Approaching 200 reviews eh? I'm happy. I'm leaving town for a couple weeks next Monday. When I get back I'll try to get Chapter 21 up soon.

Dragon Man 180: Sorry, I saw wizards, but none with headbands. I was at the Naruto gathering, if any group shots get posted online, you might be able to find me. Oh yeah, and expect the three vessels to have a cooperative battle before chapter 25.

Only Secret: (cringe) Don't hurt me!

Kwisatz Haderach and Urzu7: Sorry about the delay. Hopefully it won't happen again. How's this? I apologize in advance for the two-week road trip I'm taking next week.

Shang: Don't worry, new readers are always appreciated. Welcome!

Ayuka-Chan: Gaara? NO KILL GAARA! RARRRR!

LittleShadow: Of course, this is my primary fic. As for One Piece, it was actually the first two dub episodes that made me want to download it. I saw great potential in it.

The songs that go best with this fight are:

Sporadic Movement - CKY

Massive Strokes (Arzail's Theme) - Chaos Legion Soundtrack

Intro Theme - Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex

Liberi Fatali – Final Fantasy VIII

Duel of the Fates – Star Wars (RECOMMENDED: Most Fitting Song)

Ultra Violet (Nelo Angelo Battle) – Devil May Cry

Otherworld – Final Fantasy X

All of the songs fit the battle in their own way.

p.s. I like this chapter better than the last, so with any luck, you will too.

Chapter 20: The Fox and the Panther

"What did you say?" Naruto said in an alarmed tone, releasing Edo's throat.

"Come now," Edo coaxed. "Surely it hasn't been that long since we last met, Kyuubi."

"Sorry," Naruto shrugged. "But I have no idea who you are."

Edo blinked his green eyes. An expression of confusion appeared on his face. He peered closely at Naruto.

"Surely not."

Edo leaned back, rubbing the bridge of his nose in exasperation.

"Don't tell me that that little meat puppet is in control, Kyuubi? That's ludicrous."

"Snap out of it, Edo."

"Edo?" the shinobi began muttering to himself. "Calling me by my shell's name…the pathetic human really is in control."

"I can hear you, you know," Naruto's initial fear and confusion had given way to irritation.

"It's hardly proper that the power of a demon is controlled by a human."

"I don't care about what's proper," Naruto said, his orange aura flaring. He poked Edo in the chest. "You have a problem with that?"

Edo threw back his head and laughed uproariously.

"Such confidence," Edo gave another predatory grin. "But a human could never give me as good a fight as Kyuubi."

"That's crap. I could take you," Naruto cracked his knuckles.

"Is that so? Sounds like a challenge." Edo's eyes narrowed wickedly as his eyes scanned the curiously watching crowd. "When you lose, I believe I'll start killing them."

Naruto's own eyes narrowed. "I won't let you."

Naruto glared at his opponent. "I know you're not Edo. He's not the kind of person who kills randomly."

"Perhaps his personality is different, but the might of a demon's…madness can be difficult to resist. I hardly know who I am anymore. Killing is the only way I can confirm my own existence!"

Naruto gaped. Edo…he's a lot like Gaara used to be, only Edo seems to be able to control his demon's bloodlust better than Gaara could when I first met him.

"You're wrong," Naruto growled. "People like us… there are other ways for us to live!"

"Ways other than killing?" Edo sneered. "Then prove it to me, little one. Show me if a human can give me as great a challenge as Kyuubi the Kitsune."

Edo seemed to melt into the great pillar of black ice. The darkness within began to swirl faster, as electricity seemed to twine around a barely visible figure.

Up in the stands, Edo's teammates Nazo and Maiyuu turned to one another.

"It's happened, Maiyuu-chan."

"Guess so, Nazo-chan. What do we do now?" Maiyuu twirled the black streak in her hair.

Nazo reached into a pouch and withdrew several paper sutras.

"Take these. If I'm going to create a barrier to protect the crowd, I'll need you to place these around the outside."

Maiyuu grinned, despite the seriousness of the situation. "Gotcha."

"Be subtle, we can't have people interfering with the barrier," Nazo scratched his top-knotted head. "When you finish, meet me at the contestant's balcony. That's the best place to use my barrier jutsu."

Maiyuu was gone in an instant. Nazo disappeared soon afterward.

"Jiraiya?" the Tsuchikage asked, a touch of uncertainty in her voice. "What now?"

