The remnants of a battle was nothing new to any of them. Broken trees turned to splinters, uprooted ground, trails leading all over the place and devastation was all that remained here. But it was of a scale and caliber that perhaps they had not seen before.
Bending down on his knees Guy surveyed the ground below, specifically the trails left behind by what he knew was Kakashi. There was Yamato's as well and..whatever else there was. A third party with pointed tracks left on the ground. And given what they knew of Kakashi and Yamato's abilities, it was possible that most of this uproot and destruction was caused by him. And that did not sit well with them at all. Every one else stood above and around Guy watching his every move.
"They went this way, no doubt about it." Neji said looking over his teacher.
"I don't understand these other marks." Guy said holding a twig and running his hand over the ground, but was careful not to interrupt the soil. "Such strange footprints." he said aloud looking at them. Specifically the ones with the pointed tips.
The group continued to look on silently. Guy and Neji looked to each other or exchanged some silent unknown information to each other. Shino just as easily chimed in as well. Leaving the rest of them to look on. Naruto stood beside Sakura with his arms crossed. Seeing the three talk amongst themselves eh uncrossed his arms and spoke up.
"So what now?" Naruto asked, only now seemingly content that he wasn't the leader.
The three looked back at him. Guy turning his head over his shoulder, Neji tilted his head towards Naruto and Shino hardly moved at all though his eyes did roll over to him under the cover of his glasses. Guy placed the stick back on the ground "I suggest we split up from here." Guy said standing up. That suggestion shocked those with him, namely Sakura, Tenten and Naruto.
"Guy Sensei you can't be serious?!" Tenten let out.
"Of course I am." he insisted "We'll cover more ground that way. And these tracks veer off in case you can't see." he pointed to the ground. "Kakashi's go that way." he pointed off into the distance. The others with the pointed toes just seemed to disappear.
Everyone took note of where Guy was pointing now. Though his observations were correct and he had two sensory type ninjas to back him up, the way he was pointing was back the way they came.
"That's towards the village." Tenten said embarrassed. Realizing his fault Guy did an about face, twirled around and pointed in the opposite direction.
"Indeed! Kakashi's tracks do lead both ways!" he said, now pointing away in the direction they would be heading if they had not stopped to observe and investigate the battlefield "But that won't fool me!" He bombarded their ears. Which isn't what you want if you're doing recon. But he did have one point, though no one admitted it aloud. The freshest trail did show him leaving the leaf village. The others, however were harder to follow and indeed harder to trace. It seems they would be at one point before appearing later at a further point than when they last saw them. Something no normal jump could accomplish. It was possible he could fly "It seems he was following something or something was following him." he pondered as he brought his hand from pointing away to rub his chin "There's only one way to find out. We follow that trail!" he declared.
"How are we going do that?" Ino asked.
"I wish Kiba was here." Naruto groaned "Annoying or not he'd be able to track"
"Like your one to talk." Sakura pouted
"We don't need Kiba." Guy said after hearing Naruto. He then turned around to face them all "Neji and Shino are all the sensory types we need on a venture like this." he said motioning over to the two who hardly seemed to appreciate or acknowledge the attention. He then turned to the two "Now, Shino I'll be following your lead." Guy said, and no one knew if that had registered with Shino or not since he gave no signs of acknowledgement. Of all the members of Team 8 Shino was the one Kurenai always highly recommended. Guy then turned his attention towards Kakashi's student "Sakura you'll be covering our rear. I'm counting on you." He shot a thumbs up at her.
"Wha-" Sakura let out surprised by the sudden breaking of their group "Me Guy Sensei?"
"Of course" Guy flashed a smile "We'll have to distribute the teams evenly after all." he put his hand down to point at her "And your strength should do well to compliment mine as we rely on Shino to lead us."
Sakura was stunned-almost embarrassed by his praise. So much so that Ino grumbled beside her. But still Sakura felt almost unworthy of the praise.
"But sir-" she let out in a voice still showing surprise "What about Naruto? Will he be with us?"
