Part 3.3: Fueling the Fire
Naruto felt the water slowly lap against his face. He opened his eyes to see that half of his face was in the water. 'Where am I,' he thought. The place smelled dingy and rotten, an ancient place, but it had a very familiar smell to it. He got to his knees, and then to his feet. The water was at least ankle deep and very cold. He stood straight up and got a better view of his surroundings. Pipes and cables traveled along the ceiling of a very high roof. The place contained a dull light whose source Naruto could not pinpoint.
Naruto felt a presence behind him, one of such overwhelming evil he actually shuddered in its presence. He turned around to find himself staring at a gigantic gate with a single emblem marked 'seal' in the middle of it. "I know this place," he said aloud, "this is where I was during the training with that pervert." He looked deeper into the gate and heard a low growl. Suddenly, a horrible laughter shook the entire area, making the water ripple and the roof crumble slightly."Now that was pathetic boy," came a voice from inside the gate. It laughed mockingly at Naruto, shaking the room yet again. "You humans amuse me so very much, clinging desperately to what you've lost. Denial is such a typical human response, so like your kind to not accept the reality all around you." A face then appeared at the gate, like a red fire with two, great, unblinking eyes and a fanged mouth that was curled in a very sinister smile.
"Kyuubi," said Naruto, "What the hell are you talking about you damned fox!?"
"Truly this is hell," said the Kyuubi, "to be placed in such an incredibly worthless and idiotic bag of flesh. He's right you know; your hate is not nearly substantial enough to truly surpass him."
"What do you know," screamed Naruto, "that's not the way of the ninja. My nindo isn't like that at all. My nindo-"
"Is flawed," interrupted the Kyuubi, "What you desire, acceptance, love, friendship and what you truly need, power, cannot be gotten in the same manner. In fact, you cannot have both. In the end, the Uchiha child is quite correct, the strife, malice, and anger you hold within you is truly your greatest weapon."
Naruto looked away from the Kyuubi, 'He's wrong,' thought Naruto, 'protecting the people precious to me is truly-'
"I am not wrong boy," said the Kyuubi, making Naruto look back at him in surprise, "When have you felt your strongest, Hm? When your emotions are at their most heightened; when the fury overwhelms you like a blaze, rushing an indescribable energy through your body. Your anger, it's like divine nectar to me," The Kyuubi opened its mouth slightly, allowing a long tongue to trace a circle around his mouth in a loud slurping sound. "Only by feeding this rage within you will you truly surpass everyone and have every person on this planet give you the acknowledgement you so richly wish for, and deserve. You do believe you deserve it no?"
Naruto did not know how to answer. It was true that he felt his strongest when he gave into the rage so deep within himself, but this demon was also one of the evilest beings ever to exist. 'Is it trying to trick me," he thought, "but, what if he's right. What if I can only achieve that power through my anger, like Sasuke said? Is what Sasuke said true? "I...I don't want it like that," said Naruto, his voice very soft, almost like a whisper. He could feel the conflicting thoughts within his head battling out a decision.
"Why not," asked the Kyuubi, "You may consider me evil, but what can I do in this situation. You are in control, not I. You are my...master, and I am only a tool to use to achieve your goals, nothing more. So what will it be child, will you keep living the lie that true power comes from the people around you, or will you accept the fact that your 'nindo' lies elsewhere, within the bottomless, black pit that is your soul? What is it going to be boy?"
Naruto was confused beyond belief. His mind rattled, bouncing a decision back and forth between two opposing sides. "I want to be strong," he said, "but I don't want everyone to look at me like that." His mind raced back to his childhood, the eyes of every adult showing malice and fear towards him. "But those precious people to me..." his mind raced back to images of Kakashi, Sakura, Iruka, Sasuke...Sasuke. "Every bond I made in Konoha is broken," Sasuke's voice rang in his head. 'Why,' he thought, 'I just don't understand it. Was this the only way to gain power? Was Sasuke and the Kyuubi right? Nothing made sense anymore. "Go away, damned fox," said Naruto, his voice very weak.
"Very well boy," said the Kyuubi, "think it over. But remember this may be your last chance, the last opportunity you'll have to ever show Sasuke, nay, the entire village that you are stronger. The path to true power leads straight through me child; I do suggest you take it."
The world around him began crashing down, and Naruto once again slipped into darkness.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raan walked through the snow; the darkness was very thick now, and the lights inside houses and on the streets allowed for the only illumination. Raan's shadow stayed in front of him, showing his presence down the street. The embers at the end of his cigarette shone brightly despite that it was only midday. He smoked lazily as he walked on towards the hospital, passing people still going about their daily lives, moving from store to store, crunching the snow underfoot, and leaving a large trail of footprints from place to place. 'I feel so out of place here anymore,' he thought, 'these happy and productive people going about their daily lives and here I am harboring two monsters who's only pleasure is the destruction and maiming of everything and everyone.' He sighed deeply, blowing out of fine stream of smoke that billowed in the air before disappearing in the black sky.
