The Way to Your Heart - The Long Way Home
DIsclaimer: I do not own Naruto or anything related to it, yada, yada,yada. Don't own anything except my crazy ideas. Naruto belongs to Hinata and Hinata belongs to Naruto. I just take the characters out to play with the for a bit. I do this for fun and not for any profit.
"Characters Talking"
-Characters Thinking-
{~Flashback voice/Memory~}
~Flashback~
-Kurama-
***Dreamscape or Mindscape***
Jutsus
AN: It's Finally here! First. I'm sorry it took forever, IRL got in the way and had a bit of a block on this chapter too which is battle heavy and very important..I wanted it just right but it kept getting away from it. It's still not perfect in my view but it's been too long. (No more sad kittens.) Please let me know what you think. It's 10,000+ words of content/omake without the AN, to make up for the time..
As always, thanks to all my great reviewers and followers! Thanks to all my new followers and those who favorite'd my story. I really appreciate you and all the feedback. I really hope you like this chapter. Let me know. Review!
Thanks to laryssa1234 for the new cover.
Thanks to: neostardustdragon101, Guest, Dragon Man 180, Solvdrage, Darkangel665, Guest2, Chewie Cookies, mrenteria99, OfficerShadowcat, pterofighter, saiyanvegeta1648, laryssa1234, moose892000, toothpastewasabisauce, RavenShadow, NarHina, Twigofspite, SpiceyWifey, Guest3, me, theblueswordsman, Guest4, bh18, Hinatasgreatestfan, Agnivesh8085, Guest5, That pansy, unipei, Guest6, Unknown, nightwind83, scarlettravencrove, Boublues, Crimson Hawk Wolf, agikiz2sick
Review = Feed the Muse ! Now more than ever. Please, please!
Chapter 24: The Storm
Before-
The blond open his eyes as the morning sun hit him. -Damned Sun-
He turned in bed and pulled the covers over his eyes when it hit him.
-Shit! The Sun's out! I'm late! Shit! Kakashi sensei's going to kill me-
He ran by his morning routine as he kept repeating to himself. --Damn, damn, damn!-- and ran down the stairs to find Tsunami making breakfast for the brat who was still trying to get some sleep resting his head and arms on the table.
As he got to the door, he heard Tsunami call him
"Naruto, good morning!"
"Morning!" He opened the door but kept hoping in place as he looked back. "Gotta run!"
"Wait! Don't skip breakfast."
"I'm late, gotta go." He turned towards the door as his stomach grumbled in protest.
"You should not skip breakfast. I made plenty. Oh, I almost forgot. Here's a letter from your sensei."
Naruto finally stopped. "A letter?" He turned to Tsunami once more who came close and gave him the envelope with a warm smile.
"I made plenty for both of you. It's just fruit and pancakes but the fruit only grows in Wave."
"I'm sure they're great!" She had such a mom way about her or how he imagined a mom to be, he just felt guilty for having to leave.
"Then sit down, once you finished reading the letter." She turned and went back to the kitchen.
The blond stared longingly after her. -I wonder if my mom would have been like that.- He sighed, -The letter!-
He opened Kakashi's letter and was pleasantly surprised.
'Yo! I let you sleep in for your hard work with the clones. You were looking pretty drained yesterday. You have been making lots of clones, remember that clones suck your chakra. Meet us at the bridge,when finished.'
Naruto was surprised his teacher noticed he was feeling run down. -I wished he had let me know last night before the morning freak , well. Breakfast here I come!-
He walked to the table and sat across from Inari. "Morning."
"Ugh, It's the big damn hero, blah, blah."
"Inari! Where are your manners? Either you behave or you go to your room without breakfast."
Inari sighed. "Yes, mom. Morning hero."
Naruto did not want to ruin breakfast with miss Tsunami and decided to ignore the kid's insult then decided to turn it around.. "It's future Hokage of the Leaf. 't get confused." He fake smiled.
"Ugh, you sure are cheery in the morning."
"A future Hokage has to be ready for everything!"
"Do you ever take a break."
"Nope."
Inari rolled his eyes as his mother returned and they ate in silence. Naruto enjoyed the meal despite the awkward silence. It was homey and he loved it.
"Thanks! It was great!"
Tsunami laughed. "Thanks Naruto. You have a very good appetite but this is simple food."
"Simply great. I liked it!"
She laughed as she went to the kitchen to clean up.
"Don't you ever let up, your laying it kind of thick."
"I ain't lying. The food was great." The blond sighed. "Your mom is very nice. How did she end up with a brat like you?"
"We don't need your heroics or your bullshit! Just shut up and leave us alone. You don't know anything."
"I know that you should respect your mother!"
"She's my mother not yours. Stop buttering her up. Leave us alone. Go cry to your mama!"
Naruto stood up so fast his chair flew back. His hands curled in fists and trembled. His vision darkened and Inari started to sweat from the look the ninja gave him.
"What's wrong?"
Naruto saw Tsunami out of the corner of his eye and took a deep breath to try and calm himself. "Nothing, Sorry, the flavor almost knocked me out."
Tsunami, looked at them for a bit, then smiled as Naruto sat down, and returned to the kitchen,
I don't lie. What's your excuse not to tell her thanks!" Naruto whispered.
"Shut up!"
"Oh, I know. Pity the whiny kid.I know what happened to your dad and that's not an excuse!. You should be ashamed to disrespect him and your mom like that."
"Shut up! What do you know? He got himself killed like an idiot. He was an idiot! Heroes are idiots that want to die and don't care about shit! He didn't care about mom and he sure didn't care about me!" Inari screamed.
SLAP
"How dare you!" Tsunari sudden appearance took them by surprise. "Your father loved you more than anything! How can you say that? He died for us"
Inari turned back to look at his mother. Tsunami's tears were rolling down her face, her right hand trembled and she held it with her left one.
Inari's eyes widened and he paled. He raised his hand, held his cheek for a minute then ran out of the house.
"I'm sorry to ruin the meal." Naruto looked down apologetically.
"It's not your fault, Naruto. He's getting worse and I don't know how to reach him anymore. They were so close before and now he can't even stand to hear his loved us both." She looked at her hand. "I never slapped him."
"Don't worry, I'll go get him."
'Eh?"
"Leave it to me. You'll see. I will bring him back."
Naruto ran outside, before she could say anything else and followed the brat to his tree hideout at the back of the house. He easily walked up the tree where he heard Inari.
The kid sat on the floor in the corner with his knees bent, arms crossed over his knees and head buried in his arms. He was crying but glared up at Naruto as soon as he heard him.
"Leave me alone!"
"Can't do that, your mom needs you back."
"No she doesn't! Go do your heroics, you big damn hero! Go die and leave me alone!"
"Can't do that. I can't die until I become Hokage, best Hokage even. So, no can do."
"Ugh, you're such a cocky asshole!"
"And your such a annoying little turd."
They glared at each other for a while, before turning their heads in the opposite direction. After another long silence, Naruto turned.
"Come on brat. Your mom needs you back."
"She doesn't understand. She still defends him. How can she still believe him? He was so stupid."
"Your father did what he thought was best. I don't think he wanted to be a hero. He just wanted to protect you."
"Stupid."
"My godfather says, people mess up. Fathers don't know everything and can make mistakes. Your father did what he thought was best at the time." Naruto grabbed his belly unconsciously. "Even if it kind of screw you over or makes your life hard. That doesn't mean he didn't love you. He wanted to protect you and the town. I doubt he wanted to die, but he was willing to do it for you and your mom.."
Inari sniffled.
"He would be sad that you don't want to remember him, or you take it out on your mom."
"I don't."
"She was crying too, you know. Big fat tears. I'm sure she feels bad, lonely.
"Shut up!. I'm gonna talk to her." Inari stood up quickly and went to the door. "Don't look so smug, you big damn hero. Stay here."
