The Path A Ninja Walks...
Chapter Fifty
With The End In Sight...
A/N: WARNING-The character known as Sage Amesawa uses a lot of profanity and colorful language as part of his "colorful" personality. Be prepared if you are sensitive to that. Please note it is not because I condone such manner of speech, and also the character does not mean to use it as a way to be harmful, it is just his personality.
Kunai came from all directions... each one fending them off with their own...panting in exhaustion.
"Damn...how long is this going to go on..." said Hana.
"Okay...this...isn't going to work!" said Naruto as he prepared to make a Justu- but Kabuto stopped him.
"Don't! You'll only waste your chakra!" he warned, "By trying to fight these things, you'll only be doing just what they want..."
Kabuto is right...
Saseme thought to herself.
But the longer we stand around here in waiting...the more time we're wasting...!
"But if we're able to illimate all of the illusions..." said Naruto, "Then whoever is casting won't be able to hurl kunai at us without us being able to see it!" he stated, "Two can play at this game...SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"
"Naruto's got a point..." said Sage, "We have to try something...we're running out of time..." he huffed, "SEVEN CLONE JUTSU!"
"Seven clone- Sage that's brilliant!" Saseme stated.
"How exactly is wasting chakra brilliant here, Saseme?" asked her brother.
"Because... Sage's clones have a unique ability each one of their own!" said Saseme.
"But that's not all they can do either-" said Hana.
"That's right." said Saseme, "Just like Shadow clones, Sage's clones also disappear upon impact...but not without leaving behind a little gift of their own..." she explained, "Whateve inititially destroyed whatever colored clone- that object will also be covered in that colored paint!"
"I see..." said Kabuto, "Sage's clones are vibrant in color and easy to spot- but if they release the same color paint of their initial colored clone, then that means whatever the pain will be solid! Not to mention, vibrant and easy to spot!"
"Yeah but like they said, I can only do 7." he stated, "Which means I only got 7 shots at this...SCATTER!" and off they went.
My clones will only be able to do maybe half capacity of their normal damage with me at this weak exhausted of a state...
He huffed.
But if they at least have a shot at finding the caster- then at that least will be...something!
One by one...
Clone by clone Naruto's duplicates charged in. Smashing and bashing every clone in its path narrowing down the path way for Sage's seven colors to dash through and scatter...
Though with barely half strength...they couldn't last too long, and spatters of color would decorate and spot over different areas of the forest.
"Sage isn't at full strength..." said Hana.
"You're right..." said Saseme, "I say we should charge in and follow his colors through the path Naruto's clones clear...see if we can spot the casters somewhere..."
"Right."
"Sasuke..." Sakura questioned, "Shouldn't we help Naruto?"
"Jerk!" Sasuke huffed, "He's giving us no choice...we have to now!"
"You're right..." said Kabuto, "He's gonna need us...so that's that- We fight!"
"Come on, Sakura!"
"Right!"
xxxxx
Dawn was breaking...and the seven Genin were reaching their breaking point of exhaustion...
"We've crushed their spirits...now...all that's left is their bodies..."
The three in hiding finally came through the illusion...
But soon found themselved splattered in multiple different colors.
"What!?" they gasped.
"...Well well...now who's the cornered rat..." Sasuke's voice cut through with a smirk.
"Worked like a charm~ Naruto!" Sakura giggled.
"Well done, boys~ " Saseme hummed.
The startled Ninja quickly turned and found the seven man squad ready and waiting.
"What the- B-But- if they're behind us...then who's in front of us!?"
"Confused?" Naruto smirked as his transformation poofed away, revealing more of Naruto's doubles, "The Shadow Clones were only the first part of it...the real trick was coming up with clones for the rest of my squad." he hummed.
"While our clones did all the fighting and took the beating, we were safe and sound waiting for you to come out of hiding." said Sasuke.
"And now with you losers out from the safety of the shadows and covered in colors...there's no way you will be able to hide from us again~" Sage smirked.
"Yeah- we'll definitely be able to find you now with you looking all vibrant and rainbow~" Hana giggled.
"Nice touch, Sage." said Saseme.
"Thanks..." Sage huffed and collapsed, "Making a repetition of my seven colors is exhausting..." he sighed, "I'm tapping out...Leaving it to you now, you bad bitch.~" he chuckled.
"With pleasure~" the Uchiha girl smirked.
"You too, Naruto...take a break." said Sasuke, "You and Sage both used way too much of your chakra to make this possible for us..." he smirked, "Don't worry...The Twins Uchiha got this."
