oooooo chapter 30! how bout that? and when I first started this story I honestly didn't think it would get to be so popular... or that there would ever be a chapter 30... well, as chapter 30 is here I'd like to start by thanking everyone for reading thus far and sticking with it even though my updating habits are horrible....so here's to another update up and hopefully many more to come.... and hopefully quicker ones too ;P I tried to make this chapter longer to celebrate the 30ith chapter!! anyway my little ramble-y blerb here is done, so ONWARD!!!
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*&^#~ PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A NEW CHAPTER ONLY A REVISION!!! ~#^&*
"H-Hinata?!" Naruto was stunned, his mouth hanging open. "What are you doing here?" He asked after regaining his composure... somewhat.
"S-Sakura and I saw you take off after Gaara, and she said she was going to come after you, b-but I said that I would instead." Hinata explained, a little shaken at Naruto's worried expression when he saw her.
Naruto sighed and looked over to Gaara. "Well we could use your eyes, can you tell us anything about him?" Naruto asked already knowing the answer. Hinata nodded eager to be helpful, and quickly activated her Byakugan.
It took all of five seconds for Hinata to spot Gaara through the trees, at which point she focused in. What she saw made her gasp, causing Sasuke to raise an eyebrow. "What is it?" he asked startling Hinata and making her tear her eyes away from Gaara.
"H-his chakra! It... it looks almost like its being overloaded... or overrun! ...It's almost like, there's something else pushing his chakra out of the way!" Hinata looked back in Gaara's direction. Naruto nodded, understanding what it meant. Sasuke however just stared aghast.
"Another chakra pushing through?" It made him think of what the curse seal could do... though that mark didn't hold anywhere near this kind of power. 'If I could have something like that...'
"How much of the other chakra is flooding his system?" Naruto asked eyes hardening as he watched Gaara destroy another clone.
"It looks like about 50 percent is being overpowered...." Hinata said glancing back briefly. It was odd looking at Gaara's chakra coils, and the feeling it gave her... It was grotesque to watch and yet she found herself unable to look away.
"Alright we need a new plan..." Naruto said, smacking his fist into his open palm. "Any ideas?" He asked, wincing as he heard a clone yell out in agony.
"What abou-" Sasuke was cut off as he was forced to dodge a tendril of sand that was flung his way.
Naruto created a number of new bunshins. "Distract him any way you can!" Naruto yelled as he too jumped off into Sasuke's new hiding place, Hinata doing the same. The clones nodded to one another before smirking in an unspoken plan they hid in the area surrounding Gaara.
"We can't hide here forever!" Sasuke growled out. "Can't you go ahead with your 'last resort' plan?" Sasuke scoffed at the idea of the blonde actually having something that could take this... monster down.
"No, it's too risky. It's called 'last resort' for a reason..." Naruto said not even looking at Sasuke.
"M-maybe I could try blocking off his chakra?" Hinata offered trying not to look as nervous as she felt.
Naruto looked uncertain, not wanting to put Hinata in danger. "COME OUT COME OUT! I WON'T HURT YOU!" Gaara roared before Naruto could answer.
"Promise?" A clone popped up out of a tree revealing itself to Gaara, who instantly turned and crushed the clone with his sand. When it bled he laughed, even though Gaara knew it was a clone.
"Hey now, that wasn't very nice." Another clone stood and pouted. "You did say you wouldn't hurt him" The clone pointed out. To this, Gaara dispatched that clone as well, again by crushing it.
"You are a very violent person you know that?"
"DIE!" Gaara called and lunged at the clone extending his sandy arms, wanting to feel this clones bones break.
"My clones are idiots..." Naruto moaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"They do take after the creator." Sasuke said smugly. Hinata giggled, knowing full well Naruto had left himself open to that comment.
"I'll try to get you as close as I can, then you close him off as much as possible." Naruto said forcefully, sending a glare at Sasuke. Hinata nodded taking a deep breath bracing herself. Sasuke went left, Hinata went right, and Naruto headed straight for Gaara. A clone hopped out distracting him while Naruto went in to try to deliver a punch to the head.
He managed to strike and land the intended punch, but Garra's sand encased his fist. "GOT YOU!" Gaara laughed as he sent his sand up Naruto's arm.
"Damn it!" Naruto swore, using his free hand to rummage through his weapon's pouch. As soon as he found what he was looking for though, an explosion sounded. Sasuke's tagged kunai hit Gaara's shoulder, which allowed Naruto to be released. Hinata rushed in and tried to seal off a few chakra points, but Gaara saw the attack coming and used his sand to swat her away, causing her to hit a tree.
