So I finally continue! It was the weirdest thing really. It came to me as I was on vacation in Orlando, and bam! I knew how I wanted to do the sea serpent thing! Yes I planned to have one of these in here from the beginning! I'll be calling it a leviathan which I define as a high level kin of Egin. Anyway, enjoy cause it's getting close to the end. I'm thinking 2 more chapters.=^-^=
Ch. 11 - Deep Trouble
Shura finally stopped abusing the poor demon hybrid after a few minutes of getting out her frustrations. While Bon and Naruto certainly made no move to stop the irritated woman, Lady Tsunade was definitely losing patience. "Perhaps you could explain what you told me before, Shura? We don't exactly have a lot of time." Kekashi Sensei suggested as he tried not to show how put off he was about Tsunade's growing anger. It was suffice to say that almost every ninja in the village knew to beware of her anger.
Shura turned to him. "Oh yeah, sure whatever." She turned to the irritated kage. "Name's Shura Kirikagure Senior Exorcist First Class. These two are Exwires from True Cross, and I'm here to take 'em back with me." She then knocked Rin's shoulder. "Or I would be if this idiot wasn't stuck here." She sighed in slight annoyance as she glanced around. "Judging by this issue you guys are having here, my problem and yours might just have something in common."
"And just what would that be?" Tsunade asked with a forced calm tone.
"I suppose the timing of the attack on Gonyo temple, and Rin's sudden appearance in the village could be a common factor. He was checked into the village not too long before the attack if I'm not mistaken." Kekashi deduced while trying to temper the situation a bit.
Shura rubbed her chin a bit in thought. "Yeah that sounds interesting I guess." She then stood up and became more serious. "All crap aside, that's the biggest reason I'm here."
"I'm sure it would be in all our best interests if we worked together. Isn't that right, Lady Tsunade?" Shizune proposed as she tried not to anger Tsunade further.
The Hokage shot her a glare before taking a calming breath. Somehow she was able to form a welcoming smile as she turned back to Shura. "Of course, I completely understand and welcome the assistance."
Shura was surprisingly unsettled by the change but smirked all the same. "Alright then. I guess I should be talking with these guys from the temple then huh?" After a bit more conversation Shura was allowed to leave, and Naruto guided her to where the priests were with Rin and Bon close behind. By the time they got there, however, the master and the young heir had already taken their leave.
"I am Reisho Tendo, and I'll assist you in our master's stead. Considering how easily this village was invaded, it was Razzle's belief that it wasn't entirely safe for our young heir."
"Doesn't look like it." Shura remarked as she looked around at the wounded monks. "But you guys are pretty beat up for calling yourselves exorcists. What exactly are we dealing with?"
Reisho turned to his comrades. "To be honest, I cannot say for sure. Many of these men were injured at the temple, but some were injured when our salamanders went wild."
"And I'm sure this weird group had something to do with it?"
Tendo nodded. "Yes. Most of our familiars are salamanders so I suppose whatever tactic they used may have been specifically for them."
Shura placed a hand on her hip. "Salamanders huh? I guess that would be pretty easy to counter if they have any water attribute demons. Heck, even holy water can snuff out a salamander if you use enough of it. I can't really say what would make 'em go wild though."
"Hold on..." Bon suddenly remarked as he thought back. "Maybe it isn't targeting salamanders but demons in general?" He proposed as he turned to Shura. "Earlier today we ran into these fake exorcists that threw some weird water on Rin and Kuro. I thought it was bad holy water but what if it was something else?"
"Oh, you mean when Rin's cat suddenly got huge and attacked those guys right?" Naruto remembered as he turned to the little cat in question.
"Huh? Something that makes demons go wild?"
Bon nodded as he thought it out some more. "Yeah, or maybe not just wild, but angry. Remember, Okumura?"
Rin raised a brow as he thought back. "Angry... oh right! I totally punched that old man!"
Bon rolled his eyes. "Yeah, but that's not really the point I was making."
