Chapter 8: Let the Talking Commence, Demon vs. Demon
A breeze struck the hill's far out from Konoha, the familiar sound of foot steps echoed through as Amatsu made his way to Leaf Village. He found himself stretching his arm to his mouth covering it as he let out a yawn, still walking even with his eyes shut till the yawn had passed. As he was done he stopped and a smirk grew across his face, "Hm Orochimaru it's been awhile."
Orochimaru stood there with his lap dog Kabuto at least in the eye's of Amatsu. "Yes it has been Amatsu, still with the Akatsuki?"
"Pft hell no, so Oro still chasing after little boys like a sex deprived priest, heh judging by the kid there as well as the three sound ninjas I have caught word of I would say yes." Amatsu always knowing how to tap a nerve with a person and he always had the thought that Oro was just sick enough to do so.
"You bastard..." Kabuto said under his breath.
The pale faced leader of Hidden Sound tightened his fists coiling them in a little ball but calmed himself, "You know Amatsu, if I remember correctly it was Itachi who had the win over you last time and if you can't beat him, what gives you the right to taunt me in such a way?" He believed that now Amatsu was not to his ability and was no longer at the level that Oro himself was along with Itachi.
Amatsu wrapped his arms around his stomach and let out a big laugh, "Orochimaru you idiot! Like I haven't been keeping up! Hell, I have worked on some new tricks here and there that even you will have to realize are great. You simply rely on the corpses you feed upon for a body, instead of what made you one of the Legendary Three Sennin. Also, if I remember correctly that you failed miserably when you attempted to take Itachi for yourself, but he got you under his foot grinding you into the ground." He stood there now with a twisted grin.
"BAKA, how dare you speak in such a tone towards Orochimaru!" Kabuto truly showing his loyalty for his master.
Amatsu now narrowed his eyes setting them upon Kabuto, Orochimaru noticed that look in Amatsu's eyes, and it showed that he still has his killer instinct it had not changed. "Kabuto keep calm, you do not want to start a fight with him, he will surely kill you with out a second thought and before you had the chance to use any of your healing Jutsu's." Oro spoke to his subordinate in a soft tone so only he would hear.
"He is nothing to me Orochimaru-samma he would stand no chance with my abilities." Kabuto responded as he slowly crouched reading himself if needed.
"No! No fighting not now."
Amatsu folded his arms and smiled, "Aw so no fun before the Chuunin exam? Geez Oro you are certainly a kill joy!"
Orochimaru now smirked to himself, "How is your younger brother Ryuujin? The heir to the Ryuu clan."
Amatsu's smile died quickly his killer intent returned, "The issue with my brother and I are of none of your concern so stay out of family affairs."
Still with the smirk Oro had already run into his younger brother, the abilities where to great for him to pass up and had cursed him with his mark. "Hm tell me though Amatsu, do you still bare that lovely mark that I gave you?"
"Oh you mean that weak seal you cursed me with? No it's gone. I have been very busy sense I left the Akatsuki your pitiful little mark is nothing to me now and a burden I no longer have to carry." Explained Amatsu.
'Shit...I didn't think that he could do such a thing....he is an interesting guy I cant tell him of my planes he may get in the way just to spite me and if I tell him of his brother....he will kill me here and now.' Orochimaru thought to himself wondering what he would do if he told him but the quick assumption would be his demise.
"What of it?" Amatsu asked snapping him to attention.
He shrugged his shoulder's, "A hope that I could steal another lineage of a group, but it seems I cannot anymore."
"Well, as fun as this has been I must be on my way, if you will excuse me." Amatsu taking on step.
Orochimaru quickly sharpened his eyes glaring right into Amatsu's performing his sight of death move on him so they could get the head start. Amatsu now stood there with wide eyes seeming to have a shocked look, Oro smirking and starting to turn away with Kabuto until a sound hit the air. "AHHHHHH HAAAAAHAAAA HAAAAA HAAAA HA HA HA HA!!!!!" Amatsu's laugh echoed in the air.
The two turned to him with their own shocked looks, "Oh come ON Oro is that it? Sweet fucking Christ man I see more demented things in my own mind! By the way nice death you had for me very gruesome and horrible, not bad though haa haa." Amatsu with a wide grin.
"Shit you pasty faced bastard if you wanted to go ahead of me you could had just said so! Go on you screwy bastard. Uhh I was up for taking a break anyway. See you two there heh don't die in the mean time." Amatsu grin still graced his face and he took a seat on the ground as he watched Orochimaru and Kabuto walk away slowly still slightly keeping their eye's on the twisted Shadow Ninja Amatsu Mikaboshi. Kabuto though stopped for a quick moment and glared over at Amatsu and when he did he saw him sit there his hair partly over his eyes creating a menacing shadow that blocked out his eyes and above he could see a demonic dragon floating above him glaring right back at Kabuto. He quickly turned his head and walked with Orochimaru to Konoha.
Konoha Village
A light knock came to the door and a voice spoke from inside, "Come in."
With the twisting of the knob and the door opening with creaking sounds Shinja entered the room. "Hello Hokage-samma it has been a good deal of time."
Sarutobi turned his head from where he sat, "Yes it has Shinja-kun it is good to see you again, I believe the last time you where in the village was when Itachi killed the Uchiha clan."
"Yeah....Im sorry I couldn't do anything to stop him...and say anything before I left again...I just did my best to get Dayu's family to safety as well as stop that sadistic bastard.." Shinja now standing before the Third Hokage with a sad look.
"Shinja, the important thing was that you where able to save some people, it may not had been all of them but a little doesn't hurt anything."
Shinja smiled slightly, "Yes that's true. But it does feel good to be home, oh and Hitokage sends his respects and that he will be on his way for the final matches of the Chuunin exam."
"That's good to hear, now how was your journey here? I hope it was a safe one." Wondered the Third Hokage as he motioned for Shinja to take a seat and doing so. He then leaned forward in curiosity to hear what went on.
Shinja let out a heavy sigh and explained every bit of detail to him about Arcane and Sierra, Ryuujin's abilities and his demise as well as Dayu and Kuniko joining up with them and a Mist Shinobi by the name of Kareru also joining them. "My my you had quit the journey here, at least though your friend has returned to you." Spoke Sarutobi-samma trying to find the more upbeat part to their trial.
"Well...about that, I know that the person who is with us is not Ryuujin. I could see that he has applied not only the Henge but also a Genjutsu on everyone that seems to effect them due to the fact of the loose and heart ache that they feel. But there is something that I know that they do not. Ryuujin is alive he told me himself that he needed to do something drastic in order to find a way to control what it was inside him. But I think it did more harm then good. He has probably been recovering and training at the same time so hopefully he is and will be ready for the Chuunin exams, the Hitokage want's to see his nephew in action." Explained Shinja as he began to relax in the chair he was sitting in.
"Wow, by all that it seems that the boy will defiantly make up for everything in his clan's past. It will be interesting to see him perform in the Chuunin exams as will it to see everyone else take on their responsibilities as shinobi's." Said the Sarutobi with a shinning smile on his face always proud of the young ninja's of this village.
"Hm yes very true, has everything been set up for the addition of my Shadow Shinobi?" Shinja asked curiously in reference to the set up of the Chuunin exams tournament.
