******
Sasuke wandered around aimlessly. He couldn't return to the village. There was nothing more remaining there for him. Exhaling, he heard sudden crackles of leaves and rustling through the brush. As he turned away from the path, to deeper into the woods from where he heard the sounds, he saw a spring flowing with gleaming water. It seemed almost ironic that there could be such a pure spring in the ground which was surrounded by fighting and blood spills. Calmly he sat down. He then heard a cry of 'Help' come from the water. He spun around quickly and searched the spring when he looked down into it, he saw a face.
"Hokage!" He gasped, surprised at what he had found. Tsunade's eyes glimmered back at him.
"This is a demonic spring Mr. Uchiha, you must get away! Quickly!"
"But how did-"
"The enchanted spring sucks in those who are drawn near to it. There was a particular ninja who put us here. Each one of us. All the Jounin and Anbu are here, out of the ones who have not been killed. Kakashi, Gai, Jiraya, Iruka, Asuma and so on are all here as well. but."
"You can't do anything about it." Sasuke added with a weary expression. He knew that the remaining two could not be defeated by only the remaining Konohagure Village ninja left.
"And Sasuke. they are far powerful than all of us. the one with the Silver bow. She is. unreal. we cannot defeat her. a whole entire village could not." Tsunade lowered her eyes, "You have to give up! You have to save the rest of them before they die! You must tell her that she has full control over the village. There is no way to defeat her else wise."
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"She's even stronger. stronger than Itachi, stronger than anyone."
With that being said, Sasuke gave up his protest. He was in shock. They had spent all that time fighting the shinobi and all this time. Sakura's life even, was for nothing, only their benefit. If they were going to give up, why couldn't they have done that in the beginning? Sasuke couldn't understand and stood abruptly up, "No."
"What?"
"We've all been fighting, risking our lives and what does that get us? Giving up right away? I can't accept that. not after." His voice trailed off. Looking out to the searing sun, he tried to search for the answer inside himself, as he decided that it was time he returned back to the village, leaving them all there. He was not going to find the others. Not yet. he still had questions left unanswered.
******
"I've had it with all of you." Snickering relentlessly, Artemis twirled a strand of silver hair with her lanky fingers. Everyone was beat down. Everything they tried was futile. What was she? Why couldn't they defeat her? How could she be so much stronger? "Alas. You still lack thought and peace within yourself. I will address your problem with a new solution. Fight me." "What?" Artemis turned around, but in a sparkling flash of light. She crashed to the ground. "Do you fear me? For if you do not. you should. You feel that you are unstoppable." "You." Artemis glared up at the sky, "You dirty brat!" She slammed her fist down on the ground, spitting out harshly tongue which no one could recognize. "Stop it." The voice called from the air, "You have not learned anything." "What are you talking about?" "I found a way to stop you. after all this time. I shall succeed." The voice elapsed over the forest as though peace and tranquility could be found within it. "There is one thing you have to lack. a heart." "For the love of god! It is so like you to say the godamn corniest things!" Artemis growled getting up finally, ".Apollo" Out of the darkness a glowing body formed. She looked down at her sister. "Surprised? Well. I dare say that you are simple-minded sister. That I should be the one who foresaw your death." "The only reason you foresaw it that was because you wanted it! It's not one of your real predictions, dearest sister. You were blinded by your arrogance." "That is what I should be saying to you." The girl sung with a serene chuckle. With that she brought her hands in front of her and as though she were a mime she started to form a wall in front of her. She then sliced her hand through the wall. Closing her eyes she moved the invisible barrier and formed it around the wounded Konohagure ninja. A light flickered showing where the barrier was placed and then it became invisible. Naruto banged against the barrier and panted loudly, "What the hell are you doing?" "I'm sorry. but our blasts will kill you. if you are not protected. It is wise for you to stay there." Apollo sighed softly. "Awww. how sweet. always saving the downtrodden sister? Well. I'm afraid that you have no idea what you are in for." "Just one question. how do you free others from the spring.?" "Humph. why should I tell you?" "Because you know that I shall find out anyway." Scowling Artemis brought out her bow and it started to glowing. "Tsuki soshin suru no jutsu!" The arrow formed inside the bow. Shooting the arrow, it