Ugh, what a week! Apparently my friends thought it would be funny to buy me this little bag of candy for something at my school called "Crush Week" and also buy something for a guy that they think "likes" me while I "like" him. Of course, I didn't think they'd be so devious as to do that. Guess I overestimate them. XD Oh well! Free candy!
Anyway, like I said before, I'll skip Shikamaru's battle and Sasuke's battle just for the sake of...me being too lazy. Everyone here knows what happens anyway, so there's no reason to abuse Kishimoto-sama's storyline. (grin) Anyway, enjoy the chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Kai! Midori thought as she clapped her hands together in a hand seal. The feathers floating around her suddenly were repelled to the sides. She quickly tapped Neji's shoulder as he staggered forward sleepily. The Hyuuga genius blinked as he regained his straight posture and said, "What's happening here?"
"It seems we're under attack," Midori said gravely as she turned her head just in time to see Kakashi and Gai confront Kabuto.
Neji activated his Byakugan and quickly scanned the area. "Not just the exams. Konoha is being attacked by sand and sound ninja." He narrowed his eyes as he pieced the puzzle together. "They've betrayed us." He turned to Midori. "We must leave this area. The gate entrance is in more trouble than the stadium."
Midori stared towards the upper gallery where her teammates had recently been. They seemed to have disappeared along with the other participants. "Can you fight, though?"
"Of course. I might have used up much energy during my battle, but I feel my chakra rising slowly, but surely."
"All right. Let's go."
---
Nami and Kyoko flew threw the trees, following from a distance away from Gaara.
"How do we know where we're going?" Nami questioned as she shot off a tree branch.
"I know Gaara's chakra anywhere," Kyoko said, eyes forward. "Call it an instinct."
Nami sweat dropped. You added that to your ninja info card. I saw it.
"And what do you plan on doing once you catch up to him, fan girl?"
"…"
"…"
"…You don't know what you're gonna do, are you?"
"Hey, I'm looking at the big picture right now, not details!"
"So much for the observant, detailed Kyoko."
"Shut up! Why are you coming anyway?!" Kyoko demanded irately.
"Because Naruto's gonna be there and it's my job as his older sister to protect him!"
"Oh brother," Kyoko rolled her eyes. "And what makes you his older sister, huh? He doesn't even call you 'neesan' or 'neechan'!"
"He'll get to it," Nami shrugged.
Kyoko rolled her eyes once more. "You're delusional."
"Speak for yourself. At least I have a real reason to come. Gaara's not gonna return your feelings the way he's going."
You're wrong, Kyoko thought. Gaara just feels alone right now. No one's ever cared about him. No one's even acknowledged that he's a human. But if I get a hold of him and talk to him, he'll finally understand. He'll know what love really is.
Nami, surprised that Kyoko wasn't attempting to back-talk her, turned her attention to the suddenly quiet girl. Hm…what's with her today? Why does she seem so different?
---
"Hm?"
"What is it, Pakkun?" Sakura asked. "Is it Sasuke-kun?"
Pakkun shook his head. "It's strange. I can smell Sasuke, all right, but a bit behind him are…two others, I think. No wait. Three others. Yes. One in front of the two seems a bit strange…and the two following him…They smell of healing salve and dry blood."
"Healing salve?" Naruto repeated, remembering the bottle that Nami had gotten. She had also given it to Kyoko too. He shook his head. No…couldn't be. What would they be doing following those sand guys?
"We're being followed."
---
"Juuken!" Neji called as he slammed an open palm into the stomach of a sound ninja. He whirled around and kicked another ninja unsuspectingly off the roof and continued running towards the main gate.
Hikari Suishou! Midori thought as the crystal hanging from her neck began glowing brightly. With a short battle cry, she knocked her leg into an enemy, forcing him into another ninja. Both crashed onto a different roof from the strength of the chakra-filled blow. Midori touched the tiles of the roof gracefully and followed closely behind Neji.
Once the two got closer to the gate, they're eyes widened as several large snakes with odd characterizations slithering through the village. A few groups of Konoha nin were attacking the snakes, but they're attempts were futile, not to mention the traitorous nin attacking them while they tried to hold back the reptiles.
