Title: A Demon's Tale
Author: swiftstar85
Genre: Drama/Friendship/Romance
Rating: T for some strong language, violence, suggestive material, and crude humor.
~Chapter Fifteen~
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, though I wouldn't mind if I did.
It didn't take Lee very long to find Alea, for she didn't go far at all. He found her sitting on a small hill, overlooking the lagoon near the city. She was sitting in front of two grave sites, one with a very large sword stuck in the ground and the other had a lei of flowers on the stone. She was sitting in between them, looking off at the water below. She had such a sad look on her face that it made Lee feel an ache in his chest just by seeing it. He didn't like to see such sorrow and grief on her face. He wanted to see her smile. It was a look he had seen on Gaara's face once. He didn't like it.
"Alea." Lee said softly as he moved closer.
Alea's head tilted a little as if to look at him but she didn't. She had actually sensed him coming before he even arrived. So she had known he was approaching her. Looking forward again, she slowly shook her head. "Do you know what the ocean and I have in common?" She whispered. Lee stopped right behind her and looked at her with surprise and questioning but he didn't say anything. Drawing a low breath, Alea lowered her head. "We're both cold and so alone. There is nothing that can compare more than that." She closed her eyes before turning her head and giving Lee a hard look. "Why do you insist on bothering me so much, Leaf Ninja? Why can't you just leave me alone?" She asked grimly.
Lee stared at her for a minute before he looked away, somewhat thoughtful yet sorrowful for her. "No one should ever be alone, Alea. I've seen what loneliness can do to people. Honestly, the same look you have right now is the same that Gaara used to wear. Utter loneliness, grief and hate for the world. He always believed that no one would care about him because of Shukaku, the Blood Thirsty, as he always referred to him."
"But?" Alea asked, frowning.
Her prying made Lee smile down at her, his eyes rather soft and warm as he looked down at her. "But, then his best friend, Naruto-kun showed him that he would never leave his side, no matter what. And nor would I. Yes, Gaara-kun had a very hard time learning how to control Shukaku, but he did it. And after learning about how alone he had been for years, being hated by everyone, I couldn't stand it. I couldn't stand seeing that terrible look on his face." He then slowly dropped down to a low crouch in front of her. "Just like I can't seeing that terrible look on yours. I can tell just by looking into your eyes that you've seen so many terrible things and been through so many terrible things that you're hurting really terribly. I don't know what you've seen or dealt with, but I want to help you. If you will let me." He said, holding out his hand towards her.
Alea stared at him with a hard look before her face softened into a defeated look and she looked away at the large sword next to her. "I heard about Zabuza Momochi and his apprentice, Haku." She glanced over at the other marker on her other side. "Tazuna told me all about them, about how they tried to kill him under the orders of Gatou, a terrible businessman. And then they fought the Leaf Ninja that the Wave City hired to protect them, who fought with their very lives on the line." She rose her eyes and looked right at Lee. "I don't understand why they would do that. I know it's a ninja's purpose of life, performing missions and doing what they were told. To me, that doesn't seem much of a life. You're always told what to do, how to do it, and all you do is cause pain and grief for someone. That's why I'm trying to quit the life of a Shinobi. I just....I just don't know if I can live day to day, remembering that all I did was run away when my friend needed me." She shrugged. "He told me to run, but I should have stayed. He needed my help. And all I did was run and be afraid. What kind of ninja was I for doing that?" She asked, painfully, closing her eyes and looking away.
Lee watched her for a moment before he smiled softly and placed a hand over hers, making her open in her eyes and look at him. "Everyone is afraid at some point in their life. Even a Ninja. Yes, we're not suppose to be. But, that's just the way we are. We're human, Alea." He told her. "It's okay to be afraid once in a while."
"Even if it costs the life of our dearest people?" Alea asked frowning.
The Taijutsu Specialist went quiet for a minute but then he smiled faintly at her. "Would your friend want you to be this way? Sad and grieving, even if he's gone?" He simply asked.
Alea blinked once in surprise as if the question hit her pretty hard but then she looked away thoughtfully. She seemed to be thinking very carefully about that question. But then slowly, she faintly smiled and shook her head. "No. He wouldn't." She made a face. "He'd probably strike up some ridiculous rhyme about how foolish I am right now, and then somehow make me smile because I can never stay mad at him." Then for the first time in ages, and in front of Lee, nonetheless, she let out a low laugh. "I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I actually miss his stupid raps."
Lee just smiled as he listened to her laugh a little and even tightened his hand around hers a little, giving it a comforting squeeze. It caught her attention, making her look up at him. "You see, Alea? He wouldn't want you to be so down."
"Yugito Nii."
"Huh?" Lee asked now blinking in surprise. He wasn't sure where that just came from.
