"They're near." Hibiki murmured and came to a hault.

The others stopped behind Hibiki. Yuuki pulled out her dagger and held it tightly. Minako let out a breath.

"What's the plan, yah smart-alec?" Airi murmured to Hibiki, crossing her arms over her chest.

Hibiki glanced at Airi and sighed. "Red, you and Yuuki are genjutsu users, am I correct?"

Yuuki nodded. "We could use your illusions here. And while you two are using the illusions, I want Airi to go out and distract them momentarily. Minako and Illrima will take them from the side, and I'll take them from behind. "Airi and Illrima will target the one in red, and Minako and I will take the other. Only target that one person. Hotaru…you know what to do." He winked at Hotaru and Hotaru nodded.

"Got it." She chuckled.

"Red and Yuuki, keep the illusion strong, and use it wisely in helping." Hibiki murmured.

Yuuki nodded firmly and looked up at Red.

She sighed deeply and closed her eyes, connecting her mind to Red's. Red connected to her mind as well.

"Alright, we'll have them in the middle - you go that way, I'll go this way. You know what to do." Red winked and turned to sneak to the enemies right.

Yuuki nodded slowly and quickly moved to the enemies left. When Yuuki found a spot well hidden from the enemies, but so she was just able to see them, she knelt down in the dirt beside a tree and focused on the enemies at hand. Two brothers, one older and one younger. One was in a red cloak, the other had a blue sweater. You good, Red?

Yeah, you? Red replied.

Mhm. Yuuki's voice was barely heard and she closed her eyes slowly.

She could feel her chakra mixing with Red's. She also knew that the brother's could feel something happening.

Red sighed softly and closed his eyes slowly. Over all the years of practicing this particular genjutsu, they were actually putting it to practise. He lowered his head and focused on the two males, there being, and every thought and memories of theirs. He could read them like a book, and nothing was hidden. He didn't know whether to feel sorrow or whether to be disgusted with them.

Hibiki nodded to the three females before sneaking his way to behind the two. Airi was the first move in this chess game.

Airi slowly stepped into the clearing where the brothers stood. She smirked as she looked from one to the other.
"Interesting scents…" She licked her fangs with her tongue, placing her finger to her cheek as she looked over the males.

Masaru smirked and chuckled deeply. "What's this? Some sort of vampire?"

Airi nodded. "That's exactly what I am."

Kenji raised a brow as he looked the female over. "Will you allow me to kill this one, Masaru?" Kenji asked quietly.

Masaru glanced at Kenji before looking back at the female. "O-Only if she attacks first…" He muttered, biting his lip and closing his eyes.

"Aw, is someone afraid of females?" Airi smirked as she looked over Masaru.

Masaru gritted his teeth. "I-I'm not afraid of girls!" He growled, his body trembling - he could feel the chakra of four other girls, adding one with the female before him. One girl he could handle, but five? He was screwed…

Kenji sighed and began to walk towards Airi in a brisk manner. His eyes were narrowed and in a few long strides, he stood five feet in front of her. "He may have issues with woman, but I don't." He smirked.

Airi smirked and licked her fangs again. "But you, the little brother, so inferior to your older sibling, is under orders not to attack unless I make the first move. So, unless you plan to go against his orders, you cannot harm me in anyway." She laughed in Kenji's face as she twirled a piece of her hair between her fingers.

Kenji chuckled slightly as he circled around her slowly, stopping behind her and reached out to take a lock of her hair. "If I dare to go against his orders, I could snap you like a twig." He said softly.

Airi shut her eyes and chuckled. She spun back around to face Kenji. "You pathetic shinobi are surrounded - outnumbered - you're bound to lose."

"We're not shinobi, girl." Masaru chuckled. "We never went through an academy."

Airi smirked. "None the less…"

"And we've fought more shinobi then you seven. And they were much more of a challenge… if I gave Kenji the word, he could kill you with ease…"

"But you will not, Masaru Shi. You're too pathetic to allow him to attack me without reason." She smirked.

Kenji narrowed his eyes and stepped closer so that his face was inches from hers. "Our situation is none of your business. You should be glad that you're still alive due to his kindness."

