Naruto: A Red Eye Hidden by Shadow

by Tatanka4Life

On the fateful night of the Uchiha Massacre, a girl of Uchiha and Nara blood is spared and left with no memories of her past. Now she must walk on the path left by her family to help her build a new future for herself. Her path will be hard, full of struggles and pain, but as long as she has her friends and family at her side she will keep forging ahead, even if it was a drag.

95. Chapter 94: The Monsters We Become

Chapter 94

Roaring Battle: The Monsters We Become…

"All of the rookies were sent?"

Shikaku Nara confirmed Kakashi's bewildered question with a nod.

"All except Shino Aburame; he's on a mission with his father. So far, 'Risu has used the Flying Raijin to transport Chōji and Neji off the battlefield, both in critical states of injury. No one else has returned. Both injured Genin are currently undergoing operations we hope will save their lives. Lady Tsunade is handling Chōji. Shizune and a team of our finest medical-ninja are performing the surgery on Neji.

"Based on the present information, Chōji's injury is more or less self-induced, caused by a set of special Food Pills created by the Akimichi Clan as a last resort. These special pills convert all of their fat reserves into chakra, granting them a tremendous burst of power and physical strength no average shinobi can hope to best. However…"

Shikaku furrowed his brow. "These pills poison the body, damage it from the inside. Each new pill grants a greater boost than the last—power that comes at a steep price. To put it bluntly: Ingesting all three is a death sentence. We're fortunate you, Genma and Atsuko began teaching 'Risu the Flying Raijin. Without it…his chances of survival would've dropped drastically."

"And Neji?"

"Higher chance of survival because Mimi stabilized him and 'Risu transported him directly here, but… Although his injuries share the same origin as Anko, she was lucky to escape with only one hole drilled through her abdomen. The holes I saw on Neji were closer to vital arteries. No one can risk interrupting either operation so I don't have any new information on their situation, but they're strong in spirit. Hopefully that'll be enough," he sighed heavily.

Kakashi noticed how Shikaku's shoulders sagged under the burden of concern. For Chōji. For Neji. For his niece and son. For the other rookies stuck in this chaotic mess. The Copy Ninja, while ultimately stunned and concerned as well, maintained a level head, hopeful to procure a few more answers out of the scarred veteran.

"How long has it been since Amari delivered an injured shinobi?"

Shikaku glanced over his shoulder, over the sterile walls of the hospital towards the room Genma, Raidō, Anko and Yoshino sat within. The room painted with his niece's blood. The room where his son might return in one piece or several. Kakashi swore he could sense Yoshino's anxiousness, hear her heartbeat racing.

Or maybe that was only his own feelings, buried deep beneath his training and years of experience.

"Yesterday, in the early evening," Shikaku answered. "There hasn't been anyone since. It's possible 'Risu has traveled too far from her marker to teleport here. Or they caught up to Shikamaru's squad and spared further critical injuries."

"Or they're on their way back now," Kakashi offered optimistically.

"One of Atsuko's agents would've reported their success by now if that were the case."

"Yeah…"

He should've known the Nara would see through optimism with logic. The silver-haired shinobi rubbed the back of his neck, sighing deeply through his nose.

"What about the Stone? Any news on that front?"

"Nothing new, no. The Stone appear to be waiting for something."

"Any ideas what?"

"Could be an order to advance or retreat. They may be acting as a simple distraction for profit, while never intending to actually attack us. Or they could be using this large force to pull our eyes away from a smaller force seeking to penetrate our defenses." Shikaku shrugged. "Their motives remain unknown. But if they do choose to attack, the Third Great Ninja War will once again consume our Nations."

Kakashi nodded. War found every generation, it seemed. He hoped this was all a misunderstanding, but…well, he'd seen enough of the Stone's opportunism during the war. If they believed the Leaf was weak enough to attack, they would strike. No doubt about it.

"If a war is on the horizon," he began slowly, "we need to begin gathering all of our allies."

Shikaku's eyes narrowed. The statement was purposefully vague. Yet doublespeak was the language of shinobi, and the Nara was an expert.

"Can we trust that? Your recent report is encouraging, I admit, and the Sand has answered our call of aid. But what happens if they receive a more beneficial offer from an enemy? Or old hatreds win over? We can't risk an additional and avoidable enemy at this time."

"It is possible," he conceded. "But if the Stone is hell-bent on throwing away the armistice agreement, then they aren't our only threat. The other Nations will be watching. Waiting. Seeking a weakness to exploit.

"Let's say we do go to war with the Stone. The longer it goes on, the more our shinobi strength will deteriorate. Even if we win, it'll be a Pyrrhic victory."

"And we'll have no economic, political or shinobi power to influence an alliance," Shikaku nodded. "I see what you mean. I'll speak to Lady Hokage about this when current events settle down."

Good.

Before he worried an alliance with the Mist might cause the Stone to wage a war against the Leaf. Now it seemed the Stone planned to regardless. It made the gathering of allies and peace between Leaf and Mist all the more urgent.

"What will you do?"

The suddenness of Shikaku's question, and probing eyes, caught Kakashi off guard.

"Me?" He eye smiled. "Oh, well, I've only just returned from my mission, as you said. I am a bit hungry, so I think I'll go get something to eat and take a little walk. Clear my head." Kakashi turned on his heel, stuffed a hand into his pocket and waved over his shoulder. "I'll be back soon, don't worry!"

As he turned the corner, he heard Shikaku mutter beneath his breath, "A walk, huh."

Doublespeak was the language of shinobi, and the Nara was an expert.

Kakashi exited the hospital with a serious expression on his face. This situation was bad. And it was deteriorating rapidly for the rookies.

He'd felt his heart stop when Shikaku explained Amari's brush with death. Then it started again when he learned she was alive, stubbornly out in the field against orders; she was truly his student, through and through.

The Copy Ninja was following her example. While his orders to remain in the Leaf were clear, he had no intention of staying. No. His walk was taking him out of the Leaf to aid his students and the rookies.

Orochimaru won't be patient, he thought. If he thinks his lieutenants have failed, he'll send more reinforcements to capture Sasuke and Amari. And the longer they all have to fight, the less strength they'll have to defend themselves.

As he reached the gates enclosing the hospital, Kakashi was greeted by a familiar bowl cut. The world could've been ending and no one would know by the bright, exuberant grin etched on Guy's face.

"Kakashi! You've returned!"

"Actually, Guy, I was on my way out."

"To back-up the rookies, right?" Guy sliced his hands through the air. "Don't try to argue, Kakashi! I know the look in your eye better than anyone, my eternal rival, and I don't intend to stop you. In fact," he jabbed his thumb into his chest, somehow grinning brighter than before, "I planned to join you on this conquest to save our precious students! We'll take off with youthful speed and—"

"I want you to stay in the Leaf, Guy."

"Huh?!"

"It's not that I don't appreciate the offer. I do. And I know this is as personal to you as it is to me, given that Lee, Tenten and Mimi are still out there. We're both worried, rightfully so. But the Leaf needs you here."

"But Kakashi—

"If the Stone attacks us here, or if they cross the border while I'm gone, our people will need you, Guy. As a leader. As a warrior. As a symbol of strength." Kakashi rested a gloved hand on his rival's shoulder and eye smiled. "I'm leaving the Leaf in your care. Keep everyone safe in my absence."

His eternal rival looked at him for a long moment, then smiled and nodded.

"All right. You can count on me." Guy clapped him on the shoulder. "Bring them home safe, Kakashi!"

"I will."

There were no more interruptions on his way to the main gate. Once there, he summoned his ninja hounds and sent them to track down the trail left behind the rookies. Kakashi remained in a kneeling position, his serious eye squinting into the distance, mentally calculating the distance and time he may have to travel, as well as the energy it'd take.

He ate a food pill as he waited. This would be a long journey if Amari couldn't travel with the Flying Raijin anymore. The jutsu wasn't limitless, especially in her very basic form of it. Best guess, they were closer to the border than was safe for them. Crossing that distance at pursuit speed would take him, with no breaks, at least a handful of hours.

Would he be too late? Would he run into them on their way back? Had Orochimaru sent reinforcements to his lieutenants?

Kakashi pondered those questions as he knelt there. It made his need to race after them harder to control. Time was the enemy. Precious seconds were all that stood between being just in time to save them, and watching their lives slip through his fingers. Just like Obito and Rin.

Had he been faster, had he not been so stubborn or hesitant to listen to his comrades, had he not been so arrogant, had he not held so tightly to rules and regulations…

Had he been a better friend, a better teammate, a better leader, a better person…

The Copy Ninja lifted his eye to the sky.

Obito, Rin, Minato-sensei, please let me arrive on time today.

The presence of another shinobi landed beside him.

"I didn't know you were back," he said aloud, glancing up at their red eyes.

"Guy said I just missed you." Kurenai sounded surprisingly calm for a woman who appeared ready to kill. "Do you intend to convince me to stay behind?"

"Would it work?"

"No."

Kakashi chuckled. "Then no. Pakkun and the others should be back soon. How much were you told?"

She frowned. "Admittedly little. I was on my way to the hospital to speak to Shikaku when I ran into Guy; one of the Anbu, the man who watched over Amari after the Akatsuki incident, met me at the gate when I returned and sent me to Shikaku."

Tenzō. He'd done the same for Kakashi, told him it was urgent. And it was.

"Guy gave me the brief version of events. Sasuke was kidnapped by Orochimaru's lieutenants. All of our students are trying to rescue him. And these Sound shinobi almost killed my daughter."

"That's the gist of it. I'll fill you in as we go."

"Kakashi!" Pakkun returned. "We have a trail."

Kakashi stood up. "Lead the way."

---

The sharp clang of blade striking blade resonated over the battlefield as former friends— bound together by a bond of death, greed, grief and hatred—dueled towards their desired conclusion, their strikes fueled by the emotions that laid dormant since their worlds changed, now stoked into a rapidly spreading wildfire.

And like a wildfire, those who lingered near the uncontrolled flames would be consumed without mercy.