The white haired sennin shook his rain-soaked hair, splashing Orochimaru, who ignored it.

"My apprentice will handle it, I'm sure. He's a tough one."

On the Tsuchikage's other side, Ryouji, the Raikage, raised an eyebrow. "So the boy is your apprentice then?"

Jiraiya nodded. The Raikage smirked.

"I'm surprised they left someone like him in the care of someone like you."

"I believe I'm being insulted."

"Not at all. I merely question why-"

Jiraiya interrupted. "He is…the Yondaime's legacy. It is only fitting that I teach him."

"You mean…?" the Tsuchikage asked. "That boy…the Kyuubi?"

"Not exactly, but you have the general idea."

"The other combatant is also a Jinchuuriki," the Raikage said slyly.

"That doesn't matter," Jiraiya said simply. "Naruto can handle it."

The white haired man gestured at the stands. "Besides, it feels like someone is preparing a barrier technique. That should keep people safe enough."

Silently, Jiraiya added to himself. There are more dangerous things here than demon vessels.

His eyes flicked to Orochimaru. Things more dangerous than Orochimaru.

Strangely enough, the leader of Sound village did not seem to be paying any attention to the conversation going on around him. His attention was fixed on the center of the arena. A wide close-lipped smile threatened to split his face in two.

"So, that's how it is," Gaara said lightly.

Nazo nodded.

"Anything we can do?" Kankurou asked, arms crossed.

"No. Any interference will only result in more damage and destruction. I'll maintain the barrier, so with any luck, there shouldn't be any casualties."

"Nyurrrr…" Nyurr growled doubtfully.

"Indeed," Gaara replied.

(Oy, Kyuubi! Mind telling me what the hell is going on?)

(Just someone I used to know, kit.)

The blackness was now swirling faster. The figure at the center began to float towards the top of the pillar of ice.

(Don't be evasive. Who is it?)

A pair of large, black, claw-tipped paws emerged from the ice.

(Hyousai, the Two-tails. Panther of storms and darkness.)

(Ah.)

Hyousai emerged fully from the pillar, perched on all fours. He was slightly bigger than Edo had been, over seven feet tall from head to claw. His body was heavy and muscular, but he seemed to not be composed of flesh. It appeared rather like his body had been made by taking a storm and compressing it into a vaguely humanoid shape. His flesh was seemingly composed of black shadowy clouds or ice, with green lightning providing occasional eerie illumination. Dark mist rose from his body, and even his breath seemed frozen. Hyousai pushed himself upwards, standing upright on his hind legs. Lashing whip-like behind him were a pair of long black tails.

"How long has it been since I actually got to kill someone?" he mused. "I don't think I've had a kill since that fool on Aeril, and that was six months ago."

Naruto drew a kunai, drawing the devil cat's attention.

"I haven't been out in a while, so try to give me a good fight, human."

"Count on it, kitty. Edo asked me to stop you."

Hyousai didn't like that. "Worthless, arrogant…! You've brought this storm upon yourself."

He laughed again, then suddenly stopped. His green eyes widened in madness.

"Did you just call me a kitty?"

"Oops."

Hyousai vanished, reappearing directly above Naruto. He raked downward with his rear claws. Naruto flung himself to the ground, then rolled to the side as Hyousai stomped the ground with great force. Naruto flipped to his feet and moved quickly away from Hyousai, who stood watching him.

Hyousai concentrated briefly and waved his hand. The icy ground beside Naruto rose up, several blades in the shape of claws slashing for him. Green lightning crested the ice. Naruto skidded back, shocked slightly.

"You know," Hyousai called. "There is one advantage to being bonded to Edo. His bloodline complements my own abilities nicely. A regular storm is bad enough but, a winter storm…" The demon brandished his frozen claws, smiling as they lengthened. "is deadly."

(Kit, now would be a good time to be frightened.)

(Noted.)

(I'd recommend fire. If I recall, he was never overly fond of being set aflame.)

(If you recall?) Naruto responded incredulously.

(Now is not the time to discuss my faulty memory!) Kyuubi's thoughts replied. (Arson now, thoughts later. BURN!)

(You're so eloquent sometimes.)

Naruto concentrated his chakra. Regular fire won't do much good against him, especially in this weather.

"Moeru Bunshin no Jutsu (Blaze Clones Technique)!"

