A/N: I want to apologize for how long it has taken to get this chapter out. College and the rest of my life are massive detractors from my writing without all the added stuff that's been going on. Either way, I feel like I'm not in too much of a rush. This is the second last chapter, which means of course that the next one is the last one, so I guess part of me is trying to savor it all. Either way, the next one definitely won't take as long, as I've not worked out a schedule that should keep my writing current. And now, without further ado…
Dragonheart
Chapter 24
Yakusho drifted. That was the only explanation for what he was feeling at that moment. Truthfully it was an experience that defied explanation. There was nothing else in the world Yakusho could compare it to. After a few moments of soundless floating, he considered that he might be dead. After all, Kosu did hit him with a bolt of lightning to the chest. If that hadn't stopped Yakusho's heart, then he truly had to be immortal.
The more he thought about it though, the less likely it seemed he was dead. If he was dead, then how could he be thinking about it? Then again, what if this was the afterlife? To just endlessly hover, suspended in unconscious blackness for all eternity. Yakusho could feel a shudder pass through him as he contemplated the possibility, and deduced that he couldn't be dead.
He was simply dying.
No sooner had he come to the realization than it ceased to be true. Light shot into Yakusho's eyes so suddenly that he was forced to shut them against the brightness. The sound of labored breathing hit his ears as the grand chamber beneath the Ryuugakure temple came back into focus, his eyes slowly adjusting to the torchlight. Someone was pressing against his chest, with even more pressure on his thighs. It took him a moment to realize something was on top of him, holding him down. Not taking the time to consider his situation the young dragon ninja bolted straight up, causing his forehead to collide with Sakura's.
"OW!" the pinkette cried out. She promptly smacked Yakusho, knocking him on his back again as she rubbed the bump on her head. "Jerk! What the hell are you thinking?"
"That someone's crushing me!" Yakusho groaned, shaking the dullness from his head. "You're heavier than you look!"
"What did you just say!?" Sakura fumed, her face billowing with rage. "What kind of 'thank you' is that!?"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"You just called me fat!"
"I did no such thing!"
Sakura throttled Yakusho, shaking him back and forth like a doll before slamming him against the ground. "Jerk! See if I ever give you CPR again!"
"Wait, CPR?" Yakusho blinked. "That means you…"
Sakura glared at him. "Don't you dare think anything of it! I'm just doing my job! It isn't my fault you got yourself hit by lightning of all things!"
"Jeez, I'm sorry," he groaned. "Thanks, I guess."
"You're welcome, I guess," Sakura huffed, turning her head away from him. "Don't scare me like that ever again, okay?"
"I'll try my best," he chuckled, sitting up straight.
"If you two are done flirting," Jiyumaru said, "I could use a hand over here."
Yakusho and Sakura jointly turned red and quickly jumped to their feet. Together they walked over to the altar to which Hinata was bound, taking a moment to straighten themselves out.
"Get me out of here!" Hinata pleaded, struggling against her shackles. "I think they're getting tighter!"
"Why haven't you broken her out yet Jiyumaru?" Sakura frowned.
"That's just it," he said. "I can't. No matter how hard I try, I can't open or break them."
"What do you mean?" Sakura sighed. "They're just…"
The medic reached over to undo Hinata's shackles, only to jump back in fright as they hissed at her. It was only then that Sakura noticed that they were not normal by any means. Each one was designed with a furious looking dragon's head, the eyes glowing red in response to her approach.
"Gah! What the hell?" Sakura shrieked. "They're alive!"
"Dragon shackles," Yakusho sighed. "Kakeru really pulled out all the stops, didn't he?"
"What are you talking about?" Jiyumaru looked over at Yakusho quizzically, then back at Hinata's bonds.
"All you need to know is they're special," Yakusho explained. "And the only people who can undo them without serious effort are members of the Ryumoto clan."
To emphasize his point, Yakusho reached over and stroked the shackles on their "heads". As soon as his hand passed over them they clicked and let go of Hinata, freeing her from her imprisonment. The raven-haired girl rubbed her wrists and ankles as she stood up with a deep sigh.
"That's much better, thank you," she said. "Are you all okay?"
"No worse for wear I guess," Sakura replied. "Jiyumaru, what was that you did? You were incredible!"
"Nothing too special." Jiyumaru rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, avoiding Sakura's eyes. "Just a family secret."
"Sorry I had to miss it," Yakusho snorted. "I'm sure it was spellbinding."
"Jealous much?" Sakura teased.
Yakusho didn't react. His eyes were too focused on Hinata, who was currently staring at her hand with fright. The others slowly caught on and turned to Hinata as the air around her appendage swelled and wavered. Slowly, red chakra bubbled up from under skin, covering her hand in the powerful crimson essence of the Kyuubi. Hinata panted and rubbed at her shoulders as more and more of it began to seep out of her, covering her in a wash of blood.
"What the hell is going on?" Sakura asked. "Hinata? Are you okay?"
"It…it burns…" the heiress whimpered, clutching her stomach tightly. "It burns all over!"
Jiyumaru's head shot upwards, looking at the ceiling. "You don't think…?"
A strong gust of wind knocked Sakura, Jiyumaru and Yakusho off their feet. When they rose, they found the room devoid of a certain white-eyed girl. A piece of stone crushed in the shape of a palm was the only evidence of her passing.
