So here is the newest update, sorry it took so long. Work got in the way of writing, but hopefully the next update will be quicker. LadySongbird16 and I hope you all enjoy this newest chapter.
Chapter 10
Kagome, Kōga, Kilala and a few of their demon villagers were wondering through the forest when a few sound and sand ninjas emerged from the trees.
"Dammit," Kōga said. "We're surrounded."
"Where do you demons think you're going?" One of the sound ninja questioned.
"What do you want with us?" Kagome questioned. "We have nothing that you want."
"As far as we're concerned," Another sound ninja said. "You're all just in the way."
"And we can't let you assist any of the Leaf Village shinobi," another sound shinobi said. "So we're gonna have to take you out."
"We'll see about that," Kōga said. "Attack."
So, Kōga, Kagome, and the demons moved to attack the sound shinobi. Of course, some of the shinobi didn't stand a chance and were dead almost instantly, others had a little more luck with the jutsus they were capable, but eventually after some difficult fighting, they met their demises as well.
"This really is a war," Kagome confirmed. "Kill or be killed."
"This Orochimaru must really want something from the village if he's resorting to things like this," Kōga said.
"Yeah," Kagome said.
Suddenly Kagome heard some groaning. She turned to see that Bankotsu was beginning to stir.
"Excuse me for a minute," Kagome said.
She went over to where Bankotsu was bound on Kilala's back, took the sheath of her sword and hit him on the back of the head, sending him back into his unconscious state.
"How the hell is this idiot even here?" Kōga questioned. "I thought you guys took care of him back in the Feudal era?"
"So did I," Kagome replied. "He said that Orochimaru did this somehow."
"How can a shinobi even pull this off though?" Kōga questioned. "You mean to say that they have some sort of jutsu that can resurrect the dead?"
"I don't know," Kagome replied. "Even if they can though, how did anyone even find Bankotsu, and how was Orochimaru able to resurrect him and give him back his sword as well?"
"He's not much of threat without it though," Kōga replied. "Sesshōmaru has it now, so the only way for him to get it back is by defeating Sesshōmaru; which we both know isn't going to happen in his current state."
"He might not be a threat to us now," Kagome said. "The Sound and Sand ninjas still are though, and they're a threat to the Leaf Village as well."
"You're right," Kōga said. "We need to stay in this fight for the sake of the Leaf Village as well as our villagers."
"You and the others go on ahead of me Kōga," Kagome said. "Kilala and I will keep going as long as we can."
"Kagome are you sure about that?" Kōga questioned.
"Of course I am," Kagome replied. "I'm sure a lot of the Sound and Sand ninja are going to be pushing ahead to stop any of the Leaf shinobi who will stand in their way. I guarantee Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru already have a lot of them on their tail with them chasing after Sasuke. Go on ahead of me and stop as many of them as possible. The more we take out, the less there are to continue to threaten the innocents and to try and eliminate the Leaf Village."
"Alright," Kōga said. "Just be careful Kagome."
"Don't worry," Kagome replied. "I will."
So Kōga and the other demons went ahead, looking for the enemy.
Kagome and Kilala proceeded through the wooded area cautiously. They couldn't just stay in one place like sitting ducks. The sand and sound shinobi would get them too easily that way. Bankotsu had already woke up twice and Kagome had to knock him out with her bow.
"I swear," Kagome said. "If he gets brain damage I'm not taking the blame for it."
Suddenly Kagome heard a noise coming from the trees. She grabbed an arrow from her quiver and then as she expected four sound ninja jumped down from the trees.
"You really thought you could hide from me didn't you?" Kagome said.
"Don't flatter yourself lady," one of the Sound shinobi said. "You might not be who we're looking for, but that doesn't mean we won't take you down."
"So you think," Kagome said firing a sacred arrow in his direction. "Hit the mark."
The one sound ninja was dead before he could even scream.
"What the?!" Another ninja exclaimed. "What the Hell are you lady?"
