A/N: All right, now that we are in the full swing of things, I'm going to give credit where credit is due. The creation of the Bijuu in these human forms was done in part by myself and Nostawen Allesiel. I'm certain that other human designs have been made for these creatures in the past and so it's not like I believe that it was just our idea, (I did so once in Free Fall) However, these particular renditions of the Bijuu were and are from our creative minds, and therefore, belong to us. Thanks.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Chapter 21
Time seemed to freeze over, as Sakura stared helplessly into a pair of unrelenting, ruddy crimson orbs. Her surroundings melted away, and it was as if the world contained only her and the two Bijuu males that stood in front of her.
The Bijuu's interesting state of dress, drew her attention. They were both ensconced in kimonos; Kyuubi's a rich onyx and deep burgundy thread. Shukaku's a dark amber and forest green stitching. Scrolling embroidery trailed down the center of each lapel, the same design was also emblazoned on the hems that nearly brushed the ground. The threads that weaved in and out of the material, was varying shades of the responding hues, lending each kimono an old world feel.
Each male carried an elegantly curved sword at their side, the hilts emblazoned with each Bijuu's crest. Shukaku's dark blond tresses was tied back into a low slung ponytail, that was swaying on the latent energy that embodied him like a cloak of wind.
Kyuubi's vermillion tresses was left loose, just like the previous time she'd seen him, except that now, the hair was sectioned off into nine miniature tails at the tips with silver clips. The way they carried themselves, was a lot like what she imagined great generals preparing for war would look like. That thought alone, chilled her to the bone.
How no one sensed the vast malevolent chakra entering the village, Sakura would never know. How she had almost strode past the two males, without noticing their presence was even more mind boggling. She gulped, and tried to pull herself free from the tanuki's fiercely tight grasp. He released her, a manic grin twisting his thin lips.
She quickly backed away, cradling her wrist tenderly. She knew that they could see the fear on her face.
Suddenly a flicker of color beside her drew her attention momentarily away from her enemies, and immediately she was shielded behind Itachi.
Her husband's entire body was taunt, his hand hovering over his shoulder, his fingertips curled around the hilt of his wakizashi blade.
"Aww isn't that adorable? That's one of yours, if I'm not mistaken," the tanuki shot to the kitsune at his side with a smirk.
Sakura noticed when Itachi lifted his other hand, and pointed two fingers upwards. Almost immediately the Bijuu were surrounded by ANBU. The crowds milling through the streets gasped and backed away.
A little girl was so startled by her mother's sudden jerk on her hand, that she lost her grip on her red balloon, a vendor just gave her. The balloon floated out of reach, even as the little girl tried to grab for it. Within moments, it surpassed the height of the surrounding homes. Almost immediately tears pooled in her limpid brown eyes, and the little girl started to sob loudly.
It was ironic but, Sakura knew exactly how that little girl felt.
Kyuubi met Sakura's fearful gaze with a dark smile. He tilted his head to the side, "Do you really want to include these people in our personal battle, little one?"
He didn't have to say it. Sakura knew a threat when she heard it.
Apparently Itachi also recognized it for what it was. He asked her tersely, "Do you know these men?"
Sakura hesitated, and then remembering her earlier resolve to tell Itachi the truth, she nodded without hesitation, "Yes, I know them."
"Who are they?"
"They are the something that no one would believe." Sakura told him in a halting, hushed voice. She knew that it was more than likely that he had read the report about her interrogation.
Itachi spared her a quick glance and in it, Sakura could see that he already caught on to what she was saying.
She knew what he had to be thinking. What was there not to believe? They were here, weren't they? She mentally cursed the Bijuu's horrible timing.
In the distance, a bell rang loudly, indicating that it was time for the next Hokage's ceremony. She was at a complete loss, at what to do.
Sakura knew that her time was up. She tried to shoulder past Itachi, but he gripped her elbow, and pulled her back.
The ANBU surrounding the Bijuu were suddenly joined by several members of the Konoha Military Police Force, including her father-in-law. She watched father and son exchange pointed looks. Her heart sank. She knew that Kyuubi and Shukaku were merely toying with them all. They could completely flatten the village without batting an eyelash. She knew that. They knew that. But the shinobi surrounding them were completely clueless.
If the ANBU attacked them, it would be very much like her trying to best a Guardian. Practically impossible, if that.
"So what will it be?" Kyuubi arched a brow at her, a fang peeking over his lower lip when he smirked at her.
