A/n: I was going through a seriously emo period now probably due to hormones, stress from work and the fact one of my best friends has left the country. sob sob So the only thing that could possibly lift my mood now is to update my story and watch the reviews come in. I get my high from reviews so don't disappointment me, people!
This chapter is one of my favourite to write and you shall see why although the chapter title might have given away the clue. So sit your ass down and enjoy!
Many hugs and kisses to my reviewers: Shellzonfire, MaoAyanamipl, R. Voltaire, Black Wolf Jaganshi Lover and Taizen
Chapter 21 – Blood Eyes Only
"And then Kai was so cool! He was like 'Ray, take out its eye first!'"
"Wow! And then what?"
"And then! He was told me to –,"
"Max."
"Yeah, Kai?"
"Just shut up."
"…"
Silence reigned. For about ten seconds before a fidgety Naruto broke out of his sullenness and perked up again.
"Then what else did I miss?"
Charged by the other blonde's curiosity, Max continued on, talking enthusiastically about their fight while all Kai would do was groan silently as he rolled his eyes. Jade having caught his agitated gesture, chuckled lightly. She knew how much he despised being the center of attention even when the attention was due.
"Aw." she cooed teasingly. "Poor baby."
He glared at her but his thumping headache dulled his infamous glares, not affecting her even at least a bit. He knew he was loosing his touch when both Jade and Max do not yield to his glares. Well, not that his girlfriend ever succumbs to his glares anyway…
His weary gaze wandered the small space of Mayumi's cottage where Sakura moved from person to person attending to the wounded. Mayumi herself sat in silence, her shoulder already attended to while they recuperated from their fights hours ago. By now, daylight had penetrated the valley and they have not slept a wink yet due to the adrenaline rush from the battles. And Max has been retelling the same tale over and over again, first to Jade and Sasuke then to Naruto and Sakura when the other blonde regained conscious. Tyson and Ray did not help by adding in special effects of their own and versions of their expenses.
"Dammit…" he muttered. "My head hurts…"
"Hey, maybe Sakura could help." Ray piped in although careful to not raise his voice in his captain's state. "She had this method that cures migraines and muscle aches."
"I'll be fine." Kai replied sourly.
"You don't look fine." Jade offered innocently. He didn't even bother to glare at her, knowing it was useless anyway. Feeling sympathetic towards his pain, she slipped her hand into his, giving it an assuring squeeze under the table. "But from what I've heard from Max, you were quite impressive out there. I wish I were there to see it."
"It was nothing." he said. "Everyone did their part. Even Tyson."
"Hey!" the aforementioned boy shouted. "What do you mean 'even Tyson'?"
"It means that you finally decided to listen to my orders." the captain retorted.
"It was a life and death situation!" Tyson cried in indignation.
"Nevertheless, that was some quick thinking, Kai." Sakura said kindly. "However I don't understand what technique you could have used that would deplete your chakra that fast. The techniques you have learnt under Sensei Kakashi aren't all that strenuous on the body."
"Hn." he grunted, choosing not to elaborate.
Sakura cast a glance at Ray and he gave her a comforting smile to ensure her that the bluenette was always like that. An exchange that was not missed by many, save for the more oblivious ones.
"So Ray, Sakura…" Jade began casually. "Is there something you would like to tell us?"
Both of them were like deer's caught in the headlights when the question was asked and both were lost for words. They haven't even come up with how they were going to break the news to their friends. Sakura decided to take the first step then, moving to stand by Ray's side although still rather attentively and uncertain. The knowing grin on Jade's face made her blush slightly.
"Well, we've decide to –,"
"Do we have any ideas on what are we going to do now?" Sasuke interrupted suddenly, standing up from his seat. Everyone looked at him surprised at his abrupt question. Ignoring Sakura's questioning gaze, he continued to explain himself. "Shayena managed to escape. No doubt she would inform Orochimaru of our current progress and sooner or later they will move in to attack us if we stay here any longer. We need to keep moving and find Kai's trainer next. We can't afford to waste anymore time here."
Looks were exchanged but they all knew he was right.
"Well, I propose we leave today itself and head back down to village for supplies." Ray said.
"No." Mayumi said, speaking up from where she sat silently so far. "It'll be too risky for you to return to the village. Orochimaru would have sent men to watch the village for you. I have a much better idea."
As they listened keenly, she told them of a hidden passage way that lead through the valley and into the next mountain's caves before they would eventually find themselves on the other side of the mountains. The route would be a faster and more secluded way than to scale two mountains that would take them forever and vulnerable to attacks.
"However, I should warn you. The shortcut is riddled with missing nins, prepared to kill in order to survive. I usually would not suggest this route but right now, I fear Orochimaru poses a bigger threat than missing nins. You have no choice at the moment." she said seriously. "In an hour, you will leave. I suggest you pack your belongings now."
"What about you, Mayumi?" Tyson asked. "Won't you be coming with us?"
