A/N: okay well once again this chapter is all about what happens at the Akatsuki lair while Sakura and Chiyo are fighting Sasori, while Kakashi and company are fighting Deidara, and Gai's team is fighting Kisami. Unfortunately I haven't watched these episodes and only know the basic details I will not be writing those battles but they will be mentioned briefly in the chapter.
Disclaimer: Don't own the show but I do own this story
Chapter: 47
Sora yelped and clung onto her sister, she had always been afraid of heights and seeing the ground so far below her made it even worse. No one dared to move not comprehending what the exact details of the genjutsu. They looked at each other, fear reflecting in all of their eyes, and a loud rumbling laugh filled their heads.
"Aww. My poor little leaf shinobi, are scared." the leader said standing on a lone cloud across from their's, Konan no where in sight. "But I assure you as long as you have good balance." he continued and with a flick of his wrist the cloud they were on lurched forward.
Hinata gasped and grabbed onto Sasuke and Rikku who were closest to her, as Sora clung desperately to Suigetsu as their feet stumbled trying to find a solid balance on the cloud.
"As I was saying," he continued, halting the cloud. "If you keep your balance you should be fine, however if you fall you wont see your friends ever again."
"You CHEATER!" Hinata cried, leaping the distance between them.
However the leader moved the cloud he was on backwards and Hinata's foot missed the floating safety and she began to fall back, her white eyes widening in shock and horror.
"Hinata!" all her friends cried.
"Grab on to this!" Suigetsu suggested shoving his sword forward, holding the blade and instructing Hinata to grab the hilt.
The ex water ninja winced in pain and blood dripped from his hand onto the cloud as Hinata's added weight to the hilt dug the blade deeper into his hands. Everyone helped pull the Hyuuga up and onto the cloud again. She sat their catching her breath and glaring at the man that still stood across from them.
"I wouldn't stay still for to long Hyuuga-san." the leader taunted as he rolled the cloud they were on backwards.
"Hinata!" Sora cried seeing the move coming before everyone else.
She grabbed Hinata under the arms and pulled her up, the momentum however sent her backwards and tumbling over the edge. Letting out a choked scream she began to fall backwards. Closing her eyes tightly she braced herself for death when she felt someone grab her hand.
"Rikku?" she gasped as her eyes opened again. "What are you doing."
"Taking your place, remember I love you." Rikku said before throwing Sora as high as she could with her chakra pumped arm.
Yuki and Kasumi caught their friend's arm and quickly pulled her up. Turning quickly she saw her sister plummeting quickly to the ground. Yuki and Kasumi held her in place as she screamed and tried to pull away from them in order to reach her sister.
"Sora I'm so sorry." Hinata said tears falling down her own cheeks.
The other girl looked at her and latched onto Hinata crying into her jacket.
--page break--
Rikku knew she was going to die so she turned and laid flat on her back as she cut through the air. Although unlike the common misconception her life didn't flash before her eyes quite the contrary really. She didn't think of anything at all. Surprisingly her mind was extremely blank and she was serene, ok with dying. Flipping over as if she was performing a belly flop she stared at the ground. Her vision spun violently and she shut her eyes tight preparing to die. Suddenly Rikku's eyes snapped open and she inhaled sharply, quickly covering her mouth to stifle her gasp, as her legs shook with tremors.
She saw that when she had opened her eyes she wasn't staring at God who would be ready to judge her. Instead she stared at the gloomy walls of the Akatsuki hideout, looking around she saw all her friends standing around her staring blankly ahead at the motionless leader of the Akatsuki. Her heart rate began to pick up and she thought quickly. When she had fallen from the 'sky' she had really fell out of the genjutsu. If she woke up her friends one by one they could attack the Akatsuki leader while he was still caught in his own trick, but she wasn't sure what the reaction would be if they were just torn out of the jutsu as this time. However she needed help. Turning to Sora she began hand signs preparing to wake her sister up first, however she was interrupted mid jutsu when Konan aimed a punch at the girls head. She was able to dodge it at first and quickly crawled away. But Konan caught her in the back with a drop kick. Rikku grunted and rolled away bumping into Suigetsu's leg. Slowly the young mans body crumpled in on itself and he fell to the ground next to her. Blood staining his sword and hands.
--Page Break--
They had been moving with the cloud for what seemed like hours. All of them were tiring quickly. However most of them were able to almost land a hit on the unbelievably powerful man before them.
"I don't know how long we'll be able to keep this up." Karin sighed.
"Nothing we're trying is working!" Sora cried resentfully.
"Well I'm not going to give up." Hinata said a little tired, before leaping at the leader again.
Once again she was pushed back, landing uncomfortably back on the cloud where everyone else was waiting for them. Suigetsu was preparing to attack and when he jumped his body stopped midair and fell, plummeting to his doom as well.
"What's going on?" Karin cried.
"Where did Suigetsu go?" Jugo asked the leader threateningly.
Hinata felt the air around her change, the atmosphere became thick and it was getting harder for her to breathe. Glancing around she tried to see if anyone else noticed but if they did they showed no signs.
'He's nervous.' The demon observed.
Hinata didn't say anything, but she realized that what had happened to Suigetsu wasn't following the leaders plans.
--Page Break--
Suigetsu awoke with almost the same reaction as Rikku. He looked up at the brown haired girl whose eyes were fixed on to something else. Slowly he sat up, ignoring the pain that made his body ache.
"What's going on...are we...dead?" Suigetsu asked quietly.
"No but we will be if we don't move!" Rikku cried.
The two teenagers scrambled to their feet just as a giant origami crane came at them.
"What the heck kind of attack is this?" he cried.
"She's making origami!" Rikku cried as she made him weave between their motionless friends.
"The art of paper folding!?" he cried. "So she's going to kill us with some fancy folding and a pretty animal shape?"
"I have a feeling that if it catches us it wont be pretty!" Rikku cried as the crane swooped down on them.
"You need to explain what the heck's going on!" Suigetsu cried grabbing her and jumping away from another dive bomb attack. "And I don't mean to be rude or anything but why aren't you dead!?"
"Look I have no time to explain, but we have to get everyone out of this stupor before we're crushed by some origami." Rikku cried.
Suigetsu skidded to a halt before unsheathing his sword, wincing at the pain in his hands where he had grabbed the blade, even in his stupor.
"I am tired of running from freaking PAPER!" he cried slicing the giant crane in half with one clean swipe of his sword.
They were silent for a few moments as the paper floated softly to the ground, showing no hints of being alive.
"Ha, sword beats paper." He said, shoving the sword in the ground so he wouldn't have to burden his hands with it any longer.
Turning he saw Rikku's beaming face and he smirked, feeling proud of himself. He chuckled deeply while scratching the back of his head sheepishly. However Rikku's face switched from admiration to complete and utter disbelief. Suigetsu straightened and looked at her questioningly. The rustle of paper behind him answered all his questions. But his eyes had to see for themselves, turning he saw the two sliced apart pieces of paper began to fold themselves quickly and made two more cranes. Without warning they doubled and Suigetsu stood in front of four large, vicious paper birds.
"Ahh shit!" he cursed.
--Page Break--
"JUGO!" Karin cried as the large young man was blown back away from the leader.
Jugo couldn't believe that the leader of the Akatsuki had beaten him so easily, even in berserker mode. Kasumi was about to launch an attack when the leader spoke again.
"I grow weary of this tiresome game children," he sneered. "I would like it if the jinchuriki would kindly come with me and all of this will be over."
"Junchiruiki?" a few of them whispered.
Hinata's heart hammered in her chest. She didn't want anyone to know about her special friend yet and wasn't sure of how they would act. The leaders gaze shifted to her and another low rumbling chuckle filled the air around them.
"Ahh so she hasn't told you yet has she." He asked.
Sasuke was about to respond when Hinata saw another cloud coming towards them and quickly jumped on it. This put distance between her and the leader that she couldn't leap across. Another cloud wasn't floating to far away. Hinata leaped onto that one next.
"Stop that immediately." The leader said his voice low with malice.
Hinata realized that the leaders controlled diminished the further away you were from him.
"Come on guys follow me!" Hinata called.
--Page break--
"How are we going to lose the birds?" Rikku asked her speech coming in short gasps.
"We need something that will eliminate them in one big blow." Suigetsu answered breathing as hard as she was, while doing their umpteenth lap around the chamber they were confined in. "Something like…something like…"
"FIRE!" Rikku cried.
"Yeah, fire!" Suigetsu said smiling at her.
"No I mean FIRE!" Rikku shouted.