Naruto ducked away from the buffet of black flames, using a pillar for cover. Only moments before, Naruto had held the elite dragon ninja against the floor, tearing at his black chakra shell with furious sweeping strikes. Now, Kakeru remained suspended in the air, flapping his makeshift wings to keep himself aloft as he rained fiery death down on the young shinobi. The battle of the beasts had waged like this for minutes now with neither side able to claim superiority.
The barrage of fire ended abruptly, leaving Naruto only enough time to wonder why before Kakeru dive-bombed him. The chakra dragon's head slammed into Naruto's back, driving the fox-boy into the ancient granite with a stone tossing crack. Vicious fangs dug into the blond's arm, dragging him around like a discarded toy before hurling him into one of the room's many failing pillars. Gracefully, Naruto adjusted to the throw and instead landed vertically, latching onto the stone with his claws. Kakeru snarled before Naruto leapt at him, colliding with the fearsome black beast and tumbling across the floor with him. Naruto emerged on top after the struggle ended, laying into Kakeru's chakra-formed maw with a set of dangerously powerful blows that knocked his lizard-like visage back and forth.
Kakeru's hind legs finally located Naruto's gut and let loose with a powerful, unified kick. The whiskered genin gurgled as he was sent flying, landing on his back with a thud. The boy barely got up in time to intercept Kakeru's next advance, extending his chakra and throwing a long-range punch at the dragon beast. The red fist connected forcefully, interrupting the faux-dragon's forward momentum and sending him careening in the opposite direction. More ancient stone crumbled in the face of the epic battle, reducing a structure that could have stood the test of time to a pile of rubble.
"Impressive," Kakeru's now-demonic voice resounded. "Entertaining, to say the very most."
A ball of black flame seared through the air at Naruto, exploding on contact with the colorfully dressed genin's body. Caressed by dark heat, Naruto did not see Kakeru approach. Dragonesque claws dug into the jinchuuriki's shoulders, tearing into his flesh before scraping him across the already demolished floor. Naruto panicked, kicking at Kakeru desperately in an attempt to escape. The effort became meaningless as Kakeru released Naruto the very next moment, leaving the blond a split-second to escape the incoming blast of flames. Stone melted gently against the intense heat of Kakeru's fire, but Naruto was nowhere to be found in the destruction.
Sparks flew off of Kakeru's back as Naruto attacked from behind, his claws doing nothing to the protective shell that encased the Ryumoto leader. The wounds on the boy's shoulders had closed and healed almost completely, with credit for the quick recovery going entirely to the Kyuubi's influence. Kakeru responded with a quick swipe of his tail, smashing Naruto against the ground with brutal force. Naruto's form promptly dispersed into smoke, leaving Kakeru alone in the great chamber. Naruto struck from above, coming down with a furious axe handle smash to the back of Kakeru's skull. The jarring blow crushed the makeshift dragon's jaw into the stone floor as Naruto flipped over and landed on the creature's back. Not wanting to give up his advantage, the unpredictable warrior held out one hand as chakra began to swirl within his palm.
All of a sudden Kakeru pushed up against Naruto roughly, tossing the boy into the air. A ravenous roar filled the grand chamber as Kakeru leapt up, opening a mouth full of razor sharp fangs. Naruto met the fearsome line of teeth with the spiraling crimson orb of the Kyuubi-infused Rasengan, driving the reddish ball straight into the Kakeru's maw. The spinning chakra ground against rows of serrated teeth, twisting the almost liquid chakra that comprised them in all directions before the ball exploded, sending the vicious jaws and their owner whirling straight into the ground. Naruto landed soundlessly, looking at the crater that he had left Kakeru in.
"Not so tough now, are you!?" the blond spat.
"I was about to say roughly the same thing to you."
Naruto was taken aback as Kakeru exploded from the ground. Dark wings kicked up small tufts of dirt as the dragon-man tackled the hapless young shinobi, slamming him into the ground. Naruto struggled against the strength of his opponent, attempting to dislodge the mighty creature that was pinning him to the floor. Kakeru snarled as he kept his prey firmly in place, a sinister grin forming on his blackened jaws.
"Is this all you've got, fox!?" he bellowed. "You can't even give me your all? Then I'm afraid this game's over!"
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF HIM!"
A streak of crimson knocked Kakeru off of Naruto, tossing the ebony-sheathed shinobi across the cold stone floor. Naruto looked up to see Hinata wreathed in red chakra, her veined eyes filled with unbecoming hatred. Her features changed back into a warm smile as she looked down at Naruto and helped him up.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I am now!" Naruto beamed. "Let's kick this guy's ass and go home, all right?"
"I'm all for it."
"Well isn't this an adorable sight?" Kakeru hissed, rising from his latest fall. "Sadly I'm not into any kinky ménage en trois, so you'll have to find another partner."
"Blow it out your ass!" Hinata snapped. "I've been, harassed, terrified, used as a bargaining chip and kidnapped twice in the last month. I'm seriously not in the mood for jokes!"
"The Kyuubi's chakra makes you spicier than I could ever have imagined!" Kakeru squealed, his grotesque wings unfurling. "I can't wait to tap into that limitless potential! You might also give the Black Dragon King heartburn when he eats you. But I'm sure he won't mind."
"I said ENOUGH!"
The Hakke Kusho that Hinata released tore across the inlaid stone as the Kyuubi's chakra mingled with her family's jutsu, creating an enormous orb that slammed into Kakeru with destructive force. The shockwave from the impact pushed the two Konoha shinobi several feet backward as Kakeru was sent hurtling across his own temple, crashing into the far wall and sending several chunks of masonry rolling down the hall. The morphed dragon-man slowly pulled himself from the crack his body had formed, rubbing his serpentine jaw line with a bemused cackle.
