Chapter 11
The face off
For the past four days team seven had spent there time waiting in the tower. More and more teams arrived as the days went by and there was always a tense apprehension around the tower. Team seven had been given a room in the tower to wait in until the exam ended. In the last few days the three genin had barely said a word to one another except for the occasional argument that sasuke and hikaru would have. Now on the final night of the exams the team decided to retire early for tomorrows trials. As hikaru and Sasuke slept Naraku watched over them. Naraku decided it was time to finally be whole he was tired of waiting. He was going to use Orochimaru's most powerful jutsu. He slowly crept towards the sleeping uchiha and started spamming through the necessary hand seals.
'Sorry sasuke but I need use of that splendid body of yours so sorry.' He barely even whispered over Sasuke's sleeping form. He finished the final seal whispering the jutsus name into the air. "Living Corpse Reincarnation jutsu." Suddenly the room faded from and Sasuke's sleeping for was suspended from a wall of living flesh. Sasuke was nearly completely enveloped by when Naraku felt a strange burning sensation coming from his stomach. The closer he came to taking over Sasukes body the more the burning hurt. Slowly Sasuke was being released from the wall. And the and the world was slowly fading back to normal. Naraku lay panting next to sasuke's still sleeping form.
"It seems that even now the seal ruins me. It keeps me from leaving my body. So Orochimaru's jutsu is useless to me." Naraku left Sasukes still form and began preparing for the rapidly approaching morning. He stops only to glare at Hikaru's sleeping form. "Sleep well for now little one for soon I will shatter the world you stole from me." After an hour or so more A knock was heard on their door signaling the end of the exams. Team seven slowly made their way to the main room of the tower. Where they were met with five other teams. Two of which were there fellow rookies. One was the elder hyuuga's team. Gaara's team made it. And Surprisingly Sakura and two Medic nin.
As soon as team seven entered the room they were greeted with glares, smiles, or outright yelling in Sakura's and Ino cases. "SASUKE!!!!" The two harpies in unison screamed jumping to cling to his arms. "Sasuke did you miss me," Said coyly while batting her eyes. Ino huffed and pushed Sakura off of Sasuke, "Why would he miss you when he so obviously missed me? He wouldn't have time to think of you Billboard brow." Sakura immediately stepped up and screamed, "Shut up PIG Sasuke wouldn't waste a second of his time thinking about you when Im here." After several minutes of arguing the girls eventually walked away from each both storming over to their teammates. Who for all intensive purposes looked scared shitless of the enraged females.
While Ino made it to her team and is currently choking chogi to within an inch of his life. Sakura was stopped by Hikaru half way to her destination. In his Loudest most exasperatingly boisterous voice he yelled, "Hey S-A-K-U-R-A." Sakura looked like she had been kicked in the stomach when she turned around to face Hikaru. "What do you want Hikaru." She mumbled through gritted teeth. Hikaru's face turned pinkish and he began shyly looking anywhere but at her face. Naraku took in all hikarus action with rapt interest. Eventually Hikaru opened his mouth, "I was just wondering since that jerk Sasuke blew you off that maybe…we could hang out sometime…you know go out…and get some food." Sakura Looked as if though she had swallowed a bug. She then changed to a look of indignation and screamed at Hikaru. "How many times do I have to tell you Hikaru I don't like you Im in love with Sasuke. How could I ever like a bone head like you? Sasuke's handsome, cool, rookie of the year while you only got last in almost everything. I could never like you when I have Sasuke.? So just leave me alone."
For several moments their was no noise until Sakura turned her back on Hikaru and began walking away. Hikaru was silent for several moments until he looked up with a fire in his eyes and said, "Sakura I wont give up on you eventually you like me just like I like you. Ill prove how much I like you even if I have to beat every one in this room!" Hikaru returned to stand with team seven standing in front of the waiting Hokage and the other elite ninja of the village.
