RIGHT THEN. I MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BRING THINGS UP TO SPEED BECAUSE I have a feeling I've been dragging things for too long! So here we go! All these battles are familiar to you so I would not repeat them unless I tweaked the plot. It's longer than the usual chapters so eNJOY HUEHEUHEHUE
Chapter Forty: Lost
Kidomaru knew something was wrong. But he didn't know what.
The spiderwebs were shivering but it was so light that he thought it was just a breeze. But it happened too many times that it seemed unusual. The gossamer strings fluttered slightly again. He laid back, trying to pin point the locations. But there were too many.
Sakon lifted his head and noted his teammate's perplexed look. He gave a quick glance around and shifted his left leg forward. Jirobo and Tayuya immediately grew alert.
Meanwhile, Kidomaru's head twitched this way and that in mere centimeters as the tingling continued to confuse him.
Then everything grew silent.
Nothing moved.
Kidomaru looked up, stunned. The webs were still. He narrowed his eyes but shook his head before growing slightly more relaxed.
Suddenly a swarm of light attacked the four. They cried out in surprise and pain as the ice fishes slammed, jabbed, dodged and stung them. Out of the shadows, six ninjas surged into the clearing, weapons at the ready.
Naruto flew in with a flying punch but when he struck the biggest dude, he burst into smoke. Mononoke pounced on the wooden coffin and it disappeared under her hands and feet, causing her to sprawl on the ground. Smoke surrounded them as the other three ninjas exploded into smoke.
Shikamaru gritted his teeth and whirled around, "Watch out! It's a trap!" But just as soon as he finished his sentence, he was thrown across the forest and into a larger clearing. The boy rolled a few times, before pumping his legs out and landing on his feet with a painful grunt. Chouji was sent out flying next after crying out for the Nara.
"Chouji!" Naruto cried when he heard the boy yell. Before he knew it, he was hit and followed after Chouji, landing on his face.
Kiba snarled aloud, "What's going on?!" Akamaru barked a warning but he couldn't react in time when something struck his gut and he was thrown out to join the others.
Mononoke bit her lip as she heard the going on. Suddenly she felt a bump on her rump and she froze. The breeze shifted, then Mononoke sighed in relief. She recognized the scent. She touched Neji's hand and squeezed once. He found her hand and squeezed back before letting go. She felt a surge of chakra as he readied for the next attack.
A single movement in the shadows made her drew up an ice shield but it quickly shattered and she was attacked. The blow struck Neji as well and both ninjas were hurtled out.
Neji grabbed hold of Mononoke and rolled with her on the ground. She grunted as she moved off him and pulled herself to her knees. The Hyuga followed her movements simultaneously, and all six of them stared into the trees.
"They're still inside." Neji said.
Mononoke raised a hand and touched the fish beside her. It disintegrated with a single brush of her fingers. She flinched before looking at the others as she stood up, her words soft, "It wore off." Shikamaru nodded to her, understanding.
A snicker came as the two headed man stepped out from the smoke, the other three following closely and standing beside him. The wooden coffin was in the hands of the six armed man. They looked at the Genins, seizing them up.
The man cackled again, "Well, well. The boy must not be a priority, seeing that the village only sent twerps like you to get him back." He continued snarkily, "Or maybe they looked down on us as always, eh?"
Naruto, being the glorious idiot as usual, stepped forward and pointed at the man obnoxiously, "Hand Sasuke back, you assholes!"
Mononoke almost wanted to move over there and slap her own teammate. She frowned as the largest one stepped forward. "I'll handle them. You guys go on ahead." he said, his voice gruff and steely.
The snooty two headed ninja raised an eyebrow at him, "You think you're up for it, Jirobo?" Jirobo grunted, "Yeah. I'll catch up with you guys later. Get going, Sakon." Sakon shrugged and turned away, "Alright then. Hurry up." The six armed man followed Sakon. The redhead girl just sneered at Jirobo, "Don't play with your food." And she left as well.
Jirobo smirked and clutched his fist intimidatingly.
Mononoke growled at this new turn of events. "So now what?" she asked. Nobody answered. Jirobo wasn't one to wait around and he attacked them. The six of them split for cover as the giant man obliterated the ground they stood mere seconds ago. Mononoke threw ice shards at the man and the sharp ice stuck into his arm. But he turned around, shook them out like leaves and sneered.
Then, Chouji took a few steps forward, "I got this, you guys."
Naruto turned and cried, "No way! We'll clobber him together!" Chouji turned to him, but before he could reply, Kiba retorted quickly, "No, we'll lose precious time. We have to go after them!"