"I'm the woman you shouldn't have messed with," Kagome said loading her bow again. "Kilala."
The large cat demon lunged at the remaining sound ninja and Kagome kept firing arrows at the Sound ninja until some where either shot in the chest or pinned to the trees.
"Good work Kilala," Kagome said to her cat demon companion. "Thank goodness this idiot didn't wake up. He would have tried to escape."
Kagome sat down against one of the trees.
"Well Kilala," she said. "I think this is as far as we can go for now. You should sit down too."
Kilala did as she was told.
"Good thing this idiot is tied up," Kagome said trying to get the heavy mercenary off of Kilala's back. "I wonder how long it will be until he comes to again?"
Kilala transformed into her smaller form and jumped onto Kagome's shoulder and gave her an affectionate nuzzle.
"Thanks Kilala," Kagome said. "I just wonder how safe we really are out here right now. I don't have the ability to put up a barrier like Miroku used to do, and even if I could I don't know what would happen if anyone tried to get through it. I don't want to see an innocent Leaf Village shinobi get incinerated because he or she tried to break through the barrier."
Kagome looked at Bankotsu's bound form again to make sure he wasn't going to stir anytime soon.
"I still don't see how it's possible," she said. "When the witch Urasue tried to resurrect Kikyo she was able to reconstruct her body with soil from her graveyard, her ashes, and tried using my soul to make her complete. Naraku resurrected him by jamming a shared of the jewel into his bones, and I don't know any other methods of resurrection. Bankotsu didn't have a grave and his body disappeared in the Feudal Era when Inuyasha destroyed him. Although I'm sure as soon as all of this is over and we can leave this village Sesshōmaru is going to want to interrogate him; and I know I have more questions for him myself."
Kilala mewled in agreement.
"You know what Kilala," Kagome began. "As much as I want to make sure this idiot doesn't get up and escape I think he's only holding us back from getting to the others, and I'll admit, I'm terrified that Sasuke won't be able to handle whatever is inside of Gaara. Whatever kind of spirit lives within him is angry, and it's out for blood. There's only one thing we can do Kilala, we have to take him back to where Shippō and the others are hiding and then continue on to find Naruto and his friends. Think you have enough energy to fly?"
Kilala meowed in response.
"Alright," Kagome said hopping on Kilala's back. "Let's go find Shippō."
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Kagome and Kilala flew back toward the village. They saw that Shippō and the humans were hiding behind various stands in the market.
"Shippō?" Kagome questioned, looking for her 'son'.
"Kagome," Shippō questioned.
"Why are you guys hiding here?" Kagome questioned.
"We didn't really know where else to go," Shippō said. "The shinobi had evacuated the students, but we don't know exactly where they are going though."
"You're not going to be safe here for long," Kagome declared. "As soon as you see a jōnin, ask them where you can seek shelter. Otherwise the Sand shinobi will find you all for sure."
"Why are you here Kagome?" Shippō questioned.
"Because I have this unconscious idiot with me," Kagome stated.
"So it really is Bankotsu?" Shippō asked.
"Yes," Kagome said. "He's unconscious, but he's woken up a couple of times already. I really need to go back and find Naruto and the others, but I can't go any further with him. So you're just going to have to keep an eye on him until I return."
"What?" Shippō questioned in shock.
"You heard me Shippō," Kagome said.
"What if he regains consciousness again though?" Shippō asked.
"You hit him on the head," Kagome stated. "I've done it several times already and it's worked."
Kagome lifted Bankotsu off of Kilala and two of the human citizens lifted him and placed him on the ground.
"Kagome," Shippō said. "Please be careful."
"Don't worry Shippō," Kagome said. "One way or another we'll get out of this alive."
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Kagome and Kilala flew above the trees. Kilala flying as fast as possible in order for them to reach the direction she could feel the danger from.
"There's a strong aura ahead," she said to herself. "It's not coming from Naruto, but it feels like one of the spirits, so it has to be from that boy Gaara. Which means that Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are probably already there."
