Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Eyes piercing the darkness ❯ Before the storm: coming clean ( Chapter 19 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Well, this one is going to be a dosey, so let me get right into it from the jump. This is going to be a flashback chapter, but it's one you're not going to want to miss. It delves into the far, far darker side of Raizen. While he seems like a goody-goody, he's actually more like Sasuke than he lets on, and I'll let you all see that in the chapter. But first, here are the references I made last chapter.
Metal gear solid: Okay, this one was boarder than the side of a barn. I didn't really try to hide it, and my sheer love for all things solid snake is what led to these references.
Negima: Ah, this one was also a very obvious reference. While Non-Fans may not get it, all of the girls in the steel fortress were named after characters from Negima, as well as Chamo, whose name comes from the series' resident pervert, who happens to be an ermine.
Sonic the hedgehog: Raizen's "escape from the collapsing cave" Was highly inspired by Sonic the hedgehog, I even through in the loops and and rubber springs, whoever didn't get this was blind as all hell.
Breath of fire 3: Crysm ore was one of the game's most prominent power sources and it was used in mostly everything. Because of the war between the dragons and the gaurdians, which left the dragons nearly extinct, crysm ore was omnipresent in the world and mining it became one akin to the real world's oil. However, during one of the excavations, the mine workers, accidentally wakes one of the last remaining dragons, Ryu, from his crystalized slumber. Teepo is also a character from breath of fire 3, a spunky and rumbancious boy who often mouths off too much for his own good. After disappearing for the majority of the game, he returns as an adult and, due to mass "brain-washing", turns against you to protect the false goddess.
Now, for the revalation, Raizen's story, full and uncut. The Uchiha blood fued grows deeper.
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Before the storm: Coming clean.
The rooftop of Konoha's hospital was enveloped in a dim flash, the sound of cracklng thunder and smoke of a raging fire were the only signs of the struggle that could be deciphered from below. However, to Sakura, it was all too clear, and deathly real, the two boys of her team were fighting, and they were serious. As both closed in on each other, Sakura threw herself into the middle of the battle, recklessly running between the two powerful attacks the boys had intended for one another. Unable to move or delay their attacks, they charged straight for her, fearing the damage she would take, however, another presence made itself known. The hands of Kakashi Hatake grabbed tightly onto the wrists of both boys, and with a fluid spin, he launched them both in different directions. Sasuke's fist, completely destroying the water tower he had only barely touched, Raizen's fist, blasting a hole through the very wall he collided with. As rubble and scolding hot water fell to the ground below them both Kakashi scolded them, hoping his words would bring an end to the quarrel, but Sasuke's rage hadn't calmed, and even the interference of the girl and the jounin, had done nothing to soften his anger. Raizen stood to his feet, staring straight at Sasuke as he ran for him, however the delay in his actions prevented him from stopping what he could already see coming.
Sasuke: I'm not done.
He said silently a he slammed Raizen back first into the chain fence behind him. The intial shock from Sasuke's actions hadn't just effected Raizen, but the other two as well, it had been only a flash and there was no time to stop it. Sasuke turned with a low kick that swept Raizen's, knocking him off his feet, and in a motion so fast that it looked like flowing water, Sasuke had formed the seal for one of his most famous technique.
Sasuke: Fire style: Grand fireball jutsu!
From point blank range, Sasuke fired into Raizen's face, blasting him through the chain fence and down to the long fall the awaited him as he descended to the ground.
Kiba: Man it's been a long day.
He said walking his small familiar, gazing toward the sky as he moved. A single scent crossed his nose, one he recognized, but something was off.
Kiba: What smells like burnt Raizen?
He thought aloud, mostly as a joke to himself, but soon that joke hit him as reality when his senses shouted those thoughts to be true. Kiba turned his eyes to the direction the scent had come from, locking his vision onto the sight of his falling friend, yet due to the rate of movement, their was nothing he could do to stop his descent.
Kiba: Rai!
He shouted out as his best friend collided with the ground. The landing sounded like a mock explosion, sending shockwaves through the surrounding area, and effectively managing to draw the attention of the people in the there.
Kiba: Who did this?
He asked in more of a growl than a voice, yet Raizen gave no answer, defying the pain any normal person would have felt, he started to lift himself, gazing into the distance at something everyone else had failed to see. Kiba was in the way, his back turned to the fast approaching enemy. Raizen clicked his teeth and pushed Kiba from the attack's range, lining himself up for the incoming attack instead. Raizen lifted his left arm, blocking Sasuke's flying kick with his own forearm just before it could land. The arrival of Raizen's unknown enemy was a shock to everyone, yet none more than Kiba, he was expecting an attack, but this was Raizen's own teammate. Raizen pushed force into his arm, launching Sasuke back down the street, but with only a graceful flip, he managed to land on his feet. Never stopping to take a breath, Sasuke quickly closed the distance, allowing for no defense. Sasuke, with his sharingan fully active, charged at Raizen with his right hand drawn back, and even as Raizen moved his hand to block it, Sasuke's left moved lower. Due to Raizen's reflexes, he was able to catch both of Sasuke's fist on the moment he attacked, leading them to a stalemate, both trying to over-power the other, but after only two seconds of the struggle, Sasuke grew bored of it and threw his hands to the side, leaving Raizen completely open, and with a wide smile, he flipped forward, slamming the front of his foot into Raizen's chin.
Raizen: Gah.
Sasuke: What's wrong, not fast enough to react?
He asked, flipping in mid-air, and quickly he turned, slamming the heel on his foot into Raizen's cheek, knocking him to the side. Sasuke let Raizen and everyone else see that he meant business. Sasuke's lips opened slightly, only enough to release an arrogant chuckle, but that was enough to rouse Raizen from his own stupor. As his eyes regained focus, he quickly leaned away from another fist and spun into a heel kick, aimed for Sasuke side, but due to his sharingan, Sasuke saw it coming and caught Raizen's leg mid flight and sent his leg forward, knocking Raizen's only support from under him, sending the boy spinning the air. Sasuke lifted his foot and brought it back down, slamming it into Raizen's stomach, smashing him into the ground. Raizen hadn't been putting up much of a fight, most thought it was because he was facing off against the Uchiha prodigy, however Sasuke knew the real reason. Raizen had been doing it since they were kids, he never went full out against him, and the fact was starting to piss him off.
Sasuke: What's wrong, coward?
He said as he lifted his fist and brought it down for Raizen, however, the boy flipped from the spot just in time to dodge, but not fast enough to avoid the spin kick Sasuke followed up with. Raizen's body was forced into a spin, slamming back first into the wall of a restuarant. Without giving his teammate time to recover, Sasuke closed in, viciously buffeting Raizen with fists, rising Kiba to the boiling point, ready to rip the Uchiha's face from his head. Then with a fist blazing with fire, Sasuke pulled back his left hand slamming it into Raizen's face.
Sasuke: Karyu-no-tekken!
He shouted the move he had created to mock Raizen's signature move. However weaker it was, Sasuke's attack was enough to send Raizen flying back along the ground, stumbling to his feet, but even before he could rise, Sasuke was in his face, two fingers before his lips.
Raizen: Fuck.
He said as he looked away cursing his luck, and in that moment, a massive fireball blasted into him, slamming him face first into another wall. Raizen pushed himself back and collapsed to the ground, unable to support his own fatigue any longer. Staring up at Sasuke, he thought to himself. With a smile, he conceded as Sasuke quickly came after him again, yet something had stopped the young Uchiha. Kiba's claws had slashed down for him, ready to end the Uchiha's life. Even if he was a fellow shinobi, he was attacking Raizen with the furiosity equal to an enemy ninja, so he was inclined to treat him like one. Despite this, Sasuke paid him little mind as he continued for Raizen, only to be interupted once again, this time by Sakura. For the second time, Sakura threw herself in front of the boys, arms spread wide, trying to end their fued. Sasuke finally lowered his offensive, gazing down at Raizen.
Sasuke: Pathetic.
Raizen: Whatever.
Sasuke: Saved by a woman, and you didn't even try to fight back. You're a sorry excuse for a shinobi.
Raizen: What?
Sasuke lowered his hand and turned his back to Raizen as Kiba joined Sakura in front of him.
Sasuke: Did you all see, this is our so called team leader, someone who hides behind a girl when the hammer comes down.
His word invoked mummers among the crowd, Raizen could deal with that, but what he said next sent shockwaves through the boy.
Sasuke: Someone like you can't protect anything.
Raizen: What?
Sasuke: There's no wonder you're alone.
Raizen's eyes went wide, staring at Sasuke with killing intent.
Sasuke: What's wrong Raizen, thinking about you truth make you angry? Someone who's too scared to fight, will lose everything.
Raizen: Tough words coming from someone who has nothing.
Sasuke: Yeah, but the difference is, I threw everything away, you consistantly reach for something you can never attain, like the girl standing in front of you.
Raizen's eyes began to change, Sasuke was crossing the line, even Sakura cringed at his last comment.
Ino: Sasuke, don't you think you're-
Sasuke: Stay out of this.
He said leveling a glare at the girl she had never seen before. Sasuke then peeked over his shoulder and gazed at Raizen.
Sasuke: People like you, deserve to be alone.
Raizen's face suddenly cleared and in a flash, he was holding onto Sasuke's shoulder.
Raizen: Simple plan, you want to piss me off so I'd go all out huh?
He said with a smirk.
Raizen: That's a gutsy idea, problem is though....It worked!
He shouted as a wave of electricty flew through him.
Raizen: You wanted me mad, you got it, you wanted me to hurt you, my pleasure, you wanted to die just say so.
Raizen released Sasuke's shoulder and placed his back on his, both facing different directions.
Raizen: This is your last chance to back out.
He said with an unchanging expression.
Sasuke: It doesn't matter, you're still no match for me.
Raizen: Fine, I'll give you all that I got.
Raizen stretched out both hands and suddenly, rippling through the village, came his shuriken and broadsword, returning to his hand as if they were JJ's sword.
Raizen: Don't regret this.
He said as he spun both weapons, slamming them roughly into their sheaths. Then with only a tap, he sent his executioner blade flying from his back into the air, then he grabbed onto the hilt and slammed it down for Sasuke with such force that it ripped through the cement. Sasuke had managed to dodge the attack, but the force from the attack was enough to knock him slightly off balance. Despite this, Sasuke also managed to dodge the next swing Raizen sent for him. With a flipping kick, Sasuke attacked Raizen, only to have his attack blocked by Raizen's massive blade. Unable to see any other effective way off of Raizen's blade, Sasuke pushed forth, sending his opponent back into a slide, however Raizen quickly used the momentum to flip back, from which he landed atop his sword, planted firmly into the ground. Raizen kicked from his blade with a smile, and the instant he landed on the ground, he became the wind. Sasuke's eyes traced Raizen, keeping track of his every move, and with confidence, he swung back to the right, however Raizen had seen this coming as well, and he leaned back under it and turned into a short spinning flip. Raizen broke from his spin and landed on his palm where he delivered rapid fire kicks to Sasuke's stomach. Giving no time for Sasuke to recover, Raizen pulled back his left leg and slammed it into Sasuke's chest, sending him flying back. Raizen threw himself forward with Sasuke, and brought his fist up into Sasuke's stomach, then dragged it up completely sending Sasuke back to his feet, then he dragged his other fist down into his face before lifting his body into the air, left leg first and slamming it down onto Sasuke's neck. Then without warning he moved to Sasuke's back and slammed his fist into his side, turning him to face him once again, then ravaging attacks, he repeatedly punched into Sasuke's body, lifting him into the air.
Raizen: Try and keep count!
He said with an arrogant smile rivaling Sasuke's as he repeatedly shot lightning fast punches into Sasuke, finishing with a single haymaker that sent Sasuke flying back.
Raizen: 208.
He said to himself as he once again became one with the wind, constantly disappearing and reappearing on buildings before finally settling over Sasuke punching him down into the ground with a resounding boom. Then without taking a breath, he grabbed onto Sasuke shirt and launched him forward. As if racing with Sasuke as he flew, Raizen quickly made back to his sword, tightly grasping the hilt as he dragged it through the ground and into Sasuke. Sasuke spun to the ground, barely able to breathe, but even then, Raizen was unrelenting. He swung his sword, latching the hook in the front onto Sasuke's neck, then with a spin he tossed him into a large power pole. Sasuke's back slammed into the pole and he bounced off, struggling to breathe as Raizen walked forward. And with godly speed, he stepped forward, slamming his left forearm onto Sasuke's neck pressing him to the pole.
Raizen: Not quite how you saw it happening is it? Trust me, even on my worst day you can't hold a candle to me!
He shouted as he slammed his Raizen-ken into Sasuke's face, knocking him through the pole, crushing it in the process. Raizen stalked through the wreckage picking up a powerline that had fallen due to his attack.
Raizen: Maybe you shouldn't let your little clan's strength go to your head. After all, you're not as strong as you think you are.
Raizen slammed his foot on Sasuke's chest, holding him up to another pole as he placed the powerline in his own teeth, draining the power from it. Then after gathering enough of it, he pushed against Sasuke's chest as hard as he could, once again sending him through the pole behind him.
Raizen: I'm gonna send you flying!
Raizen watched as Sasuke struggle to lift himself and with unmatched speed, he moved himself under Sasuke.
Raizen: Lightning storm!!!!!
He shouted out, slamming his fists into Sasuke's body at high speed, giving not even a second to breathe, and once finished he pulled back both hands and simultaenously slammed them into Sasuke's body.
Raizen: Blinding blaze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Raizen's fists exploded with blue lightning and the recoil from his attack left an imprint in the ground behind him, but his attack wasn't over, all of the residing chakra he left behind gathered on his right fist.
Raizen: Let me show you my new jutsu. I've only been able to use it once in real combat, but I'm going to make this the second.
He said as he drifted his fist up and down, forming a stream behind him, and then he vanished, hopping from building to building in a blur, leaving behind only the trail of chakra behind him. Then he reappeared before Sasuke, forming the complete lightning dragon on his fist.
Raizen: Raijin-ryu!!!
He shouted out as the massive dragon slammed into Sasuke, and continued to move through him, roaring out as it moved. Then finally it slammed him into a roof and then bounced, sending Sasuke flying out into the village's plains. Due to the momentum of his attack, Raizen was sent spinning back to the ground. When he landed he slammed his fist into the ground, slowly standing up. All eyes stared in shock, he had just overpowered the mighty Sasuke, thought to be the strongest behind Naruto, JJ, and Mika, but they were monsters. How could Raizen have over powered Sasuke Uchiha so completely. As they pondered this, Raizen gathered his sword and said in a strong voice.
Raizen: Sorry about the mess, we'll take the rest out of the village.
Even though he said this, others watching had just seen something interesting, and they wanted to see what happened. Suddenly realizing that they had something to do out in the village plains, and just happening to be headed in the same direction as Raizen, the crowd had wound up following him out after Sasuke. As Sasuke collected himself, Raizen showed up behind him.
Raizen: Are we done?
Sasuke: Heh, not even close.
He said standing up to face his opponent, yet something else caught his eye. Raizen hadn't really been paying attention to the fact that he was being followed, even though he had known, and Sasuke was happy it had happened.
Sasuke: And so they gather. Now I can expose you to everyone!
He shouted out. Raizen was aware of what he meant, but he couldn't just give it away.
Raizen: What are you talking about?
Kakashi: Sasuke, what is this all about?
Sasuke: Ask the liar over here.
Kiba: What was that?
Sasuke: You heard me, he's been lying and decieving all of us!
He said turning a sideways glance over to Raizen.
Sasuke: Isn't that right, Raizen Aname, or is it, Raizen Uchiha?
Raizen's eyes barely moved, yet everyone else was stunned, that was a bold accusation, of all things, why an Uchiha?
Kiba: Is that what this is about? You must have lost your mind, I'd sooner believe Rai was a member of the Inuzuka clan than yours.
Kakashi: Sasuke, you know there's no way.
Yu: Yeah, Onii-chan you know that everyone of us was.....
Sasuke: Yeah, every member of the Uchiha clan was killed, in this village. But Raizen isn't from this village is he? Is it so much to believe that there were Uchiha who didn't stick with the pack?
Shino: That's merely circumstantial, you're grasping at straws.
Sasuke: Oh, yeah I guess I would be if a puzzle piece wasn't thrown into my lap to fit this all together..
Yu: What do you mean?
Sasuke: When I met Itachi again he said something to me. He said, "The other two Uchiha I saw today were far more impressive."
Finally Raizen gave a reaction as his eyes gazed to the ground.
Sasuke: Where would he get the number "two" from? I was able to accurately guess that one was Yukari, which I'll make sure to pay him back for, but who was the other? Kakashi-sensei may have a Sharingan, but he's not a member of our clan, Itachi would know that. Then I heard that you fought him as well, you gave yourself away. It was at that moment that I realized how little I actually know about you. Where was your original village, what was your childhood like? What were your parents' names? All we really know about your past is that your family was killed.
As he went on, the spectators found themselves suddenly believing Sasuke's rant.
Sasuke: But then it made sense, the strange feeling I get around you, the fact that Yukari could even feel it. You're one of us aren't you?
He asked directly to Raizen, who at this point, realized that he couldn't hide it anymore
Kiba: That's still not enough to just make-
Raizen's hand shot up, stopping Kiba from finishing that sentence. Then through closed eyes he reached to the back of his head and sighed.
Raizen: So that's why you're mad, trust me Sasuke.....I didn't want you to find out that way.
This comment sent a wave of shock through everyone who didn't know already. Sakura clutched her hands, as she gazed at the boys, scared of what might happen next.
Sasuke: It's true then?
Raizen: Yeah, you're completely right, even though I wanted it to go something like, "Hey Sasuke, guess what, I'm an Uchiha'. "What no way' "Yeah' Cool." or something like that.
He said trying to put a little humor into the situation, yet Kiba was still reluctant to believe it.
Kiba: Rai, you don't have to play along because Sasuke's gone nuts!
Raizen lowered his hand, ashamed that he hadn't at least told Kiba. There was no one on the planet he trusted more than him, and it was time to come clean. With a sullen look, he turned to Kiba and activated his sharingan. This expelled any doubt that anyone had left, Raizen was indeed an Uchiha. By doing so he was able to notice that he had also drawn the attention of his second teacher.
Raizen: I'm sorry Kiba.
Yu: Then you....When I asked you......
Raizen: Yeah, I was kind of ordered not to reveal it. And like Sasuke said before, I used to go by the name Raizen Uchiha.
Sasuke: So Aname is a fake name?
Raizen: No, if I wasn't a part of the Aname clan do you think I could use lightning jutsu the way I do? Aname was my father's last name, and on the day I came here I was told to go by that. And you want to hear something funny that's going to make Yukari hate me?
Sasuke: What?
Raizen: My mother was the second born child of the Uchiha leadership. So if she was still alive she would have been your aunt.
Sasuke: Wait then...
Raizen: Yeah, I'm not just related to you by clan, you're actually my first cousin.
As he revealed that he could feel the daggers Yukari was glaring into his back, making him sweat slightly.
Sasuke: And you knew this?
Raizen: Since the first time I heard your names. Sorry.
Sasuke: That won't cut it!!!!!!!
Raizen: I know, but.......Want me to tell you?
Sasuke: Huh?
Raizen: You said you don't know much about me, so I'll tell you everything. It's a long story though.
Sasuke: Start talking.
Raizen: Alright.........But first!
He shouted with a goofy smile that made everyone facefault.
Raizen: How about I tell you a little fairytale?
Sasuke: I'm not interested.
Raizen: Oh com'n it's my favorite bedtime story.
Sasuke: What are you, five?
Raizen: It'll be good I promise.
Sasuke: Just get it over with.
Raizen: Alright. Spark dance!
He shouted as he released a stream of lightning that danced in the air, creating an illustration.
Raizen: Long ago there existed two families. Both had no real home, but they had a tendency to be aggressive. As many of those who first began to settle, they found land, however, both had claimed this land for themselves, and unable to co-exist, the families began to war. This war lasted for many years, and the dark blood between them became as thick as the smoke. However, before their feud could be resolved, one of the families found a new land and settled there. Eventually the other family did the same. Even still, the bad blood between both families remained, even though they had no reason to fight anymore.
Raizen smiled as he gazed along the land, watching the faces of the people before him, listening in interest. Even Sasuke, who had been opposed to the idea, was showing interest in the story. Amused by this, Raizen decided to resume his story.
Raizen: Both had continued acts of aggression against the other and taught their children to hate each other without reservation. And to one family, was born a prince, said to be the most promising of all leaders before him. On his twelth birthday, he saw his first battle. Despite his lack of actual combat experience, he was pulled into the battle, but not long after, he found himself cornered. Then there was an explosion, this one thing managed to blast him from the battlefeild and into the dense forest below. However, when he awoke, he was alone, lost in a dark forest. All he could do was walk. After only going a short way, he heard the growls of hungry tigers. Doing the normal thing, he hid himself, thinking that the tigers were after him, but he was mistaken. Ahead of him, there was a wounded girl, unable to run from the ferocious beasts. The girl he saw, he had seen before, she was the other family's princess, and judging from what he could see, she had been blown away by the same blast as him.
Raizen stopped and lifted two fingers in front of himself.
Raizen: Led by his family's teachings, there were only two rational choices. 1: Fight off the tigers and kill the girl, taking back her head to show the other family or 2: Let the tigers kill her and repeat last sentence.
Raizen said with a smile before lowering his hand.
Raizen: He chose neither. The boy threw himself before the tigers and drew his sword, fighting with everything he had. After successfully fighting away the tigers, he collapsed from his injuries, with his back to the girl. He smiled in defeat, he could feel her standing over him. Because, led by her Family's teachings she only had one choice, cut him down and take his head back. However, like the boy had done, she chose her own way, and she ran away from the boy. The boy tried to lift himself, she had spared his life, he could at least get away.
????: Don't move!
Shouted the display, shocking everyone in the crowd, did Raizen's electricity mimic speech.
Raizen: I originally developed this for decoy missions.
He said speaking to the crowd.
Raizen: The girl had returned, bringing with her a med kit, and began tending to the boy's wounds. Both had done something that they had been taught was impossible. Together, they made their way through the forest, protecting one another, fighting as one. They realized, they had fallen in love, the boy wanted to protect the princess, and the girl wanted to stay by the side of the boy who saved her. Yet, when they returned from the forest, they were ripped away from each other. Unwilling to put the children in further danger, the families restrained from fighting as they departed. Only the boy and girl looked back. Even as they remained in their castles, far from each other, their thoughts always returned to each other. Years passed, and again they found themselves on the battlefeild, returned to battle, but the second they met, they recognized each other instantly. Yet they were unable to act out their feelings before their families, so instead, they feigned a battle with one another, and ended it with their disappearance. Once they were alone, they threw themselves into each other''s embrace. Two fools chasing a doomed love. But alas, the moment came when they had to seperate.
Raizen once again went into a pause to see if everyone was listening.
Raizen: Not long after that, they began meeting in secret, yet it was a love meant for disaster.
Princess: We can't keep this up.
She said sitting on a lone branch as her companion threw a twig from the tree, barely paying mind to her worries.
Princess: Will you listen to me!
Prince: Hey, I hear you, there's no reason to yell.
Princess: They're going to find out.
Prince: I know.
He said throwing another twig.
Prince: That one was louder than the other.
Princess: Are you being stupid on purpose or are you really just an idiot?
Prince: A little of both.
He replied with a smile, gaining a small one from the girl.
Princess: How can you be so calm?
Prince: I'm just not worried. I don't care what my family thinks, I'll just protect you no matter what.
Princess: Even from your family?
Prince: Especially from my family.
Princess: What if you can't?
Prince: Then, I'll take you as far away as I can, as fast as I can run. I'll run until our families can't see us, where they can't follow us. I'll run until I can't run anymore, and where I drop, we'll build our own life. When that time comes, will you come with me?
Princess: Of course.
The princess smiled at the pledge he made, sword pointed to the sky.
Raizen: She loved him, and she wanted to believe his words, but that was hard to do. Much like they thought, they were found out, and once again it led to a battle. The prince, accused of seducing the princess. The princess, accused of being a seductress witch, both sides ready to end their blood fued for good. The only thing that stood in their way, were the two lovers. The girl's doubt, being weighed upon by her brother's words, almost dropped her stance, in fear of pursuing a useless love, but the boy's love was undoubted. He grabbed tightly onto her hand and shouted.
Prince: Marry me.
Princess: Huh?
Prince: Forget these old fools, let them rot in their hatred for all I care.
Princess: But-
Prince: I denounce my right as this family's heir. I have no reason to live if I can't be with you.
His words, dispeled her every doubt, and with refound courage she stared into his eyes and said.
Princess: I denounce all ties to this family. I will not live in this world if I can't have you.
Raizen: In shock, both families shouted in outrage, ready to spill blood in their fury. And the prince shouted.
Prince: STOP!!!!
Bringing a halt to the violence he asked one last question.
Prince: Do any of you fools even know what you're fighting for anymore!?
With a glare leveled to all, he stepped back to his princess and said in a strong voice.
Prince: I want nothing to do with fools like you. You can all kill each other for all I care, but don't involve my hime in it any longer.
Raizen: With that last statement, he grabbed the girl's hand and pulled her into his arms. Then he ran, he ran until the families, frozen in shock, could no longer see them. He ran until they couldn't follow him, and when he legs finally gave out under him. As he sat there, the princess placed her hand in his, and on that ground, they began their new lives, with one another.
He said finishing his story gaining "awwwws" from the crowd. Sasuke chuckled and said what everyone was thinking.
Sasuke: Cute fairy tale, but can you start the freaking story now?
Raizen: I thought I did.
Sasuke: No, you just told a unbelievably unrealistic story.
Raizen: No, that's where you're wrong. Stories like that can happen.
Sasuke: In what world? There's no way someone would throw away everything and so stupidly risk their lives just for something like that.
Raizen: So are you telling me it wouldn't. Naruto, how long would it took you to throw away everything for Hinata.
Naruto: Approximately 0 seconds.
Raizen: My point exactly. Beside I'm surprised you haven't figured it out yet.
He said as he moved his fingers, dragging along features from the two faces displayed on his jutsu, and then placed it over his own face.
Raizen: Like I said Sasuke, I already started the story, from the very beginning.
Sasuke: Wait, then-
Raizen: Yep, the prince's name was Mirono Aname and the Princess was Yuri Uchiha. My favorite bedtime story was actually a story of how my parents met. Though I don't think there are many people who can say that their meeting was so romantic it can be told as a fairy tale.
He said with a smile as he continued.
Raizen: And to continue the story, well, when two people love each other very much, Raizen exists. It was always drilled into me, that I was the sheer embodiment of the sacrifice they made. Proof that when following your heart, there were never regrets. Then when I was three, the most important job in the world was given to me.
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(Flashback)
Mirono stood over his proud wife as Raizen ran around, gathering whatever he could to make his mom happy. Mirono stopped Raizen and pointed him to the small child in Yuri's arms and said in a strong, proud voice.
Mirono: Raizen, do you see. This is Seria, your little sister. No matter what, as a big brother, your most important job is to protect her. Do you understand.
Raizen: Yes sir.
Mirono: Good answer.
(Raizen: That was a job I took to heart. Nothing was more important to me than her.)
1 year later.
Yuri: Raizen, come on I have to feed Seria.
Raizen: No, I have to protect her.
Yuri: You don't have to protect her from me.
Raizen: But it's my job, and no matter what, I'm going to do it.
He said reaching for Seria's bottle, gently feeding her as he rocked her to sleep.
Yuri: If you keep that up she's going to develop a big brother complex.
(Raizen: She sooooo did too.
He said, breaking away from the story.
Raizen: There were many times in my life where I actually found myself more concerned for Seria's well being than my own. She meant the world to me. There was even this one time we had a fight out in the forest behind our house, and she ran away. Because I was mad I waited at least twenty seconds to go look for her.
Kiba: That's no time at all.
Raizen: Time moved slower for us okay. When you move at hundred MPH on a simple jog, twenty seconds is just enough to get you farther than most people can walk in a day. Anyway, I found myself looking for her, and I discovered something shocking. I couldn't find her, no matter where I looked. So I wound up looking around everywhere in the forest, and she was no where to be found and before I even knew it, I had been out there for three days, running around in circles trying to find her. Then I went home, thinking maybe my dad could help me, then I found out, she had just went home and dad was out there looking for me. She just took another route there, and the second my hand touched that door she was on me tighter than a pit bull's jaws. I had been searching for nothing for three days, and I was hungry as all get out, but I didn't care, because she was okay. I guess, it's just naturally bred into me to be that way.
He said closing his eyes, allowing the image behind him to take over once again.)
----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
(Flashback)
The streets once again became filled with the clammer of everyday life. Seria, walking alone, lazily moved forward as she enjoyed her ice cream cone, paying no mind the person walking in front of her. Due to the reflexes she had, she easily avoided the man, but he wasn't less quick on his feet than she was, and dispite her efforts, he collided with her, knocking the cone from her hand, and right onto him.
Seria: Ah, sorry.
She said, even knowing that it wasn't her fault. Disappointed at the loss of her ice cream, the girl turned and began walking away, but before she could, she felt the man behind her moving, and once again, due to her sharp reflexes, she was able to dodge the man's hand just in time.
Chaba: Where do you think you're going?
Seria: I'm going to see if my brother will buy me another cone.
Chara: What do you mean, you're not going to make up for spilling your shit all over me?
Seria: Um, what do you want me to do? I'm six, it's not like I can replace it. Besides mister, it was only vanilla, it'll wash right out.
