Normal speech
Thought
Kyuubi/Nine-tails/Other big voices
InnerSakura
A/N:
Disclaimer
I do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form, but I do own the OCs in this story… :-) This is merely for my, and hopefully everyone else's, enjoyment. Thank you!
Recap:
After a few days of spending time with Hinata's relatives, others they had met in the village, and paying their respects, it was time for the group to depart.
Natsuki: It was so nice seeing you again, my precious granddaughters. I wish you could stay longer…
Hanabi: Us too…
Natsuki: Well, I guess I shouldn't make such a big deal about it… We'll see each other again next year. Then you can tell me all about what you've done in the time you were away…
Hinata+Hanabi: Right!
Hinata: Grandmother…! I'll keep on training…! I'll grow stronger and I won't let you down!
Natsuki: *smiles warmly* … I'm sure you won't… I'm sure you'll do your best. I'd love you even if you didn't but promise me something… Work on "you know what" while you can…
Hinata: Hm… What do you mean?
Natsuki: You know… *leans in with her pinky out* … What we talked about… *winks* …
Hinata: *blushing furiously* … Gra-… Grandmother…!
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Hitomi: See ya, hatchling…
Naruto: Would ya knock it off with the hatchling stuff…!?
Hitomi: Well, when you become stronger I might just do that…! Remember what I told you… use your power and your skills and one day you'll definitely become a great warrior…
Naruto: Right!
The group was packed and ready to head out. All that was left was the final goodbyes…
Natsuki: Goodbye everyone…! Feel free to come back again…!
Hitomi: Remember to train hard, "Hatchling"!!
Naruto: Later Old Lady… Grandma Natsuki…! Take it easy, gramps!
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Growls…
Naruto+Yuu: Ohh…. I'm hungry…!
Kiba: When are you two not hungry…
Yuuki looked at Kiba with a death-glare…
Sakura: We'll eat as soon as we return to the hotel… For now, just bear with it…
"Hm… That kid in the orange… there's something unusual about him," a guy with short red hair whispered to his group of friends…
"That's because he's a dragon… like us, right sis?" a girl with short and spiky brown hair stated.
"Right… but I never thought that another one existed…" the girl with long brown, spiky hair replied.
"What do you think…? Conall…" another questioned…
Conall: … I think we just found him… a great guy that will make our dreams come true…
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There was a knock on the door…
"We're sorry to disturb you, but we couldn't help being curious about all the commotion in this room," a girl with long spiky, brown said.
Kakashi: Oh, we're sorry… We'll try to keep it down…
"No, no… Actually we wondered if we might join you…"
Kiba: Sure…! Two beautiful ladies as yourselves are more than welcome…
"Oh… then we should introduce ourselves… I'm Ryuubi and this is my younger sister, Ryuuri," the girl with the long spiky, brown hair stated.
Naruto: Nice to meet ya…! I'm Naruto Uzumaki…!
Kiba: And I'm…
Ryuubi: Naruto Uzumaki…
The two girls made their way into the room and headed right for Naruto. They looked him up and down and all around…
Ryuubi: Um… ok… Anyway, we didn't mean to impose but we were interested in Naruto…
Kiba: Interested in Naruto…!? Ok… what the hell are you up to?
Ryuubi: What do you mean?
Kiba: Why the hell would anybody be interested in Naruto? The only one that is, is Yuuki and she's got a few screws loose… *groans in pain*
Yuuki had kicked Kiba in "a very sensitive area" and was now turning her attention to the girls that were all over her brother…
Yuu: … Even though I know how great my brother Naruto is and all, and I expect for others to understand that as well… I can't help but wonder why exactly you have an interest in him…
Ryuuri: What are you getting at?
Yuu: What if I was to say that I was his lover?
Naruto: She's my sister, she can't be my lover…! On top of that, I'm too young for that type of stuff…!
Ryuubi: So, there's nothing going on between you two… because you're brother and sister…?
Naruto: No. Even though we claim to be brother and sister, we aren't really. That's just how our relationship is…
Ryuubi: I see… I'm happy to hear it because, to answer your question Yuuki, we're interested in Naruto because… he's just like us…
They untied their robes and dropped them to the floor revealing one with a black sleeveless, hooded dress with slits that showed a little of her hips and underwear and short black sandals (the one with short brown hair, Ryuuri); and the other in a black sleeveless dress that showed some cleavage with gold outlines and imprints of dragons, a golden waistband, long black sleeves that extended from her wrists to her elbows, and knee-high boots. Naruto and the others noticed that something was unwrapping from their waists…
Sakura: You have tails…!
