Alright next chapter is here! And it didn't take me a like a year to update it this time either! Finally getting my muse rolling again so I'm going to hope I can keep rolling out chapters while working on my other stuff as well of course. This chapter's nice and long and there's even a second one I posted as well so you guys get two chaps today! Enjoy!
Note: Obviously we all know there weren't that many sound ninja in the exams in the manga/anime but for the sake of the plot throwing in a bunch more random OCs in order to keep it flowing smoothly. Not really important, most don't even have names, are kinda just filler. BUT! IF they have a name they're likely to have more impact in the story so keep a look out for more characters getting thrown into the mix! ENJOY
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, just my own characters and ideas.
Kyuu stared at Sasuke in concern as he prepared for his match. After a quick thought she turned to look over at Kakashi and maneuvered over to her old team. "Hey Kakashi-sensei." She greeted when she reached them, watching Sasuke begin to fight as she spoke.
"What's up?" He responded curiously.
"Its kinda hard to explain… I just got this feeling… I don't think everything is ok with Sasuke…" She started hesitantly. They were both speaking low but she noticed Sakura's eyes shift over to her as she spoke and she suspected she was listening in (Naruto remained oblivious, his attention on the match).
Kakashi stared at her for a minute in deep thought before deciding to answer. "I'll look into it." He decided and Kyuu nodded in gratitude that he took her concern seriously.
As Kyuu turned to head back over to her team she caught Sakura's eye and the concern that was in them made her feel she made the right decision to speak up about her worry. "What was that about?" Haku asked when she returned to them.
"Nothing, just needed a quick word." She answered and directed her attention back to the fight.
As Kyuu watched the fight she focused on Sasuke. Her eyes narrowed in concern and suspicion when she watched him pause in pain as a strange black mark attempt to spread up his neck before receding again. "What the hell was that?" She muttered under her breath and with a quick glance around the room noticed only a few others (all adults with the exception of Sakura) seemed to be aware of the markings appear then disappear. She understood now why he was holding his neck earlier, but didn't know what on earth that was. She was now certain she made the right choice to speak to Kakashi.
Sasuke managed to win his match and Kyuu was relieved when she watched him leave the building with Kakashi. He was clearly not obvious to what was going on either. Relieved that Kakashi was now taking care of Sasuke she felt more relaxed and could finally put all of her attention into the matches ahead including her own.
The next match to be called was Shino's and she watched the fight with only mild interest. Shino was too quiet for her liking so she never had much of an opinion of him. However, bugs freaked her out pretty bad and so his family's abilities creeped her out. This was only worsened when she watched him win his match.
"Uhhhgggggg buggssss….." She groaned and shivered a little.
"That was freaky." Tsuki agreed.
"It's a very effective and useful bloodline trait though." Haku chipped in.
"Still freaky, there's bugs inside him." Kyuu responded.
"You're hardly one to judge people on their freaky…traits." Haku whispered to her.
"Shush." She responded but agreed nonetheless.
Before the next match was called Kyuu saw Kakashi return to his team. She glanced at them and focused on them to try to pick up what they were saying. She was relieved again to hear Sasuke was safe and in a hospital bed resting.
"Look at the next match up." Haku suddenly stated and Kyuu turned her attention away from her old team and onto the computer screen. Kankuro was up.
"Hmm this will be interesting, I've been wondering how he fights." She muttered and watched Kankuro grin before heading to the ring.
"What's that mummy thing on his back?" Tsuki commented curiously.
"Beats me, I've only seen Gaara fight."
"Looks kinda creepy."
"Kinda." Kyuu agreed.
Kyuu watched his opponent wrap his body around Kankuro and tilted her head to the side in curiosity as he did nothing to try to stop him. She let out a small gasp of shock as a loud snap rung out through the room and it looked like he snapped his neck.
"He couldn't have died just like that…?" Tsuki voiced in concern.
"Well… that things fucking creepy." Kyuu responded as they watched "Kankuro" turn into a puppet and the real one appear out of the mummy wrapping.
"So he's a puppet master?" Haku stated thoughtfully.
"Bugs, rubber people, puppets, what the hell is with everyone and their creepy abilities?" Kyuu commented shaking her head as Kankuro won the match.
'Still that's a pretty effective technique to have; he probably has all kinds of tricks up his sleeves with puppet abilities. Guess it shouldn't be surprising for him to have deadly abilities being Gaara's older brother.' Kyuu contemplated.
"Sweet I'm up!" Tsuki suddenly commented and Kyuu turned her attention to see Tsuki's opponent.
Another sound ninja was making their way into the ring; this one looked like a girl however. "Good luck!" Kyuu, Haku, and Kaji cheered as Tsuki made her way into the ring.
"GO TSUKI!" Naruto cheered from his spot and a few others cheered as well.
"Ready, fight." The referee declared.
Tsuki grinned at her opponent and drew a few slips of paper out of her back pouch. "After you." She called to her opponent.
"Don't get cocky little girl." The girl responded and charged at her.
Kyuu watched the fight with interest and pride for her teammate. Tsuki used talisman to fight. Certain talisman casted various spells or summoned different things. In this fight she used talisman for wind spells and summoned a cat guardian to help her win her match.
"Good job Tsuki!" Kyuu cheered with the rest of her team.
"You won that fight fast." Haku complemented.
"Well I'm just that awesome." Tsuki responded smugly.
"Don't get carried away now." Kaji laughed.
"Pshhhh." Tsuki laughed and Kyuu grinned before turning her attention back to the next match up.
"Look another cat fight." She commented as Sakura and Ino were called to fight.
"This'll be…. Interesting? Maybe?" Tsuki responded.
"Why do you say that?" Haku asked.
"Cuz both girls have talent when they bother to take things seriously, and they used to be best friends. Till Sasuke came in the picture and they're rivals now."Kyuu explained.
"Ah I see." Haku responded.