Airi laughed in his face. "Aw, did I upset you? Did I degrade your older brother? Is it making your blood boil?" She smirked and licked her lips. "Oh how I'd love to taste your blood."

Kenji smirked. "My blood is tainted."

She shrugged. "So? I like tainted blood the most."

Kenji began to chuckle and he shook his head. He reached out slowly and cautiously pulling her bottom lip down to see her fangs. "My blood would rather kill you then make you feel pleasure."

Airi pulled her face back and smirked. "Oh really?"

Kenji nodded slowly. "Haraguroi Himitsu lives within the both of us, and it's poison to the body. One drop sucked from these…" He dragged his finger lightly over the sharp fang. "It would cause you immense pain."

Airi laughed. "And what if I told you… that I've tasted blood of your kind before?"

"Our kind?" He asked, slowly withdrawing his hand.

"Ones like you who possess Haraguroi Himitsu…" She smirked.

Kenji chuckled again. "Would you like to test the theory?"

Airi laughed. "And give that your chance to strike? I think not."

Kenji smirked and shook his head. "I'm under orders, remember?"

"And if I sink my fangs into your flesh, that's considered taking the first move."

Kenji narrowed his eyes. "Then why're you here? You're here to kill us, what are you waiting for? Waiting for Masaru to allow me to strike? Is that what you're waiting for?" Kenji chuckled and turned his back to Airi, walking forwards and turning around. "Five females and two males. Two genjutsu users, three cornering us, and one distraction." He lowered his head, focusing. "Where's the other? Below us? Above us? In us?"

Airi smirked and shrugged. "Getting worried?" She chuckled and shook her head. "I'm not telling you nothing. And as for what I'm waiting for? I'm just following my own orders, nothing more, nothing less."

"Some orders." Kenji stated and walked forwards towards her again. "Some distraction…Vampire." He hissed and began to walk towards his brother.

Airi laughed. "No one said they'd be good, but at least I'm keeping your attention on me slightly."

Kenji returned to his spot beside Masaru and turned to look at Airi again. "Attention on you? You're just a pathetic woman who Masaru simply feels pity for."

Masaru sighed and looked over Airi. "This is your only chance. Take your comrades and leave us be." He hissed.

Airi laughed. "We're under orders from the Hokage to take you two outcasts down!"

Kenji chuckled and glanced to his brother. "I'm on my last line, Masaru." He whispered. "Can you just get over yourself and give me the go ahead?" He asked quietly.

"No." Masaru hissed. His fists were clenched, his body trembling.

Kenji sighed and glanced at his brother again. He could see his brothers trembling body and he slowly turned to look at Airi. He narrowed his eyes and stuck his finger up, asking for a quick second. He stepped in front of Masaru, shielding Airi and Masaru's vision from each other.

"I know vampires have a charm thing, but don't tell me you're falling for it." He whispered.

"Th-That's not it at all…" Masaru murmured, narrowing his eyes on Kenji.

"Masaru, we're surrounded by seven, if we don't act now it won't be pretty."

Masaru scoffed. "Are you doubting us now?" He hissed.

Kenji shook his head. "I said it wouldn't be pretty - I know we'd win."

Masaru sighed. "Wh-Why did they have to bring so many girls…?" He growled under his breath, lowering his head.

Kenji rolled his eyes. "Considering the fact that if it weren't for me provoking all the others, every single woman would be let loose."

Masaru gritted his teeth. "I-I can't help it…"

Kenji shook his head. "If I provoke her?"

"I-I said if she attacked first…" He muttered.

Kenji sighed. "She's a woman, Masaru. We're better than them all. We were better than mother."

Masaru's eyes widened as he lifted his head and gripped Kenji's shoulders. "What the hell did I tell you?" He hissed, his voice raising slightly.

Kenji narrowed his eyes. He could see the edges of Masaru's eyes beginning to turn darker. Kenji shook his head and pushed his arms away, turning back to Airi. He withdrew a kunai and began to walk forwards.