"Snakes…" Neji muttered, narrowing his eyes. "At this rate…Konoha will be destroyed. They must not pass."
Midori started running in the opposite direction, climbing the roofs higher and higher.
"What are you doing?!" Neji called.
"I have to try to stop them from getting further into the village!" Midori shouted.
"You can't do it alone!"
"I will!"
"How?!"
"Just trust me!" She jumped onto the water tower, one of the highest places in the village and conducted several hand seals. Please work… "Force Field!" she yelled, holding both her hands out in front of her. Her index fingers and thumbs were touching, creating a triangle. Bright chakra-infused light shot from her hands and grew bigger in size, creating a barrier in front of the snakes.
The upcoming snake seemed to take no notice of the shield and kept moving. However, he was stopped once he crashed into the transparent force field. After a few moments, the snake hissed and threw itself against the barrier angrily.
Midori narrowed her eyes with concentration. "You won't be getting any farther!"
A sand ninja frowned in frustration as he attempted to get past the shield as well. "Damn that girl!"
Neji stroke the sand ninja with a loud "Juuken!" and he went tumbling down from his perch, unconscious. Neji straightened his stance and looked up at Midori with a hint of awe.
"Go ahead, Neji!" Midori called down to the Hyuuga. "Help the others defeat the Sand and Sound!"
Neji nodded and turned his back. His expression was filled with determination and confidence. Just hold the barrier up for as long as you can, Midori. I'll come back as soon as I finish. I promise.
With that last thought, he shot off.
---
"Look, Kyoko! Over there!" Nami called, gesturing in front of her.
Kyoko followed Nami's finger and her eyes widened. "It's Kankuro and Shino!"
The two girls quickly landed beside Shino who was standing on a branch. Shino glanced over at the two and it was hard for Kankuro not to notice them as well.
"Great. More brats," Kankuro groaned, readying Karasu. "This might take longer than I thought."
"Big talk for someone with kitty ears!" Nami shouted, pointing a finger at Kankuro's head.
Kankuro's eyes rolled upwards as if to check his headgear for anything unusual. Then, he locked eyes with Nami. "You little…they're not cat ears!"
"Of course not! I said 'kitty' ears! Are you hard of hearing too?!"
"Nami…" Kyoko sweat dropped. "I don't think this 'smack talk' is necessary…"
"I resent that!"
"Shimizu Kyoko. Kawa Nami."
The two girls instinctively looked towards the person who had addressed them.
"You are here to assist Uchiha Sasuke, correct?"
The girls exchanged quick glances.
"Yeah huh," Kyoko nodded before Nami could say anything.
"Then follow him. He proceeded in that direction a while ago." Shino pointed in a direction and continued, "You may be able to catch up to him. I will come soon afterwards."
The girls nodded and blasted off the branch.
"Oh no you don't!" Kankuro yelled, yanking his arms left.
Shino swiftly countered Karasu with several well-thrown projectiles and said, "I'm your opponent, remember?"
Kankuro scowled as the girls speedily moved out of sight. More got away! Temari's gonna be mad…I'd better finish this weirdo off quickly!
"Do you think Shino will make it out okay?" Kyoko asked Nami.
"Of course, stupid!" Nami exclaimed, staring at Kyoko oddly. "Don't you remember?"
"Remember…?" Then it all came back to Kyoko. "Oh yeah! He gets poisoned and then his dad saves him!"
Nami rolled her eyes. "No duh."
Kyoko grinned sheepishly, showing her teeth. How could I not remember that? How strange…maybe I'm just brain dead because of the pressure of this whole situation…yeah, that's gotta be it.
Kyoko's so weird, Nami thought.
---
Wrinkles formed upon Midori's forehead as she focused her energy into the barrier. Sweat ran down her face and her breath was becoming heavy. Her features became tight and her body was strained. This was the price to pay for the village's safety, for the snakes had yet to break through the shield guarding the bigger part of the village.