"Ah yes, but are you sure that your team will make it to the preliminaries? I have confidence in all the shinobi here in Leaf but there is always the possibility of them not making it fully through." Stated the Third.
"I know, but they have already gone through so much that I don't think an exam a test of their abilities would stop them now Dayu especially. I think even he knows that Ryuu is out there somewhere and he wants his chance to have his own match against him, plus I am sure it will be a big surprise to all that there is another Uchiha out there especially one that has a high ability with it." Shinja said with a grin.
"I should had known that you would train a boy from that clan to the highest point, you think that Amatsu Mikaboshi is going to show up here don't you?"
Shinja nodded his head, "Also the Hitokage wanted me to give you this." He reached into his side pocket and pulled out an envelope and handed it to the Hokage and accepting it he opened the letter instantly.
As he read the letter even he was shocked by what was stated:
Dear, Sarutobi
Old friend I ask a big favor of you and the shinobi of Leaf. My nephew Amatsu Mikaboshi the 'S' class criminal is to participate in the Chuunin exam. Also I ask that when he arrives to Leaf he is not to be confronted...I understand this is a hard thing to ask. But Amatsu has his reasons for doing what he is doing, he strives to find the killer of his family, the man who drove him out of Shadow and into exile. I know that he is a disturbed individual and has killed many, but I ask that he is allowed into this exam and unharmed before it. For if he causes any deaths of your Leaf Shinobi prior to the exam I will handle it personally, but believe me I know he can find the murderer of my sister and his family.
Also I know you trust in Shinja already, but trust in the other Shadow nin they maybe young but they are very skilled and will not let you down. Until I see you at the tournament Sarutobi.
From, Tatsudoshi
"I find it hard to believe that he wants me to allow the possible harm of everyone here just so Amatsu can participate in the Chuunin exam so he can hunt someone out." The Hokage in disbelief of such a request.
"I understand that Hokage, but I believe in Hitokage's words. I believe that Amatsu will do only what is needed and not harm anyone in this village, he knows that the stakes are to high at this point and if he attacks here, it's all over." Shinja attempting to allow the great request by Hitokage so Amatsu can enter.
Sarutobi took a deep breath and exhaled picking up his pipe and placing it into his mouth he lit it and began to smoke. The smoke puffed around him filling the air, "Fine..."
To The Hotel
Cory was walking up with Kakashi, "So tell me Kakashi-kun is there a special someone in your life?" she asked with hopes that there wasn't.
He looked over to her his nervous smile reappeared, "Uh no there isn't."
'YES! THERE IS A CHANCE!' Cory said to her self all excited about that answer.
Dayu looked curiously hearing the name some more and he walked up with Cory- chan and Kakashi, "So you're the one and only Copy Ninja Kakashi right?"
"Yes." Kakashi answering his question quickly and simply.
"So you use the eye technique Sharingan right?" Dayu asked.
"Yes."
"Tell me, if you're not an Uchiha then how did you get the Sharingan eye?" Dayu wondered in curiosity.
Cory suddenly turned right to Dayu shooting an evil look, "Uh-oh." Dayu said aloud gulping knowing what was in store.
"SHUT UP!" she yelled and cracked Dayu right in the head with her fist which sent him right into the ground.
A relieved look crossed Kakashi's face not having to answer that detailed question, 'That was close.' He thought to himself as he continued walking to the hotel where they would be staying. Everyone was glad that they would be sleeping in soft beds again instead of the hard ground.
They entered the hotel finally; Kakashi went to the front desk asking about the rooms for the Shadow Shinobi. They all sat down for a moment in the lounge of the hotel kicking their feet up for a quick moment. Ryuu looked at Kuniko and took her hand into his, "Hey are you okay? You still seem down...everything okay?" he asked with a slight worried tone to his voice.
"Yeah everything is fine." She said with a smile, "I just want to get washed up and then sleep for a bit."
He looked slightly puzzled, "Haven't been sleeping to well?" Ryuu asking the obvious.
Kuniko said nothing more but just nodded, Ryuu set his arm over her shoulder just holding her close to him. Kakashi finally returned with the key's to their rooms, "Okay, the guys will share a room as will the ladies." He tossed one key to Dayu and the other to Kareru.
"Oh uh Cory-chan, these are keys for you and Shinja-kun you two get your own rooms." Kakashi handing the two key's to Cory and she happily accepted.
"What!? That's bullshit! Why do Shinja or Reptile whatever and Cory get their own rooms and we have to share!" Dayu stood up from his seat protesting against the sharing of a room.
Kakashi just shrugged, "It was how Shinja had things set up apparently. He already sent ahead to make arrangements for the rooms. Sorry."
Dayu just huffed under his breath, "Tsh fine. Lets go Ryuu." He said walking towards the stairs that lead up to their room.
Ryuu stood up and helped Kuniko up and they headed up the stairs with Kareru fallowing. The group then retired to their rooms so they could get the well deserved rest, as they did Cory decided to stick with Kakashi for a little while. But before Kuniko went all the way up the stairs, "Pst, Kuniko come here." Cory whispered waving for her to come over to her.
Slowly she did as Dayu, Ryuu and Kareru walked up to their rooms. "What is it Cory-chan?" she asked in a very worn out and tired tone.
"Here is the key to my room, I can see you have a lot on your mind. So I will be up in a bit and after you get settled in we can talk about the things troubling you." Cory handing her the key to her room.
"But then where will you sleep?"
"I will take Shinja's, he still has his old place here so it all works out." Said Cory with a smile.
"T-thank you." Kuniko then turned and headed up the stairs to her room.
'I miss Ryuu to...' Cory with a now sad face as she watched Kuniko leave.
At The Meadow
A puff of smoke appeared in the center, Naruto stood there curious to who this person was as he was ready for what he might do. The smoke finally began to clear to reveal a shinobi in a full sneak suit with a face mask that covered his whole face except for his sharp red eyes. He bared the Dragon Zodiac on his back which was in a silver color with a dragon the curved around the symbol. "Who are you?" Questioned Naruto in a more demanding tone.
"I do not go by a name at this moment...but...I do need one, you can call me Tatsu."
"Okay...what are you doing here Tatsu? What makes you so sure that I can defeat a guy like Sasuke?" Naruto looked at him with his eyes squinted not sure what to think of him.
A smile formed under the face mask, "Well I have my reasons for being here they are nothing important at this current moment though. I think you can defeat him because I can see that you do have a great understanding of things, you fight for those you care about and that's what gives you your power. You know it. I can see in Sasuke that he is a person who does not believe in such a thing, which is why he will eventually fail."
Naruto looked at Tatsu wondering how he could know what he fights for. How he would know anything about them, "How could you know ANYTHING about me! We have never even met before!"
"Yes this is true Naruto-kun, but I have been around for awhile watching over you and your teammates I see the passion you put into everything you do. You may tend to fail but that's life nobody is perfect. But I see the burden that you carry on your shoulders."
Naruto looked down, he may be slow at times but he knew what he was talking about, about the burden he carries. The one thing that has outcastes him from everyone and the village. "In truth Naruto, the thing inside of you that everyone looks down upon you for can be taken as a gift that has helped you realize that you must strive and live for something great. You have a goal, I have heard it a lot, how you will become Hokage. Never lose site of that no matter who stands in your way because that goal is sometimes more then anyone else has in life. You are a very strong person Naruto-kun keep up all the hard work." Naruto just looking at him in mere amazement and a smile was on his face with all the things said to him.
