"Like I said before," Vaporeon started. "There is a way to defeat Groudon but to do so we need the Windscar."
"What's that?" Sasuke asked while setting up the sail.
"It is the Tetsusaiga's true power. It slays one hundred enemies with one strike. Also, we must find Flare and try to convince her to help us. I don't think it's likely but at least we can tell her what's happening."
"Who is she?" Kikyo asked while grabbing her bow.
"She is the wielder of the Tenseiga, but she is also a demon. The last time they met Sasuke weakened her by cutting off her left arm so I doubt she'll be happy." Kikyo nodded with understanding then they sailed in silence. The clouds approached violently and Seasor noticed them turn black in an instance.
"Um, I think a storm's coming." He announced then looked to the others. They looked up and saw an intense black hole growing in the sky.
"That is no storm." Kikyo said gravely. "I sense a strong demonic aura around us."
"This cannot be good." Vaporeon commented. Lightning sparked from the hole as a voice bellowed like thunder above them.
"FOOLS! HOW DARE YOU ENTER MY TERRITORY WITHOUT MY CONSENT! FOR THAT YOU WILL PAY DEARLY!"
"Wait!" Vaporeon called out to the heavens. "We do not wish to anger you. We are merely travelers. We are not threats."
"IF YOU ARE NOT THREATS THEN WHY DO YOU BEAR WEAPONS?"
"We seek a demon. She is traveling with a human and an imp."
"A DEMON, YOU SAY? YOU ARE IN LUCK. SHE IS AT MY ISLAND BY NOW. YOU ARE WELCOME BUT ONLY IF YOU SLAY THE OTHER DEMONS ON MY ISLE. IF YOU DO THAT THEN YOU WILL BE CALLED MY ALLIES." The voice echoed away with the clouds and lightning. The wind picked up and moved the boat soon after.
"Who or what was that?" Seasor asked curiously.
"It was the voice of the Goddess of Lightning. I was wondering when she would spot us so get used to it." They started to talk about what they're going to do once they get to the island but Sasuke didn't care. He just daydreamed and worried about his brother. After thirty minutes of sailing, talking and thinking, they finally arrived at the island. It was mostly one, small rising mountain with a rocky path leading to stairs that led up and down all through the hills. Grass and trees grew all around it but not at the mountain's peak. They climbed out and Seasor pulled the boat on shore all by himself. Kikyo grabbed her bow once she walked on land. "Listen, whatever any of you three do, do not stray away from the others. I suspect tens or even hundreds of demons live in this area and I don't want any of you being eaten."
"Speaking of eating," Seasor clutched his stomach before continuing. "Can we have breakfast now?"
"Same old Seasor…" Sasuke mumbled to himself.
"Oh, alright already," Vaporeon sighed. "But after we get right to work."
"Fine with me!" Seasor gladly plucked some berries of all shapes, sizes and colors then pulled out a huge leaf to lay them on.
"That has to be record time." Sasuke laughed inwardly but Seasor noticed.
"Tch." He gave that simple reply then picked some more. They stopped once they had a large pile of berries on the leaf. While they ate, a serpent spied on them behind some bushes. It was dark green with glowing red, enticing eyes. It flicked its tongue in and out as a conversation started. "So, anyway, what was with that voice?"
"I've told you before. It is the Goddess of Lightning."
"Who is she?" Sasuke chomped down a blue berry before taking a bite out of another.
"She is well, I'm not so sure. I do know this: do not be fooled by her human appearance. It is that of a child younger than you three. She can control lightning without even moving. The best thing for you to do is to complete any task she gives you or even the other gods and goddesses without question." Kikyo looked away from the others and into the bushes but the serpent disappeared before she could even get up.
"What's wrong?" Seasor asked.
"It's nothing but we should finish eating, just in case." With that said, Seasor started to pack the small pile of berries they had left into the spoils bag. He stood up and started leading the way on the dirt road. Dark clouds started to appear rapidly over the center of the small mountain. "Let's go! Hurry up!" Kikyo ran past Seasor and didn't slow down a bit.
"What's happening?" Sasuke had to shout over the roars of the heavens.