The bitter taste of betrayal wasn't easily washed out. The feelings of despair, of losing the last precious person an individual had in this cruel world, it could break any man or woman. And as that precious person dies in their arms, their hands and arms soaked by their loved ones blood, what is left except the burning desire for vengeance? What is left except the desire to destroy what ripped that precious person away?

What is left when one finally sees through the illusion concealing the world in a cloak of righteousness? What is left when they see this rotten world and its corruption? When they open their eyes and witness the cycle of deceit, violence and hatred manufactured and maintained by this world of shinobi, what is left to feel except hatred and despair?

Nowhere was this reality clearer than on this battlefield. There were the jinchūrikis hated by their own Villages; the brainwashed pawn mistaking the lies and machinations of a legendary shinobi for love; the resented orphan of Suna and the "lone" survivor of a massacre; the fallen Hyūga heiress, too, had a place among this list for the traditions of her own Clan, as did the old Crow who failed her previous masters.

Finally, there were the orphans turned bitter, vehement enemies.

This world had created them. Twisted them. Drove them into darkness in some form.

It was here, this open field near the border of the Land of Fire and what was now known as the Land of Sound, where their paths converged.

Should all go according to plan, today was the day Amaririsu Yūhi of the Leaf died and Haya Uchiha stepped out of the ashes to inherit his Will.

The Masked Man waited among the shadows.

---

Amari slid back on her heels, lips curled into a snarl as Kasai held his position. She never imagined he'd show up as one of Orochimaru's henchmen. Maybe she should have for that reason alone. Their power hungry ideals certainly aligned.

"Just looking at you disgusts me," she hissed.

"The feeling is mutual, old friend," Kasai grinned fiendishly.

He'd grown a few inches taller in the years since, standing at least a head taller than her, though it was hard to judge while in the heat of combat. His hair had grown to shoulder-length, slicked back beneath the Sound headband he wore as a full bandana. Just like her, he no longer appeared malnourished; his face filled out, his body was stronger, fitter, and more powerful than before. Orochimaru clearly fed, trained and clothed him well.

Amari clenched her jaw. Did Orochimaru convince him to kill Ryu and take his eye? Or had they run into each other sometime afterwards?

Does it even matter?

The Uchiha in her, burning with fury, didn't care for his reasons; it only wanted him dead. However, the Nara in her wanted answers.

Ever since Atsuko explained how her agents died that day while defending her from an unknown threat, the need for answers overwhelmed her. Who had sought to kidnap her? Who twisted Kasai into the traitorous monster now standing across from her?

He'll answer my questions with his last breaths, but…

Glancing in her Byakugan vision to the other enemy, she squinted in a struggle between blind fury and the shinobi she was meant to be. The other enemy had entered what she assumed was a Second Stage Curse Mark transformation; that or he always looked like a dinosaur.

Six large bones protruded out of his back, along with a long tail layered with spiky bones along the top of it. His dark grey skin exhibited varying degree of dreadful burns; some of his flesh was blackened or unnaturally white, other areas blistered and scaly in appearance. The worst was where there appeared to be no skin at all, only muscle and bone.

Fabric and flesh melded together along his torso, his legs, and the stench of his charred body carried on the wind, wrinkling her nose when it hit her. Even Kasai's nose scrunched at times from the horrendous aroma. Pieces of black stone remained fused to the other shinobi's skin, along his chest, his left forearm, the outer lobe of his right ear, areas of his skull where hair used to be.

And he's still alive somehow.

Pure willpower. Refusal to die until he completed his purpose—one thing they had in common. In another time, another life, perhaps things could've been different. Perhaps she could have saved him.

"But his Curse Mark binds me to his Will. Which is fine. You're free. And you're his objective. You can kill him, and then his Will would demand I submit myself to you. That's as close to freedom as I can get."

I wish your answer would've been different.

In another time, another life, perhaps she could have saved Tayuya and this other boy. Perhaps she could've freed them from the chains Orochimaru imprisoned them in.

But Amari couldn't save either of them. She couldn't save them without risking the lives of her precious people. And she couldn't protect her precious people without eliminating the threats to their lives.

I wish this world was different.

It wasn't, though. There wasn't time to lament her current reality or be distracted by her emotions.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Lee, what can you tell me about that other guy's abilities? Briefly, please."

Behind her, Hinata examined the trio of Leaf shinobi for injuries. She wasn't startled as easily as she used to be, but the red, beast like eyes that replaced Naruto's normally cerulean orbs concerned her. The dark chakra her Byakugan could see in Sasuke was worrisome, too, as was the red chakra bubbling in Naruto.

Amari could sense the angry, hatred consumed red chakra and the cold, malicious dark chakra as well.

Her hand remained curled around the hilt of her tantō, sheathed within its scabbard. Her crimson and lavender eyes did not budge from the green and lavender orbs of the monster. This wasn't the time to be lost in a vendetta, no matter how loudly her heart screamed for vengeance. This was the time to act as a Chūnin and do everything possible to bring everyone home safely.

Breathe. Focus. An emotionally reactive shinobi would make mistakes. Fall into a trap or leave themselves or their allies open to injury or death. Breathe. Focus.

"He uses his own bones to attack and defend," Lee answered. "When we battled him he used a sword made from his own bone, and was able to protrude his other bones from any point in his body to defend or attack. However, what makes his defense as great as Gaara's own Ultimate Defense is his ability to grow a dense membrane of bone beneath this skin. That is how he survived both being crushed and a combination of Rasengan and Sasuke's Lightning Style earlier.

"From a purely objective standpoint, Kimimaro is one of the greatest taijutsu users I have ever seen. Far greater in strength, footwork and skill than myself, Mimi or even you Amaririsu; he does not waste a single movement. And with the addition of his kekkei genkai he appears almost unstoppable." Lee spoke with deepest respect for their adversary's skill.

"Incredible," she murmured.

"Yes, I agree. This Kasai has also proven himself a challenging combatant. He has shown us Fire Style and Earth Style ninjutsu, as well as battlefield awareness matching yours. I believe he is holding back."

"It wouldn't surprise me. He's spent these last three years training with Orochimaru. I can't imagine him ever showing mercy in training." She glanced over to the other Sound shinobi. "To be honest, I'm more worried about that other guy right now. Kasai doesn't have a kekkei genkai, at least not that we were aware of as orphans; he doesn't have a Curse Mark either.

"That other guy has both. He survived being crushed by Gaara's Sand and being melted and petrified by Hikari's Lava Style. He's the most dangerous foe on this battlefield, for his special abilities and his Will."

She sensed Lee nod. "I believe you are right. Although our lives are on the line, I am pleased to once more be on the same battlefield as you, Amaririsu. It has been too long."

"Likewise, Lee."

"Ugh. Your sentimentality is literally killing me." Kasai's features twisted as if he had swallowed something bitter.

"Don't worry. I'll end your miserable life soon enough," Amari promised, glaring at her former brother.

He sniffed and sneered at her. "You look at me with those hate filled eyes of yours, yet it's obvious you've moved on. Look, you even have a replacement Hyūga Clan member." He pointed at Hinata. "Main Branch, too. Maybe her eyes are more powerful than Ryu's. Think she'd be willing to trade?"

"You won't lay a finger on her or her eyes," Amari warned dangerously. "This power seeking monster you've become truly sickens me. Your eyes keep glancing at my Sharingan and her Byakugan; the possibility of stealing any power you can is insatiable, isn't it, you bastard?"

"You have Ryu's eye, too, so spare me the righteous fervor. How many times have you sworn to do whatever it takes to kill me? How many hours have you trained to gain power to eliminate me? Power. That's what this world responds to. That's what drives us all. Power to kill our enemies. Power to protect our precious people. Power to usurp a Nation or maintain our dominance.

"We don't share many similarities, thankfully, but our goal is ultimately the same: Gain power to accomplish our goals." Kasai grinned full of spite. "But you're right about one thing: the possibility of wielding the Sharingan is too much for me to ignore."

"Try and claim it. I'll take your hand and then your head."

"If you insist."

Kasai's mouth didn't move, and yet she still heard his voice clear as day. Her Byakugan eye searched for the source.

"Before we do fight, though, I'll admit to one final similarity we share: You and I both want this fight. I've been waiting for it ever since I learned you were rescued by those annoying Leaf shinobi. Then I had to listen to old Snake Skin go on and on about how wonderful the two Uchiha children are, like you were somehow stronger than me!" Kasai's voice shook with bitterness. "You. An annoying gnat. A crybaby. A weakling!"

"Heh." What was meant to be a laugh came out as a scoff. "What's the matter? Orochimaru didn't pat you on the head enough? Did he lose interest in you because of me? You haven't changed at all. Still crying because no one will acknowledge your self-anointed greatness. My only regret is I didn't wound your pride and ego intentionally."

The Kasai in front of her looked angry, but he still wasn't the source of the voice.

"You may hate me for what I did. But know that I hate you just as much for existing in the first place!" Kasai, the real one, emerged from the line of trees opposite of Amari, wearing a face shadowed by hatred. "This ends today. Everything I started three years ago and beyond. We'll settle it one on one, somewhere private. My Clone will keep your friends here; whether or not they can survive is up to them."

"Settle it one on one? Somewhere private? Tch," Amari hissed out a breath, "you've obviously mistaken me for an idiot. I'm not falling into your trap. And you're also mistaken if you think fighting you is more important to me than my friends."

"Consider your choice carefully, old friend. Do you know how many people I've killed since our last meeting? Do you want me to tell you?"

"You sick bastard," hissed the kunoichi.

"And we both know you hold yourself responsible for every person I kill, so how much more blood do you want on your hands? Ten more lives? Thirty? Maybe I'll return to our old home…" Kasai grinned and threw his hands out in a grand gesture. "And burn it down to its foundations with all those kids in it! Maybe then I'll have your undivided attention!"

The twisted blow landed—hard. Amari's knuckles turned white as her breathing became rougher, beast like. She hated that he knew her so well. Hated that in a few short sentences he was able to weigh her heart down with guilt. Hated that she once called him brother.

What was she supposed to do? Stay here and defend her friends, allowing Kasai to disappear again and continue to kill? Or did she chase Kasai and finish him off so he couldn't spill anymore blood, leaving her teammates here to battle against one shinobi of immense strength and Kasai's Clone?