Ryuuri: Yeah… we're dragons just like Naruto…
After a satisfying dinner for some, not so much for everyone since no one really got a chance to eat their fill due to the extra mouths and bottomless pits, everyone just sat around. Since he was no longer preoccupied, Yuuki thought that it would be a great time to ambush Naruto and pet him like crazy… Before she could however, Ryuubi, Ryuuri, and Hanabi had beaten her to the punch…
Yuu: Aaaagh…!! Knock it off…!! He's my brother so leave him alone!!
Ryuubi: We're sorry… he's just so cute that we couldn't help ourselves…… I wish I could keep him…
Sakura: You can have him…
Ryuuri: Really!?
Sakura: Of course not…! He isn't a pet…!
Ryuubi: I-I… I didn't mean it like that… What I meant was… there aren't many strong young dragons like us left in the world… so… *with a blush on her face*
Kakashi: You mean you want Naruto to remain here with you…
Sakura+Yuuki+Hinata+Kiba: What?!!
Ryuuri: Right!
Ryuubi: Y-Yeah… if… if it isn't too much trouble… *with a bigger blush on her face*
Kakashi: I can understand where you're coming from… but Naruto is a shinobi of our village…. He has a home and whether others believe it or not, he is needed and wanted there… For him to leave all that behind is all up to him, so… what will it be, Naruto?
Naruto: …I can't leave my village behind because I still have unfinished business there… I'll come and visit whenever I can though or you can come and visit me…
Ryuubi+Ryuuri: *sad tone* …Oh… Ok…
It was getting late so Ryuubi and her sister left. They headed to a dark alley where they met the "others"…
Ryuubi: It won't be as easy as we thought… He'd rather return home…
Ryuuri: What should we do?
Ryuubi: Connor, what does Conall have planned? *looking at the red head boy*
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The next morning Naruto and the others were all packed and ready to go. Naruto expected for the dragon sisters to see them off but…
They left the village and made their way home. Along the way, they were being followed by many figures hidden in the shadows. However good they kept themselves hid, they couldn't escape detection…
Kakashi: So… just how long do you intend on following us? More importantly, why are you following us? If you want us for something, you should show yourselves and so that we could talk face to face…
At the demand of Kakashi they revealed themselves. No one could recognize anyone among them, so they asked who they were. The group of 60 or so men mentioned that they were bandits and that they received an anonymous tip about how they could make some money off of someone in the group…
Kakashi: They intend on kidnapping one of us…!? Could they be after…?
It was a melee of people and weapons. Someone set off in explosive and a thick black cloud smoke filled the area. In all of the commotion, some of the ninjas were separated from the others.
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Kiba: Oh man…! I can't believe we let those weaklings separate us!
Shino: There were too many and in the confusion of battle it just kind of happened…
Sasuke: Even so, we can't just stand around waiting to be found… we could encounter more trouble as well as the others. The sooner we find them the sooner we can get out of here.
Sakura: Sasuke's right…! Your team is known for its tracking capabilities… we should be able to find the others pretty quickly… Though it's convenient to have these two help find the others… I can't help but wish that it was just me and Sasuke alone in this forest, depending on nothing but each other and our love to see us through…
Sakura was shocked from her daydream by a sudden rustling sound…
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Naruto was wandering through the bushes. He came to a clearing and pondered to himself about the current situation. Before he could completely evaluate the situation he began to hear rustling in the bushes behind him…
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Yuu: *grumbles* … Is there no end to these guys…? Don't you know when to call it quits…?
Yuuki had her hands full with a number of the remaining bandits. One of them mentioned that since she isn't the one that they wanted they didn't have to hold back…
Yuu: If that's the way it is… I suggest you do the smart thing and run while you can 'cause I'm the wrong little girl to mess with! *while placing her hands over her face in clawed fashion*
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Hiashi and the other Hyuugas made quick work of the bandits that had emerged from the bushes. There were many in piles all over the place as well as a few craters in the earth…
"So you were able to dispatch the bandits with ease," a voice said from nowhere.
"Of course they did… Conall said not to place too much faith in them getting the job done… Tsubame," another voice spoke beyond the trees.
Tsubame: I guess you're right, Suzume, but at least they did their part and managed to separate the target from the group…
The Hyuugas looked up and in the trees were two young women.
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Kakashi: … So there were more were there…? And I suppose that you're the one behind this…
Conall: My, my… you are a bright one… First you knew that the bandits were after someone in your group and know you've deduced that I'm the mastermind behind all of this… I congratulate you on your sharpness… and as a reward… your death will be swift and painless…!