Both ninjas watched in shock and awe as a paper dragon began to descend from the ceiling, flames billowing from its nostrils. They both whipped around to see the four cranes coming at them from the other side.
"Rikku." Suigetsu whispered as they got back to back.
"Yeah?" she asked in an equally hushed tone.
"I'll replace us with two water clones then we make a break for it and try to wake up Sasuke." Suigetsu said.
"What can Sasuke do?" Rikku asked.
"He knows all of the fireball jutsu's and can incinerate these paper things." Suigetsu hissed.
"Are you sure this will work?" Rikku asked helping to shield his hands as he formed his jutsu.
"No but do you have a better idea?" he asked.
"No." Rikku admitted.
"Alright, on three then." Suigetsu alleged. "One…two…THREE! Water clone jutsu!"
Multiple copies of them swarmed the small room and the real Rikku and Suigetsu were making their way over to the Uchiha.
"How do we wake him up?" Suigetsu asked. "We're running out of clones." He commented watching as the dragon origami burned a good portion of their look a likes.
"I'll try most of my genjutsu specials." Rikku said.
Her hands went through a lot of seals in a short amount of time and Suigetsu wondered briefly how she was able to do them so fast. His eyes turned back to the other battle watching as there were only ten clones or so left.
"Not this one." Rikku said before going into more hand signs.
"Rikku hurry up!" Suigetsu snapped readying his sword.
"This takes time you know! This isn't a basic genjutsu so get off my back!" Rikku said defensively.
"Why don't we just knock him awake?" Suigetsu asked.
"That might have some negative effects on his body!" Rikku said, before muttering a curse as another one of her solutions failed.
"Well screw the after effects!" Suigetsu cried as they were once again surrounded. "WAKE UP ASS HOLE!" he cried jabbing the hilt into the back of Sasuke's head.
This action made the Uchiha tip and knock over Yuki with him.
--Page Break--
Sasuke yelped in pain as he felt something hit him in the back of the head, feeling himself falling backwards he grabbed onto the closest thing, being Yuki. Kasumi and Sora dove for their friend's hands and held up Yuki and Sasuke who still clung tightly to her.
"Let go Uchiha!" Yuki snapped.
"And die? I don't think so!" Sasuke cried.
"Guys hurry!" Hinata said. "The leader is catching up."
"Well if someone else convinced the Uchiha to let go of Yuki we might be able to save one of them before it's to late." Sora ground out.
"Sasuke! Yuki!" Hinata cried leaping back towards them. "Here Sasuke you grab my hand and then Sora and Kasumi can lift up Yuki and I'll lift up you!"
They tried this little procedure, only succeeding in making Kasumi, Sora, and Hinata tilt dangerously over the side and Sasuke's grip to slacken. Yuki felt the urge to kick at Sasuke in order to make him let go. It was nothing against the Uchiha it was just what she was taught as a bodyguard. As long as she lived Kasumi would be safe, Kasumi's life was worth more then fifteen of their lives.
Flash Back
"Yuki," the older man called approaching the small girl who continued to train with another older student.
"Hai Sensei?" she asked through shallow breaths as she continued to defend the wood dummy that was supposed to symbolize a master she would take on when she was older and done being an apprentice.
"You are doing very good, but now we will add another opponent." The teacher said as a young man stood in front of Yuki. "However his objective will not be theft, it will be death."
"H-hai sensei." Yuki stuttered out.
The boy dove quickly for Yuki who's back remained glued to her 'employer'. As Yuki saw the sword coming at her she yelped and ducked away. Allowing the young man to strike the wood in what would be a fatal place on the human body.
"Yuki!" her sensei's sharp voice cut through the air.
"H-hai, sensei?" she asked nervous.
"What did you just do?" he asked. "You just let your employer die."
"But I was afraid…" Yuki said softly.
"Body guards don't feel fear, you are a disgrace and this will not go unpunished." Her sensei hissed. "You will be allowed no meals for a week and receive twenty lashes."
She was then left alone in the garden before the whip was brought, her sensei stood over her. Her small frail body was only clad in black shorts and a small strapless under shirt. With every merciless crack of the whip, the lesson was beaten into Yuki. When the whipping was finished her sensei folded the whip ignoring the blood that now stained his hands. The dark haired girl lay on her stomach, face pressed to the ground willing the tears back.
"Remember this Yuki." Her sensei began, and she had no choice but to turn her head and face his emotionless gaze. "Your life is not equal to your employers, you are what we would call expendable. If you die there will be no drastic change, the world will continue turning and life will go on. However if your employer dies drastic changes will be brought to the world. Your life is meaningless compared to others. Learn that lesson well my child and you will be the most successful body guard I will have ever trained."
A week later Kasumi came to the school where her future bodyguard was being trained. She was told Yuki would be in her dorm room and the small red headed girl bounded up the stairs to see the dark haired girl. Slowly and quietly she opened the door.
"Yuki? Yuuuuki?" Kasumi called quietly into the room.
"O-ohime-sama." Yuki voice came out cracked and Kasumi heard the springs of the bed creak as the dark haired girl struggled to her feet.
The room was dark the shutters closed tightly, shutting off any natural light and the rooms light had also been extinguished.
"Yuki why is it so dark in here?" Kasumi asked shutting the door and entering the room completely.
"You may turn on the light." Yuki said.
Kasumi flicked the lights on and gasped at what she saw. Yuki stood in the middle of the room, posture perfect and as regal and graceful as ever. However her eyes were circled with dark insomnia lines circled her once bright eyes, which were now dull with exhaustion. Her skin had always been pale but now it was translucent. Blue veins stood out and spider webbed down Yuki's lanky arms and legs. Her chest that was once raised in pride was now slouched and her shirt creased with her ribs. Both her legs shook under her weight and dried blood remained crusted on her calves. But her face still shone with it's regular defiance.
"Onegai, give me a moment to change Ohime-sama." Yuki said turning from the stunned red head and bent forward towards a chest on the floor.
Long scars stood upraised from her back and along her visible spine. The dark haired girl stood after picking some clothes, her bones popping loud and painful. She was about to turn when the red head tackled her in a hug. Kasumi was surprised that Yuki was able to hold both of their weight despite her frail condition. But that was Yuki for you, stronger then she looked. The tears made Yuki's shirt wet, and Yuki looked away from the other girl.
"Ohime-sama, you should not cry," Yuki said quietly. "Especially over a simple bodyguard like myself, I am not worth your tears."
"Yuki look at you!" the red head continued desperately. "You look downright starved and like you haven't slept for days, and there is blood all over your legs. Yuki I'm scared for you. What happened?"
"I failed a training session and was punished." Yuki answered.
"You failed a training session and was punished this severely?" Kasumi asked in disbelief. "What kind of training deserves such a harsh punishment?"
"I chose my life over that of the employers." Yuki said. "My worthless life was more important to me then the life of my employer."
There was silence and slowly Kasumi coaxed Yuki to the bed making her lay down on her stomach. Then Yuki felt the pressure of Kasumi's hand on her back disappear and the door close. The pale girl closed her eyes tight, telling herself that even though they had known each other for years, Kasumi was her mistress not her friend. A few minutes later however the door opened again and Yuki listened as it sounded like a bucket was bumping against something. Kasumi grunted in exertion and Yuki immediately tried to stand up and help her master.
"Yuki lay down!" Kasumi said, her voice strained but stern.
"Demo, ohime-sama…" Yuki began.
"Stay where you are! That's an order!" She snapped.
Yuki froze for a minute before gently lowering herself back to the bed. A chair scraped across the wood floor, and it creaked quietly under Kasumi's small weight. Yuki bit her lip as Kasumi took the soothing warm cloth and slowly began to clean her back and soon moving onto her legs.
"Yuki," Kasumi said her voice soft.
The black haired girl sighed, letting her know that she was listening to her.
"For whatever it's worth, if you died…I would cry." She said a tear falling from her eye and landing softly on Yuki's back.
"Ohime-sama," the bodyguard whispered. "But my death would not matter…the world will not end because of my demise."
"But my world would," Kasumi countered.
Yuki was silent as Kasumi continued to soothe her friend.
"I'm ashamed," Yuki said quietly as Kasumi helped her sit up.
"Just shut up and eat," Kasumi said before shoving a spoonful of soup into Yuki's mouth.
The pale girl ate slowly; her future master and best friend continued to comfort and take care of her. But the silence still remained and Kasumi decided to break it, her voice forcibly cheerful.
"I bet if your parents were still here they would cry." Kasumi said. "And your brother, he loves you more then anything."
