..Chapter Twenty-Five..
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Her head throbbed, it ached. Who and the hell had hit her? Who was the blond... woman? Yes, the woman with black piercing eyes. She had been a woman right? It had been so hard to tell, especially now with her head hurting like someone had knocked into her with a log. She tried to move but felt restraints. She blinked her eyes open under the shades and looked out into the darkness around her.
Great. Perfect.
More darkness for her to stare endlessly into. Where the hell was she? Where was her team?
"Kei? Are you alright?"
She heard a voice from behind her and realized she was tied to her team mates. All of four of them were bound with their hands behind their backs. There was more rope about her ankles and around the whole of their bodies pressed up back to back. Two to two. She looked over at Sunako, whom she now realized was next to her. She began to nudge him, trying to wake him. "I'm fine, Ryu. Is Rei awake?"
She could feel him shaking his head behind her. "No, I'll trying to nudge her."
"Oi, Sun-kun!" She said urgently in the man's ear. "Wake up." She nudged him again. After a few more tries and heated whispers it took blowing in his ear to jolt the emotionless shinobi awake.
"Finally."
He looked over at her, his eyes narrowing as he came out of his daze. "Did you..." He looked almost perplexed if one could call it that. "Did you just blow in my ear?"
Her face suddenly bloomed in embarrassment. Did he have to be so uncouth? "I did it to wake you up," she hissed.
His lips twitched. "I take it that means you don't want another kiss at the end of this?"
She gaped at him, mouth wide open at her eyes bugged out of her head. "You! Oh!" She fumed. "You're... you're..." She grunted. "You're so lucky I'm tied up right now." Wait... did he say 'another'? Her eyes were narrowing again, but this time... with questioning deep pools of blue. "Did you just say what I think you said?"
"Who kissed what?" Ryu was asking. "Since when are you kissing people Kei?"
She tried to shift around enough to hit him in the back with her tied arms. "It was a dream, you idiot. It doesn't count."
"Why not?" Sunako asked.
Her eyes and rage flashed to him. "You were there weren't you? This whole time I assumed it was just... a dream. Why didn't you say anything?"
He leaned in close. Close enough that she feel his hot breath on her face. "Why didn't you?"
She shivered.
"Are you cold Kei?" Ryu was calling to her again.
"Shut up!" She yelled at him. Her eyes remained on Sunako. He was daring her with his eyes. He hadn't moved away and he was... just staring at her. The intensity of his gaze made her feel like she was playing a game with him, a battle.
"I didn't think it was real," she finally said.
He arched a brow but he hadn't moved away. "I meant what I said." As if to drive his meaning home he gazed down at her lips.
She was blushing again! Damn him! She really couldn't be upset with him though. Not when he was complimenting her. She sighed. "And what about the other stuff? Did you mean that too?"
"Yes." It was said without hesitation.
"Hey, do you guys, ya know, think we could have this heartfelt moment after we're free?" It was Rei's voice this time that echoed in the room.
Kei watched with heated eyes as Sunako pulled away from her. "Yes," she stated evenly to her team mate, "getting free sounds like much more fun."
"You four aren't going anywhere for a long time."
Kei looked across the room immediately from where the voice came but she couldn't see anything. She felt Ryu tense up behind her. "Who are you? Why did you tie us up?"
"Who? You tell me. You came looking for us after all." It sounded like a woman.
She wanted to use Sharingan but it would do her no good in the dark. Ryu could use his Byakugan... but, even if he did he'd still have to tell her. And then they would hear anyway. Which, ya know, kinda took away from the whole stealth idea.
"Show yourselves," Rei shouted into the darkness.
"Only those who have something to fear hide their faces." Sunako called.
There was a chuckle heard. A masculine one. "Yo, Big N," he sing songed, "I like 'em."
There was a snort heard. Presumably from the female. "Just because you like them doesn't mean I'm letting them go. It doesn't mean their trustworthy."
Kei arched a brow. "You know... as much as I'm sure you people love arguing in the dark... Could you at least turn on the lights? This is stupid. We came here to ask for help."
There was a long pause, a crash and then... illumination.
"Damnit, Kirabi! I told you to wait!" The tall blond was shouting at a rather large... tan, muscular man. He had on black shades and a series of swords appeared to be strapped to his back.
He looked to be pouting. "Aw... Big N..."
She sighed and ran hand down her face.
Kei blinked. It was the same woman who'd looked over her before she passed out. She wore what looked like a light blue corset. The rest of her petite frame was covered in black shinobi attire. And her eyes... she looked closer. No, they were blue, not black. Her long blond strands were pulled back in a long, white, tight wrapping of a pony tail.
As both her and the large man argued she looked around the rest of the round room. Light emitted from upside down, circular looking half bowls. The ceiling was dome shaped and every noise echoed. But, that's not really what had her the most intrigued.
All around the room there were people, ninja. She could see at least three more of them aside from the two arguing. The one with sky blue hair and the headband of Waterfall on his arm smiled and waved at her. As he came closer he began to speak.
"Don't mind Nii-san. She's just over protective of us. Has been for a while." He stuck his tongue out. "Kei, right?"
She nodded. "Y-yeah..."
He grinned. "I'm Etsu from Waterfall. My Bijuu is the Seven Tail. You from Konoha?"
She nodded and smiled. "Yes, I am." She looked back over at the two arguing and then at him. "Do you think you could convince her to let us go? We're not here to hurt anyone. We came for help and we don't have much time."
He looked concerned and sat down, cross legged in front of her. "I dunno. Why do you need our help?" He propped his chin up in his hand. "I'm not sure if you've noticed, but, we're kind of hiding."
She sighed. At least someone was talking to her. "My father is battling the Akatsuki right now. And I need you to come help. Many shinobi are dying from all five villages and then some. Even Star is involved."