He walked on, and the sound of the bustling crowd grew farther away until there was scarcely a trace of humanity. He looked up ahead and saw his target; he had promised Kimiko he would meet her on the fourth floor of the hospital around this time. The building itself was ancient; a plain brick building that was very weathered and beaten, showing signs of the weather. Snow caked the entire building, into the cracks of the bricks, making them grow larger; it almost looked dilapidated. However, this building had once been an old fort used here in the beginning of the Hidden Cloud. Raan smiled slightly at the thought of his ancestors, bravely defending the Hidden Cloud from the barbaric invaders that threatened to destroy their sovereignty, or so the stories told of Izou Dao and Izou Kai.
Raan walked up the stone steps and walked into the hospital. It gave off a very warm atmosphere and was well lit everywhere, having its own electric spire. There was very little noise as it seemed to be slow night. A nurse was sleeping, her head rested upon her crossed hands on the desk in front of her. She dozed slightly, mumbling slightly in her sleep.
"Umm," said Raan, pulling a small slip of paper from his vest, "could you tell me where room 425 is?"
The nurse did not answer, but stayed in her doleful slumber.
"Excuse me," said Raan, a bit annoyed this time. He shook the nurse gently attempting to arouse her from whatever catatonic state she was in.
She awoke with a start, bumping Raan's chin with her head on the way back to a straightened position. Raan groaned slightly and rubbed his chin while the nurse rubber her head.
"Sorry," said the nurse, "it's just such a slow night. Were you asking something?"
Raan shot her an irritated look, "Do you know where room 425 is?" he asked.
She looked up thoughtfully for a second before answering, "4th floor, and turn to your left.
"Thanks," said Raan, still slightly annoyed. The hospital was unusually quiet and besides the nurse at the front desk, he did not see a single employee. "Are you the only one here," he asked.
The nurse shook her head, "No," she said, "it's just kind of a slow night; most of the doctors have gone home. The only floor that's active is the one where the patients need constant care or surveillance, on the fourth floor."
'Why would Kimiko want to meet me there,' thought Raan. "Alright," he said, "thanks."
He left down the hallway only to hear the random mumblings of the nurse as she dozed off again. He sighed to himself and began to ascend the stairs leading to the 4th floor. Without the busy sounds of the hospital, the clanging of his boots against he metal steps sounded rather loud, echoing in the corridor as the dull thud reverberated against the walls, causing his ears to tremble slightly. As he passed the doors leading to the other floors, it seemed that the lights off inside each were off as well; 'I guess the nurse was right,' thought Raan. Finally, he reached the door marked for the 4th floor. He expected to hear the familiar sound of a hospital busy at work with people moving back and forth issuing orders and documenting cases. However, he heard nothing as he approached; the lights did not even shine under the door. Raan wore a perplexed expression as he slowly opened the doors to the 4th floor, revealing nothing but darkness. It appeared as though only some of the lights were working, illuminating only a few square feet in the darkness, hiding everything else within.
Raan looked down the hallways for some signs of life or movement, whether it be Kimiko or some random personnel. "Hello," he called down the hallways, nothing but his own cavernous echo to answer him back. He felt apprehensive again and quickly drew another cigarette from his vest, a nervous habit. He pulled out the lighter and allowed sparks to fly outwards before a flame finally lit. He moved the flame closer to the cigarette held between his teeth, only for a liquid from above to extinguish the flame. A perplexed look crossed his face as he moved the lighter closer to a flickering light. Some kind of red liquid had extinguished the flame. 'What the hell,' thought Raan. Suddenly, a horrible thought crossed his mind. He quickly dried off the lighter and re-struck it, holding it closer to the ceiling. He could only see a face up on the ceiling, a doctor of middle age, his glasses were askew, broken, and blood was dripping slowly from his mouth to hit the floor below him with a small splash.
Raan looked frantically around for a switch, the lighter's small flame illuminating only a small area. After a frantic search, he finally flicked the switch on. Everything overhead quickly illuminated in a bright light; bulbs cracked and broke, exploding, showing sparks on Raan. However, the light was sufficient to see a doctor, hanging from the ceiling, completely eviscerated, a look of horror stuck on his face. Raan matched his look as a feeling of déjà vu overwhelmed him. 'Set', he thought, his eyes wide, the cigarette slipping from his open mouth. He looked at the door in front of him. '400, 401, 402,' he thought, 'this way!' He went into a sprint in the direction of room 425.
The carnage seemed to increase as he got further; nurses and doctors were strung to the walls with shurikens and kunai, arranged in odd positioning reflecting Set's macabre sense of art. Blood was strewn across the hallways, sometimes placed delicately in certain areas, showing an odd sense of purpose. Raan followed the corpses to room 425. He quickly looked inside, his breathing hard and his heart racing. This room looked undisturbed, except the sheets on a bed were slightly misarranged. "Kimiko!" he yelled, praying for a response, hoping that she wasn't with the dead. He then heard a sharp whistling through the air followed by a dull thud of something sticking in wood. Raan rushed in the direction of the sound.