Chaba: Really, then why don't you do it?
Seria: Because I don't know you.
She said, pulling away from the man once again.
Chaba: You're not getting away with it that easily.
He said, snapping his fingers, commanding shinobi with slashes across the headbands. Seeing as she was raised by shinobi, she knew what that meant. Much like her older brother, she was quicker than the average cheetah on a normal stroll, but she lacked the training to handle that speed. If things got worse, she could always run, but she knew that wasn't neccessary yet, and judging by the utters of the onlookers, they weren't going to be helping her.
Chara: I think you'll do well in the training program we have.
Seria: Um, sorry, but my father made it very clear that he doesn't want me being a shinobi.
Chara: I agree, you'll do much better as something else.
Seria slightly closed her eyes and stared at the man in digust.
Seria: I'm six, what kind of weirdo lolicon are you?
She asked, throwing Chaba for a loop.
Chaba: What kind of six year old knows those kind of words. Besides, I don't care one way or another, but I have a lot of costumers who would love to have a girl like you.
He said once again reaching for her, but this time, she didn't move, after all it'd be better if he extended his hand for what was coming. Yet one of the missing nin noticed and pulled back Chaba's arm just in time to avoid the windmill shuriken flying for his hand, then he deflected it with a kunai, but the second that the kunai flew into the air, Raizen appeared in front of the ninja, holding tightly onto his weapon, and in one full motion, he kicked fiercely into his face with everything he had. Completing his spin, Raizen landed on the ground in front of Seria.
Raizen: Com'n man, do you have nothing better to do than pick on kids.
Seria: Oniichan.
She said staring at him with dreamy eyes.
Chaba: You've got a lot of nerve kid. Beat it before something bad happens.
Raizen: And miss out on the fun? What kind of day would I have then, I'd be bored stiff.
Chaba leaned back to his men and whispered the words.
Chaba: I don't need the boy, kill him and take the girl.
Raizen: Tch, lay one finger on my sister, and I'll break your teeth.
Chaba listlessly turned to Raizen and chuckled as more ninja fell around them, finally the boy's cool facade began to slip.
Raizen: Uh, can we be civil about this?
There were no words, all of the ninja just continued to advance on them.
Raizen: I guess not. Seria, you up for a jog?
Seria: Yeah.
Raizen: Then move!
He shouted out as he led her away from the crowd, gaining a check lead over the much slower ninja, however, because of Seria, he was unable to run as fast as he could.
Seria: Oniichan, there's a house there!
Raizen: I know, get ready, we're goin' through.
Seria: Huh?
Raizen: Those guys are with the slave trade. I know it may seem scary, but it's either go through that house or spend the rest fo your life-
Seria: Let's go.
She said cutting him off before he could finish, much to his amusement. Then without pause he sped in front of his sister and dived through the house's window, making an entrace for the small girl behind him, who much like he had planned, jumped through behind him. Without evening turning to the startled family behind them, they continued through the the next window as Raizen jumped covering his face thoroughly.
(Music que: City Escape/ by tony harnell & Ted poley. Sonic Adventure 2 OST)
Raizen: WOO!!
He shouted out in excitement as he made it through, made his way down the road, casting back a glance to his younger sister, who was easily keeping up to his pace. Raizen smiled wide, feeling the wind beat at his face. Even as he was being chased, nothing in the world felt better. Losing himself in the adrenaline, he skillfully dodged the pedestrians on the streets and flipped onto a cart, and spun onto the side of a house, moving as if graicty obeyed him. Without taking a breath he flipped back to the ground and made off down the street. He was in bliss, however he was forgetting one important thing, the girl who was following him.
Seria: Oniichan!
That one call was enough to drag back the boy's attention, bringing him back to earth. Realizing the girl couldn't keep up with him, he slowed down and reached back, grabbing tightly onto her arm, then without warning he threw her into the air. Raizen smiled back and turned into a spin, catching the girl on his back as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Then, like a bullet, he shot through the village, gainging a good lead ahead of them. Then with a single nodded he motioned for his sister to move, and with an understanding, she flipped from his back and activated her sharingan in mid-air. No more problem presented themselves as she charged through the village, turning back to her brother as he ran along the rooftops, keeping a sharp eye on her. However the ninja were faster than they though, albeit the fact that they were giving it everything they had. Dispite their speed, they managed to catch up to Seria, yet the had completely forgotten her overprotective brother. Raizen frowned a jumped from the rooftops, landing on the face of one of the unsuspecting ninja, and with the mimic of his frightening speed, he stomped on the man's face as if he were running track.
Raizen: I told you not to touch her!
He shouted as he flipped from the man's face, with an outstretched hand he called out to Seria and tightly held her hand as he moved up and building, and just before reaching the top he let go of Seria, slingshotting her to the roof. Seria landed without even the slightest problem and quickly adjusted her body to run again. Not even a second had passed and they were already passed three rooftops, but the ninja were fast approaching and Seria's lack of manuverablity was once again catching up to her, as were the shuriken that had been thrown. Raizen once again turned to his sister and pulled her close to his chest as he rolled under the shuriken, but the act also made them jumped short of the next roof, and Raizen's back collided with the building parrellel to them. Then once again he repeated the same as the collision pushed them back to the previous building, and then once again when they reached the ground.
Raizen: Ugh....
He said rolling in his pain, then his eyes finally regained focus and he saw the ninja looking down at him.
Raizen: Move.
No explantion was needed, Seria just moved away from Raizen and began looking for an exit as he flipped back and then bunnyhopped to avoided the next wave of shuriken, but while he was doing this, the ninja had time to close in on him. No matter where he looked, the were ninja, and with Seria still on ground level, he couldn't go to the roofs. Unafraid of the ninja in front of him, he balled his fists and readied for the assualt.
Seria: Oniichan!
She shouted, grabbing his attention. Seria was waiting behind an open door right down the alley. Their way out had been cleared and without a moment's delay, Raizen was through that door, running as fast as he could. Then there was a branching path, stairs leading up and a doorway in front.
Raizen: Go up!
He ordered and with a nodded she complied with his request. As she ran up those stairs she could hear the ninja keeping up with her, and not long after going trough she made it to the roof, trapped. Seria ran to the edge and looked back at the slowly approaching ninja. However, she didn't look scared, she just shrugged and jumped over the side, completely ready to fall, but her faith was rewarded in the form of Raizen, bursting through the third floor window with his arms out, as if he were expecting her to jump. He effortlessly caught the girl and slammed his feet in the building opposite of them. Raizen kicked back and started running along the side of the building without pausing, then jumped onto a rail sliding down all the way to ground level. Never once did he look back as he cradled his little sister to safety, but once again the path ahead had become obscured. Raizen leaned back on his knees, sliding under a horse drawn carriage and then span back to his feet, then Seria kicked from his chest and leapt over food stand as Raizen slid under it. Both moved in complete harmony, never once shifting ahead of the other, and once both had passed, Raizen caught Seria in his arms and continued running.
Raizen: Seria, get us outta here.
He shouted to her as he threw his shuriken into the air. The girl smiled as she flipped from her brother's shoulder and snatched down the shuriken in mid-air. With the weapon tight in her grip she held her free hand over it and closed her eyes, instantly teleporting herself far down the road, but unfortunately, she had done so right under a group of descending ninja. Yet, this once again became moot as Seria teleported again, this time to a safe distance.
Seria: Oniichan!
She shouted out, gaining her brother's attention and with a wide smile, he sped up, quickly reaching the waiting girl and right before he could pass her, he placed his hand on her shoulder and both warped into the forest behind the village. Seria looked around, trying to catch her brother's figure as she slid down the inverted hill, and then collided with something also sliding back. Raizen latched his arms around her and carried her down the hill with him.
Seria: What a rush!
Raizen: Tell me about it.
He responded as he reached the ground. Once they finally landed Seria latched onto Raizen's arm and smiled, walking side by side with him as he sweatdropped.
Raizen: Seria, cut that out, people will think you're my girlfriend.
Seria: I don't mind that.
Raizen: Seria, I'm not even going to mention all the things that were wrong with that sentence.
He said as he led them down the road, but his eyes caught the sight of two people walking down the road. A couple, with intentionally blurred out faces. The woman seemed to be telling the man something, and he was walking without turning his gaze from her and then without warning she turned to Raizen and said.
????: Cherish this moment.
Raizen stopped, and turned back, he hadn't been able to decipher the words then, but through recurring dreams and shinobi training, the lip motions gave away her words. Even though they had just passed him, by the time he had turned, they were gone.
Seris: What's wrong oniichan?
Raizen:......Nothing.
Raizen walked ahead and reached the door to their house, but the words he heard brought him to a halt. Even as he tried, the words never made sense and they came out jambled and distorted.. Giving not even seconds of thought to their words, he walked through the door and under his father's suggestion, he and his sister went to bed. Then suddenly Raizen's image stopped and he looked at Sasuke with a sullen gaze.
(Raizen: Heh, I've seen this moment in every dream I've had since that day. Don't look away, okay, because I was there for mine.)
Raizen awoke not long after lying down, shaken by the sounds of combat coming from downstairs. Even after quickly running down the stairs, he still couldn't shake the feeling he was getting and not much after he got up, Seria followed completely frozen with terror they watched. Yuri was sent flying into the back wall and their father was locked in battle.
(Music que: Valentine's day by-linkin park.)
Raizen stared in confusion, his father had never been defeated before, but here he was, lying on the ground due to the ninja's attack. Then without even a singe pause, he stood over Mirono and slashed across his neck in one fluid swing.
????: So slow.
He whispered as he hurled multiple shuriken at Seria, and due to her shock she never tried to dodge. Through his own fear, Raizen positioned himself in front of her and spread his arms, ready to sheild her from the attack. However, the shuriken never landed on him, instead something stood in front of him, smiling happily as she whispered silently.
Yuri: Run.
Even though he regreted doing so, he ran as fast as he could, carrying Seria with him, but unfortunately he looked back, just in time to see his mother's head roll to the ground. In shock, he ran forward until he reached another shinobi, a woman with short blonde hair. In an effort to escape he threw his shuriken past her and teleported to it, but the male shinobi was waiting, and after an extremely short battle, he was disarmed. Seria ran for his weapon, and through disoriented eyes, Raizen stared at the girl and tried to get to his feet, but this all became unneccessary as he saw her soaring through the air, and with a sickening snap, she landed to the ground staring at her brother through dead eyes. Raizen crawled as fast as he could, he needed to see, he needed to check, surely she wasn't dead, yet his fears were confirmed. Crying into the sky, Raizen had failed his most important mission. Settling on rage, and without even the slightest fear he grabbed his shuriken and and lashed out at the ninja, only to be blocked by the man's companion. Then the man lifted Raizen into the air by his neck and gazed into his eyes, and using what little strength he had, Raizen reached up and ripped the mask from the man's face, bringing a shocked gasp from his spectators. Then without pause the woman at his side walked forward and removed her mask to match, this face brought Ishi to her knees. Raizen kicked back, pushing himself from the man's grasp, but even after that the man just kicked him to the ground. Pulling his sword, he slashed down, once across the face, once across the chest, and as Raizen tried to get away, once across the back. As Raizen stewed in pain, Itachi stood over him and gazed down into his eyes with his mangekyou sharingan and sent him into a world with a blood red sky, were he watched his family die, over and over, it repeated.
Raizen: Stop it! Please, just make it stop......please....
He said in tears, but his words had changed the world's flow, instead of dying, his family gathered above him, and with disturbing smiles his father said.
Mirono: Fine, then let us put you out of your misery Raizen.
And with that trigger, they began ripping him apart, each hour, Raizen would revive just to be ripped apart again. Raizen stood before the image laughing as hard as he could, as everyone turned away or shook looking at the grissly images. Then after 72 hours of torture, Raizen fell to the ground limply, without an ounce of will left, but just as Itachi turned he said in defiance.
Raizen: I...swear.....I'll kill you.....I swear on my...life....I'll kill you.
And after those words were spoken, Raizen fell into unconciousness, then words crossed into his ear, words Raizen repeated over the image's playback.
Itachi/Raizen: If that is truly your wish, then grow strong. Hate me and let that hatred consume you, my little cousin.
---------------------------------------------------------- -----
And with those words, the image behind him vanished into nothing and he stared on with a darkness in his eyes that had never been seen before.
Raizen: Hatred? I hate him alright......Your brother took everything from me!!!!!
He shouted to Sasuke.
Raizen: Him and Isane, they snatched my life away.
His words made Ishi start crying, her sister had done such a thing....why?
Raizen: You know Sasuke, my parents used to take freelance missions in order to make a living. They would always tell me that one day they might not come back. I was ready for that.....but Seria was never trained.
His eyes changed once again, they were calm, but frightening.
Raizen: She wasn't ninja, she only had certain talents that she inherited. She wasn't a threat!!!!!
He roared out in anger.
Raizen: There was no reason, for her to die!!!! She wasn't a shinobi!!!! He didn't.....he didn't have to kill her.....
At the end Raizen's eyes drifted to the ground. holding the entirity of his hurt to himself. After a short pause, not caring if he was recieveing sympathy or pity, he returned his eyes to Sasuke and whispered the words.
Raizen: Spark dance jutsu.
His words recreated the image he had lost during his thoughts.
-------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Raizen laid back, staring at the ceiling of the pale white hospital room, nothing had ever haunted him so much. Pure white, mimicking the image of heaven, who the hell would take someone who was bordering on the edge between life and death to such a place. Even after awakening, he still thought himself dead until he heard the voices coming from outside.
(Raizen: So there I was laying in a hospital bed in a place I've never been before. I didn't know how I had got here, who brought me here or why they did it, but thinking back now. It was probably Itachi, why, I have no idea. His words were echoing in my mind stronger than anything I had ever felt, and for a while I obeyed. I hated everything, anything I saw pissed me off beyond any limit.)
Dr. Noma: It's amazing, through both physical and mental trauma at such a level, he managed to wake up in only three days.
Dr. Kinimi: I agree, truly this is a miracle.
Raizen peeked his eyes to the door and frowned.
---------
(Raizen: Miracle? Hah, honestly I wished they had let me die. There was nothing left for me in this world. I wanted nothing beyond killing that man, and I couldn't see how I was going to accomplish such feat. And no sooner when I able to stand, I was taken to the hokage's office, it was he who told me to go by my father's name. I thought of it as some way of trying to control me, as if marking me, but I didn't care. I no longer desire to go by the name "Uchiha" anyway. And shortly after that I heard of the Uchiha clan's fate.......hehehehe, good.
He said shocking everyone, and gaining a growl of pure blood lust from Sasuke, yet Raizen's eyes showed that he wasn't scared of anything the young Uchiha could muster, and to prove this, he finished his words.
Raizen: Any body who could raise a monster like that deserves whatever happens to them.
He said as his entire body became draped in shadow. He felt no remorse for the words he spoke, and taking them back at this point was completely out of the question.
Raizen: And then I found out about you. Itachi's younger siblings, the only survivors of the massacre. What a mistake he made, how dare he kill my sister, and leave his siblings alive?
Raizen words became scary once again, leading everyone to believe that this boy was much darker than he let on.
Raizen: So I thought, why don't I fix that for him?)
Raizen's eyes went dark as he narrated the images they saw behind him.
Raizen: I ripped up this village looking for you, hoping to find you and kill you both in the slowest most horrible way I could imagine. And when you're as pissed off as I was, you'll scare yourself with how many ways you can think of to kill someone.
Raizen's eyes were terrifying, he wasn't the boy everyone had grown to know, he was something like a monster and his words were testament to their belief.
Raizen: I ripped through this village looking for you both, wishing I could find you, hoping I would find you..........and then I did.
And just as randomly as he changed, he was once again back to his old self.
Raizen: I saw you both, and instantly I remembered what I was doing. You both....you looked like me. As if the world had been ripped from underneath you As if you had no clue how you were going to move on now. Then I realized how stupid I was being. Hurting others because someone hurt you, what good would that do, it'd just spark more hatred, keeping the cycle moving. Or maybe I was just a big brother for too long, because I suddenly started worrying about you. "When was the last time they ate, how long have they been like this, who's looking after them, who protects them now?" These thoughts haunted me like a ghost and there was nothing I could do about it, my mind had registered you as family, and no matter what, I couldn't hurt you.
He said with a somewhat sad expression on his face. Sasuke released all of his tension at that moment as well, no longer feeling threatened.
Raizen: Suddenly, I felt a wave wash over me, and I finally cried. I let everything out, there was nothing else I could do, and as I did I finally saw why Sarutobi-sama told me to go by my father's name. This moment right here......The normal thing to do would be put us together since we were related, but in our fragile mindstates, we would have turned against each other. He was able to foresee something that took four years to actually happen. I think after I finished crying, I just fell asleep, and when I woke up there was a cover on me.
Sasuke: Yeah, I saw you that day, you must have been really out of it because I sat right across from you without you ever noticing. I thought it was weird, why would some kid come all the way into our house just to cry? I didn't really think about it much then, so I put a cover on you and walked back to my room.
Raizen: Really, I always thought that was Yukari who did that.
He said, shyly rubbing the back of his head.
Raizen: Thanks I guess then. Anyway, continuing, when I woke up I was lost again, I just didn't know what to do. Then I settled on one thing, I was going to leave, aside from you guys, I had nothing for me here. And after what I planned on doing, I couldn't even face you. I wondered this village, no destination in mind, just nothing left for me in the world. So I just sat at a park bench, staring into the sky wondering my next move when....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Raizen stared into the sky, completely lost into his own thoughts, nothing seemed to make sense, nothing was worth it anymore. Thn something came flying at him, though lost in his mind, he couldn't even notice it, until it forced his recognition by slamming right into him.
Raizen: Ahhh, what the hell!
He shouted out to nothing, then turned his eyes down to a small ball. Confused, Raizen reached down for it, holding it up like he had never seen a ball before.
Raizen: Where did this come from?
As Raizen appraised the small item he could feel something staring at him.
Raizen: Huh?
Raizen turned down, staring into the eyes of a small dog. Raizen stared emptily at the dog for a few minutes and then an unspeakable rage overtook him. His mind was lost, slowly, he reached out for the dog's neck, but once again, he regained his sanity just before he could grab it. Instead he extended his hand to gently rub the dog's head.
Raizen: Uhhhh, is this yours?
Genji: Arf.
Raizen: Well, um, are you alone?
Genji: Arr?
Raizen: Nevermind.....What's your name?
The moment that the dog opened it's mouth the word "Genji" flew at Raizen, and much like most people who didn't know Kakashi, that was something that seemed impossible. Raizen jumped back and stared at the dog incredulously.
Raizen: Did you just talk?
????: Genji!!
Raizen turned to a young brown-haired by, running toward him, or more accurately, the dog under him.
Kiba: Sorry, he kind of got away from me.
Raizen: No problem, keep a close eye on him.
He said with a little regret in his voice then he turned away. Kiba lifted Genji and sighed as he turned away, getting ready to leave, but something haunted him. Even as he tried to hush the nagging feeling, something kept telling him to turn back.
Kiba: Name's Kiba Inuzuka.
He said suddenly extending his hand to Raizen.
Raizen: Huh?
Kiba: Uh, this is the part where you say your name.
Raizen: Raizen Uch......Aname.
He said shaking Kiba's hand.
Kiba: Heh, for a second there I thought you were going to say Uchiha.
Raizen only looked away slightly on that comment.
Kiba: Well, I haven't seen you around here before, so you must be new right. What say I show you around?
Raizen: But you don't even know me.
Kiba: Don't worry about it, Genji's a good judge of character. If you were a bad guy, he wouldn't have sat with you. Stick with me and you'll fit in just fine. C'mon.
He said as he began walking away. Raizen looked back into the sky and sighed to himself.
Raizen: Why not.
With a grunt of fatigue, Raizen stood up and followed after Kiba, suddenly, he had a link to the place he'd been dumped into.
------------------------------------------------------------ -----
(Raizen: That kid, had no idea how much he saved me that day.
He said only slightly gazing back to Kiba who seemed to enjoy the memory.
(Raizen: Then, only a week after that, I made my second bond here.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raizen lazily looked up into the sky as he walked down the beaten path. On one side, a pond, on the other, a small lope leading down into the park. With a sigh he looked down, thinking to himself.
????: Stop it!
Raizen looked down, gazing at a young pink haired girl, running from three boys. Obviously, she wasn't enjoying their little game, but they never yeilded. Raizen looked down with indifference, he couldn't care less what they were doing. With little emotion in his eyes he started walking away, but something beckoned him, the girl's yelp. The boys had caught her, Raizen gazed back, but once again he turned away.
Raizen: Not my problem.
He said walking away once again, this time, the girl was crying. Looking away, Raizen stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked down the slope.
Danoki: This is what you get, acting all high and mighty.
Sakura: Please stop.
Genzo: I know, let's make her eat this.
He said producing the longest worm Sakura had ever seen in her life. As Danoki forced open the girl's mouth Genzo walked closer, but before he could force feed her the worm, he was force fed a fist and Sakura looked up to the dark expressioned boy standing above her.
Raizen: Does it really take three boys to jump one girl?
Raizen extended his hand to Sakura and lifted her back to her feet.
Raizen: Stay behind me.
With only a nod, the girl moved to Raizen's back.
Danoki: Who the hell do you think you are?
Raizen: Doesn't matter, back off, or you'll regret ever meeting me.
Nokun: Oh yeah, well make us.
The boy replied, producing a kunai from his pocket, something he shouldn't have had outside of school training. With obvious diregard for what he was playing with and how it could hurt someone, he threw it at Raizen. Raizen could have dodged the attack with relative ease, but the girl behind him couldn't. In an instant, Raizen had thrown her onto his back and slid across the ground, far from the path the kunai had taken, but the sudden activity caused a ripping feeling in his chest, a very powerful feeling at that. Raizen set Sakura down and pushed her away from him just as one of the boys reached for him.
Nokun: I got him.
Danoki: Ha! Not so big now are you!
He shouted as he started punching into Raizen's chest. The boy wasn't strong, but due to Raizen's condition it felt like he was being pounded with a sledgehammer. Each blow winding him, crushing the already reopened wound on his chest, yet Danoki never noticed this, not at least until one of his punches felt wet. With the sticky warm feeling he pulled back, gazing at his own hand, coated in blood and shivered.
Genzo: Dude, what do you do!?
Danoki: Nothing, I was just punching him.
Raizen's ragged breathing became known to all in the area, he looked like he was dying, and the blood dripping from him was becoming more serious. Raizen pulled away from them and glared, even through his pain he walked front of Sakura and slammed his fist into the dirt watching the boys. He stood like a gargoyle, watching over the girl a if she were something precious. Unmoving, he bled dangerous amounts of blood, glaring at the boys who could do nothing more than run away. After the danger was gone, Raizen collapsed in a mixture of dirt and his own blood. Sakura panicked, the boy had protected her, and now he was dying. In her fear, she screamed for help, not exactly sure what had happened, but he was hurt. Raizen closed his eyes, and when he finally reopened them he was laying in a hospital bed. Pushing himself up, he gazed around and felt a strange weight on the sheets atop him. Gazing to the source of the weight, he saw the girl he had helped earlier, soundly sleeping at his bedside.
Raizen: She stayed with me?
He said with a rare smile. For the first time, he looked at her face, and lost himself in it.
Raizen: Pretty.
He whispered to himself as he wondered to himself. He placed his hand on her forehead and pushed up her hair, and the sight slightly shocked.
Raizen: Man her forehead's huge! So that's why they were picking on her.
He said slightly shocked at the sheer size of it, then with a warm smile he continued.
Raizen: But it's kind of cute.
Raizen placed his hand on top of her head, staring at the girl with the kindness that had been stolen from him, but then she woke up, in one quick thrust she sat up completely, gazing at the boy, who was gazing at her.
Raizen: Wha, uh, um, I wasn't doing anything creepy......okay, I guess some people would consider that creepy, but I wasn't thinking anything creepy or out of the way.
He shouted, talking in circles, not even a trace of the cool and calm boy that had saved her.
Raizen: I mean, I'm not, I wasn't..........
He never got to finish his already confusing explantion, as Sakura had already run away long before he got to. Raizen sat there, staring into space with only a single thought.
Raizen: I totally blew that one.
????: I'll say.
Raizen head snapped up, once again donning his cold persona at the sound of a new voice.
Raizen: Who are you?
He spoke in a growl.
????: My aren't we hostile?
Replied a young woman, stepping from the shadows.
????: Is that how you talk to the person who save your life?
Raizen: Really?
????: Yep twice too. My name Seriga Linami, rank jounin. Nice to me-
Raizen's eyes went wide when he heard the woman's name, she had taken noticed and stopped in confusion.
Seriga: Does my name offend you?
Raizen: N-No, it's just, it sounded like my sister's name.
Seriga: I know, I found that ironic too.
Raizen: So you already know?
Seriga: I've been charged with the task of looking after you. I know all there is to know about you.
Raizen: So I've been watched? Why?
Seriga: Because of what you did last week.
Raizen queited himself, of course the hokage would place someone on him to make sure he didn't go on a killing spree.
Raizen: How long have you been watching me?
Seriga: Let's just say that for the last week, my life's been the Raizen network, all Raizen, all the time.
Raizen: So I'm going to be watched all while I'm here?
Seriga: No, actually my official mission ended last week.
Raizen closed one eye and turned to the woman with a questioning gaze.
Raizen: Then why are you still following me?
Seriga: Because you're so cute, I just want to take you home with me.
She said blushing and holding her cheeks, spooking Raizen to no end.
Seriga: I'm just kidding. So don't look at me like that.
Raizen: I get the feeling you weren't. You're just like an older version of Seria.
Seriga: I'm looking out for you because, I think you're far nicer than you're trying to be.
Raizen: Then you know alot less about me than you think.
Seriga: Either way, don't do things like that anymore, but if you do, big sis Seriga will be there to help okay.
With that statement she vanished in a whirl of leaves.
Raizen: Weird.....
He said to himself as he she left, then something in his hand caught his attention. When he looked down he noticed that he was holding an academy sign-in sheet.
Raizen: When the hell did this get here?
Raizen's eyes returned to the door and in only a second he deduced what had happened.
Raizen: She's better than she looks. The academy, huh?
He asked himself as wondering the woman's true intentions. After only a day, Raizen was released from the hospital, and walked alongside Kiba, scolding him as they went.
Kiba: Dude how the hell did you get put back in the hospital? And if you were going to fight someone, then why didn't you come get me?
Raizen: I didn't plan on fighting, and there wasn't much time.
Kiba: Bull! You know you could've gotten me and been back there before anything happened. And since when did you save people.
Raizen: Like I said, I didn't plan on it. It just kind of happened.
Kiba: And who was this girl anyway?
Raizen: Never asked her name.
He said in a stoic tone, even though Kiba was the only real person he talked to, he still tried to keep up the image of a touch guy. Bringing life to an old saying, the girl of subject was standing at the end of the road, seemingly waiting for something. Raizen hastened his steps and met with the girl, leaving Kiba to play catch up behind him, and much like he had assumed, she had been waiting for him. Shyly she turned away and shook slightly, without turning to him.
Sakura: Um, I'm really sorry for running away like that, and I'm grateful for what you did for me. No one's ever stood up for me beside Ino-chan before.
Raizen: Don't worry about it, my body just moved on it's own, it wasn't because I'm a nice guy or anything.
He said coldly, excluding room for argument. Though despite this Sakura still smiled at him.
Raizen: My name is Raizen Aname, and I'm going to be here for a while, so if you're ever in trouble again, my body will probably move on it's own again, so just come get me, and I'll protect you.
He said making the girl's smile wider and just as Kiba caught up Raizen wrapped his arm around his neck and said.
Raizen: This guy too.
Kiba: Wait, what?
Raizen: Yeah, you too.
Kiba: Me, what?
Sakura watching the exchange between friends, Sakura blushed and replied with a bow.
Sakura: My name is Sakura Haruno, and I'll be depending on you from now on Raizen-kun.
Raizen: Wha?
Even after what he had said, he didn't expect that, and with a blush he bowed in return.
Raizen: Uh, um, the same to you.
Kiba, completely lost on what was going on just bowed his head and introduced himself too, even though he was well aware of who the girl in front of him was, and atop her perch, Seriga watched down on Raizen, smiling at the kindness he tried so desperately to hide. The very next day, as Raizen laid in his bed, he awoke to the new day, stretching, he turned over to a face staring at him from the side of his bed. Raizen didn't give an immediate reaction, he just stared into the face of the woman in front of him.
Raizen: What are you doing here?
He asked, completely curious as to Seriga's presence.
Seriga: Watching you sleep.
Raizen: I gathered that, but why?
Seriga: I have to take you to the academy. I trust that you signed the form I gave you.
Raizen: Yeah, is it really that common for children to enroll themselves?
Seriga: Because of the great shinobi war and many events such as yours, it's rather common for there to be orphans around, so yes. So long as there is an adult to vouch for them at least.
Raizen: And in this case, that would be you?
Seriga: Correct.
She said with a thumbs up.
Raizen: I mean really, the line between you and my little sister is non-existent.
Seriga: Well I thought it was weird that you didn't react to seeing me there.
Raizen: Yeah Seria used to do that, but while we're on it, how did you get into my house?
Seriga looked at Raizen lifted a lifted brow, not even bothering to answer.
Raizen: Oh yeah, ninja.
Seriga: Right.
Raizen jumped from his bed and got dressed, showing complete disregard that Seriga was a member of the opposite sex, but calmly she left the room.
Raizen: Why do I even need to go to the academy?
