13 - Usually a bad number foreshadowing bad things. This chapter is no exception.
BEST EVIL CHARACTER ALERT!
Chapter 13: Death, Dream, Deceit
Shizen smiled. She would be training with Naoko-sensei as apposed with Hotaru, who was going with Jiraiya to gather information about the Atatsuki, who had just recently made their appearance in Konohagakure.
Shizen looked at her mask. She ran her fingers down its smooth surface, sighing, "Gomen nasai, I won't be putting you on today, ja ne."
Shizen met Naoko in the place where they had trained for the Chuunin Exams.
Naoko grinned, "Feels a little nostalgic, ne?"
Shizen smirked, "Ma-ma, we didn't spend that much time here so it's not big deal."
Naoko suddenly got serious, "Activate your Jigokugan, today we're going to learn a new jutsu… one that I think you're going to like."
Shizen anxiously activated it and stared at her sensei with her bone-chilling eyes.
Naoko smiled, "They've matured since I've last seen them."
Shizen was confused, "Wait – huh?"
Naoko explained, "As your Jigokugan 'matures', much like the maturing of the Sharingan, your Jigokugan will start to look different. Instead of getting what Sharingan users get, your Jigokugan becomes more terrifying – your eyes get darker in color and your snake-like pupils will get smaller and smaller until they're almost non-existent."
Shizen nodded, "Wakata."
"Now on to the jutsu that you'll be learning. This technique will be able to paralyze the person you'll be going up against so that you'll be able to stab them with a kunai or you could follow up with the next jutsu that I might be teaching you."
"Wait – what do you mean by might?"
Naoko let out a deep sigh, "Because that technique drains your energy. You should only use that technique if you're most surely going to lose."
"Like I use my Kaze Taifuu?" (Wind Typhoon.)
Naoko shook her head, "Iie, it doesn't have the health risks that the Kaze Taifuu has, but it does drain your strength.
"Now, back to the paralysis jutsu. This jutsu is called: Itaishi." (Death Poem.)
Shizen repeated it, "Itai-shi? Doshite no namae ka?" (Why is it named that?)
"Because the technique gives the illusion that they are being read a poem about how they're going to die and that's what makes them stop moving."
Shizen nodded.
Naoko sighed, "Alright, this might be hard to grasp at first, but do the Obake Kozui jutsu on me."
Shizen nodded. She closed her eyes and then opened them, "Obake Kozui no jutsu!" (Memory Flood.)
Naoko released the technique, "Good. You basically have to do the same thing for the Itaishi technique – it'll feel the same. Do you get what I'm saying?"
"A – little… I'll try it."
Naoko nodded, "Go on."
Shizen closed her eyes and concentrated on her chakra and on her technique. She slowly opened them and said loud and clear, "Itaishi!" Her words seemed to echo when she said them.
Naoko didn't move.
Shizen jumped up with joy. She suddenly remembered to release the technique, she didn't want her mentor to be frozen forever, "Kai!"
Naoko was very happy, "That was great! That technique had the hold and bite of a person who had completely mastered it! Sugoi!"
Shizen shrugged, "I just did what you said and performed it just like I perform the Obake Kozui no jutsu."
Naoko smirked, "Maybe I'll teach you the other technique sooner than I thought I would."
They spent the rest of the day perfecting Shizen's new technique. After that, they had a large lunch and then Shizen was sent home to rest up for tomorrow's practice – she would need all the sleep she could get.
Shizen arrived early the next day where she and her teacher would learn a very difficult technique.
Naoko heaved in a big sigh, "You ready? The technique I'm about to teach you is A-rank, you know."
Shizen nodded, her eyes burning with fierce determination, "Ee."
Naoko gave her a sad smile, "I'm happy that you're so pumped up today, but all of that optimistic thinking will be gone in about five seconds."
Shizen gave Naoko a confused look.
"The technique I'm about to teach you is very time-consuming. We'll probably take up the whole day just working on maybe one or two of the steps and -"
Shizen stopped her, "Nani? Did you just say steps?"
Naoko nodded, "Hai, steps. This jutsu has three steps. I'll give you a demonstration."
Shizen swallowed nervously and took a small step back.
Naoko faced her, her eyes shone with a dark light. Her voice sounded so much raspier and eviler as she said, "Damasu Yume no Jutsu." (Deceiving Dream Technique.)
Shizen couldn't move. She felt as if the world was swirling around her. She thought her eyes were deceiving her when she saw Naoko turn into Lee.
"Ayashi," Naoko whispered. She, in the form of Lee, looked up at her. 'Lee's' eyes were full of hate instead of love and caring. He slowly advanced on her much to her dismay. (Threatening.)
'Shimata! I can't move!' Sweat streamed down her neck as she struggled to move her leg.'
As soon as Naoko was face to face with her, she whispered, "Hishi de." (Frantically.)
Naoko's hands had sharp claws and she swatted and scratched at Shizen. Just when Shizen thought it couldn't get any worse, Naoko whispered, "Kopidoku." (Scathingly.)
Shizen was punched in the stomach and felt herself falling…falling…falling…
When Shizen finally awoke, she saw Naoko standing over her, "Shizen? Daijobu? I had to hold back on the final stage… the final stage is normally fatal."
Shizen noticed that Naoko was panting with exhaustion and that her face was abnormally pale. It looked even paler because of her dark orange-red hair.
Shizen shakily stood up, "I'm going to try it now." She pulled her long black shoulder-length gloves on tight and clenched her fists, "You ready?"
Naoko nodded, "Ee, go on."
There was a knock at the door. Orochimaru lifted up his head, "Koi."
The figure opened the door and stood in front of Orochimaru – she was a girl around the age of 16. She bowed, "Nani-yo, Orochimaru-sama?"