"No." Guy answered "We're splitting up as I said." he said before turning over to his own student "Neji, as the only other jonin and sensory type you'll be leading with the other team." he said as he turned to him "Ino and Tenten should serve you well Neji", but keep an eye on Naruto. He's the bait if anything goes wrong."
"What!? Bait?!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Now there's no time to lose." Guy said without missing a beat "Good luck!" Guy said ignoring Naruto's protest by slamming a fist into his open palm. It was time to initiate his plan.
The teams split off as instructed and followed their individual paths. For Sakura that meant tailing Guy's and Shino as they followed Kakashi's trail which lead further and further away from the leaf village.
"Ah I can't wait to see the look on Kakashi's hidden face when he finds out I caught up with him even after his head start." Guy smiled as he thrust himself through the branches.
From behind him Sakura was quiet, but reflected to herself.
'At least some ones optimistic' Sakura thought, thinking she could even see Guy's smile from behind him. She then looked over and ahead of him to Shino who hadn't said a word, but was just as dedicated to the cause as her; seeing this as an opportunity to make up for how he couldn't help all those years ago with Sasuke. A sentiment she shared as well. And despite what Tenten kept saying about Guy, he was the most qualified person to lead this expedition. Even Neji for all his skills, she wasn't sure if he could have handled this alone. The thing that she thought she appreciated the most from Guy was his unwavering optimism and dedication; something he and Naruto shared. Especially in this unnerving time when threats seem to be popping up constantly.
She smiled at the thought of Naruto with his group now. She even looked over her should to see if she could catch a glimpse of him, but she couldn't. Once they split up, they veered off farther and farther from each other. For both their sakes and Kakashi, their team, the whole village she was going to contribute. She was going to help bring him back THIS time.
She looked ahead with determination, ready to make her mark on history... only to see that Guy and Shino weren't there at all. For all her declarations and being of help, right when the situation changed she got ahead of herself, lost sight of her group and though it was likely unintentional on their part, they had left her behind.
Shocked by her abandonment she missed her next landing on a branch and fell to the ground. She fell hard landing on her knees but she quickly bounded back up into the air to keep up, but found she was obviously worse off now than before, having veered off to the right from her original course. When she got back up to the tree, she looked around to still see no sign of anyone.
'Oh Great.' she thought to herself. 'Some help you are huh?' she scolded with her head hung low. She looked around at the stillness of the trees and leaves. It seemed not even the wind blew here.
She had only two choices now. To continue on ahead in the last direction, she saw the two heading, or to break off and try to find either group. There was security in both results, but uncertainty how to get there. She couldn't remain idle for long and she was no sensory type ninja. Instead, she insisted on keeping the same path and headed forward. Though due to missing her mark and falling as she headed forward she only ended up isolated from both groups.
As she bounded forward from tree to tree, she kept her eyes opened for anyone, but her ears even more so. She didn't hear a single thing other than herself. Jumping further ahead she took note of how it seemed absolutely nothing was going on around her. Until a sudden ruffling of trees up ahead caught her attention.
'Alright! I'm not as far behind as I thought' she thought, now optimistic about her situation 'I just hope they didn't realize what happened and ended up waiting for me.' she pouted pessimistically about it. Hopefully Ino doesn't find out. But if it did end up being her group at least she would be with Naruto and help him again.
Jumping off and veering right she followed the sound she heard before she made her way through the forest towards where no doubt Guy and Shino must be, following the sound she heard them make. She stopped for a moment when it suddenly stopped. She looked all around her eye level up in the trees. Then she got the feeling something else was here with her. But she couldn't see it, where was it?
A shifting of bushes and branches beneath her was heard now.
Dropping her eyes, she saw a black figure moving through the trees beneath her.
"Hm?" she let out confused. Lost as she may be this might be worth her attention. Whoever this was may be lost and in need of help and while Sakura herself may be in the same situation she could certainly lend a helping hand. That was her initial thought, but then a more threatening one crept into her mind.