"Demons are coming! We can't stay here!" Vaporeon shouted then bolted down the dirt road. The three ran even faster to catch Kikyo but she disappeared from sight. They finally reached the stone steps at the mountain's base but Seasor hesitated. He looked around a bit then ran up the steps after Sasuke. The more they climbed the lesser trees and greens appeared and the more rocks and burnt spots showed. Some trees were completely burnt to a crisp while others lay scattered on the ground. They neared the top when herds of myriad of demons flew straight to the top from the sky. They were the ugly, slimy, scaly, disgusting and foul creatures that lived in the area. A glowing, pink arrow shot up and killed few in a sacred, pure light. They finally reached the top to see Kikyo shooting sacred arrows to kill the demons. She was guarding a statue of a woman in the middle of the platform summit. It had long hair and pointy ears and it was holding a see-through yellow, glass sphere in front of it. Kikyo was running low on arrows by the time she saw them.
"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to help me?" She shot another arrow at an oncoming group of demons. Sasuke took out the Tetsusaiga, making it transform but he also winced at the pain from his chest.
"Are you sure you're able to fight?" Seasor took out two kunais then put one in each hand.
"I'll be fine just worry about yourself." He replied coolly then activated his sharingan. The slimy demons attacked the boys only to be chopped up to bits. The pain caused Sasuke to slow down enough that his reflexes slackened, making some close strikes. He was almost bitten and clawed countless times as Seasor laid some cheap shots at the demons. Many were defeated but still more swarmed the skies. A white serpent launched itself at Sasuke who let his guard down while other demons distracted him as well. Just as the serpent proceeded to bite a chunk out of his neck, a light green whip shot from no where and sliced the serpent's head off. He turned to see who it was and stared at her, Flare, who was glaring back at him but not as fiercely. Next to her stood Itachi and the imp who was cowering in fear. Itachi's eyes were the complete sharingan with a center pupil and three smaller pupils connected by a ring around the center. He didn't notice Sasuke as he fought off demons with his normal sword while its sheath was strapped to his back. The imp wore a brown kimono top and a balloon effect pants, a black pointy hat and carried a wooden staff with a head of a beauty and an old man carved into it. It also had green skin, yellow eyes, and a beak for a mouth. "You…" Sasuke just growled at her but her face remained expressionless.
"You have a lot of nerve finding me again, human." The green whip faded but her nails remained lime. Her left sleeve had no blood stains on it but blew slightly in the wind.
"This time I'll cut off more than just a limb." He raised the Tetsusaiga in front of him.
"It's not me you should be worried about unless you want your brother to die."
"Don't you even think about hurting him!" Itachi recognized the voice then turned around but almost dropped his weapon when he saw Sasuke injured.
"I would never do anything like that." She glanced over at Itachi who looked back at her once he felt her gaze. "I want you to keep killing these demons before anything else, understand?" He just nodded his head slightly then turned back around and joined the fight once more. She looked back then at the sky and immediately noticed lightning bolts dropping like rain towards her. She quickly jumped back but the lightning still caught her, causing blood to drip from the corners of her mouth and her right arm to land on the ground. Itachi turned back around and withdrew his sword once she dropped to her knees reluctantly. He pulled out a cloth from his pant's pocket and started to wipe the blood away from her face but she shrugged him off. "Your kindness is wasted. I feel nothing."
"But you're injured. I have to do something."
"Demons stand alone. Besides, you should be looking out for yourself."
"I'm not leaving you like this." Lightning still struck the ground and at the other demons while Sasuke's thoughts rolled.
'Why is he helping that demon?! Was Kyogre's story real? How could he do this?!' He froze there in deep thought, not noticing another demon with claws, feet, huge jaws and a tail racing straight towards him. In one flash of lightning he turned around and was struck by the demon. It punched him in the forehead hard enough through the headband so blood dripped down. He fell to his knees as his vision turned blurry. "Ah! I can't see anything!" The demon slashed at the Tetsusaiga that he never let go of. He finally saw something, a blue tornado and a red tornado appeared and moved like winds. They collided together and formed a golden energy resembling a fissure on contact but he was the only one who saw this. 'What's that? Maybe if I strike it I can get rid of these demons!' He raised the Tetsusaiga and slashed at the energy. It broke the ground and destroyed all of the demons with one strike while breaking the ground violently into five fissures. After it vanished and the roars of the fallen demons faded, his sight returned to normal but his sharingan deactivated. The lightning stopped altogether while Itachi carried Flare to her feet and the imp struck the ground with its staff to create a flash of light. The three vanished before it cleared, leaving the platform strangely silent. Sasuke dropped the Tetsusaiga while gasping for breath but a lightning bolt dropped and struck his left arm. A massive shockwave of pain shot through his whole body as he clenched his arm and screamed at the top of his lungs.