Alea just smiled and shook her head as she looked down at the ground, almost wondering why she was going to tell him the truth. She couldn't believe she was actually going to do it. "My real name is Yugito Nii. I'm a Kunoichi from the Hidden Cloud Village in the Lightning Country." She actually cringed a little at that information. "That's why the Hyuuga doesn't like me." She told him. Now, she had to wait for him to yank his hand away and attack her for being that kind of enemy ninja.
Lee just stared in surprise at her before it slowly dawned on him. He remembered the stories about the relationship between the Hyuuga Clan and the Cloud Ninja. "Oh." He breathed in surprise before noticing the cringing look on her face. He realized that she was waiting for him to hate her. He stared at her for a moment but then his face softened. "You're a Cloud Shinobi."
Nodding, Alea kept her eyes adverted from his. "Yeah. And I know about how some of our Ninja went Konohagakure to kidnap someone from the Hyuuga Clan and to steal their secrets of the Bakyugan. I know how they failed and our top Ninja was executed for doing it. In return, my Raikage asked for the death of the Head of the Hyuuga Clan to keep up the peace." She lowered her head even more. "I know why Neji hates me and my Village, Kumogakure. He has a reason for it. We killed the Head of the Hyuuga Clan just because of our crime against them." She murmured. "And the funny thing was, I wasn't even a member of that village yet when it happened."
"Neji's father." Lee said in a low voice, his own gaze lingering away. He felt Alea's curious eyes on him but he shook his head. "It was Neji's father who was killed. Not the Head, who was Neji's uncle. His father was Hiashi Hyuuga's twin brother and he offered to take Hiashi's place."
Alea stared at him in surprise before her face softened with realization. "Oh. Well, then Neji really has a good reason for hating me." She sighed and placed a hand against her cheek. "Looks like I have no choice but to return home after all." She saw the surprised and alarmed look on Lee's face but she could only smile at him and shake her head. "Not to tattle tale. But to retrieve the remains of the Hyuuga we took and give him back to Neji. For a proper burial. If it was anyone else, the Raikage would be pissed. But since it's me, he'll get over it."
Lee smiled right back before sitting down right next to her and leaned his shoulder against hers. "So.....Yugito Nii-kun, huh?" He asked her thoughtfully.
"Alea. Just keep calling me Alea. I like it more anyway. And it'll keep anyone else from finding out where I am." Alea told him.
Nodding, Lee just looked towards the lagoon with her, his face soft. He was just happy that she was slowly starting to trust him with her real identity. But still, he had remembered that she had mentioned the Akatsuki. "So, you've met the Akatsuki, huh?" He saw her pull a face. "It's okay if you don't want to tell me!" He said quickly.
Alea only shook her head as she curled up her knees towards her and wrapped her arms around them. She gently placed her head onto her knee and shrugged. "It's okay. Yeah. I met two of them. The most vicious people I've ever met." Her eyes hardened a little. "I will kill them for what they did to Killer Bee. That is.....if they did get him."
"You mean....." Lee said in surprise.
Alea shrugged. "Well, yeah. I guess I didn't really see them take Bee. I was too busy swimming for my life because I jumped into the ocean to escape from them. There's a good chance that they couldn't fight Bee. He's pretty strong, after all. He's the Eight Tail. The second most powerful of the Nine Tailed Demons, under the Nine Tails. Supposedly anyway."
Lee looked away thoughtfully. "Then, maybe he's not dead as you think." he then smiled at her. "Maybe he escaped too! Or thrashed them good for what they did to you! He might even be looking for you!" He said brightly.
Smirking, Alea tilted her head away from him, giving him an amused look. "Are you always this optimistic?" She asked.
"Always!"
Shaking her head, Alea rose her head and lowered one leg to the ground, still resting an arm on her knee. She stared off at the slowly sinking sun as it began to fall behind the ocean's horizon. For the first time in nearly two months, she felt content. All because of this bushy browed weirdo. She had to hand it to him, but he had an amazing attitude. She knew for sure that the being inside of her was content with him. "Neko likes you, Lee." She found herself admitting out loud.
"Huh?" Lee asked.
Wincing, Alea knew she had slipped again. 'What is it with me slipping around this guy?! I've never been so careless before around anyone!' She thought.
'Maybe you like him, yourself, kitten.' Came the purring voice of the Nekomata.
Sighing, Alea denied it but she wasn't sure herself. Still, she needed to explain herself to the guy beside her. So since she was being so honest, she decided to be honest again. "Lee, you know how you went and said that you were friends with two Jinchuriki?" She saw him look at her in surprise but nod. "You want to.....um, be friends with a third one?" She asked, closing her eyes, waiting for a blow up. "I.....uh, happen to be....the...Two...."
"Huh?" Lee asked with confusion.