"HAAH!" Naruto huffed as he punched out the three stooges and sent them all falling back sliding on the puddles of paint Sage's colors had left before.
"After all the work I've done...there's no way I'm gonna just sit back and let you guys have all the fun!" he panted.
"Damn...guess this guy doesn't believe in breaks..." Sage huffed as he clapped hands with Saseme and Hana.
Woah...is this...the same Naruto?
Sasuke wondered as he watched his team mate.
...What happened?
When did he get...this good?
"This kid shouldn't even be able to move...let alone this..."
the Ninja shifted, glancing over at the exhausted Sage who was resting behind the remaining squad, being defended by Hana and her Kunai while Saseme took the front line along side her brother, Sakura, and Kabuto.
"Ha...not bad..." said the paint covered enemy, standing to fight again, "But this doesn't mean it's over...we're still feeling lucky!"
He's right...
Thought Saseme as her eyes glanced toward the morning light.
With daylight upon us...time is running out for all of us...
"So we're gonna have to take the gloves off...and show you our Ninjutsu!" they said, "Ninja Art: Fog Clone Jutsu!"
"Shadow Clones?" Naruto questioned.
"Nuh-uh those are real clones..." said Sasuke, Having read them with his still active eyes, "Don't be an idiot bone head, let them make the first move!"
"HA!" said Naruto, "If these are clones then the real ones are somewhere in there." he huffed, "So all I have to do is smash my way through until I find the ones that squeal."
"No don't, Naruto just listen to me!"
"Get off my back, Sasuke!" Naruto huffed, "Just stay out of it, I can handle this!"
"No! Naruto, come back!" called Sakura.
"Not again..." Kabuto huffed.
"Damn this guy is a pain in the ass..." said Saseme having felt a sudden sharp twinge though she stopped and gripped her neck.
What the..what is this?
She questioned.
But I haven't taken any sort of damage or strain to my neck...so...why does it hurt?
She wondered.
...Is it a phantom pain...? Or...
She blinked and glanced over to Sasuke who was also holding his neck and teitching a slight.
I see...
she thought to herself.
So this isn't my pain...but my brother's...
Sasuke...
I've got to try...
Sasuke panted.
One more time...the last...of my Chakra...SHARINGAN!
"It's no use!" Saseme panted.
"She's right, Naruto!" said Sasuke, panting as he held to his neck...that mark of his acting up and slowly spreading once again.
"You can swing at those guys all day, you'll just be wasting your energy...the real ones aren't there!"
"What do you mean they aren't here- of course they're here!" said Naruto, "That last attack that just knocked down Kabuto didn't come from a clone!" he panted, "So if they're not here then where the heck are they!?"
"Use your head, will ya!?" Sasuke huffed, "If I knew the answer to that- we wouldn't be in this fix!"
I'm exhausted...
Naruto panted
I can't use the Shadow Clone Jutsu anymore...
taking a knee the blond fell for breath...un beknownst to the shifting soil just behind him...
That's it!
Sasuke thought.
They hide using Earth Style and attack while we're focused on their clones!
It was just a little too late when an ttack came in and hit Kabuto once again...only this time, with their real bodies exposed...Naruto had his chance to strike...
Knocking them all back, and unconscious.
"Thank you, Naruto..." Kabuto panted softly, "You saved my neck..."
"Way to go Naruto!" Saseme cheered.
"Hah...ahh..it was nothing." he said softly with a plop to the dirt for a rest.
xxxxx
They all sat back and rested while Naruto rummaged through his victims for their loot. Saseme sat next to her brother...waiting on Sage to recooperate so that he could get to his feet once again with Hana's help.
"Hmm...that mark on your neck." Kabuto pointed out, "What is it? A Bruise?"
Sasuke twitched and swiftly moved to cover it.
"...It's nothing..." he said sharply.
And it certainly didn't go unnoticed...Saseme watched him quietly.
"Hey guys, check it out! Just what we needed!" Naruto chuckled, "A Heaven scroll!"
"Good for you!" Kabuto beamed...
But something left Sasuke uneasy...
There's something about this guy...
he thought to himself.
Something I don't like...
"...So you;ve caught onto it too..." Saseme spoke to him softly in only a voice he could hear, catching his attention.
Her shifted from her brother to Kabuto while she whispered...
"...Say nothing about it for now..."
I see...
Sasuke thought to himself.
So Saseme suspected him too...
xxxxx
The genin all tredged...beaten...tattered...dirty...and exhausted.