"Whatever, you damn brat."
Naruto saw Inari climb down and go through the back window into his house.
"Why does he have to make everything so damn hard."
He walked down the tree and used the same open window to get in the house, when he heard murmurs, then Tsunami scream from the front of the house.
Inari was already outside before the blond could shout for him to stop. He ran outside and saw a bunch of mercenaries surrounding them. A couple had grabbed and were dragging Tsunami away. Inari was trying to punch the ones around him as a big guy with a big sword laughed.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Two clones went to help Inari and two other clones tried to follow the ones with Tsunami, but the guy with the big sword cut them in half, popping them. The two mercenaries dragged Tsunami away. Two more came after Naruto.
Inari made a break for it, thanks to the clones and ran. The big guy smirked then went after Inari, signaling the others to attack Naruto.
-What a brave asshole, going after the small kid-
Naruto sent a clone to follow Tsunami and went after the ones that stayed behind with a kick, fist combo.
The blond made a couple more clones, then threw a pepper bomb seal and left his clones to clobber the idiots and tie them down, before following the big guy. They looked like small fries
-NH-
Once away, Inari tried to turn to go after his mom, but the big guy cut him off.
"Hey, where do you think your going, you little shit!" The big guy sheathed his sword as he ran.
Inari tried to outrun him, but the mercenary reached and grabbed the boy by the scruff of his collar, laughing at the boy's struggles.
Inari turned and bit the guy on his left hand. The big guy slapped him with his right, then threw him to the floor. Angrily, he drew his sword.
"Damned brat! I was going easy on ya! We got your momma, we don't need you. Besides we'll have more fun with her."
"Don't touch her, bastard!" He glared.
The guy kicked him and laughed again. "What you gonna do punk? You a hero like yar daddy?"
Inari started to cry in impotence."Then die like yar daddy! Ha!" He rose his sword over the Inari's head.
Inari stood frozen in fear, tears going down his face. -I'm going to die!-
Suddenly a punch hit the guys jaw and he fell down dazed.
"Guess who, asshole? It's the big damn hero!" The blond turned and looked at Inari. "Figures, he has a glass jaw. You okay? Oi?"
Inari could not say anything and just stared at the blond ninja. Suddenly he pointed behind Naruto to the big guy standing back up.
Naruto turned "Coward, fighting women and children!"
"You'll pay for that, you shit. Fear my sword." The guy started swinging his big sword back and forth menacingly in front of him. Twirling it like it weighed nothing. "You will die painfully!"
Naruto looked at the guy, rolled his eyes, shook his head slightly and very quickly started condensing blue energy on his hand.
The man took one step and repeated. "Die!
"RASENGAN!"
The Rasengan hit center mass and the swordsman flew back unceremoniously, until he hit a tree and fainted dead on the spot.
"Am so scared…" He said theatrically -Quick draw! Wait until I tell Ero-sannin about this!- The blond smiled. -I'm glad he insisted until I could do it one handed-
Suddenly the memories of his clone hit him and his eyes widened in surprise. The clone following Tsunami made a clone to follow the kunoichi, then popped itself out, so Naruto could get his memories.
"Hikari-chan" He mumbled in awe.
He shook himself and looked at Inari who was still frozen in place, looking awestruck at him. "Come on brat. Your mom's fine, let's go to the house.
Inari just nodded and followed Naruto.
-NH-
The kunoichi ran as fast as she could, a Naruto clone closing in behind her. Her Byakugan had let her see Naruto mumbling her name and make a clone to follow.
"Hikari-chan, wait! Stop!"
She ran even faster attempting to avoid the upcoming confrontation.
"Hikari-chan!"
The clone made a few signs, creating a strong gust of wind, that made her lose her balance. The girl toppled from the tree head first.
"NO!" The blond screamed in a panic.
The kunoichi flipped in midair, landing on her feet lightly and faced her pursuer.
"Whew! I thought the boss was going to kill me. That was very graceful." The clone stood in front of her with a slight blush and his hand on the back of his neck. "Sorry,Hikari-chan, but you were running so fast! I couldn't think of anything else to slow you down. Didn't mean to make you fall. Sorry."
"Why do you call me that?" The girl bluffed.
"Eh? Your name. Silly." The clone tilted its head in confusion. "Why are you running away anyway? That was a good save of Tsunami. Thanks. Why didn't you tell me you were a kunoichi? A strong one too. That's so cool! Did the old man hire you too? Disbelieving ass! Pfft. We showed him! We showed all those small fries too!"
The blond laughed before continuing. "Awesome! Now we can do the mission together. Let's rescue the bridge!" The clone nodded its head excitedly. "Well? Come on? Is your brother a ninja too?" The excited clone's questions were nonstop.
The kunoichi stood frozen, no use in pretending and looked down. "How did you know it was me?"
"Your hair!" He pointed. "Two colors."
"Ah." The kunoichi's shoulders slumped.
"I'm sure the boss was very surprised, I was. You should have mentioned it, but you can make it up to him. Your food is amazing. And we can fight together! You said you just moved here. I know, maybe, maybe, you can join us in Konoha. You don't have a hitai-ate. Come on! I can even show you Ichiraku's!"
The clone's agitation turned to concern at her silence. He waved his hands in front of her. "Hey? Yes? Okay?"
"We do not always got what we want. I'm sorry, Naruto-kun." She sighed.
"Eh?" The clone leaned in and tilted it's head in confusion.
The kunoichi delivered a quick Juken strike to the clone's abdomen which made the clone dispel in a poof. A tear escaped the lower edge of her mask down her face, she wiped it before turning around with one last look back and left.
-NH-
The blond shinobi was helping out Tsunami when he felt the clones memories return. His stomach dropped as he clenched his teeth and curled his hands into fists. He needed to follow her.
-Why are you running, Hikari-chan?-
He made a couple of clones and got Tazuna's family to a secure backup hideout.
"Wait here, they will protect you, I will go help the old man and the bridge!"
As he turned, he heard Inari's voice.
"Thanks, Thanks for saving mom and me."
The blond turned and saw Inari looking to the side with a slight blush on his face.
"Your welcome. I was just doing my job and Hikari-chan saved your mom. I told you. I don't break my word and I won't stop until you're all safe. Now stay with my clones and watch over your mom."
"I can't do anything."
"Yes you can! Just keep watch and make sure nobody sneaks back here. You're just afraid to try. You won't know what you can do until you try. My clones will assist." Inari never looked at him. "Are you going to let them sneak back in and take your mom?
Inari head snapped back and he scowled at Naruto, who smiled back then ruffled his hair..
"Exactly! You're a good guy after all. Everyone's afraid of something. My godfather also says a hero faces his fears, that's all. It doesn't have to be something big. that's why ya hired us, for the big stuff. I don't want you to do something stupid, neither would your dad. Just help your mom. See ya!"
"Be careful!"
"Pfft! Don't worry, remember what I said. Future hokage here!"
Inari saw Naruto run towards the bridge and felt his mother embrace him from behind.
"Mom, I can't just do that. Dad would want us to do our best too, right."
Tsunami nodded.
"What are you planning? The boss will not like that." A clone commented.
"Follow me and I'll show you."
"Oh, boy. The boss is gonna be pissed."
"We still gotta protect him."
"Yep."
"Let's go then. Follow me!" Inari shouted.
-NH-
The rest of team seven was at the bridge watching Tazuna. Kakashi was glad he had let Naruto sleep in, the kid was half asleep over his food last night and deserved some rest after the continuous Kage Bunshin use. Thanks to the clones and the villagers the work on the bridge had progressed nicely and was almost done.
-I hope Naruto gets here soon. The attack should be any…. Here we go-
The Jonnin was midbridge when he felt a frisson in the air and barely had time to the mist thickened. He dodged as the mist parted with a whoosh.
"Sasuke, Sakura protect Tazuna."
