Some POV switching in this one. . . um. . . Read, Rate, and Review! Pleasies!
Sasuke and Gaara stared at each other while the proctor explained the rules for Sasuke.
You strained to see the mark on your brother's neck, but the competitor's box was too far away.
~ . . . I don't know what it is or what it does . . . But its bound to be bad considering that it came from Orochimaru~
The proctor shouted out, "Begin!" and then jumped back.
Sand immediately started to filter out of Gaara's gourd and float around his head. You heard murmuring from the strange Sand ninja, so you assumed he was talking to himself. Gaara grabbed his head with both hands, as if her were in pain, and the sand dropped all around him. He stood like that for another few seconds, before returning to his normal position: Standing straight up with his arms crossed.
Sasuke attacked and threw a couple of shuriken at Gaara, who caught the attack with his sand shield. The sand started to form a shape.
~A . . . A Sand Clone? ~
The Sand Gaara threw an enormous amount of sand at Sasuke, who dodged by jumping high into the air. Sasuke threw a kunai at Gaara, while the Sand clone threw the shuriken that Sasuke had thrown earlier to deflect the attack. Sasuke twisted in the air as he fell, kicking the Sand Gaara in the chest while turned sideways.
He turned the upper part of his body, and using his hands to balance and turn himself, he jumped back up again and threw his arm at Sand Gaara's neck. Sand started to trap Sasuke's wrist and when struggling didn't work, he threw another punch at Sand Gaara's head, destroying the clone.
Sasuke ran to attack and as he threw his punch, Gaara's shield came up to block. At the last second, Sasuke stopped and turned the slightest bit before disappearing.
~He's gone! ~
Sasuke appeared behind Gaara and punched him in the face with incredible speed. Gaara flew back, his sand softening his fall. Sasuke charged again, dodging and ducking under Gaara's shield to kick Gaara across the arena. Sasuke ran towards Gaara and ran circles around him.
~ . . . He used his Sharingan to copy Lee's speed . . . So he must have been training on his speed this past month . . .~
Sasuke then flipped and kicked Gaara in the chest, grabbed the strap that held onto his gourd and kicked him in the chest. Gaara stood, and made a hand sign.
Sand started to gather around him, forming a large ball of sand. Sasuke charged and tried to attack before the ball was finished, but as he prepared to punch, spikes came out from the ball, stopping Sasuke in his tracks. Sasuke jumped back, and the spikes returned to the sand, making a smooth surface. Sasuke activated his Sharingan and attacked the sphere of sand with everything he had.
You frowned.
~What is this . . . This feeling? Something bad is going to happen . . . And I don't think its about the match . . .~
You focused your chakra and tried to sense what was giving you that feeling. You felt a familiar chakra. You looked up into the stands to see who it was.
~ANBU Black Ops? What are they doing here? And why does this one's chakra seem so familiar . . . Like I've fought it before? ~
Shiori sensed your sudden tightness.
"What's wrong?" he asked so that only you and Kozu could hear.
"Something's not right," you replied. "There are ANBU Black Ops here . . . And one of them has familiar chakra . . . Like I've fought it before . . ."
Shiori and Kozu looked around as well.
"I felt it before too," Kozu muttered.
"In the Forest of Death?" asked Shiori.
You nodded.
"Most likely. But we didn't fight any ANBU in the forest."
You watched Sasuke flip backwards and jump up to the top of the wall. He made hand signs and grabbed his right wrist with his left hand and waited.
"What the!"
You saw blue chakra forming in Sasuke's hand. It looked like lightning and you could hear a faint sound coming from it, like chirping birds. He started to run down the wall. When he reached the ground, he was running even faster.
"Amazing . . ." you muttered.
~Hatake . . . Of course. Konoha's White Fang was Kakashi's father . . . Then Kakashi Hatake made this jutsu . . . I remember Akira-sensei warning me that Kakashi might teach this to Sasuke . . .Chidori~
The attack penetrated Gaara's shield easily.
You sighed. Your teammates looked to you.
"Now I have to come up with an awesome visible chakra technique to beat Sasuke's Chidori," you said.
You heard a piecing scream coming from the ball of sand.
"BLOOD! ITS MY BLOOD!"
Sasuke struggled to pull his arm out of the sphere. When he did, something else came out, too; something big.
"What is that?" Kozu asked.