Hinata immediately recovered from it though, making Naruto relax knowing she wasn't too hurt. Naruto threw the weapon he had after dodging yet another sand attack. The three-pronged kunai hit the tree directly behind Gaara who paid no attention to the projectile. Jumping back into the bushes, Naruto readied another of the specially sharpened kunai.
"What are you doing?" Sasuke asked, absently wiping a bit of blood from his mouth.
"Something that I've never tried before and am not entirely sure will work..." Naruto said, throwing one kunai into the ground and another into a branch over Gaara's head. Making the hand seals Naruto felt oddly nervous. "Please work..." he mumbled before finishing the final one and grabbing Sasuke's wrist. The hairs on the back of Sasuke's neck stood on end as he felt Naruto's chakra enter his body. As soon as he felt it begin to run up his arm he felt a tug, almost as if Naruto was pulling him along from everywhere at once.
A soft crackle was heard and Sasuke winced, closing his eyes and bracing himself for an impact, thinking Gaara's sand had hit a near by tree. When he reopened his eyes, Sasuke was instantly disorientated. "It worked!" Naruto cheered off to the side. "And without any recoil!" Naruto grinned. They were now in the tree directly above where Gaara was fighting swarms of clones. Sasuke turned to Naruto, mouth open ready to ask the obvious question when Naruto stopped him. "Later." He said simply before hoping down to where he saw Hinata hiding.
When Naruto reached her he noticed she was bleeding from a gash on her forehead. "I tried to attack him with-in the swarm of clones" She explained noticing the look he was giving him.
"Do you need to rest?" Naruto asked. "Don't push yourself to hard."
Hinata shook her head. 'I need to prove that I can fight... I want you to know I can do this...'
Though his eyes showed concern, Naruto reluctantly nodded. "Alright, I have an idea"
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"Orochimaru...." Sarutobi shook his head sadly as he confronted his deranged student. The pair was standing on the roof of a building, in the center of the village. A barrier surrounded the two, keeping everyone who wasn't already in there out. "You always were predictable..." The Hokage said after a moment of silence.
At this comment Orochimaru laughed. "Predictable?" He sneered. "This day has been a long time coming! And it only worked to my advantage that one of your ninja killed that... puppet of mine in the forest of death."
"You are a fool to take me on in my own village." The Hokage said, casting a glance over to his side.
The snake Sannin paid no mind, still intently focused on this former teacher. "I wanted to fight you one on one! Just like old times... except one of us won't leave this place alive." He lunged, activating a fire jutsu, but the Hokage easily dodged, a somewhat sad, nostalgic smile on his face.
"This old man still has a few tactics left..." The Hokage said as he activated a jutsu of his own. The scenery shifted, reveling half a dozen ANBU, and none other then Jiraiya.
"You..." Orochimaru growled. "No matter, this just saves me trouble later!" The snake Sannin grinned. "Now it really will be like old times, almost all of us together again!" And with that the battle began anew.
Outside the barrier three ANBU stood, watching the battle rage on from within. "Wow I can't believe what I'm seeing!" An ANBU with a dog mask said turning to his companions, Bird and Cat.
"We are watching a battle for the ages, the great Hokage and two of the Sannin fighting each other. This could make history!" Cat said in awe.
"And we get to see it first hand!" Dog said in agreement.
"Though to be honest, I'd rather be in there with Rabbit." Bird said, watching as the ANBU inside did their best to help out but ultimately just got in the way of the more powerful Ninja. Orochimaru let out a jutsu that turned the floor to quick sand, or rather quick mud, sucking in and crushing half the ANBU team that was there. "Then again..."
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Sasuke lunged, arm outstretched with a kunai, trying to slash Gaara's arm. Gaara simply grinned showing his sandy teeth and letting more drool lob out of his mouth. The kunai hit dead on but broke as the sand hardened with the impact. Sasuke's defences were now left open. Kicking off from the ground, he maneuvered himself so he wouldn't go flying into any trees. Jumping as soon as he hit the ground, Sasuke smirked. 'So far so good... can't believe the Dobe thought up something like this...' Narrowly avoiding Gaara, Sasuke continued to launch various weaponry, only to have Gaara laugh. Sasuke jumped down to the ground and rolled as a squared tree halfway collapsing towards him.
As soon as Gaara was about to send a sandy hand at Sasuke, a soft whistle-like crackle was heard. Confused, Gaara turned around to see Naruto and Hinata flying towards him. Gaara let out a roar and launched both arms towards them only for the pair to disappear in a flash of blue and gold. Sensing something off to the side the sand nin redirected his attack only to have them disappear again. They seemed to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time. "Got ya!" Naruto screamed as Hinata managed to let loose a barrage of attacks to Gaara's back. With each hit Gaara's body showed the recoil and a small indent was made in the sand. Once satisfied Hinata jumped back and panted.
