Chapter 10: The Second Battle Part 1

Tazuna let out a sigh, stretching his arms above his head, moaning in bliss releasing the tight feeling in his neck, arms, and back.

"Whew! Well I'm all sweaty, and real worn out from all of the work on the bridge today, but construction is almost complete!" Tazuna softly cheered, chuckling to himself.

"Father, you and Naruto are two of a kind. Please don't work yourself to death!" Tsunami begged scolding her father for making her worried.

Naruto let out a small "ooooh" of pain from overworking himself, still tired from his nap. While Tazuna just gave her a 'Yep.' While not really paying attention.

Naruto kept moaning finally feeling the after effects of over doing it. His muscles ached, his body was sore, he just felt so tired. Kira let out a small sigh shaking her head. Across the table Inari looked sad, on the verge of crying actually.

Naruto looked up staring at him confused. "Whats wrong?" He asked making the whole table stop and stare.

Inari was crying but he looked so mad. "WHY DO YOU WEAR YOURSELF OUT TRYING? NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRAIN, YOU'LL NEVER BE A MATCH FOR GATO'S THUGS! YOU ACT ALL COOL, AND YOU TALK TOUGH BUT BUG STRONG GUYS LIKE THAT ARE ALWAYS TOO MUCH FOR PEOPLE WEAKER THAN THEY ARE. THEY'LL DESTROY YOU!" Inari screamed slamming his hands on the table glaring hatefully at Naruto like it was his fault his father died.

"Shut up! I'm not you and I'm not going to lose!" Naruto growled out.

"JUST WATCHING YOU TICKS ME OFF! YOU GO RUNNING YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW A THING! THIS ISN'T YOUR TOWN! AND YOU DON'T KNOW A THING ABOUT ME. YOU'RE ALWAYS CLOWNING AROUND AND HAVING FUN. YOU DON'T KNOW A THING ABOUT SUFFERING OF LONELINESS OR WHAT MY LIFE IS LIKE!"

Kira gasped clutching Naruto's hand, he just pulled away from her. Anger setting in his system, "So you figure it's noble to star in a melodrama and treat everyone around you like guests at your pity party?" Inari looked shocked and confused. "It takes a really big man to sit around and cry you brat! You big baby!"

"Naru," Kira called watching him get up and walk away. Sakura glared at Naruto annoyed. "Naruto! You went too far!"

Naruto only let out a hmmf sounds not bothering to argue. Naruto said what needed to be said. Inari ran outside crying. The room was silent as everyone glanced at one another. Kira stood from the table choosing to go after Inari.

Sasuke growled standing from the table storming after Naruto. He was so mad at that idiot, all Kira wanted to do was make him feel better, everyone knows she's the only one who would want to make him feel better.

Naruto completely took advantage of her and brushes her aside when she's trying to comfort him?! He couldn't believe it. Sasuke was going out of his way to make Naruto happy, Kira better thank him later.

Kira found Inari staring at the ocean hugging his knee's to his chest, sniffling to himself.

She frowned walking over to him. "You okay if I join you?" Inari didn't speak as she sat herself beside him, watching the waves lap at one another.

The cool night breeze blew through their hair, wrapping them in a cool blanket. "I know you're upset…and I know you're mad at Naruto but listen he isn't that bad of a guy. He doesn't know how to word things, sometimes he makes it worse by trying to make it better." Kira sighed staring up at the bright moon.

"You two are a lot alike." Inari scoffed glaring at the water hatefully. "No it's true, you're both a bit bratty." Inari glared at the smiling Kira. "Relax it's a compliment, but you're wrong about Naruto. He knows very well what it's like to be lonely and how bad it could be for you." Kira frowned thinking back to when she first met Naruto.

"He doesn't have a father," Inari looked up shocked. "He doesn't have a mother either, he grew up never knowing them. Ridiculed and mocked for the stupidest of things. Treating him like a monster most of the time. So Naruto does know how you feel."

Inari frowned staring at the ground. "Why does he act like he's fine with it?" Inari finally asked. Kira pulled the kid into a half hug, holding him close to her.

