Finally I've managed to finish this! Sorry it took me so long to complete, but collage was a real disaster for me lately and I'm falling behind with basically all my fics (and my original stories on FictionPress too). Luckily now I'm a bit more free and what's more, I've gotten a huge inspiration for this chapter in the evening. I sat down to it and managed to write it all.
I won't be original by saying that I really appreciate all the reviews for last time. At the same time I'd like to apologize if I didn't reply to some of them, coz FF seemed to screwed up slightly in the meantime and some of the review alerts didn't reach my mailbox. I hope I didn't miss any reviews, but if I did, sorry. Due to quite a few replies for last time, I've decided to give this story a shot a little longer. But please, DO REVIEW. It'd mean a lot and show that this fic is really worth continuing (I need such assurance especially now, when my original stories on FictionPress became quite popular and I have to concentrate on them as well).
On a little more positive note: I've gotten a second beta! (how come only this story of mine gets those, whereas the others are still on my back only:D). With that there'll be even less grammar mistakes (or at least I hope so) then before. I also hope that you'll give those two, brave guys a warm welcome (I mean c'mon, they actually sign up for this most unpleasant work out of their own, free will… I think it's admirable… and I'm not trying to suck up to them!), both Falkyn and TheWatcherandReader!
Falkyn: Not much to say. TheWatcherandReader beta'd before I did, so I didn't have much to do. Just a quick scan with grammar check, then a fast re-read through. I didn't see much, though. If you notice anything, please don't be a douche about it.
And with that said, I believe the only thing left for me to do is to get on with the show:
Chapter #17: An Angel With Cut Wings – Tamao's Story part II
Title Page: Tamao and Naraku are skipping stones on a lake
Yari closed the door behind her, head bowed. As she looked down the hall, she noticed Temari coming her way. The blonde kunoichi glanced at the young girl and after giving her a weak smile, she asked: "You came to visit that Tamao girl?" the fomer sand-nin nodded and the fan user's face turned sad. "That Naraku fellow still hasn't left her side, has he? In his condition, it's not wise for him to put such stress on his body…"
"It can't be helped…" Yari replied with a forced smile. "Even if his life was in danger, he wouldn't leave her side… because for Naraku, Tamao is a very important person… much more important then his own life… because Tamao is someone, who gave him the will to live…"
Temari only stared at her friend for a short moment before she responded: "It's good to have someone like that…" the blue-haired girl only lowered her head as the blonde went pass her.
The spear user's eyes narrowed as her face became sad: "Indeed, it's good to have someone like that…" she thought to herself as her eyes became blank. "Sometimes I wish I…" but she never finished that thought. She took a deep breath and went down the hall, towards the exit of the hospital.
---Seven years ago in Iwa---
"I must say that I'm impressed, Naraku-san" announced the Tsuchikage, as the two slowly headed back towards the Iwa leader's estate. "I never expect for you to get the hang of Mitsukai Hokori so fast… after all, it's been a little less then a year…"
"Yeah, well, it's not like I have any real control over it anyway" the boy replied, blushing slightly at the compliment. "Even if I were to use it, it'd only end up making things worse" and with that he forced himself to laugh, while scratching the back of his head. Suddenly he froze however, as he realized the face of the man beside him became serious and his eyes were set on top of the estate.
The former leaf-nin followed Ishido's gaze and noticed three people standing one the roof. Well, two at least, since the third was being held by the collar above the ground. Naraku's eyes narrowed instantly at the realization of who the other two were; the black cloaks with red clouds on them… there could be no mistake about it: "Akatsuki…" he stated simply, getting into a fighting position.
The first man seemed rather young, albeit his short, silver-hair, that was gelled to the back of his head. He had hazel eyes and wore a headband with the slashed, Grass symbol around his neck. Naraku also spotted a huge scythe with three, crimson red blades attached to his back. The man partner's age was hard to tell, as his face was covered by a black and silver mask. His eyes were green and he had a slashed, Waterfall hitae-ate on his forehead.
The former waterfall-nin was the one that held the third person by the collar. And that person was Tamao, who found herself struggling for air. The moment she noticed the two, new arrivals, she only managed to call out weakly: "Naraku-kun…" with hope appearing in her eyes.