"Is that it? Why do you hold back?" The red head's booming voice echoed around the forest.
Hinata was confused by both his words and for the fact that his sand armor hadn't fallen off not that his chakra points were sealed. She lost all speech function however, as Garra simply flooded the closed points with demon chakra forcing them open once more. "H-how?!" she choked out.
She didn't understand what that strange chakra was, but she knew it wasn't natural. True, a normal person could reopen the closed points by flooding them also, but that would usually so painful and take so much chakra that, unless they had a huge supply to spare, they would pass out from it after...but this strange chakra merely touched the blocks and they disappeared.
"I will force you to use what you've been trying to keep hidden." Gaara taunted, turning to Naruto and thus making both Hinata and Sasuke cast a quick, odd glance at the blonde. "You seem to be very found of that girl...." Gaara spoke, suddenly seeming calm. Hinata tensed sensing Naruto's killer intent flare. The message clear, 'do anything to her and I'll kill you'. Hinata would have blushed if it were a different situation. Sasuke felt it too and sent another glance over to the blonde.
Gaara was luring out Naruto, and he was taking the bait. "Mother is telling me to make you suffer... to make you angry...." he spoke more intently, now smiling as he felt Naruto's chakra flare up. "Let your rage go.... AND DON'T HOLD YOUR POWER BACK!" Gaara almost screamed out, tilting his arms up and leaning his head back slightly.
It took all of a second for what happened next. Naruto recognized what Gaara was going to do and immediately jumped in. Gaara launched his enlarged hand at Hinata, planning to pin her to a tree and crush her like he had with Sakura the first time. Hinata was scared, frozen to the spot with a scream caught in her throat. She wanted to get away, yet couldn't. "HINATA!" Naruto screamed his voice deepening with every syllable.
Sasuke watched in shock as Naruto flew from where he was standing and seemingly combusted in flames mid-stride. Naruto jumped in front of Hinata as the sand hand and crashed into Naruto. When Sasuke didn't hear a crash or the cracking of bones he looked back towards where the blonde was standing, unaware he had ever looked away. Naruto's fire was holding up the sand! 'No, wait...' Sasuke examined it closer with the sharingan. 'It's pure chakra... pure condensed chakra....' Sasuke was amazed that even without channeling chakra into his eyes he could still clearly see it.
Hinata was bewildered more then anything. She could see that Naruto had a huge well of chakra stored in his system. The way it was flowing out, it almost reminded her of a spring, coiled so tightly around that when released it could only be explosive. As both Sasuke and Hinata analyzed what they saw only one thought came to mind. 'A blood limit?'
Naruto flared out his killer intent, which only made Gaara laugh. Hinata took off towards Sasuke, easily covering the distance in a few short leaps. Once Naruto knew Hinata was out of the way he tossed the sand hand to the side and jumped forward with an outstretched claw. Gaara brought up a sand shield to block it, but Naruto's chakra scored lines down through it. Gaara laughed as he fought the blonde, while Hinata and Sasuke where finding it hard to keep their eves following him. When ever Gaara tried to launch an attack towards them Naruto would swat it away using the chakra that incased his body like armor. "I won't let you hurt them!" Naruto growled out, voice now deep and gruff.
As Naruto began to pull out more chakra it created a long tendril of energy from behind him that looked like a tail, and another two came out from the top of his head almost looking like long ears. Everyone in the vicinity, besides Gaara, got chills run up they're spine from the killer intent directed at Gaara. Even though it was immense, he just grinned. 'If that was directed at me I wouldn't be able to move!' Sasuke thought angrily. 'How the hell did he get so strong?!'
Naruto raced forward relying mostly on his speed, zipping one way letting free an attack then speeding around to the other side and attempting to claw Gaara. It reminded Sasuke of how Lee had fought the redhead, but with one main difference; when Naruto hit the protective layer of sand, he left his mark. Hinata was amazed at Naruto's speed, and wished she could cheer him on, but knew that would give away their hiding spot. Sasuke growled, having enough sitting and watching, before he jumped down into the fray.
Naruto looked over his shoulder bringing his red eyes to Sasuke for only a second before nodding. Hinata took a sharp intake of breath as she saw his appearance. Red eyes, elongated teeth that now resembled fangs, and the marks on his face seemed to deepen and lengthen. His face seemed sharper too not at all like the rounded one she had come to love seeing. Hinata had to admit he looked menacing now... although she didn't feel any different seeing him like that. Her heart still fluttered as he looked in his direction and she knew that Naruto was only doing this to protect her.