"Please, let me go," Sakura begged Itachi almost desperately.
His grip only grew firmer. He replied coolly, his grip on her growing firmer, "No."
Fugaku announced in a loud voice, "You are causing a civil disturbance. We are here to escort you out of the village, however if you resist, then you will be apprehended and arrested. Will you come willingly?"
At that, the ANBU and the Military Police unsheathed their weapons and pointed them at the intruders.
Shukaku threw back his head and laughed at that. He nudged Kyuubi with his elbow, "Can I just kill a few of them?"
"That's up to her," Kyuubi pointed to Sakura.
Sakura wilted on the inside when she was suddenly under the intense scrutiny of the people around her.
She heard the hushed murmurs around her, "I told you, she was a witch." Or, "The witch is finally cursing us."
The shinobi merely waited for her to respond.
"If I cooperate with you, you'll spare them?" She was relieved that her voice didn't crack under the stress of her chaotic emotions.
"What do you think you are you doing?" Itachi asked her, in an emotionless tone that wrenched her heart. She could almost hear the fragile trust they'd been so carefully building cracking beneath the weight of these turn of events.
Sakura wished Hana was here. Somehow, despite everything, Sakura believed that the feline would know what to do. Here, the Bijuu had her backed against a wall she couldn't overcome alone.
In a choked voice she admitted to him, "I really wanted to tell you the truth. I'm sorry, but I have to do this..."
She didn't want to involve her new friends, or the man she loved in this.
Sakura swept her free hand in a semi circle, commanding the wind chakra to obey. Whispers tickled the lobes of her ears, and Itachi was suddenly pushed back by the force of a strong gale.
"Oh, so you will actually protect them..." Shukaku scoffed openly at her, "Interesting."
She held his golden eyes, her head tilting to the side defiantly. Lifting her hand, she activated her bond with the Guardians. Yellow liquid trailed down her arm, and she squeezed her hand into a fist. The chakra dripped, and created a pool at her feet. Her staff formed in her hand, and even as she moved to step forward, the vines were trailing up her neck, and curling in an intricate spiral over her cheeks. The whites of her eyes melted away, leaving rippling green behind.
Next she spoke to the earth, and jabbing the head of the staff towards the heavens, the ground cracked and fissured, expanding so that the shinobi surrounding the Bijuu had to back up several steps.
"Are you siding with them?" Fugaku demanded from the other side of the fissure she had created, "Just because you are my daughter in law, doesn't mean that I won't arrest you for criminal behavior."
Sakura ignored him, keeping her gaze locked with Kyuubi's blood red orbs. She didn't want to look back at Itachi. She had the feeling that the expression on his face, might possibly break her heart.
"I won't allow you to..." Itachi made to move for her again, but the wind spirits reacted before he could touch her. His hand was pushed back.
Itachi's eyes widened when he heard her whispered apology, "I'm sorry."
She looked over her shoulder at him, whirling malachite orbs brimming with tears. She shook her head, "You could have every shinobi in this village attack them, and it would do absolutely nothing but get them all killed."
"Who are they?" He asked her again in a gentler tone.
"So you didn't run home to tattle?" Shukaku mocked her, enjoying the pained expression contorting her features.
"I suppose we should have introduced ourselves," Kyuubi glanced over at the ichibi with an amused smirk.
Itachi pointedly ignored them, his sharingan activated orbs searching his wife's face. He chalked down their chatter as unimportant, and more than likely insane. There was a sad resignation that contorted her features.
"They are the Bijuu. Kyuubi-sama and Shukaku-sama," Sakura finally got out.
Itachi's eyes widened even further. She could see the disbelief in his countenance and she wilted on the inside. Who could blame him? She hadn't believed it initially either.
They were interrupted by a firm, stern voice, "Why are all of you just standing around and gawking?"
A flicker of white and red, appeared to the side amongst the crowd. Both Hokages past and present, stepped forward glaring openly at the ANBU and Konoha Military officers who hadn't moved to attack the unknown intruders.
Sakura slowly shut her eyes, this was going to get out of hand fast now that the Hokages had arrived.
Her friends that had been at the barbeque stand, including Sasuke appeared on the rooftops surrounding the Bijuu. Tenten and Hinata moved in to direct the civilians away from the scene. Word travels fast amongst shinobi, Sakura thought privately.
Shukaku mocked the cloaked nin surrounding them, "Yes, why aren't you doing anything about us?" His voice dripped with venom that promised death, blood, and violence.