"Such ferocity! Your power is almost more valuable than the original's!"
"If you think what I can do is impressive, then you truly don't understand the Kyuubi at all," Hinata said, readying herself once more. "Naruto, let's finish this. I want to go home."
"I hear you," Naruto nodded. "Let's end this once and for all…together."
The couple raised their hands together and formed Naruto's most used seal in unison, their chakra overflowing as they focused all their demonic essence into the technique. Waves of crimson energy flickered and flailed in nonexistent wind as the Kyuubi's chakra exploded from both of them, causing the temple to visibly shudder under the weight of their combined power.
"Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Endless clones of Naruto and Hinata materialized in waves, spreading out from their progenitors to create a sea of orange and lavender. The constant supply of shadows filled the grand temple, covering even the remainders of the support system with Narutos and Hinatas that directed their heated gazes to the sinister figure in the middle of the room. Kakeru peered at the throng of clones, his left eye twitching slightly as he came to understand the predicament he'd gotten into. His composure broke for but a second as he let out a single whimpered phrase.
"Uh oh."
Replicas of Naruto and Hinata rushed forward in a swelling tide, charging Kakeru without regard for their own lives. Instinctively the draconic villain struck back, unleashing a furious gust of flames that engulfed more than a quarter of the lovers' army. The loss did not impede the attack however, each emptied space being almost immediately filled by another clone. Fists surged against ebony chakra as barrage after barrage pounded against Kakeru's shell. The demon-possessed teenagers directed their combined rage against the man behind the darkness, attempting to shatter the barrier between them and his flesh. In a show of staunch determination, Kakeru did not bend to the prolific assault, and instead summoned all the power he could into a single exhalation of dark fire that washed across the stone, knocking away clones left and right to create a thick layer of mist that reduced the battle to a blurry show of silhouettes. Shadows converged on the wily villain's grand frame only to be knocked aside by his powerful limbs. With a deep roar Kakeru unfurled his wings and took to the air, sending out a gust of wind that dispersed the clouds of chakra smoke and left the battlefield visible once more.
In control once again, Kakeru used his aerial advantage to avoid the haphazard jump attacks that Naruto threw at him. Hinata and her clones stayed at range, keeping their attacks down to long-ranged strikes of Hakke Kusho. Kakeru simply weaved through the gauntlet, raining fire on the two shinobi whenever the chance arose. Black flames spread across the floor, flickering in defiance of the bodies that appeared and disappeared amidst the ruined stone. Orange and black swelled against a backdrop of burning darkness as dozens of them launched themselves at Kakeru, who quickly averted the attack by diving under the blond's victory rush. This maneuver led him into the pair's trap, several orbs of chakra slamming into him as Hinata's clones unleashed another salvo. Each red-tinted orb exploded against Kakeru, stunning him long enough for Naruto to deliver a powerful slam from above, driving the dark dragon ninja into the ground. Stone cracked under the impact, leaving a depression in the shape of Kakeru's dragon form as Naruto stepped off, both Kyuubi-tainted warriors and their clones standing side by side.
"Had enough?" Naruto growled, his whiskered face twitching angrily. "Or can I end it here?"
"You amuse me with how much you presume," Kakeru snapped back, slowly rising from his personal crater. "I can't tell which pisses me off more. The fact that you think you can beat me, or the fact that you seem to think that this is all it would take."
"If this isn't enough, we'll keep on going till you're dead!" Hinata cried out, her empty eyes burning with unearthly fury.
"You're more than welcome to try," Kakeru taunted. "I welcome your pathetic stalling. It makes my day far more entertaining!"
The carved stone beneath Kakeru erupted, sending shrapnel in all directions as Naruto latched on to the chakra beast's throat. Though his grip was as firm as steel, Kakeru seemed unaffected. His powerful claws grabbed Naruto's relatively brittle arm, twisting it at just the right angle to begin breaking bone. Hinata stepped in at that point and charged Kakeru along with some of her clones, separating him from Naruto with series of combined strikes. The dragon-man recovered with surprising ease, countering Hinata's attack with one of his own. Frightful jaws clamped down a pale arm, dispersing the flesh into gas as the clone evaporated. The slight confusion that followed allowed the pair to escape and regroup, vanishing amongst the throng of clones that inhabited the main hall.
Another Naruto leapt out from the shadows behind Kakeru and grabbed onto his tail. The appendage contained great power it seemed, as Kakeru was able to fling the blond shinobi well into the distance simply using the whip-like counterbalance. Another Naruto came to replace the first, this time teaming up with one of the Hinatas to take greater hold of the flailing attachment. More clones came out of the stonework, latching onto various parts of Kakeru's body. Eventually Kakeru became restrained by a gaggle of colors, leaving him defenseless. At that point the real Naruto emerged from amongst his doppelgangers, carrying a swirling mass of dark red chakra.
"I told you I'd kick your sorry ass!"
Kakeru was not affected by the words. His eyes seemed unfocused and dazzled, switching between bodies in a random fashion. The blanket of impostors shifted as Kakeru's body shuddered violently, firing off a pulse of chakra that knocked every clone of Naruto and Hinata across the room. The pop of shadow after shadow evaporating overpowered the sound of Kakeru's enraged growl as his eyes settled on the last two versions of Naruto and Hinata. His giant wings knocked stone into the air as he rocketed toward the two ninja with his teeth and claws bared. Carved stonework broke into shards as Kakeru crushed the jinchuuriki and his mate into the ground, pinning the pair by their throats. An inhuman hiss followed the brutal tackle as Kakeru hovered above his prey.
