Chapter 27: Blood on Blood: Ketsueki Sibling Showdown

Minutes Before the Blood Moon Festival with Lee…

I stood beside Guy-sensei seeing that the moon had started to turn a red hue hearing the opening ceremony begin. I looked around not seeing any sign of Shino nor Yuna who I would assume would have at least come. I frowned, I couldn't believe she wanted to stay with her family but then again perhaps they vowed to change. Seeing Yuri walk into the arena the first competitor stepped in ready to see the power of the Ketsueki clan.

I cringed seeing another opponent fall dead not wanting to give up until the bitter end as blood covered the ground and Yuri. A few competitors chose to live instead of die as insults were thrown at them, but it seemed they didn't care. Frowning I looked around seeing some people had left not able to stomach how gruesome it was getting but Guy's face remained even. This was this villages custom, and we would honor their choice even if it was clear neither of us agreed with it.

Yuri put his hands in the air saying, "Another Ketsueki defeated, is there no one who can challenge me?"

"Yea I challenge you!" we heard in the distance everyone turning to the voice seeing an angry but determined Yuna with Shino by her side.

Yuna

I saw Yuri's eyes widened as my parents stood from their seats, but I moved my eyes towards them daring them to interfere. My mom sat down first while my father followed seeing Yuri look towards them to figure out their next move.

"Very well Yuna you are worthy of challenging Yuri." my father said seeing my brother look towards me angrily.

I walked into the arena hearing Lee and Guy cheering me on while Shino remained quiet beside them seeing Yuri was already bleeding all over. I took my gloves and coat off showing off the scars I always hid knowing I had to give it my all. Taking my kunai out I sliced one of my palms not wincing at the pain or the warm blood now dripping out.

He moved first morphing his blood into a spear as I lifted my hand swiping it above me blocking his attack as we clashed. Using my other hand, I created a blood kunai seeing him put his hand up stopping my wrist. His head collided with mine knocking me back as he paced around me laughing.

"The Leaf Village has made you weak dear sister… and to think you were almost obedient." he said as I pulled my forehead protector off of my neck putting it on my forehead saying, "At least I'm not a puppet to mother and father."

His eyes narrowed towards me watching him cut his stomach open enough for it to bleed seeing hundreds of blood kunai pointed at me. I began dodging out of the way from them feeling some meet my arms and legs, but I kept moving around him. Doing some hand signs, I sent an electrical current through the ground as he used the blood under his feet to dodge it.

We began using our fists coated in our blood as it was clear strength wise, he had me beat feeling his fist connected with my cheek as my body got thrown to one side of the arena. I grunted feeling blood start to leak from my mouth as he laughed towards me.

"I don't know why you bother trying, you never had the stomach to really hurt me." he said while I frowned at him.

"Again." my mother's hollow voice said echoing in the dungeon as I felt a sharp pain in my back falling to the ground.

"I'm tired mommy… please I don't want to do it." I pleaded hearing footsteps approach feeling another intense sharp pain hit my back hearing her say, "Either you do this, or I'll put you back in the hut."

I winched hearing that word looking up at the shaking form in front of me chained to the wall feeling tears well up in my eyes, "I'm sorry… mommy I can't hurt Yuri."

"Why would you want me to hurt you, when mother had you chained up you were just as scared then as I was!" I yelled at him seeing his eyes hardened replying, "That training made me stronger, in this world we can only rely on ourselves."

Shaking my head I replied, "You're wrong, the bonds we create, and friendships born makes us stronger."

Looking towards Shino for a moment I smiled putting my hand on the ground saying, "My friends give me strength while you will end up alone."

"Kill her already Yuri." I heard my mother say nonchalantly as he nodded going to move but realized he was stuck, "What the?"

Looking down he saw my blood wrapped around his ankles making me smirk saying, "A trick from my teammate Hayner, while everyone focuses on the main event hide in the shadows."

My body melted into blood as he tried to move but couldn't as I materialized in the blood behind him seeing him look over his shoulder. I gripped my other wrist feeling the sparks and blood build up in my palm from my wound that I created earlier.

"What are you doing?" he yelled still trying to get out of my blood, but I pumped enough chakra into it for him to be trapped as long as I needed.

"Showing off my new technique, and I have the perfect name for it now." I said smirking as the lightening burst to life showing off an orb of lightning sparks and blood danced around my palm saying, "Ninja Art: Dance of the Blood Moon!"

Running full speed towards him I built up more chakra making it bigger swinging my arm back ready to make contact seeing the fear well up in his eyes while it made contact.

He was shaking until the sound of my technique died down opening his eyes to see my hand missed right beside his face. Pulling my hand away I saw my mother and father stand up in utter surprise, I missed on purpose.

"I don't understand, why didn't you kill me?" he questioned making me smile sadly, "You're still my brother… the same scared boy chained to the wall, and I have to believe one day you'll be free too."

Turning towards my mother and father I said, "That concludes the Blood Moon Festival, my team and I shall take our leave for good."

My father nodded towards me while my mother made a sour face towards him as I jumped out of the arena walking out of the village with the only family I needed.

Once out of ear shot of the villagers Lee bounced towards me saying, "That was amazing Yuna, you took Kakashi-sensei's ability and made it your own."

I smiled lightly rubbing the back of my head feeling sore and bruised saying, "It was nothing really…"

"What happened anyway?" Guy asked while I replied, "My parents kidnapped me and were hoping that their copy of me would convince you to leave me behind."

"I'm sorry Yuna, how did you get out?" Lee said apologetically while I smiled towards Shino saying, "Shino rescued me."

Guy put his arm around us saying, "So does this mean you've both become friends?"

I felt Shino break the restraints on my wrists and ankles helping me up as I said quietly, "How did you find me?"

"I sent my insects to find you though I had a pretty good idea you'd probably be here." he said as we both got up hearing him say, "We should head back to the others."

"I'm going to fight him." I said suddenly seeing him stop looking towards me, "Are you crazy, he's been doing this for years, you can't possibly think the outcome will be different."

I looked down saying lightly, "I know you don't like me but… just this once believe in me."

I saw his body tense up for a moment turning fully towards me saying, "I just don't want you getting hurt."

"I can't promise I won't, but I have to do this." I said hearing him sigh saying, "Fine…"

I held my hand out saying, "Let's bury the hatchet I could use a friend like you on my side."

"Can you handle that?" he asked taking my hand as bugs began to crawl on my skin, but I didn't flinch or break eye contact from him saying, "So long as you can."

"Yea I think we are." I said with a smile seeing Shino stuff his hands in his pockets replying, "When did you get over your fear of bugs?"

Laughing nervously, I replied, "Hayner and Reno trained me vigorously to get over it, I almost gave up, but I decided I'd rather be your friend than afraid of bugs."

Suddenly Guy grabbed both of us in a tight hug saying, "Such youth and love now flows between you both harmoniously… I'm so proud of the work I've done!"

Shino and I grunted in response as he began pulling us along, it was going to be a long journey home.

And so begins the start of a beautiful friendship.