Alea slowly opened her eyes again, keeping her head turned away from him. "Well, I happen to the be the Two Tailed Jinchuriki." She admitted, now freezing up and waiting.
There was a long silence as Lee let what she said settling in before he jumped up a little and looked at her with alarm and surprise. He couldn't believe what she had just said. But as soon as she said it, he realized it. It hit him of what she had said before. "That's why the Akatsuki attacked you. Because they were after you." He said with shock.
Nodding meekly, Alea kept her gaze directly on the ground. She didn't dare look up at him. "I was their target when they attacked Kumogakure. And Killer Bee fought them to keep me safe from them. That's why.....I kind understand your friends, Naruto and Gaara. Because....well, I'm one of them. I just don't understand why you want to befriend them though. The Jinchuriki are considered monsters. Especially Nekomata. She's.....well, in Kumo, everyone knows that she's a hideous monster and she's not at all the loveliest of the Bijuu. She's really hideous. Like me." She lowered her head in grief.
"You are not!" Lee said frowning sternly at her and getting a surprised look. "You are not hideous, Alea! You're not even ugly! I haven't ever seen anyone with such beauty such as yours!"
Alea was surprised by his words but she slowly shook her head. "But you've never seen the Nekomata. If you've seen it, you wouldn't....."
"You're not Nekomata, Alea. You are Yugito Nii." Lee simply told her. "And I'm sure Nekomata isn't as hideous as you think. If it's anything like you," he smiled at her. "I'm sure it's very beautiful."
Alea stared at him with surprise but then her face softened into a look of gratitude and awe. Once again, this weirdo with the eyebrows had astonished her. She slowly shook her head but then smiled before reaching over and ruffling his bowl cut hair before resting her arm on his shoulder. "You are so weird, Rock Lee. But.....you've got spunk. I like that." She told him. Lee only smiled bashfully at her but then together, they looked at the sunset. Already, they both could tell, a friendship was starting to develop between them. And maybe, Alea thought, maybe I can make a friend out of someone else.
After Alea's confession to Lee, everyone realized that something changed between them. They became aware of it when both of them returned to Tazuna's after dark, smiling at each other and actually having a pleasant conversation with one another. No one really knew what happened between them but it made Neji and Tenten very suspicious. They didn't know what Alea might have said to Lee or visa versa but they didn't like it. They didn't trust her. Everyone else was actually very happy. They were glad that Rock Lee had actually managed to make their Tight Rope champ smile and be a whole lot friendlier than she had ever been since she first arrived. They were just happy that she was smiling.
As it was, Alea was teaching Rock Lee to walk the tight rope. It wasn't easy at all for the young Taijutsu specialist. It was actually very, very difficult for him. Nearly impossible actually for him to walk the rope. Every time he tried to step onto the rope, he would topple right off. Inari and Tenten laughed a little while Neji just rolled his eyes. But Alea would just smile and told Lee to keep on trying. It was actually very un-settling to Tenten and Neji as they watch her try and reassure him. They were sure she was up to something.
But in truth, all Alea wanted to be Lee's friend now. She had been taken by surprise when he had been so nice to her, even after he found out who she really was and kept her secret. But the fact was, Nekomata seemed to trust this Leaf Ninja. She didn't know why but if her demon trusted him, then she would have to.
However their troubles were only about to begin for them. It had been nearly three weeks now since Team Gai even arrived at the city and not much has been happening at all. In fact, nothing has happened. So that left Team Gai very, very bored. Neji and Tenten anyway. Both Gai and Rock Lee were having the time of their lives. Especially with Lee trying to learn how to walk the rope.
It wasn't really going very well for Lee though. After he made friends with Alea, they started the rope walking lessons. It wasn't easy for Lee at all as he tried to walk the rope. He was just having such a hard time due to his left leg being so heavy. For many hours, Alea would have him stand on his right leg, keeping the left held out so he could try and balance himself out. It wasn't easy for him to hold up his left but he was very determined to do all of the lessons that Alea had to offer. All the while, when Neji or Tenten or even Gai wasn't around, he told Alea all about Naruto and Gaara and about how he even met them. He explained their stories to her and told her about what they had been through. He even told her about how Gaara's own uncle tried to kill him because of what happened to his mother.
Just hearing that, Alea went very quiet and stared off away from Lee, looking almost sullen. She had not taken Gaara's story very well. She especially hadn't liked to hear that one of Gaara's own family, one he had never known about had tried to kill him because Akatsuki had killed his mother, his uncle's sister for protecting her baby.
"That's not fair."
Lee looked away from the water they were eating their lunch by, looking at her with a frown. He wasn't sure what she was talking about. "Huh?"
