17. The Beast Within. Dragon vs. Tiger!
It has been nearly two months since Sasuke's disappearance and Naruto was now back to normal. Sakura was now training under Lady Tsunade as a shinobi healer while Yuki trained hard with Kakashi and Kocha. Kocha was still a rogue amongst the people in Konoha but Lady Tsunade was still fighting with the Elders about that issue. As the days passed Yuki's personality seemed to grow darker and so her ability to control darkness grew steadier. Kakashi was not sure if this was a good or bad sign.
At night, Yuki would lock herself in her room and practice controlling the shadows. She was able to create shapes and within the first few weeks of her "shadow training" she was able to give the dark shapes form. This worried Kakashi as he began to think that her heart was becoming enveloped in darkness as well. He noticed that her complexion was becoming paler and she was losing weight slightly. This puzzled him for he knew that she was on a normal diet and at times, she and Naruto would have eating contests over ramen; she would win by half a bowl. Yuki's health concerned him greatly so Kakashi decided to finally ask Kocha about it face-to-face.
Kakashi woke up and dressed himself in his armor. He equipped himself for the journey to Kocha's location and as he walked toward the kitchen he peeked into Yuki's room. Yuki was still in bed with Yoru sleeping at the foot. Yoru seemed to have heard him for his ears perked up and he stared straight at Kakashi. Kakashi nodded and Yoru jumped from the bed and followed Kakashi out. Little did they know that Yuki was watching them the whole time.
Once she heard the door close Yuki slowly got out of bed and peeked out of the window. Kakashi and Yoru were heading toward the Village gate. Yuki quickly dressed herself and equipped her ninja packs and her gear. As she packed, Yuki heard a knock at the door. She walked toward it and opened it to reveal Sakura and Naruto's smiling faces.
"Hey, Yuki!" smiled Naruto.
"Hi, guys." Said Yuki shocked. "What are you two doing here?"
"We just thought that since it was our day off," said Sakura. "We could hang out today!"
"Sorry, but I can't." said Yuki letting them in.
"Why not?" asked Sakura. "Where's Kakashi-sensei?"
"He went over to see Kocha," said Yuki. "And I'm going to follow him."
"What?" said Naruto. "Wait, I thought you knew were Kocha was this whole time."
"Nope," said Yuki throwing on her backpack. "Yet, another secret that was kept from me, but, no more! I'm tired of those two keeping secrets from me and I'm going to show them that!"
"Yuki, are you nuts?" said Sakura. "It's dangerous out there without Kakashi-sensei! Besides, Kocha-sensei and Kakashi-sensei are only trying to protect you."
"That's all they do!" Yuki argued. "I'm a Chunin now! I don't need them to be so protected anymore! I can handle myself!"
"Yuki," said Naruto. "You were going to charge out after Sasuke all by yourself. Even I needed Shikamaru and the others with me to go after him."
"Fine!" said Yuki. "You two can come with me but make sure you keep up."
Knowing that they weren't going to change her mind, Sakura and Naruto ran back to their homes and got ready for the journey. When they assembled at the front gate Naruto asked, "So how do you plan on following them without any tracking system?"
"Have you forgotten?" asked Yuki. "I've been practicing my Soshigan. I'm able to use my ability to communicate with the elements." Yuki turned around and summoned her Soshigan. The wind and the trees told Yuki the direction that Kakashi and Yoru had gone. "This way." Yuki pointed and the group began to walk. As they walked Naruto and Sakura began to worry about Yuki. They, too, had noticed the physical changes that occurred on Yuki's body. She was not snow white but she was not as tan as she used to be. Her figure seemed slimmer than the muscular being they knew a few months ago. Sakura was mainly concerned.
"Are you okay, Yuki?" asked Sakura.
"Yeah." Said Yuki. "Why do you ask?"
"You seem a little paler than usual." Sakura answered. "Naruto and I were just a little concerned."
"Don't be." Yuki smiled. "I'll be alright. I never even noticed so I guess I must look ill."
