J3F\\\ Journey of the Three Failures

Chapter Nine

Helloes!

Thanks and hugs go out to narutojazz19, Rena the pirate jedi wizard, Chewie cookies, Omega the darkness, Naybi, soundless steps, korbaton, Kakashi's Missing Icha Book, foxsadist712, Universal Hope, jgirl1984, Monte-chan, Keymort, Okami Kage Hachi, chibi heishi, FantomoDrako, Stygian Styx, Lil Biatch and everyone else who's reviewed!

Late again, I know… but school's been tough the last six weeks (In particular, I think my geometry and biology teachers are a little insane)! Also, things get pretty chaotic when the biggest tests of the year are coming up… And between studying and homework, (as a result of Naruto withdrawal, I suppose) you could say I've been increasing my 'anime literacy' lately. I've watched a lot of different anime in the last few months… but none of them top Naruto!

Lol, okay, so maybe I'm not 'old'… but still, it's like, I'm not a little kid anymore! Like, I'll probably be learning to drive soon! It's crazy!

Once again, Gaara will show up at a certain point in the story! So will Tsunade! Both will appear after the mini-timeskip (mentioned in the A/N of last chap). I'm estimating that there are about two or three more chapters after this one until my timeskip.

Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, I would do SOMETHING to try to get Cartoon Network to AT LEAST air some freakin' re-runs, if nothing else!!!


Journey of the Three Failures

Nine: Of Lupines and Lycans

Hinata ヒナタ

The words that were stammered out in reply to the bold demand came off sounding more like a confused question than anything – which I guess wasn't too bad, considering I was trying my best not to pass out as I sat there on my hands and knees staring up at the wolf made of fire towering menacingly in front of me.

"A-ano, ah… m-m-me…?"

At this squeak, the beast looked down to notice by chance an insignificant little flea at its feet.

"You've got to be kidding me."

That kind of stung.

I gulped, trying to get to my feet. This 'Grand Ookami Kurogiba' wouldn't hurt me – he was apparently the son of Gobi, right? The Gobi and I had an agreement, and we were on good terms, right? So it wasn't like I was in any danger here … right? But my arms and legs were leaden with weakness as well as fear, and I had only half-risen when I fell again to my knees.

The wolf began growling at my attempt. "Rrrr… You're serious? You're the human we're supposed to be working with?"

"I – I am. I am Hyuuga Hinata," I said, struggling just to keep from trembling under his eerie, drilling gaze.

"So I, the Fifth Grand Ookami, am supposed to help you, a scrawny excuse for a koinu who could only just barely manage to summon me in this size?" He had grown closer as he spoke, so that his snout was right in my face and his seething eyes, slits of dark fire containing a shimmering crimson splash of iris and a soul-stabbing glimmer of silver as a pupil, were inches from my own. Vicious teeth, which like his claws were flames simply a darker black than the majority of his body, were bared in fury.

H-he hates me … but why? I tried again, and this time succeeded in standing up. "U-um…" It was hard to talk with him glaring so intensely! "K-Kurogiba-sama…"

He blasted a roar in my face, and I shrieked and fell onto my backside.

"Kuso!" he cursed, storming past me. "Is this a joke? I can hear them laughing already, the whole filthy lot of them! Kuso, why me?! Why am I the one to get stuck with this, this…" He looked back at me to see me looking back at him, growled in frustration, and continued on his way.

My teeth clenched, and something certain clicked inside me – and I realized I didn't want to be dismissed that simply.

I body flickered.

"Kurogiba!" I shouted, barring his path. Even if putting myself in the angry fire wolf's way didn't seem like the healthiest idea, I didn't care right now. "What do you have against me?"

A low growl escaped him. "Out of the way, scrawny koinu…"

My hand was brought to the hitai-ate at my neck. "I am Hyuuga Hinata, a kunoichi of the Village Hidden in Leaves and the Hyuuga Clan's rightful heiress! I will be a great ninja someday! I'm not about to sit by while you make conclusions and write me off as a weakling!"

"Heh… What should I care? Even as you spout these things your hands tremble in fear. What reason do I have to accept you? You're terrified of me. You're a puny runt. And…" He trailed off as he seemed to notice something, and I tried not to fidget as he gazed intently. His eyes narrowed in a few moments. "And your arm…"

"I-it's … a severe d-disability, but–,"

"You're a cripple."

It was as if I'd been slapped. You…!

My hands curled slowly into fists. Indifferent, he began to stride past as I shook in rage, moisture collecting in my eyes.

–"Failure."–

I turned around. "Stop! Don't walk away from–!"

THAM!

My back hitting the ground, wind shrieking from my lungs in one clean burst. He's… fast… I thought absently as fuzziness danced over my sight. A paw was pressing heavily on my chest, and one nail poked unpleasantly against my neck – but the flames weren't burning me, I realized. They weren't even hot. I blinked in confusion, and I could see the wolf's face above mine.

"I refuse to serve a spineless, unworthy little genin runt – and a cripple, at that…" Releasing me, he continued past. Gasping and coughing, I lied there several moments. Then, in a low whisper on a tiny breath:

"…A cripple, am I…?" I rolled over, and began getting to my knees.

"Eh…?"

"Maybe my chakra network is dead in my right arm. Maybe it's a little tough to control my chakra … maybe my handseals don't work quite right…" Head down, I started to stand.

"What are you going on about now…?"

"But I'm not about to be overlooked for it – no way in heck." I wiped my mouth, and then looked up to meet Kurogiba's eyes squarely. "I've worked hard to get around my disadvantage because I'm no longer a person who backs down when things get hard. And that's why … I'm not afraid of you!"

Our eyes held a very long moment. He regarded me with curiosity. And slowly, he turned to face me.

"Show me what you've got … scrawny koinu."

I dropped to the ground, and a blazing black blur flashed over me. I rolled aside, just barely avoiding two front paws that came crashing down where I'd been.

He's not messing around!

"Not that it'll take over a minute!"


For being made of fire, I had to wonder where his weight even came from. He was just leaning against me, and I could hardly draw a fraction of a breath.

"Give up," he growled, pressing me into the tree. I noted a collection of tiny crackling noises behind me.

"Not … gonna happen!" I managed stubbornly, voice tight.

He pulled away. I drew in a huge breath, and when my feet hit the ground I started to fall. I saw his shoulder lurching toward me again – and substituted away in time to see the tree get knocked down.

A moment later the wolf came flying toward me in an incredible leap; I dodged his claws and hurriedly raised my arms to block a kick thrown by powerful hind legs as his front paws met the ground. I flew five yards, grunted as my back connected with a tree, and jumped aside to avoid being rammed by that crushing shoulder. With one hand I backflipped away from a lunging claw slash, and I took a quick jump backwards as he pounced. Then, a meter away, he opened his mouth and loosed a blazing sphere of crimson fire.

I caught enough balance to leap forward, over the missile. I would have gone over the wolf, too, but–

"Agh!" I cried as he clamped down hard on my lower leg. Having reared back to catch me, his fangs suddenly grew painfully hot.

Pulling me out of the air, he slammed my back into the dirt. I was blinking in confusion when I felt myself being lifted again and flung aside as the lock on my ankle released.

My back stuck across a tree's trunk. If I had and wind left in me, I lost it then.

I crashed to the ground in a stunned heap, blinking at the cloudy murkiness invading my sight, coughing and retching and struggling to take in air.

"It's over."

I looked up a bit to see the blazing wolf before me, and I tried to start working my way to my knees. "No … it's not–,"

Something lashed into my face, throwing me onto my back.

"Say something," he challenged coldly.

I lifted my head an inch or two. My lips parted to speak, but my strength failed me and my head fell again, turning to the side so my mouth could expel a glob of spit and blood.

Chakra… I think I'm out of chakra…

My eyes drifted shut. I … didn't feel so good…

"Hrmph … scrawny little pup…"

I had scrambled like a mouse and gotten kicked around like a ragdoll for the entirety of the "fight" with a demonic opponent faster than me and more than twice my size.

But … still … there's no qu-question that…


Lee リー

"Hinata-san!"

"Hinata!"

Concerned, we were hurrying in the general direction of the ruckus we'd heard when something stopped us in our tracks.

The … whatever it was had been walking in our direction, but stopped as well when we caught sight of each other. I doubt I could have cared much less about the wolf creature, however, as my eyes were drawn to the limp, petite form dangling by the back of her shirt from its teeth, burned, bruised, and bloodied from battle.

"You're her friends, right?" it said before we could voice any shock or anger; flames seemed to roar softly in the shadow of its voice.

"U-uh … y–,"

"Here." It tossed Hinata's unconscious body toward us, and Naruto moved to catch her gently as he could and lower her to the ground. The wolf turned its back and walked a few steps before casting a glare our way.

"Stupid koinu … lasted more than a minute." He muttered something like that as a small shockwave hit the air. The fire lost form and went orange, and in another instant the flames had dissipated.

"Is she alright?" I asked as Naruto was giving Hinata a quick check-over.

"She must be exhausted. I can hardly feel her chakra at all…"

"What could have happened?"

He gently brushed a few strands of hair from her face. "She was working on a summoning jutsu, right? Maybe that wolf-thing was what she summoned, and it didn't feel like listening to her."

"So it just attacked her?!" I said, fists clenching.

"Nah, I doubt it. Knowing Hinata, I'd say she ended up challenging him." He was not standing up for the strange fire wolf, however; I knew he too felt angered to see Hinata in such a state. "Let's get back to camp. She's a quick healer; she should be fine."

He carefully lifted the girl in his arms. With a whispered 'Hang in there' and giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze, he started back.

Hinata-san, I thought with a sigh, looking toward her pale skin, her dirt-streaked face, her bloody mouth. Is that what happened? You did not back down and stood up for yourself, challenging such a fearsome opponent… You really have changed so much…


Neji ネジ

Three arrows embedded themselves in three bull's-eyes of three targets forty meters away.