Seriga: What is that supposed to mean?
Raizen: If you've been watching me then you know I have enough skill to skip the entire academy thing.
Seriga: True, but what you need is people skills, this'll teach you how to deal with other people.
Raizen: I can deal with other people just fine.
Seriga: Yeah, but are you comfortable enough around them?
Raizen: Heh, like I trust anybody else.
Seriga: My point being.
Raizen sighed and stepped through the door after he finished gettng dressed.
Raizen: Fine, I'll go, but I have to do something first.
Seriga: I see, I'll wait.
She said as she leaned back aganst the wall and smiled as Raizen began cooking. It seemed to be the only time when he seemed happy, and after he was done, he set down five bentos, all ready to be moved.
Raizen: Alright.
Seriga: Shall we go see them then.
Raizen: Lets.
He said he sped out of the house, suprised that the woman with him was able to keep up. Raizen flipped onto one of the rooftops and stared down across the street.
Raizen it's that time, no mistakes.
He said as he prepared himself and in one gust, he left two bentos in the Uchiha manor, then he vanished back onto the roof he was on previously.
Raizen: Mission accomplished.
Seriga: My, you've been doing this for a while. It's rather nice of you.
Raizen: Well, I have to look out for my family don't I?
He said as he watched Sasuke pick up the bento.
Sasuke: Someone left us something again.
Yukari: It never fails, I wonder why they just leave it, I want to thank them.
Sasuke: Hn, I don't care either way, take it and let's go.
Yukari: Right.
She said as she caught up to her brother's pace.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------
Sasuke stared wide eyed, remembering when he had tasted Raizen food during one of their missions. (Chapter 13: canon/omake 4)
Sasuke: So that was you?
Raizen: Yeah, sorry I lied about it, but just know, just because I pretended not to know who you were, doesn't mean I wasn't looking out for you.
------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
After departing from the Uchiha manor, he followed Seriga all the way to the academy. With a frowned stoned on his face he wated for everything to be taen care of and then dropped the other two bento off to his other two friends, already in the academy.
5 months later.
Sakura: I don't know if I can do this.
Raizen: Sure you can, it's not that hard.
Sakura: But...
Raizen: Remember you asked me to help you with this, what would Ino-chan say if she saw you right now.
Those words alone were enough to stone her resolve. For you see, right now the girl was currently standing above a cliff, looking down at Raizen who promise to show her something amzing if she trusted him enough to jump. Yet, at the moment, the height of what she was about to jump was frighteningly steep, yet she trusted Raizen, and with closed eyes, she jumped. Scared out of her wits she held tightly onto him, not even realizing that he had aready caught her.
Raizen: You okay?
Sakura: Huh?
Raizen: Hold on tight okay.
Sakura: Wait, are we still-
Raizen: Yep.
He said with a smile, answering her unfinished question, "were they still falling?" Even as steep as the cliff may have been Raizen fell with his back toward the ground, carrying Sakura the in his arms as he did.
(Music que: Down by jay sean)
Sakura screamed for dear life, holding tightly around the boy's neck as he plunged backwards into the abyss, the flipped downward, landing on his feet before he could collide, as if the fall was nothing, he lundged forth in the massive forest, flipping from the tree branches. Raizen ran as if the wind were trying to kill hm, matching Sakura's shivers as if it were is own body, and once her eyes opened, for the first time she saw what Raizen saw, the world blurred at his whim. With renewed vigor, she laughed heartily staring off into the distance as Raizen moved. Efroftlessly he slid through the forest as if he were skating, each motion fluid and beautiful, but once again he reached the end of the forest and below now awaiting them was a large body of water.
Sakura: Hey!
Raizen: Going down!
Sakura: What, but we can't!
Raizen: Just do what I taught you!
He shouted as the rushing wind obscured hs words. Sakura closed her eyes as they reach the bottom but much like before , Raizen landed on the water as if it were solid ground, then beckoned for the girl to open her eyes. Once she did Raizen spun her onto the water, and like he did before, yet lacking in the same confidence, Sakura managed to stand on it like him. Thrill at her success, Sakura smiled at him, and instead of congratulations, he kicked forward, testing her ability to ride the waves. Sakura, not expect this, began to lose her concentration, but before she could plundge, Raizen caught her and apologized before kicking back, spinning his leg into an upward spiral, making the water do the same and as if it were the simplest thing in the world, he rode the spiraling water all the way to the top and flipped from it. With a flick of his wrist he threw his shuriken into the air and warped to it, then positioned it under himself, latching his feet to the weapon as they fell back down to the water. Raizen expertly landed on top and placed Sakura at the tip, and with a single kick back he began to surf across the water.
Sakura: Whoa!!!!
Raizen: Hold on!
Raizen shouted as he slid from side to side, with the girl in front spreading out her arms as if she were flying.
Raizen: Get ready, here comes a big one!
Sakura: Right.
She said as they closed in on a large wave, but this time, no matter what, she wasn't scared. Raizen dipped his hand into the water and stirred himself into the wave then rode to the top, and flipped from the tip once again sending both into the air. Raizen flipped Sakura onto his back and rolled downward on his shuriken, continually spinning as if they were a drill. Raizen then flipped from the shuriken just before it slammed into a tree and then grabbed tightly onto it as he ran down the tree. Then with the shuriken firm in hand he jumped onto another cliff and quickly ran up it, never once pausing in fear of losing his footing. In order to counter such an event he twisted upward, and landed on the tip of the cliff, staring down as he let Sakura from his back.
Raizen: Now look down.
Sakura: Wha?
Once her eyes peeed over the the cliff, she saw a beautiful veiw of everything resting just past the the village, and it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. With wide smile she walked over to the edge and sat down next to Raizen.
Raizen: Well, what do you think?
Sakura: Amazing.
Raizen: Yeah, I thought you'd say that.
Sakura: I've never seen anytthing like this before.
Raizen: Well, I used to live in an area like this, so I know alot about views from these kind of areas.
He said moving to a stand.
Raizen: Well, take it in, because we're going to have to get back soon, y'know, before they realize we're gone.
Sakura: Wha? You mean you didn't have permission to do this?
Raizen turned to Sakura with an incredulous look, questioning if she had really asked that.
Sakura: Of course you didn't....And don't you look at me with that "Duh" face!
She said playfully hitting his arm. With a warm smile Raizen gazed over the horizon and sighed.
Raizen: Well, what do you say we get going.
Sakura: Sure, I just wish I could've taken a picture.
Raizen: Don't worry about that, if you ever wanna see it again, I'll just bring you back, alright c'mon.
He said extending his hand to the girl, and no sooner she grabbed it, they were speeding back through to the village. Without any lingering fear from before Sakura held onto Raizen and in only two minutes they were speeding through the village gates as nothing more than and black and pink blur. Sakura jumped from Raizen's back, stumbling through her dizziness as she tried to maintain her balance.
Raizen: You okay?
Sakura: N-not really.
Raizen: Ah, you'll adjust.
Sakura: I still don't think I'll get used to how fast you move.
Raizen: Oh don't worry, I'll make sure you do.
He said as he waved her off, as she fumbled around, only after he was gone did she notice that he slipped a bento into her pocket. Gazing back she wondered to herself.
Sakura: How did he do that?
Shrugging to herself she walked away. With a smile Raizen moved through the streets until he saw Seriga standing as if waiting for him. Almost instanty his smile dropped as he asked.
Raizen: So, to what do I owe the honor?
Seriga: You left the village again.
Raizen: Well I don't really belong here anyway.
He retorted with an arrogant smile, that forced a sigh from the older woman in front of him.
Seriga: What if something happens to you.
Raizen: Well, I need to run, and the last time I let loose in the village I got yelled at remember?
Seriga: Then at least let me go with you.
Raizen: I don't really do escorts when I run. So is there some reason you came to see me?
Seriga: Do I need a reason?
She asked with a smile as she draped herself around his back.
Raizen: Well, I guess you don't, but it seems strange that you'd just appear for no reason.
Seriga: Actually I do have a reason, but first, why is it that you always turn all grumpy when you see me?
Raizen: Do I, I never noticed.
He said once again donning his jerk smile.
Seriga: Yeah, you always do that, why?
Raizen: Because you know my secret, I don't have to hide anything in front of you.
Seriga: Are you trying to sound nice, because it's not working.
Raizen: I'm not nice.
Seriga: Yeah whatever, and how come you make a bento for everyone, but me, I've known you long enough too, it's not fair.
She said with tears streaming down her eyes. Raizen gazed back at her for a second, the reached into his pouch.
Raizen: Here.
Seriga: Huh?
Raizen had somehow produced another bento in front of her, and in her logical doubt, she asked.
Seriga: Are you sure it's okay to give me Kiba's?
Raizen: I already gave him his.
Seriga: Your cousins?
Raizen: Dropped theirs off this morning.
Seriga: Ino or Sakura's?
Raizen: I just gave Sakura hers and I gave Ino hers when I saw her earlier.
Seriga: Then this is for-
Raizen: I always made you one, I just never thought you wanted it, what with the bragging about the food you'd had earlier almost every day.
Seriga: I only said that stuff so you'd make me one.
She said openly sobbing in front of him, forcing a sigh from the younger boy.
Raizen: Can't you at least act like an adult?
Seriga: I'm only nineteen.
Raizen: Oh yeah, you are still a kid.
Seriga: I'm not a kid!!! You're the kid here.
Raizen: Oh, so you not a girl, not yet a woman. No wonder you can't get a man.
Seriga: I don't want one!!!
Raizen: Whoa, I didn't know you were into that kind of stuff, my bad.
Seriga: I don't swing that way!!!!
She shouted out becoming exhausted shortly after.
Seriga: Okay, you win.
Raizen: I always win.
He said as he sat down, opening his own bento.
Seriga: Do you spend all of your expenses on food?
Raizen: I only need that a bed and running water, after that food is more important, and gas too I guess.
Seriga: So you like cooking?
Raizen: Of course, It was something I only started doing for the people I love, so no matter how much I cook, if one of the people important to me is eating it, I'll cook to my dying breath.
Raizen never even realized the warm smile he was wearing while he said that or the warm smile coming from Seriga.
Seriga: Then I'll make sure to get you lots to cook.
Raizen: What does that mean?
Seriga: Nothing.
She said as she started eating what Raizen had made for her, and with a smile raidiating pure happiness she quickly finished and grabbed Raizen's hand. However the gentle way she had done it quickly flustered the boy trailing behind.
Raizen: Wai- I'm not, I mean, um, I don't know if I'm ready for this. B-But if you insist, I guess I can.
Seriga: What are you talking about?
Raizen: Huh?
He said opeing his eyes to see that they were standing in what looked like a training ground.
Raizen: Uh, I'm sorry, being a guy and all, my mind went right into the gutter.
Seriga: Well get it outta there, I'm here to evaluate your skills as a shinobi.
Raizen: Well next time just say that before you drag me off in a very easy to misunderstand way.
Seriga: Yeah it's all my fault that you got all man headed.
Raizen: Eh....
Seriga: You lose.
Raizen: Yeah, but don't get used to it.
Seriga: Alright, I want you to come at me with all you got.
Raizen: You can't handle that much.
He said cracking his knuckles.
Seriga: You'll be surprised.
Raizen just smiled and in a blur, he vanished from sight. Seriga had seen him move before, but never at a rate such as this. With only a half second to react, she managed to block Raizen's straight punch, all seven of them. To say that Raizen was shock would be an understatement. Seriga's eyes were different, almost as if she were, someone else. Unaffected by his own thoughts, Raizen continued his assualt, never once landing a hit.
Raizen: (She's good, but as the my father always said, if you can't hit something with a stab...)
He said as he once again sent a hail of punches at Seriga, he pulled his body to the side and sent a fierce roundhouse kick at thwe woman, fast enough to slice the air.
Raizen: (Then slice!!!!)
However once again, she somehow managed to move fast enough to dodge. With only a single back flip, she managed to completely avoid his attack, but even this had another reaction. Raizen had her right where he wanted her, with her body in the air, she didn't have a chance at dodging. Raizen's eyes changed, yet in the image being displayed, they became black. With a smile he raised his fist aimed at the ground he slammed down shouting.
Raizen: Rai-kanketsuken!
Seriga stared down as an eruption of blue lightning shot into the sky, leaving very little room for her to manuver, yet with timing that defied logic, she somehow managed to dodge without even breaking a sweat. And on her descent to the ground she formed handsigns effortlessly and aimed her palm at Raizen.
Seriga: Kurenai no Kiba!!
A large fang of blazing red soared through the sky, with speed that rivaled the young boy's, but even that being true wasn't enough to catch him. Seriga landed with a smile, unable to contain her delight, this little boy was far more impressive than she had thought. Seriga's arm opened and she intercepted the boy's path of movement, but even then he just adjusted by flipping under it and pumping his fist at her.
Raizen: Raizen-ken!
Seriga had seen this move before, but at the moment something was different. There was no possible way she could dodge from so close up. All she could manage was to block the attack, and even that was cutting it close. By the time the attack had dispersed, she had been blown back thrity feet. Raizen quickly closed the distance between them.
Seriga: No such luck!
She shouted as her hands parted once again and fire shot from them.
Seriga: Crimson runner!
Raizen eyes went wide, staring at the sheer size of her jutsu, shooting at least fifty feet into the air, four pillars of burning fire.
Raizen: Shit.
Raizen turned to escape the massive pillars, but before he could, they had encircled him. As they quickly closed in, Raizen stared into the sky and hurled his shuriken above the attack's reach and teleported to it, without even taking a breath he launched it down at the waiting woman, who grabbed it with one hand, only for Raizen to appear right in front of her.
Raizen: Got you.
Seriga: So you do.
She said as she slammed her fist into Raizen's somehow making every move he made seem slow. After colliding for the fifteenth time, Raizen gained distance and smiled at the woman in front of him.
Raizen: Lightning runner!!!!
Seriga's eye went wide as the boy completely mimicked her own move, and quite effectively at that, no matter where she looked there were pillars of lightning coming at her. However, this wasn't something she couldn't handle.
Seriga: Soaring blaze inferno.
She whispered commanding a powerful explosion that dispeled all of the lightning bolts around.
Raizen: Tch.
Quickly adjusting to the change, Raizen ran forward, trying his best to take down his opponent, but before he could reach her Seriga held up her hand.
Seriga: I've seen enough.
Raizen: Huh?
Seriga: You're going to be a Jounin at a young age. You're quite skilled in the art of combat, I'm impressed.
Raizen: But I can go longer.
Seriga: Good, a man should always say that.
She said with a smile that made Raizen sweatdrop.
Raizen: I get that, but I wish I didn't.
Seriga: After seeing what I saw, I can now say this with certainty, I'm going to start training you.
Raizen: Fine by me, but before that, tell me something. How were you keeping up with me?
Seriga: I wasn't me, my body just did what it wanted to.
Raizen: That's the same thing in essense.
Seriga: No, I simply allowed my body to control my movements through "combat high".
Raizen: What now?
Seriga: Combat high is a state in which a person gains an accelerated affinity for battle. It usually happens when someone has been engaging in combat for an extended amount of time. This is very much akin the pumping of adrenaline, once one starts they're almost perfect soldiers, as long as they can control it.
Raizen: What happens if you can't?
Seriga: These people lose themselves completely and become monsters of war, their called "berserkers". There is a reason why I showed you how I control combat high. You have the characteristics of a berserker.
Raizen: What makes you say that?
Seriga: That dog you met when you first became friends with Kiba, you were going to kill him weren't you.
Raizen:.............You saw that?
Seriga: You were able to stop yourself, but at some point you'll snap, and then you'll be a murderous monster, unless someone close to you can snap you out of it.
Raizen: Speaking from experience?
Seriga: Not really, I've never had any traumatic experiences like you have. I've never had anyone too close to me. You on the other hand, only need one more good push and you'll snap, I'll make it my duty to make sure that doesn't happen, so starting tomorrow you'll begin training under me.
Raizen: Fine by me, just so long as you take it seriously.
Seriga: I'm always serious.......sometimes.
Raizen: And that line right there killed it.
Seriga: I'll show you, just be ready!
She said pointing to the sarcastic boy below her.
Raizen: Yeah whatever.
He retorted, still skeptical of her ability to teach.
(One year later)
Breaking from his training regimen to hang out, Raizen stared into the sky, watching the clouds with Sakura, both lying down in the grassy field of Konoha.
Raizen: That one looks like a shuriken.
Sakura: That one looks like Mochi.
Raizen: Ha, it kinds of does. What about that one?
Sakura: A fireball jutsu.
Raizen: Fireball jutsu?
He asked in a chuckle, completely oblivious to the fact that he probably shouldn't have inquired.
Sakura: Yeah, you know, like what Sasuke does.
Raizen: Sasuke?
Sakura: Yeah, Isn't he dreamy, I don't think I've ever seen a guy so cool.
Raizen's eyes flew wide and he rolled over looking at the girl's as if she had just told him that two large eyes had appeared in the sky, looking down to subjugate the human race.
Raizen: Huh?
Sakura: Don't you think so too? He's just so awesome, I think I'm in love.
Raizen's heart almost burst and he quickly looked around, wondering how to respond.
Raizen: Um, I'm prety cool too you know.
Sakura: Yeah, but you're cool in a big brother kind of way.
Those words made Raizen almost shatter to pieces, he was in the friend zone, the most dreaded of all Guy-Girl relationships. With that thought, completely forgeting that Sakura was talking he had run away, looking for the one person, he could talk to about something like that.
Raizen: What do I do!?
Seriga: Huh?
Raizen: What do you do if you're locked in a desperate battle and a new enemy appears?
Seriga: That's pretty random, um, I guess you just continue the fight, showing your back to more than one enemy could spell death. So long as you have the will to win, then keep fighting on.
Raizen: .......Okay, I will then.
Seriga: Now what are we talking about?
She asked with a goofy smile. Raizen turned back to her and said with a smile blush.
Raizen: N-Nothing, don't worry about it.
He said as he ran from the house, and quickly back to where Sakura was.
Sakura: Where did you go?
Raizen: No where, hey Sakura I want to talk to you about something.
Sakura: Sure.
Raizen: Sakura I wanted to, um, I kind of-
Raizen, having closed his eyes in fear of her reaction, had never noticed that Sasuke had walked past them and that Sakura had long since run after him.
Raizen: I love you.
He said opening his eyes, to see a very freaked out Kiba sitting right in front of him.
Kiba: Dude, I didn't know you-
Raizen: Wait you have it wrong, where did she go?
Kiba: Who?
Raizen: Nevermind. Well skip it, there's always tomorrow.
Kiba: Well good luck with that, so who were you confessing to?
Raizen: I'll tell you if it turns out well.
He said standing to his feet.
(The next day)
Raizen: Sakura, I have to-
Sakura: Ahh, I wonder what Sasuke's doing.
Day 2 failed.
(The next day)
Raizen: Sakura I have to-
Sakura: AAAAHHHH, It's Sasuke, wish me luck!
Raizen: But-
Day 3 failed.
(The next day)
Raizen: Sakura I have to-
Sakura: Guess what Raizen, Sasuke got the highest score on the test.
Raizen: I could've too.
Sakura: Yeah but he was so cool about it.
Raizen: How, it was a written test. They were only word questions.
Sakura: Yeah, but they were sexy words.
Day 4, yada, yada. Raizen collapsed on Seriga's floor staring up at the woman, who could only wonder to his depression.
Raizen: Have you ever felt like you were fighting a losing battle?
Seriga: Who hasn't.
Raizen: What do you do?
Seriga: You quit while you're ahead, or else you'll only hurt yourself. After all there's no way for someone see something when they're not willing to look.
Raizen: Huh?
Seriga: Now, what are we talking about?
Raizen: Nevermind.
He said dropping his face back onto the ground.
Raizen: I don't think I'm ready to just give up yet.
Seriga: While I don't know what you're talking about, I'm sure you'll regret that one Raizen.
She said with a sagely smile. Raizen stood to his feet and walked off on the woman, obviously disagreeing with her advice. Dispite this she still watched on with a smile, hoping for his success. The next day, Raizen waited on the road he and Sakura had agreed too meet on, holding a bouquet of roses in his hand, practicing just how he was going to ask her.
Raizen:: Okay, um Sakura will you......Too normal.
He said with a sigh.
Raizen: There has to be a easier way to do this.
He said opening his eyes, seeing the person he was waiting for running down the path toward him, waving happily, dressed to impress.
Raizen: Hey.
He said waving back as he hold out the flowers and smiled.
Raizen: Sakura I wanted to-
Without pause, she passed right by him, never even acknowledging that he even existed. Raizen lowered his hand and looked back swallowing hard as he realized the validity of Seriga's advice. Raizen looked down and frowned, then smiled at Sakura, once again pestering Sasuke, who seemed to want nothing to do with her. Raizen leaned forward and bowed politely before vanishing into the thicket of trees not far away. With his back against the trees he sighed into the sky only then catching sight of Ino sitting against another tree, covering her face.
Raizen: You got dumped too?
Ino: You don't have to put it that way. Too?
Raizen only chuckled as he moved to sit next to the girl, who'd obviously been crying. Out of consideration, Raizen chose to ignore that fact though and continued talking.
Raizen: Long day, anyway you look at it, it's gonna suck from here on out.
Ino: Probably.
Raizen: Here.
He said handing to flowers over to Ino who only lifted an eyebrow at him.
Ino: My family runs a flower shop.
Raizen: I know, where do you think I got these? But I was planning on giving them to a pretty girl, and that's where they're going.
Ino: Heh, fine, I'll take them then.
She said accepting Raizen's geisture with a smile, then with a dark expression, both turned away from each other.
Ino: I'm sorry, but......Can we not hang out after this?
Raizen paused with an ackward smile and then responded.
Raizen: Yeah. It'd be rather ackward wouldn't it.
Ino: Sorry.
Raizen: Don't worry about it.
Those were the last words said, both leaving behind nothing more than an ackward silence. After a few minutes had passed, the even more ackward departture took place. Raizen completely suppressed his negative feelings, leaving Sakura to follow after her heart. It had only been a day, realizing that he had nothing else to do, Raizen spent his tme hanging out with Seriga. Despite the fact that she had already known what happened, even without Raizen telling her, she ignored his obvious distraction. With a ragged and tired breath Raizen dropped to his knees signaling that he had lost the ability to continue on.
Seriga: What do you say we rest?
Raizen: Fine by me.
He said collapsing to the ground.
Seriga: Come on we'll go to my place, it's closer than yours anyway.
Raizen, grunt as he lifted his body from the ground and followed the woman in front of him. The road was long, after all, he was tired both mentally and physically. As they passed a few other woman, obviously ninja from what Raizen could tell. All smiled at Seriga and stopped her on the road.
Terra: Hey, Seriga, who's this guy?
Seriga then draped herself over Raizen's back and smiled.
Seriga: He's my boyfriend.
Raizen: Don't listen to her, she's just being stupid.
He said pointing back to the woman on him.
Cheris: Oh, he's so cute and cool looking, I'm jealous.
Seriga: Yeah, he's my little bronze knight.
Raizen: Oh god, they're like her.
After a little while of mocking Raizen the women went on their way as Seriga waved them off.
Raizen: I didn't know you had friends.
Seriga: I.....don't.
She replied with a sad smile, and to end the conversation she quickly led Raizen away, hiding her true emotions behind her smile once again. Once they reached her house, Raizen immediately began scanning everything, as if to appraise it. One thing stood out though, a single mask laid on the table. Raizen lifted the mask and stared down into it.
Seriga: Ahhhhhhh!
Raizen: Huh?
Almost as if she were as fast as him, Seriga snatched the mask from Raizen and held it to her chest.
Seriga: I can't believe I left this out.
Raizen: What's so special about it?
Seriga: You know what this means don't you?
Raizen: You're in Anbu, but why is it missing eyeholes?
Seriga: That's not important right now, no one is supposed to know the identity of an anbu member.
Raizen: It's nothing special, I run out of the village alot, and one time I followed you on a mission. I've always known you were a member of anbu. Consider it payback for knowing so much about me.
Seriga: You were able to follow me?
Raizen: Yeah, now can you tell me why it has no eyeholes, that must be inconvient on missions.
Seriga: First off, any ninja worth their salts doesn't need to use their eyes. Second, well, do you know what I do when I wear this mask?
Raizen: Some of the coolest missions ever given.
Seriga: I hunt down the most dangerous scum to ever live, and then I kill them.
She said with a look of seriousness that was rare for her.
Seriga: I wear this mask so that I can look at the world with eyes unclouded by hate, and to blind myself to the evils I myself am commiting.
Raizen: That's pretty deep.
Seriga: Heh, maybe I'll let you use this yourself one day.
Raizen: You sure I could?
Seriga: Tell you what, when I feel you need it, I'll let you have it.
Raizen: Well, then on that day I'll take it.
Seriga smiled at Raizen then gave him a tight hug.
Raizen: What the?
Seriga: I've known you long enough to know when you're upset.
Raizen: Wha?
Seriga: It's okay, don't worry okay.
Raizen: .......Stupid.
A month had passed since that event, and lazily, Raizen searched for his teacher, who had failed to show for training that day. Not that he really cared, but something may have come up, not that he cared though. On his way he bumped into the two woman he had seen talking to Seriga, and not that he was worried or anything, but he decided to ask if she was okay.
Terra: Oh, you're Seriga's little boyfriend.
Cheris: Having a lover's spat?
Raizen: No, and please stop doing that. I haven't seen her today, I was wondering if she was sick or something.
Terra: Oh, last I saw her she was running around buying furniture and stuff, like she was redecorating or something.
Raizen: So she's just fine.
Cheris: Are you relieved?
Raizen: Not really, I'll go look for her.
Terra: Oh, he's going to confess to her before her mission tomorrow.
He said as he walked off, ignoring the blushing chuckles of the women behind him.
Raizen: Women.
Raizen ran through the village searching high and low for Seriga however, no matter where he looked, she was nowhere to be seen, with a sigh he walked home and developed a plan. The next morning Seriga walked towards the village gates, double-checking her weapons when she noticed that Raizen was waiting on a post.
Seriga: So you caught me.
Raizen: Where were you yesterday?
Seriga: I had some business to take care of.
Raizen: Is that so? See ya then.
He said as he starting away, knowing that Seriga would fall for his distant attitude, and just like he had planned.
Seriga: Wait.
Raizen: What is it?
Seriga: Would you like to come live with me?
That was something he wasn't expecting. Turning back, barely hiding the shock on his face he articulated his thoughts in the best way he could.
Raizen: Wha-huh-who?
That was all he could manage at the moment.
Seriga: Raizen, I want you to live with me from now on.
Raizen: W-Why?
Seriga: Why to have my own reverse Hikaru Genji project.
Raizen: Huh?
He thought as he placed his finger to his chin. Hikaru Genji project, a story about a man who raised a young girl to be his ideal woman. In reverse it would be a woman raising a young boy to be her ideal man. Raizen snapped up with a blush and jumped back.
Raizen: Wha?
Seriga: I'm joking. I've been alone as long as I can remember....my parents were dead before I ever had the chance to meet them. I've never really had anyone I was close to, and I think the only reason I even opened up to you, is because I felt like you needed me. I wanted to feel needed, even if I am strong, in the face of people like Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and Gai, especially Anko, I'm nothing more than a grunt. You were the only person I've ever felt like didn't care whether or not I was so insignificant. Yet you're lonely too, two lonely people are better than one right?
She asked as Raizen lowered his head, taking this as a "No" Seriga smiled and turned away.
Seriga: Sorry for dropping this on you so suddenly.
With that said she walked from the village and made on her way.
Raizen: Then!
He said bringing the woman to a stop.
Raizen: When you get back home, I'll be here to say welcome home. So neither of us will have to be lonely anymore.
Seriga turned back, to see the smile that Raizen only showed to his friends. Seriga smiled and turned away ready to face the world, and Raizen stared on with a smile, but the background behind him slowly faded and he smile left. Now he sat in a hospital room, staring down at the same woman, fighting desperately for her life. For only a moment, she opened her eyes, turning to Raizen who greeted her with a smile. Clentching tightly onto her hand he spoke.
Raizen: Welcome home.
Those words brought a smile to Seriga's face, as she breathed her last breaths. Eyes now closed, Raizen gazed down at the woman as the world once again changed behind him, this time into a graveyard, in the rain, Raizen smiled gazing down at the tombstone of Seriga Linami.
Raizen: Surely, the gods laugh at me.
He whispered quietly.
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Raizen: SHOW ME THE MISSION REPORT!!!!
Sarutobi: Whilst I understand your stance, please understand that I cannot do that.
Raizen: If you truly understood my stance, you'd know that I'm not asking you old man!!!!
Sarutobi felt no fear, yet he could see the boy's psyche slowly slipping away from him. A single chime brought the boy to his senses, a key had been placed in front of him.
Sarutobi: She left that to you. I think you already know what it's for.
Raizen picked it up with a sollen gaze and then peeked back at the hokage before bowing and walking from the room. By the time Raizen had reached his destination, Kiba was walking right beside him, worried for his friend's well being.
Kiba: I'll wait out here okay.
Raizen: Yeah.
He said with only a nod as he unlocked the door to Seriga's house. One step at a time, he walked through the door. The first thing he noticed was the cabinets, they had said that she was shopping alot the week before, but he hadn't seen the house since then. Opening them, he oticed that it was stuffed with food, so much so that it seemed like a chef's kitchen, the refrigorator was no different.
(Seriga: Then I'll make sure to get you lots to cook.)