"So you don't even feel weaker than before?" Naruto asked.
"Nope!" Yuki smiled. "I've beaten you plenty of times during our eating contests!"
"I went easy on you last time!" said Naruto looking away.
The group shared a laugh as noon slowly approached. At last, after nearly four hours of walking, the group arrived at a small village that seemed quite run down. Some of the bigger buildings were still under construction and the small houses were ragged looking. Yuki looked around in sadness as she stared into the people's faces. They seemed overworked and depressed.
"Hey, look!" Naruto pointed further down the street as he saw Kankuro carrying two pieces of wood to an elderly woman's tea shop.
"What are the Sand Village Ninja doing here?" asked Sakura.
"We've gone on plenty of missions with them," said Yuki. "It's possible that they are trying to build a village for refugees from bandit raids and such." Yuki walked down the street towards Kankuro. As she walked, Naruto and Sakura looked around them. The town looked nearly complete even though the buildings were a bit shabby. Yuki could not help but feel that the town felt familiar to her as if she visited it in a dream. The three of them found Kankuro nailing the boards to the side of the woman's building finishing it up. As the old woman came out with some tea for him she looked toward Yuki's direction and smiled. "Oh, we have more helpers."
Kankuro turned and looked surprised to see the three of them. "Naruto! What are you guys doing here?"
"We came here looking for Kakashi-sensei." Answered Naruto.
"Kakashi?" Kankuro put a finger to his chin. "I haven't seen him at all lately."
"You mean he's been here more than once?" asked Sakura.
"Of course!" Kankuro answered. "He's been helping us out with some of the restoration."
"What is this place?" asked Yuki.
"I'm not too sure myself." He answered. "Temari found it after she got lost after a mission. Kocha found her and asked us for our help. You've done a lot for us lately so Gaara figured this would be a good way to try and rebuild the relationship with Konoha."
"Gaara and Temari are here too?" asked Yuki. "I never thought Gaara would help rebuild a village."
"He's changed a lot since the exams." Kankuro smiled. "I think Naruto had a lot to do with it."
"M-me?" asked Naruto. "Why me? I beat the crap out of him."
"That's just it." Temari came up from behind them after helping out the neighboring buildings. "No one has ever beaten Gaara before. He recognized your strengths, Naruto, and decided to pursue his own. He hasn't found it yet but we think he'll get there soon enough."
"Where is he?" asked Yuki. She wanted to see this so-called, "Changed Gaara."
"He should be helping out over by the lake." Temari pointed to her right. Yuki, Naruto, and Sakura all ran in that direction to see Gaara using his sand to cleanly cut up wood slabs for buildings needing finishing touches.
"Hey, Gaara!!" Naruto shouted waving his hand. Gaara stopped what he was doing and turned to see the new visitors. "Long time, no see, Gaara!" Naruto was smiling from ear to ear. Yuki looked at him somewhat embarrassed. He's probably excited that someone has finally started to follow in his footsteps. Yuki thought.
"Naruto Uzumaki." Said Gaara. "What brings you here?"
"We're searching for Kakashi-sensei." Naruto answered. "Have you seen him or Kocha-sensei around?" Gaara pointed to the lake where they found two figures standing together.
As the group tried to get a closer look they heard a small voice. "What are you three doing here?" The group turned to see Yoru staring at them with a small slab of wood on his back. "And why are you here by yourselves? Do you realize how dangerous it is without a chaperone with you?"
"Yeah." Said Yuki harshly. "But I came for answers. These two were my chaperones."
"You shouldn't be here." Said Yoru. "Come on, I'll take you back to the village."
"No!" roared Yuki. "I said I came here for answers and I'm not leaving without them!" Yuki turned and ran towards the lake with Naruto and Sakura trailing behind. Yoru just sat and watched as they ran behind a few bushes.
"You're not going to stop them?" Gaara asked the small cat.