The further they went the stronger the aura continued to grow. When Kagome finally got there she couldn't believe what she saw. The spirit that she sensed within Gaara was taking over his human form, and he had Sakura trapped. Naruto and Sasuke were on the other side and they looked completely exhausted; as if they had already exerted a good amount of chakra.
As she and Kilala drew closer they caught the attention of the girl Shikamaru had been battling before, Temari. She had looked like she was observing everything in fear until she saw Kagome and Kilala coming. She pulled her fan out and tried to hit them, but Kilala dodged the attack in time and Kagome was able to swipe the giant fan right out of Temari's hands.
"You know," Kagome said. "The last time I fought a woman with a fan it was much smaller than this, but it still did a lot more damage than what I saw yours is capable of. Regardless though, I think I'll hold onto this. If you know what's good for you then you'll stay out of this fight. Although it looks like you were already doing that."
Then she looked right at Gaara how had half of this body already taken over by the now, and Sakura was already unconscious. She and Kilala flew right by the young half-transformed shinobi and attempted to try and slash at the sand that was holding Sakura in place but to no avail.
"Kagome," Naruto said getting her attention. "What are you doing here?"
Pakkun who had been hiding in the trees jumped out of his hiding spot and stared at Kagome in surprise.
"I sensed the aura getting stronger," Kagome said. "I'm here to help. Although I don't think getting Sakura out of that gunk it a possibility. I wouldn't touch it I have no idea how it will react to anything I could do to it. I don't want to accidently hurt Sakura."
"What do we do?" Naruto asked.
"You fight for the sake of others," Gaara said.
"I can't tell if that's the spirit talking or him," Kagome stated.
"You must fight for no one but yourself," Gaara continued.
"No," Naruto said. "I need to save my friends."
"It's hopeless," Gaara said as more of the one-tail beast began to take over his form. "You'll never save the girl. As soon as the sand completely hardens, her body will be crushed."
"The beast is completely taking over his body, but it doesn't feel like its presence is completely there," Kagome stated.
"I'm not giving up," Naruto stated.
Kagome could see that his body language said otherwise. Suddenly it looked like he had an idea though because she started using hand signs and then he bit the tip of his thumb in placed his hand of the branch of the tree.
"Summoning jutsu," he said.
Then standing in front of Naruto was a small orange toad with purple markings wearing a blue vest.
"A toad?" Kagome thought to herself. "What kind of plan is this?"
"What's this?!" The little toad questioned. "You're a little kid! Well whatever it is, I hope you bought along some treats."
"Oh give me a break!" Naruto yelled. "I'm really starting to hate you stinky frogs!"
"Really?" The little toad said. "Making fun of the amphibians?"
"Listen," Naruto began. "I don't have time for this. I need to save everyone."
"Everyone…you say?" Gaara questioned. "That's your big mistake. When I fight, I fight for me and me alone. Sand Shuriken!"
Kagome and Kilala watched in horror as the sand shurikens made their way toward Naruto and the little toad, Naruto grabbed him and jumped out of the way, dodging them just in time. Only he fell several feet from one of the higher branches and landed several feet onto another.
"Naruto!" she yelled.
"What can I do?" Kagome thought. "As strong and dangerous as this beast is, there's still a child inside of there. A child, that from what I can understand so far only longs for someone to truly care, a child who's been in a dark place; maybe that's why Naruto looks so mixed up by this."
"What's a matter?" Gaara questioned. "Are you afraid of me, or are you still thinking about fighting for the sake of others. You should fight only for yourself! He who does is the strongest!"
"He's wrong," Kagome thought. "Having someone to fight for gives you strength, having someone to protect, someone you care about, and cares about you in return. That's were my strength came from."
"You were so bold and cocky before," Gaara continued. "Show me your strength so I can rip it to shreds! Fight me or I'll kill the girl!"
"Okay, you asked for it!" Naruto said lunging toward the beast. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Several clones were now jumping toward the best, but it inhaled deeply and blew out a huge gust of wind and sand, like a stand storm. The clones disappeared and soon Naruto was once again on the other side, face down on a tree branch.