"You're good, alright," Hyuuga Hiroshi said. "With such a strong Byakugan, I guess that's little surprise."

"Hn…" I said, lowering the bow. The old bow stood not much shorter than my own height. It was strong and sleek and had been crafted of the finest, most durable wood. And I hated it.

This filthy thing belonged to Hyuuga Hiashi. It had been passed down through the dirty hands of the Main Household for generations. I didn't want it – but it was mine. It had been decided that I was now the new rightful owner of the most prestigious weapon in the clan's possession, and I was expected to master it.

"Heh," Hiroshi went on with a chuckle, "I remember trying to help Hiashi-s…an teach Hinata. The poor girl … No talent whatsoever."

What a surprise.

"Man," Hiken sighed. He was one of few Branch Hyuuga who still practiced the way of the bow. "Why even train anymore? Neji-sama hits the bull's-eye just about every time…"

"Don't say that!" Hiroshi barked. "Practice is–!"

"The key to improvement, and there is always space to improve. Hai, oji-san." A twinkle lit up his eyes. "Hey, Neji-sama, try to hit this!" He threw a shuriken into the air in front of us.

I notched an arrow, jumped, and let fly the projectile. It caught the shuriken twenty meters away – and thudded into the bull's-eye twenty more meters away, pinning the shuriken by its central ring.

I landed in a crouch. "Satisfied?" I asked with a smirk.

"Sugoi… Onii-sama, you're amazing! I mean, not like I thought you couldn't do it…"

"But to hit both the shuriken and the target…" Hiroshi whispered.

I unstrung the bow. "Excuse me," I said, bowing my head slightly. "I have a meeting to prepare for."

"Of course," Hiroshi said. "Excellent work today."

"Arigatou."


Hanabi ハナビ

I blocked a kick at my side, and he rapidly followed up with another aimed for my head. I raised my arms as if to block, but instead I ducked under the attack. Kiba was too good to be thrown off-balance and leave his back open; as I was standing again he caught himself and lashed his heel back toward me, quickly banishing the thought of attacking from my mind. I prepared to block high, leaning away from the blow as I did so, and the kick met my arms with such force I would have been knocked down. However, I utilized the force to roll neatly, ending up back on my feet and sidestepping in time to avoid a strike by a hair's breadth as Kiba lunged past me.

Now's my chance!

He grunted as I drove my shoulder into the side of his ribs. Well … 'drove' might come off as misleading since the strike (which I'd put the whole of my weight behind) hardly altered his course of pushed him away at all. Nevertheless, where he would have probably landed on all fours from his leaping strike, my blow had enough impact that he stumbled and hit the ground.

I drew my practice kunai and lunged toward him, preparing, for once, to be the one to claim victory–

I saw him flip over, and I yelped as a leg slammed my lower shins with such force that my feet were hacked from under me.

I hit the ground hard, scrunching up my face in pain. Before I could move, I felt the tap of a too-familiar cold, blunt edge at my neck.

"Almost," Kiba consoled, and I nodded glumly, wincing as I started to get up.

"Kiba!" Sakura shouted from the log on the sidelines where she, Shikamaru, and Chouji were sitting. Sasuke was leaning against the wall of a partially collapsed house, watching silently with his arms crossed, and Anko-sensei stood near the other three. Sakura continued, "That was uncalled for! You could have hurt her!"

"A real enemy won't pull any punches," Sasuke pointed out.

"Besides, she's getting a little too strong to hold back on," Kiba said. "Don't you think, Hanabi-chan? Huh? Hey, Hana… Aw, no…"

It must have been when I fell. Probably a rock or something. I began to tremble uncontrollably as I stared at the red slowly dripping down my arm from the cut on my palm. Kiba called something to the others before he knelt down next to me.

"Let's get that cleaned up," he said, lifting me up. I nodded gratefully, even as I innately cursed myself in frustration. How pathetic…

"What's wrong with her?" Sasuke asked, the lightest traces of curiosity present in his tone as Kiba began walking.

"She's a little hemophobic," Kiba explained, lying me down. Sakura wiped the cut with a damp, stinging cloth, and Anko-sensei pulled out a roll of bandage.

"Pfft. A 'little?' Right…"

"L-leave me alone," I whimpered, ashamed as I was angered.

"She's really petrified…" He shook his head. "A Hyuuga, scared of blood. That might become a bit of a problem later on."

"What are you doing here, anyways?" Anko snapped. "If you ask me, he shouldn't even be allowed to watch your training."

"Not this again…" Shikamaru groaned.

"I don't think I'll get too much delicate information watching friendly sparring matches," the Uchiha retorted. "If you really want me to spend all my time with Oto instead, then fine – except at some point they might start to realize that I'm not spying on you."

"Cut it out," Kiba said. He looked down at me. "You alright?"

I nodded slowly, too choked up with shame to trust my voice.


Hinata ヒナタ

Itchy…

Still listening to the conversation, I absentmindedly lifted a hand to my neck, rubbing the irritation with two fingers.

"Well if that's the case, why not go this way?" Naruto asked, gesturing from the other side of the open map.

"Are you serious?" Lee said next to me. "If we hope to avoid trouble and collect as much information as possible, our best bet may be…"

My brow furrowed as my mind drifted off of the boys' words. I moved my fingers, scratching lightly; the itch only seemed to grow worse.

I scratched a little harder, trying my best to follow what they were saying. I shut my eyes in annoyance, clenching my teeth.

Why is this mark itching so much?!

"…Hinata-san?"

My eyes snapped open, and I froze. Two pairs of eyes were sending odd looks my way, and I could sense my cheeks glowing red. At some point the simple movement of my fingers had ceased and been replaced by quick movement of my entire arm by my shoulder, bringing my nails back and forth over the spot on my neck. In a way, I was scratching…

Like a dog.

"A – ah – gomen!!" I stammered in embarrassment, giving an awkward, high pitched laugh. "I-it's th-this mark, it's itching a little bit…"

"The mark?" Lee said, looking toward it. Surprise painted his face. "It is glowing."

"Say what?" Naruto said – but Lee and I nearly jumped out of our skins when a kage bunshin appeared behind us, leaning over to observe the curse seal himself and saying the same.

"Naruto-kun!" Lee snapped with rare annoyance, "Focus!"

"Sorry! I can't help it!" the purple-eyed blond defended, dispelling his doppelganger. Not long after our Akatsuki encounter, the boy's shadow clones had begun popping up frequently at barely a thought on his part; interesting as it was, the habit annoyed us to no end.

"Weird!" he said as the copy's memory enlightened him. "It's like it's … bleeding darkness."

"But the energy drifts upward and dissipates," Lee put in, looking closely. "Has this ever happened before?"

"No…" I grunted, suddenly clasping a hand over the mark.

"Hinata!"

"I'm fine." I looked up slowly. "I think … I think I'm supposed to summon that wolf again."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

I shook my head. I wasn't sure, not by a long shot. What do I do…?


Hanabi ハナビ

"Here it is," I said to myself, reading the katakana 'Kiba' scratched into the canteen. He'd forgotten it down here earlier, and I was glad to fetch it for him since I wasn't sparring anymore for today. With it in hand, I headed out the door (or rather, the doorway) of the earthen room to an adjoining one, setting off for the surface from our underground base/ hideout/ headquarters that had been formed by many a chuunin and tokubetsu jounin and many more a doton jutsu. Halfway across the room to the hallway, I stopped.

"Sasuke-san?" I said, turning to see the Uchiha leaning against the wall near the corner of the room.

"Little Hyuuga," the boy greeted, nodding. "You know, according to your cousin, you're some type of prodigy."

I didn't need to ask to which cousin he was referring, but it did surprise me. "How did you get away from your escort?" I asked, curious. "Don't tell me you actually shook off Anko-sensei…?" When in New Konoha, he was supposed to be with one or two of our shinobi at all times.

He shook his head. "I said I was leaving for New Oto for a few days. I left, entered again about two hundred meters off, and snuck into the tunnels. You all really ought to tighten up the security around your 'turf.'"

I raised an eyebrow. He must have long realized the trouble he'd land in if the others found out he was here. "Surely you didn't go through all this sneaking just to see me."

He shrugged slightly. "Actually, I'm curious. After seeing you fight, it's a little tough to believe what Neji's said about you."

"And what exactly did he say about me?" I asked, turning to fully face him.

His eyes held mine. "He says you have as much potential as he had at your age, if not even more."

I drew in a breath.

"I have no idea what he bases this hypothesis on, but to be perfectly honest … I don't see much potential at all."

We were silent a long ten seconds. I knew what he was about to say the moment his mouth opened again.

"You're scared of blood. Why is that?"

"I – I don't know…!" I shook my head. "It's been that way as long as I can remember."

"A terror that great doesn't just come falling out of nowhere."

"Well I guess mine did. It's always been like this," I persisted firmly.

"You use the Byakugan, right? With that doujutsu of yours activated – can't you see blood then?"

"That blood is flowing peacefully inside a body, right where it belongs."

"You hate Juuken, don't you?"

"Huh? Wh-what?!" I said, caught off-guard.

"I said you must hate the Gentle Fist. The style isn't suited to you at all; if your enemies start bleeding on the inside and they happen to end up puking it out, won't you be paralyzed with fear?"

I lowered my head. It was true; it was something I'd thought of hundreds of times before. I was excellent in Juuken sparring, but how many times had I actually used the technique against a real enemy?

Once – when we were fleeing the failed prison recon. And it hadn't turned out all that well.

"In a real fight, every move you make will work against you. If you happen to draw your enemy's blood, you only succeed in finishing yourself. Not only is your style useless to you – you can't risk hurting your enemy and can't be hurt yourself."

"Okay, I get it already! So what are you trying to say?!"