"What good would it do?" Yoru laid his head down on his paws. "Once that girl has her mind set on something she goes through with it. I'm guessing she got that from Naruto." Gaara continued to stare at the bush that the small trio hid behind for a while then turned back to his work.
Yuki, Sakura, and Naruto found a bush that was quite close to where the two figures were. "I can't hear anything." Whispered Naruto.
"I got it!" Yuki summoned her Soshigan as she lightly clapped her hands. She called for the wind to move slightly toward them so that the sound of the voices could be heard. It was defiantly a conversation between Kakashi and Kocha.
"So, what brings you back?" asked Kocha. "You obviously don't come unless it's important."
"It's about Yuki." Said Kakashi. "I've taught her everything you've told me to teach her but I don't think her body is accepting the training properly."
"What do you mean?" Kocha asked concerned.
"She's lost some coloration in her skin and she's gotten pretty slim. I have her on a normal diet and she even wins eating contests with Naruto. I don't understand why she looks so ill."
"She's not." Said Kocha. "It is the effects of the Soshigan. I'm not sure what it is but she shouldn't come to any harm. Her mother told me that she experienced the same thing."
"Good." Said Kakashi with a deep sigh. After a long silence Kakashi asked, "Don't you think it's time to tell her about this place?"
"Not yet." Kocha answered. "I want to find out more about what happened first. More importantly there was something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"What is it?" Kakashi asked.
"It's Naruto." Kocha's eyes were suddenly cold. "What is the condition of the seal?"
"I'm not sure." Said Kakashi. "It should be doing alright." Although there was that time in the Land of Waves.
"I wish there was a way to examine it." Said Kocha putting a finger to her chin.
"Well, why don't we ask Naruto ourselves." Kakashi smiled. "They're hiding in that bush over there." Kakashi pointed directly at the trio. "You can stop hiding now." The three of them stood from their hiding places looking disappointed in themselves.
"How did you know we were here?" asked Sakura.
"The wind doesn't blow from the east." Said Kakashi. "Yuki, next time think about the wind's direction before you use it."
"What do you think you're doing?" asked Kocha angrily. "It's dangerous out here without a guide."
"We know." Said Naruto. "Yoru scolded us the same way."
"Do you three have a good excuse?" asked Kakashi.
"Um, how about I grew tired of you two lying to me so I decided to get some answers on my own?" Yuki said in a cocky manner. "I'm tired of you guys hiding secrets from me! What is the connection between me and this village that you were talking about?"
Kocha and Kakashi looked at each other for a long while. Kocha walked toward Yuki and said, "Yuki, this was your village. This is where you were born and raised." Yuki was taken aback as she looked around. "I've spent the better part of ten years trying to rebuild it." Kocha continued. "With Temari, Gaara, and Kankuro's help, we were able to make it this far. I didn't tell you because I wasn't quite sure on how you'd react."
"This was my home?" asked Yuki. "Where did I live? Are these the same people?"
"The citizens are mostly here." Said Kocha. "Your house used to be here, where we are standing."
"Why didn't you try to rebuild it?" asked Sakura.
"That is why." Kocha pointed to a small crystal structure in the center of the lake. The noon sun caused it to sparkle like a star on the clear water. "This is your mother's resting place. I didn't want to disturb her sleep since it was well deserved."
"Mother…" Yuki ran forward and stared for a long time at the crystal. Yuki summoned her Soshigan again and began to run across the water toward the monument. When she arrived she noticed that it was a purple crystal with a blue emblem on it. The emblem read, Here lies Haru Kimachi. Beloved mother and friend to all who met her.
Yuki collapsed on her knees and began to cry. She wrapped her arms around the structure as she wept. Mother…I'm here now mother. Can you see me? Can you hear me? I've grown up now, see? Are you proud of me? Mother…
Naruto stared at her in sadness but he could feel a small amount of joy in his heart. "At least Yuki was able to reunite with her real mother." He said.
"Yeah." Said Sakura. "Now, Yuki knows that she did have a home once."
