Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"
Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.
"People live their lives bound by what they accept as correct and true. That's how they define "reality". But what does it mean to be "correct" or "true"? Merely vague concepts ... their "reality" may all be a mirage. Can we consider them to simply be living in their own world, shaped by their beliefs?"-Itachi
"I ain't such a saint that I can promise to risk my life for strangers. Neither am I scum to sit quietly while people are getting hurt before my eyes!"- Kurosaki Ichigo.
As Makaze's words finally sunk in, he found himself looking into the face of Tsukino. "What do you mean you quit," Tsukino exclaimed as she glared at her teammate. Even Darui questioned his student. Makaze ignored them and turned to leave, but found Naruto blocking his path. Looking at Makaze, Naruto saw he was still hurting deep down.
"Are you sure," Naruto asked earning him a glare from Suigetsu.
Allowing a smile to enter his features, Makaze just nodded his head, before making his way to the exit. Chewing on his senbon, Genma looked at Haku. "Well, now wehave an uneven number," Genma's eyes said it all. "So I guess we enter the names one more time and see who comes up and during the finally match whoever wins goes against the winner." Naruto watched just long enough to see who Haku was going against, but once Sai's name popped up; he left. Suigetsu turned just in time to see Naruto disappear around the corner, the same direction Makaze left in.
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"Hey, Makaze!"
Stopping in the deserted hallway, the Kumo nin turned around. As Naruto came into view, Makaze felt that old hatred begin to bubble inside his chest. Seeing Makaze's white-knuckled fist, Naruto stopped a few feet away. "What do you want, Uzumkai," Makaze's voice surprised Naruto. It didn't contain any of his previous rage, but instead it was replaced with a dry, almost dead tone.
"What are you doing just giving up," Naruto's question didn't elect a response from the boy, but Naruto could tell he was not the boy he fought in the woods. "Is this the Makaze I fought in the woods or are you someone new?"
Looking away, Makaze turned his gaze to the sky. "I don't know," Makaze finally said as he turned his eyes to Naruto. "I can't afford to lose control of myself and put my friends endanger once again. So I elected to leave the tournament, before that could happen." Turning his back to Naruto, Makaze began his walk out of the tower, but stopped a few feet away. "But don't take this as a reprieve from me. I still hate you and when I get better control over myself, I will come back for you." Smiling, Naruto nodded his head as Makaze turned a corner and left Naruto's line of sight. As he turned and headed back, Naruto knew Makaze was going to be fine. He was on his way to beaten his own anger. As he turned to the arena he saw Haku helping Sai off the ground.
"So Haku won," Naruto's question was unneeded as Genma announced Haku's victory. "So now that leaves Hinata, Gaara, that kid with the bushy brows, Tsukino, Suigetsu, and that kid with Hinata's eyes." As Naruto rejoined his team, Suigetsu fixed him with a stare that told Naruto; he was going to have a lot of questions to answer. Shrugging the look off, Naruto turned his eyes to the screen. That was when he saw two names he didn't want to see paired together; Suigetsu Hozuki vs. Tsukino Nozomi. Turning to his teammate, Naruto could see him already replaying what happened in the forest.
"Suigetsu, are you alright?"
The quiet voice came from Haku as she placed a gently hand on the boy's shoulder. Suigetsu didn't respond right away, but nodded his head as he headed for the stairs. Tsukino just chuckled as she jumped off the balcony landing perfectly on the ground. "Why don't you just give up," Tsukino taunted as Suigetsu stepped in front of her. "We both know that if it wasn't for that girl, I would've killed you." Suigetsu didn't bother to respond, but removed the sword from his back. Resting the blade on his shoulder, Suigetsu waited for the match to start. As Genma raised his hand to start, Tsukino took a scroll out of her pocket. "Well, if that is how you want to play." As the scroll opened, the kanji on it began to glow. "Then I guess I'll just have to beat you down." The scroll exploded into smoke that obscured the girl from sight. When the smoke cleared the girl was holding a regular katana. This didn't give Suigetsu confidence. If Kumogakure was known for one thing, it was that they produced people who loved to fight with swords.
"Begin!"