"Atsuko," she whispered. "I don't… Tell me what I'm supposed to do. Please. I can't…" She couldn't leave her friends behind. But she couldn't let Kasai go either.

"Our mission is to defend your comrades. This other Sound shinobi reminds me too much of the Gaara we battled during the Invasion, with hints of you and Haku. However," her black eyes drew over to Kasai, "I, too, abhor the thought of allowing this child of darkness to escape while there is a chance to stop him. He has become more twisted since leaving you for dead. Orochimaru's influence, perhaps. More than likely his own. But it is clear he means to lead us to a battlefield of his choosing—a trap, as we both know.

"And this Clone, it appears sturdier than your Shadow Clones."

"It's like its own person," she agreed.

"Which makes it all the more formidable as an enemy."

More dangerous to her comrades. Damn it. Why did it have to be him here? Why couldn't it just be a stranger? Why couldn't he just…

"Amaririsu." Hinata's voice interrupted her conflicted thoughts and drew Amari's eyes to her. The Hyūga stood beside her with a steely expression. "Please, leave this Clone to us."

"Hinata…"

"If we let him go, he'll continue to hurt and kill people. That's something we cannot allow. I- I know it will be dangerous; the possibility of a trap is extremely high, but I trust you and Lady Atsuko to counter any trap he has. Please, trust us to fight here. We can beat him."

Amari looked between Kasai and the other Sound shinobi then back at her team through Byakugan eye.

"Lee, Naruto, you'll back up Hinata against the Clone of Kasai." Hinata smiled and nodded. "Sasuke, can you control the Curse Mark?"

"Mostly. It influences my personality, makes me feel a little crazed. But I was able to control it. Why? What's your plan?"

"I'd prefer not to use that Mark at all, but that other guy is beyond the realm of mere shinobi. Help Hikari and Gaara however you can, but keep a close eye. You're looking for an opening. When you see it, unleash the Mark and Chidori him into oblivion. Then get the Mark back under control, otherwise Hinata is ordered to use the Gentle Fist to restrain you."

"Heh. Got it."

"Naruto, don't lose sight of yourself," Amari said. "Don't let his taunts rile you up. He's a heartless bastard and you'll never get through to him, so just ignore everything he says."

Because if you don't, the Nine-Tails will unleash and that's something Hinata can't contain.

"We're taking a gamble, Atsuko. If I get in over my head, reverse summon me to the home of the Crows even if I'm being stubborn."

"Your permission is appreciated, but I intended to regardless," Atsuko hummed humorously.

"Figured," Amari chuckled. She exhaled a breath and looked to Hinata. "Take care, Hinata, and show him your power."

Hinata nodded. "I will, Amaririsu."

Somehow, Amari found a smile. "How many times, Hinata?"

Instead of stuttering, the Hyūga blushed and smiled back. "One more time, as always, Amari."

She let her smile fall for a serious expression as she looked to the Clone of Kasai.

"Now go. Once we finish here, we'll come for you."

Amari nodded. "Remember: Work together and watch each other's backs. Nobody except them dies today. Understood?"

Her comrades chorused affirmative responses.

"Good. Let's go, Atsuko."

"I am with you, Young Amari."

With Atsuko on her shoulder, Amari Body Flickered across the battlefield, slashed at the Clone of Kasai's throat with her tantō, but was subsequently evaded. Kasai smirked mockingly at her and began to turn towards the dense forest.

"How about a race, old friend. It'll be just like old times."

"It'll be the last time."

"Amaririsu, look out!" Hikari and Gaara both called to her.

"You!"

While her Byakugan perceived Kimimaro dash for her first, it was the stomach turning stench of charred flesh that truly ensnared her attention. The Sound shinobi cleared the distance between them within moments; his yellow irises and black sclera burned down on her as he wielded a spinal cord whip like weapon—his spinal cord.

Amari spun on her toes. Even Kasai hesitated at the sudden interruption, an annoyed snarl on his lips.

"You are a part of Lord Orochimaru's ambition! His dream! You are not allowed to abandon him! I will not fail him, not when it is he who gave me a reason to live. If Sasuke Uchiha refuses his purpose, you will take his place instead! You will be his salvation! You will ensure Lord Orochimaru's dreams live on!"

His zealous admiration towards Orochimaru pained her heart. She wanted to ask how he could sell his soul to the twisted monster. And as she looked into his driven eyes, almost shimmering with tears, she wished to reach out to him and change his course. But she couldn't demand answers when, had fate been different, she could've easily been him, nor could she save him, because he had already been saved by Orochimaru.

Unlike Tayuya, Kimimaro truly cared for his master. He didn't see his Curse Mark as a brand that imprisoned him. It was what freed him.

Amari didn't realize her eyes flickered with empathy. Her enemy did, and it sparked something painful and dangerous in him.

"Don't you look at me like that! I'm not just a puppet! Lord Orochimaru carries me in his heart! He loves me!"

"I wish that were true," replied Amari softly.

The whip spinal cord rippled through the air. At that moment, everything moved in slow motion to her eyes. She could see the individual vertebrae's bending one after another, closer and closer to cracking her flesh. His sharpened teeth gnashed together. If his weapon were to hit her, Amari knew she would be mortally wounded. This single weapon would end her.

Could it extend? Could she bend out of the way? Would Atsuko or her Body Flicker be enough to escape the fanatical drive in his eyes?

Then the world resumed speed and blackness consumed her vision. Not unconsciousness or even feathers. Black sand, stronger than steel and formed into an oblong shield, snapped to life in front of her. The bone connected against the Iron Sand; it sounded like the roar of thunder. Amari swore she felt the vibrations of the collision in her teeth.

"The Iron Sand!" the Sound shinobi gasped.

He was unable to do anything else. The Iron Sand leapt forward, coiling around the spinal cord and up the Sound shinobi's arm. Below him, regular Sand wrapped around his ankles, then the Sound shinobi was being whipped through the air, crashing chest first against the sandy battlefield adjacent to her.

"You will not touch Amaririsu Yūhi," Gaara warned with a deadly stare.

"Nor is her life yours or your masters to claim," Hikari followed, her voice more threatening than she had ever heard it. The Suna kunoichi floated to position herself between Amari and Kimimaro. "Amaririsu, go. Quickly. I will come to aid you as you aided me as soon as we eliminate these threats."

"Thank you, Hikari."

"'Tis what friends are for, no?" Her voice painted the image of a warm smile.

Amari darted after Kasai, who vanished among the tree canopy.

And so, as they had done years before, Amaririsu and Kasai raced through the forest towards inevitability. The ghostly memories of their child selves raced along the forest floor beneath them, joined by Ryu, as they laughed and squealed and trained.

Everything they'd done, the blood they'd shed, it all led to this.

Their destiny was upon them. How it would end, well, only their blades could decide.

---

The battlefield seethed into motion in Amaririsu's absence. Kimimaro freed himself of Gaara's sand through sheer power and dashed after him, light-footed and furious. Hikari heard the eruption of sand, then Gaara's sudden cry of pain. The cascade of the two sounds rippled over her senses, the sonar pulse allowing her to comprehend what occurred.

Their powerful and fast enemy charged through Gaara's Ultimate Defense. He broke the sand with a single shoulder charge and crashed his bony body into her friend. Feet rushing across the sand signaled Kimimaro's advance on her position. Hikari prepared her Iron Sand around her in a cloak of darkness.

"Your Iron Sand is stronger than Gaara's, isn't it?" her enemy questioned as he charged.

Within seconds he was on her. The air rippled as he lashed with his bone whip. Iron Sand formed a half dome around her left side, blocking the attack. Thunder cracked. Hikari winced—too loud.

Five small projectiles whistled directly for her. The Iron Sand reshaped as she guided her rock platform back. The bones he launched from the tips of his fingers met impenetrable black sand.

"But for all its strength, you can only carry as much as that little gourd allows."

Thunder cracked again. She twirled her rock to face Kimimaro as he dashed in from her left side. The air whistled with his projectile fingers. Iron Sand flew through the air, forming yet another shield. The bones pelted the sand but did not penetrate.

"You do not possess an unlimited supply. And your mobility is severely lacking, which places you at a severe disadvantage against an opponent such as me. With my speed and power, all you can do is retreat, evade and defend, otherwise you risk leaving yourself open with an attack."

Three lashes cracked against her Iron Sand. Hikari gritted her teeth as she retreated again, rock bounding left then right through the air to avoid the rapid fire projectiles. His attacks are faster. More aggressive yet incredibly focused. He's desperate, she thought, Iron Sand dancing around her to block the rapid-fire projectiles. Is he reaching some sort of limit? Or is his fanaticism driving him into a heightened state of attack?

The confident dissection of her abilities made her believe the latter.

"And your Lava Style moves far too slow to be effective against me. And it risks making this battlefield too volatile for your allies. That's why you haven't used it again. You rely on your kekkei genkai, while mine is one with me. Now die!"

Hikari's sand leapt to defend her body. The deafening crack of the bone whip shattering stone sent her heart into her throat. Stable ground became air. She felt herself falling backwards, tugged remorselessly towards the earth. The smell of charred flesh and burnt hair saturated the air around her. She could sense his immensely powerful and all-consuming dark chakra presence all but looming over her. 'Twas a monstrous silhouette.

Thrusting her left hand forward and sweeping her right downwards, Hikari attacked and defended herself simultaneously. Shards of rock, still covered with grains of Iron Sand, flew at Kimimaro like a volley of arrows, some slicing past his skin, others burrowing deep into the membrane of bone beneath his flesh.

Beneath Hikari, a sea of black sand flowed and shaped like a picnic blanket to cushion her. It immediately cocooned around the Suna kunoichi. Kimimaro's attack sent vibrations up her bones. She heard him growl.

"I'm growing tired of this sand."

"Then submit. Or I will erase your existence," Hikari warned from inside her cocoon, left hand held out.

"You may kill me, but a piece of me will subsist into Lord Orochimaru's ambition. My existence will endure through him."

"No, it won't. 'Tis true I do not know the circumstances which brought you here. I cannot curse you for this path you are on, when I, too, understand what loneliness feels like. However, Orochimaru cares naught for a single soul but his own. You will be forgotten by him as soon as your usefulness is outlived. 'Tis likely you have already been forgotten."

