Author's Notes: I tell ya, sometimes I wonder why I bother to write battle scenes but I guess I'm learning. This chapter was bugging me but thanks to DarkRavie she really helped me out and made me really think about it:
In Family Ties, I think Haku would win against Temari. Haku has more of an arsenal of Jutsu can combat skills than Temari. Temari never really learn any Taijutsu or other stuff besides her wind jutsu and for that she seems to only use fans. Without her fan can she really fight?
I have to totally agree 'cuz she's so much like Tenten with nothing but weapon scrolls so that ended up becoming her downfall. So this chapter is dedicated to DarkRavie :-)
Disclaimer/Warnings: From now on I will only post these on the first chapter. I don't want to fill up the chapters with these things and annoy you, the readers. Sound fair?
"Family Ties"
By: Beloved Shadow of Light
- Ice, Wind and Chakra -
He sighed and looked up as the screen revealed the next match... Momochi Haku vs. Sabaku no Temari.
Temari looked over at the girly-looking boy and smirked. Without being promoted she swung her large fan around herself, issuing a powerful gust and wind then used her fan to glide into the arena. This caused some of the audience to awe at her skill but Genma was not impressed. Granted the hard girl was just showing off what she could do.
'There's a time for bragging and a time for fighting,' he thought to himself and looked up at the dark haired boy.
Truth be told the young man was so tempted to give up and give the match to the blonde... But did he really want to? He had no wish to climb up the shinobi ladder like Naruto, he could be happy where he was now but to make it even to a chunin level, well there was a lot to be had with such a position alone and while most weren't aware of it, he was. Maybe he could become a teacher like Iruka-jikei. Making sure his own weapons were ready he smiled at his siblings and jumped over the railing, into the arena. Sure he could have made a flashy entrance but he wanted to conserve all his strength and chakra for the battle at hand. Quietly he made his way towards the center, giving a polite nod to Genma and his opponent. Temari took one look at this Haku person and like all those that met him before, was trying to figure out if he was a boy or a girl.
Ino could only stare at the two below, ready to start the next match. "Who's that's girl?" 'And why is she prettier than me?' Was it another battle of kuniochis?
"That's a boy," Sakura mumbled, a bit apprehensive about the pretty boy.
"He's a boy?!" People sitting around the pale blonde flinched when she shrieked. But a rather husky genin chuckled to himself as he made his way down the stairs towards their row.
"Is it okay if I sit here?" he asked.
"Huh?" She blinked and felt a small sweatdrop run down the side of her head. "What's with you... your stomach's alright already?" Chouji continued to eat his chips. Sitting in the vacant seat next to her. He looked at the arena, the screen, then back at the arena.
"Did Sasuke's match already happen?" he asked between chips.
"..."
"Oh!" Ino quickly motioned for him to keep quiet about the Uchiha but it was too late. Sakura looked like a black cloud was hovering around her head, depressing her mood even more as she mumbled to herself.
Back in the arena the two genins continued to stare at each other, but it would seem that Temari may have had the edge in this round for the simple fact of she knew what Haku was capable of. Since that lazy-ass forfeited the match to her in the preliminaries this kid had no idea what to expect from her. She smirked and lifted her fan up to rest over her shoulder.
"You should give up; I already know all your moves," she taunted. When her opponent didn't answer she frowned and continued to badger her. "Didn't you hear me? There's no way you can win this fight. Or do you want to embarrass yourself in front of everyone here?"
"..."
"You're nothing but a weak little girl, no better than those two princess-wannabes in the preliminaries! I'm talking to you so say something!!" she shouted, growing more frustrated at the silence. Even Genma was wondering if the kid could hear her.
Haku just sighed and reached up to rub at his forehead for two fingers. "First, I can hear you perfectly well so there's no need to bellow like a bull in heat," he began. It was interesting to see the blonde from Suna turn red from the comment; even the referee stifled a laugh at that. "Second, I am a boy and not a girl. I'm getting tired of having to constantly tell everyone." He allowed his hand to fall and looked at her calmly, seeing the look of shock replace the anger. "Third, in case you haven't noticed but Shiranui-san has yet to begin the match."