Raizen walked away from the kitchen and down the hallway, yet the empty room was no longer hollow, something was placed on the door, the name "Raizen", in streaked letters hung on the door, split by a lightning bolt that resembled his scar. Once he opened the door, he saw into the room, completely made out as a young boy's room.
(Terra: Oh, last I saw her she was running around buying furniture and stuff, like she was redecorating or something.)
Raizen gazed around, until his eyes fell on a single thing, restiing on the bed. A mask, sealed all the way to the eyes. Raizen lifted it and gazed stared down.
(Seriga: Tell you what, when I feel like you need it, I'll give it to you.)
Raizen closed his eyes and walked out of the house, still holding the mask in his hands, and never removing his eyes from it. He walked right passed Kiba, who only watched on with sadness. Raizen soon found himself walking down the streets, and a single voice cut through his thoughts and without thinking, he reached out to the person's voice.
Sakura: Ow, what are you doing!?
Raizen finally moved his gaze from the mask and realized that he grabbed onto Sakura's arm, rather tightly. Quickly, he let go and said in a hushed voice.
Raizen: Sorry.
Sakura: What the hell is wrong with you? If you keep acting like that you'll always be alone.
She said quickly turning away, never relealizing that she had just struck a cord. Raizen emotionlessly turned back to her, staring with soulless animousity. Then he turned back to the mask, and placed it on his face, then a laugh matching the mask, he soullessly chackled into the sky.
Raizen: Tonight.
He said in an evil venomous hiss. That night, he effortlessly broke into the hokage tower, searching hastily through the documents in the cabinets, memorizing every single detail of the room, to hide his tracks. Once he found the report, he read over it, recreating the scene in his mind. Seriga chased one person, yet fourty different traces could be seen in the area. Seriga Linami, in an effort to protect the others with her fought alone, however, the ninja with her have yet to return, or be recovered. They are believed to have been part of the ambush. Burn marks all around the area, and seven enemy bodies found, apparrently Seriga Linami put up as good a fight as she could before being defeated. Seriga Linami: Recovered alive, yet beyond the point of help, apparrently, she was left alive intentionally. Her final words, "Please don't let me die, I promised him." However, her panicked words beyond that were incohertent.
Raizen: Heh, Kakashi Hatake. Thank you for finding her, I'll take it from here.
He said placing the report back. The level in which he evaluted the report and recreated the scene were at the level of jounin. Just by the details in the report he was able to figure out were the renegade ninja were.
Raizen: Seriga was attacked near my old playgrounds. I near there was an old cave that was hidden underground and if those ninja had killed a leaf nin, they knew better than to be running around where people can see. They'd use that cave to hide out,at least until the heat died down. I could have told the shinobi that, but then I'd have to admit that I read the report, and they'd never find them as fast as me, and I need to be the one to end these bastards, they didn't even give her a quick death, they made her suffer, for that, I'll make them suffer too.
As the image played behind him, Raizen closed his eyes and placed the mask on his face. matching the image displayed. Raizen walked through the trees, hastily moving his body forward as he sought out the men who had hurt the person he cared about.
(Music que: Breaking the habit by: Linkin park.)
Raizen reached the hiding place he assumed belonged to the men. Raizen felt his mind rush with memories of Seriga, then of his family, those trhoughts fried his mind. Raizen walked through the hidden door and back at the village, Kiba, catching a whiff of Raizen's scent leaving the village, ran into Raizen's house, desperately looking for him, Raizen could feel Kiba's concern, even from that far away, but his mind was gone, with only the mocking taunts of the merciless men in front of him, smiling at the child that had come in wearing an anbu mask. Raizen couldn't see them, but could feel each one of them. One walked close and placed his hand on Raizen's head laughing at him as he snorted down insults, but in only a flash, his left arm went flying and as Raizen walked forward, everything else went flying too. In shock the rest of the ninja stood to their feet ready to fight. A single kunai cut the wind, flying at Raizen, but he caught it with very little effort and tossed it back with enough force to tear off 85% percent of the man's head. Raizen's feet never stopped moving, and without even a breath he threw his long shuriken into the chest of the closest ninja and then grabbed tightly onto it, in only a second time span. With a sickening laugh, he ripped it free and then slashed down the the body, each motion had only a milli-second interval between. Then he moved the the side of another ninja, and slowed down his swing, allowing the an to see it, and as he dodged, Raizen turned into another spin and slashed through the man's body along his spine, filleting him. Murderous intent crushed everyone in the room, and at this point fear had gripped them and wouldn't let go. This boy was a monster, in front of them was a demon. Raizen zipped around the room ripping apart everything in sight and only stopping to flip onto the shoulder of one of the ninja, repeatedly bashing down into his face until his body bent back, snapping in half like a twig. Raizen roared from under his mask, but his roar soon turned into a laugh of pure pleasure, he was enjoying it. Raizen leapt from the man's chest and pushed the face another to the side, then ripped off his leg as his body moved. Then he preceded to beat the man with it, until nothing was left of his face, and in the excitement the mask on Raizen's face fell off. His expression twisted, almost demonic. Raizen was crazed, this was the first time he had ever snapped. He turned laughingly to the men in front of him, all decided that they had no chance against this boy. As they fled Raizen stared on with wide eyes, hidden behind his mak as the traces of people began to fade away.
Raizen trailed after them stopping right in front of a a door, seemingly to a tunnel connected to the cave. He could hear breathing on the other side, and despite the fact that the door was metal, he slashed through it and the person behind it as if they were paper. Seeing this the other tried to run once again, but Raizen lashed out both arms, sending four pillars of lightning rippling through the ground. and surrounding more than six of them, and soon after they were nothing more than stains on the ceiling. The ninja who survived, few they were, recognized the technique the boy had just used. Raizen walked forward in speed that seemed as if he were skipping steps. He grabbed onto the leg and arm of a ninja and held him high off above his head and ripped to both sides before telporting away, right to the front of another of the men, slamming his fist into his body, drilling him through the stone behind him as his screaming laughter echoed through the halls. Raizen turned from the battered bodies and stalked over to the last five men, all muttering something. Seriga had used her Crimson runner against them, and they remembered it, this demon, it belonged to the girl they had killed. "I'm sorry." All muttered it as they stared up at the crazed boy who gazed down at them with a shocked expression, despite the fact that he hadn't regained his senses. Raizen stared down to the shuriken in his hand and then back to the men, all crying and begging forgiveness.
Raizen: I forgive you.
He said coherently as he lifted his shuriken in the air and brought it down like the hammer of Yemma. Hours had passed, all five remaining men had every limb removed, two stabs to the stomach, and five slashes across the chest. Despite this all wounds aside from the ones on their torsos had been treated. They weren't going to die quickly, they were going to suffer as Seriga had. Kakashi had been the one to find the bodies, whoever had left those men wanted to prolong ther suffering. Three died, the other two continued uttering that same apology for years, never once trying to speak of what had done that to them. Raizen returned home, coated in blood, sitting in his bed looking at the wall. Kiba stood in front of him worried for his friends well being, but before he could get closer Raizen said.
Raizen: It's not my blood. I killed them, and I may just kill you too if you don't leave.
Kiba: Rai....
Raizen: Please just leave.
He said closing his eyes. Raizen waited for a second and then the presence with him faded. Raizen looked down at his mask, trying desperately to stop himself from snapping again. Even as he tried, the thoughts came back, he couldn't stop it. His rage met a boil, and then he erupted crushing everything he could see, roaring loudly as he smashed almost everything, until a hand gripped his shoulder. Raizen instantly calmed down and turned back to Kiba. Thier were no words, Kiba simply pushed down on Raizen, forcing him to sit, then sat with is back pressed on Raizen's. A long silence passed before anything happened, then feeling the comfort his friend was giving him, Raizen did what he hadn't done, he cried, as Kiba sat listening he teared up well. After ten minutes Raizen gazed to the ceiling and said.
Raizen: Kiba.
Kiba: Yeah?
Raizen: No matter what you choose, no matter what path you head down, I'll always have your back. Even if you choose to become the king of every country, I'll makes sure it happens.
Kiba: Really, what I headed down the wrong path?
Raizen: Then I'd beat you back onto the right one.
Kiba: Heh, like a true friend, then right back at you man.
He said with a smile as he sat back to back with his best friend.
Kiba: You know, I think you should move.
Raizen: Huh?
Kiba: You trashed this place, and I think Seriga would like it if you stayed where she wanted you to be.
Raizen: Yeah........Thanks.
Kiba: Hey, what are friends for.
He replied with a smiled as he stood to his feet and pointed to the door.
Kiba: Then let's go.
Raizen: Right.
He said standing up as well.
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Raizen: Now that I think about it, Kiba was the whole reason I was able to hide my beserker state for so long. I'm glad that I was able to make a friend like him. I also learned something important thanks to that night, revenge is stupid.
Those words disillusioned everyone listening, Raizen seemed to only re-enforce the fact that he wanted revenge.
Sasuke: How so?
Raizen: Those who spend their entire life carrying hatred usually wind up unhappy. Seriga wanted me to have this mask because she wanted me to see the world without hatred clouding my eyes. She wanted me to see the pointlessness of it, she wanted me to be happy despite everything what happened to me. Which is why she wanted to teach me to control the rage inside me. Yet, in order to avenge her, I became what she tried to stop and became a murderer. I spit on everything she had done for me, as if she meant nothing. She and Seria must have cried watching me.
He said with a truly sad expression. Sakura looked down, at that moment, when he grabbed her, he was looking for comfort and she pushed him away and made it worse, of course she didn't know what had happened, but he had no idea why those boys were picking on her, yet he still helped. She didn't know what most had thought about her after watching that, but she knew, she definitely wasn't her own favorite person at the moment.
Raizen: I had lost everything, but I gained something new, I won't sacrifice anything of what I have for the sake of revenge.
Sasuke: Then why did you attack Itachi.
Raizen: Because I will kill him, but not for revenge, but to stop a monster from creating more people like me and you.
Sasuke: It's the same thing, you're just playing on words.
Raizen: Yeah, well to us here the fourth hokage was a hero, yet to his enemies he was the most fearsome killer they had ever faced. A different point of view can change everything.
Sasuke: I don't care about any of that, I'll get revenge my own way.
Raizen: Then what Sasuke, do you get a fucking cookie? Does a magical portal to outworld open and you become king and gain the ability to bring the dead back to life? If so then by all means do it.
Sasuke stepped back at his words and clentched his teeth.
Raizen: The way to revenge is paved in death, and by the time you gain it you''ll lose what you are now. Then you replace a monster with an even worse one, then someone will kill you and become a bigger monster and so on. The cycle of hatred goes full circle and then repeats.
Sasuke: That's-
Raizen quickly pulled something from his pocket and displayed it before the whole world, a picture of him and his family all happily smiling.
Raizen: Soon after Seriga died, I began having recurring dreams of my family, so to put that dream to rest, I returned to my old house and took this, before I burned it to the ground, this was all I had to remember them by, yet I burned the house to destroy my own traces, contradictary right? This was a symbol of what I couldn't let go.
Raizen held the picture dearly, and then ripped it to pieces confusing all who watched.
Raizen: I've decided to let go of the past, I'll keep walking forward, because everyone who walked with me, is still here, right by my side. They've never left me, that's why I'll walk forward not as Raizen Uchiha, who gripped desperately to rage, but Raizen Aname, who learned to overcome it.
He said with an air of purity blowing passed him. Then with a chuckle he gazed at his cousin.
Raizen: But you know Sasuke, I always envied you.
Sasuke lifted an eyebrow to his cousin in question.
Raizen: You were always surrounded by people, and you had your sister, you were never truly lonely. Even though I had friends, everytime they walked away, I could see the darkness coming back for me. Pathetic, huh?
He asked, leading to a long silence.
Sasuke: I was jealous of you too.
Those words had never even been imagined coming from the Uchiha's mouth. Widely, everyone stared on, confused as to Sasuke's reasoning for this.
Sasuke: You're right, I was surrounded by people, and that was what was truly lonely. All my life, I had always been in Itachi's shadow, I had never even been looked at when he was around, I was only Itachi's little brother. I never mattered.....Then he defected, and suddenly I was the big star, suddenly people gave a shit about me. And I hated it, I still hate it. People wanting to be friends with me, girls confessing their love to me, most people would love that right? Then they would whisper, "If you become friends with the Uchiha, you'll never have to worry about anything", "If you marry the Uchiha, your children will be gifted." "Uchiha, Uchiha, Uchiha." I was so sick of it, I never mattered, all that mattered was that I was from the Uchiha clan. I was always Uchiha Sasuke, never Sasuke Uchiha. I was only a pawn people wanted so that they could advance their own life, when you know that truth, it's really hard to get along with people. I never even considered anyone close to me until I was placed on team seven and I never really considered anyone my friend until I met Naruto.
He said with a chuckle.
Sasuke: You know, despite what most people think, I actually have a pretty vivid vision of love, but it's hard to believe that a girl is really in love with you when they couldn't even tell you something as simple as what your favorite color is.
Sasuke's words cut hard, he had never before given a reason he was so distant from everyone before, but everything he said was really hard to argue with.
Sasuke: To me, life was like a fading picture where the face of the person displayed can no longer be indentified. Nothing seemed real to me, and while I was longing for a bond, I was surrounded by people who offered false ones. It was like being suffocated by air.
He said closing his eyes to the rest of the world.
Sasuke: Yet, I always saw you, surrounded by people who knew your name, people who were around you because they knew and accepted you. You may have been alone when you were at home, but I was alone any time I wasn't. Even if they were few, they bonds you made were real.
He said opening his eyes to Raizen as both stared at one another with a smile. Raizen's image changed once again as he remembered something.
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Raizen: Hey Shika, kick it this way!
Shikamaru: I don't feel like it.
Raizen: Oh com'n Why are you on the feild then!
He shouted out across the soccer feild as Shikamaru only sighed in response and waited for Choji and Kiba to draw closer. Then despite his lackluster attitude, he kicked the ball across the feild right to Raizen.
Kiba: No way!
Choji: He tricked us.
As the boys adjusted their bodies to go after the ball Raizen turned to it a kicked it down into the net before the goalie blocked it. Raizen walked over to Shikamaru and patted his shoulder.
Raizen: You said you didn't want to, but you did anyway, that's a victory for us.
Shikamaru: Yeah whatever, next time just use your speed, then I won't have to work.
Raizen: Last time I did that they said I was cheating, so I can't run more than 14 mph or they won't let me play.
Shikamaru:......Now that I think about it that's a pretty good rule.
Choji: Next time we won't lose.
Kiba: Yeah, I can't lose to you anymore or else people will start thinking you're better than me.
Raizen: I am.
Kiba: Not.
Shikamaru: Well, it's about time to go.
He said gazing into the dimming sky.
Kiba: Yeah you're right. Well, see you tomorrow Rai.
He said he and the others waved him off, Raizen waved back, smiling the whole while and once they were out of sight, Raizen's smile turned sad. Stuffing his hands in his pockets Raizen turned away from the field and walked toward the place he now called home, staring down at the picture of his family.
Yukari: So how was your day Oniichan?
Sasuke: The same as always, I'm starting to get bored again.
Yukari: That's nothing new, you just need to loosen up more.
Sasuke: Whatever you say.
Without noticing, the three walked right passed each other, and after a few steps they stopped. Slowly they all turned back to face each other, and for ten seconds they stared at each other, then they smiled. Then after only a minute, they turned and went on their way, still smiling the whole way, yet for one side, neither knew why they smiled.
---------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------
After that, the display vanished into the sky. Both boys stared smiling at each other as they both whispered.
Sasuke/Raizen: You and I, are so much alike.
With only that moment both cracked their knuckles.
Sasuke: And that's why!
Raizen: And that's why!
Both shouted as they dropped into stance ready to rip each other apart.
Sakura: Wait what are you doing!?
Claire: I'll heal any wounds that you get, so long as you remember that I can't revive the dead to their normal state.
Raizen: Hnn.
He said with a nod.
Sakura: You're going to allow this? Kakashi-sensei stop them.
All that greeted Sakura from her sensei was a long silence.
Sakura: I can't believe this.
JJ: Sakura, the best way I can put this is, that men are stupid. Just like rams, sometimes we need to butt heads in order to clear out the cobwebs and keep moving. Right now is one of those times. As such none of us intend to stop them, not only because we can understand, but because they don't want to be stopped, as such, anyone who steps in might get attacked as well, then it'd be a much bigger fight. And even if we did manage to stop it, what's to stop it from happening later? It may be feuled by simple pride, but it's one we all can relate to, the least we can do is stop them before they kill each other. With my aura eye I can tell when someone's life is in danger, unless I move, you have nothing to worry about.
Sakura: How can you all be so calm about this?
Raizen: Sakura!!
His shout brought the girl's attention to him and his younger cousin standing across from him. Raizen looked to the ground and then exhaled deeply after making up his mind.
Raizen: You already know this, and I know that. I never really denied it, but you found it out from listening to me talk to Kiba. I never told you myself and I'm sorry for that, so this time I'll say it to you in my own words. Sakura, I love you.
The straight face he wore saying that was completely overwhelming, it was as if there wasn't even the slightest doubt in those feelings. It was probably the boldest thing most of them had seen in a long time, embarrassing Sakura to no end.
Raizen: If it meant I could protect, I'd run through a falling cavern with seven broken ribs and take down a dreadnought class battleship.
Ino:.......That was specific.
Sakura: Because it happened already.
She said with a blush, through closed eyes, Raizen continued.
Raizen: And I know how you feel about Sasuke, I always have, and trust me, if I could have gotten rid of those feelings I would have done it long ago. It would have made my life a lot easier.
Sakura growled at those words, without thinking, Raizen had said some pretty mean things.
Raizen: That's why I'll have to apologize for being selfish this time. But I can't let this one go.
Sasuke: This isn't some childish pride, it's because I've been holding in somethings that I have to let out, or else it'll eat away at me.
Raizen: This isn't like the time we fought of that riceball.
Sasuke: This isn't like the time when we fought because he wouldn't shut up about the time I tripped on that mission.
Raizen: That was funny though.
Sasuke: Shut up.
He said with a growl.
Raizen: But either way, we can't just let this go!
Sasuke: This is because two men-
Raizen: Who reach for the same goal-
Sasuke: Will eventually have to step on the head of the other-
Raizen: To attain it.
Sasuke: That's why, this time I'm asking you-
Raizen: I'm begging you-
Sasuke/Raizen: Don't interfere!!!!!
Both shouted, leveling a glare to the girl that sent shivers down her spine. Those words had a hidden message. There words were, "if you jump in again, we'll go through you." their words were a threat. At that moment she understood just how serious these two were. Both boys turned back to each other and stared on with bloodlust, they wanted to know, which of them was stronger. All watched on, determined to give their fight meaning, yet to one, the fight was already pointless even though it hadn't even started yet. Sakura's nightmare was just beginning.
Chapter 19 End.
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Preview:
Sasuke: I don't care if you are an Uchiha, you're nothing compared to me!
Raizen: I am the reincarnation of Raijin, the god of lightning! You don't stand a chance, give up now while you can.
Next time on Eyes piercing the darkness: Before the storm: Battle for supremacy.
Sasuke/Raizen: You are nothing next to me!!!!!!!
Omakes will be omitted due to time restraints.
Sakura: Okay everyonem it's been a hard time getting here, but welcome to-
Character introduction corner!!!!!
Ino: And today is another special episode.
JJ: Yeah I guess you could call this one "Story introduction corner." I'm going to be answering questions once again about how the story works. So class is back in seesion!
He shouted down to the arguing people below him, sitting in their desks. Once the class became quiet he coughed into his hand and pointed to the board.
JJ: Alright, Norugi-sensei will answer any questions you guys have so fire away.
Tenten: Okay, I'll start, a while ago Claire-sensei called you the "regulator", what is that exactl?
JJ: A better question is were you even there for that conversation?
Tenten: This stuff isn't canon away so why worry about continuity?
JJ: Good point, anyway, a regulator is just that. Because of the standing and importance of the two secret villages (Darkness-Light) both guarding such important places, the rising of other villages and power in said villages became a threat. As such a jounin from each village is sent to each hidden ninja village as a sort of supervisor. This person not only has one of the highest standings in the village, but has access to all village records. In some cases the regulator has more authority than the kage of that village.
Naruto: Isn't that kind of like muscling in on someone else's territory?
JJ: I guess you can see it that way and not be wrong, but we don't get to directly interfere with any decisions the village makes and we have no control over the village's beliefs. There is also the fact that crossing certain lines makes the regulator unfit to perform duties, such as abusing such power. Then they are forcibily returned to the village.
Hinata: Why is it neccessary to have access to all records?
JJ: Well think of it like this, if you're at a job and the boss sends a messanger to collect the sales data, would you stop him?
Hinata: Well......
JJ: That's kind of how we work.
Sasuke: But, why do they get to do something like that?
JJ: Because if either of the secret villages becomes the enemy of a hidden village, that village could vanish in the night without a trace, and that's speaking in a current sense too. There is no combined village that stands a chance against the secret villages, speaking truthfully, I alone could annihilate the leaf village if I wanted.
He said with a clam expression.
JJ: We don't come to impose anything on any village and until we are given the release papers, we are to become one of the village's own shinobi. Regulators are also known as protectors. We are to protect the village under attack from those who commit high level crimes, like Orochimaru, or if we so choose from anything else as well. There are many regulators that don't join in battle, or ones like me who jumps up to defend if need be. Basically, we are here to monitor the progress of the hidden villages and protect their ways of life.
Kiba: But if your village is so powerful that it could annihilate any village, why regulate other ones?
JJ: Think about it this way, your village suddenly gained the protection of an SS class demon and two villagers became demons. As well as two demi-gods and the forbidden one. That is a drastic increase in power, left unchecked that could become a threat to the secret villages. Someone would need to check why that village has gained such might, and what they plan to do with it. Or it could always be, "Break into the void/heaven and gain more power", we are neccessary to discover true intentions, or more incidents like me may occur.
Mika: You mean when....
JJ: That's what happens when we let our gaurd down, unfortunately there are many people like that in the world. Until people like that don't exist, we'll have to assume that everyone is like that.
Orochimaru: Can I help it if my plans go so smoothly?
JJ: Yeah how'd getting your arms healed go for you.
Orochimaru: You'll see soon enough.
Ishi: Has there ever been a village that had to be destroyed?
JJ: Ever heard of the village hidden under the moon?
Ishi: No.
JJ exactly.
He replied with a smile.
JJ: I eagerly await that you asshole. Anyway, next question.
Neji: You once mentioned a man who broke into the void before Orochimaru, who is he?
JJ: That man is the reason my mother doesn't remember me. He's one.....No, THE strongest man in the world and he's the only human being to be rated SSS class. That class has only been atained by the king of gods, and the king of demons. He was born in the village hidden in darkness and became so strong that he went mad from his own power. He broke into the void to test his own strength and came out only after killing seven SS class demons. Before he entered the void however, he took out fourteen of our villagers and severly injured fourty, one being me mother. Stories tell that when he came back he no longer felt human, as such, none approached him, they just watched him leave. Including his own son. That person's name was Akuma and it was decided that we'd let him die of old age, never to engage him in battle. It is only thanks to his warrior spirit that he doesn't attack indiscrimately, however if he feels the presence of another fighter whom he feels worthy, he will follow that person until they agree to fight him, and then he desimates them. If not, then he pursues them forever.
Sakura: Oh come on, that sounds like the story to the boogey man, how are we supposed to believe that?
Claire: He's not lying, that story was true. Akuma's son is the only person in the world who has fought him and survived. That man is a monster that is unmatched. He is the only human being to be universally classified, "AAAC"
Lee: What does that mean?
JJ: Avoid at all costs.
That phrase gained a collective gulp from the entire crowd surrounding the boy.
JJ: So be sure to thoroughly inspect your closets from now on.
That dispeled the tension in the room with a collective facefault.
Sakura: I knew that wasn't real.
JJ: No it's true, I just thought that would relieve everyone a little. Akuma doesn't normally show himself, but when he does, make sure you make yourself scarce. Next question?
He asked with a smile dispite the fact that everyone else was freaked out.
Raizen: Do you go into the void?
JJ: Yes.
Raizen: What is it like in there?
JJ: While that's a pretty dangerous question, I'll answer. While most is darker, it's not much different from this world, it's called the void because of how the doorway appears. The inside has many lush forests and cities, if you remember when Minatsuni attacked, he claimed that the city inside of Naruto was the void, that is because the void is mostly comprised of cities like that, which is probably why Naruto's mindscape appears to be one, believe of Yubiki's real home. Most wouldn't think of this, but it's always better to question than to just accept.
Ino: Dragons existed here for many years right? How come we've known about demons for so long, but never dragons?
JJ: Think about religion, in almost every one, there is a hell. Even if the god worshipped is different, there is always a hell. Demons are believed to be real, no matter what their form, people believe in them, so the search for them and their power is always present, however many believed that dragons are only fairy tail monsters, like elves and vampires. Also given our ability to maintain a human form for most of our life, we can easily blend in with humans and walk among them. Like I said earlier people never questioned, so they were only able to accept dragons as fiction.
Kakashi: There's something I've been wondering too, about Claire, would you care to explain the meaning of the Fuganu style's special abilities? I've been curious for a while now.
JJ: Ah, taking a shine to my teacher huh?
Kakashi: Huh, um, I assure you that's not the reason.
JJ: Sure it's not, I've noticed the passing glances.
He said with an evil snake smile as Kakashi sweatdropped.
Claire: Norugi, stop that.
JJ: 'Gasp' You called me Norugi! What did I do wrong?
He asked teary eyed.
Claire: Ignoring him, I'll be glad to answer your question. Long ago my great grandfather, regrettably became obsessed with the idea of a cure for one's mortality.
Orochimaru: Now this is my kind of conversation.
Claire: While that makes me reluctant to continue, I will anyway. He and two men created a serum that would, once injected, cure the individuals of the inevitable end to all life. However, all those they tested it on, died.
A collective gulp wished through all listening.
Sakura: Then it was a failure?
Claire: No, it was a smashing success, if you count that all those who died suddenly came back to life with an uncontrollable desire to feast on human flesh.
And then all turned pale.
Claire: I believe that most refer to them as zombies. However, for some the effects were different, one of the other scientists, William, he evolved into some monster, he's dead now though. Then there's Wesker, he got the good end of the deal, accelerated movement, advanced strength, and decelerated aging. He's still alive to this day. Then there's my grandfather, he was captured after the village was destroyed, ironically the same village that JJ mentioned earlier. Once he was brought back to the village, he was executed and then buried, but then he climbed out of his own grave and reverted back to the form of a child. Ever since he's been cursed to grow old and die, then repeat the process in a never ending cycle. He now knows what it's like to live forever, it sucks though. Because of that females of our bloodline are born with an innate ability to heal, and an immunity to foriegn diseases. While men gain incredible strength and unyeilding endurance, yet somehow my brother managed to push that limit. We also hold the power to summon and control the monsters created back then. Some say it's because all Fuganu are partially dead, so we can reach into the other side, and then when we turn fifty, we melt like plastic toys in the sun.
A collective screamed wished through everyone, only gaining a chuckled from the brown haired jounin.
Claire: I'm just kidding.
JJ: Hehe, you got them good.
Both laughed, pointing happily at the frowned crowd in front of them.
Ino: So that's where he gets it from.
Claire: Well, most of the story was true though, except the end.
Tenten: So the part about zombies?
Claire: All true, not to scare you though, but that wasn't just a story.
JJ: And moving on!
He said with a smile, ignoring the spooked faces of the people around him.
JJ: Are there anymore questions?
Raizen: I have one, since you use so many songs in the story, do you ever come up with theme songs for the characters?
JJ: Impressive breach of the fourth wall there.
Raizen: Thank you.
JJ: I actually do. I'll name only a few.
Naruto/JJ: Savin' me by nickelback.
Jiraiya/Tsunade: Neverland by Lyfe Jennings.
Raizen/Sakura: Everything you want by Vertical horizon
Naruto/Hinata: Any love song ever made.
Kiba/Yura: Final distance m. flo mix by Hikaru utada/M-flo
Mika: No more drama by Mary J blige.
JJ/Mika: Miss you by M-flo/Ryohei.
Neji/Ishi: My hands by Leona Lewis
Sasuke: Blurry by Puddle of mudd.
Raizen/Seriga: Tired of being sorry by Enrique Ingelias.........shut up.
That's just to name a few.
JJ: I could go on, but I don't really feel like it so I'm going to stop there.
Ishi: Are there any characters or chapters that you created that you don't like?
JJ: As far as characters, no. There are a few that I can't really fit into dramatic story scenes, and that makes it feel like a watse to add them, but most of them are there because I was so fond of their idea. That alone is reason enough to make me keep them. As far as chapters, there are a lot of them that I didn't like the negative feedback and it made me want to delete them, but as I said before, I only add them because I grew fond of their idea. To be hunted was one of those chapters, many people didn't see the point in it in the long run because it's not often mentioned down the road. However, the strain of the event was very important to the story, as well as the fact that Naruto's memory of it will play a big part in the story later on. I keep everything I add, because it is critical to the storyline in some way or another, because I plant very important seeds in even the most miniscle of moments, so even if it seems small, you'd better pay attention, like for example, how many people actually thought twice about Naruto being able to support trees through chakra after about chapter five, yet that was a seed to one of the story's biggest reveals.
Yura: So pay attention or miss out.
JJ: And that's the moral of the story everyone, and with that last bit of information, we bid you adieu.
Kiba: From everyone one here-
Yura: And everyone reading.
ALL: SHINE ETERNAL!!!
