I'VE HIT (and gone past) THE 200 POINT! (200+ reviews!)
THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO TOOK THE TIME TO REVIEW!
Subakun-sensei: Well! I'm glad you're excited. And yeah, Revelation of the Wolf does have a lot of impact on this story… as it was meant to be! And Kakashi as ANBU is always tragic… sigh… so beautiful! Well, hopefully, this upcoming chapter will be self-explanatory! My writing style does get confusing sometimes… I have to work hard on finding the balance between mystery and confusion!
Hana megami: Well… that was a nice review for what I feel was a very boring chapter (hardly any Kakashi at all…) but then, without it, the rest of the story wouldn't make much sense… so it had to be there, I guess – and yeah, Raido has issues – and then there's the whole question of 'those who look in'. Kakashi feels left out – but also in a way - with tragically, martyr-like pride, glad he doesn't live in 'ignorance' as he puts it. But are the four Jounin really ignorant? I think Kakashi's being a diva here – no… that's not what I mean to say – I mean, I think he's being all 'poor-little-me' – self-pity to the point that he accuses ALL people of being ignorant, when I think that Genma and his gang had just as much suffering… ah well… will it resolve itself? Hmmm… (edited note: ah… I remember the words – Kakashi is being a bit of a drama queen there. )
Lady Distain: WOW! A NEW REVIEWER! I'm glad you enjoyed this fic! Considering this one of the greats really makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside! Hahaha! As for KakaSaku action…. (checks plotline)… sadly, you'll have to wait a little! But it's coming… and man, I will have a lot to live up to! I'm glad you think my characters are 3-D and that Sakura isn't so annoying! She's different – and I'm glad you back me up on her new stylin' character! Hahaa! Gone is the cry baby – I think… hmmm… the band you were talking about seems interesting – I'll check it out – it seems though that the link you sent me is rather wonky (fanfiction isn't the friend of linking) so maybe you'll email it to me? Perhaps?
Kittycatcharm: yes… Saiyuki is funny, perverted, violent and just full of eye candy for girls… sigh… and the voices are hot. Hakkai is my favorite… and Kakashi's voice is equally hot. Yes. Hmmm… double dating… yes… but all peaceful times must come to an end.
Melissa Norvell: Hmmm… yeah… Genma is one of my favorite characters in the show so I gave him a special place in this fic. And sadly… this chapter ends with another cliffie… why? Why? Why?
Inquisitive: You seem to like my OCs… interesting… I'm glad you liked Megami's transition… I didn't want a Mary Sue, I didn't want to self-insert (or seem like it), so I kinda went extreme… Yeah… this chapter is basically one of those: 'here is what Kakashi is missing out on' chapters… and what is upcoming? Read on! And where's Yukio? Yes… hahaha… that's all I'm going to say.
Crystal Dry Blue Ice: Kakashi's going to be back! You wait and see… (rubs hand) and will the decoy team be okay? Read on! But mainly this chapter is about Kakashi – which I hope you don't mind!
Snowfall: Yes! I'm right behind you! Screw Naruto! Have a Kakashi anime! Or even a Kakashi movie… that would be COOL! Why not? But it wouldn't come to the big screen in Canada. Sadly… could you imagine seeing Kakashi's face on the big screen? Who would be the best live-action Kakashi actor, do you think – if they ever did a live action of Naruto?
Sabireru: More Kakashi-feelings upcoming! Hope you enjoy! Nice to hear from you!
DarkFlameAngel: yes, Yondaime rolling in the leaves is SMEXY! And hopefully, this will give you a nice Kakashi fix as well! And whatever your muse suggests, I'm sure it will be awesome! Looking forward to it!
ForbiddenLove08: Thanks for taking the time to review! It's okay if you forget – I'll keep on writing anyways! I have to! I'm obsessed! Heeeheee! I hope you enjoy this!
Sweet Assassin: and the nostalgia is OVER! Yay! Action chapter upcoming! Hope you like it!
Krows Scared: Yes! Someone isn't confused! Good to know! I'm glad you're channeling my plot bunnies! I think you'll enjoy this upcoming chapter – it's a radical shift!
