Yay! Another chapter. :D Here goes nothing. Let me know what you think and please please please review.
"Mommy, I don't feel so well," Jiraiya whimpered his brow damp from sweat. He was laying on a soft bed within the Hyuuga compound, his mother close by with a wet cool cloth. Hinata gently pressed it to his forehead, her eyes full of worry.
"Where is Ino-chan?" she asked, her hand grasping Jiraiya's tightly. "Where does it hurt?"
"All over… I keep feeling this pressure in my tummy," he said.
At that moment her father, Hiashi, came in, his face a mix of worry and question.
"How is he?" he asked, placing a gentle hand on Hinata's shoulder.
"Tired, in pain, and probably a bit frightened," Hinata replied, her eyes closing slowly to hold back the tears. "He's never been this sick before…"
"It's not normal sickness like flu," Hiashi murmured, activating his byakugan. "His chakra levels are excessive, almost to the point of abnormality. Do you think it could be the kyuubi?"
"I don't know but the Kyuubi would never harm Jiraiya. That much is for sure," Hinata assured, her eyes drifting from Hiashi to Jiraiya. She activated her byakugan and gently placed a hand on his stomach. "Kurama would never do that to Naruto's son."
"I have no doubts about that, but he seems to be adapting rather roughly to the kyuubi's powers. His own chakra, which is still developing, is having some sort of reaction with Kurama's," Hiashi pointed, moving to sit on the end of the boy's bed. "Yamanaka-san should be here soon. She will know what to do."
"Grandpa," Jiraiya said, his eyes watching his grandfather. "The kyuubi can speak to me."
At this Hinata's eyes went wide, Hiashi moving swiftly to take his grandson's hand. "Speak to you? What does he say?"
Jiraiya coughed softly, his hand covering his mouth before he scrunched his nose, like a horrid smell had graced it. "He… he doesn't really talk. It's more like I can hear his thoughts. He says I'll be okay though, and for mommy to not worry."
"Has this happened before, my love?" Hinata asked, the back of her hand grazing his cheek.
"Only a little, and that was just when I read Yuka-chan's emotions. Where is Yuka-chan? She could heal me too."
He started to rise up out of bed but Hinata placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "She's on a mission," Hinata lied. "No worries Jiraiya. Ino-oba will be here soon and you'll feel much better."
"Mommy, you're lying to me. Why?" he asked, his eyes narrowing. "What is wrong?"
"Jiraiya," Hiashi said, his eyes focused on the boy's small face. "Don't question you're mother like that. We'll have Yamanaka-san look you over and we will take it from there."
"Kurama said that Yuka is dangerous. That he can feel her aura from here. She's not far off and-," Jiraiya paused, his eyes going wide. Then he smiled, his eyes dropping to his lap. "Daddy says he will take care of Yuka and me."
Hinata's eyes were as round as saucers, tears filling them quickly. "N-Naruto?" she whispered, her hand covering her lips. "You… he's…?"
"He says not to cry mommy. Said that you're doing such an amazing job and that he misses you more than anything," Jiraiya confessed, his hand reaching for his mothers. She took it quickly, a soft smile gracing her lips. "He says you are so pretty when you smile, mommy."
She couldn't help but cry at this, a soft sob escaping her lips. Jiraiya squeezed her hand and then looked at Hiashi. "Grandpa, Kurama and daddy both want you and Neji-ojisan to take me to Yuka."
"Out of the question! You tell your father that lives are on the line with this and that he shouldn't be selfish-."
Just then there was a shudder about the room, Jiraiya's body glowing a vibrant red, a tail sprouting from behind him. He didn't look scared or sickly, but vivid, his eye's alight with cerulean blue. He was sprouting long, almost graceful ears, alight with an orange and red glow. Hinata squeezed his hand harder, her face the definition of horror.
"Hiashi-sama," rang a familiar voice, and Hinata jumped up, her eye's leaking streams of tears. That voice was unmistakable; it was Naruto. Hiashi, who at first was angry only stepped back, his eyes alight with alarm and fear. "No harm will come to Jiraiya," he continued, Jiraiya's lips moving in sync. It was as if Naruto's very spirit took over Jiraiya's body. "I know what has been going on, what Konohamaru intends to do. As admirable as it is, it is important that we try and rid ourselves of this problem once and for all. I lost Sasuke and Sakura to his hatred. I will not lose my son, my village, or my friends to him again. You will take me to Yuka Uzumaki."