Sasuke jumped forward with Naruto right beside him. Naruto rushed forward disappearing momentarily and reappearing in front of Gaara taking his focus. Sasuke saw his opening, the silent plan seeming to work so far, and threw his tagged kunai directly at Gaaras head. As expected the sand held it there, but Gaara realized the tag was on the kunai a second to late. "Boom." Naruto smirked as the tag went off.
When the smoke cleared, Sasuke's eyes widened as Gaara's face seemed to be dripping sand not blood. The sand easily reformed and Gaara let out a roar in anger and defiance. "Enough of this!" He screamed "I'm tired of playing with you!" Gaara sent out his sand to hold the pair in place as he brought up his hands and made a single seal causing Naruto to tense. "You are a worthy opponent, although I have one question before you die." Gaara said turning to Naruto. He didn't wait for an answer before continuing. "Why help them? I can see now you are exactly like me, and yet you help and even save the people who no doubt shunned your very existence!" Gaara growled out. "You help them, and even go so far as to trust them! Why!" Gaara screamed.
"Even though some people are exactly as you say, there are others who can simply look past everything." Naruto started softly making Sasuke raise a brow at the conversation the two seemed to be having. "You need to look for those who offer true friendship. You fight for yourself, while I fight for my precious people... and that is why no matter what I will defeat you!" Naruto finished with a determined yell.
Gaara snorted "So you think your precious people give you power? Once this is all finished I will kill every one of them, starting with that girl back there." Gaara said turning his head in the direction Hinata was hiding. "But don't worry! I'll make sure you live long enough to see they're deaths!" Gaara shouted before he began channeling his chakra.
"YOU EVEN TOUCH HER AND I'LL KILL YOU!" Naruto screamed, pumping out more demon chakra both in rage and in anticipation for what he knew was going to happen next.
Sand started gathering around Gaara growing a large cocoon around him. "FREEDOM!" Naruto heard both Gaara's voices and the demon with in him say simotaniously. The sand released the boys just in time for them to look up and see a fully formed full sized Shukaku standing before them.
"Umm I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that this is what you were holding off on your 'secret plan' for?" Sasuke said looking up at the large demon fearfully.
"Yeah..." Naruto said simply watching as the demon opened its eyes and exclaiming how long it had been since it had been free. "We should probably get away from its giant foot first though..." Naruto said as he jumped up into the trees and away from Shukaku. Sasuke followed, but the moment they landed Shukaku stomped down making a tidal wave of sand come and envelop where they were standing only moments before.
Naruto jumped back again noticing more sand was heading they're way, Sasuke however wasn't as lucky. The wave of sand hit him head on propelling him back into a tree effectively knocking him unconscious. "Well that's a bonus." Kyuubi said with a snort as Naruto picked up Sasuke and placed him on a branch in a nearby tall tree. "Now only the Hyuuga will see you summon me." Kyuubi said, reading Naruto's thoughts.
Looking to the branch directly below him, Naruto saw Hinata wide shaking eyes looking at what Gaara had become. 'Do it.' Naruto told the fox simply as Hinata looked back seeing only Sasuke leaning unconscious on a branch. Naruto had begun to jump up using shadow clones as stepping stones bringing him higher. He could feel himself begin to heat up from the demon chakra he was collecting
"You know this'll hurt a bit right? You've never had to summon my full size before... let alone only half that..."
"Just hurry it up!" Naruto said through gritted teeth. Even though Kyuubi really didn't mean to hurt him (well mostly,) the demon chakra felt as though his insides were being torn apart, only to heal and tear apart again. Once Kyuubi gave the signal Naruto began running through hand seals biting his thumb he thrust his hand downward into the open space below.
Hinata watched as Naruto flooded his system with the mysterious red chakra. She began to bite her lower lip as she watched the chakra push and collect inside Naruto's chakra coils. It was only then that she noticed something that she never had before. Naruto's chakra coils were much larger than that of a normal person his age... or even a jonin for that matter. The red energy seemed to stretch them further. As Naruto flashed through hand seals the energy became spring loaded, as if waiting for the final seal so all of it could jump forward.... That's exactly what happened.
The explosion was deafening and the smoke that filled the area was almost crimson in colour. Hinata looked through the fog her eves moving rapidly but she could only make out a giant mass of chakra. She didn't have to wait for the smoke to clear before she could see what the mass was either.
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"Iruka Sensei, what's the matter?" Konohamaru asked looking up at his teacher who suddenly froze with a look of utter horror on his face.
"Sensei?" Another kid asked, snapping the scarred man from his thoughts.
"N-Nothings W-wrong... I just... I thought I saw a bat..." Iruka said shaking his head and suppressing a shiver. Looking around the small cave like hiding spot he noticed most of the other older Chunin and Jonin that were there froze as well. An ANBU off to his left looked almost completely petrified, even through his mask.
