RIGHT. I rewrote this chapter because the previous one is total bollocks. I swear, I was so darn tired while writing this that I accidentally upload it. I swear. Okay, as an author, it's the dumbest excuse but screw me. I usually update a chapter after the third or fourth revision or so because I'm an indecisive f**ker. SO THEN. NEW AND REVISED VERSION. HERE WE GO. (My apologies that I'm such an ass sometimes. LOVE YOU THO)
Chapter Nineteen: Truth and Dreams
Mononoke felt a numbness in her body as she leaped from tree to tree.
Call it a hunch, if you may. After living with the Copy Ninja for so long, Mononoke picked up a lot of perks from him, such as his knack for getting things right. Both of their six sense are impeccable, to say the least.
After making Demon Brothers popsicles, she felt something went wrong and it points at the general direction of the bridge.
Idiot Kakashi! Don't tell me he's gone to the bridge! He's just recovered!, Mononoke grumbled mentally.
If she finds him fighting Zabuza, it's not going to be pretty.
Suddenly, the scent of death assailed her nostrils and she swung to a stop. Landing on a branch softly, Mononoke looked around and froze.
A dead boar lay on a familiar path, the neighbouring trees slashed and cut up, leaving a messy trail. A trail that leads to Tazuna's house. Mononoke jumped closer to the crime site, sniffing and poking around. Naruto's scent also lingers here, covered up by the dank odour of blood and rotting meat. Her head snapped up and she gritted her teeth.
Kakashi is in trouble, but so might Naruto. She's far closer to the bridge builder's home than the bridge. Bah, screw this. She'll check up on Naruto first before they go on to the bridge. Kakashi would just need to wait.
Curse her for leaving the house in the middle of the night!
Mononoke was scouting through the land until dawn and soon till noon before she met the dumb Chunins, so she didn't know what's going on. It was weird that Naruto had double back to the house. Did they knew? Then what about the hunch? Did Kakashi and the others had a head start? Oh stop it!, Mononoke growled. There's no time to think!
Mononoke began to make a beeline to the bridge. The best bet she has is that Zabuza is here and he's at the bridge. Whatever is going on back at the house, it's not dangerous for Naruto. Or is it? What is Haku targeted the house? You never know.
Mononoke groaned and swerved back, aiming back to the house.
When she got there, she spotted Naruto talking to Inari and she landed neatly beside them.
Naruto and Inari jumped at her arrival but quickly relaxed when they realized it was her. Mononoke tilted her head and grinned, "So, what did I miss?"
Naruto pumped his fist at his teammate, "I took down those two samurais! Piece o' cake!"
She turned and noticed the rolled up men, "Ah, great. I was worried when I saw the boar."
Mononoke looked back at Inari and he stiffened. What does she want? Lowering herself, Mononoke poked his forehead, "You okay, kid?" He blinked as she smiled, "Sorry about how I said those things yesterday. I was pretty harsh, wasn't I?"
Inari sniffed, his tears brimming as he shook his head, "That's okay! You're right!" He looked from Naruto to Mononoke as he rubbed his eyes, "I-I promise myself I wouldn't cry! Both of you are right! I-I'm going t-to be strong from now on!"
Naruto ruffled Inari's hair and grinned, "It's okay to cry! You're happy, aren't you?" Inari nodded as he wiped his tears away, his dark eyes shining.
Mononoke suddenly blinked, as if she remembered something, "Oh, right, why are you here anyway? Aren't you supposed to be with the others?"
The question made the blonde snorted and he crossed his arms grumpily, "They didn't wake me up! They ditched me!" She blinked a few times, registering what he said before she bursts out giggling, "Okay, then. But they probably need us now."
Naruto nodded and turned to Inari, "We can leave you in charge of things now, right?"
Inari nodded to the two ninjas, "Yeah! You can count on me!" Mononoke grinned at the kid. Their words must've woken the kid from his miserable stupor.
She looked over at her friend, "Let's go."
XXXXX
Looking over to Naruto, she nodded. He grinned at her and gave a thumbs up before darting to the bridge. A grand cloud of smoke broke out, grabbing everyone's attention.
Mononoke left Naruto with the diversion part and quickly got to the opposite side of the bridge to assess the situation.
Zabuza was squaring off with Kakashi, the two Jonin facing each other. Tazuna was by himself while Sakura was a few ways off. For a moment, Mononoke couldn't see Sasuke until she drew her attention on the floating ice slabs. The Uchiha was hurt and she could see his body riddle with cuts. What's going on?