"Do not speak ill of Lord Orochimaru! He gave my existence meaning! He will show me the truth of this world!" Kimimaro lashed and stabbed viciously at her cocoon. "How could you— How could any of you possibly understand?!"

I cannot reach him with words, Hikari lamented. He is not lost in darkness. Orochimaru is his light. The more we try to prove to him Orochimaru's devious nature, the more we drive him towards his fanaticism. And the more I try, the more it hurts me, knowing he could've been someone pure. Someone kind.

"'Tis not us who are unable to understand you. We do. 'Tis you who fails to understand that loneliness is not your ailment alone. Gaara, Amaririsu, myself and others have shouldered this terrible burden as well."

She curled her hand into a fist. Kimimaro gasped in pain; she could control the stones she burrowed into his membrane of bone.

"We've all wondered the purpose of our existence. We've all sought reasons for why this cruel world has tormented us. We've all wondered why we continue to live when, at our darkest moments, we couldn't see any reason for our existences.

"Some people are capable of smiling through it, pretending they don't feel like the loneliest person in the world. I envy their bravery to smile through suffering.

"Others devote themselves, as you have, to a figure of darkness. Because even the companionship of someone who mistreats you or performs heinous deeds is preferable to loneliness, no?"

Kimimaro said nothing. He grunted and growled with every vicious strike of his powerful weapon. 'Twas time to counter.

"Iron Sand: Death Shield!"

Black spears of sand spiked out of the cocoon. Kimimaro leapt back, but the spears grazed his flesh, opening new wounds on his thighs, his right side and across his cheek. All at once, the spears detached from her cocoon and lifted into the air. Hikari clicked her tongue. Then the spears rained down from the sky like the gods themselves were casting stones at the mere mortals who inhabited the world.

The sharpened points impaled into the earth. Kimimaro dashed and danced fluidly around the legion of iron. Hikari formed a small circular disk of Iron Sand beneath her feet, the rest beginning to hover ominously around her in a curtain of darkness. She pulled some spears from the earth while aiming others for her enemy, tongue clicking at a steady, repetitive beat.

Another spear crashed into the earth. Then, as Kimimaro evaded and dashed after her, the top half of the spear collapsed, losing its iron firmness.

The grains of sand reformed into a new shape, gathered with the grains of sand she had been steadily pulling from each spear for her next attack. Where her spears were sharp, firm and straight, this new creation was jagged, twisting and bending around itself, like a bundle of serpents slithering over and twisting around one another.

It chased Kimimaro over the field, the grains of sand at its ends surging to the front to create an infinitely growing weapon. Spears of her Iron Sand: Iron Legion crashed into the ground in front of her enemy, cutting off his advance. He tried to race left. More spears cut off his path. She cut off his right side the same way before he could even try.

The jagged, serpentine attack neared. 'Twould grind the fragile flesh off the bone kekkei genkai he was quite proud of, and then burrow into the membrane until, eventually, painfully, 'twould penetrate through into the organs beneath. The only escape was up.

Rough sand formed in Hikari's right hand, the disk shape platform slowly rising. As she expected the Sound shinobi launched into the air, evading the attack; Iron Sand grated harshly against Iron Sand. He also leapt in the opposite direction of the Suna kunoichi, as expected of an intelligent enemy. But 'twas ultimately futile.

Kimimaro reached the apex of his jump, the Iron Sand beneath him collapsing and streaming slowly back towards its master; 'twas the only speed she could manage with her concentration divided. There he was able to see Hikari again, an Iron Sand hammer gripped tightly in her right hand and needles of black sand hovering around her frame.

"Be honest, when you dissected my abilities all you truly saw were my disabilities, no?"

He did not answer with words. He growled. Then the familiar whistling of bone through air touched her senses. Hikari ducked into a crouch and guided her disk downwards rapidly, unable to form a shield of sand just yet. She reached her left hand out, palm open.

"'Tis to your own misfortune you failed to recognize my power. I will shatter your bone shell and melt your insides.

"Iron Sand: Infinite Darkness!"

Simultaneously, bones and needles of Iron Sand pierced through the air, seeking flesh. Hikari's disk whirled up, in a half circle then down at a diagonal as she evaded the projectiles. Her skirt and shemagh rustled in the air, her ponytail whipped along her back with the rapid evasion movements. Warm pain stung her mid-bicep—a graze wound.

Needles ravaged Kimimaro's frame, though some failed to connect; between gravity pulling him downwards, her evasion and wind distorting her hearing at times, 'twas hard to target him. But the needles did burrow through his flesh into his bone membrane. Gaara was right, 'twas an annoying kekkei genkai. Though she was sure Kimimaro would say the same for her.

Hikari sped forward through the air, chasing her descending enemy. Gaining on him. Closer. Closer.

"Just die already!" Kimimaro shouted. He swung his whip back. Then stilled, grunting in pain. "My body— it won't—"

Now's my chance!

Hikari sprang from her disk directly at the Sound shinobi, war hammer wound back. Swinging with all her physical strength, amplified by her Magnet Style control over the object, she crushed the hammer into his abdomen with her first hit; the attack sent him crashing into the earth, but not without puncturing her right shoulder with a bone he suddenly protruded from his body. Undeterred, the Suna kunoichi spun through the air and threw the hammer after him, slamming his torso with an earth cracking attack.

The air fissured as his whip cracked right for Hikari.

---

Sasuke had monitored the battle between Hikari and Kimimaro from a safe but actionable distance, looking for the opening Amari asked him to find. But as Hikari fell towards the earth and Kimimaro's whip sought to rend her flesh and break her bones, his body reacted on its own.

Leaping through the air, Sharingan activated, he caught Hikari and twisted them through the air. He felt the air pulse and wind disperse against his leg as the whip narrowly caught him. It startled him, made his body tense up, but no pain followed.

He landed in the grass and jumped two more times towards Gaara to put distance between them and their enemy.

"That was a little close," he muttered, arms still cradling Hikari.

"Forgive me. My control over his body is more limited than I imagined."

Confused, he glanced down at the Suna kunoichi; her lips were pulled in a frown.

"Your…control?"

Iron Sand streamed all around them back into her gourd.

She nodded. "Because he has grown a membrane of bone, I was able to burrow grains of my Iron Sand into different joints."

"The needles and those rocks you pelted him with, right?" Sasuke remembered. He hadn't even known she could do that.

"Yes," she nodded again. "'Tis not something I have ever tried until this battle; 'twas a moment of revelation I had while he attacked my cocoon." And apparently she hadn't known either. "But it requires an immense amount of concentration, and even then it guarantees nothing. I was fortunate the gamble paid off. And for your intervention, of course."

Gaara joined the pair. The look of concern on his face was…strange; Sasuke still hadn't grown used to his new attitude.

"Hikari, you're hurt."

She smiled. Sasuke could tell by looking at the puncture wound that it hurt more than her smile let on.

"I am okay, Gaara. What about you? Are you injured?"

"No. My Sand Armor absorbed the blow." His pale green-blue eyes remained on her injuries. "I'm sorry I wasn't able to help," he apologized genuinely. "That attack left me dazed. I couldn't focus."

"'Tis nothing to apologize for, Gaara. 'Twas time for me to be more aggressive after all your hard work before. But now we must combine our strength one last time to eliminate him once and for all."

"Let me help," Sasuke said.

Pale green-blue eyes locked onto his. "He's too dangerous in close-quarters for any of you to fight," Gaara stated without malice. "Don't forget that your comrades have risked everything for your safety. We cannot allow you to be killed or captured, or it will all be for nothing. So please, stay back. We'll finish this."

Sasuke chuckled. "I appreciate what you've all done for me. Trust me, I haven't forgotten why Orochimaru isn't already wearing me as his new skin. But before Amari left she gave me instructions on how to help you."

He set Hikari down on her feet and watched her create another disk of Iron Sand to stand upon. Across from them Kimimaro was slowly climbing back onto his feet. He coughed up blood as his limbs trembled.

"Honestly, neither of us is thrilled by the idea. But desperate times, right?"

"You intend to use that dark chakra?" Hikari sounded worried. "It has turned our enemy into a monster. More fanatical, even. Is it not too great of a risk for your own psyche?"

"Same risks. I've been able to exert control over it, but it's a gamble. With each use it deteriorates my self-control. And the second stage makes me feel slightly insane, so don't be surprised if I seem crueler. Sorry ahead of time if I snap at either of you."

"It sounds too risky," said Gaara. "You're planning to fight darkness with darkness. To become a monster to fight a monster."

"If that's what it takes to protect my comrades, so be it," Sasuke replied. "There isn't time to debate. Every minute these battles are prolonged is another minute Amari and Atsuko are alone with that bastard and whatever trap he has planned."

The Uchiha took a step in front of Hikari and Gaara. "Once this is over, I'll probably be out of commission." He glanced back at the pair. "Hikari, I leave Amari's rescue to you. Bring her home for me, all right?"

"I will."

Sasuke looked back at Kimimaro. "Then let's finish this. All I'll need is one opening."

"He won't give you one willingly. But with our powers combined there is a chance," Gaara said.

All right, he shut his eyes, imagining that cliffs edge he had almost been tugged down. Darkness snaked up the walls and coiled around his body. You may have invaded my body and my mind with this tainted power. But… He snatched the slithering darkness at the neck; it squealed and hissed, writhing around like a snake. Crimson eyes glared down at the ink colored serpent. This is still my body and mind. I'm the one in control, not you.

The darkness grew aggravated. It tried to launch out of his hand, wiggle free and snap its fangs on his flesh. It hissed curses and attempted to call aid from its allies in the darkness. Flames erupted around Sasuke and the darkness he held in his hand, burning away all the other shadows. It screeched in disbelief.

Writhe and hiss and curse me with every breath you take, it won't change your reality. Now…

He crushed the darkness in his hand, spraying ink colored blood all over him. Protected on all sides by the circle of flames, he sat down and shut his eyes.

Let's see what this 'gift' is capable of.