Then again, there was also the possibility that this person was a threat. Given all the warnings they received recently and how both Yamato and Kakashi went out into these same woods to find it, who knows what she just stumbled on. She stopped cold at just the thought of it and saw the dark figure below move between two wider trees. Sakura realized whichever the answer was she had to investigate.
Swooping down to the ground she flanked to the left around this figure and quickly took cover behind one of the larger nearby tree trunks. Peeking over to get a view of who this was she heard it approaching by the soft sound of their footsteps coming around a tree. A hand appeared placing itself on a nearby tree and an followed it bringing out the black robed figure. And Sakura was actually kind of surprised by what she saw. She was a young woman; she looked around the same as she was if not a few years older, though she was on the small side. She seemed to be walking almost aimlessly, but the look on her face made it seem she around for something.
'No one that big could be a threat?' she thought.
She had a few strands of hair in between her eyes, and it was black like the kimono she wore. On her sleeve was some kind of badge, but it wasn't from any village she knew of. But more importantly her eyes locked onto the sword handing from her belt.
"A sword!" she screamed out in surprise. Though perhaps a bit too loud because this woman looked over right in her direction. Quickly Sakura ducked for cover behind a tree.
"Hello!" a voice called out to her concerned "Is some one there?" he called again before pausing briefly "Renji is that you?"
'Oh way to go' Sakura grumbled to herself as she knelt down covering her mouth. It seems there was little else she could do now 'Well here goes nothing.' she thought before a sigh. Picking herself up and grabbing ahold of the tree she flung herself over the side and into the open.
Landing on her knees, bent over on the other side of the tree, she quickly picked her self up and looked up at the woman standing across from her. Wide eyed and a little confused, she none the less seemed disappointed in who was before her.
"Oh" she let out in surprise "I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else." she chuckled nervously.
"Are you lost?" Sakura asked once she stood herself back up.
"I'm not, but he is." she said her voice changing from sweet as honey to complete bitterness.
"If you're not lost, then what are you two doing here?"
The smile from the other woman turned blank when she said that. Her eyes went wide, and she appeared to be unsure of how to answer her.
"I'm just a.. tourist." she said unconvincingly though a break in her tone and face gave away otherwise.
"Tourist?" Sakura repeated feigning confusion, but sensing foul play "From where?"
She blinked with wide puppy eyes before her "Around." she eventually answered plainly.
"Well that's rather interesting." Sakura said confrontationally letting it know she knew the lie being told. Stepping forward the woman stepped back, but stopped short of reaching for the sword "Because I've heard reports of wandering swordsman causing a lot of trouble recently.." she seemed to be pondering each word she said carefully. In truth she was thinking of people she knew who could have possibly gotten themselves into a situation like that. There were quite a few. "and they've put my friends in danger and caused my teacher to go missing."
"I have nothing to do with that" she insisted "You have my sympathy-"
"I don't want sympathy!" she spat out which shocked both of them. "But I want answers."
"I don't have them." she replied, trying to assure Sakura the truth now. Her voice becoming deadly serious when she said that "I don't think I can help you-not now at least." she said and her voice and stare softened on Sakura I wish I could. It seems like you've been through a lot." that sounded like genuine sympathy coming from her. Possibly from someone who'd been through similar circumstances herself. And even though Sakura wanted nothing more to do than help those she cared about, that seemed to strike a cord with her. "But I have a mission. I have to find someone myself."
"This Renji?" Sakura asked.
She nodded "Not intentionally. We came together, but we got separated." she admitted "So now he's one of them I have to find. But I can't let anything get in my way." she paused
"In the way of what?" Sakura asked raising an eyebrow and watching her dangerously close.
The woman let out a breath "There's something else, or someone in this world that doesn't belong. And we were sent to find them." she told. That was the task she was assigned and once she found the others she was looking for that's what she was going to do. Though much had happened around Sakura she did not seem to view her with suspicion on his whereabouts or any of the others.
'The Tail Beast!' Sakura quickly concluded 'Naruto!'
"Maybe this disturbance is what caused your teacher to disappear?" she proposed. But she didn't know everything or else she wouldn't of said that.