Kyuu only watched the match with mild interest, but was surprised to see how much Sakura had improved since their days fresh out of the academy. When the match ended in a draw she did feel like that was a good outcome.
"That was a long fight." Tsuki commented as they watched Asuma and Kakashi retrieve the two unconscious girls.
"Seriously." Kyuu agreed. They turned their attention once more to the screen and saw the next match up.
"And another chick fight!" Tsuki declared as Temari and Tenten were called to fight.
"Do you know how she fights?" Haku asked Kyuu as Temari made her way down.
"Nope." Kyuu responded, she had no clue how either of the girls fought, but was interested in seeing what Temari could do.
Compared to the previous fight, Temari's fight ended extremely quickly with her declared as the winner. Kyuu was curious about her abilities with a fan and not too concerned about Temari's attitude toward Tenten or Lee when he grew upset by his teammate's loss. Gaara was brutal and deadly, Kankuro was a dick at times, and she wasn't surprised Temari was cold in battle either. That's how some people needed to be and it seemed that's how the sand ninja were taught compared to Konoha's more gentle approach.
"She's skilled." Haku commented as he watched Temari return to her team. Kyuu looked at him and grinned.
"And cute." She laughed nudging him a little bit.
"W-what?" Haku asked confused and taking his eyes off her.
"Nothing." Kyuu laughed and turned her attention once more to the screen. Haku was called to fight next. "Go big bro, kick some ass!" Kyuu cheered and clasped him on the back.
"You can do it!" Tsuki and Kaji cheered.
Haku entered the ring and faced his opponent, another sound ninja. The two of them fought quickly and effectively. It didn't take Haku long to defeat his opponent with his mist and ice. A few people seemed surprised by his abilities. Other than her own team and Naruto's, few others knew much about Haku and his background. Temari also watched his fight with extra interest trying to figure out more about him and Kyuu's mysterious life. She was impressed by his abilities as well.
"Good job bro." Kyuu grinned when he returned to his team.
"Thanks." He smiled.
"Man I hope I go next." Kyuu commented and glanced at the screen. "Damn." She groaned in disappointment as Shikamaru was called up to fight. She also distinctly noted that he didn't look too thrilled to be up next either.
"Ha you'll probably end up last." Tsuki teased as they watched Shikamaru enter the ring with the sound girl he'd be fighting.
"Probably." Kyuu agreed in irritation, with her worry over Sasuke gone now she was eager to fight.
"So Shikamaru Nara… his family controls shadows right?" Haku asked as he watched the match, he was still trying to figure out who everyone Kyuu associated with was and what they could do.
"Yeah. He's really skilled when he's got the motivation to do anything." Kyuu responded.
"You're hardly a motivated person yourself. Always trying to sneak off or sleep during training." Kaji stated behind her.
"Eh….. Well he's worse!" Kyuu argued.
"He's also a genius and can afford to slack off." She grinned.
"I can be smart when I want to be." Kyuu pouted.
"Not that smart though." Tsuki teased and Kyuu glared at her playfully before they turned their attention back to the fight.
Kyuu wasn't very surprised that Shikamaru won his match quickly with that brain of his, but she was surprised his opponent fell for that trick. "Well that was dumb." Kyuu stated as the girl knocked herself out.
"Very. Shika's pretty flexible though." Tsuki agreed as Shikamaru straightened himself out and started heading back to his spot.
"Come on please let me be next!" Kyuu pleaded as they watched the screen. "Oh come on!" She groaned as once again she wasn't picked to fight yet. Two sound ninja went down in the ring to fight each other. When that match was over two more sound ninja were called to fight each other and Kyuu sulked angrily.
"You'll get your turn eventually." Haku laughed, patting her on the back.
"Yeah yeah." Kyuu responded and looked around; she didn't have much interest in this fight since she didn't know who they were. She looked at the remaining people left to fight; there were two more sound members left, Naruto, Kiba, Hinata, Choji, Lee, Neji, and Gaara. She hoped for anyone other than Hinata, Choji, or Gaara. Choji and Hinata she didn't think would be much of a fight and Gaara she didn't want to square off with.
"Kyuu! Look!" Tsuki declared and pulled Kyuu out of her train of thought.
Kyuu stopped brooding on when or who she'd fight and looked to where Tsuki was pointing. The match had already ended without her realizing and the next match was being called.
Kyuuketsuki
Vs
Kiraa
"YESSSSS! FINALLY!" Kyuu cheered as she was finally called to fight, Kyuu grinned and jumped over the railing; landing in the ring.
"GO KYUU!" Naruto and Tsuki cheered enthusiastically. Haku gave her a thumbs up and a smile and Kaji grinned.
"Better not kill the winning streak our team's had and win this!" Kaji called.
"This'll be easy." Kyuu responded cheekily as one of the two remaining sound ninja made their way into the ring and stood in front of her. "What's with most of you sound guys covering yourselves up so much? I wanna see who I'm about to destroy." Kyuu called as this fighter was also covering herself up almost completely by use of a cloak and a hood. Kyuu heard the figure chuckle from inside the hood.
"Alright, if you insist." A soft voice stated. "And I wouldn't get so cocky if I were you." it added.
The figure, Kiraa, removed her hood and cloak and stared at Kyuu. Kiraa had long silver hair tied in a ponytail at the base of her neck and amber eyes. She wore a mask similar to Kakashi's that covered her mouth and nose, which seemed to be connected to the black under armor shirt she wore. Over the shirt was a loose fitting, long-sleeved, purple shitagi left unbuttoned but was closed by a yellow obi tied around her waist. A pair of black shorts could be seen sticking out from under the shitagi.
"Well I kinda figured you were a girl with a name like Kiraa. So time for another catfight." Kyuu laughed pleased to see that although the girl had a rather petite build she looked strong. "Not gonna take off the mask though?" She added curious as to why she wore it.
