Hey guys, I decided to do something really long and good for Chapter 20. Hope you like it too. I only did Fu and Han but I guess I tried to do something meaningful for the both of them. AND THIS IS SUPER LATE. I know, I know. I suck. But nobody's perfect! And being in college doesn't help :(
Fu's POV
Fu's eyes snapped open. At first everything was one big blur. Several figures moved in unison, like a dance. The world slowly came into focus and Fu was aware of the sharp pain that coursed through her body. Her body was somehow free of the burning log that had supposedly crushed her.
"Up…" A voice said. "Get up!"
A man with auburn hair and honey colored eyes was shaking Fu violently. She sat up, ignoring quickly fading pain.
"Han?" Fu asked, her memory slowly returning.
"There's no time for questions. Just get up!" He shouted.
Fu got to her feet and looked around. The air was still filled with smoke and the tree was completely engulfed in fire. Crowds of people were still screaming and crying, some were laying on the ground, unresponsive.
Han's hand closed around Fu's and the two began to run in the direction the mass of people were heading. Sejio-Ro. The name flashed through Fu's mind in an instant. Is he alive? Is my mother alive? She turned around to take a look at the mansion just as a plume of smoke rose into the air and a humongous purple snake appeared next to it. It's yellow eyes scanned the crowd. It looked hungry. Very hungry.
"HAN!" Fu screamed. The snake was searching for them. Fu could tell by Han's torn gray prison clothes that he was in no condition to fight anything. And Fu had no chakra left, she couldn't pull out her wings either. The multitude of civilians blocked any exit Fu knew of.
"I know! Stay low and don't stare at it!" Han called back.
Fu could barely even see the snake through the black smoke and the blazing fire, which had spread fast since Fu had last seen it. Most houses were gone, reduced to nothing by the merciless flames. A few stood but it was only a matter of time before The Great Waterfall Tree was gone.
Maybe a matter of time before Fu was gone.
Out of the thick gray, she could see the snake move, first it hissed loudly, then slammed itself down on a couple houses and a good chunk of the natives. Fu quickly lost her balance when the snake hit the ground and fell, taking Han with her.
"Shit!" Han cursed. It seemed like he couldn't even get up.
"Han, we have to find some way to escape. There's no way we'll live at this rate." Fu pleaded. Han looked at her with sad eyes, he knew just as much as Fu that they had no choice.
An enormous scream rose from the people. A gigantic chunk of the tree had broken off and crushed the area that most of the people were heading towards. On top of that, the snake was slithering around, eating anything that got in its way. It's massive body seemed to circle around Fu, Han, and a couple other people until they were completely closed in with no escape.
"Mommy! Help!" A child screamed, he sat on the ground crying and holding his leg.
Chomei, Fu immediately said. The sight of the poor boy that might die was too much. Fu wondered if she should turn herself in and save what was left of the village.
No. Don't. You have a second chance at life. Don't sacrifice yourself now. Chomei responded.
Before Fu could say anything more, a person emerged from the snake's open mouth. His skin was pale and scaly while his eyes were ringed with purple. His pupils were dark slants giving him the appearance of a snake. His grin was toothy and menacing.
"Well, hello there! Do you like what I've done with the place?" The man laughed.
"What the hell!? You did this?" Fu questioned, getting onto her feet.
"Does it really matter? It's not like you cared for it anyway." The man answered.
Mom...Fu thought as she grit her teeth, "You're a bastard! Leave me alone!"
"Oh, but my accomplice is just begging to have you. After all, with the war starting in a few days time, we need some...reliable assets."
"Why us?" Han spoke up. Most of the people enclosed in the space were quiet and huddled together. They gazed in awe at the conversation.
"Why do you think? You've been blessed and cursed by these creatures. We intend to use them to bring destruction to this world. Of course, in the end I won't need my little partner in crime and I can dispose of him."
"If you think we'll just hand ourselves over, you have the wrong idea!" Han shouted, standing in front of Fu protectively.
"Han…" Fu whispered. She looked at the bulky man now. His back was burnt and blood was running down his face from his forehead. Neither of them could fight, so what hope did they have?
"Ah ah ah. Not so fast." The man said. The snake opened its mouth again, this time releasing four others. The leaf and rock ninjas exited, in their hands was Fu's mother and Sejio-Ro.
"No!" Fu screamed, she moved and ran towards her mother who stared at Fu pitifully.
The snake man held his arms out in front of him and white snakes erupted from them. They charged at Fu with their mouths open.
All of a sudden, chakra began to course through Fu and increase her strength dramatically.
Chomei, you-
Don't, Fu. Just take down that bastard. Chomei said.
Fu smiled and slid across the ground while the snakes sailed over her. She rolled to the side then got to her feet.
"Scale Armor!" She yelled forming a fist with her hand. Her arm began to turn blue, encased in a shield of armor.
Snake Man released more of his snakes, this time aiming for Fu's neck. She lifted her arm in front of her and the snakes bit down onto her armor. She then pulled her arm back, throwing the snakes behind her.