"What's with them?" Moagei asked her friend noticing their elder's odd behavior.
"Maybe they're really scared of bats?" Udon said shrugging.
"I don't know... and I don't think they're going to tell us either..." Konohamaru said with a huff.
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Kakashi stopped beating up the random sound nin that came his way momentarily, Gai at his back. "It seems like your student is just as reckless as you are, my eternal rival!" Gai said, only half yelling. Although he'd never admit it he was scared to death by the presence he felt,. He wasn't scared of the blonde who carried it however, knowing full well he was merely the vassal. The fox however... well Gai was sure he'd need a new jumpsuit if he ever met the Kyuubi face to face.
"I'm confidant Naruto's thought through this carefully." Kakashi replied, suppressing a chill that ran up his spine. He sent a small glance off to his side, watching as Haku skewered three nin in a row with his needles.
"As long as that thing stays contained..." Gai mumbled more to himself as a shutter ran through him.
"I'm sure we'll be fine..." Kakashi said cheerfully. Knowing the demon fox didn't really mean to hurt, maim, or kill anyone still didn't make its presence any less... Kakashi shivered, disguising it as a stretch. "I'm up 58." Kakashi smirked behind his mask as Gai grumbled he only had 52.
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"Hmm, so the brat did need to use it after all..." Jiyaria said as he jumped out of the way of one of Orochimaru's attacks.
"Ah the Kyuubi's chakra. It fills the air with such a lovely feeling of dread! Perfect atmosphere for your death!" Orochimaru screamed.
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"Wow it almost feels like the Kyuubi was released!" Bird said somewhat nervously.
"Maybe the Kyuubi brat is having an epic demon battle?" Cat said taunting Bird.
Dog snorted. "As if..." he shook his head. "I don't even think that kid could beat an academy student let alone a demon!"
"I've seen him training... though I feel kinda bad for whoever is on the receiving end of the Kyuubi's fury." Bird said shivering.
"That kid'll probably be killed anyway... good riddance if ya ask me..." Dog said with a huff.
"You don't like the kid?" Cat said in mock horror.
"That kid is pure evil!" Dog exclaimed. "I'm sure of it! May lightning strike me down if I'm wrong!"
Both Cat and Bird inched away from Dog who raised his arms yelling to the heavens.
CRACKLE BOOM!
A stray lighting Jutsu from the battle came heading directly for the ANBU. Dog screamed girlishly and dived out of the way. The lightning hit the barrier and disintegrated, harmlessly sending small sparks on the inside of the dome in random directions.
"I TAKE IT BACK! I TAKE IT BACK!" Dog started shouting causing Bird and Cat to chuckle to themselves about their teammates misfortune.
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Hinata flinched at the loud bellowing roar that came from the smoke. A giant red streak came flying out not two seconds after heading straight for Gaara. Hinata barely had time to react as the tree she was standing in was yanked up by its roots by a long Tail from the now clearly identified Kyuubi. Hinata screamed when she recognized it, fearing for her life now more then ever. Grabbing on to Sasuke as the tree lifted ever higher, Kyuubi maneuvering it to face his giant face. Quickly the tree was yanked out from beneath them Hinata now clinging to the unconscious Sasuke for dear life. She let out another high pitched wail as she began to fall.
Sasuke picking that moment to wake up found himself wrapped in a screaming Hyuuga Hinata's arms, the girl not even noticing his waking. Not to mention her legs were squeezing one of his to the point he was losing circulation... Looking at her point of focus he instantly passed out once again. The Kyuubi no Kitsune was right below them, and from his vantage point it looked like it wanted to eat them. Hinata's screech was cut short as she landed on something solid. Kyuubi went cross eyed as he looked at the two on his nose. Hinata began to shake seeing the giant red eyes looking directly at her. "Honestly girl, need you make so much noise?" The air vibrated with the fox's words.
"You missed furball!" Naruto called through his panting from atop Kyuubi's head standing between his ears. He was no longer was covered in the red chakra and all his features were back to normal, much to Hinata's relief.
"N-N-Narut-to?!!" Hinata shook out in surprise and confusion.
"When people look like ants it's hard to aim!" Kyuubi complained "Just be glad I caught your mate at all!" The words made Hinata blush profusely as many a not so pure thought ran through her mind. Kyuubi seeing the girl turn red laughed tilting his head back and throwing Hinata and Sasuke onto his neck. Naruto grabbed on to Hinata pulling her up onto his vantage point.
"W-What is the K-Kyuubi no Kitsune doing here?!" Hinata half yelled eliminating any previous thoughts.
