Chapter 23: Familiar but Unknown
Yume's breathing was hard and labored as he once again reached towards his healing chakra and pulled it to his finger tips to form a blade. The last three times he had tried he had fallen unconscious before he could get the blade to slice into the wall further then two centimeters. He glared at the metal walls as he used all of his concentration to hold the flimsy chakra in its blade like form. If he could just make it to the tip of his middle finger he could count the week of recovery sleep as worthwhile.
Sweat started to break out on Yume's brow as he fought the black fog that threatened to consume his mind and yank him from the terrible pain that was his current reality.
Just three more centimeters…two…two and a half… He began loosing the fight against the blackness and his right middle and pointer fingers began to fall away from the wall slowly.
'No!' Yume thought. 'I can't give up now!'
Four centimeters…three…two…Blackness. One.
His middle finger touched the wall just after unconsciousness claimed him and the chakra blade faded away leaving him with nothing but a wasted week of endless pain and black sleep.
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The pain in Hikari's body felt twice as bad as usual when she was tossed inside her cell after her usual torture. She thought that maybe it had something to do with her now having to feel the pain of two people now instead of just one.
Hikari sobbed as she felt Itachi lift her into his arms and carry her over to the bed where he gently set her before he began his healing process. His pink covered hands soothed and calmed her even though she felt like nothing could ever drag her from the dark pit in which she had been flung.
"I-I can't do it Itachi," Hikari choked out. "I won't be able to deal with this anymore. Not with my baby at stake."
Itachi nodded as he slid his fingers across a large cut on her forehead, doing his best to ignore the white scar that was forming under his healing hands. "I know 'Kari, but what else can we do? We can't just tell him where the kids went."
Hikari's eyes widened and she sat up swiftly, wincing at the pain caused by her burning ribs. "Why couldn't we?"
"…What?"
"Why couldn't we tell him where they went?" Hikari continued.
"Hikari, I think that the pain is getting to you…"
"No really!" Hikari said. "The next time I see him, I'm going to tell Orochimaru where it was that I sent the kids!"
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Ichigo yelped in pain as she was jerked from her sleep. Her hand flew to her stomach and she tried to gulp down air hoping that it would stop the burning in her abdomen. After several heavy minutes the pain died down and Ichigo's wide, sightless eyes slowly closed as she breathed a sigh of relief. She was still just overcoming her pain when she heard the door to her room open. She didn't even bother to open her eyes as she addressed her brother.
"What happened, Kyo?" Ichigo asked.
"I don't know. I've never felt that chakra string before." Kyo said as he moved across the dark room and sat on the end of Ichigo's bed. "But even still, it felt almost…"
"Familiar?" Ichigo said.
"Yes," Kyo answered. "It almost felt like Itachi."
"Really?" Ichigo asked as she opened her useless eyes. "I thought it felt like Hikari."
"Actually," Kyo said. "It really felt like…"
"Both." Kyo and Ichigo finished together.
"Does this mean that they're really alive somewhere?" Ichigo asked her voice hopeful.
"I don't know," Kyo said. "But I sure hope so."
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Sasuke and Naruto had the 'Demon Shinobi', Zabuza in a tight bind. He was being assaulted from all sides and neither of the boys presented any holes in their attack or their defense. When Sasuke went high, Naruto went low. When Naruto went left, Sasuke was sure to cover him on the right. Attack after bone breaking attack was sent Zabuza's way and aside from his agility with his sword he had no way to defend himself, and even with his sword he was beginning to tire from this endless barrage of weapons and fists.
At long last Naruto managed to knock Zabuza's sword from his grip and the older shinobi growled as his weapon skidded far from his reach. Sasuke, taking advantage of the other man's lapse, took this opportunity to launch a sharp kick to Zabuza's chin, launching the missing nin several feet into the air.
"This I stole from Gai back in Konoha a long time ago." Sasuke said with a smirk as he placed his middle and pointer fingers sharply against the older nin's back. "Shi shi rendan!" Sasuke shouted as he attacked with a quick, unrelenting, barrage of kicks that left Zabuza breathless and flattened into the ground.