Suigetsu swung his sword just in time to block Tsukino's blade. Gritting his teeth, Suigetsu shoved the girl back, but she landed only a foot away. Smiling to herself, Tsukino began her assault on the Hozuki. For the most part Suigetsu managed to block the attacks, but the ones he didn't, he managed to turn that part of his body into water. Seizing the chance, Suigetsu stopped blocking and grabbed the blade. The effect was almost immediate. Pain shot through Suigetsu as the electricity traveled through the blade into him. Ignoring the pain, Suigetsu threw the girl behind him. Stabbing her sword into the ground, Tsukino used the momentum from Suigetsu throw to spin herself around until she faced her opponent.
"Damn it," Suigetsu cursed finding his entire body numb and unresponsive to his Suika no Jutsu (Hydration Technique). Holding his sword in front of him, Suigetsu tried to get his body back to normal, but the electricity was still surging through him. At this point, Suigetsu thought back to when Kinkaku and Ginkaku figured out his weakness.
XXX
Flashback
Suigetsu bounced off the ground as Kinkaku swatted him away. "Come on you have to try harder," Kinkaku yelled out. Naruto and Ginkaku sat on the sidelines watching with interest in their eyes.
"That's easy for you to say," Suigetsu yelled back with anger in his eyes. "You try fighting someone who uses lightning attacks, when your body is nothing, but water!" This caused an eerie silence to fall around the group.
"Wait a minute," Kinkaku stated for a brief second. "What did you just say?"
Suigetsu turned and looked at the ground, anger still boiling in him. "You heard me," Suigetsu said not looking at Kinkaku. "I'm from the Hozuki clan. Our bodies are trained and honed in a specific way, to where we are almost all water. From a single hair to our very bones, we can turn ourselves into water." There was a proud tone in Suigetsu's voice, but that wasn't the end. "But not just any type of water; it-." Suigetsu stopped and refused to say anymore on his unique ability.
"I guess it hurts like a bitch being hit with lightning," Kinkaku stated getting a slight nod from the boy. Leaning back, Kinkaku began to think as Suigetsu waited for his response. Just then Kinkaku's eyes brightened as he thought of something. "Your power is versatile. You can slip through any crack or allow attacks to pass through you relatively unharmed. Your technique is very strategic it gives you a lot more advantages then you realize." Suigetsu looked at Kinkaku hanging on his every word. "Listen, just because your weakness is lightning chakra, doesn't mean you can't turn that against your opponent. If you ever fight someone who uses that type of chakra do-."
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Flashback end
Suigetsu was knocked out of his thoughts when Tsukino charged, lightning bouncing off of her blade. Locking blades with the Kumo girl, Suigetsu watched as the lightning was transferred into his blade. Before the lightning reached his body, Suigetsu pointed his finger at Tsukino with his thumb sticking up.
"Mizudeppō no Jutsu (Water Gun Technique)," Suigetsu stated calmly as his finger rippled. Tsukino ducked just as a bullet of water shot out of Suigetsu's finger, drilling into the rock wall behind her. Jumping back from the boy, Tsukino just stared at him in shock. "I've been fighting you all wrong. Instead of fighting with my sword, I should be fighting you at a distance." With that Suigetsu, sealed his sword into his scroll. As Suigetsu's hands fell to his side, he had both hands in the same sign as before. "You make the first move." Tsukino swallowed, but charged regardless. Suigetsu followed her movements, but once she was about two feet away, he pointed his left hand at her. Jumping over the attack, Tsukino watched as Suigetsu pointed his other finger at her.
"Shit!"
Jerking her body to the side, Tsukino gritted her teeth as the water bullet drilled through her shoulder. Realizing the position she was in, Tsukino threw her blade at Suigetsu, who simply sidestepped the weapon. "Raiton: Ikazuchi Kashou (Thunder Burn)," Tsukino exclaimed her jutsu as she fired one bolt of lightning from her palm. Watching the lightning slice its way to him, Suigetsu stood his ground. As the attack made contact, the ground Suigetsu was standing in was turned into a dust cloud. The smoke cleared slowly, but there was no sign of Suigetsu.
"I guess I vaporized him," Tsukino announced with a joyous voice, but that was when she felt someone nudge her head. Turning her head towards the nudge, she found a newly forming Suigetsu.
"Judging from your face I guess you're confused," Suigetsu stated, but he didn't wait for Tsukino to confirm his statement. "My clan specializes in turning our very bodies into water. From our hair to our bones, everything can be turned into water."