"I already know it's not." Sakura replied "With everything going on it seems to be because of people like you"
"Like me?" she repeated shocked "I haven't done anything!"
"Then answer me this." Sakura said "Who are you? Really this time." This time she didn't seem hesitant to comply
"My name is Rukia Kuchiki." she answered with a small smile. Despite everything the two were going through it was warm and reassuring and it managed to put one on Sakura's face too. "What's your name?" she asked politely.
"Sakura Haruno." she said in a lighter voice to match Rukia's.
"Well.. I wish we could have met under better circumstances."
"Yeah.. me too." Sakura agreed realizing she had a mission of her own.
The two starred at each other for a little longer contemplating each other's words.
"So am I free to go?" Rukia asked although Sakura could tell she already knew that answer.
"I'm afraid not." she answered.
"I thought so." she smiled one last time.
For Sakura it seemed her time to help had come. A threat or at least a potential one was here right before her. She knew her teams were out there somewhere, but then again it seemed so was Rukia's. They were at a crossroads and with neither one willing to back away. One would have to break.
Sakura reached back, pulled out Kunai knives and threw them towards Rukia. In a flash Rukia drew her sword and it flashed brightly once it met with sunlight breaking through the trees. She blocked each of the small knives with her sword and prepared for Sakura's next attack. Sakura cocked her arms behind her back, leaned her head forward and charged at Rukia. She meanwhile stood her ground until the very last moment when Sakura bore down on her with all her strength.
At the last second Rukia flash stepped away and Sakura instead punched the ground causing a small crater to appear.
Looking up Sakura saw Rukia floating in the air above her.
"You're not gonna spend your time running away are you?" she asked.
"Even though you intend to do me harm, you're still a human." she answered from above "Though one with freakish strength." she admitted with a concerned chuckle as she saw the aftermath of Sakura's punch, thinking it greater than even Chad's.
"And what are you supposed to be?"
"I am the lieutenant of the thirteenth division. A soul reaper." Rukia answered.
"And I'm a chunin level ninja of the Hidden Leaf."
Sakura hopped up out of the small crater and on to level ground "I thought we were both resigned to this. At least have the respect to fight me like a real warrior."
Slowly Rukia lowered herself to the ground "Alright" she said "If that's what you want" she picked up her sword "You might want to stand back a little." Wide eyed Sakura stepped back away from her. "Dance!" Rukia said, and she turned the sword in a counter clockwise circle. A white ribbon suddenly appeared from the pommel and Sakura thought she could even see snowflakes.
Then suddenly a gust of ice cold wind swarmed over her and she wrapped her hands around her body.
"Sode no Shirayuki " Rukia said getting Sakura's attention again "It is regarded as one of the most beautiful zanpaktou's." Sakura un wrapped her arms off of herself and looked closer at Rukia's sword. True as she said it was a marvelous weapon even just to stare at.
"It is pretty." Sakura admitted looking over the sword again, but it was like the first time because now it looked a bit different.
"Are you ready then?" Rukia asked and Sakura nodded. "Good". Now they were going to fight for real.
Sakura rushed Rukia again charging at her like she did before. Just like before Rukia stood her ground. Then she stabbed her sword into the ground and a trail of ice started approaching Sakura.
"I wouldn't let that touch you." she warned, but it was too late. Sakura had already stepped onto the ice and it quickly encased her foot and began travelling up her leg immobilizing her on the spot.
Then much to Rukia's surprise Sakura vanished before her eyes and was replaced with a.. log?
"What?!-" she let out shocked.
"Substitution jutsu!" a voice called from her left side. Rukia looked over to see Sakura coming at her rearing her arm back. Rukia put her sword up to try and block her attack.
Sakura lunged forward and punched Rukia in the face, her fist drilling into her cheek. The force was so great it sent her shooting back through several trees which broke in half from her rocketing through them. Hurling through the forest she came back down to the ground tumbling across it before skidding to a halt.