But this ice...
Mononoke's eyes snapped up.
"Haku.", she whispered when she saw the reflected images inside. Her eyes roamed the fortress of ice and she spotted the boy. His tracker mask had a deep scratch across it. Naruto did a pretty good job at pissing him off.
But what can she do now?
Turning back to the ice, she saw how the Uchiha was bleeding slightly and she clenched her fists.
It's worth a shot.
Running to the ice mirrors, Mononoke made a few hand signs. Crossing her pointer fingers with her middle finger and her palms facing the ice mirrors, Mononoke unlocked the jutsu.
"Demon Art: Ice Wolves."
Frost began swirling from her palms, before solidifying into glowing eyed wolves. A small pack appeared around her and she grinned. One of the wolves threw its head back and howled. All eyes turned to the bloodthirsty call.
"What the hell are those?" Zabuza asked, his eyes wide in bewilderment. Kakashi followed his gaze and stared. Mononoke actually used the moment where all of them are distracted before she made a move. But he's never seen that jutsu before. Did she created it by herself?
Kakashi couldn't help but smile under his mask. That's his girl.
"It seems your boy is going to be in some trouble." Kakashi jabbed and Zabuza snorted, "You don't know what Haku is capable of. As impressive as your girly might be, she's no match to Haku."
Mononoke barked at the wolves before flicking her eyes to the mirrors. They got her message and broke into two groups, surrounding the mirrors. She fell into the pack formation before calling out.
"Gatsuga!"
Wolves and girl suddenly warped into icy hurricanes as they attacked the mirrors. Most of the ice cracked under the pressure, others just disintegrated upon contact.
Naruto lifted his hand up, covering his eyes, "What's going on?! What is that?!" Haku on the other hand, was struggling against the force of the attack.
It must be her…
"Come on, Ducky. I don't have all day.", Mononoke grinned as she appeared behind Sasuke. The boy startled at her sudden presence. Where did she come from? It was chaos around them but the space they were in was as still as in the eye of a hurricane. Mononoke giggled, "A little jumpy, are we?"
Hooking her hands under his arms, Mononoke smiled, "Hang on."
Just as she was about to leave, sharp needles stabbed her neck, arms and legs, causing her to go limp. She fell to her knees but Sasuke caught her in time, "Hey!"
"Sorry, but I must not let this go on.", Haku said as he appeared a few feet from them. The jutsu suddenly wore off, the torpedo wolves disappearing. Mononoke strained as she tried to sit up, "Dammit. How did you get through the vortex?"
"Your wolves are swift, just as fast as me. I could see their movements and slipped through." Haku replied gently and Mononoke shook her head, laughing, "Man, I did not see that coming."
"I do not wish to harm you, Mononoke. But in order to protect a certain someone, I will do what I must.", Haku said again, his voice apologetic.
Mononoke shook her head, "Don't worry about it." Nudging Sasuke away, she pulled out the needles from her body and covered frost on the open wounds, "Besides, we're both protecting those close to us. It depends who can actually pull it off."
Mononoke stood up, a little wobbly, and grinned at her fellow ice user, "Let's do this."
XXX
Sasuke panted in exhaustion and glanced at his teammate. Mononoke didn't look any better but she was smiling. What's wrong with this girl? It's like she's pulling her punches.
But then again…
Sasuke turned back to Haku.
He was going easy on them as well. Even though he's trapped them in the same ice mirror jutsu as before, it's like nothing's changed.
If this goes any further, they'll all be worn out for nothing. But wait!
Naruto's outside! Maybe he could attack from the outside and-
"Hey, you guys. I snuck in here to save you." Naruto whispered as he grinned happily to himself.
"What the hell are you doing, loser!? Think before you act! Now we're all stuck inside here!", Sasuke growled at him, glaring at the blonde idiot in disbelief. Naruto blinked and fumed, "Hey, I came in here to save you guys, and this is all the gratitude I get?!"
"Oh, shut up, both of you!", Mononoke scolded before turning back to Haku, "I thought Naruto would have attack the ice by now. But oh well, guess the plan's changed."
She made a few hand signs, "I'll just take it from here." Hands spread out before her, but instead of her palms facing outward like before, she pressed her hands together as her fingers crossed.
"Demon Art: Ice Wolves."
Again, a pack of wolves were created. They growled menacingly as they circled their mistress and her friends, frost curling from their mouths and under their ghostly paws.
