Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Eyes piercing the darkness ❯ Before the storm: Espionage and treasure hunting ( Chapter 18 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Forget the long drawn out intro this time, I'm jumping right into this bad boy, besides I don't have that much to talk about this time and I really didn't reference that much last chapter, only two things.

Radiata Stories: The scene where Yubiki went over to Iruka's house was inspired by the pivotal scene in this game. After this scene you have to make a choice in which you decide the entire path of the story. One path will make you a knight above all others, and one will make you a man who chose the one he loves over his own dream. For those who have played the game, you know what I'm talking about. For those who haven't, you missed out on an awesome experience.
Soul eater: Hinata's 8 trigrams single star point release, was homage to black star's signature move.

Well, that's it for references, so let's get on with the show.


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Befo re the storm: Espionage and treasure hunting.






Monati: Give us everything old man!
Garato: But we don't have anything left, please forgive us.
Monati: Then we'll just have to take something else of yours then.

He said pushing into the small house as the other theifs pilaged the rest of the village. Once inside he laid eyes on a beautiful blonde haired girl, staring at him with fear in her eyes.
Monati: Yeah, she'll do nicely.

Catching a glimpse of the man's intent as his eyes wandered her body, the girl slid back away from him, cowering under his pressure. Monati snapped his fingers, calling some of his men to his side. One glance was all it took for them to realize what they were being told to do.
Garato: No-please-don't-take-my-daughter.

He said void of emotion as they lifted the girl to her feet.
Naruto: Hey, do you think you could put forth a little more effort old man?

The girl asked in a whisper only loud enough for Garato to hear. Garato nodded once and then leaned forward with tears dripping from his eyes, complete with twinkling stars around his face.
Garato: Please, take anything but my daughter, she's all I have left. I'd even sell my own soul for her, please don't do this.

Naruto sweatdropped and blankly stared at the old man as the men holding her did the same.
Naruto: You goin' for an oscar old man?
Garato: What do you want me to do?
Naruto: Act more realistic.

Garato nodded once again and pulled back.
Garato: Just take the bitch.
Naruto: Hey!!!!
Monati: Whatever, we were gonna do that anyway.

He said dragging Naruto off as she sighed in defeat.
Naruto: (How did things end up this way?)

She thought to herself as she feigned resistance to the men's pulling.

(Flashback)
After getting their respective promotions and their first missions as chunin, team fourteen set out to the land of rice, and a small village suffering at the hands of an infamous band of thieves. JJ stared led his team to a tall secluded cliff, staring down at the hideout of said thieves as he scanned the inside using his aura eye.
JJ: There's more of them in there than I thought.
Naruto: Yeah.

He said at his side doing the same with his byakugan. Naruto moved back and gazed toward JJ.
Naruto: So, what's the mission?
JJ: Well, we've been charged with the task of taking down the people in there, but there's certain rules.
Mika: That being?

She asked being the only one of the group not wearing a chunin jacket.
JJ: The villagers have been being terrorized by these men for a while now, and from what we've been told, recently they've also begun kidnapping the young woman of the village. Unlike normal, we can't just go in and start ripping off heads, because that'd get the girls killed.
Mika: So those girls are leverage?
JJ: More like insurance, a way to make sure they never try to get brave.
Naruto: So what do we do?
JJ: Time to act like ninjas. Our mission isn't to take down the gang one by one, but to cut off the head of the snake. According to our intel, the boss of this group never shows himself, his existance has been confirmed, but his identity and exact location are unknown. This being the case, the villagers have requested that we find their leader and bring him out by force if neccessary, however, only after the girls have been freed. The mission objectives are simple, sneak in as a decoy disguised as one of the village's girls, release the prisoners, and find/capture the leader of the pack.
Naruto: Sounds like you have your work cut out for you Mika.
Mika: Huh, I'm not going in there.
Naruto: But besides Claire-sensei, you're the only female here. And she's always saying, "I don't do your missions for you.".
Claire: And I'm standing by that.
Naruto: So only you can do it.
Mika: Naruto, your attention to detail sucks, take a good look at their base.

She aid pointing the boy to the thieve's hideout, covered completely in metal.
JJ: You know how Mika's powers work, if she were to go into a place made entirely of metal, her powers would shut off, putting her at a great disadvantage, meaning we can't send her in there.
Naruto: Then who are you sending?
JJ: Someone who has a jutsu created just for this kind of situation.

Naruto held his hand to his chin and lost himself in deep thought. Only after a few minutes did he come to a conclusion.
Naruto: You're kidding right?
JJ: No, with the sexy jutsu you could sneak in there without being suspected. Your mastery of that technique also makes it almost impossible to notice that you were normally a guy unless they had prior knowledge of it. Also, your byakugan makes your skills perfect for stealth missions as well as your shadow clone jutsu which makes it easy for you to even the odds if outnumbered. Naruto you're the perfect girl for the job.
Naruto:...........No.
JJ: What'd'ya mean "no"?
Naruto: I'm not doing it. Being oogled is one thing, but being in a place like that with dirty grubby men who'd be touching me, that is a whoooole 'nother thing. As a man, I have my pride.
JJ: Now remember, you can't kill anyone, doing so would only put the captured girls in danger. So only use force if you can find a way to cover it up, remember, this is a clean and quiet operation.
Naruto: Don't go continuing the conversation by yourself, I said I'm not doing it!

He shouted to JJ as he pulled out the equipment required for the mission.
JJ: If you hide this communicator in your hair, you'll be able hear me contact you. It'll ring at a low enough frequency that only you can hear it, I'll guide you through the place by using my aura eye. The second that you release the girls, we'll move in and assist you.
Naruto: You're just going to keep ignoring me aren't you?
JJ: This is non-negotiable.
Naruto: I'm not doing it.
JJ: Oh yes you are.
Naruto: Nah-uh.
JJ: Yah-huh.
Naruto: You can't make me!

JJ sighed and then lifted his face back up with a smile.

(Flashforward)
Naruto:(.........Dammit.)

She thought to herself as she was carted to the hideout like a freshly brought shipment of rice.

(Flash)
Raizen: Hey Sasuke, check it out, I'm a chunin now.
Sakura: Don't go bragging on about it, Sasuke would've been a chunin too if he could have finished his match.

Sasuke never once turned his gaze up to his teammates, instead he just wacthed their shadows move on the floor, completely withdrawn from everything else.
Raizen: Hey Sasuke, they said you can be discharged, so let's go, we have a mission.
Sasuke: I don't feel like it.
Raizen: Huh, but our client paid for a three man team.
Sasuke: Then work around it.

He said barely lifting his eyes to face the newly branded chunin in front of him. Raizen casted his eyes to the ground and said in a hushed voice.
Raizen: I understand, I mean, after what happened......I'll leave you to your thoughts. Let's go Sakura.
Sakura: Yeah, we'll be back soon Sasuke-kun.

As they left with a wave Sasuke glared at the door wih pure malice in his eyes.
Sasuke: Pretentious bastard.

He spat with vemon toward his departed teammate. Down the hall, Raizen's smile dropped, as if he had heard his teammate's words. For a second, he paused, Sasuke knew, either that, or he was close to figuring it out.
Sakura: What's wrong?
Raizen: Nothing, let's go.

He said, reviving his smile as he walked out into the streets. As sunlight bathed their faces, Raizen eyes turned to a group of ten men standing front waiting for them. Raizen walked toward the group's leader, a boy about three years older than him.
Josu: Where is your third member?
Raizen: I apologize, but we will have to suffice for now.
Josu: That wasn't part of the deal, you know.
Sakura: I promise that we won't let you down.
Josu: I trust you, after all, I've heard stories of Konoha's speed demon.
Sakura/Raizen: The wha?
Josu: You, Raizen Aname, have been on the tongues of many a lord. As well as the Norugi and Naruto boys. I requested your team personally because I believe your speed will be of great inport on our journey. Let me explain.

He said leading them to a horse drawn carriage set up in front of the village. Once everyone had gotten on, Josu began to tell his story as they rode away from the village.
Josu: I am Josu Manabe, I am the son of the late great Sojiro Manabe.
Sakura: I think I've heard of him before, he was a weapons manufactorer right?
Josu: Yes. Long ago he used to make weapons for use in war, but the greatest of his inventions was called the halbred.
Raizen: A spear?
Josu: No, the Halbred was a battleship. From what I understand from reading his notes, it was a weapon of unmatched strength. It flying fortress, capable of mass destruction if ever unleashed on the battlefield.
Sakura: So this thing is a threat?
Josu: Yes, however, after completing it, he grew to fear the monster he had created, this fear and his commander's orders to unleash this behemoth on the unsuspecting world, drove him to steal away into the halbred and hide it in a secure place.
Raizen: Hide it?
Sakura: Why didn't he just destroy it if it was so powerful?
Josu: Inventor's pride, the inability to destroy what your own hands have created. So he left me a note, asking that I do what he could not. If I can destroy the halbred, then I will be granting my deceased father's final wish.
Sakura: So, where did he hide it.
Josu: In a place called death crystal cave.
Raizen: Death crystal cavern?

He asked leaning slightly forward to look out the window.
Josu: Yes, this place is known for-
Raizen: I know, it's known for being the largest deposit of rare crystals in the world, yet they've never been mined to this day.
Sakura: Really, why is that?
Raizen: Because the crystals, create illusions, stepping in there is like walking into a genjutsu, all who have ever tried digging up the crystals in that place have fallen to their deaths or been impaled by the very crystals they were searching for, in the end, it was decided that this place was too dangerous to turn into a mine. Not only that, but it was known for being unstable, with the crystals luring you into your death and the floor collapsing under you, it's no wonder that place got it's name.
Sakura: Then, should we really be going there?

She asked with slight fear in her eyes.
Raizen: Don't worry, like Josu said, I'll be to the best tool in searching this place. I'm won't let anything happen to you.

He said leaning back from the window, before noticing the wondering eyes of Josu, who had a slight blush on his face.
Raizen: Ahem, where is this cave exactly?

He said breaking apart the boy's lecherous eyes as he feverishly tried to recover.
Josu: Uh, um, w-well, here.

He replied, clumsily trying to pull out a map. Once he did he pointed to a small area north of the village, except there was one large problem.
Sakura: That's about two hundred miles from where we are now. And at the rate we're going right now, we'll probably get there in about....six hours.
Josu: Uh, yes.
Raizen: ..................Sakura.
Sakura: Got it.

She said as she opened the door of the still moving carriage and tossed herself into the front.
Raizen: Grab something.

He shouted back over the sound of hooves stomping and leapt from the door as well, only he landed on the ground. As he effortlessly fixed his body to the sudden change in motion, he sped to the front of the carriage and held his mask in front of his face.
Raizen: Lock release, 10%.

Once he removed his mask, his pupils had dilated.
Raizen: Sakura, hold the map.
Sakura: Alright.

She said pulling out the map no one had even seen her take. Raizen then lifted the horse from the front of the carriage and let them go before grabbing onto the holds himself. Without even a second's warning, he took off like a bullet, speeding at over two hundred miles per hour, leaving everyone in the back screaming for their lives.
Raizen: Which way do I go?

He asked back to Sakura, who was completely unaffected by the speed, seeing as this wasn't the first time tranportation was going to too slow from him.
Sakura: When you reach the river, turn east, then it'll be a straight shot north when you reach the mountains.
Raizen: You mean those mountains?

He asked pointing to said mountain that he had passed 2 seconds before she finished that sentence.
Sakura: Yeah! Only a few more yards aaaaaaaand we're there.

She said as Raizen slammed his feet into the ground sideways for deceleration, bringing them to a slow stop.
Raizen: We made it, everybody off.

He said opening the door for the screaming and crying people in the back as Sakura jumped off and stretched as if she had just gone for a leisurely stroll.
Josu: AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

He screamed in extreme lag due to Raizen's unearthly speed
Raizen: Oh, walk it off you Mary sue. Your bodies will readjust!

With his shout everyone came off the carriage, wiggling as if their bodies were made of jello. Raize stared up to the entrance of the cave as if it were an amusement park ride.
Raizen: So this is where he hid his ship? How did he get it in?

Raizen peeked back to Josu as he finally recovered his balance.
Josu: He flew it in from the top. He was able to blast a hole through the ceiling and lower it down.
Sakura: How, this place is supposed to be unstable right?
Josu: Yes, but from what I understand, this ship's body was able to substitute for the lack of foundation.
Sakura:/Raizen:.........So you're saying when we blow this thing, this place is gonna fall on us?

