Chapter Five: The Nightmares That Plague Us, Arcane's Revenge
Later That Night.
Ryuu laid there on the ground gripping the blanket tightly as sweat poured from his forehead, sliding down the side of his face and dripping onto the ground. His chest heaving up and down as he was breathing very heavily. In Ryuu's mind the place the he dreamed he dreamed he saw the battle that would occur ahead of him, but he could not allow the out come of it to happen. His dream came to the point where it turned into a nightmare and woke himself raising straight up gripping his chest tightly and tears weld up in his eyes and poured down being mixed in with his sweat that weld up at the end of his chin and dripped down onto his leg.
The young dragon boy brought his trembling hands to the side of his head. The images flashed through his mind now haunting him, he saw him, Cory who was in front of him and Arcane the one who nearly killed him, and the blade of his sword was pierced through Cory. The crimson red fluid poured out from her wound, as it also stained the sword with her blood. Ryuu stood there in the middle of performing a hand seal; he was wide eyed at what occurred. Ryuujin wanted to scream as loud as he could not wanting that to happen to Cory-chan. A person who has always been there for him, he gripped his head tighter whimpering as he sat there with those images plaguing his mind. He looked over at her, she was sleeping close by incase Ryuu where to need anything. Ryuu saw that she was sleeping soundly and happily with a smile across her face. "Kakashi you are so noopy." She muttered in her sleep, which brought a slight smile to Ryuu's face seeing that she was still her self.
"Ryuu-kun.don't worry.I will always.be here.for you." She muttered again and the tears just became to much that he could not see anymore.
He brought a hand away from his head and wiped his tears away. As he then got up and got away from them, running through the woods, then he his the root of a tree and flew in to the ground his chest hitting down first and slammed his chin bouncing on the ground. Ryuu slowly got to his knee's and just sat there with his tears pouring down the side of his face. He just looked up into the night sky wondering if he could stop that from happening, his whole body was trembling from fear of the situation.
"Cory-chan.I promise I will make sure that never happens.I wont let such a thing happen.I swear it wont, not to you or Reptile everyone that I love and care for." Ryuu said as he sat there making that promise to himself for now.
With the crunching sound of leafs Reptile emerged walking over to his friend. He saw him before he ran off and could tell he had a nightmare and was able to put everything together when he heard him talking. "We all dream of our worst fears and the ones that are always the worst is losing the ones we love. But Ryuu don't worry, we aren't going to leave you, no matter what we are always here for you." Reptile knelt down next to his friend placing a hand on his shoulder.
Ryuu sat there thinking of the past and how much it meant to him to have friends that he has now.
::Flashback::
Ryuu sat there away from all the children that ran around and played. He had his legs brought up to his chest and always waited to see if someone would talk to him. Ryuujin always felt that he did not belong among the rest of the children despite he had Reptile and Cory-chan there to look after him. So he sat there alone with some of his spiky red hair coming down over his face. It wasn't that the kids or adults made him feel that way to sit alone; he just felt that no matter what he would never belong among them. A young boy that was Ryuujin's age was walking by with a friend of his and looked over at Ryuu. He brushed his hair away from his face using his fingers, "Who is that?" he wondered asking his friend.
She looked where he was, "I.don't.know."she said in a shy timid tone.
"Hmmm he seems pretty lonely over there also sad, come on let's go and talk to him and maybe cheer him up a bit." He said walking towards Ryuu as his friend tried reaching out to grab him and stop him but she was too late.
Kuniko did partially know who he was as she would notice him sitting alone like always even in their ninja academy class. But she never had the courage to go up and talk to him. So now she followed her friend Dayu to meet the quiet shinobi in training Ryuu. "Hi there I'm Dayu and this is my friend Kuniko, what's your name?" he asked curiously with a smile.
Ryuu lowered his head hiding his face more and brought his arms across the lower half of his face. Kuniko let out a quiet, "Hello." As she partially hid herself behind Dayu.
For Dayu and Kuniko their families have been friends and so Kuniko felt comfortable being around Dayu, but she was always nervous and shy around new people. Ryuu looked a little bit up through a parting in his hair at Kuniko but he then looked back down. He put his hand over the dragon mark that he has had sense birth, Ryuu didn't quite know why but he felt that he should. "The strong silent type huh?" Hmmm." Dayu thinking to himself for a moment.
Under the hair and the covering of his arms, Ryuu had a smile on his face for the first time in a long time in front of people besides Cory and Reptile. He then looked up the two with the very smile that graced his face and said, "Thank you." For they where the first kids to actually approach and talk to him.
Dayu smiled back as did the shy Kuniko as she tried bringing herself out from behind her friend. She looked at Ryuu and saw his smile seeing it to be a very honest and nice smile and she blushed slightly and hid herself again. Dayu put his hand out, "Let me help you up." He said as he waiting for Ryuu to accept his hand.
Ryuu accepted the helping hand and he got to his feet wondering what to expect next. "So tell us what is your name?" Dayu asked again curiously.
"Oh.heh.yeah sorry about that, I am Ryuujin of the Ryuu clan." He said a shy tone bringing his right hand to the back of his head looking down slightly.
Cory-chan and Reptile looked from above both smiling happily, "Well it seems our friend has made some new ones." Said Reptile as he leaned on his knee that was placed on the ledge of the building that they stood on top of.
"Yup, and some very good ones at that." Cory still smiling and turned walking away and Reptile fallowed along.
The three young shinobi from that day fourth hung out with one another outside and in the academy that they attended. Ryuu even began to talk a bit more to others around him, but still mainly just hung out with Kuniko and Dayu. He would also joke around with their sensei a bit as he began to develop a sarcastic sense of humor, with what he has done it was only fitting to do so. It wasn't until one day though that he found himself slowly shutting himself out again from everyone else. Like what went on before was nothing but a wonderful dream for him.
Ryuu and Dayu where playing a sport with some of their other classmates during one of the little breaks that they got. It was all going like any other day, but then Ryuu found that he had a side of himself that he would later fear in himself and would never want to have happen again. Ryuu found himself on the ground tackled by some of the other kids, but instead of it being a normal thing, Ryuu blanked out on the situation, it had felt like he went to sleep for a quick moment. As he woke up he came to realize he had a classmate by the shirt and was hitting him in the face repeatedly.
In that moment before he stopped he looked to the side and the only persons face that he saw was Kuniko's and the look she had as she watched Ryuu hit the classmate. The look of fear that she had, was now burned into the young dragon boys mind forever. He finally let go of the classmate as he looked at his now bloody hand and his eyes grew wide in horror of the fact that he caused such a thing to happen for no reason. Ryuu turned and ran off to find Cory, 'Ryuu-kun.' Kuniko said to herself as she watched him run away wondering what drove him to do such a thing.
Ryuu went running all over looking for Cory-chan he went to her home but she was not there so he tried the next best place, which was where she trained. He came running up with tears running down his face and ran up and wrapped his arms around her, "C-c-Cory-chan.I.did s-something bad." he cried into her as he held her tightly.
She put her arms around him, "What's the matter Ryuu?" she asked holding him gently.
"I-I hurt s-somebody.f.for no reason.and I didn't mean.it.I.I don't even know how or why.it just happened." He said feeling so bad for hurting someone in such a way like that.
Cory then knelt down and hugged him with care and love, "Calm down Ryuu- kun, it will be okay." She told him as she rubbed his back in a clockwise motion to calm him down a bit.
"I am so sorry.I didn't mean to do such a thing like that.it was all for some reason beyond my control." he choked into her with a sniffle gripping her shirt tightly.
"Just make sure tomorrow you apologize to the person that you did that to." She told him as she knelt out from the hug for just a moment placed both hands on his cheek and wiped the tears from his eyes and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
Ryuu smiled a bit, "Thank you Cory-chan." He said giving her another hug.
Kuniko stood a ways away not wanting to disturb him. She wasn't sure what to say to him after witnessing that, as Ryuu was on the other side and did not know what he looked like when he let loose. But she and everyone else did see what he looked like. His pupils were like a dragon and his mark shined enough for everyone to see and as he made contact his dragon scales formed onto his clenched hand making each hit more devastating.
She flashed on that moment and remembered that he stopped once they locked eyes. Now she only hoped that maybe she could be there for him and help him from becoming the creature that he hides deep inside of him. 'Ryuu-kun if I did help you become yourself again.then I will be there for you more then I have been.' Kuniko said to herself as she turned and headed home.
Later That Nigh.
Ryuu tossed and turned in his bed, the images of his friend's lifeless bodies displayed before him. Their blood splattered all over themselves and their surroundings. It ended the same as his other nightmares. Ryuu stood there in front of a man who was covered in nothing but shadow. His maniacal grin showed despite how much he was covered in darkness.
The unknown man brought his bloodied hand to his mouth and licked some of the blood from his hand and let it drop back down to his side. Ryuu did nothing but stand there in horror from what he witnessed, he could do nothing to save everyone. His whole body trembled in fear of this man who with such ease and with no care in the world slaughtered Ryuu's friends.his loved ones. The tears in his eyes burned as he fell back scooting back away from such an evil.
