DOWNFALL OF THE LIGHT
Chapter 18: Execute the Extermination
Disclaimer: For the last 18 chapters... screw this 'I don't own nothing' crap, you and I both know I own nothing! If I did, my school would be the first thing to be burned to the ground with either grenades, rifles, shotguns and whatnot. I'll make sure it suffers the fate it solely deserves! Yes, I HATE SCHOOL!!!
"...": Speech
'...': Thoughts
Scenario Changes are written in the bolded italics
AN: HELLO everybody, I'm back and ready for anything! This is the author OpposingForce reporting in! Okay, this update was sooner than the last one, I am so glad that I completed it! School is gonna start early next week for me so I only have enough time to complete one more chapter before school begins. To those who believe that this was the final chapter of this series of mine, I'll ensure you that it isn't. I hope all of you had a good summer wherever you are, I hope that you all had fun. To those readers who are from Canada, cherish these remaining days while you can! I'm so not looking forward to school, it's a living hell! This soldier won't give up on fan fiction and especially not on ANIME! Thank you to some of you who actually gave suggestions to the second volume, I want to specially thank YSTL, Daveboo 1378, Dream Walker and One Azn Dragon who found me online! Now for the Reviewers' Period!
Reviewers' Period: (It gets longer everytime...)
Dream Walker: No words needs to be said, you're the best guy I could rely on on this website! I hope to see your next chapter soon. If you don't write it, you'll have me to deal with! LOL!
YSTL: I don't remember what you said before but I had a really cool time chatting with you! I hope you love this chapter! Thanks for being a consistent reader!
DaveBoo 1378: Your words were helpful, you were the only person in tact amongst the 4 I asked. My thanks to you man, you earned it! I hope you like this chapter! I thank you for being a continuous supporter.
One Azn Dragon: No worries if you didn't review, the conversations we had were enough for me to thank you. I hope you enjoy this humble work of mine. Peace.
Rurikat: Thanks for liking my story that much! Sorry to keep you waiting for all this time, I hope this time was a little quicker for you. Is 10 days too long for me? Yeah, it has to be.
Otakuus: Still thirst for blood, like how I thirst for fan fiction huh? I hope you're not looking for my blood and if you are... man, how do I get out of a female vampuric gaze... uh, hope you like this! (Runs away hoping that you won't find me alive. Does it matter if I die or not? You could take my blood nonetheless)
sephynarutocloud: You are really a 'person who wants to see a cute girl revealing herself a bit too much', you like it even more than me. I thought a girl revealing enough her cleavage was enough but man. Anyway, I don't blame you and I have no idea yet. If my fic goes to Rated R (which could be the sequel, not this), you can expect these scenes that you hungrily desire. Hope you like this chapter my friend.
stoictimer: I didn't get the sickness from the lack of sleep, the place I worked had this flu going around and amongst the 5 people out of 70, I was one of them. Yep, real sad. Hope you would like this chapter of mine, it took a long while.
Wolfgirl 13: Everything is messed up beyond recognition, if I didn't make it like that it wouldn't be that interesting now would it? Thanks for liking those two sentences, i made it up rather quickly while I was writing. Glad to please someone. Thanks for being a loyal reader!
Daniel of Lorien: Wanna know if there are preliminaries? Read this to find out! Hope you like it!
HinatasBiggestFanboy: Thanks for loving my work, I think it's paying off in some ways. Thanks for reading!
!!!!: Wow, the strangest name I've seen so far... please see the chapter yourself for your unanswered questions. Looks like my job is done. Hope you like it man!
My friend from church: I found the errors, I understand why now since this site messes up not only the word count but my original scene change things as well. Curse this... anyway, hope you wouldn't find this too mushy.
Wormkaizer: Thanks for liking my NaruHina make out session... I can't believe at times they are doing this at the age of nearly 13. But who says anime is realistic at times, there's gotta be some twists to it! I heard you're going to college, best of luck for a successful year! Thanks for reading,
Crutches: I found them and fixed them and revised them! Thanks for being a constant reader!
joekool: Soldier, I know how you feel. I hope this was quick enough for you, read more to find out the details. Telling you the plot now would be pointless, right?
iluvsasuke: You think the first chap is nice? You should read more then my friend. I read your fic in the past, not bad at all, it was defintiely creative. I had a bit of difficulty reading though, not like it mattered that much.
Place-your-name-here: I don't know how I do it either, just be a good pal and enjoy this chapter, okay? I thank you so much for being a loyal reader!
Night-Owl123: I hope you would like this chapter, it was a drag writing it. Doesn't mean it wasn't fun though, I hope you would like this!
nonengel: My fight scenes are okay, nothing like Kaarafear's though. Compared to him, I'm more of an apprentice. I like this Naruto a lot, he's so dark and mysterious. I sure had fun making him into what he is now. Hope you like this chapter!
Songbird21: What have I been smoking you ask? Let me see here... nothing other than the fact I drink a glass of milk every morning and think of negative thoughts so I could write something angsty. Or you could follow the 5 step injecting needle method to help you relax. LOL! Just enjoy my story, my... lady...
Kushi Hanazawa: You like SasuSaku, fine you got it!
yourbonesakin: Long review, thank you so much! Your words would be heard but may not be exactly met since Naruto lost a bit of his character as a fox. Mentioned in the first chapter, his whisker marks have fainted out quite a bit and his attitude isn't foxy. Well, I'll listen to your words nonetheless, thanks for saying so though, I appreciate it! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
RuByMoOn17: Thanks for saying such kind words, I hope you would take this chapter as a gratitude!
clicke: I personally like this idea of revealing the secrets early, it gives so much more suspense into it. Thanks for being such a loyal reader, I hope you like chapter 18!
anonymous: That would be hard, school is nearly here! I hope I could update at least once in 2 weeks, that would be as fast as I could go. Hope you like this chapter!
Gato-san: Do you know why it stopped before? Because I am evil! HAHAHAHA! With a new chapter here, you can't complain now could you? Hope you like it!
MegamanZero: Too godly you say? Thanks for all the nice things you said to appreciate my work, you are a respectable guy to meet. Trust me, this guy ain't godly, read this chapter and find out for yourself. Thanks for appreciating my work, hope you like this chapter if you're reading!
Gopu: As always, your simple words is always appreciated.
AN: Time for the fun to begin...
"What in the hell was that?" asked Haku as he felt a major disturbance in the air. "Did you feel that, Rin?"
"Yeah, I did," replied the female archer narrowing her eyes. "I felt a huge source of chakra being released..."
"I think it came from the arena's direction," said Haku heading towards the door making a small sprint. "I am checking it out!"
"Sempai, wait for me!" called Rin as she took off as well in high agility. The duo didn't waste any time at all to reach their destination. They knew whatever awaited there wasn't going to be pretty.
(Meanwhile in the arena)
"Like I said before," declared Naruto smirking nebulously. "Let none survive." Kabuto winced at the Death Knight's words, he personally didn't know what he did to give off so much of himself away. It was like the boy could see everything with his eyes, not only that no one could escape him, their thoughts were all exposed to him like watching through glass. The situation was against his favor, the only allies he had were his teammates and Orochimaru. However, he couldn't reveal his status as a henchmen of the snake sennin, the last thing Orochimaru needed was for the Konoha civilians know he had a skilled undercover.
Kabuto took a quick look at the enemies he had within this room. He noticed he had Tenten, Neji, Lee, Shikamaru, Cfohouji, Ino, Shino, Kiba, Sasuke, Sakura and Hinata to deal with. As he glanced at the Sand trio, his eyes widened in agitation as he saw Gaara preparing himself for combat. Temari and Kankuro seemed to be compromising with him but their success rate wasn't high at all.
"Gaara," said Temari shaking him a bit. "Remember why we're here, we can't take part in this fight!"
"Why can't I?" questioned Gaara not very coldly but amused. His siblings never saw him like this.
"We have our mission to follow," reminded Kankuro sharply. "We aren't obligated to take action until the real deal begins!"
