The Battle

Those two, they made my blood boil. How could they live with themselves after everything they had done, after hurting so many people and trying to kill an innocent child. Granted I wasn't that much of a child but still. Sadly though Kabuto was good, he was well informed on healing, all the tricks and worst of all, all the deadly aspects of healing as well. Lady Tsunade was calling out to me, begging that I let her out and allow her to assist me in battle, I shook my head.

"No, Konoha needs you Lady Tsunade." I said, causing Orochimaru to grin. "And what the hell are you grinning about? You life will end soon." I growled, causing Hei to growl out as well. We were both ready to fight for the death, to fight to protect not only everyone we cared about but for whole Konoha. It was our home, the one place where he could be himself while I could finally be who and what I truly was.

"I truly doubt that young one." he said before turning to Kabuto. "I want her alive." was all he said before Kabuto took off at a run. He moved fast, however my sight and my reflexes were faster. He looked like a turtle compared to the speed that I now had at my disposal.

"What's wrong? Can't keep up with a child?" I taunted, causing Kabuto to glare at me. His hands were glowing green. He was summoning his healing powers and directing them at me, planning on using it all against me if only to paralyze me. Too bad for him I wasn't going to go down without a fight.

"You should taunt your elders girl." he growled out, keeping his eyes locked on me. I smiled, he was either faking or he was really dumb to forget about Hei.

"Is that so old fart?" I went on, a grin spreading across my lips while I stood still, cook and calm. Almost as if the fight I was currently in was nothing more than child's play, my katana strapped to my back. It hadn't occurred to me to release it yet and the fact that I was holding back wasn't sitting well with Kabuto. His glared hardened, he was truly contemplating on whether he could get away with killing me or not.

"Don't push your luck, your already lucky enough that Lord Orochimaru wants you alive!" he yelled while charging at me again. This time I dodged his hands effortlessly. Meanwhile Hei was waiting in the shadows, he was waiting for my signal.

"Too bad for you old fart, I like playing with fire." I went on, all the while building his anger, hoping it'd cloud his better judgement and as far as I could tell it was working rather well. He started slipping, his movements slowing down and speeding down, no intelligence to them.

"Shut up!" he yelled, no longer adding to the conversation, the argument I was trying to provoke in him. Oh well, I had more than enough words for him to listen to.

"I was given a mouth for a reason old fart, and that was to talk." I taunted while moving in and cutting him across his leg. He let out an angry, animal like hiss before jumping back and placing his hand over the wound. That's when it hit me, if I could injure him, cause him to heal himself enough times he'd run out of power, he'd be at his limit.

'Hei.' I called out, and immediately he nodded, realizing what I had just realized. A smile played my lips again, this time I withdrew my katana and looked over the blade. This had would be the first time I use it in battle, the first time I'd kill as a hunter and the first time I'd draw blood with my own hand. Sure I had at one point in my life sworn never to kill, to draw blood with my own hands but when there was a threat to my family, to everyone and everything I held close to me to hell if I was going to sit back and watch as everything fell apart. Hell no. I was going to charge in, fangs bared, katana ready and conviction in my eyes. No one, nothing that went after my family, my home and my friends would ever come out alive. Not on my watch.

"So you're finally taking me seriously? Or did you forget I could heal?" Kabuto tried taunting me, tried scaring me into some sort of mistake. Ha. As if, that was something I was not only using against him but something that was being effective against him.

"You wish old fart. I'm just getting warmed up." I said before sending out a gust of deadly wind at him and slicing both his arms. An ear piercing scream left Kabuto's lips then, one that on a strange level I found amusing and gratifying to listen to. From the corner of my eye I could see Orochimaru trying to make his way over to Lady Tsunade and tisked.

"Ah ah ah, no getting close to the Lady." I said, instantly placing up a barrier of not only power but of the elements all around us. Instantly Orochimaru jumped back and glared at me, suddenly remembering what it was my mother's blood had also gifted me with.