"Oh no, that's only for when things get really serious. I won't have to do that here." She responded confidently and Kyuu's grin was wiped from her face.
"We'll see about that." Kyuu responded and charged at her.
Kiraa took a steady stance, ready to block Kyuu's blow and Kyuu grinned. At the last second she moved, disappearing and reappearing behind Kiraa. Before she could react Kyuu kicked her in the back and sent her flying forward.
"I suggest you take this fight and me seriously." Kyuu responded as Kiraa groaned and shakily got off the ground.
"You can certainly kick." She panted out once she was standing. "And alright, if you insist I'll indulge you." She stated putting her hand up and pulling down her mask. "You'll have to do something for me in return though." She grinned.
"Yeah? What's that?" Kyuu responded.
"Try not to die too fast." She laughed and let out a quick sharp whistle.
"Shit!" Kyuu hissed and threw herself out of the way as a sharp, long, narrow speared blade went zooming at her. Kyuu had a split second to react and dodged it just in time.
"Nice dodge. Can you do it again?" Kiraa called and began whistling a tune.
As Kiraa whistled the blade zoomed, zigged, and zagged around the arena. It only took Kyuu a few seconds to realize it was being controlled by her whistles and acting as if she had a big red target on her back. Kyuu dodged, ran, rolled, and jumped out of the way of the blade. A few times were pretty close calls and she attempted to get closer to Kiraa to counter but the blade was preventing her from doing so.
"You are extremely fast…." Kiraa contemplated bringing the blade to a stop and watching Kyuu. "I've never seen anyone able to keep up with my attack before." She added before whistling again.
"Well what can I say; I'm light on my feet." Kyuu responded as she dodged another swipe of the spear.
"You're something alright." She responded, curious about Kyuu's abilities.
"I'll take that as a compliment." Kyuu snapped and with Kiraa distracted for that brief moment she flew at her.
Kiraa let out a quick whistle right as Kyuu landed a blow to her face. Kiraa was once again knocked off her feet by the force of Kyuu's attack and Kyuu only had a split second to react to Kiraa's attack, she managed to dodge the blade, but not completely as it sliced her arm going by.
"You really do pack a punch." Kiraa groaned as she clutched her jaw and looked at Kyuu from her spot on the floor.
"And you're remarkably good at staying conscious. That was supposed to knock you out." Kyuu responded, ignoring her bleeding arm.
"Well at the last second I moved my head a little and lessened your blow. Still though. Damn that hurt." She responded and got off the ground unsteadily. "That. That is interesting though." She stated, staring fixedly at Kyuu's arm.
Kyuu looked down at her arm and inwardly groaned. Because it wasn't a deep wound, her healing ability kicked in even faster and healed it right in front of Kiraa's eyes. "How'd you do that?" She asked suspiciously.
"Haven't the foggiest." Kyuu responded with a shrug. Kiraa's eyes narrowed again and she charged at Kyuu this time.
Kyuu maneuvered around Kiraa's attacks and countered with her own. Kiraa attempted to kick Kyuu but Kyuu ducked down and swept her leg out, sweeping Kiraa off her feet. Kiraa fell forward and reached out, grabbing onto Kyuu's ankle and taking her to the ground with her.
"Oi, what the hell! Let go!" Kyuu exclaimed as her foot was pulled out from under her and she fell onto her backside. "What kind of fighting is this!" She declared as the two began to wrestle on the ground.
"Why is your skin so cold?" Kiraa demanded as they struggled, when she had grabbed onto Kyuu's leg she felt the icy temperature of her skin.
"Maybe they have the AC up too high?" She retorted attempting to throw Kiraa off her. "Now get off and take this fight seriously damn it!" She ordered.
Kiraa's eyes narrowed once more and she whistled while they struggled. Kyuu groaned as the spear shot out of nowhere and lodged itself into her hand. "Fuck!" She exclaimed and released her lock on Kiraa to examine her hand. Kyuu had a split second to do this before Kiraa had suddenly ripped out the spear from her hand, tossed it, and placed her hands around Kyuu's throat attempting to strangle her.
"Get off me!" Kyuu ordered attempting to through her off and grabbed onto her arms.
Kiraa suddenly found herself picked up and tossed to the side like a rag doll. She rolled across the ground until she smacked into the wall behind her. While she tried to comprehend what happened she watched Kyuu roll away in the opposite direction and quickly stand up. She got up as well and watched Kyuu's hand, it was healing again.
"You're not human." She decided.
Kyuu froze and stared at Kiraa in shock. "What?"
"I said you're not human. That wound to your hand, it's healing again and before, after the initial shock it was like you weren't even affected by it. You picked me up and threw me to the side like it was nothing, even with an injured hand." She began.
"I'm just strong." Kyuu retorted.
"You also weren't trying to protect your airways when I tried to strangle you, weren't even fazed by it, like you didn't need to breath." She added.
Kyuu stayed silent and stared at Kiraa. It had been awhile since she had gotten into a fight where someone was perturbed by her abilities. This girl picked up on things fast and unlike most, wanted answers.
"What are you?" Kiraa demanded.
"What does it matter?" Kyuu retorted and ran her.
"I want to know what your deal is. I saw you the other night, running up the side of the tower and carrying that redhead like it was nothing. That's not natural." She retorted as they exchanged blows.
"Out of all the jutsu that can be done in the world, you're concerned by a little extra strength and quick healing?" She responded and landed a blow into Kiraa's stomach.
Kiraa stumbled back and clutched her stomach in pain, doubling over for a moment. "This isn't just being strong, or fast, this is something else. I want to know." She retorted.
"Well good for you, but I'm not telling you anything." Kyuu snapped.
"I think I know what you are." She stated, straightening herself back up. "Speed, strength, rapid healing, lack of body heat, not needing oxygen, and the slits you have for pupils…. They kind of all point to one thing, plus there's your name too… You're a vampire." She concluded.