"I think I get the picture." Shura interrupted. "Unfortunately I still can't really say what it is. Familiars don't just go wild unless their tamers do something, especially not salamanders. They are especially tame and easy to handle even when newly tamed." She then turned to Tendo. "So as far as I can tell these Onigami guys are after your young heir right? Where is he now? You said they left isn't that right?"
Tendo nodded. "Yes, they left with Razzle who plans to keep him out of their hands."
Shura raised a brow. "They left alone?" He nodded which quickly elicited a glare. "You idiot! That's exactly what they wanted you to do!" She yelled as she pointed at him.
He seemed angry and somewhat surprised by the insult. "Who are you to-"
Shura interrupted him with a frustrated groan. "Just think about it! We're in the middle of a village of ninja, and you guys have demon familiars. Now he's only got the old man and that Razzle salamander you mentioned to protect him. What sounds worse?" She asked with an irritated expression.
Tendo was taken aback by the logic, but took a moment to really think on it. "So you mean that the assault on the gate, and the attack on our forces..."
"They were meant to force your hand and make you think he would be safer somewhere else. Just looking at how many wounded you've got here makes it obvious you couldn't all leave to defend him!"
"Then that kid could be in danger right now." Bon stated. "That could be why nothing's happened since those salamanders. They wanted to give you guys time to make the decision they wanted."
"If what you say is true, then I must go to them as soon as possible!" Reisho declared as he held up his hand for Dazzle to climb up.
"Hold on!" Shura commanded as she turned back to Bon. "If they're going to be going after the kid then you'll need help, and more importantly, this is the best lead I have on getting this knuckled head home." She then pulled out a key and handed it to Bon. "Here's the cram school key, take it and get back. Tell Yukio everything, but not to worry. I've got this handled."
He took the key, and nodded. "Right, but uh.." He looked over to Rin.
"I don't have a choice but to keep him here." She turned to the demon hybrid with an annoyed expression. "And anyway, he might prove helpful all things considered...huh?" She suddenly wondered.
"Huh? What did I do now?" Rin grumbled considering she'd blamed him for everything so far.
"Rin, where's your sword?" She asked with a tone of slight irritation.
"My sword? I don't have it since I was sparring with Kuro when all this happened. I left it in the dorm." Rin explained as he crossed his arms.
Shura raised a brow at the information since she knew full well that it wasn't. Yukio had looked all over their room and the rest of the floor, but found nothing. She let out a sigh as she turned back to Tendo. "Okay whatever, it's probably better this way anyway. You know which way they went?"
Reisho nodded as he pointed east. "They decided to head out of the village in the shortest distance to prevent being followed.
"East huh?... Wait, the training grounds are that way." Naruto informed as he thought over what else was there.
"Let's go Tendo, Rin." Shura ordered as she took off. Seeing Tendo fly on ahead with his salamander made Shura pick up her pace, and Rin took to riding on Kuro to keep up.
"So I've been wondering." Naruto began as he kept pace with Shura easily while hoping over buildings. "What exactly is this blue flame I've been hearing about?" He turned to Rin as Kuro sprang from the same building as him. "I'm pretty sure that salamander called it god flame or something."
"Blue flames?" Shura inquired with a serious tone. "Why would the salamander mention those?"
"Because the temple that guy belongs to was attacked by some guy who could use them." Rin answered for him with a serious expression of his own.
"It was attacked by blue flames!?" She faced forwards with a pensive expression. "The hell are we dealing with here?"
Naruto furrowed his brow at the lack of answer. "Hey, are these special flames really something to worry about?"
"Those blue flames are nothing to underestimate kid. By the way, what are you doing following us anyway? Don't you have other ninja stuff to do?" Shura inquired as she turned to the teen.
"Well the way I see it Grandma Tsunade told me to keep an eye on Rin and Bon, and even though Bon left, Rin's still here. Besides, I'm not the kind of guy that would ignore a friend in trouble. If I can help Rin out then I'll do whatever it takes."
Rin suddenly blushed at the statement. "Huh? Wait, we're friends?" He was so surprised since he'd only known him a couple days.
"Well yeah of course." Naruto insisted with a smile. "I thought that was obvious."