"Well," Sasuke said as he grabbed Zabuza by his collar and hauled him from the crater that had been formed in the hard dirt. "It looks like this is the end for you." The young Uchiha jerked a kunai from his pouch and swung it towards Zabuza's unguarded neck. He was just about to connect his blade with the soft flesh of the nin's throat when a pain-filled scream echoed through the wooded clearing. Sasuke's eyes flew wide as he recognized the voice. "Sakura!"
Finally regaining his breath, Zabuza jerked himself from his daze and launched a heavy fisted punch at Sasuke's solar-plex. Caught by surprise, Sasuke didn't even have a chance to brace himself for the sudden rush of pain that filled his body. His mouth opened in a voiceless scream as blood flew from his gaping lips. He flew back several meters before he finally slid to a painful stop on the rocky dirt, red showing bright on his raw back as he rolled, painfully, into a fetal position.
Still wobbly and slightly feint from loss of breath, Zabuza stumbled to his feet only to fall back to his knees as Naruto kicked his legs from behind.
"Do you think that this is over!" Naruto said. "Me and Hinata are still okay enough to totally kick your butt!"
Hinata stood in front of Zabuza, her white eyes hard as she fell into her half of her and Naruto's partner stance. The purple chakra could almost be seen glowing around her hands and byakugan. "For what you have done to endanger my friends I will see to it that you meet your end." Hinata said darkly as her hand flew swiftly to make contact with Zabuza's chest.
Blood flew in slow motion as Zabuza followed it to land in a crumpled heap on the leafy ground.
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"Kaaeemoon!" Mitsu said. "Can we stop nooww? I'm hungryyy!"
"Ugh! Mitsu!" Jeiken snapped. "Shut up! We heard you the twelfth time!"
"Oh come on Jeiken," Mitsu said. "You can't tell me that you aren't hungry too, right?"
"Sure I can!" Jeiken said only to blush as her stomach suddenly gave out a rumble.
"Ha!" Mitsu said back. Once again she turned to face Kaemon. "Can we please stop and eat now?" She whimpered.
Kaemon sighed. "Mitsu, you know that we're on a tight schedule."
Mitsu quickened her pace so she could cut him off. Kaemon came to a sudden stop as Mitsu appeared in front of him and grabbed his forearms. Her wide brown eyes grew watery and her bottom lip stuck out in an adorable pout.
"Please Kaemon," Mitsu begged. "Just a quick stop." she pressed her face closer to his.
Kaemon's cheeks grew hot at the close proximity of his girlfriend. Sure they had been dating off and on for five years but he could count all of the times that they had been this close on one hand. Finally he caved.
"Fine," Kaemon gave in. "We'll stop. But only long enough to eat a quick meal."
"Yay!" Mitsu said as she wrapped her arms around her boyfriend and placed a quick peck on his lips. "Thanks Kae-koi!"
Kaemon's face was cherry red but he couldn't stop an idiotic grin from spreading rapidly across his lips. "Maybe I should stop the group more often…" He mumbled to himself before he moved over to sit between Mitsu and Heitsun on one of the logs facing the camp that Kisho had pulled from seemingly nowhere.
Yanking a scroll from one of the pouches in his vest, Kisho bit his thumb and slid the blood across the paper before he did several seals and slammed the scroll on the ground. Instantly there was a poof and a large kitchen set appeared in front of him complete with a gas stove, oven, and sink with a working garbage disposal.
For the next five minutes Kisho worked at an untraceable pace to cook up his teammates' meal all the while chuckling insanely. After several more minutes Mitsu broke the chuckle filled silence.
"Soo," She said. "What's for lunch Kisho?"
The only reply she got was the sizzle of a pan and more chuckling. Slightly wary Mitsu looked away.
"No matter how long I know him, he'll still give me the creeps," Heitsun said. The others nodded in agreement as Kisho continued to chuckle madly as he finished up lunch.
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Hinata and Naruto stared in shock as Zabuza fell to the dirt before Hinata even touched him. Instead two senbon had flown from above and lodged in his neck sending blood everywhere. Naruto knelt down next to Zabuza and felt his neck along the needles.
"Way dead. But who…?"
"Sorry," A voice called from above. "I hope you don't mind that I finished him off. He was my prey after all."
Hinata dropped back into her stance as Naruto spun to face their new opposition. "Who are you?" He demanded as he glared at the masked nin above them.
