Chapter 42 Battles
Night had fallen over the leaf village and Gamba along with the rest of the demon team was either sleeping or standing guard around the old Uchiha main house. As crowned prince he didn't have to stand guard unless he wanted to and while he had gone though the same military training that everyone in the military had, he had never seen direct combat outside of a sparing filed and hunting. He had be promoted to the rank of general not because of his years of training but because of his birth. When judged on the same as everyone else, the general assessment was he was a captain rank which while high for his age wasn't unheard of.
"Now we have only two days until the army attacks." stated Kado as they sat around a the kitchen table.
"Things are looking good on the civilian front, most are scared out of their mind and a growing number just want to surrender." stated Fay
"Do we even know the human's battle plan yet?" asked Yahiko
"Not really it seems Shikamaru played things close to the chest, but from his mate-in-waiting we know it is the same basic idea from the sand…they don't plan to stand and fight, they want to save their people not the village." stated Kado "We are thinking tunnels, luckily I know all the ANBU tunnels including the old ones from the age of the 4th Hokage. We will have teams' stationed waiting for them.
"Good." stated Fay
"We would be doing more if your prince wasn't chasing tail." stated Kado
"It is nice to see him going after someone, he wasn't interesting in any of the women his mom set him up with in the harem." stated Fay "I never liked that stupid tradition, just a sign of the ego of a king to have all those women tied up and he maybe sleeps with five or six of them regularly, then only one can be queen and that is decided by which one is the fastest to have a boy kitten."
"Can we talk about something else." stated Yahiko
"Alright we the area scouted and no paper bombs planted, so no surprises like in the Sand." stated Fay
"I know where Gamba is sleeping for his date with Hinata but what about Itachi and Raeni where are they?" asked Kado as Fay looked across the backyard toward the old indoor training field. "They are having a talk."
Across the backyard Raeni Uchiha looked at the old wooden floor of the training field. While faded she could still see the blood stain from where Itachi killed her parents, well demon clones of her parents. If the demons hadn't moved fast enough she would have died before she was even born. She remembered the stories her parents had told her about how they had learned about her from the demons themselves. She had been human for a total of three hours, just long enough for the doctors to make sure she was alright, to some she was considered human born but since she was demon for so long most including herself considered her pure demon. Then again there was a need, to see what would have been her home if the Uchiha clan hadn't been taken and if they hadn't been massacred.
"I didn't want to do it." stated a voice as Raeni looked over her shoulder to see Itachi standing by the entrees to the training field. Raeni watched him walked around the training field until he came to a stop in the same position he had all those years ago. Brother and sister stood across from each other with the blood of their parents between them. "I choice to sacrifice my family to save people I would never know."
"There is one thing I could never understand why you would do it." stated Raeni "Mom and Dad say you went made with power and wanted to become the sole Uchiha. Then the Leaf village who had isolated the Uchiha clan and feared them allowed you to strike them down so that they couldn't retake their rightful position in the Leaf."
"What do you think?" asked Itachi
"It doesn't make sense, because if you wanted to be the sole Uchiha why did you let Sasuke live." stated Raeni
"Do you want to know the truth?" asked Itachi
"The truth is a relative term, what the truth is to one person is lies to another." explained Raeni 'That is what mom always says."
"Sounds like mom." stated Itachi
"It is truth is that yes, the Leaf village did Isolate and spied on the Uchiha clan. They did it out of fear because they believed that only a Sharingan could control the Kyuubi." stated Itachi
"Foolish humans, like a demon could be controlled by a human." stated Raeni
"They didn't know about the demon world or everything we know about demon nature." explained Itachi "They believed that the Uchiha clan betrayed them and that belief caused the Uchiha clan to plan their rebellion and take over the leaf village. As the fastest rising Uchiha clan member in the ANBU they ordered me to spy on the Leaf military command."
"And you betrayed them." stated Raeni
"Yes…I did." answered Itachi "I realized right away that the Uchiha clan couldn't take over the Leaf village, one clan couldn't rule over all other the clans. It would just lead to the Leaf village breaking apart and the other ninja nations would pounce on the chance to take down the leaf. I couldn't let the power grab of one clan which couldn't be carry out in the first place. Thousands of people would die because a group of just over a hundred people wanted more power."
"So you killed them." stated Raeni "Your family, your mother, your father and you would have killed me."
"If I had known mom was pregnant I would have spared her, while she helped with planning of the uprising she was always looking for another way to solve the problem." explained Itachi "I planned for mom to be away when I did it but she didn't go out like she normally did."
"So you killed her?" snapped Raeni
"Yes." answered Itachi "I had been ordered to kill her and Sasuke but in the end I couldn't bring myself to kill Sasuke."
"Why?" asked Raeni
"Because I wanted him to kill me." stated Itachi as his sister raised an eyebrow "I had killed my family to save my nation, I wanted to die more than a few times I had my suicide pill in my mouth but I couldn't swallow. I wanted my brother to get revenge for his family by killing me. I hoped that revenge would make him stronger and once he killed me he would settle down and live a life of peace."