It was a large hand, a light brown color, with claws. It pulled itself back into the sand, leaving a small hole in the sphere. The sphere then melted, the sand falling to the ground. Gaara stood there with his hand covering his bleeding shoulder, breathing heavily.
"Wait a second . . ." you muttered.
"What is it, Kari-chan?"
You frowned once more.
"In the stands . . . Its like everyone's sleeping . . ." you said. Your eyes widened. "Genjutsu!"
"I sense it, too," Shiori said as Kozu nodded.
You heard an explosion from the VIP box.
"Lord Hokage!" you said.
"What's going on?" asked Kozu.
"Konoha is being attacked," you said.
Temari and Kankuro called out Gaara's name and jumped into the arena. You paid no attention to the arena below. A purple barrier had appeared on the roof of the top box.
~ . . . Lord Hokage~
"Let's go," you said jumping off of the balcony to a nearby wall.
Your team followed you as you landed near Akira-sensei. An ANBU Black Ops stood next to four sound ninja.
"He's the one from before," you muttered loud enough for only your team to hear.
"What do you mean?" your sensei asked.
"I've felt his chakra before in the Forest of Death and the preliminaries, too," you said.
You heard Guy, Kakashi, and Akira conversing quietly. You suddenly recognized a sinister chakra.
"No. . ." you murmured. Your eyes widened and your body froze.
~No. . . Please, no. . . Not again~
"Kari?"
"Kakashi, Akira, look! The barrier!" Guy said.
You slowly turned your head and focused on the two figures.
~Please, not him! Anyone but him! I have to find Sasuke! ~
"Orochimaru," Kakashi said.
"No," you said, slouching to the floor.
"Shiori. Give it to her. We need Kari to be in top condition if we are under attack," Akira said urgently.
"Hai!" Shiori said.
He pulled out a needle, and gave you a shot. You quickly calmed down and your breathing slowed. A Sound ninja charged at you, taking advantage of your weakness. You drew a kunai and threw it, striking the Sound Nin in the chest. You stood and narrowed your eyes at the ANBU Black Ops. You ran toward him, taking out groups of Sound Nin on your way. You flipped and twisted, kicking one and punching another. You finally appeared on the railing behind the ANBU with a kunai on his neck.
"Who are you?" you asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know," he replied as another Sound Nin started to fight with you.
You focused your chakra, balancing on the railing while fighting the Sound Nin. The rest of your team was busy fighting their own battles, and you saw Sakura running towards a knocked out Naruto and Shikamaru. You felt a chakra presence behind you and you turned to kick. Your foot impacted on the Sound Nin and you turned again to get rid of the other one, too. You kick him off of the stands and he landed hard on the arena. You turned once again to the ANBU imposter. He had two Sound Nin next to him and a pile of Ninja Info Cards in his hands.
~Wait a second! Ninja Info Cards! It's Kabuto! ~
Another enemy started to attack you. You pulled out a kunai with an exploding tag on it and you threw it at him. He caught it and you kicked him off the edge.
As he fell, you made the hand sign and shouted,"Katsu!"
The bomb exploded, shaking the stands a little.
"Don't overdo it, Kari!" Akira-sensei yelled at you.
You smiled and continued on your way to Kabuto.
He turned to you as you shouted out, "I've got you now!"
He jumped on the railing and flipped over the edge. You followed and pulled out a kunai while you fell. You landed in front of him.
"Do you really think you can beat me," you asked as you turned to face him. "Kabuto?"
He pulled the mask away from his face for a few seconds.
"Sharp as usual, huh, Kari?"
"Got that right," you said sinking into a low position.
"But do you really think I'd even be walking around after that jutsu you used on me, even now?" he asked replacing the mask. "Unless . . . "
"What are you talking about?" you asked angrily.
"That jutsu you used on me . . . It should have given me burns that would eventually fade into scars, burns that should have kept me in the hospital for weeks on end, burns that if not treated immediately, might have been fatal," he said spreading out his hands.
You remembered seeing him after the match. His skin had only been slightly burnt, and a little red as well.
Your eyes widened.
"You're a . . . A medic nin!" you said.
"Very good. I'm surprised you didn't think of it sooner. Don't you remember your arms hurting after I only tapped them?" he asked.
You also remembered the pain shooting up your arms, after only feeling light taps.
"That's right. I was using my medical jutsu to hit your joints, causing you pain," Kabuto said. "The second you started that fire jutsu, I started healing myself by creating new cells all over my body to take the place of the ones you were burning. Of course, I couldn't complete it, as you saw by the slight burns, but it wasn't fatal, and I was walking again in less than an hour."