"This attack is too sudden," stated Temari. "We can't let Konoha know we're allied with the Sound. Damn that sword guy, he seems to know everything without anyone telling him a thing!"
"We have to remain neutral," ordered Kankuro. "We must lay low for the time being, we have let the Sound deal with this themselves."
"Listen to your big sister, Gaara. Please don't take part in whatever that may happen, make me a promise."
"I won't do that," stated Gaara with a grin. Temari and Kankuro were taken quite aback.
"What are you saying?" questioned the older Sand male. "Don't start talking crazy now!"
"Crazy?" asked Gaara questioning his brother's logic. "I think not. I'll say this, I don't have that much love for the Sand and its intentions. If the Sand want to invade Konoha so much, don't get me involved in their dirty work. I'm a human being, not a tool for a genocide! If Naruto's village needs help or invaded, I'll help because he's my true friend."
"Friends easy come easy go," said Temari. "We really don't have a choice here!"
"You guys won't be able to change my mind, my decision is final."
"Why do you have to be so stubborn?"
"Stubborn? Is helping my only friend something wrong? I had enough of your ignorance, don't get in my way!" Temari and Kankuro looked at Baki, their so-called jounin instructor with a worried look. Baki immediately understood what just happened, Gaara refused to go with the plan. 'What are you thinking, Gaara?' thought the Sand jounin irritated. 'The operation would collapse because of you...'
The Konoha jounins readied themselves for combat, it was clear that Orochimaru was outnumbered. Even though he was legendary, he had the Hokage, the special jounins Ibiki and Anko, the jounins Hayate, Kurenai, Asuma, Kakashi and Gai to handle. The biggest threat had to be the Death Knight Uzumaki Naruto who was even more powerful than him, how could he defend himself against such a powerful force. With only the Sound genins, Kabuto's platoon and himself wouldn't be able to cut it.
"You can see you're completely surrounded," said the Hokage threateningly. "I suggest that you forfeit. Despite how strong you may be, this is a fight that you won't be able to get out from alive."
"Sarutobi-sensei," said Orochimaru giving a cackle. "You're too naïve if you think a several jounins, yourself and the Death Knight could take me down. If you know me, you know I come really prepared." He pulled down the sleeve of his left arm and revealed a watch. Naruto's eyes narrowed as the snake sennin pressed one of the buttons. It was an alarm and within a several rings, the ceiling of the arena exploded creating a large and wide opening. At that instant, dozens of shinobis came down from above and landed in the arena surrounding all the Konoha shinobis. Hinata bit her lip with slight anxiety, there were at least 5 or more dozens here. The odds weren't looking promising at all, most of these men looked at least they were at the chunnin level.
"So, calling your little men to do your dirty work?" questioned Naruto mockingly. "It wouldn't take me too long to send these imbeciles to meet their maker."
"You three," Orochimaru called to the three Sound genins in a hurry. "Aid your comrades and allies immediately!" As soon as the three got their orders, Orochimaru's eyes jerked in suddenness at what happened next. The genin's heads disappeared in a flash, blood burst through their necks like a fountain before their dead bodies collapsed to the ground. "What happened?" Naruto simply grinned hungrily when he saw the blood.
"You must be that bastard Naruto was talking about," called a voice coming from the balconies. The Death Knight grinned confidently when he heard Haku's voice. "You really have a lot of nerve showing your face here."
"These three were hardly a challenge," said Rin holding on to her now bloodstained katana standing near the fresh dead bodies. She flashed a dangerous glare before continuing. "I'll kill you for hurting ni-san."
"Let the fun begin," said Sasuke engaging his Sharingan.
"Count me in," added Neji as he went into his taijutsu stance. "Watch and learn." It was then all genins and jounins with the Hokage engaged themselves for the fiercest all out combat in their lives.
(Moments later)
Naruto took on the Sound chunnins along with the Konoha genins, he made sure he would destroy anyone and everyone who stood in his way. Rin and Haku dashed into the chaotic fight as well as soon as they saw the side -wall exploded allowing them to access to the outside. However, more reinforcements of the Sound were outside waiting for them. Rin narrowed her eyes and dashed towards the now destroyed part of the arena to stop any incoming attackers that may serve as a distraction.
"Chain Lightning!" shouted Rin as she unleashed a concentrated electric beam from her katana. The attack struck a chunnin heavily on the chest and soon the next effects of this hidden jutsu came to activation. At that moment, the beam jumped to the next nearby enemies in many jumps zapping the daylights out of them. A shiruken was aimed at the violet hair girl's head but it was proved to be no threat when Rin simply tilted her body smoothly to elude. Knowing where the weapon came from, Rin dashed with her katana in a striking position at high speed to the exact location where a chunnin was. The chunnin then tossed a series of weapons at her hoping it would do the task. However, with a swift defending slashes, all the weapons were easily deflected and destroyed into shreds of scrap metal. The chunnin's eyes widened in fear as the girl got close. She swiftly cleaved her blade within her enemies heart killing him instantly but she didn't expect another one to attack her.
"Shit," said Rin as she tried to pull out her weapon in time. However, the enemy already kicked her cheek sending her gliding away crashing. As the girl got back up, she had to admit this guy was pretty good to catch her off guard like that. She smirked darkly and held her katana tightly, she readied herself for the worst. As the enemy katana came down in a strike, she side stepped back to avoid but suddenly a kick launched itself at her stomach causing her to flinch in pain. The enemy seized this chance to engage in another attack but it was then when the female archer fired the Mana Burn right at his heart burning all specks of chakra. With a gasp of pain, the Sound chunnin fell dead to the ground. She glared to a far area and cringed her eyes in irritation when she saw more enemies coming in from the forests.
'Have they been hiding in Konoha the entire time?' she thought bitterly while she prepared for the worst outcome.
(At that time with Neji)
"I need some covering fire!" shouted Neji as he pushed his palm into an enemy. Then he took out shirukens to create a minor distraction. Tenten leaped high immediately hearing Neji's signal. She then formed a set of hand seals.
"Cast Down no-jutsu!" shouted the weapon master as she gathered chakra in both her hands and performed a tossing action. It was then when the chakra was summoned downward in a storm of piercing blades like the Fan of Knifes but in more amount and strikes in a cone. The storm of blades was all Neji needed to halt the enemies for that 2 seconds for him to activate his attack.
"Divination Kaiten!" shouted Neji as he slid in the middle of a group of chunnins and spun heavily with a chakra shield. The initial burst forcefully thrusted three chunnins away making deep cracks into the hard cement wall. The Hyuga genius smirked as he saw blood coming from behind the victim's skulls and their bodies sliding down ever so slowly. It was then when another foolish ninja encountered the Hyuga genius in close range combat. With a thrust of maneuvers, Neji easily evaded the fist that was aimed for his head. With his Byakugan activated, he quickly struck 2 tenketsu points making the Sound chunnin stand dead still due to the internal pain. With a smirk, Neji twisted himself to gain additional strength in a kick sending the pitiful fool to the wall causing a great collision.
(Meanwhile with Naruto)
"Shit there he is, kill that bastard!" shouted a Sound nin pointing at Naruto as he alerted others. Naruto cursed his luck as a legion of weapons aimed right at him. With a set of thrusts and attacks, Naruto deflected as much as he could with his blade and charged towards them with pure anger. Suddenly, a wave of sand walloped the small group of chunnins and crushed them without hesitation. Naruto watched in confusion, what in the heck just happened?
"Need help?" asked Gaara as he ran to Naruto. Naruto simply smirked and gave an appreciated expression. "Desert Landslide." stated Gaara as he called forth another storm of sand to the enemies nearby. It was then when Naruto headed straight for Kabuto who was handling Sasuke, Hinata and Sakura. Gaara didn't have too much trouble defending himself but he had to admit that these fools were very annoying, they just kept coming.
