40. Strength, Honor, Preservation

"Can you hurry up?" I whispered over my shoulder a bit impatiently, my eyes darting back and forth.

"Do you want to do it?" Cherushii hissed back at me, though her full attention remained on the lock she was currently trying to pick.

Hiroaki and I stood in front of her, blocking her from view. We weren't sure if this was entirely necessary, but better safe than sorry. Orochimaru's old lab was on the outskirts of the settlement, enough that I didn't think it classified as part of the settlement. The entrance was a locked, cement door that was somehow built into a sand dune.

I spared a glance at Hiroaki. He remained alert, his eyes sweeping back and forth as mine were. I had told him his presence wasn't required here. I didn't necessarily want him risking his own life, and the life of his brother, should he get caught with us. But he had shook his head and insisted on coming.

Finally, I heard the soft click that told me the lock had given way. Cherushii gave a relieved sigh at the same time. "Got it."

With another sweep of the area, we retreated through the door, shutting it behind us. We were suddenly encased in darkness. I strained my eyes, letting them adjust to the darkness, but it was still too dim to make anything out. A rustling noise beside me told me Hiroaki was rifling through his backpack. A moment later, he switched on the flashlight now in his hand. A stone staircase greeted us and we carefully made our way down. Hiroaki went last, shining the light above his head so we had a thin stream of light to descend with.

There was a notable change in temperature when our feet stepped onto the flat stone of the floor. It was cool down here and an involuntary shudder went up my spine. Cherushii's hand began to search the wall for the light switch.

The lights flickered on, blinding me for a moment. I blinked away the spots forming in my vision before taking in the room. I frowned, taking a step forward.

The room looked like a mix between a medieval torture room and a surgical suite. Several tables were placed in the middle of the room, each with a pair of wrist and ankle restraints. When I moved close enough to actually touch the tables, I noted dark stains on their surface.

"Where are we…?" Hiroaki muttered.

"Hell…" I said as I felt bile rise in my throat and I had to look away from the tables.

I turned my attention to the many counters that lined the walls, holding a large assortment of items. Beakers, Bunsen burners, pipettes, petri dishes. Scalpels, pliers, clamps, various scissors. Instruments that I could not, nor did I want to, know the uses for.

I passed a table that was covered in notebooks and papers. I began to sift through them, my eyes scanning the pages. Maybe this was where I could find my evidence against Izanagi.

I felt a figure approach and look over my shoulder. The vague scent of vanilla told me who it was before she spoke. "That's Orochimaru's handwriting."

I frowned. "Maybe Izanagi was using them as a reference. Do you think you can look through them and see if Izanagi left any of his work here?"

Cherushii nodded absently. She was already sifting through the papers.

I hugged myself as I glanced about the room. How many lives had been lost here? How many lives destroyed?

Hiroaki walked up to my side then. His face was grave, his shoulders sagging with defeat. "There's no sign of Taku…"

I turned to him, frowning. I could see the anguish he was trying to hide on his face. I reached out to touch his arm. "That doesn't mean anything. He just might not be here."

"Then where?" he asked, searching my face, desperately lost and hopeless.

My heart clenched at the sight. I wanted to reach out and hold him, take away some of that pain.

"Perhaps wherever he's keeping his research," Cherushii piped up.

I almost jumped in surprise. For a moment, I'd forgotten where we were. It had just been me and Hiroaki, eyes locked on one another. Two souls desperate for any hope, for any comfort in our cruel reality. Strangely, when I pulled my gaze away to look at Cherushii, I felt a weird sense of shame and anxiety.

"Nothing here appears to be Izanagi's research," Cherushii frowned, coming to a stop next to me. "He must keep it somewhere else."

"Where else would he keep it?" I mused, glancing away as I thought, my eyes sweeping over the counters and tables. And then I remembered.

"His house?" Hiroaki and I answered at the same time. We glanced at one another, then to Cherushii.

She shrugged. "When in Rome."

"Stop breathing down my neck," I finally hissed, concentration wavering.

"Well hurry up," Cherushii shot back, eyes darting about herself. "I don't want to get caught here."

