Underlined speech is thought.

Italicized words signify emphasis put on words or a change in tone.

Sentences of thought that are completely italicized were spoken by another character previously in this story's timeline.

Italicized sections are songs/chants; whatever you what to call them. When a word is bolded, it is being spoken by only Naruto. If it is underlined, it is being spoken by only Hinata. A word with (parentheses) around it is echoed. The numbers of echoes are the same as the number of parentheses pairs. Also, if a parentheses pair is (underlined), it is only Hinata's voice that echoes it. Songs will not use quotation marks like normal speech.

CAPITALIZED SPEECH IS YELLING OR HIGH EMOTION.

These are … interruptions in …speech caused … by things …like laughing,…crying, thought,.. and…others.

Words with tildes~ after them are spoken for longer~ periods of time.

Bold words are author notes.

(Previously on Edel Raid and Pleasure: After deciding what their formation would be, the group went on their way. In just an hour, they found themselves under attack. Kakashi was forced down the side of a cliff. Kurenai was forced into the fields. Shino, Kiba, Sasuke, and Sakura were separated as well by one foe for each pair. Naruto and Hinata had to deal with the leader. Kakashi realized that his Chidori and Lightning Blade would be useless from what Honogurai told him. Zurui began to pull Kurenai towards an eventual death. Sagesumi summoned a field of chakra draining spikes against Kiba and Shino. Gouman removed Sasuke and approached the helpless Sakura. The big attack Naruto and Hinata used to beat Zabuza's water dragon with was defeated by Ishuikon, who managed to find what he was looking for and used what he found to increase his power even further. He also had four more; one for each of his followers.)

11-22-09

"Unexpected Power"

Kakashi vs. Honogurai:

Kakashi dashed forward and used his revealed Sharingan to give him perfect timing to dodge Honogurai's sword and land a straight kick to the man's chest. As soon as his back hit the cliff, Kakashi felt a surge of chakra on top of the cliff causing his eyes to widen.. He looked up there with a worried expression. "I don't like the feel of this." He noticed two shining orbs fly down the edge.

The yellow orb headed for the left while the violet one stopped right in front of Honogurai. He looked at it for a second before standing up and grabbing it between his fingers. He then calmly inserted the orb in a slot hidden on the bottom of his hilt. A rush of power suddenly flowed from the sword and into his body. "So this is the power the Nature Gems grant the Genso Blades."

Kakashi's eyes widened as the sword started to vibrate much faster and crackle with even more electricity. Since the sound was exactly like Chidori, Kakashi had no doubt that the sword had that kind of destructive power as well. "I don't stand a chance if he is able to keep that up for long. I wish I knew more wind style jutsu right now."

Kurenai vs. Zurui:

Luckily for Kurenai, the water whip that was pulling her to an imminent death was weakest at the point where the rapier controlled it. The jonin only had to muster all her strength and strike the tip with a kunai. She quickly backed away and watched carefully for any attack that Zurui would follow up with. "This is the worst match-up I have experienced in my life. This woman specializes in fighting those who use genjutsu. Her jutsu also keeps me from getting too close. All the ninjutsu I know are fire style too." Kurenai clenched her teeth in frustration. "Taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu: no matter how I look at it, she as sealed away all my attacks."

Her eyes widened when she caught sight of the torrent of wind near where Naruto and Hinata were. Zurui also noticed this. "So Ishuikon-sama found the Nature Gems. Our mission is essentially complete now." She chuckled darkly. "That doesn't mean that I can't have some fun first."

A strong fear worked its way into Kurenai's heart. "That chakra is terrifying. Even with them reacting, I'm not sure that they can handle that. If I don't get past this woman, they could get seriously injured." She turned her attention to the dark haired woman. "This is not the time to be thinking about my disadvantages. All I have to do now is win."

Seemingly without reason, Zurui held her palm to her back. Just a second later, a glowing blue orb landed in her hands. She then put the orb in a previously unnoticed slot between the guard and the handle. A surge of chakra pulsed for an instant before disappearing. Zurui smiled at the feeling emanating from her weapon. "Now I can't lose. Genso Sokubakuken, Binding Whip."

Kurenai's eyes widened when Zurui unleashed four water whips instead of one. "She'll immobilize me completely if those get me." She dodged one and expressed fear when the one passing close to her leg left behind some numbness and a cold chill.