"You win points for being more fun than I expected," Kakeru smirked. "Unfortunately, your tricks are repetitive, and I've gotten bored. And since I only need one of you…"
Kakeru's eyes widened suddenly as his body contorted into a strange arch. The Naruto and Hinata under his grip popped as the real Naruto drove a crimson Rasengan into Kakeru's back. The twirling pressure from the attack disturbed the shell of black chakra that surrounded the maniacal despot, slowly forcing him down. Kakeru resisted, pushing up against Naruto's special attack, pitting dark power against dark power. With considerable effort the Kyuubi's energies won, grinding Kakeru's transfigured body against the cold stone floor. It felt as though he was being crushed over and over again as intense amounts of pressure poured down on him until the Rasengan exploded, sending Kakeru deeper into the temple's granite foundation. The dark beast did not slow however, pulling himself from the rubble with an ear-splitting cry. This prompted Hinata to finish what Naruto had started, charging Kakeru from the darkness and striking him rapidly with her devil-charged Jyuuken. Pulses of red exploded from her palms and fingers as each hit stunned and knocked the makeshift dragon backwards. The last strokes were something of a waltz, a trio of blows that set Kakeru up for the final strike that sent him tumbling across the demolished room.
"Learned your lesson yet?" Hinata panted as Naruto reclaimed his position at her side.
"You assume you have something to teach me," Kakeru growled in response. Slowly he emerged from the shadows, revealing that his disguise had been dropped, leaving him in his human form once again. "I find that highly offensive, just so you know."
"I wasn't playing around when I told you I'd kick your ass," Naruto said, narrowing his eyes on Kakeru. "I was dead serious. I never go back on my word."
"Wait, you were serious?" Kakeru gasped. "Oh, darn, I thought we were still goofing around. Well if that's how it is, I suppose I can stop playing around…"
"That's enough, Kakeru."
Two sets of eyes jumped while one set simply floated towards the archway that led to the temple's basement as Yakusho, Sakura and Jiyumaru finally showed themselves. Yakusho stepped forward, his sword already engulfed, keeping his unnervingly calm gaze on Kakeru.
"Argh, are you kidding me?" Kakeru moaned. "They're dead? Seriously? Do you know how hard it is to find fanatical followers these days? Those three are going to cost a lot of time and effort to replace, you know? I'll expect compensation."
"I said enough," Yakusho restated, walking toward his mentor. "The game is over Kakeru. You can stop pretending now."
Kakeru attempted what looked like a pout, but quickly abandoned the look for something more fitting. His face regained the demonic glow it had attained just before the battle with Naruto had begun as he let out a short laugh.
"Ah, so you saw right through me from the beginning huh?" Kakeru slapped his knee and laughed a little louder before silencing himself with a gesture, putting a more serious look on his face instantly. "You really take all the fun out of being me, you know?"
"What's he talking about?" Naruto questioned. "Someone please fill me in."
"No time to answer silly questions," Yakusho said. "Everyone else get out…I'll deal with him from here."
"Ah, so that's what you're doing," Kakeru laughed. "You're protecting them. How cute."
"Protect this, asshole!"
Naruto charged Kakeru with all his rage, focusing it all into a blood red Rasengan. The chaotic mass of chakra threatened to break apart within the blond's grasp, its shape contorting in every direction as he fought to keep it together. Its stability did not bother him however, for he knew if he could hold it for just a few more seconds that he could go home happy. Everything would be over.
"Oh please."
Darkness roiled out from Kakeru, eclipsing the entire temple in makeshift emptiness. Naruto watched the rest of his existence melt away along with the Kyuubi's chakra, leaving him standing meekly before his imposing enemy. Kakeru suddenly seemed taller, his mere presence enough to make the genin choke. Naruto fell to his knees as his breath was stolen, black tendrils creeping over his skin and into his mouth to rob him of his life. He found himself wondering how he ever thought he could defeat such a monstrosity.
It was only then, when he understood that he could never do such a thing, that the blackness drained away. Kakeru stood unmoving before him as Hinata rushed to his side, helping him limply to his feet. He was unsure if he had been experiencing a jutsu of any kind, but knew well enough what it had meant.
"How?" Naruto breathed. "How can any human have that kind of…"
"Power?" Kakeru finished, grinning aberrantly. "I truly wish you could have lived during the glory days. Then you might understand that there is very little 'human' in the Ryumoto clan."
"I said that's enough, Kakeru," Yakusho spoke up again. "You've had your fun."
"Have I?" It seemed to be Kakeru's first serious question, as though he were only just now acknowledging the existence of others in his presence. "I don't recall saying anything of the sort."
Yakusho ignored Kakeru and turned to Jiyumaru. "I trust you can get them all out of here?"
"What are you planning, Yakusho?" Jiyumaru's brow tightened as he surveyed the scene.
"Something that requires you and everyone else to get as far away from here as possible," the brunet conferred. "Now are you going to stop arguing and move?"
Jiyumaru nodded hesitantly and grabbed hold of Sakura's wrist, pulling the pinkette with him against her wishes. Even though she and the others struggled both physically and verbally against the strategic retreat, the stoic swordsman would have none of it. With a courteous nod in Yakusho's direction, Jiyumaru dragged the other Konoha shinobi out of the temple without interference, at which point Kakeru sighed and turned his attention on his former student.
"You've gotten soft," he remarked with a sad look on his face.