Four clones appeared around Naruto. These were no ordinary clones, however. They were made of intense flames which were so powerful they caused the rain to evaporate before it hit them.

(All right, kit. Now, you know what to do?)

(I think so. But last time we used that technique, we tore the opponent's arm off.)

(Well, if you want to be gentle…) Kyuubi grumbled. (Just release the technique in his face. Remember, he's not being gentle with you.)

"Heh," Naruto said aloud.

"I've been patient," Hyousai said, raising one hand. "Kuro Suihyoudan (Black Water Panther Projectile)!"

Out of the claw, a torrent of black water rushed towards Naruto and his clones. The technique seemed amplified by green lightning and several chunks of ice. The clones and Naruto scattered, but one was too slow and was overwhelmed by the blast, extinguishing with a loud hiss.

Naruto and the remaining clones advanced, circling in on Hyousai from different directions.

Hyousai smiled. "Hijutsu: Koori no Koya (Hidden Technique: Ice Hut)!"

Small walls of ice rose quickly, surrounding Hyousai on all four sides. Hyousai smiled as he heard three crashes and explosions, the walls holding firm.

"So much for your clones."

A flash of heat from above caused Hyousai to hiss and glance up. Jumping down from atop the wall was one of Naruto's bunshins. Like a fiery missile, the clone detonated on contact with Hyousai.

BOOM!

The four icy walls were completely destroyed by the explosion. Hyousai had been knocked to his knees by the bunshin. He looked up as Naruto bounded through the flames, a ball of orange-red chakra whirling in his hand.

"Kitsune Rasengan!"

Naruto's fist arced in, but Hyousai, with inhuman speed, gripped Naruto's wrist much as Aira had done during the first exam. Naruto's smile did not waver. He opened his hand and released the technique. An explosion of flame and wind blasted outward, obscuring Hyousai again. Naruto closed his eyes against the extreme heat. When he opened them, the panther was gone.

"Did I overdo it?"

Naruto's light mood shifted as Hyousai leapt past him, slashing him with his vicious claws as he passed. Hyousai landed on all fours, then leapt to his feet.

"Insolent. You're more dangerous than I thought," Hyousai clenched his fists and crouched down. "Yami no Tsubasa (Wings of Darkness)."

Hyousai shuddered and closed his eyes as his shoulders pulsed, then burst open. A pair of large wings extended, their color matching the rest of his body. He raised his head and gave a grin as he stood. With a beat of his wings, he rose into the air.

"No fair!" Naruto protested. "Who ever heard of a cat, I mean, a panther with wings?"

"I'm a lord of storms," Hyousai responded, almost petulantly. "I believe I'm entitled to some type of flight."

Hyousai raised his hand, crackling with electricity. "But enough of that. The question is: Can you fly, or will I just burn you where you stand?"

Naruto leapt to the side to avoid Hyousai's blast of lightning. The panther demon quickly prepared another blast and threw it down as well. Naruto didn't dodge this one quite as well, and was knocked aside, his leg numbing as electricity ran through it. Naruto called on more of Kyuubi's chakra, blowing a number of fireballs at Hyousai. The demon extinguished the fire with little effort, but was struck by several kunai and shuriken hidden within. Hyousai shook the weapons from his body with a growl.

Naruto shook his head. Damn it, I can't beat him like this. I have to get up there!'

Naruto looked at all the mist and low clouds that filled the rain-swept arena, then up at Hyousai.

"Let's see if Ero-sennin's special training in the Water country paid off," Naruto muttered, forming several seals. "Kumotobu no Jutsu (Leap of the Clouds)!"

Taking a running start, Naruto leapt towards one bank of mist. Shockingly, he landed atop it, his feet finding purchase in the water vapor.

"That should make things interesting." Hyousai nodded. "Let's continue."

With another flap of his wings, Hyousai darted straight towards the Leaf-nin. Naruto jumped upwards to another cloud, as Hyousai passed below him. Naruto drew another two kunai and prepared for combat. Hyousai reversed direction, floating directly in front of Naruto. The two began fighting, claws scraping against steel. Naruto found himself being forced back by the enemy's relentless slashes. He leapt to another cloud. Hyousai followed, his wings and great speed allowing him to outmaneuver Naruto without trouble and attack from any direction.

"What's the matter? You were more energetic before," Hyousai taunted.