Alea shook her head as she drew her knees up to her chest and rest her chin on the right. She was glaring at the water as if it had done something to offend her. Even inside her, Neko was growling. She knew very well that the Cat didn't like it. "Gaara. How could....how could anyone do that to him? Pretend to be his friend and then try to kill him?!" She growled, a heat wave starting to trail off of her. "That's just so wrong! If Bee was there, he would have.....!" She ended her sentence with punching the ground hard, leaving a nice sized hole now.
The Taijutsu Specialist just smiled faintly before lightly tapping her hand and withdrawing it quickly from the heat. "Gaara would appreciate you saying that on his behalf. And so would Naruto. He would thank you greatly." He told her, earning a smile from Alea. Then he thought about something that he hadn't asked Alea just yet. "Alea, what about your life before you joined the Hidden Cloud Village? Do you remember your parents?"
Alea went very quiet, not looking at him at all. That really hadn't been a question she ever wanted to answer but she didn't ever recall that he couldn't ask it.
Lee seemed to realize that it had been a question that Alea didn't want to answer because he saw the look on her face. He nearly dropped his rice ball in alarm before waving his hands and shaking his head vigorously. "Oh! You don't have to answer that!" He said quickly.
However, Alea looked at him just as alarmed as he looked before shaking her own head and waved one hand at him. "No, no! It's okay, Lee!" She almost cried out before lowering her head with a gentle sigh and staring at the ground. "I don't remember my parents. Not very well." She narrowed her eyes before pulling her knees close to her chest and shaking her head again. "I was very young when I lost them. There was a war going on in Lightning Country. I think it was right after happened between the Cloud Ninja and the Hyuuga Clan. I believe my father was one of the ninja who attempted to kidnap the youngest Hyuuga child, though it was his master, his sensei, who was caught and killed. I don't remember too much but bits and pieces. But my father was angry and he went to pick a fight with Konoha Ninja. He came back, frantic. He got in trouble and was tracked down by Hunters. I don't even know which ones. But my mother was so upset that I think she decided to blame me for the death of my father. Nekomata won't tell me the entire story but she says that my mother tried to kill me after she first found out that I carried the Two Tail. She thought it was curse from the Two Tailed Spirit Cat. But I don't really remember what happened after that. I just remember wandering the Country, barely surviving with only Neko to aid me. And then I found the Lightning Village."
Alea paused for a moment as she faintly smiled only briefly before it was gone again. "It was a very beautiful village. I had never seen a place like it before. I thought I could actually make a home out of it." She shook her head as she stared at the grass. "Cloud Ninja appeared and attacked me. They thought I was some kind of spy and Neko didn't like it. She burst out in flames and fought back. I don't think she killed anyone but she did a lot of damage. Enough to attract the attention of the Raikage and Killer Bee. They both came to fight her but seeing her, Bee went to defend her instead." She looked up at Lee, faintly smiling. "I don't know how he did it but he somehow knew that I was just a little girl. He refused to let anyone hurt me and whispered to Nekomata. Somehow, he calmed her down. He's a very powerful ninja, Lee. But he's very gentle and kind. He can be very annoying when he wants to be, but I can't ever stay mad at him."
Lee could only smile at her as he pulled one knee up to his chest and rest his chin on it, watching and listening to Alea. "He sounds like a very good friend." He told her softly.
The Two Tailed Jinchuriki could only smile and nod. "He likes to annoy me by rapping all of the time but it just something he likes to do. Just one of his odd hobbies." She said before straightening and letting out a short huff. "All well. We should probably get back to....." Her eyes snapped open when the Neko began to growl inside of her. She knew that as a warning from her demon spirit.
Leaping up into a crouching stance, Alea began to growl as she looked around the area, her hair standing up a little. She knew very well that she was surprising Lee, making him grow tense.
"Alea?" Lee asked, frowning before he stood up, looking around the area. He didn't know what she was sensing but he knew very well that it didn't sit well with her. Her senses were sharper than his ten times over so she could probably sense things faster than anyone he knew. "Alea, what is it?"
There was no answer at first from the Two Tailed Jinchuriki, other than a deep growl as her eyes flickered across the trees. She was searching for something. She had felt something close by and that was what triggered Neko's senses. She knew it wasn't Neji or Tenten, even though they were close by too. They weren't close enough to have heard her and Lee's conversation but she knew very well that they had been watching from a safe distance. She knew very well that they were suspicious of her and she didn't blame them. But still, there was someone else.
Heat began to trickle off of Alea as she continued to glare at the trees, her hands slowly lowering until they met the grass under her. She looked more like a cat stalking its prey. Or worst, a predator being cornered by another predator.
"Alea?" Lee asked, now standing up in a crouch and placing a hand onto her back. He had been expecting her to jerk away from him in alarm like a cat would when they were startled but she didn't. "Alea, is it? Do you hear something?"
