By RequiemofDementia
Chapter Eighteen: Dragon Meets Snake
Orochimaru leapt back, his tongue lashing out again. Tongue met chakra again, as Shinzui traced another blazing line of light. The wall of a taller building near by was torn open from the blow, as Orochimaru landed. He moved quickly, tongue and feet slamming against Shinzui's defenses. He was going to break through sooner or later.
Shinzui fell back, the force of the blows greater then he had expected. His hands came together, a long, complicated seal completed quickly by his skilled hands. "Grasping Dragon no Jutsu." The roof under Orochimaru exploded as four mighty talons rose from it, capturing Orochimaru is a mighty grip.
"Not so tough?" Shinzui asked softly. Orochimaru smiled softly, and then the tongue whipped out once more, one of the talons broken by the force of its blow, and the evil ninja was free once more.
Kakashi continued to do battle with Kabuto, his hands moving quickly. He did not follow completely, the Sharingan using far too much chakra for his liking. However, he and Kabuto seemed evenly matched. Neither combatant could land a blow on the other. And that is when he heard Orochimaru's voice.
Kabuto moved quickly, leaping away from Kakashi, and racing along the roof. A small scroll dropped from concealment in Kakashi's vest. Orochimaru raised his hand slowly, as Kabuto skidded to a stop next to him. Shinzui saw what Orochimaru was doing, gasping in shock as his hand too rose. The scroll was in the air, Kakashi catching it and then unfurling it, drawing a line along the scroll. Kabuto's hand traced a line of blood along Orochimaru's arm, as Shinzui did the same. Three hands met the surface of the sealing at the same time.
A massive explosion of smoke behind Orochimaru signaled the entrance of Manda, the mighty serpent. Behind Shinzui, another peal of smoke faded away, revealing a massive, serpentine figure. Long whiskers hung from the face of the dragon, as it spoke softly. "Manda. Long time."
And as the serpent and dragon faced off to do battle, the roof was torn up by a pack of dogs bursting from within, clamping down on Kabuto and holding him still.
Manda was wrapped around the building, his eyes narrowing at the sight of the dragon across from him. He did not even say anything to the Sannin standing upon his head.
"You always get yourself in trouble, Shinzui," the massive dragon scolded.
"Lecture later, Kung Kung."
The dragon nodded slowly, as Shinzui leapt up onto his head.
With a loud hiss, Manda struck.
The blows of the snake were like lightning, as he lashed out at Kung Kung. His massive fangs closed firmly, as the dragon slipped to the side. Manda chased after him, lashing out again and again, his jaws clamping at empty air each time. And then the tail rose up, the dragon grunting in surprise as he was thrown back from the force of it connecting with his underbelly.
The serpent was following still, Orochimaru poised atop his head, eyes narrowed. Manda moved quickly, but the dragon struck first. Powerful talons sunk into the serpent's flesh, which writhed in agony. Kung Kung pressed his advantage, squeezing harder, and then his eyes widened in shock.
The massive serpent wrapped around the dragon, holding him in a tight embrace. An ominous creaking came from within the dragon's breast as the fangs snapped shut, this time on flesh.
Shinzui leapt from Kung Kung's back and onto Manda, his hands coming up. Orochimaru raced along the scaled hide towards Shinzui, but this time, he was not fast enough. Blazing chakra engulfed Shinzui's hands, which lashed down forcefully. Manda roared in agony, his fangs releasing the dragon, as the ninja's hands broke through his scales, penetrating into his flesh, the chakra sending burning pain lancing through the serpent's whole body.
Shinzui's eyes came up, just in time to watch Orochimaru's foot connect with his face. He was thrown back, but the Sannin was after him in an instant, another blow, and another. Shinzui did not have the time between blows to raise his defense, the blows coming harder, battering against his flesh. The tongue lashed out, towards his head.
One of Kung Kung's claws dug into Shinzui's shirt, pulling him away from Orochimaru. The Sannin landed on the tail of the snake as it rose up to catch him, the snake's mouth opening wide. It was about to snap shut on Kung Kung's flesh again, when a blazing wall of chakra came into existence. The snake hissed loudly, while Kung Kung roared.
As Orochimaru raced towards Shinzui again, he dropped into a crouch, grinning to himself. The dragon's powerful jaws clamped down, sword-like teeth sinking into Manda's flesh. The snake hissed in agony, and then its jaws clamped shut as well, impaling Kung Kung with the mighty fangs. Orochimaru leapt at Shinzui, his eyes widening as the two battling, serpentine creatures began to fall. His feet met another wall of chakra, and he pushed back, easily landing upon the roof.
Shinzui was still upon the back of Kung Kung as dragon and snake tumbled down. His eyes were on the tongue, slowly creeping along the edge of the roof, ready to stop him the moment he crossed that line.
The two summoned beasts dropped below the roof line, and Shinzui hopped into the air a little. Another wall of chakra formed, directly under his feet, and he hovered there in the air for a moment. That moment shocked Orochimaru, his eyes widening, and, more importantly, his tongue stilling. Shinzui leapt, landing next to Kakashi, the two ninja's smiling. At their back, large plumes of smoke rose, heralding the exit of both snake and dragon.
"Is that the best you've got?" Shinzui asked softly.
Gaara smiled softly, as Riki slowly advanced. He was going to enjoy killing this one.
Riki's blade came up quickly, and down, the ninja's eyes widening as Gaara made no move to defend himself. Inches from Gaara's face, a blast of sand knocked the blade away. Riki moved back a step, inclining his head to Gaara in respect.
As Gaara simply smirked, Riki came again, the blades a blur through the air as he continued to attack. Blow after blow, and all easily deflected by the sand. Riki circled the stationary boy slowly, probing the sand for holes in its defense. He found none.
His blade rose quickly, and came down, at the same time as Yume attacked from the other side. But even the pincer attack did not bother the sand, neither blow landing on Gaara.
The two ninja's moved quickly, working harder now, trying to land a blow. Then they both leapt back, shaking their heads slowly. Riki was no master tactician. If it didn't fall down after a few hits, he would always do what he did now. Look towards his team mates.
Injured Chie, leaning against the wall, slowly slipped a piece of paper from his pocket. "Keep him occupied."
Riki nodded, grinning as he turned back to Gaara.
Kakashi's dogs had not lasted long, once Orochimaru had turned his attention to them, freeing Kabuto from their grasp. If he had the use of his arms, Orochimaru would have defeated both of these fools easily. But, since he did not, he could not afford to underestimate Shinzui again. In terms of strategy, and skill, he may not even be the equal of Kakashi, but certain other talents and surprises made up for that.
Kabuto and Orochimaru came at them together, and Shinzui grinned. Kakashi's hands came together, as Orochimaru and Kabuto met another wall of chakra. It pulsed with force this time; however, knocking both of the ninja's back, as Kakashi's hands released the seal. Caught completely off guard, Orochimaru and Kabuto took the full force of the blast of fire.
Orochimaru landed calmly, completely unharmed by the attack. Kabuto did not fare so well. Landing upon his knees, his hair singed, the ninja slowly looked up at Kakashi. Had his special regeneration powers not been so advanced, that would have seriously harmed him.
Author's notes.
Action! Adventure! Romance! The New Sannin has it all! Chie, Yume and Riki against Gaara! gasp. Shinzui and Kakashi against Orochimaru and Kabuto! Things look bleak for our heros.
Tune in next week, same bat time, same bat channel, for the next piece of action.