And once again a curtain closes on a long and difficult chapter of this story, sorry it took so long, but life had my balls, now that I have them back, it's time to get back to work, so until next we meet, shine eternal everyone.
Metal gear solid: Okay, this one was boarder than the side of a barn. I didn't really try to hide it, and my sheer love for all things solid snake is what led to these references.
Negima: Ah, this one was also a very obvious reference. While Non-Fans may not get it, all of the girls in the steel fortress were named after characters from Negima, as well as Chamo, whose name comes from the series' resident pervert, who happens to be an ermine.
Sonic the hedgehog: Raizen's "escape from the collapsing cave" Was highly inspired by Sonic the hedgehog, I even through in the loops and and rubber springs, whoever didn't get this was blind as all hell.
Breath of fire 3: Crysm ore was one of the game's most prominent power sources and it was used in mostly everything. Because of the war between the dragons and the gaurdians, which left the dragons nearly extinct, crysm ore was omnipresent in the world and mining it became one akin to the real world's oil. However, during one of the excavations, the mine workers, accidentally wakes one of the last remaining dragons, Ryu, from his crystalized slumber. Teepo is also a character from breath of fire 3, a spunky and rumbancious boy who often mouths off too much for his own good. After disappearing for the majority of the game, he returns as an adult and, due to mass "brain-washing", turns against you to protect the false goddess.
Now, for the revalation, Raizen's story, full and uncut. The Uchiha blood fued grows deeper.
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Before the storm: Coming clean.
The rooftop of Konoha's hospital was enveloped in a dim flash, the sound of cracklng thunder and smoke of a raging fire were the only signs of the struggle that could be deciphered from below. However, to Sakura, it was all too clear, and deathly real, the two boys of her team were fighting, and they were serious. As both closed in on each other, Sakura threw herself into the middle of the battle, recklessly running between the two powerful attacks the boys had intended for one another. Unable to move or delay their attacks, they charged straight for her, fearing the damage she would take, however, another presence made itself known. The hands of Kakashi Hatake grabbed tightly onto the wrists of both boys, and with a fluid spin, he launched them both in different directions. Sasuke's fist, completely destroying the water tower he had only barely touched, Raizen's fist, blasting a hole through the very wall he collided with. As rubble and scolding hot water fell to the ground below them both Kakashi scolded them, hoping his words would bring an end to the quarrel, but Sasuke's rage hadn't calmed, and even the interference of the girl and the jounin, had done nothing to soften his anger. Raizen stood to his feet, staring straight at Sasuke as he ran for him, however the delay in his actions prevented him from stopping what he could already see coming.
Sasuke: I'm not done.
He said silently a he slammed Raizen back first into the chain fence behind him. The intial shock from Sasuke's actions hadn't just effected Raizen, but the other two as well, it had been only a flash and there was no time to stop it. Sasuke turned with a low kick that swept Raizen's, knocking him off his feet, and in a motion so fast that it looked like flowing water, Sasuke had formed the seal for one of his most famous technique.
Sasuke: Fire style: Grand fireball jutsu!
From point blank range, Sasuke fired into Raizen's face, blasting him through the chain fence and down to the long fall the awaited him as he descended to the ground.
Kiba: Man it's been a long day.
He said walking his small familiar, gazing toward the sky as he moved. A single scent crossed his nose, one he recognized, but something was off.
Kiba: What smells like burnt Raizen?
He thought aloud, mostly as a joke to himself, but soon that joke hit him as reality when his senses shouted those thoughts to be true. Kiba turned his eyes to the direction the scent had come from, locking his vision onto the sight of his falling friend, yet due to the rate of movement, their was nothing he could do to stop his descent.
Kiba: Rai!
He shouted out as his best friend collided with the ground. The landing sounded like a mock explosion, sending shockwaves through the surrounding area, and effectively managing to draw the attention of the people in the there.
Kiba: Who did this?
He asked in more of a growl than a voice, yet Raizen gave no answer, defying the pain any normal person would have felt, he started to lift himself, gazing into the distance at something everyone else had failed to see. Kiba was in the way, his back turned to the fast approaching enemy. Raizen clicked his teeth and pushed Kiba from the attack's range, lining himself up for the incoming attack instead. Raizen lifted his left arm, blocking Sasuke's flying kick with his own forearm just before it could land. The arrival of Raizen's unknown enemy was a shock to everyone, yet none more than Kiba, he was expecting an attack, but this was Raizen's own teammate. Raizen pushed force into his arm, launching Sasuke back down the street, but with only a graceful flip, he managed to land on his feet. Never stopping to take a breath, Sasuke quickly closed the distance, allowing for no defense. Sasuke, with his sharingan fully active, charged at Raizen with his right hand drawn back, and even as Raizen moved his hand to block it, Sasuke's left moved lower. Due to Raizen's reflexes, he was able to catch both of Sasuke's fist on the moment he attacked, leading them to a stalemate, both trying to over-power the other, but after only two seconds of the struggle, Sasuke grew bored of it and threw his hands to the side, leaving Raizen completely open, and with a wide smile, he flipped forward, slamming the front of his foot into Raizen's chin.
Raizen: Gah.
Sasuke: What's wrong, not fast enough to react?
He asked, flipping in mid-air, and quickly he turned, slamming the heel on his foot into Raizen's cheek, knocking him to the side. Sasuke let Raizen and everyone else see that he meant business. Sasuke's lips opened slightly, only enough to release an arrogant chuckle, but that was enough to rouse Raizen from his own stupor. As his eyes regained focus, he quickly leaned away from another fist and spun into a heel kick, aimed for Sasuke side, but due to his sharingan, Sasuke saw it coming and caught Raizen's leg mid flight and sent his leg forward, knocking Raizen's only support from under him, sending the boy spinning the air. Sasuke lifted his foot and brought it back down, slamming it into Raizen's stomach, smashing him into the ground. Raizen hadn't been putting up much of a fight, most thought it was because he was facing off against the Uchiha prodigy, however Sasuke knew the real reason. Raizen had been doing it since they were kids, he never went full out against him, and the fact was starting to piss him off.
Sasuke: What's wrong, coward?
He said as he lifted his fist and brought it down for Raizen, however, the boy flipped from the spot just in time to dodge, but not fast enough to avoid the spin kick Sasuke followed up with. Raizen's body was forced into a spin, slamming back first into the wall of a restuarant. Without giving his teammate time to recover, Sasuke closed in, viciously buffeting Raizen with fists, rising Kiba to the boiling point, ready to rip the Uchiha's face from his head. Then with a fist blazing with fire, Sasuke pulled back his left hand slamming it into Raizen's face.
Sasuke: Karyu-no-tekken!
He shouted the move he had created to mock Raizen's signature move. However weaker it was, Sasuke's attack was enough to send Raizen flying back along the ground, stumbling to his feet, but even before he could rise, Sasuke was in his face, two fingers before his lips.
Raizen: Fuck.
He said as he looked away cursing his luck, and in that moment, a massive fireball blasted into him, slamming him face first into another wall. Raizen pushed himself back and collapsed to the ground, unable to support his own fatigue any longer. Staring up at Sasuke, he thought to himself. With a smile, he conceded as Sasuke quickly came after him again, yet something had stopped the young Uchiha. Kiba's claws had slashed down for him, ready to end the Uchiha's life. Even if he was a fellow shinobi, he was attacking Raizen with the furiosity equal to an enemy ninja, so he was inclined to treat him like one. Despite this, Sasuke paid him little mind as he continued for Raizen, only to be interupted once again, this time by Sakura. For the second time, Sakura threw herself in front of the boys, arms spread wide, trying to end their fued. Sasuke finally lowered his offensive, gazing down at Raizen.
Sasuke: Pathetic.
Raizen: Whatever.
Sasuke: Saved by a woman, and you didn't even try to fight back. You're a sorry excuse for a shinobi.
Raizen: What?
Sasuke lowered his hand and turned his back to Raizen as Kiba joined Sakura in front of him.
Sasuke: Did you all see, this is our so called team leader, someone who hides behind a girl when the hammer comes down.
His word invoked mummers among the crowd, Raizen could deal with that, but what he said next sent shockwaves through the boy.
Sasuke: Someone like you can't protect anything.
Raizen: What?
Sasuke: There's no wonder you're alone.
Raizen's eyes went wide, staring at Sasuke with killing intent.
Sasuke: What's wrong Raizen, thinking about you truth make you angry? Someone who's too scared to fight, will lose everything.
Raizen: Tough words coming from someone who has nothing.
Sasuke: Yeah, but the difference is, I threw everything away, you consistantly reach for something you can never attain, like the girl standing in front of you.
Raizen's eyes began to change, Sasuke was crossing the line, even Sakura cringed at his last comment.
Ino: Sasuke, don't you think you're-
Sasuke: Stay out of this.
He said leveling a glare at the girl she had never seen before. Sasuke then peeked over his shoulder and gazed at Raizen.
Sasuke: People like you, deserve to be alone.
Raizen's face suddenly cleared and in a flash, he was holding onto Sasuke's shoulder.
Raizen: Simple plan, you want to piss me off so I'd go all out huh?
He said with a smirk.
Raizen: That's a gutsy idea, problem is though....It worked!
He shouted as a wave of electricty flew through him.
Raizen: You wanted me mad, you got it, you wanted me to hurt you, my pleasure, you wanted to die just say so.
Raizen released Sasuke's shoulder and placed his back on his, both facing different directions.
Raizen: This is your last chance to back out.
He said with an unchanging expression.
Sasuke: It doesn't matter, you're still no match for me.
Raizen: Fine, I'll give you all that I got.
Raizen stretched out both hands and suddenly, rippling through the village, came his shuriken and broadsword, returning to his hand as if they were JJ's sword.
Raizen: Don't regret this.
He said as he spun both weapons, slamming them roughly into their sheaths. Then with only a tap, he sent his executioner blade flying from his back into the air, then he grabbed onto the hilt and slammed it down for Sasuke with such force that it ripped through the cement. Sasuke had managed to dodge the attack, but the force from the attack was enough to knock him slightly off balance. Despite this, Sasuke also managed to dodge the next swing Raizen sent for him. With a flipping kick, Sasuke attacked Raizen, only to have his attack blocked by Raizen's massive blade. Unable to see any other effective way off of Raizen's blade, Sasuke pushed forth, sending his opponent back into a slide, however Raizen quickly used the momentum to flip back, from which he landed atop his sword, planted firmly into the ground. Raizen kicked from his blade with a smile, and the instant he landed on the ground, he became the wind. Sasuke's eyes traced Raizen, keeping track of his every move, and with confidence, he swung back to the right, however Raizen had seen this coming as well, and he leaned back under it and turned into a short spinning flip. Raizen broke from his spin and landed on his palm where he delivered rapid fire kicks to Sasuke's stomach. Giving no time for Sasuke to recover, Raizen pulled back his left leg and slammed it into Sasuke's chest, sending him flying back. Raizen threw himself forward with Sasuke, and brought his fist up into Sasuke's stomach, then dragged it up completely sending Sasuke back to his feet, then he dragged his other fist down into his face before lifting his body into the air, left leg first and slamming it down onto Sasuke's neck. Then without warning he moved to Sasuke's back and slammed his fist into his side, turning him to face him once again, then ravaging attacks, he repeatedly punched into Sasuke's body, lifting him into the air.
Raizen: Try and keep count!
He said with an arrogant smile rivaling Sasuke's as he repeatedly shot lightning fast punches into Sasuke, finishing with a single haymaker that sent Sasuke flying back.
Raizen: 208.
He said to himself as he once again became one with the wind, constantly disappearing and reappearing on buildings before finally settling over Sasuke punching him down into the ground with a resounding boom. Then without taking a breath, he grabbed onto Sasuke shirt and launched him forward. As if racing with Sasuke as he flew, Raizen quickly made back to his sword, tightly grasping the hilt as he dragged it through the ground and into Sasuke. Sasuke spun to the ground, barely able to breathe, but even then, Raizen was unrelenting. He swung his sword, latching the hook in the front onto Sasuke's neck, then with a spin he tossed him into a large power pole. Sasuke's back slammed into the pole and he bounced off, struggling to breathe as Raizen walked forward. And with godly speed, he stepped forward, slamming his left forearm onto Sasuke's neck pressing him to the pole.
Raizen: Not quite how you saw it happening is it? Trust me, even on my worst day you can't hold a candle to me!
He shouted as he slammed his Raizen-ken into Sasuke's face, knocking him through the pole, crushing it in the process. Raizen stalked through the wreckage picking up a powerline that had fallen due to his attack.
Raizen: Maybe you shouldn't let your little clan's strength go to your head. After all, you're not as strong as you think you are.
Raizen slammed his foot on Sasuke's chest, holding him up to another pole as he placed the powerline in his own teeth, draining the power from it. Then after gathering enough of it, he pushed against Sasuke's chest as hard as he could, once again sending him through the pole behind him.
Raizen: I'm gonna send you flying!
Raizen watched as Sasuke struggle to lift himself and with unmatched speed, he moved himself under Sasuke.
Raizen: Lightning storm!!!!!
He shouted out, slamming his fists into Sasuke's body at high speed, giving not even a second to breathe, and once finished he pulled back both hands and simultaenously slammed them into Sasuke's body.
Raizen: Blinding blaze!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Raizen's fists exploded with blue lightning and the recoil from his attack left an imprint in the ground behind him, but his attack wasn't over, all of the residing chakra he left behind gathered on his right fist.
Raizen: Let me show you my new jutsu. I've only been able to use it once in real combat, but I'm going to make this the second.
He said as he drifted his fist up and down, forming a stream behind him, and then he vanished, hopping from building to building in a blur, leaving behind only the trail of chakra behind him. Then he reappeared before Sasuke, forming the complete lightning dragon on his fist.
Raizen: Raijin-ryu!!!
He shouted out as the massive dragon slammed into Sasuke, and continued to move through him, roaring out as it moved. Then finally it slammed him into a roof and then bounced, sending Sasuke flying out into the village's plains. Due to the momentum of his attack, Raizen was sent spinning back to the ground. When he landed he slammed his fist into the ground, slowly standing up. All eyes stared in shock, he had just overpowered the mighty Sasuke, thought to be the strongest behind Naruto, JJ, and Mika, but they were monsters. How could Raizen have over powered Sasuke Uchiha so completely. As they pondered this, Raizen gathered his sword and said in a strong voice.
Raizen: Sorry about the mess, we'll take the rest out of the village.
Even though he said this, others watching had just seen something interesting, and they wanted to see what happened. Suddenly realizing that they had something to do out in the village plains, and just happening to be headed in the same direction as Raizen, the crowd had wound up following him out after Sasuke. As Sasuke collected himself, Raizen showed up behind him.
Raizen: Are we done?
Sasuke: Heh, not even close.
He said standing up to face his opponent, yet something else caught his eye. Raizen hadn't really been paying attention to the fact that he was being followed, even though he had known, and Sasuke was happy it had happened.
Sasuke: And so they gather. Now I can expose you to everyone!
He shouted out. Raizen was aware of what he meant, but he couldn't just give it away.
Raizen: What are you talking about?
Kakashi: Sasuke, what is this all about?
Sasuke: Ask the liar over here.
Kiba: What was that?
Sasuke: You heard me, he's been lying and decieving all of us!
He said turning a sideways glance over to Raizen.
Sasuke: Isn't that right, Raizen Aname, or is it, Raizen Uchiha?
Raizen's eyes barely moved, yet everyone else was stunned, that was a bold accusation, of all things, why an Uchiha?
Kiba: Is that what this is about? You must have lost your mind, I'd sooner believe Rai was a member of the Inuzuka clan than yours.
Kakashi: Sasuke, you know there's no way.
Yu: Yeah, Onii-chan you know that everyone of us was.....
Sasuke: Yeah, every member of the Uchiha clan was killed, in this village. But Raizen isn't from this village is he? Is it so much to believe that there were Uchiha who didn't stick with the pack?
Shino: That's merely circumstantial, you're grasping at straws.
Sasuke: Oh, yeah I guess I would be if a puzzle piece wasn't thrown into my lap to fit this all together..
Yu: What do you mean?
Sasuke: When I met Itachi again he said something to me. He said, "The other two Uchiha I saw today were far more impressive."
Finally Raizen gave a reaction as his eyes gazed to the ground.
Sasuke: Where would he get the number "two" from? I was able to accurately guess that one was Yukari, which I'll make sure to pay him back for, but who was the other? Kakashi-sensei may have a Sharingan, but he's not a member of our clan, Itachi would know that. Then I heard that you fought him as well, you gave yourself away. It was at that moment that I realized how little I actually know about you. Where was your original village, what was your childhood like? What were your parents' names? All we really know about your past is that your family was killed.
As he went on, the spectators found themselves suddenly believing Sasuke's rant.
Sasuke: But then it made sense, the strange feeling I get around you, the fact that Yukari could even feel it. You're one of us aren't you?
He asked directly to Raizen, who at this point, realized that he couldn't hide it anymore
Kiba: That's still not enough to just make-
Raizen's hand shot up, stopping Kiba from finishing that sentence. Then through closed eyes he reached to the back of his head and sighed.
Raizen: So that's why you're mad, trust me Sasuke.....I didn't want you to find out that way.
This comment sent a wave of shock through everyone who didn't know already. Sakura clutched her hands, as she gazed at the boys, scared of what might happen next.
Sasuke: It's true then?
Raizen: Yeah, you're completely right, even though I wanted it to go something like, "Hey Sasuke, guess what, I'm an Uchiha'. "What no way' "Yeah' Cool." or something like that.
He said trying to put a little humor into the situation, yet Kiba was still reluctant to believe it.
Kiba: Rai, you don't have to play along because Sasuke's gone nuts!
Raizen lowered his hand, ashamed that he hadn't at least told Kiba. There was no one on the planet he trusted more than him, and it was time to come clean. With a sullen look, he turned to Kiba and activated his sharingan. This expelled any doubt that anyone had left, Raizen was indeed an Uchiha. By doing so he was able to notice that he had also drawn the attention of his second teacher.
Raizen: I'm sorry Kiba.
Yu: Then you....When I asked you......
Raizen: Yeah, I was kind of ordered not to reveal it. And like Sasuke said before, I used to go by the name Raizen Uchiha.
Sasuke: So Aname is a fake name?
Raizen: No, if I wasn't a part of the Aname clan do you think I could use lightning jutsu the way I do? Aname was my father's last name, and on the day I came here I was told to go by that. And you want to hear something funny that's going to make Yukari hate me?
Sasuke: What?
Raizen: My mother was the second born child of the Uchiha leadership. So if she was still alive she would have been your aunt.
Sasuke: Wait then...
Raizen: Yeah, I'm not just related to you by clan, you're actually my first cousin.
As he revealed that he could feel the daggers Yukari was glaring into his back, making him sweat slightly.
Sasuke: And you knew this?
Raizen: Since the first time I heard your names. Sorry.
Sasuke: That won't cut it!!!!!!!
Raizen: I know, but.......Want me to tell you?
Sasuke: Huh?
Raizen: You said you don't know much about me, so I'll tell you everything. It's a long story though.
Sasuke: Start talking.
Raizen: Alright.........But first!
He shouted with a goofy smile that made everyone facefault.
Raizen: How about I tell you a little fairytale?
Sasuke: I'm not interested.
Raizen: Oh com'n it's my favorite bedtime story.
Sasuke: What are you, five?
Raizen: It'll be good I promise.
Sasuke: Just get it over with.
Raizen: Alright. Spark dance!
He shouted as he released a stream of lightning that danced in the air, creating an illustration.
Raizen: Long ago there existed two families. Both had no real home, but they had a tendency to be aggressive. As many of those who first began to settle, they found land, however, both had claimed this land for themselves, and unable to co-exist, the families began to war. This war lasted for many years, and the dark blood between them became as thick as the smoke. However, before their feud could be resolved, one of the families found a new land and settled there. Eventually the other family did the same. Even still, the bad blood between both families remained, even though they had no reason to fight anymore.
Raizen smiled as he gazed along the land, watching the faces of the people before him, listening in interest. Even Sasuke, who had been opposed to the idea, was showing interest in the story. Amused by this, Raizen decided to resume his story.
Raizen: Both had continued acts of aggression against the other and taught their children to hate each other without reservation. And to one family, was born a prince, said to be the most promising of all leaders before him. On his twelth birthday, he saw his first battle. Despite his lack of actual combat experience, he was pulled into the battle, but not long after, he found himself cornered. Then there was an explosion, this one thing managed to blast him from the battlefeild and into the dense forest below. However, when he awoke, he was alone, lost in a dark forest. All he could do was walk. After only going a short way, he heard the growls of hungry tigers. Doing the normal thing, he hid himself, thinking that the tigers were after him, but he was mistaken. Ahead of him, there was a wounded girl, unable to run from the ferocious beasts. The girl he saw, he had seen before, she was the other family's princess, and judging from what he could see, she had been blown away by the same blast as him.
Raizen stopped and lifted two fingers in front of himself.
Raizen: Led by his family's teachings, there were only two rational choices. 1: Fight off the tigers and kill the girl, taking back her head to show the other family or 2: Let the tigers kill her and repeat last sentence.
Raizen said with a smile before lowering his hand.
Raizen: He chose neither. The boy threw himself before the tigers and drew his sword, fighting with everything he had. After successfully fighting away the tigers, he collapsed from his injuries, with his back to the girl. He smiled in defeat, he could feel her standing over him. Because, led by her Family's teachings she only had one choice, cut him down and take his head back. However, like the boy had done, she chose her own way, and she ran away from the boy. The boy tried to lift himself, she had spared his life, he could at least get away.
????: Don't move!
Shouted the display, shocking everyone in the crowd, did Raizen's electricity mimic speech.
Raizen: I originally developed this for decoy missions.
He said speaking to the crowd.
Raizen: The girl had returned, bringing with her a med kit, and began tending to the boy's wounds. Both had done something that they had been taught was impossible. Together, they made their way through the forest, protecting one another, fighting as one. They realized, they had fallen in love, the boy wanted to protect the princess, and the girl wanted to stay by the side of the boy who saved her. Yet, when they returned from the forest, they were ripped away from each other. Unwilling to put the children in further danger, the families restrained from fighting as they departed. Only the boy and girl looked back. Even as they remained in their castles, far from each other, their thoughts always returned to each other. Years passed, and again they found themselves on the battlefeild, returned to battle, but the second they met, they recognized each other instantly. Yet they were unable to act out their feelings before their families, so instead, they feigned a battle with one another, and ended it with their disappearance. Once they were alone, they threw themselves into each other''s embrace. Two fools chasing a doomed love. But alas, the moment came when they had to seperate.
Raizen once again went into a pause to see if everyone was listening.
Raizen: Not long after that, they began meeting in secret, yet it was a love meant for disaster.
Princess: We can't keep this up.
She said sitting on a lone branch as her companion threw a twig from the tree, barely paying mind to her worries.
Princess: Will you listen to me!
Prince: Hey, I hear you, there's no reason to yell.
Princess: They're going to find out.
Prince: I know.
He said throwing another twig.
Prince: That one was louder than the other.
Princess: Are you being stupid on purpose or are you really just an idiot?
Prince: A little of both.
He replied with a smile, gaining a small one from the girl.
Princess: How can you be so calm?
Prince: I'm just not worried. I don't care what my family thinks, I'll just protect you no matter what.
Princess: Even from your family?
Prince: Especially from my family.
Princess: What if you can't?
Prince: Then, I'll take you as far away as I can, as fast as I can run. I'll run until our families can't see us, where they can't follow us. I'll run until I can't run anymore, and where I drop, we'll build our own life. When that time comes, will you come with me?
Princess: Of course.
The princess smiled at the pledge he made, sword pointed to the sky.
Raizen: She loved him, and she wanted to believe his words, but that was hard to do. Much like they thought, they were found out, and once again it led to a battle. The prince, accused of seducing the princess. The princess, accused of being a seductress witch, both sides ready to end their blood fued for good. The only thing that stood in their way, were the two lovers. The girl's doubt, being weighed upon by her brother's words, almost dropped her stance, in fear of pursuing a useless love, but the boy's love was undoubted. He grabbed tightly onto her hand and shouted.
Prince: Marry me.
Princess: Huh?
Prince: Forget these old fools, let them rot in their hatred for all I care.
Princess: But-
Prince: I denounce my right as this family's heir. I have no reason to live if I can't be with you.
His words, dispeled her every doubt, and with refound courage she stared into his eyes and said.
Princess: I denounce all ties to this family. I will not live in this world if I can't have you.
Raizen: In shock, both families shouted in outrage, ready to spill blood in their fury. And the prince shouted.
Prince: STOP!!!!
Bringing a halt to the violence he asked one last question.
Prince: Do any of you fools even know what you're fighting for anymore!?
With a glare leveled to all, he stepped back to his princess and said in a strong voice.
Prince: I want nothing to do with fools like you. You can all kill each other for all I care, but don't involve my hime in it any longer.
Raizen: With that last statement, he grabbed the girl's hand and pulled her into his arms. Then he ran, he ran until the families, frozen in shock, could no longer see them. He ran until they couldn't follow him, and when he legs finally gave out under him. As he sat there, the princess placed her hand in his, and on that ground, they began their new lives, with one another.
He said finishing his story gaining "awwwws" from the crowd. Sasuke chuckled and said what everyone was thinking.
Sasuke: Cute fairy tale, but can you start the freaking story now?
Raizen: I thought I did.
Sasuke: No, you just told a unbelievably unrealistic story.
Raizen: No, that's where you're wrong. Stories like that can happen.
Sasuke: In what world? There's no way someone would throw away everything and so stupidly risk their lives just for something like that.
Raizen: So are you telling me it wouldn't. Naruto, how long would it took you to throw away everything for Hinata.
Naruto: Approximately 0 seconds.
Raizen: My point exactly. Beside I'm surprised you haven't figured it out yet.
He said as he moved his fingers, dragging along features from the two faces displayed on his jutsu, and then placed it over his own face.
Raizen: Like I said Sasuke, I already started the story, from the very beginning.
Sasuke: Wait, then-
Raizen: Yep, the prince's name was Mirono Aname and the Princess was Yuri Uchiha. My favorite bedtime story was actually a story of how my parents met. Though I don't think there are many people who can say that their meeting was so romantic it can be told as a fairy tale.
He said with a smile as he continued.
Raizen: And to continue the story, well, when two people love each other very much, Raizen exists. It was always drilled into me, that I was the sheer embodiment of the sacrifice they made. Proof that when following your heart, there were never regrets. Then when I was three, the most important job in the world was given to me.
-------------------------------------------------------------- -------
(Flashback)
Mirono stood over his proud wife as Raizen ran around, gathering whatever he could to make his mom happy. Mirono stopped Raizen and pointed him to the small child in Yuri's arms and said in a strong, proud voice.
Mirono: Raizen, do you see. This is Seria, your little sister. No matter what, as a big brother, your most important job is to protect her. Do you understand.
Raizen: Yes sir.
Mirono: Good answer.
(Raizen: That was a job I took to heart. Nothing was more important to me than her.)
1 year later.
Yuri: Raizen, come on I have to feed Seria.
Raizen: No, I have to protect her.
Yuri: You don't have to protect her from me.
Raizen: But it's my job, and no matter what, I'm going to do it.
He said reaching for Seria's bottle, gently feeding her as he rocked her to sleep.
Yuri: If you keep that up she's going to develop a big brother complex.
(Raizen: She sooooo did too.
He said, breaking away from the story.
Raizen: There were many times in my life where I actually found myself more concerned for Seria's well being than my own. She meant the world to me. There was even this one time we had a fight out in the forest behind our house, and she ran away. Because I was mad I waited at least twenty seconds to go look for her.
Kiba: That's no time at all.
Raizen: Time moved slower for us okay. When you move at hundred MPH on a simple jog, twenty seconds is just enough to get you farther than most people can walk in a day. Anyway, I found myself looking for her, and I discovered something shocking. I couldn't find her, no matter where I looked. So I wound up looking around everywhere in the forest, and she was no where to be found and before I even knew it, I had been out there for three days, running around in circles trying to find her. Then I went home, thinking maybe my dad could help me, then I found out, she had just went home and dad was out there looking for me. She just took another route there, and the second my hand touched that door she was on me tighter than a pit bull's jaws. I had been searching for nothing for three days, and I was hungry as all get out, but I didn't care, because she was okay. I guess, it's just naturally bred into me to be that way.
He said closing his eyes, allowing the image behind him to take over once again.)
----------------------------------------------------- ---------------------
(Flashback)
The streets once again became filled with the clammer of everyday life. Seria, walking alone, lazily moved forward as she enjoyed her ice cream cone, paying no mind the person walking in front of her. Due to the reflexes she had, she easily avoided the man, but he wasn't less quick on his feet than she was, and dispite her efforts, he collided with her, knocking the cone from her hand, and right onto him.
Seria: Ah, sorry.
She said, even knowing that it wasn't her fault. Disappointed at the loss of her ice cream, the girl turned and began walking away, but before she could, she felt the man behind her moving, and once again, due to her sharp reflexes, she was able to dodge the man's hand just in time.
Chaba: Where do you think you're going?
Seria: I'm going to see if my brother will buy me another cone.
Chara: What do you mean, you're not going to make up for spilling your shit all over me?
Seria: Um, what do you want me to do? I'm six, it's not like I can replace it. Besides mister, it was only vanilla, it'll wash right out.
Chaba: Really, then why don't you do it?
Seria: Because I don't know you.
She said, pulling away from the man once again.
Chaba: You're not getting away with it that easily.