Fire raced through his veins as the Curse Mark spread over his skin. He felt his hair grow longer again, and a glance at his hands proved his complexion had become graphite once more. Greater than the physical changes was the sudden rush of power he experienced. The sudden burgeoning of his raw strength left him partly lightheaded in thrill; his heart pounded against his chest, he was shivering with excitement, and he wondered why he ever let the Mark recede in the first place.

An insane giggle bubbled out of Sasuke. What power! And all his to command!

"Sasuke, do not forget yourself. Amaririsu is depending on us."

Hikari's voice was an anchor back to reality. If he were split between two psyches of rationality and insanity, rational Sasuke made the flames he surrounded himself with burn brighter to combat the darkness. He shut his eyes tightly and clenched his jaw.

Focus, idiot. Focus.

"I'm okay," he reassured evenly. Better than okay. Alive in every cell of his body and stronger than ever, how could he not be okay? "We've got a limited window with this. Let's make it count."

"Right. Gaara and I will support you at range."

"Your power has increased, Sasuke Uchiha. Let us hope it is worth the risks. He's coming."

Sasuke was moving before he realized it, darting in at Kimimaro. His steps were lighter, faster, carrying him over the sand as if he were dashing along air. His Sharingan read his enemy's every move, perceived every muscle twitch, every spinal vertebrae folding into place as the whip stiffened into a sword. Kimimaro slashed at him. He evaded perfectly and prepared a counter strike.

Dancing on his toes, the Sound shinobi, whose charred flesh and stench would disgust even the hungriest of scavenger animals, evaded and slashed again. His weapon sliced the air and nothing more. Sasuke ducked beneath the weapon, spinning rapidly on his toes, and landed a punch in his opponent's side.

Their feet connected with each other, kicks blocking kicks and slashes of the bone blade and Sasuke's fists missing by hair thin gaps. But not only could Sasuke see and read his enemy's moves, his body was reacting faster than ever. To his eyes, Kimimaro was attacking at normal speeds.

"You wanted to see which one of us was stronger, right? So, how am I doing? Because to me it seems like you're slowing down, while I'm only just beginning to pick up the pace." Sasuke taunted vindictively.

He caught Kimimaro's weapon hand at the forearm with his own, batting back the strike before it could finish. His red eyes snapped to his free hand; a blade of bone was shooting through his flesh, for his side. Hopping into the air, he pressed his palm down on the dull top of the blade, swung his legs forward and kicked his enemy in the abdomen.

Kimimaro stumbled back, a bloody snarl on his lips. Rushing black and tan sand cascaded around both of his sides; the Iron Sand thundered as it blocked the strike of the whip; the tan sand streamed beneath it, lashing viciously at their enemy. Sasuke jumped onto the stream of Iron Sand, then to the tan sand, flipping himself over projectiles of bone to land behind Kimimaro.

The Sound shinobi moved to whirl on him with his weapon, but Sasuke had realized before his enemy the true nature of Gaara's attack. Kimimaro was so focused on the slashing of sand, he failed to notice the sand coiled around his ankles. It held him in place, delayed his attempt to whirl around. He grunted as he summoned his strength to pull himself free, to a successful end. But Sasuke and Hikari were already striking.

First to strike was the Iron Hammer; it crashed against the thick membrane protecting Kimimaro's torso with a dull thunk. At the same time, Sasuke ducked low beneath the bending whip and swept the legs out from beneath him. The power of Hikari's strike, and loss of stable ground, sent their enemy skipping over the sand. But Kimimaro rolled back onto his feet in time to use his hardened whip to block a kick from Sasuke.

"Your use of the Curse Mark proves why Lord Orochimaru picked you as his chosen vessel. But your childish rebellion is distasteful. I will not allow it to continue," Kimimaro declared.

The whip bent suddenly. Sand exploded into the air.

When the sand cleared, a splintered log lay in the sand, broken into small pieces. Kimimaro furrowed his brow, but the sound of thousands of birds chirping at once made him turn around and lift his gaze to the sky. Black lightning formed around Sasuke's hand—the Curse Marks influence on his Chidori.

His enemy barely moved to make the whip extend towards the airborne Uchiha, wrapping around his body and crushing him. Again a log replaced the Uchiha. At the last possible second, Kimimaro leapt away from his position as the Black Chidori slammed into his position, once more making sand erupt into the sky. The Sound shinobi had little reprieve, being forced to duck and dodge as two separate streams of sand whipped at him and tried to ensnare him.

Sasuke looked at the crater in the sand his attack formed.

"That was a good evasion. Guess you aren't dead yet."

Damn, he cursed. That's my second use of Chidori today. I'll only get one more chance with it.

The Black Chidori was far stronger than his Chidori Stream or normal Chidori. He just had to connect with it and this battle would end.

Sasuke bolted back in to confront Kimimaro, heading off his advance on Gaara and Hikari, the former of the pair beginning to show signs of strain from the chakra he expended in this battle. To change half of this field into a sandy domain took its toll on the Sand shinobi, clearly.

Sasuke matched Kimimaro's speed and strength blow for blow. Although the extensive damage done to his body seemed to finally catch up to the monster of an enemy they faced, he nevertheless remained undeterred in claiming victory. His speed slowed, but his strength never wavered.

There were times Sasuke battled with doubt and growing mental instability daring and taunting the Sound shinobi maliciously. The moments of rationality in-between those insane mental and verbal ravings were filled with hatred. Hatred at himself for being so damn cruel and remorseless with his words. Enemy or not, this guy was just a victim to Orochimaru's schemes and lies, among other pains.

The words burned like acid in his mouth every rational moment he had. But he couldn't take them back. No apology could fix the things he said, or heal the wounds Kimimaro was burdened by.

All he could do was finish him. Finish this battle and move forward, hoping that death could grant this tortured soul the peace life failed to give him.

"Sasuke, look out!" Gaara called.

Kimimaro's tail swung straight for the Uchiha. Even with his enhanced speed and perception, this was one strike he wasn't prepared to evade. His red eyes widened. Pain erupted from his back and the collision of the bony tail and flesh vibrated through his body. Yet he was unharmed.

Grey wings, grotesquely fleshy, appearing almost like hands with talons where the fingernails would be, shielded his body, shaking beneath the weight of Kimimaro's tail. It took Sasuke a moment to realize they were his wings.

"Well, that's new," he remarked to himself.

The new appendages, they felt as normal as his arms and legs. With great force, he forced them open, pushing his enemy away in one fell swoop.

Blood streamed from Kimimaro's lips, dripping off his chin and down his neck. He watched Sasuke with a cold, emotionless stare, like a predator locking on to helpless prey. The sight of crimson blood dripping from his wing woke Sasuke to the pain. He winced but swept his wings back.

Kimimaro stalked forward. Then began to run.

A wall of tan sand erupted in front of Sasuke. Gaara appeared next to him on a bundle of sand, shaped in a cone shape.

"Get on."

Sasuke didn't debate. He hopped on and crouched at the edge as they swept back into the air.

"Prepare yourself. This next attack may be our only chance to finish this battle."

"I'm ready."

Hikari, floating on a disk of Iron Sand, shot around the sand wall with her Iron Hammer in hand. Kimimaro changed direction and charged her instead. Again she jumped off the disk at their enemy. The bone whip hardened and extended forward, impaling straight through the Suna kunoichi.

"Damn!" Sasuke prepared to launch after her, despite the rational and insane parts of his mind realizing how fatal the wound was.

Gaara's hand stopped him. "Don't be so impatient."

"Foolish girl." Kimimaro watched coldly as Hikari's hands gripped and grabbed at the bone protruding through her. Blood seemed to flow down her lips.

"I wish…it did not have to end this way," she struggled to speak. "But the light you worship is pure evil… Perhaps…in another life…we could've been friends."

She coughed. Sasuke's eyes sharpened. That wasn't blood.

"Get ready," said Gaara.

Kimimaro stiffened. "Lava?"

Colors of flesh and clothing melted and meshed into the superheated, viscous lava. It heaved forward to capture the majority of Kimimaro's weapon, his weapon hand, his side and right leg. The sand wall fell to reveal Hikari holding her hand out. The Sound shinobi hissed and grunted as he tried, vainly, to remove the lava melting his already charred body.

"But these are the cards we've been dealt. Farewell, Kimimaro. May your wounded soul be healed and nurtured by love in the next life."

Hikari closed her hand into a tight fist. The lava solidified around him.

"Go, now!" Gaara ordered.

Sasuke propelled himself off the cone of sand with chakra. Cold air whipped over his face as warm, black lightning formed around his left hand. Thousands of birds chirping pierced his ear, drew the shocked eyes of his enemy up to the bullet of death flying towards him.

"Chidori!"

The sporadic, chaotic looking black blade pierced through his flesh, drilled through the membrane of bone and to the organs beneath. The force of the blow shattered the stone holding Kimimaro in place. Together the pair slammed into the sand below. The sand exploded around them. It all happened within seconds, but that flight and the collision felt like an eternity.

Sasuke pulled his hand from Kimimaro's chest; it was caked in blood, dripping down his forearm and off his fingertips. It trembled from the overuse of the jutsu.

As he cast his red eyes down at his enemy, he noticed Kimimaro was still breathing. Still clutching onto the threads of life slowly slipping from his grasps.

The Curse Mark transformation receded back to the center of Kimimaro's chest. His green eyes returned, and the extensive burns and wounds he exhibited…they were enough to make the Uchiha grimace.

Every breath Kimimaro drew was labored, harsh, sometimes followed by coughs of blood. He lay spread eagle on the ground as those sad green eyes looked up at the blue sky one final time.

"I'm…sorry…Lo- Lord Orochimaru. I- I have failed you again."

Sasuke tried to ignore the tears beginning to stream down Kimimaro's face.

He forced his own Curse Mark to recede, or maybe his exhausted chakra did. He couldn't tell. But the whispers faded, his hair returned to normal length and the wings vanished into his back. The soreness on them was replaced by aches along his spine. And massive throbbing in his right shoulder.

Amari would've found some way to connect with Kimimaro before the end. She would've been able to send him off feeling free and pure, Sasuke believed. But he lacked her special ability to do that. So he forced himself to stand there and watch as Kimimaro took his last breaths. Maybe even the presence of an enemy wouldn't make him feel so alone in these final moments.