Naruto gritted his teeth and vanished. Hyousai's eyes widened and he spun. Naruto reappeared in the same spot he had disappeared from. He attacked the demon from behind, slashing with both kunai and slamming him in the small of the back with a knee. Hyousai was knocked away. Naruto, sensing that the momentum had turned his way, followed up with several more attacks.

"Rrrraaah!" Hyousai snarled, sweeping one wing about in a bludgeoning stroke. Naruto was slammed aside, barely catching hold of a low cloud with his fingertips. Naruto swung himself back up onto the cloud. He glanced at where the wing had struck him. He brushed frost from his soaked jacket sleeve.

"You know what we need?" Hyousai inquired. "A bigger storm."

Hyousai raised his arms towards the sky, his clawed hands glowing with chakra. The rain, already coming down hard, now came down in torrents. The wind increased in speed, blowing the clouds and mist around, which forced Naruto to quickly change perches. Lightning began to strike.

Hyousai floated up, his palms pressed together like some twisted deity.

"Arashi no Me (Eye of the Storm)," he murmured.

Dark storm clouds began to orbit around the demon, completely hiding him from view. Green lightning lit up the sphere at intervals. The clouds began orbiting faster and faster as the wind in the sphere sped up. Clouds started spinning outwards, forming a sort of disk around the center.

Naruto leapt up towards the clouds. He looked inward, but couldn't see Hyousai anywhere. Drawing a double handful of shuriken, he threw them towards where he believed Hyousai to be. The shuriken flew straight, but once they reached the eye, they were batted away by the intense winds. Naruto threw several kunai, but the heavier knives could not penetrate the sphere either.

A blast of lightning shot out of the sphere, catching Naruto in the chest and knocking him back. Naruto recovered and charged towards the sphere, leaping from cloud to cloud. Several other lightning bolts blasted out, but Naruto evaded them. The bolts continued towards the crowd, but were intercepted at the last second by Nazo's barrier.

Nazo nodded and turned to Maiyuu, who had joined him.

"You placed them well; the barrier's holding nicely."

Maiyuu furrowed her brow. "He's only getting started. You know that, Nazo-chan."

Nazo shook his head and continued concentrating on the barrier.

Naruto threw himself against the swirling border of Hyousai's Arashi no Me. The winds buffeted him and swung him about, ejecting him violently out the other side. Naruto landed lightly on a cloud. His trip through the sphere had gained him a multitude of small cuts. These cuts, caused by the ice and violent wind inside, healed almost immediately. Naruto stood, popping his neck.

"Is that all?"

Hyousai's answer came quickly.

"Arashimon (Storm Gate)!"

A large number of near-transparent orbs flew out of the center, taking up positions all around the arena. Some flew into the clouds high overhead, while others hid themselves in the air around the sphere at different distances. Naruto looked warily at the orbs.

Hyousai's voiced purred from a gate to Naruto's left.

"You can't get in, can you? You're too light, and you can't enter," Hyousai's tirade degenerated into mad laughter. "Let's see you handle this."

The orb began glowing. The panther laughed.

"Kaminakigoe (God's Cry)!" he crowed.

The gate unleashed a blast straight towards Naruto. It was a cylinder of energy: water, ice, lightning, shadowy chakra, and wind blended together, over two feet in diameter.

"Shit!" Naruto cursed, dropping down. The beam passed over him, making a moaning scream that caused Naruto's hair to stand on end. The attack shot straight for the arena wall. Just before it struck, there was a flash as Nazo's barrier was activated. Naruto noticed the flash and then spotted a slight shimmering in the air.

"A barrier?" he wondered. "Someone's protecting the crowd. Good; that means I can focus on dodging."

As he said this, there was a glow directly beneath the small fog bank he was resting on.

"Hiding it in a cloud?" Naruto yelped, jumping away as the second blast shot straight into the air. "That's just dirty!"

"Nazo-chan?" Maiyuu asked concernedly.

Nazo opened one eye. "I'm fine," he grimaced as the third Kaminakigoe impacted on the barrier. "It's painful, but I can handle it. Edo would never forgive himself if Hyousai hurt anyone else while the demon was awake. It's my duty as a friend to protect Edo from that."

Nazo looked down. "And protect Hyousai as well-" Nazo hissed as yet another blast struck.

Gaara raised a nonexistent eyebrow at the last remark, then glanced at Nyurr.

"Nyurr."

Gaara nodded.

Shikamaru looked bleakly at the storm above the arena. "Man, how's Naruto going to break through that thing? How troublesome."