His eyes narrowed. "You can't fight. You'll never become a ninja."

I flinched. The harsh words stung, but what truly hurt was that they were very likely to be correct. My teeth ground. "You're wrong! I will be a strong kunoichi–!"

"How? You can't do a thing until you get over your fear. What about kunai and shuriken? What's the point of training to hit a consistent bull's-eye if the second you come up against a real opponent, you find yourself throwing weapons hoping they'll miss? As things are now, all the strength you gain in training is worthless."

With a whimper, I looked down in defeat and hurriedly wiped moistening eyes. "So what am I supposed to do? All I want is to help my friends, b-but I… I…"

I could only glare at his feet when he walked up to stand in front of me. "You want to be strong? First you'll need to get over that phobia."

"And h-how am I supposed to do that?"

"The very first thing you have to do … is remember."

His hand landed on my shoulder, and I looked up only to be instantly captured by two crimson Sharingan eyes. Three tomoe slowly circled each pupil, and my breath froze as liquid ice rolled down my spine. A chorus of the same ghostly voice echoed in my ears.

"Even if you don't want to…

"Decide that you must…

"And whatever it is…

"Remember…!"


Hinata ヒナタ

"Lee-kun, are you sure this is going to work?"

"It cannot fail! I am positively certain, Hinata-san – by the way you have described Kurogiba-san, he must be suffering from loneliness! All he needs is for someone to show him a friendly face! It is foolproof!"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "I don't know, Bushy Brow. I think he sounds more like the type to attack someone for saying that. He'll think she's mocking him or something…"

"I am telling you, even if you may have gotten off on the wrong foot, a friendly approach cannot go wrong. I guarantee it!"

"If you think so…" I began the handseals and drew out a small bit of the curse's power.

"Just say it exactly as I told you to!" Lee said, finishing off with an enthusiastic thumbs-up.

"Right." I inhaled deeply and braced myself.

Reikuchiyose no Jutsu! I thought, spewing a grand fireball. It wasn't as bad as the last time; the drain was immense, but somehow I managed to stay on my feet as I endured the sensation of being struck by a crushing force. I had to brace my hands on my knees as I gasped.

I looked up as I caught my breath. Naruto and Lee were awestruck as they watched the magnificent beast, the Fifth Grand Ookami take form in front of us. The blazing ookami formed facing away, and remained moodily silent.

I gulped. Okay. I can do this. Lee-kun may be right – all he needs is a friend. I walked forward, halting a bit behind him, raising a hand in greeting, putting a pleasant smile on my face, and calling cheerfully:

"Hey there, brother! It's nice to see you ag– GAH!"

I saw his hind legs flash out, just barely had time to look down with suddenly wide eyes and glimpse a large paw's shooting into my midriff – and my wind was long gone before I even felt it.

Naze?

Then my back smacked against a tree, and my arms weakly curled across myself, a trembling hand clutching my middle and my teeth gritting as I waited for my diaphragm to start working again.

"Hinata!"

"Why did it not work? I do not believe it…"

I curled forward with a grunt, coughing softly. "Wh-what w-was that f-for?" I wheezed, my eyes squinted shut.

"Don't get cocky, scrawny pup," he snarled. "You are no wolf-sister. You are a wolf-ally, nothing more."

What?! So I had unwittingly violated some sort of terminology rule – that was his excuse for kicking me?!

"What the heck does that even mean?!" Naruto complained loudly. "Hinata was just–!"

"You – quiet," the wolf ordered sharply. I looked up as he turned to face me.

"Scrawny koinu," he said, looking down at me. "Whether I like it or not, I am the first one you summoned, and this makes me your … familiar," he spat the word out like something unclean. "If it were up to me, you and your little village could take a hike. Unfortunately, as your … partner, my responsibility to the wolves requires me to aid you. I will teach you to control that filthy seal, and that's it."

I nodded. "H – hai."

"Now get up already, and follow me."

"U-um, hai!" I said, getting to my feet and following as Kurogiba stalked off like he didn't care whether I was coming or not. "Guess I'll see you later!" I called back to the other two as I hurried to catch up.


Hanabi ハナビ

A seven-year-old, gently pressing a colorful bandage to her baby sister's knee and kissing it.

"All better?" A tender smile that warms a young heart.

"Yes!" The toddler, beaming affectionately.

"Dry those tears now. We don't want Otou-sama to see that, do we?" She dabs with a handkerchief.

"Hina-nee? I want a piggyback ride home."

"Sure!" The elder giggles.

"Arigatou!"

"You're so light … my sweet little Imouto-chan…"


"Nee-chan, Nee-chan… Who was that boy?"

"That was your cousin … Neji-nii-san."

"I don't like him! He was mean to Hina-nee-chan!"

"Don't say that, Imouto-chan. He's a little cold, but he's had a … complicated past."


Why? Why am I remembering these things now…?


Two sisters, lying side by side in the shade of a great oak. "Your training… It's been going well, hasn't it?"

"Hai, Nee-chan."

"Otou-sama can be a bit harsh, I know… Just do your best, and do exactly as he says."

"Okay, Nee-chan."

The elder, looking to the younger, must see how tiny and small she is, utterly young and innocent, and there's sadness in her eyes and her sister wonders why.

"Everything may be different after today … Imouto-chan." Her lips cherishing the slowly spoken word, like it's something precious and delicate and they don't want to let go of it.

"Hina-nee-chan?" Not understanding, reaching up, patting her sister's cheek. "Don't cry, Hina-nee…"

The older girl pulls her sister in close, tenderly wraps her up in the fondest embrace. "No matter what happens … we're sisters, Hanabi."

And she doesn't know why, but now she's crying, too, hugging her sister's waist, snuggling in close. "What do you mean, Nee-chan?"

Her mouth, planting a kiss on her sister's forehead, her nose, burying itself in the child's soft hair. And they are content to stay this way for hours before they fall asleep.

"I l-love you … s-s-so much… I love you, my precious Imouto-ch-chan…"


She was crying … because she knew.


Hot tears. Screaming. Pain.

"Please! Please, no!"

Being told she is a bad influence, told she will live with some uncle on the other side of the estates.

"Nee-chan! Nee-chaaaann!!"

Told she is never to speak to her again.

A losing battle, and still they fight.

Yelling, Anger. Crying, Despair.

They don't want to let go. He pulls them apart, shoves the older down, drags the younger away.

The three-year-old, yanking her hand free,running to her Nee-chan's side. Caught again, reaching out, taking her sister's outstretched hand.

"Hina-nee!"

He slaps her arm, and she yelps; he pulls her away, picks her up, and she flails and fights all the while.

The older, who thought she was strong enough of mind. But she finds she isn't, and so she runs after them.

Her soft, loving hands clasping her Imouto-chan's for an instant.

And the death of hope as he kicks her, so terribly hard, sends her sprawling to the ground in pain.

Wanting to fight for her. Unable to move.

Wanting to run to her. Unable to escape.

"Imouto-chan!" she wails, but the pain is too much.

"Nee-chan!" she screams, and she doesn't even know why. She doesn't know why this is happening, happening to she and the only 'Kaa-san' she's ever known.


But that … wasn't the reason, was it…?


He tells her so many poisonous things, fills a confused, malleable young mind with lies.

And she learns to drink up every word of it.

At first she doubts him. This is erased soon enough.

She forgives him, because he is all she has now.

She has her 'priorities' straight. She knows what's 'important' – because she knows the 'truth.'

And he continues to train her, in body and mind. Training her, for her 'purpose.'


All for this day. The day she will become heiress, because he wishes it. Because it is her destiny.

She glares at the nine-year-old standing across from her, and the girl stares back with apprehension, wondering why she's been called here, unsure of whether she ought be relieved or wary.

"My apologies, Onee-san, but I will defeat you." With cool fury, settling into her stance.

The elder's eyes, widening. "Imouto-chan … w-w-we're sisters…!" The fool, trying to protest, surely trying to deceive her. She isn't falling for it.

She sees not her sister before her, but an obstacle, an enemy. Someone who wishes for nothing more than her failure. A manipulative, two-faced witch who truly despises her, who would have wished her to stay a weakling forever.

But she isn't falling for it, not today. The horrid girl's name of heiress will soon belong to her.

That IS all that matters.

"Begin!"

Almost finishing it in a single blow. Her stunned sister, yelping, barely dodging in time.

She will not lose. All has been for this day.

Channeling everything she's got into taking the older girl down – but try as she might she can't land a strike. The enemy dodges, blocks, flees, deflects everything thrown her way.

A sharp palm thrust, nearly grazing her side. "Stop it! I don't want to fight you!"

"Shut up!!" The younger, frustrated, infuriated. She's making her look bad. Chichi-ue's eyes are boring into the back of her skull by now, and she knows it.

A careless move under the pressure. The first retaliation, a hesitant kick in the stomach.

Folding over, looking up to see remorse welling in the enemy's eyes. And then attacking again.

The older, this time meeting her head-on. A forearm crashing against the striking palm; greater size and weight easily reversing her little sister's charge, driving her off her feet.

She can, but she doesn't slam the four-year-old to the ground. She makes the landing light as she can, tackling her slim, frail frame gently as possible.

She struggles, but she can't move. The older has straddled her and grabbed both her arms, pinning her down.

"Get off me!"

"What has he done to you?!" she screams. "You promised, Imouto-chan! I thought we were sisters no matter what!!"

Struggles, ebbing – water, dripping onto her face.

"This fight is over," the father declares in disgust. He refuses to look at either daughter as he exits the dojo, four council members in tow.

"…Hanabi-chan… I'm sor–,"

As soon as the grip on her arm loosens, the back of her fist lashes up into her sister's jaw. She slips free, getting to her feet.

"Just go away!"

"H-Hanabi-chan…"

"Leave me alone! I hate you!"

Her lip trembles. She flees the dojo, fighting tears.