Shino/Kiba vs. Sagesumi:

Kiba gritted his teeth in slight frustration. "We can't let Shino take the spotlight Akamaru. Let's show this woman the combinations we have been working on." Kiba took out two small black pills from his pouch and ate one. He tossed the other to Akamaru, who snapped it up like a treat. "All Fours Jutsu." Kiba's features became more feral as a red Akamaru hopped onto his back. "Man Beast Clone." The transformation took effect as Akamaru quickly took Kiba's form. "If those rocks are stealing our chakra, then there's only one thing to do. Let's go Akamaru … Tunneling Fang."

The pair dashed forwards and started rotating at high speed, tearing through every raised piece of rock they came across. Sagesumi was easily distracted by the sound. Shino tried to take advantage, but she quickly reacted to his approach by holding Suikomu in the space between them. "Not going to happen."

Shino backed away and took a deep breath. "I mustn't attack yet. Timing is essential."

Using his opportunity, Kiba tossed a small group of dark violet pellets to Sagesumi's feet. They exploded and released a large violet cloud. Sagesumi only laughed. "Unless this is an odorless poison, give up."

"Fang over Fang."

Sagesumi suddenly found herself being batted back and forth by two large objects. "Why that little. I can't believe I forgot about the other one. He's no push over either."

"Shino's not the only one who can fight. Neither of us needs to see you right now. I can smell your location while Shino can detect your chakra. You've got nowhere to hide."

Shino suddenly caught sight of a yellow light flying into the smog. "That's … disconcerting."

Sagesumi quickly recognized the orb and inserted it into a slot at the bottom of her hilt. "WHO'S TRYING TO HIDE?! GENSO SUIKOMUKEN: GREAT MAW!" She pierced the ground with the spear, causing even a greater number of spikes to shoot out of the ground. Kiba and Akamaru were caught off guard and didn't have time to even think about clawing through the spires before slamming into them head on. The force knocked both unconscious. She looked at her sword. "Ishuikon-sama was right when he said that mine was the one that changes shape with the addition of its Nature Gem. It's not that~ different though." Since the attack blew away the smoke, Sagesumi got a clear view of her last foe. "I have to end this quickly."

Shino took only an instant to analyze things completely. "The quantity and form of the spires has changed. They are now flattened slightly and adorned with incalculable numbers of spikes that are dressed with even more minute spikes. Not only are they more damaging … the flattening and spikes swell the surface area of each spire by over seven fold. Because surface area facilitates absorption, fatality by chakra exhaustion is a real hazard. This can't last any longer."

Sakura/Sasuke vs. Gouman:

Sakura backed away slowly from Gouman's foreboding presence. He held her arms in front of herself protectively as tears formed at the corners of her eyes. "This can't be happening. I'm still a young maiden."

Gouman revealed his teeth with a wide grin. "Now that's how a woman should look." He laughed creepily. "That fear makes them so~ easy to train."

"W-w-w-w-what are you talking about. I-I-I'm not even thirteen yet."

Gouman only chuckled darkly. "Fine~ by me. That means that your parts are working now. Now stop this." He dashed forward and gripped her arm forcefully.

"LET ME GO!"

Gouman prepared to pull her in, but he received a kick in the face. He angrily looked up to see the boy that should have died glaring him down with red eyes. Gouman returned the glare. "You lucky punk."

"I am Sasuke Uchiha of the Uchiha clan. … I don't need something as useless as luck."

Sakura instantly switched mental gears. "Sasuke-kun's so~ cool~."

Sasuke turned back and looked Sakura in the eyes. "You were a good distraction while I was getting ready."

Sakura was surprised by the look. "Was that?" She developed a happy smile. "That was Sasuke-kun's Sharingan."

A red orb suddenly flew to Gouman's hands. He quickly inserted it into the slot in the guard. Sasuke pulled on some wires, causing countless kunai and shuriken to fly for their red target. "GENSO HIROGERUKEN: FLAMING VEIL!" A massive sphere of flames spread out from the sword, they obscured Gouman's position and forced Sasuke and Sakura to back away again.

Naruto/Hinata vs. Ishuikon:

The instant the winds died down, Ishuikon dashed forward and struck out with full strength. The burst of wind and power worked to send Naruto far off balance. He had no choice but to back away before getting injured. The winds still kept him from managing a solid landing. Ishuikon didn't hesitate in a follow up. As a gamble, Naruto formed half a hand-seal with his free hand and sent a large amount of chakra to his feet. This was enough to jump away and keep his footing. "This guy's stronger than Zabuza."