"Sasuke!" Kikyo and Seasor rushed to his side and she looked at his arm. It had no mark on it but she did see the jewel shard clearly.
"I KNEW IT!" The voice bellowed again from the heavens. They looked up and saw lightning dancing in the sky. "THE BOY HAS JEWEL SHARDS IN HIS ARMS! I SHALL TAKE THEM!" A huge thunderbolt struck the ground then changed into a little eleven-year-old girl. She had short brown hair, reaching only down to her shoulders and gold hoop earrings, made of pure Aztec gold of course. She wore a brown kimono top with lightning bolt patterns everywhere and tight, tan, short shorts. She also wore a white fox mask with golden eyes. The mask conceals her entire face and straps behind her back by a leather belt. Her sleeves are short, even to the point where she might not have sleeves, and her arms are thin but a little muscular, kind of scrawny. "Are you going to give them to me nicely or not?" Her voice sounded a lot softer and childish than before.
"She's a goddess?" Seasor skeptically wondered aloud.
"Do not underestimate her." Vaporeon warned while standing near the statue.
"Well? I'm waiting." She teased and walked forward but Kikyo aimed her last arrow at her.
"Stay back." She threatened but the little girl didn't flinch.
"That won't work on me." Kikyo shot the sacred arrow at the girl but she sliced it faster than a second. From a little below her elbows and down her arms turned into purple rubber gloves. Each one of her fingers mutated into massive claws of steel. Her eyes turned steely before she spoke. "If that's how you're going to be I'll take them by force!" Her voice was now filled with bloodlust as she walked closer. Sasuke tried to get up but he was paralyzed and screamed after every failed attempt. Seasor gripped his kunai and almost lunged for an attack but Vaporeon jumped in front of him.
"Stop!" A strong demonic aura emitted from him causing her to stop. She seemed un-phased but her eyes widened under her mask as she looked into Vaporeon's eyes and saw a familiar face but they reverted to normal once she knew what was going on.
"I recognize that power. You are Kyogre, no? The God of the Sea and Destruction?"
"Yes, I am." The girl smiled underneath her mask and chuckled a little.
"I know that if I fight you we would both be dead so I'll let you pass for now." Her arms turned back into their normal state. She turned to leave but Vaporeon stopped her.
"There is just one small thing I request. That sphere of yours, I must have it."
"For what?"
"You never know. I just have this feeling I'll need it." His demonic aura faded gradually.
"Fine, take it and never return unless you're prepared to fight me and die of course!" She laughed childishly and vanished in a bright flash of light. Vaporeon turned back around and looked at Seasor.
"Go and take that sphere from the statue and Kikyo heal Sasuke's arm." He sounded like he was distant as he looked down at the Tetsusaiga. Seasor stood up and put away the kunai as he walked over to the statue then took the glass sphere from the claw hands. He looked at the sphere and watched yellow energy dance inside it then walked over to Vaporeon and showed him.
"What's happening to it?" Vaporeon looked up and stared at the swirling energy.
"It's nothing. It means Ciara is close by."
"Is that her name?" He put the sphere into his pocket.
"Yes. Don't ever let it break or even be a little cracked or scratched unless you want to die." Seasor just nodded his head then turned to help Sasuke. Kikyo, with her sharp eyes, examined his arm. She pulled out a small jar of herbs from her pocket then took out one leaf and put it to his lips.
"You have to eat it. It will counter the effects. You won't feel any pain." Sasuke hesitated in thought before taking the leaf into his mouth and chewed on it. It tasted minty and burned in his mouth before he swallowed. Seconds later, the pain started to stop as he loosened the grip on his arm. "How does it feel?"
"It feels numb." He grabbed the Tetsusaiga and sheathed it then tried to stand up but Kikyo stopped him.
"I'm not done yet." She removed his headband then examined his forehead cut. He winced from the pain as she pulled out a white cloth. She wiped his forehead and bandaged it before it could get infected. She put his headband in her pocket along with the herb jar but she put the cloth in a separate pocket. "There. You should be fully healed in a couple of days and the numbness should wear off soon." He sighed in relief once he stood up with her. They journeyed back to the boat and by the time they did the sky remained clear and sunny once the clouds faded away. The weather was warm again along with the crystal-clear ocean. They climbed in the boat then set sail south.