OtakuAnime131: Kakashi is screwed up because he lost his vision. He's got this flaw – hanging onto his past and forgetting the future. Yukio isn't helping – and his team is oblivious and Konoha doesn't seem to care. That sums up what has been covered so far – there are other issues – which will be brought up in time!
Newtype Omega: Kakashi's transition is going to be very much implied – with a few flashbacks upcoming… hope that will help you understand the evil transition better! For now, we've got to deal with Kakashi and then – and then – well… I can't tell you but all your questions pertaining to 'where is Team 7?', 'where is Yukio?'… all those will be answered in time… I hope… soon… when I get ravaged by my muses again! Hahaha! As for KakaSaku action… yeah…
Dream Sundancer: I'd like to tell you that this chapter will resolve everything – but… alas… cliffies cliffies… they abound. Well… it's cool that you write! I'll look out for your stuff… maybe you'll do a little Genma for me? Genma is cute – whoever he's with! I need a poster of Genma on MY wall…
IluvJesus123: I hope some of the confusion will abate! Until then, here's a really straightforward chapter! Hahaha!
THE QUESTION THAT DRIVES US:
Where is Yukio?
Yukio: (dragging his IV down the hall) Where did that sexy lover of mine go? Dammit!
Sakura: (clueless as she continues to water dead planets) Eh?
READ AND REVIEW! It's nice to hear from new and old people!
I noticed that as I formatted this thing for you guys that it was a little confusing when Kakashi's scenes started/ended and when Team Genma's scenes started/ended... so I put 'O's to show the difference... hope it works...
Song: "Furious Angels" by Rob Dougan
I do not own Naruto… much less Kakashi… (sigh)… but I do own Yukio!
Feel the Life Fade
Like a sentence of Death
I've got no options left
I've got nothing to show now
It's an uproar.
Kakashi didn't know where to look first – at the blazing houses turning into ash in the black night sky – the running, screaming civilians and children as they dashed down the streets unsure of where to go – at the ninjas battling overhead.
Stone, water, lightning, winds and fire rained down on them – the leftover repercussions of various jutsus.
"Mama! Mammmaaaaa!" A little girl, wandering down the main street was tripping over the holes in the road – Kakashi was suddenly back –
I'm down on the ground, I've got seconds to live
And you can't go now
Back to –
"Mama! Mammaa? Mama? MAMA! What's wrong?"
"Kashi-kun…"
She tried to smile as she hoisted herself rather painfully to her feet – without another word, she found the bed and fell back onto the green quilt with a heavy groan.
Her hand was clutched tightly over her swollen belly.
"Mother!"
"Kashi-kun, get… a… medic nin. Now!"
"What about Papa?"
"It doesn't matter. Just get a medic nin and call in for Aunti Eppi, okay?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing – nothing – just – do as Mama told you. It's – it's a mission."
He had left and never seen her again.
Mama.
The ground shook violently; the front of a two-story apartment building – already old and unstable – started to fall forward.
With the shake of his head, he cleared his mind –
Mama.
And jumping up and outward, landed heavily on the ground – with enough time to grab the four-year-old out of harms way.
"Kira! KIRA!" A voice was screaming. "My baby! She's gone!"
The little girl looked up – and through the flames – the dark and the dust – up at the white face of –
"WAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! MAMMA! MAAAMMMAAAA!"
"KIRA! KIRA! Where are you, baby?"
Kakashi jumped up onto the now smoldering rock and ran lightly through the smoke to find a bunch of women standing there, frightened and unsure.
A bunch of sheep.
Ready for the slaughter.
"K-k-kira?" one women, her rough clothes singed and burnt in several places.
She stepped forward nervously.
Without another word, Kakashi leaned forward and passed the child over. The woman was too frightened to smile, much less bow. But her eyes said enough.
Thank you.
I don't deserve it woman. It's my job. I would have done it for my mother.
There was a silence – broken by crashes, the 'phooom!' of something big catching fire and the rumbles of earth.
Kakashi was unsure.
How the hell in all this mess do I find the Kage? I can't just flash my ID around… and these women wouldn't know… fuck….