Temari, standing next to him, had an answer. "He just needs to find something heavy enough to break through."

Raina just watched sadly. "Edo…"

Yet another Kaminakigoe struck against the barrier. Nazo grunted again.

"I can still hold it, so long as I-" Nazo gasped, as an image filled his vision. Nazo saw the face of a man, skin tight and spotted with age. The man's grey-white hair was tied in a topknot similar to Nazo's own. He pressed his fingertips together before his face and glanced at Nazo sharply. An intense pain filled Nazo's vision and he collapsed. The barrier shivered once, then disappeared.

"Nazo-chan!"

Nazo opened his eyes and croaked out five words.

"It…was…Grandfather… he's here."

Maiyuu shook Nazo. "You've got to get the barrier back up. People are in danger!"

Nazo growled and sat up unsteadily. He began attempting to reestablish the barrier.

Naruto had dropped down to a low patch of mist near the center of the arena next to the black pillar. He was on his guard, and had mentally marked the locations of many of the orbs. However, the damn things had a tendency of moving around. Naruto heard a strange noise above him and looked up. An even larger blast, well over three feet in diameter, with rings of energy around it blasted down at him from the sphere. Naruto leapt to another chunk of mist, then gaped as Hyousai's attack practically detonated on hitting the ground, a veritable shockwave emanating from the point of impact. The black ice pillar's connection with the arena cracked.

Naruto cursed. This one wasn't a projectile, it was a sustained blast of stormy energy. The beam shifted slightly, than jerked, cutting off. The force sent the pillar, which was well over thirty feet tall and six feet thick, flying high into the air, straight towards the crowd. Naruto's eyes widened as he noticed that the barrier that had been there before was gone. He also noticed a few of the people who were occupying the seats directly in the ice's path. Kakashi, Hiashi, Neji and Hinata.

"No!" he cried. He performed a quick technique. "Kumo Iki no Jutsu (Cloud Breath Technique)!"

A line of clouds flew from Naruto's mouth as he sprinted with desperate speed towards the pillar. Sliding on the clouds, he slid underneath the flying monolith and spread his arms behind him to catch it. The weight of the ice shoved Naruto forward, nearly dislocating Naruto's arms. But he did not waver. He strained to hold the heavy pillar. Naruto glanced up to see Hinata's shocked face.

"Naruto-kun…"

"Don't worry, Hinata," he grunted. "I won't let him hurt you or anyone. I'll stop him."

Next to Hinata, Hyuuga Hiashi gave Naruto a slight glance of approval.

Naruto glanced back at the ice on his back. "This looks heavy enough."

Naruto turned and, with a mighty heave, flung the pillar of ice straight into the eye of the storm. The black ice flew straight through the clouds, smashing down into the ice field below. The stormy ball dissipated, but Hyousai was nowhere to be seen.

(Did I get him?)

(No, but I imagine you did irritate him.)

The pillar suddenly flew into the air, shattering into hundreds of pieces. Amidst the swirling shards, Hyousai ascended. As Kyuubi had predicted, he did look rather angry.

Naruto moved towards him, stopping about forty feet away. He sighed in relief as he spotted a flash that signified the barrier's regeneration.

Hyousai was smiling again. His green eyes stared unblinkingly at Naruto.

"I'm going to kill you," he said conversationally.

"You've done a great job of it so far," Naruto jeered. "I feel fine."

"I can remedy that."

Hyousai spread his arms. The shards of ice floated around him. The demon swept his arms around to point at Naruto.

"Hijutsu: Arate Kunai no Jutsu (Hidden Technique: Hailstone Kunai Technique)!"

The spikes and blades flew towards Naruto from all directions. He found it quite impossible to dodge them all. Many shards imbedded themselves in Naruto's body, while others slashed him as they passed. One particularly large chunk, more of a boulder than a blade, struck Naruto from above, sending him crashing down to earth. Naruto struggled up, hopping away as another wave of icy projectiles raked the area in which he stood.

Naruto clenched his fists. "Kitsune Tsume (Fox Claw)!"

Naruto's fingernails lengthened and sharpened, becoming claw-like. His hands now seemed wreathed in flame. Sweeping the claws before him, Naruto smiled as the blades in Hyousai's next volley were melted or knocked aside.

Hyousai was unruffled.

"Heh. You're a stubborn one."

