Yo!! The last chapter of the Second Arc. Whenever I finish an arc, I always get filled with this sense of fulfillment, because it means that I am just that much closer to finishing the story. Well, let's enjoy!
Side Note: Things are going to speed up a little as of late! Last Friday was my Graduation from High School, so my summer has officially begun as of then. Unless my friends decide to drag me downtown and do something, I should be able to update once a week. If not, then once every two weeks.
Chapter 36: Showdown!! Epilogue: The Paths We Choose.
It was done. With the efforts of the Konoha nin, along with Sand nin, and both Kages, the gates of Sand weren't overtaken. Also the fact that Gamabunta made a quick appearance was also a big help.
Tsunade smiled in relief when the demons just decided to fly away. She guessed their master called it quits. She sighed, and let Koji's black overshirt rest on her shoulder. She then turned, and felt Shizune's chakra pattern. She was then surprised when both Shizune and Sakura appeared, a battle ridden and scarred Koji resting on Shizune's shoulder.
"Tsunade-sama! He needs help!" Shizune said, and Tsunade nodded, picking to boy up and Body Flicking to the hospital.
(Elsewhere)
"Was it a good idea to just leave like that?" Shinji asked. "Yeah. That idiot boy will live to fight another day." Zabuza said. They came to the end of the desert, and Zabuza turned to look at Shinji.
"Boy, you no longer have an obligation to stay with me and Haku. Your path is of your own." Zabuza said. "Thanks, I guess." Shinji said, and Haku smiled. "You will come back to Kiri to visit every once in a while, right?" Haku asked.
"Of course! The first friend I've had lives near there!" Shinji said, as both of them shook on it. Zabuza and Haku left for Mist, while Shinji began to travel the world.
(Hospital)
It had been about an hour since Tsunade began to heal Koji, and she was relieved when he only had suffered from a lot of scratches that only looked bad. He would be better in a few hours.
Tsunade sighed in relief, and held an amused smiled over the worried look Sakura had for the boy. (This could play out interestingly.) Tsunade thought to herself, deciding to go get some sake, and find Jiraiya. She also hoped (though she would never admit it) that Shiro was around.
(Around the Village)
Sanosuke sat on a roof, as bandages were wrapped around his body. He believed he did his part, and was resting. "That was one hell of a battle." Sanosuke turned, to see Zaku taking a seat next to him.
"Hn. Of course you would think so. You are someone who is too brash to think otherwise." Sanosuke said, and Zaku smirked. "You are too jealous of my sheer awesomeness!" Zaku screamed. "The only thing awesome about you is your stupidity."
They both turned, and saw Dosu standing there, with Kin behind him. "You want to try that again, mummy!?" Zaku screamed, with white eyes. "Don't fret over it." Dosu said, and he took a seat as well. Kin sat next to Sanosuke, despite the smirks she got from both Dosu and Zaku.
They all looked to the village, as the people were helping to repair the village. "So, where does it end from here?" Sanosuke asked. "We probably go back to the Shadow Blades, and you are left to you own devices." Dosu said, and Zaku shrugged. "Who knows. Maybe our paths will cross again someday." Zaku said.
"I suppose." Sanosuke said, as Kin leaned her head on his shoulder. Sanosuke smirked a little, and closed his eyes. "Don't worry. If I know Koji, he'll make sure we meet again." Sanosuke said.
(Inside the Hospital)
Koji yawned, and opened his eyes. "Man. What did I do to cause myself to ache like this?" Koji muttered to himself, yawning. He looked around, and recognized this to be a hospital.
"Damn. Must have pissed Sakura off again." Koji joked to himself, and noticed that Sakura was asleep on a desk in the room. "?" Koji didn't understand why she was there, and then his mind flashed back to the battle against Xin.
(That power. What was that? Is that in my body?) Koji thought to himself, as he tried to get to his feet. "You should stay down, baka." Yami said, walking into the room.
"Don't be stupid, Yami! If I stay down, then I'll never get to travel the world!" Koji said, and Yami sighed. "I suppose." Yami said, as Koji cracked his neck. "I feel fine." Koji said, and then he stopped comically, as a loud cracking sound was heard, and Koji fell to his back, anime tears pouring out of his eyes.
"Okay! I'm not fine!" Koji said, and Yami sweat dropped. "I thought so." Yami said.
(On Route to Sound)
"So, what kind of training did you forego teaching me?" Sasuke asked, as him, Orochimaru, and Kabuto stopped in a nearby village. "That's the thing Sasuke-kun. There isn't anything left for me to teach you." Orochimaru said, and Sasuke glared.