Both asked in complete sync.
Josu: No, that's what Raizen-san is here for.
Raizen: I can't carry all of you out. It's impossible.
Josu: No, but there will be a way, I promise that you'll be able to get us all out. Just trust me.
Sakura: Why don't you just drop a bomb in from the hole your father made?

As she spoke the group started making their way toward the cave's mouth.
Josu: It seems that from the notes he left me, it can only be destroyed from the inside. He designed it so that no one could simply blow it up.
Raizen: Thorough wasn't he?
Josu: And going down from the top is out of the question. Even if it wasn't intentional, the ship's landing formed somewhat of a downward spiral of crystals, going down would be like descending into a shredder.
Sakura: So the entrance is best.

Sakura stopped shortly after that sentence to gaze at the many glimmering crystals above her.
Sakura: Beautiful.

Eyes full of awe stared at the beautiful cavern as they trekked in deeper. Crystal laid everywhere, luminating the otherwise dark cave. With every step the crystals glew with a brilliant light. Sakura was about to take another step until Raizen's hand flew in front of her, forcing her and everyone behind her to halt.
Josu: What's wrong?

He asked trying to move forward, but Raizen once again moved in front of him, without taking a single step forward. As if to illustrate a point, Raizen pulled a shuriken and dropped it on the ground in front of him, or what appeared to be the ground. Instead of the landing, the shuriken vanished into the ground finally created a sound, about ten second later.
Sakura: What the?
Raizen: There isn't a floor here, just an illusion created by the reflections of the many crystals around us. Welcome to death crystal cavern everyone.

He said looking back to his spooked companions.

(Flash)
Monati: And stay in there until we come back to get you.

He said as he pushed Naruto into a room filled with other girls. As Naruto lifted herself the grils around her quickly gathered, checking to see if she was okay.
Monati: You girls play nice now.

With only that, he turned and slammed the door. After he was gone Naruto sat up and started playing with her hair, never once leading on to the tiny communicator hidden in her locks.
Naruto: Excuse me.

She said without turning to to the girl.
Natsumi: Yes.
Naruto: Come to my front and pretend to talk to me.
Natsumi: Huh?
Naruto: The rest of you, act normal, okay.

A collective "huh?" came from the entire room until Natsumi started doing what Naruto had asked. As Natsumi pretended to talk to Naruto she pressed a button on the communicator in her hair.
Naruto: JJ, do you read me?
JJ: I'm here, are you with the girls or are you surrounded by the enemy?
Naruto: I'm with the girls.
JJ: Good, I've placed a few aura jutsu on you, all you have to do is press the action button and I'll activate them.
Naruto: The action button?
JJ: Uh, nevermind, just tell and I'll set them off for you.
Naruto: What's your name?
Natsumi: Natsumi Murakami.
Naruto: Natsumi, Are there cameras in this room?
Natsumi: Yes, they use them to make sure we don't try to escape.
Akira: And to watch us while we change.
Natsumi: That too.
JJ: Naruto, I'm going to place an aura vision on your eye, I need you to find where the cameras are.
Naruto: Natsumi, I'm going to need you to pretend that you're consoling me.
Natsumi: Huh?
Naruto: Just trust me.

Naruto's eye began to leak and she dropped her face into her hands, covering her own eyes. Once she did that Natsumi held her shoulder and began to act as if she were cheering her up, but under her hands, Naruto's eyes changed. Naruto's byakugan blazed on, carefully scanning the room as the aura on her eye sent the image to JJ at the mountain top.
JJ: I see, three cameras, one hidden under the seventh panel, one under the floor, and one hidden in the cement Okay Naruto you can stop.

Naruto lifted her head and turned off her byakugan, with it the aura slid across the floor, spreading into many different directions.
JJ: Aura style: Green aura illusion!

At his shout, the image JJ had seen of the room earlier enveloped each camera, creating a false image that played as JJ chose, freeing the girls from the bandits' watchful eye. Naruto stood to her feet and looked around before finally getting to the explaination.
Naruto: I am a shinobi from the leaf village, I have been sent here to free you, however, I need you all to stay calm.
Asuna: Stay calm, how? We're locked in here, and in case you haven't noticed, so are you!
Naruto: I'm here by choice. I could always get out, if I wanted to leave you here.
Asuna: No, that would be bad.
Natsumi: So you're really going to save us?
Naruto: Well I can't do it right away, you see I have other objectives too.
Kazumi: And that would be?
Naruto: Well I have to-

Naruto's eyes narrowed as she stared into the crowd of girls with a question flying through her head.
Naruto: Is that a ghost back there?

She asked, dumbfounded at the white haired, transparent girl in the far back. Kazumi sweatdropped as she gazed back at the girl, then waved off what Naruto had said.
Kazumi: You're seeing things.

She said quickly covering up for her deceased friend.
Naruto: Um, okay. Anyway, I need to know about the boss of this outfit. Has any of you ever seen him?
Chisame: The bastard won't let us see his face, I've never even heard him speak before.
Naruto: He's never shown himself? 'sigh' My job just keeps getting harder. So what do I do now?

She asked into her headset?
JJ: I'll leave it to you, after all, it looks like someone's making there way there anyway.

He responded as he scoped out the area. Just as he said that, two men burst through the door, eagerly looking looking for something, until their eyes fell upon it.
Corvus: So you're the new girl?

He asked walking toward Naruto. As both men surrounded her, carefully appraising her body, Corvus reached out and lifted Naruto's hair as she stood perfectly still. Naruto shot glare at the man and slipped a kunai from her sleeve into her hand making Natsumi slowly draw back, and forcing the girls realize that Naruto wasn't lying about her profession. Slowly Naruto started to raise her hand, aiming to kill the man who dared touch her.
JJ: Stop! You know that would make the others come swarming, and then it'd give their boss time to get away. Calm yourself.

Naruto frowned and threw the kunai back into her sleeve.
Hesan: Let's take her to meet the boys, you're gonna be our arm candy for a while.
Naruto: (Oh god no!)

She thought as they dragged her from the room. Naruto reluctantly withdrew her resistance and allowed the men to lead her as she carefully memorized the area.
JJ: Naruto, I see an aura directly under where you're standing. It's the only aura seperate from the others, what do you see?
Naruto: (Only a wall, there's nothing else there.)
JJ: Be sure to carefully scan that area later, that'll probably be where their boss is.
Corvus: Who are you talking to?
Naruto: I asked, where are you taking me?

She said without missing a single beat, not hiding her distaste for the men around her.
Hesan: We're taking you to meet the rest of the boys.

He said stopping front of a door, and then slowly opened it for her. The inside of the room was filled with smoke and the smell of dirty men. The were a few of the girls being held in there, treated as hosts. The men sat in betweem them watching the new girl as she walked in. Whistles flew from the crowd, all aimed at Naruto, making her uncomfortable in the worst way. Once in the room, Naruto made sure to remember every face he saw, especially of the girls as she was led to her seat.
Corvus: It's about time you settled down.

He said as he sat next to her, placing his arm on her shoulder.
Corvus: Pour me a drink.
Naruto: I'd rather not.

Clearly amused by what Naruto had said, Corvus placed a knife at her throat, as if to silently repeat himself. Naruto groaned at the man's attempt to threaten her, but did what he said anyway.
Corvus: Good girl.

He said as he lifted his glass, allowing Naruto to pour some sake for him, but his free hand quickly reached down for something else.
Corvus: These are nice, aren't they.

The second his hand grew close, the bottle of sake Naruto was holding became shards, using his face. Corvus rolled on the couch, holding his cut up face as if he were dying, which considering the force Naruto had used, he probably was.
Naruto: My hand slipped.

She said never once removing the frown from her face. Monati laughed loudly from his seat and walked over to his friend.
Monati: You were pretty careless there weren't you.
Corvus: Dammit.

He said in a growl, aimed at the young blonde girl.
Monati: But you were even more careless.

Monati leaned back up with a thunderous slap to Naruto's face, one she took willingly. Blocking it would have seemed suspicious, yet it still stung like hell.
Monati: Take her back.

He yelled to Corvus, still stewing in his own pain.
Monati: I'll deal with her later.
Naruto: I'll kill you last.

She said gently rubbing the mark on her face.
Monati: I'd like to see you try.

Corvus reached under the girl's arms and pulled her away before motioning for two other men to join him. Once in the hell, and after the door closed, he pushed her back against the wall.
Corvus: So you don't like being touched, huh? Well I'm gonna do much more than that.
Zeri: But, you know the boss doesn't like us soiling the girls.
Corvus: Shut up, or you won't get a turn.
JJ: ......Am I hearing what I think I am?
Naruto: Yeah. What do I do?
JJ: I'll tell you when you get there.

Naruto quietly accepted this and let the men drag her. Once again, scanning out the area until she noticed a door, one that had a complicated lock on it.
Naruto: Bingo.

She said quietly as they finally reached their destination. Corvus pushed her inside and spoke into a walkie talkie.
Corvus: Hey, can you disable the cameras to the west storage room? Thanks, I'll be sure to pay you back later.

After his conversation finished, the red light on the camera went dead and the three men started moving in.
Corvus: Hold her down.

Quickly the other two grabbed onto Naruto's arms and held her back.
JJ: They're just as stupid as I thought. Remember what I said before this mission?
Naruto: Yeah.
JJ: Forget that shit, kill them! Scum like them don't deserve to live. Just do it without leaving blood stains.
Naruto: With pleasure.

She said loud enough for the others to hear. Corvus lifted Naruto's leg over his shoulder and looked up at her questioning what she had just said.
Corvus: So you wanted this too, huh?
Naruto: No, that was just my superior telling me it's okay to kill you all.
Corvus: Wha?
JJ: Aura style, green flashbang!

Another aura leapt from Naruto's body, blinding all but the girl who closed her eyes. Naruto wasted no time. In what felt like a second, she threw her other leg onto Corvus' neck and twisted, effortlessly snapping his neck. After hearing the sickening snap the other two became alarmed, yet it was too late for them as well. Naruto pulled free her arm and grabbed onto Zeri's neck. Without pause, she punched his forehead while pulling his neck in the opposite direction, making short work of him too. The third tried to run, seeing what he saw let him know that this girl was out of his league, but he didn't get far before Naruto grabbed the back of his neck and slammed her knee into his back, bending him like the letter 'V'.
JJ: I see you're done.

He said as Naruto dropped the man's body to the ground.
Naruto: Yeah, pretty much.
JJ: Dispose of the bodies and get out of there.
Naruto: Alright. This won't take long.

Naruto lifted her hand into the air and dripped a small amount of red chakra from her palm, but before she could dispose of the bodies, she memorized their faces, down to the last detail. Picking up the small device Corvus had used to communicate with the surveillance room, she made three clones, all forming into the three dead men.
Naruto: Play along and pretend that you're these idiots. See what you can find out.

Only a nod came in response to her words. Knowing that they understood their roles, Naruto handed the headset to the clone of Corvus and told him to wait for her her to leave the room. With only a single touch, Naruto disintegrated the bodies of the fallen men and looked for another way out of the room.
Naruto: A vent.

Pointed out the Zeri clone. With a smile, Naruto opened the vent and crawled into it, only to quickly throw herself back down.
N. Corvus: What's wrong?
Naruto: They have cameras up in the vents too.
JJ: Do you want me to use one of the auras I gave to you?
Naruto: How many did you place on me?
JJ: Three. One on the cameras in the girls' room, one when I made the flash grenade, and one left.
Naruto: Save that one, I have an idea.

Naruto formed four more clones and with a smile, they all turned to rats. Naruto lifted them into the vents and let them loose, all hunting hunting down every camera and thoroughly chewing out every wire inside. Naruto smiled as she leapt into the vent and her clone signaled for the cameras to be returned to their normal state, mimicing Corvus' voice . Once inside the vents, Naruto crawled back to the room where the girls were being held, confirmed that there was no one else inside and then kicked the cover from the vent, gaining a healthy shreik from the girls inside. Naruto flipped from the vent and placed her feet on the ceiling, successfully hanging upside down as she pulled on a wire that yanked the cover back to her, then she placed it back, flipped to the ground and sat down amidst the other girls in seiza position.
Naruto: I was always here.

She said, gaining a nod from the other girls. Naruto sat still for a moment, ignoring the fact that all of the girls were staring at her, then she quickly turned.
Naruto: Did any of those guys ever........
Natsumi: No, it seems they were forbidden to.
Naruto: Well, they just tried with me.
Asuna: Wha, then they-
Naruto: No, I killed them before they could.