The grin on the hybrid's face made Shura roll her eyes. "Keep your head in the game, Rin." She reminded as she directed him forward. As the aptly named Forest of Death grew closer an orange glow permeated the dark trees. "I think it's safe to say I called it."
Tendo nodded with a grave expression. "Yes, to think we walked right into this trap." He berated himself again before being cut off by a small roar from Dazzle. He was the first to notice the group of cloaked men coming at them from the side. He stopped to hover and spewed a stream of fire in their direction. The fire illuminated the demon masks which ironically enough, gave them away. "Onigami!"
Shura jumped in just as he landed in order to push them back before they attacked. She pulled out her sword and slashed the air around them. One of them dropped the bottle he'd been prepared to throw and it shattered at Shura's feet. "That's not holy water...!" She turned to Rin. "Stay back!"
Another bottle shattered though this one was intentional as Tendo was drenched. "No, Dazzle!" The small salamander was alive with an agitated flame that now threatened to burn even his tamer.
"Thought so." She turned back to Rin who was a few buildings away with Kuro. "This sounds like what Suguro mentioned before. Don't you dare get hit with it!" She ordered with a pointed finger.
"But what about-"
"I mean it, Rin! I don't need you flaming up and making the problem worse! Go and see if you can't find the kid!" She ordered thinking he'd never just sit still. The enemies had her and Tendo outnumbered 3 to 1.
"But-"
"Hurry to the master's aid!" Tendo insisted as he got his salamander under control. He pulled out a staff and Dazzle's flame was pulling into it. "We can handle these ones!"
"Come on, Rin!" Naruto called as he continued on ahead as he was told. Rin hesitated a moment before following with a frustrated growl.
Tsunade looked over the many wounded within the monks ranks and thought over the information she'd gathered so far. "Lady Tusnade, I have the squad you requested." Shizune informed as Shikamaru stood behind her.
"Good, Shikamaru, you Neji and Sai will go after Tendo and the others. We have reason to believe that is where the bulk of the enemy forces are heading as well. As soon as we have cleared more of the village I will send you back up." She then pointed towards one of the larger monks who was kneeling over a cup of sake. "This is Jugo, he will be your fourth and is experienced in dealing with these Onigami." She ordered in calm irritation.
"No problem, but what happened to Rin?"
"That woman Shura took him with her and sent the other boy back." She then came to an angry realization. "And no doubt that's where Naruto went too."
Shizune let out a sigh. "If you think about it, he is still under your orders to keep an eye on him."
Tsunade turned her angry glare at the woman who shrank back in terror. "What was that, Shizune?"
"...nothing..." She responded meekly before Tsunade turned back to Shikamaru.
"Alright if it does turn out that he's with them then make sure he doesn't leave the village under any circumstances." He nodded just as Neji arrived on the back of one of Sai's creations. Although he didn't agree with it, he understood why she didn't want him leaving the village. The village's situation was already precarious considering they were almost wiped out, Tsunade was more than likely under pressure from higher up.
He walked over to the monk that was going with them, and heard him chanting over the sake before dropping a small trickle of blood into it. "I exchange this offering and request your blessing!" He called before he proceeded to clap nine times. On the ninth clap a roar rang out, and a large cat jumped from a nearby shadow. It was bigger than Akamaru and marked by a pair of silver horns curving over its head and a white puff of fur on its chest. "Komaru, the young heir is in danger." The cat walked up to the disk to inspect it and dipped the silver coin hanging around its neck into the shimmering liquid. He growled as he turned, an Jugo climbed onto his back. "Come along, Shinobi, you may share my mount."
Shikamaru looked up at the bird holding Sai and Neji. "Are we going to be able to keep up with them?"
Jugo chuckled. "How amusing." He took Shikamaru's hand and pulled him onto the cat. "It will be them who will have to keep up with us." He announced as Komaru sprang forth like a lightning bolt. The young ninja could barely hold on with every leap while Sai's bird trailed behind. "We need to catch up with Master Miroku as soon as we can. Should the young heir be slain our order may no longer continue to exist."
"I remember Lady Shizune mentioning something like that." Shikamaru responded. He looked up to the bird and it flew down closer in response. "Why exactly do these Onigami want to kill that kid so bad? Is it just because he's your temples heir?"