"Go.", she ordered and each of them howled before charging at each individual rushing to the mirrors. The Haku images pulled out the needles and began throwing, a needle rain showering them, "Your trick won't work twice."
Mononoke created an ice shield, protecting Naruto and Sasuke from the attacks.
But it didn't faze the wolves.
Instead, the needles just passed through them. One of the wolves crashed into the mirror, destroying it. The Haku inside pulled back in surprise and the image disappeared.
Sasuke watched as Mononoke faced a palm at the ice shield above them and flung it at a mirror, destroying the ice.
Among the chaos, she seemed so calm as she smiled at both of her comrades, "Come on, you two. I can't do all the work by myself. It's your turn." Naruto stood up, amp to go, "A-right!"
She was smiling when suddenly a needle struck two points of her neck, stunning her. Suddenly, it was as if time slowed down as her body toppled over with eyes wide with shock.
Sasuke caught her as she fell, and she landed on his chest, her eyes blank.
"Mononoke!"
"I'm sorry. But you leave me with no choice.", Haku said softly as he watched the Konoha ninjas tried to wake their friend.
"Dammit, Mononoke!", Sasuke smacked her cheek a few times but she remain frozen, "You can't just go like this, idiot! Pull yourself together."
Naruto grabbed her by the shoulders, his eyes defiant, "Hey, Mononoke. Get up! Stop scaring me! Come on! It's not funny!"
But whatever they did, the girl didn't move.
When they realized this, Naruto slumped, his hand on her cold ones, a blank look on his face as he tried to comprehend. Sasuke just held the girl's head close to him.
"Your friend is a great shinobi," Haku spoke up sadly, "She never wavered once when we fought and her eyes is always alight with fiery hope. If we had met on different circumstances, I hope to be her friend. Honestly."
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he looked down at Mononoke.
Her skin was pale, her lips paler and her eyes were glassy, lifeless. She looked so alien without her teasing smile and curious aura. It was as if the girl he was holding was just an image of her. So limp and fragile, as if a touch could cause her to crumble into ashes.
"You… You're going to pay for this.", Sasuke strained, his voice hoarse as he glared up.
XXXX
Drip.
Drip.
Water?
Mononoke looked around. Where is she? How did she get here? It's so dark…
The last thing she remembered was getting struck by the needles. After she blinked, she was wrapped in darkness. Oh Kami.
What about Naruto? And Duckbutt? And Haku? The battle! She needs to get out of here! But how is-
"Calm down. You're not getting anywhere if you panic," a calm voice told her, "Take a deep breath... Now exhale. There we go."
As she obeyed the voice's instructions, light began to seep into her sight.
Mononoke gasped at the sight before her.
A large canine-like creature sat comfortably in a large room. There was a flood of simple coloured but exquisite cushions and drapes all over the place, giving a homey feel. The creature took a deep inhale through a large, beautifully carved pipe in its hand.
Mononoke noticed that it was wearing light noble clothing and had a large jaded necklace.
What surprised her was its facial markings. Three dots on its forehead and the markings under its eyes were quite similar to hers, except that they were thicker and branch out like a tree. The majestic creature smiled, its sharp canines showing.
"You've grown a lot, mutt."
"Who are you? Where am I? Do you know me? Why am I here? ", the questions tumbled out of her mouth, confusion arising at the familiar feeling gnawing her heart. She felt as if she was supposed to know this creature. The elegant beast chuckled, "Still a big questioner, aren't you?"
The creature hummed as it scratched its chin, "Well, first off, let's begin with the easy ones. My name is Gintaro. Creator of the Canids, Lord of the Ice Mountains.", it announced grandly, waving a large arm across the room.
"Right. I'm-"
"Mononoke. Yes, I named you.", Gintaro interrupted, his smile never wavering.
"Well, I guess I've got to blame you for causing most of my sad childhood then.", Mononoke retorted, crossing her arms.
"Well, it did get you the right friends. Did it not?", the beast replied, the look of amusement on his face clear. Mononoke pondered for a moment and shrugged, "Okay then. Maybe you're right.. Wait, how do you know?"
Gintaro snorted, "I'm a god, of course I know."
"You're a what?"
Mononoke gaped at Gintaro with a blank look as the canine deity grinned at her smugly, "Why don't you sit here with me and I'll try my best to explain everything to you."
Although she was reluctant at first, Mononoke had a feeling she knew Gintaro and she trusts him. So she went with her gut feeling. It's smarter than her anyway. As she settled close to him, Gintaro observed her.