"You're wrong Naruto-kun. We never had to fight Zabuza-san directly. We can only fight like chunin when we react." Hinata's eyes widened just before she positioned herself to whisper. "He's charging his chakra."

Ishuikon glared at them fiercely. "I don't know how that girl can talk to you like that, but you brats should just die. I don't need any living witnesses. Genso Igameruken: DEVIL'S BREATH!" He slashed the air, releasing a large and fast wall of turbulent wind straight for Naruto and Hinata.

Naruto slashed to air as well, but Ishuikon's attack had no trouble dissipating the wind. Even though he blocked, Naruto was forced back by the power. Hinata's eyes widened as cuts began to work their way through his clothing and to his skin. "No. Even like this, I'm useless. There has to be something I can do to help." Realization came to Hinata's eyes. "That's right. I never once tried to use my Byakugan during a reaction. Perhaps I'll see something." As Ishuikon prepared his next close ranged attack, the ethereal Hinata raced through the hand-seals. Her final seal was the snake with the right index finger extended. "Byakugan." Regretfully, her vision didn't change at all.

Naruto yelped in pain and gripped the side of his head. Not expecting such a thing to happen, Ishuikon luckily didn't take advantage of the opening and instead attacked Naruto's right side. Like before, the blow sent him flying back. The sudden ache confused Naruto greatly. "What was~ that?"

"Naruto-kun, what's wrong?"

"I don't know. My chakra started acting weird and it gave me a headache. It's gone now though."

Hinata's expression became fearful. "Gomen, it's my fault. … Wait~ … was~ it my fault. If so, then how?"

Kakashi vs. Honogurai:

Honogurai backed away and stood between Kakashi and the cliff. "Our mission is complete. Now I must wait for Ishuikon-sama's aid. Until then, I must occupy Hatake's time. I cannot fail."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at Honogurai's defensive position. "I don't think that he wants me to try helping Naruto and Hinata up there." Kakashi looked over to the area of raised stone spires. "I doubt that he will let me help those two out either." He turned his attention back to his foe. "That just leaves me with the option of getting through him by force." Kakashi began to back away to the trees to his back.

Honogurai stepped forward with a worried expression. "I can't let him run away."

Kakashi stopped after noticing this behavior. "Looks like he doesn't want me to run away either. However much I would like to do so, I can't leave the others just so I can escape. I will need to find a different way."

Honogurai watched Kakashi run behind a tree and right back out. The jonin then started up some quick hand-seals. He circled around with a hand crackling loudly from a concentrated coat of lighting chakra. "He did not heed my warning." As soon as the Honogurai blocked the Chidori, Shindou's vibrations became even faster. He didn't even have to attack to deal out fatal damage.

Kurenai vs. Zurui:

Zurui laughed loudly at how well the fight was going for her. Not only could she produce more water whips, but each one was surrounded in a field that restricts metabolism, blood flow, and chakra flow simply by getting close enough. She was curious to find out how the woman she was fighting would die. "Will she suffer hypothermia or have a heart attack. Maybe the backed up chakra will explode. I could simply drown her too. So~ many ways for her to die. Either way … it will be painful~."

Kurenai made sure to take deep breaths as she dodged the water in an effort to calm herself. "Now think. How can I get past her?" Kurenai's eyes widened when she noticed that her foe was breathing heavily.

Zurui dropped her water whips and stuck the tip of her sword into the ground for leverage. "What the? WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CHAKRA?!"

Kurenai had to keep in a deep sigh of relief. "It looks like all that gem did for you was increase how much power you could use. That increase in power increased the chakra cost too. In the end, you wasted too much on those attacks."

"Why you~." She smirked under the shadow of her hair. "Just kidding~." Six water whips shot out of the ground and wrapped around Kurenai's legs, arms, waist, and neck. "It's over … I win."

Shino/Kiba vs. Sagesumi:

Sagesumi glared down at Shino from slightly higher ground while taking in some deep breaths. "I can tell that all of you are nearly out of chakra. When my enemies are running out, the rate of absorption slows down. That's why I am feeling low myself right now. It's obvious with how hard you are breathing. If you just let me kill you, … you and your little buddy won't have to suffer anymore. It'll be quick."

Shino adjusted his glasses. "I have no privilege in determining Kiba's fate." With that sentence, Shino dashed for Sagesumi with kunai at the ready in both hands.