"I think I'll toy with you a while," Gaara said. "Watch you abandon your friends and beg for mercy before you die!"
The beast then started throwing several sand shurikens at Naruto, sending him flying into and breaking several tree branches.
"That's it!" Kagome said landing on the branch next to Sasuke and pulling out her bow. "Just because I refuse to kill this beast, doesn't mean I can't fight."
Kagome aimed for the tail and fired an arrow. The tail disintegrated for a brief second, before rebuilding itself.
"Dammit," she thought.
This caught Gaara's attention though, and it looked right where she was standing.
"Stupid woman," he said. "What quarrel do you even have with me? Sand Shuriken!"
Kagome grabbed Sasuke and jumped onto Kilala's back, flying higher to avoid being hit.
"Kagome," Sasuke said still in pain. "Why are you here?"
"These idiots attacked not only your village," Kagome said. "They put my people in danger. Besides, I can't just let them kill all three of you. It looks like you all needed me."
Kagome and Sasuke watched as Naruto continued using the shadow clone jutsu over and over to on Gaara.
"Take this," Naruto said flying at Gaara. "Leaf Village Secret Ultimate Taijutsu technique, straight from the teachings of Kakashi sensei, A Thousand Years of Death!"
Kagome, Sasuke, Temari, Pakkun, and the little toad watched in shock as Naruto stabbed his kunai right in the base of the tail.
Gaara hit Naruto and he began to fall backwards toward one of the trees, but then Kagome watched as there was an explosion. It caught her off guard for a second that she did not realize Sasuke had leapt off Kilala in the direction of Naruto.
She saw both of them collide with each other on the tree branch and flew over toward them.
"All of that work and you only scored one blow?" Sasuke questioned.
"Oh put a sock in it," Naruto replied.
"It was actually pretty impressive," Kagome commented.
"Naruto," Sasuke began. "Listen to me, you have to rescue Sakura, if it's the last thing you do. Once you got her, I want you to take her and flee as fast as you can. It's all up to you."
"Sasuke…you," Naruto began.
"I can hold him here," Sasuke said attempting to stand, put grabbing his chest in pain. "A little longer. If it ends here, it just means this is as far as I was meant to go. I lost everything once, I never want to have to see that again. My trusted comrades falling, right in front of me."
"Sasuke you're being crazy," Kagome said. "You already used a lot of chakra fighting him before, and even with the curse mark gone, your body can only take so much."
"Curse mark?" Naruto questioned.
"It's not my place to tell Naruto," Kagome declared. "Let someone else tell you later."
"I get it now," Naruto said standing up as well.
Sasuke and Kagome looked at him in confusion.
"He's no different than I am," Naruto said looking at Gaara. "Going through life with the exact same sadness and loneliness that I had to carry, he fought only for himself, never relying on anyone, and because of that I thought that he possessed strength, I really did."
"Naruto," Sasuke said.
"I don't know," Naruto continued. "I guess I should have known better. That's not what real strength is. If you never fight for anyone but yourself, you'll never be strong, no matter what you do!"
A mass amount of chakra started surrounded Naruto.
"So much," Kagome thought. "Is this all his own chakra, or is he getting it from the fox spirit?"
Suddenly hundreds of Naruto shadow clones were everywhere.
"No way," Kagome said. "There's so many of them.
"How did you…do this?" Sasuke questioned.
"Sasuke," Naruto said. "Why don't you take it easy for a while, you deserve it. Just leave the rest to Naruto Uzamaki!"
Naruto's clones all lunged at the still-healing Gaara and attacked him.
Pakkun, jumped over to the branch they were sitting on and looked at Kagome again before bowing his head.
"My lady," he said.
"Oh no," Kagome said apprehensively. "Please, don't call me that. I'm not a lady."
"Why are you calling her that?" Sasuke questioned. "Do you know who she is?"