"BEHIND YOU!" screamed the woman.
Without even looking, Kakashi whipped his katana out while rolling to his left, charging it with chakra, he turned and neatly – smoothly, sliced it through the body of a Rock nin.
Damn them. Damn them all to hell.
I guess… Tsunade-sama, you were right…
"Go!" he barked the ladies – and turned away into the night.
He had work to do.
And if you go -
Running up the side of a building, he found high ground and looking down – found a group of rock nins, trying to find their way unnoticed through an alley. Silently, he dropped down among them and with the use of his kunai and katana, killed the team of four.
Kunai in one throat.
Another pinned the man's hand to plank of wood, while his katana beheaded him.
The third fell to a stab wound.
Right arm lost, the fourth died of a broken neck.
Kakashi returned to the roof.
He could hear Tsunade's voice in his head.
"This mission is very open ended. We don't know what to expect. But – if Lightning is on our side, find the Kage and get him to sign the treaty… if Lightning isn't on our side, kill to get out of there. We don't want you dead, shinobi."
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
"If there are Rock attacking you – or any other shinobi – if they try to stop you – you are free to kill – no holds barred. Got it?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
There had been a pause.
She hadn't known what to say – after all those years. Tch.
Nothing but –
"Kakashi. Be safe. If anything happened – you'd – be… missed."
I didn't respond – what do you say? What can you say when you wear this? This
– this mask – when you are this – this monster?
Would I truly be missed – like this?
And if you go -
Kakashi stood there – on the ridge of the roof – overlooking the village of Cloud, sheltered on three sides by the protective shield of the mountains.
Protective – but also a prison.
Like Konoha, a wall (its ends meeting in the mountains) ringed the village and its fields. Only one large gate opened in its middle to the main road, which ran down the center of the village, branching out in tinier streets and footpaths to access the fields and urban areas.
It's like Konoha.
A lot.
Except, Konoha doesn't have a huge waterfall coming out of the escarpment. These mountains must be nice for providing cool water – but then – there's always the risk of avalanches –
Another rumble shook the ground and he could see the side of one such mountain crashing down into northwest end of town.
He winced – it had hit several sections of the city.
Kakashi could see the clear definitions of the important families and dojos, who were spread out on the outer limits of the downtown – their backs to the larger fields that they owned.
And beyond the high class end, the shops, the apartments – the business section of town, where everybody met. And then – beyond that –
The innermost section – right up against the mountain – like Konoha, it was the sector where the most important offices lay – and it was there that the most activity lay.
Among the fields, Cloud nin repelled any new oncoming nin – he could see that the fields were already damaged by the tunneling jutsus and several humps of ground – earth prison jutsus…
Kakashi ignored those.
He focused instead on the first ring of houses – the dojo and family complexes. It was there that he could see the second wave of Rock nins were being fiercely (and competently) repelled. As he drew nearer he saw that beyond – beyond the business section – lay a line of Cloud nin repelling what had been the first wave of Rock.
Even standing there, Kakashi could feel the strong force of chakra – the killing intent of the men and women protecting what was precious to them –
The girl walking down the street.
Mama. Papa. Brother. Sister. Home.
I will not lose.
Kakashi.
What makes a shinobi is not his jutsu – but love, loyalty, courage and hard work.
The cries of several shinobi rose as a large earth dragon rose up the middle of the main street. Kakashi sprang into action, running and jumping across the roofs until he came up to the side of the Rock Nins.
His katana's hilt felt firm in his grip – it wasn't his tool – it was his arm – another part of him – and his chakra ran down it like fire.
"What the hell?"
"Did you see that?"
"Who the fuck is that?"
"I don't know but where's the Rock nin?"
"Stop that damn dragon!"
"The women and the children! Get them out of here, dammit!"
Out of the dust and smoke, Kakashi came prowling – no –
To the shinobi, he seemed more animal than man as he jumped across the final space to take on several more Rock Nin –
In the black night, the white chakra didn't even seem human –
A ghost.
"It's a spirit!"
"The chakra is pouring out of his hair!"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"It's ANBU!"