"So where are we going?" Seasor asked with his hand in the water.
"To a place called Headstone Island but to get there we have to stop at Outset. So you can see your friends again." A big smile ran across Seasor's face.
"Alright!" He shouted cheerfully and splashed in the water. Sasuke smiled just looking at him then turned to look ahead. "Let's get something to eat. I'm starved." Sasuke laughed a bit and caused Seasor to turn around. "What's so funny?"
"You always say that." The look Seasor gave him caused Sasuke to hide his smile. Seasor turned back around and stared into the horizon. Vaporeon looked at Sasuke who was trying to fight off sleep.
"Sasuke, wake up." Said boy woke from his presleep trance then focused his attention on Vaporeon.
"Yeah?"
"Do you know what you did at the island?"
"No. Wait a minute, you mean with those demons? Was that the power I needed?"
"Yes. It is called the Windscar. You have performed it once but you must practice from now on."
"Can it wait until tomorrow?" He yawned deeply again. Vaporeon seemed to be thinking for a moment.
"Yes, but you will have to get up before dawn."
"Then I'll go to sleep as soon as I get there." He shut his eyes and drifted off into a light nap. After about an hour of sailing, Outset became clear on the horizon. The sun set low in the west and caused the sea to turn a deep orange-blue. Seasor shook Sasuke gently until he stirred. He opened his eyes slowly then glance at Seasor.
"We're here! Come on! Get up!" They docked a little while later then Seasor climbed out first. Sasuke followed them across the beach and to their house. Seasor walked inside first then Sasuke and found Naruto cooking dinner again and following a recipe book while Lavender stood in front of the wardrobe packing clothes in. Sweat dripped down Naruto's face as he stood right in front of the flame stove while mixing the soup with a medal ladle. He heard the door shut then turned around and smiled. His headband reflected some of the light in an amber glow.
"Hey, you came back! Kakashi-sensei is in the woods and Lavender is upstairs."
"Why is he in the forest?" Sasuke asked then yawned greatly.
"Some monsters came here earlier and he went to fight them off. Why did you get another sword?" He pointed to the Tetsusaiga with question.
"I, uh, needed it." He glanced over to Naruto as a sign to change the subject. He put his arm back to his side then looked around.
"Where's Missy? Did you save her?"
"She's on a pirate ship right now but they're coming here. Don't worry about her."
"Why is she on a pirate ship?"
"It's a long story."
"Say no more! Okay, well you can stay here for the night…and don't even think about fighting them, Sasuke! You're injured!" Sasuke just sighed in annoyance and rolled his eyes. "I'm serious!"
"Whatever…" He mumbled then headed upstairs. When he reached his bed he took the Tetsusaiga out and leaned it against the wall then threw himself on the blankets. "Oh, this feels so good!" He didn't notice Lavender until he moved.
"Nice to see you're back." He closed the wardrobe door once Sasuke lifted his head and looked at him.
"What do you want?" Lavender took the laundry basket then walked to the corner.
"I want to know where you found that sword. I can tell it's not normal." He set the basket in the corner then turned to Sasuke.
"Why does it matter to you? Just leave me alone!" He buried his face in the pillows again while Lavender walked out. For awhile he heard Kikyo introduce herself to the others and dinner being served without him.
"I'll just wake up Sasuke." Naruto stood up from the table.
"Don't even bother. He doesn't want to be disturbed." Lavender took a drink of water as Naruto sat back down.
"He has a big day ahead of him filled with training and whatnot." Vaporeon finished first and left for the living room. The rest finished eating then Naruto washed all the dishes while Lavender changed in the bathroom. They all slept peacefully through the night except for Sasuke. He was still awake and sobbing into his pillow from another horrific nightmare about his brother. His eyes turned bloodshot and he kept trembling like an earthquake until he felt a warm hand at his shoulder. He paused a second then turned around to see the shadowy figure of Itachi standing by him.
"I-Itachi?" His voice was anything but steady.
"Sasuke…" He knelt down to his little brother and wiped the tears away from his face. "…I came back just for you. I'm sorry I left you but it won't happen again, I promise." He brought Sasuke into a warm hug and didn't let go. Sasuke hugged him back and buried his face in his chest.