Hotaru walked the perimeter of the area, passing both Yuuki and Red by ten feet. When she walked a full circle she walked further away from where the battle was being held and found a small area in the woods where light shone through and brightened the ground. She smiled softly and circled the edge of where the sun and darkness mixed before sitting gracefully in the middle of the circle she walked. Closing her eyes, and she crossed her legs and made a seal in front of her chest with her hands. Her long pink hair flowed around her gently in the wind and she allowed her breathing to slow. She could feel her heartbeat slowing and her mind began to relax, mixing in with the surroundings around her and the enemies. She could see everything clearly in her head from each and every perspective.

She allowed one last breath to leave her before her heart completely stopped. Where others would think she was dead, Hotaru simply felt like she was sleeping on a cloud. A wall of undetected chakra circled the path that she walked around the battle area and closed in around them. She could feel the different chakra's of her teamates along with two unknown chakra's - presumably the brothers; it was dark, and Hotaru grimaced slightly at the feeling of it.

Hibiki smirked as he felt the chakra of Hotaru surrounding him. He knew Hotaru's jutsu inside out thus allowing him to sense the otherwise undetected chakra, although he hadn't taken it for himself, but he could faintly tell that she had it in place.

Airi smirked as Kenji approached her with the kunai. "Going against orders now?"

Kenji smirked and continued to walk forwards, holding the kunai out with his hand.

Airi slowly pulled a kunai, narrowing her eyes. "Make a move then. Go against your older brothers will." She hissed

Kenji smirked and withdrew his arm before thrusting his arm forward, stopping just before the tip of the kunai pricked her skin; the sharp point rested gently against the skin of her stomach, his head resting right beside hers. He let out a growl. "You're bold." He whispered sharply.

"Pathetic." She hissed into his ear. "So nervous of your brother? What would he do, kill you?" She smirked. "Guess no love exists between the two of you." She whispered.

Kenji chuckled. "You do not know how our relationship runs. He wouldn't kill me, he'd be angry, but then he'd eventually get over himself like he did his mother." He whispered so Masaru couldn't hear.

Airi gritted her teeth. "I don't get why the two of you had to go evil… you two could have been useful in this world…" She murmured.

"This is our world, and we reign above it." He murmured, dragging the tip of the kunai across her stomach, being careful not to break the skin.

Airi shook her head. "Did you two not ever want friends? Isn't it lonely with only having each other? Does stuff like friendship, love or loyalty even matter to you guys?" She muttered, lowering her head slightly. "I used to be like you guys…" She whispered.

Kenji chuckled. "Friendship? My brother and I have an inseperable friendship. Love? Our love is mutual, and unbreakable. And Loyalty? We're more loyal to each other then a male in a female have a relationship that only lasts so long and diminishes like the wind. Ours is stronger than the world can comprehend - then you can comprehend." He chuckled again. "You were never like either of us."

"You think not?" She murmured. "I had an older brother… and I killed him." She whispered. "Him and I were like you and Masaru.. We traveled the lands, killing all we found… one day I snapped on him, and killed him." She shook her head. "One day either you or Masaru will snap, and on that day… one of you will die." She hissed.

Kenji smirked and leaned his mouth to her ear. "We're stronger than you and your brother are."

Airi gritted her teeth, her body starting to tremble. "Take that back…" She hissed.

"And female-male sibling relationship will never be a strong bond. There is nothing in common with the being." He chuckled and narrowed his eyes. "It was probably your pathetic hormones."

Airi's eyes widened as she clenched her fists. "You bastard! Y-You know nothing!" She screamed. She quickly turned her head and sank her fangs into his throat, getting a taste of his tainted blood.

Kenji gritted his teeth and shoved the kunai past her skin and deep into her stomach, grabbing her throat with his other hand and pushing her back. Airi gritted her teeth in pain as a scream left her lips. Suddenly, a sticky web wrapped around Kenji, causing him to drop Airi to the forest floor. Masaru's eyes widened. As he went to pull out a kunai, he was tackled to the ground.

Masaru's eyes widened as he looked up at a pink-haired female. "M-Minako… Uma?"

Minako smirked. "I'm more known then you and your pathetic sibling!" She laughed.