Kyuubi remained silent throughout the entire exchange. Neither Bijuu even bothered to draw their weapons. Sakura knew they wouldn't need to.
Minato issued a swift command, "If you continue to refuse to leave this village. We will have no other choice than to ensure your compliance."
At this threat, Shukaku chuckled darkly.
Kyuubi's gaze trailed away from Sakura, to land on the Fourth Hokage. Red eyes studied Naruto's father, "Do not assume that you have the right to order me to do anything."
She sighed audibly. Sakura knew that, if things continued as they were, it would only end badly. Her eyes narrowed on the Bijuu in front of her, "You came here for me perhaps? Or am I being too arrogant in assuming that I could even be considered useful somehow?"
When Minato's stern gaze fell on her, she knew that if she didn't tread carefully, she really would be lumped in as a criminal along with the Bijuu.
Kyuubi stepped forward, the pressure of his chakra, pushing everyone all back. The pressure was so great, that some shinobi were forced down to their bellies face down. He said in no uncertain terms, "Whoever chooses to stand in my way, I will not have any mercy for."
This threat had all the shinobi tensing.
Everyone stood to their feet again, even after that display of power and readied themselves to attack at the Hokage's command.
Sakura wasn't going to have any of it. She faced the Bijuu again. Her sharp voice cut through the silence, "Enough of this!"
"I'm ordering you to remain silent," Minato ordered her briskly.
"Oh yeah? What if I refuse to? Are you going to arrest me? I'm sorry but this is getting to the point of being ridiculous. What are you going to do? Do you really plan on attacking them?" She crossed her arms, and met the blue eyes that were a mirror image of Naruto's azure orbs. The way his eyes narrowed on her, made her cringe on the inside. She knew that if she survived all this, she would probably be sorry for mouthing off. But in the grand scheme of things, it really didn't matter.
"Take her away and place her under house arrest Uchiha," Minato ordered Itachi coldly, who was still standing to the side of her.
Itachi promptly complied, moving to blockade her from the Bijuu. He commanded her abruptly, "Stand down Sakura, or I will be forced to make you obey."
When Sakura made no move to comply, his countenance hardened substantially. She shook her head and responded in a small voice, "I can't."
"This is your final warning," he started to reach for her again, but Sakura was still shielded from his touch by the wind spirits.
Sakura looked him straight in the eye, regardless of how she felt on the inside. She reminded him, speaking loud enough for all to hear, "This is the land of my people. I will protect it, how I see fit. It is my birthright."
"What in the hell are you trying to do Sakura?" Naruto yelled at her from his position on the roof to her right, "You should just do as you're told right now! Don't make it worse!"
A shadow of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips, but she didn't respond. She looked past Itachi's frame to the Bijuu beyond him. Her eyes pleaded with the powerful male to intervene. If things continued as they were, chaos would erupt even further at the price of the people around her.
Kyuubi ordered the tanuki, while gesturing to the shinobi behind Sakura, "Make certain that we will not be interrupted, any longer. This is growing tiresome." He could have easily slaughtered those who surrounded them, but he knew that if he did so, that the little shaman wouldn't agree to anything.
Shukaku rolled his eyes, but then lifted a clawed hand to comply. The tanuki made a grand sweeping gesture that caused the wind around him to rise and dance on his order. With a swift command, everyone was thrust back by the force of hurricane strength winds with the exception of Sakura. A shield of wind rose up, cutting off any possible avenues of attack. It encircled her and her opponent, the huge twisting vortex carving deep trenches into the earth and tearing into the buildings around them, and toppling vendor carts still laden with goods to the side, like a forgotten child's toy.
The tanuki floated upward, so that he could ensure that he got a good view of the proceedings.
On the other side of the wind wall, several of the shinobi threw kunai at the barrier, only to see their weapons fling backwards, to uselessly hit the ground.
Itachi had never felt so helpless in his life. He was berating himself for not reacting sooner. They were all forced to watch helplessly, a position that any shinobi worth his salt, hated with a passion. He could see his wife on the other side, trying her best to be brave. He could see the fear in her posture. Why did she have to be so damn stubborn? Why did she believe that she was the only one that could handle this volatile situation?
"What do you know about this Captain? I want you to report it now!"
Itachi glanced at Minato, who had just given him the order. He knew that the next words out of his mouth would sound ridiculous. He said them anyway, "My wife hinted that these men are in fact – the Bijuu."