"I don't want to be alone, aniki." Itachi hugged him tighter and breathed in his scent.
"I haven't heard you call me that in a long time." He broke the hug but still held on to Sasuke's arms. He put a hand up to Sasuke's forehead and wiped the wet bangs from his face. "I've missed you too." Sasuke smiled through his soft tears and clung to him. They stayed there for what seemed like hours before Sasuke fell asleep. Itachi set him down gently and tucked him in. He slipped to the doorway but stole another glance at Sasuke then ducked out of the room. Sasuke woke up and looked around an hour later. It was still dark outside and he hadn't move from the spot he laid in.
'It was all a dream? But it felt so real.' He closed his eyes but opened them when he realized the Tetsusaiga was missing. He climbed off the bed quietly and wiped his eyes while he sneaked around. 'Where is it? It has to be here somewhere!' He found himself near Lavender's bed but no one was there. "Lavender." He looked to Kakashi's bed and noticed he wasn't there either. He crept downstairs and rubbed his eyes once more before reaching for the doorknob but his stomach roared loudly. "Wow, I didn't eat anything at all since breakfast. I don't want anyone to wake up so I'd better be quiet." He turned back around and entered the kitchen. He made himself something light then walked outside and stood on the porch. The streetlights shone dimly from the houses and lit everything around it in a silver moonlight. The wind howled and caused him to involuntary shiver until he finally moved. He snuck around the shadows and hid from any villagers up at night prowling the streets. He finally reached the steep hill and started to hike up but stayed close to the ground. However, he quickly regretted it once he hit the rocky terrain at the top. He took one step on the broken bridge only to have the first wooden board snap in half and splattered to the dark ocean. He held his breath then carefully and cautiously crossed the bridge but stayed close to the rope. He let out his breath in a sigh once he reached the other cliff. "Phew, that was close." He planted his feet firmly on the ground then continued into the shadowy depths of the forest. He hiked through the tall grass and jumped off a small cliff but bruised his knee slightly. Corpses of moblins, bird demons, and hog guards piled on the ground while their blood littered the place around them. A trail led deeper into the forest but divided into two paths. He grabbed a spear one of the hogs had and followed the trail until he came to another small cliff. He positioned himself so that he was lying on the grass and spying below. Kakashi fought off five knife-wielding moblins at the same time with one kunai in each hand but he suffered from a deep slash on his chest and many serious cuts scarred his arm. His mask was still on but his sharingan was exposed. Lavender fought off the hogs a few yards away on his left with his spear in his right hand and the sheathed Tetsusaiga in his left. They both looked severely tired but neither let their guard down for even an instant. Sasuke readied his spear for a charge but a hog snuck behind him and smashed him with a wooden pole on the chest. He flew back and he landed harshly on the clearing with a severely sore chest. Kakashi glanced his way then gave the final blow to the moblins once the hog dropped down. Sasuke tried to crawl away but the hog stepped on his back and readied its spear.
"Sasuke, get down!" He did as told and with amazing speed Kakashi darted in front of him then stabbed the hog through the heart and carelessly tossed it to the side while Lavender finished off the rest. He turned around and knelt down to the boy. "Are you alright? You look messed up." He slid his headband down diagonally to cover his left eye.
"I'm fine." He muttered so only Kakashi could hear him. He helped Sasuke stand up then sighed once he let go of him.
"That has to be the last of them. Let's go home and finally get some sleep." He led the way through the grass and cliffs and Lavender followed him closely but Sasuke caught up to him and grabbed his arm, forcefully turning him around.
"Why did you steal my sword?" He stole a glance at his eyes and noticed as they turned black for an instant then reverted back to white. Lavender smirked then shrugged him off.
"I wanted to lure you in but I didn't use it." His voice remained low and calm but a strange undetectable aura emitted from him. He turned back around and followed Kakashi out, leaving Sasuke alone. He realized they were leaving without him so he caught up quickly. They snuck around until they reached the house. Kakashi treated his cuts then Lavender's but the reluctant boy refused only to have an insistent Kakashi force him. Sasuke immediately went upstairs and to bed while the others followed a few minutes later. Lavender quietly placed the Tetsusaiga near Sasuke then climbed into bed.
