Chapter 23
What Comes Around
Kabuto sat on the ground shuffling through his most recently updated data cards. He watched Akuma pacing back and forth in front of him – obviously angered at his decision to stop for a break. When the older man glared at him once more before continuing his pacing, Kabuto smiled and pulled a blank card out of his pouch. He held the thin cardboard between the thumb and middle finger of his left hand and then used his right hand to make a series of hand signs before focusing a stream of chakra into his right pointer and pressing that finger onto the top edge of the card. He closed his eyes against the slightly disquieting feeling of his thoughts on the subject being transferred unerringly to the data card. He sighed at the end of the transfer and opened his eyes to check the now filled card in his hand. Although nowhere near complete – he held in his hand the first official information on Akuma – including his relation to Orochimaru and the Hyuga clan, in addition to the bits and pieces of information on the jutsu he had been seen using or talked about in passing. Satisfied that the transfer was complete, Kabuto sent another stream of chakra into the card which caused it to appear blank once more. After all – it wouldn't do for Akuma to happen across the data Kabuto had gathered without his knowledge.
Kabuto shuffled the deck once more and then pulled the cards for the people he knew were in the team protecting the prize...thanks to a scouting trip performed by more of his faithful snakes. With this added knowledge he'd be able to take a lot of the guess work out of the situation and make certain they were prepared to counter what was sure to come.
Akuma stopped his pacing when he saw Kabuto lay the cards down on the ground. "Don't you think it's a bit inappropriate to be playing card games at a time like this, Kabuto?"
He smiled up at the towering man. "I don't play games, Akuma. You would do well to remember that."
From one moment to the next, Akuma went from standing in front of him to wrapping his fist in Kabuto's shirt and pulling him close before lifting him off the ground. "And you would do well to remember I've got no problem teaching you some manners, boy."
The man's violet eyes held a spark in them that caused a kernel of fear to grow in his stomach – but after living with Orochimaru for so long, Kabuto was skilled at hiding such discomfort. "Ah, yes, Akuma. Forgive me for assuming you knew what these cards were. If you'll set me back down, I can show you that they are most definitely not meant as a game."
He felt Akuma's fist clench tighter before dropping him to the ground. The man folded his arms across his chest and glared down at Kabuto. "Explain."
Kabuto smirked and lifted the first card into view and spun it between two fingers while infusing chakra into it to activate it. He smiled at the flash of surprise that crossed Akuma's eyes when detailed information and a photo of one of Konoha's shinobi appeared on the once blank card. He handed the card over to the raven-haired man and waited while he read over the data on Tenzou – including the updated facts regarding his apparent ANBU persona...Mouse.
"It says here that the man was kept captive by Orochimaru throughout the first six years of his life. Can I assume he won't have fond memories of that experience?"
Kabuto pushed his glasses up. "Although I wasn't with Lord Orochimaru at that time, I can assure you his methods have not changed much over the years. So I doubt any of Tenzou's memories could be classified as 'fond'."
Akuma nodded once and handed the card back. "I can work with that. Meanwhile – you have a means of countering his jutsu?"
Kabuto grinned and patted the bag hung on his shoulder. "Oh yes – and if I know Tenzou, it will be needed in more ways than one." He retrieved and activated another card and exchanged it for Tenzou's. "You'll notice the information on this one is not exactly complete...but everything noted is accurate."
Akuma's face showed his surprise when the picture was of a porcelain mask in the shape of a badger peeking out from within a beige hooded cloak. "How can you know so much about someone you cannot even name?"
Kabuto chuckled. "I can learn much just by observing how a person moves and what jutsu they favor. So although I may not know the name of the ANBU operative, I do know that he tends not to waste his movements and is likely a member of the Nara clan based on his use of shadow techniques. Besides – I'm sure he's nothing you can't handle."
Akuma snorted. "We'll see about that I suppose. You have three more cards laid out. Who are they?"
Kabuto held two of the cards out so Akuma had a clear view of Izumo and Kotetsu's faces. "These two are chunin – not much of a challenge if you keep them on their own – but over the years they have learned how to best maximize their efficiency by working in tandem...usually with Shikamaru Nara."
Akuma's eyebrows raised. "Nara? Do you think he is this nameless ANBU?"
Kabuto laughed. "No...no, Shikamaru is still only a chunin...nowhere near ANBU level yet." He paused and frowned slightly. "But that does mean the other two chunin are going to easily meld the ANBU into some of their tandem work. We'll need to watch out for that."
