A/N: Hey everybody, its Dragoon Tidus! Just wanted to thank you all for your support. This story has reached 72000 views. Thank you all! This chapter will be one long battle scene. Thanks for the support everyone. Now let's get to it!
Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Power of a Mother
Hinata and Kisame stood glaring at each other. Hinata's eyes had narrowed and she had her Byakugan activated. Kisame shouldered his massive sword, the Samehada. Hinata knew her opponent well, thanks to the reports left behind by Jiraiya and the other Shinobi who had battled him. Hinata back stepped as Kisame leapt from the building and onto the floor. He cracked a wide toothy grin and he laughed.
"So, the Hyuga thinks she can take me down. Your cousin couldn't even defeat me. I can tell by looking at you that you're not even half as strong as he is. You come to me to throw your life away, Hinata Uzumaki!"
He laughed a hoarse, bellowing laugh and he lowered his blade to the ground. Hinata knew her opponent was strong, but she had an advantage in speed. Without warning, Kisame sprang forward and he brought the Samehada down hard on what he hoped was Hinata's head. He was aiming to kill. Hinata sidestepped and she laid a strike on Kisame's right lung. Kisame grunted and he hopped backwards.
"I forgot you're a Gentle Fist user. You won't lay another of those on me."
Kisame coughed and a little blood came out. He hopped back further and he started to weave seals at a blazing speed. Hinata lunged forward again, but Kisame dodged this time and he brought his elbow into her shoulder. Hinata took the blow and she used the trajectory to deliver another strike, this time to Kisame's left arm. She was too late however, as Kisame had completed his Ninjutsu.
"Water Style: Water Shark Bomb!"
The water behind Kisame began to churn and took on a solid shape. Hinata back flipped away and she assumed her trademark stance. Her hands were in front of her and she started to move them at high speed. Six water sharks were hurtling towards her. They hit and exploded into a shower of water. Kisame laughed and he grinned.
"Is that all you can handle? You really are weak."
Hinata hadn't taken any of the blows, thanks to her signature technique: The Protection of the Eight Trigams, Sixty-Four Palms. She had developed this technique as a means of absolute defense. She projected Chakra into her hands and moved them very fast. The chakra became blades of energy that could cut through steel.
Kisame watched the water clear, as if from a dome. He looked on in disbelief and he watched as Hinata lowered her hands towards to the ground, her back hunched and her arms spread wide.
"Secret Hyuga Style Taijutsu: 128 Palms of Fury!"
Hinata dashed forward, and she delivered a series of strikes to Kisame's body. Kisame blocked as many as he could with the Samehada, but Hinata's onslaught was just too much. Hinata had hit him in his legs and his arms, but she couldn't hit any vital organs. Her last strike was directly into Kisame's stomach, causing him to stagger backwards and spit up blood. He laughed as he wiped his mouth with the back of his robe's sleeve.
"Not bad. Looks like you're tougher than I thought. Now its time for me to get serious."
Kisame started to form seals, and he released his Jutsu, but nothing happened. He cast an alarmed look at his body. Hinata was panting now from exertion, but she laughed.
"You said it yourself. I'm a Hyuga. I cut off your Chakra supply with that last blow to your stomach. You won't be able to use any more Jutsu for a while."
Kisame unwrapped his sword and he narrowed his eyes dangerously.
"You bitch. I'm going to dismember you. When I'm through with you, there won't be anything left. I hope you're ready to die!"
Hinata had regained her strength and she resumed her stance. Kisame, with Samehada raised, dashed forward at high speed. He brought the Samehada down and it caught Hinata on her right arm. Kisame smirked as the sword writhed. Hinata felt a burning pain in her arm and she screamed as Samehada ripped her skin open. Kisame laughed. He did the same thing to all of her appendages. Hinata was being torn to shreds and she was in too much pain to move
"My Samehada doesn't cut skin like a normal sword… It shaves and destroys, cutting its victims to ribbons. And that's exactly what I'm going to do to you. I'll shred you to pieces!"
Hinata dropped to her knees in pain. I can't let it end like this… I have to stop him. Mother, Father, please… give me strength! Hinata reached into her jacket pocket and she pulled out her special medicine. She rubbed it onto the wounds she had received. She gasped as the medicine stung. It sealed her wounds and it gave her a rush of energy. She stood up and she charged Chakra into her hands until they began to glow visibly. She had to end this fight here and now.
