Last time, the Naz'riak launched a direct attack on the castle, their goal: destroy Will and the other Guardians. Just as one of the demons was about to seal up Cornelia's powers, Taranee, Hay Lin, Naruto and the other ninjas arrived to save the day. The Naz'riak were driven off, and Sakura defeated one of them, yet the demon killed itself before it could be questioned. (Note: The poem 'Do You Care' was written by Dark Magician Grrl, and is used in this fic with her express permission, so thank you Dark Magician Grrl.) On with the show!
Chapter 8: Change of Strategy
The next morning found our heroes relaxing after last nights' battle. The ninjas had settled in several of the many empty rooms of the castle. Taranee was telling Will, Irma and Cornelia about what she and Hay Lin saw in Konohamaru, while Naruto and Hay Lin were discussing the fine points of Ramen. "There's more to ramen than what meat or vegetable you use," said Naruto, "You have to consider how well cooked the noodles are." "The quality of the noodles is important," said Hay Lin, "You also have to factor in what seasoning you use."
Meanwhile, Irma was asking Sakura, "How is that you can do what you did, last night?" "You mean 'the Soul-sonic?'" asked Sakura. "Yes," answered Will, "What was that all about?" "Well, in order to understand that," said Sakura, "You need to know the basics of Ninja Arts." "Explain away." Said Cornelia, so Sakura explained:
"All ninja arts begin with stamina, or physical energy. With stamina you can either use it for taijutsu, or convert it into chakra. Taijutsu is pure martial arts, that is, hand to hand combat. Converting stamina into chakra requires a combination of hand signs. There are twelve different hand signs, each representing the twelve animals of the Zodiac. Now, once you have chakra, it can be used for either Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. Ninjutsu techniques are used for physical effects like the 'soul-sonic,' or a substitution. Genjutsu techniques are illusions like this…"
Sakura then made several hand signs, and disappeared in a blast of smoke. When the smoke cleared, there stood an exact look alike of Cornelia. "Oh my god!" exclaimed Irma, "Two Corneys! I don't think the universe can handle two of them!" The illusion faded and Sakura was back to her normal self. "Does that explain your questions?" "Is certainly does." Said Will.
After that, Sakura picked up a small notebook and started writing something in it. Taranee bent over to see what it was, and Sakura closed the book defensively. "I just wanted to see what it is you're writing." Said Taranee. Sakura hesitated before saying, "Okay, but you can't tell Saske about it, or Ino, she'll laugh at me. Taranee read:
I stand by you everyday
I'm always sending smiles your way
I think of you late at night
I help you when we need to fight
I always answer when you call
But do you care about me at all
If only you could see the real me
Then maybe my heart would be free
You brighten up my day
But do you feel the same way
I so desperately want you to know how I feel
But could it be something real
This doesn't seem fair
Please tell me do you care
My heart races for a chance
To be the one you show romance
You're my shinning star
But for me, would you go far
Please tell me what I want to hear
Tell me you'll always be near
If only you could see the real me
Maybe then my heart would be free
You brighten up my day
But do you feel the same way
I so desperately want you to know how I feel
But could it be something real
This doesn't seem fair
Please tell me do you care
I've always believed dreams can come true
That maybe someday my world would start anew
But would you stay with me
Or would you leave me be
This is my one and only wish
How I long for your sweet gentle kiss
You brighten up my day
But do you feel the same way
I so desperately want you to know how I feel
But could it be something real
This doesn't seem fair
Please tell me do you care
My heart is beating
My mind is far from sleeping
Please let me be the one
Please let this feeling never fade and be gone
"I call it 'Do you Care,'" said Sakura, "I hope to show it to Saske someday." "You really like him." Said Taranee. "What's not to like about Saske?" said Sakura, "He's so dreamy, so strong, so bold, not to mention he's the best looking Chûnin in Konohamaru period."
At that time, Elyon entered the room. "Good morning everyone!" said Elyon with a huge smile on her face. "You seem extra cheerful today." Said Cornelia. "I should be," said Elyon, "What with you guys watching my back, and our new ninja friends, we'll have this whole demon thing wrapped up soon." "There's just one problem with that theory," said Will, "We don't know where the Naz'riak took the children they already took." "Well," said Elyon, "Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Just then, Vathek burst into the room. "My queen! The demons have attacked several villages. Almost a hundred children are missing!"
Later that morning…
Reports had came in, four villages had reported green fog between midnight and dawn. "So instead of taking the children from the city," said Will, "They're attacking in the outlying villages where they are less protected." "How many villages are we talking about?" asked Saske. "At least 150." Answered Vathek. Will was surprised that Naruto and the other ninjas weren't surprised at Vatheks appearance. "'We've seen weirder things,'" Naruto would later say.