went straight for Apollo's heart. Not able to dodge it, the arrow zoomed through her leg, luckily being able to dodge it at all. Her leg started to become black. "Yami Doku." "Dammit." Apollo cringed grabbing her leg. She squinted her eyes. A dark chill ran up her leg, through her spine, through all her nerves, making everything that befell her eyes blurry. She groped for her lyre and then started to stroke her fingers unsteadily against the wire, though the pluck ran strong and clear, resonating the sound 'Hi'. (H-E) "Fire." Artemis noted to herself, quite aware of the element of the string. The lyre then began to sing with an interesting melody. Then the ground started to rumble, spurts of fire started to shoot from the ground at random, Artemis rolled on the ground, trying to dodge the barrage of flame. "Boy. Do I hate you and that stupid instrument of yours!" Artemis hissed as she shot another arrow which scrapped against Apollo's arm, making her drop the lyre. "Summoning no Jutsu!" Apollo cried as she slammed a hand against the ground which she dropped to. A large bird dropped from the sky, it's wings the color of inferno with diamonds replacing it's eyes. Artemis snickered, "Perfect sister. it' is too bad you had not known that I hold a secret which has reached it's time to be set free." Artemis slit her own hand and held it to the ground. A howl was heard and in a large poof stood a red haired beast, Artemis sitting on it's back. The beast had large ears, the size to proportion of its body like a rabbit's. It had glowing golden eyes and nine tails that flowed in the sky. The fur was a deep, blood red. "Well you are all quite young, although one of you should recognize this fox very well." Naruto's bright blue eyes shook with fear. 'It can't be! I hear it calling me. the beast is calling me son. and I feel like calling her. mother. but. what's going on?' "Oh dear boy. I forgot to mention. I was your inventor. I was the one that created you. You see. this demon fox was born from my soul, and she had a demon fox herself. the one that was sealed in you!" Artemis cackled, insanity fusing into her mind. "Is.that why our parents had all hated you Naruto? Is that why we were to hate and fear you. because you are the imprisonment of the demon fox?" Tenten softly replied, voice shaking slightly. He lowered his head, "yeah" "Well what a stupid reason!" Tenten snapped back, and he turned to her in surprise, "It's not your fault for having that demon child in you, is it? You are not the demon!" "Why is everyone always so simple-minded.? I feel kinda silly we all hated you. and for such a stupid reason at that." Neji laughed to himself. Hinata gave a small nod and a smile. Tears strained from Naruto's eyes. everyone cared. it was true. that everyone didn't think of him as the demon fox anymore. but. how he went through all that suffering was because of her? Iruka's family dying, the death of the 4th Hokage. so many people dead then, and even now! "It seems I know less and less about you sister." Apollo broke in with a snap of disgust. "Humph. well Apollo. why did it take you so long to figure it out.?" "I didn't want to believe it was true. but now I'm afraid no longer!" With that she commanded the phoenix to rise to the sky, rays of light streaming from the diamond in its forehead. The fox jumped quickly, creating a large boom as it stepped. It swung a tail at the bird and then growled, shaking its head, snarling grotesquely. The beams shot like lasers until half the woods were destroyed either by the demon fox or the phoenix. The sun slowly began to rise. "Hmm.. Looks like I have the upper hand now. sister." Apollo started to glow herself and started to take in the sun's powers. The phoenix turned around so that the diamond faced the sun. The sun started to glow awkwardly and a sudden stream of light erupted from it and blasted right at Artemis and the demon fox. Nothing was left in that whole area of the woods, except for the ninja who were safely in a shielded area. The phoenix at once disappeared from the sky and Apollo came tumbling down. Fwump. The sound echoed through the desolate land as she landed on the back of Gamabunta. "Hey. Hey. what a pretty new face." Jiraya added with a large bellow. "Jiraya.. When you say that, you sound like a dirty old man." Tsunade shook her head. "Too true." Kurenai came from behind Tsunade with a yawn. Hinata's eyes lit up, same with every one else. The shield had now broken, and they ran out to greet the forming group of ninja.
"Sorry. Naruto. any bruises? Are you sure you are alright?" Iruka looked at Naruto with a suspicious face. "Aww. come on Iruka. don't be like that. You're such a worry wart." Naruto gave a loud laugh then falling clumsily backwards, "oops." "This sucks! I missed out Gai-sensei!" Lee whimpered with his large circular eyes. "Where were you guys?" Tenten looked from Gai to Lee. "It's. a long story.let's just go home." ****** Chapter 14 End To be continued..
