Hey guys sorry for the delay from both my partner and I. We'd like to let you know that we have the next couple of chapters complete and will be updating once a week for at least two more weeks. As always questions, reviews and requests are always reviewed with us so let us know what you think!

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Chapter 18

*Lie's POV*

Akumu and Ezrah opted out of the preliminary battle while I was away. They were paired with each other and decided against showing the other villages what the Kuriyama clan could really do. I was intensely interested when I saw that Shizuko and I had been paired.

We had done little more than some small taijutsu training against each other, and I had never seen her Holy fire before. It looked terrifying, and I doubted my normal water jutsu's could hold its own against it. But that didn't stop me from whispering to her through the darkness. I wanted to see what we were capable of against each other. I desired to take that angel out.

I closed my eyes when I thought it though. Something deep inside of me hurt when the thought crossed my mind. We were mortal enemies her and I. A demon and an angel. Even worse she's started to hone her angel powers, and I still had to find out where she was hiding that Heaven book. I looked up at my mate as we sauntered out of the arena to find Kakashi waiting for me.

I looked over at Akumu and Ezrah, " Go ahead and meet up with Nanuzuki, I will come soon."

Akumu reached down and kissed the top of my head and slowly walked away. I could feel the connection loosen every time we separated even slightly. It was almost painful. I walked towards Kakashi, "so what is this now Lie? Are you going to betray your team?"

I walked alongside him in silence for a short while, we weren't really heading anywhere in particular just aimlessly progressing, "possibly Kakashi. You knew what I was before the rest of the team did. You and Shizuko always knew it could come down to this. I will crush anyone who gets in my way Kakashi. That has and always will be true."

"That gets in your way of what Lie?" He asked stopping suddenly in the small woodsy area we had walked into.

I smirked a little, "I can't tell you that Kakashi. There are parts of me that want different things."

I felt a grip both tightening and loosening as I walked farther away from where I knew Akumu and the others were. The bloodlust lessened and the dread of missing half of myself grew stronger, waging a battle inside.

"If you hurt them Lie I will not hesitate to take you down. It is my responsibility as your sensei," Kakashi said seriously.

I laughed at that, "Yes Kakashi I suppose it is. I hope you stick to that too. Because if I ever do. I will not hesitate to try and kill you too. At that point what I want will not be for anyone in this world to live. Remember this moment Kakashi. It only gets worse from here."

I felt more lucid than I had since Akumu fed me his blood. I wanted to run and hold on to this feeling, but he would find me again and never let me out of his sight. I had to be smart in the moments where I was still sane. I walked away from Kakashi who seemed sad in a way. I didn't have time to worry about that or feel sorry for myself. I walked towards the outskirts of the village. Why would I feel sorry anyway? I'm stronger, and I'm more powerful than ever. I'm free. I jumped the big wall surrounding Konoha and let my body pull me towards wherever the boys were. No one will be able to stop me. I found a tiny encampment surrounded by a cloud of darkness. I entered to see the guys sitting around a campfire.

"So what do we know about Holy fire?" I asked taking my place to the right of my mate.

The next week didn't go by fast at all. It was spent training with each one of the guys. However, the practice wouldn't be sufficient enough. I tried to subject myself to as much light as possible to prepare for her light attacks, but it was worse than usual so much so that I had to get my blindfold back to tolerate most of it and I knew I'd have to use it during my fight with Shizuko. None of the guys had ever had to fight an angel, so none of them knew how to defend against holy fire. On day 3 I set out to Konoha library hoping to find some answers. If this didn't work, I had every intention of traveling to the villages that had previously surrounded the village of angels to see what information I could find out.

Once I had made it to the library, I gathered all the scrolls I could find on the surrounding area or angel folklore. Unfortunately, they had nothing helpful. The village of angels secrets where very well hidden for a village that had so many allies. I was going to have to dig deeper.

*Later that night I had prepared to break into the vault where they kept the forbidden scrolls. I knew I wouldn't find the book there but maybe some information on Shizuko's village or attacks that could help me not die in that holy fire. It was easy to travel in the shadows under the door to the vault. There was a guard always outside, but if I took the scrolls far enough in the back of the building, I wouldn't even be heard by the guard if I decided to speak, which was unlikely.

I pulled a few scrolls down and started reading. One after another I had gone through and learned about several leaf village ninjutsu and summonings that were considered forbidden, but none of that interested me. I had gone through about ten when I heard a light laugh.