The man then approached the broken boy who could do nothing but cower in fear, and he knelt in front of him, "Are you ready to die ..." The last word he could never make out in the dream.
But that word that was always blocked out that he could never quit hear was, "Brother." Maybe for the best that Ryuu never heard that work as it might do even more harm to the young boy then good.
Ryuu then woke up screaming as he met his own death, that man was his Shinigami (God Of Death) the thought that stirred was that maybe it was the same man who killed his parents. The lights in the home where turned on and Cory came in tying on her bath robe making herself a bit more decent for the young boy. She sat beside the now crying child and brushed his hair away from his face and brought him closer to her and took him into her arms, "Its okay my little Kaiser." She said softly to him, "It was only a dream."
"B.but.it seemed so.r-r-real." He muttered amongst the tears.
"I know, but your still here safe and sound and that's how it always will be. No matter what you will be here safe from harm." She assured him.
Ryuu hugged her tightly, "I-I-m glad I have you and Reptile in my life."
"But what about Dayu and even Kuniko?" she asked.
"Yeah Dayu is cool person." Said Ryuu as he began to become comfortable in her arms.
"What about Kuniko?" Cory asked with a smile.
Ryuu blushed slightly and Cory knew that he liked her, but being the way that he was he was never able to say anything about. Cory brushing his hair back, holding him close "Its okay you don't have to answer." She told him still smiling.
"Thank you." Ryuu muttered sleepily as he began to dose off in the comfort of her arms.
Cory held him for a little bit longer till he was finally asleep and she placed him gently back under the covers and kissed him on the forehead, "Good night."
From the day of Ryuu's rage, he slowly began to distance himself from people fearing that one day it might happen again and he wouldn't want to harm another like that. He feared himself and his actions, though he still continued through the ninja academy in some hopes of controlling his anger. But he still feared that deep down as he avoided conflicts and those who picked on him that it was only building up for one day to have it be unleashed again but in a more destructive way. Through the rest of his life he was still plagued by the horrors of that nightmare, it wouldn't leave him alone.
::Flashback End::
Now eighteen Ryuu has been faced with nightmares, fear of his friends demise and the day that he will be faced against the shadowed man who haunts his dreams.
Ryuu and Reptile where still they're in the cold of the night, the dragon boy looking up into the night sky as he thought of his passed and what went on. "Reptile.I don't want what ever is inside of me unleashed again.I really don't." Ryuu placing a hand on each arm as he now stared with a wide- eyed expression completely zoning out on the spot he was looking at.
"Ryuu it wont, don't worry about it." Reptile told him as he patted him on the shoulder.
"But it did happen again.that one time a long time again.and just today.what ever was inside of me came out again rearing its ugly head." Ryuu then gripped his arms tightly his nails digging into his skin.
Reptile sighed just resting his hand on his shoulder, "You will control that power, and you wont have to worry about loosing control over your emotions." Explained Reptile.
Soon blood seeped out from where Ryuu had dug his nails into and he began to pull them down a little bit of his arm exposing more blood from his body. Until some foot steps where heard and a sweet quiet voice was heard in the air, "Ryuu-kun?"
Ryuu snapped out of the trance he seemed to be in and looked up and there was Kuniko, she had shoulder length brown hair and eyes that Ryuu found that he would almost get lost in them and could look at them for hours, she wore what looked like an Anbu vest with a short sleeve blue shirt underneath along with navy blue pants and shinobi sandals. "Kuniko-chan." he said looking up at her and had a slight smile cross his face.
She looked at his arms and saw the bleeding and rushed over to him, "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Hm? Oh.my arms didn't even realize that." He said looking at each arm.
Kuniko reached into her pack and began to wrap up the scratch wounds that Ryuu caused on himself. She then looked to his chest once she was done and noticed the bandaging on him and a the bit of blood that appeared from it, Kuniko set a gentle hand where to wound is, "What happened?" she asked and a slightly wince in pain came from Ryuu as well as some blush running over his cheeks.
".Well."Ryuu went silent just sitting there gripping his pant legs tightly.
Kuniko set a hand on his and moved her thumb over his hand gently, "Its okay." She told him, understanding what it was that he didn't want to talk about.
Reptile smiled at the two, "I'm gonna head back to everyone else." He whispered to Ryuu as he stood back up and walked back to the camp.
"Kuniko.why are you way out here like this?" Ryuu asked curiously as he looked at her hand that was on his and smiled again feeling his heartbeat quicken.
"Well.I left a note for you at your home.and I waited for you.but you never came so.I noticed how Dayu was in a hurry from the Hitokage's and fallowed figuring he went after you.because after I waited I went to your house.but you where there." She said shyly still with her hand over his.
He looked at her curiously, "Why where you waiting and what was on the note?" Ryuu asked looking at her.
"...."
Ryuu looked at her, "What is it? You can tell me."
"Its that.well.I like you.a lot.and have for awhile.I just finally got the courage to say something to you.and I want to be by your side always."Kuniko doing her best to express her feelings to him.
Ryuu placed his other hand on top of hers and looked down slightly, "Kuniko I cannot risk.having you be hurt by me.I don't think it would be safe to be with me.to be by my side."
"I have an evil hidden inside me.it scares me.I cant risk you being hurt by it.by me.I care a great deal for you.too.that's why.." Ryuu then stopped by Kuniko as she had placed her finger on his lips to keep him from saying anymore.
"But I know that you wont hurt me, you never have before I don't think you would now. I know you, you are a kind, sweet and gentle person, and you care to greatly for those you love. You haven't ever heart any of them, that tells you something doesn't it Ryuu-kun?" she asked removing her finger from the top of his lips hoping that she had convinced him of it.
Ryuu sat there for a moment thinking it all over and then he smiled, as he looked down at his hand and he took Kuniko's hand into his own and held it gently then smiled looking at her, "Yeah, your right Kuniko-chan."
"Thanks." Said Ryuu as he closed his eyes for a moment and suddenly felt a soft touch on his lips.
He opened his eyes and they grew wide realizing that Kuniko was kissing him. She slowly moved away and the two's faces blushed brightly but they smiled happily as Ryuu placed a hand on the back of his head as he sat more on the ground off his knees. The two shinobi just sat there both with smiles on their faces as the happy thoughts went through their minds on what could be held in the future for them.
On The Other Side Of The Forrest.
Arcane sat there with a stick poking at the fire moving the other pieces of timber around to keep the fire going. As nothing but revenge against Ryuujin was running through his mind, he was going to get him back for what he did to Sierra. Who now laid bandaged up for her body was nearly broken and had sever burns from the Lightning Dragon that she was faced against. Arcane stood up from where he sat and walked over to Sierra taking the wet rag from her forehead and ringed it out and set it aside, moving some strands of hair from her wet face of sweat and the water from the rag. "Arcane.b-be.be careful." Muttered Sierra.
"Sierra, please don't talk save your strength." He advised.
But she reached out with her bandaged hand and took his into her own, "That boy.is like no other.he.wont be like any other.fighter.and the other." Arcane had told her about Dayu and what went on with the confrontation between the two.
"What about the other?" he asked in curiosity as he held her hand with care.
"He.is of the Uchiha.clan."
"You mean the one wiped out by that psycho Itachi?" Arcane asked.
Sierra simply nodded, "The Uchiha are dangerous.if you face him.be quick.and kill him.right away." she warned Arcane of what was required in facing a person of that clan.
"I planned on it my dear, so don't worry, besides that Dragon Boy is my main target not the tricky eyed freak, and don't worry, I will return to you alive, I swear to you on that." Arcane assured her that their enemy would be slain and that he will return to her side.
"You better.or I will hurt you." She joked trying her best to get him to smile even a little bit.
Arcane cracked a little smile his mind was set on killing Ryuu and he was trying to stay in that frame of mind. He knelt down and kissed her on the forehead, "Rest up and get better." Arcane then stood up and walked towards the fire.
Sierra just watched and only hopped that this would not be the last time she would get to see him. Arcane Octanos sat there and began to sharpen his blades, with a cold look on his face he was going to make sure that by the end of tomorrow Ryuu's blood would be spilled onto the earth's surface.
The Next Day.
Everyone woke up feeling very relaxed and refreshed, Ryuu and Kuniko woke up slowly as they had staid up a lot of the night talking, Ryuu explaining how he got the wound on his chest and more. Cory woke up letting out a big yawn and stretching her arms out, Dayu was right there watching the sexy ninja Cory stretch out, with his tongue practically hanging out of his mouth and drooling. She looked at him and now had an annoyed look; Cory- chan placed her fist at her side and punched Dayu right in the face that sent him flying back with his leg twitching in the air as he lay on his back. Everybody let out a good laugh even Kareru who was new to the group. The Mist shinobi was suddenly confused as she looked over and noticed another person who was now with the group and wondered who she was.
"Hey Kuniko, when did you get here?" asked Cory with a puzzled look, as she still sat in her sleeping bag.