Suddenly a wave of fear shook the girls around Naruto, catching her attention.
Naruto: What?
Yuna: You kind of just said, "I killed them" like it was nothing.
Naruto: ......It was nothing. In my line of work, if you're not prepared to kill or at least fight like you're ready to kill, you'll get killed yourself. But don't be scared, I know discrestion. I'm not gonna start attacking you guys, just people who bring it on themselves.
Asuna: Huh, I guess I can relate to that.
Naruto: Good, because I probably gonna be doing it again before the mission is over.

She said with a straight face, once again forcing the girls around her to keep their distance.

(Flash)
Sakura: I feel like we've been walking around in circles.
Raizen: I think we have.

He said lifting an eyebrow to the girl at his side. No matter how long they had been moving, they never seemed to be making any progress. Afterall, they had been inside the cavern for what felt like two hours.
Raizen: I'm getting tired of wondering around in the dark, what I'm about to do, will probably save us, or kill us all.
Josu:......Then don't do it.
Raizen: Keep you fingers crossed.

He said as he turned to the side wall and slammed his fist into it, shattered the side wall, and causing a significant tremor in the cave.
Raizen: Move.

He shouted, ordering everyone to make haste down the pathway Raizen had made, even though it seemed like he had just crushed a random wall, the other side was hollow, leading him to believe there was more than just a wall there. As everyone moved away from the iminnient death in front of them, the shaking began to subside, staring back they looked back at the hole and exhaled in relief.
Josu: What was that about, you could've gotten us killed.
Raizen: Yeah, that's why I gave the warning beforehand.

He said walking down the path once again, leading the pack.
Josu: Is he always like that?
Sakura: He's actually more serious than normal.

Sakura said as she followed behind her team leader. Josu sighed and ordered the men behind him to follow as well. Raizen looked back and asked in wonder.
Raizen: What's with all those guys?
Josu: Insurance.
Raizen: In case the ninjas can't live up to your expectations?
Josu: No, in case I fail to destroy the ship. These guys are mercenaries, I'll have them finish the job if I can't.
Raizen: I see, you're pretty dedicated, aren't you?
Josu: I guess.
Raizen: So why don't they talk?

He asked looking over to the men who stood still like dolls.
Josu: I don't know, they haven't spoken to me since I hired them.
Raizen: Creepy.
Josu: Tell me about it.

Sakura turned back to Raizen, but a strange light blinded her, reflecting from the crystals in front of her, and in the display, a man appeared in front of her, brandishing an axe. Sakura stepped back right at the moment he brought it down, stepping back to ground that wasn't there. Sakura reached up as the illusion vanished, falling down into the black abyss with only the light of the crystals reflecting at the bottom, awaiting the girl's descent. Raizen, without even a word, handed his shuriken to Josu, then dived off after the girl, speeding like a bullet. Sakura reached for him, desperately trying to grab onto the Raizen. Raizen's hand latched onto the girl's and without even making a handsign he teleported himself and the girl with him to his shuriken in Josu's hand.
Josu: Gah!

He shouted in surprise at the sudden appearance of his hired ninja.
Raizen: That was a close one, are you okay?
Sakura: Yeah thanks.

She said removing herself from his grip. Sakura walked back to the ledge and looked down.
Sakura: I saw a man right before I fell.
Raizen: Yeah, it seems that the crystals' illusionary properties are far more powerful than we thought.
Sakura: Why do you say that?
Raizen: Because I saw him too.
Sakura: Great.

She said turning away from the boy.
Sakura: Now I know I'm not losing my mind and we really are being attacked by killer crystals.
Raizen: I believe I told you that this place is called death crystal cavern. You should have expected something like this.
Sakura: Can we just get this over with and leave?
Raizen: I would do just that if I had any clue where we're going.
Josu: You don't?
Raizen: Do you?
Josu: Not really.

Raizen sighed and placed his hand on the ground and closed his eyes.
Raizen: Focus.

He ordered himself as he thought to himself. When re-opened he had forced himself into berserker mode. His mindstate left him in a state of heightened awareness, rendering all illusions useless.
Raizen: Follow me.
Josu: You know where it is?
Raizen: No, but I know what's real and not.

He said placing his hand directly through a solid wall, showing that there was really nothing there at all.
Raizen: Hey Sakura, can you come here for a second?
Sakura: Why?
Raizen: It'll be funner if I don't tell you.

He said with a smile, despite the beastial pressure he was emitting. Sakura walked closer and placed her hand where the fake wall was.
Sakura: What is it.
Raizen: Here.

He said handing her his shuriken like he had done Josu earlier.
Raizen: Don't drop this.
Sakura: Huh?

Before could even form a reply, she found herself being lifted into the air, then without warning, or maybe with one if you consider he said "don't drop this.", he hurled Sakura across a wide canyon. Screaming bloody murder, Sakura twirled in midair as if she were a football. Through closed eyes Sakura landed roughly on the ground holding onto the Shuriken for dear life, as if it were the only thing keeping her sanity in check.
Raizen: Alright everyone, lock hands, and keep all of the immature jokes to yourself.
Josu: Okay.

Once they had done what he asked, Raizen set up a hand sign and dragged everyone with him across the gap he had sent Sakura over, and much like he had expected, gained a fierce slap from the frightened girl.
Sakura: What the hell is wrong with you!?
Raizen: Sorry Sakura.

He said rubbing his cheek, even though he barely felt her attack in his current state.
Raizen: But you were the only one of us who was aerodynamic enough for that to work.

Sakura frowned at his words and sighed.
Sakura: I swear I'll never get used to this.
Raizen: You will, I'll make sure of that.
Sakura: Then next time I'll throw you.
Raizen: No, don't, I'm afraid of heights.
Sakura: Yeah right.

She said playfully hitting him in the arm as both chuckled. Josu watched on in wonder before asking in a rather loud voice.
Josu: Are you two a couple?

Both choked and blushed, then after a moment of silence they turned back to the road. Maybe they were giving the wrong impression, but they forgot themselves in the middle of a mission.
Raizen: Hey, Josu we should get moving.
Sakura: Yeah, what way?
Raizen: From here we just head down.
Sakura: Are there any other traps?
Raizen: Not that I can see right now, I'm sure something else will happen later though.

Josu stared down as the two ninja led on, wondering to himself.
Josu: Did I hit a sore spot?

His question directed to the man at his side, but much like he had said before, the merc stood stiller than a british guard.
Josu: If you start falling or something, you'd better have a whistle so we can hear you.

He said up to the man, who still gave no response to his words. Raizen went on first, scoping out the area Raizen's eyes saw through every illusion, leading them effortlessly through the once dreadful cavern, but suddenly something forced him to a stop.
Sakura: What is that?

She asked gazing at a towering four-legged behemoth. It was massive, large enough to block the entire pathway in front of them.
Josu: It must be an illusion. Let's go.
Raizen: Stop!

He shouted to them, forcing everyone to a halt. With a smile, the creature walked closer, inching forward slowly to them as Raizen said.
Raizen: That thing's real.

Those words finally gained a reaction from the stoic mercs behind them. All drew their weapons, completely prepared to face down the monster, covered in scales strong enough to render any form of attack useless.
Sakura: Is that thing a-
Raizen: Yeah, it appears we've run into a dragon.
Sakura: Of all times for JJ not to be around.

She said slowly backing away from the creature, one thing he had learned from JJ is that Dragons aren't exactly easy to take down. This one may not have been a king, but it was still a creature bordering on the level of an S class demon.
Josu: What do we do?
Raizen: Run like hell!!!!!

He shouted out, quickly turning back to a different path. Raizen only looked back once, quickly making sure the others were keeping up with him. After confirming that he wasn't going too fast he slid under a wall, ordering back for the others to do the same. Yet even the wall wasn't enough to stop the mighty dragon coming after them. bashing through the wall, it charged at them without missing a single step.
Josu: Why is it so pissed off.
Raizen: We're kind of stepping around in his house without permission. I'm guessing big papa back there is another reason this place was never excavated.
Sakura: We can talk this out later, run now!
Raizen: If I didn't have you guys, I'd be gone by now.
Sakura/Josu: Don't you dare!

They both shouted accompanied by a nod from the mercs behind them.
Raizen: Oh you won't talk but you'll agree with me dying with you guys.

Raizen leapt over a small gap, listening to the thundrous sounds of footsteps behind him, quickly storming to their position. With the foot steps and the massive tremors, the crystals above them began to fall, threatening to impale them.
Raizen: Don't pause, keep going no matter what!

There were no questions, no delay. All charged down the path, barely missing the falling jewels, and much like anything else in the dragon's way, it crushed through it. Raizen peeked back at small chunk of the broken large, barely as long or wide as his middle finger. With a though stuck in his mind, he stopped himself mid-sprint and turned back.
Sakura: Raizen!
Raizen: Keep going, I'll stall it!
Sakura: You'll what?

She said turning back to Raizen, but as if he could understand, Josu grabbed Sakura and dragged her along with him. Raizen weaved between the mighty dragon's attacks and grabbed the shard of crystal. Without losing his stride, he slid under the beast's body on his knees and flipped onto it's back.
Raizen: Okay big sexy, let's do this.

The dragon peeked back and slammed it's back into the ceiling, but not before Raizen could roll from it, tricking the dragon into slamming it's own back into the crystal above. Raizen slid back with a smile, thinking he had fooled the mighty reptile, but it's own smile sent him into a panic. A chuckle came from the dragon's mouth and it's front legs turned from feet to fists, and it stood to it's hind legs, it's back covered the tunnel behind it as if it were a vault door.
Raizen: Oh hell no!!!!

He screamed as he turned back and began running from the dragon, that seemed to be moving faster now. This time, there was no leisure time, the dragon was punching after him. After only a minute Raizen suddenly remembered how fast he was and he left the dragon eating his dust, but not long after doing that, he passed the others and realized, they hadn't gotten very far.
Raizen: Dammit.

He said in an exasperated tune as he slowed down to join them.
Sakura: What happened?
Raizen: It's on two legs now.
Josu:........So things are worse?
Raizen: Yeah, I hope you all took you adrenaline shots, because we're gonna have to speed this up.

He said as he led the pack once again.
Sakura: What if we tell him we're friends of JJ's.
Raizen: Good idea, what was his real name again.
Sakura: Norugi Suzaku.
Raizen: No the other one, the one the Orochi called him by.
Sakura: Ummmm Kung Lao.
Raizen: No, that's not it, but it was something Chinese like that.

He said pausing for a moment to dodge a falling crystal.
Sakura: Wait, it was Fou-lu. Ino's calls him that sometimes.
Raizen: Yeah, that's it.

He said once again screeching to a halt, facing down the mighty dragon charging for them. Josu didn't understand, but he guessed they had a plan. Eager to see what happened next, he stopped to watch.
Raizen: Wait!

He shouted to the beats, gaining a short pause from it.
Raizen: We are friends of the mighty Fou-lu, dragon emperor. If you harm us, you will have to deal with him.
????: Is that so?

He asked bending over to Raizen's face.
????: Then tell me, what does he look like?
Sakura: He's 5'7, light brown with deep brown eyes.
????: Lair, Fou-lu's eyes are green.

He said walking forward to finish what he started.
Raizen: He's kind of a child right now, in our village, well I say child, but he's older than me. I don't know the whole story, but I'm positive that he is Fou-lu. His most powerful form is Kaiser, a white dragon with multi-colored wings, red horns, and his mouth opens at all sides when he fires his kaiser breath.
????: Hmm, I guess you do know him. My name is Teepo, I grew up with his brother.

He said turning into the form of a purple haired man. With an arrogant smile he walked forward, appraising the group.
Teepo: What are you here for?
Raizen: We've come to destroy the ship down somewhere in here.
Teepo: That thing will bring down this cavern with it, you know that right?
Raizen: Yes.
Teepo: Then you've come to destroy my home?
Raizen: No, but I cannot allow a weapon like that to exist.
Teepo: Pfft, whatever.

He said turning around.
Teepo: But you know, these aren't crystals.
Sakura: Huh?
Josu: They aren't?
Teepo: Leave it to humans to be so ignorant. The crystals you see are called crysm ore, they hold the power to generate significant amounts of energy and even amplify certain characteristics in one's own body.
Raizen: Crysm.

Raizen looked around at the jewel fragments on the ground and frowned, Teepo was trying to get something across, but what? With a smile on his face aimed at Raizen, Teepo turned and walked away from the group.
Teepo: Kid with the scar, you're pretty sharp. Crysm, is what's left behind when a dragon dies, in other words, you're standing in the tomb of my ancestors.

