"Give them hell boys." Gamakichi grabbed the teen and disappeared in a plume of smoke.
"You heard the Boss. Let's give them hell!" shouted the clone; the others gave a mighty war cry before charging at the enemy.
Gamakichi transported both of them back to Konoha, in the exact spot from where Gamakichi was summoned from. A gust of wind blew the smoke away revealing the pair.
"Uzumaki Naruto!" shouted Tsunade in her 'I'm Hokage' tone making the boy instinctively straighten his back. "Where the hell have you been?!" she demanded, walking up to the boy as he was put down on the ground. "I should have you court marshalled Uzumaki, for breaking marshal law." now she was in front of the boy ready to rip him a new one, when he held out the leather journal.
"This is what I broke marshal law for." looking the fifth in the eye. "I couldn't stand by while I watched the ones I care about die around me while I sat back and did nothing. If that gets me court marshalled, go ahead, I don't give a shit right now." his eyes filled with hardened determination.
"Tch, Brat." taking the book, cautiously she opened the leather cover, eyes scanning the contents. "This..." she looked up shocked, her mouth open in disbelief. "Th-This is-"
"Matsuho's research journal." the tired Chūnin said as he laid down on the floor, looking up at the diamond filled sky. "It'll have everything you'll need to create the vaccine from. That's why I disappeared for three days."
"That would have taken you maybe a day, day and a half, but not three days. Why were you really gone for the past two days?" inquired Jiraiya walking up to the trio, calculating eyes taking in the dishevelled appearance of his apprentice.
"I simply ran into the enemy. Pissed off Matsuho. Got tortured. Same old, same old." he said nonchalantly as he counted the mental check list off in his head. "I think that covers those extra two days." a thoughtful expression took on his face, while he thought was there anything else he missed. "Yep. I think that covers everything." the others simply looked at him gobsmacked at his complete disregard of what happened to him. "If there isn't anything else, I'll be going home to take a nice long bath, and clean up some wounds." grimacing at the thought of the state he was in. "Matsuho has a really sadistic sense of humour." he said to himself as rubbed his side delicately, flinching at even the soft touch of his fingertips. "'Kichi, give me a lift home will you. I wouldn't be able to make it there on my own."
"Sure thing." again he picked up the teen and disappeared leaving three flabbergasted, but concerned adults.
"What the hell was that about?!" cried Gamabunta as he couldn't fathom what made the teen so nonchalant about what he obviously went through. None of them were blind, they saw how much 'torture' he really went through.
(InsertLine)
Lightning flashed and thunder clapped in rapid succession of the ominous looking fortress. Matsuho was furious, her rage rolling off her in torrents; she paced back and forth like a ferocious animal. Those who were assembled couldn't contain the fear they felt, whenever she was like this nothing ever good came out of it.
"M-M-Mistress?" a voice called out, breaking the silence. Not even looking, Matsuho made a slight sweeping movement with her hand before clenching her hand into a fist; the sound of breaking bones and crushing armour echoed through the silent chamber. The crumpled body fell to the floor; no one dared to even flinch at the sound of dropping body.
"Get out of my sight." she said with a deadly quietness, her command was heard loud and clear. The sound of marching feet, the sound was cut off by the closing of the big doors.
Naruto peeled off his tattered clothes chucking them in a pile by the door to be binned. He sighed contently as he slipped into the hot bath, the heat relaxing his worn muscles. He sank deeper into the bath, until only his head was above the steaming water. All the stress and crap that covered his body disappeared into the water, each passing second his eyelids grew heavy. Knowing that he would dozes off any second he scrubbed himself down, relishing the feeling of being clean again.