"Ha, ha, ha! Good battle senses Copy Ninja. Time to finish what we started." The blade could be seen this time, as it appeared through the mist, trying to slice Kakashi.
Kakashi twisted and flipped back several times. He kicked the sword on its flat side as he landed and it kept coming after him. The Copy Ninja dodged, flipped and somersaulted around the appearing and disappearing blade.
He picked several pipes on each arm, holding them as metal forearm guards and passed a current through them to fortify them.
"Ha, ha, my Kubikiribocho is thirsty. Those pipes won't last."
The swordsman again swung at Kakashi who blocked with the pipes once more. They both looked at the growing nicks on the pipes. The swordsman smirked as they jumped away from each other. Kakashi jumped on the water and moved away from the bridge.
"That won't help you." The swordsman smiled at the Copy Ninja's attempt to separate him from his target and the bridge, following him. -My tools will take care of the target-
-NH-
Sasuke and Sakura were covering Tazuna when a mellow monotone voice came from the mist.
"Please leave now. Just let us finish our mission and we will leave in peace."
"Tch, we have a mission too."
"If you don't leave, I will fight you. Sensei wills it and I'm the enforcer of his will."
"We can't go against Kakashi-sensei either" The pinket interjected.
"I do not want to fight you. Leave."
"Tch, well I want to fight you."
"So be it."
"Tch, shut up and fight already."
Several senbon flew towards the duo as a masked figure materialized from the mist. They parried the senbon and stood guard before the bridgemaker.
"Finally, let's do it."
-NH-
Naruto sped through the forest torn. He wanted to follow Hikari but the appearance of those men meant the attack on Tazuna was imminent. He needed to return to his team, they were his priority. He also promised Inari and he would not let Tazuna get hurt.
-Why did you run after helping us?-
That was the question that kept going through his mind even as he sped towards the bridge.
She had headed in this direction, so he kept an eye out for her. Her uniform was tantalizingly familiar. He felt he had seen it and was trying to remember but like the wind it kept eluding him.
She did help Inari and Tsunami, maybe if he was lucky, she was heading to the bridge and would help them again.
Yes, that had to be it. She knew he could deal with the other riffraff and he would see her at the bridge.
-Yes! Now to convince her to return to the Leaf together!- He smiled and increased his pace.
-NH-
Hinata sped to the bridge and activated her Byakugan again and her heart drop to her stomach.
-NO! They're already fighting. I didn't make it in time-
She felt nauseous, even as her body continued to run nonstop. She was too late. Even if she told sensei of the men's dirty hostage trick, he would not back down once the fight started. She really did not have anything solid against Gato, despicable as he was.
"I'm sorry, Naruto but I can't abandon my family. I hope you stay away from the bridge."
-NH-
Sasuke ran to the masked ninja, kunai in hand. The masked boy easily sidestepped him, blocking him senbon in his right hand and tried to stab him with another senbon on his left. Sasuke turned around quickly and kicked the masked one, who flipped backwards landing on his hands and kicked Sasuke in his side.
Sasuke grabbed his opponents foot, pulling it as he fell. The masked ninja pushed off with his hands, using the momentum to turn and tried to kick Sasuke over the head with his other leg. Sasuke was forced to let go as he rolled and got on his feet at the same time as his opponent who continued to do back flips until he was on his feet also.
They ran towards each other and continued to exchange and parry blows to one another, much like their sensei's were doing on the water.
The exchange continued, blows and parries, kunai versus senbon, each one faster than the next in a deadly dance without a clear victor. The fight moved them to the center of the bridge away from Tazuna and Sakura who were on the edge of the bridge facing the town.
"I'm impressed, it seems your speed is close to mine."
"Tch." Sasuke launched forward throwing several kunai's at his opponent which he easily parried. Sasuke used the distraction to throw himself at his enemy kunai in hand, only to be blocked by two senbon held on the masked ninja's right hand.
"There's more than one way to fight and your speed doesn't match mine. He started making one handed signals with his right hand. "One hundred needles of pain!"
Sasuke jumped and dodged backwards avoiding most of the needles, panting he got one out of his thigh and one out of his arm.
-If I can't beat this no-name ninja, how can I beat Itachi-
He threw himself back in the fray launching more kunai's, as he approached he inhaled deeply and jumped high, "Katon:Gokakyu no jutsu(Fireball).
Haku dodged. "Hyoton:Ice Spears."
A large puddle of water splashed loudly on the floor as the jutsus collided and cancelled each other. They looked at each other and started fighting again but now it was Fire versus Ice.
-NH-
Sakura looked at the battle before her eyes with concern. Sasuke was barely holding his own against the ice user. Kakashi-sensei was lost in the mist but she could hear their clashes. She was sure Kakashi-sensei would beat the swordsman however he would not be able to .
She had to do something, but could not leave the bridge builder. Her eyes teared up as she realized she was unable to reach him again. Always wanting to help, always offering support that never reached him. She had promised him. She had to do something.
~Flashback~
Sakura watched the prince of the school from a distance. She had always admired his dignified air. He was so handsome and from such a distinguished clan. A genius. He was simply above the rest. A true prince. Ah, she could almost see him on his white horse.
-Ah, so dreamy-
He was always aloof, she sighed, but since the Uchiha tragedy, he had closed himself off completely. She watched him stare at the pier in the distance. Her shining prince became dark. He needed help, a hand, someone who understood him and accepted his pain.
-That's me- She would save him, her love would save him.
Naruto was such a brute. Always targeting him with his pranks. Couldn't he understand? Sasuke needed help.
"And I will help him."
Even Ino, her so called friend who stood out without trying, tried to become his friend without success. He was not swayed that easily.
-Stupid, Ino-pig-
Ino had only showed interest after her. She was a rotten friend and she would not forgive her.
She had to do something to bridge the gap and become Sasuke's friend, then girlfriend. She smiled.
She tried talking to him but he always ignored her. Letters, he tore them. Gifts, he threw them out. She sat next to him, nothing.
And then that idiot, Naruto ask her out. -Dumbass- At least it was only a couple of times and he stopped quickly. He was crass, loud and obnoxious. The farthest thing from a prince. She did not want Sasuke to misunderstand. She was committed to her prince.
This time her plan would work. He would be dazzled by her bento and they would become friends. She could help him then.
The pinket looked at the bento and sighed.
She had tried to learn how to cook, but it did not go well. She followed her mother's recipes but they always went wrong or burned or both. Cooking wasn't one of her natural skill sets.
She sighed again. She got her mother to make her a bento. This had to work. She felt like she was cheating but everything was fair if they became friends. She could always learn to cook later.
She smiled and took several steps, making her presence known..
Sasuke turned. -About time she showed herself. What now?-
"Sasuke-kun. Hi!"
"Ugh."
"Hi! I wanted to bring you a meal. You have probably been practicing all day, like usual and need something to eat. Here. It's homemade."
Sasuke swatted her hand and the food spilled on the floor. "I don't need that. Leave me alone."
"You need friends. I want to be your friend or more. I mean… err friends."
"I don't need that. Bonds are unnecessary, stupid even."
"What do you need? I want to help you Sasuke. I mean it."
He looked at her in silence, studying the idiotic girl in front of him. "You want to help?"
She nodded her head.
"Then go away. I don't need anyone's help. I just need to kill someone."
"I'll help you, somehow."
"Huh."
"I will get stronger. I will help you!"
He turned and walked away silently.
"It's a promise. I will help you. One way or another, you'll see. I will help you. I WILL!"
Sasuke stopped for a minute then continued without turning back.
Sakura cried as she picked the bento box. "You'll see."
She started studying even more seriously than before, becoming the number one kunoichi of the class. She took healing classes, in case Sasuke got injured and learned how to box. Punching was easy for her. She would impress Sasuke and he would acknowledge her. Then he would fall in love with her.
~End of Flashback~
Her hands sweated and her body shook as she watched the fight. She had to do something.