Kuniko looked to Cory, "Oh well I got here last night, I ran into Ryuu a little ways from here and well.pretty much sums it up." Both her and Ryuu smiled and blushed a little bit.
Reptile just smiled himself, as he was already wide-awake on watch with Stephanie. Dayu got off his back on his hands and knees and with Cory looked between Kuniko and Ryuu both very puzzled and they both thought, 'Did I miss something?'
Ryuu looked to his left side and saw his Shuurai and Shadow forehead protector and reached for the forehead protector looking at the symbol. A wavy line that had lines in the indentation of the wavy line that gave it a look like someone was disappearing. The young dragon took his sheathed Shuurai and placed it onto his back and he got up, but then knelt back down after he stretched himself and began to roll up his sleeping bag. He grabbed his pack and pulled out a new black t-shirt with out a massive gash in it like his last one along with bloodstains all over it. Ryuu had another second shirt to put on like he normally wore. He strained a bit in pain as he lifted his arm into each sleeve, it caused the wound to bleed only a little bit but he was still fine.
"I prepared a small meal for you all, so eat up because we need to get to Konoha as fast as possible." Said Reptile from the branch of a tree looking in the opposite direction. Dayu was already attacking the food, getting in his meal, as Cory came up from behind and planted her foot into his back stopping him from taking anymore and gave everyone else a chance to get something into their stomachs.
Everyone packed up their stuff getting everything together and they headed out to their destination. Ryuu and Kuniko walked together just talking about the past and everything else that has gone on. Dayu decided to pester Kareru as he didn't want to disturb the two lovebirds, and he didn't want to get on Cory-chans bad side along with Reptiles because they could both pummel him into the ground. "So tell me Kareru why do you have those bandages on your face?" Dayu wondered as he looked at her.
"." She didn't even respond to him for she felt the annoyance of him was going to be too much, but she did her best to ignore him and hope that he would shut up.
"Aw come on say something, you know it's not all that bad to loosen up and talk once in awhile!" Dayu walking away already bored of trying to get answers out of her.though he was aiming to annoy.
But ahead of them laid a great danger, something that Ryuu hoped would still be awhile for he still needed some time to heal from his wound. A shimmering light was seen ahead of the group and Reptile raised an eyebrow slightly to it wondering what it might be. They got closer and it was soon revealed to be Arcane Octanos and he was ready to fight Ryuu no matter what. "Oh, it's you why are you back?" asked Reptile as he stopped only a few feet away from Arcane along with the rest of the group.
Ryuu's happy face disappeared very quickly once he saw who it was that stopped them. Arcane simply lifted his arm and pointed his blade right at Ryuujin. Dayu noticed and then just smirked as he then walked towards the swordsman, "You know it's not wise to mess with us! Why return when you will simply be." Before Dayu could say anymore he met the full force of Arcane's blade but the side of it and was smacked being sent head first into a tree and fell to the ground unconscious.
Ryuu wasn't about to stand on the sides and watch so he took a deep breath and prepared as he reached to the back of his head and untied his forehead protector and turned to Kuniko. "Here I want you to hold on to this for me." He told her as he handed it to her.
"Ryuu-kun why?" she asked in a shaky voice.
He just smiled at her and gave her a kiss, "Don't worry, I will be fine.plus I told you about my dream.I cant let anything happen." He told her.
"Then let Reptile fight he will win, he is also not hurt." Kuniko not wanting him to fight for anything, not wanting to loose Ryuu already as they had finally been together and got to spend some time as a couple.
Ryuu took her hand and placed his Shadow Village forehead protector in it, "I will be back for this." He told her as she then placed it into her vest pocket to keep it safe.
"You better." She told him, and Ryuu smiled again at her and she let a little smile show up.
Ryuu took her into his arms and held her for a moment, "Don't worry, no matter what I will always be by your side." He assured her giving her one last kiss and headed to the front of the group.
He stopped by Cory for a moment, "Cory.please I want you to do something for me during this fight."
"What is it?"
"Stay out of it completely no matter what, do not interfere and please watch over Kuniko-chan." He hopped that she would go by that hoping not to question what he was saying.
"Ryuu.wh." Ryuu just glared at her for a moment showing her that he was serious and didn't want to be questioned, ".Okay." she said now with a worried look on her face as he walked away from her and to Reptile.
Ryuu then stopped next to Reptile, "Reptile.I know that you know what I am going to do here.but do not tell anyone what is going on, there are some very dangerous people out there, we all know that.but everyone else needs something to fuel them.to keep them training and growing strong. Make sure they do, and.thank you for everything." Ryuu then walked on as the group backed away from this.
'Your welcome Ryuu.' Reptile thought to himself as he smiled under his fast mask.
As Kuniko watched Ryuu stand there, she could only feel worried about him knowing that this was only going to end in something terrible. "You will pay for what you did to me and my friend." Said Ryuu who tossed off his second t-shirt and with drew his Shuurai standing there very loose having the sword down by his side.
Arcane did not respond to the dragon boys threats, as he noticed what went on between him and the girl and he knew how he could truly get back at him for what he did to his own loved one. With a twitch of his eye Ryuu turned towards the group noticing Arcane rushing towards them, but mainly gunning for Kuniko. Ryuu stuck his sword into the ground then performed the seals and ended with his left hand using two fingers up and his right hand holding the base of his left. "Doton Doryuuheki (Mudslide Barrier)!!" and out from his mouth the barrier shot out and flew in the way of Arcane creating a massive wall that would by Ryuu time, Arcane stopped as fast as he could digging his feet into the ground.
He then grabbed the blade from the ground and charged at Arcane with electricity filled around the blade now. Arcane simply put his blade behind him and defended against Ryuu's strike and he wiped his body around and kicked his attacker in the side that knocked him off his balance and stumbled to the side. He then came at Ryuu with a spinning back kick and sent him flipping once through the air and come crashing down on the ground his chest hitting down first which sent a massive amount of pain through Ryuu as he grabbed his chest trying to hold in from screaming out in the immense pain.
Arcane then leaped on top of the barrier and set his sights on Kuniko, 'You shall feel the pain that I did, dragon boy.' He thought to himself as he readied his blade.
Ryuu rolled onto his back and looked up through one eye seeing Arcane and he brought his hands away from his chest and did the hand seal that canceled the jutsu. Arcane suddenly felt the barrier beneath him begin to fall away as he leaped off the top falling by Ryuu. The shinobi planted his hands into the ground and sent him flying at the sword fighter feet first and smashed into his stomach sending him back a bit away. Ryuu slowly got back to his feet clenching his chest as he got to his knee's first and finally got on his feet but slightly hunched over a bit with the intense pain that he felt burn in him.
Arcane lay there for a moment as he then shoved his sword into the ground and began to pull himself up. His look was still cold and emotionless, not letting Ryuu's hit get to him. Now, the two fighters where back on their feet, but one with a handicap trying to fight back the pain of his wound and the other still perfectly fine. Ryuu moved his hand away from his chest for a moment and noticed some blood had seeped through the bandages and his shirt, 'Shit.that impact must had opened the wound a tiny bit.' he thought to himself trying to figure out how he was going to pull this off.
Kuniko wanted so badly to run in and stop this ridiculous match, to get Ryuu to stop fighting and allow Reptile or Dayu to take his place. She withdrew the shadow forehead protector from her pocked and held it with both hands hoping for Ryuu to come out of all this alive as tears slowly rolled out from her eyes down her face off her chin and onto the plate of the protector. Cory looked behind her to see the very upset Kuniko and she knew how she was feeling, she too didn't want anything bad to happen to Ryuu.but she knew that she couldn't protect him forever and that the young dragon boys life would have to be taken into consideration sooner or later.
Ryuujin got a slight smirk as he knew he was in deep with this fight, but decided to have a bit of fun. Then he performed a hand seal Fuck You where it was both middle fingers out and the left put behind the right and the thumbs touching. Suddenly a puff of smoke formed in front of Arcane and then a barrage of open hands came out and preserved to slap the hell out of him. The smoke cloud finally disappeared and left Arcane less then thrilled to be humiliated in such a way, "Heh heh, a nice little trick my friend Reptile created, the Ultimate Fuck You!" Ryuu still grinning for some idiotic reason.
Reptile smacked his forehead looking down at the ground; 'I never thought he would actually use that technique on an enemy.especially this one. Geese it was only meant to get their attention or to keep them from goofing off but not for actual battle'
'What an idiot, that is only going to enrage this guy further, to kill him faster.' Thought Kareru as she watched the display of stupidity on Ryuu's part.
Arcane gripped the handle of his sword very tightly as in a flash he appeared behind Ryuu. "Die." He said in a low tone as he then swiped down the middle of Ryuu.
"RYUU!!!" yelled Cory and Kuniko.
A puff of smoke the filled around, then a massive jolt of electricity shot out from the smoke and zapped Arcane making him fall to his knees. 'Whoa!' Kareru in shock that Ryuu could cause such an after effect with shadow clones.