"I don't think so." Yuki said. "They were so devoted to the life of a bodyguard they didn't hear anything and Akihiko is preoccupied being a ninja."
"Well, my mom once told me, before she died that all lives are equal. A king and a beggar both have the same right to live." Kasumi explained.
Yuki was quite for a minute before she looked up at Kasumi and smiled.
"Arigotou Ojou-sama." Yuki said smiling even bigger when Kasumi's face turned as red as her hair.
"Ojou-sama, where did that come from?" she asked getting over her flushed state.
"Because to me you hold more respect then even your father." Yuki said quietly and a
little embarrassed.
Kasumi only smiled.
End Flashback
Yuki knew what she had to do; she turned her head to get a look at Sasuke's face.
"Uchiha-san?" she asked just loud enough for him to hear.
"What?" he asked venomously.
"Something isn't right." She said.
"What are you talking about?" he asked exasperated.
"The leader wasn't expecting this to happen." She explained. "But as I see it we have two options. 1. Hang on until the leader catches up or 2. Let go and face whatever's down their head on."
"Are you serious?" he asked, eyes wide.
"I'll leave it up to you Uchiha-san." She said letting him know that she would do whatever he wanted.
"Sasuke." He said.
"What?" Yuki asked.
"Just call me Sasuke," he said scornfully.
"You haven't answered me…Sasuke." Yuki said her voice quiet.
"Well I guess we have no choice." Sasuke said chuckling. "Let go Yuki."
"Hai Sasuke." Yuki said, smiling before letting go.
"YUKI!" Kasumi cried as her friend fell from her reach.
--Page Break--
Both dark haired shinobi plummeted to the ground. Sasuke had closed his eyes praying that this wasn't his end; he was roused from his thoughts when he felt an iron grip around his hand. Surprised he looked over at Yuki's face. Her hair streamed in a straight line above them, the rate they were falling at making her dark locks defy gravity. Tears flew upward because the wind was whipping in her eyes. But her face was fearful and her knuckles turned even whiter then usual as her grip on Sasuke tightened even more. His cold eyes softened and he pulled her closer to him so now both of their hands were connected and their arms were creating a small circle.
"Sasuke?" Yuki asked again.
"Yeah," the Uchiha answered distracted.
"When you die, will anyone cry for you?" Yuki asked.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked giving her his full attention.
"Will anyone be so saddened by your death that they'll cry for you?" Yuki asked again.
Sasuke was quiet for a moment before he answered in an extremely low tone.
"I have no family, I've betrayed all my friends, and my comrades all dislike and distrust me." Sasuke said. "So no, no one will cry for me."
The Uchiha felt the girls hands slide from his grip before the came to the sides of his face forcing him to look at her. It was one of the first times he had seen sorrow in someone so stoic, so powerful, so much like him that he was at a loss for what to do. Slowly she came closer and embraced the last Uchiha.
"I'll cry for you."
--Page Break--
To Yuki and Sasuke the fall had taken at least an hour, however to Sora and Suigetsu who were eagerly awaiting their return to consciousness it only took a moment. Both shinobi sat bolt upright, both breathing heavy from the shock, Sasuke had a shorter recover time as Suigetsu pulled him to his feet.
"Fireball jutsu NOW!" Suigetsu cried.
Sasuke saw the approaching danger and did as he was told. Swiftly he did the familiar hand signs. With one deep breath all of the cranes were smoldering ashes before them.
"YEAH! Go Uchiha power!" Suigetsu cheered.
"Um Suigetsu this is no time to celebrate." Rikku said slowly.
"Why?" he asked, and followed Rikku's arm to where she was pointing, stunned.
The paper dragon still loomed over them smoke pluming out it's nostrils. Suigetsu backed up and Sasuke followed suit. The paper puffed out as the dragon took a big deep breath in. But the origami never got to fry them to a crisp as Yuki jumped in front of them holding a large blade.
"NO DON'T!" Suigetsu cried.
However when this blade touched the paper it froze over. The dragon fell from the air and shattered onto the ground.
"You're my hero!" Suigetsu said gripping tightly to Yuki's arm.
In a very un Yukiish way she turned and gave Suigetsu a small smile before turning her attention back to the blue haired woman that had been standing there only a few minutes before. Now she was in front of the leader performing quick distinguished hand signs.
"What is she doing?" Suigetsu asked.
"It looks like she's getting everyone out of the genjutsu." Rikku observed.
"Well that's good isn't it?" Suigetsu asked.
"No." Yuki answered her stoic persona back. "There is some sort of deeper motivation to this then that. They wouldn't just go through all that to wake us all up again."
Sasuke gasped catching everyone's attention. The Uchiha however didn't answer them as he ran over to his still demobilized teammates and began to shake them violently.
"What the hell are you doing Sasuke!" Suigetsu cried demanding an explanation.
"When we come out of this genjutsu there is a period of confusion and complete disorientation correct?" Sasuke asked as he was finally able to awaken Jugo.
"Yeah and?" Suigetsu prodded.
"Well if we can wake up our teammates before that woman can wake up the leader we may be able to catch them by surprise. They're obviously only after one of us, and they are trying to get them to come willingly which is why none of us have been killed yet." Sasuke explained.
"But who are they trying to get?" Rikku asked dumbly.
There was a slight pause then there was a collective shout.
"HINATA!" They quickly ran over to the motionless Hyuuga and began trying to wake her up.
--Page Break--
Hinata heard her name shouted from a distance, she looked around frantically; she could have sworn that was Sasuke's voice.
"HINATA!" she heard it again, this time Karin, Sora and Kasumi had also heard it.
"Was that Sasuke?" Karin asked confused.
"HINATA!" this time it was a more feminine voice but still oddly deep.
"YUKI!" Kasumi cried into the air recognizing the voice at once.
Realization just dawned on Hinata, when you fell to the ground in this genjutsu you weren't killed you were pulled out of it. As soon as she came to the realization she felt her body shake as if someone was wrenching her back and forth.
"Guys!" She cried unsteadily as her body shook on it's own.
The three girls turned to the still shaking Hyuuga curiously.
"Guy's you need to jump!" Hinata cried.
"What are you crazy?" Sora cried.
"It's the only way to get out of this genjutsu." Hinata said.
"I c-can't do it…" Sora said.
Hinata grew impatient and quickly shoved Sora off the cloud. The leader of the Akatsuki landed silently on the same cloud as them.
"Karin, Kasumi GO!" Hinata shouted before trying to shove the two girls off the cloud.
Both girls took the leap of faith and plummeted to the ground. Hinata whipped around to face the leader her eyes hard.
"I'm sorry your friends were to late." He said.
The sky around her dissolved and her vision spun violently making her wretch, but she realized she couldn't move because she was encased in two large arms. She couldn't look up in her current position but she knew who was holding her. Thrashing violently she hoped to loosen the mans grip on her but it only became tighter. He gave her ribs a hard squeeze and she gasped in pain. Her eyes were drawn to all her friends who stood before her ready to attack if the situation arose.
"We've captured her leader-sama." Konan stated proudly.
Hinata heard an affirmative grunt and the grip around her loosened. Hinata gasped as the leader gently pushed her forward.
"Leader-sama!" Konan cried in shock.
"Hush Konan." The leaders no nonsense voice making everyone shutter. "Hinata-san came to see Gaara-sama and she shall see him…"
"Leader…" Konan said anxious.
"What's your plan?" Hinata asked suspicious.
"There is no plan, but if you would like to see Gaara-sama I suggest you go now." He said backing away to reassure her.
"And you wont follow or attack us?" Hinata asked.
"No, to much has happened to you Hyuuga-san, I couldn't bring myself to do any more." The leader said solemnly. "Konan come."
"But leader I thought…" Konan began but was cut off by the leaders stern voice.
"Just come Konan all questions will be answered later.
The blue haired woman nodded before walking briskly to the man's side before they both disappeared.
"Are we alone now?" Suigetsu asked, his voice impossibly loud in the silent echo chamber.
Hinata activated her Byakugan and searched the chamber; no one else was in there.
"I don't see anyone." Hinata said before she extended her vision.
Her eyes found a room much larger then this one and a body laid on the floor. Her heart rate increased she knew, it was Gaara. Her body began moving before her brain did and she found herself running towards the exit. But her body was wrenched back as her friends grabbed her arms.
"Rushing in without a plan isn't the smartest thing to do Hinata-san." Yuki said.
"Yeah Hinata." Kasumi consoled. "Just take a deep breath and think."