"Who cares?" yelled another Cloud Nin. "Let's get the hell out of here! It's a chance for us to save the kids! MOVE IT!"
Kakashi ignored them.
Let them run.
Let them hide.
I'm going nowhere.
Sliding his sword onto his back, his fingers moved in the most familiar jutsu he knew.
Suiton. Suiryuudan no Jutsu.
Roaring out of the broad river which snaked through the town, the water dragon crashed down on earth dragon, reducing it to sludge as it spent itself – the street suddenly flooded – carrying people, furniture, corpses down to the gates.
Not even looking back, Kakashi continued onward.
Where's the kage?
You're a dirty needle
You're in my blood and there's no curin' me
And I want to run, like the blood from a wound
To place you can't see me
"Run?"
"Run. Just keep running. We gotta draw them away."
"But –"
"Do as I say, Shizune. I have a feeling that – that our partner will be a little longer…"
"How do you know?"
"Well… even if he left us this afternoon –"
"You felt him?"
"Well…"
"And – he left?"
"Around lunch time – just after one. And he won't be able to get there – even going full speed until midnight-ish."
"I see."
"Don't worry, Iruka. They attacked us at two in the morning. So maybe by now our silent partner has finished his business."
"IF he's okay."
The four shinobi were hiding out in a small cave overlooking a heavily wooded valley. After arming themselves in silence, they had sat back to stare out into the dark. Cold and aching, the four wondered.
Is our mate alive?
Did the mission work out?
Will we get home?
"What time is it now?" asked Raido into the dark, after a few moments.
"Hmmm… well…"
Genma pulled out a round stop watch and flicked on his lighter.
"Around four…"
"We've been running for two hours already! They'll stop looking for us if we don't fight back. Aren't we being obvious?" muttered Shizune.
"Hn… they're there. No fear."
"How do you know?" hissed Iruka tensely, as he tried to reach out with his rather panicked senses.
"Sit still and feel them – you'll see."
There was a silence.
"Let's go," hissed Genma. "They're coming. Get yourselves ready."
"Now?" whispered Shizune, in shock.
"You wanted to fight. You got it."
"Damn…" mumbled Raido. "I wanted a light."
He was surprised to find that as he pulled out his bombs and kunai, his hands were steady.
I won't let you down, Genma. Not again.
Genma disappeared. They jumped out with him into the night.
OOOOOOOOoooooooooOOOOOOOO
"PREPARE TO DIE, CLOUD NIN!" shrieked a Rock Nin.
Kakashi rolled his eyes behind his mask.
Despite the man's brown armor and uniform blending into the night, the man was a beacon of light with his raging blue chakra. Molding it with the earth, the enemy shinobi attempted to create the beginning wall of the popular Earth Prison technique.
What do I fucking look like? A Genin?
Kakashi darted forward – faster than the eye could track, pulling his sword out gracefully, charging chakra along its hard length – and cut through the earth like butter.
"Impossible."
He twisted and turned to cut off the man's arms. Blood flecked over his now dirty uniform.
"First. I'm not Cloud."
He smiled grimly behind his mask.
"Secondly. I'd never shame myself by losing to you."
The nin, falling forward headless, never heard the last.
Kakashi continued onward, slashing randomly at Rock Nins who were now heading his way in mad retreat.
Where the hell is –
Kakashi stopped – frozen.
Before him pillars of fire rose upwards – no normal Rock NIn technique. Already the Sharingan was analyzing it. The wild chakra seemed – felt – all too familiar.
Damn.
It's a –
You're a cold piece of steel between my ribs
And there's no saving me
"Twenty-five to four… I've seen worse odds," Genma muttered to Raido, as they stood back to back glaring at the dark shadows that shifted around them.
"Seems like they're underestimating us…"
"Unless they're good…"
"Unless they've got a trump card – somebody really strong…"
"As long as there's no Jinkuurichi, we're fine."
Looking around him – and then for a moment – upwards, as he looked down and charged forward, pulling out his kunai – Genma sighed.