Now for the girl it sounded to her that this feminine boy was mocking her and once more her face turned red in anger. "I'm gonna make you apologize to me!!" she yelled and charged right at him, ready to use her fan as a club.
"Hey! I didn't start the match yet!!" Genma shouted but it was too late.
Haku knew it was no use trying to reason with her and began to think of a plan so he didn't get crushed under foot. Quickly reaching into his weapons pouch he pulled a kunai and several senbons, quickly dancing out of the way just in time for the closed fan to strike the area he was standing in. A combination of the girl's brute strength and the heavy weight of the fan could have possibly killed him had he not moved but at least he knew a little bit more that he didn't before.
'She reminds me a lot of Zabuza-san, except she's wild and reckless like the wind,' he thought to himself. She looked surprised that he wasn't a bloody smear under her fan and was, instead, standing behind her. "Win or lose, I joined this tournament for my siblings. We needed a team of three to enter but even though I could have quit during the preliminaries I continued so I could learn of my own weaknesses. What is your reason for joining the chunin exams?"
"None of your business. So fight me!"
"I see... one final question."
"Hurry up already!"
"... Do you have any precious people? Those you would die to protect?"
She frowned at him. "What kind of question is that?!"
"I know that Gaara-kun is your younger brother yet he has not mentioned you once. I have also seen the looks you and your brother have cast at him, a look of regret, sadness, and fear."
"Damare."
"Ever since you arrived in Konoha and learned that Gaara was here you looked at him with so much fear. Your family drove him to the brink of insanity yet you come crawling to him asking for forgiveness. What gives you that right?"
"I said yamero yo!!" she screamed and took a wild swing with the fan. A powerful tornado suddenly appeared and raced at him before crashing into the trees near the edge of the arena. "You don't know anything about us! He's a monster, he's killed more people than I can count, how can you act so calm around him when he could kill you any second?!" she screamed angrily.
In the stands both Kankuro and Baki were frowning. She was losing herself to her emotions and wasn't thinking straight. With each wind she released she was using more and more of her chakra. At this rate she was going to wear herself out and then what? The plan could not fail!
Haku bore some of the damage, his clothes tore and his hair loose around his shoulders where it had been knocked out of its tie. None of her rants were the answer he was looking for but his dislike for her grew into hatred. Both her and the puppet master turned their back on the young boy when he needed them the most.
"I will never forgive someone who turns their back on their family," he said coldly. With as little movement as possible, he hurled the kunai as hard as he could. As expected it was deflected but it was a simple distraction. Charging forward he moved to strike her but was forced back when she retaliated with the fan. Bending over backwards it sailed over him and balancing back on his hand he lashed out with his foot, catching her in the shin so her center of balance was off but quickly danced back before he could be struck. Unfortunately he was caught off guard.
"Ninjutsu: Kamaitachi!!" What looked like a tornado began to form and rapidly head right for the young man. Haku's eyes widen and tried to move but it was too late. He cried out in pain as he was enveloped and lifted into the air, the wind slowly cutting into his. Temari smirked, proud that her signature move had finally captured him. Now he would pay for insulting her like that! As it died out she watched as he began to fall but before his body hit the ground he turned into water. It had been a Mizu Bushin. "Where are you?!" she demanded angrily, holding her fan out, ready to attack once more. He was no where to be found.
Haku tried to calm his breathing, making as little noise as possible as he did a quick run through of his injuries he had sustained. 'I'm no good when it comes to physical strength but I have to think. With that fan she utilizes Fūton jutsus only... but even closed it can be used as a weapon, such as a club,' he thought to himself as he tied his hair into a simple ponytail.