"Damn." she let out from the ground. Shaking her head and finding the strength, slowly she picked herself up from the ground "That was a hell of a hit." she spit out blood from her mouth. She didn't bother to wipe some of the dirt and grime from her body, but that was the least of her concern. She couldn't even remember the last time she got hit that hard from just an ordinary punch, though that certainly wasn't ordinary. That was strength likely to even rival Captain Komamura. Even though it was just one hit Rukia could tell whoever trained Sakura had done a good job. Perhaps it was this teacher she lost.
Looking up she saw Sakura swoop down from the trees and landed on the ground across from her.
"How about a warning next time?" she asked as she shook herself up "I gave you one."
"Next time." Sakura nodded. Rukia then prepared herself. Sakura had more than strength it seems, given that move with the log. But she had other techniques to rely on as well.
The two looked the other down from across the clearing and then charged each other. They clashed in the middle with Rukia slashing her sword, but Sakura moved left to dodge it. She threw a punch at Rukia who ducked down dodging it and then swiped up with her sword. Sakura jumped back and threw three ninja stars at her. Rukia slashed each one away before tucking her sword away and putting her hands out in front of her.
"Hado #78!" she shouted as two bolts of energy escaped from two of her fingers and hit Sakura sending her back hitting against a tree with a hard 'thud' and then hitting even harder against the ground. Rukia watched as Sakura struggled to get up just as Rukia had before. Then Sakura picked herself up standing to her full height. Rukia readied herself for another attack, but even she was surprised by what came next.
Sakura turned her back to her. Then bent over backwards grabbed the tree and tugged on it.
"Whatcha doin?" Rukia asked curiously blinking with wide eyes. She watched stunned as Sakura picked up the entire tree, roots and all and hurled it at her. Though she shouldn't have been the surprised Rukia stood in place and once she regained her composure slashed at the tree cutting in two pieces. Having each one fall to her side.
Then from where she had just cut, appearing where the tree just was Sakura appeared with her knife drawn. Sakura lunged down at Rukia who put her sword up to block the attack. The two pieces of met clashed as they struggled against each other. Rukia certainly had the stronger blade, but Sakura herself was stronger. The two struggled in place against each other and then at the same moment pushed against the other sending them back sliding across the dirt. Sakura readied herself, but Rukia had range with both her sword and her abilities.
Rukia slashed at Sakura cutting her deep across her left shoulder tearing her red shirt open there. She let out a brief cry before swinging her leg up and kicking Rukia in the face hurling her across into another tree.
Sakura's shoulder was bleeding significantly, covering her entire arm and mixing in with her shirt. She brought a hand up to cover the wound, but blood still escaped from gaps between her fingers. She knew what she had to do next.
Leaning on her sword Rukia picked herself up and looked over to Sakura whose hand was covering her shoulder.. and glowing?
"Is that it?" Rukia asked hoping this was over now. Sakura smirked.
"Fair warning." she said taking her hand off "I can heal myself." revealing a clean shoulder with not even a scar to remember her attack.
"Well.." Rukia's wide eyes blinked as she shifted awkwardly "thanks for that I guess" Rukia held her sword up. Feeling rejuvenated Sakura charged at her and Rukia did the same. Then the two charged each other again. Sakura threw a punch at Rukia, but she disappeared before her eyes.
Then from behind she saw a glimmer of steel. Sakura ducked as her sword cut her along her cheek and she slid under and away from the blade. Turning around she saw Rukia already pressing her attack. She swiped her sword at her, but Sakura jumped away blocking her attack.
Her feet skidded along the ground before she stopped, but it wasn't for long. Jumping off her heels she charged at Rukia. Flying through the air she reared her fist back for another powerful punch right in front of her. This one was going to end it.
"First Dance, White moon!" Rukia called out holding the sword upside down. Then it started to glow just as she drew a circle with the sword. The spot she rounded on the ground began to glow all around Sakura and then suddenly ice shot out from it. The ice encircled Sakura capturing her in it as it rose high into the sky above even all of the trees.
And just like that it was over.