Eventually the third hokage addressed the awaiting genin. "I would like to congratulate you all for getting this far in the exams. But since we have such an exceptional group this year there are far more then we expected that have passed the second part of the test. So thus we have to hold preliminary exams to decide who will go on to the third portion of the exam." Suddenly a Jonin with bandana and a tooth pick in his mouth appeared and Spoke to the assembled Genin. "Hello my name Is Genma. I will be the examiner for the portion of the exams. I want you all to go to the balcony until your names are called down. This will be one on one battles until one is incapacitated or I deem unable to continue. You may use deadly force. If any wish they may quit the exams now." A quick look around the room showed none were going to back down. "All right then if there are no questions then lets begin the preliminary exams."
Once all the genin and their respective sensei. Had cleared the floor. A screen appeared on the wall slowly it began to randomly sift through names. Sasuke walked up to the anxious Hikaru and said, "Try not to embarrass our team to much, Dobe." Hikaru whipped around and screamed. "The only I will embarrass is my opponent and I hope that you're the one I get to fight, Bastard." Sasuke only rolled his eyes and looked up to the screen. Hikaru only deepened his glared when Naraku laughed. He looked as if though he were to scream again until he was silenced by a pair of hands that appeared on his shoulders. The fourth Hokage was now standing in their mist. "Now now Hikaru save that temper of yours for your opponent. You need to focus on them." Hikaru nodded to the Hokage with a look of absolute determination and admiration on his face that sent waves of hate through Naraku like never before.
As they sat waiting for the names to be decided Naraku glared at Hikaru and the Hokage in their moment. As the names finally came to a stop held breathes were let out, groans of displeasure, and gasps of surprise were heard. Until Genma's rang through out the room. "For the first Match of the Preliminary rounds Sakura Haruno vs. Naraku. Will both combatants please come down" The room silent as the names were called out. Ino and Sakura shared a moment of where there eyes locked. Lady tsunade Whispered reassurances in Sakura's ear her team yelled out in support as she descended the stairs. Hikaru was shouting like usual, "GO SAKURA. YOU CAN TAKE THIS GUY GO SAKURA.!!!!!!!!!" Kakashi scolded him, "Hikaru at least act like you support your team mates." Silence came When Genma Raised his hand and said, "begin"
Sakura got into a battle ready stance. She poised herself to defend from an attack. Naraku settled himself into a lazy stance. Sakura eventually said, "Hey Naraku. It would be best for you if you just gave up now. Ive been trained by Lady Tsunade one of the legendary Sanin. You don't stand a chance." A few yells of approval were shouted after her speech. Naraku began to laugh aloud. Sakura looked less smug than she did before. Naraku said "You don't deserve to call yourself a ninja." Sakura said, "Why would you say that. Im just as much a ninja as you!" Naraku's laughter increased, "As much a ninja as I? How insulting. Why? If you wish to know why you have no right to be called a ninja. Your eyes." Sakura Blanched a moment. "You have the eyes that have never seen death. Death that is the greatest test of ninja. Death that your friends fall to, Death that your clients will be overcome by if you make a single mistake, Death that you must deal to others. That is the life of a shin obi. Only once you have claimed the lives of your enemies will I accept you as a ninja. Only once you have seen death so much that it doesn't even faze you anymore will you have earned the right of being called a ninja."
Sakura took the end of his speech as a signal to attack. She threw three shuriken at naraku which he lazily dodged. Sakura used the shuriken as a distraction to rush at Naraku. She brought her fist down on the spot Naraku occupied seconds before. Leaving a sizeable crater in her wake. "What do you think of my skills now?" Sakura smugly asked only to find no sign of Naraku anywhere. As the unnerved shin obi began frantically looking around the room the disembodied voice of naraku Surrounded her, "I see that your time with Tsunade has been a complete waste. I suppose I must concede that you have made great strides in your training. Shall we put those new found skills to the test?" As Sakura continued her searching she noticed a slight increase in dust in the air. She looked up to see a half emerged Naraku coming out of the ceiling. Three papers covered in a spiral like seal surrounded Narakus emerged form. A single hand from Naraku causes the seals to glow momentarily and a shower of shuriken and kunai. Sakura in a moment of panic punched the ground hard and used the overturned debris as a shield.