"Hayate! Knock her out!" Snake Man ordered pointing to the leaf ninja. He dropped Fu's mother and unsheathed his sword. He then ran towards Fu swinging his blade around. He's fast. Fu thought as the sword connected with her armor.
Hayate pushed the blade forward with his weight and it merely scratched Fu's cheek. He then turned his sword so that it cut in Fu's direction.
"Shit!" She cursed as she used her arm to defend against the blade. It cut into her skin making her wince as the blood began to flow from the open wound. She quickly retreated away until she felt the cold, scaly snake skin against her back.
She heard another yell. She looked back as Han attacked the rock ninja. He threw a weak punch in his direction and the Iwa ninja delivered a blow to his side. To Fu's shock, Han was engulfed in a large explosion.
"Han!" She screamed but she couldn't allow herself to run to him. She turned toward Hayate and Snake Man. They had her mother, the only person that loved her throughout her entire life. Yet with it was Sejio, a tyrant and monster. She then turned back towards Han, who was being beaten down by the Iwa ninja. I can only save one of them. She realized. The reality of it all seemed to erase all the hope and courage she mustered. In her hands was the lives of people that she cared for and only one of them was getting out of Takigakure alive.
"Hayate!" Snake Man shouted. Hayate turned back to his master, nodded and faced Fu, unfazed.
A tear ran down Fu's cheek as she made her choice. She looked at Han, then at her mother. I'm sorry, She thought as the tears came rushing down like a waterfall. I'm sorry for everything.
Han's POV
"Han! Go, quickly!" Shota yelled at Han.
"Shota, please...they're gonna kill you." Han pleaded in response. His auburn hair draped over his back and tears were rushing down his tanned face.
"No, it's over for me. Take Nanare, mom and dad are waiting at the pass. Do this for me. I beg you." Shota whispered. His eyes were glued to Han's and the blood running from his mouth gave him a serious look.
Han heard the yells from far away. They would be here soon and they would take him away. Shota...no…Han sniffed and wiped the tears away, but they kept coming.
"Listen, brother and listen well. You're strong, better than me...at everything. I wish I could watch you grow and see how you change but I can't. My tale stops here but yours will carry on. I…" He began to get up and stumbled over to Han. His arms wrapped around Han and he hugged him tightly, "I'll buy you time. Just run and don't look back okay? They won't take you to become a heartless weapon."
Han could only blink as his brother released him and turned toward the silent forest.
"I love you both more than anything." Shota said.
The sounds from afar were getting closer and Shota faced it without fear, his shoulders raised and his chin high. Han turned toward Nanare, who just stared ahead without seeing. Han closed his eyes, took a deep breath then ran towards his sister, he picked up the girl and swung her over his shoulder. She cried out and pummeled his back in defense but Han ignored it. Take Nanare, mom and dad are waiting at the pass. Shota's words passed through Han's mind as he darted through the trees.
"Let go of me! He's gonna die! He's gonna die!" Nanare shouted.
"Shut up! Those ninjas are gonna catch us and kill us if you keep screaming!" Han ordered.
Nanare become silent, but Han could hear her sobbing and feel her shaking. Better for her to hate me then for her to die. Han thought.
A sparkle caught Han's eyes and then a bright flame. He squinted to figure out what it was and suddenly he saw it. The kunai with the paper bomb attached to it. A bright explosion blew Han off of his balance, causing Nanare to launch off of his shoulder and hit the ground with the yell.
"Don't move you little brat!" A raspy voice commanded.
Han to face a dwarf-sized man with a brown beard and straight brown hair, his arms were crossed and he was levitating in the air. Han recognized him immediately.
"You're...Ohnoki. You're the Tsuchikage's student aren't you!" Han realized.
"Well, my fame precedes me. I hope you understand, child. This is nothing personal, we need a jinchuuriki who can handle the Five-Tails and only you are suitable for that position. So stop running around and face your destiny!" Ohnoki said.
"I won't let you control my fate! I have a right to choose who and what I want to be in this world, not you!" Han argued.
"Then if you won't come voluntarily, I'll use force." Ohnoki muttered.
Han quickly began to make hand signs, he then placed both hands on the ground, "Earth Style: Mud Trap!"
The ground below Ohnoki grew more wet and muddier, it suddenly rose up from the ground to envelope the man. He flew higher upwards, then shot straight down towards Han.
Han avoided Ohnoki's head butt by sidestepping then charged back at him, punching him directly in the cheek. He flew backwards, skidding across the ground and slowing himself down by using his hands and feet.
"Han! Help me!" Nanare suddenly screamed. Han turned to his sister to see her being grabbed by Iwagakure ninja. she resisted but she was too weak to defend against them.
"Stop! You sons of...let her go!" Han yelled. "Earth Style: Deadly Spikes!"
Rocks rose from the ground and pierced through the two Iwa ninja while Nanare ducked and curled into a ball.
Han ran over to Nanare as more reinforcements arrived, "Get on my back, now."
Nanare nodded and climbed onto her brothers back. Han took a note of how frightened she looked. Her light brown hair was frayed and covered with mud and sticks and her eyes were wide with fear.