Kakashi and Kurenai were surrounded by bandits on all sides. There was no hope of escape so they had no choice but to fight. Kakashi could tell that there was something menacing about the mastermind that stood before them…
Kakashi: Kurenai… I'll leave the bandits to you… I want to see what this guy's all about…
Kurenai: You want me to take on countless number of bandits while you face someone one on one…?
Kakashi: Is that a problem?
Kurenai: No, I can handle something like that. It sounds pretty fair, but I can't guarantee that there'll be any left for you when you're done…
Kakashi: That's fine…
The bandits charged and Kakashi and Kurenai retaliated…
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"Well, well, well… there are some mighty interesting and… tasty looking fellows down there… I especially want you, the strange woman said while pointing at Sasuke. "You look like you have some great blood running through your veins," licking her ruby red lips.
Kiba: Just who are you guys anyway?
Shino: Are you friend or foe?
"It seems that the two of you have nice blood running through your veins as well. I'm Ayane… I'll be the one that gives you a pleasant end."
Sakura was appalled… and angry. There was no way she would let some freak like her get a hold of her Sasuke…
Sakura: Hey…!! Why don't you give up and leave now before I have to hurt you…! You freak!
Ayane: Stay out of this! No one was talking to you, you unsightly walking stick…
Sakura: Unsightly… walking stick…!! *cracks her knuckles & grinds her teeth*
Ayane: You'll be nothing but a pest that's in the way. As a matter of fact… why don't you just run off and die alone in the woods… I don't mind the occasional girl… but I doubt you'd even make a decent snack…
She couldn't take anymore. First these two weird girls showed up out of nowhere, and now one was insulting Sakura. It was bad enough that she was disrespecting her but she also targeted Sasuke… She was well beyond pissed…
The one doing all the insulting had introduced herself as Ayane. She had short black hair, wore red lipstick, and a red band around her head. She wore a short black sleeveless dress with red designs that looked like water or blood dripping down over her body. She also had a red obi belt around her waist that draped down behind her and wore black shoes.
The other young woman had brown skin like the other. She wore her golden blonde colored hair up like a crown on her head with a red band holding the end of her hair up and a group of white feathers hanging from the sides of her hair. She wore an all black short dress with nothing across the upper half of her back. On her dress were white patterns that resembled feathers as did her black shoes. On her left hand she wore a single black glove, a black bracer on her right forearm, and she had a bow and arrows draped across her back. From the looks of it, this one was an archer…
Ayane: Yumi, why don't you sit this one out…? As a matter of fact, why don't you go make sure those two sisters don't foul things up…!
She complied and began to change. Black markings began to envelop her face like a helmet. She also sprouted wings and began to fly away leaving the Leaf shinobi to her partner…
Sakura: She's… flying away…
Shino: They must be of the "beast warriors" clan like Naruto, but they're probably different from him as well. The question is… what are they and what are they're weaknesses?
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Naruto was standing alone in a clearing when he heard a rustling in the nearby bushes. From them emerged two shadowy figures…
Naruto: Oh it's you… I guess it only makes sense for you two to find me… Does this mean that you decided to come with us to our village?
Ryuuri: About that…
Before she could finish there was an explosion in another area of the forest…
Naruto: What was that!?
He tried to run in the explosion's direction but was immediately stopped by Ryuubi and Ryuuri who tried to drag him away from it…
Naruto: Wait… What are you doing? We're going the wrong way!
Ryuuri: No we're not… We're heading away from the danger…
Naruto: But the others could be in trouble…! They may need our help…
Ryuubi: They seemed to be the bright bunch so I'm sure that they have the same idea we do… *still dragging Naruto further into the forest*
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Kurenai and Kakashi had finished off the last of the bandits in their area but were having trouble with the mastermind, Conall…
Kakashi: This guy is pretty tough…
Kurenai: Yeah… I guess it's a good thing I decided to join in…
Kakashi: Yeah… he's been going all out from the start… I haven't even had the time to lift my headband…
Kurenai: I'll cover you… I'll keep him distracted just long enough for you to take advantage…
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Conall: … So you finally decided to make your move… but wait… What's with your eye?
Conall quickly closed his eyes and jumped back and away from Kakashi. He had been watching Kakashi's eye from the moment he noticed the color, and when he was close enough he could quickly tell what it was…
Conall: I see… The Sharingan… the deadly ninja tool of the Uchiha clan… but I had heard that they were all but wiped out… That either makes you a survivor, the one responsible, or… "Kakashi of the Sharingan"…
Kakashi: So you know of me, well… I'm flattered…
Conall: Likewise… If defeating you doesn't gain me some recognition then… I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL!! *charging at Kakashi*
Kakashi quickly sidestepped Conall's thrust and stabbed his kunai into his abdomen.