"N-Naruto-sama," Hiashi spoke, his eyes watching Jiraiya wearily. "We cannot just put Jiraiya in such blatant danger. Nor can we disobey our Hokage-."
"I understand that Lord Hiashi. There is no time. My chakra is limited and Kurama's is growing stronger. I can end him once and for all. Think of it as my last act as Hokage."
"Naruto," Hinata spoke, stepping forward to grab Jiraiya's hand again. She squeezed it to her, her cheek grazing the back of it. "You've given so much. Please, let Shikamaru and Neji-niisan take care of it."
"Hinata," he whispered, Jiraiya's small hand cupping her face. "I've missed you, more than I could ever express. Seeing you now brings a longing to my heart that burns constantly. I want to do this one last thing for my village, for our son… for you."
She gently hissed his palm, her eye's closing in thought. Then she nodded, her eyes meeting Hiashi's. "We will take him, father. We will end this threat once and for all." She then looked back at Jiraiya. "Please, keep him safe Kurama, Naruto… my love."
"I promise," Naruto assured, Jiraiya's body lifting off the bed slightly. Hiashi just sighed, nodding in agreement.
"Fine, but I will be with you this whole time. You are not to leave my sight," Hiashi assured, his eyes fixed on Jiraiya.
"That sounds familiar. Fortunately we slipped your sight a few times… that's how Jiraiya came to be," Naruto pointed, his voice echoing slightly. "Quick, there isn't much time. Take me to Yuka."
"How? I know not where Neji went to meet with them."
"I will find them, just escort me. Hinata-chan," Naruto said, turning to face her as Jiraiya's body began to touch the floor. "I love you. Now quick, let's move before it is too late."
Hinata nodded, grabbing her shinobi pack and med pack. "I love you too… now let's go save the village and our son."
Kiba burst into the room, his mother jumping from her seat the second he did. Shikamaru was lazily perched on the chair across from her, reading through some paperwork.
"Ah, Kiba! Is she none the wiser?" Konohamaru asked, his eye's drifting from Shikamaru to Kiba.
"Or did you spill the beans like we planned?" Neji asked, stepping from his spot against the wall.
"She's aware and she has a counter measure set up. She's going to use a seal to seal his and her own spirit away forever," Kiba said gruffly, his eyes meeting his mothers. He could see the pity in her eyes but he didn't acknowledge it. He finally understood how she felt when his father left them. If he was alive later he'd make sure to thank her.
"Reaper Death Seal?" Konohamaru asked, a bitter tone in his voice.
"No, a variant. The Reaper Death Seal was developed from this seal. She will seal away her and his soul and body," Kiba said, approaching the table. "However… if there is a chance of saving her, I will take it."
"And risk your own life?" Neji asked, his eye's narrowing. "How selfish. You have your clan and village to think of, yet you choose death."
"What is it any of your concern?!" Kiba growled, his eyes flitting from Neji to his mother. "Why is it anyone's business what I do and don't do with my life! Hana is still here. She's the most capable if things should go wrong."
"We need an Alpha, a male. There hasn't been one since you're grandfather passed away the year after you were born," Tsume said, a harsh tone in her voice. "Our clan will dwindle, and fade, if there is no male Alpha this time around."
"What about father's sisters? What about their boys?! Between the three of them there are five male heirs. Choose from them as you will. Daisuke is my cousin and just as strong."
"Don't be stupid. Do you honestly think he has the Alpha within him? No! That is from your father and myself. If we could have just picked a replacement we would have!" Tsume growled, standing up.
"You've never had confidence in me. You've never really believed I could be Alpha. Why should it matter now? Hana can do just as good a job of bearing sons as I can," Kiba barked, striding over to his mother. He was glaring down the bridge of his nose at her, her eye's going from narrow to wide and then back again.
"Fine, you want to give up your rights, than go ahead. You're too much like you're father to run this clan anyway," Tsume hissed, turning on her heal and leaving the room.
Kiba just stood there a moment before turning back to Konohamaru, who was watching with awkward amusement. "So that is you're decision? You're willing to give your life to save Yuka Uzumaki?"