Tatsu raised his hand to the front of his face with just his middle and index finger in the air, he then fell into his shadow and disappeared.
Naruto tried to chase after him to stop him but he was already gone, 'That guy was interesting, wonder why he just wanted to talk to me and just about me.'
A rustle in the bushes came from behind him and Naruto snapped to attention turning quickly to find Sasuke and Sakura walking out, "Who was that guy Naruto?" Sasuke jumping straight to the point.
"Yeah he didn't seem like a very friendly person the way he was all dressed up and the way he fell into the shadows like that he cant be good seems to dark to me." Stated Sakura rubbing her arms feeling a chill come over her.
Sasuke smirked and withdrew a kunai quickly turning around in a stabbing motion but his wrist was caught. The pink haired female ninja could only jump away from Sasuke wondering what was up with him. "Hm I sensed you two where still near by." Tatsu with a slight laugh slowly beginning to release the Uchiha's wrist.
"You two where a bit to noisy, especially the girl. She seemed more interested in chatting with you then trying to find out who I was. Sasuke you did do well keeping quiet though if you are going to try and go on reconnaissance inform your teammate at the beginning of it and not until you reach the target, so drop the lone wolf act it will only get you killed,...dunce." Tatsu smirked.
The looks of shock hit Naruto and Sakura, that word had never been said to Sasuke, everybody always looked at him as the number one rookie. The sharp eyed Uchiha growled under his breath he gripped his kunai tightly and he jumped into the air with a spinning kick to Tatsu's head, but again he was caught at the ankle, Sasuke suspected he would and just as he was ready to throw his kunai a jolt of electricity shot into his body and he fell straight to the ground. "SASUKE-KUN!" Sakura yelled as she ran to his side.
"Don't worry about him, he will be fine, I had the feeling he would strike me in that way." Naruto just stood there in amazement of how quickly Sasuke had been caught and dropped.
"Naruto, it was nice talking with you, don't forget what I said, despite that is what you already fallow as your way of ninja." Tatsu smiled and in a whirlwind he disappeared from site.
Moments after the shocking and Tatsu disappeared Sasuke jumped straight up looking around for him. "Where is he!?" He growled, never had anyone made a fool of him in such a way.
Sakura smiled happy to see that he was awake though his main concern was finding Tatsu. "He left Sasuke, just after he dropped you to the ground." Naruto almost with a slight smirk after seeing that, the all mighty Sasuke wasn't so tough after all.
"Naruto!" Snapped Sakura.
With a push off the ground Sasuke got right back to his feet and stomped over to Naruto slamming him against the tree, "Alright Naruto tell me, who is and what the hell did he want with trash like you?" Tatsu had defiantly tapped a nerve in Sasuke with what he did to him, Naruto and Sakura hadn't seen this side of Sasuke.
Back In The Desert
The three sand nin's Temari, Kankuro and Gaara pressed through the extreme heat of the unforgiving land of the desert. They had already been traveling for a few day's now, they where heading for Konoha like everyone else so they could take part in the Chuunin exams, but that was not their main concern for they where set out for a double mission one part of it mean destruction of Konoha. "I'm beginning to think that with this mission the Kazekage has lost his mind, to go up against Konoha seems almost suicidal." Temari protesting the objective of their mission.
Kankuro shrugged his shoulders, "Eh who knows, but we just have to do our part nothing more."
As they chit chatted Gaara suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowed off to his left he could only slightly hear the voices of others bickering and they soon approached. Normally he would had cared less but the demon half of him brought him to his halt to wait the on coming people. "I don't understand this! One minute we are fighting Sesshoumaru and then we are out here in the friggen desert! I am not getting this one bit!" yelled the annoyed white haired young man with ears that stuck out from his hair said in an annoyed tone.
"Calm done Inuyasha, we will get Sesshoumaru one day, the important thing is that you can wield your Tetsusaiga once more." Now a man with dark hair spoke up who carried a staff that made a chime sound as he walked.
Gaara could not understand this urge inside him to wait for these people, it was as if someone or something paralyzed him to keep him where he was to have this encounter. He was curious if Shukaku had anything to do with this, making its presence greater in Gaara then before. 'This had better be worth my time.' He said to himself with his arms folded over his chest.
"Mirouku is right Inuyasha, just calm down we will return and be able to accomplish what we need to." Said a cheery voice from a girl dressed in a school uniform.
An odd fox looking kid leaped up on top of Inuyasha's head, "You really need to control your temper Inuyasha, you are always getting into fights with the others." An annoyed look hit the white haired man.
"Will you shut up!" Yelled Inuyasha as he tossed him off his head.
The fox boy hit the sand with a slight thud, "Inuyasha that was uncalled for, you didn't have to throw Shippo down like that, he is right you have been nothing but fighting with us sense we ended up here." Kagome helping Shippo back to his feet.
In that instant something hit Inuyasha and Mirouku leaving them dead in their tracks. "Whats suddenly up with those two?" Wondered Sango a young female demon hunter who wielded a massive boomerang as he weapon of choice as she looked on in curiosity the little demon fox Kiara began to growl, even it could sense evil presence.
"I take it you sensed it as well?" Mirouku asked Inuyasha.
"Yeah, a demon on top of that it reeks of human blood even from here." Stated Inuyasha as his eyes narrowed and in an instant he ran off with Mirouku fallowing close behind and the others chased after them.
Gaara's eyes sharpened as he could tell that they where now rushing towards him, he could feel his blood boil in anticipation. He still wasn't able to understand why people he had never seen or fought before would give him this urge to fight and spill their blood. Inuyasha Mirouku and the others got over the sand dune and slid down not more then ten feet from Gaara. They where slightly surprised by the scene especially from Inuyasha, he could smell the blood so strongly but yet no one had been slain it was all resonating from Gaara himself or apart of him. Inuyasha placed the back part of his hand over his sensitive nose; he could not believe how strongly the smell of blood was.
Despite there being no bodies before them it was reason enough to confront the red haired sand shinobi. "Hey, you guys sure he is a Demon? He looks to weak to be one." Questioned the small demon fox Shippo.
Gaara just looked at the group, "I could say the same about the bunch of you, and just for that you die first." He snapped at Shippo his tone was cold as ever and dead serious.
Gaara slowly lifted his hand and they all got on guard. But what they did not know was that they where all now in his element he had absolute control and their deaths where emanate. He could see they had no idea of what they where in for, and with a twisted grin that seemed to grow even on Gaara's face he decided to demonstrate it to them. With a motion of his hand, "Sabaku Kyuu (Desert Coffin)" In that instant young Shippo was engulfed in sand.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HIM?" Barked Inuyasha.
"Nothing....yet." Gaara motioned his arms performing his next move, "Sabaku Sousou (Desert Graveyard)" In that instant the ball of sand exploded leaving nothing but a bloody mess.
The whole group stood in shock and horror their little friend Shippo was broken down to nothing more then a pool of blood his body parts flung through out the area. "YOU MONSTER!" yelled the demon hunter Sango and she leapt up into the air and grabbed hold of her boomerang and flung the massive weapon down upon Gaara.
He just looked at the oncoming attack not moving an inch his arms returning to their folded position. Just before it collided with Gaara the weapon was blown back and before Kirara could react the weapon crushed him in one quick blow. Temari and Kankuro came running up to Gaara, "What's going on here? Who are those people?" Temari questioning Gaara.