Shock went through all standing behind the young dragon.
Teepo: Back in the old days, humans would use crysm for war, mining our remains as if we belonged to them. So the spirits remaining in the crystals began fighting back. Raizen.

He said turning back, shocking said boy, he had never told him his name.
Teepo: Oh yeah, and if you're wondering how I knew your name, you're little girlfriend called out to you earlier.

Raizen slumped his shoulders and looked to the side in an "oh yeah" kind of way.
Teepo: That crystal you picked up earlier, it's a gift, keep it. I like your spunk. And it seems the spirit inside likes you too. Just make sure you take out this place, so that the humans can't use our remains for war. Just make sure that you don't let Fou-lu know, he can be rather spiteful.

He said with a toothy smile before walking away.
Teepo: The spirits have calmed, so it should be about an hour walk down, and you'll find the ship. See ya round.

With those words, he vanished, not leaving behind trace that he was ever there.
Raizen: It's....We're going to destroy such a place?
Sakura: It doesn't sit right with me.
Josu: These jewels, they're that powerful. Maybe we should take some.
Raizen: Touch even one and I'll sever your hand.

He said as both he and Sakura leveled a glare at him.
Josu: Touchy. I mean, you took one.
Raizen: Yeah, but I don't want it's power. And he said I could have it, I'm not louting this place for that power so you can mis-use it. A small amount like this won't do any damage.
Josu: If you just wanted it for yourself, just say so.

He said continuing down the path. For the first time since setting out, he questioned Josu. Looking away he turned around and followed.

(Flash)
Naruto had been sitting in the same spot for a what felt like forever, waiting for something else to happen, but it was all but fruitful.
Naruto: What do you guys do to pass the time?
Yuna: We've only been in here for a week and a half, so, we mostly just talk.
Naruto: Do you have any idea what they have planned?
Asuna: Nope, no idea at all.
Naruto: This is boring.

She said leaning back against the cold wall behind her.
JJ: Naruto, have you been able to find anything?
Naruto: No, not yet I just wish I didn't have-

Before she could finish her sentence the door went flying open. Corvus walked in and scoped out the area until he found Naruto, who smiled at the man. As the other girls shrunk away from him, Corvus made his way over to the waiting blonde girl.
Corvus: Come with me.
Naruto: Alright.

She said not putting up a fight in the slightest. Once they left the room, Corvus looked around for any sign of life around.
N. Corvus: I found out something.
Naruto: What is it.
N. Corvus: Deep inside this place there is a main lock, that lock is on the other side of the building though. Seems they have it for emergencies and the sort.
Naruto: What's the catch?
N. Corvus: Monati has the key on him at all times.
Naruto: In other words, if we get to this lock, we can release every lock in the building. Hear that JJ?
JJ: Yeah, if you can get there we can move out and save the girls and take down the head of this gang in one fell swoop. Naruto, it's time for you to move in, remember, you can't be seen. Find Monati and get the key from him.
Naruto: Alright, number two, order number three to watch over the girls.
N. Corvus: Right.

As the clone moved out Naruto smiled at the vents, her mice were stille taking out the cameras spread around and the one in front of her went out seconds before the clone had departed, no one would suspect a thing. Hastening her steps, Naruto reached the end of the corridor, peeking to the other side without letting anyone see her do it. No one was directly down the hall, but she could hear voices approaching. With a quick roll, she place herself on the opposite side. With a graceful turn, she threw hooks into place, sealing a flase wall around her so tight that not even the sharpest eye could tell she was there. The voices passed by, and soon after, became distant. Once Naruto was sure that the coast was clear, she removed the hooks and set out quickly down the hall. Each step quieter than the last, not even the slightest sound could be heard as she moved. Naruto leaned by the corner and peeked around, spotting a lone gaurd waiting for someone to slip by.
Naruto: Dammit, there had to be the one diligent guard waiting down the one hallway didn't it.

Naruto ripped the bottom of her kimono and fell loosely to the ground in front of the solitary guard.
Naruto: Oh, I tripped.

She said looking to the man with dreamy eyes. With a lecherous smile on his face, staring at the girl's exposed legs.
Heero: Let me hep you.

He said walking closer, reaching down for the girl.
Naruto: Oh thank you.

She said sweetly as he picked her up, only then he began wondering why she was there unescorted. With only one smooth hand motion, she pressed roughly into one of the man's pressure points and knocked him unconcious. After confirming that the man wasn't going to get back up, she continued down the hallway.
Naruto: Here.

She said as she reached the door that Monati was behind. From what she could see, Monati was lying face down, possibly sleeping, or so she thought. After entering the room, she found that he was lying on a massage table.
Monati: About time you got here.

He shouted back, alerting the girl that he was aware of her presence.
Naruto: Uh, um.
Monati: Well get started.
Naruto: Started?
Monati: Yeah, with the massage you twit. Make it snappy.

Naruto's eyes went wide, looking around for some whay out, but doing so now would alert him to something being wrong. Naruto lowered her hands with fear in her eyes and slowly started rubbing the man's shoulders.
Monati: Oh yeah, you're good at this aren't you.
Naruto: Well you know.

Was all she said. Naruto had had experience doing massages before, he had to give them to Yubiki and even sometimes did it for Hinata and Hanabi whenever their days were long, but never had his skillful massaging hands touched the back of another male. It was something he wished would never happen, why was he doing this mission again?
Monati: Oh yeah, a little higher.
Naruto: O-okay.

She said trying to send her mind to a far off place, but the sound of laughter in her ear was making that very difficult.
Naruto: Are you laughing at me?
JJ: Pfft, no, o-of course not.

He said trying his best to stiffle his laughter.
Monati: Now spank me.
Naruto: ............What?
Monati: You heard me, woman, spank me.
Naruto: Uh, uh JJ?
JJ: You heard the man.

He said in a strained voice, obviously enjoying Naruto's misery. And as if his mind had become a woman's as well, Naruto slowly backed away in a bashful manner looking at the man. Then with her eyes cast away, she did as she was asked.
Monati: Oh yeah, harder.

Naruto concentrated on sending her mind away once again, but this time there was more laughter coming in her ear, Mika was laughing too. The nerve, after the fact that she took this job to spare her the burden of having the spank a grown man on the ass. Slowly letting her rage build up, Naruto looked to the ceiling, cursing her luck.
Monati: Now tell me I'm a bad boy.
Naruto: That's it.

Unable to take anymore of the embarrassment, Naruto pinched the back of Monati's neck, sending him into dreamland. After confirming that the man was out, she looked through his clothes for the key she sought.
Naruto: Found it.

She said as she held the key high.
Naruto: JJ, I found the-

A quick freeze came to her as she finally focused in on the massively loud laughter on the other end of the reciever, this time, from everyone. Even Claire was laughing at her now, this just wasn't fair.
Naruto: I'm starting to hate you people.
JJ: Sorry, sorry.
Mika: Yea, I didn't mean to laugh.
Claire: Me either, but the "tell me I'm a bad boy" part was just too much.
Naruto: Hara, har har. What do I do now?
JJ: Sorry, you should pass that key over to one of your other clones and stake out in front of the door to the big boss. Once the key is turned, make your move.
Naruto: Got it.

She said as she quietly left the room, not leaving a single trace of her presence behind, well, except for the mark on Monati's neck. Once in the hallway Naruto passed her clone of Zeri and dropped the key into his hand, with sideways smirks. One silently telling the other the plan, one telling the other that they had removed the man in the hallway. Both saying that everything was going according to plan.Naruto turned down the hall and waited, hiding under a false wall as the clone of Zeri released all locks, but something didn't feel right, it wasn't until the clone removed the locks that Naruto saw why. Everything was too easy, she could feel eyes staring at her as a sound went off, accompanied by a large explaination point over her head. Realizing her foley, she removed the false wall and stepped forth toward the many faces waiting for her.
Monati: And so the rat shows herself.
Naruto: How'd you know?
Monati: We didn't, but someone trying to open the locks automatically sends an alert to all of us, if none of us did it, then we know there's been an intruder. And no one's ever tried this until we brought you. Sorry girl, but you're busted. Who are you really?

He asked motioning for his men to move in. Naruto stood her ground and pressed a button, even if they knew why she was there, none the less, the locks had been released, meaning that part of her job was complete.
Naruto: My name is Nira Uzumaki. I am a shinobi, and one you have no chance against. If you try to oppose me, I will kill you.
Monati: So you really think you can do that alone?
Naruto: Oh, I'm not alone.

She said lifting her hand, motioning for the clone waiting with the girls to move out, and at that exact moment an explosion came from the opposite side of the building, shaking it from it's foundation. Just as the men in front of her lost balance, she moved in quickly weaved through the crowd with ease, never once looking back.
Monati: Dammit, grab her!!!

He ordered to his many minions, but none even came close to grabbing her. With a flick of her wrist, a kunai fell into her palms and with the grace of a gazelle, she slashed her way through the crowd until she reached the door. There was only enough time to run after the head boss, the others could handle the girls. Monati quickly gave chase, but the girl was too far ahead for him to stop her, and from what he could hear from above, her reinforcements had arrived. No doubt the hostages were long gone by now, but at the very least, he could stop the main rat who led the pack. Once Naruto finally reached the bottom, she saw a lone man waiting in the far back, watching everything play out from a single monitor.
Chamo: I've been expecting you.

He said turning around slowly in a revolving chair.
Chamo: I didn't think that I'd find another so worry to be my bride from that village.
Naruto: Why are you targeting that village?
Chamo: Huh, so the old man didn't tell you the whole story? I guess it doesn't matter anymore. I'll show him, no matter how many have to get it along the way.
Naruto: Why are you doing this?
Chamo: Yes, the almighty question, but you see.

Chamo took one step forward, extended his hand to Naruto.
Chamo: The answer to that lies within the question.
Naruto: Huh?
Chamo: What man doesn't dream of having his very own empire, with hundreds of men serving under him, with shitloads of money at his disposal and a harem of women at his arm. All pure and untainted by the hand of another man. Is that not the dream of all men?
JJ: He's a saint.

He said suddenly appearing at Naruto's side, wiping a tear from his eye.
Chamo: Yes, what you see above is my men training those girls to be my ultimate love harem.
JJ: I can so relate to that. That would be the best life ever.
Naruto: Whose side are you on?
Mika: Yeah, you big perv.
JJ: Let me finish. But, those girls were kidnapped and brought here against their will, forced to serve those men so that they could be your little dolls.for the rest of their lives while you tormented their homes and the people they care about. That's not my idea of a perfect life. All's fair when you gain it in the right way, but to gain by force makes people like us come knocking at your door step. The girls have already been released, so that dream of yours has already become nothing more than a fleeting delusion. Give up quietly and we won't have to break your bones.
Chamo: Oh, it's not over yet.

With a single snap of his fingers, Monati appeared from the back room, weilding what appeared to be a giant puppet in the shape of a dinosaur behind him, only this puppet was made of metal.
Monati: You're not the only one here who's a ninja, little girl.

He said as he moved his hands, moving the metal giant to his every whim.
JJ: Well, well.
Naruto: Not going to be as easy as I thought.
JJ: Yeah, but still pretty easy.

He said as he and Naruto both dropped into stance.
Mika: Oh well, guess it's better than nothing.

She said as she smashed into a large rock she had carried in with her. With a wave of her hand the stones began to orbit around her as if she were the sun.
Mika: Let's see what that doll of yours can do.
Monati: Alright then, bring it!

At his shout, the battle had began.

(Flash)
Josu: We've been walking forever, he said it was only an hour walk down, so why aren't we there yet.
Raizen: Because you're not factoring in the fact that he's a dragon, for him, it probably was just an hour walk. And you're also not factoring in the time you've spent whining.
Josu: But my legs hurt.

Raizen sighed, the girl next to him hadn't complained once, so why was this guy whining so much. With another heavy sigh Raizen sat down and shouted out.
Raizen: Take five.

Those two words were all it took for all eleven of the other men there to collapse to their knees. Sakura looked back at them and shook her head.
Sakura: I think I'm going to check out the rest of the area.
Raizen: Alright, be careful.
Sakura: Yeah.

With a nod, Sakura went on her way. Raizen leaned back and looked down at the piece of crysm he had attained earlier.
Raizen: (If he had wanted, I would have dropped this. Why did he let me keep it, and what did he mean the spirit inside had accepted me? Did it approve of the reason I grabbed it? Yeah right.)

He thought to himself as he gently rubbed the stone. With his mind set on his task, he pull out a long piece of string, tightly wrapping it around the small jewel. Even as he did it, he thought, it wasn't enough. It needed more than just that.
Josu: What are you doing?
Raizen: Wahh!