Hibiki made his way from the forest and glanced at Minako and Masaru. Masaru quickly grabbed Minako's throat and threw her in Hibiki's direction as he moved back to his feet. Minako gasped as she quickly skidded across the ground, stopping before she hit Hibiki.

Hibiki narrowed his eyes and helped Minako back to her feet. "How does it feel to wrap your hands around a woman throat?" Hibiki asked.

Masaru narrowed his eyes at Hibiki, looking down at his hand. It was still trembling. He gritted his teeth and looked away from Hibiki. Minako held her throat and tried to catch her breath. "H-His strength… don't let him get his hands on you…" She murmured.

Hibiki glanced at Minako's throat and back at Masaru. He walked behind Minako and pulled her hair back and up, looking over her throat. It was bright red from Masaru's grip and was already beginning to bruise. "How sad, the marks you've given her." He said slowly, pronouncing his words clearly.

Masaru gritted his teeth again. "Shut up! I-I had to!"

Hibiki raised a brow. "Like you had to kill your mother?"

Masaru's eyes widened. "N-No! I-I… shut up! Just who the hell do you think you are?" He yelled, clenching his fists - he wanted to harm the male, but he had the female with him.

Hibiki smiled. "Well, I'm Hiroshimo, Hibiki." Hibiki stated. "You don't have to introduce yourself, I've known about you for years."

Masaru growled as he looked from Hibiki to Minako. "Drop the girl and let us fight like actual men!"

Hibiki smirked as he looked the man over carefully before wrapping his arms around Minako's shoulders, kissing her cheek lightly. "Like men? A man protects his girl, and if this keeps her safe…why would I move?"

Masaru growled. "How disgusting! How could you even touch her in anyway besides harm!"

Hibiki shrugged. "Is that what told yourself the night you killed your mother after so many years of your mothers loving affection?"

Masaru's eyes widened. "Sh-She… she was just a victim to the Haraguroi Himitsu… j-just like Kenji and I are… y-you know nothing of my beloved mother!" He screamed.

Hibiki shrugged. "I don't know her personally, but I know information you wouldn't think I know. Besides, a real man knows how to love." He smirked and turned Minako's head to kiss her lightly on the lips. "A real man…is a gentleman."

Masaru's mouth gaped as he stared at Minako and Hibiki. He tried to speak but no words seem to come out.

Minako smirked and turned to look at Masaru. "Not that you'd know what that even means."

Masaru clenched his fists. "Sh-Shut up! You scum!"

Minako narrowed her eyes. "If you know who I am, you know that's a bad idea." She hissed.

Masaru growled. "Yeah, I know your story. You're known as "The Village Psycho" back in Sunagakure…" He shook his head. "They say you snap and become some sort of monster, so what! I have something way more powerful! I could snap you like a twig!"

Minako smirked. "As if! You're too damn scared to even come near me!"

Masaru gritted his teeth. "N-No…"

Hibiki moved his hands to take a hold of Minako's wrist as he held them behind her head and made her walk forwards. "Does Minako not fit the definition of a victim?" He asked.

Masaru took a step back and growled. "N-No… she's not like me!"

Minako smirked. "You think not? I am taken over by an evil I cannot control, just as you are."

"N-No! It's not the same! Stay away from me!" Masaru screamed.

Hibiki continued to move forwards, pushing Minako forwards as well. Masaru shook his head again as his eyes were wide with terror. He nervously moved his hands in front of himself in a seal. "D-don't make me do this! Please!" He begged.

Hibiki stopped and bit the inside of his cheek. He wanted to provoke Masaru to come towards them, but he didn't want to cause any harm to Minako. He took a small step backwards as a sign to Masaru and paused. "Terrified of what a woman can do?" Hibiki questioned mockingly.

Masaru growled and moved his hands higher - maybe he could avoid the girl and still hit the male? His mind was foggy, he was forgetting half of the jutsu's he knew, and all because of a female? It wasn't right. He shook his head and closed his eyes, letting a breath. "I won't let this girl stop me. I will kill her if it means making you shut that smart mouth of yours!"

Hibiki narrowed his eyes and let go of her wrists, moving to stand ten feet to her left. "We're both your enemies, Masaru." Hibiki stated, narrowing his eyes and bracing himself for anything to come.