Another long moment passed as Alea continued to growl before she slowly stopped, but kept her eyes on the trees. She sat up straighter, but remained crouching. "They're coming, Lee. The two leaders of the renegades. I can sense them. They'll be here within fifteen minutes. They're not alone. I believe the Chakra Brothers are with them." She murmured with displeasure and even spared him a glance. "All three of them."
Lee tensed in alarm before relaxing again and sighing. He realized that she was talking about the one he had so called killed. He knew that Jirati must have been coming to pay him back for what he had done to him. Standing up and looking towards the trees, Lee made sure to keep a brave look on his face. He was going to face this problem, no matter what. He was going to protect his village and Alea as hard as he could. "Then let them come. We can take them." He said, boldly.
Alea smiled as she stood up straight and lift her head high. She had to admit it, but she was starting to like Lee more and more as they went. He was one of the most admirable ninja she had ever met. "Yes."
Suddenly, Neji and Tenten were there, beside them, looking rather grave. They had been watching the two but when Lee and Alea looked off with glares, Neji had taken a look himself and saw who was coming. So, naturally, they joined the pair.
"Good of you to join us, Neji and Tenten." Alea remarked without even looking at them.
Neji shot her a look but then looked forward again, his hands hanging at his sides as he continued to look off into the trees. He didn't want to even reply to Alea. He still didn't trust her and probably wouldn't unless she gave him a real reason to. Tenten, on the other hand, just nodded once to the other girl before reaching out behind her and grabbing two scrolls she kept strapped to her back in case she needed them. She didn't like Alea any more than Neji did but she was starting to tolerate her because she was actually being nice to Lee.
For a long fifteen minutes, that was how the four stood, all in silence. None of them looked at one another or said anything as they just watched the trees. Alea started to growl a little, deciding not to hide the fact that she did that from Neji or Tenten. But neither one seemed to even notice. They were just waiting for the renegades to show up.
And after about fifteen minutes, several figures came walking out of the dark trees. Three of them were the Chakra Brothers; all three of them. The last two were no doubt the leaders. They were leading the brothers towards the four teenage ninja, looking very serious. They were unusual though. They looked more like Samurai than anything else. Both of them had katana strapped to their waists. And it was a known fact that Samurai and Ninja were common enemies and they did not get along very well. It was a wonder how they were working with the Chakra Brothers. So this was not going to end very well with the four teen ninjas.
Although the two Samurai did hesitate as they looked them over, frowning as if confused. They were especially looking at the three Leaf Ninja, not even sparing Alea a glance. They seemed surprised but then a wave of pleasure rolled over their features, as if pleased with what they saw.
"I don't think they were expecting you guys." Alea murmured, just as alert as the three Leaf Ninja were. She had seen Neji shoot her a look but she ignored him.
"They must have thought Kakashi and his students were the ones that came to defend the village." Tenten stated, not caring that Alea had even made a suggestion. She shook her head as she met the other girl's yellow gaze. "Team Seven had been the ones to protect Port City in the first place from these guys' boss. If these guys were apart of that group of tyrants, then they should be expecting the usual protectors."
Alea just nodded as she let her eyes flicker over to Rock Lee, who met her gaze before looking back at the tyrants as they approached the four teens. She let a low growl escaped from within as she glared at the Samurai. "Look at their smug faces. They were expecting to see this Kakashi and his team. But they see you guys and they grin because they think you're not strong enough to defeat their allies and protect this village." She growled.
"Hmph. Sounds like we should correct them then." Lee said, smirking.
Both Neji and Tenten smiled as they glanced at their team mate before nodding at the same time. They didn't like Alea but they agreed with Lee. They would not let these guys destroy the Land of Water if they could help it. As rivals of Team Kakashi, they had to make sure they stopped them in this village, just for their sensei, Gai.
The two Samurai walked right up to the four, stopping several feet away from them. The three Chakra brothers stopped behind them, though the oldest of the three, Jirati, looked directly at Lee, frowning. He didn't look pleased with him but he didn't look pissed that the Taijutsu Specialist had tried to kill him. He was just stoic about the entire situation. Unlike his brothers, he folded his arms, stood up straight and almost proudly.
"Well, well. What do we have here? I don't recognize the whole lot of you." The tall and thin Samurai said as he rest his hand onto his waist, looking each of the three Leaf Ninja over. His eyes narrowed at Alea, who was literately growling at him and not caring that it was him she growling at. "Well, she I remember. But the rest of you," He looked back at Team Gai, frowning at them. "Who are all of you? You're Leaf Ninja I can see from your headbands. But you're not the Leaf ninja I recognize from almost four years ago."
"No." Neji spoke, in his very calm and collected voice. He moved forward a few steps, but not too close to the Samurai. "We have not met before. The Leaf Ninja squad you met before was Kakashi Hataki and his students. We are their allies. Team Gai of the Hidden Leaf Village. My name is Neji Hyuuga. These are my team mates." He said, before motioning to Tenten and Rock Lee.