He said, snapping his fingers, commanding shinobi with slashes across the headbands. Seeing as she was raised by shinobi, she knew what that meant. Much like her older brother, she was quicker than the average cheetah on a normal stroll, but she lacked the training to handle that speed. If things got worse, she could always run, but she knew that wasn't neccessary yet, and judging by the utters of the onlookers, they weren't going to be helping her.
Chara: I think you'll do well in the training program we have.
Seria: Um, sorry, but my father made it very clear that he doesn't want me being a shinobi.
Chara: I agree, you'll do much better as something else.
Seria slightly closed her eyes and stared at the man in digust.
Seria: I'm six, what kind of weirdo lolicon are you?
She asked, throwing Chaba for a loop.
Chaba: What kind of six year old knows those kind of words. Besides, I don't care one way or another, but I have a lot of costumers who would love to have a girl like you.
He said once again reaching for her, but this time, she didn't move, after all it'd be better if he extended his hand for what was coming. Yet one of the missing nin noticed and pulled back Chaba's arm just in time to avoid the windmill shuriken flying for his hand, then he deflected it with a kunai, but the second that the kunai flew into the air, Raizen appeared in front of the ninja, holding tightly onto his weapon, and in one full motion, he kicked fiercely into his face with everything he had. Completing his spin, Raizen landed on the ground in front of Seria.
Raizen: Com'n man, do you have nothing better to do than pick on kids.
Seria: Oniichan.
She said staring at him with dreamy eyes.
Chaba: You've got a lot of nerve kid. Beat it before something bad happens.
Raizen: And miss out on the fun? What kind of day would I have then, I'd be bored stiff.
Chaba leaned back to his men and whispered the words.
Chaba: I don't need the boy, kill him and take the girl.
Raizen: Tch, lay one finger on my sister, and I'll break your teeth.
Chaba listlessly turned to Raizen and chuckled as more ninja fell around them, finally the boy's cool facade began to slip.
Raizen: Uh, can we be civil about this?
There were no words, all of the ninja just continued to advance on them.
Raizen: I guess not. Seria, you up for a jog?
Seria: Yeah.
Raizen: Then move!
He shouted out as he led her away from the crowd, gaining a check lead over the much slower ninja, however, because of Seria, he was unable to run as fast as he could.
Seria: Oniichan, there's a house there!
Raizen: I know, get ready, we're goin' through.
Seria: Huh?
Raizen: Those guys are with the slave trade. I know it may seem scary, but it's either go through that house or spend the rest fo your life-
Seria: Let's go.
She said cutting him off before he could finish, much to his amusement. Then without pause he sped in front of his sister and dived through the house's window, making an entrace for the small girl behind him, who much like he had planned, jumped through behind him. Without evening turning to the startled family behind them, they continued through the the next window as Raizen jumped covering his face thoroughly.
(Music que: City Escape/ by tony harnell & Ted poley. Sonic Adventure 2 OST)
Raizen: WOO!!
He shouted out in excitement as he made it through, made his way down the road, casting back a glance to his younger sister, who was easily keeping up to his pace. Raizen smiled wide, feeling the wind beat at his face. Even as he was being chased, nothing in the world felt better. Losing himself in the adrenaline, he skillfully dodged the pedestrians on the streets and flipped onto a cart, and spun onto the side of a house, moving as if graicty obeyed him. Without taking a breath he flipped back to the ground and made off down the street. He was in bliss, however he was forgetting one important thing, the girl who was following him.
Seria: Oniichan!
That one call was enough to drag back the boy's attention, bringing him back to earth. Realizing the girl couldn't keep up with him, he slowed down and reached back, grabbing tightly onto her arm, then without warning he threw her into the air. Raizen smiled back and turned into a spin, catching the girl on his back as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Then, like a bullet, he shot through the village, gainging a good lead ahead of them. Then with a single nodded he motioned for his sister to move, and with an understanding, she flipped from his back and activated her sharingan in mid-air. No more problem presented themselves as she charged through the village, turning back to her brother as he ran along the rooftops, keeping a sharp eye on her. However the ninja were faster than they though, albeit the fact that they were giving it everything they had. Dispite their speed, they managed to catch up to Seria, yet the had completely forgotten her overprotective brother. Raizen frowned a jumped from the rooftops, landing on the face of one of the unsuspecting ninja, and with the mimic of his frightening speed, he stomped on the man's face as if he were running track.
Raizen: I told you not to touch her!
He shouted as he flipped from the man's face, with an outstretched hand he called out to Seria and tightly held her hand as he moved up and building, and just before reaching the top he let go of Seria, slingshotting her to the roof. Seria landed without even the slightest problem and quickly adjusted her body to run again. Not even a second had passed and they were already passed three rooftops, but the ninja were fast approaching and Seria's lack of manuverablity was once again catching up to her, as were the shuriken that had been thrown. Raizen once again turned to his sister and pulled her close to his chest as he rolled under the shuriken, but the act also made them jumped short of the next roof, and Raizen's back collided with the building parrellel to them. Then once again he repeated the same as the collision pushed them back to the previous building, and then once again when they reached the ground.
Raizen: Ugh....
He said rolling in his pain, then his eyes finally regained focus and he saw the ninja looking down at him.
Raizen: Move.
No explantion was needed, Seria just moved away from Raizen and began looking for an exit as he flipped back and then bunnyhopped to avoided the next wave of shuriken, but while he was doing this, the ninja had time to close in on him. No matter where he looked, the were ninja, and with Seria still on ground level, he couldn't go to the roofs. Unafraid of the ninja in front of him, he balled his fists and readied for the assualt.
Seria: Oniichan!
She shouted, grabbing his attention. Seria was waiting behind an open door right down the alley. Their way out had been cleared and without a moment's delay, Raizen was through that door, running as fast as he could. Then there was a branching path, stairs leading up and a doorway in front.
Raizen: Go up!
He ordered and with a nodded she complied with his request. As she ran up those stairs she could hear the ninja keeping up with her, and not long after going trough she made it to the roof, trapped. Seria ran to the edge and looked back at the slowly approaching ninja. However, she didn't look scared, she just shrugged and jumped over the side, completely ready to fall, but her faith was rewarded in the form of Raizen, bursting through the third floor window with his arms out, as if he were expecting her to jump. He effortlessly caught the girl and slammed his feet in the building opposite of them. Raizen kicked back and started running along the side of the building without pausing, then jumped onto a rail sliding down all the way to ground level. Never once did he look back as he cradled his little sister to safety, but once again the path ahead had become obscured. Raizen leaned back on his knees, sliding under a horse drawn carriage and then span back to his feet, then Seria kicked from his chest and leapt over food stand as Raizen slid under it. Both moved in complete harmony, never once shifting ahead of the other, and once both had passed, Raizen caught Seria in his arms and continued running.
Raizen: Seria, get us outta here.
He shouted to her as he threw his shuriken into the air. The girl smiled as she flipped from her brother's shoulder and snatched down the shuriken in mid-air. With the weapon tight in her grip she held her free hand over it and closed her eyes, instantly teleporting herself far down the road, but unfortunately, she had done so right under a group of descending ninja. Yet, this once again became moot as Seria teleported again, this time to a safe distance.
Seria: Oniichan!
She shouted out, gaining her brother's attention and with a wide smile, he sped up, quickly reaching the waiting girl and right before he could pass her, he placed his hand on her shoulder and both warped into the forest behind the village. Seria looked around, trying to catch her brother's figure as she slid down the inverted hill, and then collided with something also sliding back. Raizen latched his arms around her and carried her down the hill with him.
Seria: What a rush!
Raizen: Tell me about it.
He responded as he reached the ground. Once they finally landed Seria latched onto Raizen's arm and smiled, walking side by side with him as he sweatdropped.
Raizen: Seria, cut that out, people will think you're my girlfriend.
Seria: I don't mind that.
Raizen: Seria, I'm not even going to mention all the things that were wrong with that sentence.
He said as he led them down the road, but his eyes caught the sight of two people walking down the road. A couple, with intentionally blurred out faces. The woman seemed to be telling the man something, and he was walking without turning his gaze from her and then without warning she turned to Raizen and said.
????: Cherish this moment.
Raizen stopped, and turned back, he hadn't been able to decipher the words then, but through recurring dreams and shinobi training, the lip motions gave away her words. Even though they had just passed him, by the time he had turned, they were gone.
Seris: What's wrong oniichan?
Raizen:......Nothing.
Raizen walked ahead and reached the door to their house, but the words he heard brought him to a halt. Even as he tried, the words never made sense and they came out jambled and distorted.. Giving not even seconds of thought to their words, he walked through the door and under his father's suggestion, he and his sister went to bed. Then suddenly Raizen's image stopped and he looked at Sasuke with a sullen gaze.
(Raizen: Heh, I've seen this moment in every dream I've had since that day. Don't look away, okay, because I was there for mine.)
Raizen awoke not long after lying down, shaken by the sounds of combat coming from downstairs. Even after quickly running down the stairs, he still couldn't shake the feeling he was getting and not much after he got up, Seria followed completely frozen with terror they watched. Yuri was sent flying into the back wall and their father was locked in battle.
(Music que: Valentine's day by-linkin park.)
Raizen stared in confusion, his father had never been defeated before, but here he was, lying on the ground due to the ninja's attack. Then without even a singe pause, he stood over Mirono and slashed across his neck in one fluid swing.
????: So slow.
He whispered as he hurled multiple shuriken at Seria, and due to her shock she never tried to dodge. Through his own fear, Raizen positioned himself in front of her and spread his arms, ready to sheild her from the attack. However, the shuriken never landed on him, instead something stood in front of him, smiling happily as she whispered silently.
Yuri: Run.
Even though he regreted doing so, he ran as fast as he could, carrying Seria with him, but unfortunately he looked back, just in time to see his mother's head roll to the ground. In shock, he ran forward until he reached another shinobi, a woman with short blonde hair. In an effort to escape he threw his shuriken past her and teleported to it, but the male shinobi was waiting, and after an extremely short battle, he was disarmed. Seria ran for his weapon, and through disoriented eyes, Raizen stared at the girl and tried to get to his feet, but this all became unneccessary as he saw her soaring through the air, and with a sickening snap, she landed to the ground staring at her brother through dead eyes. Raizen crawled as fast as he could, he needed to see, he needed to check, surely she wasn't dead, yet his fears were confirmed. Crying into the sky, Raizen had failed his most important mission. Settling on rage, and without even the slightest fear he grabbed his shuriken and and lashed out at the ninja, only to be blocked by the man's companion. Then the man lifted Raizen into the air by his neck and gazed into his eyes, and using what little strength he had, Raizen reached up and ripped the mask from the man's face, bringing a shocked gasp from his spectators. Then without pause the woman at his side walked forward and removed her mask to match, this face brought Ishi to her knees. Raizen kicked back, pushing himself from the man's grasp, but even after that the man just kicked him to the ground. Pulling his sword, he slashed down, once across the face, once across the chest, and as Raizen tried to get away, once across the back. As Raizen stewed in pain, Itachi stood over him and gazed down into his eyes with his mangekyou sharingan and sent him into a world with a blood red sky, were he watched his family die, over and over, it repeated.
Raizen: Stop it! Please, just make it stop......please....
He said in tears, but his words had changed the world's flow, instead of dying, his family gathered above him, and with disturbing smiles his father said.
Mirono: Fine, then let us put you out of your misery Raizen.
And with that trigger, they began ripping him apart, each hour, Raizen would revive just to be ripped apart again. Raizen stood before the image laughing as hard as he could, as everyone turned away or shook looking at the grissly images. Then after 72 hours of torture, Raizen fell to the ground limply, without an ounce of will left, but just as Itachi turned he said in defiance.
Raizen: I...swear.....I'll kill you.....I swear on my...life....I'll kill you.
And after those words were spoken, Raizen fell into unconciousness, then words crossed into his ear, words Raizen repeated over the image's playback.
Itachi/Raizen: If that is truly your wish, then grow strong. Hate me and let that hatred consume you, my little cousin.
---------------------------------------------------------- -----
And with those words, the image behind him vanished into nothing and he stared on with a darkness in his eyes that had never been seen before.
Raizen: Hatred? I hate him alright......Your brother took everything from me!!!!!
He shouted to Sasuke.
Raizen: Him and Isane, they snatched my life away.
His words made Ishi start crying, her sister had done such a thing....why?
Raizen: You know Sasuke, my parents used to take freelance missions in order to make a living. They would always tell me that one day they might not come back. I was ready for that.....but Seria was never trained.
His eyes changed once again, they were calm, but frightening.
Raizen: She wasn't ninja, she only had certain talents that she inherited. She wasn't a threat!!!!!
He roared out in anger.
Raizen: There was no reason, for her to die!!!! She wasn't a shinobi!!!! He didn't.....he didn't have to kill her.....
At the end Raizen's eyes drifted to the ground. holding the entirity of his hurt to himself. After a short pause, not caring if he was recieveing sympathy or pity, he returned his eyes to Sasuke and whispered the words.
Raizen: Spark dance jutsu.
His words recreated the image he had lost during his thoughts.
-------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Raizen laid back, staring at the ceiling of the pale white hospital room, nothing had ever haunted him so much. Pure white, mimicking the image of heaven, who the hell would take someone who was bordering on the edge between life and death to such a place. Even after awakening, he still thought himself dead until he heard the voices coming from outside.
(Raizen: So there I was laying in a hospital bed in a place I've never been before. I didn't know how I had got here, who brought me here or why they did it, but thinking back now. It was probably Itachi, why, I have no idea. His words were echoing in my mind stronger than anything I had ever felt, and for a while I obeyed. I hated everything, anything I saw pissed me off beyond any limit.)
Dr. Noma: It's amazing, through both physical and mental trauma at such a level, he managed to wake up in only three days.
Dr. Kinimi: I agree, truly this is a miracle.
Raizen peeked his eyes to the door and frowned.
---------
(Raizen: Miracle? Hah, honestly I wished they had let me die. There was nothing left for me in this world. I wanted nothing beyond killing that man, and I couldn't see how I was going to accomplish such feat. And no sooner when I able to stand, I was taken to the hokage's office, it was he who told me to go by my father's name. I thought of it as some way of trying to control me, as if marking me, but I didn't care. I no longer desire to go by the name "Uchiha" anyway. And shortly after that I heard of the Uchiha clan's fate.......hehehehe, good.
He said shocking everyone, and gaining a growl of pure blood lust from Sasuke, yet Raizen's eyes showed that he wasn't scared of anything the young Uchiha could muster, and to prove this, he finished his words.
Raizen: Any body who could raise a monster like that deserves whatever happens to them.
He said as his entire body became draped in shadow. He felt no remorse for the words he spoke, and taking them back at this point was completely out of the question.
Raizen: And then I found out about you. Itachi's younger siblings, the only survivors of the massacre. What a mistake he made, how dare he kill my sister, and leave his siblings alive?
Raizen words became scary once again, leading everyone to believe that this boy was much darker than he let on.
Raizen: So I thought, why don't I fix that for him?)
Raizen's eyes went dark as he narrated the images they saw behind him.
Raizen: I ripped up this village looking for you, hoping to find you and kill you both in the slowest most horrible way I could imagine. And when you're as pissed off as I was, you'll scare yourself with how many ways you can think of to kill someone.
Raizen's eyes were terrifying, he wasn't the boy everyone had grown to know, he was something like a monster and his words were testament to their belief.
Raizen: I ripped through this village looking for you both, wishing I could find you, hoping I would find you..........and then I did.
And just as randomly as he changed, he was once again back to his old self.
Raizen: I saw you both, and instantly I remembered what I was doing. You both....you looked like me. As if the world had been ripped from underneath you As if you had no clue how you were going to move on now. Then I realized how stupid I was being. Hurting others because someone hurt you, what good would that do, it'd just spark more hatred, keeping the cycle moving. Or maybe I was just a big brother for too long, because I suddenly started worrying about you. "When was the last time they ate, how long have they been like this, who's looking after them, who protects them now?" These thoughts haunted me like a ghost and there was nothing I could do about it, my mind had registered you as family, and no matter what, I couldn't hurt you.
He said with a somewhat sad expression on his face. Sasuke released all of his tension at that moment as well, no longer feeling threatened.
Raizen: Suddenly, I felt a wave wash over me, and I finally cried. I let everything out, there was nothing else I could do, and as I did I finally saw why Sarutobi-sama told me to go by my father's name. This moment right here......The normal thing to do would be put us together since we were related, but in our fragile mindstates, we would have turned against each other. He was able to foresee something that took four years to actually happen. I think after I finished crying, I just fell asleep, and when I woke up there was a cover on me.
Sasuke: Yeah, I saw you that day, you must have been really out of it because I sat right across from you without you ever noticing. I thought it was weird, why would some kid come all the way into our house just to cry? I didn't really think about it much then, so I put a cover on you and walked back to my room.
Raizen: Really, I always thought that was Yukari who did that.
He said, shyly rubbing the back of his head.
Raizen: Thanks I guess then. Anyway, continuing, when I woke up I was lost again, I just didn't know what to do. Then I settled on one thing, I was going to leave, aside from you guys, I had nothing for me here. And after what I planned on doing, I couldn't even face you. I wondered this village, no destination in mind, just nothing left for me in the world. So I just sat at a park bench, staring into the sky wondering my next move when....
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------
Raizen stared into the sky, completely lost into his own thoughts, nothing seemed to make sense, nothing was worth it anymore. Thn something came flying at him, though lost in his mind, he couldn't even notice it, until it forced his recognition by slamming right into him.
Raizen: Ahhh, what the hell!
He shouted out to nothing, then turned his eyes down to a small ball. Confused, Raizen reached down for it, holding it up like he had never seen a ball before.
Raizen: Where did this come from?
As Raizen appraised the small item he could feel something staring at him.
Raizen: Huh?
Raizen turned down, staring into the eyes of a small dog. Raizen stared emptily at the dog for a few minutes and then an unspeakable rage overtook him. His mind was lost, slowly, he reached out for the dog's neck, but once again, he regained his sanity just before he could grab it. Instead he extended his hand to gently rub the dog's head.
Raizen: Uhhhh, is this yours?
Genji: Arf.
Raizen: Well, um, are you alone?
Genji: Arr?
Raizen: Nevermind.....What's your name?
The moment that the dog opened it's mouth the word "Genji" flew at Raizen, and much like most people who didn't know Kakashi, that was something that seemed impossible. Raizen jumped back and stared at the dog incredulously.
Raizen: Did you just talk?
????: Genji!!
Raizen turned to a young brown-haired by, running toward him, or more accurately, the dog under him.
Kiba: Sorry, he kind of got away from me.
Raizen: No problem, keep a close eye on him.
He said with a little regret in his voice then he turned away. Kiba lifted Genji and sighed as he turned away, getting ready to leave, but something haunted him. Even as he tried to hush the nagging feeling, something kept telling him to turn back.
Kiba: Name's Kiba Inuzuka.
He said suddenly extending his hand to Raizen.
Raizen: Huh?
Kiba: Uh, this is the part where you say your name.
Raizen: Raizen Uch......Aname.
He said shaking Kiba's hand.
Kiba: Heh, for a second there I thought you were going to say Uchiha.
Raizen only looked away slightly on that comment.
Kiba: Well, I haven't seen you around here before, so you must be new right. What say I show you around?
Raizen: But you don't even know me.
Kiba: Don't worry about it, Genji's a good judge of character. If you were a bad guy, he wouldn't have sat with you. Stick with me and you'll fit in just fine. C'mon.
He said as he began walking away. Raizen looked back into the sky and sighed to himself.
Raizen: Why not.
With a grunt of fatigue, Raizen stood up and followed after Kiba, suddenly, he had a link to the place he'd been dumped into.
------------------------------------------------------------ -----
(Raizen: That kid, had no idea how much he saved me that day.
He said only slightly gazing back to Kiba who seemed to enjoy the memory.
(Raizen: Then, only a week after that, I made my second bond here.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Raizen lazily looked up into the sky as he walked down the beaten path. On one side, a pond, on the other, a small lope leading down into the park. With a sigh he looked down, thinking to himself.
????: Stop it!
Raizen looked down, gazing at a young pink haired girl, running from three boys. Obviously, she wasn't enjoying their little game, but they never yeilded. Raizen looked down with indifference, he couldn't care less what they were doing. With little emotion in his eyes he started walking away, but something beckoned him, the girl's yelp. The boys had caught her, Raizen gazed back, but once again he turned away.
Raizen: Not my problem.
He said walking away once again, this time, the girl was crying. Looking away, Raizen stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked down the slope.
Danoki: This is what you get, acting all high and mighty.
Sakura: Please stop.
Genzo: I know, let's make her eat this.
He said producing the longest worm Sakura had ever seen in her life. As Danoki forced open the girl's mouth Genzo walked closer, but before he could force feed her the worm, he was force fed a fist and Sakura looked up to the dark expressioned boy standing above her.
Raizen: Does it really take three boys to jump one girl?
Raizen extended his hand to Sakura and lifted her back to her feet.
Raizen: Stay behind me.
With only a nod, the girl moved to Raizen's back.
Danoki: Who the hell do you think you are?
Raizen: Doesn't matter, back off, or you'll regret ever meeting me.
Nokun: Oh yeah, well make us.
The boy replied, producing a kunai from his pocket, something he shouldn't have had outside of school training. With obvious diregard for what he was playing with and how it could hurt someone, he threw it at Raizen. Raizen could have dodged the attack with relative ease, but the girl behind him couldn't. In an instant, Raizen had thrown her onto his back and slid across the ground, far from the path the kunai had taken, but the sudden activity caused a ripping feeling in his chest, a very powerful feeling at that. Raizen set Sakura down and pushed her away from him just as one of the boys reached for him.
Nokun: I got him.
Danoki: Ha! Not so big now are you!
He shouted as he started punching into Raizen's chest. The boy wasn't strong, but due to Raizen's condition it felt like he was being pounded with a sledgehammer. Each blow winding him, crushing the already reopened wound on his chest, yet Danoki never noticed this, not at least until one of his punches felt wet. With the sticky warm feeling he pulled back, gazing at his own hand, coated in blood and shivered.
Genzo: Dude, what do you do!?
Danoki: Nothing, I was just punching him.
Raizen's ragged breathing became known to all in the area, he looked like he was dying, and the blood dripping from him was becoming more serious. Raizen pulled away from them and glared, even through his pain he walked front of Sakura and slammed his fist into the dirt watching the boys. He stood like a gargoyle, watching over the girl a if she were something precious. Unmoving, he bled dangerous amounts of blood, glaring at the boys who could do nothing more than run away. After the danger was gone, Raizen collapsed in a mixture of dirt and his own blood. Sakura panicked, the boy had protected her, and now he was dying. In her fear, she screamed for help, not exactly sure what had happened, but he was hurt. Raizen closed his eyes, and when he finally reopened them he was laying in a hospital bed. Pushing himself up, he gazed around and felt a strange weight on the sheets atop him. Gazing to the source of the weight, he saw the girl he had helped earlier, soundly sleeping at his bedside.
Raizen: She stayed with me?
He said with a rare smile. For the first time, he looked at her face, and lost himself in it.
Raizen: Pretty.
He whispered to himself as he wondered to himself. He placed his hand on her forehead and pushed up her hair, and the sight slightly shocked.
Raizen: Man her forehead's huge! So that's why they were picking on her.
He said slightly shocked at the sheer size of it, then with a warm smile he continued.
Raizen: But it's kind of cute.
Raizen placed his hand on top of her head, staring at the girl with the kindness that had been stolen from him, but then she woke up, in one quick thrust she sat up completely, gazing at the boy, who was gazing at her.
Raizen: Wha, uh, um, I wasn't doing anything creepy......okay, I guess some people would consider that creepy, but I wasn't thinking anything creepy or out of the way.
He shouted, talking in circles, not even a trace of the cool and calm boy that had saved her.
Raizen: I mean, I'm not, I wasn't..........
He never got to finish his already confusing explantion, as Sakura had already run away long before he got to. Raizen sat there, staring into space with only a single thought.
Raizen: I totally blew that one.
????: I'll say.
Raizen head snapped up, once again donning his cold persona at the sound of a new voice.
Raizen: Who are you?
He spoke in a growl.
????: My aren't we hostile?
Replied a young woman, stepping from the shadows.
????: Is that how you talk to the person who save your life?
Raizen: Really?
????: Yep twice too. My name Seriga Linami, rank jounin. Nice to me-
Raizen's eyes went wide when he heard the woman's name, she had taken noticed and stopped in confusion.
Seriga: Does my name offend you?
Raizen: N-No, it's just, it sounded like my sister's name.
Seriga: I know, I found that ironic too.
Raizen: So you already know?
Seriga: I've been charged with the task of looking after you. I know all there is to know about you.
Raizen: So I've been watched? Why?
Seriga: Because of what you did last week.
Raizen queited himself, of course the hokage would place someone on him to make sure he didn't go on a killing spree.
Raizen: How long have you been watching me?
Seriga: Let's just say that for the last week, my life's been the Raizen network, all Raizen, all the time.
Raizen: So I'm going to be watched all while I'm here?
Seriga: No, actually my official mission ended last week.
Raizen closed one eye and turned to the woman with a questioning gaze.
Raizen: Then why are you still following me?
Seriga: Because you're so cute, I just want to take you home with me.
She said blushing and holding her cheeks, spooking Raizen to no end.
Seriga: I'm just kidding. So don't look at me like that.
Raizen: I get the feeling you weren't. You're just like an older version of Seria.
Seriga: I'm looking out for you because, I think you're far nicer than you're trying to be.
Raizen: Then you know alot less about me than you think.
Seriga: Either way, don't do things like that anymore, but if you do, big sis Seriga will be there to help okay.
With that statement she vanished in a whirl of leaves.
Raizen: Weird.....
He said to himself as he she left, then something in his hand caught his attention. When he looked down he noticed that he was holding an academy sign-in sheet.
Raizen: When the hell did this get here?
Raizen's eyes returned to the door and in only a second he deduced what had happened.
Raizen: She's better than she looks. The academy, huh?
He asked himself as wondering the woman's true intentions. After only a day, Raizen was released from the hospital, and walked alongside Kiba, scolding him as they went.
Kiba: Dude how the hell did you get put back in the hospital? And if you were going to fight someone, then why didn't you come get me?
Raizen: I didn't plan on fighting, and there wasn't much time.
Kiba: Bull! You know you could've gotten me and been back there before anything happened. And since when did you save people.
Raizen: Like I said, I didn't plan on it. It just kind of happened.
Kiba: And who was this girl anyway?
Raizen: Never asked her name.
He said in a stoic tone, even though Kiba was the only real person he talked to, he still tried to keep up the image of a touch guy. Bringing life to an old saying, the girl of subject was standing at the end of the road, seemingly waiting for something. Raizen hastened his steps and met with the girl, leaving Kiba to play catch up behind him, and much like he had assumed, she had been waiting for him. Shyly she turned away and shook slightly, without turning to him.
Sakura: Um, I'm really sorry for running away like that, and I'm grateful for what you did for me. No one's ever stood up for me beside Ino-chan before.
Raizen: Don't worry about it, my body just moved on it's own, it wasn't because I'm a nice guy or anything.
He said coldly, excluding room for argument. Though despite this Sakura still smiled at him.
Raizen: My name is Raizen Aname, and I'm going to be here for a while, so if you're ever in trouble again, my body will probably move on it's own again, so just come get me, and I'll protect you.
He said making the girl's smile wider and just as Kiba caught up Raizen wrapped his arm around his neck and said.
Raizen: This guy too.
Kiba: Wait, what?
Raizen: Yeah, you too.
Kiba: Me, what?
Sakura watching the exchange between friends, Sakura blushed and replied with a bow.
Sakura: My name is Sakura Haruno, and I'll be depending on you from now on Raizen-kun.
Raizen: Wha?
Even after what he had said, he didn't expect that, and with a blush he bowed in return.
Raizen: Uh, um, the same to you.
Kiba, completely lost on what was going on just bowed his head and introduced himself too, even though he was well aware of who the girl in front of him was, and atop her perch, Seriga watched down on Raizen, smiling at the kindness he tried so desperately to hide. The very next day, as Raizen laid in his bed, he awoke to the new day, stretching, he turned over to a face staring at him from the side of his bed. Raizen didn't give an immediate reaction, he just stared into the face of the woman in front of him.
Raizen: What are you doing here?
He asked, completely curious as to Seriga's presence.
Seriga: Watching you sleep.
Raizen: I gathered that, but why?
Seriga: I have to take you to the academy. I trust that you signed the form I gave you.
Raizen: Yeah, is it really that common for children to enroll themselves?
Seriga: Because of the great shinobi war and many events such as yours, it's rather common for there to be orphans around, so yes. So long as there is an adult to vouch for them at least.
Raizen: And in this case, that would be you?
Seriga: Correct.
She said with a thumbs up.
Raizen: I mean really, the line between you and my little sister is non-existent.
Seriga: Well I thought it was weird that you didn't react to seeing me there.
Raizen: Yeah Seria used to do that, but while we're on it, how did you get into my house?
Seriga looked at Raizen lifted a lifted brow, not even bothering to answer.
Raizen: Oh yeah, ninja.
Seriga: Right.
Raizen jumped from his bed and got dressed, showing complete disregard that Seriga was a member of the opposite sex, but calmly she left the room.
Raizen: Why do I even need to go to the academy?
Seriga: What is that supposed to mean?
Raizen: If you've been watching me then you know I have enough skill to skip the entire academy thing.
Seriga: True, but what you need is people skills, this'll teach you how to deal with other people.