He just turned to the two of them glaring at the both of them, "Do not interfere or I will deal with you as well." And the two sand genin took some fearful steps back not about to question Gaara in any way.
Inuyasha blindly charged Gaara in pure rage, somehow the half demon got through and slammed his fist into the side of Gaara's head which sent him crashing to the ground, "You will pay for Shippo and Kirara!" he growled as he leaped up and crashed down on Gaara and commenced in slamming his fists into Gaara's face.
From the sand nin's gourd the cork popped off and hit Inuyasha in the forehead and as he was distracted from the blow, the sand from the gourd shot out slamming into his stomach and sent him into the ground right in front of Kagome. "Inuyasha!" she cried rushing to his side.
Gaara sat up rubbing his face a bit, 'Why wasn't I protected? How did he get through the barrier?' he pondered to himself as he got back up to his feet.
He looked on seeing the girl in the uniform tend to the man who had made him look like a fool to be beaten down like that. Gaara looked on and noticed a great deal of the sand from his gourd remained and he could see that the girl cared for that man greatly, so slowly his arm reached up, "Sabaku Kyuu!" and off of Inuyasha the sand leaped onto Kagome entrapping her in a great ball of sand.
Mirouku ran to the ball and began to slam on it trying to help her out from there to stop the fate that their friend Shippo met. "Inuyasha help me!" he demanded.
Inuyasha got straight to his feet, he then withdrew his Tetsusaiga and as he was about to attack the barrier Gaara's cold voice hit the air, "That is pointless she is not getting out, she is going to face a worse death then that fox kid, she will simply suffocate in there."
Kagome's screams could be heard from the outside. Inuyasha stood there paralyzed almost his heart nearly bursting from his chest with loud thuds. Mirouku figured that if he could stop Gaara, Kagome would be released seeing he is the one controlling the sand. From behind Gaara a mountain of sand began to form like a wave, he stood there calm and cool now with his arms crossed over his chest. Slowly Kagomes screams began to fade as the dome closed in depleting any extra air she might have.
Songo slowly removed her boomerang from the severed Kirara. The blood was smeared across it now dripping slowly down as she lifted it further into the air. She glared at Temari who's attention was centered towards Gaara. "You son of a bitch!" Songo gripped her boomerange tightly and rushed towards Temari.
"Herrah!" She grunted as she took to the air and readied her weapon.
Gaara only moved the pupils of his eyes as he watched Songo go on the offensive. With a quick movement of his left arm going out and front and down to his side, a ball of sand was sent flying towards the Demon Hunter. As it flew through the air the sand ball formed spikes all around it and before Songo could defend she found herself smashed by the ball and with a sand spike impaling her in the stomach. She hit the ground with a sickening thud and the spike was driven straight through her and the once solid sand fell away moving off from her to reveal a whole the size of a beach ball.
As the stench of blood and death permeated the air greater then ever Gaara could feel the demon inside of him wanting out. Demanding to be free to slaughter them all himself and not let Gaara have all the fun. He brought his left hand to his face as he was showing signs of pain from Shuukaku trying to force its way out. Mirouku had stood by long enough as he jumped forward, "Time to end this."
It was now Morouku's turn to try and stop Gaara of the Sand. He kept his right fist closed as he slowly began to unravel the cloth wrapped around it. The mountain of sand was still formed behind Gaara ready to strike down upon when the time was right. The monk now dashed forward and upon Gaara seeing this he sent the wave of sand towards him. Morouku thrusted his right hand up into the air and began to absorb the sand, Kankuro and Temari looked on in shock seeing such a thing happen.
Gaara stood calm and he withdrew the sand a smirk grew over Morouku's face seeing he was going to be able to stop this monster. The red haired sand nin had a twisted grin upon his face now as he lifted his right arm and with his open hand then said, "Sabaku...Sousu..." he then closed his hand tightly and slowly the monk could feel extreme pain shoot through his arm he looked at it wondering what was going to occur.
A loud horrified yell was heard in the small area and Morouku now held what was once his hand and wrist was nothing more then a bloody stump. He let out another yell in pain and to his surprise a pile of sand shot up and crammed itself into his mouth and then down his throat making its way through his bodie, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?" Morouku yelling terrified beyond belief as he stood up and removed a part of his clothing from his chest and from the outside you could see the sand moving through.
"Your...turn...to....die!" Gaara said in a raspy tone as he stood there waiting.
The sand slowly began to form now around Mirouku's heart, "Sabaku Kyousu." In an instant his heart was crushed in to nothing and the sand busted out from his chest spreading blood across to Gaara which landed at his feet.
Now with a blank expression on his face the once monk dropped to his knees at that time the sand dome was finally crumbling away and just as Mirouku hit the ground Kagome's lifeless body did the same. Inuyasha stood over her his whole body shaking his heart pounding feeling as if it where going to jump out his chest. His eyes filled up turning completely red and he turned facing Gaara, he had a cold dead face now as slowly fangs where shown from out of his mouth and his nails grew out becoming more like claws. "You...are...going...to...pay...for....everything....that....you...have....DONE!" Inuyasha yelled at the end as he ran forward and leaped into the air with his arm pulled back ready to strike Gaara.
Back In Konoha
Cory-chan and Kakashi came walking out from the Hotel it was now heading into the early evening and she was holding onto his arm and her eyes where like giant hearts as she looked up at him. Sasuke and the rest of Team Seven came running up to Kakashi, "There you are you lazy teacher." Sasuke snapped still angry after what Tatsu had done to him.
Cory would had smacked Sasuke upside the head if she weren't so occupied with stairing at Kakashi. "Oh hello team, I was set to help the Shadow nins get settled here for awhile." Kakashi sated simply in a cool tone letting Sasuke's comment slide.
'He is soooo cool.' Cory thought to herself as she held onto him tightly.
"Well, while you where doing this bullshit task that any shitless lay about could had done we where attack by some weirdo in a halloween costume." Sasuke snorted but a slight snicker came from Naruto knowing what actually happened.
"Haa haa Sasuke you wimp you know it was you who was attack and dropped like a sack of bricks." Naruto said with a hint of happiness that the all mighty Sasuke was put in his place.
Sasuke shot Naruto a glare while he turned back to Kakashi waiting for the the verdict. "Calm down you two, but such a thing hmmm I will go and look into it now." Kakashi rubbing his chin with his free hand.
Cory snapped to from day dreaming and heard the last statement, "If you like Kakashi-kun I will help you with this. I mean that is what we are here for right?" She asked with a big smile.
Kakashi stood there and thought for a moment, "Um of course Cory, be glad to have your help." He said flashing a smile from under his face mask.
The hearts in Corys eyes grew, 'YAY ALONE TIME WITH KAKASHI-KUN!!!' She yelled in her mind.
"Okay you three take the day off while Cory and I investigate this matter." Naruto and Sakura where nearly jumping in joy as Naruto could relax and hit the Ramen shop while Sakura would try and go on a date like usual with Sasuke but get rejected but still try.
Kakashi and Cory then leaped off as Team Seven left all on their own paths. The two shinobi leaped from rooftop to rooftop. "CORY STOP!" A voice yelled as her and Kakashi stopped to see who it was.