It's growing … more and more vivid…


"Hinata-san!" She's found her again.

Deadened eyes and a glum frown, a miserable rain- and tear-streaked face turning to greet her. "Why must you call me that, Imouto-chan…?"

She only glowers back.

"Fight me. Fight me now."

Lightning – everything flying into violent contrast, shadows and demons leaping across the earth.

"Does Otou-sama even know where you are? It's late, Hanabi-chan… Get back to your room, you'll catch a cold…"

Sinking ever so slowly into an offensive Juuken stance, Byakugan locked intently on her foe.

"I'm not going anywhere, Onee-san."

Head shaking in despair, face distraught with anguish beyond nine years.

"This is too cruel." A whimpered whisper. "Sisters shouldn't fight like this… I've lost my Nii-chan. I've lost my Imouto-chan. Why do you torture me?! Wh-why?"

The monotonous roll of falling rain. The sister's response.

"…Prepare yourself."

Crackling thunder.

She can't dodge in time. Her left arm is out.


No… Why did I…?!


Dodging, shifting, deflecting, like it's all she knows how to do. Having taken a number of blows, and still refusing to strike back.

"Fight me!"

"No! I don't want to!"

"I don't care!"

"Hanabi, calm down! You're confused!"

"Stop holding back!" A sharp palm to her abdomen. "Come at me!" Another, sharper. "With everything you've got!" A punch in the face – staggering away, buckling knees, spattering into the mud, panting weakly.

"Stand up."

Two sisters under the pouring rain.

"Get up and fight–!"

She has never seen her move so fast.

Breaking thunder drowning out the sound of surprise, of protest, of pain that shoots up the younger girl's throat as the older smashes her stomach in with a not-so-gentle fist.

The older is by no means especially big nor is she especially strong. But at twice the age of her sister, she is easily a fair deal bigger and stronger – so when she tears her knuckles open on the younger girl's teeth before she can hit the ground, it hurts. A lot.

Lying bewildered and breathless, more than a little scared to get up. As soon as she tries, two hands are grabbing her shirt and firmly slamming her down again, and her hurting body is splashing into the mud.

Cringing – in the darkness a fist, rising up … thudding to the sodden earth beside her.

The elder sister's tormented face, running with fresh tears of remorse even as she shakes in fury. "Why?! Why do you want me to do this?!! We have to stop this now, Hanabi! I've had enough!!"

The younger, still short on breath, tearing her eyes from her sister's miserable stare.

Lightning, splitting the sky. Thunder, shaking the earth.

"Y… you… You…!"

A fistful of mud, flung suddenly into the elder's face, stinging eyes.

"There's no way you're better than me!!" A forceful shoulder in the blinded one's sternum, throwing her off. She scrambles to her feet.

It's all her fault.

Palm racing for her chest.

Flash of lightning – split-second evasion, relief of the bulging veins framing shut eyes.

The disappointment on Father's face.

She parries, parries, dodges, parries. Not given another chance to strike back.

"W-wait! Hanabi, please stop! Stop it!"

The disdain in his eyes…

Hand diverting a furious palm – entire body shuddering as it grazes her ribcage.

"I'm not kidding! Please–!"

The disgust in his voice…!

Advancing, striking, attacking, unrelenting.

Retreating, stumbling, dodging, weakening.

Palm thrust. A backhand swing smacking forearm aside – and leaving her wide open as the other hand sneaks under her arm, jamming into her shoulder.

In the flash of lightning, her mouth is flying open.

In the bellowing thunder, her scream is lost.

The pain on her face, tugging something unpleasant inside her sister. Desperate plea.

"Hanabi-chan!"

She doesn't care. She won't fail.

The older retreats. The younger doesn't let her.

"All because I couldn't defeat you!!"

Instant, clashing contrast – lightning, painting all black and white.

The younger, darting in, a palm drawn back.

The elder, lunging forward, a palm drawing back.

The crash of thunder – the younger's furious palm lashing into her sister's stomach.

The roar of thunder – the elder's cry of pain even as her palm drives into her sister's chest.

Two strikes: one with chakra, one without.

The younger, crashing into the ground and sliding, thoroughly soaked and filthy. Looking up she sees the older, standing stiff and unmoving in front of her, head down, mud and grime oddly streaked down her front.

Distant blare of lightning.

Purest blaze of terror.

The trail of mud and grime is red.

"H-Hi…na…ta…?"

Eyes unfocused, her figure sways.

Her sister, leaping to catch her. Thunder, crying out just as she cries her name.

Her sister had not used a single Juuken blow the entire time. Because her sister loved her.

Tears, falling on the girl she holds in her arms.

"H-Hinata, say something! Hinata!!"

"It … hurts…"

White hot fear – This can't be happening, except it is right now.

A hand on her chest, finding a pulse.

Half-lidded white eyes, staring off into nowhere. Trembling hand, fondly grasping her arm. Tiniest smile, gracing her lips. "My beautiful, precious Imouto-chan… I'll always love y-you … no m-matt-er … what…"

Lightning, tearing across the sky. Crimson, spurting from her mouth.

"G-get…… help…"

Her hand, drifting off her sister's chest, slowly rising to rest before her.

Wh-what… have I…?

Lightning flares.

There is blood on her hand. Her sister's blood.

She clutches the girl tightly and screams into the night.

"Somebody, help!! Please – SOMEONE, SAVE MY NEE-CHAN!!!"


The moment I came back to the present, I wailed out loud in distress.

"Oi, hey! Calm down–!"

"I'M SORRY!!" I screamed, eyes tightly shut and hands clutching my hair as my knees hit the ground. I cried out again.

"Hanabi–!"

–"Hanabi-chan!"–

"WAAAAAAHHH!!!"

"Uchiha…!"

I was barely aware of the others now in the room, of the blur bounding across the floor to slam the boy against a wall.

"What the hell did you DO?!!"

Concerned hands rested on my shoulders, and I started.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?!"

"Did he hurt you?! Are you in pain–?"

"I could've KILLED her!!" I screeched. "She begged me to stop, but I wouldn't listen!! BUT I DIDN'T MEAN TO!!! I NEVER MEANT TO HURT MY NEE-CHAN!!!"

"Just try to calm down!" the girl's arms wrapped around me, and I continued bawling and wailing and yowling madly.

"Start explaining! Now!"

"I killed two birds with one stone. I'll admit I was interested in testing out my Sharingan's hypnosis capabilities; while I was at it, you could say I broke a barrier she'd created in her own mind, something that would have come down eventually either way. All I did was speed it along. With any luck, she'll be able to move forward now; now that it looks like she knows where her fear of blood came from, she might be able to overcome it."

"And what about if we're not lucky, huh?! What then?!"

"If not … then I guess she'll just remain frozen in place forever."

"Teme…!"

"It's not like she was going anywhere with the way things were. Before you attack me, stop and consider this – who's been training her all this time even knowing she didn't stand a chance? Kind of cruel, isn't it? Letting her believe she had a shot at being a ninja despite the way things were? What I've just done doesn't compare. Now get off me, Inuzuka."

"Ngh… But just look at her…!"

"Whatever it was, the Hyuuga just remembered something she'd wanted desperately to forget. She's shocked right now, but once she gets over it … she may have some decisions to make. Or maybe even some rethinking on her shinobi career."

"Hanabi…"

I heard these words, but they meant nothing to me at the moment: not a single one was either processed or interpreted as I trembled in Sakura's arms, drenched in a nervous perspiration. I wept steadily, my breath coming and going in ragged, shuddering gasps, and I sucked on a finger I held to my lips as I clung to the girl, whimpering and staring blindly ahead at nothing in particular.


Hinata ヒナタ

"S-so, Kuro-sama…"

"Don't call me that. You could just as easily be referring to any one of my siblings."

"You have siblings?" I asked, hoping to maybe start a conversation.

"Yes, I do."

Realizing he wasn't keen on continuing, I sighed softly as we walked, I a good few meters behind him.

He halted to cast a look my way, and I flinched. "If you must know," he said, "there are five of us, each a master of our specific element. I'm the youngest and the Hi no Ookami. There's Kurochi, the Wolf of Water; Kuroshin, Wolf of Earth; and the girls Kurorei of Lightning and Kurosei of the Wind. Satisfied?"

"U-uh, hai, I mean – thank you…" I looked to the ground.

"…Hn." Glaring eyes, cold and blazing, relented as he turned his head to keep moving.

"Kurogiba-sama?"

"Yes?" he snapped.

"Why do you … dislike me so much?"

"'Dislike?' Don't flatter yourself, scrawny koinu."

I hung my head. "I don't understand–,"

"What, did I hurt your feelings?"

"What have I ever done to you?! You've looked down at me with loathing since the first moment you saw me!"

While I was mid-step something sparked up beneath my sandal. My foot jerked away, and I looked down in time to glimpse the vanishing of a curious little flame on the ground.

"Ack!" Suddenly I found my head unpleasantly stuck between a paw and a tree. "K… Kurogiba-sama…!" I whimpered, eyes tightly shut.

"The legendary Senjuu Hashirama and Black-Hearted Kuroshin of the Earth," he growled steadily.

"What…?"

"The great Senjuu Tobirama, along with Black-Blooded Kurochi of Water," he continued. "Though actually, your Shodai Hokage was so immensely powerful that both Kuroshin and Kurochi were willing to fight at his side."

My eyes cracked open, and the meaning of his words struck me.

"But let's stop talking about things of the past, shall we? Apparently the time to seek vengeance on that cursed snake is upon us! We're told a new wolf-ally has joined the predecessors, a powerful human whose partner will be selected soon! Well, of course that Kurogiba won't be the one chosen – but wait, he's actually being summoned! Fate knows a cruel brand of irony indeed. I would be the one to get partnered with you – a pitiful little brat who's even weaker than me!"