She sighed. "I'll head down to the village under the shelter of the night and remain there to protect the villages where necessary. If needed, I would hold off Orochimaru's men from coming after you."
To everyone's surprise, Ray stepped up then to face his trainer. "You could die, you know." he said. His bangs shadowed his golden eyes, hiding his emotions. "You could be risking your life for nothing."
Mayumi looked at him, her eyes never wavering. "You'll never know until you try. Now go. Prepare. You'll depart within an hour."
"Three Guardians have acquired their respective powers, milord."
Shayena stood with a darken cavern, speaking to the darkness before her. To the common eye, there was nothing there but to a warrior and a ninja, the defected Sannin stood before them, invincible as before.
"Which ones…?" came the low hiss.
"The Guardians of water, wind and earth. Only one more remains. The boy of fire." she reported. "He's the only one who has yet to obtain his training. With the exception of the girl of course."
"Have they learnt of the whereabouts of the other Ancient Guardian yet?" Orochimaru asked.
"Not to my knowledge, sir. They seemed to be more focused on regaining their powers in order to find their spiritual halves."
"I see. Hm…And the boy who is to wield the fire, he was the one who defeated Hane, was he not?"
"Yes, sir."
"I see."
Shayena frowned at the thoughtful tone her master was taking. "My lord, does the boy intrigue you?"
A short pause before he answered her question. "Shayena, each and every one of them intrigues me." only the Guardian of fire seems be more than he portrays….
"What shall our next move be? I shall dispatch men to the village and –,"
"No. It shall be pointless and a waste of power. Do nothing for now." Orochimaru ordered. Dismissing her surprised look, he said, "And take care of that wound on your neck. Your blood has awakened my thirst for blood."
Shayena self-consciously wiped at her neck, remembering when Jade's sai had pierced the skin just a little. She had no idea it was still bleeding. Looking up, she noticed her master was no longer there. Curious and a little suspicious, she wondered where he had gone.
Take this route from the valley and it shall lead you through the belly of the next mountain. Be careful though of the missing nins. Once you emerge from the caves, head towards the Hidden Sand Village where you shall find safety. The Kazekage has been informed of your arrival.
Tyson reflected back on Mayumi's departing words before she directed them to the hidden path no one had noticed before. So far they had walked continuously in silence with an endless sight of the path that drew on and on. On their left and rights were dangerously high cliffs, looking over the path. It was practically the ideal place for an ambush but Mayumi had told them no one but herself knew of the path for it was she who shaped it during her training. Overall, Tyson knew they could trust her.
"Hey, Naruto. I have a question." he said. "What is a Kazekage?"
"Well, the Kazekage is like a Hokage except he's in charge of the Sand village." the blonde ninja explained. "Last I heard, Gaara had taken over as the Kazekage. Darn him, reaching my goal first! Never mind! I shall have a battle with him when we get there and I shall defeat him again! Then this time I shall show everyone that I am more powerful than him and become Hokage!"
Tyson stared at him, sweatdropping as the boy erupted into maniacal laughter. "Okay then. I am sorry I asked. Hey, Sakura. I think you need to step in and whack your insane teammate here. Hey? Sakura?"
When he looked over at said girl, he was surprised to actually see her not paying attention to Naruto and was laughing to what Ray was saying.
"What the?"
"How dense can you get, Tyson?" Max laughed, striding up to him.
"What are you talking about, Maxie?"
"You remember, when Kai and Jade became a couple and how you found out?" the blonde asked.
"Yeah…"
"It's the same thing."
It took several seconds before the implication actually sank in. "Wait! You're saying that Ray and Sakura are a…?"
"That's right." Max grinned. "A couple!"
"Man…even in an unknown world, he still manages to get a girl!" Tyson exclaimed. "How does he do it?"
Max shrugged. "Beats me."
A grin broke across Tyson's face then as he realized what this also meant for those who were single and immature. He was running up to Ray before Max could even stop him. "Hey, Ray!"
Ray paused in his conversation and worried when he saw the big stupid grin on his friend's face. "Yeah, Tyson?"
"Why did you tell me, man?" Tyson said. "That you and Sakura were dating!"
The information was obviously still news to the remaining single and immature ninja. "WHAT? RAY AND SAKURA ARE DATING!!"
"When did you guys start dating?"
"Have you gone to second base?"
From a relatively safe distance, Jade felt a twinge of relief and sympathy towards the new couple as Tyson and Naruto continued to bombard the beet-root red couple with questions they shouldn't be asking.
"At least now they'll leave us alone." she said to Kai.
Although his only response was a nod, she knew she caught a hint of relief in his eyes as well. Ah, well. To each their own.
WHACK!
Looking over again, they saw that Sakura had finally put a stop to their interrogation by hitting them over the heads. Hard. Close by, Max was laughing his head off.
"Will you two just mind your own business?" she snapped in aggravation. "What Ray and I do are none of your business so stay out!"