"I summoned him" Naruto said simply not sure what sure what else to say.
"Y-you summoned a demon?!" Hinata asked eyes suddenly growing wide. "I thought the Kyuubi had been killed by the Yondiame!" Hinata said beginning to sweat.
"That's what they want you to think" Naruto smiled sadly. "I'll explain later. I promise." Naruto said turning to look at Shukaku.
'I thought you needed a sacrifice to summon a demon...' She thought casting a worried glance at Sasuke.
Naruto, seeing this, laughed and once again said he'd explain later. "Hold on..." He warned, suddenly serious all humor gone now, ending any more possibility for a conversation. Hinata grabbed Sasuke and held on to the fox's fur in a death grip. No sooner did she get a fistful of red fur, did the fox shoot off moving at blinding speed towards Shukaku.
"Kyuubi?! Well I'll be I haven't seen you in a coon's age! Are you going to join in on the fun?" Shukaku asked as Kyuubi raced forward tossing a tree at him.
"I'll take that as a 'no' then?" Shukaku said howling in laughter. "You're carrying unharmed, and unattached humans as well? You were always too soft hearted"
"The Kyuubi s-soft hearted?" Hinata said confused. Naruto shrugged.
"You do realize where your tactics have gotten you, yes?"Kyuubi asked bearing his teeth. "At least I'm let out every now and then." Kyuubi said huffing before the sand demon could point out he too was sealed away. "And besides who was granted NINE tails hmmm?" Kyuubi flashed his tales out tauntingly in a fan making Shukaku growl.
"Just cuz you have more tails doesn't mean you're more powerful!" Shukaku yelled, launching giant sand rockets towards them.
Kyuubi snorted. "Yea it kinda does." Naruto mumbled rolling his eyes.
"Don't worry, I'll give him his just deserts!"
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Oh don't start!" Naruto yelled stomping a foot onto Kyuubi's head. Shukaku blinked before continuing his attack this time winding up to strike the fox with his enormous paw, or slice him.
"I'll have to watch out for his sandy claws..." Kyuubi tried again.
Shukaku stopped mid swing eye seemingly twitching at the so called joke. "Will you cut that out and just attack me!"
"Umm Naruto? This is the REAL Kyuubi right?" Hinata asked sweat dropping as Naruto nodded almost sadly.
"Ohhhh! Someone's getting hot under the collar" Kyuubi crouched mimicking a cat ready to pounce on a mouse his tails rapping around as many trees as he could manage.
"ARAHHHHH!" Shukaku half growled half yelled as he caught a tree that was thrown to him.
"Tisk tisk. letting your anger get the better of you, that will spell your dune!" Kyuubi scolded easily dodging a wave of sand that was sent his way.
"Every damn time..." Naruto mumbled pinching the bridge of his nose as Shukaku sent another flurry of sand at them. Shukaku even went so far as to shoot his arm in an attempt to grab the people on the fox's back, leaving the sand demon open to attack. 'Annoying but effective.' Naruto thought, not wanting to give the fox the satisfaction of hearing it aloud. Luckily when Kyuubi was summoned their mind link was severed as well.
"You don't like my dry sense of humor?" Kyuubi asked, easily jumping right over Shukaku smacking him on the head with his tails hoping to hit Gaara, but obviously missing. The enraged Shukaku roared and launched both its arms at the giant fox. Kyuubi smirked and lunged locking his claws into what was left of the sand demon's shoulders, once his hand like front paws were fastened Kyuubi clamped his jaws around Shukaku's neck for good measure.
"ok, ya mik wanna gef ing efor I loofe ma grik" Kyuubi said talking around the struggling sand demon, who now had his hands back and was trying his rake his own claws down the fox's side.
"You shouldn't talk with you mouth full." Naruto teased in a somewhat sing-song way hopping onto the irked fox's nose.
Kyuubi's eyes narrowed and he mumbled out something that vaguely resembled a threat. Naruto had to laugh as he noticed the large blob of saliva dripping down Shukaku's chest. The sand demon noticed it too and that only seemed to make him struggle more fiercely. Naruto easily jumped up to where Gaara was sleeping, his body only half exposed by the sand. As Naruto tried to make his way to Gaara, Shukaku's sand reacted.
Dodging multiple waves of sand and only staying in one spot for a fraction of a second Naruto made his way ever closer to Gaara. As one long tendril of sand rose up Naruto silently cursed himself for having used up the last of his engraved kunai, and paper seals. Jumping away from one sand arm and right into another rising up Naruto created a few clones to take the hit for him. The sand ran right through the clone dispelling it easily, the hit not even slowing the arm down.