~Let's see you heal from this then! ~
You threw the kunai and immediately made your hand sign, shouting out, "Katsu!"
Kabuto dodged the kunai and the explosion as well.
"You're forgetting, I watched your whole match and I've fought you myself. I know your fighting style, but you don't know mine," Kabuto said.
You narrowed your eyes. He was right. You needed help. You needed . . .
"Kari!"
"Kari-chan!"
"Kozu! Shiori!"
Your teammates landed on either side of you in fighting positions.
"You guys came just in time," you said with a grin on your face.
"Yeah, so let's beat this guy already!" Kozu said.
"Ok! Shiori!"
"Got it!"
Shiori made some hand signs and started to disappear.
"Kozu!"
"I'm on it!"
Kozu made hand signs and he too disappeared. You ran towards Kabuto as a distraction. You fought hand to hand for a while, trying to avoid his chakra-covered hands.
~About time, Shiori~
Kabuto was trapped in a Genjutsu, most likely Tree Capture Death. You saw Shiori thrown aside and felt the Genjutsu break. Kabuto was suddenly pulled underground and Kozu was standing in front of his head.
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!" Kozu said.
"Nice try," Kabuto said.
He disappeared and reappeared behind you. Before you could react, you were kicked across the arena, slamming into the wall. You slumped to the ground, almost unconscious. You opened your eyes slowly and watched Kabuto knock out Kozu and Shiori as well.
"N-no," you said as you struggled to get up.
~I can't move. I've used up all my chakra~
You heard footsteps. You looked up and saw Kabuto slide away the mask once more.
"I apologize, Kari, but you are coming with me for now," Kabuto said kneeling next to you.
You shook your head in defiance.
"Its Lord Orochimaru's orders. Don't worry, we won't hurt you," he said reaching out his hand and knocking you out.
Your eyes slowly drifted shut, as the battle raged on around you.
Akira, Guy, and Kakashi made their way down to the arena.
"Kari!" Akira yelled as an ANBU Black Ops knocked you out.
He turned toward the Jonin as Baki, the Sand Genin's sensei, appeared next to him.
"Don't touch her!" Akira shouted, pulling out a kunai. "Or I'll kill you."
"What do you want with Kari Uchiha," Kakashi asked. "Kabuto?"
"You're as sharp as Kari, here," Kabuto said gesturing towards your limp body. "What Lord Orochimaru wants with her is none of your business really. Time to call it a day."
"Are you going to run away from me again?" asked Kakashi.
"That would be too obvious. Why should I show you my hand when it's so much more fun keeping you in the dark? That eye of yours can't see everything, can it?" Kabuto said referring to Kakashi's Sharingan eye. "Unlike the Uchiha clan, you haven't mastered it yet."
Kabuto took one last look at you and then glanced at Akira. Akira's fist tightened and he clenched his jaw.
~I won't lose another squad member . . . Never again! ~
Kabuto smirked.
"Oh well. I'm sure that Lord Orochimaru doesn't really need her that much. She, even as an Uchiha, can't master the Sharingan, or even obtain it. Farewell," he said disappearing with Baki.
Akira walked over to you and touched your forehead. You slowly opened your eyes.
"Shiori, Kozu," you muttered.
"They'll be fine. You're all right, Kari. Just relax now," Akira said as he walked toward his other students.
You breathed slowly for a few seconds.
~Naruto . . . Naruto went with Sakura to go after Sasuke . . . Sasuke was chasing Gaara! ~
You got up quickly, your fear for Naruto and Sasuke's well being giving you strength. You ran into the forest looking for Sasuke and Naruto, ignoring Kakashi, Guy and Akira calling you back.
"Naruto!" you said as you burst into a clearing.
Sasuke looked over to you as the smallest of smiles appeared on his face.
"Sasuke!" you said. You ran to your brother and for the first time in five years, Sasuke hugged you back. Tears dripped down your face as Sasuke whispered into your ear.
"Its ok, Kari. Naruto and Sakura are fine. I'm ok. We are all fine."
"I've missed you, Nii-chan," you said to your brother.
Sasuke squeezed you tighter and only released you when the medic team came to pick up Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke, and you.
You woke up the next morning and looked outside.
~Its going to rain . . .~
You sighed and grabbed your black dress and shoes and changed into them.