"Of course I have," Yakusho admitted freely. "I've made friends. So you understand why I can't let them do something as stupid as try to fight you."
"Shouldn't you be saying the same to yourself?"
Yakusho shrugged off the chill that crept up his spine as Kakeru licked his lips in a rather deviant manner. There was something totally unwholesome about the act that served to underline Kakeru's latent nature. It was a nature that Yakusho was all too aware of, as he shared it in as many ways as he did not.
"A few months ago, I might have," Yakusho said. "But I've changed since then. I'm ready to accept my responsibility."
Yakusho reached into his vest and produced a tightly bound scroll. Kakeru raised an eyebrow in curiosity as his nephew unfurled the frayed parchment, revealing symbols and words written in calligraphy that radiated experience well beyond Yakusho's years. The younger Ryumoto whipped the paper firmly as his chakra flowed into the meticulously scribbled text, evoking its dormant power with a loud bang, followed by a thick cloud of smoke.
"I knew it," Kakeru sneered. "You had them all along."
Yakusho clicked the two bracelets that rested in his hands as the clouds of chakra slowly faded away, placing the scroll back into his vest. The two armlets were identical to the ones that adorned Kakeru's wrists, except the designs on Yakusho's pair were filled with a vibrant bronze coloring. Yakusho tested their weight, as though he were recalling a long lost memory, sifting through the replay before casting it aside altogether.
"I was told never to let anyone other than myself have them," the teen announced, sliding one of the bracelets onto his wrist. "I'm not sure how, but somehow I just know she meant you in particular."
"I wouldn't be surprised," Kakeru chortled, crossing his arms in a manner that purposely showed off his set. "After all, look at what I've accomplished with the ones I own."
Yakusho placed the second bracelet on his left wrist and felt a surge within him. He could not describe the feeling properly, for there were no words that could express it. His skin crackled with lightning as the bangles came to life, the bronze patterns glowing brightly and sending off a dramatic spark before calming down. Where Yakusho once stood was now an entirely different person, yet he looked exactly the same. The sum of generation upon generation of knowledge dating back long before the birth of ninjas seemed to throw itself at Yakusho's feet, tempting him only to recede as he reached for it. He was keenly aware of another presence, something far greater than he was. It watched over him, enshrouding him in its protective shell and warding off the dangers of the rest of the world. It was almost as though it were the first time Yakusho had ever felt safe or complete, his heart beating slower as he exhaled warmly.
"Exhilarating, isn't it?" Kakeru teased. "There's nothing quite like putting them on for the first time. They're a remarkable piece of draconic know-how, aren't they?"
"Now I understand," Yakusho breathed hard. "I thought I understood before…but now I truly get it. This is why you're never afraid of anything."
To that, Kakeru simply laughed. His bracelets hummed to life as a torrent of dark energy spread out across the ground in a web-like pattern, dissolving only seconds later to leave trails of steam floating into the air.
"There are plenty of things in life I'm afraid of," he said. "Thankfully neither you nor your dullard father made the list."
"This ends tonight, Kakeru," Yakusho growled out, his voice echoing against the temple walls. "We settle this here and now, with blood!"
"You'll never hear me agree to something faster!"
Hand seals flew by at an incalculable pace, ending in the same symbol in which all of the Ryumoto clan's secret jutsu ended. Power the likes of which Yakusho had only witnessed once before exploded from within him, filling him with its brilliance at the same time as its dark counterpart consumed his uncle. Yakusho could already feel himself changing as the jutsu's name left his and Kakeru's lips.
"Ryuu no Tama!"
Night had fully taken up its mantle over the valley. The ghost town took on a new veil with the lack of sunlight, each tumbling stone and rickety shutter adding to the sheer terror that seemed to creep out from every corner. It was a horrifying place that was haunted by spectres from an age long past, whose voices could not be heard and whose touch could not be felt. All they could do was watch as four shinobi escaped through empty streets.
"Let me go damn it!" Naruto hollered. "I said let me go!"
"Stop struggling Naruto!" Jiyumaru ordered. He stopped sharply and released his three companions, watching Naruto roll across the ground. "Do you think Yakusho would tell us to leave if it weren't important?"
"He's insane!" Naruto spat. "He doesn't want us helping him because of his stupid pride! We have to go help him before that monster tears him in half!"
"Naruto, relax," Sakura shushed him. "Yakusho can handle himself."
"Did you fight him!?" Naruto bellowed. "Do you know what he's capable of!?"
"Nobody here knows more about Kakeru than Yakusho," Hinata said sagely. "He'll be all right."
"You have to trust him," Jiyumaru explained reassuringly. "He knows what he's doing. He wouldn't have told us to get out if he wasn't sure he could handle it."
"You just don't get it!" Naruto stomped the ground, creating a small crack in the ground from his uncontrolled strength. "That man isn't human! He's some sort of freakish monster!"
The earth suddenly shook with tremendous force, reducing several of the rundown houses in the village to their foundations. The grand temple cracked and lurched under the force, showering buildings with discarded shards of stone and clouds of dust. From within the once-hallowed halls arose a horrific roar that sent a tunnel of wind into the deserted town, launching a funnel of dirt and broken homes right past the four stunned shinobi.
"What the hell was that?" Sakura gasped.
"I'm not sure," Jiyumaru frowned. "Hinata, what do you see?"
