Taka countered all of Masuka's purple energy attacks with his long-range air palms. These were perfect attacks for whatever Masuka threw at him. The tables had turned on Masuka. Taka moved in closer and rapidly attacked her midsection with punch after punch. He sent her into a wall with a powerful kick. The Oni-Zakura student waited for her to get back up.
"You're pretty fast, and pretty strong", Said Masuka.
"I've trained alongside Keitaro, my sensei, and other students. You came to our Dojo and violated our home! This is what happens when you bring harm to the Oni-Zakura!"
Taka rushed Masuka head on. However, she maneuvered out of harm's way, letting Taka's fist break through the wall. With an opening, Masuka ran two of her purple enhanced fingers into Taka's lungs. Taka coughed out thick blood from the entry wounds. Still being in close proximities to her, Taka landed to jabs and a right hook to Masuka. Pushing her away from him, Taka held his sides from the wounds. Masuka looked to him with killer intent.
"You lose, karate boy", Masuka soke.
"I still have some fight left in me", Taka took what he felt would be his last fighting stance.
Naru leaned Keitaro's fragile body against some damaged machinery. His wounds were bleeding at an alarming rate. Ripping off a piece of her shirt, Naru wrapped one of his wounds as best she could to prevent anymore blood loss.
"Keitaro, stay with me", Naru said. "You have to stay with me, you hear?"
"Naru, I'm finished", Keitaro said. "I have nothing left."
"What", Naru said taking a better look at Keitaro. "Keitaro, you can't give up yet!"
"Naru, what more can I do? I've used up everything I have left."
"That can't be all you have left", Naru tried to reason with him. "You're much stronger than this! I know you are!"
"What do I have left to give up Naru?! What more can I give", Keitaro told her.
Naru looked down for a moment. Keitaro didn't expect her to have an answer, but she did.
"Keitaro, I know you don't have much left in you, but I know there's something there...Something that makes you never give up...You've had it in you since the first day I met you...Even before that..."
A few yards away, Taka continued to fight on. He was losing so much blood, and his lungs were ready to collapse. Even in a losing battle, Taka continued to fight.
"...We all have seen you accomplish the impossible, Keitaro...That's why we're willing to fight for you till the very end", Naru continued.
Hiding underneath the table, still cradling Skinny, Shinobu watched in horror as Masuka tore Taka apart.
"We're in an impossible situation right now, Keitaro..."
"...No matter what, we won't give up on you, Keitaro..."
Still trying to figure out a way to get in, The remaining ERT, Motoko, and Kanako desperately searched for a way to pry open the blast door to help Keitaro.
"...That's why we can't let you give up yet", Naru said as she gently held Keitaro's cheeks and stared into his soul. "We need you to accomplish the impossible one more time, and never give up! We're not ready to give up on you, and you can't give up on yourself, Keitaro."
Keitaro took what felt like a century and looked back at Naru. She was a changed person from when she first met him. She was a changed person from when he left. She was a changed person from when he came back. And she was a changed person from when she made that promise to get into Tokyo University all those years ago. Yet through and through, the one thing that never changed, despite all the hardships and heartbreak, she never gave up on him. Keitaro looked down slightly and let the hair cover his eyes.
"Naru, if something was to happen to me tonight, would you care that I was gone tomorrow?"
"What?"
"Naru, I need to know. If I was to die, tonight, would you care that I was gone tomorrow."
"Keitaro, of course I would care", Naru yelled in sadness. "I would be heartbroken! I couldn't..."
"Then I'll come back", Keitaro suddenly seized Naru by the shoulders. " I needed to know that you still cared about me, because I always cared about you, no matter how hard I tried not to. If you still care about me, then that's more than enough of a reason for me to come back."
"Keitaro", Naru said as a suddenly glow came from her chest.
Looking at the small light, the necklace cross Naru wore began to emit a white light. Keitaro gently held the small cross on Naru's neck.
"This is Angel's", Keitaro whispered.
At the same time this occurred, another glow came from Keitaro's pocket. Reaching down inside, Keitaro pulled out the small silver ring he stored in there before. It was glowing just like Angel's necklace. It was then he remembered some strange phenomenon occurring because of these objects. It was a phenomenon that could actually hurt Masuka.
Keitaro gripped the ring and said, "Wait here Naru. I'll be back shortly."
"No", Naru spoke as she grabbed his wrist. "I am not going to let you go back there without me!"