"Well that didn't happen." stated Raeni "He is a fucking snake, not even a mammal even more."
"I under estimated Sasuke hate, I believed he would fill himself with hate and gain strength though hard work." explained Itachi "Instead he went down a dark path, first with Orochimaru and then with Madara he isn't the same boy I carried on my back after he tried he trained."
"Mom and Dad blame you for him." stated Raeni
"I don't blame them for that." stated Itachi "I may not have made him what he is today but I started him down the path."
"What are you going to about the Leaf?" asked Raeni "You already helped the humans by giving them information about us."
Itachi took a deep breath as he realized he had to pick a side.
"I sacrificed so much for my village, I killed my family, I joined a group lead by a mad man named Madara and I let my brother kill me." stated Itachi as he looked though a small opening in the training field, he could just make out Fay sitting at the kitchen table "I am not going to lose the woman I love too."
It was just after five as Gamba stood on top of the red footbridge, he held some red roses in his hand. According to the Kado roses was a sign of love in among the humans, maybe it was fate because it was the same flower that symbolized the royal line. On some level he felt bad; he was lying to Hinata about what he was but not who he was. He prayed that would make up for it in the end. He let his guard down, something at would have killed him on the battlefield. The sound of the footsteps on the wooden bridge got his attention, his heart soured as he sniffed the air hoping to catch Hinata's scent. However the scent he smelled was clearly male and clearly not human. He turned his eyes to see Naruto Namikaze standing on the bridge in his human form. Neither one of them said anything as Naruto moved so that he stood beside Gamba, their reflections side by side in the small pound below. Gamba took a deep breath before he even spoke.
"So I am guessing Hinata knows?" asked Gamba as Naruto nodded his head.
"You know I really hoped it really wasn't you Gamba." said Naruto "That it was just a fluke, and you where just a human with the same name as the crowned Prince of the demon felines."
"But it wasn't." stated Gamba
"So what is your game Gamba?" asked Naruto "Trying to get information about the Leaf?"
"No." answered Gamba sadly.
"Then why go after Hinata?" asked Naruto
"Yes, why?" asked Hinata's voice as Gamba turned to see Hinata, her team, Tsunade and two dozen ANBU all standing there. "What did you just want another whore for your harem!"
"Hinata." said Gamba sadly as he lowered his head.
Before he could answer two figures landed beside him there standing in front of them were two demon panthers the male was black as night and the female was black with a little mix of dark blue. Both of them had their razor sharp claws at the ready. The ANBU's eyes widened as they looked into the red Sharingan eyes of the male he also had thin but noticeable lines on his face. Instead of a black circle pupil in the center it was a black slit. Reacting to the threat Naruto dropped the hedge as he stood there in his demon form, his claws at the ready.
"Itachi, Fay stand down." ordered Gamba as the two royal guards relaxed a bit but remained on alert.
"Yes, my prince." stated Fay
"Well this isn't how I hoped this day would be going." said Gamba as he walked forward stopping in front of Lady Tsunade. "Hello Lady Hokage, my name is Gamba crowned prince of the demon lion royal family and future king of the demon feline kingdom."
"Why are you here?" asked Tsunade as Gamba looked toward Hinata for a brief moment before looking at Tsunade "I am here to save lives, and try to prevent you from doing something stupid."
"You mean like killing you all." stated Kiba as Akamaru growled a bit.
"Please if you wanted to kill me you would have place a bomb under the footbridge, I am betting that Minato or someone else told you that if I am killed then the demons will not turn people, they will kill people." stated Gamba "You may want to capture me but not kill me and if you really wanted to capture me you would have brought more people."
"I am here." stated Naruto "I can stop you."
"You may be able to but the problem is Naruto what is the point?" asked Gamba "This isn't your village anymore, they want to kill you as much as any pure blood demon."
"What?" asked Naruto as he looked at Tsunade who simply looked down, telling him the answer with on look.
"There has been talk not only in the street but among councilors to publically execute you and your pack." stated Gamba "They don't do it because they know that they couldn't stop you escaping but given the choice most of these humans would kill you on the spot now."
"Is this true?" asked Naruto as he looked toward Tsunade.
"Sadly, Yes." stated Tsunade as Naruto lowered his head
"After everything I did, defeating Gaara during the sand attack, defeating Pain, the Akatsuki, the war, Sasuke and Madara?" asked Naruto "That means nothing now?"
'Naruto…just give them time." answered Tsunade
"Did time let them forgive you for my actions." stated a new voice as Naruto turned his head to see Kado, his nine tails moving behind him. For a moment no one said anything as suddenly a load chant filled the air. Naruto and the others looked to see a large group of civilians standing there.
"Death to the demons!" yelled the villagers.
"I thought this area was cleared." snapped Tsunade get them out of here.
"Do you really think they care if you are on their side, to them you, your pack and Sakura are demons to them nothing more." stated Kado "They will kill you if they had the chance."
"No…they don't know it's me." explained Naruto as he changed back to his human form. For a moment the mod went quite. Naruto smiled his faith in his village restored.