Orochimaru smirked, "Natsu, Natsu, Natsu… how many times have I asked for your help?"
The girl named Natsu, thoughtfully looked up at him, "Take, take…I don't know, Orochimaru-sama. Gomen-yo."
He chuckled, "Precisely. Sadly, I must ask for your help again."
Natsu nodded, "Wakata-yo. Tell me what you want to do, and I will do it; tell me you want to kill and I will kill them – I am your trusted assassin and servant."
Orochimaru smirked, "Yes, yes you are. I am afraid that I have a feeling that the Sound Four will not be able to get Sasuke-kun to me."
Natsu raised an eyebrow, "Naze-yo, Orochimaru-sama? Kimimaru-kun should be going with them – if there's any trouble, he should take care if it."
Orochimaru gave a deep sigh, "You have heard of his condition, da ne?"
Natsu frowned, "Ee, I have. It is so sad that such a fine shinobi…" Her voice trailed off.
Orochimaru nodded, "Ee, Kabuto fears that he may not… survive. Thus, I am leaving the retrieval of Sasuke-kun in your hands, Natsu-chan."
Natsu bowed, "Wakarimashite-dayo, Orochimaru-sama. I shall not disappoint you."
Orochimaru gave her a very slight, small smile, "Hm! And you never have."
Natsu walked out of Orochimaru's quarters and walked outside so that she could see the sunset – they would be going soon. She looked down at her blood red outfit and smiled – she was wearing a blood red tube top that was jaggedly cut at a downward angle so that it was like a line going down to the left. Her skirt was the same way and was jaggedly cut at the ends. She wore purple boots that surprisingly made no sound and had purple sleeves that matched with her the signature purple 'Orochimaru ribbon.'
The wind gently moved her dark magenta hair that gracefully hung over her eyes. Her long hair was swept into two thick sections that went over her shoulders - each of the braids had a red ribbon that was braided with the hair. She blinked her orange eyes when she heard the demanding voice of Tayuya yell at Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama! How can you assign that-that-that teme the position of 'leader?!?!'" Her voice was filled with loathing and hate. "Naze? Also, I should be the only genjutsu user here and here she is using her genjutsu that doesn't even compare -"
"I beg your pardon… Tayuya," Orochimaru said. "But Natsu's techniques are far superior to that of yours."
Natsu smirked, imagining Tayuya shivering from his dark words.
He continued, "She has more techniques than you and are, as she puts it, 'Works of art.' Your techniques are pieces of garbage compared to hers. Now, get out… I don't want to see you again until you come back with someone who at least has some skill – Sasuke-kun. GO."
Natsu heard the fuming footsteps of Tayuya click throughout the halls and heard her step behind her.
Natsu turned to face the hot-mouthed red head. She stared her in the eyes, her snake-like orange eyes gazing deep into Tayuya's non-existent soul.
It took a while before Tayuya could gather up the strength to say anything to her. After a short while, she managed to choke out, "I'll kill you, Natsu. There's only room for one genjutsu user in Orochimaru's heart."
Natsu playfully sighed, "Sugoi-yo! I knew you weren't talented, but I didn't know that you were deaf, too! Zannen-dayo!"
Tayuya bit her lip, "I dare you to say that again, kisama!" Most people would stop ridiculing and degrading Tayuya when her voice reached this tone. It was low and threatening.
Natsu laughed, "Hm! Going to swear at me again, da ne? Well, two can play at that game… te-me." Natsu smirked, her orange eyes continued to pierce her.
Tayuya tried not to meet her gaze. Instead, she looked at the teal triangles that were painted on her upper and lower eyelids.
Tayuya let out a menacing growl, "You better watch your back, teme! I'll get you with this-" She pulled out her smooth purple flute.
Natsu laughed a cold, high pitched laugh that rivaled Orochimaru, "Going to play me a little song, da ne? I'll let you do that. I, unlike you, have some things to attend to. Sumimasen-yo."
Natsu left Tayuya fuming as a cold bitter wind gave her a cut on the cheek.
Shizen let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes, concentrating hard. She cleared her mind of all thoughts and exhaled and inhaled.
'Three steps…Ayashi, Hishi de, Kopidoku. Ayashi, Hishi de, Kopidoku' she chanted in her mind.
Shizen's eyes suddenly flew open. She stared at her teacher with a deadly glare, "Damasu Yume no Jutsu." Her voice sounded distant and far away.
"Ayashi," Shizen felt herself turn into someone that she would never expect to turn into… Gai-sensei! Shizen walked towards Naoko who was frozen to her spot, trying to resist the technique, but couldn't.'So far so good,' Shizen thought.
She came face to face with Naoko, so close that she could almost touch Naoko with her nose, "Hishi de." Her hands turned into sharp claws and she began to tear and cut Naoko from head to toe.
'Yes, yes! Now it's time for…' Shizen swallowed.
"Kopi-" Before Shizen could even say the name of the third part; she saw the world spinning 'round and 'round. Shizen couldn't feel any part of her body and began to lean forward, her knees giving in. Shizen was sent into the ground.
Naoko managed to release the technique, but did not manage to catch her on her way to the ground. Naoko helped Shizen up.
Shizen felt exhausted, all of her strength had left her – her arms and legs felt like Jell-O and her throat was dry and horse.
Naoko patted her on the back, "You did well, Shizen. Just, whatever you do, don't use this technique yet… you still haven't mastered the last stage yet."
Shizen weakly nodded, "Wa-ka-ta, Nao-ko-sen-sei."
Just as Naoko helped Shizen up, Keiko and Miko came running over to them.
Miko looked at Keiko who nodded at her.
Miko took a deep breath, "Sasuke-kun's gone."
o LIK OMFG SASKAY-KUN IS LIK GONE?!L12PO8IJKGj