"Well, you guys better make a decision quick!" Mononoke snarled as she countered Jirobo's attack when he came after her, probably assuming she was the weakest. Neji threw an quick Gentle Fist attack at Jirobo, sending him back and the duo leap away. The Hyuga called out, "Your call, Nara. You're the leader of the team."
Shikamaru just scowled as the others looked at him. He knew that this was a possibility but he was hoping it wouldn't come to this.
"Chouji, you'll stay behind. We'll go after Sasuke." The Nara turned to his friend, smiling a little, "I trust you can deal with this?" The ginger grinned as he gave a thumbs up, his chubby face glowing with warmth, "Count on me!" He turned to Jirobo who was getting ready for another attack, "Now, move it you guys! Bring Sasuke back!"
Kiba grinned, "Okay! Clobber him good, Akimichi!"
Chouji gave a determined "Yup!" and turned around to face the Sound ninja. With that, the others leaped for the trees. Mononoke took a step forward before hesitating and looked back. She didn't feel right for leaving the boy behind. Chouji noticed her lingering presence, and without turning back, he called out, "Don't worry about me, Momo. I'll be right behind you."
She nodded, even though she knew he couldn't see her, and followed the others.
When they caught up with the sound again, the six armed man Kidomaru stayed behind as the other two fled. This time, it was Neji who volunteered to keep him distracted while the others went ahead.
As they left another comrade behind, Mononoke felt a deeper pang in her chest. Why does she feel like things are going to be worse from here on out? She wanted to help her friends but she couldn't stop the enemy.
Mononoke had never felt this useless in a long time.
When they found the Sound again, Sakon was the one who stayed behind. Kiba and Akamaru took over the battle. Mononoke could feel her heart being ripped apart as she parted with her best friend. He gave her an encouraging smile before the other three left him behind and followed after Tayuya. She desperately hope that he would be alright. Sakon reeked of bloodlust.
Each step she took after that made her feel even more guilty for leaving her comrades to fend the enemies while they pursue the Uchiha.
Once they got to the kunoichi, Mononoke could breathe a little easier. Three against one works well in their favor. Tayuya was panting once they got closer. She stopped and whirled around, getting ready to attack.
The trio halted their steps and waited for her next move.
Tayuya snarled, as she stood in front of the coffin, "You guys... You're persistent as fuck. We should have just killed you brats off when we had the chance." Mononoke jeered back sarcastically, "Shame you missed your chance. Do you need to take five then?"
The redhead whipped out a flute and sneered, "No need for that, brat. I'll finish you off now."
"Really? You and what army?" Mononoke couldn't help say snidely, her frustration at the entire situation rolling off her like poison, "Oh, so what now? You going to blow that whistle to death and make my job easier?"
Tayuya just smirked, "Nice language you have there, kid. But what a shame it would be, if you're the one who die instead."
Just as she proceeded to lift the flute to her lips, a flash of white hurtled at her and knocked the wind out of her. Tayuya flipped backwards and landed on a branch, snarling. She looked up to see what it was that attacked her and her eyes widened at the sight.
A white fox stared back on the opposing branch, its sharp eyes were cloudy as it curled its sleek body defensively.
The kunoichi flinched as it took a step to her. Just as she tried to move away, something attacked her from behind and she toppled forwards, heading for the ground. Mononoke stood where she was five seconds ago, grinning.
"She fell for it." Mononoke said as she looked back at her friends, the fox fading away into a misty whisper. Naruto sniggered at the pun and opened his mouth to agree.
But his words died in his mouth when something else slammed into Mononoke. The kunoichi reacted just in time, raising her arms in front of her to brace against the kick. She slid across the branch and grunt before looking up. "Oh, you're back." Mononoke sighed as she stood up.
Tayuya growled as she faced the girl, "You'll pay for that, bitch."
Mononoke blinked before she tilted her head to one side innocently, "Say, where is Sasuke, by the way?" The redhead stiffened at her comment and whirled around. Shikamaru and Naruto were beside the coffin, already in possession of it.
"Missing something?" Naruto grinned mischievously and Shikamaru just chuckled.
Tayuya gasped before growling, "Get away from there!"
Mononoke attacked her from behind, already lunging.
But that was a mistake. Shikamaru and Naruto were thrown off as the coffin suddenly slipped from underneath them. The boys fell in a heap at the impact. Mononoke was struck by something hard in mid-air. The assault threw her off balance and she leaped aside. She looked up and the coffin was on a higher branch. A pale man stood beside it, his hand on the lid as he watched her with a guarded gaze.