"Stop him! Don't let him escape!" One of the ninja commanded.
Han jumped onto one of the tree branches and moved as fast as he could. Nanare whimpered and Han let out heavy breaths. All he had to do was get to the pass. If he got to the pass then he and Nanare would be safe. Safe and sound.
"I don't want to die." Nanare whispered. Her arms closed around Han's chest more tightly, "I wanna see mommy and daddy again. I wanna get married and all that stuff."
"You won't die, alright? If anything happens just run away as fast as you can. No matter what you hear or what you see, don't come back. Run and don't look back." Han told her. He heard her sob once more.
"I will. I promise." She responded.
A little of the weight on Han's shoulders lifted.
Han landed on the ground, beginning to run as fast as his legs could take him. The pass was only a few feet away from where Han was and he would soon arrive. Then he and his family would escape.
Without Shota.
"Han! Look!" Nanare pointed to the pass in the distance. It was a crack in the mountains that surrounded Iwagakure that you could easily pass through if you found the secret lever. The only reason Han knew about it was because his father was Lord Mu's brother. But what really caught his eye was Lord Mu himself. He stood, wrapped in bandages like always with a stern expression. His arms were crossed and his mother and father kneeled before him. Five Iwagakure ninja backed him up and there were undoubtedly more converging on this position.
"What do we do?" Nanare whispered.
"I...I don't know. I have to distract them somehow," I answered.
"But...that's Uncle Mu. He's the Tsuchikage too," Nanare pointed out.
"I noticed," Han replied in annoyance. He looked over Lord Mu and the other ninja by his side. He turned around and could see the shadows of ninja moving through the trees. He removed his tattered shirt and pulled out a kunai with a paper bomb attached.
"I'll cause an explosion and try and make some of the rocks collapse onto the ninja. You run through the pass as soon as you hear a boom. I'll be right behind you, I swear." Han instructed. Nanare nodded and ran into the bushes.
And then Han moved, first he threw the kunai in one swift movement. It landed a foot above Mu's head. The Tsuchikage looked upwards as the paper bomb exploded and boulders rained down on them. Han began to run towards his parents, who were desperately crawling away from the chaos. But then Han's eyes spotted the large boulder that could easily crush his parents in an instant. Han quickened his pace but there was no way he could reach them in time. They would die, it would be inevitable.
"No!" Han screamed reaching for them in a desperate last effort.
But then the rocks stopped falling. It seemed like time had stopped. But the Iwa ninja were still panting and scrambling around. Mu remained still, looking upwards at the rocks suspended in air.
"What!?" Han exclaimed. The rocks flew back into the air and landed somewhere in the forest. Several birds flew away.
"I was wondering when you'd show up. Took you long enough." Mu said. He faced Han with no surprise or shock on his face.
"You...you let my parents go!" Han ordered. He tries to look tough, but he wanted more than anything to crawl under a rock and hide.
"How about no?" Mu said, "You're a fool. An ignorant brat. You don't understand anything about what you must do, what's good for the village. Sealing Kokuo within you will bring peace to Iwagakure! The seal is about to be broken, she won't be trapped forever and she needs some vessel. You will become that vessel. Unless you want a beast to completely destroy Iwagakure I suggest you give up now! Maybe then I won't kill your sister and your parents."
Han's eyes widened, he turned to see Nanare, limp and unconscious, hanging by Ohnoki's hand.
"Just give in now and maybe we won't kill your family. Shota's already gone, you want to lose all of them?" Mu said.
The sound of Shota's name enraged Han. Red tinted his vision and he charged at his uncle, yelling in a blind rage.
Mu lifted a rock from nearby and threw it at Han, it hit Han's stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He laid on the ground for a few seconds, coughing and spitting.
"I guess we know your answer." Ohnoki said.
He then threw Nanare onto the ground by her parents. Han's mother held onto her tightly while his father got to his feet.
"Mu, you fool! How dare you do this to me...to my children! Even if you kill me I will curse you until the day you die. You are no longer a part of my family." He said bravely.
"Oh? I hate to say this, but the day I became Tsuchikage you were no longer my brother." Mu said back. He connected his hands so they formed a triangle shape. A bright light began to form in his hands. Han's father did the same while Han himself tried to do something to stop the two. He removed a kunai from his pouch and immediately pointed it at his heart.
"Don't!" Han screamed. But he felt a powerful blow hit his arm, it snapped and Han fell to the ground, howling in pain. Ohnoki stood over him, lifting up the kunai Han was just holding. He looked up one final time as both men launched their Particle Style jutsu's. First, they clashed and it seemed as if maybe Han's family would survive.
Then the light in between Han's father and Mu grew brighter and Mu moved backwards.
Han was speechless as the light surrounded his mother and father and Nanare. He got a glimpse of Nanare weakly reaching out to him.
He heard his mother scream, "Han!"
And then they were gone in an instant. There was dead silence among the forest as Han crawled over to where his family last stood. Nothing was left of them. They were really gone.
Reduced to dust and swept away by the wind.