He finally came to a pair of ornate double doors, each depicting some scene from the history of the Thunder Country involving Izou Dao and Izou Kai. He burst through the doors and almost threw up at the scene of carnage. Most of the floor's residents had been placed here, in large pews. All were looking skyward, blood slowly dribbling from their mouths, their eyes open, lifeless. Raan moved forward through the congregation of dead, down the center hallway. All of the residents had their hands placed together, in a mock prayer service. A large wooden statue of Izou Kai stood in the middle of the area; something had been tied to it using hospital sheets. Raan could see it struggling and was relieved that at least something was still alive in this place. He walked closer and finally saw Set, half of his body hidden in the candlelight, half black and half red. The red part on his glistened in the light, the ornate metal on his suit reflecting the congregation behind him, their lifelessness transfixed on his clothing. Set slowly turned his head around to see Raan as he idly span a kunai on his finger. He had a very bored expression on his face; Raan had always been amazed at how clean Set was despite the blood that seemed to his art as very little blood attached to him.
"Oh," said Set, with a slight, mock surprise in his voice, "what are you doing here swine?" He threw the Kunai towards the statue, coming mere centimeters from the face of a little girl that was tied to it.
"Stop it Set!" yelled Raan, his voice firm, but his heart beating very fast.
Set turned around completely this time, a very repugnant look on his face. "You order me?" he said, laughing slightly, "I think you're forgetting your place dog. Perhaps I should put you back in it." Set charged at Raan so fast that Raan did not have time to respond. He slammed him against the stone wall. Raan could feel his ribs crack underneath the pressure Set was placing on him. Set smiled slightly, "As much fun as breaking you is," he said, "I am growing bored with it. Slaughtering the worthless masses of this damned city does get old after some time," he quickly pulled a kunai from his belt and hurled it at the girl again, cutting her cheek slightly as it hit the wood with a dull thud, "so I have to get creative."
Raan said nothing. He could feel the blood rising in his throat as the stench of death overwhelmed him, the musty scent of the wood along with the copper taste of the blood. 'It's always like this,' he thought, 'so much death, and every time I'm helpless to prevent it. He could kill me at any moment if he wanted to...wait a minute, why hasn't he killed me?" The expression on Raan's face turned to puzzlement, and then his eyes widened as an idea began to form in his head.
"Well, it has been fun," said Set sardonically, "but I must finish this little excursion up before more of the maggots of this town grow suspicious." He slowly walked towards the statue, "Now," he said, his voice containing a slight hint of hunger in it. He cracked his knuckles excitedly as he slowly approached the little girl who was struggling in vain, "how should we finish this."
"Stop Set," said Raan, his voice weak, but still audible. Set paid him no heed and continued to walk methodically towards his target. "Stop, or else," continued Raan, his heart beating faster now, his breathing heavily labored as he held his cracked ribs with one arm.
This last statement caught Set's attention. He slowly turned on his heel until he was facing Raan again. "Or else what," he said, a slight look of amusement on his face.
Raan pulled a kunai from his belt, his movements slow and deliberate. He pointed the kunai at Set and then held it to his own neck. Set raised an eyebrow and chuckled loudly, "I hardly see how that is a threat," said Set.
"Oh but it is isn't it," said Raan, his voice soft, but very powerful, "I've wondered this past year why after every little talk we've had, you haven't killed me? Is it just because you have so much fun tormenting me? No, that's not it. Its something else isn't it?"
Set did not respond, but the smile was slowly fading from his face and there was a definite look of fury in his eyes.
Set's expression was all the proof Raan needed, "That's it. Its not that you won't kill me, it's that you can't isn't it?"
Set's hands clutched into fists, his eyes blazed, staring bullets at Raan, but he said nothing.
Raan's bloodied lips formed into a slight smile, "Every caretaker you've had lasted maybe a few days, a week a most. Suddenly, I'm here for an entire year," he said, his voice mocking Set slightly, enraging him further, "You've been ordered not to kill me haven't you, and I know that even if you don't listen to me, you do obey the Raikage no matter how much you may hate him. And with your little stunt here, you'll be blamed for my death as well, and we can't have that can we?"
Set was shaking with fury now, his face turned a deep shade of red as the intense anger seethed out of him like a fire. His teeth bared, and he growled slightly.
"So who's the pathetic one now Set," asked Raan, "you may call me dog, swine, trash, but in reality, you're the one on the leash; you're the one being controlled," Raan was laughing now, whether it was out of terror, nervousness, or general amusement he could not tell, but he was laughing loudly, "who's really the pathetic one eh? It's you Set!"
Set snarled and charged at him, ramming him full force against the stone wall, sending cracks throughout it. He dug his fingers in Raan's abdomen. Raan clenched his teeth as he felt Set's fingers penetrate his flesh. "You think this is amusing," roared Set, "You think this is entertaining? How dare you look down upon me! I am a god compared to you pieces of filth that populate this area like cockroaches!"