'So that's the trick he wanted to show us hmm not bad Ryuu.' Thought Reptile as he even smirked a little bit under his facemask.
Ryuu came walking out from the back of a tree, "Heh seems I got you with that one." He said grinning but still holding his chest.
The two girls attempted to try and calm themselves after that scare that Ryuu gave them. Arcane was now getting very aggravated by him, wanting now to kill him more then ever. Then Ryuu began performing certain hand seals, Arcane saw this as a perfect chance to take him down and he gripped the handle and jolted to his feet and ran at Ryuu. Cory-chan's eyes widened and saw what he was going for, she knew that Ryuu told her to stay out of the fight but she couldn't let anything happen to him. In an instant she was right in front of Ryuu guarding him, "CORY-CHAN NO!!!" Ryuu yelled.
She put her arms out staying in the way. In the dream, Ryuu couldn't do anything, he felt frozen for some reason but not this time. Right before Arcane struck his blade into Cory, Ryuu had shoved her out of the way at took the attack head on. Cory fell back down onto the ground and Kuniko's eyes got nearly as wide as humanly possible her iris shaking in fear as she watched what happened. The blade went through Ryuu, it nearly pierced his heart, now in a much more worse condition then he already was. Sweat began to pour from his forehead, his breathing became heavier with the amount of blood lose.
Ryuu let a smirk cross his face, "Heh seems I.finally got.to protect.someone." his smirk turned to a smile and his eye's seeming to fade away.
Cory seeming to reach out to him her hand slightly in a ball as she looked on in horror. Dayu finally awoke and sat up from where he lay and his eyes grew big as he looked to see his best friend stabbed by the swordsman Arcane. The sword was then withdrawn from Ryuu's body and he quickly fell to his knees sitting there with an empty expression on his face, like no one was there. Dayu clenched his fists tightly and instantly his Sharingan was released, "YOU SON OF A BITCH!" he yelled, letting his emotions get the better of him.
He jumped to his feet and charged at Arcane, Dayu leaped up into the air and twisted his body around and came crashing down at him with a kick to the neck. But the kick was deflected by Arcane who placed his arm in the way of it, and turned with a punch at his gut that sent Dayu sliding back. 'I must leave this place.not forever.but for a little while.I need to grow stronger.' Ryuu thought to himself as he sat there fighting between life and death.
'Ryuu.you know your going to have to use your power.I know how afraid of it you are but.you are going to need to master it and use it, you can change the past of your clan, no longer be feared by what may come from your people.' Reptile always believed that Ryuu had what it took to change people's thoughts about his clan.
Dayu and Arcane then engaged in combat, Dayu's eyes watching him very carefully as he came at him with each punch, kick and jutsu that he used. Ryuu's body gave of sparks of light, the electricity flying around his body that kept Kuniko and Cory from going to his side. 'What's this kid up to?' wondered Kareru as she stood with her arms folded watching between Ryuu and Dayu.
'Both of these two shinobi's have unique abilities.and one who my employer never knew existed.another survivor of the Uchiha. He was well aware of Ryuujin just not Dayu.the turn out of everything shall be very interesting.' Kareru looked on in interest the mist shinobi now spy was gathering info on these two, as Reptile hadn't shown any of his techniques yet.
'I'm feeling so tired.that jutsu earlier took a lot.but.I must do this.no matter what.' Slowly Ryuu rose to his feet, the electricity grew more around him.
Dayu dodging each attack the Arcane threw at him as he finally kicked the sword from his hands getting him to release it. Before anymore fighting could take place they all looked over at Ryuujin in amazement that he was even standing. Especially Arcane he could not believe that he wasn't dead after all that blood lose and the stab wound. 'Why wont this kid just fucking die?' Arcane scowled wanting him dead once and for all.
He was giving off a dark blue aura that was filled with lightning the whole top half of his face was filled in darkness because of the light and his hair. Ryuu turned to face Kuniko the dark look still on his face, he knew that she wanted to try and stop him from letting him become what he did that day so long ago. Kuniko just looked at him that same feeling returned. Ryuu simply mouthed a word to her saying, Sorry for letting out what he thought as a demon inside of him and he turned back to Arcane who had already got his sword back into his hands as Dayu was still shocked by this power Ryuujin had inside of him.
Ryuu slowly moved his right arm up in a claw formation and bringing his left arm down to his side also slightly open. 'Hm seems he is going for the Dragon Style of fighting.let's hope it works.' Reptile watched on amazed by Ryuu's display of power.
With great speed Ryuu appeared in front of Arcane as Ryuu brought his left hand up striking him in the face, then an elbow to the top of the head as Arcane knelt over Ryuu kneed him in the face twisting his body into it sending the swordsman away from the group. Ryuujin struck him now with a double uppercut and brought his right arm up into his face along with another blow to the top of the head and then the dragon fighter knelt down a bit with a roundhouse kick nailing Arcane in the side of the head. Reptile observed each and every attack that Ryuu used and he realized what he was doing, 'The Twist of the Tiger then he did Dragon dance fallowing it up with Silent Dragon.now Dragon Plays with seven stars...hmmm he went for the Dragon Assault combo.he must be trying to finish this.'
Ryuu charged at him again bringing his left hand up with a strike to the jaw and smashing him on the top of the head yet again, Ryuu then went for a kick to the knee as Arcane was then knocked flat on his face and coughed up blood Ryuu then leaped back and charged some chakra and electricity into his hand. He looked up from out of the shadow his face was hidden in, Ryuu had a maddening look with his eyes big and a grin the grew across his face, "I want to show you a nice little technique I created awhile ago." He said in a low tone.
"Here it comes! KYUUDEN (Ball Lightning)!!!" He yelled as he leaped up into the air and hurled a ball of lightning at the samurai Arcane.
Arcane looked up clenching his fist with blood trailing down the side of his mouth as the attack came down on him. But then a smirk on his face formed as he then reached for his sword and divided it, one the Heavenly blade and the other the Hell blade. He looked at the ball closely waiting for the chakra half of it to be visible, as he would not want to make contact with the lightning half of it. Arcane move the blades to the flat ends and as he saw his opening he leaped at the attack and made contact onto it, he grinded his teeth trying to push it back, "Come on you can do this!" he yelled as he did his best pushing his muscles to a straining point.
Arcane let out a massive yell as he then finally threw the attack back at Ryuu. Who was able to avoid the attack but barely, now the two standing they're breathing heavily as blood dripped from Ryuu's wounds now that the aura had disappeared. "Time to die you stupid dragon." Said Arcane who still had the two blades out.
Ryuu standing there with one half of his body slouched over one eye closed, 'Shit.I was hoping that would be the end of it.guess not.'
Before Ryuu knew it Arcane was there before him with both blades stabbing in to him, coughing up blood now with seventeen stab wounds Ryuu could feel his life draining away. He knew the final strike was coming so he closed his eyes and smiled, 'Good-bye everyone.' He said through out the minds of his friends.
"ALTORKEN!" Arcane yelled as he finished the attack with cutting the shadow shinobi in two.
But with all the electricity built up in his body then with the cut it created a chain reaction that Ryuu was expecting out of it and emitted a massive explosion that shot Arcane away from everyone colliding into some massive tree's that cracked down after he flew into them. Kuniko now on her knee's slowly fell forward expecting to hit the ground but Reptile had turned to her and caught her before she fell. She grabbed onto Reptile tightly and began to cry her eyes out into his arms. Cory-chan laid back against the tree unable to speak or do anything just sit there and let the salty tears run down her face and off her chin onto her hands in her lap.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Dayu yelled as he began to hit the ground with all his might, "NOOOOOOO!!!" Dayu couldn't believe it; his best friend was gone forever.
Kuniko remembered back to last night.
The two shinobi sat there Ryuu wrapped his arms around Kuniko holding her close to him as the two sat looking up into the sky. "Kuniko, I promise you that I will always be with you, I will never become that demon hidden inside me.but.I fear that soon I might have to go.but I don't know in what way that might be."
Kuniko turned in his arms to face him, "Ryuu-kun.please don't.don't leave you have to stay, everyone needs you around, everyone that loves and cares for you." She said looking deep into his eyes.
Ryuu kissed her on the forehead, "Don't worry Kuniko-chan all will be fine." He told her as she was happy with what he said and went back to her original position and they sat under the night sky.
Kuniko hoped that he wouldn't leave not in the way that he had. She just buried her face into Reptiles chest as he now was carrying her. Kareru knew what it felt like to lose someone close, but she kept her emotions hidden, also not wanting to remember her own past. The four shadow shinobi's suffered a great lose in their eyes, someone who they all loved and respected and was their friend. For some it was more, for Cory it was a person she helped raise and be there for when he needed her. Kuniko a best friend and.she had hoped it would grow into something more then friendship. Reptile and Dayu Ryuujin was their best friend, one that was irreplaceable.
But Reptile knew something that they did not, but he wasn't about to reveal anything until the time was right.
Somewhere in the Sand Country.
"Ryuu.damnit.you weren't supposed to die...not now.shit.we where supposed to do this together."