Hyousai pressed his palms together. "Hubuki Shuriken no Jutsu (Blizzard Shuriken Technique)!"

Dozens of spinning disks began to form around Hyousai. They were black ice, fringed with lightning. Their shape was reminiscent of snowflakes, albeit razor-edged snowflakes. Each was over a foot in diameter. Hyousai crossed his arms and nodded. The shuriken began slicing downward, each one leaving a trail of green electricity in its wake.

Naruto struck the first blade that approached. It burst into a cloud of steam and Naruto cried out in pain. When the vapor cleared, he saw that his arm was sheathed in a layer of black ice. Naruto used Kyuubi's chakra to weaken it, then struck it with his other hand. He recovered barely in time to avoid a second and third shuriken. Every time one missed, it circled back up to Hyousai and flew right back. Naruto was quickly being overwhelmed.

Naruto then had a flash of inspiration. "When in doubt, burn it," he said. He squared his shoulders and concentrated. One of Hyousai's projectiles struck him, covering his torso in ice. Naruto ignored it.

"Kitsunebi: Nibi (Foxtail: Two Tails)!" Naruto practically screamed.

The aura of Kyuubi's chakra intensified, taking the shape of a fox. At Naruto's urging, it expelled two mighty cylinders of fiery chakra. The two tails assumed the shape of snapping fox jaws. Hyousai hissed in alarm as the flame powered through his icy shuriken, causing them to burst into steam. Naruto followed, leaping to each steam cloud as it appeared.

The two flaming fox tails struck Hyousai, who braced himself against the attack. Fire filled the panther's vision. Sensing movement in the inferno, Hyousai lashed out, his frozen claws meeting Naruto's burning ones in mid-leap. They stood facing one another, locked in a stalemate. Neither one would release the other's hands. Naruto grimaced as Hyousai's icy nails dug into his hands, but he could tell that his own hands hurt the demon just as badly.

Hyousai shook his head. "Impressive, little one. But, you forget one of my advantages…"

Hyousai's two tails rose into view, twitching.

"Yamioogama: Amakiru (Dark Scythe: Raincutter)."

There was a flash of light. When Naruto's vision returned, he saw that Hyousai's tails were twined about the haft of a jet black scythe. It was as tall as its owner, with a plain black metal haft. The dark blade was at least three feet long, its keen edge ending in a razor point. Lightning leapt playfully along the weapon's length. Hyousai raised Amakiru above his head and smirked.

"Die."

He slashed downwards, but Naruto was already moving. Naruto had let go of Hyousai's claws and jumped backwards, the claws leaving deep furrows in the back of his hands as he wrenched away. Hyousai followed, pressing his advantage. Naruto used his own claws to block Hyousai's, but the scythe was something he could not deal with. He avoided the blade as best he could.

"You can't win, meatbag," his opponent told him. "You cannot stand against a demonic weapon."

Naruto gasped as Amakiru cut into his left arm. Hyousai's words had made him think of something.

"A demonic weapon, huh?" Naruto ducked under another swing and kicked the demon in the stomach. Unbothered, the panther came surging back. Amakiru was swung again, coming around from the side. This time, Naruto was ready.

As the scythe struck, there was a blinding flash of light and a clash of metal on metal.

Hyousai opened his eyes widely. "Impossible."

"Never underestimate Uzumaki Naruto, pal," Naruto retorted, a fox grin on his face.

In his hands, braced against the edge of Amakiru, was a fine katana. Its gleaming edge was impossibly keen. The handle was the most ornate thing about it. It had the design of a grinning fox carved into it, while the tsuba was in the shape of nine spiraling fox-tails.

"The Seijaka (Saintfire)," Hyousai breathed. "Impossible. A human cannot wield the weapon of a demon."

"I think you're mistaken, pal," Naruto shoved the demon away and held the sword before him. "I can."

Hyousai drew back and attacked. Naruto parried his larger opponent's attacks efficiently. Naruto kicked Hyousai away, then went on the offensive himself. Naruto's sword hummed through the rain, so fast it was almost a blur.

Hyousai defended himself, using Amakiru's haft to fend off the sword. He countered with quick thrusts of his claws and sweeping blows from his scythe.

The two went back and forth for several minutes. Eventually, Hyousai disappeared, reappearing thirty feet behind the leaf-nin. He transferred his scythe from his tails to his left hand.

"You're fast with that blade, boy, but you have no technique," Hyousai waggled a claw. "These relics are more than just sharp pointy things with which to hit people."