"Let's leave her be." Said Kakashi. They all turned away and decided to help with the village restorations as they waited for Yuki. Late in the evening the group met with Gaara's squad at a nearby inn. Yuki finally arrived with red, puffy eyes showing that she had been crying the entire time. She sat between Sakura and Temari and began to eat her dinner in silence.
"Have you calmed down now?" Kocha asked. Yuki nodded. "I suppose that I should tell you what all I've learned." Said Kocha. "After I released you from the burning building, I fought with the mysterious intruders. I couldn't see who they really were but from what I could tell, there were at least three of them. I already know that one of them was Kisame of the Hidden Mist Village. This could only mean that it was either Kisame before he joined the Akatsuki or the Akatsuki themselves."
"But," said Temari. "Why would they attack such a remote village?"
"I don't know." Kocha shook her head. "I was gravely injured after the battle. My mind is still shrouded in fog."
"My guess would be that they were after her power." Said Gaara.
"Oh, yeah!" said Naruto. "That's gotta be it! If that's the case, then…" Naruto suddenly became angry as he thought about Sasuke. Orochimaru, he went after Sasuke all because Sasuke had the Sharingan!
"Kocha-sensei," said Sakura. "You once told us that you lived here with Yuki after a while. Is your village far from here?"
"No." said Kocha silently. "However, there isn't much left of it."
"You mean the Akatsuki got to your village too?!" asked Naruto.
"No." Kocha answered again. "My village was destroyed by something else. I…I don't remember exactly." Kakashi gave Kocha a strange look.
"May we see it?" asked Yuki. "It will allow me to put a lot of things to rest."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
"I just have this feeling." Lied Yuki. Images from his battle with Sasuke continued to flash through her mind. She grew extremely afraid after she witnessed the strange and powerful chakra that surrounded Naruto's body. I'd like to see the devastation of the Nine-Tailed Fox myself.
Naruto must have already forgotten what Keeta told us in our first encounter. Remembered Sakura. Kocha's village may be the only monument to the Nine-Tailed fox's power.
"Very well." Said Kocha sadly. "There is nothing left but if that is what you want." Kocha rose to her feet as did the others.
"Kankuro, Temari," said Gaara. "There is something that I would like to investigate. I will meet you both back at the Village in four days."
"Oh, okay." Said Kankuro confused.
"Very well." Said Temari.
Kocha, Kakashi, Gaara, Naruto, Sakura and Yuki walked out of the inn and headed north to Kocha's village. As they ran Yuki turned to look at the new Gaara. He wore red clothing and his face was gentler than when they first met. Perhaps Naruto did change him. She thought. The group continued to run until the moon was high in the sky. Yuki could sense a strong storm approaching and gave her broadcast to the rest of the group.
"Great!" said Sakura disappointed. "I hate lightning and thunder!"
"It's not all bad, Sakura-chan!" smiled Naruto. "Just think of it as Angel's bowling!"
"I'm not an idiot, Naruto!" Sakura growled.
At last, the group finally arrived in an open area surrounded by trees. Decomposing wood and traces of a village were scattered everywhere. Kakashi surveyed the area and found large trenches that were in four parallel lines. This must be from the Nine-Tailed Fox. Kakashi thought.
"What happened here?" asked Naruto.
"Don't you remember what Keeta said?" asked Sakura. "She said that the Demon Fox attacked here before it made its way to Konoha."
"Oh, yeah!" said Naruto. "So this is what it did?" Naruto looked around then gripped his stomach tightly. I hope it never comes out again.
"The Demon Fox destroyed my village." Said Kocha. "My sister and I were able to flee the village but, our family and friends were not so lucky. We vowed to avenge our village but I soon gave up."
"Why?" asked Naruto.
Kocha smiled as she said, "Because I know now that as long as it resides inside you, we have nothing to fear." Kocha walked over to Naruto and rubbed his head. "I believe in you." Naruto started a smile when they heard a strange yet familiar sound.