"When I first met Naruto we were probably about your age, it was after school ended and Naruto was just hanging out by himself. Sitting on a swing watching the other students run around playing. I was waiting for my big brother to come pick me up, I knew he would be late. He's always late. But when I saw him I had to talk to him, it was just this urge that I felt. Forgetting my backpack I ran over." Kira smiled fondly at the sea.

Five year old Kira sat at a picnic table snacks in hand watching the other kids run around and play. Parents picking up their children, parents chatting with other parents, some kids were even doing their homework already. Naruto sat a few feet away watching the kids sadly.

He knew better than to go up and try to play, his stomach growled, hungry for missing breakfast and lunch. He looked skinnier than the other kids, his clothes practically hung off him.

Naruto let out a small sigh slumping his shoulders even more. "Hi!" He jumped staring at the gray haired girl holding a bag of apple slices in her right hand. A few scratch marks littered her face but looked to be healing fast.

"Hi?" she extended the bag toward him in a way to offer some.

"Would you like some? Kashi won't be here till later and I brought extra!" She explained smiling brightly, Naruto stared at her suspiciously looking for any form of trickery.

Slowly he reached for the bag and took a couple apples. Kira's smile grew even bigger than before sitting down beside the blond haired boy. Crunching from the nice juicy apple could be heard for a few minutes between the two.

"Do you want to play Ninja?" She asked after a few moments.

"You want to play with me?" He asked shocked staring down at her wide eyed, confusion deep in his aqua blue eyes.

"Yeah! You're always so funny in class! I think it would be fun!" She exclaimed standing up practically jumping with excitement. Naruto smiled brightly and the two ran off chasing one another. "Look out! He's right behind you!" Kira's tiny voice yelled giggling to herself at the invisible invader.

Naruto spun around doing some arm movements, kicking his legs in the air as if he was trying to kick someone, and making strange whoosh noises making Kira double over laughing.

"You got him! Konoha is saved! You're my hero Naru!" She giggled wrapping her arms around Naruto's neck and pulling him into an innocent kiss on the cheek. Naruto stared at her stunned, a smile glued to his lips. He hasn't had this much fun in so long, he can't remember the last time he had this much fun.

The two were having so much fun they didn't even realize how much time had passed.

"Kira you ready to go?" Teenage Kakashi asked walking over to the last two kids playing at school. Naruto stared up at Kakashi with wide eyes, nervously hoping he wouldn't make him run away from his new friend.

"Kashi, Kashi! Can Naru come over to play?" she asked excitedly giving him her best puppy dog eyes before running over to Naruto and hugging his arm, trying and succeeding in looking cute.

Kakashi stared down at Kira and Naruto, squinting his eye at Naruto who was practically sweating his skin off. Fear glued him to his spot, not sure what to say or do.

"That's fine with me, Naruto would you like to come over for dinner?" His eyes widen in surprise.

"Really?"

"Yay! Come on Naru! Kashi said we could have Ramen tonight for dinner!" Kira giggled very excited, she was so happy Kashi said yes to letting Naruto over. She knew he'd be a fun person and she was happy that Kashi could see it too!

"Of course, lets get some dinner you two." He extended his hand to Kira, her backpack already over his shoulder. Kira quickly grasped on then lactched her hand onto Naruto's. Naruto smiled to himself. They were so nice.

"I can't answer that for him. I can tell you that he cares about you and your family. He might show it a weird way, but he does." Inari leaned fully into her side staring at her knee.

"I've known Naruto for about eight years now and never have I seen him cry or even use his troubles as an excuse to sulk or be a coward. He tries his hardest, hoping someone will notice and give him a kind word or a pat on the back. It's his dream. He's risked his life for it." Kira tried not to think of him lying in the middle of the woods passed out form sheer exhaustion.

"I just think one day he must have gotten fed up with crying." Kira glanced down at the boy in her lap running her hand over his head.

"Gato and his men are really scary." Inari spoke softly.