"We will need your help if we are going to survive." Kabuto said, and Sasuke looked wary. "If we keep their attention threefold, then it will be all the much more easier to defeat them." Orochimaru explained, and Sasuke nodded slowly. "So you guys need me." Sasuke said. "As much as Konoha needs us alive." Orochimaru said. Sasuke nodded.
(Back in Sand Village)
Koji was released from the hospital after Tsunade took care of all the aches in his body. Happy at his release, he tugged his black shirt back on, and put his necklace back on. He walked out of the hospital, and smiled as all of the Konoha 12 were there, waiting for him.
"Oh boy guys! You didn't need to wait for me." Koji said. "Wait, where's Sasuke?" Koji asked. Everyone looked a little confused, and Naruto averted his eyes to the ground. "You know, don't you?" Neji asked, and Naruto's eyes widened.
"What happened to Sasuke?" Sakura asked. "He's returned to Sound." Naruto said, and everyone's eyes widened. Shino and Neji maintained their stoic faces, and Koji closed his eyes. "Did he leave voluntarily?" Koji asked, and Naruto shook his head.
"Orochimaru said he had some more things to teach Sasuke, and both Tsunade-baa-chan, and Ero-Sennin let him take Sasuke." Naruto said, and the looks of shock adorned everyone's faces. "I see. It can't be helped." Koji said, and Sakura gave him an angry glare.
"That's it!? You let it end at that!?" Sakura screamed, and Koji nodded. "If it wasn't by his choice, then he was probably given the right to leave when everything is said and done." Koji said. "And if he isn't?" Sakura shot back. "Then I guess that there's going to be a big ass Rescue Mission." Koji said, smirking.
(Sand Village Gates)
Zaku, Kin, and Dosu stood across from Sanosuke, as they began to leave for the Shadow Blade base. "So, we'll run into each other again, right?" Zaku asked. "Don't know. Wait till we see what destiny has in store for us." Sanosuke said, as Dosu nodded.
"See you somewhere alone the road." Dosu said, as he began to follow Zaku. Kin stood, her hands behind her back, blushing a little. "You know, if you don't go now, your friends will leave you behind." Sanosuke said. Kin nodded, and Sanosuke smiled, his eyes closed.
"See you down the-" Sanosuke didn't realize that Kin had walked to him, and before he knew it, she had kissed him in the cheek. He blushed furiously, and was the same shade as Kin was. "See you." She said, and ran off after Dosu and Zaku.
Sanosuke looked stunned, and unconsciously brought his hand up to where she had kissed him, and smiled. "Aren't you the player?" Sanosuke turned, and saw Koji there, leaning on the wall, smirking. "So, has Sano found him a crush?" Koji said, making fun of him.
"Shut up!" Sanosuke said, turning darker. Koji chuckled, and patted Sanosuke on the back. "It's cool. Me thinks Kin likes you." Koji said, and Sanosuke shrugged. "So, when do you leave for your great cross country journey?" Sanosuke asked, changing the subject.
"I'm going to crash in Konoha for a few days, and then we leave." Koji said, and Sanosuke nodded. "So, it's almost time." Sanosuke said. "Almost!" Koji said, thrusting his fist into the air.
(Somewhere in the Wind Country Dessert)
Xin walked somewhere about 10 miles from The Sand Village. His plan to kill Koji and take over the Sand Village didn't exactly work, but he gained quite a bit of information. He stopped, as T.K, Blade, and Sidestep appeared in front of him, from their portals.
"So, what do you think of the nin?" Xin asked. "Leave taking this world over to the three of us!" Blade said, smirking, and T.K nodded. "Good. I'm taking a quick walk to Kumo, something important popped up." Xin said, as he disappeared in his portal.
"What's up with him? He seemed like he had something on his mind." Sidestep said. "His issues." T.K said. "He's right. If he needed our help, then he would tell us." Blade said.
ShadowRonin: And so, we come to the end of the Second Arc: The Jounin Exams. Koji has survived another brawl and now he and his friends are waiting for the next set of battles. But for Koji, the battles are not even close to over, nor are the unexpected surprises.
Next Arc: What should have been a short rest soon turns into a whole new set of problems. The twist: None of them involve the Association for now. Unexpected babysitting, (At least to Koji…) new enemies, and a second Phoenix who has it for Sakura!? Koji will be fighting for his life and his beliefs in the next arc:
Tales of a Boy and His Dog: Third Arc: The Grand Adventure: Land of Fire!!
Koji is in for a rude awakening, and a new rival for Sakura!