As the two sulked and nursed the lump-forming heads, Ray grinned proudly at Sakura. "Way to handle them."
"I had practice." she said coolly.
The only one who has managed to turn a deaf ear to the other teens' antics and childish teasing finally came to a stop and announced to the rest to draw their attention.
"We're here."
Everyone looked at Sasuke ahead of the pack and finally at the dark cave that loomed before them. The path continued into the cave and was soon consumed by the darkness within.
Max gulped. "We have to go in there?"
"According to what Mayumi said." was all Sasuke said before he stepped inside.
Having no choice at all, the others soon followed. Somewhere near the entrance, they found two torches which they lilted with Sasuke's help. With two fires crackling comfortably and casting light onto the dark path, they continued on in silence now, deeper and deeper into the mountain
It was about an hours walk before they came up split junction.
"Okay. Now what?" Tyson asked.
"Heads, we go right. Tails, left?" Naruto suggested.
As soon as the words left his mouth, the ground began to shake and from above, the ceiling collapsed without warning. A dangling stalactite broke away from the ceiling and started to fall, tip first directly above where Tyson stood.
"Tyson!" Ray shouted in horror.
Tyson looked up and gasped to see the stalactite falling towards him. Without warning, someone pushed him aside just as the rocks fell over them. Eyes squeezed shut, Tyson expected to feel the rocks crushing his broken and battered body to death along with a lot of pain. Strangely, he felt nothing except someone above him pulling away as soon as the rumbling and falling rocks stopped.
"Are you okay, Tyson?"
His eyes opened and he stared at his savior. "Kai?"
Kai dusted himself off, having dove on the boy out of the way of the falling pieces and pushed them into the left tunnel for cover. He examined his teammate silently before determining the boy was fine. He turned his attention back to the original tunnel only to find it blocked and cut off by a wall of rocks and boulders.
"I am fine." Tyson said, standing up. "But it looks like we're stuck here."
Kai considered launching his blade to hack through the rumble but he suspected anymore tremors might cause another cave in.
"Kai! Tyson! Are you guys alright!?" Jade's voice called out from the other side of the wall.
Relieved to hear her voice, Kai allowed himself to breath easier while Tyson answered back. "Yeah. We're fine."
"Stand back, you guys!" Ray said then. "I am gonna use my powers and -!"
"No!" Kai called out. "Don't use your powers here. The walls are unstable. You might cause another cave-in."
They waited as there was a pause on the other side before they heard Max's voice. "Then we should start digging then."
"No. It would take too long." Sasuke interjected. "Mayumi said these tunnels are interlinked. You guys proceeds on. Sooner or later we'll find a way out. We will meet you on the other side of the mountain."
"Alright!" Tyson yelled back. "Be careful, you guys!"
They could make out sounds of reluctant moving as the group started making their way down the other tunnel. Tyson turned to Kai and propped his hands on his hips.
"Well. Looks like it's just you and me, Kai."
"Joy." the captain deadpanned.
"Let's get moving. The faster we move, the sooner we can get out of here." Tyson said, taking lead.
And in a very rare moment, Kai agreed with him.
"Okay…I spy with my little eye something….long."
"I am not playing your little game, Tyson."
"Aw... Come on, Kai." Tyson's whining bounced off the walls, echoing back at the two boys.
Kai ignored him, more focused on navigating their way through the dark tunnel. They had no source of light, relying solely their other senses. It took time for their eyes to adapt to the darkness and even then, they could barely make out their way.
"Okay. How about this then?" Tyson suggested. "I'll tell you something about me and you'll tell me something about you. Just between the both of us!"
"No."
"Come on, man…"
They entered a cavern chamber then and stopped, spoiled for choice at the numerous cave entrances that lined the walls and nature-formed balconies of the large cavern. Dim light came from the crystallized lining from above, giving off an allure mythical feeling to the cavern. Years of formation of stalagmites protruded from the slippery ground. Water drops slipped down from stalactites from the high ceilings, falling into the small stream flowing peacefully through the cavern.
"Wow…" Tyson murmured in awe. "What is this place? It's awesome!"
Kai suppressed a shiver running down his spine as he looked around. Something told him the shiver wasn't just from the chill of the cavern. "I think we're in the center cavern." he reasoned.
"This place is huge!" Tyson exclaimed, dashing forward to the center.
Something glimmering from a cave overhead caught the corner of Kai's eye and he saw a shadowed silhouette against the cave wall, holding something aimed at Tyson's unaware back. His eyes widened.
"Tyson, look out!"
An arrow was released and Tyson turned barely in time to halt the weapon with a gust of wind that blew it off course.
"What the heck was that?" he gasped in shock.
Several more other silhouettes emerged from the caves around them, surrounding them from above and effectively cutting off their escape routes. A quick glance behind told Kai that their entrance was blocked too by a black clad ninja wearing a headband that was badly scratched where the village symbol should be.
"Missing nins." Kai muttered in realization. He and Tyson moved back to back as they had been trained by Kakashi to do so.