"Leave her alone, you assholes!" the young boy demanded, with fury slowly creeping onto his face. The one with the mask only let out a sigh as he turned towards his partner: "See, I told you we should've finished her off. That way taking her out of the village wouldn't present a problem…"
"I already told you, Kakuzu, that there was not enough space in the estate for me to perform my ritual" the one with the scythe shoot back. "I can't go off, killing without my prayers…" and the moment he said so, Naraku suddenly appeared on the roof, with a kunai ready in his hand.
"I told you to leave her alone!" he repeated as he slashed his knife at the former, waterfall-nin, yet Kakuzu easily dodged by jumping back and then held out his free hand forward. In a fraction of a second, the man's palm shoot forward, attached to the rest of the hand by some strange, black strings, and grabbed the surprised boy by the neck so hard, the former Konoha shinobi gasped for air.
"What an annoying brat" stated the one with the scythe as he reached for his weapon. "I hope Jashin-sama will forgive you" and with that he swung his blade at the boy, only to have it stopped a second later.
As the former grass-nin glanced forward, he noticed it was Ishido who grabbed his scythe by the handle with his left hand and stopped the attack before it reached its target. In the next moment the large man smashed his right fist into the roof, concentrating his chakra into it at the exact second. In a flash the roof under the scythe user's feet cracked and before the Akatsuki member could do anything, he has fallen down into the estate.
"Well, he is the Tsuchikage after all" Kakuzu concluded in his mind as he looked at Ishido. "Fighting him will be problematic, even more so concerning we're on his ground" and just then his eyes widen slightly as he saw the Iwa leader suddenly appearing before him and slamming his fist into his stomach with full power, thus sending him flying back, while he released the two captured kids in the process.
But before the former waterfall-nin hit the ground, his hands shoot out again and grabbed the edge of the estate's roof. With one, quick motion, Kakuzu pulled himself back on the roof, while his partner found himself entering the garden below.
Ishido narrowed his eyes: "I may be the Tsuchikage, but this is still Akatsuki we're up against. Fighting two at once will be difficult, even more so since I have to watch out for both Tamao and Naraku" and the instant he thought that, Kakuzu suddenly took his shirt off, thus revealing a body full of seams.
In a fraction of a second the same, black strings that held the former waterfall-nin's arms with the rest of his body, shoot out from his back, slowly forming themselves into some sort of humanoid shapes with white masks attached to them. Before they knew it, Ishido and the two kids found themselves surrounded by four, deformed creatures, each glaring at them from their monstrous masks.
"What the hell?" Ishido asked himself as he looked around. "I've never heard of a technique like this. Plus those masks… they're all different from one another. There must be a reason behind that. Things have gone from bad to worse!"
"Fighting the Yondaime Tsuchikage himself" Kakuzu suddenly stated with a note of joy in his voice. "This sure brings back memories… of the time I fought the Shodaime Hokage!" and at this point Naraku's eyes widen in surprise: "What the hell are you talking about? You're way too young to even live at the same time The First did!"
"Believe what you want brat" the former waterfall-nin responded calmly as the black strings began floating out of his right hand. "This won't change your fate in anyway!" and with that the creature that stood on Naraku's left suddenly jumped straight at the young Monodane.
In a flash the former leaf-nin turned towards the attacker and went through a series of hand seals: "Hinote Kuiki: Ryuumori!" Immediately a huge fireball escaped his mouth and flew straight at the incoming creature, yet the figure only opened its mouth and to his surprise a huge tidal wave came out of it, making his technique ineffective.
"A water user, eh?" the boy concluded as he ran to his right, performing another chain of hand seals. "Guess fire domain won't do…" and with that thought he finished his technique, calling out: "Mizu Kuiki: Tsurara Misairu no Jutsu!"
In a fraction of a second a large icicle formed itself from the water that the creature used to defend itself from his previous attack, and flew right at the beast in the attempt to pierce its body, but this time the creature on his left opened its mouth and before he knew it, tons of rocks flew out of its mouth, forming a powerful wall of stone in front of the former leaf-nin's target, making his ice bullet crush hard against it and breaking into pieces.