"So then god," said Raan, his voice weak, but mocking slightly, "finish me off. You can do it...can't you?" A smile was still on Raan's face despite the pain that he was feeling all across his body. Blood slowly trickled down his curved lips, running down his neck. Set was millimeters from his face, his hot breath rolling into Raan's face through his jagged, clenched teeth. Raan's gaze did not shift, and he simply stared into Set's red eyes.
Set seemed to be contemplating many possible decisions in his head; his breathing was quickening, and his eyes shifted all across the room, looking from Raan, to the little girl, to the one kunai still attached to his belt, to the kunai Raan still held shakily across his neck.
Set roared with rage and frustration as he retracted his hand from Raan's belly and threw his last kunai at the little girl. It whistled through the air, traveling straight towards her. The girl closed her eyes in anticipation only for the kunai to hit only a few centimeters from the top of her head.
Set breathed heavily, his body still shaking with rage. "You think you've won," said Set, "You think you've outsmarted me you stupid bastard!? There are more ways to cause you pain than simply hurting you physically! I can exploit them," his voice was full of malice, but a hint of desperation still was still in it, "That little bitch you love so much, I can take her apart piece by piece right in front of you. Slowly, delicately, taking hours upon hours while you watch helplessly-"
"The same threat still applies," said Raan, holding the kunai closer to his neck, "I know your methods Set; I could recreate them, and frame you for my own suicide. I can see the fear in your eyes Set; you know you can't kill the Raikage. You're too weak!" he added with emphasis, the rage and frustration towards Set finally being allowed to explode. Blood trickled across and down his stomach and dribbled from his mouth, but he didn't care. He smiled triumphantly at Set, "Kill anyone I love, anyone in the village, or anyone at all, and you'll face him. I don't know why I'm under his protection, but as long as I am, you're not in control." He grinned widely now, the blood staining his teeth.
Set looked as though he could explode. He shook furiously; his hands arranged in claws, imitating ripping Raan to pieces, "This is not over," said Set maliciously, "I will have your head for this Raan. If you know me, then you know that the Raikage can't keep me caged forever. My brother and I will grow stronger than him eventually, and then, you're mine you cocky, little bastard."
"Until then I guess," said Raan, his voice finally showing the effects of the extreme punishment he had been taking. Set snarled at him one last time before running full force into a stained glass window, shattering it and diving to the outside, onto the street. Raan could hear his footsteps crunching in the snow echo away as he retreated from the building.
Raan rose to his feet gingerly, the kunai still in his hand. He slowly approached the girl tied to the statue. He cut her bonds, using what little strength he had left and collapsed on the floor. He looked straight up into the air, the face of Izou Kai looking down on him. 'Finally ancestor,' he thought, 'I protected this village just like you haven't I. Izou Raan, guardian of the Thunder' laughing weakly at the thought. He heard the doors burst open again and heard Kimiko's panicking voice calling to him. Her face was the last thing he saw before the world grew black, and he passed out.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naruto opened his eyes slowly, allowing the room to come into focus. The lights were bright here and he was looking directly into one. He was on his back, something comfortable underneath him. He slowly sat up, rubbing his head and looked around the room. It was very ornate having gold emblazoned upon nightstands and frames. The bed he was sitting on was quite comfortable, a deep purple in color with the Thunder Country's insignia on it.
Naruto rubbed his temples; his head felt like it had been split open and reassembled and a nagging pain stood out on his neck. His mind was very foggy when suddenly everything came rushing back to him, the meeting with Sasuke, them going in for a final attack, Gai interfering. His temper rose again as he jumped from the bed and bolted towards the door.
"Where do you think you're going," came a slightly annoyed voice from behind him. TenTen was sitting on the bed, watching him idly.
"None of your business," he responded, trying to keep his voice level. He slowly turned the knob of the door before TenTen's hand quickly stopped him.
"Gai left you here thinking you'd be out for the rest of the night," she said, "He wants you to stay here. He said he was going out on some errand, and he told me to make sure you don't leave the room. So, whatever late night excursion you've got planned, you're going to have to-"
Naruto slapped her hand away and pushed her against the wall. TenTen had a shocked look on her face as she braced herself against the hotel's wall. Naruto felt a pang of guilt wash over him. "Sorry," he said, before quickly storming out of the room.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'What INSOLENCE,' thought Set as he made his way further down the alley? He passed by bums and hobos on his way through, effectively maiming each of them with a single movement, breaking bones and bleeding them, but not killing them. 'Raan will not get away with this. I am not a dog; no one controls me. That BASTARD will die a SLOW and PAINFUL DEATH!!' He thought as he drove his hand almost straight through one of the vagrants he came across, forcing him against a near wall. Set walked onward, wiping the blood against his suit. The blood refused to stick and merely trickled off towards the ground. He walked onward towards more populated areas of the city...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naruto walked amongst the many people going about their daily lives in Thunder Capitol, overhearing conversations about the latest styles, who was doing what, having to get some place on time, children begging their parents for toys and games. His mind was foggy and voices drifted in and out. He clasped his hands over his ears, trying to drown out the noise. His head pounded; he could hear every individual step through the snow, every word spoken. 'Make it stop,' he thought. His mind still pounded from the events earlier in the day. He walked onward, into a dark alley, bracing himself against a far wall as he attempted to clear his head. The Kyuubi's and Sasuke's words were still ringing inside of him, breaking every attempt to shunt his mind out. He breathed heavily and closed his eyes, trying to regain focus, but every time he attempted it, only anger came forth. 'Its just like the Kyuubi said,' thought Naruto, 'my anger is seething; its like I can't control it. No, I've got to try; I can't let it overwhelm me. I can't-" Naruto felt a sharp pain drive itself into his stomach before he could finish the thought. He collapsed to the ground, coughing as he slowly opened his eyes. He could hear heavy boots crunching the snow underneath and looked up to see a stranger dressed in a very odd red material. He was breathing heavily as well, the air in front of him condensing quickly so that it appeared steam was streaming from his nostrils. The stranger walked farther into the crowd. Naruto's teeth bared, his anger was rising to the surface again.