"Mayumi warned us some of them would be in this area. But I didn't think there would be this many." Tyson said.
Kai agreed, mentally taking in their numbers and speculating their odds of fighting them on even grounds. Even then, Tyson's overconfident tone surprised him mildly.
"Heh. I say we can take them. What do you say, Kai? Unless, of course you are afraid of them."
Realizing there was no use rebuking his friend, the phoenix smirked and drew out his sword. "In your dreams."
"Well, well. What do we have here…?" a sinister voice chuckled from above. "Two little kids, wandering into our territory. And look! They have weapons too!"
"Look." Tyson shouted back. "We don't want any trouble! We were just passing through."
There was a pause as though the leader was considering their option. "No. You will have to do for now for supplies. Get them!"
"Now, Tyson!" Kai shouted, dropping down low as Tyson unwind his chains from his wrists.
Whipping up a tornado with his chain spinning at its core, Tyson struck out at two men at the same time, tossing them into a wall and knocking them out. Kai darted out and swiftly incapacitated the other two who tried to attack the capped boy from behind. From the overlooking balconies, more ninjas rained down on them.
Channeling his chakra into his weapons, Tyson flung the end of his chain out at one of them and wrapped it around the man's neck. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the man spiraling into a wall, head first. Spinning on his heel, he turned to check on his teammate and noticed that although Kai remained in motion, dodging and parrying attacks, his crimson eyes were searching for something or someone else.
He didn't have time to dwell on it as several more went after him and he summoned up more miniature hurricanes to deal with them.
Kai ducked on a left hook and elbowed his attacker in the face, effectively breaking nose and knocking him out. In one fluid step, he had moved on to the next. His attention however was on their surroundings rather than the battle itself as he searched every missing nin and shadows within the cavern.
Come on. Come on. I just need to pinpoint their leader…
Assuming the ninjas' leader had been the one to commence the attack of them, Kai had a general idea what his chakra signal was and what was all he needed to distinguish one man from the next. Kill the head and the rest shall follow.
Then he glanced to his right and he found what he was looking for. Merely standing on the edge of the battlefield, the man watched his men handle Tyson only to see them thrown aside and forced back by the combination of wind and metal. He was lanky and pale. His face was framed by gangly dark hair that fell forward without a headband to push it back. His eyes however struck Kai as odd for they were yellow and predatory.
The missing nin leader without warning straightened and sprinted into the fight himself. Kai realized he had a kunai in his hand and was ready to plunge it straight into Tyson's turned back. The bluenette was moving before he even realized it, reacting solely on instinct as he broke into a mad dash towards the intended target.
The knife was falling towards Tyson's vulnerable back when it met metal resistance in the form of Kai's sword.
CLANG!
The tip of the kunai scattered against the impact and the ninja leapt back to dodge the swipe Kai took at him to drive him away from his friend. Not letting up, the phoenix pressed his attack, forcing him further and further from the actual battlefield and onto a higher platform. The just when he thought he had the man on the defense, the missing nin switched to offense so fast that the teen could barely keep up at dodging the attacks. They leapt apart, creating distance to seize each other up.
"Impressive, boy." the man said.
Kai remained silent, quietly debating his next move. His sword remained steady in his hand.
"Hm, I see you're a silent one then." the man observed. Then his next words took Kai by surprise as he continued offhandedly. "You remind me so much of Sasuke."
Kai stiffened visibly and his opponent smirked to his reaction. "Sasuke?"
The man smiled. "The boy was to be my apprentice before he killed my mortal body and sealed my essence away."
Kai realized then who stood in front of him. The reason they were in Naruto's world in the first place. The one hunting them like dogs. "So you're him then. Orochimaru."
"Very good." the immortal ninja said with approval. "You do seem like a more level-headed boy than Sasuke."
"So whose poor soul did you kill to steal that body?" Kai sneered. He was trying to buy time so that he could map out his next move. If he ended Orochimaru here and now, they wouldn't have to deal with him anymore. Problem solved. "Why are you here?"
"I have an offer for you, young Kai." the man said.
"An offer?"
"As I have already told you, Sasuke was to be my apprentice. His power and…unique capability made him the perfect candidate. However..."
"He stabbed you in the back and was the reason you were stuck inside a box for what seems like eternity?" the blunette said sarcastically.
Orochimaru chuckled in amusement to the boy's feistiness. "No. However I have found someone else of more potential and I am looking at him right now."
Of all the things he had expected Orochimaru to throw at him, he had not expected this.
When the boy failed to reply, Orochimaru smiled sinisterly and held out a hand. "Join me, Kai and I shall teach you all I know and more. You'll become so much more powerful and no one can defeat you. You don't need your Sacred Spirit. Just me. Come now. Take my hand."
Kai's shoulders shook with the amused chuckle that rose from him and Orochimaru was taken back by it.
"What is so funny, boy?"