Saseme and Hana both held to Sage's side with his arm spread eagle across each of their shoulders while he struggled to walk.
Upon reaching the end...approaching the doors to the waiting Tower, Kabuto's team mates joined in.
"There you are, Kabuto...you're late."
"Sorry..." he said sheepishly, "I got a little...side tracked."
"And are we glad that you did." said Naruto, "After all it's because of you that we were able to get the scrolls we needed!"
"Not really." Kabuto smiled, "After all you did most of the work yourself."
"Well...our gates over this way..." said Saseme, "We held our end of the deal..."
"Right..." said Sasuke, "Thank you, sis...I owe you..."
"You owe me a lot...Sasuke." she huffed, "...See you on the other side..."
"...Right..." Sasuke sighed.
I don't care if you're still mad at me...
He thought to himself.
So long as you're here...and you're safe...
I haven't given up on us, yet...Saseme...
xxxxx
"Damn...all that hard work and there's not a single soul here to greet us..." Sage sighed softly.
"Hold on...check that out." stated Hana as she pointed out a scroll on the wall.
"Huh? What's that?" Sage blinked.
"...If qualities of Heaven are what you desire...acquire wisdom to take your mind higher..." Saseme read aloud, "...If Earthly qualities are what you lack...train your body and prepare to attack..."
"When Heaven and Earth are open together...the perilous path will become righteous forever." read Sage, "This...something...is the secret way that gudes us from this place today."
"It seems to be about the Heaven and Earth Scrolls..." said Hana, "I think...we're supposed to open and read them now..."
"Well then what are we waiting for..." said Sage as he retrieved his arms and shifted through his pack to hold out the scrolls in hand, "...Let's whip'em out then."
Sage and Hana rested on the floor, each one ready and waiting to open their scroll while Saseme stood at the ready.
"Here goes nothing...you ready babe?" asked Sage.
"Yeah..."Hana sighed, "Let's do it!"
In one fell swoop, together, simultaneously they peeled back the canvas to be met with a cloud of rose scented smoke and Flower petals.
"It's...Koko Sensei!" they all gasped.
"Well hello children~" The woman teetered, smirked as she tossed back her hair with a purple gloved hand, "Long time no see...am I right?"
"What's up with this?" Saseme wondered, "Why are you appearing in a sommoning?"
"Normally a Chunin is supposed to welcome the test takers back after accomplishing the second test." she explained, "But something came up and we fell a little short staffed...consider it good luck that you three got me~" she grinned, "You barely made it just in time..." she chuckled, "I expected you three to arrive much sooner than this..." she stated, "But judging by your appearances it looks as though you've really gone through the wringer..." she hummed, "Still...be that as it may...congratualations...you passed the second exam." she smiled, "But the third exam will not be so simple...so please...I urge you not to push it too far..."
"Right..." said Saseme with a heavy sigh and a polite bow, "Thank you...Koko Sensei...now if you'll excuse me..."
"Excuse you?" Sage blinked.
"Where are you going!?" asked Hana.
"...Too freshen up while I still can." Saseme stated, "I'm covered in mud, and blud, and bug guts...I at least want to look a little like I wasn't just dragged in by the dogs..." she said as she continued to walk away.
"Hmm..." Koko hummed watching the girl intently.
Saseme Uchiha...
Still riddled with mystery I see...
"Oh hey...good call!" giggled Hana, "I'll come with-"
But before Hana could even finish, Saseme had vanished in a flash.
"..Ha...guess she wanted some time alone." Sage chuckled, "Let's just give her a little space, K?"
"Hmmm..." Hana sighed.
Though this didn't waver her suspicions one bit...
xxxxx
Saseme's foot steps echoed in the shadowy hall...making her way to a washroom...before being greeted but a pair of jade colored eyes sittinf in wait in those shadows...
"...Saseme..." Gaara's voice graveled out lowly, starting the Uchiha "...You're late..."
"Ahh- Gaa-chan..." she called softly.
Yes...of course he made it...
She thought to herself.
A Test like this is nothing for Gaa-chan at all...they probably made it within a day...
"...I'm sorry." she said softly, "Got a bit lost in the woods...you know I've never really been all that good with directions..."
"Hmm..." Gaara gruffed, "...Maybe not finding directions..." he stated softly, "But I do hope that you still know how to follow them..."
Saseme gulped.
"I...yes...Gaara."
"...Good." he said firmly, "Now hurry up and clean yourself up..." he grumbled as he emerged from the shadows and began to make his way past her down the hall.
"The next step will be starting soon..."
To Be Continued...