"What the hell do you think you're doing you stupid prick!?" yelled Naruto.
The stranger turned around completely, facing Naruto eye to eye. Naruto looked into his eyes; they were a dark red, with odd, crisscrossing, black lines through them. The stranger dwarfed Naruto as he looked down at him. Naruto did not back down, but merely returned his gaze, rage consuming him once again...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set looked down at the small man in front of him. His hair was a very stark blonde that spiked into the air, under which a Leaf head protector lay. His eyes were very blue, but seemed to be turning a shade of red as they continued to stare at each other. He wore a very odd, orange jumpsuit that covered his entire body except for his shinobi sandals.
'No one from this village,' thought Set. He smiled slightly, 'Well, this boy doesn't apply I guess,' he thought as he grabbed the boy by the throat and slammed him against he brick wall. The smaller ninja grabbed his arm with both hands and struggled against Set's grasp.
"You picked the wrong day to insult me boy," said Set, his voice malicious, his tongue lolling out slightly in anticipation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naruto watched as the odd looking stranger licked his lips, making a slight slurping sound. Naruto attempted to wretch his hand from his neck, but only struggled futily in his grasp. The stranger was extremely strong, placing a tremendous amount of pressure on his throat.
"Do it."
Naruto could feel the rage welling within him; his anger fueling a burning passion inside of him.
"Do it!"
The red chakra was flowing though him now, changing him. His hair grew longer and claws and fangs transformed his body. He felt less human now, more beastly than before. His mind was clear; his only goal now was to cause as much pain to this stranger as possible. To crush him until nothing was left...
"DO IT!!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set's look suddenly turned into shock as the small ninja let forth a tremendous amount of power, startling nearby citizens and actually knocking some off their feet. Set raised his free hand to his face, attempting to block it away. Suddenly, the Leaf's hand sprung forward and twisted Set's arm violently. Set released his grip, growling painfully. His eyes caught a movement to his right as a fist connected with his cheek knocking him with the force of a thunder bolt, the bone of the knuckle cracking against Set's jaw.
He soared through the air into the streets, knocking down passers by as they screamed and quickly attempted to get out of his way. He landed in the snow with a thud, rubbing his cheek to dull the pain. He saw a shadow move quickly in front of him only to see the blond genin charge forward, his face more akin to a beast's than before, drive a strong kick to his chin, knocking him into a glass display in a store behind him, eliciting more shrieks from the crowd who stopped with morbid curiosity to watch the combatants. Set shattered the glass and broke the small displays. He finally came to his senses, his red eyes, opening and his teeth bared. 'So,' he thought, 'the midget wants to play does he?'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naruto charged forward, his clawed hands forward, ready to tear the stranger apart from where he lay. Suddenly, the stranger sat straight up and delivered a monstrous punch to the Naruto's face, sending him sprawling across the snow, finally stopping against a fence, cracking it slightly. Naruto quickly recovered himself, but the stranger was on top of him again, grabbing him from behind by his orange jumpsuit and hurling him into a brick wall, causing a huge crack to fill the air along with debris and dust. Naruto pulled himself up to see the stranger in the air, ready to drive a knee into him. Naruto quickly dodged, only for the stranger to leave a large, gaping hole where Naruto was previously.
"Impressive," said the stranger, his tone harsh and very malicious. Naruto took to his battle stance again; ready to rip the stranger to shreds.
"My name is Set," said the stranger, licking his lips with a very long tongue, "I guess your mortal ears should hear the name of the destroyer who will send you to the next world." Naruto bared his teeth further, ready for an attack.
Set charged forward, moving from side to side with blinding speed attempting to throw Naruto off balance. He finally drove a knee into Naruto's gut, knocking the wind out of him. However, Naruto clenched his arms around Set's leg and pulled it outright. He pulled on his leg violently, causing Set to wince slightly, before driving him into the snowy ground. Naruto still grasped Set's leg and threw him overhead again, slamming him into the ground, leaving a deep imprint in the snow. The people around them shuddered and screamed slightly, but did not run away, instead wishing to see how the fight would turn out. Naruto finally threw Set away, hearing him land with a dull thud a few meters away. Naruto charged again, his hands balled into fists, ready to pummel Set into oblivion.