Masaru glanced at Minako before looking back at Hibiki and narrowing his eyes. "So? I'm more kind then Kenji is…"

"Kind is the wrong word." Hibiki murmured. "Merciful towards woman would be the better phrase."

Masaru gritted his teeth. "I told you to shut that smart mouth!" Masaru quickly formed three other seals before he closed his eyes, a black aura forming around his body. When he opened his eyes again, they were black and empty. "I don't like you, Hiroshimo, Hibiki! And I will kill you if it's the last thing I do!"

Minako's eyes widened as she quickly looked to Hibiki. "H-Hibiki…"

Hibiki glanced at Minako and smiled softly. "I love you." He lipped to her before turning back to look at Masaru. He made a quick few hand seals before running towards Masaru.

Minako's eyes widened as she watched closely, biting her lip. Masaru smirked as he quickly ran towards Hibiki in return, his fists glowing with the same aura. Just before the two were about to collide, Hibiki disappeared and reappeared behind Masaru, thrusting his hands towards Masaru's back. Masaru gasped, his body stopped moving and he fell to the ground. "Wh-What… is this?" He hissed, weakly looking up at Hibiki.

Hibiki smirked and shrugged. "A little something I picked up along my life journey. Temporary paralysis…" He bent down beside Masaru and reached for his throat. "I could slit your throat right here." He whispered.

Kenji glanced at Masaru laying on the ground to his far left. Hibiki was bent over him, his hand to his throat. He had managed to escape Illrima's web and the two girls working together posed Kenji a challenge. He quickly dodged Airi attack, and then Illrima's, slowly making his way towards Hibiki before lunging at the man and tackling him to the ground.

"Masaru, you idiot! Stand!" Kenji shouted.

Masaru struggled against the jutsu but was unable to move. "I-I can't…"

Minako's eyes widened. She wanted to help Hibiki, but she knew Masaru would only be trapped for so long. She spotted Illrima and Airi going to assist Hibiki and quickly pulled out a kunai, heading towards Masaru. Masaru's eyes widened as he spotted Minako heading towards him. He tried struggling more when suddenly his body began to obet him and he could move freely. Minako's eyes widened as she gritted her teeth.

"Damnit!" She shouted as she tried to land a hit on Masaru.

Masaru blocked her attacks as terror crossed his face again. "Leave me alone, girl!" He shouted.

Minako smirked and quickly pulled the kunai across Masaru's stomach. The male gasped and kicked Minako away on an instinct. Minako flew back against a nearby tree and gasped in pain. Masaru gasped and looked down at his hands, shaking again. "S-Stop making me hurt you!" He screamed.

Minako winced as she climbed back onto her feet and ran full speed towards Masaru. He gasped and braced himself for an attack. She quickly kicked out his legs and was about to punch him when Masaru grabbed her wrist. Minako gasped at the strength and struggled to get free - she could feel her bones close to a breaking point - one quick movement and he could break her wrist. Masaru smirked. "You're really starting to piss me off, girl."

Minako gritted her teeth. "I don't care!" She shouted, her eyes narrowing, her one eye twitching as her mind slowly started to slip into insanity.

Masaru watched her closely in confusion, something was changing about her being, could this be the monster she possessed? Minako quickly thrusted her other fist towards Masaru, however he caught that one too. He slowly stood, Minako's wrists still in his grasp. "I-Interesting…" He muttered, looking over her.

Minako growled as she quickly slipped from his grasp and kicked him back. Before he could stand again, she charged at him and pounced on his back, taking a kunai and stabbing it into his back several times. Masaru screamed out in pain as he struggled to get her off of him.

Kenji could hear his brothers screams behind him. He kept his eyes on Airi and Illrima, along with Hibiki as they slowly approached. Kenji eyed Hibiki carefully; if Hibiki was here, then Masaru was left only to the female. He sighed - he knew a woman would be the death of him. As he slowly backed up, Kenji arrowed his eyes on the three before turning and quickly running towards Minako and Masaru. He watched as she continued to thrust the kunai into Masaru's back and he stopped behind her.