Hyousai let his right hand fall open. He grabbed the lower portion of Amakiru's haft and pulled. The metal shifted, turning into links of chain. Hyousai now held in his hands an oversized sickle and chain. He clenched his right hand and began to spin the weighted end.

"We create these weapons as extensions of ourselves. Thus, they are morphic, and can change in different ways depending on what the situation requires," Hyousai narrowed his eyes. "You could ask Kyuubi about how to do it, but then again, telling you this is a waste of time, as you're going to die right now."

Hyousai attacked, releasing the weighted end of the chain and catching Naruto in the stomach. Pulling back on the chain, he swung it again, wrapping around the blade of Naruto's sword.

Naruto twisted aside as Hyousai swung the sickle downward. The panther demon grinned again as his weapon dug into Naruto's leg. Hyousai drew back for another strike. Quickly, Naruto raised his free hand, palm out, towards Hyousai's face.

"Chew on this, cat!" he growled, shooting a blast of fire into Hyousai's eyes.

Hyousai pulled back with a horrible yowling scream, clutching his steaming face in agony. The chain around Naruto's katana blade unwrapped itself like a snake, as the weapon returned to its original form.

"Why won't you die?" Hyousai blinked a few times, then gripped his scythe tightly in concentration. Chakra began to positively leak from the blade of the scythe, and a storm-like aura began expanding around Hyousai's body.

Naruto drew back slightly. (Now what, Kyuubi?)

(I recognize that attack. Don't bother trying to dodge, there's no evading that.)

(Then what the hell am I supposed to do?)

(You can't dodge it; your only chance is to try to lessen the impact. Counter it with that technique.)

(But…that might kill Edo, and-)

(Look, kit, now is no time for half-measures. If he kills you, he'll go after the crowd.) Kyuubi chided him. (You protected that white-eyed girl once. You can't protect anyone if you're dead.)

Naruto set his jaw and nodded grimly. He brought Seijaka to his side, as if he were sheathing it.

(The instant he moves…be ready.)

Naruto's grip tightened.

Hyousai vanished, appearing directly in front of Naruto. They struck simultaneously, Naruto with a shining slash, and Hyousai with an immense glowing crescent.

"Haseibai (Leaf Judgment)!"

"Aku wo Karu (Reaping the Wicked)!"

The two stood on opposite sides of one another, panting. Naruto coughed up blood. A deep slash ran across his torso. Hyousai possessed a similar wound, and was now curled up in a ball in midair, muttering to himself.

"Why? Am I weak?" In this state, the mighty panther demon sounded more like a lost kitten. "I can't lose like this."

The demon shook his head, then uncurled and turned around. His wings barely seemed to be supporting him anymore. He looked down at the arena.

"I'll show you. I'll destroy it all!"

Naruto, crouched on a cloud, turned towards him. "Don't you dare-"

"SILENCE!" Hyousai aimed his arms downward. "Now, how to do it? Perhaps I'll turn this entire village into a glacier. To do that would probably destroy this pathetic body of mine, but to erase this shame…"

Hyousai's attention was diverted then. He glanced towards the roof of the arena.

Many pairs of small eyes stared back at him. A flash of lightning revealed the owners of these eyes: a crowd of cats, their fur plastered down by the rain. Hyousai clutched his head, shuddering.

Abruptly, Hyousai's shadowy flesh practically melted off, evaporating into the air. All that was left were the wings, which supported the limp form of Nekoarashi Edo.

"Hey guys," he said dazedly to the cats. "I've been looking for you."

He turned to face Naruto, blood running down his body.

"Hey, Naruto."

"Hmm?"

"Thanks. Looks like you did it."

Naruto gave a weak thumbs-up. "No problem."

He looked down at his wounds. "Well, maybe a little bit of a problem."

Edo smiled. "Heh."

The wings dissolved and Edo fell towards the arena floor. Naruto lost consciousness a second later.

The two of the lay on the ice, eyes closed. After a minute, the proctor, Kaiu Yashiko stepped forward.

"Erm…well, I suppose that the final match…is a tie. Both contestants are unconscious."

Hinata leapt out of her seat. "Naruto-kun!"

Without thinking, she vaulted over the railing into the arena.

"Hinata!" Hiashi called sternly. He turned to Neji. "Go with her."

"Yes, Hiashi-sama," Neji followed his cousin.