"Well if you gave me some space, I could get us in here faster," I retorted before trying to block out the blonde's presence.

My left arm was beginning to ache from being in the same position as my right hand worked the half-diamond pick. My brows furrowed in concentration as I listened and felt for the 'click' I was looking for. I was trying to push down my own sense of urgency to ward off distraction and mistakes. Cherushii was meant to be keeping guard with Hiroaki and her anxiety was contagious.

Finally, the lock gave and I sucked in an air of excitement. "Got it!"

I stood from my crouching position and opened the door. I cracked it at first, straining my ears to detect any noise, feeling out any possible presences in case Izanagi kept his home guarded. Satisfied we were safe, I swung the door in, motioning for Cherushii and Hiroaki to follow me.

Izanagi's house was less of house and just shy of a manor. It was unnecessarily large, extraordinarily so considering he lived here by himself. My eyes swept over the ornate furniture and artwork on the walls. Whatever information he was selling, it was clearly fetching a good price.

The three of us split up to cover more ground. After checking a den and a room that looked like it hadn't been used in quite some time, indicated by the accumulating dust, I opened a door to what appeared to be a study.

A desk was placed in the middle of the room, covered with stacks of papers. Several bookcases lined the walls, as well as shelves lined with various trinkets, some appearing as though they'd come from other countries. I approached the nearest shelf, my eyes falling on several plaques. Izanagi's name was inscribed on their metal plates beneath inscriptions of various honors. Several were for special services to Sunagakure. Others were recognitions for goodwill missions to other countries.

It was little wonder that Izanagi had been selected to lead the Makase Clan as my eyes scanned over his accomplishments. Judging by what I was seeing, Izanagi appeared to be an all-together good Samaritan. What had happened? Had power corrupted him? Or had he always had a charming exterior and rotten core?

Moving away, I wandered over to the desk. I began to sift through paperwork, eyes scanning the various documents. Nothing of interest popped out at me and I set to searching the drawers, rifling through their contents. Nothing seemed amiss here either, my fingers only skittering across normal office supplies.

I sighed, standing to my full height, hand ranking through my hair in frustration. Doubt was beginning to seep into my chest. What if we couldn't find the proof we needed? Was my brother going to face the chopping block for my ineptitude? I cursed, aiming a kick for the desk. The action did little to ease my frustration and only sent a stabbing pain through my foot and a picture frame tumbling off the desk, falling beneath it.

I let out another sigh of frustration and dropped to my knees. The frame remained intact and I grabbed it, glancing at the picture inside. It was Izanagi, at least twenty years younger, standing with the Kazekage. I made to stand when my eye caught something else. My eyebrows furrowed as I peered at the underside of the desk. It blended in well with the color of the desk, but I saw it. A button.

I couldn't believe my luck. This button had to lead to something, or why spend the energy to hide it? Unless it was a security system that Izanagi could press if confronted in his office. Possible, I supposed, although perhaps a bit excessive. Then again, everything about Izanagi was excessive. For a long moment I was torn, but finally, I held my breath and pressed the button.

Nothing happened at first and I frowned. Perhaps it was an alarm system, a silent alarm. I was about to get to my feet in case I needed to flee, but then a sound caught my attention; a soft groaning noise. I peered over my shoulder to see a bookcase sliding against the wall, revealing the doorway that had sat behind it just moments prior.

"A secret passage behind a bookcase? How cliché," I rolled my eyes, getting to my feet.

Cautiously, I stepped into the dark opening that had revealed itself. My foot dropped and I realized there was a flight of stairs. My fingers groped either side of the wall, but I found no light switch. Carefully, I felt my way down the stairs until my feet landed on solid ground.

It felt cool down here, with that vague feeling of dampness that often accompanied a basement. It was pitch black down here and, even though my eyes were adjusted, I still couldn't see anything. I felt for the nearest wall, my hand sliding against it in search of a light switch. This time I found one and a pair of fluorescent lights flickered to life. I blinked away the spots that had appeared in my vision before my eyes swept over the area.