Hinata did as she was told, she took a deep breath and slowly took in the obstacles in the way of her finding Gaara. That's when she realized there was no direct way, there were four tunnels each of them branched off and could essentially lead to Gaara.
"There are four tunnels and ten of us, so I suggest we partner up." Hinata said.
Kasumi immediately latched onto Yuki, and as the two twins were about to glue together they were both pulled in different directions. Sasuke gripped Rikku's arm hard making the fragile girl wince while Jugo held onto Sora's arm lightly.
"I need Rikku because she's a genjutsu specialist," Sasuke said, the unspoken fact being that he was going to go after his brother.
"I need Sora because she seems more physically powerful then her sister." Jugo explained.
Looking around at the remaining three people Karin immediately grabbed Suigetsu's hand.
"What the hell?" he asked.
"I don't know the Hyuuga or Akihiko, I'm playing it safe and picking the idiot I know well." Karin excused, before turning to Suigetsu with a small smile. "Besides we don't know what Kisame will do to you."
Suigetsu couldn't help but smile gratefully at his teammate and squeeze her hand reassuringly. Hinata glanced over at Akihiko and nodded towards him in a silent recognition of partnership.
"Alright, Suigetsu and Karin." Hinata began, adding more chakra to her eyes so she could see further. "It seems Kisame is that way." She said pointing to the opposite end of the chamber. "He's out side fighting…" she gasped. "Team Gai!"
"Got it," Suigetsu grinned maliciously before pulling Karin. "It's time to make some sushi!" He cried excitedly as he rocketed towards where Hinata had pointed.
"Sasuke I suggest you go to the path on the far right, as we walked in I saw a room with Itachi-sans name on it." Hinata began. "Just walk ten meters straight. And twelve to the right and you should get there."
"Arigotou Hinata." Sasuke said, and his voice, for once, was filled with gratitude.
Hinata only nodded her understanding before Sasuke and Rikku dashed down the tunnel they were told. The Hyuuga's eyes scanned the next three tunnels carefully her eyes resting on one that contained a large man. Seven beating hearts told her exactly who it was. She looked at her teammates wondering whom she should send to such a dangerous man. Kasumi and Yuki wouldn't stand a chance. They were both very strong and talented but the chances of them being able to attack each of Kakazu's hearts effectively was slim. She looked to Jugo and Sora. Sora was good at distraction and Jugo was a berserker, they would stand more of a chance against the voodoo doll of the Akatsuki. Hinata took a deep breath before speaking.
"Jugo, Sora…" she began slow. "I want you to take the one right there." She pointed to the one right next to the one Sasuke and Rikku had disappeared down. "But down that path there is a man, his name is Kakazu, he has seven hearts and he is…sewed…together. You need to be careful, he's as close to immortal as it gets, only second to Hidan."
They both nodded their faces not betraying any emotion. Hinata looked at them nervously as both of them turned to leave.
"Wait!" Hinata cried, making both of them turn. "Just be careful ok?"
Both smiled and nodded before walking calmly down their path. Yuki and Kasumi looked at Hinata, waiting for her to pick their path. The Hyuuga searched down the last two paths her white eyes widened in shock in horror as she saw the very large Akatsuki member known as Hidan. She knew she was the only one able to stand a possible chance against the immortal muscle man. On the other hand along the other path stood the equally huge cannibalistic form of Zetsu and the small in comparison Tobi. She bit her lip, either send the girls to two Akatsuki or to the immortal one. Taking a deep breath she spoke.
"Kasumi, Yuki up ahead in that path is the plant man and the man with the orange mask that led us here, you take care of them." Hinata said, hoping this wouldn't prove to be a bad mistake.
"Wait!" Akihiko cried. "I don't want my little sister to go against TWO Akatsuki members."
"Akihiko…" Yuki began but was cut off by Hinata.
"We Narumi-san are going to be going against an immortal, I think that a plant man and a trainee will be easier to defeat then an immortal." Hinata explained, silencing the protective older brother.
The two teams nodded towards each other before dashing ahead into their separate tunnels.
--Page Break--
"Suigetsu slow down!" Karin cried as she was continually dragged through the dark lair.
Instead of slowing down they came to a complete stop in front of a large boulder. Karin ripped her hand away from Suigetsu's grip. She gently touched the boulder.
"Way to go Suigetsu," Karin scoffed. "Go after the guy that's behind the giant freaking boulder!"
She turned just in time to see her teammate turning clear and dropping to a puddle on the floor. Quickly Karin grasped his hair and yanked him up.
"Ow what was that for?" Suigetsu asked, neither teen paying attention to the fact that Suigetsu was naked. (A/N: Yeah I was flipping through my friend's manga and found out Suigetsu can teleport but he has to be naked…this will be the LAST time I mention ANYONE naked.)
"You were going to leave me here weren't you?" Karin asked, daring him to confirm her suspicions.
"So?" Suigetsu began emotionless.
"SO!" Karin cried. "There is no way your going out there without me!" Karin exclaimed.
"But I can handle it." Suigetsu said.
"And I'm your teammate and I say that you can't go in there alone." Karin said.
"Why do you care?" Suigetsu snapped. "All you see is your precious Sasuke." Suigetsu scoffed.
He turned away from Karin, ashamed and angry but the dark haired girl wasn't put off. Instead she turned him to face her again, both hands resting on his shoulders.
"What if something happened to you in there?" She asked genuinely concerned. "I wouldn't be able to help you."
Her arms fell to her sides as Suigetsu began to lean in, her eyes drifted shut behind her glasses. Her lips puckered on instinct. Minutes seemed to pass by and nothing happened. Slightly irritated Karin open one eye and growled in frustration as she watched the rest of the Suigetsu puddle disappear under the rock.
"YOU BASTARD!" Karin cried banging on the stone.
Suigetsu leaned up against it, his face slightly red, in yet he listened to all the curses that the black haired girl gave him. Finally she was done and he decided to say something.
"Karin, I would die if you got hurt, stay there where it's safe." He said in all seriousness.
"What about you?" her voice came again, filled with concern.
"Don't worry," he said, a smile evident even in the tone of his voice. "If I get hurt I'll just slide right back under hear and get patched up."
Karin was about to say something when the rock shook with a strong force on Suigetsu's side.
--Page Break--
Suigetsu had closed his eyes and when the next attack came he was now fully aware and alert to everything. He thanked God that he had made Karin wait behind the rock, if she wasn't then the rock that Kisame just attacked, Karin would be dead.
"Hoshigaki Kisame." Suigetsu said with malice.
"Your Suigetsu right?" Kisame asked, holding his sword over his shoulder.
"Does my reputation exceed me?" Suigetsu asked, his pride getting the best of him.
"If you travel with Uchiha Sasuke and Hyuuga Hinata then yeah you're probably the sound genin in my bingo book Suigetsu Ho…something."
"Genin!?" Suigetsu asked in disbelief. "AND MY NAME IS SUIGETSU HOZUKI! I've beaten three jounin since I was in the academy single handedly, who says I can't take you?"
"Because your sword skills will not matter against Sameheda, and…you're naked." Kisame said, holding back a laugh. (A/N: Ok I couldn't help it…but LAST time I SWEAR!)
Suigetsu flushed, not in embarrassment but in anger. After that he did a few hand seals and he was fully clothed.
"Hoshigaki Kisame, be prepared to meet your end by me. Hozuki Suigetsu!" he cried grabbing onto his hilt with both hands.
"Whatever." Kisame scoffed, making Suigetsu charge out of anger.
--Page Break--
"Hurry up!" Sasuke scoffed, without glancing behind him.
There was no answer and he immediately turned, Rikku was gone.
"Rikku-san!" he called, his voice gruff with frustration.
"Little brother." A deep voice called softly, making chills race along Sasuke's spine.
He whipped around trying to see the brother he knew was there lurking in the shadows. A door creaked and he turned to see the door with his brother's name on it open slightly. The younger Uchiha burst through the door only to see Itachi sitting on his bed Rikku grasped firmly in his arms. On hand on her throat the other around her waist. Rikku was so short that she was only a few inches taller than Itachi while he was sitting. Sasuke knew she should be scared. Hell if he was in her position he knows he would be scared, but Rikku looked surprisingly calm. Her green eyes glazed over and her mouth shut.
"Hello Sasuke." Itachi said his voice smooth. "I caught your little friend snooping and I was wondering why, we were about to have a little chat when you interrupted."
"Itachi let her go!" Sasuke snapped. "She has nothing to do with this."