"I know exactly who she is," Pakkun declared. "You're the Shikon Priestess."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Kagome stated.
"I know it's you," Pakkun said. "I can sense it."
"The Shikon jewel disappeared over 300 years ago," Kagome declared.
Her hand subconsciously traveled down to the scar on her left hip.
After what felt like a long time Naruto and his clones managed to slam Gaara off of the tress he was standing on and onto the ground where he landed so hard he created a big crater. Naruto and his clones moved to attack again, but Gaara emerged at hit Naruto and his clones, causing Naruto to land on top of another tree. Then Gaara emerged again, only it seemed this time he was completely taken over.
"Naruto!" Kagome yelled.
Gaara was further away from everyone now, but he was huge, his human form was gone and in its place was a strange looking creature with one long tail.
"The aura is so strong," Kagome said. "Nothing like the strength of a demon like Kōga or Sesshōmaru, but still powerful. Is this one of the tailed-beasts that the Hokage told me of?"
Then there was another explosion, and standing not too far from the fully transformed Gaara was Naruto, and he was standing on top of a gigantic toad!
"How did he do that?" Sasuke said.
"Sasuke," Kagome began. "Stay here."
"What?" Sasuke replied.
"You heard me," Kagome replied. "You need to keep an eye on Sakura. If Naruto does what I think he's gonna do, then Gaara's release on her will break. I'm getting closer to those spirits, maybe I can help Naruto find a weakness. Come on Kilala."
Kagome jumped on Kilala's back and flew off toward the gigantic creatures not too far from them.
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"What the…" the giant toad began "Not you again. What is this?"
Then he looked at the fully transformed Gaara.
"Well, would you look at that," he began. "Shukaku the Sand Spirit."
"What do you say?" Naruto began. "Will you alongside me Chief Toad?"
The Chief Toad blow smoke out from his giant pipe. "Take a hike," he said.
"Are you serious," Kagome said flying toward the scene. "The shinobi need your help; the entire village is in trouble."
The chief toad took one look at Kagome and immediately dropped lower to the ground in a bow.
"My lady," he said.
"Oh great," Kagome said. "Not again."
"My lady?" Naruto asked. "What's going on? Why did you just call Kagome that?"
"I have heard many stories years ago about the priestess and her villagers. This woman was able to make peace with many demons and humans alike, and she is said to be the protector of a sacred object more powerful than any creature can imagine. Forgive my manners my lady, I am Gamabunta, Chief Toad of Mount Myōboku."
"It's a pleasure Chief Gamabunta," Kagome said. "But please, you do not need to call me my lady, it's just Kagome."
Then the smaller toad from before jumped on top of Naruto's head.
"Come on Pops," he said. "Don't be like that. Why don't you just settle down and hear the kid out?"
"Pops?" Kagome questioned.
"And just what do you think you're doing here Gamakichi?" Gamabunta asked.
"This small one is your son?" Kagome questioned.
"Yes," Gamabunta said. "Gamakichi show your respect to the priestess."
"Priestess?" Gamakichi asked. "The one from the village of the demons. Forgive me please my lady, I did not know."
"Really, it's not a big deal," Kagome replied. "Please, just call me Kagome though."
"By the way pops," Gamakichi said pointing to the sand spirit. "That guy over there was picking on me before."
"Come again?" Gamabunta said angrily.
"Oh yeah," Gamakichi said. "And when he did, our friend here came to my rescue."
"It's true," Kagome said. "I saw everything Chief Toad. It was quite impressive."
"Alright kid," Gamabunta said pulling out a sword from sheath on his right side. "I fully accept you as my henchman. Now I'll show you what duty is all about."
Kagome and Kilala watched as Gamabunta charged at Shukaku and managed to slice right through his right arm with the sword.
"Amazing," Kagome said as she watched the arm dissolve.
Then she looked at the damage that was happening to the landscape.
"If they keep this up though the whole landscape is going to be affected" Kagome mumbled.
She looked back toward the sand spirit only see something else was happening to it. Gaara's body was emerging from it, and his eyes had no pupils!