"What did you say?" The blond woman suddenly ignored the large man she'd been bantering with.
Kei pursed her lips. "My father--"
"No, did you say there was a battle going on with the five villages and the Akatsuki?" She stepped forward and knelt down at Kei's eye level.
She nodded. "Yes. And their loosing. People are dying. We came to ask for your help."
Her lips twitched. "Why would the five villages be trying to kill the Akatsuki?"
She sighed, about to speak, but it was Rei who spoke up.
"Please, lady. You should know that. It's why your hiding out here, right? Because of that organization?" The red head tried to turn and face her.
She kept her eyes on Kei. "And you need our help because their loosing." She sighed. "Listen, not that I don't want to help you... but, many people in this room are not easily accepted by their village. I doubt very seriously they would want us there. Kirabi and I are one of the few acceptions. Right now all were trying to do is stay alive and away from the Akatsuki. If they capture us... then the shinobi world is done for." She searched the young girl's eyes. "You understand this right?"
Kei's eyes were hard. "I understand." Behind her shades they narrowed. "I also understand my Papa is out there, dying, to protect you and this world he loves so dearly."
"Your father? Protecting us?" She smirked slightly. "Who is your father to want to protect us?"
"The Hokage of the Leaf Village the container for Nine Tails," Sunako stated with an even tone. "My adoptive father is fighting as well. You might know him. Gaara of the Sand? Keeper of the One Tail." His eyes were as hard as Kei's. "You're own people, those like you who've been hated and prosecuted are trying to save this world and you won't lift a finger to do anything? Feh..." He spat on the ground. "You're pathetic. When they're done with our parents who do think is next on their list?" He smirked. "Yeah, you got it right. You."
Yugito made a noise of irritation. "Daughter of the Nine Tails and Son of the One Tail? I find it hard to believe."
"They're not lying," An ebony haired man whispered softly. He came forward, draped in blue and holding a small stick that looked something like a flute. His eyes were a lovely shade of ivory and his hair was short and jagged; caressing his shoulders.
Yugito stood up and looked over at the boy. "You've been watching them, Gin?"
He nodded, smiling softly. "I have. I have detected no increase in heartbeat to indicate the one known as Kei is telling lies. The Sand ninja has been nothing but truthful as well."
Yugito sighed and looked over at Kirabi. "What do you think we should do?"
He grinned. "You know what to do, girl. I say we vote."
"I concur," Etsu stated as he stood. "I tire of hiding in the shadows. We're more than ready for this fight. And this time we have help. It may be our only chance, Nii-san."
She nodded. "Very well. Those in favor of staying behind say I." She waited a moment and no one spoke a word. "All in favor of going?" There was a distinct shout. "It's settled."
"Um..." Kei began with a grin. "I really appreciate it... but.."
"Could you untie us?" Rei offered.
Yugito began to chuckle softly. "Of course. Kirabi, you may do the honors."
The large man stepped forward with a smile and began to cut the ropes with a kunai. One by one they were free. All rubbed their wrists and and thanked the large man.
"But, before we go," Yugito began. "Let me introduce you." She started at one end of the room and told her each name and what beast they held. Kei listened avidly. The blond, Nii, was called Yugito. Nii was her last name and she contained the Two Tail Demon Cat. The next was Makoto. He was from Mist. Sealed within him was the Three Tailed Demon Turtle. Then was Roushi. He was the oldest in the group and from Rock. Allen was from Rock as well. Roushi contained the Four Tailed Dragon of all things. Allen the Five Tailed Demon Dog who could wield five elements at once. He immediately boasted his Bijuu could create storms. Kei had laughed.
The final three were Gin, Etsu and Kirabi. Gin controlled the Demon Weasel, Etsu the Badger and Kirabi the Eight Tailed Ox.
There seven of them. And Gaara and her father made nine. They would have them all. Wonderful.
"Ok, we need to head out, Kei." Rei was stating. "Shin is probably really worried about us by now."
She nodded and looked up at Yugito. "Are we ready to go?"
The blond nodded and turned to her group. "We're leaving." And one by one all seven Jinchuuriki began to run out of the building. Kei, Ryu, Rei and Sunako followed closely behind. When they came to the entrance Kei barely had a chance to call to the rest of her group to move and come on. Which, they did with great haste.
It would take three to fours days to reach the front lines if they took required breaks for rest. Kei didn't want to, but, if these people... the Jinchuuriki weren't at their best by the time they reached her father? They would be no good to anyone.
Sunako took that moment to come up along side of her. "You alright? You look worried." He frowned. "I would think you'd be happy they agreed to come."
She nodded, leaping to another branch with him. "I am... I'm still worried about Papa though."
He reached out and took her hand. "They'll be fine. They're strong shinobi." He squeezed.
She nodded. "Thank you... even if you're faking it."
"I'm not."
She smiled and turned her head forward. "You're right. They'll be just fine." And then they picked up speed with the rest of the group, disappearing into the black shade of the forest.
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AN: Woot! At first I was so scatterbrained about this chapter. It's not easy writing about characters you've only read about on Naruto wiki. I hope I nailed Kirabi ok... He and Yugito are both from Cloud, so, I could see them knowing each other. And Yugito, in the one random clip from shipuuden I saw on youtube in her fight with the Akatsuki seemed pretty headstrong. It's assumed she was accepted by her people in a sorta way like Kirabi and Naruto.
And yeah, after reading back through it? I'm happy with this chapter. So,... Two more chapters, KirimixxChan. There will be final battle and then the epilogue. -smiles- and yes! I'm AM doing a squeal, Superme383! -cackles-
To everyone else who read/reviewed... Thank you!
--Blade