Later That Night.
Ryuu laid there on the ground gripping the blanket tightly as sweat poured from his forehead, sliding down the side of his face and dripping onto the ground. His chest heaving up and down as he was breathing very heavily. In Ryuu's mind the place the he dreamed he dreamed he saw the battle that would occur ahead of him, but he could not allow the out come of it to happen. His dream came to the point where it turned into a nightmare and woke himself raising straight up gripping his chest tightly and tears weld up in his eyes and poured down being mixed in with his sweat that weld up at the end of his chin and dripped down onto his leg.
The young dragon boy brought his trembling hands to the side of his head. The images flashed through his mind now haunting him, he saw him, Cory who was in front of him and Arcane the one who nearly killed him, and the blade of his sword was pierced through Cory. The crimson red fluid poured out from her wound, as it also stained the sword with her blood. Ryuu stood there in the middle of performing a hand seal; he was wide eyed at what occurred. Ryuujin wanted to scream as loud as he could not wanting that to happen to Cory-chan. A person who has always been there for him, he gripped his head tighter whimpering as he sat there with those images plaguing his mind. He looked over at her, she was sleeping close by incase Ryuu where to need anything. Ryuu saw that she was sleeping soundly and happily with a smile across her face. "Kakashi you are so noopy." She muttered in her sleep, which brought a slight smile to Ryuu's face seeing that she was still her self.
"Ryuu-kun.don't worry.I will always.be here.for you." She muttered again and the tears just became to much that he could not see anymore.
He brought a hand away from his head and wiped his tears away. As he then got up and got away from them, running through the woods, then he his the root of a tree and flew in to the ground his chest hitting down first and slammed his chin bouncing on the ground. Ryuu slowly got to his knee's and just sat there with his tears pouring down the side of his face. He just looked up into the night sky wondering if he could stop that from happening, his whole body was trembling from fear of the situation.
"Cory-chan.I promise I will make sure that never happens.I wont let such a thing happen.I swear it wont, not to you or Reptile everyone that I love and care for." Ryuu said as he sat there making that promise to himself for now.
With the crunching sound of leafs Reptile emerged walking over to his friend. He saw him before he ran off and could tell he had a nightmare and was able to put everything together when he heard him talking. "We all dream of our worst fears and the ones that are always the worst is losing the ones we love. But Ryuu don't worry, we aren't going to leave you, no matter what we are always here for you." Reptile knelt down next to his friend placing a hand on his shoulder.
Ryuu sat there thinking of the past and how much it meant to him to have friends that he has now.
::Flashback::
Ryuu sat there away from all the children that ran around and played. He had his legs brought up to his chest and always waited to see if someone would talk to him. Ryuujin always felt that he did not belong among the rest of the children despite he had Reptile and Cory-chan there to look after him. So he sat there alone with some of his spiky red hair coming down over his face. It wasn't that the kids or adults made him feel that way to sit alone; he just felt that no matter what he would never belong among them. A young boy that was Ryuujin's age was walking by with a friend of his and looked over at Ryuu. He brushed his hair away from his face using his fingers, "Who is that?" he wondered asking his friend.
She looked where he was, "I.don't.know."she said in a shy timid tone.
"Hmmm he seems pretty lonely over there also sad, come on let's go and talk to him and maybe cheer him up a bit." He said walking towards Ryuu as his friend tried reaching out to grab him and stop him but she was too late.
Kuniko did partially know who he was as she would notice him sitting alone like always even in their ninja academy class. But she never had the courage to go up and talk to him. So now she followed her friend Dayu to meet the quiet shinobi in training Ryuu. "Hi there I'm Dayu and this is my friend Kuniko, what's your name?" he asked curiously with a smile.
Ryuu lowered his head hiding his face more and brought his arms across the lower half of his face. Kuniko let out a quiet, "Hello." As she partially hid herself behind Dayu.
For Dayu and Kuniko their families have been friends and so Kuniko felt comfortable being around Dayu, but she was always nervous and shy around new people. Ryuu looked a little bit up through a parting in his hair at Kuniko but he then looked back down. He put his hand over the dragon mark that he has had sense birth, Ryuu didn't quite know why but he felt that he should. "The strong silent type huh?" Hmmm." Dayu thinking to himself for a moment.
Under the hair and the covering of his arms, Ryuu had a smile on his face for the first time in a long time in front of people besides Cory and Reptile. He then looked up the two with the very smile that graced his face and said, "Thank you." For they where the first kids to actually approach and talk to him.
Dayu smiled back as did the shy Kuniko as she tried bringing herself out from behind her friend. She looked at Ryuu and saw his smile seeing it to be a very honest and nice smile and she blushed slightly and hid herself again. Dayu put his hand out, "Let me help you up." He said as he waiting for Ryuu to accept his hand.
Ryuu accepted the helping hand and he got to his feet wondering what to expect next. "So tell us what is your name?" Dayu asked again curiously.
"Oh.heh.yeah sorry about that, I am Ryuujin of the Ryuu clan." He said a shy tone bringing his right hand to the back of his head looking down slightly.
Cory-chan and Reptile looked from above both smiling happily, "Well it seems our friend has made some new ones." Said Reptile as he leaned on his knee that was placed on the ledge of the building that they stood on top of.
"Yup, and some very good ones at that." Cory still smiling and turned walking away and Reptile fallowed along.
The three young shinobi from that day fourth hung out with one another outside and in the academy that they attended. Ryuu even began to talk a bit more to others around him, but still mainly just hung out with Kuniko and Dayu. He would also joke around with their sensei a bit as he began to develop a sarcastic sense of humor, with what he has done it was only fitting to do so. It wasn't until one day though that he found himself slowly shutting himself out again from everyone else. Like what went on before was nothing but a wonderful dream for him.
Ryuu and Dayu where playing a sport with some of their other classmates during one of the little breaks that they got. It was all going like any other day, but then Ryuu found that he had a side of himself that he would later fear in himself and would never want to have happen again. Ryuu found himself on the ground tackled by some of the other kids, but instead of it being a normal thing, Ryuu blanked out on the situation, it had felt like he went to sleep for a quick moment. As he woke up he came to realize he had a classmate by the shirt and was hitting him in the face repeatedly.
In that moment before he stopped he looked to the side and the only persons face that he saw was Kuniko's and the look she had as she watched Ryuu hit the classmate. The look of fear that she had, was now burned into the young dragon boys mind forever. He finally let go of the classmate as he looked at his now bloody hand and his eyes grew wide in horror of the fact that he caused such a thing to happen for no reason. Ryuu turned and ran off to find Cory, 'Ryuu-kun.' Kuniko said to herself as she watched him run away wondering what drove him to do such a thing.
Ryuu went running all over looking for Cory-chan he went to her home but she was not there so he tried the next best place, which was where she trained. He came running up with tears running down his face and ran up and wrapped his arms around her, "C-c-Cory-chan.I.did s-something bad." he cried into her as he held her tightly.
She put her arms around him, "What's the matter Ryuu?" she asked holding him gently.
"I-I hurt s-somebody.f.for no reason.and I didn't mean.it.I.I don't even know how or why.it just happened." He said feeling so bad for hurting someone in such a way like that.
Cory then knelt down and hugged him with care and love, "Calm down Ryuu- kun, it will be okay." She told him as she rubbed his back in a clockwise motion to calm him down a bit.
"I am so sorry.I didn't mean to do such a thing like that.it was all for some reason beyond my control." he choked into her with a sniffle gripping her shirt tightly.
"Just make sure tomorrow you apologize to the person that you did that to." She told him as she knelt out from the hug for just a moment placed both hands on his cheek and wiped the tears from his eyes and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
Ryuu smiled a bit, "Thank you Cory-chan." He said giving her another hug.
Kuniko stood a ways away not wanting to disturb him. She wasn't sure what to say to him after witnessing that, as Ryuu was on the other side and did not know what he looked like when he let loose. But she and everyone else did see what he looked like. His pupils were like a dragon and his mark shined enough for everyone to see and as he made contact his dragon scales formed onto his clenched hand making each hit more devastating.
She flashed on that moment and remembered that he stopped once they locked eyes. Now she only hoped that maybe she could be there for him and help him from becoming the creature that he hides deep inside of him. 'Ryuu-kun if I did help you become yourself again.then I will be there for you more then I have been.' Kuniko said to herself as she turned and headed home.
Later That Nigh.
Ryuu tossed and turned in his bed, the images of his friend's lifeless bodies displayed before him. Their blood splattered all over themselves and their surroundings. It ended the same as his other nightmares. Ryuu stood there in front of a man who was covered in nothing but shadow. His maniacal grin showed despite how much he was covered in darkness.
The unknown man brought his bloodied hand to his mouth and licked some of the blood from his hand and let it drop back down to his side. Ryuu did nothing but stand there in horror from what he witnessed, he could do nothing to save everyone. His whole body trembled in fear of this man who with such ease and with no care in the world slaughtered Ryuu's friends.his loved ones. The tears in his eyes burned as he fell back scooting back away from such an evil.