Sasuke wandered around aimlessly. He couldn't return to the village. There was nothing more remaining there for him. Exhaling, he heard sudden crackles of leaves and rustling through the brush. As he turned away from the path, to deeper into the woods from where he heard the sounds, he saw a spring flowing with gleaming water. It seemed almost ironic that there could be such a pure spring in the ground which was surrounded by fighting and blood spills. Calmly he sat down. He then heard a cry of 'Help' come from the water. He spun around quickly and searched the spring when he looked down into it, he saw a face.
"Hokage!" He gasped, surprised at what he had found. Tsunade's eyes glimmered back at him.
"This is a demonic spring Mr. Uchiha, you must get away! Quickly!"
"But how did-"
"The enchanted spring sucks in those who are drawn near to it. There was a particular ninja who put us here. Each one of us. All the Jounin and Anbu are here, out of the ones who have not been killed. Kakashi, Gai, Jiraya, Iruka, Asuma and so on are all here as well. but."
"You can't do anything about it." Sasuke added with a weary expression. He knew that the remaining two could not be defeated by only the remaining Konohagure Village ninja left.
"And Sasuke. they are far powerful than all of us. the one with the Silver bow. She is. unreal. we cannot defeat her. a whole entire village could not." Tsunade lowered her eyes, "You have to give up! You have to save the rest of them before they die! You must tell her that she has full control over the village. There is no way to defeat her else wise."
"You've got to be kidding me!"
"She's even stronger. stronger than Itachi, stronger than anyone."
With that being said, Sasuke gave up his protest. He was in shock. They had spent all that time fighting the shinobi and all this time. Sakura's life even, was for nothing, only their benefit. If they were going to give up, why couldn't they have done that in the beginning? Sasuke couldn't understand and stood abruptly up, "No."
"What?"
"We've all been fighting, risking our lives and what does that get us? Giving up right away? I can't accept that. not after." His voice trailed off. Looking out to the searing sun, he tried to search for the answer inside himself, as he decided that it was time he returned back to the village, leaving them all there. He was not going to find the others. Not yet. he still had questions left unanswered.
******
"I've had it with all of you." Snickering relentlessly, Artemis twirled a strand of silver hair with her lanky fingers. Everyone was beat down. Everything they tried was futile. What was she? Why couldn't they defeat her? How could she be so much stronger? "Alas. You still lack thought and peace within yourself. I will address your problem with a new solution. Fight me." "What?" Artemis turned around, but in a sparkling flash of light. She crashed to the ground. "Do you fear me? For if you do not. you should. You feel that you are unstoppable." "You." Artemis glared up at the sky, "You dirty brat!" She slammed her fist down on the ground, spitting out harshly tongue which no one could recognize. "Stop it." The voice called from the air, "You have not learned anything." "What are you talking about?" "I found a way to stop you. after all this time. I shall succeed." The voice elapsed over the forest as though peace and tranquility could be found within it. "There is one thing you have to lack. a heart." "For the love of god! It is so like you to say the godamn corniest things!" Artemis growled getting up finally, ".Apollo" Out of the darkness a glowing body formed. She looked down at her sister. "Surprised? Well. I dare say that you are simple-minded sister. That I should be the one who foresaw your death." "The only reason you foresaw it that was because you wanted it! It's not one of your real predictions, dearest sister. You were blinded by your arrogance." "That is what I should be saying to you." The girl sung with a serene chuckle. With that she brought her hands in front of her and as though she were a mime she started to form a wall in front of her. She then sliced her hand through the wall. Closing her eyes she moved the invisible barrier and formed it around the wounded Konohagure ninja. A light flickered showing where the barrier was placed and then it became invisible. Naruto banged against the barrier and panted loudly, "What the hell are you doing?" "I'm sorry. but our blasts will kill you. if you are not protected. It is wise for you to stay there." Apollo sighed softly. "Awww. how sweet. always saving the downtrodden sister? Well. I'm afraid that you have no idea what you are in for." "Just one question. how do you free others from the spring.?" "Humph. why should I tell you?" "Because you know that I shall find out anyway." Scowling Artemis brought out her bow and it started to glowing. "Tsuki soshin suru no jutsu!" The arrow formed inside the bow. Shooting the arrow, it went straight