"Doton?" the boy's eyes widen in surprise. "How can he use two types of ninjutsu? People who have talent in two elements are less then 1 of the whole population! That's just my luck to face an opponent that's a member of the scary minority. But still, this is earth and earth weakens when soaked with water! I'll make it weak for Ishido-sama or Tamao-chan to go for the final blow! (A/N: I read the manga and I'm aware of the thing Yamato drew Naruto about the elements, but this is a law of nature: soaked ground turns into mud)" and with that thought he performed another set of hand seals, this time ending it with a call: "Mizu Kuiki: Mizu Hebi no Jutsu!" and instantly a large among of water escaped his mouth, forming itself into a snake.
As the water beast went straight at the stone wall that defended the water-using creature, another of the strange figures appeared in the attacks way and upon opening its mouth, a large ball of electricity shoot right at the liquid snake. The moment the two attacks collide, the electric shock went through the snake and gave Naraku a shock from the inside of his mouth, which literally blasted the boy to the edge of the roof.
"A raiton technique as well?" now it was Tamao who could barely believe what she just saw. Kakuzu only chuckled as he glanced at the former leaf-nin, who was very slowly, struggling back to his feet: "Well, your strategy was pretty good… to fight earth with water. But you didn't take a single thing into account: I can use any ninjutsu type I desire!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" asked Naraku weakly, feeling his mouth getting slightly numb as speaking up every word hurt. "That's the Monodane bloodline limit! I've never heard of two clans having the same ability, even less when they're from different villages!"
"You don't really understand" replied Kakuzu calmly. "And I don't feel like explaining it to you!" and with that he appeared right before Naraku, much faster then the boy could react. As the young Monodane saw the huge, former waterfall-nin's fist coming right at him, Ishido appeared out of nowhere and grabbed him, making the Akatsuki member's attack miss its target.
"As long as we're not standing on the ground, my techniques will be less effective" the Iwa leader thought to himself before yelling back: "Tamao-chan, get off the roof!" and instantly the kunoichi listened, following her father, who was falling right into the garden. However, that was exactly what Kakuzu's partner waited for as he stood in the middle of a strange symbol drawn on the ground: "Gotcha!" he announced before swinging his huge scythe once more, aiming to cut the Tsuchikage in two.
Acting on instinct, the huge man deflected the attack by hitting the handle of the scythe in the place between the blades, yet still got his right hand cut slightly. The moment he landed on the ground, he placed Naraku back to his feet. Tamao soon joined them, while the former grass-nin pulled back his weapon and licked Ishido's blood off the blade of his scythe.
"Now you'll face my punishment" he announced with a smirk as his face suddenly started to resemble a skull. Tamao shivered at the sight as Naraku went into a fighting stance, ready to attack. However, before he could charge at the Akatsuki member, Ishido's large hand appeared in his way: "Watch out… the way he looks… it's disturbing."
"You bet it is" the scythe user shot back and to everyone's surprise, he pierced his right leg, but even though his blood sprayed the ground, the one who collapsed to the garden floor was Ishido. "Dad!" the young kunoichi screamed as the Iwa leader grabbed his right leg.
"It's a curse" the Tsuchikage narrowed his eyes as he glanced up at the former grass-nin, slowly getting back to his feet. "So this is why you licked my blood of that scythe; to establish a connection between us!"
"Jackpot, geezer!" replied the Akatsuki member with a smile. Ishido yet kept serious: "But why are you so overjoyed? You should've felt that just as bad as I did… that's why this technique was never commonly used. The only one to do it was an ANBU from your village, who used it as a suicide technique to kill the former Tsuchikage's guards during the last, Great Shinobi War!"
"It's my, little secret" the scythe user replied as he aimed a spike at his heart. "And now say goodbye" and just as he was about to pierce his own chest, Naraku suddenly appeared behind him, finishing another set of hand seals: "Don't forget you have more then one opponent! Hinote Kuiki: Ryuu…" but he never managed to finish his technique as Kakuzu suddenly stood in his way and hit him hard in the face with his left fist.