"But that doesn't explain how you avoided my attack," Tsukino questioned with narrowed eyes.
"Just before the attack hit, I turned my entire body into water," Suigetsu started with a small smile. "And using the various cracks around the area, I simply "walked" the distance to you." Tsukino said nothing, but Suigetsu could see her mouth curl into a smile. Before he could ask her what's so funny, the girl's body began to spark with lightning. One bolts arched it's straight up Suigetsu outstretched arm. Screaming in pain, Suigetsu jumped back while holding onto his numb arm.
"No matter how you slice it, you can't beat me," Tsukino turned around allowing Suigetsu to get a full view of her face. She had one of the most excited faces he had ever seen; almost like him being in pain was amusing her. "Now be a good little boy and give up." Dropping his head, Suigetsu's eyes were shielded from view. Just when everyone thought he was going to give, Suigetsu stood to his full height and stared Tsukino down. The sheer determination in Suigetsu eyes made the girl actually flinch.
"The thing about Naruto and me you should know is this," Suigetsu pointed his finger gun at Tsukino. "We never give up!" Suigetsu fired his bullet of water just as Tsukino fired off a bolt of lightning. Suigetsu was sent backwards as the lightning collided with him and Tsukino fell backwards as the bullet passed through her other shoulder. Hitting his head against the opposite wall, Suigetsu slid down the wall, dazed and confused, but still awake. Tsukino struggled to get up as having both of her shoulders shot with condensed water was hurting her, but that didn't stop her from moving them. The two were breathing heavily from the pain and chakra usage.
"It's over," Tsukino announced as Suigetsu couldn't even get up. But before Genma could call the match, a geyser of water erupted from behind Tsukino. Turning around, Tsukino didn't have time to react as the water fell on her before swirling into a sphere.
"Suirō no Jutsu (Water Prison Technique)," Suigetsu unevenly voiced his jutsu's name. Looking at her opponent, Tsukino saw one of his arms was seeping into the cracks in the floor.
"Again he used the floor to his advantage to get me by surprise," Tsukino narrowed her eyes at that thought. Electricity bounced off her body as it traveled with the water to Suigetsu. Gritting his teeth, Suigetsu kept all his concentration on the sphere of water. Tsukino's eyes widened as she felt her air escaping her.
"Now you give up," Suigetsu voiced as he stared at her. "Or I won't release you." Tsukino tried to reach the other side of the sphere, but it moved and morphed out of her reach. Genma, sensing the end near, called the match.
"Winner, Suigetsu Hozuki."
Tsukino fell to the ground gasping for air as Suigetsu released her. Attempting to get up, Suigetsu just fell back down. Instead, he offered a smile towards his teammates. Not caring about the consequences, Naruto and Haku both jumped down and ran to their downed team member. "I won," Suigetsu voice was like he couldn't believe he won the fight. "I just winged it; I didn't actually think I would've won that way." Helping him up, Naruto patted his friend on the chest.
"You did great Suigetsu," Naruto commented with a wide fox-like grin on his face. "I can't wait to tell Kinkaku and Ginkaku about this." Suigetsu's eyes became a source of grief and guilt at that, but kept his head hung low so Naruto wouldn't see. But Haku wasn't fooled. She knew that Suigetsu didn't like lying to his best friend. Sensing the tension Naruto stared at the two. "Is everything okay?" This time it was Haku who responded.
"Yes, but I think Suigetsu needs to be checked out by the medics," Nodding his head in agreement, the trio waited as a medic team was sent to them. As the medics took Suigetsu and Tsukino away to be treated, Naruto and Haku was sent back to the balcony. Everyone's attention was drawn back to the screen as names flashed through it, finally stopping on two names, Hinata Hyuga vs. Neji Hyuga. Looking towards the girl he saved, Naruto could see some hesitation in her eyes, but upon seeing Naruto looking at her, it vanished. Watching the two walk down to the arena, Naruto saw that the boy named Neji was all smiles, but not you genuine "how you doing" smiles. This one was filled with malice and joy.
As the two reached the center of the destroyed arena "Hello, cousin," Hinata said gently as if afraid to startle a wild animal. Neji's smile didn't budge. This caused Naruto to get nervous. The reason behind it was what he was sensing from the boy; killer intent.