"Really?" Itachi asked, his voice surprisingly teasing. "If that's the case then why don't I just kill her, which would rid both of us of a meaningless distraction hmm?"
Sasuke stepped forward as his brothers hand moved slightly on the girl's neck.
"Ahh so it seems she is of some worth to you Sasuke." Itachi said.
"You scum." Sasuke hissed. "You can't win a battle without your dirty tricks can you?"
"Now little brother that hurts my feelings." Itachi said, showing no outward signs of displeasure except for the slight downward curve of his eyebrows.
The older Uchiha stood, making Sasuke take an extra step back; however he only gently laid Rikku on his bed before unbuttoning his cloak and dropping it on top of her like he was discarding unnecessary items.
"If you wish for no dirty tricks," he began also removing his weapon pouch and stacking that on his bed along with everything else. "Then I challenge you to a duel."
When Sasuke didn't object Itachi smiled slightly before continuing on.
"No weapons, or jutsu's just taijutsu, this means no Sharingan of course." Itachi said.
"Of course!" Sasuke spat.
"Sasuke don't do it." Rikku said, speaking for the first time.
The Uchiha let his gaze fall on the girl just realizing what must have happened, she had tried to attack Itachi and all he did was reverse it. Her own attack must of hit her and shocked her for a few moments. Sasuke's hard eyes turned from her and landed on his older brother.
"I accept." He said eyes narrowed.
Itachi just smiled.
--Page break--
Sora and Jugo walked in silence. The small girl observed the man in front of her skeptically. She opened her mouth to speak but she immediately closed it.
"What concerns you?" Jugo asked.
"What?" Sora asked confused, having jumped out of her skin when he addressed her.
"Is there anything that concerns you? I have noticed you staring at me and I was just wondering if there is anything I can help you with" Jugo stated glancing at the girl beside him.
"Oh no!" She insisted immediately. "I hadn't even realized that I was staring." She lied.
They walked in another long silence, Sora unable to keep her gaze from Jugo for long. Finally he sighed surprising her again.
"You were staring again." Jugo told her. "Sora I know there are things you wish to ask me, feel free."
Sora who was going to make up an excuse paused and nodded before observing him. A moment later her first question spilled out.
"Why are so…well HUGE!" Sora began.
"I'm a berserker; we're just like that I guess." Jugo answered.
Sora nodded satisfied by that answer she thought briefly before asking another question.
"Why did you pick me for your partner?" Sora asked.
"Well you see if I go berserker I will need some help restraining myself and you seem more physically strong then your sister." He answered simply.
"Any other reason?" She asked, slightly disappointed.
"Yes." Jugo answered.
"Really?!" she asked excitedly. "What?"
"You are more talkative then your sister, I can't stand quiet people, it unnerves me." Jugo answered.
Sora was about to nod when she felt pain shoot up her leg and she was frozen to her spot. Jugo turned when he heard her whimper of pain. He knelt next to her as she rolled up her pant leg. From her ankle to her mid calve there was a long line of crisscrossed stitches, her leg stained crimson as blood leaked from the tiny open spaces. He stood and grabbed her hands.
"On the count of three you're going to pull your leg, either you break the stitches holding you to the ground or all the stitches come out." Jugo told her. "Ready?"
She nodded. Biting her lip and closing her eyes waiting for a countdown, instead he just pulled and she screamed. As he had expected the stitches came all the way out before sinking back into the ground. Sora toppled over onto him, tears running down her face.
"That was a tendon you ass!" she cried, but didn't say anymore as more thread came from no more and sewed them together.
It made them look like they were giving each other an eternal hug. Blood dripped heavily from their arms and legs as their eyes were drawn to a man standing a few feet away.
"And here I was hoping for more of a challenge." Kakuzu replied.
--Page break--
Kasumi and Yuki walked side by side as they always have. Both girls were silent, quite comfortable with the other after all the years of being with each other. Kasumi opened her mouth to ask Yuki a question but was silenced when the dark haired girl held a finger to her lips. They heard feet shuffling in their direction. Quickly the two girls hid in the shadows of the large hallway waiting for the two people to pass.
"Zetsu-san?" Tobi asked his companion as the continued to walk the halls.
"Yes Tobi?" he asked in a bored even tone.
"What's going to happen to Gaara-chan?" Tobi asked his voice taking on a cute inflection.
"He is going to die." Zetsu answered immediately without thought.
"What about Hinata-chan then?" Tobi asked his voice full of child like concern.
"My guess is she'll probably go off the deep end," a more sadistic voice answered.
"Then what will happen?" he asked, wonderment filling his voice.
"Then Pein-sama will lead her like a lamb to the slaughter." The darker voice said before laughing manically and both men moved out of earshot of the two girls still in hiding.
"Did you hear that?" Kasumi whispered to her friend who only nodded. "What do we do then?" she asked.
"We find Hinata-san and warn her." Yuki said.
Kasumi promptly nodded and both girls sped down the path they had just been traveling down before. Yuki's eyes spotted something strange on the roof of the passage. Her eyes widened in realization.
"Kasumi-sama paper bomb!" she cried knocking her away from there so they could land somewhere safe.
However as she was about to put Kasumi back on her feet thick green vines wrapped tightly around Yuki's legs. So instead the dark haired bodyguard threw her master as far from the spot as possible. Zetsu emerged behind Yuki, his face invisible behind the huge flytrap covering his head. Kasumi stumbled backwards in surprise but felt two arms catch her before she fell. Her breathing quickened and her eyes darted to her right; all she saw was a giant orange swirl.
"I'm sorry." Tobi said, his arms still holding onto the red head. "Zetsu-san says you can't warn Hinata-chan, Kasumi-kun."
The red head pulled away immediately bringing out a kunai and preparing to attack Tobi. Instead she leapt away as Zetsu who merely disappeared and reappeared next to Tobi. Kasumi leaned over preparing to slice the vines around Yuki's body.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Zetsu said as a vein wrapped around Yuki's neck tightly.
The black haired girl gave a strangled gasp of surprise. Kasumi narrowed her eyes dangerously at them.
"Cut them Ojou-sama!" Yuki gasped as the vines on her body began to tighten except the one around her neck.
"No Yuki!" Kasumi said tears in her eyes. "I would NEVER cut them!"
"Please Ojou-sama." The black haired girl begged.
"NEVER!" The red head answered again.
"How cruel." Zetsu's cold, more rational voice spoke. "She's in pain and you won't even relieve her of that?"
Kasumi glared daggers at him before gasping as he raised his hand.
"I guess if you can't do it I will then, it's not right to make someone suffer." Zetsu said before closing his fist, a loud snap sounded.
Kasumi dropped to her knees tears streaming from her eyes as Yuki's lifeless body landed with a thud behind her.
--Page break--
Akihiko and Hinata walked slowly, both trying to come up with a plan on how to defeat the immortal man they were doomed to face. Her eyes narrowed as she realized that they had entered a chamber, far larger then the hall they were in only moments before.
"Something's not right." Hinata whispered.
"Look out!" Akihiko cried tackling Hinata to the ground.
A large scythe flew over their heads and landed with a loud thud into the ground. Hinata gasped as she saw the man enter her sight, she grabbed onto Akihiko tightly and began to roll away. Hidan landed on the ground where their heads were only moments before. He ripped the scythe from the dirt and stood waiting for the two younger ninja to stand.
"Get up now you little maggots!" Hidan shouted, making Hinata cringe at his volume.
"So this is the immortal you were talking about?" he asked, receiving a nod from Hinata.
"Don't talk about me like I'm not even here you bastards!" Hidan screamed.
Both ninja stood shakily to their feet. Hidan grinned and whipped his scythe out before hurling it at them again. Hinata knew they wouldn't be able to duck it this time. So using as much chakra as she dared she made a wall of earth that the scythe got stuck in. Akihiko quickly ducked around the wall after the scythe got stuck. Using both his momentum and Hidan's he launched a powerful kick to the older mans chest sending him flying back. Hinata used more chakra to make the wall shrink back into the ground , dragging the scythe with it.
"Little bitch." Hidan muttered as he recovered from the attack moments before.
"We are now on an even playing field." Akihiko stated, defending his Hyuuga teammate.
"Pfft not unless YOUR immortal…dumb shit." Hidan added the curse at the end after a little consideration.
Akihiko preformed a few hand seals and held two blades made of water. He jumped at the immortal man who let himself get attacked. Akihiko however was surprised to finds that his blades could not penetrate the skin.
"Let me show you something kiddies." Hidan mocked as pulled of his cloak revealing black and white markings painted in his body.