"Oh my...." Cory left speechless but at the same time overjoyed.
A breeze struck the hill's far out from Konoha, the familiar sound of foot steps echoed through as Amatsu made his way to Leaf Village. He found himself stretching his arm to his mouth covering it as he let out a yawn, still walking even with his eyes shut till the yawn had passed. As he was done he stopped and a smirk grew across his face, "Hm Orochimaru it's been awhile."
Orochimaru stood there with his lap dog Kabuto at least in the eye's of Amatsu. "Yes it has been Amatsu, still with the Akatsuki?"
"Pft hell no, so Oro still chasing after little boys like a sex deprived priest, heh judging by the kid there as well as the three sound ninjas I have caught word of I would say yes." Amatsu always knowing how to tap a nerve with a person and he always had the thought that Oro was just sick enough to do so.
"You bastard..." Kabuto said under his breath.
The pale faced leader of Hidden Sound tightened his fists coiling them in a little ball but calmed himself, "You know Amatsu, if I remember correctly it was Itachi who had the win over you last time and if you can't beat him, what gives you the right to taunt me in such a way?" He believed that now Amatsu was not to his ability and was no longer at the level that Oro himself was along with Itachi.
Amatsu wrapped his arms around his stomach and let out a big laugh, "Orochimaru you idiot! Like I haven't been keeping up! Hell, I have worked on some new tricks here and there that even you will have to realize are great. You simply rely on the corpses you feed upon for a body, instead of what made you one of the Legendary Three Sennin. Also, if I remember correctly that you failed miserably when you attempted to take Itachi for yourself, but he got you under his foot grinding you into the ground." He stood there now with a twisted grin.
"BAKA, how dare you speak in such a tone towards Orochimaru!" Kabuto truly showing his loyalty for his master.
Amatsu now narrowed his eyes setting them upon Kabuto, Orochimaru noticed that look in Amatsu's eyes, and it showed that he still has his killer instinct it had not changed. "Kabuto keep calm, you do not want to start a fight with him, he will surely kill you with out a second thought and before you had the chance to use any of your healing Jutsu's." Oro spoke to his subordinate in a soft tone so only he would hear.
"He is nothing to me Orochimaru-samma he would stand no chance with my abilities." Kabuto responded as he slowly crouched reading himself if needed.
"No! No fighting not now."
Amatsu folded his arms and smiled, "Aw so no fun before the Chuunin exam? Geez Oro you are certainly a kill joy!"
Orochimaru now smirked to himself, "How is your younger brother Ryuujin? The heir to the Ryuu clan."
Amatsu's smile died quickly his killer intent returned, "The issue with my brother and I are of none of your concern so stay out of family affairs."
Still with the smirk Oro had already run into his younger brother, the abilities where to great for him to pass up and had cursed him with his mark. "Hm tell me though Amatsu, do you still bare that lovely mark that I gave you?"
"Oh you mean that weak seal you cursed me with? No it's gone. I have been very busy sense I left the Akatsuki your pitiful little mark is nothing to me now and a burden I no longer have to carry." Explained Amatsu.
'Shit...I didn't think that he could do such a thing....he is an interesting guy I cant tell him of my planes he may get in the way just to spite me and if I tell him of his brother....he will kill me here and now.' Orochimaru thought to himself wondering what he would do if he told him but the quick assumption would be his demise.
"What of it?" Amatsu asked snapping him to attention.
He shrugged his shoulder's, "A hope that I could steal another lineage of a group, but it seems I cannot anymore."
"Well, as fun as this has been I must be on my way, if you will excuse me." Amatsu taking on step.
Orochimaru quickly sharpened his eyes glaring right into Amatsu's performing his sight of death move on him so they could get the head start. Amatsu now stood there with wide eyes seeming to have a shocked look, Oro smirking and starting to turn away with Kabuto until a sound hit the air. "AHHHHHH HAAAAAHAAAA HAAAAA HAAAA HA HA HA HA!!!!!" Amatsu's laugh echoed in the air.
The two turned to him with their own shocked looks, "Oh come ON Oro is that it? Sweet fucking Christ man I see more demented things in my own mind! By the way nice death you had for me very gruesome and horrible, not bad though haa haa." Amatsu with a wide grin.
"Shit you pasty faced bastard if you wanted to go ahead of me you could had just said so! Go on you screwy bastard. Uhh I was up for taking a break anyway. See you two there heh don't die in the mean time." Amatsu grin still graced his face and he took a seat on the ground as he watched Orochimaru and Kabuto walk away slowly still slightly keeping their eye's on the twisted Shadow Ninja Amatsu Mikaboshi. Kabuto though stopped for a quick moment and glared over at Amatsu and when he did he saw him sit there his hair partly over his eyes creating a menacing shadow that blocked out his eyes and above he could see a demonic dragon floating above him glaring right back at Kabuto. He quickly turned his head and walked with Orochimaru to Konoha.
Konoha Village
A light knock came to the door and a voice spoke from inside, "Come in."
With the twisting of the knob and the door opening with creaking sounds Shinja entered the room. "Hello Hokage-samma it has been a good deal of time."
Sarutobi turned his head from where he sat, "Yes it has Shinja-kun it is good to see you again, I believe the last time you where in the village was when Itachi killed the Uchiha clan."
"Yeah....Im sorry I couldn't do anything to stop him...and say anything before I left again...I just did my best to get Dayu's family to safety as well as stop that sadistic bastard.." Shinja now standing before the Third Hokage with a sad look.
"Shinja, the important thing was that you where able to save some people, it may not had been all of them but a little doesn't hurt anything."
Shinja smiled slightly, "Yes that's true. But it does feel good to be home, oh and Hitokage sends his respects and that he will be on his way for the final matches of the Chuunin exam."
"That's good to hear, now how was your journey here? I hope it was a safe one." Wondered the Third Hokage as he motioned for Shinja to take a seat and doing so. He then leaned forward in curiosity to hear what went on.
Shinja let out a heavy sigh and explained every bit of detail to him about Arcane and Sierra, Ryuujin's abilities and his demise as well as Dayu and Kuniko joining up with them and a Mist Shinobi by the name of Kareru also joining them. "My my you had quit the journey here, at least though your friend has returned to you." Spoke Sarutobi-samma trying to find the more upbeat part to their trial.
"Well...about that, I know that the person who is with us is not Ryuujin. I could see that he has applied not only the Henge but also a Genjutsu on everyone that seems to effect them due to the fact of the loose and heart ache that they feel. But there is something that I know that they do not. Ryuujin is alive he told me himself that he needed to do something drastic in order to find a way to control what it was inside him. But I think it did more harm then good. He has probably been recovering and training at the same time so hopefully he is and will be ready for the Chuunin exams, the Hitokage want's to see his nephew in action." Explained Shinja as he began to relax in the chair he was sitting in.
"Wow, by all that it seems that the boy will defiantly make up for everything in his clan's past. It will be interesting to see him perform in the Chuunin exams as will it to see everyone else take on their responsibilities as shinobi's." Said the Sarutobi with a shinning smile on his face always proud of the young ninja's of this village.
"Hm yes very true, has everything been set up for the addition of my Shadow Shinobi?" Shinja asked curiously in reference to the set up of the Chuunin exams tournament.
"Ah yes, but are you sure that your team will make it to the preliminaries? I have confidence in all the shinobi here in Leaf but there is always the possibility of them not making it fully through." Stated the Third.
