Chapter 23
"Shino, can you tell which direction?" Kakashi asks after having gone quiet to his own thoughts for a moment. I nearly sigh looking in Kakashi's direction.
"No problem." Shino answers as he raises his right hand pointing in front of him. "That's the spot where my insects were interrupted. Before they could complete their net. There at ten o'clock." I slip my energy out, expanding it just a bit further from having reigned it in during the fight.
Kiba and Akamaru sniff the air before Akamaru suddenly growls. "That's right, boy. It's time we find out just what these guys are up to." Kiba speaks gently to his dog.
"Alright, let's go." Kakashi says before Shino cut's his words off.
"No, wait." He speaks sternly so the others can catch his meaning.
"What is it now, Shino?" Kiba growls at him in annoyance, making Akamaru bark.
"My insects are behaving strangely, they can't find their way out." Shino mentions explaining why my energy seemed to hit something and not allow me to go any further.
"What does that mean?" Kiba asks glaring at Shino.
"I think the enemy put up some kind of barrier." I explain drawing their attention to me. "Even my energy blanket cannot penetrate past a certain point. It's like my energy is hitting a wall.
"Hinata, find out if it's some kind of sealing jutsu or what kind of barrier it may be." Kakashi says sternly.
"Right." She says before looking ahead of her and unleashing her Byakugan. She then gasps and begins looking in different directions around her. Her eyes widening in shock before she suddenly covers her eyes stumbling forward and drops to her right knee with a grunt.
"Hinata, what is it?" Kakashi asks her in clear shock to her reactions. It takes her a moment before she looks at Kakashi after deactivating her Byakugan. Making sure to keep one eye covered.
"I saw us, over and over endlessly." Hinata finishes causing Kakashi to make a sound of thought and I look at him as it hits me.
"Crystals refract light into smaller rays right?" With my one thought being spoken, Kakashi's eye widens. My own eyes widen as I look to my left. "What is it?"
"There's someone in this barrier with us. And she just made six clones of herself."
"The crystal user?" He asks and I very nearly shrug before I remind myself that now isn't the time to play dumb.
"The clones, it felt like they came out of something before it shattered. So yes, I believe so."
Akamaru barks just as something is sent flying in our direction. "Here they come!" Kiba exclaims just as whoever was in here with us throws three large weapons in our direction. As they draw closer they break creating a barrage of spears.
"Everybody move!" Kakashi calls and all of them leap away at the exact same time. I extend my energy around me tightening my shield into a sphere. The flying spears stick into the ground around me and crash through the trees. Shattering against my shield. Turning in the direction they had come from I frown.
"It's obvious you were just trying to separate us from such a clear attack." As the spears stop, I narrow my eyes on the woman before me. Her light blue hair pulled up in a spiky ponytail, pale skin matching my own, and donning bright red lipstick. Her green dress looks like one sleeve had purposefully been cut short. She puts her left hand on her hip as she smirks. Her dark eyes resting upon me.
"So, you're the one with the curse mark." She states, her voice full of cockiness and attitude.
"Yeah, so what?" I ask her pointlessly, watching her every move. "You work for the pedo snake." I smirk as she visibly becomes angry.
"You know what you little brat.." She begins to spout off at me before I reach into my kunai holster and retrieve a kunai. Throwing it in her direction.
"Enough talk." I state plainly as she creates a crystal blade lining her arm and blocking my kunai.
"Ooo a cold one aren't ya. I'll teach you to watch your mouth." It was then she leaps at me, the light shimmering off of her blade. Raising my own arm I sent my chakra into my hand forming my energy blade. It sizzles against her crystal causing her eyes to go wide at the sight of my weapon moments before she smirks. "You certainly are interesting, I'll give you that." She says before she throws a kick at me. Jumping back I avoid her kick and stand watching her.
"As your jutsu is beautifully crafted." I compliment her catching her off guard enough I leap forward and catch my foot into her side. "Too bad you're slow."
She clicks her tongue in irritation at me as she catches her feet on one of the only trees still standing in one piece. Leaping off of it up into the surrounding trees and running away. Sighing I pull my energy back inside me and look down. The other clones as well were leaving their targets. Running off in one direction, however... Looking behind me in the direction the others scattered I frown.
As I move towards Kakashi, I feel two of the others do the same. Once Kakashi is in view I slow to a walk as he looks to his left towards Kiba. "What happened?"
"I don't know she just left." Akamaru barks agreeing with him and I sigh drawing their attention to me.
"She has Hinata." I state for them as I put my hands in my pockets. Trying to ignore Kiba as he shouts at me. "I felt her fighting and then. It was like my energy was hitting a wall again. I could no longer feel her, it was then the woman left our fight." I explain for Kakashi.
"Yes, your little friend is right here!" The woman says making the others look behind me as I feel the ground moving. Turning to face her my eyes fall on Hinata trapped in a crystal just like those men had been.
"Hinata!" Kiba calls out with worry and Akamaru whimpers. "Dammit." Kakashi curses in frustration just before the three of them move to run for Hinata.