"With this little spell from Jashin-sama I am invincible to all blades." (A/N: Okay I'm actually not sure what those marking do so for the sake of this battle they make him impervious to all blades but his own. Okay!) Hidan grinned maliciously at them.
While he wasn't looking Hinata also formed some hand signs for a fireball just, but instead of blowing it towards him she held onto the small ball of heat. Akihiko leapt in and attempted to land a hit on him once more. Hinata ran at him and ducked only grazing his pant leg, making his whole body burst into flames as she turned to his back. Using a little chakra she pushed the fire away from a single spot and using her gentle fist she began to close off all his tenketsu. She barely closed five before he sis a leg sweep and hit her in the chest. The clone poofed away the man was now covered in flame and standing staring at the two ninja before him. He suddenly let out a long laugh. He brought his hand to his face and slowly wiped across it, the flame jumped from his cheeks and the blaze burned brighter around his body.
"Thanks bitch," he said turning a twisted smile to Hinata. "You just gave me an extra weapon."
Hinata gasped and realized her grave mistake. Akihiko looked confused for a moment but Hidan soon answered his question.
"My body paint's main ingredient is alcohol, there is quite a bit in there so I don't feel a thing." He grinned.
However Hinata caught sight of something Hidan was obviously not aware of. The longer he left the fire burning the more amount of paint began to disappear and that meant she could hit him with a blade. She tried to stall and make him burn longer. Running at him she ducked under his arm at the last second, her long hair getting singed at the tips. What she hadn't expected was his hand waiting to grab her when she made it around his body. Ducking and crawling frantically the only thing that caught fire was her jacket. Quickly she dispelled the fire, ignoring the rather large burn mark on the back of her jacket.
Once again she tried to distract him so the fire would burn longer and make more of that damned paint burn off. Again she tried to get behind him in a distraction, Hidan who seemed to predict her move leaned back trying all his weight was now balancing on the Hyuuga. Hinata reached into her weapon pouch and produced a kunai. She stuck it viciously into his back hoping to startle him into taking back his own tremendous weight. It worked and Hidan quickly stood so the kunai was no longer being embedded into his back.
His sadistic face twisted into a scowl as he realized that the paint was slowly burning off his body, and that there was an open spot on his back. Hinata knew he had caught on to the plan but she also new it would take him a while for extinguish the fire if she kept distracting him with attacks. Again she prepared for another attack. Hidan saw it coming this time, he grabbed Hinata's arm and refused to let go no matter how much she struggled. Her skin blistered and the scream of anguish was torn from her throat. Akihiko quickly took action and prepared to extinguish the fire on the Akatsuki member. The Hyuuga predicted Akihiko's attack and tried to stop him but was to late as a wave of water washed over both ninja. After the gigantic wave Hidan was shocked for a moment and Hinata used this chance to kick him roughly in the side and yank her arm free.
She moved around him, trying to spot a place where the paint had completely crumbled away. To her dismay and horror none of the paint had come off his chest. Hidan took this chance to grab her again. Without a moments hesitation he ran with her towards a wall and slammed her body viciously against the stone. Hinata tried to cry out but the mans large hand cut off her windpipe. Instead blood flowed from the back of her head and her slightly parted lips.
"Never. Try. And. Out. Smart. Me. You. Twit." He growled, slamming her harder against the wall after each word.
He felt Akihiko coming towards him, preparing to attack; the immortal turned around and slammed his fist into Akihiko's gut. The dark haired boy flew backwards and skidded across the ground. However Hidan wasn't done with him yet. He let Hinata go and she fell to the ground with a loud thump as he approached the other boy ninja struggling to get up. Hidan dashed over toward the writhing young man and put one heavy foot on his chest. Akihiko took a kunai from his pouch and dug the blade deep into the immortal mans calve. Removing his foot he drop kicked Akihiko in the throat, closing off his windpipe. Hinata who had been partially paralyzed up until this point began to slowly, move toward one of the water blades Akihiko had dropped in order to begin his jutsu to extinguish the fire on Hidan. The Akatsuki caught her and picked her up once again off the ground however this gave Akihiko a chance to recover. Hidan growled and let Hinata fall again to the ground so he could deal with the on coming distraction. His back was turned to her and Hinata didn't wait, she picked up the sword and aimed it carefully at the large uncovered spot on his back. With a fierce battle cry she thrust the blade through the mans back. His heavy frame froze in shock and blood spurted from the wound splattering on Hinata's cheeks and began to slide down the blade. Hinata made panicked whimpers and used all her strength to throw the sword and the corpse away from her.
"Hinata." Akihiko said weakly as he slowly limped to where Hinata sat her limbs shaking.
The young man wrapped his arms around her frame ignoring the blood that had been staining her face.
"Are you ok?" he asked gently.
The Hyuuga only nodded her head but neither of them noticed Hidan slowly get pack up. He pulled the blade from his back and began a jutsu to retrieve his scythe from the ground.
"We have to get out of here." Hinata said "We have to get to Gaara-kun."
Akihiko nodded and slowly stood. One arm wrapped around her waist and her arm was slung across his shoulders. They slowly began to limp towards the other end of the chamber when a gruff voice made them freeze.
"Hey you asses!" Hidan said preparing to hurl his scythe at them.
The two teens turned slowly just as the scythe came flying towards Hinata.
"Look out!" Akihiko cried tackling her to the ground. More blood coated the Hyuuga's pale faces she fell to the ground. Hidan stood for a moment watching and waiting for either of them to stir. But neither moved and the Akatsuki 'hmphed' in triumph before walking towards them taking back his scythe. He looked down upon the two corpses. The boys head and been sliced in an odd angle and his brain spilled out all over the ground.
The Hyuuga seemed undamaged but her eyes were widened in shock and her breathing had stopped. Two thin lines of blood dripped down the slightly sliced corners of her mouth. He heaved the giant blade over his shoulder before giving the two bodies one last look of disdain.
"I wasn't supposed to kill you." He muttered before his eyes narrowed in hatred. "But you weren't even worth the effort bitch."
He spat on the two bodies before leaving them both behind. As soon as he left and Hinata was sure of it she inhaled deeply and sharply before pushing Akihiko off of her with a little difficulty.
--Page Break--
Suigetsu dove at Kisame but the shark man knocked him back harshly and his body smacked hard into the rock wall instead of getting up he laid there motionless. He shut his eyes in anger at his seeming inability. Suddenly a shadow passed over his face and he cracked his eyes open but not enough to where the dark shadow who was looming over him could see his open eyes.
"Gai-sensei the flames of youth have failed him!" a boy with bushy eyebrows cried leaning over him.
"I know Lee but wait, his heart is still beating." The one named Gai said also looming over him.
Suigetsu let a small gust of air pass his lips as he closed his eyes and tried to regain himself.
"Lee I'm afraid this broken youth needs the kiss of life." Gai said.
"Yes Gai-sansei." Lee responded.
Lee was amazed and a bit envious of how quickly the young man on the ground sprang to life. He stood ready to fight them off if need be.
"Your one of the sound ninja's aren't you?" a feminine voice said behind him.
His body was then thrown against the stonewall.
"What…the hell?" he ground out against the pain.
When he looked into the eyes of his attacker, he gasped. It was a Hyuuga, a boy Hyuuga with extremely long hair.
"You were with Hinata-sama. Where is she now?" Neji hissed.
Suigetsu just let out a loud guttural laugh before Neji slammed against the wall again making the other ninja growl at him.
"That hurt pansy!" Suigetsu ground out, earning an offended look from Neji.
"I'll show you pansy!" he cried punching Suigetsu hard in the stomach. "Where is Hinata-sama?"
"Honestly?" Suigetsu asked.
"Yes." Neji said the urgency prominent in his voice.
"I don't know." He answered.
The Hyuuga dropped him and cried out angrily before punching viciously at the stonewall. Suigetsu looked up and saw Kisame slowly walking away, as if he was comfortable even with the enemy shinobi right behind him.
"That's it," Suigetsu muttered standing up. "I'm finishing this thing once and for all."
With a burst of speed he didn't know he had, Suigetsu rushed across the water heading towards Kisame's back. He swung his sword as hard as he could and Kisame barely was able to block the vicious blow with his own sword. They were both knocked back with the sheer force of the collision. Kisame grinned and was about to speak when he felt a deep slice in his back. He turned surprised and saw Suigetsu standing behind him Zabuza's sword stained a deep crimson. The shark man smiled before turning around and attacking Suigetsu, the young man disappeared in a big puff of smoke and the real Suigetsu leapt out of the water attempting to deliver a vertical slice that would turn the shark into sushi. But Kisame wasn't in the Akatsuki for nothing. Not even turning to face the young sound ninja Kisame swung Sameheda into Suigetsu's gut. His shirt and skin shredded but he continued and followed through with his strike. Both swordsmen jumped away from each other and stood their motionless and silent.