-Sasuke-kun, I will reach you-
She jumped as she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. She looked back at Tazuna who nodded with a serious look in his face.
"Just leave me a knife and go help your teammate. This is my fault and my fight. I can at least defend myself. I'm old but not decrepit or beaten yet." He smiled slightly with determined eyes. "Go."
The pinket smiled as she teared up slightly. "Thanks." She nodded and handed him two of her kunais before running to the fight. Trying to approach silently to no avail.
-NH-
Sasuke panted from the strain and felt like he had run all day. The masked guy was fast and his ice blocked his fire. He saw Sakura approach the guy from behind. He ran to the guy but he still felt the attacks and avoided both, jumping then covering the floor in a slight ice film that made Sakura slip and collide into Sasuke.
They rolled out of the way as he threw more senbons.
"What do you think, you're doing?"
"Helping you."
"I don't need help."
"I don't care. I told you, I would show you I was serious."
"Tch."
"Keep him busy."
Sakura threw several kunais as Sasuke shot several fireball's to melt the ice on the floor,then straight at the masked stranger.
Haku avoided the kunai and the fireball. Sasuke starting replacing himself with several logs to avoid the ice and the senbons.
Sakura picked up a log and threw it at Haku who stepped into the middle of the fallen logs. Sasuke threw multiple fireballs setting them on fire.
Haku made several ice pellets to counter the fire. Sasuke attacked with another fireball from behind. Before it hit, several water pellets put it all out.
"Mizu peretto!" Was heard. Hinata was happy to have made it in time for their sneak attack and jumped to reach him and they stood back to back.
"Thanks for the support, imouto. Although, I'm hurt at your lack of confidence."
"I believe in you,but you're never alone."
Haku smiled behind his mask. He still did not want his sister to fight her friend, it was time to end this. He faced Sasuke again. "I'm sorry but it's time to get serious." He whispered to Hinata. "Keep her busy."
Hinata ran towards the pinket who tried to punch her. The bluenette dodged,twirled and kicked her on the side, making her fall down.
Haku made some hand signals calling "Hyoton:Demonic Ice Mirror Crystals" Suddenly multiple ice mirrors formed on the ground, then rose to form a large dome around Sasuke.
"Surrender and nothing bad will happen to you or your team. I promise."
"Who would believe the enemy? Tch, I want to fight you. Fighting strong enemies is my path to destroying that man. I will be the strongest. Now shut up and fight! I'm tired of your crap."
"So be it." Haku started to move between the mirrors too fast to follow, then started pelleting Sasuke with senbons and Ice pellets.
"Ugh, he's too fast. I can't follow."
-NH-
Naruto noticed the mist as he approached the bridge and knew the fight had started. He could hear the metallic weapon clashes. He kept running and called a breeze to dispel the mist. He saw Kakashi sensei fighting the swordsman on the water farthest from him. They seemed to be evenly matched.
He turned to the bridge and froze.
-NH-
Sakura rolled on the floor then jumped to a stand and faced the masked kunoichi.
"Mizu:Uo Tsuba/Fish Spit" A water blast came out of the kunoichi's mouth and almost hit Sakura who dodged at the last minute, slipping on the water. The kunoichi approached and tried to touch her but Sakura's slip on the water let her evade her touch.
Hinata cursed inwardly. She tried to disrupt her tenketsu to incapacitate her after Tsuba but she had luckily avoided it. Using Tsuba instead of Mizu Peretto was a mistake but she did not want to hurt the other girl.
She could feel Sensei's disapproval if he saw her fight. He would know she was not fully trying.
-I can't let her escape. Haku and Sensei are counting on me-
She took a deep breath and ran towards the pinket. "Suiton:Mizu Shuriken."
Sakura avoided the sharp water shuriken, unable to return to Sasuke's side. -I just have to get close enough to punch her out. And avoid the water projectiles, shit-
"Mizu Peretto" The combination were drawing her in closer. The pellets were hard and might break ribs but would not kill her. Once close she would knock her out with a well placed Juken and then to help Haku-niisan.
She kept firing continuously, the great water source guaranteed her the advantage. Hinata danced around the pinket as she tried to punch her. She raised her hand juken ready in victory when disaster struck. She was thrown back, against the rail, hard. She shook her head then looked up in horror.
-NH-
Moments before
Naruto looked at the bridge frozen, as the mist continued to disperse.
-Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump, thump-
His heart thumped deafeningly on his ears. His palms were sweaty and he closed them into tight fists.
-NO!-
His vision was a hazy light red as he saw Hikari fighting Sakura.
-NO!-
It was a lie.
-NO!-
It had to be a lie.
-NO!--
She got confused on the side, yes. She was confused.
The red haze intensified.
-Nope, she lied to you-
-NO!-
-Played you like a moron-
-NO!-
-Doesn't even like you-
-NO!-
-Nobody likes you. You know that. Not even your teammates--
His eyes teared and his nails dug into his palms so tightly, his palms started to bleed.
-It was all a lie. A LIE-
-Why? Why?-
-Does it matter? They always lie to you-
-LIAR, another liar-
-Yes, liars. It's payback time-
-I HATE LIARS!-
The red haze grew and unknown to him so did his canines and his nails.
-Make them sorry-
-LIAR-
-Make them bleed-
-Fucking liar- He screamed "AAARGH!"
-NH-
Kakashi heard the scream, --Naruto? It's deeper somehow- He turned worried and was almost cut in two by the swordsman. Only his battle honed instincts saved him.
"Too late to worry about your tools, or the bridge builder. My tools are best." Zabuza gloated, then smirked. "Your fight is with me. Pay attention or let me finish you."
Kakashi shook his fears aside. He had to trust his students. "We'll see."
-NH-
Naruto jumped on the bridge, still screaming, making two clones as he landed.
One of his clones jumped in front of Sakura as Hinata lounged forward. Hinata"s eyes bulged in recognition, unable to stop her strike. The clone dispelled as Hinata hit it.
Naruto came up behind Hinata, grabbed her forearm, spun and threw her back. She rolled on the floor, landing hard against the rail.
She looked up at Naruto's angry horror.
-Naruto-kun- Her stomach rolled in knots, nauseous, as her palms sweated. She stared at him unable to move, she felt his anger directed all at her.
The other clone ran towards Sasuke and Haku. "I'll help the teme."
Sakura followed the clone. -I have to help Sasuke-
"Naruto-kun" Hinata
"Don't call me that! LIAR! Only friends can call me that."
Hinata's shoulder slumped, nodded; then stood up quietly, tears running behind her mask..
"Was it funny? Lie to the moron. Get info, hum? Was that it? Spying?"
Hinata just looked at him, unsure of what to say. -It's all over-
"Can't say anything now? Spy!"
"No, I just….
"What?"
"I just…" Hinata felt his anger. It made him look savage. His fangs and nails looked so much longer. Was it part of a jutsu?
"You wanted to spy on us and I was the idiot that fell for it!" Orange goo leaked all around him, punctuating his anger and making him glow. He crouched like an animal, his fangs exposed in anger. His nails curled as claws.
Hinata looked at him. -This is my fault,I have to say something-
"I wanted to meet you. You probably don't remember…"
"LIAR!" He lounged in anger a gust of air ahead of him that made her lose her balance.
She rolled with it then raised her arms for a water shield."Mizu Tate no jutsu/Water Shield"
He hit the water shield and scratched it with his long nails, not quite piercing through. "I don't want to hear your lies."
She rolled away again and stood up. She looked down, her hands balled into fists as she spoke. "They're not lies. I understand, you can't believe me, but I never wanted to fight you. I…I..." She steeled herself and looked him in the face. "I'm sorry, Uzumaki-san but they are my family. I will not abandon them." Her arm stung and ached reminding her this was a fight, she made her stance. "Mizu peretto."