"Or is it that there is more to this child than you have told us?" Neji interjected knowing something was amiss. He himself has yet to see the child, but no one goes to this much trouble for an ordinary boy.
Jugo remained silent for a few moments before he finally spoke. "It is both. Our young heir is the grandson of Master Miroku, and bares a very important mantle in our order. It is one that only he can wear because he also has the blood of the Golden Dragon in his veins."
"And this Golden Dragon?" Neji inquired.
"You don't suppose it is a literal dragon do you?" Sai wondered in minor intrigue over the idea.
"You mean like the one that showed up earlier with the kid?" Shikamaru thought back aloud.
"Razzle is not the Golden Dragon, but you are on the right track." Jugo informed as they now had the trees in their sights. "He is one of three powerful salamanders we call lesser dragons. Their sole duty is to serve the Golden Dragon by helping our order protect the heir. They are each contracted with three of our strongest members. Master Miroku has Razzle, Tendo has Dazzle, and Tazzle is contracted to me." He explained with a serious tone as he noticed the small salamander in the distance. "There!" He pointed towards Tendo who was being suspended in the air by Dazzle.
Shura had just knocked out two of the intruders before Tendo aimed his burning staff at another who hoped to take her by surprise. "Looks like you dropped your guard." He quipped confidently from the air.
"Not as bad as you!" She announced as she swung her sword his way to clip the three who were attempting to disorient the demon with another dose of the water. "If you let them get your salamander again, I'm killing it." She spat thinking about how crazy it was only minutes before.
Tendo narrowed his eyes, but knew it wasn't meant in ill. "I suppose, but it'll prove difficult."
"Tendo!" Jugo called as Komaru leaped to the closest roof top. "Where is the Master and the young heir?"
Tendo turned and hovered down. "We've been busy with these ones here. The young exorcist and the shinobi with him went ahead." He pointed to the trees that were straight ahead."
"Would you stop chatting and get back over here baldy!"
Tendo looked bewildered at the remark, but upon seeing the regrouping enemy numbers he let it go. "Go ahead, Jugo, the darkness of the forest has me worried. See to our young heir's safety." He insisted as he turned his staff and his arms flamed up along with it.
"Are you sure, Tendo? Their numbers are greater than they seem." Jugo countered in worry.
"Of course! And their numbers may be more against Master Miroku! Go, and be careful that Komaru isn't hit with the water they throw. It's what drives the demons wild." Tendo warned as he directed a column of fire at two of the cloaked Onigami.
Jugo nodded and Komaru continued on his path towards the woods. They left the buildings and hopped over the fences bordering the entrance to the training ground. Right as they entered the tree line a massive burst of bright blue light blinded them, and they are all forced to stop their advance. "What is that!?" Shikamaru shouted as he struggled to block out the blinding light.
Neji's eyes were narrow as his Byakugan struggled to make anything out through the intense light. "I cannot be sure, but... I think I see Naruto, Rin... and two others." He grunted under the strain.
When the light suddenly vanished they all struggled to get their eyes readjusted to the darkness of the forest. "Damn... what the heck just happened?" Shikamaru grunted in frustration.
"Someone just disappeared." Neji informed with an urgent tone. "And if I was right with my previous assessment then it was Rin." A loud roar that reverberated like a whale call cut off any further discussion. "Now... I see a large creature, and its headed this way!"
"Anything more specific?" The tactician requested as a rumble started in the distance.
"Yes, there's a torrent of water headed this way as well! We need to fall back!" It was too late though as the water towered high through the trees. While Sai and Neji flew higher, Komaru took to climbing the trees to escape the waters that threatened to sweep them away.
"Where did-" The large monstrous sea serpent that surfed the wave out of the forest served to answer his question. Upon its head stood another robbed figure, and further down it's back just out of the water a figure in orange clung to the beast. "It's Naruto!"
At the edge of the village the torrent was thwarted from flowing into the village by several Anbu who used earth style to erect a wall. Their attempt to further obstruct the serpent was stopped by the beast's spray of venom before he charged. The wall held strong for his first strike much to the frustration of the rider. "Break it down!" He bellowed as he held tight to a smaller figure. The demon rammed it over and over in response.