"See." answered Naruto only to have a glass bottle smash into his head cutting his face sending blood gushing out. Naruto held his hand to his head to the wound to try and slow the bleeding.
"I got the demon child!" yelled a member of the crowed as Naruto turned to see an eleven year old boy. The crowed broke out into cheers as they started throwing more items the demons, most of which landed in the water below the bridge.
"Now do you see." answered Kado "They will hate you because you're a demon and they will never see past that."
"Fay do you want to take care of them?" asked Gamba as Fay turned and looked toward the mod of humans.
"What are you doing." stated Tsunade
"Don't worry they will not be harmed." explained Gamba as Fay formed a hand sign before letting out a load roar that shock the wooden bridge and broke glass in the way she was looking at, the objects that where flying though the air where sent back toward the villagers. Some of the villagers even fell down from the roar. The rest took off running in fear, joined by the fallen villagers as soon as they got back up.
"Now that we have that out of the way we can talk." stated Gamba
"There is nothing to talk about we will fight to the death and we will take you with us." stated Tsunade
"Yes, you may try to fight but you will not win." stated Gamba as a red flare shot straight up, it was the sign that the guards along the outer wall where suppose to use if they spotted demons.
"The army is here." stated Fay
"I thought we have another day." whispered Kiba to Shino
"You do, they are just getting into positions." stated Gamba "However if we are touched the attack will begin."
"We will never give in." stated Tsunade
"You know I bet the ninjas from Iwagakure and Sunagakure who are now members of the army which is gathering outside your walls said the same thing." stated Gamba
"Lady Tsunade I hope you consider giving in, we have Jiriaya." stated Kado as Tsunade lowered her head for a moment before looking straight at Kado.
"He would have wanted me to fight." stated Tsunade
"My prince since it doesn't look your plans today fell through may I recommend we join the army." stated Fay as Gamba nodded his head.
"We aren't going to let you go." stated an ANBU as Tsunade looked toward Naruto, if they were going to stop the demons from leaving they would need Naruto. However Naruto wasn't looking at them, he was looking at his blood soaked hands. There was something different, Naruto had been hurt in the past even by villagers but the way Naruto was acting, and something was different.
"Go." stated Tsunade as the ANBU looked at her. "If we attack them their army will attack us."
"They are going to attack us anyhow." stated Kiba
"We need time to prepare our defense." explained Tsunade
"Prince Gamba it is time to go." stated Itachi
"Understood." said Gamba as he looked toward Hinata for a moment, then he spoke more to Hinata then anyone else. "See you."
With that the four demons disappeared leaving Naruto the only demon on the bridge. The wound was healing but Naruto was still looking at the blood on his hands.
"Naruto?" asked Tsunade
"Take me back to my pack." ordered Naruto as he looked toward Tsunade, his eyes where no longer human they where slit, the eyes of a demon fox not a human. There also wasn't the same loving look in his eyes, the one a child would give to a grandparent instead it was a hurt and spiteful glare.
"My God, what did those villagers do?" thought Tsunade
Outside the walls Gamba approached the main command center, he had transformed back to his natural demon form.
"Prince Gamba we need to talk." stated Vachan as the demon tiger royal guard commander walked up to him.
"What is it?" growled Gamba he wasn't in the mood to talk, he had hoped to be having dinner with Hinata instead he was having diner as one of the commanders of the army out to destroy her village.
"I haven't gotten a report from Yahiko and he hasn't returned from the Leaf village, the wolf Uchiha came back when we first arrived to deliver the reports." stated Vachan "I need to know where my royal guard is."
"Don't you mean where my guard is our did you forget I am your superior." stated Gamba
"Sorry my prince it was a slip of the tongue, it's just Yahiko is one of my best commanders and I need him to lead an attack team." stated Vachan
"I am afraid you will have to find someone else." explained Gamba "I have given him a special task."
"What task?" demanded Vachan as Gamba turned and looked toward him.
"That is none of your business Vachan it is an order past down by royal order as a matter of royal internal issues." stated Gamba as Vachan swallowed that meant that the only person who could even ask what the order was, was the Queen and then only the queen in combination with the royal court could resend the order. The members of the court while most supported Gamba, the traditionist who would question him wouldn't for fear of losing their positions when Gamba rose to the throne.
"Understood my prince." stated Vachan as he moved off.
"Why didn't you tell him that you left Yahiko behind to look after Hinata?" asked Fay
"Because I have enough problems to deal with right now, I don't want to deal with him yelling about traditions." said Gamba as he moved off as different guards took over "I going to get some rest. You two should do the same."
"I don't get it; traditions let him pick members of his harem, so why is he worried." said Fay "There has been tigers and panthers in the harem even though the feline races can't have kids together."
"I don't think he wants her as a member of the harem Fay." said Itachi as she looked at him. "I think he wants what we have.
Well I hope you liked this chapter, I would like to thank everyone who reviewed and I ask that you keep on reading. Thanks Wilkins75