"Yes," Kiba said, the hesitation gone. "I am aware of the repercussions should she survive. But know this ; if she survives she is the head of our clan alongside myself. Any action taken by the council to in any way harm or banish her will result in a loss of my allegiance."
"You're a fool," Shikamaru chimed. "You love the girl, and she you. This is obvious. What you are not thinking of is the repercussions it would have on all of us. Suppose you did defeat Orochimaru, saved her, and adopted your happy way of life. You would leave the council powerless against a known traitor and set a precedent for any other clan that wanted their way. Then what? Konohagakure would be fall from such infighting."
"She made a bad decision! She made a mistake. We've all done that before. And now she is willing to give her life to save our village, and my clan, to make up for it," Kiba protested. "Surely that warrants merit. Look at what we turned Sasuke into! He's a genuine hero along with Naruto because he decided to end it all."
"Don't compare that great feat to selfishly service your own wants," Shikamaru interfered. "It's a drag, but if you do save her, and Orochimaru is destroyed, she will get equal punishment."
Kiba groaned, shaking his head. "Hokage-sama," Kiba whispered. "Can't anything be done? Anything at all?"
"There are three punishments for traitors, Kiba-san," Konohamaru said, standing up. "Confinement, banishment, or death; you may choose her fate."
"And you may choose yours. I will not lose her, even if that means we both die."
"Kiba, as you're Hokage I feel it is my duty to warn you that, if you do separate with Konoha, if you leave, you, and those who follow you, will be listed in the bingo book as rogue ninjas. We will have no choice but to come after you."
"No one will leave with me except Yuka. Hana can take care of our clan, just like Ma has done these past twenty years," Kiba assured, turning to leave. "He will come for her soon. Follow through with your plan and I will follow through with mine. If in the end we both perish, then so be it. I will not lose another loved one to Orochimaru's darkness; his hatred is the poison of Konoha."
"Kiba," Neji said, walking up to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. "We all know how much you've struggled these past five years. Yuka has brought you happiness; something we thought would never come back to your eyes. Though it may seem like we do not care, as friends, I will not willingly sever those bonds. I will hunt you, to the ends of the earth, to assure that my friend and my village is protected."
Kiba just nodded, meeting Neji's eyes before leaving the room, his mind reeling from what he would have to do next.
The minutes ticked away and soon it was well after ten. She had prepared her seal, putting some of her own chakra into the seal to strengthen its bond. If the curse seal could sever because of a stronger chakra, than an even more powerful chakra should be able to confine Orochimaru's movements. She made sure to keep her mind distracted all day, never once letting her guard down so Orochimaru could get in. She thought of Kiba, his clan, and their night together to distract herself from letting down her guard.
She had just finished the seal when the door to her room opened, her reflexes getting the better of her. She quickly jumped up, sliding behind the door to determine who it was before they could see her. That familiar scent overwhelmed her mind, her eyes closing in quiet content.
"Yuka?" Kiba asked, his eyes glancing around the dark room.
"Here," she said, coming up behind him and closing the door. She quickly wrapped her arms around his waist, holding her cheek against his shoulder blade. He sighed softly, lacing his hand with hers. "What is the verdict?"
He just sighed, turning around to face her. Smiling her forehead was now resting on his broad chest. "I'm a little scared. I've never wanted to live so badly. Even after…" she trailed off, her eyes closing to shut out the memories.
Kiba didn't say anything, just tightened his grip around her; her tears had begun to soak his jacket. "I'm afraid to die, especially since I've just discovered this feeling. This is love, I know it."
Just then Kiba's arms wrapped even tighter around her, nearly crushing her against his chest. He was squeezing tighter, her eyes going wide when she realized that the familiar deep brown of his eyes was replaced by snake-like pupils and purple markings. "Hello Yuka-chan," he hissed, the voice emanating from him not his own. She had been tricked, how she wasn't sure. She tried pulling away from him, her arms pushing on his chest and her body wiggling to escape his grip. No matter how hard she tried he still had a hold of her.
"Let go of me! You snake, stop!" she growled, pushing him harder. She placed her open palms on his arms, holding her like large snakes suffocating their prey. She forced her chakra to her hands, quick bursts hurling Orochimaru away from her to the ground. She jumped back, scooping up the seal she had been working on.
"So that's how it is, huh?" he hissed, coming to his feet again. "Plan on sealing me along with your own soul, Yuka-chan?"