She was furious! Where did that--gaki go?! Snarling she opened her fan to reveal all three purple moons and swung it as hard as she could, pushing all her chakra into the wind as it began to build. "Come out and fight me!!" she shouted for all to hear. "Show your face!!" The wind kicked up so much dirt and such, throwing in the faces of the audience that many were forced to throw their arms over their faces. It didn't last long but it did take a while to have it settle. The kuniochi was panting heavily but there was still no sign of the willowy teen. Where the hell had he gone-
A sudden and sharp prick to behind her knees caused her to drop gracelessly to the ground, unable to stand no matter how hard she tried. She looked around but there was still no sign of him! A very faint whistling sound and she dragged her weapon to her side just in time to block the needles heading for her. Temporarily safe she reached and removed two slender senbons that had struck her. Even as she threw them away she still found it difficult to get to her feet.
"How did he do that?" she asked herself. She froze when she heard her brother shout a warning to her.
"Temari, look out!!" She looked up in time to see a hundred or so needles coming at her from above. Cursing under her breathe she brought her fan out and issued a strong gust of wind, focusing her chakra into it so it created a sort of wind shield around her. Granted it was a first for her and it wasn't perfect, but it did the jump as the senbons were deflected. Some even headed for Genma's location but he easily dodged them. The downside to such a risqué move was it used too much control though most had been wasted. She released it and smirked but there was still no sign of the boy, so how had he managed it?
Truth be told the young Momochi boy was still in the arena--several feet underground. He had used the tunnel Naruto had made during his round to his advantage and was he ever glad for it. The needles had been the hard part and it had been mostly luck yet it had worked. Taking a deep breathe he released it slowly, leaning his head back. What to do? He still had his canteen of water but he wasn't sure if it could be enough. To be honest, he wasn't sure if he could win. He still had a few senbons and a kunai left but what else? She knew what he was capable of but--he blinked when an idea came to mind. But it was a one time trick and if he failed...
'I can't think about that, just do the best I can and hope I survive.' He looked out of the hole when he didn't sense any more Fūton based jutsus. 'Now or never.'
The jounin carefully looked around while keeping an eye on the girl. While many looked to brute force as a way to win he didn't. A ninja needed more than strength and a focus mind with an above average intelligence to overcome just about any opponent. She was none of that as the boy pushed all the right buttons, making her not only lose focus but control. She didn't even care as more than one attack tried to do him in. He frowned though when he realized that if the boy didn't make himself know soon he would have to give the match to the girl.
'C'mon kid, do something or you're gonna lose,' he thought to himself.
Temari was so upset she didn't realize she was crying until she felt her nose begin to get stuffed up. How did he do that thing with the needles? Why wasn't she winning? Why did Gaara continue to hate them for so long? "D-Damn you..." she sobbed to herself. She rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand, letting the fan hit the ground though she kept a loose grip on it. She didn't never noticed the temperature slowly dropping around her; taking a shaky breathe she released it but blinked when she was able to see her breath. "Huh...?" Her body began to shiver; it was getting colder but how could that be? The sun was still out and it was the middle of summer!
The temperature slowly continued to drop as Haku pulled himself out of the tunnel, holding several needles between his fingers. He didn't seem the least bit phased by the cold air as he popped the lid of his canteen open. The very quiet sound caused Temari to whirl and lash at his with her fan. He took the bunt of the attack as it struck his chest but tossed every bit of water out, soaking the canvas of the massive fan. He could feel a bruise begin to develop yet didn't bat an eye as she ignored the water and chilly weather.
"Is that all?" she scoffed, ignoring the goose bumps forming along her skin. "It's gonna take more than water to beat me! I am... the wind!!" she shouted, lifting her fan behind her, ready to swing. Haku quickly went through the sings yet didn't move as she swung the fan.