"You're taking too long to bring Orochimaru-sama's vessel." He accused, his voice slightly scratchy. Mononoke could smell the putrid scent of sickness oozing out from the man. It was strange because his body seemed to be moving perfectly fine and his chakra smelled dangerous. A very off combination that made Mononoke falter.
The redhead exclaimed in shock, "Kimimaro? What are you doing here?!"
The man glared down at her, before lifting the coffin easily, "Fulfilling my purpose. And you better fulfill yours by killing off the Konoha ninjas." Vivid green eyes glared silently, "Or else, I'll kill you."
When he disappeared so suddenly, the four ninjas were left stunned.
Mononoke broke out of the confusion first and attacked Tayuya, throwing kunais at her so quickly the Sound ninja almost lost her balance. Once she's finished with this one, they can go after him. It's just going to take a few minutes. Sasuke can wait for all she cares.
One kunai sliced the Sound's shoulder and Tayuya hissed in pain before leaping away. Mononoke skidded to a stop and was about to leap before a voice called out to her, "Mononoke stop!"
The silverette turned her head so fast she almost sprained her neck, snarling, "What? I'm busy!"
Shikamaru stepped forward, "I'll handle her. You go after Sasuke." Mononoke growled at him, "Not a chance! The three of us can finish her easily and we can go after Sasuke later!"
Seeing her distraction, Tayuya prepared an attack but she couldn't budge. "What?!" She glanced down her nose and saw her shadow was elongated strangely. She snarled as she looked around for the source, and her eyes landed on the Chunin. His shadow was wrapped around the branch he was on and placed in her direction.
"Only you can track him. You go on with Naruto." Shikamaru said levelly, his eyes never leaving Mononoke. Naruto interrupted uneasily, "Shikamaru, I don't have a good feeling about leaving you behind too."
Mononoke glared at the Nara. Something in his narrowed gaze made her nod reluctantly. She turned to Naruto, who looked hopeless, and tilted her head in the direction where the man fled, "Let's go then."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Nara." The kunoichi said as she passed him by before pulling Naruto with her.
Shikamaru just watched as they leave before turning back to the Sound ninja.
"Let's finish this, shall we?" He said determinedly.
Naruto glanced at Mononoke as they moved through the trees for almost the seventh time. The girl had been sullen the moment they left Shikamaru. Naruto felt a growing frustration at all these separation. They split the team up from the start! Didn't Kakashi-sensei said that thing about scum leaving comrades behind? Naruto's mind wandered again to his friends. Chouji, Neji, Kiba and now Shikamaru. He couldn't help but feel worried for them.
Finally he couldn't help but blurt, "Why did you leave Shikamaru behind?"
Mononoke just shrugged, not bothering to hide the bitterness in her voice, "Well, he insisted. Besides, he's the boss of the team. Of course he would know what's best."
The blond frowned at her, "Then why didn't you put up more of a fight?! You always talked back when you didn't like something!" His reply made her blink in surprise. Naruto felt a sudden surge of hope as she pondered over his words.
She bit her lip, "Yeah, I did." Mononoke paused before she continued again, "I honestly don't know, Naruto. It's like after I changed back, I'm not myself anymore. I didn't know what to do when Sasuke left. I should have-" She stopped and squeezed her eyes shut, stopping.
Naruto followed her in surprise and turned back, "Mononoke-chan?"
A sob broke through her, making her shoulders shudder, "I-I'm sorry, Naruto! If... If I had just stopped Sasuke from leaving, this w-w-wouldn't happen. It- It's all my fault! Now everyone... They might die because of my mistake! I didn't think it through." She coughed and crossed her arms, her fingers digging into her arms.
Naruto was stunned. He had never saw Mononoke cried before. She never let herself show any weakness, in any situation. But it's as if she was finally wore down by all the caged up anxiety and worry. The boy felt his brain cogs jammed as tears fell from her eyes.
"Well, we can't change the past, can we? So we just need to move now." Mononoke looked up at his voice, her tears falling like diamonds, and saw a sad smile on Naruto's face. "It's okay, Mononoke-chan. It's really not your fault. I'm sure you tried your best!" He grinned at her, "Come on! Let's go get Sasuke back!"
Mononoke rubbed her eyes and smiled half-heartedly at Naruto, "I've been really stupid and emotional these few days. I'll make up for it now." She nodded before starting off again, "Don't lag too far behind."
When they caught up to Kimimaro, he was waiting for them in a large field. They stood a few ways off, both parties watching the other warily. The man spoke first.