As the former leaf-nin flew back, black strings shot from Kakuzu's right hand and pierced both Naraku's hands and legs, making the boy immobile and cry out in pain. The Akatsuki member only stood there, with his right hand extended forward, and announced calmly: "You're not very bright, are you? Since Hidan made a connection with the Yondaime, it means that whatever happens to him, will affect Tsuchikage as well. If you'd fry Hidan to a crisp, your ally would only end up in the same state. And since Hidan's immortal, you wouldn't kill him anyway, so you shouldn't bother…"
"Hey, Kakuzu, it's not nice to reveal your partner's secrets just like that" the scythe user announced, looking over his shoulder. "How would you feel if I'd tell them that the reason you can use all ninjutsu types is because you have five hearts, each belonging to an opponent you killed in the past…"
"You're an idiot, Hidan" the former waterfall-nin shot back, slightly irritated, but decided to let it be and turned his eyes back onto Naraku. "From the thing you said earlier on the roof, I assume you're from the Monodane clan. It's surprising really, coz I never expected to see one after the whole incident that occurred about a year ago. A person that has access to all, ninjutsu types… your heart would certainly prove to be a valuable addition to my collection" and with that he turned to his partner again: "Hidan, I'll let you have the other two, but this brat is mine" and with that another string shoot from his hand, coming straight at the boy.
Meanwhile the former grass-nin once more aimed the spike he held at his heart and prepared to pierce his chest in order to kill the Tsuchikage. Naraku only clenched his teeth and shut his eyes in an act of helplessness: "Dammit, I've trained so hard! I made an oath! I promised to kill Resshin! And in the end, I'm incapable of doing anything even against those two…"
"Stop it!" a sudden voice echoed through the garden, surprisingly making both Akatsuki members stop in their tracks. As the two missing-nins turned in the direction the voice came from, they saw Tamao breathing heavily, with her eyes slowly turning black: "I won't allow you to hurt them!" she announced with a voice that seemed slightly deeper then her usual one.
In a flash ground shot up from below Hidan's feet, thus blasting him out of the symbol he stood in. Kakuzu was not spared either as stone spikes suddenly shoot out from the ground, coming right at him. By letting Naraku go, the former waterfall-nin managed to avoid the attack by jumping into the air, yet one of his creatures was not fast enough and once it got pierced by the spike, its mask went into pieces, while the being itself disappeared into nothingness.
A single drop of sweat began running down Ishido's face as he looked at his daughter, not even moved by the fact that the curse Hidan placed upon him was broken. The young Monodane immediately run towards the kunoichi: "Tamao-chan, that was…" he began, but his compliment was instantly disturbed by the Iwa leader's call: "No Naraku, stay away!" yet it was too late.
In a, instant orange chakra began escaping the girl's body and formed itself into a palm with claws, the hit the surprised boy right in the stomach, sending him flying away. Tamao only widen her eyes in horror as she called out in desperation: "Naraku-kun!"
"Kakuzu, what the fuck is going on?" Hidan demanded as he glanced at his partner, who had his eyes settled on the kunoichi. The former waterfall-nin narrowed his eyes as he replied: "It'd seem that Kaku is trying to get loose. Most likely that girl has too little experience it controlling her demon and by just using a little bit of her own chakra, she gave the seven-tails an opportunity to use even that small amount to break free…"
"Meaning she's turning into Kaku?" the former grass-nin asked, having his partner only nod in agreement. "Well, we shouldn't let that happen then" he announced and instantly threw his scythe forward, aiming to bring its three blades on the girl from above. To his surprise however, his weapon got blown away but the field of orange chakra that was now surrounding the kunoichi.
Tamao, who was now standing bended a little to the front, glanced at him with her eyes now completely black, her body shaking and sweating, while her skin started to become pale. In a fraction of a second, orange claws extended from the chakra hand that hit Naraku earlier, and cut Hidan to pieces, literally scattering his body all over the place.
"Such power" thought Kakuzu calmly, not making anything of his partner's death. "With such ease she managed to destroy one heart and even ripped Hidan… putting him together will take a while, considering I'll manage to collect all the pieces. Oh well, I suppose that in current circumstances I should retreat for the time being. With her demon released, it'd seem typical attacks won't do. I should report this…" and with that he was gone, taking the former grass-nin's leg that laid close by with him.