"You." Kai said with a humorless cold laugh. "You obviously underestimated me. Just like Boris did. I am not some simple minded fool who can be bought over with empty promises of more power. I know what you're really after, Orochimaru. You're looking for a new host, aren't you? And you think my body's ideal for you."
A frown appeared on Orochimaru's face, displeasure written all over his expression.
"Well, I am not interested in training under a pedophile. I'll have to turn you down." Kai said vehemently.
To his surprise, the Sannin smiled, revealing a forked tongue. "Even at the expense of someone you care for?"
"What are you talking about?"
"That girl…the one with the visions. You care for her, don't you…? What will you to do if…anything were to happen to her?"
Hand tightening around his sword, Kai glared at his enemy. "If you so much as lay a hand on her, I –,"
"Then you'll have to make sure I don't." Orochimaru sneered.
Crimson eyes narrowed dangerously into slits at the apparent threat presented. With a feral shout, Kai lunged at him without warning. His blade sliced empty air as Orochimaru disappeared from his spot. Blinking to make sure it wasn't an illusion, Kai turned when he felt the air stir behind him.
Reacting purely on instinct, he leapt back, narrowly dodging the attack from the yellow-eyed man. Several venomous snakes protruded from Orochimaru's outstretched hand and they flew at Kai, fangs snapping. Kai brought his sword up and their fangs sank into the metal instead.
"Impressive. Your instincts are sharp, boy." Orochimaru remarked. "But you'll need more than just instincts and skills to defeat me at the level you're at now. You need power and only I can give it to you!"
A dangerous smirk curled Kai's lips and if his teammates were to see it, they would know it was time to back off and leave the enigma alone. Either that or suffer a slow and painful road to oblivion.
"Power?" Kai scoffed, his eyes shadowed by his bangs weighed down by sweat. "I don't need your power. I have everything I need."
Kai lifted his eyes then and Orochimaru was shocked to see the all too familiar spirals marks that dotted the boy's crimson eyes.
Sharingan eyes.
Orochimaru recognized them all too well and his yellow eyes widened to see them at the command of one who was not an Uchiha. "Sharingan…?" he gasped.
It was not possible that this child had acquired the one power he so desperately sought!
Kai moved then, taking advantage of his opponent's shock. Sharingan flaring, he shook off the snakes, slicing their heads from their bodies and darted forward with blinding speed. Orochimaru barely had time to react in defense before the blade was closed in on his neck. Kai sidestepped the set of kunais and shurikens thrown at him and lashed out a kick to the man's ribs. Orochimaru blocked but Kai turned and slammed his other leg into the man's cheekbone. He noted with grim satisfaction the crack he heard, indicating he had either fractured or broken it. Orochimaru was thrown back, flying into a wall. He caught himself in midair, managing to gather his feet under him to absorb the impact before he could collide into the wall.
Kai smiled confidently. "How am I doing now?"
Orochimaru wiped his cheek, stunned to find his own blood on his fingertip before he leapt into a rapid series of attack. All of which Kai dodged and blocked.
Tyson risked a moment in his own battle then to check on where Kai was fighting the head of the missing nins and was greeted with shock.
"Hey, aren't those Sasuke's Sharingan? Since when did Kai have Sasuke's eyes?" he remarked in surprise.
Tyson was in shock and awe at the control his friend had over such a power for he has heard from Sakura that Sasuke's family heritage was both a blessing and a curse which relied on the user's stamina. Obviously Kai was no beginner to the Sharingan judging by the way he effortlessly remained a step ahead of everything Orochimaru threw at him, attacking and retaliating flawlessly.
But why would he hide something like that from us, his friends?, he wondered, feeling a swell of old hurt. After all they have been through, was it possible that Kai still did not trust them enough to tell them his secrets?
From behind, a missing nin slipped up to him, meaning to finish off the Guardian of Air with one swift blow. From the corner of his eye, Kai noticed and he cursed Tyson's lack of attention.
"Tyson, behind you!" he shouted, drawing his attention away from his own opponent for a moment.
As Tyson turned to deal with the threat, Kai's warning had cost him for Orochimaru moved in then, firing swift blows to the teenager's sensitive points. White hot pain exploded through his body and it was all Kai would do to not scream. His knees gave out and without warning, Orochimaru was there, gripping his throat.
Effortlessly, the Sannin lifted Kai, gradually cutting off his air. The lack of concentration and air dissipated the Sharingan and Orochimaru was once more pleased to be staring into pained crimson eyes. He drew the boy in closer, ignoring the pants and futile struggles.
"My. my…" he hissed as a forked tongue slithered out close to Kai's ear. "This is an unexpected turn of events."
From the battle field in the centre of the cavern, they could hear Tyson shouting for his friend but Orochimaru ignored him completely, trusting the missing nins to keep him at bay while he finished what he intended to do.
"KAI! NO!"