Apparently she hadn't heard him approach, because she continued to stab Masaru. Kenji quickly reached around Minako and placed his hands over her chin and pulling her head back as he dragged his thumb across her throat. The sharp black blade from Haraguroi Himitsu protruded from his fingers and covered her wound in black. Kenji smiled down at Minako's widened eyes before pushing her off Masaru.

Minako gasped and tried to scream, but nothing came out. Her eyes darted around until she spotted Hibiki. His face showed pure terror. She forced her lips up into a smile as her body collapsed to the ground. I love you, Hibiki… I'm so sorry…

Hibiki turned his wide eyes from Minako to Kenji, his feelings turning from unbelief to absolute hatred. His body began to tremble as he charged Kenji.

"Idiot! Stand!" Kenji screamed at his brother. "Pathetic, pathetic loser! A woman, Masaru! A stupid, idiotic, useless woman!"

Illrima's eyes widened as she watched Hibiki charge. "Hibiki, don't! You're not thinking straight!" She screamed, trying to reach for him.

Hibiki ignored Illrima and made a few hand seals. "You're dead!" He screamed.

Red narrowed his eyes at the ground and focused more on Hibiki and Masaru. Kenji's eyes flickered between both Masaru and Hibiki, and somewhere in between, they switched places. Kenji was taken aback as he stared at "Masaru".

"M-Masaru?" Kenji asked, turning in complete confusion.

Hibiki rammed his hands forwards and thrusted them into Kenji's chest, sending him flying back. He charged Kenji again. Kenji could only see Masaru. He quickly stood back up and dodged the man's attacks.

"Masaru! Get a hold of yourself! It's just a woman! Who cares?"

"I loved her, you moron!" Hibiki shouted and thrusting his fists at Kenji.

Kenji continued to dodge the punches, staring in complete confusion at Masaru. "L-love? What? How could you love that pathetic girl? You never loved any! We never loved any! What is wrong with you?" Kenji gritted his teeth.

Hibiki's eyes began to pool with tears and he managed a kick to Kenji's head. He flew backwards and landed against a tree, rolling to the ground on his stomach. His head began to spin and he felt like throwing up.

Illrima quickly ran for Hibiki and grabbed onto him. "Stop! You'll end up getting killed at this rate!"

Airi stepped in Hibiki's view. "Just take a breath, man…"

Masaru stumbled to his feet and over to Kenji, dropping to his knees beside him, panting. "K-Kenji… you alright?"

Kenji turned his head to look at his brother before lunging at him and tackling him to the ground. "You idiot! You're so stupid!" He shouted, thrusting his fist at Masaru and punching him hard in the face.

Masaru took the hit, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. "What the hell are you hurting me for, bastard? We're on the same side!"

"Really? Are we really?" Kenji let out a frustrated groan as he punched Masaru again.

Masaru growled and flipped Kenji so he was pinned. "Stop hurting me, Kenji! We've always been on the same side! I don't get what's wrong with you!"

"I knew I should of killed you that night." Kenji murmured and narrowed his eyes up at Masaru. "Haraguroi Himitsu was right." He hissed.

Hibiki slowly made his way over to Minako and dropped to hi knee's. Black goo covered the wound and slowly began to spread. Her eyes were widened, and almost lifeless. Her lips quivered and her eyes flickered around. Hibiki narrowed his eyes as tears fell from the edges. He reached down and placed his hand over the black goo. It burn his skin, but he ignored it as his hand began to glow green. If the Fernu's healing powers didn't work now, she was definitely going to die.

Masaru's eyes widened with shock. "Wh-What are you talking about, Kenji? Stop being like this!"

"He never liked you, Masaru. So many nights, he coaxed me to kill you. You're lucky I decided to spare you." He whispered, narrowing his eyes.

Masaru's eyes widened more as he searched Kenji's eyes. "Y-You've lied to me all these years… you never conquered it! Why have you been lying to me!"

Kenji chuckled and shoved Masaru off him before standing. His back was to everyone as he continued to chuckle. "Oh, Masaru, if only you knew." He laughed. He pulled his red hood down and unhooked it, throwing it to the side. He reached down and grabbed the bottom of his shirt, pulling it up and off his body, throwing it towards the cloak. His mask went with it.