"Tenten, Weapon Specialist."
"I am Rock Lee, The Hidden Leaf's Handsome Devil!" Rock Lee boasted, making his two companions roll their eyes but Alea smirked to herself as she glanced at him. He then motioned to Alea. "And you know Alea, the protector of the Water Country."
The Samurai glanced at Alea before they looking impatiently away from her, earning a growl from her. They did their best to ignoring her though as they looked right at the Leaf Ninja. "Yes. She's been quite the troublesome little brat." The tall thin one said.
"Then I'm doing my job right." Alea shot, though she sounded rather annoyed with him.
The Samurai ignored her. The tall thin one moved forward a step as he mentioned to himself. "My name is Zori. My companion is Waraji. As you probably already have guessed, we are the Leaders of the Renegades. We heard about what happened between....." He paused to glance between Rock Lee and the Three Chakra Brothers. "One of your people and our men. We came to apologize for the inconvenience and to make it up to you. Who is your squad Leader?" He asked, quite curiously.
Neji frowned slightly but shook his head. "His name is Gai Maito. But I'm second in charge." He told them.
Alea frowned as she looked over at him but stopped when Lee shook his head at her, waving a hand at her to not say anything. She didn't know if it was true that Neji was second in charge, but then again, she did remember Lee telling her that Neji had been the first to become Jounin of the team. So it would be the Hyuuga who would be in second command of the team. She didn't like that, but she did respect him so she wouldn't say anything.
Zori reached up and rubbed his chin rather thoughtfully before nodding. He seemed to have come to a conclusion about something. Glancing over his shoulder at the Chakra Brothers, he gave them a nod. And when the three Chakra brothers started to move forward, all four teenage ninja snapped into a stance, looking ready for a fight. The Samurai quickly rose his hands, as if trying to calm them. "Whoa. Don't be too hasty. We're not here to fight. We've come to negotiate actually." He told them.
The three Leaf Ninja were slow to relax but Alea stayed crouching, growling at the Samurai and looking like she wanted to pounce on them. Her eyes had started glowing a little, as if they had flames within them but feeling Rock Lee's hand taking hers, she relaxed only a little. But it didn't stop her from glaring at the Samurai.
"Negotiate?" Neji asked, frowning and tilting his head a little as he remained in some defensive stance but was much more relaxed than before. "For Port City's Freedom from your criminal acts against it?"
Both Zori and Waraji snorted as they glanced at one another before shaking their heads as the motioned to the Chakra Brothers, who the Leaf Ninja and Alea noticed were carrying bags on each of their backs. The Three large Ninja pulled off the bags and tossed them down onto the ground, letting whatever was inside spill out a little. It only surprised all four to see gems, gold, and any kind of currency spilling out a little from the openings. It became very clear to them that the Samurai were trying to bribe them.
"There is nearly a million Zen there, Leaf Ninja." Waraji remarked, his voice very deep and cocky.
Zori nodded as he motioned to the bags, smiling as if he had already won something. "I offer all of this money to you, Leaf Ninja. Take it all. It is far more than what this village can even pay you. Under the condition of you leaving and staying out of our business as we continue to reek our revenge on this stupid city." He stated, a sly smile on his face.
Every one of the four teenagers froze, frowning in surprise. That was a lot of money, definitely far more than what Tazuna was offering them for protection of the city. Any mercenary would have to be a fool not to take that money and leave as it was ordered. The offer was very tempting. Even Alea knew that. She was looking at the other three with wide eyes, her breath caught in her chest. "No......no! You can't take the money! These people need your help! I need your help protecting it!" She gasped.
"Take the money, Leaf Ninja." Zori warned carefully. "It is a better pay than what these villagers are giving you. I'm sure your Hokage would agree. I hear she loves getting a high profit for work. This is what I offer."
Alea shook her head as she shot him a glare before looking at Lee again, stopping when he held up a hand to her, giving the two Samurai a very serious look. "It is true that our Hokage likes getting a high pay raise. In truth, if we were some other village, we might just take up your offer." He told them.
Tenten snorted as she placed her hands onto her waist and shook her head, giving the Samurai just as a dark look. "You don't know our village too well, do you, Samurai? Yes, like any Ninja Village, we take jobs for profit. But do you honestly think we are like you?"
"The answer is no. Even our Squad Leader would say so. We do not abandon those who need our help." Neji said his tone very serious and cold. "Besides, that money you are offering is probably not yours to begin with. We know you have been raiding travelers that have been trying to come to Port City for trades and markets. Everything you are offering is not yours to be paying us with."
