled it taut, taking careful aim.

Take this! I thought, and let the arrow fly.

It shot forward in the blink of an eye, chakra reverberating and forming a miniature jet stream around it. The arrow of air was known for speed, accuracy, and deadly power.

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed and he dodged aside. The arrow responded by changing its course in midair and arcing toward him. I wouldn't give him another opportunity to dodge.

I loaded another arrow, forming another one-handed signal. "Elemental Barrage: Fire!"

This time the power surge into the arrow was huge; heat radiated off its shaft, burning against my hands as I pulled back.

String twanged forward and my second arrow took flight, its tip bursting into flame. Fire quickly spread down to its feathers, which alighted like wings. This was my strongest arrow.

Kakuzu had narrowly avoided the first arrow, which sank into the ground inches behind him; he now faced the flaming arrow. He formed a rapid hand seal and thrust his palms forward.

"Water Style: Water Wall!"

A wave rose up at the last moment, engulfing my arrow. As it receded I heard a low grunt, and apperceived the charred shaft embedded in his arm. He tugged it loose, allowing it to clatter to the ground.

"Your chakra is in these," he observed. "Nothing stops their course, I suspect."

"You got that right," I acknowledged quietly.

"Interesting," he mused. "Then I would assume you're a long-range specialist?"

I hesitated. "Yes…"

He sprung into motion almost too fast for my eyes to track. He was bearing down on me, fist pulled back for a powerful punch. I dodged sideways at the last second, hitting the ground at a run.

Rocks showered upward at my heels; a glance back confirmed my fears. Kakuzu rose, fire glinting in his eyes, a deep crater testament to his strength. My free hand slipped into my pocket and I flipped a kunai over my shoulder. He leaped aside, giving chase.

I ran with all the ability in my long legs, one eye on the uneven terrain as I charged. I glanced back over my shoulder, desperately launching another kunai. Another miss.

This is hopeless. The thought rose unobstructed into my mind. I knew the limits of my power: I was an assassin, designed to kill in one shot. If I couldn't hit him, what chance did I have?

And if he strikes me, with that power… I refused to finish that thought. I bit my lip, drawing my focus, flinging another knife after my hunter. It barely nicked the robes billowing out to his side before thudding into a tree trunk behind him.

That's three…

I had nearly made full circle of the clearing. Clenching my teeth, I slid to a stop a meter or so away from the dried blood left by Hidan's symbol. I dropped to my knees, casting aside my bow and hastily forming hand seals.

Kakuzu was nearing, though he was more cautious now as I prepared a jutsu. Here goes, I thought, locking onto his position. From my crouch I raise my hands, twitching at the nearly invisible strings I'd attached to the kunai. The small movement reverberated down the length of the threads, and I saw they crisscrossed the clearing, overlapping at points to form a thin web around Kakuzu.

He'd seen the strings now, too, and whipped out a kunai, slashing its tip at the delicate bonds. I hid a smile; the twine pulsed with my chakra and, though it looked thin, was actually stronger than metal.

"You've fallen right into my trap," I murmured. "Arrows aren't all I use." I clasped my hands in the final sign, fingers locked together. Louder, I cried, "Elemental String Bind: Lightning Style!"

A gentle hum emanated from the string coiled about my fingers, then a blue light flashed and crackled along the threads. They were alive, glowing, the surging energy making the hairs on my neck stand on end. Then the electrical charge shot forward, coursing along the length of the string, white bolts crossing the air.

There was nowhere to run: cursing, Kakuzu dodged among the threads but found himself inevitably trapped amid my web. As the lightning bore down on him, he slid to a stop and folded his hands in front of him.

"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"

My eyes widened. In an instant his skin had hardened and blackened. He raised his hands protectively in front of his face as the lightning struck.

Lightning flashed through him and into the ground, though with his superior defenses he remained standing. Before I could react he barreled forward, fists clenched.

Move! I thought, rapidly detaching myself from my net of string. I hopped backward just as he flew down on me and I swiftly raised my arms to block.

His fist plowed into my stomach and it was as though I'd been rammed by a bull. I tumbled backward, the air completely knocked out of me, my back jarring against a tree. I slumped to the base of it, gasping for air and clutching my stomach. Nothing felt broken, I deduced, wincing, but the pain…

Kakuzu advanced. He was completely unharmed from my assaults. I grimaced; none of my jutsu seemed to affect him! I promised Hana I wouldn't lose, but here… I didn't have a choice…

No. I rose shakily to my feet, bracing myself against the tree trunk. This was my choice. To fight until my last, to give everything I had. I grimaced and began to form hand seals.

All right. Here goes nothing. I raised my bow, readying a handful of arrows, each braced between two fingers. I bit down on my lip, eyes narrowing as I took careful aim.

"Ninja Art: Storm of Arrows!"

I pulled my arm back, releasing a shower of deadly projectiles. These had no strings attached; I had no time, already notching the next set. Kakuzu was forced to retreat to avoid the assault.

I fired off three, four rounds before lowering my bow, panting. Just as I had partially expected, there was not a scratch on my opponent; but I had space to work now, and that would do.