"Fate has bought us together," Neji spoke in an even tone. "And that same fate will lead to my victory." Hinata's eyes half-shut as she waited for the match to start. The moment Genma's hand descended, Neji and Hinata both activated their eyes. Palms to their sides, the two charged at one another. Throwing their palms at each other, everyone could see the flashes of chakra erupt from their hands as they collided. This didn't stop as Hinata watched as Neji threw his other palm at her. Blocking it with her free arm, Neji used his own momentum to spin around the Hyuga girl. Just managing to duck under Neji's attack, Hinata threw a backwards kick. Catching Neji in the chest, the boy slid back a few feet, but not much. The two entered their stances once more, but it was obvious Hinata was trying her best not to hurt her cousin, while Neji was doing the opposite. The Hyuga boy was trying everything he could to hit Hinata, but Hinata was doing everything she could to block them.
"Please I don't want to fight you," Hinata pleaded with hurt in her eyes, but Neji just scoffed.
"This is my destiny to fight and beat you," Neji announced as he smoothed his stance even more. "You can't beat fate, Hinata that is just an impossible fact." Realizing that trying to talk sense into Neji was useless, Hinata got ready for another attack. As Neji attacked, Hinata went on the defensive. Blocking every attack, Hinata could see Neji's anger growing in his eyes.
"Please, I don't want to hurt you," Hinata's words only seemed to intensify Neji's anger. Feeling his attacks hitting harder, Hinata jumped back, but Neji didn't let her have any breathing room. Continuing the assault, Hinata couldn't find any openings for her to exploit. "He is faster then what I thought he would be." Looking into Neji's eyes, Hinata could see all the pain and hate glowing behind those white orbs. "Neji, what have you done to yourself." Sneering, Neji spun in the middle of his attack and caught Hinata in the stomach. Skidding back, Hinata managed to catch her feet, just in time to block another attack by Neji.
"You ask what happened to me," Neji's tone was filled with malice, but at the same time it was clear and precise. "The main house happened to me. Just because you got captured and your father killed your kidnapper, my father was killed as a result of that." Naruto's eyes narrowed towards the Hyuga boy sensing his killer intent die down slightly. "The main house used my father like they use all of us from the branch house, like slaves." Neji's eyes seemed to grow more distant, as if he was losing touch with reality, but soon they came back. "It's because of you and your father that my dad had to die. He never had a choice, but to be the scapegoat!" It was at this point the boy's killer intent spiked causing Naruto's hand to grip the railing. Seeing this, Yamato placed a hand on the boy. Looking towards his sensei, Naruto saw him shaking his head. "So I will get my revenge on the main house by proving the strength of the branch house!" Leaping towards Hinata, Neji drew chakra into his head until it glowed blue. Seeing this, Hinata ducked under this attack. Turning his body around in mid-air, Neji maneuvered out of Hinata's attack. Seeing her chance, Hinata spun around on her heel slamming her palm into Neji's left shoulder. Fire ignited in Neji's eyes, as he threw his right palm into Hinata's right shoulder. Chakra seemed to burst from the point Hinata got hit. Grabbing her shoulder, Hinata jumped back, as her arm swung useless down her side.
"That attack broke my shoulder," Hinata thought as she heard Neji's footsteps close in on her.
"You want to know the problem with you, Hinata," Neji's question hung in the air for a few seconds before he answered. "You're too soft for the ninja world. You always try and do the right thing and help people or try and see them through their troubles. Well let me tell you something that is your biggest weakness."
"Being kind isn't a weakness," Hinata stated with an unwavering gaze in her eyes. "You gave in to your anger and now you lash out at everyone in your path." Hinata's words just fed the fire in Neji's eyes, but then she said the one thing that sent Neji over the edge. "You are the weak one here." As soon as those words left her mouth, Neji was on her. His hands were nothing, but blue blurs as Hinata did her best to dodge and deflect each one, one-handed. That was when Neji slammed his hand into Hinata's disabling her only defense. Before the proctor could even call the match off, Neji blasted Hinata's chest with a chakra laced palm. The world seemed to die, as Hiinata looked down at Neji's arm dumbfounded as blood dripped down her lips.
"Who is the weak one now?"