Unfazed, Conall began to morph and grabbed Kakashi's arm. He began pounding him with close ranged punches and kicks. To finish things after his flurry of shots, Conall released Kakashi's arm to stab him with his kunai. Kakashi took this opportunity to put some distance between him and Conall.
Kakashi looked at his opponent in hopes of finding some weak point he could exploit. He noticed dog-like ears sticking up from Conall's head. His former grey hair had turned entirely black and his blue eyes were now a golden yellow. He also had two sharp fangs protruding from his mouth and claws that looked like they could rip through steel. Kakashi also noticed Conall's big fluffy, black tail…
Kakashi: So he's similar to Naruto… I wonder if he still has that weakness or if he's improved himself… *sizing up his opponent* … In this form he's going to be even tougher… If I can't apply enough pressure, he could rip me to shreds and because I targeted his tail… he may just rip those shreds to shreds and probably eat the remains just to prove a point… *sizing up his opponent one last time* … It's either that or I try everything I can just to try and stall until reinforcements arrive…
Conall looked at the calculating Kakashi and bared his sharp fangs in an eerie smile…
Kakashi: Well… here goes everything…
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Ayane: I can smell it…! I can't wait to taste your sweet nectar…!
Sakura+Kiba: Sweet… nectar…?
Ayane: How should I go about it…? Should I cut you into pieces and drink from them, should I simply kill you and drink from your corpses as they slumber in a beautiful everlasting slumber, or… I know… I'll disable you and suck you dry as you lay there screaming for sweet release…! *licking her lips*
Sasuke: As if we'd give you the chance… We'll see to it that we defeat you and find the others… *taking out a kunai, shuriken, and wire*
Ayane: That's it…! That's why I want you the most!! I'll enjoy you all the more after you watch as I gruesomely kill your friends!!
Sakura: I won't let that happen!! If you want Sasuke, you're gonna have to go through me first! *pulling out a kunai*
Ayane quickly advanced and grabbed Sasuke with her feet and slammed him to a nearby tree, pinning him…
Ayane: Haha… Looks like the perfect time for a little snack… *opening her mouth and approaching Sasuke's neck*
As she prepared to take a bite, she was stopped by a sharp pain in her butt. She screamed in pain and turned to see that Sakura had thrown a kunai…
Sakura: I told you… you have to go through me first! *pulling out another kunai*
Ayane was seething. She released Sasuke who plummeted to the ground below. Ayane pulled the kunai out of her butt and flew at Sakura. She avoided a few shurikens thrown at her with her aerobatics and quickly swooped up Sakura with her feet. She flew higher and higher as Sakura screamed for help.
Realizing that she could fall to her death at any moment, Sakura reached up to better her grip. Suddenly, the boys could see that the girls were plummeting from the sky…
The two streaked to the earth…
Ayane: Le… Let… go…!
Screaming for her life and feeling it better than going down with the ship, Sakura released her grip on Ayane's tail. She crashed through the treetops for a few seconds and was now on a collision course with the ground…
In the nick of time, Shino's bugs caught her before she crashed. The boys watched to see if Ayane would meet the very fate that Sakura was lucky enough to avoid, but… it wasn't so…
At the very last second, Ayane regained her composure and glided through the air just inches above the ground. The boys were shocked to see this as they were sure that she had no chance of recovering in time…
Ayane: Damn that stupid little pink haired bitch! I'll kill her for that…!
The boys stood up and faced their opponent…
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In different parts of the forest, both Yuuki and Hinata were running around frantically searching for any signs of the others… mainly Naruto. They could hear the explosions and could imagine the destruction being caused. For now… the only thing they could do was hope that everyone, especially Naruto, wasn't involved…
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Naruto: Ryuubi… Ryuuri… just where are you taking me?
Ryuubi: Somewhere safe for the moment… *stopping in front of a cave*
Naruto followed the sisters into the dark cave but he still didn't understand why. Why would they lead him to somewhere that's safe but neglect to help the others…?
Ryuubi: N-Naruto…
Ryuuri: Let's have some fun!
Seeing that he was taking forever to figure out what they meant, Ryuuri and Ryuubi patted the ground and told Naruto to take a seat between them. Naruto looked at the spot and noticed that the two were sitting on something. From the looks of it… it was some kind of bedding… a bunch of pillows and covers…
Ryuubi: Just… Just watch and we'll show you… Ryuuri…
Ryuuri grabbed her sister's hand and looked into her eyes. Right in front of Naruto they both leaned in and…
Naruto was in disbelief. He couldn't believe what he had seen… or thought he had seen. Just as they were inches away from each other's face, a strong gust blew into the cave and extinguished their light.