"What's happening?" She asked. "I've never seen anything like this," she stated.
"To thank you for entertaining me today," Gaara spoke. "I will now show you the true manifestation of the sand!"
"The sand spirit has completely possessed him," Kagome said. "It's using him as a medium."
Gaara raised his arms out, making a hand sign. "Play Possum Jutsu." Then his body hunched over
"He put himself to sleep" Kagome realized. "Which must mean the sand spirit has full control now."
"Alright," the Shukaku said looking up toward the sky. "I'm finally free."
"That's one crazy sounding spirit," Kagome declared.
The spirit then pointed at Gamabunta and Naruto.
"I hope you're ready to die," it said. "Let's do this."
"Wind Style: Air Bullets!" The Shukaku said extended its arm out."
"Kilala," Kagome said to her feline companion.
They flew up and in the opposite direction, managing to avoid the center of the strong blast of wind, but getting caught in part of it, which caused them to be thrown back several feet.
"Water Style: Liquid Bullets!" Gamabunta said jumping in the air and fire bullets of water from his mouth.
Kagome watched as the two different styles of bullets collided and caused a storm, soaking her and Kilala in the process.
"I don't think I've ever seen demons fight with these styles," she commented. "This is insane. I'm not entirely sure what we should do Kilala. I feel like my sacred power can take that thing down, but the child is still in there."
The two animals continued to go at each other for a long time before the Shukaku landed a blow on Naruto and Gamabunta that sent them flying to the sky.
"Naruto," Kagome yelled.
Much her relief though, Gamabunta jumped right back into sight.
"There has to be some way they can make fighting him a bit easier," Kagome said. "Unless, when a body is being possessed, if the host wakes up, the spirit loses its sole control."
"Kilala," Kagome said. "Get next to Gamabunta.
Kilala did what she was asked and flew as fast as she could toward the giant toad.
"Naruto," Kagome said. "You need to figure out a way to wake up Gaara. If you do that Shukaku might lose complete control."
"How do I wake him though?" Naruto asked.
"He hasn't been out for long," Kagome said. "A good strong hit should work."
"Alright," Naruto said.
"Lady Kagome," Gamabunta began. "I recommend you and your cat companion get further away, you can be greatly affected by the impact of what's to come."
"If you insist," Kagome said. "Naruto, be careful. I won't interfere for now, but if it gets bad I'll find a way to help."
"You got it," Naruto replied. "Thanks for the tip Kagome."
Kagome and Kilala flew further away from the scene and watched.
"I sure hope one or both of them has an idea on how to do this," she said.
For a while Gamabunta struggled to keep a hold on the Shukaku, but once they were pushed back and started running at the Shukaku Kagome could have heard Gamabunta yell transform.
There was a lot of smoke, but when it finally cleared, Kagome could not believe what she saw. It was a giant orange fox, with red eyes, sharp fangs, and nine tails!
"A fox," Kagome said. "Is this the nine-tail fox that I was told about? The aura feels the same as what I feel every time I'm near Naruto though. It would feel a lot stronger if the actual fox came out, how were the able to take the form of the fox though?"
In the form of the fox though they were able to get a grip on Shukaku and Naruto emerged from the fox and punched Gaara right in the face.
"No!" The Shukaku Spirit screamed. "This isn't fair, I just got here!"
"It must have worked," Kagome said.
Then she saw Gaara trap Naruto in what looked like a sand coffin, but then she felt something strange.
"The aura of the fox inside Naruto," she thought. "I can feel it getting stronger."
Naruto broke free from the sand and Kagome noticed visible red chakra surrounding Naruto.
"He must have tapped into the fox spirit's chakra," Kagome said. "Is he enough for Gaara though?"
She watched as the two shinobi continued to hit each other, and then Naruto head but Gaara.
"The sand is disappearing Kilala," Kagome said. "All from one head butt."
Gaara started to fall and so did Naruto, then there was a cloud of smoke and Gamabunta and Gamakichi were gone.