"I know but we'll do all we can to stop them. In the end Gato will get whats coming to him after everything he's done, all the people he's hurt, all the lives he took. I'll make sure of it." He hugged her tightly.

"Will you promise to stay safe?"

"I can try, but I will promise that you and your mother and grandfather will be okay. Cross my heart." She made an 'X' over her heart.

Inari nodded. "I'm sorry I can't do much more to make you feel better, but just know that Naruto won't leave you alone,"

"Why not?" Inari whined. "Because you've gotten under his skin." Kakashi answered spooking Inari into a sitting position. Kira turned around smiling at her older brother. "She's right you know, you and Naruto are a lot alike." Kakashi smoothly walked over to the two sitting on the other side of Inari.

Inari blushed looking away. "Feeling a little better Inari?" he nodded standing up from his seat. Walking off on his own, most likely to his room.

"Telling him how you and Naruto met?" Kakashi laughed smiling down at the younger girl. She bumped his shoulder with her own.

"One of my favorite memories from then, not everything was as perfect as people seem to think." Kakashi nodded holding her hand in his staring down at the water now.

"I know…"

"I don't blame you, you know." The two shared a look, Kakashi nodded squeezing her hand. "We're good now, that's all that matters. Thanks to you, Naruto and I are best friends." Kakashi pulled the girl close to him resting his chin on her head. She smiled hugging her brother.

"He's lucky to have you, an idiot for not reciprocating your feelings, but lucky all the same." Her eyes shot open in fear.

"You knew!" She shrieked pulling away shocked.

"Of course I know! It's so obvious with how close you two are and didn't I tell you, you aren't allowed to start liking boys till you're thirty?!" Kakashi called chasing after his sister who decided to run away giggling.

Sasuke grumbled glaring at the stupid blond idiot smacking him upside the head when he wasn't looking.

"What the hell! Leave me alone teme!" Naruto glared rubbing the back of his head to ease the pain. Sasuke pushed him off his tree stump he was sitting on.

"What the hell is your problem?!" Naruto snapped standing up so that they were at even heights.

"You're my problem!" Naruto rolled his eyes annoyed. "You can't just brush her aside when she's trying to make you of all people feel better." Sasuke snapped.

"Who am I brushing aside?" Naruto asked dumbly.

Sasuke threw his fist back slamming it into Naruto's cheek. Naruto held his face in pain. "You're hopeless!" he rolled his eyes walking away. "What do you mean 'you're hopeless'?! You make no sense!"

Sasuke was practically boiling, Naruto has never seen Sasuke so red in the face before. What was his problem?

Sasuke wanted to scream at Naruto for being disrespectful to the only woman on this team that actually mattered, to not hurt her, to treat her like she was a queen. To Sasuke, Kira was his queen. She deserved to be pampered, to be happy, to be shown that she is loved.

Even though the two fought well together Sasuke didn't want her to fight. She could get hurt. She could die in one of the battles they will be in if she isn't careful. But right now Sasuke wanted to defend her honor, stupid Naruto.

As much as Sasuke wanted to yell these things he couldn't. Then Naruto would know that he likes Kira. Naruto and his big mouth could ruin everything.

Naruto stared at Sasuke confused thinking back to what happened at dinner. How angry he felt when Inari said that he didn't know anything, Kira had reached over to try and comfort him but Naruto pulled away.

'Is he talking about Kira?' Naruto never imagined that Sasuke of all people would care if he had brushed Kira aside. He didn't think he hurt her feelings, Kira and Naruto both knew that sometimes they just needed a minute to their selves. It's why Kira didn't chase after him. She knew he needed some time to himself.

Naruto then started thinking about all the times Sasuke would be close to his best friend, stare at her, practically glued to her hip at one point. 'Does Sasuke like her?' It would make sense why Sasuke is yelling at him right now. But that's insane. Sasuke doesn't like anyone.

"Whatever teme." Naruto walked away thinking just maybe Sasuke liked Kira. Did Kira like Sasuke? Sakura asked her who she liked and said it was someone in this group on the way here.