Raizen jumped in shock at the sudden sound from his side.
Raizen: Next time make yourself known before doing something like that.
Josu: Aren't you a ninja? You should have known I was there already. You're doing something interesting aren't you?
Raizen: None of your business.
Josu: Oh don't be that way.

He said sitting next to him.
Josu: Think you can answer me now?
Raizen: About what I'm making?
Josu: No, about Sakura, are you two dating?

Raizen's eyes fell to the ground, staring sullenly at the dirt beneath his feet.
Raizen: Nah, we're just teammates. She has no interest in me whatsoever.

Raizen said rubbing the jewel in his hand, which seemed to grew warmer as he spoke. Raizen gazed down at the now glowing ore with a smile.
Raizen: You trying to cheer me up? Don't worry, I'm used to it.
Josu: But you like her?
Raizen: That obvious?
Josu: You jumped into that pit faster than most people can take a running step just to save her. Oh well your loss. If you won't take her, then I'll steal her from you.

He said to Raizen while making an oddly omnious smile that sent a shiver down Raizen's spine. Playing off the strange feeling he had, he looked to the side and sighed.
Raizen: I'm not too worried about that either, it's not like you'd stand a chance. She's already sworn her life to someone else, but waste your time at your leisure. I mean, it'd be like trying to get a dog to drink poisoned water. Sometimes she's so obsessed with the guy that I wonder if her mind has any capacity for anything else.

As Raizen continued on Josu's eyes followed something, a looming shadow. Suddenly the jewel in Raizen's hand started to glow, burning slightly enough to warn him.
Raizen: ......She's right behind me isn't she?

All Raizen recieved from that question was a slight nod from the crowd in front of him. He never turned, he was too scared to, not at all calmed by the sound of knuckles cracking right by his ear.
Raizen: ...........Not the face!

His pleas were useless, Sakura spared no expense giving him everything she had. As Raizen laid broken and mangled on the ground before her Sakura shouted down at him.
Sakura: You must think you're something to have the nerve to speak like that.
Raizen: Sorry.

He barely managed to gasp out.
Sakura: Whatever, it's not like I actually care what you think. Afterall you're just an understudy anyway, if Sasuke were here, there'd be no need for someone like you.

Raizen's eyes slowly opened at her words, each one stung, maybe she was just mad, but it still hurt.
Sakura: After all, you're nothing compared to Sasuke, and if you were half the man he is, you wouldn't have to worry about such trivial things.

That was the breaking point, even as Josu cringed at the words the girl had said, trying his best not to laugh at the grounded boy, Raizen slowly lifted himself, placed the jewel back into his pocket with a face void of emotion. It was only then that Sakura had thought about what she said, and immediately, she regreted it.
Raizen: Let's move.

His words were completely void of emotion as well, as if spoken by a machine.
Sakura: I didn't me-
Raizen: Save it.

He coldly cut her off, never once turning back to the girl.
Raizen: Don't worry, I'm going to get this overwith so that I don't have to bog you down with my presence. Just know, the next time you're in trouble because you lack the ability or skill to look out for yourself, you'd better hope and pray that Sasuke magically materalizes there, because I'm sick of saving your ass.

His words were frightening, cold, bitter, piercing as ice. Without words, Sakura stared on, wondering if what she had done pushed him over the edge. For the first time, she felt fear looking at Raizen, not because of what he said, but because when he spoke those words, he seemed so far away, out of her reach. If he had ever been that kind of angry before, it was never directed at her. Even feeling this, she still held fast to her stance and followed without words back to him.
Sakura: I never asked you to.

Stricken by the cold atmosphere, the entire group seemed to be moving faster. Raizen understood that he started the argument, but it was false words to deter Josu from the girl. However, at the moment, his Uchiha pride kept that from his mind, ignoring the fact. Sakura on the other hand felt guilty, she just let the words fly without thinking about it. Yeah Raizen was being a jerk, but he didn't insult her as a woman, or as a person. Just the truth, that she had shown him over the years. Yet, what he said afterward, it hurt her too, in not so many words, he called her incompotent, lacking. That was enough for her to not want to apologize to him. Both continued on locked in cold silence, avoiding each other's space. Until finally, they reached the ship they sought.

(Flash)
On the other side of the world, a fierce battle was being fought. No matter what they did the metal golem in front of them seemed to deflect it as if it were nothing. Winded and confused, all three of squad 14's children looked up at the metal puppet.
Naruto: Are you sure, that transformations have to be barred on this mission.
JJ: We can't let too many of our secrets get out. Just think for a second and we'll be able to break this guy's toy.

Without pause he jumped from the range of the puppet's massive hand. Naruto slammed her fist into the goliath's chest, only managing to shake the giant's body. Mika dived to the side, firing small rocks at Monati's body as she did, trying to take down the puppet handler, but before he could be taken down a giant hand blocked it, before waving down for her.
JJ: Dammit!

He shouted out as he slammed his fist into the puppet's palm, much like Naruto, he barely managed to create a tremble in it's body, but it was still enough to delay the hand from reaching Mika, yet this time it collided with him. JJ slid back across the ground, grinding to a slow stop merely feet away from the giant.
JJ: So much for taking this thing head on.
Naruto: I tell you, if I just transform I can.
JJ: No dammit.
Mika: We just have to take out the puppeteer and we're home free.
Monati: Just try it, there's no way you can take down REX!

He shouted ordering the metal monstrousity to go on the offensive once again. Naruto moved betweent it's legs and charged for Monati, but before she could make her way to him, pikes shot from REX's back, piercing through Naruto's body. One explosion of smoke later, Naruto was charging after Monati from all direction not stopping for a single moment.
Monati: Shadow clones. Even that won't get passed my REX.

He said making the arms of the giant swing in both directions, wiping out all of the clones closing in on him, but at the exact same moment, a rock shot forth aiming straight for Monati's face. In a panic Monati forced REX to cover him, falling right into their trap. JJ flipped into the air, directly above REX and launched his sword down toward Monati with intent to kill, but just before it could reach, REX blocked it of it's own accord, then slammed it's head into JJ, smashing him into the ceiling. Satisfied with it's attack, REX held it's place, but JJ proved to be stronger than he looked, single-handedly pushing the monster away from him, giving himself enough time to free himself from it's crushing grasp. JJ landed to the ground in front of Mika, who held him up until the real Naruto appeared next to them.
Naruto: Dammit, who the hell makes a puppet out of metal?
JJ: Exterior damage doesn't effect it, I knew I should have brought more gear.
Mika: Well, there has to be some way we can stop REX.
JJ: Yeah, there's gotta be, and for those out there reading, there was nothing strange about the last string of sentences, and if you think there is, you're reading too much into it.
Naruto: Yeah.
Mika: Totally.

JJ turned up towards the monster after shattering the fourth wall like paper, with a single thought.
JJ: It moved on it's own.
Mika: Do you think it's automated?
Naruto: It's gotta be, and I'm going to ignore the fact that I have no idea what that word meant.
JJ: Naruto, scan for a weak spot, there has to be some kind of kink in it's armor.

Naruto nodded to him as she dodged the many attacks that few her way. Carely scanning over the puppet's body she found something, a core, pulsating as if it were a heart, simply waiting to be exploited, only one problem lied with this.
Naruto: It's weakness is on the inside.
JJ: You're joking!

He shouted, emphasized by his timely evasion.
Naruto: Wait, I have an idea.
JJ: Go on.
Naruto: Mika, I need you to make me a platform.
Mika: Got it, but why?

Naruto never told them her plan, but with a single smirk, they knew what to do. Mika summoned all of the stones under her, forming a small slab. After Naruto jumped onto the slab, JJ jumped in front of REX keeping it's eyes trained on him. With a well place aerial roll, JJ evaded the giant's hand, giving Naruto the opprotunity she needed. With a grip tight as steel, Naruto rode Mika's stone carpet as if riding a bird. weaving around REX's body as pikes shot out after her. Each movement that the team made was perfectly synchronized, even as Mika shifted direction on the stone slab, Naruto adjusted to it as if he could read her mind, and JJ's well placed slashes deflected the the pikes before they could reach Naruto, and after Naruto finally reached the top, she flipped off over it's head waiting for the right moment.
Naruto: NOW!

She shouted down to JJ who smiled at the presented opprotunity.
JJ: Green aura: piercing spike.

JJ activated the last aura jutsu he had placed on Naruto, shooting forth like a bullet, threatening to pierce through the giant, and with no time to dodge it, it served it's purpose, stabbing through REX's core, and through Monati as well. As REX crumbled to the ground, Naruto landed in front of the fallen man, watching as he writhed in pain.
Naruto: Remember when I said I'd kill you last?
Monati: Huh?
Naruto: Well I was technically telling the truth.

She said producing a kunai from her sleeve and with a single wave of her hand, she sliced through Monati's neck, before turning to Chamo.
Naruto: And then there was one.

She said as her and her teammates closed in on the lone man.
Chamo: Yikes.

Chamo eyes rolled back in his skull and, wihtout warning, he dropped to the ground. All stood over him staring in disgust.
JJ: Did he just faint?
Mika: Better question, did he just say "Yikes"? Lame.
Naruto: Tell me about it. Well, let's just get this nutbag back to the village and get this stupid mission over with.

JJ Looked over to Naruto and smiled, he handled himself quite well, well she at the moment, or...look Naruto did a good job. Either way, the mission had been completed without incident and after a while of dragging and a village pacification due to too much kicking and screaming, they finally returned Chamo to the village to recieve his punishment.
Mika: We brought him, he's all yours now.

She said tossing the boy in front of the villagers and the many girls he had captured.
Asuna:: Chamo?
Natsumi: You mean it was you?
Kazumi: Oh, what a scoop we have here.
Naruto: You know him?

None of the girls answered, instead they just smiled at the children as Garato stepped in front of the grounded man.
Garato: Hello Garato.
Chamo: Hello.....Father.
Naruto/JJ/Mika: Father!?
Garato: Your mother was worried.
Chamo: Good, it's not like I care.
Claire: Interesting, care to explain Garato?
Garato: Yes, Chamo here is my son, and the next head of this village, but he still stays with us, reluctant to move out for some reason.
Kazumi: Yet even dispite that he's rather popular among the village girls.
Naruto: Then why did he-?
Garato: Let me finish. Even though he's such a popular man, he's kind of a jerk sometimes and he never does any work around the house. So one day I commanded him, "Chamo, wash the dishes." and he said, "No, I'll do anything but that.".
JJ: Ah, now it makes sense, no man likes washing the dishes.
Naruto: Tell me about it, it's the only time when I actually have fights with my himes.
Mika: So you think we like washing dishes?
JJ: No, but you probably don't hate as much as us.
Naruto: I mean, it's soooo tedious, and then you have to scrub and, look I'd rather catch that stupid cat ten more times.
Claire: If I recall, you did the dishes quite often JJ.
JJ: Yeah, because when you're living with a woman, you will have to compromise.
Naruto: Yeah eventually you'll have to do them, or face the wrath of a pissed off woman.

She said gaining stares from all of the unknowing villagers.
Garato: Aren't you a woman? Anyway, I told him after that, "Look here you useless bastard, your mother asked me to do the dishes and I don't feel like it, so you're going to do them. Or else you can get your broke ass out of my house."

All around stared at Garato in confusion, who wouldn't be pissed off by that.
Chamo: And I said, "Then I'll leave this broke down assed house, and I'll prove that I can make it on my own, then I'll show you whose really boss around here you wrinkly old bitch." So I left, made a gang and came back completly prepared to show him how much I didn't need him.

He said with a huff as he turned around.
Garato: I'm sorry son, I may have gone too far to push you away. Your mother and I missed you.

He said with a warm and sad smile that recieved another in kind from Chamo, which in turn caused all of the girls to smile at the heartwarming moment.
Garato: Now come back home with us. And wash those dishes.

And then the moment was over.
Chamo: No.
Garato: What did you say? Your mother asked me to do them, and I don't feel like it, so that means you have to do them. Or else you can get your useless ass out of my house.
Chamo: Screw that busted up assed house of yours you old fart, I'll pro-
Naruto: Wait!!!!!!!

She shouted bringing a halt to the moment.
Naruto: You mean I got traumatized for this.

She asked, genuinely crying.
Naruto: I wanna go home. I killed people in there, and it was only because he didn't want to do the dishes. I had to spank a man on the butt while he asked me to call him a bad boy, just because you didn't want to do the dishes.