It looked as though I had entered another study, though much less official than the one upstairs. This office reminded me more of a war-time tent. A desk sat in the corner of the room, a table in another corner. Maps and charts and diagrams lined the walls. I took a cautious step forwards as my eyes swept over the area.

I approached the table in the corner, surprised to find an enlarged map lying on its surface. Small 'x's marked the map in red while small flags and tiny figurines dotted its surface. My eyes widened. I couldn't say for sure, but it certainly looked like a strategy map; typically used to plan war.

Pulling away from the table, I moved over to the desk. Similar to the desk upstairs, this one was also littered with papers. I began to sift through them, my eyes falling over equations I didn't understand and diagrams of human bodies, of nervous systems, vascular systems. My stomach flipped uncomfortably in my abdomen. I found what I was looking for in the first drawer.

I pulled out the small, leather-bound journal, not entirely sure I wanted to read its contents. But I had to. And so I opened the journal to its first entry.

August 10th

Subject is a twenty-seven-year-old male. Body is fit and muscular. No notable health conditions. Able to utilize kekki genki.

Sample is iron powder, salvaged by Orochimaru from Suna's attempts to utilize the jinchūriki's powers. Powder has been mixed with serum to be injected.

Objective: Can the body absorb the serum mixture and regenerate it naturally through mitosis? Success could mean an army of ninja who can harness wind and sand simultaneously.

The writing beneath the initial entry was penned in a different colored ink.

August 13th

Subject has not taken well to the serum. Subject appears to be suffering from blood poisoning. Symptoms: fever, flushed skin, diaphoresis, responding to internal stimuli.

August 14th

Subject appears to be undergoing septic shock.

August 15th

Subject has passed.

I felt sick. Who had this person been? This person that Izanagi hadn't even bothered to refer to by name. I couldn't bring myself to look further through the journal. I imagined it contained the same kind of entries, and I wasn't sure I had the stomach for it.

I felt anger, the kind that simmers deep in your gut, the kind that threatened to burn away all reason. It was monstrous enough to play with the lives of others. It was even worse that he was their leader. People looked to him for direction, for safety, for order. People put their trust in him, and he maliciously abused it.

I realized I was shaking and I tried to calm myself. I could not approach this situation with blind rage. Keitaro's life hung in the balance I could not afford to let my emotions rule my confrontation. That's what Izanagi would want our people to see; the savage sister to the man that had essentially murdered their loved ones.

I took in a deep, calming breath. I closed the journal and stowed it in the weapon pouch in the back. I turned to head back upstairs, to reconvene with Hiroaki and Cherushii, when a sound caught me in my tracks. It sounded as though something had been knocked over, and it was coming from my right.

Eyebrows furrowed, I cautiously moved to that side of the room. There was a door here and I tested the knob, finding it unlocked. As quietly as I could, I turned the knob and gently pushed the door open.

The door opened into a larger room, very dimly lit, the sole source of light a lantern that sat in the corner of the room. There was a distinct musty smell to the room and it felt even more damp than the rest of the basement. As my eyes adjusted to the poor lighting, the details of the room came into focus.

The area looked like some kind of bedroom, but a decrepit one. There was a bed against the far wall of the room but the mattress looked thin and the blankets were barely more than thin scraps of fabric. The only other furnishings present were a bucket and a rickety-looking desk. I pushed the door open fully and a single occupant came into view.

I stiffened at first, weary, but then my eyes took in the figure. It was a boy, maybe twelve. He was thin, too thin, his cheek bones standing out a bit more than they should. His dirty brown hair hung around his ears and looked in need of a trim. But it was his eyes that stood out to me the most. They were large, amber and very wide; fearful maybe?

Despite his haggard appearance, I recognized the boy. I had seen him in a photograph Hiroaki had shown me last night when we spent some time getting to know each other.

Taku…

I stepped into the room and Taku immediately began shaking his head. My eyes narrowed but then the door shut fiercely behind me and I whipped around. There had been another figure in the room, hiding behind the door. Currently, he held a short sword and it was swinging right at me.