It wasn't Kakashi. That's her brother and that would be super weird. It's not Tazuna he's too old. Can't be Sakura, Kira can't stand being around her for more than five minutes. It had to be Sasuke. Why does everyone like him anyway? He's not that cool.

He's a pain in the ass and gets everything handed to him on a silver platter. He wished it was different, he wished Sakura would like him instead of Sasuke. She was so pretty and smart. She's always looking out for him.

Naruto let out a sigh thinking of the pretty pink haired girl. He saw Kira running away from Kakashi snickering to herself over something. Everyone thinks that they would be good together but no. Kira was practically his sister. She looked out for him, made sure he ate, she even helped clean his apartment when it was super messy.

When they were in school she'd help him with homework, well she tried to help him. It would be weird if they ever were together. Then what would happen if they broke up? They'd stop being friends and she would never speak to him again.

Kira wasn't even really his type anyway, she was quiet while Sakura was loud like him. Sure Kira was smart, funny, and her eyes were really cool but she just wasn't for him.

And Kira liked Sasuke so it didn't matter, even if she said she didn't he knew she did.

The Next Day:

Naruto snoozed away snoring lightly while others walked around getting ready for the day. Kira shook her head smiling softly at the blond haired boy letting out a small sigh before walking to the kitchen to get started on some of Inari's chores.

"Well! Please take care of Naruto." Kakashi called having already known this might happen. "He's worn himself out. I doubt he'll be able to move for the rest of the day." Kakashi chuckled shaking his head.

"Be safe Kakashi," Kira hugged her brother tightly before pulling away smiling at Sakura giving her a wave. Though it seemed like she was waving to all four of them.

Kakashi waved as he walked with the group ready for this mission to be over with.

"Come on Inari lets get started on chores." Inari grabbed onto Kira's hand pulling her with him to the kitchen where they would help Tsunami with dishes from breakfast. Kira was very thankful that Tsunami had left a plate of food for Naruto when he woke up.

Three hours roll by and Naruto's screaming echoed through the house. "What the?! I over selpt!" He cried shooting up from his bed and dashing all around the house to see if the group was still here.

"Hey! Hello?! Where'd everybody go?!" Naruto ran around the house like a chicken with it's head cut off.

"Oh! Naruto, what are you doing up? Master Kakashi wanted you to take today off." Tsunami called from her seat pausing in her knitting. Inari sat beside his mother holding the yarn around his hands to help her.

"Oh I knew it! First chance they get, they leave me behind!" Naruto cried throwing clothes off and onto the floor in a hurry to get dressed.

"I'm outta here!" Naruto yelled on his way out. Kira walked in with a basket of freshly folded laundry staring at the front door. "He really is a bit of a dummy." Kira sighed shaking her head, facing Tsunami with a small smile.

"Where would you like me to put these?" she shook off whatever shock she had and pointed to the stairs. "If you could place them in the upstairs closet I'd be very grateful."

"No problem!" Kira did as asked placing the folded linin away in the cupboard, something didn't feel right though. She couldn't place her finger on it but something just didn't feel right.

The hair on the back of her neck stood up as she walked down the stairs. "Inari could you help me clean the living room?"

"Okay mom, but I'm in the bathroom now!" Inari called.

The feeling started to get worse, a strong twist in the stomach made Kira halt in her walking. Listening carefully to what was going on throughout the area. She heard the chirps of birds, the pitter patter of the small animals running through the forest, the wind blowing through the trees, and something else.

Two loud thumping sounds. They were slow and steady, almost like a heartbeat. A loud crash sounded from the inside of the house. In the kitchen with Tsunami!

Rushing forward to the room she found two males staring at her, a creepy look in the one male's eyes. Tsunami was frozen in fear, sweat forming at the stop of her brow. Kira forced herself to stay hidden behind one of the doors waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

"Old man's Tazuna's daughter, huh? Sorry, but you're coming with us."

Tsunami let out a scream falling to the floor backing away only to hit the cabinet blocking her way of escape. "Mama!" Inari screamed running out of the bathroom horrified to see his mother trapped.