Even with her quick thinking Sakura still managed to get cut up the shuriken pretty badly. Using the a momentary standstill to begin healing her wounds Sakura failed to realize Naraku had emerged several meters behind her. Naraku took her obliviousness to his advantage and began performing hand seals. Tsunade recognizing the hand sign tried to warn her pupil, "Saukra get your head in the game! Stay away from him hes going for the kill!" Naraku made no move to attack as Sakura turned around to look. Even after finishing his jutsu. "As a Medical Specialist you of all people should be able to appreciate this jutsu." Naraku ran forward moving like a bullet right past Sakuras guard. Before Sakura had time to react Naraku ran his hand over her upper arms and her right thigh. Sakura attempted to counter attack as he retreated a few feet away. She threw a punch that hit narakus mask not even a glancing blow. Sakura eyes flew wide open. "What happened to my…strength. That punch should of flattened you." Naraku Laughed and raised his hands. "I used my chakra scalpels to weaken the muscles in your legs and arms. To put a stop to that annoying strength of yours." Sakura spat out between gritted teeth, "If you used chakra scalpels why not just go for the kill? You had a clear shot at all of my vital areas. If you wanted to you could have just taken me out."
Naraku laughed at her like she said something childish, "While it's true with the scalpels I could puncture a lung or cut of a nerve in the brain or neck. But that would require concentration that is difficult to achieve in the midst of battle. Also I find no joy in the thought of killing you to quickly. I wish to play with my prey a little before ending your pitiful existence. So you could relax and except your fate or you could give me a few minutes of joy destroying all that you are. I mean I already took your best jutsu from you. Im afraid Tsunade will have to find a new apprentice."
With a quick palm thrust sakura found herself coughing up blood on the floor a few feet away. Naraku approached slowly as she attempted to get to her feet. Sakura gave a wild and desperate shot at Naraku which he easily blocked with a quick kick to her stomach. Once again on the floor Sakura got herself to a crouching position a few feet away. Sakura then said, "I Cant give up now because it is my dream to one day become as good as medic nin as Lady Tsunade and to win Sasukes love." The tower suddenly erupted in the mocking laughter of Naraku. "Your dream. To achieve skills equal to one of the legendary sanin and live happily ever after with Sasuke. Each as likely as the other so no chance at all. For to have a dream you must have a future and your future is all used up." Suddenly the familiar loud shouts of Hikaru rang through the tower, "Come on Sakura Don't give up You can do it. Don't let him stomp on your dreams!!"
Sakura looked gratefully at Hikaru and tried to get to her knees. But she was stopped as Naraku appeared behind her and grabbed a fistful of hair forcing to stay still. Naraku turned to address Hikaru, "So Hikaru you wish to cheer on your little friend while shes playing my game. Perhaps you want me to take your toys away? Should I Break your toy Hikaru." He emphasized his speech with a savage yank to Sakuras hair. "I wonder How hard I have to pull before her lovely mop of hair pops off? I guess we'll just have to find out." Sakura looked as if she had completely zoned out as she began rubbing her arms and legs. Once finished Sakura slowly pulled out a Kunai. Which Naraku disregarded, "That blade wont help you against me." Sakura looked fiercely up at Naraku after he said that. "It's not for you." Then she cut the hair off that bound her to naraku. She then Grabbed hold of Narakus wrist and pulled him in to her landing a devastating punch to his face. Driving naraku all the way across the tower room into the adjacent wall his body leaving a crater in the wall.
Sakura the spoke to crumpled body. "While…you …were…so focused on Hikaru…I used the opportunity to heal my arms. Just enough to deliver one last punch" Sakura collapsed after her speech. Hikaru immediately jumped off the balcony to come to her side. "Are you okay Sakura?" Sakura looked up at Hikaru and said, "Thank you" before passing out. Hikaru turned around only to find Naraku standing again. He immediately shouted at him, "Whats your problem Naraku? You had no right to mock her dreams to toy with her like that!"