Akuma nodded and motioned toward the final card. "And that last one?"
A grin stretched across Kabuto's face as he activated the card and handed it to the man. He was curious to see what kind of reaction Akuma might have at seeing another of his cousins was involved in this. To his disappointment – he only frowned.
"A Hyuga...that complicates things a bit. I have never been able to sneak past a member of that clan."
Kabuto was surprised by that declaration. "Well then – I suppose we'll need to take him out of the equation sooner rather than later. Leave it to me."
Akuma handed the card back. "I'm more concerned with the fact our target was not among those your creatures located. Have you figured that part out yet, boy?"
Kabuto deactivated all the cards and placed them back into his pouch. "Ah – well you should be able to track down the location of the girl and her medic, correct? And I'm sure we can handle any others along the way. Now all we have to do is wait for Kakashi's hound to distract them just a bit and we'll have the opening we need."
Akuma smiled at him in a way that reinforced the man's relation to Lord Orochimaru and made Kabuto's stomach clench in anticipation. "You have done well, boy. I'll make sure my cousin learns of your usefulness in this matter." He placed one hand on Kabuto's shoulder, sending a chill done his spine. "Who knows, Kabuto, perhaps he'll lend you to me for an extended period next time...if you think you're up to that."
Before Kabuto could respond, Akuma released his shoulder and started walking toward where they knew the Konoha shinobi were lying in wait for them. In a way, Kabuto was glad the man hadn't waited for an answer – because he honestly couldn't deny that the thought of traveling with Akuma stirred something inside him that hadn't seen the light of day since the moment Lord Orochimaru claimed him for his own. A small smile crept onto Kabuto's lips even as he moved to follow...wondering what Lord Orochimaru would do if he ever found out Akuma wanted to take him away. Would he let his cousin do such a thing? Or would Akuma find himself on the wrong side of Lord Orochimaru's anger?
-- --
Kakashi and the others showed up well after what must have been one hell of a fight. There were signs of destruction scattered throughout the area of forest, and the others were still trying to figure out just what had happened. He saw Neji leaning against one tree with Izumo holding a blood-soaked bandage to the Hyuga's eyes. Kotetsu has holding his obviously broken arm across his chest, while Badger sat on the ground next to him holding his bleeding hands in front of his eyes in what Kakashi hoped was just shock. He motioned to Raidou and Lizard to check them out while he, Genma and Iruka continued on. There was a strong scent of blood leading toward a section of trees to the right and Kakashi was starting to get a bad feeling about this. He slipped a kunai into his hand and moved forward fearing what he was about to see.
Just past two larger trees, the trio of Leaf shinobi saw the body of the Lightning medic who had made it his job to look after the girl carrying the Hatake legacy. Or more to the point – what was left of the body of the Lightning medic. His upper half had been pulled away from his lower half, and - by the look of agony etched permanently on the man's face - he'd been alive when it occurred.
Kakashi couldn't say he would miss the man – after all, he was part of the reason he'd been kidnapped in the first place. It was probably the whole group of medics who'd managed to convince Kurogane Hatake that the breeding program was the way to go in the first place.
He shook his head and returned his attention to the scene around him. A flash of white caught his eye and upon closer inspection he found it was the shattered remains of Tenzou's ANBU mask – but there was no sign of the younger man. The tree the medic's body was lying under looked as though it had been turned inside out. An entire section of it was torn open, and the side of the tree had blood streaking the bark. Kakashi climbed the tree until he was positioned at the opening. He peered into the gloom within and his breath caught in his throat.
"Dammit!" He stepped into the opening and spotted a body against the far side. He leaned back out of the opening. "Iruka! Get up here – NOW!"
While he waited for the Academy Teacher-turned field medic to get there, Kakashi moved carefully to the side of the young woman slumped on the bottom of what looked to be one of Tenzou's protective pods. Once more he found himself wishing he had access to his sharingan so he might know what they were up against. He didn't want to think about what might have been powerful enough to breach the younger man's jutsu...and instead concentrated on the woman at his feet.
"Shizune...can you hear me?" He tried to keep the fear from his voice – not that it mattered as there was no response.
Shizune lay with her arms clutched around her stomach and her legs pulled up to her chin. Her pale skin was ghostly white in the dim light and her eyes were shut tight. Kakashi couldn't keep his hand from shaking slightly as he reached his fingers toward her neck to check for a pulse. He let out a relieved sigh when he felt the faint beat of life under his touch. It was weak – and thready at best – but it was there...and at the moment, that was all that mattered.