"What do you want brat?!" The one male said in a bored like tone.

"Run, Inari! Don't come in! Find Kira!" Tsunami screamed to her son, terrified for her sons safety.

"Should we grab him too?" the one with the eyepatch asked.

"We only need one hostage." Inari stood froze in fear clutching the door terrified.

"Heh too bad for him." Kira clenched her fists, practically seeing red. She'd make these men suffer, she'd make sure of it. Quickly making a few clones.

Grabbing her kunai she clutched on tightly preparing for the battle at hand. "Ya know, killing a kid? Seriously? Man you guys are lame." Kira called stepping out of her hiding spot leaning against the door frame.

Both men turned to look at the girl. "I thought the old mans daughter and grandson would be alone." Eyepatch said confused.

"Does it really matter?" the other asked.

"Anyway, are you really that much of a loser that you want to kill a kid who can't protect himself? Does it make you feel all high and mighty? Let me guess? It gets you off at night?"

Eyepatch let out a small growl trying to act intimidating.

"Take care of her." The leader of the two commanded. Eyepatch didn't seem to protest. He cracked his knuckles chuckling, trying to sound like an evil villain.

"Aw you think he can beat me so easily? Why don't you join in. Then you both can try to kill me, honestly guys eyepatch over here isn't that intimidating. Please how did you even get your eyepatch did you fall on a pencil or something? Wait! Let me guess you wear it to look cool. You seem like the type."

Eyepatch snarled rushing forward sword in hand running forward no hesitation. Kira avoided the swing jumping on the wall, running to stand on the ceiling.

"You don't give me enough credit." Kira used a few hand signals before blowing a jet of water at eyepatch. He yelled in surprise. Kira watched as his skin began to blister, steam pooled off his skin in waves. He clutched his arm in pain. Glaring heatedly at the gray haired girl.

The fire like feeling spread through her veins again, the hunger for blood returned. Her eyes stung a bit but all that could escape her lips were a few giggles.

Another jet of water shot at eyepatch, this time he was able to escape the stream of hot water. Kira flipped down shooting forward launching her kunai into his hand forcing him to let go of his sword. The blow stung.

"Inari! Get your mother and go!" She yelled as her second clone attacked the leader of the two. He fought her off but had to be careful. Inari was shaking with fear, he turned into a ball wanting nothing more than to hide away. Crying to himself.

The first Kira latched her teeth onto Eyepatch's arm, eyepatch cried out in pain. It felt like hundreds of sharp needles piercing his flesh, ripping the skin free from the muscle below.

Inari stood up rushing to his mother when the other man was distracted. "Come on mom!" He cried pulling her to her feet and rushing out the door.

Eyepatch slammed his free hand into Kira's side as hard as he could trying to get her to release. Kira cringed in pain biting down harder. Ripping the flesh clean away from his person. Blood drippled down her neck staining her shirt. Spitting the meat from her mouth. Kira froze for a moment or two before blacking out.

The clone Kira knocked her enemy across the floor. Her enemy was panting blood seeping through his open wounds on his face, arms, body, everywhere.

The screams stopped the battle completely.

Both getting distracted by the original Kira ripping skin free from the man's neck, blood squirting everywhere. Clone Kira gasped shocked seeing what had happened. Glowing red eyes, her gray hair was practically floating as she dived in for another taste. With inhuman strength she ripped his chest clean open.

Kira's once pale figure was stained with blood. Her glowing red crimson eyes locked down onto the dead man before her, panting, her chest heaved up and down. Her wild animalistic eyes searching the area. The dead meal losing her interest.

The man seeing his chance shoved his sword into the clone's chest. Clone Kira gasped staring down at the sharp object before soaking the man in water.

Forcing himself to stand he watched her wearily. Her wild crimson eyes locked onto his movements. Baring her fangs when he got close.

The hatted man back up fearing for his life. Edging closer to the hole in the wall, thinking of only escaping.

He ran for it, turning his back toward the possessed girl. She launched from her crouch position dashing through the house tackling the man to the ground. He cried out as she latched onto his neck, spilling blood freely. The man felt around for anything he could use for a weapon.