Kyuu paused and subconsciously relaxed out of her fighting stance. "Bravo, you're a clever one. Hope you're not expecting a prize." Kyuu responded, deciding there wasn't a real point in denying it at this point.
"You're reluctant, but not afraid to admit to what you are. Why?"
Kyuu sighed before answering. "I've got nothing to lose by admitting it." She answered and continued on when Kiraa showed a puzzled look. "I may not go around broadcasting what I am, but some people do know and those that don't; they know to stay away from me anyway. The village fears and outcasts me with the exception of a select few so if one or two of them figure it out, well then they get to understand the reason behind their fears."
"You're not concerned for your safety?"
"Not really. Most people around here don't pose much of a threat to me and the ones that might, well, if someone managed to do me in, wouldn't be that big of a deal. I don't have much going for me in this life."
"What do you mean?"
Kyuu sighed again, clearly it was going to be conversation hour instead of a fight, yet she felt herself voicing her answer anyway. "I don't really see much of a reason for why I live. I just do, I exist without a purpose. I have a few friends and a brother and they mean the world to me, but I'll never truly be accepted in this world, I'll always be an outcast and exiled so any dream I may have will never be accomplished. Living without a dream or a purpose, well there's no real point in that is there?"
Kiraa tilted her head to the side in slight confusion as she tried to comprehend what Kyuu was saying. "You're strange for a monster…" She began. "You even wear a cross." She added, not understanding how, if Kyuu was indeed a vampire, how she was so calm about everything and why she wasn't acting like a vicious beast like monsters are portrayed as.
Kyuu sighed again and let out a kind of sad laugh. "Humans are almost always the same." She began. "You think I'm a monster because of what I am. You and so many like you. You people don't even know me but will stand there and judge me unjustly. You outcast me and force me into solitude because you fear what you don't understand! Like so many others of my kind, we live alone in the dark not just because of our nature but because people like you put us there. Has anyone ever just stopped to think about how we might actually feel? Do you think I like what I am? Do you think I want to be like this? Forced to survive by drinking the blood of others. If I was given the chance I would gladly get rid of this damned curse. I've lived with this for fourteen years and I would gladly be human if I could. I don't have that option though do I? I was forced into this life and do what I must in order to survive. I am not a monster. You commented on the cross I wear. I wear it because it helps keep me under control and because it is a symbol for me. It is a symbol that I want to repent for my past and defy my nature. I am unholy creature yet I want to be more and long at a chance of redemption. I help you pathetic humans now. I protect you and look out for you despite the cruelty I receive in return. Do you have any idea what it's like to be called a monster by someone whose life you just saved? I do it anyway though, to prove that I am different than the rest of my kind and different from yours. Yes I may need blood to survive but I do not prey on your kind and yes I kill but only when it is necessary."
Kyuu paused to gauge Kiraa's reaction to her rant. She wasn't sure why she was spilling so much information to a girl she just met but it was all coming out now. Her frustration, anger, pain, it was spilling forth now and she didn't know why. Yet she suspected that maybe it was because of Gaara, trying to get through to him had stirred up her own issues, ones she hadn't dwelled on in awhile. Maybe that was why they were all coming out now.
"So tell me Kiraa…" She began again, more agitation finding its way out of her. "Does that sound like a monster to you? Does that sound like some unholy beast? A mindless killer? Though honestly I'm not surprised humans like you think that way. You'll outcast and treat your own kind the same way you treat mine if they're just a little bit different. If it's different you fear it, if you fear it you judge it and try to get rid of it. Humans have been doing this to each other for so long yet I doubt any of you understand what it is you do. You people don't stop to think what it is you force on us that are different. You have no idea what it's like to live in solitude and be hated for things out of your control, you don't understand the suffering you inflict on others. Though, the ones that do, the ones that have been shunned by their own kind as well, those are the humans that can accept people like me because they understand the pain. Honestly, humans are the monsters in my eyes."
"You speak lowly of humans, don't you remember being one yourself?" Kiraa asked as she took in what Kyuu was saying.
"No. I was never human." Kyuu answered and Kiraa blinked at her in confusion, not understanding. "I was never turned, never bitten. I was born into this world like this. I was born a vampire."
"How is that possible?" Kiraa asked in shock, she never heard of a vampire being born, only turned. Hell they weren't even supposed to be real in the first place.
"I'm somewhat of a unique case. My father was a vampire and one of the best, elite. I inherited that from him. My mother on the other hand, she was human. I am half of what you are a dhampir, a child born from a vampire and a human. Being a half-breed does have its benefits, I'm able to walk in the day and posses some human traits. I am not immortal though and age just like anyone else. Being a half-breed does put me at one big disadvantage though I suppose. Being half human to your kind is apparently worse than being none at all, I am judged worse for it, or maybe I am just more able to feel the pain from it with a human conscious rather than a vampire's. Vampires also tend to look down on half breeds as well so I'm isolated on both fronts."
"So does that make you weaker than regular vampires?" Kiraa decided to ask curiously.
Kyuu paused for a moment before deciding to answer. "You tell me." She decided and flew at Kiraa when she neared her however she aimed a punch at the ground instead of her. This time though, unlike when she was fighting her, she didn't hold back her strength, not completely anyway. When the blow hit the ground it caused a huge deep crater to form around where her fist impacted and caused the floor to crack in all directions for several yards away from the crater.
"Holy shit!" Kiraa exclaimed as she stood up (she had fallen over when Kyuu caused the ground under her to crumble) and jumped out of the crater and away from it. Kyuu did the same.
"I was still holding some back by the way." Kyuu added as she flexed her hand.
Kiraa stared at Kyuu long and hard for a minute before speaking up and directing her attention to the referee. "I think I'm going to forfeit this match." She decided as she looked at him.