Pulling his arm away, Neji allowed the girl to fall, but not before being caught. Looking back, Neji saw Naruto laying the girl down on her back. Nothing, but concern and anger etched on Naruto's face. Medics came rushing down the hallway towards the two as Hinata's team descended from the balcony to her side. Blood continued to pour out of the girl's mouth, but she still smiled at her friends. This only furthered Naruto's decent into anger. Backing away, Naruto said and did nothing that laid anyone to believe he was about to do anything.
"I guess the weak need to stay togeth-," Neji's next words were cut off when he was grabbed and held in the air by his throat. Looking down, Neji could've sworn he was looking the eyes of a demon. Naruto's eyes seemed to glow with an unnatural light, which burned with uncontrollable anger.
"She wasn't weak," Naruto's voice rang out as his grip tightened around the boy's throat. "Kindness is not a weakness; it brings people together and allows for better understanding of others, but anger and hate is a different story. That sole emotion creates so much pain and misery in this world. You may think you are strong, but in reality you are a weakling." Releasing his hold, Neji fell to the ground coughing and gasping for air. Staring back up at Naruto, Neji saw that his eyes were back to normal. "If we meet in the next rounds, I be sure to so you what true power is." Turing his back to Neji, Naruto watched as Hinata was led away with the medics and Kurenai. Looking at everyone, Naruto saw looks of fear, confusion, and excitement. Grunting, Naruto headed towards the same door they left from. "Tell me what I miss; I'm going out for some much needed air, because if I stay any longer, I might just hurt that bastard over there." No one seemed to want to argue with the boy, as the door shut behind him.
XXX
Arriving at the hospital, Naruto sat down on a random bench looking at the secretary with a burning look. Naruto had asked the woman where Hinata's room was at, but she told him that she just got out of surgery and wasn't allowed visitors; except for family and her sensei. Naruto knew it wasn't fair to direct his anger at her, but he couldn't help it, his anger was directed at a variety of sources. Naruto was mad at Yamato for basically telling him not to interfere, Neji for doing the deed, but mostly at himself. The Jonin didn't make it in time to stop it before it got too far. Gripping his other hand until his knuckles turned white, Naruto stared at the ground with such intensity, that everyone thought it would catch fire. Yamato said they would stop the fight, but they didn't. Hearing a door open, Naruto turned towards the sound and saw Kurenai leaving a room with tear stains in her eyes. Feeling someone's eyes on her, Kurenai turned, but the saw no one, except for an open window.
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As carefully as he could, Naruto opened the window to Hinata's room. The girl was hooked up to a machine to help her breathing, but other then the bruises and wires, she looked to be sleeping. Carrying a lone vase that contained with three Iris flowers inside, Naruto sat it next to the girl. "I'm sorry Hinata," Looking down at the girl, Naruto felt grief grip his heart. "I know I should've done something, but I-." Naruto didn't finish his sentence just stared at the ground in shame. "But I promise I will make this right." Hearing approaching footsteps, Naruto leapt through the window, but not before giving the girl one last look. As Naruto descended from the window, the door opened revealing Hiashi, Hanabi, and Hitomi. The moment the two walked in they saw the window opened and the vase of flowers. Walking towards the window with his Byakugan active, Hiashi scanned the area, but whoever was here was gone. Looking back, he saw Hitomi looking at a card the individual left behind.
"Get well soon and I'm sorry."
The card had no indication of who wrote it, but Hiashi and Hitomi had a suspicion of who did it. "He is quite a caring little boy," Hitomi looked at Hiashi who shrugged.
"He has his father's looks, but his attitude is that of his mother," Hiashi commented as he stared at Hinata.
"Who visited Hinata?"
Looking towards they youngest daughter, Hitomi just gave her a sly smile. "It would appear Hinata as a secret admiring," Hanabi's eager eyes told Hitomi she wanted more info. "Well, the kid we had dinner with named Naruto?" Keeping this question in the air, Hitomi watched in amusement as Hanabi's smile crept into her features. "Get well soon my daughter." Giving her daughter a kiss on the forehead, the Hyuga family sat back and watched her daughter breathe.
Here is the next chapter and I have a few surprises in the next few chapters like what is Naruto's training and how the finals will go. Oh, I have a question for you all, instead of going straight to training do you guys want Naruto to spend some time with Hinata or not. Anyway hope you all have a good day.