The two Samurai renegades frowned in surprise as they stared at the ninja with alarm. They couldn't believe that they had just denied their offer. They had never really met ninja who wood do that. Both slowly, their faces darkened as they glared at the three Leaf Ninja and their hands gripped their katana tightly. Their reactions was paying off a little on the three Chakra Brothers, for Jirai and Jiro were growling as they flexed their fists, looking ready to stomp forward. Jirati just frowned as he eyed the three Leaf ninja with disapproval. He wasn't going to say anything at all. His eyes hardly had left Lee though, watching him very carefully.
Zori bared his teeth as he eyed Neji very darkly. "No? You refuse our offer?" He asked his voice threatening.
Neji dipped his head a little lower as he stared just as darkly at the Samurai. He didn't like repeating himself but it looked like he was going to have to anyway. "Yes. We refuse. This village hired us first and we made a contract with them that we would protect them from you. Besides, I know a certain loud mouth would never forgive us if we let you go and destroy this city when some of his friends live here. Nor would the Kazekage. From their time protecting this city, they've grown close to the people. Naruto and Gaara would never forgive us." He said sternly. "Nor would Sakura or Kakashi. So, no. We don't accept your money. We will defeat you and your army of renegades."
Both Zori and Waraji glared even harder at Neji before they shot the Chakra Brothers a look, giving them a nod. "Very well. I had hoped that we would settle this peacefully. But looks like I was wrong. Kill them!" Zori ordered.
The Chakra Brothers gave a sharp nod at their orders before they looked at the four teenagers again. Jirati had been the first to look reluctant but with a sigh, he shook his head. He looked directly at Rock Lee. "I had not wanted to kill you, boy, because you did honor me when you thought you had killed me in our first fight. But my orders are still orders. And these two are paying us a good deal of money. So I must do as I am told." He glanced at his two younger brothers, nodding to them. "We took it easy on you the first time because you were only one Ninja, but now that your numbers have doubled some, we will not take it easy on you." He told them.
Lee snapped into his normal stance of folding an arm behind his back and holding the other out as he gave them a very serious look. "I do not expect you to take it easy on me, Jirati. I had hoped that you would not force my hand with this but you leave me no choice. I will fight you to protect this city!" He said boldly.
Tenten nodded as she quickly fished out her weapon scrolls and held them tightly in her hands, prepared to fight with all she had.
Neji remained standing still, giving the three Chakra Brothers a daring look but there was a hint of a smile on his face. He was looking forward to do this. With a reputation as these three might have, he believed this might actually be testing his skills. "Three on three. I will take you, Jirati." He said, surprising both Tenten and Lee; as well as Alea.
Alea frowned deeply as she registered what he said before shaking her head and balling her fists up tightly. "What?! I will be fighting too, Hyuuga!" She snapped.
"No. I don't trust you. You said that you were not a ninja. So you will stand back." Neji said darkly giving her a stern look. "If you really are who you think you are, then stand down and watch us take them on."
Growling, Alea started to lean towards him, looking ready to rush at him and give him a piece of her mind but she stopped when Lee held up a hand, blocking her. She gave him an alarmed look but he only smiled faintly at her and shook his head. "Alea, let us take care of them. I would like to show you how good I am." He told her before leaning closer to her. "And if we need your help, you can jump in. But please, just stand by for now."
Alea stared at him for a moment before she sighed and nodded as she folded her arms and relaxed. "Fine. I'll stay back for now. But if you get into trouble," She snapped her eyes towards the Chakra Brothers, looking almost evil and mischievous. "I'm taking over." She told him.
"I don't think we'll need your help." Tenten remarked, just as dryly as Neji was looking at her.
"We'll see." Alea said, smirking a sharp toothed smile at her.
The three Leaf Ninja moved forward to stand down with the Chakra Brothers; Neji facing Jirati, Tenten with Jiro and Lee with Jirai. Of course, Lee wanted to face Jirati but he would respect Neji's wishes and allow him to have his chance with the oldest Chakra Brother. He only hoped that his friend and comrade would not get hurt in the process. He would have to keep a close eye on their battle, if he could. He did not forget that Jirai was a tricky one. To be able to control the very air all around him, Rock Lee would have to make sure that he could handle the lack of air while fighting this one.
For a moment, neither side moved but stared down their opponents. It was almost like a countdown before anyone moved. And after a moment, as a wind full of leaves blew between the six, everyone moved at the same time, charging at one another.
Lee was moving as fast as he could towards Jirai who smirked at him as he charged right back at him before swinging a meaty fist at the Taijutsu specialist. He came very close to hitting the green clad Ninja but he missed by a few inches as his young opponent quickly ducked up and began swinging his fists, slamming them into Jirai's large stomach. The youngest of the three Chakra Brothers gave a loud choke as his air was knocked from his lungs from the impact but he was quick to gather it back into his lungs before spinning around in a full circle, trying to kick out at Lee.