"That is sooo cute!" came Keeta's sarcastic voice. They spotted her laying on a tree branch in a cat-like way. She wore a similar robe like that of the Akatsuki. "It's about as cute a decomposing rat." As she landed, the storm appeared and raged all around them dumping heavy rain on the terrain.
"Keeta!" roared Kocha as she drew her blade. The other's prepared themselves as well. "What are you doing here?"
"Looks like I'm not the only one who visits the grave of our village." Keeta straightened herself and jumped down gracefully. "Take a good look, Fox child. The creature that did this is now inside you! Kocha and your friends may say that they 'believe' in you but we all know that you're too weak to keep that chakra in."
"You take that back!" growled Sakura.
"And what are you going to do to stop me?" hissed Keeta. "I've seen you all fight in battle. You're the most useless out of all of them, standing behind them waiting to be protected. No wonder why Sasuke left you." Sakura gasped at the insult.
"What makes you think you know Sasuke?" growled Yuki. "You don't know anything about him!"
"I know more about him than you know." Keeta sneered. "He wanted power so that he could kill Itachi, not like he'll get it through Orochimaru."
"If you know Sasuke's whereabouts then tell us!" Kakashi ordered.
"He's with Orochimaru." Keeta mocked.
"Don't toy with us!" Yuki summoned her Soshigan.
"I just told you where your precious Sasuke-kun was." Said Keeta. "Don't I deserve thanks?" Gaara summoned his sand and shot ten sand bullets at her. She missed them with ease and smirked. "So the stories were true. There's a demon in the sand as well."
"Tell us where Sasuke is, Keeta!" roared Kocha.
"I'm afraid I can't." Keeta smiled. "Remember, I'm with the Akatsuki now. Oh, but I have a very interesting tale to tell your friends, Kocha. Did you tell them about our past with Lord Orochimaru?"
"What?" Yuki, Sakura, and Naruto looked up at Kocha in shock. Kakashi had heard a tale like this before; when he put the seal on Sasuke's curse mark and Orochimaru appeared.
"What is she talking about, Kocha-sensei?" asked Naruto. Kocha glared at Keeta as she spoke. "It was after the Demon Fox appeared. Orochimaru found us and took us in. He recognized Keeta's abilities with potions and had her modify a few formulas. Using us as his lab rats, we drank the potions out of full confidence that Orochimaru wanted to help us. It was a lie."
"What was?" Keeta was slowly transforming her arms and legs into cat-like limbs. A tail sprouted as she received black tiger-like markings on her face and limbs. "He gave us a power greater than any possible!"
"He turned us into monsters, Keeta!" Kocha argued. "Look at yourself! You're not even human anymore!"
"It is a fitting form for fighting a monster that destroyed our past." Keeta was now completely transformed. Her black hair flowed over her tiger-like face. Keeta's fangs poked out from her upper lip that was now split like a cat. Whiskers could be seen on both sides of her triangular nose. Keeta's pointed ears poked out from the top of her head complete with tuffs of orange fur that covered the rest of her body. Keeta's back legs were the right structure that told Kakashi and Kocha that her leaping abilities were increased dramatically.
"Kakashi," Kocha began. "Take the kids out of here. This battle is way too dangerous for them." Kakashi just stared at her arguing with himself whether or not to heed her order or fight Keeta together.
"We can't leave!" said Naruto. "I don't want to lose anyone else in our squad!"
"She's more powerful than you can imagine." Said Kakashi. "We wouldn't stand a chance against her."
"That's all the more reason that we should back her up," said Yuki stepping forward. She stared up at Kakashi saying, "I'm going, whether you want me to or not." The fire burning in Yuki's eyes shocked Kakashi. He had never seen Yuki so determined to fight someone so powerful before. As Yuki began to walk forward Kakashi tried to grab her arm but suddenly heard a voice say, "Challenge accepted." He felt a strong force impact his chest and threw him into the wooded area behind them. Keeta stood in his place and quickly wrapped her arm around Yuki.