"You little witch." he hissed, causing Hei to growl and lash out at the evil man. He missed but not before leaving a small scar across his cheek. I smiled, both Hei and I did, it was about time someone stood up to these idiots. Kabuto was instantly by his side, healing his tiny wound and causing me to laugh.

"Man, here you want to rule, to be given the title of a true lord and yet you shrink at the sight of a tiny wound." I taunted before my stare turning cold and serious. "You will never be a true lord, a ruler of sort. You're far too vile to ever be such a thing." I growled. Both their eyes narrowed then, getting ready for battle and it was then that I knew the true battle would begin. Not only would I be fighting against that annoying, traitorous medic but against that vile snake man.

"I hope you're ready to fight little one." Orochimaru suggested causing a grin to appear on her face.

"And I hope your ready to die old fart." she taunted and sneered all at the same time. Hei all the while suddenly appeared by her side, his fangs expossed and killing intent well shown.

"As you will die traitours medic." he growled out, causing Izakura to nod.

"Let me go Izakura, I can help you!" called Lady Tsunade as she saw what was about to take place before her. She couldn't, would never be able to live with her self if she simply stood idly by and watched as her students child, as her second apprentince charged into battle while laying her life on the line. What was worse that should anything happen to the young girl she was not only positive she wouldn't be able to but was positive that Sakura would break from the pain of watching her daughter laying on a hospital bed or worse. Losing her one and only daughter.

"Sorry Lady Tsunade but I will not let Konoha lose another great leader." were my last words before I charged up the barrier and stood with katana held tight.

'Are you ready Hei?'

'Always my lady.'

'Then lets get this over with.' I said with a grin before I was suddenly jumped. The first one to make their move was Kabuto, he had thrown kunai at me, hoping to hit vital organs. Easily I dodged them while Hei blocked Orochimaru. Kabuto was restless, every time I blocked he'd just come back at me twice as hard, finally getting tired of their tricks I tapped into a percentage of my power. It was strong, imense and that little portion helped me out run the two. Even Hei's movements were faster, strong and most of all deadly.

"You can't run for ever little one." Orochimaru sneered, all the while trying to get past Hei.

"No but I can do this." I called out before running so fast I was a blur. I managed to get Kabuto good on the side, a large, gaping gash had formed across his side, from rib cage to back. Orochimaru some how managed to escape my attack but it didn't matter. If I could take one out then the other shouldn't be too big of a problem afterwards. Kabuto was about to move in to heal him self when Orochimaru stopped him.

"Don't, she's just trying to tire you out." he growled out causing me to smirk. He may have been a vile, grouetest man but damn it he was smart too. Kabuto glared at me, understanding and yet not wanting to bleed to death.

"What's the matter? Conflicting emotions aren't there?" I taunted before raising my katana back at him. "I promise the next one will hurt just as much." and with that I ran out again only this time went after Orochimaru. Kabuto's movements were slow, slower than usual and so I allowed Hei to handle him. Hei bit out at him, knocked him into walls and worsened his state. Meanwhile I was having one hell of a time landing a blow on the bastard. What the hell?! Why couldn't I touch this guy. I thought while moving and blocking. Every time I came even close to getting him, to wounding him he suddenly wasn't there.

'Hei, end Kabuto, it looks like Orochimaru we take down together.' I called out to him.

'Yes my lady.' and with that Kabuto was knocked out. Hei knew that I didn't like killing, being ressponsible for one's death and so he, like so few, would awknowledge my feeling and do other wise. I was thankful for that. Once Kabuto was out I jumped back and placed a binding on him, he wouldn't bleed to death but he wouldn't be able to move or heal now. Orochimaru glared at me then.

"It looks like if I want that damn blood of yours I'm going to have stop holding back." he sneered, looking me over with calculating eyes before his anger evident in not only his eyes but his voice. "What drives that body of yours?!" were his last words before he unlocked, released his true power and stood before me for what he truly was. Immediately I drew my own power out, it rivaled that of his own but didn't over power it. Attack after attack I blocked and every time I tried to move, to take the advantage I'd be thrown back. Even with Hei by my side it was getting, looking to be a long and hard battle. Damn it all, why were mad men always so damn strong, why couldn't they be weak for once?