The man then approached the broken boy who could do nothing but cower in fear, and he knelt in front of him, "Are you ready to die ..." The last word he could never make out in the dream.
But that word that was always blocked out that he could never quit hear was, "Brother." Maybe for the best that Ryuu never heard that work as it might do even more harm to the young boy then good.
Ryuu then woke up screaming as he met his own death, that man was his Shinigami (God Of Death) the thought that stirred was that maybe it was the same man who killed his parents. The lights in the home where turned on and Cory came in tying on her bath robe making herself a bit more decent for the young boy. She sat beside the now crying child and brushed his hair away from his face and brought him closer to her and took him into her arms, "Its okay my little Kaiser." She said softly to him, "It was only a dream."
"B.but.it seemed so.r-r-real." He muttered amongst the tears.
"I know, but your still here safe and sound and that's how it always will be. No matter what you will be here safe from harm." She assured him.
Ryuu hugged her tightly, "I-I-m glad I have you and Reptile in my life."
"But what about Dayu and even Kuniko?" she asked.
"Yeah Dayu is cool person." Said Ryuu as he began to become comfortable in her arms.
"What about Kuniko?" Cory asked with a smile.
Ryuu blushed slightly and Cory knew that he liked her, but being the way that he was he was never able to say anything about. Cory brushing his hair back, holding him close "Its okay you don't have to answer." She told him still smiling.
"Thank you." Ryuu muttered sleepily as he began to dose off in the comfort of her arms.
Cory held him for a little bit longer till he was finally asleep and she placed him gently back under the covers and kissed him on the forehead, "Good night."
From the day of Ryuu's rage, he slowly began to distance himself from people fearing that one day it might happen again and he wouldn't want to harm another like that. He feared himself and his actions, though he still continued through the ninja academy in some hopes of controlling his anger. But he still feared that deep down as he avoided conflicts and those who picked on him that it was only building up for one day to have it be unleashed again but in a more destructive way. Through the rest of his life he was still plagued by the horrors of that nightmare, it wouldn't leave him alone.
::Flashback End::
Now eighteen Ryuu has been faced with nightmares, fear of his friends demise and the day that he will be faced against the shadowed man who haunts his dreams.
Ryuu and Reptile where still they're in the cold of the night, the dragon boy looking up into the night sky as he thought of his passed and what went on. "Reptile.I don't want what ever is inside of me unleashed again.I really don't." Ryuu placing a hand on each arm as he now stared with a wide- eyed expression completely zoning out on the spot he was looking at.
"Ryuu it wont, don't worry about it." Reptile told him as he patted him on the shoulder.
"But it did happen again.that one time a long time again.and just today.what ever was inside of me came out again rearing its ugly head." Ryuu then gripped his arms tightly his nails digging into his skin.
Reptile sighed just resting his hand on his shoulder, "You will control that power, and you wont have to worry about loosing control over your emotions." Explained Reptile.
Soon blood seeped out from where Ryuu had dug his nails into and he began to pull them down a little bit of his arm exposing more blood from his body. Until some foot steps where heard and a sweet quiet voice was heard in the air, "Ryuu-kun?"
Ryuu snapped out of the trance he seemed to be in and looked up and there was Kuniko, she had shoulder length brown hair and eyes that Ryuu found that he would almost get lost in them and could look at them for hours, she wore what looked like an Anbu vest with a short sleeve blue shirt underneath along with navy blue pants and shinobi sandals. "Kuniko-chan." he said looking up at her and had a slight smile cross his face.
She looked at his arms and saw the bleeding and rushed over to him, "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Hm? Oh.my arms didn't even realize that." He said looking at each arm.
Kuniko reached into her pack and began to wrap up the scratch wounds that Ryuu caused on himself. She then looked to his chest once she was done and noticed the bandaging on him and a the bit of blood that appeared from it, Kuniko set a gentle hand where to wound is, "What happened?" she asked and a slightly wince in pain came from Ryuu as well as some blush running over his cheeks.
".Well."Ryuu went silent just sitting there gripping his pant legs tightly.
Kuniko set a hand on his and moved her thumb over his hand gently, "Its okay." She told him, understanding what it was that he didn't want to talk about.
Reptile smiled at the two, "I'm gonna head back to everyone else." He whispered to Ryuu as he stood back up and walked back to the camp.
"Kuniko.why are you way out here like this?" Ryuu asked curiously as he looked at her hand that was on his and smiled again feeling his heartbeat quicken.
"Well.I left a note for you at your home.and I waited for you.but you never came so.I noticed how Dayu was in a hurry from the Hitokage's and fallowed figuring he went after you.because after I waited I went to your house.but you where there." She said shyly still with her hand over his.
He looked at her curiously, "Why where you waiting and what was on the note?" Ryuu asked looking at her.
"...."
Ryuu looked at her, "What is it? You can tell me."
"Its that.well.I like you.a lot.and have for awhile.I just finally got the courage to say something to you.and I want to be by your side always."Kuniko doing her best to express her feelings to him.
Ryuu placed his other hand on top of hers and looked down slightly, "Kuniko I cannot risk.having you be hurt by me.I don't think it would be safe to be with me.to be by my side."
"I have an evil hidden inside me.it scares me.I cant risk you being hurt by it.by me.I care a great deal for you.too.that's why.." Ryuu then stopped by Kuniko as she had placed her finger on his lips to keep him from saying anymore.
"But I know that you wont hurt me, you never have before I don't think you would now. I know you, you are a kind, sweet and gentle person, and you care to greatly for those you love. You haven't ever heart any of them, that tells you something doesn't it Ryuu-kun?" she asked removing her finger from the top of his lips hoping that she had convinced him of it.
Ryuu sat there for a moment thinking it all over and then he smiled, as he looked down at his hand and he took Kuniko's hand into his own and held it gently then smiled looking at her, "Yeah, your right Kuniko-chan."
"Thanks." Said Ryuu as he closed his eyes for a moment and suddenly felt a soft touch on his lips.
He opened his eyes and they grew wide realizing that Kuniko was kissing him. She slowly moved away and the two's faces blushed brightly but they smiled happily as Ryuu placed a hand on the back of his head as he sat more on the ground off his knees. The two shinobi just sat there both with smiles on their faces as the happy thoughts went through their minds on what could be held in the future for them.
On The Other Side Of The Forrest.
Arcane sat there with a stick poking at the fire moving the other pieces of timber around to keep the fire going. As nothing but revenge against Ryuujin was running through his mind, he was going to get him back for what he did to Sierra. Who now laid bandaged up for her body was nearly broken and had sever burns from the Lightning Dragon that she was faced against. Arcane stood up from where he sat and walked over to Sierra taking the wet rag from her forehead and ringed it out and set it aside, moving some strands of hair from her wet face of sweat and the water from the rag. "Arcane.b-be.be careful." Muttered Sierra.
"Sierra, please don't talk save your strength." He advised.
But she reached out with her bandaged hand and took his into her own, "That boy.is like no other.he.wont be like any other.fighter.and the other." Arcane had told her about Dayu and what went on with the confrontation between the two.
"What about the other?" he asked in curiosity as he held her hand with care.
"He.is of the Uchiha.clan."
"You mean the one wiped out by that psycho Itachi?" Arcane asked.
Sierra simply nodded, "The Uchiha are dangerous.if you face him.be quick.and kill him.right away." she warned Arcane of what was required in facing a person of that clan.
"I planned on it my dear, so don't worry, besides that Dragon Boy is my main target not the tricky eyed freak, and don't worry, I will return to you alive, I swear to you on that." Arcane assured her that their enemy would be slain and that he will return to her side.
"You better.or I will hurt you." She joked trying her best to get him to smile even a little bit.
Arcane cracked a little smile his mind was set on killing Ryuu and he was trying to stay in that frame of mind. He knelt down and kissed her on the forehead, "Rest up and get better." Arcane then stood up and walked towards the fire.
Sierra just watched and only hopped that this would not be the last time she would get to see him. Arcane Octanos sat there and began to sharpen his blades, with a cold look on his face he was going to make sure that by the end of tomorrow Ryuu's blood would be spilled onto the earth's surface.
The Next Day.
Everyone woke up feeling very relaxed and refreshed, Ryuu and Kuniko woke up slowly as they had staid up a lot of the night talking, Ryuu explaining how he got the wound on his chest and more. Cory woke up letting out a big yawn and stretching her arms out, Dayu was right there watching the sexy ninja Cory stretch out, with his tongue practically hanging out of his mouth and drooling. She looked at him and now had an annoyed look; Cory- chan placed her fist at her side and punched Dayu right in the face that sent him flying back with his leg twitching in the air as he lay on his back. Everybody let out a good laugh even Kareru who was new to the group. The Mist shinobi was suddenly confused as she looked over and noticed another person who was now with the group and wondered who she was.
"Hey Kuniko, when did you get here?" asked Cory with a puzzled look, as she still sat in her sleeping bag.