The sun rose the next morning very vivid and the sky remained clear. Everyone woke up except for Sasuke and ate breakfast. They went outside to greet the locals and left Vaporeon inside. Sasuke's eyes started to flicker until they opened. He shielded his eyes from the sunlight and slowly stood up. 'Ugh, I feel horrible.' He changed into a clean blue shirt with his clan symbol on the back and cream shorts. He put his bloodstained clothes in the laundry basket and carried it downstairs.
"I thought you would never wake up." Vaporeon waited for him in the kitchen.
"Where is everyone?" He walked closer to the door and put his hand on the knob.
"They're outside greeting everyone. Remember, training starts today."
"Yeah, yeah." He stepped on to the porch and was immediately greeted by a small crowd of girls.
"Sasuke!" One girl shrieked. "Long time no see! I thought you were dead!"
"Me too!" Another one shouted from the back. He smiled lightly and made his way through the crowd while greeting anyone who came near. He stopped at the well and brought a bucket of water up. He washed his torn clothes until they were stain-free then dumped the dirty water in another well. Kikyo spotted him from the mailbox then walked up to him.
"Good morning." Sasuke ringed out his clothes then stood up.
"Good morning." He sighed and carried the laundry basket inside.
"If you want, I can sew that shirt back together for you." He turned around and handed her the basket.
"Thanks." He fixed himself up a quick breakfast then walked back outside, leaving Kikyo to her work. Vaporeon jumped outside in the knick of time with the Tetsusaiga. "Can't training wait until later?"
"No, I told you today will be nothing but training. We leave tomorrow for Headstone Isle."
"Why so soon?"
"The sooner we set sail the sooner you will be able to defeat Groudon." They hiked up the hill and stopped at the very top. Vaporeon jumped in front of the bridge and faced Sasuke. "Draw your sword." Sasuke stepped back a few yards and pulled out the Tetsusaiga. He dropped it once it transformed but quickly picked it up again. Vaporeon sighed then walked over. "What's wrong?"
"I'm sore but I'll be fine." He held the Tetsusaiga back out in front of him.
"Were you, by chance, fighting monsters last night?"
"How did you know?"
"Lavender told me everything. It serves you right to sneak out knowing full well you have to rest up for training."
"I couldn't sleep, okay? I was bored so I helped them." Vaporeon jumped back to the bridge.
"Tell me details later. Focus on my demonic aura as well as your own and try to see the Windscar but do nothing else." He concentrated and stood his ground until the golden power appeared between the collisions of both auras. He focused even harder to make it more vivid.
"I see it clearly. Thanks for the help." He dropped his focus and everything disappeared. He sheathed the Tetsusaiga and started hiking down the hill while Vaporeon followed him into town.
"Remember that technique. It will come in handy for future battles." Vaporeon headed to the beach and Sasuke walked into Orca's house, the bottom room of the condo. He walked into the basement and Orca stood in the center of the room on an old carpet while holding a spear.
"Sasuke? You have returned! I have long awaited this day and erm, where is the sword you once had?"
"I don't need it anymore but I gave it to Seasor." He closed the door and walked up to the frail looking old man. "I came here to train."
"Is that so? You do remember how to use kunais, right?"
"Yeah." Orca stepped out of the way, revealing a target in the back.
"From here I want you to throw a kunai in the dead center of the target and yes it has to be dead center. If it's slightly off I won't count it."
"Fine." Sasuke pulled out a kunai and readied his throw. He took exact aim and precision on where the dead center might be. He gripped the cold metal tightly then threw it but it stuck just above the center circle.
"Not good enough. Keep trying." He pulled out another kunai and threw it but it landed just barely before the second ring. "You could be here all night just throwing kunais around. I don't mind." Sasuke ignored the old man and gripped another one.
'Pull it together, Sasuke! You can do this just concentrate!' He began to throw it but the door slammed open, throwing his kunai off course. Orca ducked and the kunai hit the wall then fell to the floor. Sasuke turned around and spotted Naruto in the doorway. He was looking at Sasuke who was glaring at him by now. "Naruto! You ruined my concentration!"
"Oops."
"Oops? Is that all you can say? Oops? How about apologizing to me?"
"Alright, I'm sorry! Are you happy now?" He shot Sasuke a dirty look but was replied by a glare.
"Far from it."