Meanwhile Naraku slowly got back to his feet, breathing heavily and holding his stomach. He looked at Tamao, who suddenly collapsed to her knees and began shaking. Her eyes for a split second turned back to normal and with tears falling down her cheeks, the kunoichi managed to ask in a pleading tone: "Dad, w-what's going on? W-what's happening?" but in the next instant a terrible pain shoot from her head as her eyes once more became black, while the veins on her body started pulsing.
"Ishido-sama, what's going on?" Naraku repeated the kunoichi's question, not taking his eyes off the girl. As he looked at her, he felt like his heart was being crushed as he saw her trembling. He could almost feel the fear and pain she felt at that moment. He KNEW she felt it. And just that thought was unbearable to him.
"The demon that was sealed inside her at birth is trying to get loose" the Iwa leader replied shortly as his breath become quicker. The younger Monodane could easily felt worry in his voice, yet couldn't tell whether the man was more worried about the girl or about the two of them.
"A demon?" the boy once more repeated, only now realizing what the man just said.
"Tamao is a Jinchuuriki" Ishido responded, making Naraku's eyes widen. "One of the tailed beasts was sealed inside of her and right now that beast is trying to take over her body. If it'll manage to do that, this village will be wiped out from the maps. I cannot allow it!"
"But Ishido-sama, that's your daughter!" the former leaf-nin reminded him. "And above all, she's Tamao-chan! You can't kill her! I won't…" but at this point he was interrupted by the large man: "I'm not planning to kill her. If you wouldn't be here, then that would've been the only solution…"
Naraku only looked at the man with his eyes widen in surprise, as he continued: "You said that you wished to protect my daughter. Naraku, I'll give you a chance to prove it. Alone I'm incapable of stopping the demon to run loose, but with your help we might be able to seal it again without sacrificing Tamao's life!" and with that he looked deep into the boy's eyes.
The former leaf-nin shivered in fear. No matter what you say, this was the demon they were facing. How could a human withstand it? Then he glanced over at Tamao, who now was completely surrounded by orange chakra. Her teeth became fangs as her nails grew into claws. Seeing this made courage suddenly appear in his heart. Naraku narrowed his eyes in determination and then nodded, turning back towards Ishido.
"Good" the man managed a smile and then set his eyes onto his daughter. "Prepare yourself well then. You're going to see the real purpose of the Mitsukai Hokori…"
---Flashback ends---
"I never thought that Naraku faced those two immortal freaks" conclude Naruto with a serious face. Hinako glanced at him with her eyebrow up, making the blonde explain: "Hinata-chan and I ran into them in the Rain country about a year ago. Even thought I managed to kill that Kakuzu dude once, he just kept fighting like nothing happened… so did that scythe fellow after receiving the attack on the heart from Hinata's gentle fist…"
"So they're still alive" the green-haired girl said to herself. "Could it be that they really can't be killed? When Naraku-sama told me this story, I thought that Waterfall guy was only playing and once Tamao ripped his partner to pieces, I figured she rid the world of that scythe sicko for good…"
"Apparently not" Hinata cut in quietly. "But leaving that aside, what happened next?"
"How should I say this?" the former cloud-nin asked herself with a moment of thought. "In short, things have gone from horrible, to worse…"
---the demon awakens… and the conclusion?---
And this chapter ends. Hope you enjoyed it. Up next: the conclusion of the flashback! What happened that led to the way things are now? And what impact it'll have on Hinata and Naruto? Don't miss the next chapter!
Actually, this flashback turned out to be longer then I pictured it. When I first thought out this story, I was positive that I'll manage to squeeze it into two chapters and here I am, separating it into three out of necessity. Though I'm still pretty much happy with how it turned out.
Mizu Kuiki: Mizu Hebi no Jutsu (Water Domain: Water Snake Skill) – a technique used by the Monodane clan members that have mastered the water domain. The user first gathers chakra in his mouth and then releases it in the form of water (by using the correct set of hand seals) that shapes itself into a snake. The jutsu is not that different from Zabuza's Water Dragon Blast. The only two differences are the fact that it can be perform without a nearby water source, but at the same time it's much weaker then the mist-nins attack.
And so this chapter really ends. Hope you enjoyed. Do leave a review once you're done with it. Best wishes and have a great day. Until next time!