for Apollo's heart. Not able to dodge it, the arrow zoomed through her leg, luckily being able to dodge it at all. Her leg started to become black. "Yami Doku." "Dammit." Apollo cringed grabbing her leg. She squinted her eyes. A dark chill ran up her leg, through her spine, through all her nerves, making everything that befell her eyes blurry. She groped for her lyre and then started to stroke her fingers unsteadily against the wire, though the pluck ran strong and clear, resonating the sound 'Hi'. (H-E) "Fire." Artemis noted to herself, quite aware of the element of the string. The lyre then began to sing with an interesting melody. Then the ground started to rumble, spurts of fire started to shoot from the ground at random, Artemis rolled on the ground, trying to dodge the barrage of flame. "Boy. Do I hate you and that stupid instrument of yours!" Artemis hissed as she shot another arrow which scrapped against Apollo's arm, making her drop the lyre. "Summoning no Jutsu!" Apollo cried as she slammed a hand against the ground which she dropped to. A large bird dropped from the sky, it's wings the color of inferno with diamonds replacing it's eyes. Artemis snickered, "Perfect sister. it' is too bad you had not known that I hold a secret which has reached it's time to be set free." Artemis slit her own hand and held it to the ground. A howl was heard and in a large poof stood a red haired beast, Artemis sitting on it's back. The beast had large ears, the size to proportion of its body like a rabbit's. It had glowing golden eyes and nine tails that flowed in the sky. The fur was a deep, blood red. "Well you are all quite young, although one of you should recognize this fox very well." Naruto's bright blue eyes shook with fear. 'It can't be! I hear it calling me. the beast is calling me son. and I feel like calling her. mother. but. what's going on?' "Oh dear boy. I forgot to mention. I was your inventor. I was the one that created you. You see. this demon fox was born from my soul, and she had a demon fox herself. the one that was sealed in you!" Artemis cackled, insanity fusing into her mind. "Is.that why our parents had all hated you Naruto? Is that why we were to hate and fear you. because you are the imprisonment of the demon fox?" Tenten softly replied, voice shaking slightly. He lowered his head, "yeah" "Well what a stupid reason!" Tenten snapped back, and he turned to her in surprise, "It's not your fault for having that demon child in you, is it? You are not the demon!" "Why is everyone always so simple-minded.? I feel kinda silly we all hated you. and for such a stupid reason at that." Neji laughed to himself. Hinata gave a small nod and a smile. Tears strained from Naruto's eyes. everyone cared. it was true. that everyone didn't think of him as the demon fox anymore. but. how he went through all that suffering was because of her? Iruka's family dying, the death of the 4th Hokage. so many people dead then, and even now! "It seems I know less and less about you sister." Apollo broke in with a snap of disgust. "Humph. well Apollo. why did it take you so long to figure it out.?" "I didn't want to believe it was true. but now I'm afraid no longer!" With that she commanded the phoenix to rise to the sky, rays of light streaming from the diamond in its forehead. The fox jumped quickly, creating a large boom as it stepped. It swung a tail at the bird and then growled, shaking its head, snarling grotesquely. The beams shot like lasers until half the woods were destroyed either by the demon fox or the phoenix. The sun slowly began to rise. "Hmm.. Looks like I have the upper hand now. sister." Apollo started to glow herself and started to take in the sun's powers. The phoenix turned around so that the diamond faced the sun. The sun started to glow awkwardly and a sudden stream of light erupted from it and blasted right at Artemis and the demon fox. Nothing was left in that whole area of the woods, except for the ninja who were safely in a shielded area. The phoenix at once disappeared from the sky and Apollo came tumbling down. Fwump. The sound echoed through the desolate land as she landed on the back of Gamabunta. "Hey. Hey. what a pretty new face." Jiraya added with a large bellow. "Jiraya.. When you say that, you sound like a dirty old man." Tsunade shook her head. "Too true." Kurenai came from behind Tsunade with a yawn. Hinata's eyes lit up, same with every one else. The shield had now broken, and they ran out to greet the forming group of ninja.
"Sorry. Naruto. any bruises? Are you sure you are alright?" Iruka looked at Naruto with a suspicious face. "Aww. come on Iruka. don't be like that. You're such a worry wart." Naruto gave a loud laugh then falling clumsily backwards, "oops." "This sucks! I missed out Gai-sensei!" Lee whimpered with his large circular eyes. "Where were you guys?" Tenten looked from Gai to Lee. "It's. a long story.let's just go home." ****** Chapter 14 End To be continued..