"I jumped surprised. Not many people have ever successfully snuck up on me before. I took a kunai out but, the voice calmly said, "Put your weapon away child I'm not threatening you."

I recognized the voice of the Hokage as the old man stepped into view from behind a tall rack.

I didn't lessen my grip on my weapon, "are you here to punish me for being here Hokage-sama?"

He chuckled, "it seems that way, doesn't it? However, I am not here to punish you, child. I know what you're doing here because I know you witnessed my conversation with Shizuko. I am the Hokage after all."

I nodded attempting to measure up how much I may have underestimated this man.

"You, however,, will not find anything on the village of angels here. I never advise against research however I wish if you'd like to look into something classified you run it by me next time young one."

I huffed discouraged. I had already wasted over three hours looking, and I was on a wild goose chase, "it won't happen again. There is no reason for me to keep looking here. What I seek is obviously not in Konoha."

"You seek the book don't you," I didn't answer him only looked his way.

He smiled, "Did you try asking Shizuko for the information you need?"

I laughed a little, "no Hokage-sama I have not and will not. I don't really know what I need, but I know I need to see if that information is there or not. Life isn't that simple for me to just ask to see something considered so sacred. Maybe once when life was easier if I knew that Shizuko was aware of where it was before it would be possible. I will be on my way Hokage. I will see you at the exams."

With that, I did a hand sign and morphed back into my shadow and sailed away.

The next week was pretty dull. I had escaped the overbearing nature of Akumu to run into town and get some supplies since we were currently camping on the outskirts. However, when I headed in the direction of the market, I had run into a very irritated looking Sasuke.

"You look more pissed than usual. What is wrong with you?" I asked in a carefree way as I grabbed some carrots from the market.

"I'm just anxious. I have to fight Gaara in the finale."

I smirked, "He looks strong. Be weary Sasuke not to get overwhelmed by him or that mark of yours. I'll be rooting for you."

I turned away.

"I don't know if I will be rooting for you," He said with a slow, steady tone.

I smiled sadly with my back still turned, "You should root for Shizuko. She will need it more than I. See you in the arena Sasuke."

I went to walk away, and he grabbed onto my wrist stopping me, "Lie what is really happening with you?"

I turned towards him and stared into his deep black eyes. They looked sad and confused. Maybe I was just imagining it. I couldn't look away, "I'm becoming a terrible person Sasuke, and there isn't much I can do to change that face. We aren't going to be teammates after the exams Sasuke. I can say that I will miss you."

I went to turn away again, and he stopped me. I quickly faced him and dropped my grocery bag. I grabbed the back of his hair and smashed my lips to his. The kiss was long and silent. His lips tasted like sweat and his smelled of musk. When he went to put his arms around me is when I broke off. Looking him in the eyes, I just smirked and picked my groceries back up and walked away. Leaving Sasuke in the middle of the plaza trying to catch his breath.

I sighed heavily and went to finish my shopping. I knew I had to get rid of these strange feelings I have developed for Sasuke. He entertained my thoughts too often. For now, though I'll just have to ignore it. I can't think about it too long it is pointless to do so. It wasn't supposed to happen him, and I. That was my final goodbye.

… The next week was both long and short as I prepared for my battle by both training and spending a lot of time meditating in my dark cave.

Shizuko POV

Not even an hour later I found myself at Ramen Ichiraku listening to Naruto complaining about Kakashi picking Sasuke over him, Sasuke, and talking excitedly about his new trainer the pervy sage Jiraiya.

"Well, it sounds like you found the best trainer of all Naruto." Amusement colored my tone as I resisted the urge to laugh.

"Hey! You should meet him! Maybe he'll train you!" Ramen was splashed around as he flung about widely. I shook my head.

"Thank you for thinking of me," looking down at my vegetable Ramen I swirled around the broth, "but I need to find my own trainer and my own way." Looking back at him he tried to look wise, shutting his eyes and nodding.

"Wait so does that mean we won't see each other for a whole month?!" Naruto's voice echoed in the shop, I blushed as heads turned our way. I bit my lip and nodded.

"I'm leaving at daylight to go to my home village to find a trainer." Naruto started pouting, pushing his food away. "Wait why are you going back? I thought your clan was dead?"

"They are. At my level, I won't be able to beat Lie. I'm hoping I can find jutsus to attack her specifically and train in my village."

