Chapter Eleven: Demons

The three groups had all met in the clearing in the middle of the forest. Shikamaru and Ino were completely avoiding eye contact, while Lee noticed Neji and Tenten occasionally giving each other the "look"--Tenten's hair was down. Sasuke and Sakura were holding one another's hand. Shikamaru looked toward the others. "Any sign of them…?" Everyone shook their head. "Maybe he just went farther into the forest than we went," Tenten said softly.

Neji turned to Shikamaru. "My cousin couldn't have gone too far. I can keep looking for her and Naruto if you want--!" Shikamaru shook his head. "No. We've searched for long enough today, but--What the!" Everyone turned towards the forest. The dark figure of a giant animal leapt above the trees in the distance. Its long tails flew behind it, and its pointed ears stuck up in the air.

Ino frowned at the sight. "What--What is that?" Tenten shrugged. "Maybe it was just a mirage, or--Or…" "A demon?" Everyone turned to Sasuke and Sakura. Sasuke shoved a hand in his pocket. "There's only one thing I've seen that would cast a shadow like that, and it's Naruto." Lee stared at Sasuke. "Sasuke, there's no way Naruto could be that--He's human." Sasuke stared at Lee. "But the Kyuubi isn't human." Sasuke pulled out a kunai knife. "We've got to go after him--Especially since I know exactly where and who he's going after."

Gaara silently stared up into the sky. Hinata had fallen asleep leaning against him, and he didn't want to wake her up. Gaara heard a sound, and he stared out onto the horizon. A giant shadow was rushing straight at them. The Sand-Chuunin gently woke Hinata up. "Hinata…We've got to move, there's something coming." Hinata softly nodded and stumbled up. Gaara grasped her hand and took her back into the forest, running from the approaching figure.

The Sand-Chuunin stopped halfway into his run, and looked behind him. Hinata placed a hand on Gaara's chest. "Gaara-kun, what's wrong…?" Gaara placed a finger on her lips. "Be quiet..." Hinata understood, and became silent. The red-haired teenager listened into the night, but heard silence. Then, the pounding resumed, and it was getting louder. Gaara scowled, and turned to Hinata. "Hinata, its coming. You have to run."

Hinata was confused. "What? What is it, what's coming?" Gaara frowned and grasped her shoulders. "Listen to me--You have to run, go hide, and go somewhere away! I'm not going to let it get to you!" The pounding grew louder. Hinata understood, and ran into the woods, leaping into a tree. She watched his figure.

Gaara scowled. "I…I wish I didn't have to do this." Gaara focused his mind until the voice came back.

So, now you NEED me. Why? Are you going to protect this girl?

Another demon is coming, Shukaku. If I had the power to stop it myself, I would, but I don't. I'm calling upon you.

Heh--Just so you can save your girlfriend? No.

This isn't for her. This is for my life, and for your pleasure.

…You're powers of persuasion are relentless. Fine. LET ME TAKE YOU!

Gaara yowled and placed his hands upon his head, his eyes turned yellow, and he snarled fiercely. Hinata watched in horror as the man she loved turned into the demon inside him. Gaara had become the Shukaku.

He focused his mind into the body of the demon, and turned toward the fox-demon approaching him.

So, we meet again, Shukaku--But this time, YOU WON'T BE SO LUCKY AS TO SURVIVE!

The Kyuubi and the Shukaku collided.

The battle ensued in a frenzy of speed and wind. The Shukaku was releasing multiple blasts of wind at its demon opponent, but the Kyuubi's stamina and speed surpassed its own. The fox-demon thrust its nine tails into Shukaku, sending him stumbling back. Sand began to fall away from the area where the Kyuubi had hit. Though Shukaku's spirit reigned, Gaara could still think.

If I don't find a way to stop it, my chakra will run out before I can even lay a scratch on it. I have to find a way to use its strength and speed against it.

The Kyuubi raced back at the Shukaku, mouth open and teeth bared. The Shukaku took a step forward, and span around, wheeling its tail at the Kyuubi, who was slammed. The demon jumped back in surprise, and glared at the Sand Demon before him.

Hinata still stood in the tree, hiding from eye contact with the Kyuubi. She watched as the Kyuubi thrust its nine tails at Shukaku once again, thrusting him back. Hinata put a hand up to her chin.

I…I want to help him, but I know I cannot…There's no way I could fight something like that. And…And even though Gaara is the Shukaku now, deep inside, he's still Gaara--!

The Shukaku let out another burst of wind energy at the Kyuubi, who jumped to the side and dodged it. The Shukaku stood straight up, thrusting its head in the air. Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet! He let out a full-wave blast of air at the Kyuubi, who sped around it, and drilled at the Shukaku, locking its jaws around the Sand Demon's shoulder.

Hinata couldn't take it anymore. NO! Though Hinata knew nothing she did would do any good, she slammed a hand, roaring with blue chakra straight into a giant paw of the Kyuubi. The fox-demon snarled and looked down at the Hyuuga.

You damn fool…

The raven-haired Hyuuga watched wide-eyed as a long tail of the Kyuubi slammed into her.

Dum dum DAAAA!...Heh. XD. Anyways…We all know that one swipe of the Kyuubi's tail can overturn a forest or cause a hurricane. Does this mean that Hinata is dead? Find out in the next chapter!