"Maiyuu?" Nazo asked his teammate.

"What is it?"

"When that barrier went down, I saw him."

"Does that mean he's actually here, Nazo-chan?"

Nazo sighed. "Yes, and he already knows we're here. We'll have to go."

Maiyuu looked down at Edo's prone form.

"Not right away; we can wait until tomorrow," Nazo assured her. He paused. "We'll have to leave Edo behind, you know. We can't get him involved in our problems. He's in enough trouble as it is."

Maiyuu nodded sadly.

"I will never let Grandfather hurt you again, Maiyuu-chan," Nazo hissed. "I swear it."

Akatsuki's leader was laughing.

"You see?" Kurohigure said. "I told you this would be entertaining."

"Impressive," Itachi observed. "Both of them are quite strong, but are nowhere near their full potential." He glanced sidelong at Kumonosu.

"So, the two-tails has appeared at last," Aira looked towards his leader.

"And you thought he died fifteen years ago, Kumonosu," Kurohigure said dangerously. "Sloppy work."

Kumonosu scowled. "Well, now that he's shown himself, will we be making our move?"

"Indeed, but not yet," Kurohigure tilted his hat to one side. "I want them fully rested when we speak to them."

"Wouldn't it be easier just to take them now, while they're out?" Zeka asked.

"That would be counterproductive."

"I don't understand."

Kurohigure laughed again. "That is because you don't yet need to understand."

In an uncovered corner of the stands, an old man sat. His skin was tight and spotted with age, and his white hair was tied up in a topknot. A gnarled staff lay across his lap. He tapped his fingertips together and glanced over his shoulder.

"How long have you been there, Gin?"

A huge figure shimmered into view. "So I've been found out."

"I thought you'd be dead by now."

"Not a chance, Grandfather," the other said ironically. "But I thought the same thing about you."

The big man took a pipe, covered it with one hand and lit it. He took a few careful puffs.

The little man sniffed. "That rubbish will kill you."

"At our age, we don't need to worry about dying of unnatural causes," Gin sighed. "Besides, I've got things to do before I die."

"Of course. I trust you enjoyed the match?"

"It's not every day one sees the Nine and the Two go head-to-head like that. I imagine you're here on business?"

"Of a sort."

Gin yawned widely, lowering his wide-brimmed hat. "I'll be going now. Next time I see you, I'll probably kill you."

"Likewise."

Gin leapt silently away.

The man known as Grandfather stood up and made his way towards the exit. It was late and he was tired. Business could wait.

Next Chapter: Recovery

Well, the battle between Naruto/Kyuubi and Edo/Hyousai is over. But what will happen now? Will Akatsuki make their move? Will Orochimaru? What's the deal with those goddamned cats? Who is the one Nazo referred to as Grandfather? Who is Gin, the Pipe-Smoking Man? Most importantly, will my laptop be fixed?

Next chapter, expect some more NaruHina fluff, some explanation of Edo's background, and other things.

I admit that Hiashi and co. probably could have handled the pillar that flew at them, but then again, it was sort of the thought that counted. You know, how Naruto made the effort to protect them probably impressed Hiashi.

This is it children, your last chance to submit cat names for the horde, once Ch. 21 is up, the names will be set.

As to why the two-tail is a panther demon, Ahem. Well, if there is a 2-tails in the manga, it will probably be a cat of some sort, as that is the only animal in Japanese folklore I found with two tails.

Incidentally, I was thinking of changing my Pen Name from YaminekoByousai to YaminekoHyousai, because Hyousai is the name of the demon inside Nekoarashi Edo. He used to be called Byousai, but Hyousai works better, as Hyou means panther. Does doing that screw up people's favorites lists, or what? I really am not sure.

After careful consideration, I've selected TimeShifter to be my beta. He's an old hand at the job, and has beta'd for some really good authors, so I was honored when he offered to do mine. Thanks to everyone else who offered as well.

Thanks especially to TimeShifter for his helping me with repetition. It's one of the things I worried most about.

Editor's Note: Hey everyone; TimeShifter here! I just wanted to say hi to anyone who recognizes me, and to point out that if you now find an error, grammatical or spelling, it's my problem, not Byousai/Hyousai's, so complain to me, not him. Other than that, I'm glad he picked me, because I love this fic, and this fight scene was incredible! And remember, reviews are inspiration; leave the author (whatever his name will be) a nice note!