Riiipp!! The durable fabric that made up the weapon tore and hit the ground. Temari stared at her beloved weapon, eyes wide and in total disbelief. To her it looked like the fabric had frozen and when she made to use Kamaitachi it couldn't take the pressure and tore, like flimsy rice paper. It was ruined. But she could see use the frame-
Several slender senbons were aimed at the main arteries that ran just under the skin of her throat, the points sharp enough to do serious damage if she moved. Haku said nothing as he gazed into her eyes, warning her not to move and promising certain death if she even tried to attack him. Truth be told his attack had been a very risky gamble and yet she didn't even bother to dodge the water thrown on her. Neither of them said anything but Shiranuididn't waste anytime on proclaiming the winner.
"Momochi Haku is the winner!!" Genma quickly sighed as the boy pulled back, smirking ever so lightly. That, was an interesting match. The kid was physical out-numbered but to use the tunnel as a hiding place and carefully plan out his attack, well he saw a future for him as a chunin.
Naruto grinned and as soon as his brother was up in the stands, grasped his hand. "You had me worried for a sec, Haku." He was greeted by a sincere smile.
"So was I. It was thanks to you that I was able to win the way I did." Shiruba didn't say anything but hugged him tightly. This worried her brother though; she was never quiet yet they didn't want to say anything and just let her be.
Up in the arena Hidama was very proud of the boy and she knew Zabuza was as well. Sarutobi was also impressed at what he dad seen. More than one person was talking about the skills the boy had, how he had used the advantage of the field and not only trick his opponent into exhausting herself but to also take away the one thing that she seemed to overuse. Izumo and Kotetsu were also talking about how his abilities, saying how he could make a prime candidate to become a chunin. Baki watched as his student dragged her feet to the stairs, looking lost and dejected. He sighed deeply and knew that he had failed as a teacher to both her, and even Kankuro.
Outside the arena, the two guarding the gate looked up and were more than surprised at the twp people making their way towards them. "Oh! You are..." The man just nodded and the two jounins returned the gestured and stepped to the side, opening the doors for them. "We're glad you two are here. Onegai, hurry into the arena."
Lee gave a one-hand salute, a small smile on his lips. "Hai!!"
"Ok!!" Gai gave one of his famous grins and took a rather ridiculous pose with arms outstretched and one of his legs bent at the knee. "Let's go Lee!"
"Oh!! Hai!!"
"The first three rounds have been completed. Only the Shiruba vs. Sasuke match remains to be fought."
"!!" He had thought that matched with the Uchiha had been first, had something happened? But the match with the Hyūga... "Then Naruto-kun and Neji's match...?" he asked softly.
The jounin gave a very light chuckle under his breathe as he thought back. "That, was an interesting match. It seems that the Hyūga actually lost."
Both student and teacher expressed their shock at such an announcement. Hyūga Neji lost?? 'Naruto-kun won against Neji...?'
Gai noticed how the still injured boy seemed, disappointed. He still wanted to fight against his teammate but it appears that the match had been taken from him. Before he could say anything though he noticed a small smile play on his lips. It wasn't a look of disappoint, it was one of a job well-done. He soon found himself mirroring the expression.
'What a guy you are... really...' The two entered the arena as they were trying to find a pair of seats they heard the uproar of people demanding for the final match to begin. They were demanding that the Uchiha be shone or even go so far as to drag him here by the hair. Even in their boxed seats Sarutobi and the kazekage were finding it difficult to block out the growing noise.
Hidama could feel a tick growing with each new yell. Gods she wanted to slit everyone's throat or cut out their tongues! She almost missed the beep from her transmitter and held her hands up to cover her ear and touch the tiny radio hidden in her collar. "Restraining yourself?" she asked.
"Just barely," Zabuza grunted, feeling a vein pulse as his anger was steadily growing past its normal limit. "Any word on the gaki?"
"Iie--wait." She noticed Raidou leaning over Sarutobi's shoulder, whispering to him. She frowned as she tried reading their lips but the old man nodded his head. She blinked when she felt a sudden change in the wind and sighed deeply through her nose. "Tell Shiruba to get ready."
A snort was heard through the tiny receiver. "About damn time." He took a moment to change the frequency then sent a message to Haku to pass it along. 'I got a bad feeling though.'