"I know, but they have already gone through so much that I don't think an exam a test of their abilities would stop them now Dayu especially. I think even he knows that Ryuu is out there somewhere and he wants his chance to have his own match against him, plus I am sure it will be a big surprise to all that there is another Uchiha out there especially one that has a high ability with it." Shinja said with a grin.
"I should had known that you would train a boy from that clan to the highest point, you think that Amatsu Mikaboshi is going to show up here don't you?"
Shinja nodded his head, "Also the Hitokage wanted me to give you this." He reached into his side pocket and pulled out an envelope and handed it to the Hokage and accepting it he opened the letter instantly.
As he read the letter even he was shocked by what was stated:
Dear, Sarutobi
Old friend I ask a big favor of you and the shinobi of Leaf. My nephew Amatsu Mikaboshi the 'S' class criminal is to participate in the Chuunin exam. Also I ask that when he arrives to Leaf he is not to be confronted...I understand this is a hard thing to ask. But Amatsu has his reasons for doing what he is doing, he strives to find the killer of his family, the man who drove him out of Shadow and into exile. I know that he is a disturbed individual and has killed many, but I ask that he is allowed into this exam and unharmed before it. For if he causes any deaths of your Leaf Shinobi prior to the exam I will handle it personally, but believe me I know he can find the murderer of my sister and his family.
Also I know you trust in Shinja already, but trust in the other Shadow nin they maybe young but they are very skilled and will not let you down. Until I see you at the tournament Sarutobi.
From, Tatsudoshi
"I find it hard to believe that he wants me to allow the possible harm of everyone here just so Amatsu can participate in the Chuunin exam so he can hunt someone out." The Hokage in disbelief of such a request.
"I understand that Hokage, but I believe in Hitokage's words. I believe that Amatsu will do only what is needed and not harm anyone in this village, he knows that the stakes are to high at this point and if he attacks here, it's all over." Shinja attempting to allow the great request by Hitokage so Amatsu can enter.
Sarutobi took a deep breath and exhaled picking up his pipe and placing it into his mouth he lit it and began to smoke. The smoke puffed around him filling the air, "Fine..."
To The Hotel
Cory was walking up with Kakashi, "So tell me Kakashi-kun is there a special someone in your life?" she asked with hopes that there wasn't.
He looked over to her his nervous smile reappeared, "Uh no there isn't."
'YES! THERE IS A CHANCE!' Cory said to her self all excited about that answer.
Dayu looked curiously hearing the name some more and he walked up with Cory- chan and Kakashi, "So you're the one and only Copy Ninja Kakashi right?"
"Yes." Kakashi answering his question quickly and simply.
"So you use the eye technique Sharingan right?" Dayu asked.
"Yes."
"Tell me, if you're not an Uchiha then how did you get the Sharingan eye?" Dayu wondered in curiosity.
Cory suddenly turned right to Dayu shooting an evil look, "Uh-oh." Dayu said aloud gulping knowing what was in store.
"SHUT UP!" she yelled and cracked Dayu right in the head with her fist which sent him right into the ground.
A relieved look crossed Kakashi's face not having to answer that detailed question, 'That was close.' He thought to himself as he continued walking to the hotel where they would be staying. Everyone was glad that they would be sleeping in soft beds again instead of the hard ground.
They entered the hotel finally; Kakashi went to the front desk asking about the rooms for the Shadow Shinobi. They all sat down for a moment in the lounge of the hotel kicking their feet up for a quick moment. Ryuu looked at Kuniko and took her hand into his, "Hey are you okay? You still seem down...everything okay?" he asked with a slight worried tone to his voice.
"Yeah everything is fine." She said with a smile, "I just want to get washed up and then sleep for a bit."
He looked slightly puzzled, "Haven't been sleeping to well?" Ryuu asking the obvious.
Kuniko said nothing more but just nodded, Ryuu set his arm over her shoulder just holding her close to him. Kakashi finally returned with the key's to their rooms, "Okay, the guys will share a room as will the ladies." He tossed one key to Dayu and the other to Kareru.
"Oh uh Cory-chan, these are keys for you and Shinja-kun you two get your own rooms." Kakashi handing the two key's to Cory and she happily accepted.
"What!? That's bullshit! Why do Shinja or Reptile whatever and Cory get their own rooms and we have to share!" Dayu stood up from his seat protesting against the sharing of a room.
Kakashi just shrugged, "It was how Shinja had things set up apparently. He already sent ahead to make arrangements for the rooms. Sorry."
Dayu just huffed under his breath, "Tsh fine. Lets go Ryuu." He said walking towards the stairs that lead up to their room.
Ryuu stood up and helped Kuniko up and they headed up the stairs with Kareru fallowing. The group then retired to their rooms so they could get the well deserved rest, as they did Cory decided to stick with Kakashi for a little while. But before Kuniko went all the way up the stairs, "Pst, Kuniko come here." Cory whispered waving for her to come over to her.
Slowly she did as Dayu, Ryuu and Kareru walked up to their rooms. "What is it Cory-chan?" she asked in a very worn out and tired tone.
"Here is the key to my room, I can see you have a lot on your mind. So I will be up in a bit and after you get settled in we can talk about the things troubling you." Cory handing her the key to her room.
"But then where will you sleep?"
"I will take Shinja's, he still has his old place here so it all works out." Said Cory with a smile.
"T-thank you." Kuniko then turned and headed up the stairs to her room.
'I miss Ryuu to...' Cory with a now sad face as she watched Kuniko leave.
At The Meadow
A puff of smoke appeared in the center, Naruto stood there curious to who this person was as he was ready for what he might do. The smoke finally began to clear to reveal a shinobi in a full sneak suit with a face mask that covered his whole face except for his sharp red eyes. He bared the Dragon Zodiac on his back which was in a silver color with a dragon the curved around the symbol. "Who are you?" Questioned Naruto in a more demanding tone.
"I do not go by a name at this moment...but...I do need one, you can call me Tatsu."
"Okay...what are you doing here Tatsu? What makes you so sure that I can defeat a guy like Sasuke?" Naruto looked at him with his eyes squinted not sure what to think of him.
A smile formed under the face mask, "Well I have my reasons for being here they are nothing important at this current moment though. I think you can defeat him because I can see that you do have a great understanding of things, you fight for those you care about and that's what gives you your power. You know it. I can see in Sasuke that he is a person who does not believe in such a thing, which is why he will eventually fail."
Naruto looked at Tatsu wondering how he could know what he fights for. How he would know anything about them, "How could you know ANYTHING about me! We have never even met before!"
"Yes this is true Naruto-kun, but I have been around for awhile watching over you and your teammates I see the passion you put into everything you do. You may tend to fail but that's life nobody is perfect. But I see the burden that you carry on your shoulders."
Naruto looked down, he may be slow at times but he knew what he was talking about, about the burden he carries. The one thing that has outcastes him from everyone and the village. "In truth Naruto, the thing inside of you that everyone looks down upon you for can be taken as a gift that has helped you realize that you must strive and live for something great. You have a goal, I have heard it a lot, how you will become Hokage. Never lose site of that no matter who stands in your way because that goal is sometimes more then anyone else has in life. You are a very strong person Naruto-kun keep up all the hard work." Naruto just looking at him in mere amazement and a smile was on his face with all the things said to him.