The last part caused a fit of chuckles to run through the crowd.
Asuna: Really?
Naruto: IT'S NOT FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!

She shouted, stifling all of the laughter. JJ walked over to Naruto and placed his hand on her shoulder.
JJ: You people made my little sister cry.
Naruto: You were laughing too.
JJ: It was funny. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings though.
Naruto: Screw you too, I said I didn't want to do this in the first place. I just wanna go home, make out with my girlfriend and thank god that she never has to go on a mission like this. Then I'm repressing the hell out of this memory.

She said wiping her tears as she walked away, leaving everyone with an image burned into their mind of what her making out with her girlfriend might look like and with a slight nosebleed Chamo asked one final question.
Chamo: Can I watch?
Naruto: NO!!!!!!!!!!!

She roared as walked away.
Naruto: I hate you people.

With that last statment she and her team left the village for good, and for Naruto, never to return.

(Flash)
Raizen: Okay, how do we get inside?
Josu: That won't be a problem.

He said messing around with something on the side of the massive battleship. After finally finding what he was looking for he walked over to Raizen's back and placed two things on him. Becoming alerted by the sudden act Raizen peeked back at him. One of the things was a tazer, the other a cord. While the tazer only became absorbed by the boy's body, the feedback coming from it was being drained by the cord.
Raizen: Argh!!!!!

He screamed out as his entire body was being drained of all energy.
Sakura: Raizen!

She screamed out as she ran to him, but suddenly the mercenaries with Josu surrounded her. Sakura fumbled around in her pouch in a panic finally landing on what she sought, a single smoke bomb. With a single flick she dropped it to the ground, enveloping everyone around her in a cloud. From it Sakura emerged charging after Josu without a moment's delay, but as her fist reached him, a strange sheild emerged in front of him and blocked the attack effortlessly. Then with speed rivaling that of a ninja, he slammed the tazer into Sakura's stomach, stunning her. It wasnt enough to knock her out, but she couldn't move her body how she wanted, landed right in Josu's arms. Raizen collapsed to the ground, staring up at Josu, holding Sakura as if she were a prize.
Raiden: What are you-
Josu: Remember how I told you that you'd get us out of here. Well surprise!
Sakura: What?

She asked weakly.
Josu: You see, I was looking through my father's old notes, and I found that this ship runs on electricity, and you are a human sized generator Raizen, simply by draining your chakra, we were able to make this ship functional again.
Sakura: But you said your father wanted it destroyed.
Josu: No, he was as crazy as people thought he was. He hid his ship in fear that someone else would try to take it from him, and entrusted me with the location, but the problem in that was getting to it. Even father died down here after hiding his ship, so I needed someone to find it for me.
Raizen: That was your plan?
Josu: Not all of it, you, I had spies in the forest of death, scoping out the hopefuls, maybe one of them would be perfect for this. And then I found you, a boy with eyes that see through genjutsu, and then after further investigation, we found that you could generate electricity through your body, talk about a catch. You were perfect, however, that was all you were good for in my book. Less uses than I wanted from the perfect person, but little Sakura here can make up for that.

He said as his men began boarding the ship.
Josu: I was a little worried about it when I found out you cared for her, but after what you said earlier I doubt you care. Right Sakura?

He asked, licking the young girl's neck gaining disgusted shivers from the girl as her eyes fell to Raizen. Josu looked up at her eyes and smiled.
Josu: Have you ever noticed that whenever you're in trouble you look to Raizen. Maybe you really do love him, not that it matters anymore, because you're mine and Raizen won't help you this time. Right-

He asked turning to the boy, for the first time catching a glimpse of the massive amount of killing intent coming from him.
Raizen: Of all the ways to ask me to kill you, you had to choose the fastest. If you don't let her go now, I will snap you like a fucking slim jim!!!!!

Defying logic, Raizen stood to his feet on pure will, despite the massive amount of chakra he had lost. Josu frowned and snapped his fingers, and at his order, a cannonball shot forth from the ship into Raizen's chest. Raizen coughed blood in an amazing amount before he was sent flying back into the wall, Raizen fell back to the ground with blood leakng from his mouth.
Sakura: Raizen!!!
Josu: Man, how many ribs do you think that broke. Hey Raizen, do you know why the mercs didn't speak to you. It's because I told them not to talk to the expendables. They're efficient aren't they?
Raizen: Bastard.

Josu merely chuckled off Raizen's words and dragged Sakura onto the ship with him, ignoring the fact that Raizen was slowly standing to his feet.
Josu: Take off.

He ordered them as he broaded the ship. With a mighty roar the ship began to move.

(Music que: Dreams of an absolution by Lee Brotherton. Sonic the hedgehog 2006 OST.)
Raizen stood tall holding his side as he stared up at the rising ship, the world around him crumbling with every second.
Josu: Speed up the drop.

Once again a hail of cannon balls flew through the cave, crushing the walls. Raizen frowned looking up at the ascending ship.
Raizen: DAMMIT!!!!!!!!

He shouted out into the cave.
Raizen: What do I do now?

His question was directed at nothingness, but he still asked out in hopelessness. Raizen's eyes stared ahead, catching sight of something, him being displayed by the many crysm crystals around him. With a smile, the illusion of himself turned around and stood in running position. Raizen stared emptily toward it then down at the crystal warmly glowing in his pocket.
Raizen: Heh, that simple huh?

With that his smile returned. Whenever something was too much, all he had to do was run, that was the only thing he had to do. With that in mind he run forward aligning his body with the image of himself in front of him. Each step he took, moved along the crumbling ground as if it was stable then when there was no more ground to run on, Raizen flipped into the air, latching his feet onto the pillar falling in front of him. Then without missing a beat, without thinking about the broken ribs he had, ignoring the fact he was lacking chakra, he ran to the top of the pillar and flipped onto another with his hand latched onto it from behind, giving him a clear view of the previous pillar falling down in the exact spot he as on. Raizen kicked back, sending himself into a flip above the reach of the pillar's descent. Then collision forced his foundation to spin downward, and quickly adapting to the situation, Raizen ran up to the top as it turned, then leapt to te ceiling of the cave above. With a fierce determination, he slammed his fist through the wall and emerged at the top, right below the massive airship. Josu cursed under his breath and motioned his hand for another assault, but this time, Raizen wasn't going to take it. he flipped over the first, then rolled in mid air around the second in a circle, however, this turn caused him to slammed back first on the top of the cave's surface. and thanks to the cannon balls, then foundation he had found started to crumble under him. Raizen plundged back down into the cavern, staring at the emptiness in which he fell. As he fell he snatched the shuriken from his back and slammed it into the wall at his side, using it to throw himself back up onto a pathway, but even before he could start running the roof above began to fall down on him, threatening to crush him, however, his feet moved him forward in defiance. Before he could reach the end, the roof closed in on him, and Raizen curled into a roll, completelyavoid the last stretch. After reaching the end of the falling rubble, Raizen placed his hand on the ground and lifted his body, placing his foot on the new wall behind him. And with a mighty roar, he kicked himself forward, into a blinding speed. And he ran through the tunnels, all crystals lighting a clear path for him to move along. Raizen flew by, quickly dodging from side to side as debris fell down for him.
Raizen: Dammit.

He uttered silently as he ran forward, quickly approaching a dead end, but just as he was about to fall into an empty pit, he hit a rubber tipped spring that sent him flying into the air. So many questions flew through Raizen's head at that moment, but he kept them to himself at the moment, drawing closer to a road, he latched his feet onto the wall and ran along the looping pathway, to make he way back onto the main road. Raizen ran quickly toward a shining light, sunlight coming from outside. With a rough stop, Raizen ran up the circular wall, but halfway up he saw a large chunk of rock falling down above him. Aborting his ascent, Raizen flipped back down, holding his shuriken tightly in hand, and with a quick spin, he hurled it into another opening, then without speaking, he transported himself to the soaring shuriken. As he continued his sprint, Raizen looked down at the shuriken in his hands and everything became clear, there was a way for him to get to the ship, but a sound from behind quickly gained his attention, the sound of the ground behind him crumbling away.
Raizen: Gah.

Realizing the danger he was in, Raizen ran at full speed toward the exit, a small light in the distance. He run at sonic speed, but the crumbling seemed to be keeping up with him. Raizen ran along four more loops and then ran up a ramp, grabbing tightly onto a falling pillar. Not allowing himself to be detered, he leapt from each pillar falling passed him in an upward spiral until he reached the end. With a smile he jumped from the cavern, soaring into the sky in pure bliss, an mind bathed in absolution. However, the moment passed quickly as Raizen caught sight of the airship above him. With a quick adjustment to his wall walker jutsu, Raizen landed on the water surface below and ran below the battleship.
Josu: Send another volley.

He ordered, sending a wave of kunai falling down on Raizen, who quickly placed his gulliotine sword in front of him, blocking th first volley. The second came swiftly, but not swift enough to scare Raizen off, without even blinking, he triwled the sword in front of him, blocking the second volley effortlessly. Raizen placed his sword back and pulled free his shuriken. With a blatant smile, he spun upward, cutting through the water's surface before hurling his shuriken into the air, then he teleported to it, and then again.
Josu: What!!!!!

He shouted in agrivation at the boy teleporting to his ship as if he were nightcrawler or something. Skillfully dodging everything thrown at him, Raizen reached the bottom of the airship in no time at all. Cannonballs, kunai, all that came missed their mark, Raizen avoided everything as if he were a ghost. Then after realizing that the boy was going to reach them, the mercenaries scattered to the main deck and awaited the boy's arrival. Raizen's shuriken slammed into the bottom of the main deck and soon after Raizen appeared holding it. With missing a beat, Raizen ran to the deck and readied himself for battle. Six of the ten came at him, all armed, but all paled in comparison to the boy's massive sword.
Raizen: Bring it!

He shouted out, invoking the charge. As they closed in he slammed the hilt of his sword back into the stomache of one man and then quickly dragged the blunt side of the blade into his chin, knocking him back across the floor. Then he spun around, slamming the blunted blade into the face of another, sending him spinning down the deck. With a smile on his face he latched the end of the blade onto one of the men's neck and the kicked him into the railing on the side of the ship, and slammed his side into the stomach of two more in one fluid motion. There was only one left and Raizen closed in on him with his sword drawn back, then he slammed it into his chest, knocking him through the door behind him. Raizen sped through the ship and caught sight of something on the wall, an intercom that seemed to lead to the bridge.
Raizen: Sakura, I'll be there to save you in a minute.

He said as he sped passed one, then she trwiled in front of another, moving his feet to keep his momentum going.
Raizen: And I'll never let this happen again, I'll be with you, no matter what.

Sakura blushed at Raizen's word as Josu cursed under his breath, angry at the boy's resilience. Raizen ran past a single room on his way, then he stopped in front of it with a smile as he pulled twelve tags from his pocket. In what felt like a gust, he sped through the room and closed in on a single man, and with twenty well placed hits, he sent him soaring into dreamland. Raizen flipped from the man's body and landed in a single room, darkened and long. Raizen gazed at the ceiling and then quickly moved as automated shuriken launcher fired on him. Thinking fast, Raizen grabbed one of them and aimed it at the other, destroying it, and with a quick punch he broke the one he held, and crawled to the door via the ceiling. One of the hired mercs passed under Raizen, unknowing of the boy's location and with this knowledge, Raizen grabbed the man's neck and lifted him up, slamming his head into the ceiling. After knocking out the man, Raizen landed on the ground, in the hallway, looking down at the last two. Raizen bent forward, dragged his foot across the ground two and roared as he ran down the hall at a speed that made him invisible to the naked eye, and when he reappeared in one of the side halls, he had walked three steps before the attacks caught up with the men's bodies and they went flying back down the hall. Raizen walked forward with leisure, but one of the panels on the ground made a funny sound and when he looked up, at the end of the hall, a hail of kunai were flying at him. Staring it down without fear, Raizen stomped the ground and the world seemed to slow down under him, as he slid under, flipped over, and swayed past the kunai as if it were normal, but shortly after he dodged them all, another click came from under him, sending kunai flying at him from all directions, impossible to dodge. Raizen bent forward and closed his eyes, activating his lightning god sharingan and in an instant, he was gone. When he reappeared, he was standing under Josu, with his back facing him, and with a blank face, then he looked back at him from over his shoulder. In a panic, Josu punched down at the boy, but Raizen flipped over him and ran to Sakura before his unch could even extend to where Raizen used to be. Raizen held Sakura close, at the edge of the railing, as Josu started to feel pains, and then he felt as if his body were bring pummeled.
Raizen: Raizen-ken.

