ϟ—Chapter Twenty-four — Final Triumph—ϟ

Hane… didn't know what to think. Even as Ka'rai laid awake at midnight in her arms. With one hand she rubbed his scalp, with the other she rubbed his back. Ka'rai's face was buried in her chest, with both of his arms tight around her torso. She tried—she tried to soothe him… nothing worked, she was basically useless.

It was frustrating…

What was even more frustrating was that she had to lie to him. Hane told him that he did the right thing, that she was proud… She only told him that to spare him the pain. If he felt more pain, then Nibi would have a field day taking him over. If Nibi took him over, then so many more people would die.

Hane couldn't have that.

She didn't know if she agreed with what he did. All he really did was balance the scales… less Konoha lives would be lost, more Kumo lives would be taken. Yeah, Kumo was an aggressor, but the soldiers just following orders didn't deserve to die for it.

It was the Raikage himself that was responsible. Responsible for all the lives lost—why just why—what was the fucking point?! Hane couldn't see it, she just saw more senseless violence, more people dead when they didn't deserve to be.

All to what? What? Take down an enemy? An enemy that had shown no signs of aggression in over a decade?! It'd be the foot soldiers he pretended he cared about so much that paid for his selfish—sadistic fetish for war. Not him, not his brother—the Perfect Jinchuriki, Strongest Man Alive.

It was people like her, people like Yowui who were thrown away like trash.

All it did was piss her off. If Ka'rai could use his fire for just one thing, it'd be to burn the Shinobi system to the ground.

The world would be so much better off without Shinobi.

Their hotel-room door flew open. Hane looked back as Ka'rai hid his face deeper in her chest. It was Kay; she was visibly panicked. That meant something was seriously wrong.

"Both of you, up, now. We need to discuss something." As fast as Kay came, she left.

Ka'rai sighed, hard… she felt the heat of his breath on her skin, through her pajamas. "I swear if it's…"

"It… probably is," admitted Hane. Telling him the truth hurt. Just watching him slump out of his demeanor broke her heart… she couldn't even see his face. Hane kissed his forehead. "Just… don't do anything out of the ordinary. Act like you're irritated that we've been interrupted, okay?"

Ka'rai barely responded with a groan.

Hane forced the fakest chuckle she'd ever done before. "Good enough…"

They got out of the bed. Ka'rai tried his best to look angry. He was already in an atrocious mood; it must've been easy. Hane… she just acted how she usually did. It was Clowui that was her biggest fear, she'd see the frantic beat of her heart if she activated her eyes.

All Hane could do was pray that she didn't see the glow of the Ketsuryugan.

In the room Cee rented, Hane felt the effects of a sound nulling Genjutsu. Please, please, Clowui…!

A scarlet glow focused in on her. Ketsuryugan eyes analyzed her. "Your heart rate is high."

Clowui's eyes scanned Ka'rai next. "So is yours."

"What's going on with my heart doesn't fucking matter," snarled Ka'rai. "Just say what's going on so I can get back to bed."

"Bed… uh huh…" Yowui noted, half yawning. "Yeah, I really have to beat Cirru's ass tomorrow, so I would appreciate some rest."

Cirru glared at Yowui. "You—!"

"All of you! Stop," snapped Kay, stepping to the center. "We've been compromised. A leak. Konoha knows."

The temperature in the room skyrocketed. A bead of sweat already formed on Hane's head. He's playing it off… really well… It's so scary how easy anger comes to him.

Nibi's heterochromia filled the electrically lit room with hollow shine. "Who… the fuck would do that?!"

"We can…" Kay sighed. "We need to figure that out on a later date. For now, we need to figure out what to do. Konoha could be preparing a preemptive strike as we speak. We are in no way prepared for that."

"Then… there isn't much we can do besides continue with our established plan." Cee narrowed his eyes as he spoke. "The simple truth is… that it's out of our hands. Our troops at home aren't prepared for the mass summoning. If Konoha decides to attack us now… then all we need to do is be prepared. From this moment on, be prepared for combat at a moment's notice.