"Is she...." Iruka's voice was filled with all the emotions Kakashi pushed down out of habit, and he found it strangely comforting that at least one of them was still able to maintain their humanity in this mission.
He turned toward the chunin and met his gaze. "She's still alive...but it's up to you to keep her that way Iruka. I can't find any obvious injuries – but that doesn't mean there aren't any. She might be caught in some type of genjutsu, so be careful."
Iruka's face grew very serious. "Right. Leave her to me Kakashi. I'll take good care of her."
Kakashi smiled behind his mask. "I know you will, Sensei."
Issanni's sudden howl caused Kakashi's head to snap up and brought his mind back into focus. She was close – and by the sound of her howl, something was definitely not right. He forced his fear down and stood to leave.
"Is that Issanni?" Iruka's voice held an edge of fear that Kakashi wouldn't allow himself to feel.
"Yeah – that's her."
Iruka's voice from just behind him floated into his hearing. "But it means she's still alive...that's something – right?"
Kakashi knew the teacher was trying to help – but what the man couldn't understand is that this particular howl only happened when one of the pack was dead.
"I've gotta go."
Without another word to Iruka, Kakashi jumped out of the tree and ran toward where his hound was still baying in obvious distress.
Crow caught up with him after a few steps. "She doesn't normally do that, does she?"
Kakashi tensed. "No."
They increased their speed until the trees were just a blur – Kakashi's entire focus was on the sound of his hound's heart-wrenching howls. After all – if she was still alive...there was only one other who she would howl for – beyond him that is...Tenzou. He pushed that thought to the back of his mind, concentrating on what mattered at the moment – finding his hound.
After what felt like far too long – Kakashi finally found Issanni. She was standing with her tail between her legs and her ears flat against her head, growling at the two enemy in front of her. Behind her, leaning against a large stump, was the battered form of Tenzou. There was blood seeping down his face from a large gash near his right eye. He had his left arm wrapped protectively around the young girl, while his right hand lay unmoving in his lap – bruised and swollen. The dark-eyed jonin's attention was riveted on the forms of Kabuto and Akuma in front of him – apparently oblivious to his and Crow's arrival.
Kakashi frowned. If Tenzou was still alive, why had Issanni used that particular howl – it made no sense. He growled – gaining the attention of the enemy in an instant. He saw Akuma tense slightly while Kabuto placed a smirk on his face and turned to face him.
"I was hoping we would have finished here before you arrived, Kakashi."
"What's wrong Kabuto – still unwilling to face me?" Kakashi didn't even try to hide the disgust from his voice.
The younger man chuckled. "On the contrary...I've been hoping for a rematch with you for quite some time. But Lord Orochimaru has other priorities for me today."
Crow's voice was full of contempt. "Like stealing Kakashi's kids?"
Again Kabuto chuckled – causing Kakashi's heart to race. "Well, you know how much Lord Orochimaru loves children. And from what I understand, it isn't like the offspring are wanted by Kakashi after all."
"Don't assume to know what I do or don't want, Kabuto." Kakashi narrowed his eye and shifted his kunai into position. "And don't think for a moment that I'd let that bastard anywhere near any child of mine."
Kabuto grinned. "How intriguing! I wonder what changed to make you so protective of these mistakes, Hatake?"
"That's none of your concern, Kabuto. Why don't you run off to that Snake Bastard and tell him to stay away from me and my family."
Akuma laughed, causing Kakashi to switch his attention to the tall, black-haired man. "Do you honestly think my cousin cares what you want, Hatake?"
He narrowed his eyes at Akuma. "I should have known you were related to that sick bastard. You both tend to enjoy being overly dramatic."
Akuma smiled at him. "This from a man with a penchant for wearing a mask over such a perfect face? And you think I'm overly dramatic?"
"Actually – I think you're an idiot who hides behind dream jutsus because you don't have what it takes to be a true shinobi."
Akuma snarled and glared at him. "How dare you – you insolent fool!"
Kakashi ignored the man and shifted his attention back to Tenzou when the younger man moaned. "Crow – look after Tenzou...and the girl."
Kabuto chuckled darkly. "Do you honestly think you are a match for us without your sharingan, Copy Ninja?"
Kakashi shifted the kunai in his hand and drew the blade swiftly across his palm before slamming it onto the ground. "Not really – but no one said I'd be fighting you alone!"