Ryuuri: You liked it right…?
Ryuubi: The… The kiss…
She began blushing furiously as she fawned over the thought…
Ryuuri: … Uh… sis…
Ryuubi: Ye-Yes… *eyes still closed*
Ryuuri: *flatly* … He's running away…
Ryuubi: That's nice… *still lost in thought*…… Wait, what!?
She opened her eyes and sure enough Naruto was gone. The two sisters quickly ran out of the cave to see Naruto still running. They gave chase calling out to him in hopes that he would stop and at least give them a chance to explain…
Ryuuri: NARUTO!! WAIT… HEAR US OUT!
Ryuubi: WE NEED YOU!!
Naruto: I'D LOVE TO HELP BUT… I'M TOO YOUNG TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT!! *still running through the forest*
Ryuubi: YOU DON'T NEED TO RUN AWAY…! WE CAN TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME!
A Proposal
Hinata: Where...? Where is everyone? There are explosions all over, but... which one...... which should I check? Should I even risk getting too close?
She stopped in momentarily to catch her breath and listened as the ringing of the explosions echoed throughout the forest...
The thoughts of all her friends, teammates, and family ran through her mind to answer her question...
Hinata: Of course...! It's a risk I have to take! They all could be in trouble and I have to do my best to help them! I promised my grandmother I would!
She heard another explosion and decided that that would be where she would head next, but... after taking one step, she began to feel a searing pain in her head. Her eyes flashed and began to turn an amber color. A vision, a premonition, filled her head as she witnessed something that could potentially take part sometime in the near future.
She dropped the visor of her H.A.L.O. over her head and searched the forest as best she could. After a brief migrain, she changed her direction and headed deeper into the forest...
Kurenai was in shock as to what she had just witnessed. The surrounding area had been devastated… and by just two shinobi. Trees had been charred, cut, broken, and splintered. Numerous ninja tools lay about in broken fashion as a testament to Conall's strength, and now it looked like Kakashi was running out of ideas…
Conall attacked again and Kakashi quickly disappeared underground, being missed by a hair. Conall looked around and waited in anticipation for where he might pop out next. As he expected, Kakashi burst out behind him and attempted to grab a hold of his big, bushy tail…
Conall reacted quickly and in one swipe of his sharpened claws… slashed Kakashi's frame in half. As the pieces hit the ground, they went up in smoke, cluing Conall and Kurenai in on what really happened…
Suddenly, Conall could feel his power slipping away. He turned back to see that in the very hole he had disappeared into, was Kakashi with his tail in hand. Conall began to revert back to normal as his features began to disappear and his tail became smaller and more refined.
Conall did all he could to fight it and maintain himself. Every now and then he would regain a feature only to have it disappear or revert again…
Conall: You… bastard…! Let go…! Let go of my… tail…!! *snarling at Kakashi* … You're nothing but a coward Kakashi… You knew that you would lose and so… you grabbed my tail out of desperation…
Kakashi: You're right… I knew that if the fight dragged on I would probably lose, so I grabbed your tail… Think what you want of me… but I'm going to live to tell the tail (tale)… * pulling out a kunai*
He lunged at Conall as he tried to cycle through seals. Before he could finish things, something caught his attention out the corner of his eye…
Kurenai: KAKASHI! LOOK OUT…!!
In one swift motion he sliced one perpetrator to his right and another to his left. He quickly realized that there was a problem. In the confusion he had released his hold on Conall's tail, allowing him to go free.
Conall retreated into the forest to recompose himself. Kakashi was shocked to see that the ones responsible for saving the enemy, Conall… was Conall himself. On the ground laid two bodies… both with the very same appearance as Conall. They suddenly disappeared but in a strange way…
Kurenai: Shadow Clones…
Kakashi: Something like that… When they dispersed… they looked to melt into the ground instead of going up in smoke…
Conall: Very perceptive Kakashi… *talking from a hidden location* … The technique I just used is a specialty of my clan. It allows the user to make copies of himself like the "Shadow Clone" jutsu but the copies aren't as weak and are as capable as the user…
Kakashi: Clan jutsu…?
Conall: Yes… I'll show you…
Naruto had been running through the forest when he finally came to a stop. The sisters caught up to him and they could see that he was still in search of his friends. From what they could tell, Naruto's friends were scattered throughout the forest or engaged in fights…
Suddenly, they sensed a familiar person nearby. From the bushes emerged Naruto's sister, Yuuki. She looked like she had been through hell…
Naruto: Yuuki…! Are you ok?