Set looked up at him only for Naruto to land with both of his feet on Set's arms, pinning him down. Naruto threw a flurry of punches at Set, targeting both his face and chest as he heard the repeated cracking of his bone against his opponents. Set growled in pain. Naruto threw his arms outward, looking to shred Set to ribbons
Set threw his legs up suddenly, and caught Naruto by the arms, bending the backs of his knees over his arms, locking them in place. He then bent his back violently and quickly, driving his own legs into the ground along with Naruto's head. Naruto felt the impact shudder down his spine. He pulled his head from the ground with only enough time to see Set rear back a giant kick and deliver it straight into his own face, knocking him backwards into the crowd, who shifted quickly to allow him room to fall.
Naruto shook his head slightly, opening his eyes to see his opponent fall straight on top of him feet first. Set then proceeded to stomp Naruto farther into the ground, each kick rebounding through the rest of his body. Naruto swung his arms outward, tripping Set and sending him backwards only to land steadily on his feet. Naruto flipped backwards and resumed his battle stance.
Set smile slightly and waved Naruto forward with one finger, taunting him to attack. Naruto roared and charged forward only for Set to duck down and grab his arm tightly. Naruto saw Set dive two fingers in under his armpit, breaking the skin. Naruto yelled in pain as he felt Set's fingers drive into his flesh. Naruto broke Set's grip and landed once again on his feet, holding his underarm. Set laughed mockingly at Naruto only for his expression to change to surprise as Naruto's wound healed itself quickly.
"That's a neat trick," said Set. Naruto smiled a foxish grin, revealing his jagged fangs, before charging forward again. Set threw a punch forward attempting to connect with Naruto's face. Naruto rolled underneath and leapt towards Set's face, digging his claws into his flesh and scraping the claws across the bone underneath, causing blood to spurt all across the snow and Set himself. Naruto landed on his feet to admire his handiwork.
Set clutched his face, howling with pain. However, his howling soon turned to laughter as he revealed his grotesque face, the blood trickling down his body suit, which trickled down to the snow. All of the sudden, the bleeding stopped, and Set's wounds began to heal themselves again. Naruto stared wide-eyed as Set laughed maniacally.
"But it's not an original one," said Set.
They had fought their way into a very upscale part of town and were now in front of a very large, palace-like building. It was very large, with neon, flashing lights overhead, and lighting up the night-sky. Set baited Naruto forward, and took Naruto's charge full force in the stomach, breaking the wall behind them...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I think you're really going to enjoy your stay here Hokage-sama," said a very polite hostess at the front desk, "it was very nice of the Thunder Lord and Raikage to allow your party completely free room and board."
Tsunade nodded, a slightly malicious grin on her face. The hotel she had chosen was by far the best there was. Soft music filled the cavernous hall that was lit everywhere with crystal, jade chandeliers overhead, basking the area in green light. Very soft carpeting was underfoot, that was somehow pre-warmed, heating the air as well, giving the area a very warm and cozy feeling. Twin, white staircases went along the sides of the very spacious room. A gigantic fountain sat in the middle of the room, made out of marble and rare jewels, a trend in this country. It depicted the first Raikage in some scene of past battles. Well dressed and high class people flocked around the area, listening to the gentle flow of the music or laughing mirthlessly over some inane topic. Tsunade felt heavily out of place, 'but this hotel is famous for its world class casino,' she thought, a large smile going across her face. 'I'll just have to keep it on the down low.'
She was just about to sign in when a gigantic crash rocked the wall to the left, sending a shockwave that sent the room into chaos. Chandeliers swung from overhead, some even snapping violently from their perch and falling to the floor. Tsunade guarded herself as the cold air rushed in from the new hole placed in the wall to the left of her. Wind carried dust and debris across the area, forcing the nobles to scatter away from the area. Tsunade opened her eyes and looked in shock at the scene before her.
Naruto was extracting himself from a pile of debris in the corner of the room, his normally blue eyes a deep red, his teeth formed into fangs, his fingers claws; he looked more like a monster than a man. A few feet from him, a tall stranger was slowly getting to his feet. His hair was a red and black streak and his entire body seemed to be enveloped in a scaly, red suit. He turned around quickly and faced Naruto, a broad smile on his face revealing jagged teeth. "Come on swine," he shouted, "let me hear the symphony of your bones shattering in my hands!"
Naruto snarled and charged at the stranger. The man rolled onto his back and kicked both of his legs out, hitting Naruto square in the chest and sending him through the stairs in the far corner. The stranger then kipped up and charged at the spot where Naruto was...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Set charged at the spot where the brat lay, laughing maniacally. Suddenly, the boy sprung up and charged at his stomach, knocking him against the back of the room, knocking the wind out of Set. The boy was on top of him now, his clawed hands clasped in a test of strength against his. "This is splendid," yelled Set, his voice filled with both excitement and fury, "the way your spirit is angered. It's like poetry in motion, something out of theater, I love it!"