I grunted as he pressed harder. "Don't you get it?! You're the go-between, the Summoner, the vital component necessary for us to exact our revenge on the one who brought shame on the Ookami and uphold our pack's sworn oath to Konoha. It's unfortunate that a dead weight like you is the human we're forced to work with: a nobody who can do nothing. And now, entrusted with this mission, I'm stuck as the one to fail with you."

The pressure vanished; gasping, I fell to the ground. "Y-you think … we'll fail?"

"No, I know we'll fail. And those four will never let me live it down…"

"If you're so sure I've doomed us all, why are you even here?!"

"Oh, we'll try. A nice, honest attempt will put us Ookami in compliance with the oath of loyalty toward Konoha. But don't get me wrong, we will fail."

I got to my knees. "…That isn't an option. Even if you're completely prepared to fail, I'm not. There's a reason I definitely must succeed here, and I will."

"Fool," he snarled darkly. "Are you trying to tell me not to hold you back? With the power of the Ookami on their side, a different shinobi might just have stood a chance. You are weak – a burden, a hindrance. But when we fail, who do you suspect they'll blame?"

My gaze broke away from his. "For someone who said it himself that if it were up to him, my little village could take a hike, you seem a little too upset over our supposedly destined failure. Even as poorly as you speak of your siblings … are you anxious of how you look in their eyes?"

"…I suppose that's part of it, yes," he stated. His voice then turned cold and vicious. "But even more so … I personally thirst for Orochimaru's blood."

I shuddered suddenly, my breath catching.

"My vengeance … and my redemption." He glowered. "Now they can never be. You have no idea…"

I lowered my head, teeth grinding. Am I really … that weak? Thanks to me, there's no hope for us…?

"Have I answered your question, then? Yes, I feel a bit more than 'dislike' toward you. Now get the hell up."

I swore under my breath, wiping the blood beginning to trail down the side of my face with the back of a hand before I stood with the aid of the tree's support. "What … What about Gobi-sama? It said that–,"

"Honestly, I have no idea what Okaa-sama saw in you."

I blinked. "O… 'Okaa–?'"

"You got a problem with my mum?"

I turned bright red. "A-ah, no, not at all! She's a very beautiful wolf!" I stammered, fearing I'd be hit or kicked or spontaneously ignited or something. Now that I think about it, the Gobi did have a rather feminine tone to its – her voice.

"I thought so," the short-tempered wolf said crisply, and he continued walking. Exhaling softly, I took this as the cue to start following again.

"So then … what did Houkou-sama say about me?"

"It's baffling, really; it's not like her to joke about such things. Mum talked about you … like you were the most powerful we'd ever meet."

I briefly flinched mid-step.

"She made it sound like someone easily on equal footing with the former wolf-brothers. In the moment I realized I was the one being called as the chosen familiar, I was almost a bit apprehensive that I might be overwhelmed by the ninja's power. So imagine my surprise when I pop out and see, well … you. A scrawny little crip–,"

"I get it!" I protested, anticipating he was about to get started on all that again. "Still, for all my flaws … s-surely there's some redeeming quality? Even one…" I halted.

"What's wrong now?" came an annoyed bark.

I shivered, a whisper ghosting past my lips. "Imouto-chan…"

What's happened to her? I can't remember ever feeling like this before. What happened? What's gotten her so distraught? I lowered my head and embraced myself, gasping softly. I can almost feel it…

But there was nothing I could do. Hanabi-chan was far, far away, and I wasn't there for her now.

"Redeeming trait, huh…?"

My eyes focused, and I noticed with a start that Kurogiba was staring intently from right in front of me. His expression was unreadable.

"…You have … an incredibly powerful spirit. And that's it."

My mouth opened in question, but he had already whirled again to head briskly away.

"C-come on, before you're left behind – I won't be held accountable for you getting lost or something…"

Cheeks burning at the insult, I hurried after him. Short as it had been, miniscule as it might seem compared to all the derision Kurogiba had to offer, I hadn't missed it. Albeit odd, he'd actually sort of given me a compliment.

We emerged in a clearing, and I blinked a few times after being in the shadow of the trees for so long.

"This is a good spot. I trust we're far enough from those friends of yours…?"

I understood and nodded hesitantly.

He sighed, and then said with about as much enthusiasm as a genin (a normal one, not someone like Lee or Naruto) about to run ten miles for daily conditioning: "I guess it's time to get started, then…"


Lee リー

"In… Incredible…" So fast that before I even knew what had happened…

"Pretty cool, huh?" he said, grinning as he moved the dull kunai from my neck. I got up.

"'Pretty cool' is an understatement! Do you realize what you could do with this skill…?"

"Actually, that's kind of what I was hoping you could help with. It isn't perfect yet, but I thought maybe you could help me with working the technique into my taijutsu – tips to polish it off, y'know?"

"Anytime, my youthful friend! To begin, let us see how far you have already progressed!" I said, settling into my Goken stance.

"Alright! I owe you one, Bushy Brow," he said.

"Do not mention it! This shall be an interesting type of battle indeed! Combating your technique will be a pleasure and a challenge for certain, but now that I have figured out how it works I am certain I can find a way to counter it!"

"Ha! We'll just see about that, won't we?"

I grinned. "Prepare yourself!"

I rushed at him, trying to get near before he could use his trick. However, the boy was quick enough to sink into a sharp leg sweep while I was still a few yards away.

There was an impact at my shins. I tripped.

Rolling forward, I sprang into an attack to catch the boy off-guard. He leaned away in surprise, unable to react swiftly enough.

The first weakness, it would appear – if his enemy can get close enough to him, he doesn't have space to use the–

My fist met his stomach, and he burst into smoke.

"Oh…!" I gasped as blunt metal slid to rest against my throat. I turned wide eyes on the boy behind me. "No way…"

"I've got a few more tricks than just that one up my sleeve," he boasted with a smirk.

"I was certain that was the real you. The whole time–?"

"No, not the whole time. That really was me. It was," he said, emphasizing the word.

"Ah…" I said, figuring out how he had done it. "Very clever."

He released me, and we separated. This time, I would not underestimate him. If I lowered my guard for even an instant against this, it would be over. In a real fight between enemies, I would have died twice over already…

"Yosh! Now, let us continue!" I said, tucking an arm behind my back and holding the other out in front of me, bent at the elbow. What is this feeling? I… I glanced down at the hand before me; almost unnoticeably, it was trembling. I feel I am intimidated…

Naruto-kun… The longer I think about it, the more I appreciate the power of this new skill you have honed. But also … I grow more and more certain of a sense that if I were capable of using this technique, I would never want to master it. No… I would never want to possess such an ability to begin with. At least … at least not now.

I wonder, my friend… Do you yourself even fully realize the immensity of this art you happened to stumble across and develop? If you are ever truly pushed to fight seriously… many an enemy will likely meet with death before they see it coming. But this power is yours now. I can only pray that the day you need stain your hands in blood does not arrive anytime soon…

Kami-sama… If I have not been already, I think I am soon to be surpassed.

The great deal of power that you already wielded, Naruto-kun… I forced a deep breath, and had to will my body to stop shaking before it became visible. It is utterly miniscule before the potential you now possess.

This technique … can be deadly.


Hinata ヒナタ

"Now I'm going to observe you. Go as far as you think you can without losing yourself…"

"Hai," I said, nodding at the wolf seated in front of me. I formed a hand sign and focused, shutting my eyes. Very carefully I tapped into the mark's power.

My breath caught when the black energy began to flow eagerly through me. I felt fangs and claws develop, and my teeth locked at the brief burning sensation in my wrists, ankles, and neck.

"That's an interesting look for you, koinu," I heard him remark. "You almost look menacing enough to take down the average academy brat."

Ignoring… I thought with a scowl as he went on to warn that I might, however, be pushing it to try taking on the brighter among said academy brats. I continued to concentrate on drawing out the mark's power in the most controlled manner possible.

"…Okay," I said.

"That's it? Didn't you once pull yourself back from the fifth level at will?"

I opened my eyes, blinking a few times at the too-sharpness of my vision. I saw the pale, claw-tipped hands in front of me, the wrists adorned each with two black rings. "That time was different…"

"I want to see how far you can go, not how far you'd like to. Your mind and consciousness are still completely yours; I think you'll be safe going further."

"Hai…"

I gasped as I slipped into the third level. For what seemed like an eternity he didn't speak; I began to fidget restlessly.

"It's been all of one minute and you're trembling. Your breath is unsteady. Are you uncomfortable?"

Very.

"A little…"

He fell silent again. Eventually:

"How about now?"

"Yes, Kurogiba-sama, I am quite uncomfortable."

"Go back to the second level," he said abruptly.

With a sigh of relief, I gladly complied.

"Feel better?"

"Yes."

"Go to the third again."

"Wh–?!"

"Just do it. Trust me."

And why should I trust you again…? I thought as the third rings returned.

"…How old are you, anyways?"

"Thirteen," I said, surprised.

"Hm… Those friends of yours, what are they like?"

"Naruto-kun and Lee-kun? They're…"

He went on asking about the most random things, and I ended up telling him about myself. The talking felt good – it helped me focus on remaining myself – and it was nice to have a civilized conversation with him. While it was a nice distraction at first, soon enough his questions grew to seem annoying, my answers grew shorter and sharper, and I began to fidget.

"What the heck do you care?!" I snapped at last, glowering viciously.

"Fine, I'll stop talking. Stay still for as long as you can." He lied down, resting his head on crossed paws.

I growled in annoyance, casting my gaze aside.

He was silent for even longer than before. I wanted to scream – I wanted to move! There was too much power surging through me to be standing still! My claws should have been tearing flesh – wait … No they shouldn't! My teeth were grinding constantly now. Every so often my body shuddered. I growled softly.

"Are you done observing yet?!" I demanded.

"Are you in pain?" he replied with another question.