"You're doing better kid." Kisame said, after spitting out a clump of blood.
"Damn right." Suigetsu answered, as blood trickled down his abdomen before it dripped into the water.
"Not very modest are you kid?" Kisame chuckled making blood leak from the long shallow wound running up his chest.
"Hell no, why should I be. I know what I can do." Suigetsu said his own self-satisfied grin painting itself on his face.
"And that's good." Kisame agreed. "But you are telling your opponent everything about yourself and it's not good for certain things."
"Like what?" Suigetsu scoffed.
"Like sneak shark attacks." Kisame grinned.
Giant sharks composed of water grabbed Suigetsu by the ankles and dragged him underneath the water he had been standing on only moments before. They thrashed about making even more blood cloud the water. When Kisame looked down however Suigetsu was gone from his sight and he laughed.
"You're right, giving away your secret weapon to early is a bad idea." A voice said behind him.
Kisame whipped around and saw Suigetsu's clear liquid body come to the surface.
"What are you?" he asked.
"Your worst nightmare!" Suigetsu cried shoving his blade deep in Kisame's chest.
The shark man's body disappeared and melted into the water. Suigetsu's eyes widened and he fell on the water screaming in anger and pain. His cuts oozed blood and he realized that he had left Karin alone behind the rock. His heartbeat quickened. What if another Akatsuki found her? He got to his feet and with another amazing burst of speed he went to the boulder before banging on it fiercely. Karin had sat down after her futile attempts and waited for him to come back, when she heard the banging she called out again, her voice shaky.
"Suigetsu?" she called.
"Karin are you okay?" he asked, his voice panic stricken.
She stood and placed her hands on the boulder as if that would help her see him.
"I'm fine, are you ok?" She asked.
There was no answer; instead a puddle began to seep through the cracks of the boulder. She backed up to give Suigetsu space. After a few minutes he rose up out of the puddle, but he couldn't stand. Instead he laid face down in the dirt.
"Suigetsu!" Karin cried as she kneeled next to him.
She rolled him over and smacked his face lightly and he opened his eyes before smiling up at Karin's worried face.
"You're being to loud." He said before hacking out some blood. "Either heal me or shut up."
"Bastard!" Karin cried punching him in the stomach though tears of joy collected at the corners of her eyes.
He groaned and writhed on the floor making Karin feel ashamed.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry I hit you." Karin said her head hanging.
But Suigetsu began laughing, Karin looked up and smiled but her face creased in worry as she saw more blood staining Suigetsu's lips.
"You idiot." She chuckled as she pulled his head into her lap. "I'm going to heal you so keep you mouth shut."
"Karin." Suigetsu said softly making his teammate look at him. "I love you."
That was the last thing he said before he fell into unconsciousness.
--Page Break--
Sasuke stood across from Itachi, both brothers carefully analyzing each other. The tension in the room was thick, almost suffocating. In a moment both Uchiha's clashed. A kick to the side a punch to the gut, but none of the hits actually touched the two brothers. This continued on for a long pointless while. Sasuke's breath came out in controlled gasps while Itachi stood calm as if his younger brothers attacks hadn't even fazed him at all.
"I grow weary of this game Otouto." Itachi replied. "Our warm up is now over."
"WARM UP!" Sasuke cried, his anger getting the best of him.
While he was distracted Itachi lunged at him and tried to trip him with a sweep kick. Sasuke jumped over his brother's leg but wasn't expecting the follow up punch, which collided with his face. He jumped back away from his brother, nursing his bruised face. Itachi didn't give him long before he once again went after Sasuke. A kick to the ribs that Sasuke easily cross blocked. But this gave Itachi an open space for him to grab one of his younger brothers legs and pull it out from under him. Sasuke stopped himself from falling by doing a handstand. He kicked out with his other foot forcing Itachi to release him. Once again on both feet Sasuke faked a kick to the left distracting his brother and then aimed an upper cut for the elder Uchiha's jaw. Both brothers jumped back from each other. Sasuke's fist only barely grazing his brother's chin. They ran at each other again, a few more punches and kicks before Sasuke went in for a sweep kick, hoping he could use Itachi's own attack against him. But he wasn't expecting his knee to come up and the sheer force knocked Sasuke's head back. Without a moments hesitation Itachi lifted his other leg and drop kicked Sasuke in the head. The younger Uchiha only laid face down in the dirt for a few seconds before he jumped to his feet.
"You disappoint me little brother." Itachi said. "I thought that maybe after all these years you would have at least bested me at Taijutsu but I see I was wrong."
"BASTARD!" Sasuke cried his rage getting the best of him, making his sharringan activate.
All was silent for a moment before Itachi looked into Sasuke's fierce blood red eyes, his expression bored as usual.
"It looks like you cheated little brother."
And with that Itachi disappeared before coming to land right behind him. Even though he saw it coming Sasuke wasn't fast enough to stop his brothers fierce barrage of punches and kicks to his back. The younger Uchiha fell to the ground, unable to move from the amount of physical pain and a tight cord Itachi had wrapped around his body in the midst of things.
"You disappoint me brother, I thought you of all people would be good on your word." Itachi said his tone disapproving.
However Sasuke saw his brother stiffen. That's when he saw Rikku behind him, a kunai pressed hard against his neck.
"One move and your dead." Rikku said.
But Itachi ignored the girl and let his coal black eyes land on Sasuke's red ones.
"How pathetic," Itachi said. "An unremarkable girl without any special blood line, or any experience fighting me was able to do what you can't. You aren't worthy of the Uchiha name."
Itachi turned to face Rikku, who immediately averted her eyes from his face and instead looked over his shoulder.
"Kill me. You have earned it." He said, his eyes still black proving he was of no threat. "You were able to sneak up on me, that is no easy feat, so I will allow you to kill me."
Rikku looked over at Sasuke, her eyes scared, she wasn't prepared for Itachi to give up so easily.
"Please Rikku. Don't." Sasuke muttered.
The young woman dropped the kunai and her eyes to the ground before taking a step back from Itachi.
"You have become weak Sasuke, and you even have weak friends. You are so weak you couldn't even see me be killed." Itachi said.
"No I will not watch you be killed." Sasuke said his voice low. "Because I will be the one to KILL YOU! That right is mine alone!" he snapped.
Itachi stared at him for a long moment before a smirk appeared on his face, a smirk so familiar Sasuke almost questioned the maliciousness of the man before him.
"Perhaps, perhaps not." Itachi said. "Only time will tell."
And with that the Uchiha disappeared, and Sasuke found himself being untied and healed by Rikku, wondering if their fight had really happened at all.
--Page Break--
"Damn it this hurts." Jugo grumbled in Sora's ear as they wobbled.
"Yeah now you know how I felt when you ripped my fricken ankle to shreds." Sora said.
"Ow to loud to loud." Jugo hissed.
Sora's face was right next to Jugo's ear, his head settled in the same position as hers.
"What are we going to do now?" Sora asked quietly.
Jugo thought for a minute before he recalled something Orochimaru had once tried to teach him.
Flashback
"Now Jugo." Orochimaru hissed. "Your berserker powers are unimaginably strong but they can become even more powerful if you utilize this special fighting style."
"What is it?" Jugo grumbled out.
"Partner training." Orochimaru said. "You and your partner will become one and move as one. Utilizing your attacks to make them stronger and more devastating."
"What do I have to do to get this power?" Jugo asked.
"You must be your partner and learn everything about them." Orochimaru said. "Then you two will become one."
End Flashback
"Partner training." Jugo cried.
"OW" Sora cried equally loud.
Both ninja's bodies flinched on instinct as their ear drums burned from the volume of the shouts that came from both their mouths.
"Partner training Sora." Jugo whispered in her ear. "Orochimaru tried to teach me, but I killed all my partners within a week."
"What!" she hissed, making sure her voice was low. "If it didn't work then why would it work now?"
"Previously all my partners had been males, maybe a female partner is really what I needed." Jugo said, smiling slightly when he felt Sora's face heat up. "Besides we don't really have a choice."
"Excuse me." Kakazu said patiently from where he stood. "I don't mean to rush you guys but I would really like the battle to finish quickly."