"I don't want to kill you but if you continue to follow me, I will have no choice but to do so."
Naruto gritted his teeth and yelled back, "I don't need that bullshit! Hand Sasuke back!" He stepped forward, "I will do whatever it takes to get him back."
Kimimaro raised an eyebrow, "Even if it means that you would need to sacrifice your life?"
"Well, I wouldn't let him. That's why I'm here." Mononoke said as she raised her hands in a handsign, "So, if you could be so kind, can you give us our friend back?" The ninja had the nerve to look sad as he replied her, "I'm afraid it's too late. He's already undergoing the transformation. The Sasuke you know is gone. The curse mark have already made sure of it."
He paused and continued thoughtfully, "You're a few steps too late. Maybe if you had stopped him, you might have a chance of getting him back."
His sentence struck a chord in Mononoke. She swallowed the guilt and snarled at him, "Whatever. We'll take him either away!" She crossed her middle and pointer finger together, "Demon Art: Ice Wolves!"
A pack of five ice wolves formed from thin air around them. Mononoke crouched down to all fours, growling. Naruto used his clone jutsu and they attacked the man. Mononoke was about to call for Gatsuga when she noticed the man's movements.
He raised his hands at the clones and suddenly bullets popped from his fingers. Mononoke narrowed her eyes. They weren't normal bullets. There were finger bones.
A kekkei genkai? Mononoke dimly remembered reading something similiar to this.
The clones burst into smoke and the sounds snapped her out of her trance. The wolved were waiting for her signal. She raised her arm and rolled into a twister, calling out, "Gatsuga!"
Six twisters headed the man's way, aiming directly at him. He dodged them but each time he does, another persists. Finally, one of the ice wolves managed to attack him and the impact caused a small explosion. Mononoke and the other four wolves leaped away, joining Naruto. They waited in anticipation as they squinted past the smoke. When the dust settled, the ice wolf that attacked was completely shattered at the man's feet. Mononoke sucked in a gasp at the sight.
When Kimimaro moved his arm, the sound of bones cracking made Mononoke shivered. A shield that looked like a rib cage curled protectively over him, ice and frost still covering the white bones.
Mononoke and Naruto were frozen stiff as they watcher the bones retracted back into the man's skin, disgust and shock roiling in them.
"What the hell...?" Naruto muttered, his blue eyes so wide it looked almost comical. Mononoke gulped before she noticed something.
It might work in her favour. If only she could just-
A loud crack of wood disrupted the tense silence. All three pairs of eyes looked towards the coffin. It was like watching a devil's egg hatch. There were cracks running along the wooden frame as it broke under pressure. Mononoke could sense the dark energy pouring through the seams.
The coffin bursts open with a deafening explosion and a huge amount of chakra swoop through the field in a rush. The chakra stung her eyes and Mononoke squeezed them shut, raising her arms to block the wind from her face. When the rush of power passed, realization struck through her heart as she opened her eyes. Sasuke stood there, in the middle of the rubble with his back facing them.
His wings unfurled from his back like sails of a ship with a loud flap. Mononoke noticed that his skin held a bluish tinge.
The Sasuke she knew, her comrade, the bossy prick she loved as a dear brother, was gone.
And he was replaced with a monster.
"What have you done, you idiot?" Mononoke breathed, unable to tear her eyes away from her ex-teammate. Naruto, however, seemed undeterred. Or perhaps, oblivious is a better adjective.
"Sasuke! It's so great that you're okay! Come on, let's finish this guy and go home!" He cried, almost sagging with relief when he saw the Uchiha.
Mononoke felt her breath hitched when the boy started cackling. Actually cackling. Like a maniac. She noticed Kimimaro watching with a bland expression from the corner of her eyes. He looked almost... Apologetic.
Naruto just growled at the other boy, "Hey, what's wrong with you? Pull yourself together, Sasuke!"
A sharp snicker from the Uchiha made Mononoke turn her full attention to him. "The power… I can feel it." He raised his hands to his chest, marvelling at his palms as if he could actually see anything, "It feels… So good." Another ominous chuckle made all the hairs on Mononoke's neck stand on end. She pressed a hand to Naruto's shoulder, "Sasuke's a goner, Naruto. It's already consuming him." Before Naruto could question her, Sasuke just disappeared from their line of sight.
The blond ninja stiffened before looking around frantically, crying out, "Hey, Sasuke! Where did you go?!"
Kimimaro answered him, his voice neutrally polite, "Sasuke has left to join Orochimaru. You can still leave with your life intact if you wish to retreat now."
Naruto whirled around at the man, clenching his fists, "What did you say?!"