"If that's what it takes to end your life, then so be it," she hissed, pulling out a kunai. "Your plan will fail."
Orochimaru just chuckled, his true form pushing aside the guise. Just then Yuka felt a tearing sensation in her leg, making her loose balance. She fell to her knee, her leg tingling and then tightening as if cramping. She cried out but she doubted anyone would hear. Her seal around the room was still up. "You're a real fool, you know that? Did you think that that curse mark would give you power? Keep me out? No… you obviously don't understand its true purposes."
That ripping feeling spread from her leg to her hip and stomach, making her fall over in pain. She needed to move, to activate the seal; if only she could get to it. She started forcing herself across the floor to the door, hoping she could distract him long enough to pull him in so she could place it on him.
He quickly strode over to her, grabbing her by her hair and pulling her up so she was eyelevel with him. "You've been both a blessing and curse, Yuka-chan. Since I decided to spare you're life you've been wholly devoted to my cause. Now, because of this ridiculous will of fire, you've betrayed everything you know. Tell me, was it worth it?"
She struggled, grasping for her scalp but he pulled harder, glaring down at her. "Answer me, was it worth it? Betraying your parents deaths for the sake of a Konoha nin?"
"Shut up!" she growled, kicking wildly at him. He just smirked, throwing her down onto the floor again. This knocked the wind out of her, her arms reaching to deactivate the seal around the room. Before she could do anything Orochimaru stepped on her hand, pinning her to the floor.
"This will not be quick. I will take you away from here, away from everything you know and in that sorrow you will contemplate you're true purpose. It is time." He knelt down by her head, grabbing her hair again so she could look up at him. "You die tonight, Yuka Uzumaki; something that should have happened all those years ago."
He hoisted her up over his shoulder, the markings spreading along her legs and midsection. They were long lines, swift and patterned like a tiger. He quickly clasped his hands together before bursting through the door and into the hall. Yuka struggled, trying to scream out but nothing came. The pain from the curse mark was blinding, making her pass out at random intervals.
She could see the dark hall shrink around her, noise coming from various rooms. When they came to the arena entrance Orochimaru banked left, entering it and jumping to the arena floor. He peered up, the windows high and darkened. He quickly dropped Yuka to the floor but before he could weave hand signs there was a deafening crash. Orochimaru was thrown back in a blur, knocked off his feet by his assailant. There, standing above Yuka was Kiba, his eyes narrowed on Orochimaru.
"Trying to steal something that doesn't belong to you, huh?" Kiba asked, his eyes glancing from Orochimaru to Yuka and then back. "She is no longer your pawn. Leave or die."
There was a chuckle and then Orochimaru slithered back to a standing position, his face unmarred by Kiba's attack. "Ah, the young Inuzuka. You are the spitting image of that father of yours. Tell me, how fairs your alpha transformation? It must be the most powerful…"
"Enough talk. I know what you're here for. If you want Yuka-chan you have to go through me," he growled, moving into a defensive position in front of her. She watched him unbelievably, her eyes wide as Orochimaru approached him, a smirk evident on his lips.
"Strong indeed; that chakra is astounding," Orochimaru said, licking his lips. "So, how will we do this young Alpha? Where is your ninja hound?"
"My partner is none of your concern," he growled, hoping Akamaru would show soon. He' sent a message with him to Hinata but he never came back. "I'm your opponent."
"It makes no difference," Orochimaru warned. "Whether it is you, you're dog, or you're entire clan. I will claim what is mine. That young and vivacious body will sustain me for a very long time."
Before he could say anything else Orochimaru started weaving hand signs, Kiba lunging to scoop up Yuka just before the shadow snakes plunged into the ground with a deafening rumble. He quickly jumped, placing her on one of the benches before returning to the arena floor. This was it, Yuka was sure that she would be forced to watch Kiba die because she was too weak to use the seal.
Kiba jumped to the ground, waiting for Orochimaru to make his next move. He had a superior edge on the nin. He was still bound to his old body and Kiba's keen sense of smell would provide the edge to get around his defenses. He just needed time. He quickly weaved hand signs, launching kunai at Orochimaru directly. He dodged, moving to Kiba's right. This gave Kiba the perfect opening to use smoke bombs and his enhanced sense of smell. He quickly threw them, the cloud of purple and black smoke encasing Orochimaru before he weaved some hand signs, dashing first right and then left. The smoke encased him but the smell of Orochimaru remained strong within it, his target directly in front of him as he used his superior speed to hit Orochimaru right in the back, sending him flying across the arena. He landed with a sickening thud against the arena wall. Kiba quickly left the smoke to attack again but the body of Orochimaru, which was slumped against the wall, started to melt, the white scaly bodies of several snakes taking its place.