One of the kunai I'd flung earlier was lodged deep in the tree beside me. I reached over, looping the attached string once around my finger. All my threads from earlier were gone; I'd have to use this one alone, though with my chakra intertwined in all of them, one was all I needed to reactivate the entire net.

I smiled grimly, forming a hand sign. Air, fire, lightning…nothing worked so far. I've got to try another approach. "Elemental String Bind: Earth!"

Chakra burst from my fingertip, winding down the length of the thread with a green glow. Then the string began to morph, thickening and hardening until it was a root twisting its way along, branching off and grasping off into space.

The net came alive at his feet, quickly binding Kakuzu's legs before he could counteract. His eyes narrowed and he held out his hands, forming seals.

He can't move, I figured. This is my chance. Quickly! I raised my bow, grabbing an arrow and holding it in place. A second to aim and I let it fly.

The shaft whistled through the air, straight and true. My heart leaped as it thudded into his shoulder. Cursing loudly, Kakuzu snapped the shaft off and tossed it aside, forming a final seal.

"Wind Style: Raging Torrent!" A gale whipped up at his feet, wind slicing through my transformed string and sending pieces of root and dirt flying. The cycling storm grew, howling in my ears.

I narrowed my eyes against the storm, trying to find my opponent. Freed from my trap, he was moving again, fast as lightning and hidden by the crazed wind he'd created.

A shadow to my left! I turned, too late. A fist smashed into my shoulder and I rolled on the ground, spitting out dirt.

Sudden calm: the storm faded as Kakuzu stood over me, both fists readied. I grimaced, struggling onto my knees, my shoulder throbbing. I could feel a bruise coming on. My breath came in short gasps, my heart beating frantically. This was it; I was drained, my chakra waning, my body at its limits.

I heard footsteps behind me, and glanced up to see the shadowy form of the Leader. His silver eyes glanced over me before focusing on Kakuzu.

"Very good. This battle is finished. You," he glanced again at me, "can consider yourself one of the few who faced Kakuzu and survived."

"I held back," Kakuzu explained tonelessly. "Killing her would be pointless. Her bounty is still under ten thousand ryo."

I shuddered. That was holding back? Roughly I got to my feet, wearily setting out to gather what I could reuse of my supplies.

When I returned to the group, Kakuzu was eyeing me thoughtfully. "You mastered all types of jutsu," he stated, "is that correct?"

I glanced up, surprised. "Well…yes." I shrugged. "Is that a problem?"

"It is an extremely rare gift to come by naturally," he observed with a barely noticeable glance sideways at the Leader. "-And an excellent asset in battle."

"Um." I didn't know what to say to that. "Thank you?"

It was true that was my specialty, I mused, using air, fire, water, lightning and earth chakra with equal ability. I'd never given it much thought as a gift; it helped to master any situation, though it hampered me as well. I was a jack of all trades but master of none, unlike Hana, whose Earth and Wind styles were perfected.

Hidan and Hanabiki approached; my sister was looking a lot more chipper now, and she flashed a smile at me. I smiled back, tiredly.

"Tanakachi Kaoyumi, Tanakachi Hanabiki," the Leader announced gravely, "you have successfully taken on the challenge of facing our members in battle. You fared well, considering the odds. From this moment forth, consider yourselves a part of the Akatsuki."

He paused. There was no applause, no appreciation; only a cold realization. I nodded, face set. The path ahead would be only more difficult, blocked with obstacles more imposing than both Hidan and Kakuzu combined. I glanced sideways to see the same determination reflected in Hana's eyes.

"We're ready," she stated.

"I have decided," the Leader continued, "based on your abilities, you will do best paired with these two." He turned to them. "Hidan, Kakuzu, I put these girls into your trust. You will teach them our ways, and should any harm befall them, the blame falls on your shoulders." The end of his speech was weighed with an icy threat; I shivered.

The Leader turned to us. "Now." He broke off; his eyes narrowed, flicking to the ring glowing on his right hand. "I see," he mused to himself. In an instant he turned, speaking over his shoulder.

"Escort them to the medical ward. I must go now to speak with the new arrivals." He was gone in a flash of shadow. I glanced nervously at Hana, wondering what that was about.

"Well, newbies," Hidan smirked, "let's get going, shall we?"

I saw no reason to disagree. Hana and I fell into step behind the older shinobi, wondering what lay ahead.

***

-Konan-

The Leader sat imposing behind his desk, hands folded beneath his chin, eyes narrowed. The two shinobi in front of him bowed before explaining their offer. Throughout their speech – the tall one on the left dominated, the other issuing the occasional quiet remark – the Leader listened in silence, expression impossible to read.

Finally he straightened, staring the ninja duo in the eye. "You say you've brought these two here."

"Yes, sir," Kisame said, inclining his head. "They're right outside."

The Leader's eyes narrowed slightly. "You have yet to tell me their identities. They are nowhere in the bingo book – unless you can prove me wrong in that." He shuffled the papers on his desk, searching for a file. "The two Kakuzu and Hidan brought in earlier," he continued, "were the newest S-ranked additions to the bingo book. It was Kakuzu's sharp thinking to…retrieve them before anyone else got their hands on them."