"Kilala let's get over to Naruto," Kagome said.
So they flew over to the two teens who were now sitting on top of trees right across from each other, both gasping for air, and both bleeding between the eyes.
"Naruto," Kagome said. "Are you alright?"
"I can't go any further," Naruto said looking at Gaara. "I've used up all my chakra, and from the look of it so have you. You and I are a lot alike, more than you know. We shouldn't be doing this."
Gaara got up and jumped toward Naruto, his fist prepared to punch him. Naruto jumped toward them as well and punched in first, causing both genin to fall again.
"Let's go Kilala," Kagome said.
They flew down to where the two genin were now lying on the ground. Only she noticed Naruto started crawling toward Gaara.
"Naruto," she said getting off Kilala and running toward the knuckle-headed ninja. "What are you doing? Your injuries are too great for you to keep moving."
"No stay away!" Gaara yelled from the other side.
When Naruto stopped Kagome knelt down beside him.
"It's almost unbearable isn't it?" Naruto questioned. "The feeling of being all alone. I know that feeling, I've been there, in that dark and lonely place, but now here are others. Other people who mean a lot to me. I care more about them than I do myself, and I won't let anyone hurt them. That's why I won't ever give up. I will stop you…even if I have to kill you!"
"But why?" Gaara asked. "Why would you do this for anyone but yourself?"
"Because they saved me from myself," Naruto declared. "They rescued me from my loneliness, they were the first to accept me for who I am, they're my friends."
Suddenly Sasuke emerged from the trees and knelt on the other side of Naruto.
"Sasuke," Kagome said. "Glad you're okay."
"Naruto," Sasuke said to the wounded blonde. "That's enough. Look, Sakura is going to be alright."
"Thank goodness," Kagome said. "The sand disappeared then?"
"Yes," Sasuke replied.
Then two more ninja showed up and knelt in front of Gaara, one Kagome recognized was Temari, the one she stole the fan from. The other was the one who forfeited during the third round, Kankuro."
"That's enough," Gaara said.
The two sand shinobi looked back at Gaara.
"It's over," Gaara said.
Kankuro picked Gaara up and slung Gaara's left arm over his shoulder. Then he and Temari looked back at Sasuke and Kagome prepared to leave, but then Kagome stood up.
"Kilala," she said calling the cat demon toward her.
When Kilala was right next to her she grabbed Temari's fan from and slowly walked toward the sand shinobi.
"Why?" Temari said looking at her.
"It does belong to you," Kagome said. "I have no use for it. If you have any respect for him, then you won't use it to attack the Leaf shinobi anymore. You'll get him out of here and make sure he gets the medical attention and rest he needs."
With that said the sand shinobi disappeared.
Kagome went back over to Sasuke and Naruto and noticed that Naruto had finally lost consciousness, but he was now smiling.
"You did well Naruto," Kagome thought, smiling a little herself.
"Come on Sasuke," Kagome said. "Let's go get him some help."
Sasuke managed to pick him up and place his unconscious comrade on Kilala's back. Then Sasuke and Kagome got on and they flew to pick up Sakura and Pakkun and then back toward the village.
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LadySongbird16 and I would like to bring up some issues relating to the poll for the main pairing. This is important so please read this. First of all there have been people who have voted more than once for the same character. My coauthor don't mind if you vote for more than one character and we are fine with you switching a vote if you change your mind, though in that case we would enjoy getting an explanation. Voting more than once for the same character though is rude. I try to respond to every review and PM so when I think I recognize an account I have to look through all of the reviews and all of my outgoing PMs to make sure that I'm right. This is pretty time consuming and I'd really prefer not to have to do it, so please stop. The second thing is that there have been numerous people who are voted threesomes. That is not one of the options that we have given you and LadySongbird16 and I find the idea to be very out of character for all involved. We respect that everyone likes reading about different things, but we would appreciate it if this would also stop. Sorry for the rant but these issues have been bothering us for a while.