His first kill in the Land of Snow hadn't bothered him. But this…this one was different. And he knew it'd follow him for the days to come.

Kimimaro looked at him one time before he died with tears in his eyes. And before his last breath, Sasuke realized with a remorseful expression that his prediction had come true.

"And whether it's me or you who dies first, when you're breathing your final breaths you'll remember my pity; you'll remember how I looked at you as just a sad little boy who was brainwashed and you'll realize my pity is more painful to endure than my hatred. Then you'll die."

What he hadn't realized when he said those words was that he would bear a far greater pain. The pain of killing a brainwashed boy he never had a chance of saving.

The pain in his shoulder exploded and tore him down to his knees. His right hand gripped around the bone protruding out his upper back and chest. Some sort of powerful explosion erupted behind him; he vaguely recognized Naruto's shout of pure rage.

Gaara appeared on his left side, wrapped his arm around the back of his neck and began to carry him off the battlefield. Whatever he was saying didn't reach Sasuke's ears over the raucous of pain reverberating through him. He did feel Gaara stop him from yanking the bone out of his body, but from then on his consciousness faded in and out.

He hoped Hikari would reach Amari in time.

---

"How many times, Hinata?"

One more time.

In the beginning, the question stood as a gentle reminder that she could refer to Amaririsu as those closest to her did. They were friends, after all.

The etiquette drilled into her refused to budge, though. She tried. She really did. But she held Amaririsu in the highest esteem. Revered her accomplishments, her growth, her strength, and the warmth and gentleness she never lost along the way. Amaririsu was the person she wanted to be. Strong, fierce and unshakeable in battle, but kind, warm and empathetic out of it.

Nicknames went against every etiquette lesson she learned as a child. There were traditions and honor to uphold, an image to maintain. The Hyūga Clan was a political force within the Leaf. Every member, whether Side Branch or Main Branch, represented the Clan through their actions. Even details that might seem insignificant to others mattered deeply to her Clan.

These standards were increased for an heiress. Or…former heiress was more accurate.

Regardless, among friends Amaririsu never bothered with traditions. She wore the Nara Clan nonchalance well. Formalities were troublesome. Friends weren't meant to be stiff with each other.

"How many times, Hinata?"

Always one more time.

It started out as genuine reminders, but it grew into more. This little bit of banter encouraging informality. Amaririsu's light teasing. Her stuttered apology. It was a dance they hadn't intended to start; they stumbled upon it and hadn't realized they were dancing to a tune together. It took Hinata time to notice the frequency of it all. To understand she was actively keeping the dance going. Purposefully refusing to budge, not out of etiquette, but to savor the little moment it always created.

So small. Only a handful of words each. However, beyond the words were other details. Small as well, perhaps, but she savored them. There was the affectionate smile the interaction brought to Amaririsu's lips. A light that glimmered in her onyx eye that made the scars and pain seem farther away. The promise of another chance to brighten her day.

For Hinata, she cherished the small interaction. She enjoyed the teasing, the dance of it all. And the warmth of Amaririsu's smile.

Their final words to one another were special. It wasn't just the familiar interaction she used to shine some light into Amaririsu's darkening world, but a promise. A promise that, when these battles finished, there would be another opportunity for Amaririsu to correct her, to smile and tease her as she blushed and promised one last time was all it would take.

Because today only their enemies would fall. Because she would see Amaririsu again, alive, no matter what. Kasai would not be her end. His trap would not stop her or Lady Atsuko. And the burden Amaririsu carried would lessen with the finality of his death.

Before that, though…

Hinata ducked beneath the brute Stone Golem's swinging arm, twirled on her toes, crushing and snapping blades of grass as air whished past her. Lee howled a wordless battle cry as he counter-attacked, using his physical prowess to kick the Stone Golem once. Twice. Three times.

Naruto leapt over their comrade, joined by three clones to kick the golem in the chest. It stumbled faintly, but crushed the two Clones with a single strike.

Hinata used the distraction to dart around the golem, throwing shuriken at Kasai as she closed in. He deflected the whirling blades with an arrogant air and flourish of his kunai.

My Gentle Fist isn't effective against his Stone Golem, but it will be against him.

The stone was too thick, and since it lacked the chakra network organic creatures possessed her strikes would be mosquito bites on a rhinoceros.

Kasai rushed in instead of waiting. Hinata pivoted out of the way of his slashing blade, palm raised and aligned with the center of his back. Her legs were suddenly swept out from under her. She caught herself on a single hand, twisted and kicked his weapon hand in the forearm, preventing his strike. Planting her feet in a crouch, she quickly dipped her weight back onto her hands, kicked his foot away, pushed back up and struck with a cry.

Her enemy narrowly sidestepped the strike, though the Gentle Fist still made him wince his side away from her palm. Even narrow strikes were effective in her style. He was used to physical techniques he could dodge. He may have killed a Hyūga and stolen his eye, but he never fought a Hyūga trained in the arts of their Clan's special taijutsu.

But Hinata wouldn't underestimate him because of a glancing blow. Much like a horror monster, there was intelligence in his green and lavender eyes. Perhaps not a tactician of Amaririsu's level, but he had trained with Orochimaru, and his students—if they could be called that—all showed great power, skill or intelligence. Sometimes all three.

Pressing the assault, she rose to her full height, kept light on her feet and struck. Focused, controlled, she measured her attacks, monitored his evasions, looking for an opening. Conversely, his Byakugan eye perceived the same movements; he'd trained it well. His movements were smooth, but when he struck she sensed aggression. Each blow carried a force of explosive hatred behind it.

In terms of physical strength, Kasai outmatched her. That could be said of all the boys of her class, though, and even some of her fellow kunoichis; Kurenai's training prepared her for this inevitability.

Hinata rolled her body beneath a horizontal slash of his kunai, fingers wrapping around a kunai in her ninja tool box. As she came up, she kicked at his exposed knee, but he lifted his leg and took the blow in his calf. Kasai retaliated quickly with another slash of his blade. The clang of their kunais was sharp, sent flickers of sparks flying from the onyx colored blades.

Their hands, and blades subsequently, shook. She could already feel him winning the deadlock. She pushed back then skipped back over the grass. Kasai followed. Dodge, dodge, parry; his strikes seemed to grow faster and stronger with each aggressive advance.

Hinata's back foot settled on the grass, prepared to continue in retreat, but then her eyes sharpened when she felt the blade of a shuriken press against her sandal. Planting her feet, she channeled chakra to both of her feet and…

Her kunai flew up between them both. Kasai's eyes widened, head and body instinctively leaning out of his strike to avoid being cut. His surprise flourished as the Hyūga launched up and over his head, snatching the kunai out of the air. She twisted her body, feigned a slash of her kunai and threw a kick that attacked the air and nothing else.

Yet droplets of blood sprayed through the air. The crimson rain settled on the green grass like early morning dew drops.

Hinata landed behind her enemy, skipped back two steps and held her position, clean kunai raised. The shuriken she attached to her sandal pierced the ground a few steps from Kasai, a thin trail of crimson running down a single blade.

"Lucky trick. But that's all it was: Luck," Kasai scorned. He wiped the blood away with the back of his hand. "The fact you even opened a scratch annoys me. No. No. It doesn't annoy me. It pisses me off!"

"As Amaririsu would say: Get used to it," Hinata replied coldly.

Kasai didn't whirl around. He slowly, menacingly turned around to face her. She felt the brush of killing intent wrap its searing tendrils around her. His nose scrunched, his lips curled into a disgusted sneer and his squinted eyes burned.

"I can't believe someone actually reveres that crybaby. You actually think she has a chance against me?"

"I do."

Kasai growled. "Careful. I plan to leave all of you alive so you can see what I do to her. But keep pissing me off and I'll remove another Hyūga from this world. And what's so great about Amari, huh? How can you place her on a pedestal and scorn me for wielding this eye when she took Ryu's eye, too? I thought you Hyūga members protected the Byakugan at all costs. Or have you kept the eye secret from your elders to protect Amari?

"Once they find out they'll tear that eye right out of her, I bet. They're the ones who decided to subjugate an entire Branch of your Clan with fūinjutsu. Who is some insignificant girl to their traditions?"

Hinata refused to leap at the bait. He wanted to get under her skin, as he had with Naruto and Sasuke. He wanted her to lose focus in anger; it would raise the chances of her making a mistake. However, his words meant nothing. Less than nothing. She could see right through his taunts.

"Amaririsu did not take Ryu's eye like a trophy. He gifted it to Amaririsu to help her stop you. You murdered him for its power. You scarred her face and left her world broken around her." Her eyes hardened. "You betrayed them for selfish reasons. Abandoned Amaririsu. I was not there that day, but I saw the pain your actions caused her. I witnessed her struggle to become strong. I saw the tears she shed—"

"Always the crybaby."

"And I watched Amaririsu endure through physical, emotional and mental suffering since that day," Hinata continued as if he hadn't spoken. "She's not perfect. She would be the first to admit it. But Amaririsu always tries her best. She goes out of her way to reach out and help anyone she can. And for every lash of suffering she endures, she grows stronger.

"Amaririsu would lay down her life for anyone she deems precious, where you only care about yourself. You inflict suffering onto others. You relish in your arrogant power. And you don't care what pain your selfishness causes. That is why you are worthy of scorn."

"You're right: I don't care," Kasai grinned. "About anything or anyone. But spare me the morality speeches. The Leaf—hell, the Hyūga alone don't have the right to lecture anyone. How much suffering have they caused? To their own Clan members, no less? Enslavement. Subjugation. Your elders brand the 'Side Branch' members with an inescapable mark. It's proof they're lesser. Meant to put them in their place under the guise of duty.

"Heh! I'm only doing what every single Side Branch Hyūga wants to do. Poverty was my prison. Being a poor orphan was my curse mark. But I didn't wait for someone to break me free. I destroyed my cage and took fate into my own hands!"

Kasai beat his weaponless hand against his chest. "I seized an opportunity to taste freedom and power! To see a better future for myself by cutting free from my past. What would you know about that, Main Branch girl? You who has never had to want for anything, you who was born into the Main Branch of a prestigious Clan; you were born into wealth and power right from the start!