Gasping, I jumped back just in time, the tip of the sword missing me by millimeters. I stumbled back and the man followed, taking another swing at me. I dodged to the side, drawing my daggers and holding them in front of me defensively, catching my opponent's blow with a distinct clash.

I slid my blades along the length of his, pushing it away from me. In the opening that was left open, I darted forward, aiming a hit for his diaphragm. He spun away from me but I followed him relentlessly and our blades clashed against one another as we lunged and parried. We traded blows multiple times before I was able to get a kick to his chest. He stumbled back and I took the time to jump away, putting enough distance between us that I could run through a string of handsigns.

The man was quick to recover and rushed me but he was too late. He lunged for me and slammed into the barrier I'd created from my wind. Before he could move away, I exerted a rush of chakra and the wind swept him off his feet, slamming him into the nearest wall, pinning him there under a steady current of wind.

I strode forward, studying my opponent thoroughly for the first time. He was tall and muscular with a strong jaw, currently clenched as he attempted to break free. I wondered who he was. Was he a member of our clan acting under Izanagi's orders? I didn't want to harm a member of my clan if I could help it. Then again, this man had been an accomplice in keeping a young boy prisoner.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

The man set a pair of dark eyes on me, but he said nothing. He only glared at me in hatred. I waited for an answer but I noted movement. He was straining against my wind and, for a moment, his right arm beat it, stabbing at me with his blade. Before he could finish his attack, my own blade whipped forward, slicing through the man's throat.

I watched those dark eyes widen as his blade clattered to the cement floor. An awful gurgling sound issued from his throat, his eyes filling with panic as he realized he could no longer breathe. I released him and he sprawled to the ground at my feet, clutching at his throat. Reaching down, I wiped my blade off on his shirt. As he struggled in his last moments, I turned my back on him, setting my eyes on the boy who had backed himself up against a wall.

I sheathed my daggers as Taku took me in, his eyes scrutinizing me. There was hesitation in his eyes but, regardless, he stepped forward. I noticed then that his wrists were shackled and a long chain connected them to the wall. The chains would be long enough he'd be able to move about half of the room, but no further.

"I wanted to warn you," Taku finally said. His voice was a bit raspy, as though he hadn't used it in some time.

"I know," I said, remembering his wide eyes. I took a single step forward. "My name is Makase Nakao."

Taku frowned, his eyes sweeping over me again. "I don't recognize you."

"My family resettled in Konoha when I was young," I explained. I stepped forward again, making a conscious effort to keep my hands in view. "You're Taku."

The boy's amber eyes narrowed. "How do you know who I am?"

"I know your brother."

"Hiroaki?" his eyes lit up.

I nodded. "He's here with me. Should we get you out of here?"

I fished in a pocket of my weapons belt before pulling out my lockpicks. Taku smiled for the first time. He had the same smile as his brother, warm and sincere, though Taku's had a hint of mischief behind his. I made quick work of Taku's chains and we made our way out of the basement. I used my chakra to feel out the house, but I only sensed the presence of my companions.

"Hiroaki? Cherushii?" I called out as Taku and I stepped into the study.

I heard quick footsteps overhead before I heard his voice. "Nakao?"

I could hear him rush down the steps. We waited for him.

He hurried through the doorway. "Are you okay-"

He stopped dead in his tracks. I watched his eyes widen and his mouth drop open.

"Taku…" he whispered hoarsely.

"Hiroaki!" Taku rushed forwards, wrapping his brother in a fierce hug.

I watched with a smile as the two reunited.

Hiroaki finally pulled away, his eyes scanning his brother. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," Taku said, wiping at his eyes.

Hiroaki hugged him again. Releasing him once more, Hiroaki glanced up, his eyes meeting mine. I saw the tears glistening against the brilliant amber of his eyes. I offered him a smile. Stepping around his brother, he walked towards me.

He stopped before me, looking down at me. His mouth opened and closed a few times, as though he wasn't sure what to say. When he did speak, his voice was thick and I could see his Adam's apple bob in his throat. "Thank you…"

The raw emotion in his tone almost made me tear up. His eyes searched me, open and grateful and…something else. And then he reached forward and pulled me into a hug.