"Out of my way!" shouted Naruto as he slashed a Sound chunnin from the head. However, the enemy blocked his assault with his own katana. With a slight twist of movement, Naruto unlocked the engaging position they were at and sliced a horizontal pursuit causing blood to eject out of the body violently. At that instant, the Death Knight felt a searing pain on his back. He gasped with pain as he glanced at a Sound nin who sneaked up behind him stabbing a kunai at into his flesh. The Death Knight couldn't sense his enemy at that time, he had to admit he was quick. Naruto then turned around gritting his teeth and kicked the bastard who pulled off that stunt in the crotch. He made sure that freak wouldn't have any kids anytime soon. As he pulled out that kunai with a jolt of distress, he dashed as quickly as possible to aid his friends.
"Burn that bastard!" ordered a Sound nin to his other two comrades as they completed a series of hand seals. "Fire Rain no-jutsu!" 'Shit...' thought Naruto immediately forming a defensive position. It was then when the three Sound ninjas released a legion of fireballs right at the Death Knight stopping his advance. The Death Knight then jumped high into the air avoiding the line of fire and performed his own jutsus.
"Mana Fla... Damn it!" yelped Naruto as a fireball hit directly at his face causing him to fall back down to the ground. As the dark shinobi caused the self-inflicting impact, the three Sound-nins didn't hesitate to attack while his guard was off.
"Take him down!" demanded the leader of that attack squad as he breathed out more fireballs in his coordination. Naruto angrily projected himself up to the air to avoid the incoming strikes aimed for the ground. However, the other two subbordinates directed the fire upward wounding Naruto by the shoulder, arms and legs.
"Get that son of a bitch!" taunted one of them as they blasted Naruto to the wall with their line projectile attacks. Naruto grunted in much pain as he felt his body making a collision to the cement wall while taking burning hits. As he spat out some blood, he flashed a dangerous glare and generated chakra within himself.
"Devour Magic!" he shouted as he made a powerful veil absorbing the pursuits. The enemies were shocked at his defense. Suddenly, he disappeared in a shocking fashion which surprised the attackers.
"Where the hell is he?" questioned the leader. Instantly, his sentence was cut short when Naruto kicked him in the stomach making him lower himself due to the pain. In a quick reaction, the Death Knight elbowed the back of his opponent cracking his spine killing him in an instant. As if on cue, the two subordinates reacted and attacked Naruto with kunai in their hand. As one attack came by, the boy lowered his body in a dodging position and nailed the attacker by directing his runeblade into his chest. The second one however, managed to slit Naruto's jacket making a deep cut into his flesh. It was then when the dark shinobi gripped him by the collar and gave a forceful forward toss. Ignoring the pain in the best of his ability, he rushed his way to aid Hinata.
(Currently with Lee and Haku)
"Konoha Senpuu!" shouted Lee as he kicked a Sound chunnin in the chest flinching him. The Konoha green beast then slid underneath the legs to get behind and punched the enemy by the back causing him to faint. Haku ran to Lee and they immediately went back to back aiding one another.
"You need help?" offered Haku as he generated chakra to his hand ready to strike.
"Yeah, I appreciate it," said Lee standing in an attacking posture. "How many more?"
"Too much I'm afraid. We need to work together, I'll take on these bastards on this side, and you deal with the other. If you need help, say so."
"Roger!" With a loud battle cry, Haku took out his glaive while Lee dashed with his fist high ready to strike. They made sure the Sound would receive something that they would never forget.
(In another part of the arena, Sasuke, Sakura and Hinata were in intense combat)
"Mana Burn!" declared Hinata as she did her set of seals for her lethal attack.
"Mana Flare!" shouted Sakura as she formed the powerful chakra filled shield and released energy beams at a multi direction. Sasuke, with his Sharingan activated, seized this covering fire opportunity and dashed towards the traitor Kabuto in a taijutsu match.
The Uchiha glided underneath Kabuto and gave an upward kick that was similar to Lee's hoping to engage in a combo. However, just like Naruto predicted, this genin easily avoided the first jutsus and the kick was no exception. Sasuke then gathered chakra into his feet to increase his speed hoping he could catch him. As he punched, Kabuto held his fist with his hand but Hinata came from the side with a gentle fist. Sakura continued to fire her Mana Flare as a covering attack but it still didn't seem like it was proving to be too effective despite the quick firing rate.
"He's too fast!" shouted Sakura.
"Get in there!" yelled Sasuke in an annoyed and yet desperate tone. Hinata nodded and Blinked behind Kabuto striking his kidney area with a gentle fist. Kabuto's eyes widened when he didn't even sense the girl's presence until now. Seeing her attacks weren't as fast as it should be, Kabuto decided to counter with his elbow planning to jam her face. Hinata grinned immediately, Kabuto was too predictable. She instantly prepared chakra in her palm forming a shield to defend. The older genin's eyes narrowed when his elbow made in contact, he found out he couldn't release himself out of this.
"Fan of Knives!" shouted the Hyuga heiress as she did a heavenly spin unleashing piercing chakra blades. Kabuto smirked darkly as if he was completed prepared for this attack. As the blades made contact, Kabuto's body disappeared in a cloud of smoke and a log was replaced.
"A replication?" asked Sasuke instantly observing his surroundings. "Damn, where could he be?"
"We've got movement!" said Sakura alerting the other two as she activated her Wind Walk to achieve invisibility and incredible agility. The pink hair genin glanced from above and found her enemy coming down with a kunai ready to stab the Uchiha.
"Shoot that bastard!" shouted Neji to the Uchiha as he forcefully pulled out a kunai from his now dead opponent. Sasuke leaped and flipped backwards as he formed another set of hand seals.
"Dragon Gust no-jutsu!" declared Sasuke as he created a powerful swirl wind of enraging flames directed to the air. Kabuto immediately twisted his body slightly trying to avoid it as much as he could. But suddenly he felt an incredible amount of pain on his face, he knew it was a kick. Kabuto dived down to the ground due to the force but still landed rather safely on his fours. He spotted Sakura coming from above with a kunai and smirked. Using a nit of chakra, he leaped forward avoiding that attack but it was then Hinata who came at him with her Byakugan flashing with rage.
'I can see his tenketsu...' thought Hinata amazed. 'I didn't even know I improved my eyes to the level that Neji-ni-san wanted me to. If I can see this, I could try to use the 64 strikes...' She then leaped back discarding her previous attack pattern and focussed on this new risky one. She breathed out a breath before continuing.
"You're within the field of my divination." Hinata stated as she tried to remember what her father taught her a several years back when he first introduced it to her. At that time, she wasn't good enough to accomplish it. She then stretched her arms widely and lowered herself into a stance. "Gentle Fist, Divination 64-Strikes."
"You're not going to do a thing to me, little girl," taunted Kabuto but it was then when the girl took action. With a quick step, Hinata was already in front of Kabuto ready to attack.
"2 strikes!" she exclaimed as she attempted to hit him. He simply took a step aside to allow her to miss completely. She knew he was playing with her but the last thing she wanted was to be intimidated. "4 strikes!" Again that was a dead miss. "8 Strikes, 16 Strikes, 32 Strikes!" Hinata was now very annoyed. Her Hyuga technique weren't working at all, or was it that she was still too weak? She didn't know and she didn't care, all she needed to accomplish was to get that bastard. Sakura, as if she knew this co-ordination immediately covered for her friend using the Mana Flare serving as a distraction. The energy flares stunned Kabuto since he couldn't pay as much attention to the pink hair girl. That flinch was all Hinata needed to finish this.
"64 Strikes!" declared Hinata as she struck 64 of Kabuto's tenketsu points heavily. The impact was significant and the older genin flew backward with blood escaping his mouth. However, when the trio who were battling him thought they got where they wanted him, it was then when Sasuke stepped in and delivered an upward kick to the chin. After a series of kicks going upward, Sasuke twisted himself to elevate his position higher. As he punched from above, a flip kick and another punch, it was then the perfect time to perform his new move.