He grinned, revealing dripping fangs protruding from his canines. "Mark my words, boy. When the time comes and your power shall be too much for you to handle, you'll come to me and I shall be waiting with open arms."
"Don't…count on it." Kai managed to gasp out venomously.
"Oh. Then maybe I should leave a…gentle reminder then."
Tyson was pushing through the sudden waves of ninjas coming at him but without so much as a thought, he dismissed them all with a gust of wind. As they flew out of his way, his eyes widened in time to witness Orochimaru pull his captain in closer by the neck and sank his fangs into the exposed crook of his right shoulder like a vampire.
A flicker of shock washed over by pain marred Kai's face, his eyes widening as his body fell limp in the blood-thirsty man's grasp. Within him, the darkness lurched and spread like a virus, surrounding his heart and soul like a snake's wrap.
Kai gasped, wincing when he felt that familiar screech resonating from within. He could hear it in his ears and heart, piercing him down to his core.
No…
Satisfied, Orochimaru pulled away at last. He allowed one last lick over the wound he made on the teen's shoulder, closing it and lifting up the droplets of blood from it. Without having to look, he knew the mark that soon appeared where the wound once was.
He looked back at the helpless boy and smiled sadistically. "I am impressed that you are still conscious. Now, you and Sasuke will have something else in common."
Seeing Kai in his helpless state, a sight he was not used to, something in Tyson snapped then and his winds increased multifold without warning. His attackers were pushed to the walls and pinned down with a bone crushing impact.
"KAI!" Tyson roared, dashing forward. He launched into a leap at the man holding his friend captive.
With a simple flick of his wrist and without so much as a glance, Orochimaru tossed Kai aside as though he were nothing but a ragged doll. Tyson altered his angle in midair and maneuvered his body to cushion Kai as they both hit the ground hard. The air was knocked out from his lungs but Tyson managed to absorb most of the impact.
Sitting up, Tyson turned his attention to his friend. "Kai, are you alright? Answer me, man!"
Letting out a quiet groan, Kai slowly sat up and a pained gasp escaped him. His hand flew to grasp his right shoulder as he bit back the pain racing through his entire body, wincing openly.
"Kai?" Tyson pressed. When the phoenix failed to answer, he chambered to his feet and faced the man responsible for this. "What did you do to Kai, you sicko!?"
Orochimaru crossed his arms in front of him and smiled cruelly as he regarded the Guardian of Air loyally protecting his friend. "Something you will not understand unless you experience it yourself, boy. However, it would seem that you have more pressing matters to attend to now."
"What?"
It was then Tyson noticed the missing nins around them were gaining conscious, having recovered from the outburst of his power earlier. Thinking quickly, he scanned their surroundings and chose the closest opening to them. Looping his arm around Kai to support him, they staggered over the cave as fast they could. Once there, Tyson carefully lowered the bluenette to the ground, resting him against a pile of rocks and rushed back into cavern. Their adversaries had recovered and were gathering their bearings as to where their targets have fled and when they spotted Tyson reappearing at a cave hole, they lunged after him.
Tyson mentally prayed to whatever God watching over this world and launched a powerful attack similar to that of his Phantom Hurricane. Not at the fast approaching ninjas but at the ceiling above their heads. The wind smashed into the rocks, breaking them apart and sending them falling unto the heads of the ninjas. Several were caught in the cave in as falling boulders continued to create a wall that cemented off the cave the boys were in. The rest were left on the other side with no way of reaching them.
For now, they were saved and Tyson allowed himself to relax a little, although his powers had consumed a fair amount of his chakra. However at the moment, he had more important matters to attend to.
"We should be safe for now." he said. "Are you alright, Kai?"
Kai shifted a little and flinched. "I'll live." he replied through a hiss of pain.
"Good." Tyson said bluntly. "Cause you have a lot of explaining to do."
Dropping to his knees next to Kai, he studied the way Kai was gripping the shoulder where Orochimaru had placed his mark. The pain was apparent in the captain's eyes and that scared Tyson a little.
"What the heck was that just now?" Why didn't you tell us about your Sharingan, Kai?" he said, unable to keep the accusing tone from his voice.
Kai grimaced.
"When did you get it? How?" Tyson continued on, his anger building up. "Answer me, Kai! Why didn't you tell us, your friends! What about Jade? Does she know?"
Kai waited while his teammate ranted on, taking the time for the pain to dull a little and for him to suppress the flaring bloodlust in his gut. In the depths of his mind, a dark presence shrieked in retaliation to his efforts but he cut it off and let out a heavy sigh.
"Did anyone know about this?" Tyson stopped to catch his breath.
"Kakashi did." Kai answered quietly without looking at the other boy.
"What? You told him and not us, your teammates!?" Tyson half-shouted.
"I told no one, Tyson. He figured it out himself and he offered to train me in secret."
"Why?"
"For our safety."
"Our?"