Soft lavender eyes hardened as Hinata activated the Byakugan, turning her gaze upon the crumbling temple they had all only just escaped. She squinted to focus her clan's dojutsu, trying to find the source of the terrible cry that still hung in the frigid night. A strangled yelp was the only sound she could make when she spotted it, slamming her eyes shut and wishing away the effects of her secret technique.
"Hinata!" Naruto was at her side, holding her shoulders comfortingly. "What's the matter? Did you see it?"
"I…don't believe it…" she muttered. "It can't be real…what I saw couldn't be real."
"What wasn't?" Naruto shook her firmly. "What are you talking about?"
Granite exploded in a vast shower over the abandoned ninja city, tossing blocks in sizes ranging from pebbles to boulders through the air. What was once a sanctuary quivered in protest as it began to collapse, the ancient stone cracking and giving way to gravity as intricately sculpted designs turned to dust and rubble. A single monstrous figure burst from the failing building, destroying several moldy houses with it's overgrown frame as it was flung through the air. It slowly rose to its feet, four separate masses of muscle, sinew and scale rippling under the creature's weight. Its long neck and tail stretched out as it ascended to its full height, letting out a quaking roar before unfurling its massive, leathery wings. Its body glistened in the pale moonlight, shimmering like dark sand against the black backdrop of the darkness. Its tail lashed out to help balance its unruly girth, knocking over another dusty building as though it were nothing more than a child's toy replica.
"I don't believe it," Sakura gasped, her body shaking uncontrollably.
"Is…is that what I think it is?" Naruto gulped, mimicking Sakura flawlessly.
"It's a dragon," Hinata confirmed tiredly. "They're both dragons."
"Both?"
A second snarl echoed across the grayscale town as another dragon lumbered into view. Both mythical creatures were virtually identical, save for the coloring of their scales. While the first's glittered in the moonlight, the second's merely devoured that same luminescence. Black as the charcoal remnants of half of Ryuugakure, the monstrous being spread its wings and let out a hiss in response to the challenge issued by the first dragon, a greenish fluid dripping from its mouth and burning small holes in the ground.
"What the hell is going on here?" Sakura cried out. "I thought dragons were dead and gone. How…how are there two of them!?"
"So that's why," Jiyumaru muttered quietly. "Why didn't he say something? To think we left Naruto alone with Kakeru when…"
"What are you talking about?" Sakura grabbed Jiyumaru and shook him roughly. "What's going on!"
"Isn't it obvious?" Hinata replied for the jounin. "Those dragons…they're Kakeru and Yakusho."
Sakura stared in disbelief as the two dragons charged one another, the ground trembling beneath their combined weight. Bronze and black clashed, butting heads and raking claws against nigh unbreakable skin. The bronze dragon lashed out and bit into the neck of its adversary, attempting to drag the ancient beast to the ground. What the group could only assume was Kakeru struck back unexpectedly, lashing out at the fully dragon-like Yakusho with his full weight. The tackle sent both of them to the ground, knocking over signposts and demolishing anything in their path. Kakeru was the first to recover, keeping his opponent pinned by lashing out with all parts of his enormous body. Yakusho found himself battered by claws, wings, teeth and a large tail over and over again, with absolutely no opening in the brutal set of attacks. Soon afterwards the huge bronze dragon stopped struggling, and it appeared that the assault had been fatal.
The light building up in Yakusho's lengthened throat went unnoticed until it had reached a stunning brilliance, shining through skin and outlining bone in silhouette. Kakeru was ignorant of the signs until his scales and skin were struck by an intense wave of crackling energy. Bolts of electricity bounced off the charcoal surface of Kakeru's armored hide as Yakusho breathed pure lightning, expelling the raw force of nature from his lungs to combat his wicked kin. The suddenness of the blast combined with the sheer strength of it sent the massive black dragon flying through the air, stopping only when its tremendous body crashed into the wall of the still-collapsing temple. Static clung to the building and the hulking body of the evil creature Kakeru had become even as beautifully crafted stone caved in on him. The temple finally came apart and crashed to the ground, swallowing up the vile dragon in a giant cloud of debris. When the dust cleared, Kakeru's transformed body was nowhere in sight, buried beneath tons of rock and carved granite.
The grave was only temporary. Within moments the chunks of stone began to melt away, their chiseled surfaces glowing a sickly green. Frothy viridian liquid gushed forth from the confines of Kakeru's crude tomb, dissolving and burning through anything it touched. The mastermind, still in the guise of a legendary monster, rose from the hole created by the fluid, with some still dripping from his jaws and searing the rock beneath his claws.
"What the hell was that!?" Naruto gulped.
"'Dragons fight not only with tooth and nail'," Hinata recited, quoting an ancient text, "'but with fire and lightning and all the horrors of the world combined. They must only breath the word and it shall be so.'"
"I think what Hinata is trying to say," Jiyumaru elaborated, "is that fire isn't the only thing dragons can breathe."
"I gathered that much!" Naruto yelped. "But acid? Are you kidding me!?"
A sudden gust of wind sent a squall of sand throughout Ryuugakure that battered windowpanes and broke glass. The great bronze dragon took to the skies as its nemesis unleashed another stream of the violent chemical, dodging the attack as it bore through several buildings, leaving them with ever expanding holes as the corrosive liquid ate away at their structures. Naruto and the others were forced to duck for cover as several large drops threatened to reduce them to nothing but bones. Another burst of air ripped through the decimated village as Kakeru took flight, following after his estranged nephew with renewed ferocity. The two circled the skies high above their ancestral home, each one preparing to launch the decisive blow against the other.