"Let go!" Yuki struggled to get free as Keeta jumped high into the air. Before Yuki was able to pull out a kunai knife Keeta was hit with a sand projectile and released Yuki. Yuki summoned her Soshigan and tried to summon the wind around her but she was falling too fast for her chakra to take control. Yuki closed her eyes tightly waiting for the ground when she heard Gaara shout, "Sand Bed!" Yuki fell into a soft cushion of sand that met her nearly twelve feet above the ground. Yuki turned her head to see Gaara with his arm outstretched, controlling the sand. "Thanks, Gaara-kun!" Yuki jumped down and watched as Kocha and Keeta were clashing blades. Keeta quickly dodged a jump strike from Kocha and landed crouched on the ground. Keeta's claws began to glow blood red and she cut in a horizontal direction shouting, "Tiger Claw!" Kocha blocked the attack by positioning the sword in front of her face with the blade facing Keeta. The chakra blades were cut in half as they zoomed past her. Kocha charged but because of Keeta's increased speed, Keeta ran past her in the blink of an eye. Kocha felt the wind from her passing and looked behind her to see Keeta about to slice Naruto with her lethal claws.
Naruto stared into Keeta's golden eyes as she inched closer to him. He quickly tried to roll away from Keeta's attack but she managed to claw his back. Naruto screamed in pain as her claws ripped through his flesh.
"Naruto!" Yuki shouted. Yuki immediately summoned her Soshigan but before she could cast a jutsu, a giant water dragon came from the forest and plowed into Keeta. Kakashi came running out of the forest with his Sharingan blazing. He threw multiple kunai knives at Keeta trying to send her away from Naruto. Sakura ran over to Naruto to examine the damage.
"How does it look?" Naruto asked painfully.
"It's not deep," said Sakura truthfully. "You should be okay."
Kocha ran back to the group to check on Naruto as well. Kocha removed one of her long cloves and put her bare hand over Naruto's wound.
"You're a medical ninja?" asked Kakashi.
"No," Kocha answered. "Because of my abilities, I am able to use a few medical jutsu."
"Where is Keeta?" asked Yuki. A large boom could be heard and Keeta was suddenly in the middle of their group. With one strong punch to the ground a shockwave sent everyone flying in different directions. Kocha quickly wrapped her arms around Naruto and maneuvered herself so that she would land on her back. When she stopped sliding Kocha raised her body slightly to see Keeta's glowing eyes. Lightning flashed continuously as the rain whipped at their faces. Keeta began to stalk slowly toward Kocha and Naruto.
Is there no other way? Kocha wondered. Her strength and speed are incredible. She has been using that form too much. Kocha walked forward with her sword at her side. Is her mind even part of her anymore?
"You know you can't beat me like that, Kocha!" Keeta growled. "I want to face the real you!"
"That's too bad!" Kocha sneered. "I won't reduce myself to your level. I will face you." Kocha untied her Leaf Village headband around her arm and tied it around her head. "I will face you as a citizen of Konoha!"
Keeta grew so angry that her chakra was now leaking out of her body. It was a red chakra with swirls of black within. "Then, you will die like the rest of them!" Keeta charged forward, grabbed Kocha around the neck, and threw her to the other side of the battlefield. Mud and water sprayed up from the impact. Kocha shot back up and charged at her sister again. The two fought mercilessly as sparks flew from claws hitting blade. Keeta tried to bat Kocha's face with her claws abut Kocha ducked. The claws caught the tie holding Kocha's ponytail and ripped it in half. Kocha's long, black hair flowed down as it became wet from the rain. Kocha tried a horizontal slice but Keeta jumped then, kicking Kocha and throwing her back towards the woods. A cloud of mud and leaves could be seen from Kocha's impact. Yuki and Sakura rushed out from the woods and used a series of low level jutsu to catch Keeta's attention. Once Keeta noticed them, Gaara formed a pillar of sand and threw it toward Keeta. With an evil sneer, Keeta outstretched her right arm and sliced right through the pillar as if it were paper. Keeta suddenly felt a strong electrical shock on her left side and was thrown far to her right. Keeta raised herself back up to see Kakashi holding a fist full of lightning.