"Shishi Rendan!" shouted the Uchiha as he slammed the heel of his foot to Kabuto's stomach crushing him to the ground. Sakura rejoiced but however, Kabuto just smirked and the figure disappeared in a cloud of smoke. 'A Bunshin?' thought the three with eyes widening with fear. They knew they were deep within a trap.
Hinata suddenly felt a punch to her stomach, she immediately curled up in pain. Next, a kick was delivered sending her sliding on the ground roughly. Even though she wasn't knocked out, those shots were critical. Sasuke and Sakura immediately came to her aid engaging in a taijutsu match. However, without Hinata's assistance, it was clear that their attacks didn't seem to cut it. With heavy kick to the ribs and volleys of strong punches to the shoulders, both Sasuke and Sakura were knocked on to the ground near Hinata painfully.
"See you again, my children," called Kabuto already outside running away. "I wish I could have more time playing with you, but I have more matters to take care of."
"Come back here, you son of a bitch!" demanded Sasuke but Kabuto was already long gone. Who remained were another batch of Sound chunnins equipped with katanas. The three weren't prepared due to the pain. The Sound-nis obviously took this to their advantage of this situation. Out of the blue, another Hyuga stepped in between them and performed the divine Kaiten knocking the enemies away for the time being.
"What are you three doing?" questioned Neji angrily deflected several shirukens with his own kunai. "Don't you guys dare start to freeze on us now, we need every one of you to make it out of here alive! Don't start freezing, damn it!" Neji then spun to the air and kicked the remaining enemy with force. 'Shit... we can't hold on like this for much longer...' thought Neji angrily as he dashed back to the battlefield with Tenten.
"Forget about that bastard," called the Uchiha to Hinata and Sakura. "We have to assist anyone else who are still here!"
"I hear you!" replied Sakura as she aided Hinata back to her feet. However, it was then another rain of weapons came down from above. Hinata's arm was struck by two kunais and Sakura's upper thigh was pierced badly by a shiruken. Sasuke immediately watched above and several more Sound ninjas were coming down preparing to strike. With a several hand seals, the Uchiha another Dragon Fire no-jutsu burning the incoming troops to oblivion. At that point, the raven hair boy was already starting showing signs of tiredness but he knew he had to keep going.
"You okay?" asked Shikamaru running with Ino and Chouji. Shikamaru already had a many needles punctured in his arms, he seemed to be running with a bit of trouble.
"I've been hit, I need a medic!" said Sakura as Hinata painfully pulled out the kunais out of her arm.
"This isn't gonna hurt a bit," said Hinata as she used Rejuvenation on Sakura. Sakura then formed a set of hand seals and activated Rejuvenation as well to heal her friends.
"Thanks Sakura..." mumbled Shikamaru as he used a Shadow Bind at long range to support Haku and Lee.
"We have to keep fighting!" shouted Ino angrily as she and Chouji ran back to the battlefield assisting the jounins and their comrades.
(Meanwhile)
Rin screamed in pain as she collided to the tree outside due to a multiple explosive tag explosion. She was wounded with a several weapons in her flesh. She winced in anger as her enemies seized this opportunity to attack. 'Their numbers are limitless...' cursed Rin mentally as she charged up more chakra.
"Mana Burn!" shouted Rin firing a negative charged beam carefully. The Sound nin simply leaped high to avoid her assault and prepared his katana to end the girl's life. Rin smirked darkly ass she immediately Blinked behind her opponent in a quick pace and wrapped herself onto him in a lock. The next second, an audible snapping sound could be heard. The Sound nin of course was killed. Rin panted a bit knowing her body was tiring out. She suddenly heard an explosion and another painful cry was present. One of the remaining arena walls collapsed and the person who went through was none other than Naruto. He roughly slid on the ground hitting a tree with his back.
"Take him out!" demanded a Sound nin as he made an advance signal. His other two subordinates then tosses multiple explosive tags in a shower, Naruto's eyes narrowed in anger. He attempted to move but his left leg wouldn't function properly, his eyes widened as the explosives already surrounded him. He quickly made a crossing arm defend pose as the tags violently exploded making him cry in torment.
"Look at your face!" taunted one of the sound nins victoriously.
"Did we get him?" asked another confirming if Naruto was down. Suddenly, they could see a glowing aura within the smoke charging out. With a battle cry, the dark shinobi with his Unholy Aura activated dashed to his opponents with his runeblade charged with deathly green chakra. His movement though was significantly slower than usual but quick nonetheless.
The Death Knight made a vertical slash striking the head first killing the leader in an instant. Once the other two were more alerted, the dark shinobi immediately lowered himself and slashed off the legs of one of them. It was then when the second one pierced another kunai to his back. Gasping with pain, the boy then elbowed his enemy and turned around with his hand in a grasping way.
"Cripple!" announced the Death Knight as he crushed the last Sound chunnin with chakra. In a second, his opponent was mended beyond recognition, he was in a deathly state. Naruto now ran back in a crippled way but he was stopped by his sister.
"Ni-san!" called Rin as she made her way to him. She gasped as she saw him, he had multiple weapons stuck to his arms and back. "Are you okay? Let me see your wounds..."
"It's okay, Rin-chan... it's just a flesh wound..." replied Naruto hesitantly trying to cover it.
"Let me help you though, you can't fight like this." She then pulled out any weapons that were in him, the wounds certainly looked serious.
"Thanks, Rin-chan," said Naruto as he charged up chakra within his blade pointing to himself. "Death Coil!" The coil of death launched itself at him in a devouring manner. Rin hated this attack when she saw it every time. It seemed so disgusting. As the effects wore off, Naruto felt more alive. He then gave Rin a soldier pill to refresh her strength and the duo then ran back to aid others who were in need.
(Inside the arena, the genins are regrouping)
"Hold still you bastard, it isn't gonna hurt a bit!" called Haku as he used an ointment that Hinata gave him on Lee's opened wound. Lee winced at the stinging sensation but decided to hold it, the medicine was clearly effective.
"Shika, they're getting away!" shouted Ino as she dodged an incoming shiruken just barely.
"To hell as if I'll let them!" called back Shikamaru as he formed a series of hand seals. "Shadow Bind no jutsu!" Shikamaru's shadow extended immediately and captured them dead in their tracks. This wasn't the Shadow Imitation, so he signaled Chouji to crush them all with the Meat Tank. A snap and breaking sound was heard as Chouji ran through them, Shikamaru and Ino couldn't help feeling victorious for their teamwork.
Ino glanced at the area, she could tell the most of the Sound were already crushed and some of them retreated. A sense of relief came to her senses as she fell on her knees in exhaustion.
"Hey, is everybody okay?" asked Naruto as he leaped to the genins with Rin by his side.
"Yeah, we're for now," reported Hinata. "We took care of most of these bastards with the jounins..."
"Some of them got away..." added Sakura with slight hint of disappointment with herself.
"That bastard Kabuto was one of them, damn it," said Sasuke holding a fist and tightening it. "He'll pay for this dearly!"
"C'mon, we gonna find that Orochimaru," said Naruto looking at the broken ceiling.
"Naruto," called Kakashi who was covered in blood. "Are you all okay? Any injuries?"
"Nothing that we can't deal with, sensei," said Sakura as she wiped some blood off her chin. "Where the hell is that Orochimaru? Sensei, please tell us!"
"He was outnumbered earlier and managed to make an escape effectively..."
"Did you do anything to stop him?" asked Shikamaru.
"We tried to but many of us weren't at his level," admitted Kakashi with a touch of guilt. "Hokage-sama however chased after him and decided to make things right. They left the area just 15 minutes ago."
"Why in the hell are you still standing here for?" questioned Naruto in disbelief. "Why aren't you going after him? The Hokage is going to be killed at this rate!"
"He gave us an order to stay here regardless of what happens," explained Kakashi with frustration. "We have to obey them!"
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," said Naruto. "I'm going after that bastard and none of you are going to follow, understand?"
"You can't go alone, Naruto-kun!" demanded Hinata holding his hand tightly begging him.