"Hmmm. I get it, just don't go without saying bye." I nodded as I stared at his blue eyes as we smiled at each other, before going back to eating and his ramblings about beating Sasuke. It felt like home again.

After saying goodbye to Naruto before the sun rose, I was back on the familiar road to the Village of Angels. Unlike last time nothing eventful happened. I found myself in front of the graves I dug for my family and the villagers under the statue of our protector Araqiel, clutching the Heaven book. It's two golden angels glinting in the sun, one man and one woman, both hands clasped over the other grasping the hilt of the village sword.

All this drama, over a book. I scoffed and opened the book. I remembered Orochimaru's face as he threatened my friends over this book. I will stop him from hurting anyone else again.

With that thought, I sat on the dirt leaning against the statue and started flipping through the book. Near the end of the book, a page with gold lettering caught my eye, the name of the jutsu "Angel Summoning Technique" A unique class of summoning that calls forth immaterial angels that serve the summoners bidding. Just like normal summons, spirit summons requires you to sign a blood contract with them. The summoning reflects the soul of the user if the summoner is evil of heart they will be obliterated by the power of the angel.

I can get strong enough to protect everyone. Naruto's, Kakashi, and Sasuke's face flashed in my mind. With that set in my mind I started making the hand signs, Boar-Dog-Bird-Monkey- Ram. The sky was turning dark as I kept trying to summon someone-anything, I could feel myself getting dizzy the longer I kept using my chakra.

"One more" I panted as my head pounded in my ears. My world went black as I felt blood trickle from my nose.

DREAM SEQUENCE

Darkness surrounded me, it was peaceful, I wasn't plagued with the conflict that resided in my head over Lie and the worry... A golden light emerged out of the darkness.

"Hello?" my voice echoed in the darkness.

"Why have you called on me Shizuko?" a deep dignified voice came from within the light.

"H-How do you know me? Who are you?"

"I know who all my children are, I am who you pray to and seek protection from." His voice was warm, It was like being in my father's arms during storms.

"Araquiel," I whispered reverence in my voice.

"Yes my child. I mourn for your fellow clansman that was destroyed because of greed and lust for power that is so often found in humans." His angelic voice was darkened with scorn.

"Are you here to help me, my lord? Are you the answer to my prayer?" I asked hesitantly, averting my eyes from the light. From the corner of my eye, the golden light disappeared.

"You may look at my child." Peeking up Araqiel had taken on a more human form. He was tall, lean, and pale with long blonde hair in a high ponytail with a long strand between his eyes. With golden glowing eyes that had pupil slits with large white wings that fluttered behind him. He's very handsome…. I blushed as I gazed at him.

"Yes, I agree to take the contract with you, as I believe we have the same goals." The next moment he appeared in front of me with my hands clasped in his. "However this will be painful and challenging for you. It will be painful getting used to my spirit being attached to you, and you must listen to my guidance, I will never steer you wrong. Do you agree to these terms?"

I looked up into his golden eyes and nodded, I need him to get stronger, I need to get rid of Orochimaru. Araqiel's lips quirked into a smile as he pulled out a dagger and cut the palm of his right hand and held it up.

"I always promise to guide you and share my secrets with you to help you achieve your dream."

Taking the knife that appeared, I winced as I sliced my left palm and held it up, "I promise to work hard to make you proud, and to always listen to you, my lord." Araqiel gave me a gentle smile as he put his hand to mine as his blood ran into mine and mine to his.

"Wake up." his voice whispered into my ear.

End dream sequence

With a gasp, my head whipped up from the hard ground as I looked around me frantically. But, all the greeted me was silence and the destruction around me. I sighed and laid my head on my knees as an I clutched my knees. "It must have been just a dream." I sighed.

"Don't be silly I'm right here Shizuko." I turned my head to meet Araqiel's face right in front of mine with his eyes closed and a content smile on his face. My face red, I scooch back. "My lord?!"

"Only you can see me, and if you can't I'm always right here." his sweet voice echoed in my head. "Now are you going to sit there all day, or are we going to train like we agreed to?" He asked his hands behind his back. Jumping up I bowed and apologized.

"Good, now come at me…" That was the first words of when my training began for the month. I had no idea what I was getting myself into that day. I was going to get stronger that's for sure, but I had no idea what I would lose when I signed a contract with an angel.