"The what?" Minato Uzumaki looked at the Uchiha, arching a brow at him not bothering to hide his disbelief, "I think you'd best start at the beginning. Tell us everything you know."
In a halting, and uncharacteristically uncertain voice; Itachi complied and told him the little that he did know, along with the pieces of information that had occurred with Sakura's recent kidnapping.
Meanwhile, on the inside of the wind barrier, Sakura asked the Kyuubi, "So why have you come? Couldn't you have been more subtle?"
"If you hadn't escaped, and stayed put like a good little girl, then this wouldn't have happened," Kyuubi responded with a half shrug. He added, with a dark smirk, "I didn't realize that you would move to protect them from us."
"I don't know what happened in the past. Obviously, no one has bothered to tell me the truth. However, I've already told Shukaku-sama, that I refuse to be caught up in hate," Sakura slowly shook her head.
The grin he sent her, held a cruel edge to it that made her shudder. He tilted his head, as if he was studying a very interesting insect that happened to cross his path. Kyuubi started to stride towards her, making her want to shrink inside herself. When he spoke again, her skin crawled, "Oh? It will be very interesting to see if the shinobi will feel the same, after all this is done. No?"
"Are you going to tell me why you're actually here, or did you just come here to kill time?" Or me? She couldn't help the morbid thought from slipping through. Sakura adopted the arrogant mask, she had often adorned during her 'witch' days. She quipped lightly, "Obviously neither of you apparently have anything better to do."
A clawed hand gripped her upper arm and lifted her off of her feet. She winced when sharp pain shot down the length of her limb. She struggled, and even thrashed wildly in an attempt to free herself. Kyuubi sneered up into face, "You're just a baby, by shaman standards aren't you? I bet your chakra pathways hadn't matured, until just recently. You really don't know anything do you?"
Hopelessness wrapped itself firmly around her heart. There was no way she could face them, and expect to come out unscathed.
"Put her down," A firm feminine voice, Sakura hadn't heard in what felt like forever commanded fiercely.
Sakura was shocked when the Kyuubi complied. He released her, and her backside was the first part of her to meet the ground. Her staff fell from numb fingertips, and disappeared in a yellow puff of smoke. She felt bruised but Sakura didn't care, she turned over, still on her hands and knees, "Hana! Is that actually you? What are doing here?" Green eyes roamed over the cat, slowly sauntering towards them. She stopped several feet away, and sat on her haunches.
"Hana? Is that what you go by now?" Shukaku took that moment, to lower himself back down to ground level.
"The little traitor finally shows her face," Kyuubi smirked at the cat. He laughed, but the sound held no trace of humor, "I almost can't believe that you decided to steal one of Nekomata's bodies."
"She allowed me to borrow it," Hana calmly replied to the kitsune, "Not all of the Bijuu agreed with your ideas, Kyuubi. Are you getting so old that senility is starting to eat what little brains that you may actually have left?"
"I'm not here to play games with you. You know why I'm here. Don't force me to burn this entire village to the ground, to force the truth out of you," Kyuubi's fangs were starting to poke out over his lower lip.
"You would really go that far?" Hana asked the imposing male quietly. Her whiskers quivered, when she asked again, "You would destroy the ancestors of your children?"
"My children?" He scoffed openly at the feline, "They were just humans I gave power to because they swore to be useful to me. Isn't that how the Guardian's view their pathetic little shamans?"
"No, you wouldn't understand how we feel," Hana replied evenly, "You've long closed your eyes to the truth."
Sakura gaped, her mouth dropped open. She didn't care that she probably looked absolutely ridiculous. She stuttered, "You – you mean that you are - you are..." Her mind reeled. She told herself, that she shouldn't be surprised by this new piece of information. Actually, Hana being a Guardian, would explain a lot of things. It made sense now why only a shaman and the Bijuu were able to speak to her.
Hana spared her a swift glance. She told Sakura softly, "You do not belong here."
Before Sakura had time to react, the wind around her picked up and she was thrust back. Shukaku's barrier opened and she went tumbling out. As soon as she was on the other side, it shut closed.
Sakura ignored the shinobi that surrounded her. They had used her to get to Hana, she realized belatedly. She tried to crawl back towards the battle that she knew was about to be waged on the other side. Unlike her, Hana wouldn't give the Bijuu whatever it was that they wanted, even if it meant the lives of the surrounding populace. That knowledge in itself scared her.
Itachi stopped her before she got far. He gripped her up, and held her against his chest. She struggled, and cried out weakly, "Let me go!"