"Sami, Cirru, Yowui…" The three Genin in question looked up at Cee. "Forfeit your matches. With Konoha prepared… the intensity of the invasion is going to be amplified almost tenfold. All of you need to be as ready as possible."

Yowui raised his hand, quickly, when he spoke his words were sharp like a dagger. "But, wouldn't it be better not to draw suspicion? If every Kumo Shinobi forfeits, then Konoha will be able figure out that we know. I don't think it'd be smart to let Konoha know that we know that they know… if that makes sense."

"By then… it won't matter. The invasion will be guaranteed, the forces on both sides will be ready. Just conserve your energy… It's the smart thing to do," Kay responded.

Yowui sighed deeply, disappointed. "Alright."

Cirru didn't have an outward response. Sami, however, seemed relieved to not be fighting.

With a sigh, Cee snapped the Genjutsu away. Clowui's eyes… remained in the Ketsuryugan.

"You're all dismissed," he said before walking off.

Hane grabbed Ka'rai's hand— it was hot—she pulled back.

"Sorry…" he muttered, going out to grab her hand. It wasn't searing anymore. "Jinsei…"

To slow his heartbeat… Hane realized.

"I think I should keep it active, though, just in case," he mumbled, quietly, so painfully unlike him. Just as they entered their room, they saw someone that wasn't supposed to be there.

Clowui with her Ketsuryugan eyes glowered at them. "Hane, you looked quite nervous. Is there a reason?"

Her heart rate spiked. Dammit—

Blood formed a blade that Clowui pointed at Hane—a blade blade with Hell's essence blocked it, made it boil—Clowui growled as her entire arm seared over. "Touch her and see what happens," Ka'rai snarled. "Hane didn't do a fucking thing. She was here the whole time, I'm sure you know that. Unless you weren't?"

Clowui sneered. "But, you came back much later than you usually did. Konoha only found out recently…" Her eyes pulsed on him. "Did you leak the information?"

It took so much self control for Hane not to lose her composure. Ka'rai… didn't have that control. He was stunned by the accusation—Hane knew why—but he erupted he didn't cave. "Who the fuck do you think you are?!" roared Ka'rai. Nibi's chakra pulsed in a controlled wave of chilling heat.

Clowui stood her ground. Ka'rai growled with Nibi's blue fire pouring upward between his bared teeth. "You're a fucking idiot if you think I'd betray this village. Kumo gave me everything I have—my power, my friends, Nibi—"he pointed at Hane"—her! I'd rather die than betray Kumo!"

Her Ketsuryugan analyzed him. Hane let her heart race… nobody could deny how terrifying Ka'rai was.

Clowui… didn't say a word as she walked out, closing the door. Ka'rai didn't waste a second before locking it. Afterward… all of his aggression evaporated into smoke that came off his skin. "Fuck… I'm sorry, I know you don't like that—"

"It's… fine…" she said, lied? She didn't even know. "You… kinda had to."

All Ka'rai did was sigh. "I love you."

Hane crouched down to hug him, she felt the falling heat of Jinsei leaving. "I love you too."

⁑ —ϟ— ⁑

Hane was in the bleachers with Cee, Kay, and Clowui, so far from him… Ka'rai was in the stands where those who passed, prepared to fight. Fuu was with him, so was Sami, Cirru, and Yowui. All of them were his friends… but he felt Shinrai's piercing gaze without even having to look at him.

If he was alone with Hane, he'd start crying again. He'd cried more times in the past week then what felt like his whole life… not including when he was a baby. Fuu wasn't her usual irritating self, she learned how to 'read the room' recently.

"So… uh," Fuu began, a bit nervous. She looked at the fight. Some girl with surprisingly good fire control was fighting Rock Lee. "Who do you think is going to win?"

With a sigh, Ka'rai analyzed the match further. The girl's fire was yellow, gold… it was pretty to look at. It actually impressed him, he didn't know of anyone else who could move flames like that, besides himself or Nibi. Rock Lee was a whole lot stronger than when he fought him in the Forest of Death, maybe he actually stood a chance against Ka'rai when he was in his one tail.