Mononoke's hand on his shoulder squeezed painfully and the sharp pain drew him out of his reverie. "You can still go after him. He's not far off. Keep heading northeast." she told him with a steady voice, her eyes never leaving Kimimaro. She pushed Naruto gently, stepping towards the man, who edged his hand to rest on his shoulder with caution.
"I'll deal with him." Her tone offers no argument. Naruto looked at her for a few seconds before nodding, gulping, "Be careful, Mononoke-chan. I'll leave this to you." She gave him a nod, dipping her head once and lifting her chin high, and her comrade left her side. The flash of orange rushed across the plain towards the given direction and well away from attacking distance of the Sound ninja.
Kimimaro watched as the blond took off, not bothering to move a muscle. Slowly, he turned to Mononoke, raising his eyebrow a fraction, "You are willing to sacrifice yourself for a fruitless cause?"
Mononoke shrugged before smiling, "I'm just another lousy ninja. My life matters not in the greater scheme of things."
Kimimaro was about to step forward to attack her before he stills. The man looked down, trying to find the cause of the chills that is making his body shudder. Slight panic began to set in as he felt an involuntary force inside his body caused him to bend over in pain.
Mononoke's pleasant smile slowly spreads wider, almost maliciously, "Ah, it's growing, isn't it?"
He chokes and gasps, falling to his knees. Again, his bones tore out of their fleshy prison, protruding eerily into the open air. The white bones had a sharp contrast in its surroundings, like snow on a summer's day.
Under the gleaming sunlight, at least three bones were encased in ice, and it was growing rapidly like a disease.
Kimimaro looked at the bones and he raised his arms, clutching on to the sickened bones. Mononoke watched with interest as his fingers ran along the bone. And hacked it off cleanly.
He inspected the bones, before he realized that the ice was still spreading and threw it far away from him.
Kimimaro returned his gaze to Mononoke and gave her a quick once over, "I take back my initial observation of you. You might prove to be a formidable opponent." He raised a hand to his shoulder, and a snap and a pop pushed a shoulder bone into his waiting hand. Kimimaro pulled it out of his limb and waved it, flicking away a few drops of blood. The end of the bone was sharp and glinted in the light.
The kunoichi snorts, "Good to know that I've earn some respect from someone so far." She raised her hands outwards. Starting from her upper arms, a visible swirl of frost rolled over her arms. In their wake a pair of cutlasses form, frost outlining them before coalescing, becoming solid. She brandished them in a large swooping 'X', before lifting a blade to her lips. Mononoke whispered a soft prayer against the cool ice, the frost stinging her lips like a silent promise.
Neither ninja moved for a moment, assessing the other. A soft breeze passed through the field, billowing against their clothes. Once it passed, the silence broke with the clashing of weapons. Five seconds into the fray and Mononoke can see his clear strengths.
He was fast. Much faster than herself. He was probably on par with Rock Lee.
Perhaps using taijutsu is a wrong move.
Definitely a wrong move, stupid! Mononoke scolded herself, as her cutlass narrowly blocked another attempt at her head. She managed to barely evade his attacks, blocking most of them in time. Bare scrapes and cuts littered her skin, but ice quickly covered them, weaving across the skin like spiderwebs. Some of the strands of ice whipped up and blocked some of the attacks, acting as additional defense.
Mononoke gasps in pain when the bone weapon struck deep into her hip, a mistake on her part. She was too focused on blocking the attack close to her face and upper body. And the fact she allowed her guard to loosen when the smell of his sickness became more apparent was also another stupid move.
Then a burst of ice shards exploded in Kimimaro's face immediately after he struck her. The man was temporarily blinded and he fell back a few steps, desperately brushing the crystals from his eyes.
Mononoke took a few backflips behind, putting some distance from the wounded man. Her breathing was ragged as she held her side, one of the sister cutlasses sitting delicately between her teeth. The plunge was deep but nothing a little ice can't handle. She hisses as she removed her hand to inspect the damage. Well, it wasn't so bad. More frost covered the wound, until it became a makeshift brace.
At least the blood wouldn't flow out now. But it's going to cost her her mobility.
'He's a close range fighter. I'm going to need to keep my distance.' She pondered as she retrieve her cutlass and spitting on the ground. He managed to get the last of the shards from his eyes by now. The man blinked a few times, seemingly unharmed, but Mononoke allowed herself a little sense of triumph.
His eyelids were bleeding slightly, and he could barely open his left eye. A few more of the shards managed to lodge into his skin but due to previous experience, he took the large chunks out, letting himself bleed instead of risking being iced inside out.