He didn't respond and looked at Minato Uzumaki, quirking a brow in askance.
Two trails of tears tracked down her cheeks, "Hana no! I can't. No, it's not... possible! I have to help her! She's my..."
Suddenly she was being shook. Blinking, she peered up into her husband's face. She shut her eyes, and when she opened them again, she was aware of his presence. The green melted away, leaving the whites of her eyes. The vines receded down her neck, disappearing completely.
Sakura looked at Minato, when he approached. He cleared his throat, and leveled a stern look at her, "Did you find out what they're here for?"
She shook her head, "No. I thought they were after me at first, because the Kyuubi was the one who had me kidnapped. But – it seems that I was just a means to an end. The only one who would know is..." she bit her lower lip and hesitated.
"Is...?" Minato insisted.
"Hana."
"Whose Hana?" He directed the next question to Itachi instead of her.
Itachi's visage became sullen. He pointed to the vortex of wind, "She is speaking of the cat."
"Why did you fail to report this information?" The Sandaime stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back. He added with a frown, "We could have worked to prevent this from happening."
"I didn't want to believe it. I hadn't wanted to accept it. But even if I had told you, there's absolutely nothing you could have done to prevent any of this," Sakura shook her head, and buried her face against Itachi's chest, wishing that this day was only a bad dream. Itachi's strong arms tightened around her, lending her little comfort. She knew that he was only holding on to make certain she didn't run off again.
"Why? You really do believe those men are Bijuu?" the Fourth Hokage asked her in a dangerously soft voice.
"I don't just believe it. They are the Bijuu," Sakura insisted fervently.
"That's just an old wives tale. They don't exist," Fugaku suddenly spoke up from the side, "You're behavior is unacceptable."
Sakura looked away from the shinobi surrounding her, staring into the depths past the wind blockade. She couldn't really make what was happening, all she could see was flashes of light, and blurred figures appearing and disappearing.
"Am I still under orders to place her under house arrest?" Itachi asked the new Hokage, his crimson eyes wintry cold with determination.
"Not yet," Minato held up his hand and shook his head, "She is the only person who knows anything about what's going on, even if what she says borders on ridiculously impossible."
Sakura straightened, and pushed herself out of Itachi's hold. He tentatively released her, while maintaining a sharp eye on her. Her hands curled into fists at her sides, and she shook her head, "Don't you understand? It's not ridiculous. I mean, look at that..." she gestured wildly at the spiraling wind, "Isn't that proof enough? Can't you feel that malevolent chakra that almost makes you feel like your going to suffocate? Didn't you see the way the so called powerful shinobi were forced to the ground by the sheer force of their chakra? They didn't even blink when they did it. Even you had a hard time staying on your feet, didn't you?"
"So you really were trying to protect everyone?" Minato arched a brow at her, folding his arms against his chest.
"They could level this place to the ground, and everyone in it. Of course I was trying to stop that from happening!" Sakura shot back heatedly.
Fugaku glared at her for her impertinence, but he held his tongue in the presence of the Hokage. He knew that Minato was trying to fish for information from the obstinate girl. He was regretting his decision to allow his son to marry the little troublemaker with every passing second. She'd been nothing but trouble, since day one.
Minato made several hand gestures, and immediately the shinobi on the rooftops, jumped down and gathered around them.
Sakura's troubled green eyes scanned the group of nin that included her friends, and lastly her husband.
The next thing out of the Yondaime's mouth shocked her, "Apparently I'm being thrown a learning curve on my first day as your new Hokage."
Silence ensued at his poor attempt at humor.
"According to this young lady, the men on the other side of the barrier, are very powerful opponents who may possibly have the ability to destroy Konoha. Well, she maintains that they are the Bijuu, but whether that's true or not, is unimportant right now..."
He turned to her again, "My son Naruto mentioned to me, that you have interesting abilities. Do you think that might be able to take down the barrier?"
"Well," she bit at her lower lip nervously, "It's probably impossible - but even if I can. What are you planning to do?"
"What do you think, Sakura?" Naruto moved towards her, a goofy grin curving his lips, "We're going to kick their ass so hard – they'll never step foot in Konoha again."
"This is our home too, ya know?" Tenten pulled her attention away from Naruto, "We have every right to protect it, just like you do."
"We'll show them the power of our youth!" Lee declared, splaying his fingers in a victory sign.
Neji and Sasuke both nodded at Lee's words, their faces masks of hard determination.