I stood as tall as Hiroaki's chin and he placed it atop my head as he hugged me tightly. I was surprised by the gesture at first, but quickly relaxed and my arms snaked around his torso to hug him back. He smelled of cloves and cinnamon.

He held me for a long moment before he released me. I smiled up at him but blinked in surprise when he took a step back and fell to one knee. He gazed up at me, his right hand clenched into a fist and he placed the back of that wrist across his heart. "With my sword or my life, I pledge my service to you. Tsuyo, hozon, eiyo."

Taku stepped forward and knelt beside his brother, copying his brother's movements. "With my sword or my life, I pledge my service to you. Tsuyo, hozon, eiyo."

At a loss for what to say, I could only stare down at the brothers in surprise, until I sensed another pair of eyes on me. I glanced up, over the heads of Hiroaki and Taku to see Cherushii leaning up against the door frame. Her arms crossed over her chest, she smirked at me.

I leaned against the railing of Hiroaki's deck, arms resting atop the banister. My eyes were set on the night sky, on the clouds that floated past the bright moon. A gentle gust of wind blew some hair into my eyes and I shook it away with a flicker of annoyance.

I heard the door behind me open and someone stepped out onto the deck. They came to a rest beside me and a flash of gold alerted me to who had decided to join me.

"How are you feeling?" Cherushii asked after a long moment.

I glanced over at her. She, too, had chosen to look up at the moon, her blue eyes bright and pensive.

"Nervous," I admitted.

"Because you have to stand up in front of the clan tomorrow and denounce their leader?"

I scoffed. "No, because I'm worried about what to wear."

I could almost feel Cherushii smirk in amusement. "You'll be alright. I'll be there, and Hiroaki."

"I hope that will help," I murmured, my hands beginning to wring together against the banister.

"Well it won't hurt," she shrugged. "But I don't think you need to worry. I think you're better at this leadership thing than you give yourself credit for."

I frowned, not entirely convinced of that. "I hope you're right…"

"I am," she said absently. She was quiet for a long moment before she pushed away from the railing. "Get some sleep tonight, you're going to need it for tomorrow."

I hummed a non-committal response as she turned away. A heartbeat later I heard the door open again and by the time it closed, another person stood beside me.

"Hey."

I glanced over and smiled. "Hey. How's Taku?"

"He's in need of nourishment and rest, but he'll be alright."

I was glad to hear it.

"You okay?" he asked, his amber eyes searching my face.

My smile fell into a sort of grimace and I glanced away. "I'm not sure."

Hiroaki reached over, his larger hand grasping one of mine in his. I peered over at him.

"You're going to do great," he said, squeezing my hand.

I gave him a half smile, conveying my doubt. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because…" he kept my hand in his, his thumb absently tracing the lines of my palm, but he set his gaze forwards. "There's just something about you; something you radiate. I don't know how to explain it…You remind me of…fire. But not wildfire. You make me think of winter mornings, of the first snowfall when we start the fireplace. You generate warmth, not destruction. You promise life and safety and strength."

Hiroaki fell silent and I pivoted so that I was facing him. I tilted my head gently. "Have you considered a living writing poetry?"

The boy gave a soft snort, an endearing sound that made my stomach flip. "Truly? I blundered through that entire thing."

I chuckled gently and Hiroaki turned to face me as well.

"If you saw yourself the way I see you, you would feel no need to worry."

I was still a bit confused by his utmost faith in me, but I smiled regardless. "Well if I fail, perhaps your honeyed words can save the day."

He gave an amused huff and it made his eyes shine. The sight made my heartbeat speed up a bit and I became acutely aware of how warm his skin was.

Still smiling, he squeezed my hand. "You should really get some sleep."

I nodded absently, my senses still filled with the brightness of his eyes and the smell of cinnamon. Hiroaki leaned forward and bowed his head, placing a kiss on my cheek, his lips nearly touching the corner of my mouth. For a wild moment, I wondered what it would feel like to turn my head just slightly and capture his lips with mine.

Hiroaki pulled away but was still close enough I could see small flecks of green in his irises. I found myself wondering if maybe the same thought as passed through his mind. "Goodnight, Nakao."