Grabbing the pyjamas bottoms which hanging over the towel heater; he slipped them on after drying himself down. He sighed again as he slipped into the warm article of clothing, grabbing his ruined clothes, he chucked them in the bin before making his way to his bed. Stepping into the master bedroom, the sound of Kiba's laboured breathing reached his ears, every intake produced this ragged wheezing. The soft click of the door sounded behind him as he made his way over to his side of the bed. Akarmaru lifted up his white head, he watched the teen walk by him, leaning into the soft crease as the blonde ran his fingers under his chin. Settling underneath the covers, he turned over on his side watching the boy next to him, he listened to the harsh breathing.
'Hold on a little longer, Kiba.' he said to himself as he nestled closer to the brunette, but not enough to hinder his breathing.
(InTwo long days passed those working on Matsuko's notes; finally after much toil they managed to produce a vaccine. Several people stood around a sole bed, all waiting with baited breath to see if
the vaccine worked.
"The final death toll of the pandemic is estimated a little over three thousand worldwide, but health officials are quick to point out that it could have been a lot worse. The distribution of the vaccine continues."
Naruto looked at himself in the mirror as he got ready for the funeral later that day, finishing off doing his teeth, he stared into the mirror. For several minutes he stared at his reflection, finally he exhaled a resigned sigh, switching the light off, he made his way towards the door, pausing for a moment he looked into the empty master bedroom. Looking at the alarm clock resting on the night stand he slipped on his sandals and walked out of his apartment dress in his funeral garb. Hands stuffed in his pockets, he made his way towards the graveyard where his service was being held. Walking onto the main street he joined Sakura and Sai, there the bubble gum haired girl brought the blonde haired boy into a crushing embrace.
"I'm soo sorry, Naruto." she whispered into his ear as he returned her embrace, they stayed like that for a few seconds longer.
"There was nothing anyone could do." he solemnly replied pulling out of the hold, inclining his head at Sai, who in turn returned it. Together the trio made their way to the service neither spoke as they joined more of their friends, again Naruto received hugs from Hinata and Ino both giving the teen words of sympathy. The rest of the walk was a blur before he knew it they were there; a fair crowd were gathered young and old. Tsunade stepped forward and began the proceedings.
"Today we are gathered to pay our respects and our farewells..." sapphire eyes narrowed as he spotted the unmistakable tuff of gravity defying silver hair belonging to Kakashi Hatake. He growled lowly at the site of the man standing there.
'How dare he show his face here of all places!' he internally growled furiously, he was about to move over to the silvered haired man, when a warm hand held onto his arm stopping him. He looked at the offending hand then to the one who it belonged to. Kiba subtly shook his head looking the blonde dead in the eyes. They stared at each other for a few seconds, before Naruto huffed slightly as he broke eye contact, he expected the brunette's hand to leave his person, but it slid down to his own and intertwined with his. Together they stood hand in hand as Tsunade continued with Iruka's funeral service. At the end of the service, everyone walked up to memorial of the teacher and placed white roses down, some allowing their emotions through, while others faces remained as blank as a slate.
People mingled in a decent size room, conversation light and the food and drink flowing freely. Laughter filled the room as people retold their stories of the Chūnin or their impersonations of the man. During the wake, ocean blues eye kept Kakashi within his eye sight, in turn there were several set of eyes on the pair on of them, everyone could feel the underling tension, but no one wanted to light the fuse. Nearing the end of the evening when everyone was either merry or had left, Kakashi slipped silently out of the room and into the night, several minutes later Naruto noticed the Jonin was nowhere in sight, he himself slipped out of the room while making a clone to keep everyone occupied.
Kakashi stood at the memorial stone, his sole eye transfixed on the newly added name engraved on the smooth polished obsidian surface. He tentatively reached out, pausing centimetres away from the newly etched name; plucking up the courage he rested his warm fingertips on the cold stone. He began to trace the characters, committing them to memory, like he's done in the past.
Darkened azure eyes stared transfixed on the man standing at the memorial stone, anger and hatred filled his body as he wanted nothing more than to kill him.