"Grrr" He growled as the water bullets evaporated harmlessly when they hit the orange covering.
"Suiton:Hidden in Mist no Jutsu" The mist started to gather around them again. "Mizu bunshin no jutsu." Hinata made three water clones that ran to surround Naruto.
"You can't outprank the prank king of Konoha!" Naruto laughed and pulled several pepper seals which he released in the air as he shouted. "Fuuton: Boufuu Kyouzuu no jutsu/Gale Surge Winds Jutsu."
The wind blew the mist away and Hinata crouched to avoid being blown away but the wind carried pepper dust making her eyes water. One of the clones hit Naruto from behind but the orange glowing goo absorbed the blow.
Naruto grabbed a clone by the foot and smashed her on the floor, dispelling it into a pool of water, The other clone kept it's distance firing water projectiles to little avail.
"Clones? Really? Clones?" His orange mantle grew, projecting outwards like a whip and smashed against a second water clone dispelling it; sending water everywhere.
"We will leave once we complete our mission. We don't have to fight."
"You mean, kill Tazuna? No, I won't let you murder him or anyone else. I don't go back in my word. That's my nindo way. "
"I'm sorry."
"You will be sorry for lying. Not fun when you're the target."
"I was not making fun of you!" Hinata couldn't see well but could feel his anger.
"Yeah, right."
"That is not sensei's way. He fights honorably."
"Your team are all murderers for hire!" He walked closer to the traitor.
"Not true. You don't understand."
"Tell that to Tazuna."
"I...I...I…" Her shoulders slumped in defeat. "I won't abandon my team, my family."
"Neither will I abandon my team and they are not murderers."
Why did it go so wrong. She was an idiot for pretending everything would be fine. -Sorry niisan, you were right- Her eyes still burned slightly from the pepper, but she also had an ace. She closed her eyes and turned on her byakugan. -Even if he never forgives me, I won't give up either. It's also my way- She slowly got up and got ready.
The last water clone made a giant wave that crashed over the bridge and threw Naruto off balance. He toppled over and the clone threw several water pellets and water shuriken.
Naruto stood on his hand and used chakra to stick to the slippery bridge, his mantle absorbed the water projectiles. He then pivoted and kicked the last clone dispelling it. He pushed himself off landing on his feet. Before he knew it he was hit several times in quick succession in both arms
Hinata approached from his blind spot and closed the tenketsus on his arms, quickly jumping back as his arms fell to his sides. She got a special senbon ready to fire.
"Ouch! That shit hurt!" His anger grew as he realized he could not move his arms. "What did you do?" The orange mantle grew and bubbled with his anger. "WHAT DID YOU DO?" The orange mantle grew even larger and seemed to burst out momentarily. "Agh!" To both their surprises he flexed his fits and started moving his arms, "Damn that hurt!"
Hinata was stunned he could move. -That's impossible- She still threw her senbon but Naruto easily avoided it and ran to where she was. He grabbed her wrist again.
PAIN.
Her wrist burned in pain. She tried not to scream but the burning continued.
"What was that, shit.…"
Hinata said nothing as Naruto squeezed her wrist. Suddenly his head turned, the mantle flared and Hinata could hold the screamed no longer.
"Aaah!"
He flung her again."Grrr, BASTAAARD!" And he was gone in the blink of an eye.
Hinata grabbed her wrist and looked for Naruto. -NO!- She spotted him over the ice dome.
-NH-
Sakura ran with the clone to the dome of mirrors. They could see Sasuke barely dodging multiple senbons as the masked nin quickly ran through the mirrors. He was impossibly fast inside those mirrors and they could not follow his movements.
"Let's break the mirrors, Naruto. Then Sasuke can escape"
Sakura punched and broke a couple of mirrors as the Naruto clone did the same with his kunai's.
The water in the floor froze, then slid upwards and new mirrors appeared to replace the broken ones
"It's not that easy."
Haku's hand came out from the mirror, grabbed Sakura and threw her inside. The Naruto clone tried grabbing her to no avail. He then broke another mirror but was also grabbed and thrown in, as another mirror appeared to replace the last broken one.
"Welcome, it's time to finish this."
"Dammit Sakura. Dobe, what were you thinking? You should have stayed on the outside."
"It wasn't our first choice, prick."
"It's worse in here."
The Naruto clone rolled his eyes, "Really?" Then shrugged and got several seals out.
"Tch. Maybe if we attack together, we can catch him"
"Okay."
They tried several combos with either Sasuke or Sakura trying to catch the guy as he ran from the other attacks unsuccessfully. Naruto threw his exploding seals at the mirrors, only for therm to reform. He tried covering the mirrors in his smelly dark gunk, only for the mirrors to also regenerate.
Sasuke tried to grab the masked nin while Naruto distracted him or damaged the mirrors but he was too fast. The nin just ran from mirror to mirror and kept attacking, he seemed unstoppable.
Haku looked in Hinata's direction, seeing the blond ninja glowing orange and emanating huge killer intent; before turning back to the inside of the dome. "I'm sorry but my sister needs me." He started sprinting faster, his hand coming out the mirrors shooting more and more senbons.
Sasuke and Sakura felt like pincushions, the clone had managed to avoid most of the barrage , but they were all panting. Nothing seemed to be working.
They tried one more time, Naruto screamed and threw several seals at the mirrors while Sakura punched some more on the other side making the masked nin jump out of the mirror. Sasuke predicted his jump and almost grabbed him by the ankle as the nin came out, but the guy evaded at the last minute turned and threw a concentrated attack on the now exposed Sasuke.
"One thousand needles of death!"
Sakura had also turned back to try and punch the nin, when she saw the barrage and jumped in front of Sasuke, who caught her as she clone shot multiple kunai's to cover his friends as the nin hid back in the mirrors..
"Dammit Sakura!"
"I promised to help you. At least once. I finally did it." She took a deep breath. "I didn't even think about it." She struggled to breathe. "I will always stand by you Sasuke." Her eyes closed and she went limp in his arms. Sasuke's eyes burned.
The pain burned all the way to his skull. His vision exploded in pain and he looked at Haku in contempt. Suddenly everything seem clearer and he could see Haku's moves and follow his easily through the mirrors.
-He will pay-
Naruto ran to them. "How's Sakura?" He saw Sasuke shake his head and place her on the floor limp and not breathing. The clone could not believe it and tried to touch her as Sasuke stood up, making him look at Sasuke. "Teme! Your eyes. They look like Kakashi-sensei's."
-I finally woke my sharingan! I will avenge you too, Sakura-
"Your right about one thing, nin. It's time to finish this." Sasuke flew at Haku even faster than before.
"Your Kekkei Genkai against mine, fine. You're still not fast enough."
The clone could hardly keep up with them as they went by like two blurs, but the nin was right, he remained a hair ahead of Sasuke's grasp.
Sasuke was gasping frustrated. He still was not strong enough, even with his sharingan, he punched the soil. -Damn it all, if I can't catch this guy, how will I catch Itachi-
The clone started to concentrate and call the wind. If he could form a gale wind that blew the mirrors out. Sasuke would have a chance. He spun as he called the wind and released it as he spun.
"Fuuton:Boufuu Kyouzuu no jutsu/Gale surge winds."
The dome shook, the lower mirrors cracked and fell,causing the dome to start collapsing.
Sasuke jumped as soon as the mirrors cracked, he got close and cut the boy's arm, but Haku pivoted, kicking him. "Hyoton:Peretto/Ice pellets." Sasuke was peppered by tons of ice pellets, "A thousand needles of death" then multiple senbons targeted his legs and he fell back on the floor.
Haku remade the mirrors and targeted Naruto. "A thousand needles of death." Haku peppered the clone which caused it to pop.
Haku turned to Sasuke, who was struggling to get up even his legs shook, then fired his final senbons."Do not fear. You fought well and shall be rewarded. You will understand later. Perhaps in the future things can change between us."