"Rock Lee…" He thought about Tenten… how she died. It made Ka'rai feel worse. "I want him to win, for his teammate. Though, fire girl looks cool, too."

"Her name is Natsuyo Senju," informed Fuu. "Her Wind Style isn't terrible, not like uh…" Fuu winced. "The girl I fought during the preliminaries, I forgot her name…" Fuu looked really guilty at that.

All Ka'rai said was, "I see…" He sighed. "Yeah, she's strong, but I really want Rock Lee to win. He deserves it…" His fist clenched. He needs to make Tenten's death mean something.

"He will win," interjected Neji. He stood by another Hyuuga girl, Kusari, apparently his sister. Clowui said that she was powerful— both Cirru and Sami seemed terrified of her. Both of them were as far as possible from the Kumo Shinobi. "I haven't a doubt in my mind."

"I hope you're right," muttered Ka'rai.

"I'm rooting for Natsuyo!" said Shinrai, who also stood by Kusari. "I think she's cool. But at the same time, Lee beat Gosei's ass that one time… and that was really fun to watch…"

Neji glared at him.

Ka'rai just sighed. What the fuck is wrong with me…?

He remembered when he was looking forward to this day like no other day in his life.

The day he'd summon so much fire it'd make Hell look like a candle.

But… no… he was second-guessing everything about his life.

All because of Hane…

As much as he loved her, she made him hurt like nobody else has.

At least it had purpose, meaning.

It was a part of life.

The life he loved so much.

Ka'rai's eyes drawled to the stadium, seeing all of the cheering crowds, happy families, excited sensei…

How many of them loved life?

And all of them would end… because of him.

An eruption of fire and force blew back Ka'rai's hair—a thundering shockwave blew everyone's hair out of order. Immediately, Neji used his Byakugan. He scanned the dust cloud while everyone else—besides the other Hyuuga—was left in the dark.

Neji gasped. "I-Impossible…"

Everyone observing knew exactly what that reaction meant.

Rock Lee had lost the match.

"Woo!" cheered Shinrai. "Let's go Natsuyo!"

"I don't know what you were expecting," said Cirru with a scoff. "The Senju is one of the most noble Clans to ever exist. No fool unable to use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu would overcome a Senju. That battle in the preliminaries was a fluke."

Neji… was left utterly speechless.

Ka'rai genuinely felt bad. He really wanted Rock Lee to succeed…

This is the meaningless life you humans fight so hard to preserve… How hard do you think that boy worked? To become a Shinobi with such pitiful circumstance. To get to the level where he could match you while using my chakra?

That was the life he lived.

Even motivated by the death of his teammate, everything he worked for meant nothing. He is nothing. He will never be anything as long as he lives.

I want you to kill him… give his existence the meaning he strives for.

Fuck no, spat Ka'rai. He… he isn't dead, not yet. He can still try harder.

How much more effort could he truly give before it will destroy him?

He'll share the same fate that Hane will… drawing a last breath, failing at everything they've worked for—

Ka'rai's chakra erupted, catching everyone's attention. Don't you dare say anything like that again. I fucking swear.

And what will you do? Seal me away? Without me… you're nothing.

Ka'rai just snarled. He didn't respond to Nibi… setting his eyes to the next match. He needed something to take his mind off of death.

⁑ —ϟ— ⁑

Gaara was ordered to hide himself under Konoha's hospital. Without a medical center… Konoha would be crippled. He could only assume this would've been Ka'rai's objective had he not defeated him.

But, it was his job now.

There was no room for error. This hospital would be one with the sands the moment he transformed into Shukaku. Ka'rai, however… brought up the idea of morality. By all means, destruction of a hospital was immoral.

There were injured, newborns, as well as those able to treat them. To kill them, would be utterly despicable by human moral standards. Even still, he couldn't bring himself to care. He was a Shinobi, these were the orders he would follow. It… it was that simple. Whether it was moral, immoral, good, bad, or whatever…

Gaara simply couldn't find the meaning of it.