"What!" Kyuu exclaimed, taken back by the sudden end. "Why? I'm not done with you yet! I wanna kick your ass for getting me to spew all that crap about myself." She declared.
"I didn't force you to tell me anything." Kiraa countered with a light smirk. "I also don't want to die. After that-" She paused to nod to the giant crater. "I think it's clear who will turn out to be the winner in this fight.
"Is that your final decision?" The referee spoke.
"Yes, I forfeit the match." She decided.
"Kyuuketsuki is the winner!" He declared.
"Bullshit! Get your ass back over here and finish fighting me!" Kyuu raged and Kiraa laughed as she started to walk away.
"Maybe another time when I've gotten a bit stronger I'll take you up on that. Till then, catch ya later vampy. We should hang out sometime, you're nice enough. " She grinned and pulled her mask back over her mouth.
"I'm so confused." Kyuu sighed in defeat and began walking back over to her team as well. "That chick is batshit crazy." She concluded to herself.
As Kyuu neared her team she slowed down hesitantly. It just now registered in her brain that when she spilled all that info out to Kiraa in her match, everyone else was listening in on it as well. She paused to take a quick look around the room. The adults who already knew what she was remained unfazed and impassive as ever, the remaining sound ninja (both the one who still had to fight and the three that already won their matches) she didn't really bother looking at nor cared what they thought. Naruto and Sakura both gave her a smile, Temari's and Kankuro's demeanors hadn't changed, Shino she couldn't read, Hinata was giving her a look of pity, Shikamaru looked deep in thought and maybe a little concerned, Kiba, Ino, Choji, Neji, and Lee were looking at her with apprehension (though Lee had a gentle look in his eyes as he watched her signaling he might be a little unnerved but not judging), and Gaara was staring fixedly at her with a look she couldn't read at all.
"Soooo…. That was kind of a lame fight." Kyuu stated awkwardly when she reached her teammates. Tsuki looked tense for a moment but reached out and put her hand on Kyuu's shoulder before smiling.
"You better do some serious fighting next time. I want to see all this power you've been hiding from us." She grinned, signaling to Kyuu that she was ok with her still. Kyuu almost hugged her in gratitude, relieved she wasn't being shunned out of her team.
"I kind of already knew about you. The Hokage informed me when you two were put on our team." Kaji stated with a shrug which finished relaxing Kyuu. They were both ok knowing about her real nature and accepted her. Though she hadn't planned on telling them about it just yet, she was relieved that their opinions didn't seem to change.
"You certainly know how to make things interesting." Haku stated playfully and ruffled her hair a bit. He was a bit worried about any possible repercussions that would result from this. Letting that many people know what she was, was bound to start having talk fly all over the village.
"I was hoping to make it interesting through an epic battle not a conversation." She laughed and let out a small yelp as she was suddenly grabbed from behind and pulled into a bone crushing hug.
"Naruto, even though I don't need to, I can't breathe." Kyuu laughed.
"Don't think you're alone Kyuu, you're not." Naruto stated comfortingly. "You've never judged me for what's inside me and are one of the first few to acknowledge me. I'll always have your back because of that." Naruto whispered before letting her go and turning around. "Alright I better be up next!" He declared staring at the screen in anticipation.
Kyuu smiled gratefully. Even if everyone found out about what she was and judged her for it. As long as Haku and Naruto were by her side she didn't care. The two of them were the first to show her kindness and bring her into the light. Naruto particularly she owed the most to, he forced her to see the good in herself and changed her, for that she felt she owed him everything and hated how much he has suffered as well. If she could change that she would.
As Kyuu dwelled on Naruto and wished to change how lonely she knew he was her gazed wandered away from his back and over to Gaara. He was still staring at her. She gave him a small smile and she watched his gaze flicker away from her. She hoped maybe her words during her match would make him feel a bit more connected to her. Even more so than wanting to help Naruto get acknowledged by others, she wanted to save Gaara from his own solitude.
"HAHA YES!" Naruto suddenly cheered and Kyuu snapped out of her train of thought and turned to look at the screen.
Uzumaki Naruto
Vs
Inuzuka Kiba
"Woohoo! Here it is, here it is it's finally my turn! It's about damn time!" Naruto cheered excitedly.
Kyuu could also hear Kiba cheering about how he got lucky and would win easily. The tension that hung in the air after her match was gone now and everyone was eager for the next match to begin. Naruto ran down into the ring with Kiba ready to fight.
"Go Naruto you got this!" Kyuu cheered with Tsuki.
"You better not lose Naruto!" Sakura cheered/shouted.
Haku glanced around the room before looking at Kyuu. "The others don't seem too impressed by Naruto." He commented.
"That's because they doubt him and his talent. I think you've discovered first hand, that they shouldn't do that." Kyuu responded with a grin.
"Right. They don't realize how strong he is." He agreed as they watched the two fight.
"Naruto's strong and determined. He'll win this fight." Tsuki chipped in.
"Yeah and right now, it's his time to prove himself. Someone who hasn't been acknowledge by others, he has everyone watching him now. Show them what's up Naruto." Kyuu responded and grinned down into the ring. Kyuu happily watched the others opinions change during the match. Their looks of boredom when the match first started were turning into smirks or grins, commenting on Naruto's skill and his improvement.
"He..he farted on him…." Haku stated in disbelief as Naruto farted in Kiba's face while preparing for the final attack.
"Ha! Hit him where it hurts Naruto! With that sense of smell that must be brutal!" Kyuu laughed hysterically.
"I don't think he planned to do that." Tsuki added.
"Probably not, but it worked." Kyuu laughed as they watched Naruto use the distraction for an opening and won his match.
"He copied Sasuke's technique." Haku commented appreciatively.
"Yeah and he just copied it from Lee." Kyuu added. "These boys need some originality. Still I'm glad he won." She added and grinned, cheering for Naruto along with the rest.