"You'll all be killed if you come with me," he argued. "I'll have backup, I'll be fine."
"You're not going without me!"
"No, you're not Hinata-chan! Why can't you understand the seriousness of this situation? This is the safety of the Hokage, the future of Konoha! The last thing Konoha needs is shinobis with potential acting like a bunch of kamikaze morons!"
"And you aren't?" questioned Neji.
"I am clearly not..." replied Naruto as he coughed out blood.
"Stop acting like a hero and just quit this tough act!" shouted Lee.
"You're strong, not invincible." Shikamaru stated with much emotion instead of his lazy attitude.
"Can any of you fight that snake freak?" Naruto retorted with his patience on the line. "I can't allow you guys to risk your lives for nothing, you'll all be killed if you fight him. Rin-chan, sempai and I are the only ones that could actually stand a chance against him, don't you understand?"
"We do but we can't let you do this by yourself," said Sakura nearly in tears.
"You can't go on like this." Sasuke said trying to put some sense into the Death Knight.
"Naruto, your body is clearly wasted right now," Haku checked his pulse and it was somewhat irregular. "There's no possible way that you should be continuing."
"I'll be fine," reassured Naruto not in the most promising voice. After fireball rains, explosives blowing up on your face and body, weapons stuck to your flesh, not even the Unholy Aura could heal that quickly. Naruto knew his body was worn out, he didn't have enough strength to sense chakra signatures any longer. The best he could do was see through the blindfold. It was then when he coughed a bit more but more hoarsely.
"Ni-san!" said Rin holding him in an aiding way. "You really are hurt from all that impact that you saved me from earlier. Why did you do something so recklessly?"
"It was worth it..." he said as he hoped his aura would heal him quicker but he could sense it weakening due to his injuries.
"You have to stay here," said Gaara. "You can't start talking crazy at a time like this."
"Naruto, for Hinata-sama's sake," stated Neji. "Just don't go."
"I have to," replied the Death Knight. "Rin-chan... sempai... please take care of everything here... I'll be okay, I promise..."
"Fine, I trust you..." said Haku reluctantly.
"Thanks," said Naruto with gratitude and leaped out of the arena. The remaining genins wanted to follow but it was then Rin, Haku and the other jounins blocking their advance.
(Moments later)
'This is not good,' thought Naruto leaping from tree to tree with much pain. 'With the Hokage leaving this area around 20 minutes ago, who knows where he could've gone?'
'You're not using your head, Death Knight,' called the demon master with amusement.
'Kyubi-chan... what are you doing here?' asked Naruto with surprise.
'Trying to help my favorite apprentice of course.'
'I'm your only apprentice. Hey, you got any ideas?'
'Why don't you try summoning?' she suggested kindly. 'They were always a great help before.'
'I forgot I had that technique ever since I was able to use these eyes effectively,' replied Naruto with a grin. 'I might need some of your chakra later if you don't mind.'
'I'll give you some when you really need it. Don't worry, I won't let you die.'
'Thanks for saying so.' He then ended the conversation and withdrew his blade and landed on a branch gathering the last bit of chakra he had in him. He then made hand seals with one hand and held his blade high ready to strike the branch with the tip.
"Revenants Rise!" shouted Naruto as he struck the branch with enough strength not to break it. At that instant, 3 dark warriors with deathly swords were risen from the dark energies that the Death Knight created. They almost looked human but a bit vampuric.
"It has been a while, Naruto-sama," said the leader revenant with a grin that matched Naruto's. "What are your orders?"
"Split up and search for the Hokage and Orochimaru for me. When you find them, create a flare to notify the others, understand?"
"Why aren't you using your eyes?" asked the second one with a smirk. Naruto simply grinned at his summoned warrior's words with amusement.
"I need you three as my backup as well, don't disappoint me."
"Roger that." The three summoned revenants replied and took off in three different directions while Naruto continued with his own path. However, he suddenly fell on his knees and breathed heavily.
'What the hell is wrong with me?' cursed the dark shinobi angrily. 'My body isn't responding... this is bad.'
'Naruto!' shouted Kyubi aiding him. 'Speak to me, Naruto!'
'Kyubi-chan... what is going on, why can't I move properly?'
'Your body is nearly out of chakra,' she explained worriedly. 'You can't keep this up for much longer if you don't get some rest. Your Unholy Aura is already gone if you haven't noticed.' Naruto couldn't feel his aura any longer, he was way too weak to sustain something that didn't require any chakra to maintain. This wasn't a promising sign.
'I need to keep moving...' said the Death Knight as he weakly stood back on his feet using his blade for support. 'I can't let that snake freak kill Hokage-sama...'
'Why do you always put others ahead of yourself, Death Knight?' questioned Kyubi with status. 'Why don't you ever look at where you stand for a change? How are you supposed to help someone if you can't even defend yourself?'
'Because I was too weak to kill Orochimaru...' replied Naruto with difficulty. 'It's my fault that he's still alive this day, it's my responsibility if Hokage-sama dies because of him. I have to take responsibility for whatever I do, this is one of them. Kyubi-chan... I need your chakra...'
'If you body isn't even in a decent shape, it would be useless.'
'I need it now damn it!' commanded Naruto flashing a dangerous glare.
'That energy is too powerful for your body to handle!' she argued with much irritation. 'You could die if your body doesn't have the basic strength to take it, I wouldn't hesitate if you were in better shape but you're not! That power could kill you right now, it's too much to take in a sudden! I won't give it to you and that's final.'
'How dare you betray me at a time like this?' questioned Naruto with wrath in his voice. 'What kind of master are you not helping their apprentice?'
'You call killing them helping?' she asked him dangerously.
'You said you would give me the chakra!'
'If you weren't that wasted!' The demon master knew this wasn't getting anywhere, she couldn't give him the chakra he wanted, it would really kill him if she offered it. 'I'm sorry, Naruto, I can't allow you to continue this.'
"Shit there he is, shoot that bastard!" shouted someone all of a sudden in an alerting voice. Naruto's eyes opened in shock when he saw a few sound nins on his tail sending explosive tags as him. 'They are high gunpowder explosives!' thought Naruto as he saw the words written on it.
"Damn!" he cursed loudly as the explosives ignited violently sending him flying back and colliding to the solid ground head first. As he made contact, he passed out in nearly an instant suffering a concussion. The Sound-nins smirked widely.
"That's right, that's right! That's what you get, HAHA!" With that, they left the area leaving the Death Knight to rot. 'Why must I be so careless?' That was his last thought before fully passed out.
(After an unknown amount of time)
"Where in the hell am I?" asked Naruto to himself when he woke up not knowing how long it has been. His body felt weak, he took a glimpse of the area around him and opened a bit wider in disbelief. He found out he was in a clear violet room sleeping in a futon. He felt a bit too warm in a futon and yet he felt someone was pressing on his chest. He took a glimpse at who was in front of him, he wasn't surprised to see someone with long dark hair sleeping peacefully.
"Hey," said Naruto shaking the person who was clearly a girl. "Wake up." The girl then slowly opened her eyes and rubbed it to ease the sleepiness she still had. When she looked at Naruto, the Death Knight suddenly jerked back slightly. When the little girl saw him look at her eyes directly, she immediately blushed cutely.
"Good morning..." she said shyly. "Did you have a good sleep?"
"Yeah..." said Naruto feeling a bit farfetched. 'Her eyes... am I where I think I am?' "May I know your name?"
"Sure..." she said still blushing deeply. This girl had never seen such a handsome guy up close. "I'm Hyuga Hanabi."
"I'm Uzumaki Naruto," said the Death Knight observing her, he had to admit she was pretty. "It's nice to..." As he stretched out his arm, he could feel a searing pain. He flinched immediately and Hanabi looked worried.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
"A bit," answered the boy holding his arm tightly. "You know why my arm seems so crapped up?"
"Sister and a medic-nin from the Mist said that your bodies suffered from a lot of explosions of some sort," she explained. "They said it isn't anything that serious."