"SHUT UP!" replied the Leaf nin, attempting to put more pressure on Set's hands. Set laughed maliciously and then sent the crown of his head straight into the genin's nose, knocking him backwards. Set maintained the vice-like grip he had on the genin's hands; he swung his leg backwards and delivered a monstrous kick to the genins chin, knocking him through the far room. The stone from the wall gave in, and the genin crashed through it, rattling everything in the room not nailed to the floor. Set jumped after, following through the hole the genin had made. Finally, the blond haired boy was in his sight, and he soared through the air, his fist in front of him driving it into the ground.
The genin rolled out of the way as Set's strike succeeded in only making an imprint upon the floor. Set looked to his right to see the genin charge at him, connecting a spinning kick with his face, knocking him through a door to his back with a snarl.
Set slammed through the doors, ripping the hinges off of them, finding himself in what appeared to be a lounge of sorts. People of high class were looking appalled at him as he brought himself to his feet and dusted himself off. An elongated bar sat in the corner of the room, the shelves stocked with a variety of liquors. The bartender looked at the entrance in horror as the genin rammed his fist into Set's stomach, knocking him against the far wall. Set recoiled slightly, clenching his teeth as the pain overwhelmed him, but he didn't mind, 'I crave this!' he thought.
The genin charged again, this time forcing his hand against Set's throat, attempting to crush his voice box. "This is truly great," said Set, his voice hoarse from the pressure the genin was putting on it, "I haven't had this much fun in some time. I do hope you last longer than the others." The genin only growled. Set grabbed the wrist of the hand against his throat and twisted violently. The genin roared in pain, throwing his head back. Set's eyes opened wide as he took the opportunity and slammed the palm of his other hand into the genin's chin, knocking him backwards. Set quickly grabbed the genin's leg while he was in midair and began to swing him in a circular motion. He went faster, and faster, until he and the genin only made a red-orange blur. Set then let him go in the direction of the bar, the centrifugal force carrying him quickly towards the corner. The bartender barely made it away in time as the cacophony of breaking glass and wood signaled that Set's throw had been accurate. Set charged towards the bar at blinding speed only for a liquor bottle to hit him square in the face, making him close his eyes for an instant as it broke against him. When he opened them again, the genin was charging through the air towards him, knocking Set once again on his back as they skidded to a halt against a far wall. The genin sunk his sharp teeth into Set's shoulder, making Set growl in pain. Set drove his fist against the genin's skull repeatedly until he finally let go, tearing part of Set's bodysuit with him. The genin shook his head back in forth, tearing the material to pieces like a dog would to its prey; he charged again, looking to dig his claws into Set's flesh. Set smiled broadly as he knocked his right arm against the floor with enough power to carry him into the air in a roll, narrowly avoiding the genin's charge. Set skidded on his feet as the blond-haired ninja charge again, his claws outstretched. Set was too quick this time, rebounding off the floor and driving a knee straight into the genin's head, sending him out a side wall and back into the room they came in.
'Splendid,' thought Set, 'he deserves something special.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tsunade watched dumbfounded as Naruto came through the wall and splashed into the fountain, spilling its contents everywhere. "Naruto," she yelled.
"So," came a very malicious voice to the right of her, "your name is Naruto eh? I will remember it; a man of your strength deserves to have something carved into his tombstone." Tsunade looked at the man. The shoulder of his bodysuit had been ripped, revealing an odd black marking beneath it that seemed to continue past it down and around the rest of his body. Tsunade stared fixated on that spot, 'That looks like a seal,' she thought. Her mind quickly switched back to the present as Naruto brought himself up from the water with a roar that shook the foundation of the building itself.
"What amazing power," said the man, his voice excited. A long tongue lolled out of his mouth and circled around his lips, moistening them. "A man of your caliber does not deserve anything less than my absolute best. I admit, I have not been going all out on you yet, and for that I am sorry. But as I always say, it's so much more entertaining when you leave the surprises until the end." The man crossed his arms across his face and closed his odd red, criss-crossed eyes. The mark on his shoulder began to glow red and the entire room vibrated violently. Tsunade, finally realizing the situation, sprung towards Naruto.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naruto looked up at Set with an intense rage that seemed to only amplify as his battle went on. The room was shaking as a strange power was radiating from him. Naruto did not care, 'this bastard is dead, one way or anoth-' he didn't finish the thought.
"Spell of false sleep," came a familiar voice from behind him, and once again, he found darkness beginning to close in on him.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Naruto collapsed into Tsunade's arms, his body finally reverting back to its normal state, his mouth slightly open in a sad frown. Tsunade cradled him up and placed him on her shoulder. She started for the door, "What do you think you're doing woman?" came an irate voice from behind her. She turned around to see the odd-looking man a few meters from her, the mark on his shoulder was black again and the room no longer vibrated. "We only got past the first few acts," said the man, his voice filled with a frustrated rage, "we were almost at the climax that would lead to the grand finale."