Genma then stepped forward and raised his hand toward naraku, "Sakura is unable to battle Naraku is the winner." Hikaru looked pissed but naraku didn't move. "Get out of the way Hikaru!" He began walking toward sakura and naraku. Hikaru stood over Sakura and said, "The match is over leave her alone! Cause if you come any closer Ill take you down myself. You wont stop her dreams today." Naraku stopped halfway there and asked, "Dreams? Would you hear my dreams? I dream one day to take these blades of mine and blot out all light in this world. That is my dream so this is where are dreams collide. Now move or die with her" Hikaru made no move to step aside. "Very well if your willing to throw your life away for some foolish little girl than Im happy to oblige." Naraku began rushing drawing his katana from his belt. Naraku was upon the hikaru and sakura before the jonin could react to stop him. Naraku held the Katana high above his head before descending it upon the two nin below. Hikaru drew his hands back. And said, "You have a dream." Then he thrust his hand forward a small typhone ripping through the air in the palm of his hand meeting Naraku's blade and shattering it to pieces.
Hikaru continued the swing forward thrusting the small chakra ball into Naraku chest shouting, "She has a dream. I have a dream. We all have dreams." Naraku and Hikaru were bound together in a bunch of twisting winds. "I wont let you harm Sakura and her dreams anymore" With a roar Hikaru pushed Naraku and the small chakra typhoon away driving him away. The small twisting typhoon drove Naraku and the orb through the wall and the debris drove him out of sight.
Tsunade jumped down to an awestruck Hikaru and the unconscious Sakura. "I see that you managed to do it squirt. I cant believe it. Leave Sakura to me Ill have her better in no time." Hikarus jaw still hanging turned toward Tsunade and said, "I did the Rasengan. I did it. I really did it." Snapping out of his stupor for a moment he looked at sakura and said, "What about sakura will she be okay?" Tsunade was about to respond before she and Hikaru turned to the shifting debris where Naraku still lay. The dust blocking the view of what was happening. Suddenly an the room began to fill heavy with blood lust and chakra. The evil chakra was freezing all the genin in the room and sending the more experienced into a wary state. Within a moment a great wing of fleshed appeared out of the dust. Slowly the disfigured form of Naraku emerged from the dust. Almost all of his upper clothing were ripped off. His grayish skin exposed and his mask cracked revealing a single sinister eye freezing all but the most battle experienced. A single wing sprouting from his back a huge black cross splayed across his skin where the curse marks were. His body would not fully change for the evil chakra. He reached out a clawed hand and the room was filled with a shrill creaking sound as Naraku Black Chidori was charged. Naraku rushed forward chidori blazing Tsunade moved to stop him. When he reached out his other hand. Several snakes sprout from his extended had dirving toward tsunade. Who was frozen by her shock at him knowing that jutsu. She was about to react when the snakes had gotten close enough to grab when two of them sprouted blades from their mouts driving them through the medic nins stomach tossing her over his shoulder the monstrous Naraku continued his drive toward Hikaru attending to utterly destroy him. Upon reach Hikaru He drove Chidori forward ready for the kill. But when the dust cleared all that stood their was the fourth Hokage that had apparently deflected his attack. The fourth looked ready to kill him, "If you ever attempt to attack my son again I will kill you." Faces inches from on another Naraku laughed but it sounded more like a bark "How noble of you to protect your child. Don't want to blow a second chance huh?" He looked over at the frozen Hikaru and said, "Hikaru you said that I have a dream. I do I wish to avenge my self on the bastard who called himself my flesh and blood my own father. But how do you punish a dead man? That man who gave me life just to throw me away when I was of no further use. Always fucosed only on this village and his damn jutsu. I wish to destroy him with all my being."
With his confession Naraku passed out leaving confusion in the air. The third hokage walked toward the fallen naraku. Watching as the transformation reversed itself revealing the seals to the waiting kage. The nodded to the fourth and to Naraku in his arms all the while thinking. 'This boy said his father threw him away once he was no longer useful. Could he have been talking about him? Could he be narakus father?' Looking at the seals on Narakus chest he said a sinlge name, "Orochimaru?"
To be continued..
Sorry for the wait. I hope this was a good enough chapter. I didn't mean to take so long but Ive been busy with school and I got sidetracked with other things as well. Sorry if the chapter sucks but I just wanted a fucking action chapter while I do want it to be good but I just decided to rush it. So until the next chapter.