You were healed from the fighting yesterday easily, although Naruto still had to wear bandages.
You met Kozu and Shiori at the usual spot, and the three of you started walking to the Hokage Stone Faces.
You met Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura on your way there, and the six of you stood together at the funeral.
You followed Shiori up to the table with Kozu right behind you just as it started to rain.
You laid your white flower with the rest thinking of the times when you were little when you and Naruto would play pranks and be chased by Lord Hokage.
You thought of the time when you accused Lord Hokage of the Uchiha Massacre. You told him that he had over-worked Itachi, and if he had told Itachi to take a break once in a while, none of the Uchiha would have died. Tears slid down your face as you remember going back when you had grown older, and apologizing, saying that you had only been angry and that you hadn't meant a word of it.
He had smiled and said that was understandable, then he had given you a hug and taken you to the Hero's Memorial Stone, saying that although their names were not carved on that stone, your parents spirits still lived in you and you could visit them there.
You followed Shiori back to the crowd, more tears sliding down your face.
~ . . . Why . . . Why does everyone close to me have to die? Mom . . . Dad . . . Aunt Uruchi . . . Uncle Teyaki . . . Shisui . . . And now Lord Hokage . . . ~
You felt a hand on your shoulder and you looked up to see Akira's face. You looked to your sides and saw Shiori and Kozu looking at you as well. When you looked just past Shiori, you saw Naruto and Sasuke, and even Sakura.
~But I have to stop living in the past . . . And start living now . . . ~
You nodded your head and smiled at your team.
~Because . . . That is what Lord Hokage would want . . . ~
"Hey! Kozu, Shiori!" you called to your friends.
"What is it, Kari?" Shiori asked.
"Look at what I got!" you sang as you waved three pieces of paper in their faces.
"Coupons for dumplings! Awesome, Kari-chan!" Kozu shouted as he jumped up and down.
"So are you guys ready to satisfy your sweet tooth?" you asked.
"Yeah!" Kozu yelled.
"Sure," Shiori said shrugging his shoulders.
"Ok! Let's go!" you said.
Shiori and Kozu walked on either side of you as you headed toward the Dumpling Shop. Kozu was thinking aloud about what dango he would get while Shiori walked silently and you laughed at Kozu's childish nature. You stopped suddenly, looking around the street.
"Kari-chan? Are you ok?"
"Is something wrong?"
You turned back to Kozu and Shiori who were waiting for an answer. You shook your head.
"I thought I saw something," you muttered.
Shiori and Kozu exchanged looks as Kozu started babbling again.
"Here we are," you said when you reached the shop.
As you entered, the owner called out a hearty, "Ohairinasai!"
"Let's find a seat already!" Kozu said, walking toward an empty table.
You and Shiori followed. When you passed by a table with two men in large black cloaks, you slowed down. The cloaks had red clouds on them, and they were wearing strange hats. That was not the reason you stopped though.
~ . . . That chakra . . . Is he really back? ~
"Kari-chan! Come on, I found the perfect table!" Kozu called.
You started to walk your normal speed.
~No . . . I must be mistaken~
You sat at the table with the two boys, as a waitress came by and took your orders.
"I will have the goma dango, please," said Kozu.
"Bocchan dango for me," Shiori said.
"And chichi dumplings for me," you said handing her the coupons.
"Would you like anything to drink?" asked the waitress.
"Three cups of sweet green tea, please," you said.
"Ok, I will have your orders soon," she said before walking away.
"I thought you were going on a diet, Kari-chan?" asked Kozu with a mischievious smile.
You smiled and replied, "I hate diets anyway. They are for people who are insecure about themselves."
The waitress came back with three cups of tea.
You took a sip of your own before adding, "Besides, we all know that I could never give up chichi dumplings."
When your dumplings arrived, you started a new topic.
"So . . . How are they going to judge the Chunin Exams? I mean, Lord Hokage obviously can't do it, and the Kazekage turned out to be an imposter. They were supposed to be the main judges, right?"
"Once they figure out who the new Hokage will be, whoever it is will talk with all the other judges. That's my guess anyway," Shiori said.
"Well that's probably what will happen, cause your guesses are usually right," you said popping a dumpling in your mouth.
"Don't be upset if you're not a Chunin, Kari-chan. Its only your first year," Kozu said nonchalantly.
"Stop acting so cool, Kozu. I'll bet you that I turn out to be a Chunin and you don't," you dared.