Tatsu raised his hand to the front of his face with just his middle and index finger in the air, he then fell into his shadow and disappeared.
Naruto tried to chase after him to stop him but he was already gone, 'That guy was interesting, wonder why he just wanted to talk to me and just about me.'
A rustle in the bushes came from behind him and Naruto snapped to attention turning quickly to find Sasuke and Sakura walking out, "Who was that guy Naruto?" Sasuke jumping straight to the point.
"Yeah he didn't seem like a very friendly person the way he was all dressed up and the way he fell into the shadows like that he cant be good seems to dark to me." Stated Sakura rubbing her arms feeling a chill come over her.
Sasuke smirked and withdrew a kunai quickly turning around in a stabbing motion but his wrist was caught. The pink haired female ninja could only jump away from Sasuke wondering what was up with him. "Hm I sensed you two where still near by." Tatsu with a slight laugh slowly beginning to release the Uchiha's wrist.
"You two where a bit to noisy, especially the girl. She seemed more interested in chatting with you then trying to find out who I was. Sasuke you did do well keeping quiet though if you are going to try and go on reconnaissance inform your teammate at the beginning of it and not until you reach the target, so drop the lone wolf act it will only get you killed,...dunce." Tatsu smirked.
The looks of shock hit Naruto and Sakura, that word had never been said to Sasuke, everybody always looked at him as the number one rookie. The sharp eyed Uchiha growled under his breath he gripped his kunai tightly and he jumped into the air with a spinning kick to Tatsu's head, but again he was caught at the ankle, Sasuke suspected he would and just as he was ready to throw his kunai a jolt of electricity shot into his body and he fell straight to the ground. "SASUKE-KUN!" Sakura yelled as she ran to his side.
"Don't worry about him, he will be fine, I had the feeling he would strike me in that way." Naruto just stood there in amazement of how quickly Sasuke had been caught and dropped.
"Naruto, it was nice talking with you, don't forget what I said, despite that is what you already fallow as your way of ninja." Tatsu smiled and in a whirlwind he disappeared from site.
Moments after the shocking and Tatsu disappeared Sasuke jumped straight up looking around for him. "Where is he!?" He growled, never had anyone made a fool of him in such a way.
Sakura smiled happy to see that he was awake though his main concern was finding Tatsu. "He left Sasuke, just after he dropped you to the ground." Naruto almost with a slight smirk after seeing that, the all mighty Sasuke wasn't so tough after all.
"Naruto!" Snapped Sakura.
With a push off the ground Sasuke got right back to his feet and stomped over to Naruto slamming him against the tree, "Alright Naruto tell me, who is and what the hell did he want with trash like you?" Tatsu had defiantly tapped a nerve in Sasuke with what he did to him, Naruto and Sakura hadn't seen this side of Sasuke.
Back In The Desert
The three sand nin's Temari, Kankuro and Gaara pressed through the extreme heat of the unforgiving land of the desert. They had already been traveling for a few day's now, they where heading for Konoha like everyone else so they could take part in the Chuunin exams, but that was not their main concern for they where set out for a double mission one part of it mean destruction of Konoha. "I'm beginning to think that with this mission the Kazekage has lost his mind, to go up against Konoha seems almost suicidal." Temari protesting the objective of their mission.
Kankuro shrugged his shoulders, "Eh who knows, but we just have to do our part nothing more."
As they chit chatted Gaara suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowed off to his left he could only slightly hear the voices of others bickering and they soon approached. Normally he would had cared less but the demon half of him brought him to his halt to wait the on coming people. "I don't understand this! One minute we are fighting Sesshoumaru and then we are out here in the friggen desert! I am not getting this one bit!" yelled the annoyed white haired young man with ears that stuck out from his hair said in an annoyed tone.
"Calm done Inuyasha, we will get Sesshoumaru one day, the important thing is that you can wield your Tetsusaiga once more." Now a man with dark hair spoke up who carried a staff that made a chime sound as he walked.
Gaara could not understand this urge inside him to wait for these people, it was as if someone or something paralyzed him to keep him where he was to have this encounter. He was curious if Shukaku had anything to do with this, making its presence greater in Gaara then before. 'This had better be worth my time.' He said to himself with his arms folded over his chest.
"Mirouku is right Inuyasha, just calm down we will return and be able to accomplish what we need to." Said a cheery voice from a girl dressed in a school uniform.
An odd fox looking kid leaped up on top of Inuyasha's head, "You really need to control your temper Inuyasha, you are always getting into fights with the others." An annoyed look hit the white haired man.
"Will you shut up!" Yelled Inuyasha as he tossed him off his head.
The fox boy hit the sand with a slight thud, "Inuyasha that was uncalled for, you didn't have to throw Shippo down like that, he is right you have been nothing but fighting with us sense we ended up here." Kagome helping Shippo back to his feet.
In that instant something hit Inuyasha and Mirouku leaving them dead in their tracks. "Whats suddenly up with those two?" Wondered Sango a young female demon hunter who wielded a massive boomerang as he weapon of choice as she looked on in curiosity the little demon fox Kiara began to growl, even it could sense evil presence.
"I take it you sensed it as well?" Mirouku asked Inuyasha.
"Yeah, a demon on top of that it reeks of human blood even from here." Stated Inuyasha as his eyes narrowed and in an instant he ran off with Mirouku fallowing close behind and the others chased after them.
Gaara's eyes sharpened as he could tell that they where now rushing towards him, he could feel his blood boil in anticipation. He still wasn't able to understand why people he had never seen or fought before would give him this urge to fight and spill their blood. Inuyasha Mirouku and the others got over the sand dune and slid down not more then ten feet from Gaara. They where slightly surprised by the scene especially from Inuyasha, he could smell the blood so strongly but yet no one had been slain it was all resonating from Gaara himself or apart of him. Inuyasha placed the back part of his hand over his sensitive nose; he could not believe how strongly the smell of blood was.
Despite there being no bodies before them it was reason enough to confront the red haired sand shinobi. "Hey, you guys sure he is a Demon? He looks to weak to be one." Questioned the small demon fox Shippo.
Gaara just looked at the group, "I could say the same about the bunch of you, and just for that you die first." He snapped at Shippo his tone was cold as ever and dead serious.
Gaara slowly lifted his hand and they all got on guard. But what they did not know was that they where all now in his element he had absolute control and their deaths where emanate. He could see they had no idea of what they where in for, and with a twisted grin that seemed to grow even on Gaara's face he decided to demonstrate it to them. With a motion of his hand, "Sabaku Kyuu (Desert Coffin)" In that instant young Shippo was engulfed in sand.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HIM?" Barked Inuyasha.
"Nothing....yet." Gaara motioned his arms performing his next move, "Sabaku Sousou (Desert Graveyard)" In that instant the ball of sand exploded leaving nothing but a bloody mess.
The whole group stood in shock and horror their little friend Shippo was broken down to nothing more then a pool of blood his body parts flung through out the area. "YOU MONSTER!" yelled the demon hunter Sango and she leapt up into the air and grabbed hold of her boomerang and flung the massive weapon down upon Gaara.
He just looked at the oncoming attack not moving an inch his arms returning to their folded position. Just before it collided with Gaara the weapon was blown back and before Kirara could react the weapon crushed him in one quick blow. Temari and Kankuro came running up to Gaara, "What's going on here? Who are those people?" Temari questioning Gaara.
