Chapter 37 - A Fallen Comrade
(Yue's POV)
I take my stance, "Ready, brother?"
"Ready."
"No going easy on me."
"Not a chance!"
"Ready!" Temari calls, raising her arm in the air, "Set!" she drops her hand, "Match!"
Naruto lunges at me, doing a hand sign, "Kage Buushin Jutsu!", dispatching four or five clones.
I smirk, from what Kakashi and the others tell me, that's Naruto's infamous jutsu. I grab a couple of shuriken, toss them at Naruto and his clones and jump away.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Temari and Kankuro pale as I do some hand signs.
Bird, serpent, monkey, dog…
Temari hides everyone behind her fan as I call, "Four Elements Jutsu!"
I slam my hand in to the ground, instantly, a white ball surrounds me, and elements fly in every direction.
Giant earth spikes shoot out of the ground, ice soon covers the arena, fire hales around us, winds blowing harshly in every direction.
I notice all of Naruto's clones have dispersed, and he's fighting against the wind.
"Had enough yet, brother?" I call over the slowly dispersing roar of flames and howl of the wind.
He smirks, "Not yet!"
"Naruto!" Kankuro exclaims, poking his head out from behind the fan, "Her technique isn't quite finished yet! There are at least four stages!"
"Enough, Kankuro." I say calmly, glaring at him, "You're going to ruin the fun."
Naruto charges at me again, "Well, bring on the others!"
I wait till he's about a foot away, then, I pop out my dagger, barely scratching his arm.
Sure that I have some of his blood on my blade, I fall back.
He grabs his arm in surprise, "Hey! What was that for!"
"This." I rub my fingers in the blood, and do more hand signs.
Dog, boar, crane, ox…"Korinu Shi Jutsu!"
"Come on!" I hear Kiba call, as they all run in to the high stadium.
The ground rumbles and shakes violently, then, it cracks in the center. Two giant ice wolves shoot out of the ground, and stand in front of me.
Their sapphire eyes lock on Naruto, growling and snarling.
I call to them, "This mission is not to kill."
They bark in response and leap after Naruto. He yelps and takes off around the arena.
"Okay, Yue," I hear Temari yell over Naruto's screaming, "that's enough!"
I give her the thumbs up, and do a few more hand signs.
Instantly, the dogs and all the elements disappear.
Everyone leaps back in to the arena, some run to Naruto, some run up to me, talking excitedly.
I smile at Naruto, "You okay, brother?"
He grins, giving me a thumbs up, "As good as ever."
"Now you know to never mess with her." Kankuro says, "She's crazy."
"Where'd you learn that technique?" Kakashi questions astonishment evident, "That was absolutely amazing!"
I wipe sweat from my brow, and sigh exhaustedly, "I made it myself, took years to master."
Ino, who has Hitomi whimpering in her arms, looks concerned, "You alright? You look exhausted."
"I'm fine." I breathe, taking a step forward, only to collapse. Instantly caught by Kakashi, "Yue!"
"I'm fine." I repeat, resting my head comfortably on his shoulder, "That just took a lot of chakra." I smile, "But it felt good."
"I bet." I hear Tsunade say, from somewhere behind the crowd of genin.
She finds her way through, and says, "After having pinned up chakra for nine months, I'd go all out, too."
Shizune pops out from behind Tsunade, "With that kind of power, you could be the next Hokage."
I smile, "Really?"
Naruto and I have a common wish, to be just like our father.
One of us will be the Rokudaime.
I look up at the stars from the balcony of the apartment through sore, puffy, red eyes.
I blink away more tears, and turn to my company. His eyes are as red and puffy as mine. I thought he couldn't cry anymore, but when he told me the news, he started up again and couldn't stop for the longest time.
My effort was fruitless, I feel a couple tears slide down my reddened face.
"How could this happen…?" I whisper, voice hoarse, "…This wasn't supposed to happen."
I hear him sniffle as I sit next to him, wrapping comforting arms around him.
"Why?" he whispers hoarsly, "We still need him, she still needs him."
I tighten my hold, "I know its not fair, but…that's the way of life. We live, we die. That's the life of a ninja. The moment you're born, you're swearing your life to your village. His was even more certain, being the son of the Hokage. You understand, Shikamaru?"
He wraps his arms around his knees, an unlit cigarette dangling from his lower lip, "But…what am I supposed to tell Kurenai-sensei? She'll be so devastated."
I lay my head against his, "I know, but you'll have to tell her. She'll have to know eventually. Better by one of his students than someone else, huh? Would you like me to help you?"
"No, its something I need to do." He says, slowly sliding out of my grasp, "And, Yue…thank you."
I nod with a tiny smile, "You're welcome any time."
Aww, poor Shikamaru...
And if you have any questions about Yue's jutsus, please feel free to ask.
R & R
-Cloe