Naruto rolled to the side and knew he couldn't create anything but simple shadow clones knowing that almost all his chakra went into summoning Kyuubi. As soon as he made it within a foot from Gaara the sand beneath him rose up suddenly trapping him. Smaller sand like arms rose up snaking around his arms and body, both cutting and crushing him as Naruto tried his best to pull himself forward using the last of his chakra reserves. Reeling his head back he smacked into Gaara's forehead in a head-butt.
Naruto's eyes went cross and his head now pounded. He could feel a bit of blood oozing down the sides of his face and the sand hands loosening their grip. Gaara's eyes fluttered open. Shukaku screamed as Kyuubi released him. In a last ditch effort he swung for the fox catching him by surprise landing a single blow to the side of Kyuubi's head creating a gash from the fox's cheek down to its shoulder. This caused Kyuubi to yell out in surprise as he suddenly felt pain. As soon as Shukaku's claws began to turn down Kyuubi's front paw he exploded in a shower of sand, leaving an semi-conscious Naruto and an exhausted Gaara to fall helplessly with it.
Kyuubi shot out two tails and caught them both easily. Cradling Naruto on one and clutching Gaara on the other, Kyuubi brought them to his face so he could focus on them. Gaara, though thoroughly exhausted, panted and paled slightly as he came face to face with Naruto's demon. Gaara's first thought was 'how could he defeat me?' but all anger and disgrace he was feeling disintegrated as Naruto said one simple phrase. "Th-thanks.... Kyuubi...." Naruto heaved his vision getting fuzzier by the second. At least he could pass out, unlike Gaara who would remain awake through the pain he was no doubt feeling.
Kyuubi flashed a toothy grin as Gaara looked to the blonde perplexed. "You... have befriended.... your demon?" Gaara asked through gritted teeth obviously showing his surprise and injuries. Kyuubi snorted but said nothing.
"See... what can happen when you ... forgive people and try.... try again?" Naruto chuckled but broke out in a fit of coughs. 'Probably inhaled some of that sand...' He thought dryly.
Hinata peered over Kyuubi's head her face showing her worry as she looked over Naruto. Gaara looked up to her wincing slightly as his head throbbed in doing so. He looked her over, taking in her body language as she looked to Naruto, before staring in to her eyes. He had seen her confusion when Naruto first tapped into his demon's power, and even her fear. As Gaara looked into her eyes searching for any kind of that fear or even cold hate, he found them surprisingly warm. There was fear written on her face, but not fear of him... but... for him? There was nothing, nothing hidden in her eyes but worry and a strange warmth that filled them as she looked to the blonde.
Hinata, noticing Gaara's calculating gaze, locked eyes with him. The strange warmth that she looked to Naruto with was gone, but she still held no hate, only more worry. "I was alone at one point too..." Naruto heaved. "But I never gave up on people and eventually... I found people who I know... wish me nothing but the best..." Naruto explained simply. "I found my precious people... and I will protect them with my life if I have to... and I know... they would do the same for me."
Kyuubi glowed slightly causing Hinata to blink and tighten her grip on the fox's fur afraid he would disappear in a similar fashion that the sand demon had. Red chakra flowed out from Kyuubi and into the tail that Naruto rested on, effectively shrinking his size. Gaara watched with interest as Kyuubi closed his own wound enough to ebb the blood flow before focusing on closing Naruto's wounds. "I draw on my friend's power and they draw from mine... your stronger in a group then you ever would be alone...." Naruto's breathing became slowed. Gaara opened his mouth to speak but Naruto cut him off. "And if you don't know how to make friends... how about I be your first?" Naruto asked tilting his head to look towards Gaara and flashing a small smile. Naruto blinked slowly fighting to stay awake for just a little longer.
Gaara bowed his head "You will not... finish me?" he asked looking to Naruto out of the corner of his eye. When the blonde shook his head, Gaara relaxed slightly. "Then... I would like... to take that offer...." Gaara said as Kyuubi, now no larger then a caravan placed the genin on the ground, laying him on his back.
"Heh, I thought so..." Naruto smiled closing his eyes and falling unconsciousness. His legs now draped off either side of the tree branch sized tail he was laying on. Hinata was now straddling Kyuubi's neck and Sasuke was laying in a draped U shape on Kyuubi's back, Hinata still clutching his wrist and Kyuubi's fur in a death grip. Healing the wound on his shoulder and face completely Kyuubi turned to face the newcomer on the scene.
Temari walked out of the brush obviously shaking as she inched her way to the large fox. "G-G-Gaa-Gaara..." She stammered out, noticing the fox looking at her.
Kyuubi huffed in an attempt not to laugh as he flashed a free tail signaling for her to take the redhead. "Thank you..." Gaara said looking up at both his sister and the fox the words feeling strange to his tongue. Temari blinked but said nothing. Kyuubi nodded and watched as the sand kunoichi picked up her brother and instantly took off in the complete opposite direction.