"That's it, you Leaf Village dogs!" Keeta roared. "Such a nuisance!" Keeta was now beginning to collect chakra into her palm. Once there was enough chakra Keeta threw the ball of energy at Kakashi who dodged the attack by inches. As he hit the ground he went into a dodge roll trying to get as much distance between him and Keeta as possible. When he rolled onto his knees he sensed danger and looked above him. Keeta was falling from above at an amazing speed. Before contact was made Naruto ran in and used his Rasengan, throwing Keeta back into the air. Keeta grabbed the boy by the collar of his jacket as she was thrown into the atmosphere. She maneuvered in the air and threw Naruto back to the ground where he was met by Gaara's bed of sand. Gaara made a few hand signs and began to control the sand as if it were a puppet connected through invisible strings. Streams of sand darted toward Keeta but she would cut straight through them with her claws. The battle continued almost endlessly.
"We can't win!" said Yuki now bruised and exhausted. "She's way too fast!"
"She must have a weak point," said Gaara, who was leaning on one knee in exhaustion.
"Does she even have one?" asked Naruto. He looked over at Kocha who still charged in with her sword cutting through the mud.
"I will not let you win!" Kocha swung her sword at Keeta who blocked it and kicked Kocha back a few feet. Kocha landed on her feet and charged in again. Kocha made a few hand signs as she ran and tapped her blade. The Buru-yami began to glow an azure hue as she brought the sword to her side and made a horizontal slice. A blue blade of chakra quickly made its way to Keeta. Keeta flipped into the air and, with her amazing speed, used an upper-cut to punch Kocha into the air. Keeta jumped up after her and tornado-kicked Kocha back into the group. Keeta landed with an evil smile saying, "I told you, fool. To continue fighting me is pointless. Now, surrender Uzumaki Naruto, Gaara, and Hatake Yuki!"
Kakashi looked over at his tired and exhausted group. Kocha lay unconscious on the muddy ground while everyone else looked as if they were about ready to drop. Kakashi picked up Kocha's sword and removed his vest saying, "Never." He tossed the sword so that the blade was upside-down. Naruto and the others had never seen Kakashi so determined before. "I promised them that I would protect them all with my life," said Kakashi stepping closer. "I plan to keep that promise."
"That's not much of a promise," laughed Keeta. "Your life is hardly worth a thing."
"Look who's talking!" Yuki shouted but Kakashi held out his arm. "Don't worry about it." Kakashi told her. He pulled the sword back to his neck and said, "Let's do this." He charged in as did Keeta. Kakashi sliced then, did a back-flip to dodge Keeta's lightning quick aerial attack. Keeta began to attack Kakashi with a flurry of quick slashes with her claws. Kakashi ducked to avoid the last attack and sliced Keeta across the torso. Keeta roared in pain and jumped away.
"Alright, Kakashi-sensei!" cheered Naruto. The celebration was cut short, for the group stared in horror as the wound began to heal quickly. Kakashi noticed something that he caught in his Sharingan eye. "Yuki!" he called back. "Use your Soshigan!" Yuki did as she was told and stared at Keeta. She, too, noticed a glowing dot on her left breast. What the…? "What is it, Yuki?" asked Sakura. "What do you guys see?"
"Keeta has a glowing dot on her chest." Yuki answered. "What is it?"
"That's the curse mark," Kocha said sitting up. Naruto helped her as she tried to stay up. "It appeared after we drank the tainted potion. It's what houses our forms. It seems that I have no choice but to use mine as well." As she tried to stand, Kocha watched in horror as Kakashi was struck with a powerful uppers-slash and was thrown back down to the ground with a string of red chakra blades. Kakashi landed and skidded across the muddy ground like a ragdoll. Gaara did his best to use his sand to stop Kakashi's momentum but it did not protect Kakashi from the damage that he received. Gaara drove the sand to set Kakashi down behind them as the others watched as the Buru-yami spun and impaled the muddy ground in the center of the battlefield.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura ran to examine Kakashi who was now badly beaten and gashed. He was barely moving but was somehow able to keep consciousness. "H-her weakness…!" he managed to tell them. "That mark…That mark is her weakness!"