"Ye– well, no, actually, but – I don't know!!"

"You're anxious and restless … but you are still mostly yourself. He stood up. "Just standing here, it's relatively easy for you to keep your head, but being realistic… You would only advance to the third level in a serious fight, right? When your emotions are in a frenzy and there's someone you really want to hurt…?"

Uchiha … Itachi. I didn't care if it was impossible; at the time all I wanted was to see him in pain…

"I guess so…"

"Then the question is, what would you do in a realistic situation? Would you be able to pull yourself back during battle, or would you draw on an amount of power you know you can't control?"

"I would suppress it," I growled firmly. "I won't turn into the monster I was that day ever again…"

"Tell you what, scrawny koinu… Move your hands a little higher."

I did so, moving my hitsuji-locked hands up in front of my questioning face.

"Now close your eyes – Just do it. I'm not going to hurt you."

I did as told. "What are you doing?"

"Just creating a little stimulus."

"A what–?"

THUD!

My eyes flew open with the harsh expulsion of air and phlegm from my mouth as Kurogiba rammed his head full force into my stomach.

I grimaced as I was driven back, and I staggered when my feet returned to the ground. Shaking with rage, I bared my teeth and glowered violently up at the wolf.

"You bas–!!"

I gasped as the fourth set of rings appeared. Shimatta…! I thought, and lost myself.

I dropped to all fours, yelling in effort, fighting and failing to drive the curse back. My shoulders shook as my back arched, as my mouth drew back from my teeth.

"Careful there, koinu. You might want to come back now, I think you're losing control."

My eyes met his.

"RAAAAHHH!!!" I leaped toward him, claws raised. My hand plunged into his chest – and pain shot through my arm.

I cried out, withdrawing my arm and sinking to my knees, yowling in pain and fury as I cradled the hand at my chest.

And suddenly something met the back of my head, and my face crashed into the dirt. I started to struggle; my cheek was only pressed harder against the ground.

"Listen. The pain is so great, I know you must hear me. Push the mark back."

"Grrr…" My teeth clenched.

"Come on, scrawny koinu, I know your soul isn't that weak. Break free of it. Now."

"G… GYAAAH!!" With this miserable cry I banished the Darkness from my being.

Kurogiba's paw released me. Whimpering, I rolled onto my side, curled up around my burned arm, and cried.

"Stop crying."

"Wh-why did you d-do that?" I squeaked.

"The third level is unpleasant because it forces you to walk a razor's edge between the human and the beast. Now we know that you can't balance on that razor's edge forever; eventually you'll reach your breaking point and be forced to go one way. Until you can control yourself at the fourth level – if you ever find yourself forced to a breaking point at the third you need to make sure you are able to choose to revert back over pushing yourself further. Your own soul and will must always hold power over the mark's influence, koinu; whatever happens, you can't give in to angry impulse and let yourself be so easily knocked off-balance. Otherwise, well … look what happened. In recklessness you actually struck at something made of fire…"

"I u-understand…"

"Count yourself lucky this time; what if I'm not around at the next, and your Naruto and Lee are?"

"I won't l-lose control ar-round them…"

"Just like you wouldn't 'turn into the monster you were that day ever again,' right?"

"Ngh…"

"Learn control. Never let the strength of your resolve falter…"

Sniffling, I tightly shut watering eyes and parted my lips to release a tiny whimper-cry of pain.

I heard a sigh. "…Come on. Get up, and stop crying. While the wound's still fresh, let me teach you how to heal yourself…"

I slowly uncurled my body. My eyes cracked open to take in the horribly reddened flesh of my left arm, held in my quivering right hand. I sat up, holding back further tears.

"Gh… Hai…!"


Naruto ナルト

"Oi! Eyebrow kid! Chakra monster! I've brought your koinu!"

"What the … Kurogiba?" I said as he came into view.

"And Hinata-san!" Lee gasped.

Anger came along with the sense of déjà vu as he approached, carrying a limp Hinata by the back of her jacket.

"What did you do to h–?!!" I was cut off as she was thrown at me; I caught her carefully and looked her over. She'd bled at the mouth, there was a cut on her temple, one side of her face was bruised, she was missing most of her left sleeve, and her chakra was nigh undetectable. "What did you do to her?!!" I decided to yell again.

"Hm? I didn't do much. She baked her arm trying to punch me, and then she passed out after repairing it. And it's not like I had to teach her how to repair it."

"What happened to her face?"

"It met the ground."

"Teme–!"

"Hey, I had to pin her down to keep her from attacking me again."

"Oh, so you mean you didn't give her any reason to attack you, she just did, right?"

"Look, as much as I'd like to play twenty questions, I've got places to be. Well, I really don't, but seeing as I despise you three…" The flames turned orange, burst outward, and dissipated.

"I … am coming not to like Kurogiba-san very much."

"Naw, really?" I said, lying Hinata down and forming three hand seals. Palms aglow, I moved my hands over the very slight redness on her arm.


Hanabi ハナビ

The sheet that served as the door to the room rustled softly. I thought it was someone bringing food and water. Then he sat down next to me and spoke.

"Hey."

"Sasuke-san…? How did you–?"

"Snuck in again. It was a little harder this time, anyways."

"What do you want with me?" I asked quietly, shifting from my curled up position on the futon so that I was sitting up beside him.

"It's been four days. How long do you plan on staying down here? Isolated, crying … sitting in the dark, staring at a rock wall…" He nudged the bowl on the ground with a foot, causing half-eaten remains of a meal to almost spill out. "Not eating enough, even though you all are short on food…"

"Please, Sasuke-san … I just want to be left alone…"

"To go on sulking and living like a prisoner? A pretty pathetic existence for a Hyuuga prodigy like you. Don't you care about helping your friends anymore?"

I lowered my head, declining to answer.

"…Believe it or not," he said eventually, "once I did the same kind of thing you are now; locking myself away, trying to believe something never happened… But when it came down to it, it had happened. I created a goal for myself, and decided there was nothing I could do but stand up and move forward if I wanted to achieve it… You'll have to do the same sooner or later. Accept that it happened, and move on already."

Tears were falling silently. I embraced myself. "F-for so long I didn't remember why I was afraid of blood… all these years I never realized why I detested the thought of leading the Hyuuga Clan…! I'd forgotten what I didn't want to remember, and Nee-chan never told me… She was p-protecting me from the truth…!"

An awkward hand rested on my back and began to rub gently, soothingly. Looking up in a few moments, I was shocked by the softness in the boy's eyes.

"Talk to me," he offered quietly.

And I began to explain.


"…And th-there was so much p-pain in her eyes, b-but she smiled! She smiled up at me to try and say everything w-would be a-alright, ev-ven though she was hurting…! She s-said she loved me, even after I w-was so horrible to h-her…! There was s-so much bl-blood on me, and I screamed for help, and I was scared! I was s-scared … that n-no one would come…"

"But Hinata did survive, didn't she?" he said, even though he knew the answer.

"Y-yes…"

"You didn't kill her; she's just fine. You're sorry for what you did, aren't you?"

"Yes!!" I cried.

"And she's forgiven you; it sounds like she'd already forgiven you the moment you held her."

I nodded. "Nee-chan … even af-ter all that, she didn't love me any less… She c-couldn't be angry at me, even after I…"

"What happened happened," he said. "You can't change the past, so accept it and move on. Now you know where your phobia came from – you'll have to overcome it and move on if you ever want to be any help to your friends. If you don't want to try to get over it … well, that's fine, too. You can choose what you'll do with your own life."

"Wh-what should I do…? I'm not sure anymore… I j-just don't know…"

"It's your decision. Your father can't force you to do anything now. You need to decide whether or not you really want to become a ninja."

He stood up. "Now come on out of here. The others are worried sick about you."

I looked up at him as he took my hand encouragingly, but his eyes bore their regular coldness again. Nodding, I got to my feet.

"H-hai."

We crossed the room together, and he pulled aside the sheet for me to pass through the doorway.

"Erm… Sasuke-san?" I muttered softly.

"What is it?"

"…Arigatou."

"Yeah, whatever."

I managed to smile. You do have a good heart, Sasuke-san… I can tell.


Hinata ヒナタ

Training with Kurogiba was now a daily routine (much to his own infinite displeasure, as he frequently made certain I was kept aware). After a few days of meditating at the third level, which was a trying task in itself, he'd announced after today's meditation that it was time to step it up a notch.

"AGH!" I cried as a fire blast nearly grazed me.

"Dodge faster!"

I'm dodging as fast as I can already!!

The wolf moved in a furious blur of speed easily on par with my own, and I struggled to avoid every rushing strike he made.

Can't keep this up much longer… I dodged aside as he pounced. Time to hide and revert back–!

His head whipped around – crashing against my own with blinding force.

"Uh…" I staggered away, twirling in a confused circle as I tried to stay on my feet. Something jammed sharply into my stomach and then lashed up into my jaw. Then a great force came in from low and shoved against my midsection, bodily throwing me to a tree trunk.

Shoot… I'm losing it…! I shook my head, brushing away stars. Go back – go back!

My eyes snapped open. The fourth and third rings vanished.

I did it?

"He-hey, not bad!" came an alarmingly cheerful voice in front of me. A flaming paw lightly rested itself on my breastbone, and I looked up to see Kurogiba was momentarily balanced on his back legs.

Kuso.

On that note, I was shoved clear through the tree and sent crashing into the ground behind it.

"Itai… AH!" I cried, rolling aside as the felled tree struck ground. I scrambled to my feet, but a step later stumbled and collapsed again as the mark's power faded.

"But you don't honestly think a real enemy will sit back and let you spend five seconds trying to rein yourself in."

"Of course not…" I murmured into the dirt.

"Oh yeah, feel free to go ahead and pass out on me, we were all done for the day…" he was muttering in annoyance as my eyelids drooped shut.