"Come out Naruto." came Kakashi's voice, the blonde's face hardened at the sound of the man's voice. Stepping out from behind the shadows of the trees, both of them looked at each other for several seconds, it seemed like a decade had passed before Kakashi turned back around, facing the stone. Anger boiled furiously underneath the Chūnin's skin, grabbing the cold handle of a Kunia, he clutched it tightly, his knuckles going white as snow.
In a blink of an eye he vanished from his spot, in the next he was centimetres from the older male, still Kakashi didn't react. The kunai sliced through the air as the teen brought the weapon down, expecting Hatake to deflect the attack, do something, yet he did nothing. Both men stood there, their hair being rustled by the passing wind.
A light trickle of blood seeped out from where the kunai point indenting the skin, still the Jonin didn't flinch. Silence reigned for what seemed like an eternity, Naruto began shaking from the anger coursing through him.
"Why?" spat out the teen, still not moving. "Why aren't you defending yourself?" a defeated sigh was his only answer. The Jonin turned to face the angered teen, a sharp intake of breath from the blonde. Dark sapphire eyes starred unblinkingly into the broken onyx eyes of the older male. Naruto's anger froze for a second as he took in the destroyed man in front of him; his eyes spoke of the pain and the loss of a loved one. Anger returned with a vengeance, bringing the weapon down with all his strength.
CLASH
Two kunia clashed together, the iron grinding against each other, sending sparks flying. Again, and again the kunia clashed against one and another. Naruto attacking his old sensei over and over, trying to get him to fight back, but all he did was parrying the blows. Each blow that the silver haired ex-Anbu parried; the more his pent-up emotions began destroying his resolve.
For what seemed like hours the pair continued their dance, until the very tip of Naruto's blade scratched Kakashi's cheek, making a thin paper cut near his original eye. As the single drop of blood fell onto the floor, the silver haired man's resolve broke; like a tidal wave crashing down on an unrespecting beach, he unleashed it all out on the blonde.
Within a blink of an eye they're roles had changed; now Naruto was being pushed into a defensive stance. Each collision of the kunai sparks flew through the air like mini fireworks, further back the teen was pushed, and small cuts appeared over his body as the aggressive attacks began getting through his defence.
Again the two weapons clashed together, the iron grinding violently together, both pairs of eyes shining bright with raw emotions. The teen's kunai snapped in half, the momentum caused the other blade to leave a shallow gash down the teen's whiskered cheek. The wound would have been far deeper if not for the teen turning his face away.
Purple irises filled with hatred and anger stared fixated on the man he once considered family, launching the broken weapon at the man, he ran at him, fist drawn. Kakashi deflected the broken weapon, stepping aside with grace born of years of practice, he plunged his blade into the teens back.
A small handful of people were left in the room, Tsunade walked over to Naruto who was saying goodbye to the rest of Team seven. The older women put her hand on the teens shoulder as he saw his friends out the door.
"Naruto." she said softly, "Iruka left you this in the event that he died." holding out a plain looking scroll, with a simple orange ribbon holding it shut. As the young man went to take it, he exploded into a cloud of smoke. The Sannin stood there shocked for a few seconds before a vein became prominent on her forehead.
"UZUMAKI NARUTO!"
Purple irises filled with hatred and anger stared fixated on the man he once considered family, launching the broken weapon at the man, he ran at him, fist drawn. Kakashi deflected the broken weapon, stepping aside with grace born of years of practice, he plunged his blade into the teens back.
The moment the blade stabbed the boy in the back, he exploded into nothing; the Anbu's eye widened a faction. A noise caught his attention, coming from above; looking up he saw a shadow getting closer and closer. His eye fixed on the descending shadow, swirling ball of purple chakra behind him. Jumping clear out of the way as the yellow projectile, smashed the ball of purple chakra into the ground making the ground explode sending large chunks flying all over the place. A giant cloud of dirt erupted high into the night sky.