"My name is of no consequence," The boy said as he leaped down. "All you need know is that I am a hunter nin, and I am here for the head of Momochi Zabuza."
Naruto's glare turned cautious as he inched away from the young Anbu, gently pushing Hinata along behind him.
The hunter stared down at Zabuza though his mask for only a second before he reached down and grabbed the nin's limp body. "Now if you'll forgive me, his body must be disposed of before it can reveal the secrets of our village." With that said the boy vanished just as quickly as he had appeared.
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata said when Naruto still hadn't dropped his guard.
"It's nothing Hina-chan," Naruto said as he tossed a grin over his shoulder.
"Is everyone alright?" Tazuna asked his voice shaky.
"Yes," Sasuke answered from where he was being helped to his feet by Sakura.
"Ne, ne, Sakura-chan," Naruto said as he ran over. "I heard you scream. What happened?"
Sakura scowled as she held her stomach. "I'd like to know the answer to that myself."
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"Father!" Tsunami said in relief. "Thank heavens that you're safe!"
"Thank the heavens yes," Tazuna nodded. "But thank these kids too. I wouldn't have made it here without them."
"Well," Tsunami smiled. "I thank-you, greatly, for returning my father to me. I hope that you will agree to stay for dinner."
"Yosh!" Naruto shouted as he pumped his fist in the air. "Free food!"
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata whispered harshly as she elbowed him in the gut. "Forgive him Tsunami-san." Hinata said with a bow. "He can get rather excited."
Tsunami laughed. "Not at all! It's nice to have someone with spirit in this town again."
Sasuke stepped forward and bowed slightly. "If you will forgive our intrusion Tsunami-san, I would like to ask if my team and I may remain here to continue to protect Tazuna san until his bridge is finished. I fear that Gatoh will not give in so easily."
"Of course," Tsunami bowed back. "I would be honored if you would stay."
"Thank-you," Sasuke said.
"Tsunami-san," Sakura spoke up. "Is there a room where we may go to plan a strategy? We don't want to be caught unawares."
"There is an empty guest room right up the stairs where you may all stay if that is alright by you four. It is right up the stairs and to the left."
"Thank-you again Tsunami-san," Sasuke bowed.
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"That was to close," The masked boy said as he laid Zabuza carefully on the ground. "For a moment there I thought that I would be too late to help you…Zabuza-sama."
End Chapter 23
Kaliea: Hi, me again with another sucky chapter. They will get better though! Sorry about the lack of detail with the fight. I promise that there will be better description with the next fight with Zabuza. Please review! Till next time, ja ne!
Review Answers:
FireAndStealthNin: Yeah, Hikari's predicament is pretty bad. But don't worry, it gets worse. After all, Orochimaru doesn't know about the baby yet right?
Susa-chan: So many questions that I can't answer, well, not yet anyway.
Princess Ren: I'll do my best to keep my posting regular.
xShurikengurlX: Thank-you! I'm glad that you like it!
Sakurafan808: Will do. Thanks!
Silentsakura: Of course, thanks for the review!
Danny-171984: Sorry about that, my spelling isn't the greatest. As for the baby…lets just say I have some not so great things planned.
Yin vs yang: I'm glad you like it! Keep reviewing!
Kumoriha: (Blush) thank-you very much! I hope you continue to think so.
So-kun: Thank-you for understanding. I really appreaciate it.
Tears like Crystals: Thanks a bunch! Keep reading!
Dragon Man 180: Ichigo and Gaara are going to be one of my favorite pairs to write. Haku's fate is, as of right now, undecided but it will be worked out soon.
Jays Arravan: Oh Sakura is most certainly NOT useless in this fic. She will have her chance to shine very soon. Hinata too.
Kai015: Yeah, I saw that after you pointed it out. I don't usually I was just in a hurry. Thanks for telling me though!
Krista: 0.0…Sorry…I'll update faster next time. Promise!
Shinobi Darkbeak: Thanks for the review. I really love getting them.
Kaliea: That's all for today! Please review! By-the-by, I was thinking about writing AUish cannon story about Itachi and Hikari, but I won't if no one will read it. Tell me what you think. Ja ne!