Naruto and the others watched in awe as both dragons flew straight toward one another, colliding in midair with bone cracking force. Scales rained down on the village as the two beasts tangled in the sky, claws ripping against skin and teeth puncturing flesh. The two seemed incensed with their brawl, with their strength appearing to grow the more and more enraged they became. It was a brutal sight to behold, as the only time the two stopped was to regain momentum and stay in the air, only to return to their battle immediately afterward. The cycle of clashing, falling and rising again repeated over and over, with seconds turning to minutes as the endless cycle continued.
The sequence was broken by a sharp burst of acid from Kakeru's frightening jaws. Yakusho dove to avoid the stream, circling around as the vitriolic rain reached the village below. The team from Konoha took cover, avoiding searing droplets that ate through metal, stone and wood alike. A glittering metallic wing struck Kakeru in the throat, cutting off his caustic flow and sending him spiraling to the ground. Another burst of lightning accompanied the great black dragon, driving him deeper into the earth with a concentrated torrent of electrical energy. Tiny surges of lightning crackled across the ground and over Kakeru as Yakusho swooped down, ending his flight by landing squarely on top of his uncle and letting out a terrifying victory roar.
The remainder of the team was already running up to meet the Ryumoto survivors when they reverted to their human bodies. Neither appeared to have suffered any injuries at all, but it was apparent from the way they drew breath that both were exhausted. Drawing on the last of his strength, Yakusho used his reformed hands to haul Kakeru into the air by his throat, glaring down at his only father figure with an intense sense of vindication.
"It's over," he said plainly, panting heavily.
"It is?" Kakeru gasped for air. "You don't give me…enough credit!"
"No amount of posturing or mind games will save you this time." Yakusho readied his Dragon Fang, the blade gleaming against the backdrop of stars and melted buildings. "The only thing I regret is waiting this long to finish you off."
"You must be joking," Kakeru chortled. "There's so much more for you to feel sorry about. I could remind you, if you really want me to."
"The only thing I want you to do is shut up!"
Hatred drove Yakusho's sword toward his family's heart, but it was skill that stopped it. Kakeru caught the magnificent blade between his palms, stopping it dead. Yakusho was so shocked that he did not defend himself against Kakeru's incoming kick. The blow was quick and precise, hitting Yakusho in the solar plexus and winding him. From there it took very little effort to steal the specially crafted sword and use it against its owner, cutting Yakusho diagonally down the chest and splitting his front wide open. Blood arced past Kakeru's face as he sneered at his nephew, chuckling deeply.
"You ask too much of me."
"YAKUSHO!!!"
Sakura broke away from the rest of the group, charging toward Yakusho and Kakeru as fast as she could manage. Kakeru hardly seemed to notice, his eyes focused intently on Yakusho as the brunet fell to the ground in a small puddle of his own blood. By the time he finished enjoying the spectacle, Sakura was already upon him, her fist drawn back and glowing a pale blue.
"Oh please."
Sky and ground switched places as Sakura was sent flying back at her teammates by a seemingly disinterested backhanded strike from Kakeru. The pinkette landed unceremoniously in the wreckage of an old school, her world going dark as she passed out. Naruto, Hinata and Jiyumaru did not falter, surrounding Kakeru without any reprisal from the man clad in black. It was not until they all attacked that they were struck down one by one, each one of their assaults stopped cold with little effort by the dragon clan leader. While Naruto and Jiyumaru were tossed aside much like Sakura, Hinata was grabbed quite forcefully and knocked out cold, going limp in Kakeru's hands.
"I think even I've grown tired of these games," he sighed. "Come and stop me if you think you can, but I won't endure any more interruptions. Reviving the Black Dragon King is tiring work."
Without another word, Kakeru vanished from the ruins of his hometown, taking the raven-haired heiress to the Hyuuga name with him.
Naruto awoke to the dark skies surrounding Ryuugakure, a dark canvas spotted with the twinkling of countless stars. He vaguely remembered the events up until he was knocked unconscious, the images replaying themselves in slow motion as he sat up in the small crater that housed his body.
"Hinata!"
Ragged blond locks shot back and forth as Naruto catapulted forward, almost throwing himself on his face as he frantically tried to stand. The world wobbled back and forth in his eyes, sights doubling up over one another until the ninja's equilibrium returned. Not too far from him were Sakura and Jiyumaru, huddled around what appeared to be a corpse. Closer inspection revealed the body to be that of Ryumoto Yakusho, who was not yet dead, though desperately close to it. Sakura's hands glowed as she tended to his massive wound, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Damn it you bastard!" she breathed hotly. "Live! You can't die on me!"
"Jiyumaru? Sakura?" Naruto groaned, trudging over to them.
"Naruto!" Jiyumaru stood up quickly, reaching out to help Naruto walk straight. "Easy there. You got hit pretty hard."
"What…what happened?" the blond muttered, rubbing his skull. "The last thing I remember…we had Kakeru surrounded and…"
"Kakeru played us for fools," Sakura sobbed, her hands never stopping their delicate work. "He left Yakusho for dead!"
Naruto paled slightly, but swallowed his fear and motioned to Yakusho. "Is he gonna be okay?"
"I don't know," Jiyumaru bit his lip. "It's pretty bad."
"Where's Hinata?" Naruto asked worriedly.
"He has her," Sakura muttered, her voice surprisingly empty.
"Where?"
"We don't know," Jiyumaru kicked the dirt. "I looked, but I can't find them anywhere."
Honestly, why are you bothering to ask him? The answer is right in front of you!