Without wasting another moment, Mononoke raised her cutlasses and started wildly swinging the swords in the air in his directions. As the cutlasses swung, waves of cold air followed their wake. Frost began crystallizing and a strong wind began to pick up. Soon enough, a blizzard began to form as she continued her intricate dance.
Kimimaro stood there, stunned as the wind whipped up a small snowstorm. Although the air was raging around her, the rest of the field was quiet and untouched. Once she gave a final slice with the cutlass, her sword right in his direction. Kimimaro reacted immediately, taking a second to understand what was happening. The blizzard morphed into a dragon and shrieked like a banshee as it charges at him. Bones grew at a rapid speed, enclosing him from the attack as the dragon thundered towards him in a spiral. Its fearful maw gaped hungrily and bit down hard against the bony shield. Kimimaro could feel a good amount of frost slipping through the cracks, biting his skin. As the snowstorm rages past him, he could hear his bones cracking under the weight. With a sharp thwack, the tail of the dragon slams into him for a last time before moving past.
He heard a soft howl and suddenly his shield fell apart, the largest portions covered in ice. Kimimaro looked to his feet, assessing the damage. White bones and blue ice littered the ground, looking like a skeletal snowman gone wrong.
When he glanced back, Kimimaro stares blankly.
The ground where the blizzard passed through was covered in ice. The blizzard dragon swerved its head back and roared in anger before dissipating into mist.
Surprised, he turned back to the kunoichi. A fearsome power, but it was a rash decision.
She panted and struggled to stand up, her body swaying dangerously. Whatever that jutsu was, it cost her a lot of energy. She looked almost ready to fall over. Kimimaro could see the grim determination in her eyes, even though her body said otherwise. Chakra rolled off her like broken static. 'A shame it would be to kill her.' He thought as he slowly walked towards the exhausted kunoichi, like an executioner ready for the call.
Mononoke couldn't stand any longer and fell to the ground with a thump, panting harshly. She was hoping that last move would help finish everything but she had not enough strength to hold the dragon's form. The way he closed in on her, she knew the look in his eyes. It's the quiet look of a predator, closing in for the kill and knowing that the prey would not be able to run or fight back. She sure felt like a dying prey now. But her body wasn't going to help fill her predator's hunger, unfortunately.
'This is it then.' Mononoke thought bitterly, her dying gasps loud and clear in the quiet field, 'I let everyone down.'Kakashi's face appeared in her head and she bit back a sob. She didn't even get the chance to say goodbye. She refused to close her eyes in defeat as she stared right into Kimimaro's eyes when he raised the weapon high.
If she was going to die, then heaven forbid she was going to go without a fight. Not until she takes her last breath.
The weapon gave a dreadful whistle as it rushed down, aiming at her heart.
One second, two.
Why has it not punctured through her skin yet? Or did she lose all feeling the moment it pierced her heart? Kimimaro moved his gaze from her eyes to her chest and his eyes widened slightly in surprise.
His arm shook with force as he tried to close the distance between her and the weapon.
Mononoke furrowed her brow before she looked down at her chest and inhaled sharply. A small amount of sand encircled the tip of the bone. Slowly, more grains joined the ball of sand and before any of them could react, the ball blossomed into a deadly flower, piercing upwards. Kimimaro cried out in pain as the sand shot past his retreating arm, scratching roughly.
She tried to understand the new turn of events as Kimimaro darted away from the sand rolling towards him like a small tsunami. Suddenly, she was scooped up gently and a figure stepped up beside her.
Mononoke didn't know if she should laugh in relief or slap his face when Gaara came into view. But his gaze wasn't on her so she chose to shut up. Mononoke followed his line of sight and blinked.
Kimimaro was warding away the offensive sand with his bones, but it looked like it was working. The sand was attacking from all sides and yet he wasn't wounded badly. Mononoke heard Gaara snorted in disdain and watched as the sand fell away, moving upwards into the sky. The Sound ninja looked up warily, his armor of bones hardening.
From her vantage point, she could see small trails of sand slowly winding up Kimimaro's ankles. The look on his face showed that he doesn't sense it. Without warning, the sand at his feet shot up rapidly, enclosing his legs and waist in a matter of seconds. He looked down and from above, the sand cloud fell on top of him, encasing him inside a sphere of sand.
Gaara raised a palm at the sphere before clenching his fist, causing the sphere to tighten and shrink. Blood coalesced at the base of the sphere, dripping slightly.
Just as she thought it was the end of it, the sand bursts outwards and a creature leaped out.