She looked around, noticing that everyone had gathered to help, including the squad leaders. A small ray of hope started to peek beneath the feeling of hopelessness that had preyed on her heart.
Even Ino was stepping up next to Shikamaru, Chouji, and Shino into a battle ready stance.
She knew that it was likely that Kakashi and Gai, was probably in ANBU uniform.
Everyone was there. She wasn't alone. Could they actually do this? She honestly didn't think they had a chance in hell.
Sakura breathed in a deep drag of air to calm her nerves. She met the Hokage's hard blue gaze head on, trying to clamp down on the nervous butterflies dancing in her stomach, "Are you certain that this is what you want?"
"We won't know until you try," was the immediate response.
"It's worse if you don't even bother to help, Ugly," Sai quipped at her, from beside Sasuke.
Despite everything going on, Sakura managed to roll her eyes and chuckle hoarsely at the stoic nin's ridiculous attempt to encourage her.
She peered over at Itachi uncertainly. He slowly dipped his head at her in agreement, and finally Sakura stepped forward. This time, she didn't bother to summon her staff to her, instead she only activated the bond. As the leaves wound up her face, spiraling into an intricate curling pattern over her pale cheek, she shut her eyes and called upon her link with the Guardians.
Will you help me?
Warmth curled through her in response to her plea. Stepping forward, she held up both hands, when she was reminded by the voice of the great bird, Did you not make a pact with the elemental lords? Do not forget who you are child.
A small smile curved her lips, and she nodded even though the conversation was going on inside her, drawing a few strange looks from the kunoichi and shinobi standing around her.
Sakura almost smacked her forehead with the heel of her palm. Of course, the elemental lords had already promised to help her, if she ever asked for it.
With renewed hope, Sakura's trembling stilled, and she ignored the fact that Hana was still fighting alone on the other side. From deep within, Sakura tugged at the bond, and within seconds Lord Sussurus answered her in his hurried, wispy voice, My aid is required?
Yes, please. This barrier of wind before me, I need it to come down so I can pass.
The silence in her soul, nearly engulfed her senses.
Before her, the wind slowly started to die away and slow down.
"She's actually able to do it," Tenten murmured in a hushed voice.
Immediately the Hokage, starting to throw out orders to the nin. Even the Sandaime was readying himself for the impending battle.
However Sakura was oblivious to all this, as the whispers from within the Guardian's sanctum in her soul, continued to speak to her. The breeze around her picked up, and the swell of voices arose from the earth, making the shinobi surrounding her with the exception of Itachi and team seven feel nervous.
Unfurling her fingers, she splayed her palms out, listening to Lord Susurrus' soothing airy words to her.
The barrier flickered as if to protest, and finally, the swirling gale like winds stopped. The whispers slowly ebbed away as if they'd never been.
As she came back to her senses, she could feel the flare of chakra around her, as the shinobi started to summon various jutsus to ready for an all out attack.
Sakura looked past everyone, searching for Hana. Her breath stilled in her throat, when she seen that Kyuubi had the feline by the neck, her furry body limp in his clawed grasp.
"Hana!" Burst from her throat, and surprising the nin around her, she sprinted past them.
A hand hooked around her midriff, holding her back.
"Sakura, stop it!" Naruto pulled her back, "If you run in there, you'll be in the middle of open fire."
She struggled wildly, panic rising exponentially at the sight of the injured cat. Sakura kicked out, and started to continuously static shock the blond trying to hold her down, to force him to let her go.
He hissed in pain, at the sudden and unexpected attack from the diminutive female.
When he was just about to let go, Itachi grabbed Sakura by the crook of her elbow, and pulled her towards him. Itachi's hold on her was tight and relentless. He commanded her harshly, "If you don't behave, I will be forced to ensure your obedience."
Sakura's flailing limbs finally slowed, and a weak whimper left her throat.
Kyuubi's vermillion orbs met hers, and a feral grin slashed his lips. He flung Hana back, and Sakura could only watch the cat's body hit the ground. When the feline didn't move, Sakura shut her eyes. She was too late.
She could hear the various jutsus being released, and she winced when several powerful explosions went off.
Afterward there was complete silence as the smoke cleared.
Her eyes openly slowly. She peeked surreptitiously through the veil of her lashes. She was relieved when she spotted Hana in the same spot she'd landed in, after Kyuubi had tossed her. That's when she noticed that the Bijuu were still standing there, both smirking openly at the nin who had attacked them.