In the arena a loan leaf drifted by Genma face but as he silently followed it with his eyes more and more leaves began to enter the arena. Normally this wouldn't have bothered anyone but they gathered and began to swirl into a mini-whirlwind. This was not normal as the jounin could sense the amount of chakra coming and just waited. One by one the audience began to shut up and watched, just about memorized by what they were watching.
Shiruba watched carefully and through the leaves saw two figures materialize. She didn't know why but a growl started in the back of her throat, growing as the wind began to slowly stop spinning and the leaves quietly drift away. Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Sasuke were standing in the center, back to back. But the boy had undergone a new outfit of a black jumpsuit that ended at his knees and elbows, a high collar with the Uchiha clan symbol on the back. His left arm was wrapped into wrapping, similar to where Neji and Lee wrap only his also had black leather straps with similar ones along his legs.
Kakashi looked over at the other jounin and gave a little smile though it was hidden by his mask. "Gomen we're late..."
'Sasuke... you made it...' Sakura thought to herself, relief filling her.
"Hn. Your name?"
With a look that could possibly make even stone melt he said in a clear voice, "Uchiha... Sasuke."
Ino and Chouji were both, stunned, and couldn't seem to believe what their eyes were telling them. "Ano... could that be...?"
"It's Sasuke-kun," Lee said from the side where he and Gai were watching.
"Lee-san!!"
Naruto frowned, feeling a growl threaten to escape his mouth and turned to his sister only to see her slowly making her way towards the center. He looked disappointed and made to call out to her but the way she was moving... she was a woman on a mission.
Her eyes were hard and unfeeling, focusing solely on her opponent. The month had been a long one, training to get stronger and even though she didn't care whether she won or lost her primal instincts were telling her to kill him, to make him beg for mercy, to humiliate him before everyone here, to have him crawl and plead for death. Stopping she glanced at the jounin and actually snarled! His visible eye widened and he managed to keep himself from taking a step back at her suppressed killing intent. She smirked, relishing in the fear she could feel off him.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes and looked up at the stands for a moment, quickly noticing the bright blonde and neon orange before looking at her. "So, the dobe won his match," he said in a mocking tone.
"Watch your tongue!" she snarled, fingers clenching into tight fists as she released just a tiny bit of her rage. "Insult him once more and I'll rip your tongue out and shove it up your ass." She dared him to try it and when he opened his mouth she took a step forward, fingers curled so her nails looked like claws. He wisely shut his trap.
"Somehow I knew he would win," the jounin said only to have the furious eyes stare him down.
"When have you ever cared about him, dog-shit?" she growled. "You never cared about him so why the fuck do you decide to start now?" He was at a loss. Coughing a bit he looked at Genma and gave a nervous nod.
"Well... we showed up flashy and the like, but..." At this he reached up to scratch the back of his head sheepishly. Could Sasuke have been... disqualified?"
"Seems tardiness and being a grade-A dck is contagious," the girl mocked. She ignored the look the jounin gave her and glared heated at her opponent's back.
"I still don't get why but the hokage-sama has been pushing this fight until now. If you haven't show up in the next two seconds, he would have been disqualified," he explained. "Since you recommended them for the chunin exams I would have thought you would have taken your responsibilities more seriously, Kakashi." There was nothing in his tone about good humor and the other ninja knew that. If anything it made the guilt even more unbearable to deal with.
"Um that's good, I guess..." he laughed yet there was no emotion behind it. He quietly made his way out of the arena but taking a quick glance at the two genin he shuddered. Truth be told he had been worried about Naruto's match more than anything; the entire month he had tried to see the blonde bundle of energy but he was either training or with his family and the few times he did catch him alone he was brush him off as though he was worth less than the dirt he walked on. Even now as he walked up to the stands and waved at him he was ignored. Why did every cold gesture cause a knife to dig deeper into his heart?
The pale blonde tried her best to hold it but finally gave up and shrieked loudly, deafening Sakura and Chouji who were unfortunate to be sitting next to her. "KYAAA!! Sasuke-kuuunn!!"