Tsunade looked at the man with a confused expression on her face, "I'm sorry for the trouble this one's caused you," she said, "but I don't think it would be wise for your battle to continue. Once again, please forgive me."
"I don't give a damn what you think woman," he shouted, "wake him back up and prepare him for battle, NOW!!"
Tsunade turned to face the stranger, her mindset ready for an attack. "Set, what do you think you're doing," came a voice from above them. Tsunade looked up to see another man she did not recognize come through the largest hole in the wall. He looked a year younger the other, around thirteen years old.
"Just having a bit of fun," replied the other, "until this, whore, interrupted it."
Tsunade looked darkly at him, her expression defiant. "That's the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf brother," said the younger, "Watch what you say."
The expression on the older one's face changed to a look of surprise. Tsunade smiled slightly, still readying herself for battle. She heard two people land beside her and found Kakashi and Gai on either side of her, ready to back her up. "Are you alright, Hokage-sama," said Gai.
"I'm fine," said Tsunade. She looked at the duo before her. They were a stark contrast, and the elder one was desperately attempting to hide the mark on his shoulder from her. Suddenly, the younger one bowed deeply to her, "I apologize Hokage-sama," came a cold, melancholy voice, "we did not mean to cause you such trepidation. Please forget what you saw here."
Tsunade was taken aback by this statement, but nodded, although she would not forget this carnage so soon, nor the words of the elder of the duo. Then, both bowed slightly in unison before taking off in the hole on the left side of the wall.
Tsunade sighed with relief, 'I guess I'll have to find new lodgings for tonight,' she thought to herself.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gai and Kakashi watched as Tsunade looked back at them, smiling slightly. "What happened here?" asked Gai.
"This one did," said Tsunade, her tone and expression very soft, "as did the elder of those two dressed in red."
Kakashi nodded and looked at Gai. Gai knew exactly what he was thinking, "Please take him back to my students' room in the eastern most hotel Hokage-sama. I don't want to trouble you but-"
"It's no problem," said Tsunade. She walked out of the hole and back towards the city. The sound of a crowd was now outside, and the chattering amongst them quickly increased as Tsunade came out with Naruto in her arms. The sound of police attempting to calm the situation was heard the loudest outside.
"There's no doubt about it," said Kakashi suddenly, "the feelings we've been getting. They're emanating from those two."
Gai nodded in agreement, "What do you think it means?" he asked, "Is it possible?"
"I hope not," said Kakashi, "I hope I'm wrong and this is all just some horrible mistake, but we have to assume the worst in this case. I'll keep a close eye on those two that we saw today. Well, just one day and we've already caused two international incidents; I hope this doesn't detriment Tsunade's hopes for peach." Gai nodded at Kakashi, but then stared down at the floor, a disappointed expression on his face.
"It seems I have failed as a teacher," said Gai solemnly, "I so wanted that boy to be strong, but I did not teach him the proper way to use his emotions. He seems so lost in his anger now."
"It's not your fault Gai," said Kakashi, "this was bound to happen, what with Sasuke being here and the bonds and feelings between them."
"NO," shouted Gai, starling Kakashi slightly, "I will make sure that something like this never happens again. I will strive harder with him and ensure that he learns the nindo properly. I will watch over him constantly making sure his youthful experiences are ones filled with pride and joy rather than anger and sorrow. To make sure that he is strong and has more precious people in his life than ever before. That is my promise."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"That was quite a stunt you pulled back there," scolded Julius, "you nearly revealed yourself to the Hokage of the Hidden Leaf."
"Well in my defense," said Set, "I didn't know she was the Hokage. Awfully young and full bodied," adding a hint of lustful malice in his voice, wetting his lips slightly.
Julius sighed, "Still, that boy was quite impressive to keep up with you like he did," he continued, "There was a familiar power radiating off of him. I believe he was with the Uchiha not too long ago."
"Well, I've been having a rather bad day," said Set, "It was simply chance that I would run into that boy. Speaking of which, how does the Uchiha compare?"
Julius rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "Hard to say," he said, "he definitely has some very raw power, but I was too late to see him in action. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I almost wish I had been there during your fight; he seems to be quite the worthy opponent," pointing to Set's shoulder where skin showed, along with some slight teeth markings.
Set laughed aloud, "He really was something. I don't' even know if he was going all out," he said, his voice anxious again, "The power that was radiating off of him seemed, infinite, and there was something else. I don't really know how to describe it properly, but I suppose you could call it 'evil'; it had a very odd aura to it. It was an amazing fight, but then again, I'm better at enjoying these experiences than you are brother. If you had been fighting, I doubt it would have lasted half as long. You really need to learn to draw these things out and have some fun. The symphony of battle is truly the greatest music death ever composed."
Julius half-smiled at Set, "Perhaps," he said, "I'll guess we'll just have to be patient. These exams will be quite interesting."
A/N: Sorry this update took so long, I've had quite a bit to do lately work, studying, sports, etc. Hope it was worth the wait.