"Goodnight, Hiroaki," I breathed.

This was it. This was the moment, if only I reached out and took it. I leaned forward and a face flashed in front of my eyes. But it wasn't Hiroaki's. This face was more angular, pale, with fathomless onyx-eyes. My heart stuttered in my chest. Hiroaki was right before me, or faces almost touching…and I placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.

My heart was still pounding when we pulled away from one another. Hiroaki gave my hand one more squeeze, giving me a small smile, before he turned and went back inside. I remained on the deck and stared at the space before me where Hiroaki had just been standing.

I sat between Hiroaki and Cherushii. My face was carefully ruled, a slate of indifference. On the inside, however, a sense of panic was sweeping through me. A dozen scenarios played through my head on a loop.

The room where Keitaro's trial was to take place was typically used for clan meetings, according to Hiroaki. Benches filled the room in rows, and I was acutely aware of how packed with people the room was. It was almost as though the entire clan had come for the trial. Murmurs had filled the room for the last twenty minutes, since my arrival.

I kept my gloved hands clasped together tightly in my lap, lips set in a thin line. The entrance to the room opened, and Izanagi strode in. He wore the ceremonial robe of the Makase Clan and a very smug look. Everyone in the room got to their feet as he walked to the front center of the room, save for Hiroaki, Cherushii and myself. As my eyes followed his movements, I wondered if he knew that we'd broken into his house, or if he didn't always frequent the basement.

For a moment, Izanagi's cold eyes landed on me. I could discern nothing from his facial expression. But I did see his smug smirk grow wider as he looked at me. And then he tore his gaze away and called out loudly. "Bring him in!"

The bystanders resumed their seats as the door to the room opened and Keitaro was escorted inside by four guards. I knew Keitaro could likely defeat them if he wanted to, but I knew he wouldn't. I wondered, with dread, that if I failed if Keitaro would fight for his life.

Keitaro was escorted across the room and shoved into a seat facing the clan. His hands were chained together, yet far enough apart that he wouldn't be able to put his hands together for handsigns. The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop as Izanagi strode towards Keitaro, standing before him.

"Makase Keitaro, you are charged with treason for organizing the assassination of the Makase Clan."

Keitaro lifted his head, jutting his chin forward defiantly.

"The punishment for treason is death," Izanagi continued. He turned his back on Keitaro to face the rest of the room. "My comrades, before us sits a traitor. He is responsible for the death of our family members, friends, those we held dear to us. I hereby propose-"

Before Izanagi could finish his sentence, I surged to my feet. "Funny, Izanagi, that you should mention the deaths of our comrades. Seeing as you're responsible for plenty of them."

"Tch," Izanagi turned a sneer on me. "What is this? Some wild attempt to spare your traitorous brother's neck?"

"This isn't about my brother," I said, not faltering. "This is about your treason."

A buzz spread throughout the room as murmurs and whispers broke out amongst the audience.

Izanagi's face was beginning to flush with ire. "What slanderous lies do you dare to spread?"

Without breaking eye contact, I reached into my back pouch and pulled out Izanagi's journal. I held it up for him, and the rest of the clan to see. The moment he laid eyes on the leather-bound journal, I saw his skin pale.

Finally tearing my gaze away, I opened the journal and read aloud.

"August thirteenth: Subject has not taken well to the serum. Subject appears to be suffering from blood poisoning. Symptoms: fever, flushed skin, diaphoresis, responding to internal stimuli. August fourteenth: subject appears to be undergoing septic shock. August fifteenth: subject has passed." Izanagi opened his mouth to interrupt me but I plowed on, raising my voice. "October second: subject is seventeen-year-old female. Subject used kekki genki to its limit; was given a liter of fluid to enhance endurance. Outcome: failed. Subject's lungs filled with fluid, passed on October fifteenth from pneumonia."

I glanced up from the journal, settling a glare on Izanagi. He was still as a statue, his lips pressed firmly together, his eyes wide. The rest of the room was silent.