"Hey! Is that the Uchiha prodigy!?"
"Screw him! That's the fabled 'Shooting Star'!!"
"Her?! They say she's the youngest merc in all the nations!!"
"Yeah right! The Uchiha is gonna wipe the floor with her!!"
"You wish!!"
Lee listened as everyone began shouting around him and to be honest, he knew that Shiruba was an extreme fighter, having witnessed some of her training but she also came to visit him during his stay at the hospital, helping him with his physical therapy, telling him so many funny stories. But even now he just knew he wouldn't be able to reach their levels...
'... why...' His hand tightened over his cane until he was sure his knuckles were as white as the bandages still wrapped around his arm. 'Why does it... hurt so much?' It took all he had not to start crying; Might-san noticed the silent shaking of his prized student and his heart went out to him.
'Lee... don't give up hope... not yet...' he prayed fiercely. He felt the wind rush and looked behind him just in time to see his eternal rival appear. "Kakashi."
"Heya Gai. And Lee-kun too! Your body is alright now?" He seemed a bit surprised at that the boy was moving even if it was with a crutch.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura snapped, getting the older man's attention.
"Hmm? Oh gomen gomen! you must have been worried when I didn't contact you."
'Hai, Sakura is pissed...' Ino thought with a side-long glance at the pink-haired girl.
She sow anted to give him a chewing out but on second thought, it just wasn't worth it. "It doesn't matter," she said and just stared at the final match, waiting for it to begin.
The silver-haired man blinked but sighed. Another student upset at him. He didn't give it much thought when he finally noticed the cloaked ANBU in the area, their porcelain masks barely hidden by the deep hoods. 'Eight ANBU for such a small areas... what is hokage-sama thinking?' He looked at Gai who gave the briefest of nods. He had noticed them as well but didn't say anything.
"Begin!!" With a wave of his hand Genma immediately jumped back and it was a good thing as once given the word Shiruba lunged forward and slashed at the Uchiha with a clawed hand. Of course he jumped back but looked down and was surprised to see tears in the front of his outfit. He looked at her hand but there was no weapon, just sharp nails.
"What are you?" he asked.
"Something you should fear," she answered and charged once more, lashing out with her leg this time only to have it blocked. She noticed movement in his arm and jumped back in time to watch him fish several shurikens from the weapon's pouch and hurl them at her. Reaching into her own weapon's pouch she pulled out two kunais and not only knocked them off balance but they struck the arena walls and embedded themselves into the concrete.
'She's fast, but I know I can beat her!' Frowning he charged right for her, watching her closely and jumped just as she lunged to slash at him. He released several shurikens he had hidden in his hands and watching as she threw the kunais to deflect them. That left her weaponless; somersaulting he extended his leg, preparing to drive the heel of his foot into her head but was caught off guard when she crossed her arms at the wrist and stopped his attack. 'Damnit!!' Landing one his hands he twisted his body into a spin, body arching and ended up catching his elbowed into the side of her head.
Everyone gasped as the girl went flying but she managed to catch herself, knees bent and fingers digging into the ground to stop her from hitting the wall. She snapped her head up and snarled, blood trickling down her temple. She brushed the back of her hand over it before charging on all fours, similar to a move from the Inuzuka boy but once she got close enough she threw all her weight onto her hands and lashed out with both legs. She smirked when her right foot connected with his jaw but even though he ducked her left she jumped to her feet and delivered a powerful punch to his chest. He fell back, gasping and clutching the arena, finding it difficult to breathe.
"You made me bleed, so I made you bleed," she told him. He said nothing but wiped the bleed escaping his mouth. Instead he stood up straight and beckoned her towards him.
"Bring it."