Yuu: Yeah… I'm fine, I… I'm just glad that I finally found you… *running over and hugging Naruto*
While this was happening, Ryuubi and Ryuuri gave each other a look. Ryuubi walked over and grabbed Naruto by the wrist and began leading him away…
Yuu: Wait…! What's going on? Where are you going with my brother!?
Naruto: Yeah, what are you doing Ryuubi? We have to help the others…
Ryuubi: We'll get to that, but first… you need to come with me… Ryuuri and Yuuki can go and help the others while you help me…
Naruto: Huh? What's going on? We should stick together and look for everyone else…
Ryuubi: That's just what we're gonna do… Ryuuri just wanted to be alone with your sister to ask her something in private… *leading him away*
She dragged Naruto off and left Ryuuri and Yuuki alone…
Yuu: … So what are you so secretive about that you wanted to talk to me alone?
Ryuuri: I just wanted to see for myself… You're not a normal girl, I can smell it…
Yuu: I figured that you would… For a while there, I thought you would blab my secret…
Ryuuri: … Why do you hide what you are?
Yuu: Why do you care? *snidely*
Ryuuri: … I don't… but since you're gonna be that way… I guess the time for talk is over…
Yuu: That's good to hear because I've been itching to kick you and your sister's tails!
Naruto was still being lead deeper into the forest by Ryuubi…
Naruto: Ryuubi… *no response* … Ryuubi… *no response* … RYUUBI…!
Ryuubi: What…?
Naruto: Shouldn't we wait for the others…?
Ryuubi: There's no time… we have to get out of here before we're interrupted again… *stops and pauses* … It figures someone would find us all the way out here… *grumbling to herself*
She and Naruto turned to their left and looked up the hill. There stood…
Ryuubi: … You…
Naruto: There you are… Where have you been Hinata?
Ryuubi: So I guess that we can never be alone without someone else butting in, Naruto… Looks like both of our friends came to check up on us…
Naruto: Huh!? *turning to his right*
From the shadows of the bushes came another figure. Naruto could tell that it was someone that could use chakra but couldn't tell who…
Naruto: Who are you? *as the figure slowly made its way into the clearing*
"My name is Connor and I'm a friend of Ryuubi… It's nice to finally meet you."
The guy, Connor, had short, spiky brown hair and eyes with a scar shaped like a crescent moon over his right eye. He wore a light blue sleeveless shirt with a black paw print in the center of his chest. On his wrists were black bands with blue lines on each side that stretched from his hands to his elbows. He wore long black shorts and black shoes. From the looks of him, he looked to only be about 15 or 16.
Naruto: What do you want?
Connor: My, my… so informal, but I guess I'll tell you what I'm here for… What I want…… is you!
Naruto: What?!!
Ryuubi: I'm sorry Naruto… Forgive me…
She raised her hand behind Naruto's head and prepared to strike…
Hinata: NARUTO! LOOK OUT…!!
Naruto jumped away before Ryuubi could make a swing…
Naruto: Ryuubi…? What are you doing?
Ryuubi: I… I'm sorry Naruto, but you have to come with us. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get you… *begins to morph*
An explosion was heard and many of the others could see dark smoke rising…
Kakashi: …That isn't good… Someone else may be in trouble, but I can't just simply run off to see what's going on… This guy… there's no way I can beat him on my own… not with that jutsu of his. One's already too fast and strong for me to get in a good shot, and more is making this a horrible day… My only choice is…
Kakashi had taken shelter behind a tree to avoid an onslaught of flying ninja tools. He was really starting to feel the effects of the battle catching up to him…
Kakashi: This guy is pretty tough… *peeking around the tree* … Hey… Conall, right…? How old are you?
Conall: … 18… Why do you ask?
Kakashi: I was just thinking what an exceptional shinobi you make… and at such a young age…
Conall: Yeah, so… What's your point?
Kakashi: Well… I'm sure you plan on walking away from this battle with your life… I certainly plan to, so why don't we just go our separate ways for now to maybe battle another day…
Conall: I knew it… You are a coward… You know you can't beat me so you want me to spare your life so that one day we can "battle again". Too bad for you that I won't allow that… You and your comrades will die here and I'll be one step closer to getting what I want…
Kakashi: And what do you want?
Conall: That's none of your damn business!!
Kakashi: Ok… You know, we don't have to do this…
Conall: Oh yes we do… There's someone among you that I want, and the rest of you have to die so that an entire village doesn't come hunting me down… It's that simple…!