"So we're too late," Itachi assumed, his voice cold. "You already have the apprentices you seek."

"So it seems," the Leader cut him off frostily. "Those girls… It intrigues me why you would think them worthy, when they're hardly S-rank."

"A veritable question," Kisame acquiesced, "our answer to which is merely a gamble. One possesses the unique bloodline of the Toramura clan; the other is Tenmayuki."

The Leader blinked. "Really. Are you certain she is…?"

"I saw," Itachi concurred. "There is no question. Her chakra is immense."

"Then perhaps this is to our advantage," the Leader mused. "You told them of what their enrollment entails?"

"Of course," Kisame nodded. "Except…there is one condition."

"During initiation, they ask that if they win, we release them," Itachi intoned. "Only if they lose will they agree to joining."

The Leader's eyebrows rose. "You gave them such false hope? That sounds nothing like you, Itachi."

"I did nothing," he dismissed. "It was the girl's idea."

"Very well." The Leader clasped his hands. "I accept their proposition."

I shifted into the light, speaking up for the first time. "And their initiation?" I inquired softly. "Should I gather the others, Pein-sama?"

"No." He stared thoughtfully at Itachi and Kisame. "We will wait a few days. From what you have told me, their opponents had best be them." He glanced sideways at me. "They are to return any day now from their mission, I believe."

I nodded.

"And in the meantime?" Kisame queried. "What should we do of them?"

"Konan," the Leader addressed me, "take them down to the medical ward. Kakuzu and the others should be there by now. Let the four girls reside together until we initiate them. Konan, you will be in charge of them; show them the lair, if you like. They'll be part of us soon enough."

I bowed. "Yes, Pein-sama." I swept to the door, casting a last glance over my shoulder. Kisame was now giving a full mission report of their time in the Land of Water. I smiled slightly.

It had been originally my idea to get some younger shinobi into our organization; Pein-sama had been leery of the notion, understandably. But underneath his cold façade I could tell he was pleased with the results thus far. In under one day, we had four girls under our wing, and from what we had seen thus far they had an array of useful talents. We had witnessed the spy and the assassin in motion, and here were two more hopefuls.

I remembered well when I had been as young as them, alone and afraid in the Rain village. Even within the Akatsuki I felt lonely sometimes; as the sole female, my closest confidant was Pein-sama – and he had enough to worry about, himself. I fervently hoped these girls would not be alone – they would have each other and, I thought with a strange feeling of motherliness, they would have me.

I pushed open the door, quietly stepping into the hall lit with flickering torches. Immediately two figures turned their eyes on me. The smaller girl bowed, her brown pigtails dipping forward. The blonde eyed me coolly, arms folded, analyzing.

I offered a gentle smile. "Konnichiwa. You must be Toramura Reinen and Tenmayuki Minako." They nodded at their names; neither seemed any the less tense.

"You may call me Konan," I said. "I'll be taking care of you for the next little while. I know this must be a big change for both of you, so don't hesitate to ask me anything."

Minako nodded, her eyes rather wide. She glanced across at her companion, who stared stonily at me.

"I'll show you to your room," I offered. "Forgive us, but you'll be staying in the medical ward until we find a better place for you."

"No problem," uttered Minako, bobbing her head. She fell into step as I started down the hall.

Reinen's voice cut through the air like shards of glass. "What do you mean, where we're staying? We're not staying anywhere. Where's that Uchiha bastard? He promised us a fight, and when we win we get ourselves out of here." She jutted her chin defiantly, unmoving.

I took a step back; my expression faltered slightly as I fumbled for some sort of rebuttal. Minako was staring at her friend, horrified; one with less experience would have reacted at her words. I remained serene, noting her lack of respect with more sadness than anger.

Watch your words, Reinen-san. One of these days they could be flung back in your face… I said nothing of my thoughts, however, and merely responded offhandedly, "We'll proceed with the match as soon as your opponents return from a mission." Reinen's eyes narrowed; she seemed about to retort. Minako beat her to it, however.

"What do you mean?" she spluttered, before hastily adding, "G-gomen, Konan-senpai, I just thought – aren't we fighting Kisame-san and Itachi-san?"

I shook my head gently. "The Leader decided otherwise. He has his reasons. Your abilities most likely match up better."

"Oh," Minako murmured. Her expression underwent a struggle between relief and worry. I understood; Kisame and Itachi were intimidating, but the idea of the unknown must surely be more so.

I reassured her, "It will be fine. The Leader will ensure a fair battle, no matter the outcome."

"Right," Minako nodded, though she didn't sound convinced. Reinen radiated anger.

I turned away, deeming it wise to change the subject. "There are two other young girls here," I explained. "I'll introduce you to them." Minako and Reinen exchanged a glance before silently following.

To be continued...

Someone else's perspective for once ^.^ Let me know what you think!

Translations:

Konnichiwa – hello

Gomen – sorry

Review, please!