He finished his summoning and brought the remainder of his pack into existence – sending the animals to attack the enemy alongside him. Knowing that Crow and Issanni would keep the others safe, he gave himself over to the fight...in a way that he could only do when fighting with his hounds. Something about the way they committed themselves to every action and attack always managed to bleed into Kakashi's veins and allowed his senses to sharpen in a way that the sharingan couldn't copy – in a way that rivaled even an Inuzuka's attacks. It was an animalistic instinct that his father had used to gain himself the title of White Fang...and that Kakashi tended to use only as a last resort. It was the technique he used when he was out for blood.
He knew it – and by the look in Akuma's violet eyes, that man knew it as well. Kakashi saw his eyes glaze over with the knowledge that he was about to become hunted – much in the same way he'd hunted Kakashi back in Hyoukai Yobou. But at the last moment, Kakashi veered to the left and headed straight for Kabuto – knowing better than to ignore the medic for long – and confident his pack would keep Akuma too busy to interfere or escape.
Kabuto, however, was waiting for his attack and met it head on. Kakashi knew the boy was skilled – after all, he had dispatched a squad of ANBU back in Konoha. What he hadn't counted on was that Kabuto could handle more than the scalpels he'd seen him fight with before. Kakashi barely dodged a razor-chain as it snapped out from Kabuto's hands in an appropriately snake-like motion – and he narrowly missed its return slice by tumbling closer to the white-haired nuisance. Kabuto expected such a move and lunged toward him with a chakra-covered palm. Rather than dodging the attack – Kakashi allowed those animal instincts to kick in, and met that palm with the cold edge of his kunai – taking pleasure in the feel of the boy's skin parting under the knife and the grunt of pain torn from his enemy's throat. In that second of distraction, Kakashi swept his leg in a wide arc and caught Kabuto's ankles – bringing the boy to the ground in a fraction of a moment.
Kabuto regained his senses far quicker than expected – and Kakashi cursed out loud as the boy flipped his wrist and brought the razor-chain down across his back before he could dodge it. He felt the sharp teeth of the weapon cut through his clothing and bite deep into his skin. He twisted himself free while Kabuto jumped away and stared toward him with a fierce gleam in the depths of his eyes. Kakashi snarled back at the boy and was about to lunge once again when, with the swift movement of his uninjured hand, Kabuto disappeared in a spiral of writhing flames.
Kakashi had no time to worry about the fleeing boy as he turned on his heel to concentrate once more on Akuma. The tall man was keeping his hounds at bay through his impressive array of taijutsu moves – and Kakashi decided it was time to end this farce. He stood straight – pushing the pain from his most recent injuries away while he brought to his mind the very last jutsu he had managed to copy with the use of his sharingan. He smiled to himself as he slowly stepped closer to where his pack had cornered Akuma against an outcropping of rocks amidst the trees.
He took a calming breath – willing his mind to clear from the intense hunting instinct still rushing through is blood. Then he began the series of intricate hand signs that this very man used against him on the ship so long ago. Each hand position came back to him with crystal clarity – and his fingers flew through the movements with such a fluid grace that by the time he was halfway through the motions Akuma's eyes widened in recognition. The man tried desperately to form his own signs – likely in an attempt to attack him or at least escape – but every time he began a movement, one of Kakashi's hounds broke his concentration with a bite or claw swipe.
By the fortieth sign, Akuma's face became a mask of fear – but the hounds would not allow him to flee. By the fiftieth sign, Kakashi was surrounded by a pale silvery-blue glow, as the chakra needed to complete the jutsu was pulled from his very being, causing a layer of sweat to form on his brow. The fifty-second sign was followed by the words that would put form and purpose to that gathered energy – just as it had when Akuma uttered them back on the ship.
"Fuuton – Saibou Kanashibari!"
The chakra spun around Kakashi's body like a whirlwind, and formed into a writhing mass of silvery-blue clawed hands which shot out from his chest and headed straight for Akuma. The hounds waited until the very last moment to release Akuma from their claws and teeth, and each chakra-hand gripped a different part of the bastard's body until every inch of him was covered. Every time one of those hands made contact with Akuma, it ripped a fresh scream out of the man's lungs. By the time it was over, violet eyes – so full of loathing and fear moments before – stared unfocused, while his face was twisted into a mask of agony and his body slumped onto the ground.