Keitaro could see that she was serious. When Naru was like this, there was little anyone could say or do that could make her say otherwise. Trying to calculate some kind of plan, Keitaro took Naru's hand.
"Okay Naru, but I need you to listen to me very carefully."
Naru watched in awe as Keitaro began to slowly slip the ring onto Naru's finger like a wedding ring.
"No matter what happens, no matter what you hear, no matter how ugly it gets, you don't interfere until I tell you to. Understand?"
Naru was at a total loss for words again. All she could do was nod her head "Yes".
Keitaro said, "Good. when it's all over we have to talk about how I feel about you, and how you feel about me."
She didn't get to make anymore statements as he joined Taka on the battlefield. He started peeling off the shredded remains of his bullet proof vest, revealing the blue shirt underneath with a symbol anyone in the world would recognize.
Taka was laying on his side, paralyzed in agony and blood loss. He had fallen after this intense fight with his opponent, Masuka.
"You fought well. Very good for someone your age", Masuka trumped. "I will be sure to add your details for new evolutionary experiments."
As she stood over him, Masuka lifted a heavy girder and lifted it above her head. With one final grin, Masuka dropped the girder on Taka. The defenseless boy closed his eyes and tensed his muscles as he braced himself for an inevitable death. However, death was not ready for Taka just yet. He opened his eyes bit by bit. Standing before him was Keitaro holding the large girder while dawning the blue superman shirt he bought months ago because it reminded him of Yangu. Standing a little bit taller, Keitaro pushed the girder higher and higher before tossing it aside.
"Don't worry Taka", Keitaro said. "I've got this."
With a new resolve to finish this, Keitaro raised his fist again.
"Still", Masuka asked. "You still intend to fight!?"
Masuka took the first move in this new battle. in less than two punches, Masuka knocked Keitaro to the ground. However, he didn't stay down. Grabbing onto the battered wall, Keitaro hauled himself up and raised his fist again.
"You don't know when to quit do you", Masuka yelled.
She gave him a strong kick to Keitaro's stomach, knocking him down again. Like the time before, Keitaro got back on his feet. Watching from afar, Naru waited and watched for Keitaro to give the signal. It was horrifying watching Keitaro take a beating from Masuka. She wanted to help him, and Keitaro knew it. He yelled across the room, "Not yet!" Time after time again, Masuka kept pulverizing him, or knocking him around. Like a machine that you could not turn off, Keitaro always stood up again. Every now and then he would yell, "Not yet", knowing it was for Naru's sake. Thrown across the floor again, Keitaro slowly pushed himself off of the ground. He was in so much pain, but he knew he had to endure it a little while longer.
"Not yet", He yelled again.
Keitaro took another swing at Masuka, but she was way to swift now to let it touch her. Grabbing his arm, she threw him over her shoulder, slamming him hard onto the ground. Keitaro yelled in agony as his back collided with the cement.
"Keitaro, please fight back", Naru yelled.
"Not yet", Keitaro shouted again.
He stood back up again, and raised his fist like a tired boxer. However, his knee was giving out, and he now struggled to stand up.
"You're out of power Keitaro", Masuka told him. "You're running on an empty tank, and you think you can still beat me?!"
Before she could pulverize him anymore, a deep stabbing pain hit Masuka's stomach. This was odd, since there was no weapon there. Suddenly, the stabbing pain erupted everywhere in her being. She collapsed on both knees as the excruciating pain flooded her body.
"What is this", Masuka cried.
Keitaro knew exactly what this was. The Demon Blood Marking came at a heavy price. The pain he felt from using this power was almost unbearable to him. Muscles constricting, joints locking, pent-up pain finally being released throughout the body, Masuka was feeling it all.
"Keitaro as he collapsed onto the ground, "NOW NARU! HIT HER! HIT HER WITH EVERYTHING YOU'VE GOT!"
Not needing a second word, Naru rushed in to give the strongest attack of her life time.
"MASUKAAAA", She rushed in yelling.
As Naru quickly closed in, Masuka tried to escape, but the recoil of the Demon Blood Marking was too powerful. She could escape to nowhere. The closer Narui raced towards Masuka, the brighter her ring, and necklace glowed with a white light. Naru jammed her fist into Masuka's belly. As it connected with her enemy, the white light suddenly erupted into a massive explosion. Naru yelled trying to shove as much force into her enemy, and Masuka yelled as her pain intensity increased by ten fold.