"You know nothing of hunger pains that leave you curled up on the floor, hoping you'll get a single scrap of food to just make the pain stop. You've never been crammed wall to wall in a poorly insulated building, dripping with sweat day and night through the hottest summers and sharing body heat and ragged blankets to avoid shivering in the winter."

Hinata hid her emotions well, but grimaced internally. The blow was well aimed. And brutally honest. He accurately pinpointed the worst practices of the Hyūga Clan, tapped into the feelings of resentment her cousin once harbored towards her and pointed out the stark differences of their life experiences; life experiences Amaririsu, too, suffered through, while her greatest struggle was a feeling of inadequacy and disappointing her father and Clan.

"Amari understands my reasons," Kasai continued. "She'll never admit it. Never. But she understands because she lived it. My actions inadvertently set her free, too. She's tasted freedom and power after powerlessness and imprisonment, and there's no going back. For either of us. We refuse. That's the reason she understands why I killed Ryu and stole his eye. And she hates herself for understanding."

Hinata didn't know if Amaririsu understood his reasons. She didn't know if her friend felt the same way as Kasai, or if she would even admit it if she did. But right now that didn't matter.

Kasai threw his kunai at her. Hinata reciprocated the gesture. The blades struck, whirled through the air and impaled into the grassy field. The moment he threw his blade, however, Kasai began to weave handseals she'd recognize anywhere; flames rushed from his mouth in a violent stream of fire.

It doesn't make sense. The muscles throughout her body were preparing to move. He knows the distance between us is too great for this attack to connect. I'll evade it long before I feel the heat of the flames. Is it a distraction?

She scanned the vicinity behind her, and felt her breath catch. Naruto and Lee were directly behind her, with their backs turned to Kasai! He's not targeting me. He's targeting them!

"Naruto, Lee, you have to move!" she cried out as she jumped aside.

The flames streamed past her. She skipped back on her toes, eyes drawn to Naruto and Lee. The pair narrowly sprang out of the way; his flames collided against the Stone Golem, but made only the slightest burn mark on the stone exterior.

"So noble of you!"

Hinata gasped then lost her breath. Kasai, appearing beside her, crushed his fist into her sternum. She might have cried out in pain if she had the breath to do so. Stumbling back, hand covering her stomach, she watched her enemy speed after her through squinted eyes, jumping into the air, leg loaded and ready to extend for a powerful kick.

Air whistled over her head as she ducked. I was wrong. His Fire Style doubled as an attack and a distraction, and now… She retreated awkwardly, unable to breathe as she leaned and spun out of the way of his attacks, blocking what she could with one hand while the other clutched at her lungs. He has me off balance.

The kunoichi blocked away a punch with her arm and thrusted her fingers at the limb. Kasai's other hand flew to snatch her by the wrist. Eyes sharpening, she bent her fingers towards her real target. His hand wrapped around her slender wrist; her fingers jabbed a chakra point.

The desperate attack made Kasai visibly grimace. His grip loosened, and as it did she struck his gut with a solid kick, breaking free of his hold while pushing herself away from him.

"Hinata, look out!" Naruto called.

Hinata landed and released chakra at her feet. She launched into the air. Back flipped over the swiping hands of the Stone Golem onto its shoulders. Her eyes were squinted in pain still. Oxygen was only just entering her lungs, though labored and painful, but she wasn't immobile.

I think he wants to eliminate me first. Either for my eyes or because the Gentle Fist is too dangerous. After all, his goal is to distract us so he can fight Amaririsu alone, and this fight will end if I land a single major blow.

Hinata drew a kunai from her pouch and stabbed the blade into the Golems neck, a paper bomb flickering on the end. A fireball hurtled through the air at her. The Golem's massive, jagged stone hands, with fingers thick as sausages, reached for her while it slouched forward. She pushed off again, launching back and away, skidding over the blades of grass on her heels.

The fireball and paper bomb together made quite the explosion. Heated air tore past her, thick smoke billowed around the headless Stone Golem, but her Byakugan eyes were not impeded, allowing her to see Kasai dash through the smoke—his white haori rustling from the blast of air—directly for her.

Hinata raised her hands and shifted her feet into proper position. She could end this. One blow to his heart and this fight would be over. Focus. Remain calm. Remember your training with Neji. Her eyes hardened. Not one more step back.

He attacked with a kick first. Hinata pivoted out of the way, two fingers striking his calf twice with the speed of a viper. She missed the chakra points; he'd noticed her attack and tried to pull his leg back, but the attack made him wince.

His three steps back invited her three steps forward. She blocked a hooking punch with one hand and jabbed her fingers into his bicep—direct hit. Muscles tensed in his arm, his neck muscles visibly tightened in pain and anger. She followed up with a palm aimed for his temple; the narrow duck did not save him from the stinging pain painted over his skull by the glancing blow.

Kasai's fist slammed into her gut again. Once. Twice. A third time. Air ejected out of her lungs, saliva leapt from her mouth. Her eyes watered. I think…his strikes are as strong as Lee's. She grimaced but planted her feet, catching his fourth strike with her palm. His hand retracted as if touching an active stovetop, brow furrowing in pain, a hissed breath to accent it all.

Striking with her left palm, she aimed for his heart. Kasai tucked his chest in, hunching his back out and snatched her hand by the wrist. His head suddenly snapped to the side—he was too late. Just as his head turned, she crashed her fist into his cheek.

She wasn't the strongest of her peers, but her punches weren't weak either.

The next series of events happened in the course of a few seconds. She released a tiny portion of chakra from her feet, leaping not over Kasai, but into him. Knee first. Her knee greeted his chin in a collision that sent vibrations up and down the length of her leg. As he fell back towards the ground, she snatched his right hand by the wrist, drew her right palm back and slammed it for his chest. Kasai's free hand grabbed at her ninja tool box. Then they landed.

Her knees pressed into his chest and waist. Her left hand maintained a grip on his right wrist, pinning it to the ground. Hinata's right hand hovered the length of a kunai above his heart, skewered through the palm by the kunai. The kunoichi's hand trembled, her face twisted into a grimace of agony as blood streamed down the blade, back into the pool painting the entirety of her pale hand, down the hilt to drip down Kasai's hand.

He twisted the blade suddenly. Hinata cried out, eyes watering as her left hand jumped to her right. It was a mistake. She knew that. But pain clouded rational thought with the demand to get this blade out!

Kasai reacted faster on her mistake. He equipped a second kunai and slashed at her face. Hinata shied away from the strike, but still felt the blade carve her; the rush of pain unzipping her flesh overwhelmed the left side of her face and left eye. She cried out horribly.

"Hinata!"

"Bushy Brows, look out!"

The ground exploded where Naruto was. But she couldn't dare to look over.

I'm…

She caught Kasai's right wrist before it could imbed the blade in her chest. Her entire body trembled, but…

Hinata's squinted right eye locked onto the enemy pinned beneath her. He grinned with all his malice and the ugliness in his heart at her pain.

I'm…not finished.

She lifted her left hand's pointer and middle finger and jabbed chakra into his wrist. Kasai's grin faded for a wince. She stabbed the chakra again. And again. And again. He twisted the blade in her hand, tearing a terrible cry from her throat and watering her open eye. But she refused to let go.

This isn't a chakra point, she panted, stabbing the same spot over and over and over again. Her fingers could stab a lot faster than he could twist his blade.

But it doesn't need to be. Each violent burst of chakra I attack his Chakra Network with is sharpened into a fine point. It's like a surgical scalpel—I'm inflicting damage to his Chakra Network, with repeated abuse that will cause him to lose all feeling in his hand.

He twisted his blade. Hinata bit her lip, drawing blood instantly. Her right hand was going numb. She felt a warm tear cascade down her cheek, but she continued to stab with the frequency of a nervous person tapping their fingers on a desk. Her leverage over the limb was growing, even as the blade skewing her drew nearer to her chest.

"Damn you!" Kasai growled. "Even though you're trembling in agony you keep struggling!"

"I…can't give up," she whimpered, right eye opening slightly. "I- I won't quit or run away ever again. That's my nindo, my ninja way. Geh!"

Her body stiffened and her chest tightened in agony. Kasai pushed the blade further through her hand.

"Like a weakling like you could ever defeat me! Don't delude yourself, you annoying fool!"

"Grrrghh!"

It hurt. It hurt. It hurt. The pain pulsed in synch with her rapidly beating heart. But…

Hinata twisted his right hand, stole the blade and stabbed it through his forearm and into the grass. Kasai writhed and screamed at her.

"I am-" Hinata swallowed. "I am not weak." She raised her freed palm back. "This is the end for you."

"You wish!"

Kasai ripped the blade out of her hand and slashed at her. Despite the almost blinding pain, Hinata was able to snatch his hand by the wrist with her unwounded hand. He suddenly rose up and cracked their skulls together; the attack knocked her off balance, allowing him to free a leg and kick her away.

She fell unceremoniously onto her butt then her back, and as she laid there looking up at the blue sky above her with one eye open, clutching her wounded hand, she felt overwhelmingly exhausted.

The earth vibrated beneath her. Struggling to sit up, she came face to face with the Stone Golem standing but a few feet from her, in front of Kasai.

I…have to move.

Her entire body trembled as she tried to plant her feet and rise. She couldn't. Not in time to escape, at least.

The Stone Golem lumbered forward. Raised its fist. Then the entire creature exploded in a sudden, heart-stopping eruption of shattered stone. Hinata panted, awed by the sight of a red fist.

A giant red fist of chakra.

The air stung—she could feel that through her other injuries. The chakra, shaped like an arm, extended quite some distance back to the boy kneeling in a crater, injured at first glance and shrouded by red, bubbling chakra. But those injuries were healing themselves; bruises were vanishing, internal injuries she couldn't see were knitting back together.

Naruto…

"Looks like the Nine-Tails is finally ready to play." Kasai's pleased sounding voice was betrayed by the nervous look in his eyes.