Kakashi fell to his knees when it was over – his head bowed, his shoulders slumped, and his breath tight in his chest. He'd known the technique would take a large portion of his barely recovered chakra – but as he lifted his head to take in the sight of his enemy lying on the ground, he knew it had been worth the strain on his body.
Meanwhile, Akuma's body held a pale silvery-blue sheen to it while the power of the jutsu Kakashi had copied from him continued to bind every inch of the man at a cellular level. He chuckled to himself as his hounds gathered around him in a protective circle. Even though Kabuto had managed to slip through his grasp once more – Kakashi was satisfied with the fact this bastard wouldn't escape and was suffering at the hands of his very own jutsu.
He chuckled softly at the irony of it, and was so tired he could have sworn he heard that laughter echoed in his mind. Ignoring the thought, Kakashi slowly pushed himself off the ground and staggered to where Crow sat with Tenzou and the girl to check on them.
-- --
Tenzou used his grip on the young girl to anchor him to reality. She was what mattered at the moment – the only thing that mattered...her survival was his mission. That mission had to be what he clung to – to keep the visions from overwhelming him again...from threatening what little sanity he'd managed to hold onto after all those years under Orochimaru's care. But those visions were so strong – reminding him over and over again of those days gone by – those days that he'd hoped had been pushed far enough away to never have them in his mind again.
Hell – he'd gone through seven years of extensive therapy sessions and treatments with the Third Hokage and the entire Yamanaka clan to ensure these very memories were permanently sealed away.
Heh – guess 'permanently' doesn't mean what it used to anymore.
The ambush he and the team had hoped to surprise the enemy with never began – somehow they'd already known where every member of the group was located...and swiftly disabled or maimed every one of them. And it all happened so quickly and silently that even now – when he had a moment to collect his thoughts – he could not pinpoint where the attack came from. Of course part of that was because the first wave of that attack was something none of them expected...it was an attack of the mind. Not a genjutsu – rather it was as though someone scraped along the very recesses of their minds until the worst possible memories were found and then replayed with exacting details. Unlike a true dream – this attack honed in on the emotions from the memory and intensified them until the subject of the attack was left stunned.
Tenzou actually fell victim to the attack at first – but because of the intensive work on his mind in his youth, he was able to recognize it for what it was and break its hold on him – at least partially. The visions continued playing in his mind – but they were translucent to him – and allowed him to still see the true world around him. That was why he'd been able to avoid a fatal blow from Kabuto and managed to notice Akuma heading unerringly toward the tree where he had secreted Shizune and the others.
Thankfully Kabuto's attention was removed from him when others within the group managed to similarly function through the mental attack – and although he knew they were likely going to get injured by Orochimaru's henchman, Tenzou had to protect the others...had to keep them safe from the enemy.
He couldn't believe it when he saw Akuma at the tree – and used his chakra to send spears of wood toward the man who reminded him far too much of the Snake Sannin. It was obvious the man hadn't expected anyone to follow him – and Tenzou's aim was true enough to wrap his wooden bindings firmly around the enemy.
He struggled to keep his footing as he moved to confirm his handiwork and was assaulted by one of his worst memories when his eyes locked with those of Akuma. Those cold violet eyes pierced into his mind and Tenzou rallied the last of his self-control to push the visions aside. The man's voice slid from his lips – reminding the jonin of Orochimaru, and reinforcing the memories.
"Rather impressive for one of my cousin's experiments."
Tenzou caused the wood to tighten until the black-haired bastard groaned in pain. Only then did the visions push back enough for him to regain his balance. That was when he felt Kabuto's foot connect with his ribs – sending him sailing into the trunk of the tree. The white-haired brat took advantage of his distracted mind and delivered more hits than Tenzou could block. Soon he was lying in a heap with blood seeping from a gash in his head. He could only watch helplessly while Kabuto laughed at him and walked calmly toward where Akuma was struggling in his bonds.
Tenzou held on to the satisfaction that at least that bastard wasn't going anywhere soon. That is – he held onto it until Kabuto reached into a bag slung over his shoulder and pulled out a small glass jar. He watched the boy shake the contents into his hand and then smile as he tossed those contents against the wood binding Akuma. Tenzou sat dumbfounded when he heard a high-pitched whine, and then he heard the sound of splintering wood and saw Akuma break free with barely an effort.