"Fine, if you want to play like that. Two can play at that game." spat out the Jonin as he lifted up his headband, revealing his Sharingan eye. Not seconds' later fiery red balls of chakra came hurtling at him, dodging each one he began running through a series of hand signs.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!" dozens of small fireballs launched back at the teen, more dirt and explosions filled the night sky. Several clones came running out of the dirt cloud, weapons drawn. Creating his own clones, he engaged the boy in close combat again.
"Naruto." she said softly, "Iruka left you this in the event that he died." holding out a plain looking scroll, with a simple orange ribbon holding it shut. As the young man went to take it, he exploded into a cloud of smoke. The Sannin stood there shocked for a few seconds before a vein became prominent on her forehead.
"UZUMAKI NARUTO!"
Distant explosions caught her attention and those in the room, making their way over to the nearest window, flashes of orange/red light lit up the area where the fight was taking place. A large plum of dust and smoke rose high into the air.
"Leave them be, Tsunade." snapping her head to her old friend. "Let them fight it out. It's what they both need." huffing she conceded defeat for now, but that didn't stop her from plotting their punishments.
"Fine. I'll get two hospital beds ready for them."
Kunai and shurikens laid shattered about the area, scorched and fractured earth toppled and destroyed trees scattered throughout the area. Another dust cloud blew through the area;
"Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet!" a dozen of compact missiles shot towards the teen's opponent, missing him as the older shinobi repelled each of them with his own barrage.
Anger. Pure animalistic anger raged throughout the teen's body, demonic chakra began appearing on his body like unholy candles. His actions in turn became more brutal and vicious as every fibre of his being screamed for the Jonin's death.
Kakashi in turn was fairing no better, as all his heartache, guilt, and failure fuelled his own actions. With each attack, with each explosion, all he could see was the ones he had loved and lost. The guilt radiated most within his being as he fought against his old student; malicious, vibrant red eyes boring into his howling soul, with hatred. He had failed his student; he had failed to protect his family. Several explosive tags whizzed past his line of sight, pulling him out of his thoughts;
BOOM
All of them going off in rapid succession, the earth beneath them shock violently, the sound of the destruction carried through the village. Naruto walked through the dust cloud; Tantō in hand, ready to finish off the Jōnin, skidding down into the smoking centre of the large crater. An feral growl resonated from the Blondes chest as all what remained was scorched fragments of a log. Kicking the scorched fragments he let out a furious howl.
The howl was cut short as the teen was launched into the air; again and again the teen was relentlessly assaulted by several Kakaski clones. As the clones came closing in for another pass off the battered teen, a wall of red Chakra zoomed towards the clones, annihilating the clones and causing the original to be sent flying back. Naruto went after Kakashi, his Tantō ablaze with red chakra, his blade colliding with kakashi's bright blue, hissing and crackling sounded as the blades clashed together.
Muscles screamed at both of them as over exertion ripped through their bodies, ignoring their bodies the two continued to battle. Red, blue and purple flashes of sizzling charkra light up the broken ground as the pair danced, blow after blow.
Small clear droplets fell from the heavens, coming down faster and faster, until small steams formed on the ground. Neither Shinobi were fazed by the down pour, still they fought.
Kakashi sent Naruto flying with a swift kick to the chess causing the teen blade to go flying in the opposite direction. The boy hit the sodden ground hard, making a trail to where he laid. The sound of rain filled the area; a defeated sigh passed the older males lips, letting the broken blade slide from his muddy and bloody hand.
The teen's body began to shake; broken sobs rippled through his battered body. Soon his body shock uncontrollably, his tears falling unchecked, Kakashi held the teen rubbing soothing circles on his back. The pair stayed like that for some time neither one wanting to break the moment. Soon the boy's tears began to dry up, pulling slightly away from the older male.
"I'm sorry Kakashi." whispered the teen, unable to look the man in the face. "I shouldn't of attacked you like that." gathering up the little courage he possessed, he looked the man in the face. "I was blinded with hatred and revenge. All I saw was you failing to protect Iruka from Matsuko." bright sapphire eyes searched the man's face for any indication that he understood what he was saying. "Can you forgive me, Kaka-sensei?"