"Should I keep going, or does that about encompass all the other entries? You didn't even use their names. You sacrificed their lives and you couldn't even use their names!"

The last sentence left my mouth with a hiss of rage. I snapped the journal shut, handing it to Cherushii.

"You told our clan these people were dying in missions that never happened. You lied, Izanagi. You covered up the deaths of those you killed with your negligence!"

Izanagi's jaw was working. Hushed whispered had broken out across the room again and Izanagi's eyes began darting around, taking in the looks of shock and horror. Suddenly, without warning, Izanagi produced several shuriken and flung them at my face. I grabbed one dagger and deflected the weapons.

I sent a quick look at Hiroaki. "Make sure no one interferes."

He nodded and him and Cherushii were on their feet. I could no longer pay attention to what was happening around the room. My focus was set solely on Izanagi.

"I knew the moment I saw you that you were going to be just as much trouble as the rest of your traitorous family," Izanagi glared at me.

The barb had me squeezing the handles of my blades tightly, but I tried to keep myself in control. "I find it incredulous that you have the nerve to call us traitors. You're killing people with your ineptitude and lying to people about it! People you are sworn to protect!"

"I am carrying on Orochimaru-sama's work!"

I gave a huff of derision. "Botching it is more like it."

Izanagi growled in rage as he brought his fingers together. I grabbed a kunai with my free hand and sailed it at Izanagi's hands. He jumped up, avoiding the weapon, but I had succeeded in halting his attack. He was already beginning his handsigns again, but I had time to copy.

Power rippled off of us, sending a shock wave across the room. Using his wind, Izanagi picked up pieces of furniture, benches and chairs and flung them in my direction. I directed my wind to spin before me like a swirling shield and the furniture slammed into it only to be splintered into pieces.

I performed a new set of handsigns and took in a deep breath of air, blowing it out. A stream of fire sped at Izanagi. He shot out a blast of wind strong enough to extinguish the flames. The force of his wind almost knocked me off my feet, but I rooted myself to the ground by sending chakra to the soles of my feet.

"You should never have come here, Makase Nakao," Izanagi grinned, his expression a bit crazed. "You would have lived longer."

Before my eyes, a glowing red pattern emanated from the skin hidden beneath his robe. It slithered across his skin, leaving a striped black pattern in its wake.

My eyes widened. The curse mark!

The effect Izanagi's curse mark had was different than I remembered Sasuke's being. Rather, it reminded me of Sakon's, the ninja Kiba had faced on our mission to rescue Sasuke nearly three years ago. Izanagi's skin began to turn red. Horns grew from his forehead and fangs began to grow over his bottom lip. His right arm grew to the size of a small tree trunk, ending in a giant, clawed hand. His pupils grew until his entire eyes was encased in black and yellow irises now glowed at me.

I watched in horror as the man transformed into a beast. Not only could that claw rip my entire throat out, but the curse mark granted its user substantial strength.

With a cry, Izanagi thrust his clawed hand in my direction. I jumped out of the way, but Izanagi was persistent. He began to chase me about, his facial expression lit with feverish bloodlust.

Dodging the claw for the fifth time, I rushed Izanagi, pulling out my second blade. I made to strike him, but he caught me by surprise, whipping up the same kind of barrier I had created minutes ago. I slammed into his swirling vortex, the wind cutting at my skin like dozens of razors. I cried out as I was pushed back, slamming into a wall.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I glared over at Izanagi. I cursed myself. I'd been so preoccupied by his transformation and that giant claw I'd forgotten he could still use the Arashi Kamekaze.

I was quick to get back to my feet. I felt something warm drip from my nose and I impatiently wiped away the blood that was leaking from one nostril. I had dropped my daggers upon impact with the wall and I snatched them up.

Skin searing, I took a moment to analyze my situation. My thoughts were suddenly filled with Natsuo, and our match during the third exam. As I replayed the match, I remembered how much of our match had been a standoff, our wind battling each other without much success. It was taijutsu that had allowed me to beat Natsuo. But glancing at Izanagi, my hopes of landing a physical hit on him weren't high.