A rock. He just barely reached the rock, grasping it in his hand as she ripped another chunk of flesh from his neck. He was done for. But that doesn't mean he won't take her down with him!

Slamming the rock hard into the girls head, she finally went limp. Releasing her hold on him, he cried with relief clutching his neck to try and stop the bleeding.

"Heh, heh, heh," He laughed panting, staring down at the unconscious girl. The man took a deep breath calming his nerves. He was so close to death from a mere twelve year old. What the hell was wrong with that kid?

"Kira!" Naruto's yell startled the man. Naruto stared down at his best friend covered in blood, presumably dead on the ground. Glaring he attacked.

"Wait man you don't understand!" The unnamed man yelled terrified.

"You bastard!" Naruto yelled knocking him to the ground pummeling him over and over again. "You hurt her! You hurt my best friend! I'll kill you!" He yelled tears in his eyes.

The unnamed man passed out from pain but that didn't stop Naruto. He kept punching the man till his fists were bloody. Inari and Tsunami ran out to see Naruto.

"Naruto!" Inari called halting the blond from harming himself even further. Turning around he found the two, Tsunami had a hand to her mouth shocked. Inari looked worried. Naruto moved his gaze to his best friend.

She let out a small groan holding her head when she rolled over.

"Kira!" He yelled running toward her. She blinked a few times, squinting up at Naruto.

"Hey Naru, what're you doing here?" she asked confused. Looking around she saw Inari and Tsunami safe. She smiled brightly "Way to go Inari, you saved your mom!" Inari ran over wrapping his small arms around the girl.

"Thank you for saving us." He whispered. Naruto smiled at the kid. "You should have seen him Naru, he was so scared but he was able to get away with Tsunami they wanted to use Tsunami as a hostage and was going to kill Inari."

"You did a great job Inari, you're a real hero." Inari stared at the two shocked.

"How did you know those Samurai were coming?" Inari asked Naruto this time.

"Oh there was a stuck pig back in the forest, cut to ribbons with a sword and trees with fresh deep slashes in their backs going in the direction of your house. Wasn't too hard to figure out, I got worried."

Inari stared at Naruto surprised. "Even with Kira here," Kira frowned staring away from her. She couldn't believe what she's done. "But forget that, Inari I owe you an apology."

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, umm, I'm sorry I called you a baby, and it's not true. Okay?" Naruto patted Inari on the head. "You're a big, strong boy!" Naruto's words caused the boy to start crying.

Kira smiled softly. Inari and Tsunami were safe. They're okay now.

"Ohh no! I promised myself I wouldn't cry. Now you'll make fun of me again…" Inari cried trying to wipe the tears away from his face.

"No way!"

"Huh?"

Naruto gave Inari one of his bright smiles "Nothing wrong with crying when you're happy!" Inari bottom lip started to quiver as more tears fell. He wanted Naruto as a big brother. "I'm glad you're okay Inari. I was so scared for you guys."

Inari stared at Kira shocked.

"You were scared?" She nodded leaning closer pretending it was a secret.

"Of course, I don't want anything to happen you guys. When he tried to hurt you I just lost it! No one gets to hurt you anymore." Inari launched onto Kira hugging her tightly.

"Kira-chan!" Kira giggled hugging the boy tightly her head no longer hurting she felt so much better but still felt uneasy about what she saw. Was that really her?

"If they attacked us here, that means the bridge is probably a target too." Naruto commented looking at the one guy knocked out on the ground. "Hey Inari, think you can handle things here?" Naruto asked smiling down at the boy.

"Yeah,"

"Kira you stay here and rest up…"

Kira got off the ground tasseling Inari's hair. "Thanks but I'm okay Naru," he stared at the blood stained clothes worriedly. "Trust me, lets go kick Gato's ass." Naruto smirked nodding his head.

"Yes ma'am." He smirked down at Inari "Man this 'Hero' thing is a lot of work!" Inari giggled yelling 'you bet!'