"Hold on, Sensei!" said Naruto. The group heard Kocha rise up from the ground just as the rain stopped to let the full moon shine. The moonlight seemed to cause Kocha's chakra to come out of her body, emitting a silvery-white color. With a roar, Kocha delved into her inner power and transformed into her draconic form. Sakura, Yuki, Naruto, and even Gaara were shocked to see Kocha in such a form.
"This is what I really am," Kocha growled. "I am a monster created by Orochimaru's designs."
"Kocha-sensei!" said Naruto. You're just like me?
Kocha flexed her brilliant angel-like wings and charged at Keeta with her full strength. Keeta managed to catch Kocha's fist but Kocha wrapped her scaly tail around Keeta's leg and threw her onto the ground behind her. Oblivious to what was going on, Keeta looked up to see Kocha coming down from the moon with a glowing fist. With a giant shockwave, Kocha slammed her fist onto Keeta and created a giant crater. Kocha flew out of the crater and landed near the group and waited patiently for the smoke to clear. The storm returned and the rain seemed to come down harder than ever. The rain managed to knock down the dust and Keeta stood with her eyes turning from a golden color to red.
"Change back, Keeta!" Kocha warned. "You know what will happen if we continue this way!"
"I don't care!" Keeta growled. "I will kill you and the Nine-Tailed Fox, no matter what! Besides," Keeta gave an evil sneer. "You face the same fate as I."
"Why are you like this?" asked Kocha. "Where was the kind Keeta that would always tell me that everything was going to be alright? Where was the Keeta that always promised that she would be there for me? Where is my Keeta?!"
A strange laugh that was not human could be heard coming deep within Keeta. Keeta lifted her head and with a final human breath, Keeta said, "DEAD!" Keeta charged and tried to punch Kocha but she managed to fly away in time. As Kocha ascended through the air she turned to see Keeta now turning on Yuki and the rest of the group.
Yuki held Kakashi close to her as they all watched the tiger humanoid walking closer and closer to them. Gaara stood and walked to the front of the group. "Don't, Gaara-kun!" said Yuki. "You can't face her by yourself!"
"Don't worry," said Gaara. He raised an outstretched hand to summon sand from all around them. Sakura and the others looked around in confusion wondering where all of the sand was coming from. Yuki, with her Soshigan still active, took a closer look at the ground and noticed that the sand was coming from deep within the earth. That's how! During the battle, he caused his sand to seep into the earth and grind up the rocks in the bedrock. He was able to make more sand that way! Go, Gaara-kun! Yuki placed Kakashi down and stood to help assist Gaara. She walked to his side and made a hand sign and began to concentrate. She used her Soshigan to transfer her chakra from her feet to the ground below. She helped Gaara by using the trees around them and began to help grind the rocks by having the trees suck up the water. This caused the ground beneath to become dry thus making it easier to grind up the rocks to make more sand. Gaara noticed this and eyed her closely. "That's some ability you have." He told her as the mountain of sand continued to build in front of them.
"Same to you," Yuki smirked. Yuki watched as their sand formed the shape of a strange raccoon-like creature. Yuki stepped back once they were finished and asked, "What is this?"
"This is my strongest defense," said Gaara. "Shukaku Shield." Yuki could see why it was his greatest defense. The body of the structure was extremely thick. Before the group could relax, they heard a deep thud and watched in horror as Keeta made one slash that went straight through the entire structure. Gaara managed to execute a back-flip to dodge Keeta's attack. Keeta went in for another attack but Kocha flew down in time to kick Keeta back toward the center of the battlefield. Keeta stood but no longer as Kocha's twin sister.