"It just wasn't enough for you to steal Ryu's life and destroy Amari's world, was it?" It didn't sound like him. There was an unnatural, animalistic growl to his voice. "You have to inflict suffering onto everyone you meet. Like it's somehow justified because of what you experienced! And then you taunt Amari with it and make her feel responsible for the terrible things you've done."

"She is."

"And you act so smug about it! That's what I hate the most about you!" He shook his head viciously as he stood up. "I tried to listen to her advice and ignore you. But after what you did to Hinata…" Red eyes with slit pupils locked onto Kasai. "I'll break every bone in your body!" he howled wildly.

Kasai sprang to his feet. Naruto was already on him, clearing the distance in a blink. He screamed with a gravelly voice as he slammed fist after fist into their enemy's stomach, chest and finally his face. Kasai sailed through the air, skipped over the grass like a thrown stone and barely rolled himself back onto his feet quick enough to dodge the red chakra fist that crashed into the dirt.

Hinata struggled into a fully sitting position, panting and trembling, but able to see the blood already dripping from Kasai's mouth. His hands sped through handseals. When he finished the earth beneath Naruto's feet became like muddy quicksand. He began to sink.

With another howling scream, the chakra around Naruto began to pulse off of him. Kasai's eyes widened as the pulsations grew in strength, breaking apart the sand, sending heated waves of gale force winds over the battlefield. Hinata ducked her chin into her chest. Her hair whipped violently against her face.

Naruto lurched forward, running on all-fours; he zigged and zagged then charged shoulder first through an Earth Style wall, leveling Kasai with a bone breaking punch. Before the Sound shinobi could fly away, a chakra hand shot from his cloak, snatching him out of air and driving him into the dirt. The earth itself tore apart.

"Hinata." The kunoichi glanced up at Lee, who was bearing superficial injuries. "Allow me to carry you off the battlefield." He looked over to Naruto and Kasai. "This battle is over. Naruto will finish it."

"But…" She glanced back to the fight. "What if he…"

"He will be fine," Lee assured. "Although his outward appearance has changed, he is still in control. I can tell."

"How?"

Lee smiled at her. "It's in his actions. Have you noticed how he has drawn the fight away from us?" She nodded. "He recognizes this devastating power doesn't discriminate who it hurts, so he's pushed Kasai farther away to use his full-power without hurting us. And he also saved you and I from harm while this red cloak of chakra covered him. Yes, Naruto will be fine. He is understandably angry because of Kasai's words and what he's done to you, but he hasn't lost sight of himself.

"Now, allow me to assist you. I am no medic, but I can help stop the bleeding and keep the wound clean until Mimi arrives."

Hinata offered a weak smile. "Thank you, Lee."

Lee lifted her off the ground in his arms and began carrying her towards the forest they'd all come from to save Sasuke.

"Also, one day I'd like to spar with you, Hinata," he said suddenly. "I can tell you've grown so much stronger since the Chūnin Exams. You've found a way to combine the Gentle Fist and Amaririsu's combat style into your movements and strikes. I bet you'll be as formidable of an opponent as her and Neji one day."

Hinata blushed and smiled. "…Thank you. I'll try my best."

It's what Amaririsu would do.

---

Naruto loomed dangerously over Kasai's downed form, huffing in rage with a Rasengan in his right hand, contained by the Nine-Tails chakra cloak. Kasai breathed heavily, face almost unrecognizable. His body lay in a crater Naruto pummeled into existence. And…

"Heh…Hehehe…"

Naruto's eyes narrowed at the shinobi. He growled at the weak laughter.

"This…victory…means nothing. I was holding back. Fooling around. Toying with you until you lost control. To prove that we're all monsters. You. Me. That other Uchiha. Kimimaro. And Amari. We're all monsters."

"Amari will crush you!" Naruto snarled.

"Unlikely," he laughed. "Think about it, you fool. I'm just a Clone. I toyed around. Maybe a bit too much since that Hyūga almost got me." His bloody and bruised lips pulled into a vile grin. Ugly as maggots crawling around. "Wait until Amari sees it! She'll be speechless! And there's nothing you or anyone here can do about it! You'll never reach her in time. I made sure of that by injuring you all.

"You wasted all this time on me. You believed in her. Make sure you put that on her gravestone. Here lies Amaririsu Yūhi. We believed in her. And look what that got us! Hehehehehe! Hahaha!"

"Shut up!" Naruto roared.

He slammed his Rasengan into the Clone's chest. Dirt exploded around him. The ground tremored. And when it all ended, Naruto stared wide eyed at what was left behind.

"What the…"

---

The Masked Man observed the final blows to the Sound shinobis with something close to disinterest. He considered swooping in to steal a prize or two, but relented. Today he wasn't interested in these children, or the monsters they became. He had a far greater prize to claim.

And so he moved through space and time, away from one battlefield to the one he had been anticipating all this time. The new environment wasn't as quiet as the last. A waterfall poured as endlessly as the cycle of violence and hatred this world was consumed by.

Standing on either side of the waterfall were two giant statues of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju—the Valley of the End. Where the two legends collided and the First Hokage slayed his best friend. Their statues stood with the Seal of Confrontation.

An endless confrontation starting anew.

On the head of the Madara Uchiha statue stood Kasai. On Hashirama's stood Amaririsu Yūhi. The wind rustled their hair and their outfits. Soon the fires of battle would ignite.

The Masked Man smiled beneath his mask.

Soon Amaririsu Yūhi of the Leaf would die and be reborn into the Uchiha heir she was destined to be.

---

Review Response to Guest: Glad you enjoyed the chapter. You didn't offend me in any of your reviews, so no worries. Sasuke and Sakura, as well as those who were there for the fight against Gaara, know or assume he has the Nine-Tails because of his combined transformation with Gamabunta. How else would he know what the Nine-Tailed Fox looks like, is what their thought process is. And with current events, it's become clearer to those there now that he contains it.

Right. Kimimaro didn't use the second stage until this chapter. Sasuke wasn't using the Curse Mark until he activated it in this chapter. Naruto hadn't activated the cloak or a tail in the last chapter; Hikari was sensing the bubbling of the red chakra within him in response to his anger because of Kasai. But it wasn't until Kasai hurt Hinata and he was severely hurt by the Stone Golem saving Lee that he activated the Nine-Tails chakra and unleashed it entirely on Kasai.

Kasai has been training under Orochimaru. More on Kasai coming soon, as well as his goals, plans, his allegiances and how Ryu ended up outside of Konoha. All of it will be answered as we go.

Kasai is definitely not S-rank at this point. As I said above, Sasuke and Naruto hadn't activated the Curse Mark or Nine-Tails cloak, and Kasai was mainly just being defensive, evading, taunting and blocking with Earth Style or forcing them to spread out with Fire Style. We will see his level of skill in the next chapter.

Four Tails Naruto will likely still be as strong as he was in the anime.

I'm happy you're curious to see how this is all going to go. You were right on point with your predictions.

No need to apologize for auto correct. I figured you meant curious instead of furious and meant nice instead of mice.

Thank you for the review!

Review Response to Anonymous: I'm happy this story has managed to pleasantly surprise you and hasn't been entirely generic. I've had a lot of fun writing this and I strive to continue to improve my storytelling and writing abilities as I go. Characters are what drive any story, so I'm happy this cast, as well as the changes to canon so far, have kept you intrigued.

I hope you continue to enjoy the story and thank you for the feedback!

Review Response to ChillinInKonoha: There is always the possibility of other eyes Amari could exchange with. We'll have to see how that all plays out. Kasai has definitely stirred the darkness within her. I look forward to seeing how everyone reacts to the upcoming events.

Definitely an awesome soundtrack for those moments. I honestly can't remember what I typed them to at the time, but those definitely work.

Thank you for the review!

Review Response to Guest: Right. Though some don't know the full details, they have their assumptions on what connected Naruto and Gaara, whether because they talked to Naruto himself about it or because they talked to those involved with the battle. They know that Gaara was a victim of his circumstances because through Shikamaru, Naruto and Amari's run in with him in the hospital, through Amari's connection and meetings with Hikari, the ensuing battle over her fate and the aftermath, members of the rookie teams and Team Guy talked openly with one another about what happened.

It is also the rookies and Team Guy recognizing that the whole of Suna is not evil because of the Invasion.

Kiba, Akamaru and Ino are traveling on their way to be transported back to the Leaf by Amari's Shadow Clone. Shikamaru, Mimi, Tenten, Sakura, Temari and Kankuro are on their way to regroup with Gaara, Hikari, Naruto, Lee, Hinata and Sasuke.

Shikamaru knows. He just hasn't made a big deal out of it. To him, it doesn't change the fact that Naruto is still Naruto. He's proven time and again he is more than what he contains in Shikamaru's eyes.

Atsuko considers Amari's father and Shisui, as well as Amari's family as a whole, as loyal friends, comrades and family. The difference in her relationship with each of them is based on her age and experience at the time and the events that were playing out. She was younger when she worked with Amari's father, not nearly the legend she is considered now. Together they rose into their roles as leaders, guardians and legends. They were together through many battles, and so they shared a great respect for each other. Although there were techniques and the like to teach him, it was less a pupil and master relationship and more war comrades.

Shisui was the young one in the relationship when she partnered with him. It was similar to her relationship with Amari, yet Shisui was ahead of his age group in skill and in maturity. He was raised by two war heroes and inherited the Will of Fire, making him one of the pure Uchiha who sought peace between his Clan and the Leaf, while also inheriting Amari's father's desire to find a path towards world peace. Atsuko took on a mentor role with him, yet he was a quick study and had a strong sense of self, so they became friends and equals.

Amari's relationship thus far is a result of the circumstances she's inherited. Atsuko is a mentor and friend to Amari, and Amari is a pupil and precious person to Atsuko. She is all that is left of Shisui, her father and her mother, who Atsuko feels she failed. It's her goal and conviction to protect at all costs, to ensure she achieves her dreams and lives a long life and has devoted herself entirely to protecting and guiding Amari. And Atsuko also knows Amari is the one who must rise to the occasion to complete the path Shisui left behind and wields the power to change the fate of the Uchiha Clan. But more on that later.

I'm not sure how I'll handle the Sage Mode situation.

Thank you for the reivew!