"You are forgiven, Naruto." giving him a genuine smile. "I hear that Ichiraku is back open, want some Raman?"
"Yeah. Raman sounds good." giving a brighter smile in turn as he tried to clear any evidence that he'd been crying. "Your treat?"
"Yeah. My treat." he raised his hand to ruffle the boys soaked hair but hesitated, sighing he dropped his hand. Getting up off the floor, he extended his hand to help the other up. Naruto realised what his sensei was going to do, secretly he felt disappointed that the man standing before him didn't go through with the simple gesture, taking the out stretched hand he hauled himself up.
The pair arrived at the small restaurant in semi comfortable silence, as they took their seats. Two steaming bowls of miso were place before them by Teuchi, shaking his head at the pair of them. Naruto's eyes light up at the sight of the Raman; free Raman, which elevated his mood even more. Offering a quick pray of thanks to the holy deities of Raman, he dug in; noisily.
Kakashi on the other hand raised an eyebrow at the owner who simply said;
"The explosions stopped." giving him a slight shrug, then walked back into the kitchen, leaving the pair to themselves. Kakashi watch the owner leave before digging into his own meal, satisfied that the curious teen was preoccupied with his own meal, he lowered his mask.
"You know. I don't see why you cover the lower part of your face." came a voice suddenly from next to him. The voice scared him half to death, the chop sticks in his hand found themselves buried in the shadow clones forehead, causing it to dispel, making the boy next to him fall off his chair with a shout of pain while clutching his forehead as he rolled around on the floor. Kakashi simply laughed as he sat there amused by the teen.
Son Gokū collapsed to the floor kicking up a massive dust cloud; his ape like body littered with wounds and bruises. His four tails scattered about the expansive battlefield, his assailant strolled causally towards his fallen opponent; his own body void of any evidence of their battle. With great effort Son lifted up his head to look at his conqueror. "Who are you?" laughter filled his ears as the being stood before him. Keeping eye contact with the fallen Bijū, he knelt down.
"My name is of no importance Four Tails, but you know my Mistress." Gokū didn't answer him. "Surely you must have felt her return?" Sons' eyes widened in recognition.
"So it was her." His opponent smile widened in glee. "Matsuko has returned to power. How did she break the seal placed on her tomb?"
"Time. It took her millennia to regain enough strength to destroy it. Not even the Yondaime Hokage could reduce her power enough to stop her resurrection."
"Though he did try." Matsuko walked out the shadows.
"Mistress." Turning to face her, as he fell to his knees and bowing in humble reverence.
"Long time no see, Son Gokū." she walked gracefully up to him, observing the devastation around her. "You never did do anything by halves."
"Hinako should have destroyed you, when she had the chance. Instead she put you in limbo, now the cycle has begun a new."
"Well, I'm not complaining." Laughing lightly to herself, "And yes the cycle has begun a new, with the added bonus that our race is broken and scattered, those like you allowing yourselves to become prisoners of the lesser race. In time all demons will ever bow down to me or be destroyed, it is a simple as that."
"You should know better, Matsuko. We demons can't be destroyed for good." The Mistress of Evil began to laugh.
"How arrogant can you be Gokū?" she asked rhetorically, amusement present in her voice. "Just because you are made out of pure chakra doesn't mean you're invincible! Like all things, chakra or life can be extinguished for good." A smile gracing her lips, "Demonstrate to our dear friend what I am talking about."
"Hai, Mistress." Her servant rose up and face the fallen Bijū, he began running through a series of hand gestures. Son's eyes widened as he recognised what he was building up to. Finishing the sequence, he slammed his hands down on the Ape God. Nothing happened at first, but then small strips of chakra began peeling away from him, the effect was slow to begin with, but built up in speed the more the demonic chakra evaporated into nothing. Matsuko watched on as Son Gokū evaporated into nothing.
Thanks for reading and staying with me :-)