The ground beneath Conall began to crumble and from it emerged Kakashi grabbing for the tail again. Conall jumped back in time to avoid getting caught…
Conall: (growls)… You bastard…!
Kakashi: I was hoping that it wouldn't come to this, but it looks like I have no choice…
Kakashi began cycling through hand seals. Before he could finish, he felt five sharp claws rip into his body. Conall looked Kakashi in his none sharingan eye and prepared to deliver the finishing blow…
Conall: As if you could win…
From the trees jumped another Kakashi but Conall knocked him away with one well placed kick to the gut. He crashed into a tree and went up in a cloud of smoke…
Conall turned his attention back to the Kakashi he had at the end of his claws. He jumped back in time to avoid having his throat slit, compliments of Kakashi. A safe distance away, Conall felt a warm sensation on his neck. He placed his hand to it and saw that blood was seeping from a slash under his jaw. When he looked up he noticed that Kakashi was gone…
Conall: … YOU BASTARD!! YOU THINK YOU CAN RUN AND HIDE FROM ME…!!? I'LL TRACK YOU DOWN NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO!! *howling at the end*
The howl echoed through the forest…
Connor: That howl…… Hehehe…
Naruto: What's so funny?
Connor: That howl just now… it came from my older brother and it seems that he's about to get serious… I feel sorry for whoever crosses his path now… Hahaha…
Naruto: You bastard…! Don't laugh…!
Connor: Why not? All of your comrades are gonna die… and all for some pathetic, insignificant little lizard that probably doesn't even deserve the life he has…
Naruto: Exactly… that's why…
Connor: Hm…
Naruto: That's why… I HAVE TO GET BY YOU AND HELP THEM! *charging*
Connor: Heh… Fool…! *quickly throwing a punch*
Expecting to feel some form of sensation as Naruto collided with his fist, Connor was surprised when there was nothing… Nothing that is until he felt a fist collide with his chin from underneath…
With an uppercut, Naruto caused Connor to soar through the air for a brief second before crashing to the ground. Feeling a little groggy, Connor sat up and began to slowly make it back up to his feet…
Naruto: It'd be best if you just stayed down…!
Connor got up and looked at Naruto with intense eyes, but before he knew it he was right back on the ground. This continued to happen again and again until Connor stayed put for a second. While he was down, he began to piece together just what was happening…
Connor: … I could have sworn that I should have hit him with that first punch… *thinks back to how his fist appeared to be right in the face of a fading Naruto* … Wait a minute…! When he did that, I could see the sun almost clearly… Did he somehow phase through my attack? That can't be the case because he left an image that was clearly right in front of me but then he attacked from a blind spot…
Mulling over the first and the other many times Naruto did this, it finally donned on him…
Connor: … I see… *standing up with a smirk on his face* … Maybe I was wrong in underestimating you… brat…! You are a "dragon" after all…
Naruto: Glad to see that you're finally getting it, but I don't have time to stay here and play with you.
Connor: Don't worry… It'll all be over before you know it. It's time to turn it up a notch…
Connor's appearance began to change as his brown hair turned white and his eyes became a crimson red. His teeth turned to fangs and his fingernail became claws. His tail also extended and became bushier as the fur turned white…
Naruto took one look at Connor and was surprised…
Naruto: … You… You're like me…!
Connor: No…… I'm better…!
Naruto: … Oh yeah…! We'll see about that…! *charging*
Naruto went in with a frontal attack and continued until Connor tried to counter. His attack went right through Naruto's afterimage and Naruto quickly capitalized…
In one swift kick to the gut, Connor put an end to this attempt and shined a light on how he accomplished this…
Connor: Thanks to those two "dragon sisters", I'm quite used to fighting tough opponents. You may be quick, but your attack is no match for a true predator's senses. No matter how fast the prey is, the predator will figure some way to catch them. From now on, that little trick of yours won't work on me…
Conall was running all through the forest in search of Kakashi, when he suddenly picked up on something…
Conall: … Ah… So that's where you are… Going to help your comrade, huh?
He let out an eerie howl that once again filled the forest. It wasn't long before 7 other Conalls showed up. With an evil grin on each and every one of their faces, they left in pursuit…
Ryuubi heard the howl as did everyone in the forest…
Ryuubi: … You seem like a nice girl Hinata… you shouldn't get involved in this… As long as you don't interfere, I may be able to get the others to spare your life.
Hinata: What…? What are you saying? Why are you doing this?
Ryuubi: Our clan is dwindling down to nothing… My sister and I could use Naruto's help in keeping it strong and going…
Hinata: W-Why does it have to be Naruto?!