Kai sighed and rested his back against the boulder, careful to not ajar his wounded shoulder. The pain was now simply pulsing dully and he could do nothing about it. "He knew Orochimaru will come after us, me in particular if he knew what I was capable of. He told me what Orochimaru did to Sasuke, about Sasuke's seal."
Tyson was surprised for he has not heard any of this before about the Uchiha. Kai glanced at him, noting his expression and sighed.
"The seal drains a person's chakra if they attempt to use it and replaces it with its own kind of power. However once the seal is deactivated, the power disappears, leaving the person longing for more. Like a drug."
"So to prevent Orochimaru from coming after me and hurting our friends, Kakashi trained me. Taught me how to control and hide my ability." the bluenette explained.
"Oh, that actually explains a lot for our previous fights. But then…" thinking back to his captain's fight with the missing nin leader, his eyes widened with realization. "That was him, wasn't it? That guy who has been trying to kill us? What did he do to you, Kai?!"
Tyson grabbed Kai's shoulder and pulled away the hand grasping the wound. Kai bit back a hiss of pain but could do nothing as Tyson's eyes fell on the black circular mark on his shoulder. Tyson gasped in shock.
"What the?"
"Leave it, Tyson." Kai said, shrugging off the hand and adjusted his shirt to cover the mark. "There's nothing you can do about it now."
"Yeah but…" with a frustrated groan, Tyson shook his head. "This is so messed up! I don't understand… How did you even come about the Sharingan to begin with? I thought only Sasuke's family could use it."
To this, Kai hesitated to answer and Tyson noticed. "Kai? What is it? Is there something else you have not told me? How did you get the Sharingan? Answer me, Kai!"
"Can't you just be quiet for a moment?" Kai said, glaring at him into silence.
When Tyson's mouth closed, he allowed his head to fall back and his crimson eyes gazed up at the ceiling as he pondered his next words. When he spoke, his tone was neutral, even maybe a little tired.
"Remember that game you wanted to play earlier? Let's play it now and whatever I tell you, stays between us."
Tyson had been perplexed of the stoic captain to suggest a game in a time like this but now he knew why. "But Kai!"
"Promise me, Tyson. That you'll not tell the others what I am about to tell you." Kai insisted. "They must not know…Even Jade."
"But…" Tyson chewed over his thoughts and finally with a heavy sigh of resignation, nodded. "I promise. Now what is so bad about you getting the Sharingan that you can't tell anyone?"
There was a pause from the other boy as he considered his next words carefully. How would Tyson react once he knew the truth, the true source of his unusual power not meant to be wielded by anyone outside the Uchiha clan?
"When we first came here…our Bitbeasts were lost to us. You lost Dragoon and I lost Dranzer. Our sacred spirits were not meant to be Bitbeasts in this world because of the prophecy. However there was something that slipped even my mind when we were brought here. I am sure it never even occurred to your mind since the finals of the last world championships. And with what happened after, I don't blame you."
"The finals of the last world championship…?" Tyson frowned, thinking back to what had transpired then. His eyes widened when he remembered Kai's battle against Tala.
Kai's words only confirmed his suspicions. "I wield two Bitbeasts, both equally as important and a part of me as the other. And when Dranzer was taken, I was left with a part of me missing and another slowly consuming me from within. Eventually…it manifested itself in the form of the Sharingan."
"Black Dranzer…" Tyson muttered. "You mean…the reason why you have Sharingan is because of Black Dranzer? But why?"
"Like I said, Tyson, Bitbeasts aren't meant to exist in this world. Black Dranzer was artificially created by Biovolt but it's still very much a part of me as Dranzer is. It needs me as much as I need it."
"Wow…" Tyson couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Is that why you didn't tell us? Because of Black Dranzer. I thought we were passed that stage already, Kai. I am your friend, aren't I?"
"This isn't about our friendship and whether I trust you. Black Dranzer will always be a personal and close issue to me." Kai said quietly. "And if you are my friend as you claim to be, then you'll understand why I didn't tell you and the others, even Jade."
Tyson flopped down next to his friend, still trying to digest what he has learnt. He stared into nothing. "So what happens now?" he asked after awhile. "I mean with that mark…you can't pretty much use the Sharingan anymore without putting yourself at risk."
"I know…" Kai acknowledged tiredly. "Tyson, what I've just told you…about my Sharingan and the cursed mark… no one can know about this. At least until I figure it out myself."
Tyson shook his head. "Fine. I promise. But…you're not alone in this, Kai. You know that right?"
Kai finally looked at his teammate and rival and caught the sincerity in the other boy's expression as he looked at him intently.
"Yeah…I know that."
"Good." without warning, Tyson jumped to his feet, satisfied they got that out of their way for now. "Now, can you walk?"
In answer to his question, Kai climbed to his feet, using the walls for support until he found stability from his own two feet. He nodded.
Nevertheless, Tyson saw the need to loop his arm around the other teen, allowing him to lean on him for support. If Kai wouldn't let him help him with his personal issues, the least Tyson could do as a friend was help him out where he could. Then side by side, they slowly but steadily started making their way through the tunnel.