Before Izanagi could hit me again, I activated my kekki genki and felt the familiar surge of my power. Izanagi smirked at me, clearly doubting my strategy, which was fair. Afterall, I had just admitted I couldn't beat Natsuo with my wind.

But I was stronger now.

For two and half years, I had set myself on a path of self-destruction. Dangerous mission after dangerous mission, I constantly put my life in danger. But I had promised myself I would grow stronger. Because if I was stronger, I could keep what remained of my loved ones safe; and with me.

I shot a steady of stream of wind at Izanagi's barrier. The crash sent a howling shock wave throughout the room. I gritted my teeth as I felt my wind hit resistance. I planted my feet more firmly to the ground and pushed more power into the stream. I felt Izanagi's barrier buckle for a second before it quickly reinforced itself.

"Admit defeat, Makase Nakao! I am in charge here!"

I struggled against the strength of his wind. Perhaps he had a reason to feel so cocky. That curse mark was lending him strength. But I had something that lent me strength. A dream. Because Keitaro was here. And Cherushii. Even Hiroaki.

"I don't ever want to attend another funeral for a loved one."

My breath shallowed as I drew power from my core. I pulled on the reserves of my body, and I felt my mouth dry in response. With a cry of effort, I pushed a great burst of wind at Izanagi. I felt his barrier give. Not the entire thing, but an opening; and that was all I needed. I was already running through handsigns, I took in a deep breath and spewed a great stream of fire through my wind and through the hole in Izanagi's barrier.

Izanagi let out a horrendous scream as the fire hit him. He flew back, his barrier flickering before it died. Izanagi clutched at his face, calling out as he rolled himself against the floor, trying to extinguish the flames.

As I stepped towards Izanagi, his curse mark began to recede into itself. I stopped before his human form as he finally managed to put the flames out. I kicked him in the side until he rolled over, his back against the ground. I almost flinched at the melting skin as the smell of burnt flesh and hair wafted into my nostrils.

Izanagi's eyes were glazed with pain, but I thought he might still be trying to glare up at me. I planted a foot on his chest, just in case he could still attack. I leaned over him, looking him in the face.

"You are not in charge here."

I replaced my blades, took out a kunai, and sent it barreling into his neck with a flick of my wrist. I watched as he choked, his body jerking as blood dribbled from his mouth. When he finally stopped breathing, I felt my shoulders slump. The adrenaline was wearing off and I was suddenly hit with a wave of pain and fatigue.

"Nakao…"

Hiroaki's voice caught my attention and I turned. I was at the very front of the room and I had turned to see a mass of faces staring at me. My clan members were lined along the walls, their faces in various stages of shock. I took them in, my throat dry, my lips pressed tightly together.

Hiroaki stepped forwards, moving across the silent room until he stood before me. He flashed me a small smile before he fell to his knee, crossing his wrist over his heart. A heartbeat later, Cherushii stepped forwards, kneeling beside Hiroaki.

A full minute passed before a young man stepped away from the wall. Eyes on me, he walked forwards, his eyes sweeping over Izanagi, then Hiroaki and Cherushii. Turning his eyes back on me, I watched as he knelt. Then, suddenly, all around the room, people began to drop to one knee, bowing their heads as they crossed their hearts.

I watched, eyes wide, mouth parting slightly. The entire room was bowing to me. Me.

My eyes caught the one person still standing in the room. It was my brother. His shackles had been removed, probably by Cherushii in case he needed to aid me. He stared at me, his brown eyes shining, the proudest smile he'd ever given me etched on his lips. And then he knelt and bowed his head.

Hiroaki peered up at me. "Tsuyo, hozon, eiyo."

A chorus erupted around the room. "Tsuyo, hozon, eiyo!"

Author's Note: Phew!

Tsuyo, hozon, eiyo roughly translates to strength, honor, preservation (according to a translation site).

Thank you so much for the lovely reviews! You continue to make my day!

openureyesbitch: we're of the same mind and I'm loving it! I LOVE that you're shipping Nakao with Hiroaki, you and me both haha. Can't tell you how happy I am you got the favorite color reference! I legit debated over it for like five minutes. Mwah!