"Comfy?", he asked as he handed her another pillow but she shook her head, "No, thanks. I'm good." He nodded before returning the plush to its previous place.
"Right, now.", Gintaro cleared his throat as he tapped a large toe on his lips, "Where do I begin?" He hummed before snapping his fingers and turning to Mononoke, "Let me resurface your memories first, that might help you."
Mononoke was about to questioned but he placed a large paw on her head.
Suddenly, a bright light enter Mononoke's mind's eye. Memories slowly began to clear up, the dark recesses in her minds were lit, and she gasped at the sudden flow of the forgotten filling up her brain.
She jumped, a shriek coming from her mouth and suddenly her eyesight cleared as Gintaro lifted up his paw. The canine leaned closer to her, peering into her eyes with his gold ones, "So, how are you feeling?"
Mononoke shook her head, unable to talk. It was as if the empty part of her began to piece itself back together, like a broken jigsaw puzzle. Rearranging herself, she gasped as she realized what happened.
"You erased my memories? But why?", she seethed, glaring at Gintaro, "Do you have any idea how empty I was? How much I felt like I lost something?"
"Yes."
Mononoke blinked at the sad look in his eyes.
"I knew everything. I sealed myself inside you."
"Why?", she asked softly, looking from his left eye to the right, unable to decipher the mixed emotions from the windows of his soul.
Gintaro took a deep breath before he started, "To protect you."
He placed a paw behind her head, stroking her hair with his thumb, "Perhaps it would be best, if I tell you the past, starting from the day I found you."
"Thirteen years ago, [said Gintaro] on a night of a full moon, I went to the spot where the Yorukami clan sends their gifts and prayers to me. They revered the animal deities, but that would be a story for another time. Don't look at me like that. If I'm going to tell my entire life story, I'm going to need three months."
"As I was saying. It was that night, when someone left a child there. It was a long time since I had child sacrifices, the tradition long halted when the Third Elder prayed for that exemption. So I wondered which idiot had left their innocent little one for me."
"But when I picked you up, you were weird. You didn't cry from fear or disgust like the other children. Instead, you were curious about me, something I have not seen before. Fate shoved you to me for some reason, I knew it the moment I held you. So I chose to adopt you, to take care of you. I took you in, and gave you the gift of ice, which was like second nature to you. Hell, you even froze my entire cave into solid ice once. It was a pain in the ass to get it out. I nurtured you and taught you the secrets of the earth and sky. You soaked everything in, a clever mutt you were, and you have seen many things, and I do not doubt you remember them now."
"Then, in your fourth year with me, there was a mass killing of the deities' children, most of them were human hybrids, as some deities' preferred human lifemates. Tenryu feared for your life, and told me to send you back to the human world where you would be relatively safer for the killer only targeted those in the ethereal level."
"But you knew too much of the world, for a child, so I had to erase your memories of us, so no one would suspect anything. And after you were unconscious, I made the drastic decision to seal myself partially into you, so that if the deity killer would come, I would be there to protect you. During the time where most of myself would reside inside the seal, Tenryu and Taruga would watch over you from afar, making sure that no lurking evil would hurt you. So we waited, waited for the right time where you would enter the seal, that's when I deemed it time for you to learn the truth."
He snorted a little, "Well, you didn't exactly come here on your own. I pulled you in. Whatever was going on outside, it made you half-dead." Gintaro shrugged, "Well, you're here now. That's all that matters." His face grew serious as he drew closer to the girl.
"Little one, I never wish any harm to you, as unhappy as your childhood was,", Gintaro sighed heavily, "But at least you had friends that love you for who you are. That's the best I can ask for." Mononoke rubbed her cheek into her paw, taking it all in.
"But why is it that I can't remember some things?", she asked and Gintaro chuckled, "You were just a pup. Many of your memories will fade as you grow older."
She nodded when suddenly she shot up in realization, "Oh, I've been here too long! Naruto and Duckbutt, they-"
"Don't fret, little one. Time flows differently in this seal.", Gintaro smiled, "In fact, only a few seconds passed in the outside world. Now that you've managed to come here, there are many things you can do now."
Mononoke raised an eyebrow, "Like what?"
Gintaro chuckled knowingly, "You'll find out soon enough. For now, let us return you back."
XXXX
Naruto roared, red chakra cloaking him, "I'll kill you!" Sasuke lay a few ways off, his body protecting the unconscious Mononoke.