Sasuke ground his teeth in frustration, his legs felt like jelly and his body felt numb. -Why can't I get stronger. WHY?-
As the senbon where about to hit, the floor shook again and they were blown back by the strongest wind yet, which seemed to howl in its' intensity, followed by heat which melted the top of the dome..
-NH-
Naruto looked at Hikari in anger. -Liar!- His mind suddenly received his clones memories, his teammates dead, bleeding, and everything went red.
Naruto heard Hikari scream, but all he could see was his teammates. He let loose of his hate.
"GRRR! BASTARD!"
He let her go and ran towards his new objective, sending a wave of wind. He jumped forward in a blur, landing at the top of the dome. The orange mantle emitted heat which melt through the top of the dome.
-NH-
Kakashi felt the wave of killing intent and hatred. "Youki" -But that's impossible unless...Naruto's seal!- He tried to turn to the bridge only to be stopped by the swordsman again.
"Not so fast copy ninja." The swordsman attacked again, pressing his momentary advantage. -What the hell is that malice killing intent? Dammit, what are you guys doing?-
Kakashi cursed as he blocked the attack. -Hang on Naruto, I'm coming. Hang on!-
They looked at each other as they both made water dragons and let them fly. Both had one thought in mind.
-I need to finish this fast-
-NH-
The heat melted the mirrors and Naruto dropped to the middle of the dome.
"Rrrrr"
Haku looked at the blond ninja crouched on the floor like an animal. The killing intent was almost asphyxiating and made him want to run if not for his concern over his sister and sensei.
-What happened to him-
The blond looked at him with hatred and growled again as the orange mantle and the heat continued to grow. The blond's facial markings grew larger making him look like a rabid wild animal. The mantle started to protrude from his back and head like deformed tail and animal ears.
"What are you?"
"Grrr" He jumped in a second and was in front of Haku's mirror.
Haku jumped out of the mirror in the nick of time as the blond smashed his mirror. The blond turned swiftly and grabbed Haku by the ankle throwing him to the center of the dome. The blond jump after him and threw a punch.
"Hyoton:Tate no jutsu/Ice Shield." Haku quickly put an ice barrier.
The barrier could not withstand the force or the heat and shattered in small punched again hitting Haku full force in the torso. Haku flew through the mirrors and rolled several times on the floor. The tail grew swung and broke the mirrors behind him.
Haku took several deep breath as he tried to get up despite the pain and dizziness. He started coughing blood and the skin on his stomach burned.
Naruto roared again, the youki destroying the rest of the mirrors.
"Dobe! Damnit be careful." He slowly crawled to Sakura's body and covered her. -When the hell did that idiot get this strong? How?-
The dome collapsed as Haku struggled to get up. Hinata saw the dome collapse and ran faster to the fight. -No, no, no!-
The blond jumped towards Haku again.
"Hyoton: peretto."
The mantle seemed to absorb the ice missiles as he approached Haku walking on his four extremities.
Haku jumped to his feet, ignoring the pain. "A thousand needles of death."
Some senbons melted but a lot of senbun struck the blond who roared in anger, unfazed. He sprinted the remaining distance and stood in front of saw in horror the wounds healing instantaneously with smoke coming from his wounds as soon as the senbons fell. The blond grabbed Haku's left arm, squeezed then twisted with a sick crunch.
"Aaagh." Haku looked at his awkward angled forearm. Broken. but the pain continued to grow as the blond held onto his arm and squeezed again. The burning went on and on. Haku felt like passing out from the intense pain.
The blond raised his right arm, punching him in the face making his mask break and fall off. He raised his arm again and clawed at his chest, drawing blood. He raised his arm one last time pointing to his chest again, palm straight,claws out.
-Sorry, Imouto. I was not strong enough to see our dream. Sorry sensei-
"Grrr"
"Go ahead. I'm a failure to my sensei and imouto. I failed my purpose. End it."
"NOOO!" Hinata reached the scene and saw Naruto about to stab Haku "Don't!" She jumped in between them, arms stretched out. "Please, please don't kill him. This is my fault. Please, Uzumaki-san. Please."
Naruto looked at her without moving.
Hinata stood still, pleading.. Naruto was too strong, Haku was injured. If she continued the fight, Naruto might kill Haku and she could not run that risk. She slowly raised her hands palms facing Naruto and slowly lifted them up to her face, to her mask. Lifting it to the top of her head, finally facing him. "Please, spare him."
Naruto tilted his head with fangs bared.
"Imouto, escape! I failed. Don't risk yourself.
"Shut up, idiot niisan." She never lost eye contact with Naruto while she chastised her brother. "This is my fault, Naruto. Please, don't hurt him. I'm the liar not him."
Naruto growled at the word liar.
"Dobe, what are you waiting for? Kill them both, they killed Sakura."
Naruto looked at Sasuke, then back at the siblings. Hinata followed his line of sight then looked back at Naruto again.
"Uzumaki-san. She's not dead. I know my brother and he only drugged them. Probably tried drugging you too. He did it for me. He did not kill anyone. This is my fault." Her eyes teared up. "Don't take him from me, he's my precious family. Remember we fight for our precious persons. I fight for them. Please don't take them away."
"Imouto, get out of here, run!"
"Grrr." He looked at Haku and leaned towards the wounded nin.
"I will not run, niisan."
Naruto's eyes rose to meet hers again.
Haku coughed and fell down. Hinata quickly grabbed and hugged him, then turned her face towards Naruto again.
"Please. They are not dead." She looked in Haku's pocket and pulled some very small envelopes. "She extended her hand to Naruto. "Here. This is the antidote. If anyone must pay, let it be me."
"Imouto!"
"Kill me, I'm the liar, not him."
Hinata turned back to Haku. "You saved me, now it's my turn. No debate, silly precious niisan." Hinata turned her tear stained face to Naruto and slowly stood. "This is the antidote. Please spare my brother, I will try to talk to sensei and if you need blood, you can have mine."
Naruto looked at her crying and was confused. Someone had to pay.
-Tears are useless. No one helps you even if you cry-
"Please. My blood should be enough."
-Blood?- He looked at her confused. -Blood?-
His hands were covered in blood, the figure on the floor bleeding profusely from his chest. He shook his head. -Did he want blood?-
He looked at his hands and they were not covered in blood. He had some on his nails but not bad. Why did he think they were?
-Hurt them, they hurt you-
He stared confused, they were not bleeding. Who was bleeding?.
{~Everyone makes mistakes~}
The wound would not stop bleeding, it was difficult to see the body because of all the blood.
{~It's okay, kid~}
The bleeding was getting worse. Why?
There was blood everywhere. Blood? Suddenly the vision cleared and he saw Ero-sannin bleeding from his chest, trying to smile. {~It's okay, kid~}
Naruto started to hyperventilate.
Bleeding, bleeding everywhere because of him. Ero-sannin stopped moving and smiling but continued to bleed. He looked at his hands in horror.
Ero-sannin was bleeding because of him,
-NOOO!-
The vision filled him with terror and he stumbled backwards, falling on his buttocks. He did not want blood. No. He never wanted blood. He hurt Ero-sannin, that way.
He continued to gasp heavily, hyperventilating.
-No! Not again!- He did not want that ever again.
He started sweating and felt nauseous. His body ached everywhere. He blinked -What happened?-
He looked around confused, trying to get oriented, he saw Hikari, yes, Hikari was at the bridge, fighting Sakura, then blurriness. He shook his head, slowing his breathing and saw Hikari in front of him, then he looked around as the fight slowly returned to him.
He saw Hikari crying in front of him. Her brother was bleeding on the floor and in the distance where Sasuke next to Sakura's body. He looked back at Hikari who stood in front of him with her hand extended to him. She had something in her hands but all he could see was the ugly burn in her forearm.