Raizen: I can deal with other people just fine.
Seriga: Yeah, but are you comfortable enough around them?
Raizen: Heh, like I trust anybody else.
Seriga: My point being.
Raizen sighed and stepped through the door after he finished gettng dressed.
Raizen: Fine, I'll go, but I have to do something first.
Seriga: I see, I'll wait.
She said as she leaned back aganst the wall and smiled as Raizen began cooking. It seemed to be the only time when he seemed happy, and after he was done, he set down five bentos, all ready to be moved.
Raizen: Alright.
Seriga: Shall we go see them then.
Raizen: Lets.
He said he sped out of the house, suprised that the woman with him was able to keep up. Raizen flipped onto one of the rooftops and stared down across the street.
Raizen it's that time, no mistakes.
He said as he prepared himself and in one gust, he left two bentos in the Uchiha manor, then he vanished back onto the roof he was on previously.
Raizen: Mission accomplished.
Seriga: My, you've been doing this for a while. It's rather nice of you.
Raizen: Well, I have to look out for my family don't I?
He said as he watched Sasuke pick up the bento.
Sasuke: Someone left us something again.
Yukari: It never fails, I wonder why they just leave it, I want to thank them.
Sasuke: Hn, I don't care either way, take it and let's go.
Yukari: Right.
She said as she caught up to her brother's pace.
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------
Sasuke stared wide eyed, remembering when he had tasted Raizen food during one of their missions. (Chapter 13: canon/omake 4)
Sasuke: So that was you?
Raizen: Yeah, sorry I lied about it, but just know, just because I pretended not to know who you were, doesn't mean I wasn't looking out for you.
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After departing from the Uchiha manor, he followed Seriga all the way to the academy. With a frowned stoned on his face he wated for everything to be taen care of and then dropped the other two bento off to his other two friends, already in the academy.
5 months later.
Sakura: I don't know if I can do this.
Raizen: Sure you can, it's not that hard.
Sakura: But...
Raizen: Remember you asked me to help you with this, what would Ino-chan say if she saw you right now.
Those words alone were enough to stone her resolve. For you see, right now the girl was currently standing above a cliff, looking down at Raizen who promise to show her something amzing if she trusted him enough to jump. Yet, at the moment, the height of what she was about to jump was frighteningly steep, yet she trusted Raizen, and with closed eyes, she jumped. Scared out of her wits she held tightly onto him, not even realizing that he had aready caught her.
Raizen: You okay?
Sakura: Huh?
Raizen: Hold on tight okay.
Sakura: Wait, are we still-
Raizen: Yep.
He said with a smile, answering her unfinished question, "were they still falling?" Even as steep as the cliff may have been Raizen fell with his back toward the ground, carrying Sakura the in his arms as he did.
(Music que: Down by jay sean)
Sakura screamed for dear life, holding tightly around the boy's neck as he plunged backwards into the abyss, the flipped downward, landing on his feet before he could collide, as if the fall was nothing, he lundged forth in the massive forest, flipping from the tree branches. Raizen ran as if the wind were trying to kill hm, matching Sakura's shivers as if it were is own body, and once her eyes opened, for the first time she saw what Raizen saw, the world blurred at his whim. With renewed vigor, she laughed heartily staring off into the distance as Raizen moved. Efroftlessly he slid through the forest as if he were skating, each motion fluid and beautiful, but once again he reached the end of the forest and below now awaiting them was a large body of water.
Sakura: Hey!
Raizen: Going down!
Sakura: What, but we can't!
Raizen: Just do what I taught you!
He shouted as the rushing wind obscured hs words. Sakura closed her eyes as they reach the bottom but much like before , Raizen landed on the water as if it were solid ground, then beckoned for the girl to open her eyes. Once she did Raizen spun her onto the water, and like he did before, yet lacking in the same confidence, Sakura managed to stand on it like him. Thrill at her success, Sakura smiled at him, and instead of congratulations, he kicked forward, testing her ability to ride the waves. Sakura, not expect this, began to lose her concentration, but before she could plundge, Raizen caught her and apologized before kicking back, spinning his leg into an upward spiral, making the water do the same and as if it were the simplest thing in the world, he rode the spiraling water all the way to the top and flipped from it. With a flick of his wrist he threw his shuriken into the air and warped to it, then positioned it under himself, latching his feet to the weapon as they fell back down to the water. Raizen expertly landed on top and placed Sakura at the tip, and with a single kick back he began to surf across the water.
Sakura: Whoa!!!!
Raizen: Hold on!
Raizen shouted as he slid from side to side, with the girl in front spreading out her arms as if she were flying.
Raizen: Get ready, here comes a big one!
Sakura: Right.
She said as they closed in on a large wave, but this time, no matter what, she wasn't scared. Raizen dipped his hand into the water and stirred himself into the wave then rode to the top, and flipped from the tip once again sending both into the air. Raizen flipped Sakura onto his back and rolled downward on his shuriken, continually spinning as if they were a drill. Raizen then flipped from the shuriken just before it slammed into a tree and then grabbed tightly onto it as he ran down the tree. Then with the shuriken firm in hand he jumped onto another cliff and quickly ran up it, never once pausing in fear of losing his footing. In order to counter such an event he twisted upward, and landed on the tip of the cliff, staring down as he let Sakura from his back.
Raizen: Now look down.
Sakura: Wha?
Once her eyes peeed over the the cliff, she saw a beautiful veiw of everything resting just past the the village, and it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. With wide smile she walked over to the edge and sat down next to Raizen.
Raizen: Well, what do you think?
Sakura: Amazing.
Raizen: Yeah, I thought you'd say that.
Sakura: I've never seen anytthing like this before.
Raizen: Well, I used to live in an area like this, so I know alot about views from these kind of areas.
He said moving to a stand.
Raizen: Well, take it in, because we're going to have to get back soon, y'know, before they realize we're gone.
Sakura: Wha? You mean you didn't have permission to do this?
Raizen turned to Sakura with an incredulous look, questioning if she had really asked that.
Sakura: Of course you didn't....And don't you look at me with that "Duh" face!
She said playfully hitting his arm. With a warm smile Raizen gazed over the horizon and sighed.
Raizen: Well, what do you say we get going.
Sakura: Sure, I just wish I could've taken a picture.
Raizen: Don't worry about that, if you ever wanna see it again, I'll just bring you back, alright c'mon.
He said extending his hand to the girl, and no sooner she grabbed it, they were speeding back through to the village. Without any lingering fear from before Sakura held onto Raizen and in only two minutes they were speeding through the village gates as nothing more than and black and pink blur. Sakura jumped from Raizen's back, stumbling through her dizziness as she tried to maintain her balance.
Raizen: You okay?
Sakura: N-not really.
Raizen: Ah, you'll adjust.
Sakura: I still don't think I'll get used to how fast you move.
Raizen: Oh don't worry, I'll make sure you do.
He said as he waved her off, as she fumbled around, only after he was gone did she notice that he slipped a bento into her pocket. Gazing back she wondered to herself.
Sakura: How did he do that?
Shrugging to herself she walked away. With a smile Raizen moved through the streets until he saw Seriga standing as if waiting for him. Almost instanty his smile dropped as he asked.
Raizen: So, to what do I owe the honor?
Seriga: You left the village again.
Raizen: Well I don't really belong here anyway.
He retorted with an arrogant smile, that forced a sigh from the older woman in front of him.
Seriga: What if something happens to you.
Raizen: Well, I need to run, and the last time I let loose in the village I got yelled at remember?
Seriga: Then at least let me go with you.
Raizen: I don't really do escorts when I run. So is there some reason you came to see me?
Seriga: Do I need a reason?
She asked with a smile as she draped herself around his back.
Raizen: Well, I guess you don't, but it seems strange that you'd just appear for no reason.
Seriga: Actually I do have a reason, but first, why is it that you always turn all grumpy when you see me?
Raizen: Do I, I never noticed.
He said once again donning his jerk smile.
Seriga: Yeah, you always do that, why?
Raizen: Because you know my secret, I don't have to hide anything in front of you.
Seriga: Are you trying to sound nice, because it's not working.
Raizen: I'm not nice.
Seriga: Yeah whatever, and how come you make a bento for everyone, but me, I've known you long enough too, it's not fair.
She said with tears streaming down her eyes. Raizen gazed back at her for a second, the reached into his pouch.
Raizen: Here.
Seriga: Huh?
Raizen had somehow produced another bento in front of her, and in her logical doubt, she asked.
Seriga: Are you sure it's okay to give me Kiba's?
Raizen: I already gave him his.
Seriga: Your cousins?
Raizen: Dropped theirs off this morning.
Seriga: Ino or Sakura's?
Raizen: I just gave Sakura hers and I gave Ino hers when I saw her earlier.
Seriga: Then this is for-
Raizen: I always made you one, I just never thought you wanted it, what with the bragging about the food you'd had earlier almost every day.
Seriga: I only said that stuff so you'd make me one.
She said openly sobbing in front of him, forcing a sigh from the younger boy.
Raizen: Can't you at least act like an adult?
Seriga: I'm only nineteen.
Raizen: Oh yeah, you are still a kid.
Seriga: I'm not a kid!!! You're the kid here.
Raizen: Oh, so you not a girl, not yet a woman. No wonder you can't get a man.
Seriga: I don't want one!!!
Raizen: Whoa, I didn't know you were into that kind of stuff, my bad.
Seriga: I don't swing that way!!!!
She shouted out becoming exhausted shortly after.
Seriga: Okay, you win.
Raizen: I always win.
He said as he sat down, opening his own bento.
Seriga: Do you spend all of your expenses on food?
Raizen: I only need that a bed and running water, after that food is more important, and gas too I guess.
Seriga: So you like cooking?
Raizen: Of course, It was something I only started doing for the people I love, so no matter how much I cook, if one of the people important to me is eating it, I'll cook to my dying breath.
Raizen never even realized the warm smile he was wearing while he said that or the warm smile coming from Seriga.
Seriga: Then I'll make sure to get you lots to cook.
Raizen: What does that mean?
Seriga: Nothing.
She said as she started eating what Raizen had made for her, and with a smile raidiating pure happiness she quickly finished and grabbed Raizen's hand. However the gentle way she had done it quickly flustered the boy trailing behind.
Raizen: Wai- I'm not, I mean, um, I don't know if I'm ready for this. B-But if you insist, I guess I can.
Seriga: What are you talking about?
Raizen: Huh?
He said opeing his eyes to see that they were standing in what looked like a training ground.
Raizen: Uh, I'm sorry, being a guy and all, my mind went right into the gutter.
Seriga: Well get it outta there, I'm here to evaluate your skills as a shinobi.
Raizen: Well next time just say that before you drag me off in a very easy to misunderstand way.
Seriga: Yeah it's all my fault that you got all man headed.
Raizen: Eh....
Seriga: You lose.
Raizen: Yeah, but don't get used to it.
Seriga: Alright, I want you to come at me with all you got.
Raizen: You can't handle that much.
He said cracking his knuckles.
Seriga: You'll be surprised.
Raizen just smiled and in a blur, he vanished from sight. Seriga had seen him move before, but never at a rate such as this. With only a half second to react, she managed to block Raizen's straight punch, all seven of them. To say that Raizen was shock would be an understatement. Seriga's eyes were different, almost as if she were, someone else. Unaffected by his own thoughts, Raizen continued his assualt, never once landing a hit.
Raizen: (She's good, but as the my father always said, if you can't hit something with a stab...)
He said as he once again sent a hail of punches at Seriga, he pulled his body to the side and sent a fierce roundhouse kick at thwe woman, fast enough to slice the air.
Raizen: (Then slice!!!!)
However once again, she somehow managed to move fast enough to dodge. With only a single back flip, she managed to completely avoid his attack, but even this had another reaction. Raizen had her right where he wanted her, with her body in the air, she didn't have a chance at dodging. Raizen's eyes changed, yet in the image being displayed, they became black. With a smile he raised his fist aimed at the ground he slammed down shouting.
Raizen: Rai-kanketsuken!
Seriga stared down as an eruption of blue lightning shot into the sky, leaving very little room for her to manuver, yet with timing that defied logic, she somehow managed to dodge without even breaking a sweat. And on her descent to the ground she formed handsigns effortlessly and aimed her palm at Raizen.
Seriga: Kurenai no Kiba!!
A large fang of blazing red soared through the sky, with speed that rivaled the young boy's, but even that being true wasn't enough to catch him. Seriga landed with a smile, unable to contain her delight, this little boy was far more impressive than she had thought. Seriga's arm opened and she intercepted the boy's path of movement, but even then he just adjusted by flipping under it and pumping his fist at her.
Raizen: Raizen-ken!
Seriga had seen this move before, but at the moment something was different. There was no possible way she could dodge from so close up. All she could manage was to block the attack, and even that was cutting it close. By the time the attack had dispersed, she had been blown back thrity feet. Raizen quickly closed the distance between them.
Seriga: No such luck!
She shouted as her hands parted once again and fire shot from them.
Seriga: Crimson runner!
Raizen eyes went wide, staring at the sheer size of her jutsu, shooting at least fifty feet into the air, four pillars of burning fire.
Raizen: Shit.
Raizen turned to escape the massive pillars, but before he could, they had encircled him. As they quickly closed in, Raizen stared into the sky and hurled his shuriken above the attack's reach and teleported to it, without even taking a breath he launched it down at the waiting woman, who grabbed it with one hand, only for Raizen to appear right in front of her.
Raizen: Got you.
Seriga: So you do.
She said as she slammed her fist into Raizen's somehow making every move he made seem slow. After colliding for the fifteenth time, Raizen gained distance and smiled at the woman in front of him.
Raizen: Lightning runner!!!!
Seriga's eye went wide as the boy completely mimicked her own move, and quite effectively at that, no matter where she looked there were pillars of lightning coming at her. However, this wasn't something she couldn't handle.
Seriga: Soaring blaze inferno.
She whispered commanding a powerful explosion that dispeled all of the lightning bolts around.
Raizen: Tch.
Quickly adjusting to the change, Raizen ran forward, trying his best to take down his opponent, but before he could reach her Seriga held up her hand.
Seriga: I've seen enough.
Raizen: Huh?
Seriga: You're going to be a Jounin at a young age. You're quite skilled in the art of combat, I'm impressed.
Raizen: But I can go longer.
Seriga: Good, a man should always say that.
She said with a smile that made Raizen sweatdrop.
Raizen: I get that, but I wish I didn't.
Seriga: After seeing what I saw, I can now say this with certainty, I'm going to start training you.
Raizen: Fine by me, but before that, tell me something. How were you keeping up with me?
Seriga: I wasn't me, my body just did what it wanted to.
Raizen: That's the same thing in essense.
Seriga: No, I simply allowed my body to control my movements through "combat high".
Raizen: What now?
Seriga: Combat high is a state in which a person gains an accelerated affinity for battle. It usually happens when someone has been engaging in combat for an extended amount of time. This is very much akin the pumping of adrenaline, once one starts they're almost perfect soldiers, as long as they can control it.
Raizen: What happens if you can't?
Seriga: These people lose themselves completely and become monsters of war, their called "berserkers". There is a reason why I showed you how I control combat high. You have the characteristics of a berserker.
Raizen: What makes you say that?
Seriga: That dog you met when you first became friends with Kiba, you were going to kill him weren't you.
Raizen:.............You saw that?
Seriga: You were able to stop yourself, but at some point you'll snap, and then you'll be a murderous monster, unless someone close to you can snap you out of it.
Raizen: Speaking from experience?
Seriga: Not really, I've never had any traumatic experiences like you have. I've never had anyone too close to me. You on the other hand, only need one more good push and you'll snap, I'll make it my duty to make sure that doesn't happen, so starting tomorrow you'll begin training under me.
Raizen: Fine by me, just so long as you take it seriously.
Seriga: I'm always serious.......sometimes.
Raizen: And that line right there killed it.
Seriga: I'll show you, just be ready!
She said pointing to the sarcastic boy below her.
Raizen: Yeah whatever.
He retorted, still skeptical of her ability to teach.
(One year later)
Breaking from his training regimen to hang out, Raizen stared into the sky, watching the clouds with Sakura, both lying down in the grassy field of Konoha.
Raizen: That one looks like a shuriken.
Sakura: That one looks like Mochi.
Raizen: Ha, it kinds of does. What about that one?
Sakura: A fireball jutsu.
Raizen: Fireball jutsu?
He asked in a chuckle, completely oblivious to the fact that he probably shouldn't have inquired.
Sakura: Yeah, you know, like what Sasuke does.
Raizen: Sasuke?
Sakura: Yeah, Isn't he dreamy, I don't think I've ever seen a guy so cool.
Raizen's eyes flew wide and he rolled over looking at the girl's as if she had just told him that two large eyes had appeared in the sky, looking down to subjugate the human race.
Raizen: Huh?
Sakura: Don't you think so too? He's just so awesome, I think I'm in love.
Raizen's heart almost burst and he quickly looked around, wondering how to respond.
Raizen: Um, I'm prety cool too you know.
Sakura: Yeah, but you're cool in a big brother kind of way.
Those words made Raizen almost shatter to pieces, he was in the friend zone, the most dreaded of all Guy-Girl relationships. With that thought, completely forgeting that Sakura was talking he had run away, looking for the one person, he could talk to about something like that.
Raizen: What do I do!?
Seriga: Huh?
Raizen: What do you do if you're locked in a desperate battle and a new enemy appears?
Seriga: That's pretty random, um, I guess you just continue the fight, showing your back to more than one enemy could spell death. So long as you have the will to win, then keep fighting on.
Raizen: .......Okay, I will then.
Seriga: Now what are we talking about?
She asked with a goofy smile. Raizen turned back to her and said with a smile blush.
Raizen: N-Nothing, don't worry about it.
He said as he ran from the house, and quickly back to where Sakura was.
Sakura: Where did you go?
Raizen: No where, hey Sakura I want to talk to you about something.
Sakura: Sure.
Raizen: Sakura I wanted to, um, I kind of-
Raizen, having closed his eyes in fear of her reaction, had never noticed that Sasuke had walked past them and that Sakura had long since run after him.
Raizen: I love you.
He said opening his eyes, to see a very freaked out Kiba sitting right in front of him.
Kiba: Dude, I didn't know you-
Raizen: Wait you have it wrong, where did she go?
Kiba: Who?
Raizen: Nevermind. Well skip it, there's always tomorrow.
Kiba: Well good luck with that, so who were you confessing to?
Raizen: I'll tell you if it turns out well.
He said standing to his feet.
(The next day)
Raizen: Sakura, I have to-
Sakura: Ahh, I wonder what Sasuke's doing.
Day 2 failed.
(The next day)
Raizen: Sakura I have to-
Sakura: AAAAHHHH, It's Sasuke, wish me luck!
Raizen: But-
Day 3 failed.
(The next day)
Raizen: Sakura I have to-
Sakura: Guess what Raizen, Sasuke got the highest score on the test.
Raizen: I could've too.
Sakura: Yeah but he was so cool about it.
Raizen: How, it was a written test. They were only word questions.
Sakura: Yeah, but they were sexy words.
Day 4, yada, yada. Raizen collapsed on Seriga's floor staring up at the woman, who could only wonder to his depression.
Raizen: Have you ever felt like you were fighting a losing battle?
Seriga: Who hasn't.
Raizen: What do you do?
Seriga: You quit while you're ahead, or else you'll only hurt yourself. After all there's no way for someone see something when they're not willing to look.
Raizen: Huh?
Seriga: Now, what are we talking about?
Raizen: Nevermind.
He said dropping his face back onto the ground.
Raizen: I don't think I'm ready to just give up yet.
Seriga: While I don't know what you're talking about, I'm sure you'll regret that one Raizen.
She said with a sagely smile. Raizen stood to his feet and walked off on the woman, obviously disagreeing with her advice. Dispite this she still watched on with a smile, hoping for his success. The next day, Raizen waited on the road he and Sakura had agreed too meet on, holding a bouquet of roses in his hand, practicing just how he was going to ask her.
Raizen:: Okay, um Sakura will you......Too normal.
He said with a sigh.
Raizen: There has to be a easier way to do this.
He said opening his eyes, seeing the person he was waiting for running down the path toward him, waving happily, dressed to impress.
Raizen: Hey.
He said waving back as he hold out the flowers and smiled.
Raizen: Sakura I wanted to-
Without pause, she passed right by him, never even acknowledging that he even existed. Raizen lowered his hand and looked back swallowing hard as he realized the validity of Seriga's advice. Raizen looked down and frowned, then smiled at Sakura, once again pestering Sasuke, who seemed to want nothing to do with her. Raizen leaned forward and bowed politely before vanishing into the thicket of trees not far away. With his back against the trees he sighed into the sky only then catching sight of Ino sitting against another tree, covering her face.
Raizen: You got dumped too?
Ino: You don't have to put it that way. Too?
Raizen only chuckled as he moved to sit next to the girl, who'd obviously been crying. Out of consideration, Raizen chose to ignore that fact though and continued talking.
Raizen: Long day, anyway you look at it, it's gonna suck from here on out.
Ino: Probably.
Raizen: Here.
He said handing to flowers over to Ino who only lifted an eyebrow at him.
Ino: My family runs a flower shop.
Raizen: I know, where do you think I got these? But I was planning on giving them to a pretty girl, and that's where they're going.
Ino: Heh, fine, I'll take them then.
She said accepting Raizen's geisture with a smile, then with a dark expression, both turned away from each other.
Ino: I'm sorry, but......Can we not hang out after this?
Raizen paused with an ackward smile and then responded.
Raizen: Yeah. It'd be rather ackward wouldn't it.
Ino: Sorry.
Raizen: Don't worry about it.
Those were the last words said, both leaving behind nothing more than an ackward silence. After a few minutes had passed, the even more ackward departture took place. Raizen completely suppressed his negative feelings, leaving Sakura to follow after her heart. It had only been a day, realizing that he had nothing else to do, Raizen spent his tme hanging out with Seriga. Despite the fact that she had already known what happened, even without Raizen telling her, she ignored his obvious distraction. With a ragged and tired breath Raizen dropped to his knees signaling that he had lost the ability to continue on.
Seriga: What do you say we rest?
Raizen: Fine by me.
He said collapsing to the ground.
Seriga: Come on we'll go to my place, it's closer than yours anyway.
Raizen, grunt as he lifted his body from the ground and followed the woman in front of him. The road was long, after all, he was tired both mentally and physically. As they passed a few other woman, obviously ninja from what Raizen could tell. All smiled at Seriga and stopped her on the road.
Terra: Hey, Seriga, who's this guy?
Seriga then draped herself over Raizen's back and smiled.
Seriga: He's my boyfriend.
Raizen: Don't listen to her, she's just being stupid.
He said pointing back to the woman on him.
Cheris: Oh, he's so cute and cool looking, I'm jealous.
Seriga: Yeah, he's my little bronze knight.
Raizen: Oh god, they're like her.
After a little while of mocking Raizen the women went on their way as Seriga waved them off.
Raizen: I didn't know you had friends.
Seriga: I.....don't.
She replied with a sad smile, and to end the conversation she quickly led Raizen away, hiding her true emotions behind her smile once again. Once they reached her house, Raizen immediately began scanning everything, as if to appraise it. One thing stood out though, a single mask laid on the table. Raizen lifted the mask and stared down into it.
Seriga: Ahhhhhhh!
Raizen: Huh?
Almost as if she were as fast as him, Seriga snatched the mask from Raizen and held it to her chest.
Seriga: I can't believe I left this out.
Raizen: What's so special about it?
Seriga: You know what this means don't you?
Raizen: You're in Anbu, but why is it missing eyeholes?
Seriga: That's not important right now, no one is supposed to know the identity of an anbu member.
Raizen: It's nothing special, I run out of the village alot, and one time I followed you on a mission. I've always known you were a member of anbu. Consider it payback for knowing so much about me.
Seriga: You were able to follow me?
Raizen: Yeah, now can you tell me why it has no eyeholes, that must be inconvient on missions.
Seriga: First off, any ninja worth their salts doesn't need to use their eyes. Second, well, do you know what I do when I wear this mask?
Raizen: Some of the coolest missions ever given.
Seriga: I hunt down the most dangerous scum to ever live, and then I kill them.
She said with a look of seriousness that was rare for her.
Seriga: I wear this mask so that I can look at the world with eyes unclouded by hate, and to blind myself to the evils I myself am commiting.
Raizen: That's pretty deep.
Seriga: Heh, maybe I'll let you use this yourself one day.
Raizen: You sure I could?
Seriga: Tell you what, when I feel you need it, I'll let you have it.
Raizen: Well, then on that day I'll take it.
Seriga smiled at Raizen then gave him a tight hug.
Raizen: What the?
Seriga: I've known you long enough to know when you're upset.
Raizen: Wha?
Seriga: It's okay, don't worry okay.
Raizen: .......Stupid.
A month had passed since that event, and lazily, Raizen searched for his teacher, who had failed to show for training that day. Not that he really cared, but something may have come up, not that he cared though. On his way he bumped into the two woman he had seen talking to Seriga, and not that he was worried or anything, but he decided to ask if she was okay.
Terra: Oh, you're Seriga's little boyfriend.
Cheris: Having a lover's spat?
Raizen: No, and please stop doing that. I haven't seen her today, I was wondering if she was sick or something.
Terra: Oh, last I saw her she was running around buying furniture and stuff, like she was redecorating or something.
Raizen: So she's just fine.
Cheris: Are you relieved?
Raizen: Not really, I'll go look for her.
Terra: Oh, he's going to confess to her before her mission tomorrow.
He said as he walked off, ignoring the blushing chuckles of the women behind him.
Raizen: Women.
Raizen ran through the village searching high and low for Seriga however, no matter where he looked, she was nowhere to be seen, with a sigh he walked home and developed a plan. The next morning Seriga walked towards the village gates, double-checking her weapons when she noticed that Raizen was waiting on a post.
Seriga: So you caught me.
Raizen: Where were you yesterday?
Seriga: I had some business to take care of.
Raizen: Is that so? See ya then.
He said as he starting away, knowing that Seriga would fall for his distant attitude, and just like he had planned.
Seriga: Wait.
Raizen: What is it?
Seriga: Would you like to come live with me?
That was something he wasn't expecting. Turning back, barely hiding the shock on his face he articulated his thoughts in the best way he could.
Raizen: Wha-huh-who?
That was all he could manage at the moment.
Seriga: Raizen, I want you to live with me from now on.
Raizen: W-Why?
Seriga: Why to have my own reverse Hikaru Genji project.
Raizen: Huh?
He thought as he placed his finger to his chin. Hikaru Genji project, a story about a man who raised a young girl to be his ideal woman. In reverse it would be a woman raising a young boy to be her ideal man. Raizen snapped up with a blush and jumped back.
Raizen: Wha?
Seriga: I'm joking. I've been alone as long as I can remember....my parents were dead before I ever had the chance to meet them. I've never really had anyone I was close to, and I think the only reason I even opened up to you, is because I felt like you needed me. I wanted to feel needed, even if I am strong, in the face of people like Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and Gai, especially Anko, I'm nothing more than a grunt. You were the only person I've ever felt like didn't care whether or not I was so insignificant. Yet you're lonely too, two lonely people are better than one right?
She asked as Raizen lowered his head, taking this as a "No" Seriga smiled and turned away.
Seriga: Sorry for dropping this on you so suddenly.
With that said she walked from the village and made on her way.
Raizen: Then!
He said bringing the woman to a stop.
Raizen: When you get back home, I'll be here to say welcome home. So neither of us will have to be lonely anymore.
Seriga turned back, to see the smile that Raizen only showed to his friends. Seriga smiled and turned away ready to face the world, and Raizen stared on with a smile, but the background behind him slowly faded and he smile left. Now he sat in a hospital room, staring down at the same woman, fighting desperately for her life. For only a moment, she opened her eyes, turning to Raizen who greeted her with a smile. Clentching tightly onto her hand he spoke.
Raizen: Welcome home.
Those words brought a smile to Seriga's face, as she breathed her last breaths. Eyes now closed, Raizen gazed down at the woman as the world once again changed behind him, this time into a graveyard, in the rain, Raizen smiled gazing down at the tombstone of Seriga Linami.
Raizen: Surely, the gods laugh at me.
He whispered quietly.
---------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Raizen: SHOW ME THE MISSION REPORT!!!!
Sarutobi: Whilst I understand your stance, please understand that I cannot do that.
Raizen: If you truly understood my stance, you'd know that I'm not asking you old man!!!!
Sarutobi felt no fear, yet he could see the boy's psyche slowly slipping away from him. A single chime brought the boy to his senses, a key had been placed in front of him.
Sarutobi: She left that to you. I think you already know what it's for.
Raizen picked it up with a sollen gaze and then peeked back at the hokage before bowing and walking from the room. By the time Raizen had reached his destination, Kiba was walking right beside him, worried for his friend's well being.
Kiba: I'll wait out here okay.
Raizen: Yeah.
He said with only a nod as he unlocked the door to Seriga's house. One step at a time, he walked through the door. The first thing he noticed was the cabinets, they had said that she was shopping alot the week before, but he hadn't seen the house since then. Opening them, he oticed that it was stuffed with food, so much so that it seemed like a chef's kitchen, the refrigorator was no different.
(Seriga: Then I'll make sure to get you lots to cook.)
Raizen walked away from the kitchen and down the hallway, yet the empty room was no longer hollow, something was placed on the door, the name "Raizen", in streaked letters hung on the door, split by a lightning bolt that resembled his scar. Once he opened the door, he saw into the room, completely made out as a young boy's room.