A thick wire shot from Kakazu's body and flew directly towards them. With extreme difficulty and by a mere coincidence they fell to the side. Although they avoided the initial attack they were shocked when they saw the thick wire split into lots of tiny ones.
"They're threads!" Jugo cried.
"OW!" Sora shouted.
They tried to dodge the other seams but it wasn't working. After two minutes of the battle there was and x sewed into Sora's cheek and on long seam along Jugo's spine.
"Quick Sora." Jugo whispered. "Tell me about your fighting style."
"Um well…" Sora began uncertainly.
"Hurry!" he said impatiently as he tried to dodge another attack from the Akatsuki member that stood across from them.
"Well I'm very fast and I'm a genjutsu specialist like my sister. And I kinda suck at ninjutsu, but my Taijutsu is decent." Sora said, hoping that her short explanation would help.
"That's it, we'll cast a genjutsu!" Jugo hissed in her ear.
"Yeah only one problem." Sora said.
"What?" Jugo ground out as another attack struck them at full force.
"I can't form any seals!" Sora answered. "I told you once and I'll tell you again. You are freaking huge!"
They both stood silent for a moment. Before Jugo once again came up with an ingenious plan.
"I'll form the hand signs." He whispered.
"What?" Sora asked as she tried to move out of the way of an oncoming blow, happy that she succeeded.
"Tell me the hand signs and I'll perform the genjutsu." Jugo whispered.
"Ok." She breathed on his neck after a momentary pause.
Jugo then turned so his back was to Kakazu who continued to shoot his seams at them almost lazily.
"What are you doing? Now you can't see!" Sora hissed.
"Yeah but he can't see my hands now." Jugo said.
"But you wont be able to defend your self!" Sora said urgently.
"Don't worry." Jugo chuckled. "I trust you."
Sora paused for a moment before nodding. Leaning in a bit closer she began to slowly whisper the hand signs to him. It took a few moments but Sora was able to dodge most of the blows while Jugo slowly formed the signs.
"Alright and the last two signs are…" Sora began but was cut off by Kakazu.
"I'm tired of you two whispering, I want to know exactly what you're talking about." Kakazu said.
With a flick of his wrist the two ninja's were split apart. They both cried in agony as they both fell backwards from each other.
"Quick Jugo, the last ones are tiger and ram." Sora said trying to stem some of the profuse bleeding.
Jugo finished the seals and cast the genjutsu. Kakazu stood dazed for a minute. This gave Jugo enough time to grab Sora and make a mad dash for it. They slowed to a stop and Jugo collapsed, and Sora who was in his arms rolled out of his reach.
"Ow." Sora said softly. "I can't believe we made it."
"Yup it worked out for the best." Jugo said.
"I can't believe you trusted me." Sora said softly.
"Well you proved yourself worthy of my trust." Jugo said. "Looks like I finally found my partner."
--Page Break--
"Ojou-sama watch out!" Yuki cried.
The red head ducked, her eyes wide in disbelief and hope. Yuki appeared once again in front of her mistress as her large Fumaka shurikan flew straight towards the two Akatsuki. Zetsu melted into the ground, but the large black Shuriken continued on its path towards the masked man. To everyone's surprise he caught one of the blades with his hand. The silence stretched and then the weapon fell to the ground and the young man began howling in pain.
"OW! That hurt Zetsu-san!" he whined as he shook his hands.
Using the distraction Yuki grabbed Kasumi and pulled her to her feet.
"You're a-alive." She stuttered.
"Of course I am, I couldn't just leave Ojou-sama alone." Yuki said smiling.
Kasumi looked to where Yuki's corpse should have been, in its place was a large stone. However both girls would pay dearly for their distraction. Vines wrapped securely around their ankles. They were thrown apart and both landed against the walls, this was repeated a few more times before Yuki drew one of her katanas. She noticed that in order for her to be swung so violently without her and Kasumi colliding the vines crossed over each other at one point. Waiting for that exact moment she shoved her sword through the thick vines. Now both girls were going the same direction. Grabbing Kasumi Yuki pulled out her other katana and shoved it in the ground where the vine would hit. As soon as the green plant touched her blade it was sliced, barely missing Yuki's toes. Quickly the both pulled at their vine bindings and were standing within moments.
Zetsu came back up from the ground and lunged catching Kasumi by the leg. As he dangled her over the Venus flytrap, Kasumi exchanged her self for a bomb. She leapt down, both Yuki and her cowering in the corner waiting for the bomb to go off. However Tobi grabbed it and it soon disappeared. Another silence fell over the room as everyone's eyes were once again drawn to the masked man.
"Ooh did you see that Zetsu-san?" Tobi asked, his voice filled with wonderment. "It must have been magic!"
Kasumi ran forward and grabbed Tobi by the throat, slamming him into the wall. She knew she could have pushed him harder but for some reason she was afraid to hurt him.
"What are you playing at?" She hissed, not noticing Yuki's and Zetsu's intense battle.
"Oh are we playing a game Kasumi-kun?" Tobi asked.
"You know damn well we aren't!" Kasumi cried her temper getting the best of her as she slammed him against the wall again only harder this time.
"Ahh temper temper." The young mans voice became deep and that's when Kasumi got a peek into Tobi's mask.
She gasped and backed away, before an explosion went off behind her.
"Ojou-sama lets move!" Yuki cried grabbing Kasumi's hand as a smoke bomb went off.
Yuki ran through a hallway dragging Kasumi behind her. They stopped halfway down the passage before pausing to take a breather. Kasumi still stood there shocked.
"Ojou-sama, what's wrong?" Yuki asked but she didn't answer her. "Ojou-sama!"
"He had…" Kasumi began.
"He had what Ojou-sama?" Yuki asked concerned.
"He had the Sharringan." Kasumi said, making Yuki gasp with her.
--Page Break--
Hinata crawled over to Akihiko's dead body; her hands shook as she slowly turned him over to see his face. Vomit welled in her throat as she saw the parts of Akihiko's head that was cut off. All that was left of his head was his nose and mouth. His eyes had been cut away along with the top of his head.
"Oh no!" Hinata whimpered as if she was a child who had made a mistake. "It's okay." She cooed, gathering the bloody heap that was once Akihiko's head. "If I just put it back in everything…everything will be ok again." She tried to comfort herself.
Tears fell from her eyes and she hung her head as she gave up. Another person gave up his life for her.
"What do I do now?" Hinata asked herself quietly.
'Revenge.' The demon whispered in her ears.
Hinata sat for a minute, horrified at the thought of taking revenge but then the idea began to sink in and the more she thought about it the more tempting it became. Her eyes turned red and a long black slit like pupil appeared as a sadistic smile crossed her lips. Now that the demon had possessed her body, all of Hinata's injuries were healed and within moments she was racing down the hall that Hidan disappeared down. She moved fast and silent, until she found him. He was walking calmly his scythe attached to his back.
She formed a binding jutsu and within moments Hidan fell to the ground bonded from head to toe. Now she approached him slowly, thinking of the best way to exact her revenge. Leaning down she was able to take the scythe from his back.
"What the fu…" Hidan began but stopped as he saw Hinata step right in front of him.
She shoved the scythe in the ground and leaned her weight on it before she spoke her voice slightly teasing.
"Hey there Humpty Dumpty." She said. "You hurt my friend and it looks like you are now going to have to pay."
"How are you still alive?" he asked in disbelief.
Ignoring him she heaved the scythe over her shoulder and brought it down hard. Before she knew it she was laughing and reciting the old Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme as she continued to chop Hidan up into small pieces. Finally she paused taking a deep breath as Hidan looked up at her from his decapitated head.
"You know what they say," Hinata said smiling sadistically once again. "All the kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put humpty…" She paused as she lifted the scythe and brought down the sharp blade on his head cutting his skull in half. "Together again." She finished.
Dropping the scythe she activated her Byakugan and continued to run to where she could only assume Gaara was. She finally entered a room with a vaulted ceiling and two large hands were protruding from the ground. But her red eyes landed on a motionless form in the middle of the room. Her eyes lost their malice and returned to their solid white color as the demon receded back into Hinata's sub consciousness. It started off as she slowly began to walk towards the body in the middle of the floor but it turned into a full out run. Falling to her knees she crawled the rest of the way to the body and lifted it's head into her lap as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Gaara-sama."
A/N: I told you this one would be EXTREMELY long. There is a little more fighting in the next chapter but definitely not as much as in this chapter. I'm not too confident about my battle scenes so tell me what you think. PLEASE REVIEW!