'My lady, should we try to sneak up on him.'

'Yea, hold back until I give the signal.'

'Consider it done.' and with that Hei jumped back. Orochimaru glared at me then, again he was angry. Good, because I was too. This was taking too long, I just wanted to get the hell out of here, to go home to my mom and my dad. To a family I had not only just met but only found out about. Sure I could do without the crazy, insane grandparents but in truth they were still family, my family.

"Think you can take me all on your own?"

"Maybe." I taunted before acting as though I was tired and yawning out loud. Again his anger, his rage spiked and before I knew it he too was holding some sort of katana. Hits hand had snakes wrapping all around it and when I looked even closer I found that it was a snake. He had summoned his blood animal and turned it into a weapon.

"It's time a half breed like you is put in your place." he growled out, causing a hiss to escape the snakes lips and Hei to growl.

"Yea well too bad for you that's not gonna happen. I don't listen to old, vile, ugly, old farts who had no respect for life."

"Hold your tongue!"

"Make. Me." and with that the battle picked up, this time I was able to move faster, driving, forcing my body and power to move as I needed to. I cut him a couple of times, I left scratches all over his body but I still couldn't land one serious blow. His power was diminishing, apparently summoning his blood animal had taken a lot out of him, then upon finally noticing the scent of his blood I smiled. He noticed it then but said nothing, instead we continued to fight. Blow after blow, block after block, then when I was sure that the timing was right I nodded and pushed my self back with my katana. Hei swept in then, kicking him back and straight into a wall. I could feel Lady Tsunade go still behind me, could feel as her eyes widened and smiled. Yup I was definitely making an impression and on the plus side I might not have to take the exam after all.

"You mongrole." Orochimaru sneered causing Hei to growl.

"He doesn't take too kindly to insults." I said, a sort of amused tone to my voice. Orochimaru stayed silent and pick him self up. He now had a gash running down his arm, he was bleeding heavily. The large amount of blood he was letting out, was dripping from him only proved what I thought I had smelled before.

"You cheap bastard. The only reason you want my blood is to heal. That blood disease is limiting you." I said, and before I was forced to jump back and out of the way. A large snake had suddenly appeared, his eyes were a deep, dirty yellow and anger was evident from looking into them. When I turned to see Orochimaru I found him fatigued, tired and most of all almost out of power. Perfect. I thought before grinning and willing Hei to my side. Hei growled at the sight of the snake, dislike clearly all over him.

'He is poisoness my lady, do not let him graze you, touch you with his fangs.' Hei warned causing me to nod my head and make a mental note. Then there'd be no room for error. It was either win or die, and I sure as hell wasn't going to let the second one happen.

'You too, be careful Hei.' I instructed before slicing out at the snake and causing it to move back. I knew the fight would no longer be between Orochimaru and me, I knew that the best thing to do in this case was to run, to stay behind a barrier until his power was up and he could no longer summon. However there was the fact that most blood animals were able to stay out on their own after being summoned, such as Hei for example. I only needed to summon him once and after that he sustained his own, allowing me more power in the event of a battle such at this one. No, I had to take him down, I wouldn't leave here without killing the bastard who threatened my family.

"Looks like your my opponent now, may I ask for a name?" I looked at the snake, judging, guessing, searching for some sort of weak spot. He in turn hissed and then attacked. I took his answer as a no and blocked. His movements were quicker, faster than Orochimaru's had been and so again I willed, summon more power and forced my body to move faster, to move at a speed I had never moved at before. I slashed out at the snake but for ever wound I inflicted he would just allow poison to seep out of his scales and then the wound was gone. Damn it all. Then it hit me, if you take out the master you get rid of the blood animal.

'Hei I need you distract this thing, I have an idea.'