On nights like these, we should be at the pub – or outside, on a rooftop to enjoy the stars, the moon – and Raido would be smoking, and I'd…
Underneath his feet, small blue flowers glowed in the moonlight, as the pale grey face slid out of the large clouds crossing the sky. As his senbons found purchase in the throat of an oncoming nin –
As blood fell down on the leaves –
As the Shizune and Iruka came falling out of the sighing boughs –
The clouds slid in front of the moon and things went dark again –
Clanks, whups, shhinnngs, thuds sounded as Team Genma fought for their lives in the dark night. Hints of metal flashed – sparks flew – and when one of Raido's bombs blew – the early morning lit up as if the sun were rising momentarily.
Iruka took the opportunity to head for the river. Shizune followed. Genma and Raido carefully retreated after them.
Out of the grass rose a black shadow.
And Genma still mused…
Raido would be smoking, and I'd – I'd be sliding my arms around him.
The black shadow rose and spread wings in the night –
Our fingers would be twined –
To still his shaking hands…
OOOOoooooOOOOOO
It was a nightmare out of his dreams. No. Well… not that his dreams were ever good – sometimes – some nights –
When he lay alone in bed, he'd find himself walking his house – running in –
"I completed another mission, Father! And –"
Father?
Father!
The blood creeps across the floors and runs up his legs to his hands.
Because it's your fault, a part of him whispers. If you had been better – if you had listened to your mother. If you had picked up your toys – if you hadn't made her run around so much – if you had LISTENED. If you had been a better ninja to get medical help faster –
If –
If –
But this – this thing before him was a different type of nightmare – it reminded him of that time when the three of Team 7 had brought Sasuke back –
The chakra.
The Seal.
That awful curse seal.
They were all dead. Didn't Tsunade say that all were accounted for? What's another one doing here? DAMMIT IT ALL!
Even as he stared at the familiar markings which were transforming what had been human into something else – a monster –
But then – isn't there one in all of us?
Kakashi's analytical mind was already running through the options.
The Kage should be able to take care of this – but… he looks tired – and seems to be wounded already.
He needs help. And if I step in, it would show the goodwill of Leaf –
But it's too late for me – I can't reach it in time – even with the Raikiri…
But already he knew….
Obito-kun.
I owe you.
He was glad suddenly for those two years of loneliness when his Team had been split up by the Sannin.
Not only did I learn to use Lightning's Howl –
But –
As the beast – a heavily fanged, horned, wild-haired orange creature with enormous arms and huge blades appearing out of his arms –
As the monster and the Kage stood there, measuring each other up –
Were they talking?
Kakashi molded his chakra together as fast as he could.
Just. A. Few More Seconds….
Then suddenly – it felt as if the whole world was encapsulated in his eye – the chakra ripped through – it was almost painful –
It's been a while… I've forgotten –
It was almost like a black hole, sucking the life out of me… holy shit…
Still –
Mangekyo Sharingan!
The three little black dots fused into Kakashi's unique Sharingan –
A black hole appeared behind the curse seal monster – it widened –
Kakashi, gasping, forced even more chakra into his eye and smiled grimly as the black hole widened – further –
It was so hungry.
There's a monster in all of us – right?
The enemy nin – that mutant never saw it coming – nobody was expecting it –
And before he could even move, his body – his arms, legs, torso, then head disappeared with an ominous pop and the black hole decreased.
All of the Rock Nin suddenly were trying to get out of the way as the Kage of Cloud finished his jutu – and rained lightning down on them.
Kakashi's eye didn't fail to pick the jutsu up. But already, he was wishing for his headband –his eye – no – not his eye, his body felt tired and he knew he had lost A LOT of his chakra with his last maneuver.
"Who was that?" called the Kage.
Kakashi stepped into the light of the flames, ignoring the Cloud nins who gasped at the sight of his uniform, mask and tattoo.
"Leave us," the Kage commanded. "I need all Rock obliterated, taken captive, driven out of the village now!"
"HAI!"
The Cloud nins jumped away, looking nervously back as Kakashi knelt and handed over the all important scroll.
"We fight for this," the Kage said solemnly, as he read its contents. "Don't we? We fight for this peace. What does it bring us?"
Kakashi did not reply.
The older man smiled.
