Disclaimer: I don't own, I just borrow
Don't worry, ppl...the nins aren't going to be ridiculously kicking ass...although if you think about it, no matter how advanced the tech is, most of them are way to fast for it to be effective...but coupled with the fact that they are fighting Force-sensitive warriors, it all balances out...at least in my mind
Oh, yes...explanations of their transportation will not be given until Chapter Six
R&R!
Chapter Four: First Experience-
Gaara's fist closed and the sand that had suddenly surrounded one of the group tightened into his Desert Coffin. The others cried out as blood sprayed in all directions, shying away from the gruesome shower. The man in silver, however, just watched with an interested gleam in his cold orbs as several red droplets splattered against his cheek.
Satisfied, Gaara allowed the sand to return and replaced the cork before slinging his gourd into its customary position.
"How do you know he was the one?" Temari asked, clutching her fan and eying the group before them somewhat nervously.
"His power hit my mind," Gaara replied, still in monotone. "I know."
The group finally seemed to come to their sensed and several drew glowing red weapons, shaped like swords. The remaining seemed to look to the calm man for guidance. He raised a restraining hand once more.
"Enough." Putting it down, he bowed to the three. "Now that that is settled, I again welcome you. I am Lord Brakiss. This is my Darkest Knight Zekk. Might we know you names?" The boy dressed in black leather was replacing his weapon when Brakiss introduced him. He raised glittering ice blue eyes set in pale, handsome features, and then bowed almost mockingly.
"Gaara of the Sand."
Temari and Shikamaru exchanged glances, then shrugged and gave their names as well. Brakiss gave a delighted smile.
"Wonderful!" he said. "You three must be extremely talented to have made it to the upper levels so quickly. Incidentally, how exactly did you manage to board my ship undetected and remain so until now?"
Temari frowned in confusion. "Ship?" It didn't feel like they were on water…
"What the f- - -?!"
This sudden and rather explicit exclamation drew everyone's attention to the Leaf Nin. Shikamaru was gazing out a window beside him. There were a few moments of silence, then he turned to Brakiss, deceptively calm.
"Where exactly are we, please?" he asked pleasantly. For once, then man looked puzzled.
"On board the Shadow Academy," he replied slowly.
"There appear to be…stars going by at a rather alarming rate." Brakiss raised a delicate eyebrow at this statement.
"Hm, yes, they generally do, in hyperspace," he answered. His mind seemed to come together and a slow smile spread across his face.
"What?!" Temari yelled. She strode over and stared out the window. Gaara simply inclined his head, mildly interested. He frankly didn't really care, except in relevance to returning to Wind Country.
"I– take it that you are not accustomed to traveling off world?" Brakiss questioned. Temari turned, glowering.
"Are you telling me that we are in space?" she shrieked. Brakiss blinked.
"Ah…yes?" he frowned. "How did you get on board?" he asked again.
"Seeing as how we don't even know where or what here is," Temari hissed furiously, "HOW THE HELL WOULD WE KNOW?"
Brakiss smiled suddenly. "Well," he said. "Why don't you come to my quarters? We can…talk."
Gaara scowled as Temari and Shikamaru discussed their strange situation with Brakiss. To be honest, he didn't care. He shifted as the man began to explain the attack that was soon to take place on the "rebels against the Empire." Finally, he interrupted impatiently.
"Do we get to kill anyone?" he demanded. Temari looked at him, biting her lower lip. Brakiss looked at the ginger-haired boy before a calculating smirk slowly spread across his handsome features.
"Of course," he chuckled darkly. Suddenly, the door was opened to reveal a figure crackling with dark energies. Brakiss stood up infuriated, lip curled back in a snarl.
"What is the meaning of this intrusion, Tamith Kai?" he demanded. The woman's violet orbs flashed as black hair writhed around her head like hissing snakes. She came fully into the room, equally enraged.
"Why is it that I am hearing of my prisoners escaping and, after injuring numerous stormtroopers and slaying one of your own Dark Jedi, you treat them as honored guests?!"