For what seemed like hours, they traveled in darkness and in silence. An unusual feat for Tyson but Kai appreciated the effort the other made in order for him to recover in his strength. It wasn't before long they reached the end of the tunnel, the source of light from it a dead giveaway and heard familiar sounds and voices coming from beyond.
"Kai, listen!" Tyson exclaimed excitedly. "I think we've found the exit and the others!"
Kai focused more on the sounds of a battle raging as they crept up on the tunnel exit. "And they aren't alone." he noted grimly.
Sure enough, they emerged from a cave into fresh cool evening air and the sight of a forest that stretching far into the horizon of the setting sun. The cave has led to the edge of a short slope along the mountain side and looking down from it, they could see the others in amidst a battle with men in tattered dark clothes that has seen better days. They wore head bands although their village symbol has been scratched out.
"Missing nins." Tyson observed. So far no one has noticed their presence yet. "Do you think Orochimaru might be behind this?"
Kai scanned the battle quietly for awhile. Even though he was not using the Sharingan, he knew he could recognize Orochimaru's signature chakra anywhere now. And thankfully, he detected no wisp of the Sannin's presence.
"I don't sense him." he answered. "And judging by their movements, I don't think this attack was planned."
"Alright! Because it looks like they need our help!" Tyson declared before launching himself into battle with a fearsome battle cry.
The Bladebreakers knew Tyson's battle cry when they heard it and relief was apparent on their faces as he unleashed a powerful wind attack on the whole lot of ninjas.
"Tyson!" Naruto and Max both shouted in glee to see him.
Ray grinned at his friend's dramatic entrance but was quickly drawn back into the fight when a missing nin lunged for Sakura. Sasuke looked mildly surprised that the boy actually caught up with them so soon.
Jade, from the moment Tyson made his entrance, started searching the area for someone else and nearly threw herself at Kai when he leapt down to land behind her, effectively cutting down a missing nin in the process.
"Kai!" she cried out in relief.
"Hn. I leave your side for a few hours and you can't take care of yourself." he smirked, studying her over his shoulder. "Are you alright?"
A scowl marred her features but her relief overwhelmed her irritation at his comment. "I am fine. What about you? Are you alright? You don't look too good."
Keeping his face neutral and a void of emotions to keep her from suspecting anything wrong with him, Kai nodded. "I am alright."
She eyed him critically as though not believing him but the attack of two more ninjas drew her attention away from him and both got to work, removing their attackers swiftly and efficiently.
In no time at all, the ground was littered with unmoving bodies. And the teens started to fuss over their missing members in concern.
"Are you guys alright?" Max asked.
Tyson grinned, thumping his chest proudly. "Of course I am alright. There's no way some random ninja is gonna beat me that easily."
"How did you guys find your way out?" Sakura asked. "That cave was a maze!"
As Tyson gloated over their battle with the missing nins in the cave, he noticed from the corner of his eye, Kai subtly gripping his shoulder.
Tyson, what I've just told you…about my Sharingan and the cursed mark… no one can know about this…
Reluctantly remembering his promise to the phoenix, Tyson deliberately left out Kai's fight with Orochimaru and what had transpired during it.
"Wow, you two took on a whole bunch of missing nins all by yourselves?" Naruto's eyes were wide with excitement. "That is so awesome!"
"And your timing was impeccable as always." Ray added in with a laugh.
"I am just amazed he managed to survive without food for a whole day." Jade joined in with the teasing.
"Come on, Jade! Let's not go to that!" Tyson wailed. On cue, his tummy growled and everyone within hearing sweatdropped.
"Hey, we should get moving." Sasuke called from where he stood slightly apart from the pack. "It'll take us a while to get to Sand Village. Gaara would be expecting us."
"Let's go!" Naruto cheered.
"Race ya!" Max declared, breaking into a run along the path that led down from the mountain. "Last one there is a rotten egg!"
"Hey! That's not fair, Maxie!" Tyson and Naruto bellowed as they gave chase after the cheery blonde. "Wait up!"
"When are they gonna realize they can't get far without the rest of us?" Ray mused in amusement.
"When they drop-dead from exhaustion." Sakura answered. "Then we will be the ones who have to carry them."
"You mean the guys will be the ones who have to carry them." Jade corrected. "We on the other hand will be cheering them on."
Maintaining a steady pace from behind, Kai gazed at them, watching as Jade smiled mischievously to Ray's offended 'hey!' and joined in to Sakura's laughter. Ahead, Sasuke rolled his eyes and turned his back to them, stuffing his hands into his pockets. Kai's eyes then landed on the small of his shoulder blade where Kakashi had told him Sasuke's mark was.
How do you do it, Uchiha? How do you hide your pain and act so strong…?
His hand closed over his own mark, hidden by his shirt.
No one can ever know…
A/n: See why I love this chappie? Now lemme know that my efforts are not in vain and review!