Unfortunately for him, Lee proved to be a lot faster than him. Between either one of them, the younger Ninja was faster. It was all due to the fact that Jirai was big in size. So as Jirai continued to swat at the Taijutsu Artist, Lee continued to dodge, with a satisfied smile on his face.
"Maaaan, why did I have to get stuck with the little girl?" Jiro groaned loudly as he ended up facing Tenten. He was not happy about this at all. In all honesty, he believed that facing her was a waste of his time. His remark furthered her annoyance for his lack of belief of her skills and she glared harder at him. He ignored her look though as he made a face and sighed so impatiently that could have matched Shikamaru's unenthusiastic sighs he usually made. "This is so stupid! I can't believe I have to fight a meek little girl!"
Tenten gripped her scrolls so tightly that her knuckles nearly turned white while her eyes flashed angrily. She was starting to lose her nerve with this guy and she was going to make him pay. "Do not underestimate me!" She snapped before she was quickly throwing out one of her scrolls to the side, yet holding onto the ends of it so that he would shoot open. "Weapon Bostaff Release!!" She yelled before spinning in a circle and grabbing at the long wooden staff that seemed to pop right out of the paper. She was quick to shoving her other scrolls back into her hip pouch before she was lunging at Jiro with her bostaff.
Surprised, Jiro was slow to dodging the weapon, getting the end of the stick across the head, knocking him a little off balance. He was more stunned than ever getting hit by the stick though. It was something he hadn't been expecting. "What the......?!" He murmured before his face darkened and he moved to attack her, swinging his meaty fist at her. He was only more surprised when Tenten dodged, swinging around on her bostaff to kick him across the face, only angering him a little more.
"So you're a Hyuuga." Jirati said calmly, standing before Neji.
Neji narrowed his pale eyes at his opponent as he stood in the usual Hyuuga stance but did not move to fight just yet. He was going to wait for the Chakra Brother to move first. "So what if I am?" He asked, just as calmly. He didn't want to be caught off guard by this one after hearing he was the strongest and more powerful of the three. He knew he would have to be careful around Jirati.
Jirati just smiled and shook his big head, dark eyes meeting the younger ninja's. He still did not move into any stance at all but remained calm as ever. "Oh, I didn't mean anything by it. I was only curious because I have heard of your clan. The Hyuuga clan is said to possess a very interesting eye ability, the Byakugan. The All Seeing Eye. It's said that a Hyuuga can see through one's body, into the Chakra systems." He smirked tilting his head to the side but keeping his eyes directly onto Neji. "That is correct, no?"
There was a short pause as Neji remained motionless, staring directly at Jirati. He didn't see the point of this. Anyone knew about the Hyuuga clan and the family traits. "Your point is?" He asked, blankly.
"I take that as a yes." Jirati chuckled before nodding his head towards Neji. "Do me a favor, Hyuuga. Activate your Byakugan and scan my chakra level. You might learn something." He told him. He almost chuckled even louder when Neji started a little, looking at him as if he was nuts. "You don't understand? Well, it's simple. I want you to see my Chakra Level. I want you to see what you're up against."
Neji just stared at Jirati with surprise before dipping his head down a little, gritting his teeth. He didn't understand what this guy's plan was. It could have been a distraction but he wasn't entirely sure. He also didn't want to be caught off guard by him. But there couldn't be a way he would be distracted too much. Even if he did activate his Byakugan and Jirati attacked, he would be prepared for it. So with his eyes narrowed a little, he quickly formed the hand signs and his eyes snapped wider open, pulsing the veins around his lavender colored eyes. 'Let's see what his deal is.....WHAT?!' He thought in sudden shock.
Everything was nearly black and white in Neji's vision, like it usually was. But there was something different. The aura surrounding Jirati was intense. It was nearly blinding white, showing only his body form. There was large blaze filling throughout his body, so powerful that he couldn't believe it. And it wasn't just Jirati that he caught sight of. It was the other two. Their bodies were not as blinding white as the oldest brother's was but they were still very intense.
'What?! This can't be! His Chakra Level.....their Chakra levels! They're nearly as high as Kisame Hoshigaki! Close but not even!'
Jirati seemed to guess his thoughts because he smirked at him and folded his large arms. "You see it, don't you, Hyuuga. You and your comrades can't beat us." He told him, shaking his head. "You will lose."
And then he was moving towards Neji. Fast!
Author's Note:
Hey, readers! I am so sorry for the very, very, very, very, very long wait for this next chapter. It's all due to the fact that I've hit a writer's block snag and I had no access to the internet for a bit. I've also been working other projects as well. But it shouldn't happen again, hopefully. Again, I am very sorry and I will be keeping updating this story when I can. Thanks for your patients and forgive me.