"Make no mistake, Nightsister," the man growled. "This is my academy, and I answer to no one but the Emperor himself." He paused, before continued more calmly. "And, my dear, the are honored guests. They will also be assisting us in the upcoming assault on Yavin 4."
"What? Have you lost your mind, Brakiss?" she shrieked. "They could be rebel spies– "
Brakiss suddenly closed the distance between them, and shoved her back against the door. He spoke to her in quiet tones, apparently not realizing Gaara had slightly better senses than most people.
"Do not be a fool, Tamith Kai," he hissed. "You heard how that boy killed Takir? Than you know the manner in which he did, as well. There are no rebels who would kill in such a fashion. It would be against their pathetic 'do-gooder morals.'" He smiled unexpectedly. "Do not be alarmed. I have set us up in their minds in such a way that even if these three were like the Rebels, they would perceive the Empire as the "good guys," and the Rebels as…evil." He released her and stepped back.
"Now leave and prepare for battle," he said in normal tones. "The time is almost upon us." Tamith Kai stared at him for along moment, then turned her attention to the three shinobi. A sudden chill shot down her spine as her violet-colored eyes met the pale aquamarine ones belonging to the youngest of the three. The strange black outline that surrounded them only served to enhance the unusual color. She suppressed a shudder and strode out of the room, unable to quench a surge of relief as she exited the range of the boy's chilling gaze. It had felt as if she had looked into the eyes of Death Himself.
"So. Why are we doing this?" Shikamaru broke the silence as they watched the flurry of activity before them. Brakiss had left them in what he called a "hanger" with orders to follow the one called Zekk when he came for them.
"He said he would help us find a way home once the Rebels have been taken care of," Temari replied, rolling her eyes. "Honestly, Nara, weren't you listening at all?"
"No."
"My sister." The two stopped their playful bickering and looked at Gaara in surprise. His gaze remained on the preparations taking place. "The man Brakiss…is like Orochimaru."
"What?" Temari exclaimed, eyes wide. She felt as if that was all she was ever saying since they arrived.Even Shikamaru was paying attention. "Gaara, what do you mean?" He finally looked at her, still stoic.
"He is trying to manipulate us."
"Uh…want to elaborate on that? Shikamaru finally asked after a long pause. Gaara glanced at him briefly before returning his attention to his sister.
"When he was whispering to that woman…he did not speak the entire truth to us. It is like…these "rebels" are Leaf, and these people are Sound and…Sand, during the attack at our first chûnin exam."
"Oh." Temari frowned, then looked at Shikamaru. "You're the Jônin here," she said. "Gaara and I are only chûnin. So, whadda we do?" He scowled darkly at her.
"Troublesome woman. (What did you say?!" He smirked. "It is simple. We will continue on as planned, until we get down to the…uh…ground. Then we 'defect.'" An uncharacteristically malicious grin crossed his features. "I really don't like being used," he added.
"Right," Temari approved. Gaara simply nodded in agreement. Moments later, Zekk appeared and handed them bundles.
"Come with me," he ordered, and led them into the battle platform. He showed them how to wear and operate the repulsorpacks, as he called them, which would carry them safely to the ground below. He returned his attention to his troops as the battle platform shuddered and exited the hanger bay doors of the Shadow Academy. The three shinobi gazed at the lush green moon that was their target. It appeared insignificant with the enormous boiling orange gas giant and the darkness of space as a backdrop. Without consulting one another, they disposed of their packs simultaneously. Once they entered the thin atmosphere and were skimming the surface of the jungle below, the three joined Zekk beside the drop-bay doors.
"Where are your repulsorpacks?" he demanded as the doors began to creak open. He was granted only disdainful glances before the three leapt out. He saw a swirl of sand and the white flash of the girl's enormous fan, before he shrugged, and turned around.
"All right, my Dark Jedi," he shouted over the howl of the wind. "The hour is ours. Depart!" He plunged forward after the three ninja as he switched on his repulsorpack. Dark figures tumbled after him, activating light sabers as he did, to light up the sky like a glowing beacon. Capes fluttered wildly as they plunged toward the unprotected Jedi.
Death rained from the sky.
Next up-Kakashi