With that delayed shouted a bullet of lightning shot forward, blasting Josu through the back wall as Raizen began falling with Sakura's arms tightly locked around his neck from the front.
Sakura: You're crazy!!!!!!!

She shouted into his ear, not gaining a response. Raizen held up a single sign, activating the tags he had placed on the engine, blowing the ship to an irreparable state. Josu's dream was going down in smoke. Raizen reached to Sakura's hands and pulled them free, releasing her grip on him. Sakura stared in fear, they were plundging hundreds of feet to the ground and he had let her go. Quickly pulling his weapons from his back, Raizen turned his back to Sakura and motioned for her to grab on, which she quickly did. Raizen then threw his shuriken to the ground, forcing his body into a turn, then after hearing a sound, Raizen teleported himself and Sakura to his shuriken lodged in a tree. With a grip tightly wrapped around the handle, Raizen dragged it down to the ground and landed perfectly onto the ground, sending leaves flying upon doing so. Then with Sakura riding piggy back he carried her off until he reached a cliff with a grassy slope, and he flipped into the air, tossing Sakura from his back in one fluid motion his slammed both his weapons into their holsters. Raizen landed on his feet and caught Sakura in his arms bridal style before taking off once again for the leaf, mission accomplished. Sakura stared up at Raizen longingly, he never noticed, she probably didn't even notice she was looking at him like that either, but at the moment, there was no way they couldn't be mistaken for lovers.

(Flashforward)
Two days had passed since the two teams returned from their missions. Raizen collapsed shortly after reaching the gates, understandably since he had done all of that with grave wounds, but thanks to Claire's work, he made a quick recovery. However, he also needed her help with something else, something she was glad to do. When Sakura visited him after that he gave her something. A beautiful necklace, crafted from the crysm piece he had taken from the cavern, glowing warmly at the boy's pure hearted geisture.
Raizen: The only one in the world.

He said with a warm smile, it was what he had planned from the beginning. Sakura pulled the thin string around her neck and tied it, before holding gently onto the jewel hanging in front of her chest. Then overcome with joy, she hugged Raizen, but all she recieved was a sad smile. Raizen placed his hands on her shoulder and gently pushed her to arms length.
Raizen: Let's go see Sasuke.

Hearing him say that, it made her heart hurt, she didn't know why, but the thought of him giving up on her, it hurt. Reluctantly, she followed Raizen to Sasuke's room, hoping that seeing Sasuke would raise her spirits, but the room instead was filled with hostility. Enough to choke someone if they approached unawares.
Raizen: Hey Sasuke, how are you?
Sasuke: Like you care.
Raizen: What?
Sakura: Sasuke, are you okay?

She asked reaching for the boy, but before she could Sasuke slapped her hand away, roughly, as if trying to hurt her.
Sakura: Ah.

She said trying to hide the fact that it hurt. Raizen growled and shouted down at Sasuke.
Raizen: What the hell is wrong with you?
Sasuke: Shut up.

He said casting a glare at Raizen. That glare was returned in kind and after a minute and a half, Raizen smiled.
Raizen: I understand, so where do you want to do this?

Sasuke jumped from the bed and stood in front of Raizen witha smile of his own.
Sasuke: Follow me.

He said as he led the way, leaving the room. Sakura watched the whole thing happen, but she didn't know what exactly they meant. Even still she was scared, she understood enough to know that whatever they were going to do, it wasn't good. With that fear held firmly in her heart, she rushed after them, eventually leading her to the roof. Where she saw the horrid sight.
Raizen: You hit like a girl!

He shouted as he blocked Sasuke's fist and returned one in kind, slamming it into Sasuke's stomach, knocking him across the floor. Sasuke rolled back and flipped to his feet before charging after his teammate once again this time, from the air. Raizen leaned under Sasuke's kick, but failed to move in time to dodge the follow up kick Sasuke threw back for him. Sasuke's foot collided with Raizen's face, sending him spinning back, but even with that Raizen countered with a spin kick that landed in Sasuke's stomach, sending him rolling across the ground once again. Raizen quickly closed in on him and Sasuke had to think fast, that's when his eyes fell on one of the many cloths on the ground. Sasuke grabbed the cloth and snapped it back at Raizen who dodged it, falling right into Sasuke's trap. Sasuke released the other end and it flew over Raizen's face, blinding him, not for long, but long enough to hide waht he was doing. By the time Raizen reached him, Sasuke had inhaled.
Sasuke: Fire style: Fireball jutsu.

Raizen had no time to dodge, instead he took the blast head on, and went flying back along the rooftop, slamming backfirst into the wall behind. Sasuke closed the distance and slammed his fist into Raizen's stomach, before following quickly with a jumping spin kick. Raizen flipped to the ground and landed directly on his feet before charging back after Sasuke, fist drawn back. At blinding speed, Raizen slammed his fist into Sasuke's stomach, and continued with four more lightning fast punches before sending a spin kick to Sasuke's face, knocking him back as he had done him before.
Sasuke: Dammit.

He said cycling through handsigns.
Raizen: You'd better get ready for this.

He said summoning eletricity to his fist.
Sakura: Stop it.

She couldn't summon the strength to speak out, so shocked was she, but she still tried. From opposite sides of the roof, both boys charged their attacks. Sasuke blew a massive flame forward and punched into it, controling the blaze on his his. Raizen whistled and completed the charge on his Raizen-ken, and with wide smiles, both charged at one another.
Sasuke: Karyu-no-tekken!
Raizen: Raizen-ken!

Both shouted as they rushed forward.
Sakura: STOP IT!!!

She shouted, finally finding the strength to speak. Without warning Sakura began to run in the middle of them in an effort to put a halt to the madness, but little did she know, this was only the beginning.


Chapter 18 End.


________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________


Naruto: What the hell is going on?
Kiba: Raizen!
Raizen: Stay back, this isn't your fight, I'll handle this.
Sasuke: You've been lying to me, lying to everyone. Isn't that right? Raizen Uchiha!!!!

Next time on eyes piercing the darkness: Before the storm: Coming clean.

Raizen: I didn't mean for you to find out this way, but fine, I'll tell you everything.




Omake theater open!

Canon omake #1: Never to be spoken of again.

Mika and JJ walked down the street, reflecting on the events that had occured during the mission.
JJ: Maybe we should go see if Naruto is okay.
Mika: Yeah he had it rough didn't he, I mean,I probably couldn't have done something like that.
JJ: Yeah, well let's go-

JJ never finished that sentence, instead he was cut off by the sight of Hinata quickly running up to them. Hinata stopped right in front of them, flushed deep red, breathing like she was dying.
Hinata: D-Did something happen to Naruto-kun on his mission?
JJ: Why do you ask?

Hinata blushed deeper at JJ's words and thought back.

(Flashback)
Because of his pace, Naruto had arrived back at the village far sooner than the rest of his team. After dropping his jutsu in the outside forest he immediately began searching for Hinata's scent. Once he finally found it he marched through the village, ignoring all of the people in his way. With blatant disregard for the fact that he was only a guest there, he burst through the door of the hyuuga manor as if he owned the place. Neji and Ishi both watched on, wondering what was wrong with hm, but the look on his face said he was a man on a mission. Curious to what was happening, both followed Naruto on his way, until his march led him to a meeting of the head clan and the hyuuga elders. All eyes turned to Naruto at the moment he entered and his eyes fell on Hinata like a man crazed.
Hiashi: Naruto, is there something wrong?

He asked, never getting an answer, to Naruto, there was only on thing in the world at that moment. He walked over to Hinata, ignoring her concerned words, and putted her up before slamming his lips on hers, in front of everyone. The blushes on everyone's face paled in comparison to Hinata's, she could've died at that moment from both bliss and embarrassment, at present she didn't know what to be.
Hiashi: Stop it!

He shouted, gaining no response. Hanabi blushed too, unable to move at the moment.
Neji: Naruto, what the hell!?

He shouted out, ready to put an end to the madness, but Naruto's fox chakra lashed out, pushing everyone else, except Hanabi, back. Finally Naruto turned back to everyone else, acknowledging their presence as he shouted.
Naruto: I need this!!!!!!

Then he resumed what he was doing before as Hinata kissed back, completely forgetting about everything else in the room. Suddenly Naruto pulled back and breathed toward the ceiling.
Naruto: Ah, memory repressed. I promise, I'll never let something like that happen to you, I'll kill the world before I let it.
Hinata: What happened exactly?
Naruto: I can't tell or else the memories will come back. Just know, I'll never let something like that happen to you.

He said pulling her tightly into a hug, putting the burning question into everyone's head. One of the elders coughed into his fist, bringing attention back to the matter at hand.

(Flashforward)
Hinata: Naruto-kun held me through the entire meeting. So tell me, what happened?

The only answer she recieved however, were two extremely puffed up faces, trying their very best not to laugh at her.
Hinata: Um?
JJ: Haha, I'm sorry, but, hahaha.
Mika: It's not, pfft, our place to.....Hahahahaha.
JJ: Hahahahahaha.

They failed, both laughing to the top of their lungs, Hinata was left wondering, never once did she get an answer.

Canon/Omake #2: Reassurance.

Neji was sneaking through the vilage, following a single target, not realizing that Kakashi was doing the exact same thing at that time. Both of them needed to confirm something.
Naruto: What are you doing?

He said, spotting out both men, bringing their attention to one another. In one smooth motion they dragged Naruto down, not wanting to blow their cover.
Naruto: What the hell?
Kakashi: Quiet.
Neji: We're trying to be sneaky here.
Naruto: Well a lot of good you're doing if I found you.
Kakashi: Naruto, right now it doesn't matter who else sees us, as long as our targets don't.
Neji: They're moving.

He said drawing attention back to the two ahead of them, for you see, Gai was on a date with Kagura and both men were watching, ready for Gai to do something stupid to make Kagura lose interest. They needed it to happen, for their peace of mind. It needed to occur, there was no way that Maito Gai could keep a woman, none at all. With Naruto's voice silenced, they followed after the couple as they continued their date, landing themselves in the park.
Naruto: And why are you following them?
Kakashi: Gai has a date.
Naruto: Yeah?
Neji: With a real woman.
Naruto: What's so weird about that?
Neji/Kakashi: What isn't?

The both asked in unison before continuing their surveilance, never realizing that there was another person in the bushes looking at the couple in the park. Tenten watched from the oppostie side of the park, she also needed that peace of mind. Maybe Gai bribed her or something, maybe he was threatening her. There had to be a reason, there was no way a woman could find a guy like that attractive, then again she found Lee attractive and he was sorta like Gai, but that was beyond the point at the moment, this was the Maito Gai, the biggest goofball in the village. Far be it from her to call him the village idiot, but how could this woman actually like him.
Kagura: Ah, nothing like ice cream in the park on a hot day.
Gai: Yes, and the scenery, is quite fetching in the fading sunlight.
Kagura: That it is.

She said before casting her gaze to Gai.
Kagura: You have some vanilla on your face.
Gai: Really, well let me-
Kagura: I can get it.

She said pullng a handkercheif. With a gentle look on her face, she wiped the ice cream from Gai's face, as sparkles filled the direct area, accompanied by bubbles and flowers.
Kakashi: How can this madness be possible?
Neji: It just can't be, it has to be a nightmare.
Naruto: Com'n there's someone out there for everybody.
Neji/Kakashi: Not him!
Kakashi: And even if there were, she wouldn't be nearly THAT hot.

He said pointing over to Kagura as she sat back down and finally finished her own cone, ignoring the blush on Gai's face.
Kagura: What do you say we get going?
Gai: R-Right, let's.
Kakashi: Their moving again.
Neji: Com'n.

He said leading them away from thepark after the other two, and accidentally bumping into Tenten. All it took was a small nod, and both understood the other's situation and why they were there. With that understanding, they joined together in following the date, along with Naruto ho decided he had nothing better to do at the moment, once again, failing to realize that there were two others watching as well.
Kurenai: Kakashi was telling the truth.
Asuma: I don't believe it, it's so....wrong.
Kurenai: I know, but they do make a cute couple.
Asuma: Bull, it looks like beauty and the beast. She's far too hot for him.

Asuma's comment earned him a fresh lump on the head from his companion, that he gently rubbed with a downward glance.
Asuma: You know, I meant that in a good way.
Kurenai: Well I didn't like the way you said it.
Asuma: Troublesome.