Despite what was happening to her, Masuka got a good look at Naru. Her eyes showed a braveness and ferocity she had not seen before; Not in her, not in an opponent, and not in any soldier. To add to the phenomenon already occurring, Masuka could almost see a silhouette of a sniper she once fought on the battlefield with, a long time ago. He shouldn't have been there, but through some unknown force, Masuka felt that Angel was right there behind Naru. Finally accepting her defeat, Masuka closed her eyes, and gave up the fight.
On the other side of the wall, Shinobu shut her eyes and tightly held Skinny. Outside of the base, a white light broke through the side of the base.
"What in Sam Hell was that", Tokui said.
Whatever it was, they now had a way to get inside.
"C'mon", Motoko ordered.
In sync, the rest of the rescue team followed.
Keitaro coughed as he staggered to find where everyone was.
"Naru, Naru", Keitaro called out in the dust.
Through the ash and dust, Keitaro caught a glimmer of something shiny. On the ground, Keitaro's ring law unscathed, and unharmed as the white light began to die down within it. He knelt down and carefully picked up the item. He carefully looked at the small item in his hand, but another light soon caught his attention. As Keitaro began to follow the light, he could hear some slight coughing. He found Naru on her knees, still wearing Angel's necklace. However, the light died down after a few seconds, much like the ring.
Naru, are you ok", Keitaro asked, kneeling down in front of her.
"I love you", Naru said in a whisper.
"Wh-What", Keitaro asked, thinking he heard something crazy.
"ILOVEYOUILOVEYOUILOVEYOU, ALRIGHT! FINE-I'M-IN-LOVE-WITH-YOU, Naru burst out with a pink embarrassed face. "I MAY NOT BE AS PERFECT AS YOUR PROMISE GIRL, BUT I LOVE YOU OKAY! I LOVE YOU KEITARO! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU!"
For a second, Keitaro covered his head in fear. He thought she had lost some of her marbles in the blast, seeing her crazily shout and flail her arms. But that theory died down as she calmed herself.
"I love you", She whispered again with her head hung low, letting her bangs cover her eyes.
Keitaro let this sink in for a moment. He smiled before closing his eyes, and slightly bowing his head.
"Thank you Naru. I love you too. I have for a long time."
Keitaro looked at the small ring in his hand.
"Here, I think you should have this", Keitaro handed her the ring.
Within the blink of an eye, Naru snatched the ring from his grasp. Looking at her pink blushed face, and teary eyes, Keitaro was reading a whole story of words. "Thank you! I'm sorry! I'm glad you're okay! Don't scare me like that! I'm so happy! I don't want you to leave! I love you!" It was all written on her face. There were a million other things her expression could have told him, and a million even more things she could have said to him directly. Instead, Naru rushed him and passionately kissed Keitaro with all the force she could. Suddenly, all of reality seemed to be moving in slow motion.
"Is Naru, kissing me", Keitaro asked in his mind.
Indeed she was. This was felt like somewhere between a dream, a fantasy, and reality. People often described it as being on cloud nine. Despite the state he was previously in, he felt no pain at all from her sudden tackle to the ground. In fact, this was a rather soft and gentle feeling. No longer fighting back, and finally giving his heart to her, Keitaro closed his eyes and held her waist as he kissed her back. Naru gentle wrapped her arms around his head and caressed his messy, dirty hair. The two never pulled away from each other, but let their kiss die down to something much soft and gentler.
Keitaro, Keitaro", Voices called from beyond the gaping hole in the base.
Tokui, Motoko, Shirai, and Haitani, bolted through the gap. They expected to find more enemies, or other opponents to fight. Instead, they came across their rescue target making out with his girlfriend.
"Daaamn", Shirai yelled.
"Gaaaaame", Haitani added.
To their embarrassment, Keitaro and Naru were caught. As the pair's faces turned red, and they stuttered with their words, they were joined by many others. Shinobu, came from around the corner, and threw her arms around Keitaro. Skinny was also pet by his master. Thank you's, laughs, hugs, and pats on the backs were passed around.
Before long, emergency response teams were called. Keitaro sat in the back of a parked ambulance, holding Naru's hand. A medic treated his wounds as Kitsune and Mutsumi approached him. They were dirty and tattered, but had no serious injuries. In fact, they laughed at the entire incident that had passed. Just as joyous, Su and Sarah managed to steal one of the ambulances, and were now being chased after by the two medics. Haitani, and Shirai exchanged stories with Motoko. They imitated movements with their hands like they were using a shotgun. Motoko did the same, but pretended to use a sword.