"I don't think that was supposed to happen." Mononoke said out loud. Whatever it was, it looked like a cross between Kimimaro and a dinosaur. It took a moment for Mononoke to realize that the chakra that seemed to be flowing from the creature was similar to the Sasuke that hatched from the coffin.
"He's stronger now. Watch out." Mononoke warned Gaara without thinking as she leaned forward, "He's fast and adept in taijutsu, almost like Lee. Don't make the same mistakes you did when you fought Bushy Brows."
She didn't see it but Gaara glanced at her and nodded, "Stay here. I'll be back." With a single flourish of his hand, the cradle Mononoke was in floated higher so that she was a few ways away from the battle.
Mononoke almost snorted at him. It sounded almost cliche, like a sappy story. But she was selfishly glad that she didn't need to enter the fray anymore, now that Gaara is here. She doesn't think she could manage a few more minutes. Another blinding pain shot through her hip and Mononoke sucked in a breath through her teeth. Ice and adrenaline helped her forget about the pain, but now that the adrenaline is wearing off, she could feel as if her guts were spilling out.
She only returned to her human form a few days ago and was just beginning to recover. Mononoke knew she wasn't in the best shape but what could she do? Not come on the mission?
Sounds of the battle pulled her attention away from her wound. She move closer to the edge and looked down, watching the fight. Kimimaro snarled and rushed towards Gaara, who had his hands folded and sand writhing around him like a jealous sentinel.
Gaara took her warnings and made sure to leave a large amount of distance between him and Kimimaro. He leaped onto a sand cloud and moved higher, attempting to get even farther out of reach. It seemed to enraged Kimimaro even further and he gave a loud roar. His tail swayed from side to side and even from a far distance, Gaara and Mononoke can see the muscles rippling through him as he crouched down.
When he gave pursuit, it was so fast a small sonic boom blasted through the clearing. Within a second, he was in front of Gaara, arm up and ready to behead the boy. His arm came rushing down, giving Mononoke a sense of déjà vu.
A wall of sand rose up to meet the intruder, blocking his attack.
Kimimaro snarled and the bony weapon in his hand spiraled and grew larger, whirring like a drill. Sand splattered everywhere but the wall held on. The man was so focused on Gaara, he didn't see the giant sand arm behind him. The hand wrapped around him, immobilizing his movements. But Kimimaro noticed half a second after the fingers touched him and slipped out of the sand's grasp.
The man appeared a few ways off before slamming his hands to the ground. The earth shuddered, and for a moment, there was silence. Then with a shivering crack, pearly branches shot from underground and began spreading across the field, forming the beginnings of a gruesome white forest. Mononoke squinted to inspect the white spears and blinked. They were made of bones.
Gaara hopped on a sand cloud and the cloud brought him above the bones. He was hovering over the forest, green eyes scanning the expanse of white to locate the brown skinned man. He turned this way and that, trying to find the man.
Mononoke looked around too, eyes alert and ready to warn her friend.
It happened so fast, she could barely force the words out when Kimimaro shot out from a pillar behind Gaara. She choked a scream, almost at the same time Gaara whirled around, realizing the man's presence. It was as if time slowed, the sand shooting from below him to protect its master. Mononoke thought Gaara was done for, when Kimimaro's body stilled.
Three heartbeats later, Gaara's sand cloud moved away hastily.
Mononoke watched as Gaara's shocked look slowly relaxed before he gave a small tilt of his head to his opponent. That's when she understood. A soft wind picked up, passing them. Mononoke looked up, her hair lifting with the breeze.
Then the clearing stilled.
Once the battle was over, Gaara went to Mononoke, who was still in the shell of sand. He scooped her out of the sand cradle tenderly, so to not to further hurt her wound. Once she was out, the sand obediently return to the gourd on his back. To her surprise and frustration, Gaara didn't set her down.
Instead, he carried her in his arms as the sand cloud floated away.
Obviously, she protested, "I can stand on my own, Gaara. We need to go after Naruto and Sasuke!" He looked at her blandly before uttering, "But I won't let you. You're hurt." Mononoke would have put up more of a fight but pain shot through her, as if in agreement with the Sand ninja. The girl scowled, feeling betrayed by her own body.
It wasn't unpleasant to be safely tucked in Gaara's arms but Mononoke didn't want to feel any weaker than she already thinks she look like.
When they got to safer ground, Gaara set her down gently against a tree before moving aside. She winced slightly at another round of pain and took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
Gaara looked with disguised interest as Mononoke pressed against her wound, more frost rushing from her palms to the gash across her waist. Mononoke slumped against the tree, squeezing her eyes tight as a wave of pain rolled through her.