The moment the Nine Tails chakra washed over them, Mononoke's eyes snapped open. She blinked a few times, trying to assess the situation when she saw Naruto standing over her, his entire body shivering with raw anger.
"Naruto!", she rasped, but her voice was soft and coarse, so he didn't, couldn't hear her. Haku saw her, and was astonished. He was sure that he had pinpoint the places he did for Zabuza, the one that caused them to fake death.
But he couldn't get distracted now.
The ice mirrors cracked and shattered like glass around them, causing Haku to fly from one of the mirrors. Naruto was on to him in seconds, speed and strength increasing in ten folds.
Unable to get her limbs to move, Mononoke looked around, trying to get some sense into her blurry mind. She spotted Sasuke a few ways off her, unmoving. Needles poked out from his skin, like a hedgehog. He looked so lifeless. She scooted to him and grabbed his head.
"Duckbutt?"
Nothing.
"Hey, don't freak me out. It's not funny.", Mononoke growled, fearing the worst. The Uchiha's head just lolled uselessly and Mononoke felt herself flinch.
"Sasuke? Come on... Don't do this...", she pressed her forehead to his chest, "Don't..."
But wait.
Mononoke tilted her head and pressed her ear above his heart. Then she sighed in relief. A soft beating calmed her own erratic one. Slowly, she got up.
She's going to rip him apart.
Turning back to the fight, Mononoke realized how feral Naruto looked. But as demonic as he seemed, the chakra that flowed from him seemed familiar. But now, he definitely has the upper hand. Maybe she won't get the honour to tear Haku into pieces.
But just at the critical moment, Naruto didn't punch the ice user.
Mononoke blinked before she readied herself. If he's not going to do it, she's going to finish this.
In a blink, Mononoke was in front of Haku, his mask half gone now. Naruto stiffen at the sight of her, "Mononoke? You're alright?" But she ignored him.
Gripping Haku's collar tightly, she drew him closer to his face.
"How could you? I told you not to hurt them! It was our fight!", she shook him angrily as he watched her, his eyes empty.
"They protected you, just as I was trying to protect someone precious to me. So I had to do what I must.", he answered softly and Mononoke gritted her teeth, her eyes dry with anger, "Who is it then? Who is so important to you that you would kill so mercilessly for!?"
"Zabuza had saved me when I was all alone. For that, I, in turn, will repay him. So I became his tool. I will stand in front of him as a shield, as a weapon, anything so that he may achieve his dream.", a small smile formed on Haku's lips, "That's why I kill the kindness in my heart. I never want to be a shinobi. I wanted a normal life. But for Zabuza, I will do anything."
"That's bullcrap!", Mononoke countered, anger turning to frustration as she registered his reason, "Kakashi saved me and you don't see me grovelling at his feet like a snivelling dog! You repay someone's kindness by being the best you can be. Strive to be their equal, not their tool! That's how you show your gratitude!"
Haku watched her carefully before he replied, "Perhaps. But perhaps, we have different ways to show our gratitude. But, you've open my eyes. Sadly, it is too late."
"No!", Mononoke shook her head, "It's never too late!"
Haku smiled as he touched her hand that held his clothes, her grip loosening, "End my life now for I am at the end of my usefulness. Do it for me, please?"
Mononoke flinched as she lets go of him, "What are you talking about?!"
The boy took a step closer, "Mononoke. Only you can release me from this debt. Maybe, if we get the chance, we can be friends in our next life. I really hope that."
"And you want me to kill you now? Because you lost a purpose?!" Mononoke shook her head, "No! Find something else to live for! Not give up because something didn't work out!"
Haku's smile never wavered, remaining as gentle as his soul, "I've done too many terrible things. I have to atone for it."
That's when they heard the static of lightning.
Mononoke turned to see Kakashi, the Chidori screeching in his hand as he advanced to Zabuza.
"I suppose the plan has change. I will see you in the next one, Mononoke. It had been a pleasure to meet you.", Haku said quickly before disappearing.
"Wait, Haku!", Mononoke tried to go to him but she slipped on the water, falling to her knees.
When she looked up again, Haku was standing in between Zabuza and Kakashi, the latter's hand lodged deep into Haku's chest.
"HAKU!", Mononoke yelled as she ran to them. Kakashi pulled his hand out of Haku, before he caught the boy as he fell and Zabuza leaped away. Mononoke got to them and wrenched Haku from Kakashi, holding the boy's cheek, "Idiot! Why did you run from the fight! We aren't finished!"