Sakura watched helplessly as the shinobi attacked in full force. They all charged at once, converging on the Bijuu like a tidal wave. Even Itachi had released his tight hold on her to take part of the battle.
One by one, Shukaku and Kyuubi knocked them back like flies. When the second wave of shinobi witnessed that their attacks were almost completely useless against them, they hesitated. Neither Hokage faltered, but they too, were eventually stopped in their tracks.
Sakura noticed that Itachi held back, and hadn't charged in after them blindly.
Shukaku strode towards Sakura, almost nonchalantly, as if he were merely taking a leisurely stroll in the park.
Kyuubi fell into step behind the ichibi, only stopping to scoop up the fallen feline.
Itachi quickly realized that they were heading straight for Sakura. Apprehension gripped and twisted his gut, when he could seen the manic glint in the blond one's eyes. He was starting to believe that they were exactly what Sakura said they were.
The simple fact that, the redhead had backhanded Minato Uzumaki, like the powerful nin was just a green genin out on his first mission, cemented the idea in his mind. Never mind, that Sarutobi had crumpled at Shukaku's feet, like a paper fan. Many talented ninja lay unmoving, from just one blow from the mysterious males.
He unsheathed the wakizashi blade, and used chakra to spur him towards Sakura. He knew that anything he tried, might cause a distraction, if he was lucky.
Itachi could see the cruel amusement shimmering in the blond one's eyes. The one Sakura had called Shukaku. He quickly pulled off a simple series of hand signs effortlessly, even with the hilt of the blade in his hand. He released a series of fireballs to rain down on the two Bijuu. He knew that Sakura might get upset at him, since the redhead held Hana captive.
"Run," he told her desperately.
"I can't do that," Sakura replied softly, shaking her head, "I can't leave everyone to face them alone. Especially when it's my fault they're here."
Itachi was about to demand that she listen to him, when Shukaku was suddenly in front of him. Even with his sharingan activated, Itachi wasn't entirely able to follow the speed of the kitsune's arm. Clawed fingertips gripped him by the throat and lifted him bodily off of the ground. He choked, when he realized that he couldn't breath. The weight of the chakra in his attacker's grip was stifling every nerve ending. The sword in his hand fell from his grasp, and hit the cement sidewalk with a loud clang.
"Kitten, I'm growing bored of this game," Shukaku admitted to her in a disinterested tone
Sakura's green eyes flit between Hana and Itachi, knowing that his words didn't bode well for them. Fear licked at her insides. All thoughts seized up even as she pleaded softly, "What do you want from me?"
"Will you do as I say?" Kyuubi inquired icily.
"Whatever you want. Just don't hurt them," Sakura agreed, splaying her arms outward in supplication. She didn't know what else to do.
"Don't... do it," Hana's raspy voice suddenly commanded, the half conscious feline turned her triangular head in Kyuubi's arms, her golden eyes peering at Sakura blearily, "Whatever happens to me, don't..." The cat's eyes shut again, her tiny body quivering from the effort of speaking.
Sakura hesitated. Kyuubi could see the contemplative look on her face, and so he decided to finally lay his terms out completely, "Your obedience – for their lives. You are free to take it, or leave it. However, I assure you, if you so choose to refuse my request. I will not only make you watch as I kill these two, I will raze this city to the ground..."
"Fine. I'll do whatever you tell me to do. But if you don't put them down right now," Sakura could see Itachi's eyes were starting to close from the lack of oxygen, "I won't do what you want, even if you threaten to kill me and everyone else."
Shukaku's golden eyes widened in disbelief. He hadn't thought that this would be so easy. He looked at the fox, "She's serious."
Kyuubi glanced at the ichibi, and nodded. The Bijuu set their captives down. Sakura was relieved to see Itachi's chest rise with his next breath.
"What do you wish of me, Kyuubi-sama?" Sakura averted her gaze from her husband, to rest momentarily on Hana.
"Where's the gate hidden?" Kyuubi started to stride in her direction, his movements fluid and precise.
"The gate?"
"Yes, the gate," Shukaku interjected coolly, while following closely behind the red headed kitsune.
Confusion knit her brow. And then, her mind caught up with what they were asking her. Her aunt Koharu had told her something she'd never forgotten. Even if most of the legend she'd been told wasn't true, there was one thing, that seemed that it was indeed true. The shamans were meant to guard the gate. The gate, that she had once believed the Bijuu guarded.
She bowed her head, her bangs shielding the look her eyes from them, "You want me to open the gate, I take it." Her aunt had mentioned as well that she was the key to the gate.
