By RequiemofDementia
Chapter Seventeen: Late Again
Riki leapt forward, but before his sword came within striking distance, Kabuto had delivered three swift blows to his stomach, and then a powerful uppercut that sent the larger man sprawling.
Yume and Chie came at him together, side by side, swords moving swiftly, almost as if they had one mind. Chie was the first on the ground, his leg shattered by a powerful kick from Kabuto. Yume was not long behind him, falling to the ground, Kabuto's hands now curled around the hilt of her katana.
"Good bye, children."
Kabuto lunged forward, the blade arcing up, and then swinging down for Airen's head. With a loud clang, it met a shimmering wall of pure chakra and bounced back.
"Sorry I'm late," Kakashi's voice came softly. "We had to finish doing Shinzui's hair."
"Liar," Shinzui said softly, as he stepped out from behind Kakashi. "And if you do not step away from my friends, I will kill you."
Kabuto's eyes narrowed slowly, as he took a slow step back. "Kakashi. Perhaps it is time we finished what we started?"
"Remain here and look after Sasuke," Shinzui said softly, as he and Kakashi began to advance, side by side. The younger ninja's all nodded, as Kabuto smiled faintly once more. He leapt back quickly, Shinzui leaping forward to follow. Again the loud whip crack comes, the thick tongue slamming against another wall of chakra, saliva hanging in the air for a moment until the wall dissipated.
Kakashi was only a moment behind him, the two ninja's moving quickly. Kabuto fell back, under the cover of Orochimaru's tongue. His sandals met the wall of the nearest building, and he raced up it, his two enemies right behind him.
He came to a stop on the roof, Orochimaru by his side. Shinzui and Kakashi reached the top as well, the four ninja's facing off against each other across the roof of the building. A smirk crossed Orochimaru's lips. This was good. He had wanted Kakashi killed.
Chie's eyes were raised, as he slumped against the wall, making sure there was no weight on his leg. He was worried for Shinzui, as his eyes watched the roof of the building.
Yume and Riki both stood together, eyes narrowed. They did not like holding back, even if Shinzui had suggested it. What was going to bother Sasuke now? Riki was ready to leap into battle now, his two bladed sword within his grasp. Even Yume was ready, having borrowed Chie's wakazashi, her own sword involved in the battle above them.
The only person not totally involved in the battle was Airen, her hands on Sasuke, as she tried to free him from the cursed seal.
The long tongue snaked through the air slowly, Orochimaru's eyes on the people before him. "So, you think the two of you can survive this battle?" He laughed softly, earning a faint smirk from Shinzui.
"You would be surprised," he said faintly.
Kabuto was the first one to move, racing in, katana swinging in. Kakashi ducked under the blow, as Shinzui leapt over it. Kunai in hand, Kakashi blocked the blow from the sword, and began to attack, quick blows with kunai and legs.
Shinzui landed easily, the tongue of Orochimaru slamming against another hastily erected wall of chakra. His hand lashed out quickly, his fingernails glowing faintly with chakra. A small line of light was left behind, and then a powerful blast of chakra shot out from the line, fast and razor sharp. Orochimaru was faster, leaping into the air, and coming down behind Shinzui, his feet lashing out.
They met only another chakra wall, but the force was enough to knock Shinzui to the ground. The tongue loomed up, and lashed down with great power. As Shinzui rolled to the side, the part of the roof he had just been on shattered under the blow of the tongue.
Kakashi pushed Kabuto back with his unending attack, the two doing battle fiercely. Kabuto's blade swung again, Kakashi ducking under it and then leaping back. As he sailed through the air, his hands flew through the seal of a fire jutsu, Kabuto leaping aside just in time to avoid the inferno that Kakashi had sent his way.
Kakashi landed once again, his hand coming up slowly, raising his forehead protector. The Sharingan eye met Kabuto. "I believe we had unfinished business," Kakashi whispered softly.
A smirk crossed Kabuto's lips, as his hands came together. Kakashi followed the motion perfectly, both of them performing exactly the same jutsu, and then leaping aside to dodge.
As a second explosion of fire flared on the roof top, Riki tensed. He was not waiting here. He was about to leave, when he heard the voice.
"Sasuke…"
Three pairs of eyes met Gaara of the Desert, as he slowly stepped out of the shadows. Riki raised his sword slowly, his eyes narrowing. Maybe staying here wouldn't be so bad. Yume, however, took a more defensive stance, knowing the power of their new opponent.
"What do you want?" Riki asked softly.
"Sasuke…"
Yume's eyes still did not leave Gaara, not believing that she was about to do battle with him. Riki stepped directly into the smaller ninja's path, shaking his head.
A smile crossed Gaara's lips.
Shinzui flipped up to his feet, racing at Orochimaru quickly. He was beginning to be thankful that the other man was not using his arms. He was winning using just his legs and that damned tongue. The tongue slammed against Shinzui's defenses again, as he approached Orochimaru. Another blow of the tongue, and this time Orochimaru's eyes widened. This time, the wall of chakra was not vertical, to block the tongue, but rather, horizontal.
Shinzui had leapt into the air, and as the tongue lashed up to follow him, it met the wall of chakra. Orochimaru spun quickly, his tongue flapping in the breeze as his foot met Shinzui's cheek, sending the man flying, his forehead protector falling to the ground.
Shinzui spun as he flew through the air, landing in a crouch. His long hair hung down, his eyes just barely visible as he looked up to Orochimaru. He slowly straightened, and threw his head back, his long hair trailing behind him. As his head slowly lowered, Orochimaru's eyes widened in shock.
The rasa on Shinzui's forehead blazed like a tiny sun. "Let's do this."
Author's notes.
Some people might say "how can Shinzui stand against Orochimaru?" To this, I say two things. One, Orochimaru has no use of his arms and jutsu's, which is a very good thing as far as Shinzui is concerned. And secondly, continue reading! Not only will secrets be revealed, but you will have fun too!
Enjoy.