As funnier things happened, more urgent matters were taken care of. Han layed on a stretcher as he was airlifted out. He held Kanako's hand that wasn't in a cast. Han gave her a smile, letting her know that he was going to be okay. In the same helicopter was Taka, who was in a more critical situation. Even Skinny was airlifted with these two. Miraculously, Masuka was also taken to be airlifted. However, they were going to a separate hospital, accompanied by armed guards and a even a military chopper.
Somewhere else, Tokui walked around the base. He came across the downed wreckage of Nentou's ship. He didn't want anyone else to remove his comrade. As the commander of the ERT, he thought it was his duty to take his fallen pilot. As he entered the control panel part of the ship. As he drew closer and closer, he heard mumbling. Tokui found Nentou's dirty, bruised body twitching. The commander watched as Nentou whispered nonsense.
Tokui gently tapped his shoulder, "Nentou?! Nentou, can you hear me?!"
Nentou's hand suddenly grasped Tokui's wrist, and his eyes suddenly burst open.
"You?! Are you one of the Shinmei-ryū ancestors", Nentou asked.
"What", Tokui asked in confusion.
"Where's Elvis, and Steve Irwin", He questioned.
"What?! They died a long time ago", Tokui answered.
"You mean this isn't the afterlife?"
"No", Tokui yelled.
"AW DAMNIT", Nentou kicked the dashboard of the ship. "I knew I should've refueled for a bigger explosion!"
"Are you saying you wanted to die in the crash?! Even though you're already dying", Tokui continued to yell.
"No, this is a sign! Angel wants me to live!"
Nentou opened the glove compartment and pulled out thousands and thousands of bundled dollars. In the process, he threw out the carton of cigarettes he had come to love in it's habit. He pocketed the money and took off like a mad man, not carrying about his injuries, or poor health.
"Hey, wait", Tokui yelled. "You should get checked out with the ambulance first!"
"No need! I'm fine!"
Nentou turned back on his heels and rapidly shook his commander's hand.
"Thanks for everything Captain. Thanks Angel", Nebtou said as he let go of Tokui's hand and pat the picture of Angel he had in the ship.
With nothing else left to say, Nentou ran to live out his life. Tokui really should have stopped him for a medical checkup, and debriefing. However, Nentou had to live his own life, and Tokui wasn't going to stand in his way. With a smile, he turned around to take care of everything else. The battle was over, but there was still work to be done.
IT'S OVER! THE BATTLE IS OVER! WE NEVER HAVE TO HEAR ABOUT IT AGAIN! I had been planning this chapter for a long time. This chapter took especially long because I had to make it perfect (With the exception of some spelling errors). This chapter took also took long because I've been suffering from massive writer's blog. Naruto is coming to an end in just four weeks! I don't think I'm ready for this! I'm gonna miss that blonde spiky haired, number one, hyperactive, knuckle headed, ninja! but enough about my depression. Getting back to the story, I know I really put the hurt on Keitaro (I'm horrible), but I wanted to build as much suspense as I could before he came in for that epic last fight. I'm especially proud of when Keitaro saved Taka while wearing the Superman shirt. Totally had the "Superman Theme" going through my head when that happened.
During the fight, the song "The Touch" by "Stan Bush" was ringing in my ears. When it was all said and done, the song "Iridescent" by Linkin Park, and "Last Moment" by "SPYAIR" (A.K.A Bleach Ending 25) motivated me as everyone was medically tended to. More importantly, the song "Never Say Never" by "The Fray" (Not Justin Beiber!) really set the mood for me when Keitaro and Naru finally kissed. I admit, I used some of the dialogue from the original manga, and anime "Love: Hina Again". I thought it was fitting, and I went as far as watching that episode, and reading that chapter when Naru finally admits and kisses Keitaro.
With the girl's heart earned, the villain defeated, the plot overthrown, and the allies taken to safety, youd think the story is over. But like Tokui said "The battle was over, but there was still work to be done." After a storm, one must deal with the aftermath. Will all of Keitaro's injured friends pull through? What will be Masuka's fate? Can Keitaro finally put the past behind him? What about Tokyo University? These chapter will be answered within the next few chapters. Stick around! Thank you all for being so patient, and thank you for helping me reach 100 follows! It's all thanks to you! I'm gonna get started on my next chapter, and go cry in the corner for the approaching end of Naruto. :'(