"Just remember, Kozu," Shiori warned. "Kari always wins bets against you."
You smiled. It was a simple, well-known fact of life: Kozu liked to bet against Kari. Kari always won. Which meant Kozu always lost.
"Take his advice, Kozu. You can't afford to lose any more bets to me," you teased.
Kozu sighed.
"Fine," he muttered.
You and Shiori laughed and the three of you finished your treat with high moods. You paid the waitress and followed Shiori and Kozu out of the shop. You walked out in time to hear Kakashi tell Asuma and Kurenai what he was doing.
"You're waiting on Sasuke? From what Naruto tells me, Sasuke should be waiting on you," you joked as the three Jonin turned to you.
"Hello, Kari, Shiori, Kozu. Where's Akira?" Kakashi asked.
"He's on a mission. Without us," you said sourly.
"From the tone of your voice, you don't seem too happy about that," Kakashi said.
"Of course not. We haven't had a good mission in ages!" Kozu complained.
"Oh, be quiet, Kozu. I just treated you to dumplings. If Akira-sensei were here, we'd be training," you said hitting Kozu on the head.
"Ok, ok," Kozu said rubbing his head. "Kari-chan, do you have to hit so hard?"
You laughed and waved good-bye to the Jonin while Kozu and Shiori followed you.
"Hey, I gotta go. I'll see you guys later, ok?" you said.
"Ok. See ya later, Kari-chan!" they said as you walked off.
As soon as you were out of their sight, you ran. You ran through the familiar trees until you heard the trickle of water.
~Almost there . . .~
When you reached the Shrine, you quietly opened the door. When you turned to the mat, you saw that it was already moved aside.
~Sasuke . . .~
You quietly left the Nakano Shrine and walked back toward the Village center. When you arrived, you saw Guy run by in a hurry.
~He looked serious . . . ~
You followed.
"Guy-sensei, what's the matter?" you asked keeping pace with the Jonin.
"Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma are having trouble getting rid of some unknown ninja," he replied.
"I'm coming, too," you said, following Guy as he sped up.
You raced across the terrain of the Village, running faster and faster. You realized that you were running in the direction of the bridge. When Guy sped up, you tried to follow and keep him in sight. You finally caught up with him when you arrived at the river. You flipped out of the trees and landed on the water behind the Jonin of the Leaf.
"Do you have to go so fast," you complained.
You saw Kakashi unconscious on Guy's shoulder.
"Kari, get out of here now," Guy said.
"Why? What are you hiding from me?" you asked as you jumped in front of Asuma.
You saw the same black cloaks from the dumpling shop. Then you saw the faces.
~I . . . I was right . . . He's back~
You took a deep breath.
"Itachi Uchiha . . . " you said quietly.
Itachi turned to you.
"Kari . . . Its been a while."
"Its been five years to be exact," you replied icily.
"Who is she, Itachi? She looks like one of your clan," the other man said.
Itachi remained silent, watching you the whole time.
"I sent word to the ANBU Black Ops, but until they get here, we hold them off," Guy said to Asuma as he handed Kakashi to Kurenai.
"Interesting. I'll give you credit for guts," the man said squeezing the handle of his sword.
"No, Kisame," Itachi said. "We're pulling out. We're not here to fight a full-scale battle. Tempting as it may be, it's not the way to do this. Let's go."
"That's too bad. It was just getting fun. They don't know how lucky they are," Kisame replied.
You pulled out a handful of kunai and threw it at them. The attack missed as they ran off.
~What is he here for? ~
You suddenly remembered your dream and you sprinted off without another word to the Jonin.
~If that dream is true . . . Then Itachi . . . He's here for Naruto~
"Teuchi!" you shouted as you entered the ramen shop.
"Oh, hello, Kari," Teuchi said turning to you.
"Where's Naruto?" you asked urgently.
"Umm . . . Well, Master Jiraiya told Naruto to come help him with a mission."
"Did he say where they were going?" you asked.
"Umm . . . No . . . Oh! Wait, they did. They were heading toward that outskirt town," Teuchi said.
"Thanks!" you said running off.
~I have to find him . . . I have to find Naruto! ~
Ohairinasai -Japanese for "Come in"
Just a reminder that the dream was quite a few chapters back so if you don't remember then I recommend you reread that chapter. Its called the Nightmare, I believe :) Itachi returns and the plot thickens! Rate and Review!
~Kiri-chan