"Well… let's adjourn to what is left of my study and see what I can dig out of the rubble."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooOOOOOOOO
Time slows down –
It's amazing what the senses do – when the mind is clear in the face of disaster – when there is no option left –
I've got no options left –
Time slows down – and the annoying crickets, the scrunch on the grass, the shhhh of the wind in the trees, the sounds of war, the babbling brook – it all fades away –
And all you hear is your harsh breath – and your heart beat –
You HAVE to make it in time –
Shizune was defenceless against the man –
Who the FUCK is he?
"RUN! SHIZUNE! GET MOVING!" yelled Genma as he apparated in front of her – just in time to take the paralyzing jutsu in the gut –
As he fell – as if far away, he could hear her scream –
"GENNNMMAAA!"
Idiot. Run.
The moon slid out of the clouds – and lit up the face leaning over him –
The face of a nightmare –
The five young ones standing there facing him off with Raido at his back – I'm so glad you're here, Raido. We can do this.
And then, across their pale features – the weird spider dude, the fatty, the foul mouthed girl and the two-headed albino – crawled black markings –
And on this monster –
This is what it is – a monster out of a child's nightmare…
I thought – I thought –
Wasn't it over?
Raido –
Genma lost all ability to move – as he was raised by a harsh grip around his neck – he hung there in the overgrown monsters grip – unable to lift even a finger –
Raido – somewhere Raido was yelling –
Idiot. Run.
Watching his lover hanging unresponsive from the shadowed enemy nin, Raido went berserk, killing off his two opponents without even thinking about it –
He ran towards the monster.
They would never get him again –
I've nearly lost Genma before –
Never again –
Genma!
If you go –
If you go where I can't follow – I'd rather die.
And I can't get up
From this wet crimson bed that you made for me
That you made for me
"Done," The Kage sat back and sighed.
Kakashi pulled out a small watch and check it.
Twenty minutes.
Twenty minutes – important ones – but lost one – useless ones –
Somewhere out there – in the black night, he was sure his decoy team were out there being hunted by a whole lot of ruthless Rock Nin.
And I –
I don't want those happy faces to die.
For what else do I fight – but those dreamers?
"I'll be keeping this copy then, and you'll take this back…" The Kage was babbling the background. "Lightning Country, the Hidden Village of Cloud have always wanted good relations with Konoha –"
Tch.
I of all people should know the fragility of scrolls like these – the words written mean nothing in the face of survival… when push comes to shove –
Kakashi said nothing.
"Would you like to rest here for the night? Take some tea?"
Kakashi shook his head and bowed politely.
"I have other things to care for – and this must be brought back to the Hokage immediately… and a report made of this attack…"
The older man nodded.
"Good luck on the road then, and thank you for your aid. It was – is highly appreciated."
"You're welcome," Kakashi intoned formally. "It was – my pleasure."
He turned away and leapt over the rooftops until he reached the edge of the
Village. Turning, he could see that already rescue efforts were started – people, corpses and furniture were being gathered – the effects of war – it seemed so –
Familiar.
Like after Thunder.
Like after Rock.
Like after the Kyuubi.
Like after Sand and Sound.
Like after Sound.
At least –
At least one girl, one mother can sleep safely tonight.
And there's somebody else to worry about –
Kakashi flipped out a scroll, cut his thumb and run the blood down through the summoning seal characters, after letting it flutter in the wind, he let it roll up again, performed the final seal and activated it.
Out of the resulting cloud of smoke, ten scruffy heads appeared.
The old gang.
"Yo!" Pakkun said in a deeper, gravelly voice. "Long time, no see, Kakashi. Not such a young pup, huh?"
"Like you're getting any younger," scoffed Kakashi.
"Hmph… What're we looking for?"
"Well… this…" Kakashi rooted around in his pouch and then, pulled out a handkerchief.
"It's that senbon-dude," Rafe growled. "What-his-name…"
"Genma. Yes. Tsunade gave this to me – just in case –"
"And this is the just-in-case?" asked Pakkun.
"Yeah… I've got a bad feeling…"
"Sure."
"Silent hunt, as well… one howl only to signal the find."