Kuniko looked to Cory, "Oh well I got here last night, I ran into Ryuu a little ways from here and well.pretty much sums it up." Both her and Ryuu smiled and blushed a little bit.
Reptile just smiled himself, as he was already wide-awake on watch with Stephanie. Dayu got off his back on his hands and knees and with Cory looked between Kuniko and Ryuu both very puzzled and they both thought, 'Did I miss something?'
Ryuu looked to his left side and saw his Shuurai and Shadow forehead protector and reached for the forehead protector looking at the symbol. A wavy line that had lines in the indentation of the wavy line that gave it a look like someone was disappearing. The young dragon took his sheathed Shuurai and placed it onto his back and he got up, but then knelt back down after he stretched himself and began to roll up his sleeping bag. He grabbed his pack and pulled out a new black t-shirt with out a massive gash in it like his last one along with bloodstains all over it. Ryuu had another second shirt to put on like he normally wore. He strained a bit in pain as he lifted his arm into each sleeve, it caused the wound to bleed only a little bit but he was still fine.
"I prepared a small meal for you all, so eat up because we need to get to Konoha as fast as possible." Said Reptile from the branch of a tree looking in the opposite direction. Dayu was already attacking the food, getting in his meal, as Cory came up from behind and planted her foot into his back stopping him from taking anymore and gave everyone else a chance to get something into their stomachs.
Everyone packed up their stuff getting everything together and they headed out to their destination. Ryuu and Kuniko walked together just talking about the past and everything else that has gone on. Dayu decided to pester Kareru as he didn't want to disturb the two lovebirds, and he didn't want to get on Cory-chans bad side along with Reptiles because they could both pummel him into the ground. "So tell me Kareru why do you have those bandages on your face?" Dayu wondered as he looked at her.
"." She didn't even respond to him for she felt the annoyance of him was going to be too much, but she did her best to ignore him and hope that he would shut up.
"Aw come on say something, you know it's not all that bad to loosen up and talk once in awhile!" Dayu walking away already bored of trying to get answers out of her.though he was aiming to annoy.
But ahead of them laid a great danger, something that Ryuu hoped would still be awhile for he still needed some time to heal from his wound. A shimmering light was seen ahead of the group and Reptile raised an eyebrow slightly to it wondering what it might be. They got closer and it was soon revealed to be Arcane Octanos and he was ready to fight Ryuu no matter what. "Oh, it's you why are you back?" asked Reptile as he stopped only a few feet away from Arcane along with the rest of the group.
Ryuu's happy face disappeared very quickly once he saw who it was that stopped them. Arcane simply lifted his arm and pointed his blade right at Ryuujin. Dayu noticed and then just smirked as he then walked towards the swordsman, "You know it's not wise to mess with us! Why return when you will simply be." Before Dayu could say anymore he met the full force of Arcane's blade but the side of it and was smacked being sent head first into a tree and fell to the ground unconscious.
Ryuu wasn't about to stand on the sides and watch so he took a deep breath and prepared as he reached to the back of his head and untied his forehead protector and turned to Kuniko. "Here I want you to hold on to this for me." He told her as he handed it to her.
"Ryuu-kun why?" she asked in a shaky voice.
He just smiled at her and gave her a kiss, "Don't worry, I will be fine.plus I told you about my dream.I cant let anything happen." He told her.
"Then let Reptile fight he will win, he is also not hurt." Kuniko not wanting him to fight for anything, not wanting to loose Ryuu already as they had finally been together and got to spend some time as a couple.
Ryuu took her hand and placed his Shadow Village forehead protector in it, "I will be back for this." He told her as she then placed it into her vest pocket to keep it safe.
"You better." She told him, and Ryuu smiled again at her and she let a little smile show up.
Ryuu took her into his arms and held her for a moment, "Don't worry, no matter what I will always be by your side." He assured her giving her one last kiss and headed to the front of the group.
He stopped by Cory for a moment, "Cory.please I want you to do something for me during this fight."
"What is it?"
"Stay out of it completely no matter what, do not interfere and please watch over Kuniko-chan." He hopped that she would go by that hoping not to question what he was saying.
"Ryuu.wh." Ryuu just glared at her for a moment showing her that he was serious and didn't want to be questioned, ".Okay." she said now with a worried look on her face as he walked away from her and to Reptile.
Ryuu then stopped next to Reptile, "Reptile.I know that you know what I am going to do here.but do not tell anyone what is going on, there are some very dangerous people out there, we all know that.but everyone else needs something to fuel them.to keep them training and growing strong. Make sure they do, and.thank you for everything." Ryuu then walked on as the group backed away from this.
'Your welcome Ryuu.' Reptile thought to himself as he smiled under his fast mask.
As Kuniko watched Ryuu stand there, she could only feel worried about him knowing that this was only going to end in something terrible. "You will pay for what you did to me and my friend." Said Ryuu who tossed off his second t-shirt and with drew his Shuurai standing there very loose having the sword down by his side.
Arcane did not respond to the dragon boys threats, as he noticed what went on between him and the girl and he knew how he could truly get back at him for what he did to his own loved one. With a twitch of his eye Ryuu turned towards the group noticing Arcane rushing towards them, but mainly gunning for Kuniko. Ryuu stuck his sword into the ground then performed the seals and ended with his left hand using two fingers up and his right hand holding the base of his left. "Doton Doryuuheki (Mudslide Barrier)!!" and out from his mouth the barrier shot out and flew in the way of Arcane creating a massive wall that would by Ryuu time, Arcane stopped as fast as he could digging his feet into the ground.
He then grabbed the blade from the ground and charged at Arcane with electricity filled around the blade now. Arcane simply put his blade behind him and defended against Ryuu's strike and he wiped his body around and kicked his attacker in the side that knocked him off his balance and stumbled to the side. He then came at Ryuu with a spinning back kick and sent him flipping once through the air and come crashing down on the ground his chest hitting down first which sent a massive amount of pain through Ryuu as he grabbed his chest trying to hold in from screaming out in the immense pain.
Arcane then leaped on top of the barrier and set his sights on Kuniko, 'You shall feel the pain that I did, dragon boy.' He thought to himself as he readied his blade.
Ryuu rolled onto his back and looked up through one eye seeing Arcane and he brought his hands away from his chest and did the hand seal that canceled the jutsu. Arcane suddenly felt the barrier beneath him begin to fall away as he leaped off the top falling by Ryuu. The shinobi planted his hands into the ground and sent him flying at the sword fighter feet first and smashed into his stomach sending him back a bit away. Ryuu slowly got back to his feet clenching his chest as he got to his knee's first and finally got on his feet but slightly hunched over a bit with the intense pain that he felt burn in him.
Arcane lay there for a moment as he then shoved his sword into the ground and began to pull himself up. His look was still cold and emotionless, not letting Ryuu's hit get to him. Now, the two fighters where back on their feet, but one with a handicap trying to fight back the pain of his wound and the other still perfectly fine. Ryuu moved his hand away from his chest for a moment and noticed some blood had seeped through the bandages and his shirt, 'Shit.that impact must had opened the wound a tiny bit.' he thought to himself trying to figure out how he was going to pull this off.
Kuniko wanted so badly to run in and stop this ridiculous match, to get Ryuu to stop fighting and allow Reptile or Dayu to take his place. She withdrew the shadow forehead protector from her pocked and held it with both hands hoping for Ryuu to come out of all this alive as tears slowly rolled out from her eyes down her face off her chin and onto the plate of the protector. Cory looked behind her to see the very upset Kuniko and she knew how she was feeling, she too didn't want anything bad to happen to Ryuu.but she knew that she couldn't protect him forever and that the young dragon boys life would have to be taken into consideration sooner or later.
Ryuujin got a slight smirk as he knew he was in deep with this fight, but decided to have a bit of fun. Then he performed a hand seal Fuck You where it was both middle fingers out and the left put behind the right and the thumbs touching. Suddenly a puff of smoke formed in front of Arcane and then a barrage of open hands came out and preserved to slap the hell out of him. The smoke cloud finally disappeared and left Arcane less then thrilled to be humiliated in such a way, "Heh heh, a nice little trick my friend Reptile created, the Ultimate Fuck You!" Ryuu still grinning for some idiotic reason.
Reptile smacked his forehead looking down at the ground; 'I never thought he would actually use that technique on an enemy.especially this one. Geese it was only meant to get their attention or to keep them from goofing off but not for actual battle'
'What an idiot, that is only going to enrage this guy further, to kill him faster.' Thought Kareru as she watched the display of stupidity on Ryuu's part.
Arcane gripped the handle of his sword very tightly as in a flash he appeared behind Ryuu. "Die." He said in a low tone as he then swiped down the middle of Ryuu.
"RYUU!!!" yelled Cory and Kuniko.
A puff of smoke the filled around, then a massive jolt of electricity shot out from the smoke and zapped Arcane making him fall to his knees. 'Whoa!' Kareru in shock that Ryuu could cause such an after effect with shadow clones.