"If it isn't that critical... I don't understand why this hurts this much..." She giggled immediately. "What's so funny Hanabi-chan?"
"Nothing..." she lied blushing. "It's just that it sounded funny from you?"
"Is it?" he asked a bit confused. She nodded.
"Have you been here the entire night?"
"I did, I wanted to make sure you wouldn't freak out when you woke up not knowing where you are."
"Where am I then?" asked Naruto.
"You're in the Hyuga mansion." 'Just as I thought...' said Naruto in his head.
"You didn't have to watch me all night, you need your rest too right?"
"It's okay... I'm glad that I did it..." Hanabi replied weakly.
"You're sweet." Then Naruto pecked her softly on the forehead. It was clear that the girl flushed deeply.
"Shall I get my sister to help you?" suggested Hanabi changing the subject since she couldn't believe she was blushing this much to a guy.
"Who's your sister?" he asked rather dumbly. He already had a feeling of who it was.
"Hinata." With a blush still partially visible on her cheeks, Hanabi left the room and began to look for Hinata. As the girl closed the door, she took one last glimpse at him. 'No wonder sister likes him so much, he's such a nice person...'
Naruto observed his surroundings for the first time, he figured that this must've been a guest room in the Hyuga mansion. This room alone was already at least 5 times better than his room, not like he cared. Moments later, he felt a pair of soft hand holding his own. He didn't need to even look at who it was, he knew it was her.
"Naruto-kun..." said Hinata with the most pleasant smile he saw in his life. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, my left arm just needs more rest from explosions," answered Naruto in an amused way.
"You call that fine?" she asked in slight hint of disbelief.
"It's better than those broken arms and legs, my dear Hinata-chan."
"You are so unpredictable," said the Hyuga girl kissing him softly on the cheek. "I'm so glad you're alive."
"I suppose so... what happened to the others? Are they fine?"
"Don't worry about it, Neji-ni-san, Sasuke-kun, Shikamaru-kun, Kiba-kun, Chouji and Lee-san are resting safely in the hospital right now."
"Why are they there?" asked Naruto wanting an answer at that instant.
"Most of them suffered from exhaustion... some of them may have had minor internal injuries as well. It's nothing that severe that rest couldn't help." Hinata assured him by holding his hands tighter, Naruto hoped she wasn't lying to herself.
"Where's Sakura-chan? I thought she would be here with you."
"Naruto-kun, you've been out for two days already," Hinata whispered softly but audible. "Sakura-san was here, she was really worried about you. How could you have taken off like that when your body was still injured? If it wasn't for a dark warrior that told us where you were, Rin-san, Haku-san and Sakura-san wouldn't have found you! How could you do this?"
"I needed to..." he replied with guilt. "I thought that was going to be the end of my life... I couldn't believe how careless I was..." He then rested his eyes into space remembering the thoughts he had when the sneak attack took place. He then held Hinata close, he really thought he would never see her again. It wasn't only her, he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to experience daylight to have Sakura, Rin, Haku, Sasuke, Lee, Neji and other people in Konoha in his vision. Hinata embraced him back with affection, she held on to him as if he came back from the dead.
"Don't think like that anymore... we have to think positively for the sake of Konoha..."
"Why are you getting depressed all of a sudden, Hina-chan?" he asked as he looked into her pools of pearly lavender. He detected a sense of sadness already, it didn't take his teal eyes to figure that out. "Hinata-chan, what's wrong?" A sudden sense of realization hit him. "Hinata-chan, tell me something."
"What?" she asked with her voice somewhat trembling but it was not due to fear.
"What happened to Hokage-sama? I know I didn't make it to him because I was attacked. Hinata-chan, is the 3rd okay? C'mon answer me!" Hinata didn't meet his eyes, she refused to make any gazes which was strange to him. She never looked away with such dejection.
"I don't want to talk about the 3rd right now, Naruto-kun!" she declared softly but with hidden force. Naruto gave her a bit of space to relieve herself but he gave her the look that he needed a reply soon. He held her by the shoulder softly with his uninjured arm and softened his expression.
"What happened?" he asked again trying to comfort her.
"Hokage-sama was murdered," Hinata stated trying not to cry. "Orochimaru killed him... several Anbus witnessed his death, they said it was horrible..." At that time, the girl's cheeks were flowing with a line of tears, Naruto's heart sank deeply hearing those words, he felt responsible for the 3rd's death. He wanted to charge up a Rasengan and blow the hospital wall into shreds. However he calmed himself down as he remembered something that he read in Life and Death Paradise. What could he have done in that situation at that time? He was injured and barely had enough strength to defend himself. He had to apologize to his master, she was only trying to protect him and he flashed her the most deadliest glares he could muster. He knew what her chakra could do, he was just being arrogant.
"Damn that bastard..." mumbled Naruto bitterly with rage and held her closer. A sign of regret came across his face, he just wished he could've done something to make a difference. What would Konoha do without their great leader now? For once in his life, he felt useless. "How many more innocent people must be killed?"
"Naruto-kun... I'm so worried about you." She then hugged him tighter for security. "It always feels like that there's something that wants you to tear away from me. What I feel more afraid is that neither of us have the power to stop this from happening. I don't want to lose you, Naruto-kun..."
"I don't want that to happen either..."
"But each time I feel so unsafe," she continued cutting him off. "Each time I feel that there's something that may separate us and when it fails... it comes back stronger than before."
"Nothing could ever separate us in spirit,"
"I know but it's hard to keep this optimism up if you keep risking your life as if it contains no value."
"I'm sorry, Hinata-chan..." he apologized not meeting her pearl eyes filled with sadness.
"I don't want to hear that!" she basically yelled at him with hostility. "Why can't I have a Naruto-kun who I could lean on and rely on? Why can't I feel the feeling of coming to your place and I'll be sure that you're alive? Why do I always feel that something has happened to you?"
"I'm always here for you, Hinata-chan," said Naruto holding her softly with assurance.
"Can you please promise me that you value your life more? Think of this as me begging you," she then dug her head into his chest crying loudly to his shirt. "I beg you to please put yourself ahead of others at times, I don't want to see you nearly dead again because you want to do something that you can't!" She then cried again. Naruto's heart sank another depth, those were his master's words exactly. He hurt her, he hurt the girl he loved badly. It wasn't the first time, this time the girl was basically at his mercy begging him to take care of himself more.
'What did I do to make Hinata-chan so down?' he asked himself in thought with much guilt and regret. He couldn't believe she sank to that level for him, she loved him dearly and all he did was worry her. A searing pain struck his heart, he didn't have the face to look at Hinata, he felt so unworthy of her love. 'How could I call myself a person when I made the one I love like this?'
"I promise you, Hinata-chan," he said embracing her again wanting to cry. "I won't make you worry about me like that again. I know it hurts you, but I want you to know that it hurts me even more when I see you like this. I want to promise you, I will promise you." She immediately returned the hug with much more passion, that was all he wanted to hear from him. She then kissed him on the lips softly and he didn't hesitate to return it back. It was then when the slide door opened revealing a figure standing there. Naruto parted his lips from the girl and looked at the person, his eyes narrowed immediately.
(Somewhere on the hospital grounds)
"Sasuke-kun," said Sakura as she wrapped her arms around the Uchiha while walking in the hospital's park. "Did you know that I was really worried about you when we fought those Sound-nins?"
"I know you were..." said Sasuke looking at the sadness in her face. "I was too..."
"You were worried about me too?"
"Of course I was," said Sasuke wrapping his arm around her shoulder showing that he meant what he said.
"I thought that was bad enough but when I found ni-chan lying there lifeless, I thought I could just die!"
"You love Naruto don't you, Sakura?" asked Sasuke with a sign of disappointment.
"I do love him, Sasuke-kun, he's the best brother I ever had in my life." 'It's now or never, Sasuke...' thought the Uchiha to himself. 'Summon some courage damn it...'
"Sakura..." he began with a bit of difficulty. "What do you think about me?"