In the stands no one seemed able to keep up with their rapid movements; all they could see were the black blur know as Uchiha from his outfit and the white blur known as Shiruba from her coat. They would exchange blows, sometimes one of them sent flying only to have that one regain balance then retaliate. Each strike was powerful, fists flying, legs kicking, weapons thrown, it was an all-out match where the two looked ready to kill one another. If one listened closely, they could hear bones being broken but neither made a sound. But during it no one seemed to notice Gaara slowly losing more and more control over the sand. Not even his brothers who stood before him.
For Lee and Gai, they were shocked at seeing the Uchiha using the same moves Lee had sued during his match just a month earlier. Except his were faster. "What kind of training did you to, to come this far in only a month's time?" Gai asked the other jounin.
"Sasuke had copied Lee's taijutsu with the Sharingan before, so that's why I had him train using Lee's moves during the time. Because he knew Lee-kun and had seen him in action before, he was able to master the style... It was a lot of hard work though." Unfortunately for Lee, he was not pleased. He had never felt so--robbed in his whole life as he did right now. Even Gai was less than pleased though he tried hard not to show it. How uncool and unhip of his rival to steal another's fighting style!
Shiruba panted as she jumped back, staring at Sasuke with such anger in her eyes she slowly stood up straight, bringing her legs together with one foot in front of the other. Taking a deep breathe she released it slowly and brought her hands together, then flashed through a series of signs before stopping at the sign that looked a lot like the ram sign only her thumbs were tucked in. She smirked and closed her eyes, releasing her chakra into the ground around her. Onyx eyes widen and he ran at her, thinking how it was his chance to end the fight but as he reached her the leaking chakra come together and a huge fox with three tails appeared, snarling angrily at him with two strange swords strapped to its back.
"!!" He skidded to a stop but cried out when the fox snarled and lashed at him with a massive paw, shredding his outfit and stood over the girl protectively, lashing its tail in the air angrily, warning him to keep away. He could only grunt and try to ignore the blood falling from the recent wounds. 'How the hell did she summon that?'
Naruto and Haku grew worried when they say the animal being released. They had never seen their sister do this before but their mother had... she had done it only once but for some strange reason it had effected not only Gaara but Naruto as well. The blonde never knew what happened but when he was finally able to break free he had found himself surrounded by so much blood and gore of what seemed to be the very meager remains of rogue ninjas turned bandits, both Zabuza and Haku soaked in blood. It gave him nightmares for months!
Ice blue eyes were wide in shock. When and where did Shiruba learn that move?! It was forbidden and highly reckless!! 'It makes a great defense/offense but she's trapped there until she releases it. She may as well be a princess in some movable fortress, never able to leave while it protects her.' But the downside was the longer it was out, the more humanity it stripped away. "Shiruba..."
Naruto was running as fast as he could, looking for his sensei in the stands. Finally locating him he rushed over, ignoring the people shouting at him to get out of their line of vision. "Kakashi!!" Said jounin turned and for a moment, his heart lightened when he heard his name being called from the loveable blonde. Skidding to a halt he barely acknowledged his friends and looked him straight in the eye.
"You have to stop the match right now!!"
"!"
"Stop it or else something bad will happen!!"
"Naruto... what are you talking about?" Ino asked with a puzzled expression.
"I saw this happen once but it was with okaasan. If you don't stop it right now... Shiruba will kill Sasuke!!"
"... Don't worry. He and I weren't late for nothing," he said with a shrug. The blonde blinked before growing and reaching out grabbed his arm and forcefully tuned him around and grabbed him by the front of his uniform.
"Listen to what I'm saying, Hatake!! Last time this happened a band of rogue nins attacked us and we got hurt badly. Okaasan was so mad all I remember is her letting out some animalistic scream and when I woke up those jerks weren't dead, they were butchered! If you don't stop it right now she won't stop until she has literally painted the arena red with his blood!!" No one said a word and it was so quiet one could hear a senbon needle drop.
Sasuke continued to throw himself at his opponent, trying to break through the beast's defenses but it was no sue. It kept lashing at him, throwing him back. He had actually managed to land on its back and made to grab one of the ornate swords but as he touched one the other was pulled free and he was struck hard in his right arm, piercing completely threw before throwing him off. He was heavily bleeding and knew that if he didn't end this soon he would lose the match.