"What can we do to stop this madness?" asked Hay Lin. "Simple," said Elyon, "We get the children to the safety of the city, all of them." "My Queen," said Vathek, "Do you mean to have all the villages evacuated?" "Just the children," said Elyon, "The demons haven't hurt any adults or destroyed any property." "I need to see a map of the outlying villages," said Will, "If there's a pattern in their attacks, we can guess where they'll probably strike tonight."
"Okay then!" exclaimed Naruto, "I have a plan!" "Is that a good thing?" asked Irma. "It depends on the situation," answered Sakura, "Most of the time it's a good plan, the rest, not so good." "If you're finished," said Naruto, "Here's my plan: We evacuate the villages by day. At night, we'll stake out probable locations where the enemy will attack. When they attack, we kick demon ass."
"You know what," said Taranee, "That really sound like a good plan." "That may be," said Saske, "But we can't be completely positive where the demons will attack." "It's a necessary risk." Said Elyon. "There's another concern," said Caleb, "Once the children are here, how are we going to feed them all?" "Easy," answered Elyon, "I'm still finding hidden cashes of food my so called brother stole from the people. Believe me, food is not a problem."
That evening as the sun went down over Meridian, Elyon and Cornelia stood on the balcony overlooking the city. "We managed to save 90 chilren today," said Cornelia, "That's 90 kids the demons won't take." "That's only three villages evacuated today," said Elyon, "There are so many still to go." "Don't be so hard on yourself," said Cornelia, "You're doing all that you can." Elyon sighed, "Any leader has to make difficult decisions," she said, "But the worst are when you have to choose who lives and who dies."
"We don't know that the demons kill those they take," Said Cornelia, "Right now, we don't know anything about them. Look, Naruto and the other ninjas have staked out where we thing the Naz'riak are gonna hit tonight. Will and the others are here in the city. You've done all that you can, so try to relax." "How could I have ever thought you my enemy?" asked Elyon. "You can blame your quote unquote 'brother' for that." Said Cornelia.
The next morning…
Irma ran down the hall to Elyon's room just as Elyon opened the door. "Elyon!' exclaimed Irma, "Naruto and the other Ninjas are back!" Both Guardian and Queen ran to the main hall where the ninjas were sitting about eating a hasty breakfast. Naruto was having his usual ramen. Meanwhile Kiba and Garra were having a whispered but heated argument.
"What happened?" asked Elyon. Naruto held his hand to tell her to wait while he gulped down the rest of his ramen. "Not much where I was," answered Naruto, "Ask Rock Lee and Garra, they had all the fun last night." "The demons attacked two of the villages we were watching," said Saske, "And they hit one we weren't. By the time we got there, it was too late, at least 35 were taken."
"Damn!" exclaimed Elyon, "What about the two villages you were watching?" "The children of those are fine and safe in the city." Answered Sakura. "When the demons attacked the village Rock Lee was at," said Ino, "He single handedly fended off the biots and defeated one of the demons." "Yet that demon killed itself before we could ask it any questions." Said Shikamaru.
"What about the other village?" asked Elyon. "You want to know what happened?" asked Kiba angrily, "I'll tell you what happened; his f#ck$ng psycho here," he pointed at Garra, "went on another one of his little killing sprees. He crushed one of the demons without even trying to take it alive!" "I'm here to fight demons and other fell creatures," said Garra flatly, "There wasn't anything about capturing." "Well next time," said Naruto, "Try to take one alive. We need to find out where they took the children."
Rock Lee however was recounting his battle with the demon to Hay Lin. "With one upward kick, I launched the foul creature into the air. I then jumped up to grapple it and hurled it toward the ground, thus delivering the 'Lion Barrage' technique upon the low demon." "It must have been a great fight." Said Hay Lin. "It was," said Rock Lee, "And it wasn't without its rewards." Rock Lee then showed Hay Lin the face-like stone he took from the demon. "I present this small token of victory to you, Miss Hay Lin."
As Hay Lin admired the stone, another battle was according in Rock Lees' mind. What is this feeling? Thought Rock Lee, Can it be that I have a crush on Hay Lin? And what of my feelings for Sakura? Can a man be in love with two women at the same time?
He's so brave, thought Hay Lin, Taking on that demon all by him self. And he has such gorgeous eyes. Oh My God! Am I crushing on Rock Lee?
Meanwhile…
"Report no.1," said the Empress, "How fare last night's culling?" "Forgive me Great One," groveled demon no.1, "But only 35 were taken. At the other villages we were stopped by the Shinobi, no.13 and no.19 have been killed." There was silence from the image, yet the Empress was seething in anger. "My Empress," said demon no.1, "You have the power to have me destroyed with a word. I have no excuse for my failure." "Death is too good for you," said the Empress, "Instead, I have something else in mind for you. Something different, something unpleasant…
The end of chapter 8. What unpleasant and obviously painful plan does the Empress have for demon no.1? We'll find out in the next chapter. Until then, please read and review. See you next time!