"This isn't good." Neji remarked as he used his Byakugan to look through the wall. The monks were still on the street behind the Hokage's office, and would no doubt drown in their injured states.
"Climb up, Naruto." Sai instructed as the bird flew low enough to reach the serpent's back without being too close to the water.
"Sai!" He looked relieved as he used his kunai to pull himself up.
"What happened to Master Miroku?" Jugo demanded as Komaru used what little he could spot to hop over the waters.
Naruto took a breath as he was pulled onto the bird. "The old guy jumped in to save the salamander when this thing showed up and pulled it into the water." He explained as he calmed his breathing. "I haven't seen him since."
"What about Rin?" Shikamaru asked and the blonde ninja looked at the serpent with a glare.
"This thing ate him when we tried to get that kid back from the masked guy. We need to get him out!" He pleaded with a determined expression.
"And how exactly would we do that?" Sai asked calmly with little emotion.
Naruto grunted in frustration. "I don't know... rip its stomach open!"
"Calm down, Naruto." Shikamaru instructed as he watched the serpent continue at the wall. "We need to think about this first."
"Rin doesn't have time for us to think about it!" Naruto countered in anger.
"He also doesn't have time for us to argue, Naruto. First we need to stop the creature then we can work on getting Rin out." Neji advised in agreement with Shikamaru. Several minutes passed as the five of them went over the best way to take it down. It was far too big to restrict with its shadow, and extensive bodily harm could do more harm than good for Rin. "Hold on." Neji interrupted just as Naruto suggested one of his crazier ideas. He looked over the wall and saw a flash. "I believe a solution has come up for us."
Komaru dashed down from the wall and was met by several of the Gonyo monks. "Jugo, what of the master?" They all asked at once.
"I am not sure, but our young heir is on this beast."
They gave Jugo determined expressions as one of them explained. "Then perhaps we can get him back at least. Another strange exorcist arrived, and gave us a method of stopping this demon."
"Yes we have already put it into place." They then gestured towards the buildings where several drawn symbols could be seen on the streets between them.
"That damn four eyes." Shura grumbled from a nearby building. She squatted over the edge with her sword over her shoulder in annoyance. "I told him I had it handled."
"I do believe we we're a bit over our heads with the Onigami and this serpent." Tendo countered as he jumped down to his fellow monks.
"Speak for yourself!" She retorted.
"Tendo! Thank the ancestors you're alright!" The three men proclaimed together.
Naruto jumped off the bird in annoyance. "If we're gonna take this thing down then let's do it before Rin comes out the other end!" He shouted impatiently, but in obvious worry.
Shura suddenly came to life with laughter after hearing that. "Oh you've got to be kidding me! Rin got himself eaten!?" She held her stomach in ridiculous laughter.
"What's so funny about that!? You wouldn't be laughing if it was you in that snake's gut!" Naruto scolded which only made Shura laugh more.
"Of course not, but I'm not stupid enough to get eaten!" She laughed back while leaning on her sword.
"Earth style Splitting Chasm!" Kakashi and two anbu shouted in unison as the wall split and the water poured into the new hole they created. Only a bit of the water gushed past it while the serpent ignored the hole all together. It was more than ready to charge through as its master commanded.
"I certainly hope this plan works." Neji commented as he stood out of the way like the others.
"Oh it'll work. I'll give four eyes that much." Shura assured as she watched the serpent charge right into the trap. Yukio was stubborn, and foolish at times, but he wasn't dumb. He usually knew what he was doing as long as he wasn't hot under the collar. She was proven correct when the demon suddenly screeched, and halted in place seemingly frozen much to the rider's displeasure.
So I wonder how long that will last? BTW is Rin even still alive in there? I mean how long could you last in the stomach of a sea serpent? It makes me think of Jonah and the whale. Anyway, so yes Yukio came back... with company if you know what I mean. If you don't well... you'll find out next time. As always (REALLLLLLY) I appreciate comments and questions below. Just tell me what you think.=^-^=