"What do you mean?" asked the girl a bit confused.
"I just want to ask, what do you see me as a person? How do you feel about me?"
"Where are you getting at?"
"Am I your friend?"
"Of course you are, silly," replied the girl hugging him with more passion. "You're always my friend no matter through thick and thin!"
"Am I a person whose more than a friend to you?" he asked with hesitation since he didn't want his voice to crack due to shyness. At this point, the girl blushed deeply, a sudden sense of realization hit her now. She realized that the boy had fallen for her secretly.
"Sasuke-kun... I..."
"I want to say that I love you, Sakura..." admitted the Uchiha. "I've loved you ever since you changed and matured. I know you like me as a friend and I don't care if you return my feelings or not, I just want you to know that you have someone who loves you. You'll always have someone to rely on when you're sad or depressed, whether you're happy or troubled. I'll always be a friend who loves you." He then broke the embrace awkwardly and gave her a genuine smile. He looked at her blushing face, he thought she was beautiful. He then leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, Sakura was still frozen. "Well, I'm sorry for being so direct," continued Sasuke with a hint of sorrow. "I hope to see you around, Sakura, thanks for having this walk with me..." His fake smile then turned into a frown of pain, he was crushed.
'Sasuke-kun loves me...' thought Sakura trying to snap out of it. 'Doesn't he know that I love him too? Why did he seem so sad after he kissed me... why didn't I do anything?' As if on impulse, the pink hair girl reached her arm and held onto his not allowing him to continue his movement. The Uchiha turned around just to see Sakura wanting to cry. However, it wasn't filled with sadness, it was the opposite.
"Sasuke-kun!" she exclaimed as she launched herself at him. Luckily for the raven hair genin, he was strong enough to take it. She instantly pulled him into an embrace which he didn't hesitate to return it.
"What's the matter, Sakura?" he asked soothingly to her ears.
"I think there's something that you want to hear, my Sasuke-kun..."
"What could that be?"
"I love you too." Sasuke smiled the most delightful smile he could muster, it was radiant. The duo then leaned closer to another slowly until their foreheads made contact. Their eyes didn't leave one another's for a second. The girl then blushed but refused to lay her eyes off him until their lips nearly met.
"Sakura, may I?" he asked politely. It was then when the girl showed him that permission wasn't needed at all. She kissed him heavenly giving the Uchiha all the love she wanted him to receive. The two newly couple remained there in that position as long as their bodies could take. They knew they loved another, there was no use denying it. As their lips parted, both grinned at another mischievously and engaged in another passionate kiss.
(At that same moment in the Hyuga mansion)
"Jiraiya-sensei, what are you doing here?" asked Naruto a little shocked.
"Naruto, we need to talk." Jiraiya stated seriously. Sensing the important tone Jiraiya used, Naruto narrowed his eyes with the same manner.
"What's the matter? Has something gone wrong?"
"No, it's nothing like that, Naruto. You are needed in a meeting right now, I need you to come with me right away."
"Can I come too?" asked Hinata politely. The sennin simply shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Hinata-san," said Jiraiya sadly. "There are some things that we aren't obligated to share with a mere genin, I hope you understand." Hinata nodded sadly and watched the Death Knight having trouble getting out of his bed due to his injured arm. She aided him in the best of her ability to the bathroom for him to get dressed. Minutes later, Naruto came back out with the same type of clothing he usually wore. He kissed Hinata on the cheek before he left with Jiraiya. Both teens knew this was something crucial.
(At the conference room in the Hyuga mansion)
Naruto and Jiraiya opened the door to the conference room, the Death Knight was surprised that only a Hyuga was present. The two sat on a cushion that was offered to them, Naruto wondered what this was all about.
"It's an honor to meet you, Uzumaki Naruto-kun," said the Hyuga. "I'm Hyuga Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga clan."
"It's nice to meet you as well, Hyuga-sama," Naruto returned the greeting with respect. Hiashi was impressed with his maturity, it was rare to see that in a 13 year old.
"I want you ask you a question, Naruto-kun," said Hiashi with a smile. Naruto raised an eyebrow a bit at the suddenness. "Do you know that I'm Hinata's father?" Naruto merely grinned at that.
"I'll be honest, I don't. Hinata-chan never told me too much about her family other than Neji at times."
"Hinata-chan?" he asked. "Do you know my daughter well?"
"She's my teammate," replied Naruto calmly with eyes showing no emotion. "I hope that isn't a problem with you, Hyuga-sama."
"Not at all, I want to ask that if you love her."
"Why do you ask?" Naruto returned the question skillfully.
"When Hinata and your three friends brought you here, I could tell that Hinata was very concerned about you. It was like as if you were more important to her than a mere friend. I'm a bit curious." Naruto smiled at that statement. Hiashi clearly knew who Naruto was in Hinata's life, he just needed the truth from the boy in person. (AN: There will be a family meeting like scenario in later chapters!)
"Hiashi," called Jiraiya. "This isn't the time to talk about that right now, we didn't call the boy here to discuss things about your daughter."
"Of course," said Hiashi. "Naruto, do you know why you are summoned here?"
"No I don't." The Death Knight replied sincerely.
"As you know the Third Hokage has been killed by Orochimaru, right?"
"I heard it from Hinata-chan just moments ago," said Naruto. "What's going to happen to Konoha now?"
"I'll get to that," stated the Hyuga heir. "But I think you need to know about the Sound attacks from the beginning and what kind of allies they were supposed to have."
"Supposed to have? What are you saying?"
"Did you have any idea that the Sand was supposed to be in the same operation?" asked Jiraiya. Naruto obviously had no idea. "I'll say this, the actions you took that day made Orochimaru commence the mission one month ahead and extremely unprepared. The Sand was initially planned to join in with the invasion of Konoha during the finals of the chunnin exam."
"If the Sand was supposed to be in, why did Gaara-san help me during the fight?"
"He refused to take part in it and went against orders," elucidated Hiashi. "He said that he couldn't allow his only true friend to be suffering because of him."
"He was the Sand's trump card," continued Jiraiya. "Basically he was the key person to lead the attack."
"What happened to Gaara-san?" asked Naruto in a hurry. "Is he okay?"
"Don't worry, his brother Kankuro and sister Temari are still in Konoha trying to make up any mistakes that he might have did here. We are grateful that the attack that Orochimaru commenced didn't make as much casualties as we imagined. If the Sand was here, the situation would've been much worse for certain."
"Did something else happen outside of the tower arena?"
"Orochimaru summoned his cobras to attack the side gates of Konoha when the troops were unprepared," clarified Hiashi sadly. "We lost quite a bit of chunnins due to that sneak attack." Naruto slammed his fist to the ground angrily. The two adults understood his intentions.
"So not only that the Third has been killed during the time I passed out, other shinobis have been killed?" questioned Naruto flashing his eyes fiercely. Jiraiya and Hiashi nodded reluctantly. "Has Konoha been invaded quite badly?" Once again, the two nodded with guilt. Naruto breathed out heavily with frustration, he couldn't believe that much has happened. "So what is it that you need me for?" asked the Death Knight not in the most relaxed tone. "What's going to happen to Konoha without the Third?"
"The higher counsels have decided that Jiraiya-sama and I will volunteer to take over the Hokage's position until a 5th Hokage is found. What we need as soon as possible is a 5th Hokage."
"So what you're telling me is that you want me to find the 5th?" The two adults nodded, the boy's observation skills were still at top notch. "Why can't one of you just take on the role? Jiraiya-sensei is a sennin, he would suit the position just fine."
"I ain't the most reliable person on these grounds, Naruto," justified the frog hermit. "I could do this temporarily but not as a career."
"I hope your answer has nothing involved in those Icha Icha Paradise novels..." growled Naruto silently which made Hiashi chuckle a little bit. Jiraiya just sent the boy a death glare. "Anyway, I know Hyuga-sama is the heir, I could understand that he couldn't abandon his position anytime soon until Hinata-chan takes over. But I want to ask if I could take anyone with me? I want Gaara-san to be my traveling partner."