"Don't bother, light sealed inside the jade crystal can never escape." The woman says as she walks out from behind Hinata with her arms crossed. That same annoyingly arrogant smirk back on her features making the others stop. Kakashi growls raising his right arm as if he was ready to attack. "Oh, I wouldn't." She holds up her left hand resting her elbow against the crystal as that blade forms again causing the end of it to clink against Hinata's crystal. She then moves her arm away from the crystal ready to strike it down. "Leave me and my followers alone, or else your little friend will end up as little shards of glass."
It was then a loud ground thundering sound rumbles over the area as if something had hit the crystal dome. Followed by the sound of cracking and glass shattering, causing the woman to look up in shock. "What the?" She starts just before the entire dome bursts into shards that begin to rain down on us.
"Kakashi Sensei!" Sakura yells as her team jumps into the fray. Looking over I nearly sidestep into Kakashi seeing two very large toads land next to me. Looking up at the closest one I tilt my head taking in its bright red color with dark navy blue lips and markings around its eyes. The thought crosses my mind of them eating Shino's insects very nearly made me smile.
Naruto was standing on top of a yellow one with a blue sleeveless overshirt, as Sai and Yamato were crouching on the ground next to Sakura on the other side of Kiba and Shino. So, Tsunade sent these guys as reinforcements. I thought but still took a step back and moved behind Kakashi to put a little distance between the toads and me. "Reinforcements huh." The woman points out as she notices them.
"Is everyone, ok?" Naruto asks without looking away from the woman.
"Naruto, was that?" Kakashi asks still holding up his kunai. Naruto looks to his right and down at Kakashi.
"The collaboration ninjutsu we've been working on with pervy sage."
"Really?" Kakashi responds with interest lacing his tone.
"Now it's my turn to have some fun. Ok you, don't try to escape!" He hollers out and I shake my head.
The woman gives a laugh. "So another big talker has shown up, are you all like this?"
Naruto gives a grunt as he realizes the most important thing. Something he should have noticed when he got here. He points at her as he yells, seething with anger. "Hinata! You lousy. Just what have you done to her, huh?!" The woman giggles as she smiles. "What's our next move, Kakashi sensei?" He's actually asking Kakashi? This has me tilting my head watching him. He's still loud, he's still annoying. But he has also matured.
"Naruto, we have to get Hinata back and control ourselves so we don't break that crystal." I inform him and roll my eyes. Naruto then leans forward on the toad talking to it as I move my right foot behind me bringing my energy to a hum, so I can act when I need to. Knowing Naruto, he's going to do something stupid.
Naruto then raises up on the toad looking straight at that woman. "Don't move." The woman says her gaze moving towards Yamato as he takes a step closer.
"Now, Gamatatsu!" Naruto shouts as Kakashi yells for him to wait. "Wind style! Toad water pistol!" He yells as he slams his hand onto the toad's back. A large gust of water shoots out of the toad's mouth towards the woman with ferocity. My eyes nearly widen before I can get control of myself as the thought of Hinata shattering into pieces comes to my mind. The woman raises her right hand stopping the blast in mid air.
The water slowly turns into crystal before it acts like it's swimming through the air as she laughs. "My crystal style can crystalize anything. You'll need about ten more years of experience to challenge me, boy." She then smirks as she raises her hand in a sign. "Crystal style: Burst Crystal Falling Dragon!" She yells as her crystal forms into a dragon letting out a roar. If she can crystalize anything. I wonder if she can crystalize pure energy? I silently wonder as the dragon flies towards Naruto.
Pushing my energy through my arm and into my hand I let my flames extend from me about eight feet before I pull my energy tighter. Forming it into my tangible whip. With a crack, I throw my whip at the dragon. Allowing it to wrap around the crystal causing it to sizzle. With a yank, I pull the dragon away from Naruto. "Oh, Kira!" Naruto yells as I leap into the air when the dragon crashes into the ground at my feet.
Landing on the dragon I run up its body before pulling back on my whip to force its head up. With a look over my shoulder, I give the lady a smirk as I rear up my left fist. Building energy into my blow as I punch the crystal. Letting the energy explode from my fist causing the crystal to crack and shatter beneath me.
"How dare you brat!" She yells at me. In mid-fall, I twist my body and crack my whip again. Aiming this time for the ground, keeping her attention on me as she glares. Finally smirking behind my collar as I see a large toad tongue shootout and snatch Hinata. Pulling her to the safety of the trees. "Oh no, you don't!" She yells running for Naruto. As I land I throw my whip again and with another crack it crashes into the ground in front of her forcing her to stop. I smirk before releasing my energy causing my whip to disperse. Leaping into the trees and away from her before she can even turn around. I run towards where the others have already converged.
"Alright Gamatatsu, you can spit her out now." I could hear Naruto's voice before I even jump down out of the trees. Landing in front of a tree whose roots have grown forming a small cave-like formation. My gaze meets Kakashi's gentle one as I land between him and Sakura.