"Coward...." Kyuubi mumbled turning and trotting towards the village, wrapping his tail lightly around Naruto making sure the blonde won't fall of.
"Umm..." Hinata started but Kyuubi rapped a tail around her mouth silencing her when he moved it she began to spit out the loose bits of crimson fur.
"I'm not going to answer anything, that's up to the kit... when ever he decides to wake up of course." Kyuubi said softly. "I'll take you all into the outskirts of the village, but I'm not about to carry you out of the woods."Kyuubi glanced to Hinata who nodded in understanding. If anyone from the village saw the Kyuubi walking around, all hell would break loose.
"I want you to go and get help. If you can, locate Tsunade, she would be best. If not, do not fear. I'll protect these two until you return and depending on who you bring back, I'll act accordingly." Hinata nodded again. When they reached the forest's edge Hinata jumped off, and though her own wounds and bruises were throbbing, she would do anything to help Naruto... Oh, and Sasuke needed help too...
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Tsunade growled out in frustration as she punched another sound nin who made a crack at her chest, sending said guy into three others and knocking them back as well. She smiled in satisfaction as they didn't get back up, before turning back to her work of healing the injured Konoha nin and ANBU who were fighting. Luckily none of them really had much more then a broken bone or too. The worst of the injuries being a bit of whiplash and a pinched nerve causing minor paralysis. She was just about to move on to the next nin when she herd her name being called. Turning to look she spotted a rather beat up looking Hinata screaming for her help.
Tsunade immediately went to her aid telling one of the nearby medic nin to cover for her. Tsunade sat the girl down, much to her protest, and began her work holding up a finger in front of Hinata's lips stopping her from talking. Hinata's eye twitched, getting annoyed with everyone cutting her off, and pushed the Sannin's hand away. "Not me, it's Naruto!" Hinata yelled out as loud as she could making all the medics look at the pale eyed girl. Tsunade blinked dazedly for a few seconds, letting her ears stop ringing before her brain could process what the younger girl had said.
"Show me, immediately!" Tsunade snapped up with Hinata half under her arm taking the Hyuuga's feet off the ground. After Tsunade released the girl, the pair sped off back into the woods where she had come. Tsunade spotted Naruto and Sasuke instantly, completely ignoring Kyuubi who was standing over them not two feet away.
After examining them both she relaxed slightly. "Come on," She said, turning to Hinata. "we better bring them to the hospital." She picked up Naruto flipping the limp blonde over her shoulder, before grabbing Sasuke. Gingerly she held the dark haired teen with her other arm, then turned back in the direction of the hospital.
"What? Not even a hello?" Kyuubi asked, acting dejected.
"There's a sound nin near the north wall that uses birds as summons" Tsunade said, not even looking at the fox.
"Ok, I'll take that" With that, the mighty kyuubi no kitsune ran off into the forest with the hopes of catching a meal.
"He'll be ok right?" Hinata asked glancing at Naruto.
"Yes, his main concern is chakra exhaustion... which may be rather minor for a normal ninja, but as you now obviously know, Naruto has a massive amount of chakra at his disposal. For his system to suddenly not have all that energy..." Tsunade trailed off knowing Hinata could fill in the blanks. "He also has a few cracked ribs and a small fracture in his skull, as well as a hair line fracture in his right arm. As for Sasuke... well, he's more bruised than anything." Hinata nodded in understanding.
When they reached the hospital and checked the pair in Hinata went in their recovery room and waited for them to return, after getting a quick once over by Tsunade. She never had a chance to see them get brought into the room however, as her own exhaustion overcame her. She fell asleep on the bed Naruto was supposed to be in. When the nurses returned they simply shrugged and placed the blonde carefully beside her covered them both up and left. Hinata sensing the near by heat source, ended up cuddling into Naruto's left arm, her head turning until it was comfortably in the nook of Naruto's neck.
Even though he was unconscious and completely unaware of everything that was going on, Naruto smiled. Sasuke mumbled something in his sleep, or maybe he started snoring, but whatever it was it was drowned out by the beeping of the monitors.
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whoo hooo! well there's chapter 30 down hope you all enjoyed it! I made it extra long in honor of making it this far! though my updating habits may not be the best in the world all can rest easy knowing that there will be an update eventually! *cough* anyway...just hope the battles didn't suck too badly... still way better at writing humor.... anyhoo, not sure when the next update will be out, but please r&r or else.... DUM DUM DUUUNNNN!
THANKS TO HelKat FOR EDITING / REVISING THE CHAPTER!!!!!