-Oh, Kami, I did it again. I'm still a monster. Ero-sannin, I failed again-
Hinata was shocked to see the mantle disappear as Naruto fell backwards and he started looking around scared. Why was he scared? He won. He looked confused, lost. Would he accept the deal?
"This is the antidote, Uzumaki-san. I can try it if you want me too but they need it more than I and there's only so much. She's not dead. It's like what we used on sensei."
Naruto shook his head, clearing his thoughts. No time for recriminations now. He will talk with Ero-sannin again but if Hikari was telling the truth and this was an antidote…
"Sakura is not dead?"
Hikari shook her head. "I know you have no reason to believe me but I swear on my family this is the truth. Spare niisan, please."
"I'm...I'm not going to kill him. That was,uh. I was angry, very angry."
"Thank you, Uzumaki-san. Here." She bowed to him, offering the antidotes on outstretched hands..
Naruto cleared his throat. "I'm still mad you lied but not that level angry. And stop doing that. I'm not some lord."
Hikari slowly lifted her head, handing the packets to Naruto before kneeling down to tend to her brother.
Naruto grabbed the packets and made a tight fist which he brought to his chest. Hikari confused him so much. But he would not be suckered again. He was still mad, she was a liar. An enemy..
"Don't try anything. You won't escape. I'm just going to give them the antidote."
"I won't" She continued tending Haku without turning to him.
"It better be an antidote."
"It is."
"My sister doesn't lie." Pant.
"You don't know your sister very well."
"You" Haku tried to get up but Hinata stopped him.
"It's okay, niisan." She used a few senbon to make a forearm splint and put some numbing herbs on his arm, which felt better. Haku saw the blond go to his teammates and give them both the antidote.
"Moron! You shouldn't have given it to him, imouto."
"He would not calm down any other way. We lost anyway and I can't lose you."
"I'm sorry. I should…"
"Don't worry about it niisan. It's not your fault, it's mine. I knew better."
"I can't lose you either Imouto. Please remember that."
She tried to smile but her lips trembled and her eyes would not stop tearing,
"Baka niisan."
-NH-
Naruto kneeled in front of Sakura and Sasuke. He gave Sasuke an envelope then opened the other putting it over Sakura's mouth.
"What the fuck is wrong with you dobe. You take their shit word."
Naruto looked back at the siblings helping each other, then back at Sasuke.
"Hikari might be a liar, but she cares for her brother. I don't think she would risk any retaliations against him. And in case you didn't notice. Sakura's dead, It can't get any worse than dead. This might be her one chance. I'm taking it. If she gets better, you can take yours."
"Tch."
The blond forced the contents down Sakura's mouth and waited.
They looked at each other then back at Sakura.
The pinket twitched, and the boys jumped back. She shook, then took a deep gasping breath. Her breathing normalized after that. They leaned forward as she opened her eyes.
Sakura looked at the faces of her concerned teammates confused. She felt fatigued and looked at them. "What?"
"You're back."
"What?" She saw Naruto stare dumbfounded as Sasuke swallowed the contents of a tiny envelope. She remembered the fight. She protected Sasuke then blank.
She tried to sit up and Naruto helped her. Sasuke just watched her silently. She looked around and saw the siblings in the distance recognizing them. She looked at the bridge's end and saw Tazuna smiling and waving at them. She felt very confused.
"What happened? Thanks for saving me, Sasuke-kun." She saw Naruto tense. "Naruto, you too. Where's Kakashi-sensei?"
"He's still fighting."
"Spill dobe. What the fuck was that? How did you get that strong?"
Naruto shrugged nervously but before they could continue talking several shadows surrounded them.
-NH-
Kakashi was getting more and more worried for his students the longer they fought. He was getting tired of their spars too. He was able to keep up and had copied his water dragon again and other jutsus. But he needed a finishing strategy.
The copy ninja summoned his dogs again and they attacked, Zabuza swung his swords and the dogs could not get close.
Kakashi did several fireballs as his dogs jumped into the water. He did the dragon water jutsu which was easily parried by the swordsman.
"My Kubikiribocho is much stronger than that. Like I said, I only collect the best weapons."
Kakashi made a fist and electricity sparked from his fist. The dogs jumped out of the water suddenly surprising Zabuza then bit each of his extremities, pinning him in place.
The sound of a thousand birds chirping came out of his hand as an electric blade appeared. "This is the end."
"My tools will finish my job."
"Not if I have anything to say about it."
Twenty small white fast missiles hit the dogs and Zabuza. The dogs yipped, letting Zabusa go. He leaned forward on one knee panting. He was bleeding from all his extremities especially his left arm.
"I object. He's my prey and only I get to kill him. Right sword guy,"
Kakashi jumped out of the way,dispelling his dogs who were still whimpering. in pain. Zabuza grabbed his left arm and turned to see the crazed bone user that had been tracking him before.
More explosions came from the bridge.
"Don't worry my subordinates will take care of your tools. Let's finish this. I paid a lot of money for this chance."
-NH-
A voice cut through clearance and everyone looked at the newcomers.
"I'm just interested in that little bitch." A woman in a skimpy outfit with hair that seemed to move on it's own pointed at Hikari. "Now be good little soldiers and let us take your enemy. I don't think you can fight anymore."
Hinata paled as she recognized the woman, with the long malleable hair.
-Yoru!-
And CUT!
EVIL CLIFFHANGER NO JUTSU time. I know you hate me, but it's too long of a chapter. You know Kesshomaru and Yoru had to make an appearance. More fights to come!
DId you like this chapter? Did you like the confrontations? I hope you understand Naruto's anger and Hinata's decision/resolve. I tried to keep them in character but they have had different paths. Now you know why Sakura learned to heal.
Also hope, you see Naruto's not nerfed, now that he let loose. More to come too
Please let me know what you think and review! It keeps me motivated. Will try to update as soon as possible.
Next: Hurricane
Omake:
The blond continued to ponder ways to embarrass his girlfriend.
-Her blushes are too cute-
He had decided to practice close to the Lake, so he could wear his swimming trunks, err, go for a swim. If she saw him, it would be a fortuitous coincidence.
-Very, very lucky-
Maybe, maybe he could invite her for a dip
-Mhhhhehehe-
-Pervert!-
-Am not a pervert!-
-What were you thinking, right now-
-Nothing!-
-Pervert!-
-No, I am not!-
Yes, you are!-
-Am Not-
-Yep!-
-No!-
-Yes!-
-No!-
-Yes!-
-No!-
-No-
-Yes!-
-No-
-Yes-
-No, you are not-
-YES,I am!-
-You are not perverted-
-Yes, I AM! If I say I'm perverted, I AM! I...- The blond realized what he was ranting and turned a deep red. -I am?!-
Chibi Kyubi started rolling on the floor of the blond's mindscape. "Ha, ha, ha. You are too easy!-
-Shut up, stupid Kyubi!-
-I'm not stupid, you are-
-Yes, you are-
-No, I'm not. And are you sure you want to start that again?-
The blond pouted and turned his head away from the Bijuu.
-Calm down, don't get your shorts in wad.I came to offer you a solution. 100% guaranteed to have her at you mercy.
The blond's eyes turned to the Kyubi who nodded "Yep" and he turned his head slightly.
-Go ahead. I'm sure it's bogus but go ahead-
-If you're not interested-
-I AM, I mean I'm not but I'm...I'm just curious, yes curious about your idea, Not that interested but I am curious-
-Sure, you're not. And I'm not an orange Fox Bijuu-
-Whatever-
-Listening or not-
-Listening-
-We know she likes your muscles but never ever underestimate the power of cuteness!-
-Cuteness! I don't want to be cute!-
-You'll keep your muscles. Don't fret. But the cuteness will have her completely under your spell-
-I'm kinda listening-
The word is Hanyou-
-Eeh?-
-Ay, spare me of idiots. I can make you a Kitsune Hanyou. In other words you will have fluffy fox ears and tail-
-WHAT?-
-Breathe will you. Remember when she had bunny ears-
Naruto smiled dazedly, his eyes vacant, drooling relieving the memory.