I can't let this down, even for a second, Midori thought. I need to protect this village. Or it may end up…like home…
Flashback
A six-year old Midori gasped in horror as the heat of flames engulfed her. She tried to scream and yet no sound escaped her mouth. Squeezing her eyes shut tightly, she prayed to live. Suddenly, two strong arms surrounded her and she dared to open one eye. "T…Tousan!"
"Don't worry, Midori," her father said with a comforting smile, despite the burns on his body. "We'll get you out of here!"
Midori fearfully looked from her father to her mother. "W-W-What happened?" Tears ran down her cheeks and she sniffed
It was then a loud blast was heard and several ninja appeared within the fire, armed and ready with the intent to kill.
"No time to explain," her mother said seriously, getting into a battle position as sweat ran down her face. "Get her out of here, now!"
"Right! Teleportation no Jutsu!" her father called as he completed a chain of hand signs.
"No, wai—!" Light swallowed her small body and in an instant she was at the bottom of the hill just outside her village. She stumbled up the hill, breathing hard and looked over the top. Her eyes widened in horror and a new round of tears stung her eyes. Clutching one hand to her chest, she whispered, "Dokutsugakure…I couldn't do anything to save it…"
End Flashback
Midori narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth. I won't let another village down! No, never again!
---
Neji had been stopped several times by Sand and Sound shinobi but he wasn't about to let them intervene. He took out as many as he could which was a heck of a lot of ninja. However, his chakra had decreased quickly since he hadn't let his body fully recover before he went rushing out into action again. Cursing under his breath, he impacted his palm into another enemy ninja. There are too many ninja attacking! I won't be able to help seal the source in time!
A glance back to the huge barrier protecting more than half of Konoha was more than enough to keep his determination up. It was then that he felt the presence of shinobi circling him.
"What a troublesome boy you are," one with a mask hissed. "How about we slice a few of your arms and legs off with your sound waves?"
Neji scowled. He counted nine ninja; way too many for him to take down with simple taijutsu. Not only that but...I don't have enough chakra to use Kaiten.
Three of the nine ninja charged straight at him, weapons and fists forward. He dodged two of them, however the third one was able to land a hit. Once he had connected his fist with Neji's stomach, Neji flew back several feet, straight into another ninja's traveling leg. The kick sent Neji off the roof and falling towards the ground. Neji automatically landed on one knee as to not get very injured. Unfortunately, the nine opponents surrounded him once more.
"What're you gonna do now, huh?"
"Neji, get out of the way!"
Recognizing the voice, Neji jumped some feet out of the circle, lengthening his distance with as little chakra as he could possibly muster. A figure fell in his place in the middle of the otonin.
"Kaiten!"
Sounds of the screaming intruders followed the heavy crashes they made in the random shops in the village.
"Hiashi-sama," Neji said.
"You're at your limit, Neji," Hiashi said, turning towards his nephew. "Leave the rest to me and the others."
Neji was about to object when he suddenly felt the fatigue of his own worn body. Nodding, he decided not to disagree with his uncle.
"Now go rest. It'll all be over soon." Hiashi disappeared before he heard Neji's answer.
"No, Hiashi-sama. I have other important things to take care of."
---
This isn't good, Sasuke thought. I've used Chidori too many times now…I'll have to use the cursed seal… Black designs started to appear on his skin as he stared coldly at the half-transformed Gaara.
Suddenly, he noticed two figures coming towards the battle. Glancing at them, his eyes widened. "What are you two doing?! Get out of here!"
Gaara saw an opening immediately and shot off, ramming into Sasuke.
Sasuke spat out blood as he was knocked against a tree. Slumping against the trunk and falling forward, he gritted his teeth.
If either of the two girls had a smidge of concern for Sasuke at all they would've rushed over to see if he was okay. Of course, that wasn't how their minds worked.
"Omigosh! It's Gaara!" Kyoko shouted, her eyes wide.
"And look at him. The years have not been kind," Nami said with disgust. "I mean…minutes."
Temari stared over at the two girls who had recently arrived in puzzlement. Are these two for real? Can't they see the murderous state Gaara's in? Why don't they just run? They obviously aren't about to help the Uchiha boy!