'Are you sure my lady.'

'Positive, just be careful.' I said before jumping back and letting Hei at the snake for a while. Instinctively Hei knew how to doge snakes better than I did and so didn't really need any extra power to do so. They were natural born enemy's it seemed. After several minutes I noticed that the snake no longer had his eyes on me, perfect. In a blink of an eye I was beside Orochimaru, glaring at him as he leaned against the wall. My katana held to his neck and yet he was still smiling. Damn mad men.

"You die tonight Orochimaru." I growled out. Then out of no where Hei pushed me to the side, causing me to not cut but graze the mans neck and draw a thin line of blood. When I turned I found Hei limping, I could feel him getting sick. In an instant he was by my side and I was healing him, a barrier placed up around us.

'Hei!'

'He would have poisoned you....my pardons my lady....for pushing...'

'Don't worry about it, just stay still, don't talk' I ordered him while healing the wound and working on drawing the poison out. It was painful for him, oh how I knew it was. I could feel it spreading through his system like a wild fire, burning everything in its path. No, I wouldn't, couldn't lose Hei. I needed him.

"Once that mongrole is gone your blood will be mine." Orochimaru teased, all the while the snake coiling up beside him and getting ready for round two. That bastard, that monster had hurt Hei. When I couldn't draw out all the poison out I sighed.

'For give me Hei.' was all I said before I knocked him unconscious and sucked the poison out of him with my fangs. Instantly I felt the side effects, I could feel the barrier weakening and then Orochimaru laughing.

"You took his death into you? No matter, the poison will not effect...."

"Shut that annoying trap of yours." I growled while forcing my body to stand.

"Izakura! Stop!" yelled Lady Tsunade but I shook my head, I had had enough. Hurting me, coming after me was one thing but it was a completely different story when you not only going after my family but hurting them as well. Hei was family, he was my best friend and to hell if I was going to let this go on any further.

"You die tonight." I said, standing with anger, true anger in my eyes and emitting more power than I had done before. Hei stayed behind the barrier, he was resting and I knew he wouldn't wake until it was too late for me. I just hoped he would forgive me when he woke up.

"Where the hell do you get all that power from." he growled, trying to stand only to be stopped by the snake at his side.

"You shouldn't master, it'll truly be the death of you. I will retrieve..."

"You will retrieve nothing snake." I hissed, it was his fault Hei was hurt, it was his fault Hei nearly died and it was that damned snakes fault for forcing me to do this. With a wave of a hand a gust of wind took the snake and slammed it into the wall. It looked weak then, good. Then I formed a ring of fire around him, slowly shrinking it down.

"Your wretched thing!" yelled Orochimaur while picking his sword up and using it to stand. Was he truly intending on fighting me in such a condition? Dumb-ass.

"You shouldn't have underestimated the power of a half breed." were my last words before I burned the snake alive. Not only could you hear its screams but you could hear Orochimaru's as well. Both were in pain, both were being taken away from each other. Kabuto woke then only to widen his eyes, the power I was emitting was something that had never been seen before. Orochimaru thinking I was distracted moved in and send his katana through me, I didn't feel it. All I felt was the numbing sensation that came with so much power.

"You attack when your opponent has their back turned? Coward." and with that my katana began to glow amber with power. Orochimaru's eyes widened then and before he could do anything I slashed out at him, cutting open his side just as I had done with Kabuto. He fell to the floor instantly, dead and burning from the inside out. I willed the earth then, I willed it to bind Kabuto until my family arrived or until Lady Tsunade was capable of taking him down. One or the other would do. Slowly I took the sword out of me and walked over to Hei. He was stable, sleeping. A sad smile was what not only met Lady Tsunade's freeing form but to the sudden appearance of my parents. Mom looked beautiful as an immortal, she looked like a natural. Otou-san looked angry while the akatsuki surrounded the area and took Kabuto.

"Izakura!" was the last thing I heard before I fell into the land of unconsciousness.