-Pay attention, here dumbass. Don't get lost in there-
Naruto snapped back to reality, crossed his arms with his fist under his chin, thinking.
-I don't know about this-
-Whatever, I'm just saying. She will be putty under your spell. Just saying-
-Putty...fox ears...dazed Hinata...tail-
Kurama rolled his eyes and sighed.
-Will they be orange?-
-Oh for fuck's sake. I'm orange. Yes they will be orange. Do you want to or not?-
-Ok, then-
Kurama started hitting his head on the floor. -Why me? Why? Orange, that's what he's worried about orange fucking color-
-You should have said they were orange to begin with-
-Shut the fuck up or I'm not doing shit!-
-Boy, you're always so cranky-
-I'm giving you a powerful tool and you're worried about the damn color? You're too stupid to be a pervert-
-I'm not a pervert or stupid-
-Whatever! Fine! Here you go. Now get out of my sight!-
Naruto fell back and felt a burning sensation on his head, ears and in his bottom. It kept getting worse and worse, until he passed out.
He woke up and yawned loudly.
-Aaah! Must have been really tired to fall asleep in the middle of training. Boy that was a weird dream-
He yawned again. Swish, swish. He saw a shadow behind him and jumped around, but there was nothing there.
Swish, swish. -What the hell is that?-
Something tickled his nose and he grabbed it.
It was fluffy and orange, he followed it with his hands and sure enough it was a tail.
"I have a tail!" And promptly fainted.
Thanks to:
Neostardustdragon101: Thanks for the review. Haku is overprotective big brother. The pain will come to an end. Hope you like this chapter, let me know.
Guest1: Thanks for the review. It's part of the plan. You will see. Team 7 needs to grow, for sure. Hope you liked this chapter.
Dragon Man 180: Thanks for the review. Not exactly, although that would make a great Omake. Lol. Hope you like it.
Solvdrage: Thanks for the review as always. Thanks for the kind words/praise. I want more fluffy kittens not sad kittens. Lol. Kakashi still has nightmares over the loss of his book. Lol. I'm glad you liked the NaruHina scenes. Indeed, you called it. Incoming The Feels. This was angsty kitten.
Sasuke has always been so eloquent. Lol. Just like Sakura's cooking. Lol. It was a short brawl indeed and Hinata was holding back. Lol. Yes, Daduza(Stealing that term, lov it) and Haku are best.
Omake2: Yes Naruto knows and Hinata is always a lady even when she peeps. Lol.
I will take the tomatoes over the sad kittens!
Darkangel665: Thanks for the review. Thanks for the kind words and the high praise. Blushes. Thanks. I really sweated/labored over this chapter. Hope you like it. The answers are coming. Thanks, yours as well.
Guest2: Thanks for the review. Yes, Haku dyed the front of her hair white, a la rogue. The back of her hair is her natural hair color. Therefore the 2 colors. Hope you like it.
Chewie Cookies: Thanks for the review. More cliffhangers! Hope you like the chappie.
Mrenteria99: Thanks for the review. Here's the angst and the feels! Hope you like it. Mmm, close but not quite. Lol. Please imagine more!
OfficerShadowcat: Thanks for the review. Here's part one of that answer. Hope you like the chapter & answers I have planned.
Pterofighter: Thanks for the review! This one is finally here too!. Lol. Hope you like it too. Mmm, Interesting idea about the girl. Mmm, that has possibilities. We'll see.
Saiyanvegeta1648: Thanks for the review. Here's the next one. Hope you like this chapter as well.
Laryssa1234: Thanks for the review. Yes, I'm full of surprises. Lol. Hope you like this one. It was full of angst, but everything has a purpose. Yes, Naruto has helped Hikari and vice versa. They just don't know it. Yet… Sasuke & Sakura got their own scenes here. Hope it flowed natural. Let me know what you think. I like your latest drawing and can't wait for more.
Moose892000: Thanks for the review. No more sad kittens! Blame Silent. I'm ready for dragons. Lol. Somehow, I don't think you will send them. :( lol
Tooothpastewasabisauce: Thanks for the review! Sorry for the wait. Hope you like this chapter. Last chapter was needed for this one. Incoming feels and angst. Hope it still felt realistic. More to come. Funny, I always wanted to be a redhead, but not in this lifetime. Lol. I'm good, thanks. Just swamped with work, it's life. Let me know what you think.
RavenShadow: Thanks for the review. Sorry for the wait. Hope you like this one as well. Let me know what you think.
NarHina: Thanks for the review. Always appreciated. Me too, I love all those lines. Now you know how it went down. Angst. Hope you like the chapter, more to come. Good to know. Thanks. Let me know what you think.
Twigofspite: Thanks for the review. Glad you liked it. Questions answered and more appeared. Hope you like it.
SpiceyWifey: Thanks for the review. The scarf might still make a comeback. Here's the fight. Part1. You will see, I has devious plots. Lol. Hope you liked it. Let me know what you think.
Guest3: Thanks for the review. The answer is in the next chapter. Let me know what you think.
Me: Thanks for the review. He loves it. Lol. Let me know what you think.
Theblueswordsman: Thanks for the review! It feels odd without your reviews. Thanks. Now you know Naruto's reactions & feelings. Zabuza is a tsundere. Lol. Here's the next step. The Feels! Hope you like it, lived up to your expectations.
Guest4: Thanks for the review. Here's the next one. Let me know what you think.
Bh18: Thanks for the review! I hate to see what you will throw next. Lol. You can blame this cliffhanger on someone who challenged me to do worse. Send him your fruits! Hope you like the chapter.
Hinatasgreatestfan: Thanks for the review. Blame Silent. Lol. Thanks. I hope you like this omake and the chapter. Let me know what you think.
Agnivesh8085: Thanks for the review and the kind words. Hope you like this one as well. Let me know what you think.
Guest5: Thanks for the review and criticism. I have tried several things. Chapter 8 was also intentionally choppy, and some did not like it. Hope you stayed longer and let me know how it went. I have tried to keep evolving as the story progresses. Let me know what you think.
That pansy: Thanks for the review. Hope you enjoyed this one as well. Let me know what you think.
Unipei: Gracias por la resena. Si, mas intensa. Muchos feelings. Espero que te haya gustado. Si hubo traicion pero de Gato, ya que Kesshomaru ofrecio una recompenza por informacion sobre Zabza. Gato piensa que no tiene que pagar y hara mas dinero. O esa es su idea, aunque yo no me confiaria de Kesshomaru. Pero no era mala idea. Buena idea para el omake. Lol. Los meteorologos no se equivocaron y ahora se acerca un Huracan!
Guest6: Gracias por la resena. Me alegra que te haya gustado. Espero que este te haya gustado tambien, aunque este fue mas fuerte. En algun momento la mencionara. ;)
Unknown: Thanks for the review and the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed it from the start. I wanted it to make you want to read and be different of course. So, I'm glad it worked. I'm glad it got you invested emotionally and my writing got to you. Hope you like the rest and this chapter. Please let me know what you think.
Nightwind83: Thanks for the review. Glad you liked the chapter. Let me know what you think.
Scarlettraencrove: Thanks for your review and kind words. Hope you like this one. Let me know what you think.
Boublues: Thanks for the review. Yes, the fest has started. Lol. Mine too, believe it or not. Let me know what you think.
Crimson Hawk Wolf: Thanks for the review. Here is the next chapter! Hope you like it. I know you hate the cliffhnger. Blame Silent. Lol. Let me know what you think.
Magiciz2sick: Thanks for the review and the kind works. Here's the next chapter. Hope you also enjoy it. I try to keep them me know what you think.
NEXT: HURRICANE