"Secret Technique. Gentle Step, Twin Lion Fist!"
Hinata's hands were now glowing like blue lion's heads. She lunged forward and she caught Kisame in the shoulder with her left hand, and he blocked her right strike with his Samehada. Using her natural flexibility, she spun her body around and delivered a savage kick to Kisame's legs, causing his knees to buckle. He dropped to his knees and Hinata seized her chance. She charged her fist and she drew them back. Then she plunged both her hands into Kisame's heart. The Scourge of the Mist spluttered up blood and it dribbled down his blue chin. He fell forward and the Samehada clattered across the ground. The water receded around their feet, evaporating. Hinata had won the toughest battle of her life. She turned around and she walked in the direction Naruto had headed. She deactivated her Byakugan. It was then that she heard Tenten's voice ring out.
"HINATA!"
Hinata turned just in time to see a wave of water rushing towards her. She charged chakra into her feet and she ran up the nearest wall to avoid the blast, but it was advancing too fast. She was swept away in the Giant Vortex Jutsu. Tenten ran after her as fast as she could. Hinata struggled in vain against the powerful wave, and she was thrown backwards out of the village. She landed hard on the floor as the wave broke. Spluttering water, Tenten looked down at her.
"Hinata, that was incredible. I never thought I'd see you so strong."
Tenten hugged her, and Hinata gasped in pain. She looked down at her leg and she winced.
"I think I sprained it."
Tenten laughed.
"At least you defeated Kisame. Come on, let's get you to Naruto."
Hinata stood up and she limped on her sprained ankle back towards the fallen Kisame. She stopped where he had fallen.
"Where is his body?"
A voice familiar to them both sounded out.
"We took it in to be examined. Well done Hinata."
It was Ibiki Morino. He was a strong ANBU, and head of the interrogation force.
"He was barely hanging on to life we when found him. Hinata, you've done the world a great service. You killed an Akatsuki member. You should be proud."
Hinata nodded and she looked down. I… Killed? Well, I am a Shinobi, so it couldn't have been avoided.
Just then, an explosion rocked the village. A shockwave was rushing through the ground. It had come from the direction Naruto was fighting Pain. The two girls rushed forward, but they stopped at the first scene. Kakashi Hatake and Iruka Umino had fallen in battle against Pain. Hinata dropped to her knees.
"No… This is not happening. Iruka-sensei! Kakashi, please wake up!"
Hinata gently bent down and felt Kakashi's neck.
"He still has a pulse! Tenten, get Sakura over here! Quickly!"
Tenten rushed away as another explosion rocked the ground. Hinata was thrown backwards by the force of the blow.
"I have to get to Naruto!"
A familiar voice rang out behind her.
"Its ok Hinata. Naruto has the upper hand right now."
Hinata turned her head around and she looked directly into the eyes of Sasuke Uchiha and Kushina.
"Sasuke! Mom! Where's my babies?"
Kushina smiled.
"They're at home with Hanabi. I put a powerful Genjutsu on the house, so no one will be able to find them. I came because I was worried about you."
Hinata nodded and she locked eyes with Sasuke.
"Why are you here?"
Sasuke brushed his long hair out of his eyes and he sighed.
"To kill Danzo. He fled. Like the coward he is."
Kushina then spoke.
"I saw you fighting Kisame. You've grown strong Hinata. I'm sure Hiashi is proud."
Hinata nodded and she heard Naruto yell.
"Sage Art: RasenShuriken!"
Hinata then took her chance to dash to her husband's side. Sasuke and Kushina followed. Naruto had Pain on the defensive. Their battle was nearing its climax. Hinata and her group watched as Pain had only his main body left. All his other paths had been killed. Naruto and Pain were circling. Naruto's clothes were torn and he was bleeding heavily. Pain looked unscathed. Hinata closed her eyes and she called out to Naruto.
"Naruto! Don't give up!"
Naruto cast his gaze aside for a brief moment, and he gave his wife a thumbs up. It was in these three seconds that Pain seized his chance. He drew a chakra rod and stabbed it straight through Naruto's stomach. Naruto looked down at the grievous wound and he looked up at Pain, his face contorted in agony. A blackness seeped out of Naruto's skin.
"He's transforming! Everyone get back!"
Naruto had lost control of the Kyuubi, and four tails had sprouted from his tailbone. Pain drew the rod out of his opponent's body and he spoke.
"So this is the power I desire…"
TO BE CONTINUED…