Gaara looked over at the two girls and growled, "You two. I'll deal with you later!" He leapt towards Sasuke when suddenly he felt an impact push him back. Landing back on a branch a few ways away, he saw a familiar blond boy standing on a branch not far from Sasuke.
"Gaara…" Kyoko whispered.
"Ototo!" Nami exclaimed.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura shouted.
"What's going on here?" Naruto questioned, looking around from Gaara to Temari to Kyoko and Nami and finally to Sasuke. "Why are you guys here? And what he heck's that thing?"
"That's Gaara!" Kyoko explained.
"G…Gaara?" Naruto stared hard at the creature and recognized the features of the mysterious sand nin. "H…How?"
"Out of my way!" Gaara hollered viciously. "I want Uchiha Sasuke! I want to kill him!" He pushed Naruto to the side and lunged towards the helpless Sasuke.
Without a moment to spare, Sakura threw herself in front of Sasuke, kunai in hand, surprising Gaara. Immediately, the jinchuuriki thrust a heavy arm aimed at the kunoichi, throwing her to the side and slamming her into a tree branch. The extended sand arm tightened its hold on Sakura, making her gasp in pain.
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried.
"You want to save the woman? Well then, fight me, Uzumaki Naruto!"
Naruto clenched his fist as he looked over at Sakura again. She seemed to lose consciousness and Gaara had detached his transformed arm from her, leaving sand to hold onto the kunoichi. "The sand will soon destroy her. If you don't hurry, she'll be dead."
"You…" Naruto growled, his fists shaking. "I'll kill you!"
---
I can't…hold the barrier up anymore…Midori thought forcibly. My chakra…no…I can't… Midori's body gave out and her arms fell to her sides. As she lost the ability to stand, she went tumbling down off the water tower towards the ground, so did the transparent barrier.
I'm sorry…
The snakes and intruders were finally able to pass through the village, plundering through as they proceeded with their orders.
Konoha…Kyoko and Nami…Marieke-sensei…Neji…
Midori felt her mind succumbing to her own lethargy and her train of thought seemed to go blank as she closed her eyes. Several cuts appeared as enemies passing by lashed at her powerless body for sheer pleasure. She felt as if she were falling on slow motion, yielding to the pain of the wounds as she fell when she suddenly stopped and moved to the right. Confused, she dared to slowly open her eyes to find herself staring straight into Neji's concerned face. Realizing that he had caught her before she fell and she was now in his arms, she immediately felt her cheeks heating up and she averted her eyes and frowned sadly.
"Are you all right?" Neji asked.
"…Yeah. But…I wasn't able to hold them off," Midori said softly. "I'm sorry."
Neji looked at her for a second and said, "It doesn't matter."
Midori turned her attention back at him questioningly.
"See? You stalled them long enough that more reinforcements were able to arrive," Neji pointed out. "You did well."
Midori smiled diffidently.
"But it isn't over yet," Neji said, staring off into the distance. "Konoha is still under attack. However, both of us are low on chakra. We need to find a safer place to rejuvenate."
Midori nodded. "I think the arena would be deserted of enemies by now." She started to stand herself when a throb shot through her stomach. Grimacing in pain, she lowered herself to the ground again. Her hand felt warm liquid and she gasped quietly.
Neji narrowed his eyes. "Those disgraceful—"
"Neji, its okay," Midori interrupted quickly, though regretted it later as another wave of pain reminded her of the how terrible the injuries were.
Neji impulsively supported her, then, to Midori's surprise, hoisted her on his back. "We'll go to the infirmary. No matter what, there are always medic nin around, even during an attack."
Midori, her face tainted with a light blush, closed her eyes and held onto Neji's shoulders as he started moving. Neji…thank you.
Okay, so Kyoko's memory lapse will be explained in later chapters. Yes, I didn't just put it there to fill up extra space. It has a reason. There's obviously more background to the flashback, but again, that'll be explained in further chapters. Anyway, I hope you all liked the chapter! I sure did. XD R&R please!
-HM