"Be careful, gently now, nice and easy." The large red toad says as the yellow one messes with something in its throat. The crystal pops out of its mouth as the toad holds it with his tongue and begins to lower Hinata down towards the ground.
"That's it, nice and easy." Naruto coaxes the toad using his hand to guide him. Showing him to continue by waving towards the ground. "That's the way, slowly, slowly." A fly buzzing made Naruto gasp as the toad watches it. Making excited sounds as it lets go of Hinata a few inches off the ground so it can go after the treat.
The crystal hit the ground with a thud. Making everyone gasp. Sakura makes a run for Hinata as Kiba yells her name with worry. "Unbelievable, how could you do that, you blockhead?" The red one lectures the yellow who seems to be in bliss as he's chewing on the fly.
Naruto begins to shake as his eyes widen looking like he's going to cry when the crystal begins to crack. "Oh, oh no. Stop cracking. Stop cracking."
"Hinata!" Sakura yells as she slides on her knees to Hinata's side. Kiba, Akamaru, and Shino make it to her shortly after Sakura. I couldn't help but watch as they run to her side. Silently wondering, if anyone would do the same for me.
"Eh, it's stopped." Naruto breathes with relief looking down at Hinata.
"Damn, looks like I'm too late." Pakkun's voice comes up drawing everyone's attention to the pug.
"Pakkun." Kakashi says in surprise as the pug finds a large rock and sets down. Leaving Sakura and Naruto with Hinata I follow Kakashi, Yamato, Sai, and Shino over to Pakkun. Who waits for everyone to stop in front of him. If only to give himself a chance to catch his breath.
"They finished analyzing that insect of Shino's. There's no mistaking it. The enemy uses some kind of crystal-style jutsu." Pakkun says as Kakashi pockets his hands with a sigh.
"Yes, we know." He speaks gently to the dog.
"The researchers say the effect on the insect was thorough. That thing was crystalized inside and out."
"So it was true what she said, that her crystal style works on anything." Kakashi has a bead of sweat building on his forehead as he speaks.
"That jutsu is a real problem." Yamato sighs.
"That's putting it mildly, it's like I said. Its effects are thorough." Pakkun says looking down a sad look in his eyes.
"You mean?" Shino asks causing the pug to glance at him and look towards Hinata.
"Yeah, they found that even the insect's bodily fluids were crystallized."
"What?" Kiba questions looking away from Hinata towards Pakkun in disbelief. I rest my left hand on my hip, in thought. "That means.."
Naruto turns around a saddened look in his eyes. "Hinata. She's going to be ok, right Kakashi Sensei?"
"Uhh, yeah..." Kakashi answers dishonestly as I turn to walk away from them.
"We need to get her back to the village, immediately." Yamato says making my movements pause.
"You can do that, I'm going to kill the crystal user to end the jutsu and free her." I mutter causing them to look at me. It was then the cracking accelerates causing all of them to look at Hinata.
"No, Hinata." Naruto turns in fear just before the crystal completely shatters drawing even my attention. Unlike the others, Hinata somehow remained intact. Sakura leans over her and rests her head on Hinata's chest.
"Sakura." Kakashi quietly questions as I turn and walk up beside him. Sakura suddenly sits up with a smile.
"It's alright, she's alive." She explains excitedly.
"What a relief." Naruto sighs and Kiba smiles as he speaks. "Yeah, I'll say."
"Phew, I was scared for a minute." The yellow toad with a bit of a southern accent says looking down at Hinata causing the red one to look towards him irritation clearly lacing his words. "Idiot! Dropping her for a lousy fly!"
Sighing I walk over to the rock the pug is on and set down next to him. Reaching into the pouch on my hip with my right hand was painful. After retrieving my canteen I uncap it and take a drink no longer fully interested in the conversation around me. Letting the chilled sticky liquid run down my throat I close my eyes feeling my body hum as my energy begins to work on healing the melted skin on my hand. Tch, Naruto, if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have had to use my whip so quickly to save your rear, that I didn't even have time to protect my hand. I inwardly growl at his idiotic actions.
Hinata whimpers and grunts as she sets up with Sakura's help. She was looking at Kakashi by the time I opened my eyes. "When I saw that I was going to be hit by her jutsu, I released chakra from all my chakra points at once and surrounded myself with a barrier."
"I see so her crystal style doesn't work on everything after all." Shino says in shock and I smile.
"Seems like, I'm the perfect opponent for her." I state drawing their attention back to me as I close my eyes. "Everything I do is made of pure chakra. My shield, my whip, my blade. My entire fighting style is her weakness." I take another drink from my canteen.
"True, but are you up for it?" Kakashi asks making me nearly smirk around my canteen before I pull it from my lips and cap it again, calmly placing it back into the pouch on my hip.
I open my eyes and look to him meeting his gaze as I run my gloveless fingers over my right hand feeling the fresh pink skin. "Just say the word, and I'm there."