Naruto ナルト

There go my hopes that Hinata-chan might actually be able to spar today… I thought as I sighted the dumb wolf sauntering up with Hinata, the latter out as a light.

"Don't throw her!" I said, hurrying over to retrieve the girl.

I was aware of him watching us as Lee and I looked her over for wounds. I glared up to the beast's black and red eyes. "Why do you have to be so hard on her?" I asked, staring evenly. "Why do you have to work her to exhaustion every single day?"

"Feh," he snorted. "If she wanted a day off, she wouldn't summon me. But we don't have forever, after all; as long as I'm called here I won't waste our time taking it easy."

Lee spoke up. "You said 'our' rather than 'my.' Does that mean you actually care about wasting Hinata-san's time?"

He growled a grunt, looking away. "The scrawny koinu's a determined one, I'll hand her that much…"

Lee nodded. "So in a way, you mean you hold some degree of respect for her desire to improve, do you not?"

"I guess that may be…" He looked down at the unconscious girl. "I've told her again and again that it's not going to happen, that we're simply not going to succeed, but still she refuses to accept it and keeps giving her all like the most desperate fool…"

"Hinata attacks your training with everything she's got because to her, failing isn't an option."

"And what might that mean?"

"In Konoha, Hinata-san was the heiress of the Hyuuga Clan, but was looked down on by her family as the weakest Hyuuga of her generation. All her life she has suffered from her clan's hatred and been labeled a failure… But despite it, she still loves all her family and seeks only to help them someday as a strong leader…"

"But now," I picked up, "things have gotten a lot more complicated than that. Hinata refuses to fail because she has someone precious to her – a real jerk – that she has to protect. Someone she's not going to lose no matter what."

Lee nodded. "She will never give up on him. My former teammate, her cousin… She wants nothing more than to save him from Orochimaru. For that she will do whatever it takes."

"…What a joke."

"What did you just say–?!"

Lee's hand landed on my shoulder. "You too have a reason for wanting to succeed, do you not?" he asked, staring with a cool seriousness into the wolf's eyes.

"What's it to you?" he asked.

"I wonder, Kurogiba-san … are you perhaps a bit envious of this steadfast determination she holds?"

Lee didn't flinch nor did his cold gaze falter when the beast unleashed a deafening roar of fury in his face.

Growling, he turned, leapt skyward, and vanished in a burst of flame.


Neji ネジ

I pored over the report, reading each line thoroughly. It would be analyzed by others later, but I was curious to see for myself what he'd come up with. "So far, the most useful intelligence in this would probably be the weakness and flaws to their security…"

"Forgive me, sir. I'll probably be able to collect more useful information once they trust me."

I continued reading the account of what had happened and what he'd learned in the time with them. A close watch was kept on him at all times, and his movements were heavily restricted … except…

"'I snuck in again to comfort Hyuuga Hanabi and convince her to come out of her seclusion'?" I quoted, an eyebrow raised. "Elaborate."

"I got her to talk about the things she'd remembered. She explained the incident in which she injured her sister a few years ago."

I recalled that; the clan had been in an uproar the next morning, chaotic rumors had flown, and the Sandaime himself had soon enough come knocking on Hiashi's door. When all was said and done, the sisters became practically inseparable again. "That wasn't quite what I meant. Why did you do it? It's not like you."

"I was responsible for traumatizing her in the first place, and it didn't exactly help where I stood with New Konoha. I had to sneak in because they wouldn't have let me see her alone."

"So you don't believe that, say, sneaking into their headquarters has a negative impact on where you stand with New Konoha?" I asked.

"I had to. It was well worth it."

"Do you sympathize with her?" I asked, silently activating my Byakugan.

He met my eyes blankly. "I couldn't care less about the girl's problems, but I think it may be beneficial that she trusts me. She's close to several key figures of their organization, and so I took an opportunity to get close to her. She's still a child, which gives her a greater chance of lowering her guard and slipping up around me. She is valuable as a potential source of information."

"I see…" I said. My kekkei genkai deactivated. And he left and came here not long after… I thought, finishing the last page. "Alright. You're dismissed."

"Hai, Neji-sama," he said, bowing moderately at the waist. He rose and took his leave.

I stared at the door long after Sasuke had left. Then I punched the wall next to me. "Aren't you just the perfect underling all of a sudden?" I whispered coolly. I couldn't read a single thing on his face. It's hard to believe he really learned his lesson, but… I shook my head. If said a word of lie just now, he did beyond an exceptional job of hiding it.


Hinata ヒナタ

"'Soul Link'…?"

Kurogiba nodded. "It's an advanced Ookami technique possible between summoner and familiar, and it won't be easy to perfect. The Senjuu boys had been with their partners for far longer than we've known each other when they first began practicing it. Though it's only been two weeks, since we're rather short on time Mum told me we ought to start today."

"So in other words, we'll be rushing this technique."

"Sounds like it. The goal is to have this down for the most part by the next full moon, which doesn't give us much time."

I frowned just at the mention. "Why the full moon?"

"On the night of the full moon, you turn into something dreadful, something far beyond the fifth level that you don't stand a chance of mastering on your own. If you and I are able to join at the mind, I might be able to help you learn to control yourself in that form."

My breath caught.

"If you want to fully master it, the absolute quickest way is to first perfect the Soul Link with me. So, let's get started."

"Hai!"


I breathed in and out, in and out, slowly, rhythmically. My eyes were shut, but I could feel the cool, calmly rippling flames of his forehead, which rested against mine.

"Good, koinu… Now, open your mind…"

Open… My mind…

"Alright. My mind – do you sense it now?"

Yes… The energy was warm, like fire, but not hot. Wise, in his own way … powerful … hard … lonely…?

"Yes or no, a simple question…"

"H-hai… I – I can sense you, Kurogiba-sama."

"Okay… Now, don't draw away when I–,"

"Eek!"

"GAHAAH!!"

My eyes snapped open. "Kurogiba-sama!" I cried in surprise, seeing him hissing and shaking his head a few meters away.

"What'd you kick me out for?!"

"Well you could go about waltzing into my mind a little more gently!"

"Okay … that was a natural reaction, I guess. Let's just try again."


I'd never seen the wolf more motionless than he was now, lying exhausted in front of me. The flames composing his body seemed to churn in slow motion.

"G-gomen," I said again. "Are you okay to go on?"

"…You know… I think our bond just isn't strong enough. We're not ready for this…"

"Mm… Maybe… But I've noticed something, Kurogiba-sama…"

"And what's that?"

"My mind, well… Each time it's been a lot more open than yours. In fact, I think if mine were as closed off as yours from the start, it wouldn't be possible. It's not a one-way technique, is it? How are our minds supposed to become one if it feels like an invasion?"

"Tch…" He looked away, rolling onto his side and stretching out with a yawn. "Not everyone finds it that naively easy, Miss Sunshine Happiness, to open up their mind to another. Of course I've never Soul Linked with a human before, but I particularly detest the idea of sharing my mind space with you," he said, casting a sidelong glare. "To be quite frank, I don't exactly like you that much."

"Even if you don't, we still need to try to work together here!" I urged.

"Fine, fine… Just give me a few minutes and we'll try again.

I lied down next to the resting wolf. "You know…" I started, looking up at the cottony white clouds decorating today's sky. "Even though you know a lot about me, I hardly know anything at all about you–,"

"Are you about to try to get to know me or something?" he snapped.

"Okay, never mind…" I assuaged.

It sure was a nice day… I twiddled my thumbs, watching the clouds sail by overhead.

"What if…… How about we take a minute to think about all the things we like about each other?"

"I should kick you, saying something so dumb."

"Let's just try."

"…Well that didn't take long."

"Kurogiba-sama, that was mean…"

"I don't care."

"Kurogiba-sama?"

"Scrawny koinu."

"What do you see in the clouds–?"

"AAAH! If it will get you to SHUT UP about all this crap then fine!! I'll try to open up! Get up, we're trying again!!"


Lacking most of the defensiveness from before, I didn't automatically recoil and shut him out when his spirit made contact with mine; approaching with fairly equal openness, he didn't come off as dangerous or hostile as he had before. When his soul did hesitantly brush up against mine, it was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. I was frozen stiff despite the warmth that flowed into me, paralyzed with confusion even as an electric thrill pulsed in my veins.

'Breathe, stupid runt, you're not breathing!'

I drew in a gasp of air in surprise as much as necessity.

'K… Kurogiba-sama, I can hear you!'

'No crap. Dang you're slow…'

'It's just … so unreal…' It was phenomenal to take in. I could smell everything around me; the wind blew, and – this scent, a deer… How did I even know what deer smelled like? Was this Kurogiba's knowledge…? Birds – I could hear two – no, three? – far away, squawking at each other…

'Like an awestruck little pup… Listen up, koinu. Until you grow accustomed to it, the sensation can be overwhelming for mortals like you. In time you must learn to both maintain constant self-awareness and be fully conscious of me at the same time; be able to distinguish between what's me and what's you, to remain yourself, know yourself, even while we are one…'

'I think I understand.'

'Now … if you can handle it, we ought to get a taste of the true Soul Link.' A very real wave of apprehension radiated from him.

'I'm ready, Kurogiba-sama, but I'm not so sure about you – wait, did you hear all of that?'

'Scrawny koinu… Just don't pry.'

'What?'

With no further warning – his mind, a part of mine, mine a part of his. Light and foreign images, memories not my own – frustration in oneself – sounds of all the forest around us – decades of existence – smells, the scent of the scrawny koinu, wait, me – so much unfamiliar – sadness

Amid the assault of so much, so alien, that one seemed familiar–

It wasn't.


"This duel is over."

Pain, a broken leg, many slashes. My fur matted with blood.

Looking up at the larger, black-and-white wolf. Kurochi's blue eyes piercing me.

Trying, failing to stand.