"Who do you think will be up next? Not that many people left." Tsuki asked curiously as they watched Hinata shyly give Naruto some medicine before going down to Kiba and giving him some as well.
"I'm worried about her. She doesn't look very strong and there are mostly tough guys left." Haku stated as he watched Hinata go down to speak with Kiba before he was taken away on the stretcher.
"Hinata's always been very shy and on the weaker side. But she's determined and I believe in her." Kyuu responded. "Still… hopefully she'll end up against Choji or something." She added, worried too for Hinata's sake. She didn't want to even imagine what would happen if she was called to fight Gaara.
"Uh oh…" Tsuki suddenly voiced looking at the screen. Kyuu snapped her attention to the screen and groaned a bit. It wasn't Gaara, but it wasn't much better either.
Hyuga Hinata
Vs
Hyuga Neji
"They're related?" Haku asked curiously as the two entered the ring.
"Cousins. Hinata belongs to the main Hyuga house, and Neji the branch. That's about all I know about him though. That and the branch family don't like the main." Kyuu answered.
"Why not?"
"Because the branch family feels slighted by the main. Their duty is to protect and serve the main branch, even going as far as to die for them. Rules are placed that put the main branch in a higher position than the other in order to keep the bloodline strong. This is pretty common in old families and like with many old families, a lot of things have happened to put the two houses on edge with each other." Kaji explained.
"So they must hate each other." Tsuki commented.
"Well I don't think Hinata does. Neji on the other hand…." Kyuu responded.
"He's considered a genius here, one of the most skilled Genin. This will be hard for her." Kaji added.
"Poor girl." Haku commented.
As they watched the fight Kyuu grew more and more agitated towards Neji. His harsh and cruel words towards Hinata angered her and his view on destiny and not being able to change who you are angered her even more. He was clearly someone she was going to have an issue with regarding her own views on change. She suspected if any of the people in the room judged her after her match, he was one of them for sure. Kyuu was glad Naruto was tired of his crap as well and inwardly pleased when she watched him shout down at Hinata to not listen to him and to kick his ass.
Kyuu watched the match with sad eyes, Hinata didn't stand a chance against Neji and was clearly taking all the damage yet she kept getting back up. Naruto's cheers kept encouraging her to keep going, beyond her limit. She understood Hinata was determined to prove herself to Naruto and to everyone else yet she knew it wouldn't work. When the match should have ended Hinata antagonized Neji enough for him to snap and charge at her. Kyuu almost jumped into the ring to intervene. She was relieved to see she wasn't the only one who felt the same. Kakashi, Gai, and Kurenai all jumped in to save her as well as the referee stepping in front of her and declaring the match over.
"That was a close one." Haku commented. "He looked ready to kill." He added.
Kyuu nodded and gasped in shock as Hinata coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground. Kyuu had jumped over the railing and landed beside her before even realizing what she had done. Naruto, Lee, and Sakura too jumped into the ring to see her.
"Hinata…" Kyuu groaned as she crouched down beside her with Naruto to see the damage.
Hinata opened her eyes briefly to look at Naruto and glanced at Kyuu before shutting them again and falling unconscious. "Hey you two, the loser over there and the one beside him." Neji suddenly called and Naruto and Kyuu turned to stare at him wondering what he wanted. "I'd like to say a few things. If you're a Shinobi then act like one and cut out the pathetic cheering of others. Also… in the end, a loser is a loser and a monster is a monster, they cannot change."
Kyuu glared daggers at him. "You…" She hissed out angrily.
Naruto was also glaring and stood up before her. "You wanna go?" He snapped and ran at him.
Lee stepped in front of Naruto and talked him down and Kyuu was grateful that he did but also kind of wished he hadn't. She would have loved to see Neji take a good punch to the face. All their attention was suddenly directed back at Hinata as she suddenly coughed up blood and Naruto rushed back over to her.
"Hinata!" Naruto and Kyuu both exclaimed and Lee and Sakura ran over too. Kurenai examined her chest for a second before shouting for a medical team to hurry up. They watched her get put on a stretcher and rushed away. Naruto stared at her for a moment before bending down and placing his fingers in her blood. Kyuu watched him curiously, confused by his actions. Naruto held out his fist in front of him, letting her blood drip off his hand. "Hinata… I promise you… " He began muttering before fixing Neji with a hard glare. "I'm going to kick your ass." He declared.
Neji just stared at him and shrugged it off before starting to return to his spot in the stands above. Kyuu gave a small smile and walked back up with Lee and Sakura as well. She knew Naruto would keep that promise as if his life depended on it.
When Kyuu returned to her teammates she watched Kankuro come over to Naruto and attempt to talk to him. She wondered what that was about but didn't think much of it. Instead she looked over at Gaara and noticed he seemed a bit agitated. Her attention then turned to Lee and Choji. She couldn't care less if the sound guy was pitted against Gaara, but if it was one of those two… Kyuu suddenly notice Gaara disappear and reappear in the center of the ring ordering someone to get down there. She quickly glanced at the screen.
Gaara
Vs
Rock Lee
"Damn." She groaned, she was starting to like the green goof ball, she could tell he had a good heart.
"Know anything about Lee?" Haku asked Kyuu curiously. He was a little apprehensive about this fight as well just by gauging Gaara's demeanor.
"No." She replied shaking her head.
Lee seemed not at all worried and eagerly jumped into the ring ready to fight. She hoped that confidence wasn't all just for show and that he could hold his own. They watched him attempt to kick Gaara and get blocked by sand. They watched each attempt Lee made to hit him get blocked.
"So Gaara uses sand…." Haku murmured.
"Yes and its dangerous." Kyuu responded, remembering seeing Gaara kill with it and being trapped in it herself.
"He doesn't even move to wield it." Tsuki commented.
"He doesn't have to; it acts like a shield and protects him on its own. I was told once, Gaara's never been hurt, no one has ever been able to even scratch him before." Kyuu answered.