Rukia looked up to the clear tower before her. Completely still as if it was one of the trees around them. And just as still inside of it was Sakura, her body wasn't lunged forward to press an attack but standing upright as if she was floating in water. The look on her face had changed as well. Not anger or determination. Instead, she looked at ease. The sun shined brightly off the pillar of ice before her, reflecting as it would off her sword.
With gentle eyes she looked to the pillar of ice and Sakura trapped inside it looking like a frozen reflection even as she was trapped inside.
"...I'm sorry..." Rukia whispered softly as she dropped her head with a heavy breath. "When I'm done I'll-"
Suddenly all at once a thunderous roar erupted all around her breaking through the sky. Before she knew what happened something strong and fierce collided with her face. The pain she felt was beyond anything she'd experienced; stronger than anything Sakura had done before or any other foe she'd faced. She was propelled away crashing through several trees and breaking through the air and ground.
Rukia lay limply on the ground, her sword laying just as lifeless beside her. Too weak to pick herself up, she hardly had the strength to even see who did that. Out of the corner of her eye she, saw a man clad in green, with an aura to match it. His skin was flaming red and his eyes were bright, burning yellow. Veins were bulging out all around his body.
The ice was shattered all around him, and he had Sakura flung over his shoulder before placing her onto the ground. Then he turned his rage filled eyes back to her.
Before she could even blink he was on top of her with a raised fist, engulfed in flames. Defenseless Rukia could do nothing but lay there and take the hit.
Luckily for Rukia someone had come to her defense. A small black shadow jumping before her, standing defiantly before he could unleash another attack.
"Get down!" the black cat's masculine voice roared to her.
"Morning Peacock!" the enraged man screamed.
Rukia quickly covered her face with her arms and moved her head down as the two clashed.
Border with the Land of Fire
Piccolo landed abruptly on the ground next to a standing Kakashi. The land was flat and level here, and like the forest they just came was covered in trees. But there was scarcely a leaf on them for all these trees were old, rotten and dead. Though they were tall and reached even higher, they were plain just like the rest of the land before them. Piccolo starred on ahead besides Kakashi.
"This is the border with the Land of Fire." Kakashi told "Not much for cover" he admitted looking at the scarcity of the land around them. It was also the spot of another recent battle where Kakashi aided Team 10 against Akatsuki members Hidan and Kakuzu. In fact in the nearby was the Nara family forest where one of them was still trapped in the ground. ", but it'll have to do for us now. The Village hidden in the-" he stopped, turning over to see that Piccolo was looking back the way they came. His face was usually hard and introspective, but those looks were engrained deeper into his face as if deep in thought. Kakashi could tell now that something else was going on "What's wrong?" he asked.
"It's strange..." Piccolo began as he remained looking back "When I left home, we left some one behind to guard it against a possible attack. Yet I can't help, but feel his energy here in your world."
"Gohan?" Kakashi surmised and Piccolo nodded as he remained looking back
"What's more if it really is him, I don't even know how he got here."
Kakashi titled his head to Piccolo "Is he close?" They were on the road for Piccolo's other friends yet to find Gohan here was strange given Piccolo's account of what happened to them. Was something else going on here? Kakashi wondered.
"I can't say for sure" Piccolo said aloud keeping his eyes back on the forest ", but something's going on back there from the way we came."
Kakashi looked back with him "You think we're being followed?"
"No not at all." Piccolo answered making Kakashi wonder what it was he truly heard "But we may have gotten out of something bad."
"What do you mean?" Kakashi asked.
"You can't hear that I suppose?" Piccolo turned back to him with a look of dread in his eyes "Something's wrong." Kakashi waited to listen "You said your students were Sakura and Naruto correct?"
A flash of shock appeared in Kakashi's eye "What about them?"
Piccolo lowered his head and his voice was heavy with warning "They're in trouble."
Kakashi let out a breath "So do we follow through to find your friends or double back for mine?"
It seems like Kakashi knew what he wanted to do. But so did Piccolo.