His vision wavered – likely a cause of the blood still falling from his head wound – but he continued to watch the pair as they turned their attention to the tree where Shizune and the others were hidden. Kabuto shook the glass container again – and this time Tenzou could just make out the shape of insects as they flew straight toward the section of the tree where he'd melded the protective cocoon. He watched as those insects chewed their way through his carefully created layers and felt his heart clench when Kabuto and Akuma easily dodged the senbon Shizune sent in their direction once the cocoon had been breached.
He saw Akuma step into the opening and his breath caught in his throat when he heard Shizune's scream ring through the forest. Next he saw the Lightning medic tossed out of the tree to land in a pile at its base. Tenzou's eyes went wide when he realized the medic actually landed in two piles...his upper body apparently torn free of his lower half. His gaze went back to the opening in fear of what he'd see next and watched Akuma and Kabuto leap down to the ground – the taller man carrying the young girl they were all trying to protect carelessly over his shoulder. The girl was in shock – likely from witnessing what happened to her medic – and was completely unresponsive.
Tenzou watched them run off and he felt a sharp pang of anger burning within his stomach. He'd failed them all – the girl, his teammates...Shizune...and worst of all...Kakashi-senpai. He wiped the blood away from his eye and thought back to all the times he'd watched his senpai fight back when injured ten times as badly as he currently was. He glanced back up toward where the cocoon was torn asunder and growled. His mind made up – Tenzou dipped his hand into his pouch and pulled out his remaining soldier pills and popped them into his mouth.
He'd be damned if he'd let Kakashi-senpai's offspring fall into Orochimaru's hands. No one should ever be exposed to the atrocities that bastard was capable of...no one! He let the potent power of the soldier pills run through his system and then pushed his body back against the tree and stood. Once he was sure his legs would hold him, Tenzou headed after Kabuto and Akuma – knowing that if he couldn't rescue the girl he'd need to take measures to keep the children of Kakashi Hatake from ever being born.
It took him less time than expected to locate the pair – and when he found them he cringed at what he saw. Kabuto had the young girl lying on her back and was quite obviously examining her. He hadn't meant to let the growl out of his throat – but sometimes he couldn't help channeling his senpai's fighting style. He launched himself at the men and managed to land a solid kick into Akuma's back – sending the man sailing across the small clearing. Kabuto spun toward him and Tenzou barely missed getting another slice across his cheek. By the time he skidded to a stop, Akuma was back in the battle and moved to form hand signs.
Not wanting to be caught in any more dream jutsus, Tenzou flew through his own hand signs and sent his wooden spikes soaring toward the towering man. Kabuto closed in and slammed a chakra-enhanced palm against Tenzou's right hand. He felt the bones break even as the sharp snapping sound filled his ears. Kabuto was about to make what would surely be the final blow when the sound of a blood-curdling howl pierced the air and the white-haired boy was faced with the teeth, fur and claws of one of Kakashi's nin-hounds.
Tenzou had never been so glad to see one of those hounds in his life. At first he assumed it meant Kakashi had arrived to save him...but there was only the one hound. He blinked at the sight of the sleek form in front of him, and at last his mind kicked in and the brown and white markings told him exactly which beast this was.
"Issanni..." He breathed the name – even as the hound forced Kabuto back far enough for him to retreat to where the young girl was cowering in front of a large stump.
Tenzou wrapped his good arm around the shaking girl and pulled her closer – preparing himself to find the strength to keep them both safe. Issanni returned to his side and he watched her sniff at the young girl and then tuck her tail between her legs. The hound howled in a way that caused shivers to creep up Tenzou's spine. He'd never heard such a sound come from the bitch before – and he'd known this hound for years. Then she howled once more in that same mournful tone.
Tenzou's grip on the girl's shoulder tightened and his eyes locked onto the approaching forms of Kabuto and Akuma. Issanni's ears flattened against her head, and he prepared himself for death's embrace. That's when he heard another growl – this one so familiar because he'd often hear it in the middle of his worst nightmares when it would chase his demons away. But it wasn't until Kakashi-senpai summoned the rest of the pack and attacked Akuma and Kabuto that Tenzou finally allowed himself to sigh and think that perhaps this wasn't just another vision of his mind, but reality, and that he'd live to see another day after all.
He turned to give the young girl a reassuring smile and he noticed how pale she was. Then he remembered what was happening as he entered the clearing – and he shifted his attention lower...where he saw a pool of blood forming under the girl's legs. A cold feeling crept into his heart when Issanni lowered herself at the girl's feet, nudging the cold flesh with her nose and howling one final time.
