Disclaimer: The anime series, Naruto belongs to Mashima Hiro and the video-game, Okami developed by Clover Studios.

Written By: Moon's Phantom.

Rating: Ages fifteen and up.

Warning: Gore, violence, crude language and death.

Setting: Alternate Universe

The Struggles

Book One: Awakening

The Struggles

Chapter Twelve: Fight for Love

Celestial Plains

Days like this one were rare and thoroughly enjoyed by the Deity of Death, a lazy grin gracing his refined features – showing the world his razor teeth. The pink petals from the giant Sakura tree danced along the gentle breeze, twirling around their relaxed frames and reluctantly moving along. Lush grass created a nice cushion for their backsides and in the background, a lone flute could be heard from a distance. It was a beautiful day.

Perfect…His crimson eyes opened to watch the female beside him, his grin softening. He had no idea when it had happened and he had only realized it recently, it was a slap to the face. Ironic too and he always doubted it would have ever happened yet…it had. He, Jashin, the Deity of Death had fallen in love.

The female turned her head to face him, question clear in her silver eyes and she cutely tilted her head to the side. Blushing wildly, he quickly faced the other direction and then grimaced when a new thought came to mind. It probably counts as bestially too since she never changes into her mortal form, then again I have four fucking arms.

"Jashin!" A voice called and the two companions watched as Tsukuyomi approached them, anxiety making the deity's voice tremble. It was strange to see the young man like this, he was always full of life and happy-go-lucky, sometime even an idiot. "I heard this weird rumour!"

Rising slowly, he greeted the deity with confusion. "Rumour? About what?"

"The female deities were gossiping about it. They say that you asked Father for my sister's hand and would challenge anyone who stood in your way. Tell me it's not true." He demanded, cobalt eyes shining and Amaterasu whipped her head violently to face the blue-skinned man. Jashin chuckled lowly and nodded, embarrassment causing his cheeks to turn purple.

"I see. You are to marry my sister…"The Moon Deity's voice suddenly sounded deeper, more mature than usual and that light-weight aura steadily began to grow heavy. It became darker, dangerous and the atmosphere around them became stifling. Something changed in him that day. "I apologize. But I won't allow it."

There was abrupt spark of metal and metal; crimson versus cobalt. Thus began the rivalry of the moon and death over the sun.

Their fight went on for many days non-stop until they could no longer move and as they gazed up into the sky, they came to realize the sun had disappeared – night had fallen and day wouldn't come. The moon refused to budge from the sky.

"She hides." Wakwu stated; they couldn't shift to look at him but they knew it was him.

"I…hic…wonder how-hic…they'll work together…hic." Kasugami, Brush-Deity of Mist drawled and giggled clumsily when she fell over, her white-wavy locks cushioning her fall. Her husband smiled at her behaviour, helping her off the ground and began to guide her to their room. "Thank…hic…Ity."

"Too drunk to remember my name, love."

"N-nooo…hic…Itegami, my stern ox." She managed, allowing herself to be tucked into their futon. He said nothing, seating himself beside her and contemplated the same thing; Tsukuyomi and Jashin were both in love with the Princess, fighting for her affections ever since. While Wakwu developed fatherly instincts towards her, although he hadn't known at the time and assumed he'd fallen in love. Thankfully he got advice and realized he was feeling fatherly love, becoming over-protective.

King…what do you have planned?

Mortal Plains: Somewhere

"'She hides.' Wakwu said and although they couldn't move, they knew it was him." The prisoner said, combing his grubby fingers through his long hair and eyed his fellow cellmates as they leaned in closer. They were so engrossed in the storyteller's tale that they didn't even notice their master's apprentice, Yakushi Kabuto listening in.

"Why'd they fight, storyteller-san?" One of the dumber prisoners asked.

"Love, Baka! When you love someone, you fight for them!" Another captive exclaimed then proceed to punch the dumb one on the head. Kabuto couldn't resist chuckling at their behaviour and only smiled when they hastily backed away from the bars.

"True, love is a quite powerful emotion. But it doesn't have a purpose." He stated, pushing his glasses back and scowled behind his hand.

"No. You are wrong, Kabuto-sama. Love gives you purpose." The storyteller stated, taking his chances and walked closer to the bars. The boy said nothing however the face of a young Hyuuga girl flashed within his mind and he merely turned his back to them. "If you ever find love, it'll become your whole world and you need protect it."

"Why protect it? What purpose does it serve?"

"Because you can't live without love." The man declared and Kabuto peered at him from over his shoulder. He knew exactly who the man was and why he was within this cell, why Orochimaru hated the man and had him repeatedly tortured.

"Yes, Dan. You make the perfect example for the boy. You fell in love with my teammate, Tsunade but she was swept into the arms of another and had a son with him. You couldn't bear seeing your love in the arms of another, pregnant with his child and decided life wasn't living anymore." Orochimaru explained, looking down at the weak man (everyone jumped at his sudden appearance) and decided to further his pain. "The last I heard, she even got two grandsons."

Tears slipped down the dirty man and fell to his knees in disgrace. "She-"

"You never fought for her." Orochimaru mocked and Kabuto was surprised to note that his master didn't have his usual sarcastic expression in place. The sanin appeared to be hiding dark emotions behind a blank mask – it was almost as if he knew what Dan was feeling. "Come, Kabuto."

He silently followed; he knew if this could hurt his master then he should never make the same mistake these men had made. Fight for love…Hinata…

A/N

Okami Character: Kasugami, Itegami and Ookami Amaterasu.

Naruto Character: Yakushi Kabuto, Orochimaru, Tsunade, Dan and Jashin.

Original Character: Tsukuyomi.

Japanese: Baka - idiot

Thank You! - Moon's Phantom38