Sunagakure
Gohan dashed through desert sand as a deadly gust of wind came at him. He bounded off mounds of sand as he dodged another surge of wind that sliced through the air as sharp as a knife, cutting anything it hit. He leaped away soaring into the air, but as he came down the sand burst open beneath him and spouting up from it came a terrible mimicry of a human. A demented mechanical being with four arms and jagged teeth came up from the sand. It's blank face opened its mouth as volleys of poison tipped darts shot up at Gohan.
With a furrowed brow Gohan raised his arms above his head "Masenko!" he cried out as he shot his blast down on the machine. He continued his way down undisturbed now and then landed where it once was and starred down his two opponents.
"Crow-" Kankuro grunted as his puppet was reduced to nothing "No!" he said in disbelief.
"It's a good thing we got that messenger bird when we did." Temari said as she held her fan beside him "Who knows what might have happened if he caught us off guard."
"Yeah…" he agreed "and we know what he's here for." he growled as he glared at Gohan the markings on his face highlighting his scowl further "Or who."
Gohan planted his feet firmly on the ground and raised his arms to fight. Truthfully, he had no idea how it escalated to him fighting them. They showed up and took off in the direction to try and find his father, brother, Trunks, Piccolo and even Vegeta. Then before he knew it they were in the desert, travelling for some time before he found what he thought at first was a mirage; a town- no a village! Right here, hidden in the desert.
Gohan went ahead and flew down to the village gates where he was greeted by the two he's fighting now. When told them he was looking for his family and friends who were only here to look for the dangerous tailed beasts. But his words, it seemed to only put them on edge and they whispered something to each other 'Gaara', 'Chojuro' and 'Akatsuki' whatever that meant. Then out of the blue they perceived him as a threat and attacked so he had no choice, but to defend himself.
But he wasn't the only one dealing with these problems.
Baki threw kunai knives at Ichigo only to have him swing his giant sword and swipe them away. Then he threw them at his feet and Ichigo jumped back to take a stand next to Gohan.
"Wanna remind me how we got into this mess?" he asked.
"Don't look at me." Gohan said "I didn't throw the first punch." They two of them looked across the sand dunes as the other three lines up against them. "But maybe I'll get to see your Bankai now." he said eagerly. Having only seen one before he was interested to see what another could do. And this would also be the first time he'd see Ichigo in action.
"Maybe you will." Ichigo responded slyly keeping his eyes on the three ahead of them. He was just as interested to see what Gohan could do up close; some one who can beat a Captain level soul reaper was certainly no pushover.
Gohan then turned his attention from Ichigo back to the three ninja "I gotta say these are some unique techniques." he complimented them as she stood in his fighter's stance.
"We haven't even started" Temari stated.
"Good, cause neither have I." Gohan responded confidently.
"Don't count me out!" Ichigo added after him. Together with Ichigo they were ready to press their attack. Gohan was about to send a blast right at them, but he stopped as he noticed a giant wall of brown; a sandstorm approaching them from over the village. So large that it looked like everything around them just rose up into the air and now was about to crash down on them like a wave "Hey look out, there's a huge sandstorm coming!" he yelled, discarding his boast and now worried for their safety despite being in a battle against them.
"We know." Kankuro said "But you're the only one who should worry about it." he said with a now confident smirk to replace his glare from before. Temari's look was now the same. While this certainly confused Gohan he didn't think much of it as the sand passed over both of them and headed straight towards Ichigo and him, moving as if it had a mind of its own.
"What!" Ichigo let out gripping his sword.
In retaliation Gohan puts his hands together, bent down and placed them at his side "Kameh" he started as the sand storm got closer "hameha!" he shouted bringing his hands forward and unleashing the blast on the wave of sand.
But then as if anticipating him the sand wave opened up and the blast passed through it not hitting it at all as it swerved around him. Startled Gohan ceased his attack and once he was done firing it, the sand moved closing the whole and fell back down on him.
The two of them jumped back as it crashed down to where he once stood and then continued to slither around. Landing away from it they saw as the sand continued to pour downward travelling all the way from up in the air. Following the flow of it and turning their attention to the sky, they looked up in the sky to see someone floating on a pedestal.