"Knock it off, you two!" Orca rose to his feet carefully. "Every time you two are even in the same presence of one another you fight! I'm getting sick and tired of it and I'm sure everyone else is too!"
"Well, he acts like he's better than everyone!" Naruto pointed at Sasuke accusingly.
"Not everyone."
"You see! There he goes again! I can't stand it!"
"Then get out and leave me alone for once!" Naruto put his hand down and continued to glare at Sasuke. He finally walked out of the door and slammed it shut behind him. Silence fell over then Sasuke turned around and continued to throw kunais. He threw them in anger, making everyone miss the center. Orca stood there quietly while continuing to study his movements. He pondered for a moment then gazed right into Sasuke's eyes and thought he saw red.
"Wait!" He walked over to Sasuke who paused breathless.
"What? What's wrong?" He inspected his eyes without touching his face.
"On your travels, did your eyes change?"
"What do you mean?"
"The sharingan, did you achieve it?" Sasuke could tell his voice was traced with anticipation.
"Yeah, but it's not complete." Orca bursted out in joy and a few tears escaped his eyes.
"Sasuke, I knew you could do it! Everyone else doubted you but I still remained faithful! Although it's a little late compared to your brother, Itachi activated it when he was eight but oh well! You must train hard from now on! Yes! Train very hard!" He went absolutely crazy for an old man but Sasuke just stood there, stunned by his reaction.
"But it's not complete yet."
"Hm? What was that my star pupil?"
"I said it's not complete yet." Orca stopped completely then turned around to the boy.
"Let me see." Sasuke's black eyes turned into the incomplete sharingan and Orca examined it. "Son of a gun. You're right. This will be a problem but the only solution is to train so keep throwing kunais at the target. I want to see you hit dead center every time." He backed up and Sasuke threw another kunai. It landed right in the center of the target and he smiled a little at that. "Great! You hit it finally! Keep practicing until you hear me say very good." Sasuke kept throwing kunais at the target and landed them all in the center. When he ran out, he took the kunais off the target and started all over again. This went on for hours until twilight descended upon the island. "Very good. A little rusty but impressive. You can go home now and if you're in the area again stop by for more training."
"…Right…" He gathered all the kunais and put them away then walked outside. Not many people were out at this hour so he walked home quietly. As soon as he walked into the kitchen, his black eyes met with Naruto's crystal blue ones in a silent glare. The others sat around the table silently, just watching them stare at each other angrily while the tension grew. Lavender was the first to look away as he began to drink water while Kikyo stood up.
"Sasuke, I finished sewing your shirt for you. It's with your other clothes." He broke the glare and looked at her.
"Thanks." He coolly replied then took a seat quietly. They ate ramen for dinner that night. Once they were finished Seasor took every bowl and washed them faster than anyone ever could. Lavender went to bed early as Kakashi told him to do. Seasor decided to call it a night after the dishes were washed and put away. Kakashi and Kikyo sat in the living room and talked for a little then went to bed. The house remained silent and almost ghost-like if it wasn't for the crickets outside. Sasuke dimmed the lights down a little and sat in front of the fire. He stared boringly into the flames and imagined his own little battle amongst the heat. He yawned quietly then continued to stare but that quickly went away when he heard Naruto's footsteps lead out of the house so he stood up and walked outside. The cool air calmed his skin and made him involuntary shiver. He looked over to Naruto who was staring at the silver full moon. "Hey." Naruto turned to him then turned away in disgust.
"What do you want?"
"I just want to talk."
"Go away. There's nothing to talk about." Sasuke walked up next to him and leaned on the railing.
"I'm sorry for what I said earlier. I was just under a lot of pressure."
"So? You threw kunais before."
"It's not that!"
"Then what is it?"
"It's just that," He sighed quietly before continuing. "I have to make sure Missy comes back safely; bring my brother back home before he dies for good, get help from a demon who hates me, and help save the world!"
"Is that what you were doing? I had no idea…I thought you and Seasor were just going to save Missy and that's it. And, you've seen Itachi? Is he okay? I haven't seen him for seven years!"
"He's fine." Sasuke mumbled then turned to walk inside. "I'm leaving tomorrow and probley won't be back for a long time so keep an eye out for Missy for me." He walked upstairs and plopped himself on his bed. A little while later, Naruto came in and went straight to sleep on his bed. The night passed by silently with few exceptions from a light thunderstorm.