"Shit. Well I don't think Lee's going to get very far with just that taijutsu then." Kaji commented.
They watched Lee dodge the sand and jump onto the top of the statue in the ring. Kyuu looked at Gai curiously when he ordered Lee to take something off and turned her attention back to Lee. What did he have up his sleeve? When everyone watched Lee remove the weights on his legs and drop them Kyuu and several others gasped in shock.
"Damn those things are heavy!" Kyuu exclaimed.
"He had those on all along?" Haku wondered, surprised Lee could move so fast with those weights.
"Shit he's fast!" Kyuu exclaimed when Lee charged off the statue. He was so fast it was hard for many of the people to keep up with his movements. Kyuu's and Haku's keen eyesight from being vampires were the only things allowing them to keep up normally. The sand still managed to block most of his blows but he was getting closer and everyone was shocked when he managed to land a kick to Gaara's head.
"No way…" Kyuu voiced. When Lee managed to land a second blow they were even more shocked. Kyuu glanced at Temari and Kankuro and grew concerned. They both showed visible signs of concern but she didn't think they would. They never showed much concern for Gaara at all, so why be concerned now.
"Uhh…. Kyuu… your boyfriend… he's gone a little crazy." Tsuki stated and Kyuu whipped her head back down to the ring.
"He's not my-" She stopped what she was saying when she got a good look at Gaara. An armor of sand was crumbling off of him as a result from the blows and he had grown a wide insane smile and laughed. "Well then…." She trailed off as she watched him. She knew Gaara was unstable and seemed off lately, was this side of him that had been trying to surface lately?
Everyone watched the sand return to Gaara's body and recoat him in armor and as it did so his sadistic smile shrank until his face returned impassive again. Kyuu suddenly got wind of what Kankuro was discussing with Naruto and listened in from her spot. Gaara only used the sand armor when he felt like he was in a pinch and unlike his regular sand which acted freely he had to control this one. So Gaara must actually be feeling some concern for this fight. Kyuu watched Lee start to unwrap the bandages on his arms and charge at Gaara, knocking him into the air then wrapping the cloth around him and bringing him headfirst to the ground hard and fast.
"Gaara…" Kyuu voiced in concern.
"No way…" She heard Kankuro mutter from his spot.
"Lee is seriously strong." Tsuki commented in awe.
"Wait look!" Haku suddenly exclaimed and pointed at Gaara.
Kyuu looked down and saw that sand was chipping away from Gaara, but it was just an empty shell, his armor fell to pieces without him in it. "He moved out of his armor in that split second Lee paused." Haku spoke in surprise.
"So where is he…" Tsuki wondered and they watched Gaara appear behind Lee in sand and laughing. "Welp he's crazy again." She added as she watched him.
"Gaara…" Kyuu muttered as she watched Gaara send wave after wave of sand at Lee, toying with him. He continued to have that insane grin on his face as he did so. How far would he slip in this fight? She worried for both of them at this point.
Gaara seemed to calm down slightly, or at least lost his insane grin and Lee who looked on the verge of defeat suddenly grew confident again. "What just happened? He looks happy." Tsuki wondered.
This time Kyuu focused her hearing on Kakashi and Gai as she listened to them talk. "Eight gates…" She mused.
"That's really dangerous." Kaji voiced in concern. "Don't tell me Lee knows and is using them?" She pressed.
"He knows five... and yes he is…" Kyuu answered, repeating what she heard from Gai.
"Damn…" Kaji groaned.
"What is that?" Haku asked.
"A very dangerous technique. Opening the gates releases the limits your brain and body has. For a short time you'll be incredibly powerful, but if you open all eight of them… its certain death…" Kaji explained.
"Lee only knows five though right? That won't kill him will it?" Tsuki asked in concern.
"Even five is enough to cause Lee serious damage. It's a horrible double edged sword." She answered.
"Lee…" Kyuu spoke in concern this time and watched him open two gates. "He turned red!" She exclaimed in surprise.
Then he was gone in a blink of an eye, his speed increased to the point he was destroying the ring as he went. He managed to kick Gaara and send him flying into the air. Kyuu watched the armor crumble off him as Lee delivered blow after blow in the air, he was moving so fast it was almost hard for her to keep up.
"I can barely see him and Gaara's sand isn't keeping up at all." Tsuki stated in awe.
"He's opening another gate!" Haku declared suddenly and Kyuu realized he was right.
Lee opened the fifth gate and slammed into Gaara sending him sailing towards the ground, before he hit it though the cloth around Lee's arms went out and wrapped around Gaara's waist yanking him forward towards him and landing a fist and a foot into his gut. He sent Gaara flying towards the ground once more and he and Lee both crash landed. Gaara saved his fall with his gourd however and it turned into a kind of pillow below him to lessen the fall. However he did look pissed off and hurt. Suddenly he stuck his hand forward and sand shot out at Lee, wrapping around his arm and leg.
"Oh no!" Kyuu exclaimed, realizing the technique. Gaara clamped his hand shut and Lee screamed out in agony as sand crushed his two limbs. "LEE!" She shouted as Gaara sent more sand at Lee, ready to finish the job but Gai jumped into the ring and deflected the sand, saving Lee's life.
Kyuu watched Gaara's shocked expression with concern. The fact that Gai intervened seemed to trouble him. He looked disturbed and then suddenly clutched his head like he was in pain. "Why did you save him?" He demanded.
"He is my beloved comrade." Gai answered as he stared him down.
Gaara glared at him and then suddenly glanced at Kyuu before turning away again and allowing his sand to return to normal. "That's enough." He muttered as he started to walk away and was declared the winner.
"Look!" Tsuki suddenly exclaimed and they all turned to see that Lee was standing again.
"That's impossible!" Haku declared.
"He… he's unconscious…." Kyuu stated as she got a good look at him. "Even unconscious he's up and wants to keep fighting…" She muttered.