He just turned to the two of them glaring at the both of them, "Do not interfere or I will deal with you as well." And the two sand genin took some fearful steps back not about to question Gaara in any way.
Inuyasha blindly charged Gaara in pure rage, somehow the half demon got through and slammed his fist into the side of Gaara's head which sent him crashing to the ground, "You will pay for Shippo and Kirara!" he growled as he leaped up and crashed down on Gaara and commenced in slamming his fists into Gaara's face.
From the sand nin's gourd the cork popped off and hit Inuyasha in the forehead and as he was distracted from the blow, the sand from the gourd shot out slamming into his stomach and sent him into the ground right in front of Kagome. "Inuyasha!" she cried rushing to his side.
Gaara sat up rubbing his face a bit, 'Why wasn't I protected? How did he get through the barrier?' he pondered to himself as he got back up to his feet.
He looked on seeing the girl in the uniform tend to the man who had made him look like a fool to be beaten down like that. Gaara looked on and noticed a great deal of the sand from his gourd remained and he could see that the girl cared for that man greatly, so slowly his arm reached up, "Sabaku Kyuu!" and off of Inuyasha the sand leaped onto Kagome entrapping her in a great ball of sand.
Mirouku ran to the ball and began to slam on it trying to help her out from there to stop the fate that their friend Shippo met. "Inuyasha help me!" he demanded.
Inuyasha got straight to his feet, he then withdrew his Tetsusaiga and as he was about to attack the barrier Gaara's cold voice hit the air, "That is pointless she is not getting out, she is going to face a worse death then that fox kid, she will simply suffocate in there."
Kagome's screams could be heard from the outside. Inuyasha stood there paralyzed almost his heart nearly bursting from his chest with loud thuds. Mirouku figured that if he could stop Gaara, Kagome would be released seeing he is the one controlling the sand. From behind Gaara a mountain of sand began to form like a wave, he stood there calm and cool now with his arms crossed over his chest. Slowly Kagomes screams began to fade as the dome closed in depleting any extra air she might have.
Songo slowly removed her boomerang from the severed Kirara. The blood was smeared across it now dripping slowly down as she lifted it further into the air. She glared at Temari who's attention was centered towards Gaara. "You son of a bitch!" Songo gripped her boomerange tightly and rushed towards Temari.
"Herrah!" She grunted as she took to the air and readied her weapon.
Gaara only moved the pupils of his eyes as he watched Songo go on the offensive. With a quick movement of his left arm going out and front and down to his side, a ball of sand was sent flying towards the Demon Hunter. As it flew through the air the sand ball formed spikes all around it and before Songo could defend she found herself smashed by the ball and with a sand spike impaling her in the stomach. She hit the ground with a sickening thud and the spike was driven straight through her and the once solid sand fell away moving off from her to reveal a whole the size of a beach ball.
As the stench of blood and death permeated the air greater then ever Gaara could feel the demon inside of him wanting out. Demanding to be free to slaughter them all himself and not let Gaara have all the fun. He brought his left hand to his face as he was showing signs of pain from Shuukaku trying to force its way out. Mirouku had stood by long enough as he jumped forward, "Time to end this."
It was now Morouku's turn to try and stop Gaara of the Sand. He kept his right fist closed as he slowly began to unravel the cloth wrapped around it. The mountain of sand was still formed behind Gaara ready to strike down upon when the time was right. The monk now dashed forward and upon Gaara seeing this he sent the wave of sand towards him. Morouku thrusted his right hand up into the air and began to absorb the sand, Kankuro and Temari looked on in shock seeing such a thing happen.
Gaara stood calm and he withdrew the sand a smirk grew over Morouku's face seeing he was going to be able to stop this monster. The red haired sand nin had a twisted grin upon his face now as he lifted his right arm and with his open hand then said, "Sabaku...Sousu..." he then closed his hand tightly and slowly the monk could feel extreme pain shoot through his arm he looked at it wondering what was going to occur.
A loud horrified yell was heard in the small area and Morouku now held what was once his hand and wrist was nothing more then a bloody stump. He let out another yell in pain and to his surprise a pile of sand shot up and crammed itself into his mouth and then down his throat making its way through his bodie, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?" Morouku yelling terrified beyond belief as he stood up and removed a part of his clothing from his chest and from the outside you could see the sand moving through.
"Your...turn...to....die!" Gaara said in a raspy tone as he stood there waiting.
The sand slowly began to form now around Mirouku's heart, "Sabaku Kyousu." In an instant his heart was crushed in to nothing and the sand busted out from his chest spreading blood across to Gaara which landed at his feet.
Now with a blank expression on his face the once monk dropped to his knees at that time the sand dome was finally crumbling away and just as Mirouku hit the ground Kagome's lifeless body did the same. Inuyasha stood over her his whole body shaking his heart pounding feeling as if it where going to jump out his chest. His eyes filled up turning completely red and he turned facing Gaara, he had a cold dead face now as slowly fangs where shown from out of his mouth and his nails grew out becoming more like claws. "You...are...going...to...pay...for....everything....that....you...have....DONE!" Inuyasha yelled at the end as he ran forward and leaped into the air with his arm pulled back ready to strike Gaara.
Back In Konoha
Cory-chan and Kakashi came walking out from the Hotel it was now heading into the early evening and she was holding onto his arm and her eyes where like giant hearts as she looked up at him. Sasuke and the rest of Team Seven came running up to Kakashi, "There you are you lazy teacher." Sasuke snapped still angry after what Tatsu had done to him.
Cory would had smacked Sasuke upside the head if she weren't so occupied with stairing at Kakashi. "Oh hello team, I was set to help the Shadow nins get settled here for awhile." Kakashi sated simply in a cool tone letting Sasuke's comment slide.
'He is soooo cool.' Cory thought to herself as she held onto him tightly.
"Well, while you where doing this bullshit task that any shitless lay about could had done we where attack by some weirdo in a halloween costume." Sasuke snorted but a slight snicker came from Naruto knowing what actually happened.
"Haa haa Sasuke you wimp you know it was you who was attack and dropped like a sack of bricks." Naruto said with a hint of happiness that the all mighty Sasuke was put in his place.
Sasuke shot Naruto a glare while he turned back to Kakashi waiting for the the verdict. "Calm down you two, but such a thing hmmm I will go and look into it now." Kakashi rubbing his chin with his free hand.
Cory snapped to from day dreaming and heard the last statement, "If you like Kakashi-kun I will help you with this. I mean that is what we are here for right?" She asked with a big smile.
Kakashi stood there and thought for a moment, "Um of course Cory, be glad to have your help." He said flashing a smile from under his face mask.
The hearts in Corys eyes grew, 'YAY ALONE TIME WITH KAKASHI-KUN!!!' She yelled in her mind.
"Okay you three take the day off while Cory and I investigate this matter." Naruto and Sakura where nearly jumping in joy as Naruto could relax and hit the Ramen shop while Sakura would try and go on a date like usual with Sasuke but get rejected but still try.
Kakashi and Cory then leaped off as Team Seven left all on their own paths. The two shinobi leaped from rooftop to rooftop. "CORY STOP!" A voice yelled as her and Kakashi stopped to see who it was.
"Oh my...." Cory left speechless but at the same time overjoyed.