"Is that a person?" Ichigo asked peering up. Without answering him Gohan jumped up from the ground to go confront whatever it was. As he got closer, he realized that there was in fact a person floating up here on a cloud of sand as if it was his own Flying Nimbus Cloud. He was young it seemed, younger than both Kankuro and Temari. He did not have any sand or puppets, but a large gourd carried on his back. He had red hair and beneath his hair, but above his left eye was red writing. His face otherwise was plain and his face blank. His eyes, however had dark lines around them and piercing blue eyes that starred at him as he approached. Gohan stopped his ascent right before him.
"Hey there!" he greeted sharply with some aggressiveness in his voice.
"Who are you? Explain yourself." the red haired man commanded in a soft, but harrowing voice.
"My name is Gohan." he introduced himself "Who are you?"
"I am the Kazekage of the Village Hidden in the Sand. My name is Gaara."
"Gaara." Gohan acknowledged "Well then, sorry if our arrival stirred things up" he said looking down at Kankuro, Temari, Baki and Ichigo.
"And why would that happen?" Gaara asked getting Gohan's attention "Why would you're arrival cause do so much?" he asked. The last time such strange visitors came to this village it was the Aatuski and he lost that battle. Whatever this was he ould not lose it "I can tell you are not from around here" Gaara stated "The symbol on you adorn is not one of any nation I know of." he said pointing to his flamboyant Saiyaman outfit. It seems he stuck out no matter where he went "Where do you come from and why are you here?"
"I was brought here from another world believe it or not." Gohan chuckled. He was expecting a confused reaction from Gaara, but received none.
"Go on." he didn't seem the least bit perplexed by that statement, but still wanted answers.
"Well, if possible we'd like to be on our way. You see I came here looking for a party of friends and family. That on other guy down there." he pointed down to Ichigo and only Gaara's moved to follow his finger. "He's my guide."
"Guide for what?" Gaara asked stiffly "What are your friends hoping to find?"
"We're here to find and beat the tailed beasts." Gohan proclaimed with a raised fist.
Gaara's eyes suddenly shot open in fright showing more white than before. "Well then" he said recomposing himself letting out a breath "that explains your motive for all the trouble you've caused already." he said as he raised his arms. The two of the starred off in the sky as a huge wall of sand surrounded them from all sides. It was clear to Gohan now; it was Gaara who commanded it "I am the former host of the very beasts you claim to seek. The one tailed Shukaku."
"Host? Shukaku" Gohan asked and confirmed as the sand swayed around them.
"This sand has my chakra running through it." Gaara explained "I can control it. It is a part of me and I can use it to defeat my enemies. And now I'm going to use it to defeat you." he said sternly.
"But you said former right?" Gohan asked trying to reason with him "Then does that mean you've been saved?" Maybe that was their purpose here to fight the tailed beasts and save their hosts.
"Only by dying." Gaara said his voice as soft as the wind but didn't hide his intentions to fight.
"But what about the others? How many are there?"
Gaara stood still as his stand shifted around him "There are two who remain. The eight and nine tailed fox."
"Only two huh? And where are they?"
"Hidden away in their respective villages. The Cloud and Leaf." Gaara told. Cloud, Lead, Sand. Gohan was beginning to understand how this world worked. "But I will not allow you to make it to them." Gohan was startled by that again. If it was the beasts they were to defeat and not their hosts and Gaara lost his tailed beast why was he still loyal to the others.
"If you insist." Gohan smirked. This is what he came here to do, to help his family in any way possible. He found an unlikely opponent in Gaara it seemed.
Gaara waved his arms as the giant sea of sand surrounding them closed in and Gohan charged him.
"I guess diplomacys over." Ichigo said from below. He looked to see Kankuro, Temari and Baki ready to fight him "Alright" he let out a breath "Three for me?" he paused looking them over and thinking back to the three lieutenants he faced on Sokyoku Hill "Nothing I haven't dealt with before." he grinned.
Next time: What goes up must come down. There are two sides to every story. See the other side of these chance meetings.