They watched Gai hug him and set him down on the ground while calling a medical team over. Kyuu watched Sakura attempt to come down to him, but Kakashi stopped her. Naruto on the other hand jumped down and went to him. Kyuu watched from her spot and focused her hearing on the conversation they were having.
"Oh no.. Lee…." She whispered in sorrow when she heard what the medic said.
"What what's wrong?" Tsuki asked in concern and she shook her head.
"Lee sustained a lot of damage from that fight… it's his left arm and leg though… they said… with what Gaara did to him… there's no way he'll be able to continue living as a Shinobi. They're too severely damaged." Haku answered for Kyuu, he too had been listening in.
"Oh noo…" Tsuki cried.
Kyuu watched Naruto attempt to shout but Kakashi appeared and silenced him. Kakashi spoke with Gai and Naruto for a moment before the three began to make their way out of the ring so the last match could take place. Kyuu glanced at Choji for a second then turned her attention back to Gaara. He had returned to his spot next to Temari and seemed calm again. Kyuu watched him with conflicted feelings. She was angry for what he had done to Lee, crushing his bones like that, but had trouble blaming him. It was a match after all and both gave it their all. Lee also managed to be the first one to cause Gaara pain; of course it would set him off like that. She worried about where his mental state was now.
Without Kyuu even realizing it Choji's match had ended and he lost. "That was anticlimactic." Tsuki commented.
"Kinda." Haku agreed, pitying Choji.
"I honestly wasn't even paying attention." Kyuu added sheepishly.
With the declaring of the preliminaries over and the fighters that won were called to the center of the ring and addressed by the Hokage. All of them lined up with the exception of Sasuke as he was still out in the hospital. "Now then, I'd like to start explaining the main test.." The Hokage began. "As I told you all before, in the main event, your matches will be seen by everybody. Each of you will fight to represent the strengths of your countries. I'd like you to show off all your powers with no reserves. Which is why the finals will be held one month from now." He concluded.
"A month?" Kyuu voiced surprised.
"What? We're not going to do it right now here?" Naruto asked confused.
"This break will be for preparations, if you will."The Hokage answered.
"What does that mean?" Neji asked.
"In other words… in addition to informing all the various country lords and Shinobi leaders. This is the time needed to arrange for the gathering of the event. It is also the preparation time for you the examination students." He answered.
"I don't understand what you are trying to say. What does that mean?" Kankuro demanded, not understanding what he was talking about.
"Basically, it's the preparation to get to know your enemy and yourself. It's the time period where you will calculate your chances of winning by analyzing the data you accumulated during the trial competition. The battles up to now had you fight as if you were in an actual combat situation with the assumption of fighting an unknown opponent. However, the final trial will not be like this. There are those who showed all that they can do already to their rivals and there are those who competed but were badly injured against a strong opponent. To make everything fair the one month should be used by all of you to advance and improve yourselves. Of course it'll be fine to rest your body as well." He answered.
"Gahh he's too long winded. How hard is it to understand we just have to wait a month?" Kyuu groaned in boredom. She was ready to leave.
"And that's just the way it is." The Hokage concluded with a light smile. "Now I'd like to dismiss you all now but there's something that has to be done for the finals before I can do that." He added.
"What the hell is it? I've got to train now!" Naruto demanded, also impatient to leave.
"Well now, don't get so excited. There are pieces of paper inside the box that Anko's holding, so each of you take one piece." He answered, nodding to Anko.
"I'll come around so wait your turn!" She ordered as she went to the line.
Everyone drew a paper from the box and each looked at the number written on their paper. They then called them off and the Hokage declared that would be how their finals would be matched up. Ibiki held out a clipboard with all the names written down with their now corresponding numbers and opponents. Kyuu stared at it. Two other match ups caught her attention more than her own. Naruto was pitted against Neji. She could handle that and hoped Naruto whooped his ass. It was the other match up that caused her the most concern. Sasuke was to fight Gaara. Kyuu stared at the two names then glanced at Gaara. A new ball of concern seemed to settle itself into her stomach for both the boys.
Kyuu quickly pulled herself out of her musing though and looked at her own opponent. Like Haku and Tsuki she was also being paired against three of the four remaining sound ninja. Her opponent was also a female like Kiraa and looked a lot like her (she had lost her cloak during her fight). She had long silver hair, wore a mask as well and wore a white warrior kimono over a black bodysuit with an orange obi tying it shut. She looked like she could be a challenge.
The Hokage finally dismissed them and everyone started heading for the exit, Naruto practically flying out of there as he went to go search for Kakashi. "Hey Kyuuketsuki." A voice called and Kyuu paused in her leaving to watch Kiraa catch up with her.
"I go by Kyuu." She stated when she reached her, curious about what she wanted.
"Ok Kyuu then, look I just wanted to warn you, your opponent for the finals, that's my sister." She began.
"I can see the family resemblance." Kyuu commented.
"Yeah well appearance is about all we have in common. Look, truthfully she's a bitch; she's also very strong, way stronger than me." She began explaining. "She also… she's not a very understanding person… So I'd be ready for some wooden steaks if I were you." She finished.
"Thanks for the tip." Kyuu responded and paused. "But why are you telling me this?" She wondered.
"I said it before, you seem nice enough. I may have used the word monster once in our fight, but I never actually judged you. You made a lot of valid points with what you had to say. I wanted to prove to you that I'm different than others." She answered with a shrug and turned to leave with her sister. "So I'll catch ya later." She called and left.
"Yep crazy." Kyuu muttered and followed her teammates out of the building.
So there's that chapter for you guys! Lots of action though kinda breezed over most of those fights. Otherwise I think we'd all be bored if I wrote out each and every single match blow by blow. So kinda breezed through them and focused on the important ones. Now I also posted a second chapter today (woot chaps 9 & 10 done) so go onto that one and keep reading folks!
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