The woman gripped her sword tightly and held a flat side towards Shino. Just as he reached her, she slammed the weapon against him. She continued to push forward until he reached one of her pillars. "Your chakra won't last much longer like this." True to her words, Shino stopped struggling in just a few seconds. Sagesumi backed away and let the genin fall to the ground. Suikomu trembled in the air for a few seconds before Sagesumi took a deep breath. "Goodbye Shino Aburame." She took Suikomu and pierced straight through the prone boy.

Sakura/Sasuke vs. Gouman:

Sasuke's eyes widened when the flames disappeared and only a pile of his weapons could be found in the spot. "Where'd he go?"

"Genso Hirogeruken: River of Fire." He held his sword out and a stream of flames spewed forth.

Instead of leaping back like usual, Sasuke charged in head first. With his Sharingan activated, he had no trouble slipping past the flames. Sasuke dodged under a sword slash and started up his melee attacks. First was a direct punch to his face followed by another to the solar plexus. Sasuke leapt up with pushing off Gouman's shoulder for more height. This put Sasuke in a perfect position to land a damaging spinning kick. This forced Gouman to stumble back and fall. "You're not very strong without your ninjutsu. Your taijutsu is as bad as the dobe's."

Gouman's pupils and irises shrunk in his rage. "I'LL KILL YOU!" He began slashing wildly, which Sasuke had no trouble dodging. "Genso Hirogeruken: Burst."

Sasuke's eyes easily sighted the jutsu in time to perform a substitution jutsu. Luckily there was a tree close enough to go to. Unluckily, Sasuke only just then realized that the angle was so that the flames would obscure Gouman's and Sakura's positions. "SASUKE-KUN~!"

"Darn, I let him get by again." When the flames cleared, he could see Gouman holding Sakura tightly with his sword at her neck. "I can't do anything with him holding her like that."

Gouman laughed loudly. "HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS HOT-SHOT! NOW I CAN ATTACK ALL I WANT!" He leaned into Sakura's ear. "But first I need something to play with a bit to calm down. You'll~ be perfect." Her eyes widened in fear.

Naruto/Hinata vs. Ishuikon.

"Are you crazy Hinata-chan? That couldn't have been your fault. I just have … weird chakra."

"No Naruto-kun. There's a good chance that it was~ my fault. In fact, I'm hoping that it was."

"What are you talking about Hinata-chan?"

"He's coming." Feeling that Hinata had some kind of plan, Naruto put more effort into the defense. He worked much harder at blocking the onslaught of attacks. "I want you to pay close attention to your chakra Naruto-kun. I'll go slowly so you can recognize it."

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE PLANNING, BUT IT'S NOT ENOUGH!"

The ethereal Hinata used her hands to form the Ram hand-seal, causing Naruto's eyes to widen. "It's acting up again." She followed up with the Boar hand-seal. "Now it's doing something else." As Naruto knocked Ishuikon back for once, she formed the Ox seal. "Now it's feeling familiar." With the Dog seal, a smile grew upon his face. "That's it … I finally remember." She finished with the Snake hand-seal. With that done, Naruto charged in while preparing a wild swing.

"You fool." Ishuikon easily took advantage of the moment and used a quick slash to slice Naruto in half. "That's what you get for becoming desperate." His grey green eyes widened when a puff of smoke appeared and cleared to reveal a crate. He looked up to see the orange clad shinobi striking an imposing pose in the cart's wreckage despite his boyish face. "Since when did this brat have the chance to do the hand-seals for a Substitution Jutsu? He has only one hand." He refocused his vision to the back and noticed the family with the single clone guarding them. He smiled at this. "I can take them all out with one shot."

Naruto smiled. "So you can do hand-seals for me while I control the chakra. Can you try my best jutsu then?"

The ethereal Hinata smiled and nodded. "Hai. I never expected us to be able to do this." She lifted her hands and put her extended forefingers together in a cross shape.

"GENSO IGAMERUKEN: GREAT VORTEXES." One tornado for each of the four swirls along his blade shot forth with enough force to kill them all.

I just can't stop sticking you guys with cliffhangers. At least this time I gave you enough clues to know what is about to happen. That's only with Naruto and Hinata though. There are hardly any, if any, clues at all for the other four fights. (There's a clue for Kakashi, but it's in the type of sentence normally skimmed over.) As some might be able to tell, the fights will end next chapter, but that also includes a small plot twist even I didn't see coming until four days ago. Till next time.

Next Chapter: The Fourth Song.