"Got it."
The hounds disappeared – Pakkun and Kakashi headed to the south – steering past the city.
By his watch, it was now five in the morning. Already the sky was becoming less black – a tinge of blue spreading out from the horizon.
Kakashi readied his the pieces of his heart for the worst.
I'm as cold as a stone, I can feel the life fade from me
I'm down on the ground, I've got seconds to live
And what's there that waits for me?
Iruka was already at the edge of river – two of his mizu bunshins took out a nin, while his Water Bullet no jutsu, protected Raido and Shizune from the oncoming rain of kunai – another enemy fell from Raido's long range bomb.
Beyond Shizune – who was standing, her back to Iruka several yards away – beyond Raido who was running to –
Beyond them was that ugly monster – two monstrous black wings, which looked more like spikes – one large hand wrapped around Genma's totally limp body.
Is he unconscious?
Why isn't he moving?
"Hischakra is holding out... he's not dying yet... but -," Shizune yelled back to Iruka. "We need to get rid of the others."
"No problem –" Iruka said, his dark eyebrows knitting together tensely. "I guess we'll just have to let Raido-san do his thing…"
"I don't think that's wise – he's not thinking clearly –"
"Shizune – it's best this way – he's the one with the most power – his love is on the line…"
"If you say so –"
"Hm. Well. We've got five more to take care of – let's go –"
It was if he was in a tomb – in some sort of in between place – some sort of imprisoned space – a soul stuck in an inanimate body –
I can't move!
He could only gaze helplessly at his attacker's neck – the dark brown had turned black as the curse seal increased to a Level 2.
This is where the pain starts, I guess…
Genma knew – he'd seen it before – the wild chakra, the damage, the nins that fell to the monsters on the front lines –
Suddenly, the hand let go of its choke hold on the Jounin's neck. As he fell, the enemy nin –
Who WAS he?
Rock can't –
Sound is –
Possibilities scrambled around in his brain – then went black as pain radiated throughout his body – somebody's foot had connected with Genma's stomach –
The honey-haired ninja went flying like a doll out of the clearing and into the trees, breaking several young plants as he went.
"GENMA!"
Run the fuck away, Raido! Get the hell out of here!
His rather dizzied vision – focused – unfocussed on the piles of green leaves before him. Rough hands dug through his freed hair –
Where did my hitae ate go?
And gripped his scalp. The jounin gasped.
I won't whimper like a dog – even now –
Damn it. Where are you, Kakashi?
A terrible thought crawled into his brain –
What if –
Kakashi wouldn't. He wouldn't.
What if –
I know he's distant – aloof – hurting – stuck in a hell I can only imagine – okay – the hell I'm in now –
Genma's face slammed down into the dirt and somewhere an evil laugh rang out – and the shinnngggg of steel withdrawing from a long katana –
Where are you, Kakashi?
Raido –
Kakashi, don't sit there and let us die – don't you care?
Kakashi wouldn't.
A foot descended, breaking several of Genma's ribs.
Raido was trying to kill another nin who had appeared out of nowhere. Iruka and Shizune were cornered on the embankment, wondering if they would ever see Genma again. Wondering if they would ever see Konoha again.
Damn these Rock nins. Genma…
He glanced to the right and watched with horror as the winged cursed seal creature bent over his leader – teammate – pal – friend – lover –
"Cry for me, little one," purred the man. "Cry for Kuro-kun."
Genma could only whimper as his hand was pinned to the ground – nailed – by Kuro's kunai.
"It's been so long –" Kuro whispered. "Let's play."
- that waits for me
'Cause love, like a sentence of death's left me stunned
And I'm reeling
Yeah I'm reeling
Iruka and Shizune staggered out of the clearing – Iruka's arm was badly wounded, as he clasped it, Shizune was jerking out some clothe to bind it.
"A tourniquet. That's what I need," hissed Iruka.
The medic frowned.
"I can use my chakra –"
"No. Can't…"
"What, Iruka! You're injured… here…"
Iruka turned away sharply, his teeth gritted. He jerked his chin sharply at the clearing they had left.