"We should bring you back to the village." Gaara said. Mononoke opened her eyes and looked at him. He was watching her with a gaze so intense, Mononoke felt a tingle ran up her spine.
She shook her head, and turned away from his eyes, "No. I have to check up on them at least... Just give me a moment, then we can go after them." Gaara stepped closer and crouched in front of her, "You are in no shape to move," he faltered slightly, "Mononoke."
The girl turned back at him, wanting to resist but their eyes locked on each other and the words die from her throat. Instinctively, she knew that he say more. She decided to wait for him to gather his courage. It took a few more moments before Gaara dropped his gaze and looked down at her hands sorrowfully.
"I'm sorry." His voice was tinged with so much guilt and sadness. Mononoke wanted to stay mad at him, for betraying her trust. She treated him as her friend and yet he brought destruction on her home, her family, her friends. She could yell at him, let her fury take over and destroy everything.
But...
Mononoke knew during that time, he was alone, and that he didn't know better then. She couldn't hold a grudge against Gaara forever. He was a broken soul back then, but she could see him slowly healing. She didn't want to destroy the little amount of humanity he managed to rebuilt in such a short time.
Gaara flinched at the sudden press of skin when Mononoke pressed a hand against his cheek, but when he realized what it was, he quickly relaxed into her hand in relief. The look on his face told her everything. How badly he lacked physical touch and love. Oh, Gaara... Mononoke thought forlornly as she rubbed her thumb across his cheekbone. How did you managed to make it so far?
"It's okay, Gaara. I forgive you." she whispered gently and moved closer to him, her heart aching. He leaned towards her unconsciously, his eyelids drooping and Mononoke could almost smell his loneliness as she comforted him, "It's okay. Everyone makes mistakes."
Mononoke couldn't help it.
She pulled the boy into a hug, hushing him with soft nothings. His arms went around her, and he pressed close. Mononoke leaned against him, burying her face into his shoulder. His body shuddered slightly, overwhelmed and Mononoke hugged tighter, as if she could hug the pain away from him.
Gaara carried Mononoke all the way to find her comrades, even though she insisted she could walk and he took no argument. He took her up and moved in the direction she pointed.
When they finally reached the valley, only one of her friends was there.
"Naruto!" Mononoke cried when she saw his unmoving body. Gaara moved quickly, jumping off the cliff and into the gorge without hesitation. He quickly closed the distance, almost running towards the blond.
He slowly placed Mononoke beside her teammate and she checked his vitals immediately. She sagged in relief when she realized that he was alive, just unconscious. Gaara relaxed considerably when she told him the good news.
Mononoke tried to get up, but her legs gave out under her. Gaara was at her side immediately, but she shook her head urgently, "We need to hurry. Sasuke is still nearby, his scent is still strong."
"You're in no shape to move." Gaara scolded gently but Mononoke just smiled at him, "Naruto will never forgive me if I didn't at least try to get that idiot back."
"And he won't forgive you if you died trying." He replied, his green eyes determined. "I won't forgive you either." Mononoke clamped her mouth shut. Point taken. She hates getting cornered.
In another few minutes, two familiar figures entered the valley.
"Mononoke!" Kakashi called. The girl turned at the sound of his voice and she broke into a reassured grin, "You're here! Pakkun too!"
When they got closer, Kakashi crouched beside Mononoke, hands flying about as he looked her over with slight panic, "Are you alright? Where are you hurt?" Pakkun sniffed her, prodding his nose into her ribs and she hissed in pain. The dog looked at her but Mononoke just shook her head, "I'm fine, you two. Don't worry about me. Gaara came just in time."
Kakashi blinked in surprise and shared a look with Pakkun but quickly recovered. He turned to the boy, who was watching them and trying hard not to look too curious. The Jonin nodded to the Sand ninja solemnly, "Thank you."
The redhead return the nod before looking over to Naruto, "Only Naruto is here when we arrived." Kakashi followed his gaze, before he sighed slashed headband beside the blond ninja was all he needed to know.
The dark sky growled softly, and rain started falling. Mononoke looked into her caretaker's dark eyes hopefully. Raindrops streaked his face as he shook his head, "We did all we could." She thought her heart was going to break. She didn't portray any weakness on her face but Kakashi pulled her close, comforting her. Gaara turned away from the sight, and Pakkun curled in to himself.
"Let's go home."
OH MAN. Lot's of things, you guys. Lot's of things are coming. But in the meantime, did you guys enjoy this chapter? :DDDD