"It seems that you do understand some things," Kyuubi remarked idly, and then, "Yes. Take us to it."
The idea of taking these spirits to the shrine, made her balk on the inside. She looked again at Itachi, and she steeled her nerves, for what must be done. Sakura tried to quell her nervousness when Kyuubi finally came to stand in front of her.
She gazed up into his stern countenance, and finally relented, "The altar is there." She pointed in the direction of the shrine, "At the top of the hill."
Shukaku gave a low whistle, "And to think, we were so close all this time."
"The Guardian kept it well hidden. But, that is to be expected of one, such as she." Kyuubi reached for Sakura, easily picking her up to hold her against him. He wanted to move her away, so that the shinobi could no longer interfere with his plans.
Sakura shut her eyes when Kyuubi started to run forward, and the scenery around her started to blur and meld into a melting pot of greens and browns. It reminded her vaguely of when she traveled piggyback style on Itachi's back, but the Bijuu were able to move much faster than a shinobi.
When they stopped, Kyuubi remarked idly while surveying the small shrine, "Quaint little place you have here."
The kitsune set her down on her feet, while asking, "So where is it, little one?"
Feeling a little unsteady, Sakura forced herself to walk towards the stone dais. She shut her eyes tightly, when she felt the bond throb in protest.
She stumbled, and nearly fell. A firm hand gripped her arm, steadying her. Sakura looked up into Shukaku's face, surprised that he hadn't just let her fall head first.
He truly was capricious by nature, she thought to herself privately.
Turning, she continued the trek up the hill. She pivoted on her heel to face the Bijuu, "This is it."
Both spirits were quiet as they stepped onto the gray stone, only to peer down thoughtfully at the surface.
"It is interesting that you would betray your birthright, for such a small cost, such as the lives of others," Shukaku suddenly turned to assess her, a thoughtful light in his golden eyes. "Over the centuries, your people kept this location secret at a much higher cost than this."
"Why was it so hard for you to find it?" Sakura inquired curiously, trying to ignore the prick to her pride.
"That cat you call Hana. She is a Guardian, who used her abilities to keep this place safe from our eyes," the Kyuubi openly admitted.
"You do realize Kitten, that you gave away the secret to protect the enemies of your kin," Shukaku continued to press in an attempt to sate his curiousity, "Why? Why would you do it?"
Sakura only smiled at him, her mouth curving into a grin full of melancholy, "I've told you already Shukaku-sama, that I wasn't going to be caught up in your cycle of hate. Maybe I've done something horrible, but if you hadn't noticed, we aren't the people of the past. I couldn't just stand by, and watch you slaughter everyone because I refuse to give you what you want. That's just not how I work."
"Enough of this idle chatter. Come here," Kyuubi crooked a finger at her, and pointed to where wanted her to go.
She sighed softly, before going to stand beside him.
Sakura didn't even bother to react outwardly, when red tendrils of chakra started to snake around her, gripping her firmly and lifting her up off the ground.
"So this is why you didn't want to kill me," Sakura voiced her thoughts out loud.
Neither Bijuu responded. Soon, tendrils of yellow, intermingled with Kyuubi's crimson strands of chakra. Her pupils dilated with shock, when it felt like every nerve ending was starting to catch on fire.
Her scream echoed and reverberated throughout the valley.
The agonizing pain, twisted and tore at her muscles. Her body quivered and she fought back the cries that wanted to rend free from her throat. Her eyes shot open in shock when the next spasm that ricochet through her body, only to see a bright light encasing her frame, and engulfing the entire dais.
The earth began to shake, and a miniature quake shook the altar. The stone platform cracked, a long fissure splitting across the rock diagonally. The pillars where countless ceremonies had been performed, crumbled and fragmented. The pieces fell apart and rolled away until there was nothing left of them but a memory.
The entire populace of Konoha gazed up to the heavens, when a bright light shot upwards into the heavens, the luminence intertwining with bright tendrils of saffron chakra.
Itachi had heard his wife's pained cry, and forced himself to fight off his unconscious stupor. He sat up and looked around, noting the ensuing chaos, feeling slightly disoriented. The Uchiha reached for the cat who was still knocked out cold. He picked her up, and held her in his arms. He noticed that the people were gathered in the street, looking up at the sky. His obsidian orbs narrowed on the radiant light beacon that stretched and disappeared behind the clouds.
A gasp broke from every pair of lips, shinobi and civilian alike, when the sky suddenly cracked and opened.