"Stop embarrassing yourself! You fool, Kurogiba…" Words of disappointment, flowing cool and calm.

"A…Ani-ue…"

"Ahahahaha!!" Kuroshin cackles coldly. "Honestly, why does he even bother? You're only the Fifth Grand Ookami, and Kurochi's First! No matter how many times you challenge him you'll never beat him, or any one of us for that matter!"

Pitying sigh from Kurorei. "Why do you do it to yourself, Kiba-chan? Just call this off…"

"I'll say, while some of his pride's still intact…"

"His pride? What a laugh! The runt's just so plain weak! He's gonna stain the name of the Grand Ookami one of these days…"

"Watch your tongue, Kuroshin…"

"I-I… I am no d-disgrace… You'll see… S-someday I'll surpass you … all of you…!"

"Ha! You'll never top me, much less a monster like Kurochi. Heck, you can barely hold your own against Kurosei, who you ought to have the advantage against! It's no secret you're an embarrassment. Far as I'm concerned, you're no Grand Ookami at all! Nothing but a scrawny little koinu who doesn't know his place!"

The world shimmered, dissolved in a furiously blurring mosaic of colors, evaporated.


Man with long black hair, white skin, evil golden eyes of a monster.

Not good. Thought it would be easy. I was wrong.

This mortal – strong. Not an average shinobi. Fast as me. No … faster?!

Time to get away!

The man, leaping into my path as I flee, cackling, taunting.

Cornered, attacking furiously, madly. Desperately.

Sinister snake showing a sickening smirk.

My eyes – only a moment to widen.

And his blade is tearing through my neck.


Heart pounding out of my chest, I half-leapt, half-staggered away, running my back straight into a tree. My legs remained tensed under me, trying to push me further away regardless as violently shaking hands grasped at my neck.

"I told you not to pry!!" he roared.

Breathing – I'm not breathing…

I drew in a huge but shuddering breath, some relief coming as cool air rolled surely down my throat and into my lungs. As I exhaled, my legs relaxed and I slid unblinking to the ground, though my hands twitched frantically about my neck, fingers searching furiously, assuring and reassuring that my head was firmly attached to my body.

"Stop that. It's mental, all in your head…" I heard him growl.

My mouth moved, and after a moment of effort and choked nonsense recalled the ways in which it constructed words. "I… I'm sorry… I didn't mean t-to…"

One hand still resting protectively over my neck, I looked up to meet his eyes and gasped.

"You're … dead…?" I breathed, more a statement than a question as realization sunk in.

"What, you thought I was born this way?" he almost snapped back, his voice low and cutting. "I've long forgotten the luxury of flesh and bones; a body of flames is the highest form that exists to me now…"

I shook my head in disbelief. Having felt terror and helplessness, seeing fear through his eyes – eyes of someone so brazen and strong…

"My existence is nothing more than that of a mere disembodied spirit. I can utilize my chakra while bound to my element, but I'll never be half as powerful as I was before. I'm dead … because Orochimaru killed me. Just for some filthy mortal's silly experiments and fancies…"

Grunting softly, I got myself to stand; I walked up, stopping when I was beside him. "Losing to Orochimaru… That's not something to be ashamed of. I mean, he's one of the most powerful shinobi in–,"

"It doesn't matter!" he cried, his voice blazing ferociously past bared fangs. "Don't you get it?! Things have gotten worse since then. To the other four, who died before me in wars, or great battles, or fighting at their partner's side – to them, I'm nothing more than 'that one.' The incompetent waste of space that tarnished the family name by managing to get himself slain by a mortal…" He shut his eyes as his voice simmered out in a seething growl.

I reached out to him, slowly stroking the wolf's coat of cool, rolling flames that ever so faintly pulsated and fluctuated beneath my hand. "Oh, Kurogiba-sama…"

"Save your pity!" he barked, and my hand jumped away as his temperature spiked sharply against the sensitive skin of my fingers. "Like you could understand what it's like to be the weakest of the pack! Like you would know how it feels to be a failure, looked down on with disgust everywhere you turn… You have no idea of the Hell I've been through! How would you know what it feels like to be seen as something f-foul, something disgraceful, b-by…"

"The ones who mean the most to me? Actually, I might."

His eyes snapped open with a gasp.

"I've been through it, too." With slight caution my fingers touched his blazing pelt again. He only looked ahead, not meeting my gaze. "Your eyes are a lot like mine, Kurogiba-sama … in that they should be unreadable, and yet still I can see sadness in them. I can see it… Your eyes have the same suffering, the same loneliness that mine do. I used to be like you are now; all I could do was cry, and mope, and give up."

"And what changed that?" he muttered gruffly.

"Then…" The wind tousled my hair; his 'coat' flared up gently in the breeze. "Then I met someone who inspired me. Someone who never backed down no matter what came his way. He told me I could change myself, and I believed him; I still do. I decided to be like him. Now I don't run away and I don't go back on my word. And that's why… That's why I have to save my cousin and the village, no matter what it takes. We can succeed here, Kurogiba-sama. We have to."

"Foolish…" he muttered, shaking his head. "What exactly do you think a bunch of outcasts can do? Heed my words, that way of thinking ultimately yields only frustration and pain. You'll be disappointed in the end."

"I won't," I said firmly.

His eyes rounded on me intensely. "Look, brat, I know it's fun to believe in such petty ambitions, to pretend anything is possible if you try hard enough – but in the real world things don't work out that way, and that's the unforgiving truth. Learn it well, before it's too late… I'll be fine, but try too hard and you might not be. I'd very much like to have revenge on the snake, but there's little point in trying when it would result in my failure and your early death…"

"Ku… Kurogiba-sama…" Does that mean in some part of him … he actually cares about me…? My hand gently mussed with his blazing 'fur.' I understand, Kurogiba-sama. You don't want someone else to go through the same thing you did. You don't want me to suffer the way you have, to lose what you lost…

I raised my head, gazing for a long time out into the vast blue sky and watching two distant birds that danced on the air. "…Alright," I said at last, "I've made my decision."

"Decision?" he echoed curiously, and I nodded.

"If you won't believe we can succeed, fine. I'll just have to have enough faith for both of us."

His flinch of surprise was near imperceptible as his eyes narrowed sharply. "What are you saying? Didn't you hear a word I just said…?"

Succeed and fly – or fail and die. That is all that's left to me. An appeasing hand on his shoulder, I continued to observe the two birds in flight.

"Listen, scrawny little pup, you'll–!"

"Hyuuga Hinata and Black-Fanged Kurogiba of Fire… Sound like a team?"

"Wh… what?"

Grinning brightly, I turned to face him. "I'm no Hokage, but I'll work to become a strong ninja someday. I promise you, Kurogiba … that I'll be a kunoichi you can be proud to fight alongside."

Our eyes held for several moments, passing meaning well beyond mere words.

"…Heh. I won't count on it, scrawny koinu," he said, looking away with a wolfish smirk.

I smiled back, glowing with determination. "I wouldn't have it any other way, Kurogiba-sama."

Now it was up to me to prove him wrong.


ナルト / リー / ヒナタ \ ハナビ \ ネジ

End Chapter Nine

Neji:

Naruto:

Neji:

Naruto:

Neji: Wolf Fang Fist–!

Naruto: KAMEHAMEHA!!!

Hinata: (stares at them) …Eh, why not. Charizard, I choose y–!

Kurogiba: #$?& YOU!!

Hinata: (Sigh…)

Lee: Have no fear, I shall protect you! Wind scar!!

Neji: I should so Iron Reaver you for that…

Hinata: But you know, we really should quit making fun of other manga.

Hanabi: Other… manga…?

Lee: Woah. Where did that come from?

Hinata: (scared) I… I don't know!!

Neji: A-absurd. Utterly outlandish… Such a thought…

Naruto: To – to suggest we're all just figments of the imagination of some supernatural being from another dimension… Our very thoughts, our lives, our dreams, our every move dreamed up in an office for some entertaining storyline by a thirty-something-year-old manga artist…!

Neji: Or even worse... by one of his f-fans... (everyone happens to look toward camera)

–SiLeNcE…–

Hinata: Phew, good thing it's not like that.

Hanabi: Yeah.

Lee: You said it…

Neji: Cra-zy stuff.

(static–)

Hinata: At this level, my sense of smell might just be strong enough to…! Yes, it is!

Naruto: Yatta! Ero-sennin, we're coming for you!

Lee: The time has finally come, but we must proceed with caution. Compared to what we need to do there, finding the prison may just be the easy part…

Naruto: This is what all that training's been for! We're ready… I know we are.

Lee: Naruto-kun's hands are still clean, but he has perfected an assassination technique without even realizing it. I hope he is not forced to use it today, but sooner or later, if he must fight for his life, he may be left no other choice…

Hinata: Next is Chapter Ten, which currently lacks a title!

A little shorter a chapter, anyways … but I already estimate the next one's going to be long. But I'm also fairly horrible at estimating, so who knows?

Reikuchiyose no Jutsu: Spirit Summoning Jutsu

In the chap title, I already know I used 'lupine,' an adjective, incorrectly in reference to Kurogiba. 'Lycan' I used as an abbreviation of Lycanthrope (werewolf) to refer to Hinata.

I don't think this chapter turned out very good… Sorry for so much flashbacking ;) ! If you feel it's a rip-off since a lot of the chapter focused on an OC, good news for you is that a number (probably five) of familiar faces debut in the next!

What did you think of Hanabi's flashbacks? Were you surprised at the origin of her phobia? A few guesses were kind of halfway-ish-ly close, but no one guessed that Hanabi had actually hurt Hinata. How was the interaction between Hinata and Kurogiba? Was Kurogiba's character developed well? Oh, and there was a little more foreshadowing on Naruto's Kageken!

Please review! If you're only reading, I still love you… I just love reviewers more! ;)

Laters!

:o)Hinata0321:o)