Maybe, if he had more of that kindness power, he'd be able to see some meaning. But, it wasn't important, not right now. So, in the cocoon of sand, a hundred feet underground, Gaara meditated on the imminent destruction.

For that, he needed to become destruction incarnate.

He needed to become Shukaku.

⁑ —ϟ— ⁑

The second match between that Kusari and Sasuke was… interesting. Everyone expected Sasuke to win, but no, Kusari pretty much thrashed him the whole time. I guess it really does make sense that she fought Clowui, Cirru, and Sami at the same time… muttered Yowui with a shudder.

Next… would be his match against Cirru, which he was supposed to forfeit. It was definitely the most disappointing thing to happen in a while. But, when the Chunin Exams proctor guy—seven out of ten—Genma walked up, Yowui had an… idea.

"Cirru Furachi and Yowui Keiso, come to the arena," he ordered. Without a second thought, he flickered down to the arena in sparks of electricity.

Cirru looked wide eyed.

Yowui smirked… He wasn't going to disobey orders, hell no. But… he knew that Cirru wouldn't either.

Cirru snarled and mouthed, What the hell are you doing?!

Yowui mouthed back, Forfeit.

A sharp inhale of fury picked up the wind. Yowui's smirk sharpened into a wicked grin. "What's wrong? Are you scared? Is the great heir to the Furachi Clan scared of an 'ol farm boy?! That isn't befitting of someone of your stature at all!"

Yowui yelled so the entire arena could hear him. They erupted with 'ooos' and 'boos.' There was no denying how irate Cirru was, up at the stands out of sight, tied by orders. Yowui cackled to himself. "Hey?! Why don't you fly down here?! Are your chakra reserves too small to do anything?!"

With each jeer, with each insult the wind bellowed and Cirru's face contorted harder and harder. He even spied Sami snickering beside Cirru… so was Ka'rai—he was laughing, despite having been in a bad mood for like the past two weeks. Fuu was cackling too. Everyone was laughing with him.

"C'mon down Cirru Furachi! The crowd is waiting to see your majesty! Or, do you have nothing to show?! Are you so weak that you know you'll be defeated by a country bumpkin like me?!" Each jeer was accompanied by a glare and a dramatic gesture… each of which fueled the storm of Cirru's rage.

The crowd erupted, chanting "COME ON DOWN!" to urge Cirru to come down.

He couldn't.

Cirru knew he couldn't.

Cirru had to forfeit, they were orders, after all.

Flustered, fuming, and huffing and puffing, Cirru shouted, "I forfeit the match!"

Yowui cackled, wiping a tear from his eye as he looked toward the crowd. "You hear that guys?! He forfeits! That Furachi Clan is truly pitiful."

A roar of boo's shook the arena, and Yowui just bathed in it. The people were on his side. Against Cirru. Cirru felt every ounce of embarrassment and crushed confidence that he felt for years.

It was the definition of catharsis.

Yowui fucking loved it.

With a sigh, Genma announced, "By way of forfeit, Yowui Keiso is the winner of the match."

The boo's were interlaced with cheers… for him. He truly provided entertainment with his trash talk it seemed. Yowui bowed to them before flickering back into the stands. Immediately, Cirru grabbed his collar and pulled Yowui off of his feet.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" seethed Cirru, trembling with fury.

All Yowui did was give him a deadpan look. "According to you, a country skunk, a farm boy… honestly, you need to come up with some new insults, you've been using these for years—"

Cirru threw him to the floor with a gust of wind; Yowui landed on his feet with a flip. "Aw, are you… mad?"

Cirru snarled, stepped forward, but Ka'rai stepped between them. "Just fuck off Cirru," he said with an amused smirk. "What Yowui did was fucking hilarious dude. Please tell me you see that—"

"He insulted me!"

"Like you do to everyone else?!" Sami questioned—visibly irritated. "Get over yourself for fuck's sake."

As Cirru seethed, he looked around to see that nobody was with him, nobody was on his side. It looked like this was the first time that ever happened to him. Yowui smirked at him. "Now get out of my face, you air-headed trash."

With that… Ciruu left, without another word spoken.

Yowui was left with his friends, and with his triumph.

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