Colors inverted as Naruto's heart seized. His stomach turned as everything returned to normal, save for a light burning sensation that crawled over his body. Even before the Kyuubi had spoken, Naruto knew how he was going to find Hinata. Now however, he felt a sudden urgency, a need to locate her greater than any he'd ever had. When the burning sensation reached his fingertips he understood something was amiss. A glance at his hands told the tale, fiery wisps of demonic chakra rising off his skin and disappearing into the air.
Hurry you stupid boy! The Kyuubi hissed. Hurry, before she's taken from us!
Once again Naruto could feel Hinata's presence. He was unable to exactly explain how, but he could. The Kyuubi's influence raged through him and drove him forward, making a beeline for his love. He was blissfully unaware of the rest of the world, everything else black in comparison to the sight of his partner, his mate, his heart and soul. She was the only thing he saw, even after he punched through over six feet of rubble to descend into the catacombs of the collapsed temple yet again.
Jiyumaru stood dumbstruck, his eyes lingering on the shrapnel that rained down on the desolated holy grounds. Silently he turned to Sakura, frowning at the sight of her working diligently to save Ryumoto Yakusho.
Desperately, he hoped that the dark feeling he was getting would just go away.
The temple's underbelly was darker than before, filled with loose water and dirt. Naruto saw none of it though, his vision blinded by the intense visions granted to him by the great Demon Fox. He was mildly aware of the faint red glow that tainted the corridors as he passed through them, but he chose to pay it no heed. Minor details would not help him find Hinata faster. Only delving deep into the dark power that the two of them now shared would, and he would go as deep as he could for her.
How much time passed before he found her was a mystery to him. His only awareness was of the turn that brought him within direct sight of her dark tresses. The locks of her hair were spread out, floating in the air like the rest of her. Her mouth and eyes were wide open in a silent scream as the Kyuubi's chakra poured out of them as though they were open faucets. Standing next to her was Ryumoto Kakeru, lording over her hovering body ominously.
"So you found us," he announced. "Good. Makes collecting you all that much easier, doesn't it?"
"Let her go!" Naruto growled, his voice barely recognized by his own ears.
"I could," Kakeru replied scathingly. "But it might not be in her best interest if I do."
Naruto stood still as his eyes drifted between Hinata and Kakeru. "What are you talking about?"
"It's fairly simple, but it might take some explaining for you." Kakeru stepped away from Hinata and toward Naruto, his boots empowering each one of his footsteps. "I'll say it as plainly as I can. If I release her now, she'll die. You might feel some adverse affects as well, but you'll probably survive."
"What the hell are you talking about!?" Naruto felt his anger boiling over, the burning sensation on his skin escalating suddenly.
"The jutsu I've used is meant to extract the demonic energies within her," Kakeru explained with a dirty look on his face. "However, Yakusho's assessment of your girlfriend was slightly inaccurate. Her chakra levels are nowhere near as endless as yours…thusly, the jutsu is probably going to fail and she will die. Also, if I interrupt it, it will kill her, you, your friends and probably myself in a massive explosion."
Naruto's mouth went dry. So many voices shouted at him at once, he could barely manage to control himself. One told him to kill Kakeru now and figure the rest out later. Another appealed to Hinata's safety, and the safety of his friends. Another still told him to run and never turn back. Various pieces of advice kept piling on until he silenced them all, biting his lip to quell all of his feelings.
"Of course," Kakeru sneered, "if you were to help me instead of trying to kill me, your actual limitless demon chakra would allow the ritual to go on. Your little love bug gets to live, and no one has to die. But the choice is yours really."
"You must think I'm an idiot."
Kakeru's head canted to the side as he laughed softly. "Oh? Whatever makes you say that?"
"Even if you're telling the truth," Naruto smirked indignantly, "it doesn't matter. Hinata would never forgive me if I sacrificed the rest of the world for her. Even if she's worth it…you couldn't trick me into betraying everyone for her. So don't even bother. Your tricks aren't going to work on me."
Kakeru shrugged, turning around to face Hinata with his palm outstretched. "Oh well, you can't blame a guy for trying, can you?"
The next thing Naruto knew, the entire room was bathed in a blinding white light. What sounds he could make out were quickly drowned out by the deafening roar that followed.
Jiyumaru paced back and forth. Medical ninjutsu was definitely not his specialty, so he kept himself out of Sakura's way as she tried her best to save the dragon ninja. He wished there was something, anything he could do. As it was, he understood why it was so hard on her, but there was nothing he could do but stand and wait.
Ryuugakure lurched as the earth began to shake, the ground cracking under the stress. Jiyumaru fell to one knee, planting himself firmly on the ground for support as he scanned the village for the source of the massive quake. Sakura seemed unfazed as she continued her tireless work to save Yakusho no matter how hard the world conspired against her.
A moment later, even her concentration was broken when the ground split open and released a thick, dark fog. A colossal shape rose from within the crevasse, stretching trunk-like claws wide in order to catch the rim of the world. With gargantuan strength the sole appendage dragged whatever it was attached to closer to the surface, causing the ground to shake even more. A second giant arm rose out of the darkness and raked across the soil, rending trenches in the face of the valley. A single, blood red eye opened before a sky-shattering howl echoed into the night and a long, tall neck stretched out from the inky abyss. Now freed from its prison, the monolithic beast pulled itself from the depths and towered over the ancient village, spreading its wings out across the valley. Jiyumaru craned his neck upward to see the true glory of the monster, only to drop his sword in fear.
The Black Dragon King had returned.