"Genma… is going to need it…"
"He – he can't have –"
From where they were standing, things didn't look too good for their leader –
The honey-haired Jounin – Genma – their leader and friend –
"Ahhhh! Lovers in the springtime! People! People! Here's to Iruka and Shizune! May they have tons of easy C-rank missions together! Eheheheeh!"
"Genmaaaaa!" squawked Iruka.
"It's Genma – nobody's safe from him…"
"You make that sound like a bad thing, Iruka!" Genma frowned. "Tch. And me – such a gentleman…"
"Here we go again," Shizune rolled her eyes.
"As I always say – what comes, comes – you can't be choosy…"
Raido's face went red.
"Um – Genma – you might want to stop while you're ahead," Shizune smiled.
A man who gave and gave and took cheerfully in return. He never was choosy – he was so – accepting – why didn't I see that before?
Under that tough exterior –
"Move aside, bitch."
"How can you say that, Genma?" screeched Anko.
"I'm saying it like it is…"
"GENMA!"
"Awww… shut the hell up and move on, Anko. You're right – so… get over it. People can make mistakes – but you don't have to jump on them once they're down… Geez… Show a little mercy won'tcha?"
"But –"
"Listen, I know people were hard on you too – so you should know, right?"
And from that day onward, Anko never sniped at Kakashi again…
Under that tough exterior was a kind heart –
I understand now, Hana-chan. But this –
From where they stood, things didn't look good. Raido was attempting to stand and failing – had he broken something?
And beyond him, Genma lay, helplessly pinned down by various kunai.
Damn. I'm too slow – my ankle – ugh – and Iruka can't sign anymore – and Raido –
Raido.
Genma.
Don't –
Wait –
It was a nightmare. It was THE nightmare. He could see it already.
Crawling on his elbows to where Genma lay propped up against the tree. Raido whimpered in pain as he tried to reach his friend –
He managed to get around the tree, coming abreast of his friend – his silent friend who was gasping heavily –
"I'm fine –"
"No – you're not," coughed Raido. Blood ran down the sides of his mouth.
Somewhere in his chest, there was pain – but that wasn't a wound – it was –
They fell silent – unable to say anything anymore.
Raido couldn't do anything –
I can do nothing –
Nothing.
I'm useless –
I'm nothing.
Father, you must be right – you must –
He could hear Genma's voice in his head, that night so long ago, telling him that he was something.
He's been telling me that all my life – ever since we've met – but what have I done for him in return.
And here I am, even now, crawling – I can't even help him.
Tears ran down his cheeks as he realized the futility –
If you go –
"Hnnn…" chuckled the demon.
What was his name again?
Genma's tired brain tried to remember.
Kuro.
"How does it feel to be – nothing?"
Damn you, thought Genma weakly.
"How does it feel – and your friends so useless. Leaving you alone like this…"
Raido.
Flashes of memory ran through his brain –
Raido falling over his own feet.
Raido walking out on his father.
Raido at his father's funeral – several hundred meters away – crying.
Raido protecting the Hokage with his life.
Raido's hand on his as they fell unconscious together.
"See… he cries for you, the useless fucker."
Genma's head was painfully jerked to the right and rather hazily – he focused past his impaled hand and the pool of blood seeping from it – to Raido.
The brown hair blurred – the scars running along his cheekbone – dark eyes filled with pain – with tears which ran down his face.
Raido.
And even though he couldn't say something, even though he couldn't, even though he lay there like a helpless Genin bleeding from multiple wounds –
Even though –
Death was peering over the shoulder of Kuro.
Genma felt alright.
Raido was there.
Raido was living. Raido cared.
He wasn't alone.
Thank you.
Raido must have understood, his head bent in anguish as his fingers dug into the earth.
Don't go, Genma. What's life worth –
If you go –
and if you go furious angels will bring you back to me
NEXT WEEK!
Wet Crimson
Genma's eyes darken. But somewhere – a dog howls.
Sorry... this chappie could've been out earlier if I hadn't lost my Memorex flash drive... (sigh) I'm a doofus... but here it is - another cliffie... but I'm sure you guys can all guess what will happen... right?
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