He said mimicking his student. Returning his eyes to the street he saw something that nearly made him lose all faith in the universe. Kagura had tripped, almost falling to the ground, and having the reflexes of a superhero, Gai caught her mid-fall and held her up. The act of doing so caused their eyes to meet, and they stared at each other's orbs, for about thirty seconds before Kagura said listlessly.
Kagura: I could've stopped myself.
Gai: When a man, accompanies a woman, she should never have to fear a fall.

Both said this, never once turning from each other's eyes as the scene became surrounded by sparkles, bubbles, and budding flowers.
Kagura: Um.
Gai: Yes?
Kagura: Maybe we should go, people are looking.

She said refering to the people on the street, staring at them, not the people hiding among the various objects in the area.
Gai: Let them look.

He said in retort, unwilling to end the moment simply for a bunch of looky-loos. Kagura smiled slightly, graced with a small blush on her face as she pulled closer to Gai and wrapped her arm in his.
Kagura: So where next?
Gai: Wherever you wish my beautiful spring flower.
Kagura: Heh, Well let's go then.

She said as she led the way leaving Kakashi staring on with tears dripping down his eye while wearing a sad smile.
Naruto: Are you crying?
Kakashi: Because I just realized, that this is undenible proof that there is no god. There isn't one, not if I can see something like this.
Tenten: Or undeniable proof that there is one.
Naruto: Well, according to Mom, there's plenty of them.
JJ: Hey Naruto.
Naruto: Hey JJ.
JJ: What're you guys doing?

Once again, they mimicked the act of forced kidnapping. After filling JJ in on the situation, who gave about the same answer as Naruto, they continued following Gai and Kagura. Asuma and Kurenai tried to continue their pursuit as well, but wound up bumping into the other group. With a nod of understanding, they joined together and followed the couple. This continued for hours, randomly bumping into other people who as couldn't believe the idea of Maito Gai having a date and by the time they reached their final destination, a fancy restuarant at the edge of the village, the entire place was filled with people only trying to gain "peace of mind" at Gai's expense. Never once did they think that this time could be used, y'know, going on their own dates, or maybe doing something constructive like creating a new jutsu. At the moment, Gai striking out was more important. After hours of Gai dashing the hopes of the crowd, the date was at it's end and Gai had walked Kagura to her door.
Kagura: I had a good time.
Gai: As did I.
Kagura: Let's do it again okay.
Gai: Yes, after all, the burning flames of youth don't die out with the sun's fall, it will burn again.
Kagura: Then let's burn together when that time comes.

She said as she did something that forced the crowd to accept the truth. She kissed Gai, full on the lips, most women thought that would cause a chain reaction in the body that results in instant death, but Kagura lived, and she....she enjoyed it. That wasn't possible, it was flat out impossible.
Kagura: See you later, green beast.
Gai: When the moment calls spring flower.

And they were already at pet names! Dammit, it wasn't fair, Kakashi for the first time in his life, felt envy staring at Gai, Gai of all people.
Kakashi: That's it, I-I have to kill him.
JJ: Why?
Kakashi: It's the only way to calm this burning rage I feel. There is no other way, I must kill him.
Naruto: Good for you Gai.

He said being the only one, beside JJ, who never once doubted Gai, ignoring the sound of weapons clanging behind them. Maito Gai had never been happier in his life. Good luck in the future, Gai-sensei.

Canon/Omake#3: Why the.....straight face?
Shino sat solitary, staring down the street with asingle thought on his mind. If it weren't him, but someone else, he would've sighed, but since it was him he didn't. Because of his thoughts, only slightly did he turn when Kiba, Hinata, JJ, and Naruto walked up to him.
Kiba: Hey Shino, what's up.

He asked walking over to his teammate, but stopped a few feet in front of him.
Kiba: Hey, are you okay?
Hinata: You look kind of down.
Naruto:/JJ: (How the hell can you tell)

They thought staring at Shino's unchanging face. His expression showed no sign of depression, yet they were somehow able to tell just by looking.
Shino: I was informed, that I must attend an omai.
JJ: What!?
Kiba: Dude that sucks.
Naruto: What's an omai?
Hinata: An omai, is an arranged meeting of two heirs to a prestigous family.
Naruto: What's so bad about that?
JJ: Because the two people who meet at an omai, are there to be introduced to their arranged fiance.
Naruto: What, so it's like a forced engagment?
Kiba: Wow, I guess that does kind of sum it up in fewer words.

He said holding his hand to his chin.
Naruto: That's not right, why would your parents do that?
Shino: Normally it is done to insure the future of the clan.
Naruto: Even still it's not something they should force on people. You want me to bust it up for you Shino?
Shino: While I appreciate the offer Naruto, I can't run away from this.
Hinata: Shino-kun, are you going to be okay.
Shino: Yes, I can always call it off.
Naruto: Man, arranged engagments, good thing you never had to go to one of those Hinata.

At those words, Hinata stiffened and turned away from him, which brought a questioning eyebrow from everyone there.
Naruto: Did you?
Hinata: Um, not after you were freed.
Naruto: You mean you were engaged to be married?
Hinata: At one time, but I called it off, there was someone else. He, didn't take it so well.
Naruto: What does that mean?
Hinata: He kept saying things like, "Then I shall win your hand". B-But don't worry, I'm sure that he's given up by now.
Naruto: And you never told me this, why?
Hinata: Um.
JJ: Have an ackward fight on your own time. Right now we need to think about what to do for Shino.
Kiba: Yeah, Shino, just go to her straight and say, "I'm sorry, but I can't do this. I want to be able to choose my own partner in life.
Naruto: Dude, you sounded just like Shino.
Hinata: Amazing Kiba-kun.
Shino: Will it truly be that simple?
JJ: It'll be easy, just let her down gently and you'll be free to choose again.
Shino: Alright, thank you.

With only those words, Shino was on his way.
Naruto: Shino, Ganbare!

Shino lifted a hand back to him and then cntinued on down the path. The next day, after Shino's Omai, he was standing in the same spot, staring into the sky. He would have smiled, if it wasn't him, but since it was him, he didn't. So caught up was he in his thoughts, that he only slightly turned when his friends walked up to him.
JJ: Hey Shino.
Kiba: Heh, you seem to be in a good mood today.
Hinata: Did something good happen?
Naruto/JJ: (How the hell can you tell?)

They both thought, seeing as Shino's face was still stuck in the stoic state.
Shino: Her name was Sugara Umio.
Naruto: Really, so you called it off?
Shino:......No.

He said shocking all of his gathered friends.
JJ: What, then what was yesterday about?
Kiba: What made you change your mind?
Shino:......She was hot.

He said slightly tuning to the side, gaining an understanding from all of the males in the area.
JJ: That'd do it.
Naruto: Good then.
Kiba: So she was your type?
Shino: She's intelligent and funny. She made me laugh.
Kiba/JJ/Naruto: (What!? He laughs?)
Shino: I'll be meeting her again tomorrow. I'd appreciate it if you continue to give me your support.
JJ: Well you've got it.
Naruto: Go for it Shino!

He said to his friend as he walked off.
Naruto: Now about ths guy you were arranged to marry.
Hinata: (Oh, I'd hoped he'd forgotten about that.)
JJ: ........Good luck Hinata.

She was going to have a hard time explaining that one. Well at least Shino was in good spirits.

Omake theater close!



JJ: Hey everybody, I know this took longer than most other chapters, but dammit I had a reason.
Sakura: And that was?
JJ: I just got a PS3, and dammit I was going to play it.
Ino: 'Sigh' boys will be boys I guess.
Sakura: Well now we're done, so who's our guest today?
JJ: On that we have an interesting one today. Come on down, Yura Inugami!
Yura: Me, why me?
JJ: Because Kiba looooooves you.
Yura: Uh, but he's not here.
Sakura: Isn't she an enemy.
JJ: C'mon you guys, you know this doesn't have anything to do with the main story, so she's not an enemy right now. So drop it.
Ino: I still don't like this.
Sakura: Fine as long as she doesn't try anything funny.
Yura: I don't plan to, and even if I did there's nothing you could do about it.
Sakura: What was that?
Yura: You heard me, while I haven't been able to show it off in the story yet, I'm nearly without peer in combat.
JJ: Enough bragging, now let's move this along.
Ino: Yeah, so let's start with your stats.
Yura: All right.

Strength: 17
Endurance: 18
Speed: 15
Chakra: Non-existant
Weapon skill: 20
Taijutsu: 20
Ninjutsu: Non-existant
Genjutsu:Non-existant

Sakura: So you're like Lee?
Yura: I guess you could say that, but my skills allowing me to force everyone to fight on my terms.
Ino: What do you mean?
Yura: I have the ability to detect and neutralize chakra in a certain area, I can either focus on an area far away or cancel a wide area all around me. Using this can instantly dispel all ninjutsu coming at me, or already in effect.
Sakura: Is it a omnipresent thing or just something you turn on?
Yura: I can turn it on, but it also acivates on it's own at times, like when my life is in danger. At present I don't have any idea why I was born with this ability. However because of it, jutsu are forever out of my reach.
Ino: You're a good fighter though right?
Yura: Yes, I used to train myself and sharpen my skills back when I was with my mother, but I was always too scared to use it. Humans frightened me, so I tended to avoid them, even though I knew I was much stronger than them. Because of my, um, "breeding" I'll say, my reflexes are quite sharp, my balance flexibility also make it easy for me to avoid attacks. I've never been touched in battle, except against Kabuto. And he hates me for some reason
JJ: You don't know why?
Yura: I can guess, it's because Orochimaru-sama treats me special, he's not strict or violent with me. Mostly because he needs me, but because of that, I usually live comfortably in his lair. So Kabuto calls me "The pet kitten."
Sakura: Have you been given the curse mark like everyone else?
Yura: No, my body sees the mark as a threat and automatically neutralizes the seal before it can even form, all that jutsu would do to me is leave a hickey.

She said rubbing her neck.
JJ: I'm guessing it really left one.
Yura: Yeah......
Sakura: Moving along, is chakra neutralization your only talent?
Yura: No, there's also the bloody curse.
Ino: What?
Yura: By drenching my claws in my own blood, I can strengthen them andalso create waves of power with a single slash. Then there's the weretiger state.
Sakura: The who?
Yura: It's a state much like your boyfriend's berserker state.
Sakura: He's not my boyfriend.
Yura: Whatever. Anyway it's a state of awakening in which a member of the woren clan greatly enhances their strength by isolating their beastial nature. This awakens the monster inside of them and drives them into a massive rage, turning them against anything in their way. But unlike the berserker, A weretiger can't be awakened from by the words of loved ones or a small trigger, we stay in that state until we are knocked out, or die. Making it something of a last resort.

Ding dong ding.

JJ: And that means it's time for the fourth wall breaking moment.
Yura: Was that a chime?
Ino: Yeah, don't ask.
JJ: First off, Yura's name, obviously, was taken from the song I used in the third chapter. When I created Yura, she was very much like Ishi, and character created during the writing process. Yet, even though, I came up with her many chapters before her actual appearance. Even still I have many things planned for her down the road. Intially she was created to be another of Orochimaru's henchmen, but in the end I gave her a backstory and a place in the actual story. Yura's place being Kiba's love interest. At the beginning she was reluctant to be around him, but ended up falling in love with him, only to reveal that she was his enemy. A plt that many people seemed to like, but to those people just know, their complicated relationship doesn't end after the leaf destruction arc, after all, there's more to come. As well as a little more detail into her life. As well as more on Kiba's love story. Yura's rank is three on my favorite OC list.
Yura: How do you know so damn much about me?
JJ: Because Yura, I am your father!
Yura: What that can't be true, it's impossible!!!!
JJ: Search your feelings you know it to be true.
Yura: All right then, because my father owes me his head. So if what you say is true then you have to die, Papa.
JJ: I'm lying my ass off........Do you really hate your father that much?
Yura: Yes, he left me and mom to rot in that stupid village while he did who knows what.

JJ smiled and placed his hand on Yura's shoulder.
JJ: You and I have more in common than I thought. Come Yura Inugami, let us hate our fathers together.
Yura: Let's.
Sakura: Uhhhhhhhhh.
Ino: Anyway, this has been another character introduction corner. And to everyone out there reading.
All: Shine eternal!
Yura:/JJ: Damn you father!!!!!!!!!!!








Okay now that that's all down, I can say this off the record. I don't read/watch Naruto anymore, but I was waiting for a certain scene to happen in the anime. And I will say to all out there listening, Episode 166 of the anime made me fall in love with Hinata for the third time. The anime version was sooooo goddamn epic compared to the manga version. And now that I have said that I will continue to not watch/read anything pattaining to the canon. Good night, and blessed morning to all out there.