Ryuubi: We could try with other "beast warriors" but the chances of the offspring being dragons are mighty slim… With a dragon like Naruto whose strong even at such a young age it's almost guaranteed to produce great results…
Hinata: Almost…?
Ryuubi: … There's more to Naruto than him just being a dragon… from what I can tell there are more than just dragons in his lineage… And what's worse is that he isn't even a full-blooded "beast warrior"... but he's the best we can do at the moment… probably ever. It may be difficult to revive our clan due to the fact that it's rare for a dragon to even be born… even among two full-blooded members…
Hinata: … I see… Your situation is tough, that much I understand… but it doesn't explain why you are willing to cause harm to others… You could have come along with us to our village and… and tried to r-revive your clan there… E-Even though I kind of don't want it to happen because…… Well… I was willing to step aside as long as Naruto was happy. I even thought we could be friends…
Ryuubi: … As long as… Naruto is happy…?... Hinata, you… have feelings for Naruto, don't you…? *looks at a blushing Hinata* … I'm glad that you can be so understanding… I promise that I will do all I can to take care of Naruto and make sure that he is happy… Maybe with your help I can convince him to come along with us and…
Hinata: NO!!! *shaking her head*
Ryuubi: … What…?
Hinata: No! You manipulating Naruto into going with you is unacceptable…! If… If he were to choose you… then I probably wouldn't mind, but you holding your respective clan's future over his head is no way to do things!
Ryuubi: …… I thought you understood my plight… I… I thought we could be friends as well and… I even thought that I could name you as the godmother to my children, but… since I have no choice… you won't even be around…!! *beginning to transform once again*
Explosions could be heard all around him, but Naruto couldn't let that distract him. In order to help his friends he would need to find a way to get by his opponent…
Naruto got up and created a few shadow clones. Connor was surprised to see this but he didn't have enough time to enjoy the sight as they all attacked…
Connor quickly threw up his guard. Right before his eyes, he could see the Narutos leaving multiple afterimages…
Connor: I told you… that won't…
He was hit by a punch to the face and stumbled back. Before he could recover he was hit again and again… and again. To try and make up for his lack of defense, Connor began to swing wildly in hopes of connecting. After a few tries he finally got lucky and slashed one of the Narutos that disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Connor looked on as the Naruto he eliminated left 7 Narutos in total. It finally occurred to him what he should do. He quickly cycled through hand seals only to be propelled into the air by a few kicks from Naruto. Adamant about finishing his technique, Connor managed to continue on until he saw a Naruto spinning through the air…
Naruto: "Naruto… Uzumaki's Barrage"!!
Naruto connected with a spinning axe kick that sent Connor crashing into the ground. Thinking that it was over, the Narutos turned to leave… only to have chills go up and down their spines. They turned to see that the ground was beginning to freeze over as white mist crept towards them...
Connor: … I know that we're supposed to take you alive… but right now… I can't help but want to kill you!
Connor stepped from the mist along with six more of himself…
Ryuubi could feel that Connor had increased his chakra output. She could tell that there was trouble…
Ryuubi: (growls)… I don't have time for this! Naruto is in danger… I have to help him…
Hinata: Naruto's in trouble…!?
Ryuubi: Looks like it's your lucky day… I won't finish you now, but if we ever cross paths again… you're as good as dead!
She flew away and Hinata quickly gave chase in hopes of getting to Naruto before it was too late…
She followed Ryuubi until she noticed something happening up ahead…
Suzume: Ryuubi…!
Ryuubi: … I'm going on ahead… Don't let anyone pass…!
The Hyuugas watched as the dragon girl flew by. They were curious about what was beyond the area that she was in such a hurry to get to…
Hinata: Father…! Sister…! Neji…!
Hanabi: Sister! You're ok!! I was worried…!
Hiashi: Hinata…! Are you hurt?
Hinata: No, I'm fine but I have to go after her… Naruto is in trouble…!
Neji: We'd like to be of some assistance but we're having difficulty defeating these opponents…
Hiashi: They're able to attack from a distance and make sure not to get too close…
Hinata looked over to a pile of bandits that her family must have defeated. With this she realized that they must have seen what they could do and this was why they knew to keep a safe distance…
Hinata: … If they're going to make this a ranged fight… then I guess I'm the one best suited to be their opponent…
Hiashi: … Hinata…
End of chapter...
The forest is in shambles due to the on-going devastation it's receiving...
A fight breaks out between Naruto and Connor as he tries to get to his friends...
Next chapter: A chill in the air...