'Iie! I will not lose!' Growling to himself he jumped back father and farther until he hit the wall but instead of stopping he landed on the wall and clung there with his chakra. Quickly his hands flashed through the hand signs of ox, rabbit, monkey before holding his arms outstretched before him, his blood-soaked right hand bracing his left wrist.
Sasori smirked and looked very interested as he watched what was going to happen. He heard Baki telling Temari to get ready for the plan but he wasn't listening. He was much too interesting in the match so no one seemed to notice as one very dazed Shino tried to get up. His kikai bugs were going as fast as they could, devouring the foreign chakra that had invaded their host and forced him to sleep.
'What plan... are they talking... about?' he asked, slowly pushing himself to his hands and knees. Whatever it was, he had to tell someone.
Sasuke concentrated as hard as he could and for a moment, sparks literally began to appear before soon his hand looked like it was holding a ball of living lightning. It sparked and tore up the wall, the lightning lighting up his face he lifted his head and smirked at his opponent. Holding his arm down and out, he began to run down the wall and right at the girl, the lighting tearing up the wall as he ran, the leather bands and wrappings around his arm slowly burning away. The stadium was suddenly alive with the sound of chirping and realizing it was coming from the Uchiha as he pushed off the wall and ran straight and true towards the girl and her beast.
Gai knew exactly what this attack was and looked at his rival with shocked gaze. "You didn't!" He just nodded.
"What is that technique?!" Sakura asked in wonderment. "You can actually see the chakra!!"
"It is possibly, the only original technique of one Hatake Kakashi." Everyone looked up at Gai as he spoke, taken back by the look of seriousness gracing his handsome features, watching as the fox pulled both swords out and braced itself for the impact. "A technique specially made for assassinations, the speed of the stab and the great amount of chakra that creates the heightened flesh... it produces that "chi chi chi" sound you all hear, like a thousand birds coming right at you. That is why its called..."
"Chidori!!" Throwing his hand forward the lightning struck the fox head on. It shrieked in pain as the swords broke and the fox dispatched but once it was released Shiruba lifted her own fist and, infusing it with the rest of her chakra, meet him fist to fist. A loud explosion was heard, not only deafening everyone but blinding them as well. For several tense moments, no one dared to even breathe much less make a sound as the dust and dirt settled to reveal both genins, pushing at each other with their fists still touching. Blood was pooling from heir fists, the skin shredded from the use of chakra and both in obvious pain. But a sudden scream broke them out of their staring contest and they looked at the stands.
Gaara was screaming at the top of his lungs, back arches, head throw back, and sand surging out of control. Everyone was more of less horrified when they noticed how the sand was slowly engulfing his body, turning him into something that was not the less bit human. For his family, they knew exactly what was happening.
Shukaku the Ichibi Tanuki was being released.
Author's Notes: What can I say? I'm still following the manga as best I can without copying every single word written. And for what I had planned, well I need Shukaku to make an appearance. Hopefully I'll be able to explain what made him go bonkers in the next chapter Before anyone asks what Shiruba "summoned" IS NOT Kyūbi. Similar to what Naruto did except it was her releasing her chakra into a physical form. I can't tell you right now how or why she can do that without giving a lot away but it will be explained much later on. I, found a bit more creativity with this chapter but not as much fun, I'm afraid. I am pleased with Haku's fight though and now I have to figure out Temari's role in the upcoming invasion--or if she'll even have one. Again I want to thank DarkRavie for her help which this would have taken much too long to post. :-) Next chapter, Orochimaru reveals himself and the Oto/Suna invasion begins. But where will Sasori stand, if at all?
Fūton: Wind Style
Kamaitachi: Cutting Whirlwind
Chidori: Thousand Birds
Shukaku the Ichibi Tanuki: Shukaku the One-Tailed Raccoon Dog