"I don't think that would do," said Hiashi. "Gaara is needed here in Konoha for protecting this place, he can't be dispatched with you."
"Why are you guys sending me on this task alone?" asked the dark shinobi not pleased at this. "Can't Rin-chan at least come with me?"
"She is an apprentice medic, she is needed here in the medical department with the newly applied former Mist Hunter-nin. Konoha can't spare these people at the moment since there are many injured people, civilians and shinobis alike."
"What about Hinata-chan? Sakura-chan, Sasuke?"
"No, and especially not Hinata." Jiraiya told his student firmly.
"How come?" Jiraiya then whispered a fairly long message to the boy's ear. Naruto nodded to a few, and then his eyes widened, soon he listened to a bit more and finally nodded many times quickly. Naruto sighed at what his teacher just said, he made very good points. 'If I took Hinata-chan along... we would be alone...' thought Naruto already thinking of the possibilities that he wasn't looking forward to. 'Knowing this would be an urgent mission, I can't have her to slow me down.'
"So, would you accept this mission?" asked Hiashi as he made an offering hand gesture.
"Mission accepted." Naruto then smirked widely with hidden excitement. "When do I leave, who is the person that you guys want me to look for?"
"You'll be looking for your 'big sister', Naruto," said Jiraiya smiling when thinking of her. "Please bring her back as soon as possible."
"Tsunade-oba-chan?" asked the Death Knight in disbelief. "You want me to look for her?"
"She's the only person that has the potential to do take on this task," continued Jiraiya. "I haven't seen her for so long, I wonder how much more beautiful she has become..."
"You just want to her naked don't you?" asked the silver hair boy with his eye twitching.
"Of course not," lied Jiraiya. Hiashi could tell he was lying right from the start. "I'm her good friend, I wouldn't do anything like that. Besides, I have my limits." Naruto narrowed his eyes even more, he knew that Tsunade was a very attractive woman, especially with her oversized and nearly completely revealing cleavage. He as certain that Jiraiya was thinking about that only when he would mention the name Tsunade anywhere. As the Death Knight remember that cleavage, he shivered a bit but the look on Jiraiya's face made him know the hermit wanted to experience it in a way he wouldn't forget. The boy sighed in exasperation as Jiraiya handed him the mission briefings.
"What's this?"
"Your basic instructions, that's what." The frog sennin then opened it for him to read. "Tsunade isn't someone that would stay in one location for too long, I suggest you leave sometime today and use any type of quick method travel, that would ensures your chances of looking for her." Naruto looked at the map that was given to him and smiled. The area wasn't as wide as he thought it would be but it would take some time nonetheless.
"I understand," said the Death Knight as he pocketed the info in his pouch. "I'll be off soon then." He then formed a set of hand seals of the Rejuvenation and cast it on his arm. He grinned as he felt the pain was no longer there. "How will I explain this to Hinata-chan though or any of my friends."
"Just say this is a classified mission if they mention it," suggested Hiashi with a smile. "Better yet, don't tell them at all. You should leave this village as quietly as a leaf landing on the ground. And Naruto-kun, don't tell my daughter where you would be going, okay?"
"Why?"
"I know what kind of person you are to Hinata, Neji told me about you a several times in the past. Her heart was already captured by you when she was very young and now I'm sure she has done the same?"
"You're right, Hyuga-sama," admitted Naruto. "I do love your daughter and you have my word on that nothing is going to happen her. You have no clue how important Hinata-chan is to me in my life. I want to make your daughter the happiest girl she could be." He then gave a very determined look to the Hyuga heir. Hiashi smiled at his words, Naruto certainly reminded him of someone he knew long ago.
"I believe you completely, Naruto-kun." The Death Knight smiled back and left the room politely with a bow. However, Jiraiya halted him before the door.
"What is it now, sensei?" asked Naruto eyeing his sensei suspiciously.
"Can you do me a big favor, boy? When you come back with Tsunade, can you suggest her to wear something even more revealing? Not to mention what kind of bra size she wears and please make her go..." Naruto then immediately slammed the door shut violently in his face with the most annoyed and disbelieved expression he could make.
He walked back to the room with the lovely Hinata kneeling with two trays of food waiting for him. She gave him a smile of delight and hugged him passionately. He embraced her back but one thing was still in his mind, how could he leave Konoha without her noticing. There was another issue, how could he leave her behind. Without warning. he broke the hug they had and took initiative to claim her lips in a kiss.
"Naruto-kun?" she asked between breaths. She was surprised that this unexpected turn of events but she couldn't deny that this was nice.
"What is it, my dear?" he asked calmly in control.
"Can you do that again?" she asked with a blush.
"Getting impatient now are we?" he asked with much amusement. She looked at him strangely with a grin, she knew he was never this outgoing, it seemed like he wanted to seduce her with a hidden charm. Regardless of what he was trying to do, she liked it.
"Please, you know that I love you kissing me."
"Anything for my Hinata-chan." He then took possession of her soft lips once again, she moaned pleasantly into his mouth before she pushed him on the futon seizing control. Naruto knew this was going to be something that he wouldn't receive for a while from his favorite girl, he wanted to make the best of it. Before he could get into deeper thought, her lips captured his neck and the thought of breakfast vanished. When she made the mark that she wanted to give him, he hugged her tightly knowing this would be one of the last times before the mission began. Hinata had a slight impression of what was going on, Naruto seemed to be very absorbed. In fact, too absorbed. Something was up, she could feel it in her veins.
"Naruto-kun," she asked while on top of him. "What did you guys talk about just now?"
"Nothing much, just things that are happening in Konoha right now and how we should act from now when the Third is now gone."
"The funeral for him is this afternoon," she whispered in his ear nibbling it a bit trying to attract him even more. "Could you come with me?" 'This afternoon?' thought the dark warrior in realization. 'What am I going to do? Remember what Hiashi-sama said... just ignore it in front of them...'
"Sure thing, Hinata-chan..." he replied with the smallest sign of hesitation. Deep down, he could already sense the start of this given task wasn't as easy as it would seem.
(At that exact same moment, somewhere in Konoha)
"I can't believe that we are actually here," said the first man in a long black cloak with a long blade on his back.
"Konoha," said the second with the exact same outfit. "It certainly has been a while, don't you think?"
"It certainly has, I can't believe the aura here is so disturbing..."
"It feels like a ferocious battle happened here, I wouldn't be surprised if I smell the odors of both death and blood."
"You can smell it from this distance?" asked the first.
"The sense of death is certainly here," replied the second. "It really doesn't feel pleasant..."
"Just don't forget what we need to do, okay?"
"I won't, finding the Demon Hunter here wouldn't be that hard, I'm certain that he's around here somewhere."
"I wonder if the Demon Hunter actually terrorized this place?"
"I doubt it, if he did it should've been when he came back long ago, it must've been the work of a certain snake sennin..."
"You feel uncomfortable coming back here?" asked the first cloaked man.
"No, not at all." The second male then tilted his hat a bit higher to reveal a pair of complete Sharingan eyes.
AN: Yep, it's nearly the end of the first saga of Downfall of the Light, I think I ended it there at a good time to end this chapter of the war. I'll tell you, the second part may not follow the story completely and may have different scenes of romance, action and not to mention angst. I'm not sure what I should rate the next part since the romance could be the part that may cause the ratings to increase to R. Who knows what I may do but your suggestions are always welcome so my mind could have some ideas to work with. This story is based on what you people want to see and read. If you don't say anything, you're letting others speak for you.
Allow me to ask for the first idea:
Naruto goes on the search alone and brings back Tsunade.
Naruto searches for the Legendary Sucker with Hinata side by side.
Finally, Naruto goes alone on the mission but Hinata secretly follows him. (Stalking wise of course)
Please selection ONE of the following when you review! If you vote Hinata to go with him, you should be prepared that there would be a lot of mushy romance involved in the action that may take place. Hope I hear your opinions!