'So that's the trick he wanted to show us hmm not bad Ryuu.' Thought Reptile as he even smirked a little bit under his facemask.
Ryuu came walking out from the back of a tree, "Heh seems I got you with that one." He said grinning but still holding his chest.
The two girls attempted to try and calm themselves after that scare that Ryuu gave them. Arcane was now getting very aggravated by him, wanting now to kill him more then ever. Then Ryuu began performing certain hand seals, Arcane saw this as a perfect chance to take him down and he gripped the handle and jolted to his feet and ran at Ryuu. Cory-chan's eyes widened and saw what he was going for, she knew that Ryuu told her to stay out of the fight but she couldn't let anything happen to him. In an instant she was right in front of Ryuu guarding him, "CORY-CHAN NO!!!" Ryuu yelled.
She put her arms out staying in the way. In the dream, Ryuu couldn't do anything, he felt frozen for some reason but not this time. Right before Arcane struck his blade into Cory, Ryuu had shoved her out of the way at took the attack head on. Cory fell back down onto the ground and Kuniko's eyes got nearly as wide as humanly possible her iris shaking in fear as she watched what happened. The blade went through Ryuu, it nearly pierced his heart, now in a much more worse condition then he already was. Sweat began to pour from his forehead, his breathing became heavier with the amount of blood lose.
Ryuu let a smirk cross his face, "Heh seems I.finally got.to protect.someone." his smirk turned to a smile and his eye's seeming to fade away.
Cory seeming to reach out to him her hand slightly in a ball as she looked on in horror. Dayu finally awoke and sat up from where he lay and his eyes grew big as he looked to see his best friend stabbed by the swordsman Arcane. The sword was then withdrawn from Ryuu's body and he quickly fell to his knees sitting there with an empty expression on his face, like no one was there. Dayu clenched his fists tightly and instantly his Sharingan was released, "YOU SON OF A BITCH!" he yelled, letting his emotions get the better of him.
He jumped to his feet and charged at Arcane, Dayu leaped up into the air and twisted his body around and came crashing down at him with a kick to the neck. But the kick was deflected by Arcane who placed his arm in the way of it, and turned with a punch at his gut that sent Dayu sliding back. 'I must leave this place.not forever.but for a little while.I need to grow stronger.' Ryuu thought to himself as he sat there fighting between life and death.
'Ryuu.you know your going to have to use your power.I know how afraid of it you are but.you are going to need to master it and use it, you can change the past of your clan, no longer be feared by what may come from your people.' Reptile always believed that Ryuu had what it took to change people's thoughts about his clan.
Dayu and Arcane then engaged in combat, Dayu's eyes watching him very carefully as he came at him with each punch, kick and jutsu that he used. Ryuu's body gave of sparks of light, the electricity flying around his body that kept Kuniko and Cory from going to his side. 'What's this kid up to?' wondered Kareru as she stood with her arms folded watching between Ryuu and Dayu.
'Both of these two shinobi's have unique abilities.and one who my employer never knew existed.another survivor of the Uchiha. He was well aware of Ryuujin just not Dayu.the turn out of everything shall be very interesting.' Kareru looked on in interest the mist shinobi now spy was gathering info on these two, as Reptile hadn't shown any of his techniques yet.
'I'm feeling so tired.that jutsu earlier took a lot.but.I must do this.no matter what.' Slowly Ryuu rose to his feet, the electricity grew more around him.
Dayu dodging each attack the Arcane threw at him as he finally kicked the sword from his hands getting him to release it. Before anymore fighting could take place they all looked over at Ryuujin in amazement that he was even standing. Especially Arcane he could not believe that he wasn't dead after all that blood lose and the stab wound. 'Why wont this kid just fucking die?' Arcane scowled wanting him dead once and for all.
He was giving off a dark blue aura that was filled with lightning the whole top half of his face was filled in darkness because of the light and his hair. Ryuu turned to face Kuniko the dark look still on his face, he knew that she wanted to try and stop him from letting him become what he did that day so long ago. Kuniko just looked at him that same feeling returned. Ryuu simply mouthed a word to her saying, Sorry for letting out what he thought as a demon inside of him and he turned back to Arcane who had already got his sword back into his hands as Dayu was still shocked by this power Ryuujin had inside of him.
Ryuu slowly moved his right arm up in a claw formation and bringing his left arm down to his side also slightly open. 'Hm seems he is going for the Dragon Style of fighting.let's hope it works.' Reptile watched on amazed by Ryuu's display of power.
With great speed Ryuu appeared in front of Arcane as Ryuu brought his left hand up striking him in the face, then an elbow to the top of the head as Arcane knelt over Ryuu kneed him in the face twisting his body into it sending the swordsman away from the group. Ryuujin struck him now with a double uppercut and brought his right arm up into his face along with another blow to the top of the head and then the dragon fighter knelt down a bit with a roundhouse kick nailing Arcane in the side of the head. Reptile observed each and every attack that Ryuu used and he realized what he was doing, 'The Twist of the Tiger then he did Dragon dance fallowing it up with Silent Dragon.now Dragon Plays with seven stars...hmmm he went for the Dragon Assault combo.he must be trying to finish this.'
Ryuu charged at him again bringing his left hand up with a strike to the jaw and smashing him on the top of the head yet again, Ryuu then went for a kick to the knee as Arcane was then knocked flat on his face and coughed up blood Ryuu then leaped back and charged some chakra and electricity into his hand. He looked up from out of the shadow his face was hidden in, Ryuu had a maddening look with his eyes big and a grin the grew across his face, "I want to show you a nice little technique I created awhile ago." He said in a low tone.
"Here it comes! KYUUDEN (Ball Lightning)!!!" He yelled as he leaped up into the air and hurled a ball of lightning at the samurai Arcane.
Arcane looked up clenching his fist with blood trailing down the side of his mouth as the attack came down on him. But then a smirk on his face formed as he then reached for his sword and divided it, one the Heavenly blade and the other the Hell blade. He looked at the ball closely waiting for the chakra half of it to be visible, as he would not want to make contact with the lightning half of it. Arcane move the blades to the flat ends and as he saw his opening he leaped at the attack and made contact onto it, he grinded his teeth trying to push it back, "Come on you can do this!" he yelled as he did his best pushing his muscles to a straining point.
Arcane let out a massive yell as he then finally threw the attack back at Ryuu. Who was able to avoid the attack but barely, now the two standing they're breathing heavily as blood dripped from Ryuu's wounds now that the aura had disappeared. "Time to die you stupid dragon." Said Arcane who still had the two blades out.
Ryuu standing there with one half of his body slouched over one eye closed, 'Shit.I was hoping that would be the end of it.guess not.'
Before Ryuu knew it Arcane was there before him with both blades stabbing in to him, coughing up blood now with seventeen stab wounds Ryuu could feel his life draining away. He knew the final strike was coming so he closed his eyes and smiled, 'Good-bye everyone.' He said through out the minds of his friends.
"ALTORKEN!" Arcane yelled as he finished the attack with cutting the shadow shinobi in two.
But with all the electricity built up in his body then with the cut it created a chain reaction that Ryuu was expecting out of it and emitted a massive explosion that shot Arcane away from everyone colliding into some massive tree's that cracked down after he flew into them. Kuniko now on her knee's slowly fell forward expecting to hit the ground but Reptile had turned to her and caught her before she fell. She grabbed onto Reptile tightly and began to cry her eyes out into his arms. Cory-chan laid back against the tree unable to speak or do anything just sit there and let the salty tears run down her face and off her chin onto her hands in her lap.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Dayu yelled as he began to hit the ground with all his might, "NOOOOOOO!!!" Dayu couldn't believe it; his best friend was gone forever.
Kuniko remembered back to last night.
The two shinobi sat there Ryuu wrapped his arms around Kuniko holding her close to him as the two sat looking up into the sky. "Kuniko, I promise you that I will always be with you, I will never become that demon hidden inside me.but.I fear that soon I might have to go.but I don't know in what way that might be."
Kuniko turned in his arms to face him, "Ryuu-kun.please don't.don't leave you have to stay, everyone needs you around, everyone that loves and cares for you." She said looking deep into his eyes.
Ryuu kissed her on the forehead, "Don't worry Kuniko-chan all will be fine." He told her as she was happy with what he said and went back to her original position and they sat under the night sky.
Kuniko hoped that he wouldn't leave not in the way that he had. She just buried her face into Reptiles chest as he now was carrying her. Kareru knew what it felt like to lose someone close, but she kept her emotions hidden, also not wanting to remember her own past. The four shadow shinobi's suffered a great lose in their eyes, someone who they all loved and respected and was their friend. For some it was more, for Cory it was a person she helped raise and be there for when he needed her. Kuniko a best friend and.she had hoped it would grow into something more then friendship. Reptile and Dayu Ryuujin was their best friend, one that was irreplaceable.
But Reptile knew something that they did not, but he wasn't about to reveal anything until the time was right.
Somewhere in the Sand Country.
"Ryuu.damnit.you weren't supposed to die...not now.shit.we where supposed to do this together."