Kiba quickly turned but was too late. Orochimaru had been weaving hand signs and caught him off guard, extending hundreds of large poisonous snakes from his hand. Kiba barely dodged, throwing him off balance so Orochimaru could hit him with his wind chakra, slamming Kiba's body against a pillar. Kiba rolled to the side just in time to avoid the poisonous shadow snakes again, rising to his feet before he could recuperate. His head was light but he threw his kunai anyway, some with explosives and some without. Orochimaru dodged, the explosion shaking the room. By now there were several Inuzuka present, watching from the stands. Daisuke, who had showed up almost immediately was standing next to Yuka, waiting for Orochimaru to turn to them.
Tsume had come barging in just as Kiba was being thrown into the wall, her instincts kicking in as her and her ninja hound dropped to the arena floor. After the explosion with the kunai Tsume had went into their rapid taijutsu, fang over fang, hitting Orochimaru directly. He went flying again, landing in an irregular mess on the dirt floor. She quickly countered, Konohamaru emerging from the top of the arena. Shikamaru was close behind them, Neji already dropping to the arena floor to help.
"So… I see the Inuzuka does have allies," Orochimaru drawled, standing erect again. He had a gash down the side of his face. "And the young Hokage, Konohamaru is it? Yes… you're grandfather was quite the teacher. Too bad he was weak in the end."
"Enough talk, Orochimaru. You are an enemy of Konoha and the shinobi alliance. You will not make it from this place alive!" Konohamaru yelled, moving to enter the battle. Shikamaru, however, grabbed his shoulder before he could go and whispered something in his ear. Konohamaru struggled a moment and then nodded, refraining from entering the battle. "We know who you're here for and what your intentions are. I cannot, as the seventh Hokage, allow your hatred to destroy our village and allies anymore."
"Moving speech brat, but you can't stop me any more than you're Inuzuka guard dogs," Orochimaru hissed before weaving another hand sign, this time summoning a wall of snakes. Kiba moved before he could think, reaching his mother just in time to avoid the attack. Daisuke, who had been standing above them in the arena, was weaving hand signs, his chest rising quickly.
"Fire ball justsu!" he yelled before a large wall of fire hit the ground, scorching the snakes and consuming Orochimaru. Kiba set his mother down on a bench above before turning from her and jumping back into the fray. The second he hit the ground he felt a slight twinge of pain in his leg. He glanced down to notice that his pant leg had a rip in it where a set of puncture wounds could be seen. He'd been bitten by the venomous snakes. When he looked up he saw that Orochimaru was emerging from the flames, his clothes blackened and smoking. For the first time he looked irritated, his eyes narrowing on the young Alpha.
"What am I going to do with you?" Orochimaru pondered, his eyes drifting from Kiba to Yuka. "When I kill you off I'll make sure to impregnate her with your seed, that way you're children will be bound to my will."
Kiba quickly launched himself at Orochimaru, his fist colliding with his jaw. He stumbled back a few feet before grabbing Kiba's arm, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Never," Orochimaru hissed. "Allow your enemies the advantage of a close range kill."
Kiba was thrown back onto his back again, Tsume jumping down to interfere only to be swept aside by another powerful burst of wind. "Now, Kiba Inuzuka, you will die with the knowledge that the woman you love will be my pawn and breeding subject!"
"Orochimaru!"
Everyone froze their eyes wide with horror. Many heads turned toward the voice, but there was one in particular that could not believe his ears. There, standing beside Konohamaru was Jiraiya, his chakra cloak still glowing red and orange. His tail lashed behind him, his eyes glowing blue. Hinata was standing next to him, her byakugan activated. Neji, who had spotted them approaching quickly stood as a shield for Hinata, lord Hiashi joining him.
Orochimaru had turned now, ignoring Kiba completely. "So… learned some of my old tricks I see. Ha, welcome back to your beloved Konoha, Naruto Uzumaki."
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