"So…rry...", the smile on Haku's face was still there as the light in his eyes slowly died out.
"Haku! No!", Mononoke shook him, unable to accept the fact that he's gone, "No! Don't you dare! Dammit, Haku!" Mononoke growled as she coughed, choking back her tears.
"Hmm, you did well, Haku.", Zabuza mused and Mononoke whipped her head around to glare at him, "'Did well'? 'Did well'? I'll show you what is-"
"Mononoke, wait.", Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder.
That's when she saw them.
"Well, you look pretty beaten up, huh, Zabuza? And I see that kid with you is dead. So much for the Demon in the Mist.", Gato jeered, an army of thugs behind him.
Everything began to melt into a blur.
Naruto shouted some sense into him and Zabuza fought with Gato's hired dumbasses, using only a kunai in his mouth. He even pierced into the rich jerk's heart, before shoving the short man off the bridge and into hell.
Even when Inari brought the villagers, Mononoke still held Haku in her arms. All she could do was watch. She dimly remembered hearing Sakura shrieking for Sasuke but she couldn't be bothered. The boy would live but the boy in her embrace didn't.
She watched numbly as Zabuza fell in exhaustion. Kakashi came over to him and exchanged a few words.
Mononoke could only stare as Kakashi carried Zabuza closer to her.
When he was too close to comfort, she only held Haku's shell closer.
"Don't be cruel, girl. Let me see him… Once last time.", Zabuza begged gently. A moment of hesitation passed before Kakashi nudged her, "It's okay. Let him." She obliged, setting Haku down beside his dying dream before letting Kakashi carry her away.
Too weak to protest, Mononoke just wrapped her arms around Kakashi and wept quietly into his neck.
"It's okay, scamp. As a ninja, we see death in every mission, even those that aren't meant to be.", Kakashi said as he stroked her hair. Mononoke sniffed and rubbed her eyes, "It's still unfair." Kakashi could only keep silent and wait for her to take it in. It's never easy to see someone die for the first time.
A single snowflake landed on her hand, beside her tears. Surprised, Mononoke looked up at the sky.
"It's... snowing?", she whispered and Kakashi followed her gaze. Perhaps...
"Haku.", Mononoke answered herself, her eyes brightening again. Another snowflake kissed her tears away, one following another. The girl tugged at Kakashi to let her down and he obliged, letting Mononoke slip her hand into his instead.
"Hey! Without Gato paying us now, what do you think we should do, huh?!", one of the thugs roared idiotically and Mononoke just groaned grumpily, "They just had to, huh?" Kakashi chuckled at her reaction.
"Maybe we should just raid this stupid place!", another piped up and the roars of agreement followed. "Not if I'm around!", Naruto said as he created a large group of shadow clones. Kakashi just sighed wearily, "I might have some strength inside me to help too." Mononoke looked around in mirth as a few more Kakashis' appeared.
"Eh, it wouldn't hurt to have some more fun.", ice clones formed and grinned childishly at the thugs. Almost half of them began to shiver in fear.
"And don't forget us! If you take one step into our land, we won't show mercy!", the cheers of the villagers could be heard.
That did it.
The good-for-nothing men began to fling themselves off the bridge, clamouring to get the hell out this place.
"Aw man, that sucks.", Mononoke mused as she laced her hands behind her head.
XXX
WELL HAKU IS DED. I liked the kid but he gotta die, man. And i did a serious amount of skipping because Author-san is mentally constipated. (Get it?) And Sakura is like in the background. WAY IN THE BACKGROUND. Sorry, Haruno.
But hey, I edited some stuff too. I mean, with Mononoke in here, the story kind of change, don't it. Gawdamn. So, the big truth is finally (partially) revealed. Now we all know. BUT IS IT OVER? NAY. This is only the tip of the iceberg, my children. MWAHAHAHAHAH.
Right, so everyone is kinda wanting to see more fluff action between ShikaMono, and believe me, I MISS THE PINEAPPLE HEAD TOO. But I gotta do what I gotta do, peeps. I sorreh. But don't worry, it's coming soon so sit tight, kay?
Fact#15: Mononoke has only created two jutsus on her own. (Everything else are just cheapo tricks. HEH. Even the ice clones and copy cat tricks. Easy circus games. OR IS IT. I KILL MYSELF) One is the newly debuted Demon Art: Ice Wolves. The other would come soon enough.