"He favoured me, Masaru." Kenji stated and slowly turned around to face his brother.

Masaru shook his head. "K-Kenji, listen to yourself! This isn't you!" Masaru gritted his teeth in fear.

Kenji narrowed his eyes and made an unknown hand seal, unknown to everyone in the world, the only hand seal that Haraguroi Himitsu had taught Kenji.

"Shiroi Hiragura Mitsu." Kenji whispered and drew his thumb horizontally across his navel and again just below his ribs. "If only you knew…" He whispered.

From his ribs to his navel, Kenji's skin began to spit, being replaced by the common thick black goo. It pushed outwards and slowly took over his body, quickly consuming his torso. Kenji chuckled as his eyes turned black.

Masaru's eyes were wide with fear and sorrow as he looked over his brother. He shook his head and clenched his fists. "Kenji… no… please, I can't lose you like this…"

The goo continued to spread before eventually taking over his entire body. A deep low chuckle emitted from his throat as he stared at Masaru. "You're weak."

Masaru shook his head as he looked over Kenji. "Kenji, please! Snap out of this! I-I beg you!" He shouted, tears forming in his eyes - he couldn't lose his little brother.

"Too late." Haraguroi Himitsu spoke said. A laugh erupted from his throat.

Masaru shook his head, a few tears slipping. He gritted his teeth and faced the group of shinobi around him. "P-Please, if you all value your lives, run!"

Airi and Illrima's eyes widened as they looked to Hibiki. Hibiki glanced back at the two before looking at Masaru. "We cannot do that, we were sent here to dispose of you two."

Masaru shook his head. "P-Please… I understand you not trusting me, but I know Kenji will kill me! You all will just be wasting your lives staying here! Please, go!"

Hibiki narrowed his eyes and glanced at the two woman, nodding towards the woods. He picked Minako's body up and the four of them retreated to the woods. He stopped a few yards into the woods and set Minako's body down. "One way or another, they both must die." Hibiki stated.

Himitsu chuckled as he looked at Masaru. "Little boy still has his humanity. Weak, just as I said."

Masaru closed his eyes, more tears slipping from his eyes. "I-I'm so sorry… Kenji… I failed you, little brother…" He murmured, his body glowing the dark aura. I cannot allow him to advance past me. It ends now!

Himitsu began to laugh hysterically. "You think you can use me against myself? I gave you those powers, boy. I can take them away just as easily."

Masaru's eyes widened as he looked back up at the creature that was once his brother. He gritted his teeth and the aura faded. "Fine. Be that way." He hissed, charging towards the creature, his fists clenched.

Himitsu smirked and faded from Masaru's vision. "You really think you could destroy me?"

Masaru stopped and looked around. "No. I know this is where I die. But I know that I refuse to allow you to live on. You took my brother from me! My mother, my father! I will use everything I've got to ensure you're dead before I fall!"

Hibiki sighed and looked to Airi and Illrima. "We're helping him." Hibiki stated and stood.

Airi's eyes widened. "A-Are you nuts, Hibiki?"

Illrima nodded. "We'll die…"

Hibiki shook his head. "Red and Yuuki has the environment under control. Hotaru's jutsu has been working for while now - they're weak, and we're strong. Once we destroy Kenji, we can take down Masaru directly after."

Airi sighed. "Fine, I'll do it!" She groaned and ran off towards the brothers.

Hibiki stared after Airi before quickly following.

Hotaru shut her eyes tighter. The introduction of the new chakra was overwhelmingly strong. One of the enemies chakra had been completely overtaken and replaced with a stronger feel of the same chakra. Hibiki had explained to her about the Haraguroi Himitsu, and this is what she assumed was the host of this chakra. Her body still felt light, and as much as she tried, diminishing his chakra to make it weaker posed a challenge, but she knew she had to focus as much as possible, even if it drained her of her own chakra.

Himitsu looked past Masaru to where the others charged back out of the woods. He chuckle and smirked. "Good…" He murmured and cracked his knuckles. "I was just getting started."