(Terra: Oh, last I saw her she was running around buying furniture and stuff, like she was redecorating or something.)
Raizen gazed around, until his eyes fell on a single thing, restiing on the bed. A mask, sealed all the way to the eyes. Raizen lifted it and gazed stared down.
(Seriga: Tell you what, when I feel like you need it, I'll give it to you.)
Raizen closed his eyes and walked out of the house, still holding the mask in his hands, and never removing his eyes from it. He walked right passed Kiba, who only watched on with sadness. Raizen soon found himself walking down the streets, and a single voice cut through his thoughts and without thinking, he reached out to the person's voice.
Sakura: Ow, what are you doing!?
Raizen finally moved his gaze from the mask and realized that he grabbed onto Sakura's arm, rather tightly. Quickly, he let go and said in a hushed voice.
Raizen: Sorry.
Sakura: What the hell is wrong with you? If you keep acting like that you'll always be alone.
She said quickly turning away, never relealizing that she had just struck a cord. Raizen emotionlessly turned back to her, staring with soulless animousity. Then he turned back to the mask, and placed it on his face, then a laugh matching the mask, he soullessly chackled into the sky.
Raizen: Tonight.
He said in an evil venomous hiss. That night, he effortlessly broke into the hokage tower, searching hastily through the documents in the cabinets, memorizing every single detail of the room, to hide his tracks. Once he found the report, he read over it, recreating the scene in his mind. Seriga chased one person, yet fourty different traces could be seen in the area. Seriga Linami, in an effort to protect the others with her fought alone, however, the ninja with her have yet to return, or be recovered. They are believed to have been part of the ambush. Burn marks all around the area, and seven enemy bodies found, apparrently Seriga Linami put up as good a fight as she could before being defeated. Seriga Linami: Recovered alive, yet beyond the point of help, apparrently, she was left alive intentionally. Her final words, "Please don't let me die, I promised him." However, her panicked words beyond that were incohertent.
Raizen: Heh, Kakashi Hatake. Thank you for finding her, I'll take it from here.
He said placing the report back. The level in which he evaluted the report and recreated the scene were at the level of jounin. Just by the details in the report he was able to figure out were the renegade ninja were.
Raizen: Seriga was attacked near my old playgrounds. I near there was an old cave that was hidden underground and if those ninja had killed a leaf nin, they knew better than to be running around where people can see. They'd use that cave to hide out,at least until the heat died down. I could have told the shinobi that, but then I'd have to admit that I read the report, and they'd never find them as fast as me, and I need to be the one to end these bastards, they didn't even give her a quick death, they made her suffer, for that, I'll make them suffer too.
As the image played behind him, Raizen closed his eyes and placed the mask on his face. matching the image displayed. Raizen walked through the trees, hastily moving his body forward as he sought out the men who had hurt the person he cared about.
(Music que: Breaking the habit by: Linkin park.)
Raizen reached the hiding place he assumed belonged to the men. Raizen felt his mind rush with memories of Seriga, then of his family, those trhoughts fried his mind. Raizen walked through the hidden door and back at the village, Kiba, catching a whiff of Raizen's scent leaving the village, ran into Raizen's house, desperately looking for him, Raizen could feel Kiba's concern, even from that far away, but his mind was gone, with only the mocking taunts of the merciless men in front of him, smiling at the child that had come in wearing an anbu mask. Raizen couldn't see them, but could feel each one of them. One walked close and placed his hand on Raizen's head laughing at him as he snorted down insults, but in only a flash, his left arm went flying and as Raizen walked forward, everything else went flying too. In shock the rest of the ninja stood to their feet ready to fight. A single kunai cut the wind, flying at Raizen, but he caught it with very little effort and tossed it back with enough force to tear off 85% percent of the man's head. Raizen's feet never stopped moving, and without even a breath he threw his long shuriken into the chest of the closest ninja and then grabbed tightly onto it, in only a second time span. With a sickening laugh, he ripped it free and then slashed down the the body, each motion had only a milli-second interval between. Then he moved the the side of another ninja, and slowed down his swing, allowing the an to see it, and as he dodged, Raizen turned into another spin and slashed through the man's body along his spine, filleting him. Murderous intent crushed everyone in the room, and at this point fear had gripped them and wouldn't let go. This boy was a monster, in front of them was a demon. Raizen zipped around the room ripping apart everything in sight and only stopping to flip onto the shoulder of one of the ninja, repeatedly bashing down into his face until his body bent back, snapping in half like a twig. Raizen roared from under his mask, but his roar soon turned into a laugh of pure pleasure, he was enjoying it. Raizen leapt from the man's chest and pushed the face another to the side, then ripped off his leg as his body moved. Then he preceded to beat the man with it, until nothing was left of his face, and in the excitement the mask on Raizen's face fell off. His expression twisted, almost demonic. Raizen was crazed, this was the first time he had ever snapped. He turned laughingly to the men in front of him, all decided that they had no chance against this boy. As they fled Raizen stared on with wide eyes, hidden behind his mak as the traces of people began to fade away.
Raizen trailed after them stopping right in front of a a door, seemingly to a tunnel connected to the cave. He could hear breathing on the other side, and despite the fact that the door was metal, he slashed through it and the person behind it as if they were paper. Seeing this the other tried to run once again, but Raizen lashed out both arms, sending four pillars of lightning rippling through the ground. and surrounding more than six of them, and soon after they were nothing more than stains on the ceiling. The ninja who survived, few they were, recognized the technique the boy had just used. Raizen walked forward in speed that seemed as if he were skipping steps. He grabbed onto the leg and arm of a ninja and held him high off above his head and ripped to both sides before telporting away, right to the front of another of the men, slamming his fist into his body, drilling him through the stone behind him as his screaming laughter echoed through the halls. Raizen turned from the battered bodies and stalked over to the last five men, all muttering something. Seriga had used her Crimson runner against them, and they remembered it, this demon, it belonged to the girl they had killed. "I'm sorry." All muttered it as they stared up at the crazed boy who gazed down at them with a shocked expression, despite the fact that he hadn't regained his senses. Raizen stared down to the shuriken in his hand and then back to the men, all crying and begging forgiveness.
Raizen: I forgive you.
He said coherently as he lifted his shuriken in the air and brought it down like the hammer of Yemma. Hours had passed, all five remaining men had every limb removed, two stabs to the stomach, and five slashes across the chest. Despite this all wounds aside from the ones on their torsos had been treated. They weren't going to die quickly, they were going to suffer as Seriga had. Kakashi had been the one to find the bodies, whoever had left those men wanted to prolong ther suffering. Three died, the other two continued uttering that same apology for years, never once trying to speak of what had done that to them. Raizen returned home, coated in blood, sitting in his bed looking at the wall. Kiba stood in front of him worried for his friends well being, but before he could get closer Raizen said.
Raizen: It's not my blood. I killed them, and I may just kill you too if you don't leave.
Kiba: Rai....
Raizen: Please just leave.
He said closing his eyes. Raizen waited for a second and then the presence with him faded. Raizen looked down at his mask, trying desperately to stop himself from snapping again. Even as he tried, the thoughts came back, he couldn't stop it. His rage met a boil, and then he erupted crushing everything he could see, roaring loudly as he smashed almost everything, until a hand gripped his shoulder. Raizen instantly calmed down and turned back to Kiba. Thier were no words, Kiba simply pushed down on Raizen, forcing him to sit, then sat with is back pressed on Raizen's. A long silence passed before anything happened, then feeling the comfort his friend was giving him, Raizen did what he hadn't done, he cried, as Kiba sat listening he teared up well. After ten minutes Raizen gazed to the ceiling and said.
Raizen: Kiba.
Kiba: Yeah?
Raizen: No matter what you choose, no matter what path you head down, I'll always have your back. Even if you choose to become the king of every country, I'll makes sure it happens.
Kiba: Really, what I headed down the wrong path?
Raizen: Then I'd beat you back onto the right one.
Kiba: Heh, like a true friend, then right back at you man.
He said with a smile as he sat back to back with his best friend.
Kiba: You know, I think you should move.
Raizen: Huh?
Kiba: You trashed this place, and I think Seriga would like it if you stayed where she wanted you to be.
Raizen: Yeah........Thanks.
Kiba: Hey, what are friends for.
He replied with a smiled as he stood to his feet and pointed to the door.
Kiba: Then let's go.
Raizen: Right.
He said standing up as well.
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Raizen: Now that I think about it, Kiba was the whole reason I was able to hide my beserker state for so long. I'm glad that I was able to make a friend like him. I also learned something important thanks to that night, revenge is stupid.
Those words disillusioned everyone listening, Raizen seemed to only re-enforce the fact that he wanted revenge.
Sasuke: How so?
Raizen: Those who spend their entire life carrying hatred usually wind up unhappy. Seriga wanted me to have this mask because she wanted me to see the world without hatred clouding my eyes. She wanted me to see the pointlessness of it, she wanted me to be happy despite everything what happened to me. Which is why she wanted to teach me to control the rage inside me. Yet, in order to avenge her, I became what she tried to stop and became a murderer. I spit on everything she had done for me, as if she meant nothing. She and Seria must have cried watching me.
He said with a truly sad expression. Sakura looked down, at that moment, when he grabbed her, he was looking for comfort and she pushed him away and made it worse, of course she didn't know what had happened, but he had no idea why those boys were picking on her, yet he still helped. She didn't know what most had thought about her after watching that, but she knew, she definitely wasn't her own favorite person at the moment.
Raizen: I had lost everything, but I gained something new, I won't sacrifice anything of what I have for the sake of revenge.
Sasuke: Then why did you attack Itachi.
Raizen: Because I will kill him, but not for revenge, but to stop a monster from creating more people like me and you.
Sasuke: It's the same thing, you're just playing on words.
Raizen: Yeah, well to us here the fourth hokage was a hero, yet to his enemies he was the most fearsome killer they had ever faced. A different point of view can change everything.
Sasuke: I don't care about any of that, I'll get revenge my own way.
Raizen: Then what Sasuke, do you get a fucking cookie? Does a magical portal to outworld open and you become king and gain the ability to bring the dead back to life? If so then by all means do it.
Sasuke stepped back at his words and clentched his teeth.
Raizen: The way to revenge is paved in death, and by the time you gain it you''ll lose what you are now. Then you replace a monster with an even worse one, then someone will kill you and become a bigger monster and so on. The cycle of hatred goes full circle and then repeats.
Sasuke: That's-
Raizen quickly pulled something from his pocket and displayed it before the whole world, a picture of him and his family all happily smiling.
Raizen: Soon after Seriga died, I began having recurring dreams of my family, so to put that dream to rest, I returned to my old house and took this, before I burned it to the ground, this was all I had to remember them by, yet I burned the house to destroy my own traces, contradictary right? This was a symbol of what I couldn't let go.
Raizen held the picture dearly, and then ripped it to pieces confusing all who watched.
Raizen: I've decided to let go of the past, I'll keep walking forward, because everyone who walked with me, is still here, right by my side. They've never left me, that's why I'll walk forward not as Raizen Uchiha, who gripped desperately to rage, but Raizen Aname, who learned to overcome it.
He said with an air of purity blowing passed him. Then with a chuckle he gazed at his cousin.
Raizen: But you know Sasuke, I always envied you.
Sasuke lifted an eyebrow to his cousin in question.
Raizen: You were always surrounded by people, and you had your sister, you were never truly lonely. Even though I had friends, everytime they walked away, I could see the darkness coming back for me. Pathetic, huh?
He asked, leading to a long silence.
Sasuke: I was jealous of you too.
Those words had never even been imagined coming from the Uchiha's mouth. Widely, everyone stared on, confused as to Sasuke's reasoning for this.
Sasuke: You're right, I was surrounded by people, and that was what was truly lonely. All my life, I had always been in Itachi's shadow, I had never even been looked at when he was around, I was only Itachi's little brother. I never mattered.....Then he defected, and suddenly I was the big star, suddenly people gave a shit about me. And I hated it, I still hate it. People wanting to be friends with me, girls confessing their love to me, most people would love that right? Then they would whisper, "If you become friends with the Uchiha, you'll never have to worry about anything", "If you marry the Uchiha, your children will be gifted." "Uchiha, Uchiha, Uchiha." I was so sick of it, I never mattered, all that mattered was that I was from the Uchiha clan. I was always Uchiha Sasuke, never Sasuke Uchiha. I was only a pawn people wanted so that they could advance their own life, when you know that truth, it's really hard to get along with people. I never even considered anyone close to me until I was placed on team seven and I never really considered anyone my friend until I met Naruto.
He said with a chuckle.
Sasuke: You know, despite what most people think, I actually have a pretty vivid vision of love, but it's hard to believe that a girl is really in love with you when they couldn't even tell you something as simple as what your favorite color is.
Sasuke's words cut hard, he had never before given a reason he was so distant from everyone before, but everything he said was really hard to argue with.
Sasuke: To me, life was like a fading picture where the face of the person displayed can no longer be indentified. Nothing seemed real to me, and while I was longing for a bond, I was surrounded by people who offered false ones. It was like being suffocated by air.
He said closing his eyes to the rest of the world.
Sasuke: Yet, I always saw you, surrounded by people who knew your name, people who were around you because they knew and accepted you. You may have been alone when you were at home, but I was alone any time I wasn't. Even if they were few, they bonds you made were real.
He said opening his eyes to Raizen as both stared at one another with a smile. Raizen's image changed once again as he remembered something.
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Raizen: Hey Shika, kick it this way!
Shikamaru: I don't feel like it.
Raizen: Oh com'n Why are you on the feild then!
He shouted out across the soccer feild as Shikamaru only sighed in response and waited for Choji and Kiba to draw closer. Then despite his lackluster attitude, he kicked the ball across the feild right to Raizen.
Kiba: No way!
Choji: He tricked us.
As the boys adjusted their bodies to go after the ball Raizen turned to it a kicked it down into the net before the goalie blocked it. Raizen walked over to Shikamaru and patted his shoulder.
Raizen: You said you didn't want to, but you did anyway, that's a victory for us.
Shikamaru: Yeah whatever, next time just use your speed, then I won't have to work.
Raizen: Last time I did that they said I was cheating, so I can't run more than 14 mph or they won't let me play.
Shikamaru:......Now that I think about it that's a pretty good rule.
Choji: Next time we won't lose.
Kiba: Yeah, I can't lose to you anymore or else people will start thinking you're better than me.
Raizen: I am.
Kiba: Not.
Shikamaru: Well, it's about time to go.
He said gazing into the dimming sky.
Kiba: Yeah you're right. Well, see you tomorrow Rai.
He said he and the others waved him off, Raizen waved back, smiling the whole while and once they were out of sight, Raizen's smile turned sad. Stuffing his hands in his pockets Raizen turned away from the field and walked toward the place he now called home, staring down at the picture of his family.
Yukari: So how was your day Oniichan?
Sasuke: The same as always, I'm starting to get bored again.
Yukari: That's nothing new, you just need to loosen up more.
Sasuke: Whatever you say.
Without noticing, the three walked right passed each other, and after a few steps they stopped. Slowly they all turned back to face each other, and for ten seconds they stared at each other, then they smiled. Then after only a minute, they turned and went on their way, still smiling the whole way, yet for one side, neither knew why they smiled.
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After that, the display vanished into the sky. Both boys stared smiling at each other as they both whispered.
Sasuke/Raizen: You and I, are so much alike.
With only that moment both cracked their knuckles.
Sasuke: And that's why!
Raizen: And that's why!
Both shouted as they dropped into stance ready to rip each other apart.
Sakura: Wait what are you doing!?
Claire: I'll heal any wounds that you get, so long as you remember that I can't revive the dead to their normal state.
Raizen: Hnn.
He said with a nod.
Sakura: You're going to allow this? Kakashi-sensei stop them.
All that greeted Sakura from her sensei was a long silence.
Sakura: I can't believe this.
JJ: Sakura, the best way I can put this is, that men are stupid. Just like rams, sometimes we need to butt heads in order to clear out the cobwebs and keep moving. Right now is one of those times. As such none of us intend to stop them, not only because we can understand, but because they don't want to be stopped, as such, anyone who steps in might get attacked as well, then it'd be a much bigger fight. And even if we did manage to stop it, what's to stop it from happening later? It may be feuled by simple pride, but it's one we all can relate to, the least we can do is stop them before they kill each other. With my aura eye I can tell when someone's life is in danger, unless I move, you have nothing to worry about.
Sakura: How can you all be so calm about this?
Raizen: Sakura!!
His shout brought the girl's attention to him and his younger cousin standing across from him. Raizen looked to the ground and then exhaled deeply after making up his mind.
Raizen: You already know this, and I know that. I never really denied it, but you found it out from listening to me talk to Kiba. I never told you myself and I'm sorry for that, so this time I'll say it to you in my own words. Sakura, I love you.
The straight face he wore saying that was completely overwhelming, it was as if there wasn't even the slightest doubt in those feelings. It was probably the boldest thing most of them had seen in a long time, embarrassing Sakura to no end.
Raizen: If it meant I could protect, I'd run through a falling cavern with seven broken ribs and take down a dreadnought class battleship.
Ino:.......That was specific.
Sakura: Because it happened already.
She said with a blush, through closed eyes, Raizen continued.
Raizen: And I know how you feel about Sasuke, I always have, and trust me, if I could have gotten rid of those feelings I would have done it long ago. It would have made my life a lot easier.
Sakura growled at those words, without thinking, Raizen had said some pretty mean things.
Raizen: That's why I'll have to apologize for being selfish this time. But I can't let this one go.
Sasuke: This isn't some childish pride, it's because I've been holding in somethings that I have to let out, or else it'll eat away at me.
Raizen: This isn't like the time we fought of that riceball.
Sasuke: This isn't like the time when we fought because he wouldn't shut up about the time I tripped on that mission.
Raizen: That was funny though.
Sasuke: Shut up.
He said with a growl.
Raizen: But either way, we can't just let this go!
Sasuke: This is because two men-
Raizen: Who reach for the same goal-
Sasuke: Will eventually have to step on the head of the other-
Raizen: To attain it.
Sasuke: That's why, this time I'm asking you-
Raizen: I'm begging you-
Sasuke/Raizen: Don't interfere!!!!!
Both shouted, leveling a glare to the girl that sent shivers down her spine. Those words had a hidden message. There words were, "if you jump in again, we'll go through you." their words were a threat. At that moment she understood just how serious these two were. Both boys turned back to each other and stared on with bloodlust, they wanted to know, which of them was stronger. All watched on, determined to give their fight meaning, yet to one, the fight was already pointless even though it hadn't even started yet. Sakura's nightmare was just beginning.
Chapter 19 End.
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Preview:
Sasuke: I don't care if you are an Uchiha, you're nothing compared to me!
Raizen: I am the reincarnation of Raijin, the god of lightning! You don't stand a chance, give up now while you can.
Next time on Eyes piercing the darkness: Before the storm: Battle for supremacy.
Sasuke/Raizen: You are nothing next to me!!!!!!!
Omakes will be omitted due to time restraints.
Sakura: Okay everyonem it's been a hard time getting here, but welcome to-
Character introduction corner!!!!!
Ino: And today is another special episode.
JJ: Yeah I guess you could call this one "Story introduction corner." I'm going to be answering questions once again about how the story works. So class is back in seesion!
He shouted down to the arguing people below him, sitting in their desks. Once the class became quiet he coughed into his hand and pointed to the board.
JJ: Alright, Norugi-sensei will answer any questions you guys have so fire away.
Tenten: Okay, I'll start, a while ago Claire-sensei called you the "regulator", what is that exactl?
JJ: A better question is were you even there for that conversation?
Tenten: This stuff isn't canon away so why worry about continuity?
JJ: Good point, anyway, a regulator is just that. Because of the standing and importance of the two secret villages (Darkness-Light) both guarding such important places, the rising of other villages and power in said villages became a threat. As such a jounin from each village is sent to each hidden ninja village as a sort of supervisor. This person not only has one of the highest standings in the village, but has access to all village records. In some cases the regulator has more authority than the kage of that village.
Naruto: Isn't that kind of like muscling in on someone else's territory?
JJ: I guess you can see it that way and not be wrong, but we don't get to directly interfere with any decisions the village makes and we have no control over the village's beliefs. There is also the fact that crossing certain lines makes the regulator unfit to perform duties, such as abusing such power. Then they are forcibily returned to the village.
Hinata: Why is it neccessary to have access to all records?
JJ: Well think of it like this, if you're at a job and the boss sends a messanger to collect the sales data, would you stop him?
Hinata: Well......
JJ: That's kind of how we work.
Sasuke: But, why do they get to do something like that?
JJ: Because if either of the secret villages becomes the enemy of a hidden village, that village could vanish in the night without a trace, and that's speaking in a current sense too. There is no combined village that stands a chance against the secret villages, speaking truthfully, I alone could annihilate the leaf village if I wanted.
He said with a clam expression.
JJ: We don't come to impose anything on any village and until we are given the release papers, we are to become one of the village's own shinobi. Regulators are also known as protectors. We are to protect the village under attack from those who commit high level crimes, like Orochimaru, or if we so choose from anything else as well. There are many regulators that don't join in battle, or ones like me who jumps up to defend if need be. Basically, we are here to monitor the progress of the hidden villages and protect their ways of life.
Kiba: But if your village is so powerful that it could annihilate any village, why regulate other ones?
JJ: Think about it this way, your village suddenly gained the protection of an SS class demon and two villagers became demons. As well as two demi-gods and the forbidden one. That is a drastic increase in power, left unchecked that could become a threat to the secret villages. Someone would need to check why that village has gained such might, and what they plan to do with it. Or it could always be, "Break into the void/heaven and gain more power", we are neccessary to discover true intentions, or more incidents like me may occur.
Mika: You mean when....
JJ: That's what happens when we let our gaurd down, unfortunately there are many people like that in the world. Until people like that don't exist, we'll have to assume that everyone is like that.
Orochimaru: Can I help it if my plans go so smoothly?
JJ: Yeah how'd getting your arms healed go for you.
Orochimaru: You'll see soon enough.
Ishi: Has there ever been a village that had to be destroyed?
JJ: Ever heard of the village hidden under the moon?
Ishi: No.
JJ exactly.
He replied with a smile.
JJ: I eagerly await that you asshole. Anyway, next question.
Neji: You once mentioned a man who broke into the void before Orochimaru, who is he?
JJ: That man is the reason my mother doesn't remember me. He's one.....No, THE strongest man in the world and he's the only human being to be rated SSS class. That class has only been atained by the king of gods, and the king of demons. He was born in the village hidden in darkness and became so strong that he went mad from his own power. He broke into the void to test his own strength and came out only after killing seven SS class demons. Before he entered the void however, he took out fourteen of our villagers and severly injured fourty, one being me mother. Stories tell that when he came back he no longer felt human, as such, none approached him, they just watched him leave. Including his own son. That person's name was Akuma and it was decided that we'd let him die of old age, never to engage him in battle. It is only thanks to his warrior spirit that he doesn't attack indiscrimately, however if he feels the presence of another fighter whom he feels worthy, he will follow that person until they agree to fight him, and then he desimates them. If not, then he pursues them forever.
Sakura: Oh come on, that sounds like the story to the boogey man, how are we supposed to believe that?
Claire: He's not lying, that story was true. Akuma's son is the only person in the world who has fought him and survived. That man is a monster that is unmatched. He is the only human being to be universally classified, "AAAC"
Lee: What does that mean?
JJ: Avoid at all costs.
That phrase gained a collective gulp from the entire crowd surrounding the boy.
JJ: So be sure to thoroughly inspect your closets from now on.
That dispeled the tension in the room with a collective facefault.
Sakura: I knew that wasn't real.
JJ: No it's true, I just thought that would relieve everyone a little. Akuma doesn't normally show himself, but when he does, make sure you make yourself scarce. Next question?
He asked with a smile dispite the fact that everyone else was freaked out.
Raizen: Do you go into the void?
JJ: Yes.
Raizen: What is it like in there?
JJ: While that's a pretty dangerous question, I'll answer. While most is darker, it's not much different from this world, it's called the void because of how the doorway appears. The inside has many lush forests and cities, if you remember when Minatsuni attacked, he claimed that the city inside of Naruto was the void, that is because the void is mostly comprised of cities like that, which is probably why Naruto's mindscape appears to be one, believe of Yubiki's real home. Most wouldn't think of this, but it's always better to question than to just accept.
Ino: Dragons existed here for many years right? How come we've known about demons for so long, but never dragons?
JJ: Think about religion, in almost every one, there is a hell. Even if the god worshipped is different, there is always a hell. Demons are believed to be real, no matter what their form, people believe in them, so the search for them and their power is always present, however many believed that dragons are only fairy tail monsters, like elves and vampires. Also given our ability to maintain a human form for most of our life, we can easily blend in with humans and walk among them. Like I said earlier people never questioned, so they were only able to accept dragons as fiction.
Kakashi: There's something I've been wondering too, about Claire, would you care to explain the meaning of the Fuganu style's special abilities? I've been curious for a while now.
JJ: Ah, taking a shine to my teacher huh?
Kakashi: Huh, um, I assure you that's not the reason.
JJ: Sure it's not, I've noticed the passing glances.
He said with an evil snake smile as Kakashi sweatdropped.
Claire: Norugi, stop that.
JJ: 'Gasp' You called me Norugi! What did I do wrong?
He asked teary eyed.
Claire: Ignoring him, I'll be glad to answer your question. Long ago my great grandfather, regrettably became obsessed with the idea of a cure for one's mortality.
Orochimaru: Now this is my kind of conversation.
Claire: While that makes me reluctant to continue, I will anyway. He and two men created a serum that would, once injected, cure the individuals of the inevitable end to all life. However, all those they tested it on, died.
A collective gulp wished through all listening.
Sakura: Then it was a failure?
Claire: No, it was a smashing success, if you count that all those who died suddenly came back to life with an uncontrollable desire to feast on human flesh.
And then all turned pale.
Claire: I believe that most refer to them as zombies. However, for some the effects were different, one of the other scientists, William, he evolved into some monster, he's dead now though. Then there's Wesker, he got the good end of the deal, accelerated movement, advanced strength, and decelerated aging. He's still alive to this day. Then there's my grandfather, he was captured after the village was destroyed, ironically the same village that JJ mentioned earlier. Once he was brought back to the village, he was executed and then buried, but then he climbed out of his own grave and reverted back to the form of a child. Ever since he's been cursed to grow old and die, then repeat the process in a never ending cycle. He now knows what it's like to live forever, it sucks though. Because of that females of our bloodline are born with an innate ability to heal, and an immunity to foriegn diseases. While men gain incredible strength and unyeilding endurance, yet somehow my brother managed to push that limit. We also hold the power to summon and control the monsters created back then. Some say it's because all Fuganu are partially dead, so we can reach into the other side, and then when we turn fifty, we melt like plastic toys in the sun.
A collective screamed wished through everyone, only gaining a chuckled from the brown haired jounin.
Claire: I'm just kidding.
JJ: Hehe, you got them good.
Both laughed, pointing happily at the frowned crowd in front of them.
Ino: So that's where he gets it from.
Claire: Well, most of the story was true though, except the end.
Tenten: So the part about zombies?
Claire: All true, not to scare you though, but that wasn't just a story.
JJ: And moving on!
He said with a smile, ignoring the spooked faces of the people around him.
JJ: Are there anymore questions?
Raizen: I have one, since you use so many songs in the story, do you ever come up with theme songs for the characters?
JJ: Impressive breach of the fourth wall there.
Raizen: Thank you.
JJ: I actually do. I'll name only a few.
Naruto/JJ: Savin' me by nickelback.
Jiraiya/Tsunade: Neverland by Lyfe Jennings.
Raizen/Sakura: Everything you want by Vertical horizon
Naruto/Hinata: Any love song ever made.
Kiba/Yura: Final distance m. flo mix by Hikaru utada/M-flo
Mika: No more drama by Mary J blige.
JJ/Mika: Miss you by M-flo/Ryohei.
Neji/Ishi: My hands by Leona Lewis
Sasuke: Blurry by Puddle of mudd.
Raizen/Seriga: Tired of being sorry by Enrique Ingelias.........shut up.
That's just to name a few.
JJ: I could go on, but I don't really feel like it so I'm going to stop there.
Ishi: Are there any characters or chapters that you created that you don't like?
JJ: As far as characters, no. There are a few that I can't really fit into dramatic story scenes, and that makes it feel like a watse to add them, but most of them are there because I was so fond of their idea. That alone is reason enough to make me keep them. As far as chapters, there are a lot of them that I didn't like the negative feedback and it made me want to delete them, but as I said before, I only add them because I grew fond of their idea. To be hunted was one of those chapters, many people didn't see the point in it in the long run because it's not often mentioned down the road. However, the strain of the event was very important to the story, as well as the fact that Naruto's memory of it will play a big part in the story later on. I keep everything I add, because it is critical to the storyline in some way or another, because I plant very important seeds in even the most miniscle of moments, so even if it seems small, you'd better pay attention, like for example, how many people actually thought twice about Naruto being able to support trees through chakra after about chapter five, yet that was a seed to one of the story's biggest reveals.
Yura: So pay attention or miss out.
JJ: And that's the moral of the story everyone, and with that last bit of information, we bid you adieu.
Kiba: From everyone one here-
Yura: And everyone reading.
ALL: SHINE ETERNAL!!!
And once again a curtain closes on a long and difficult chapter of this story, sorry it took so long, but life had my balls, now that I have them back, it's time to get back to work, so until next we meet, shine eternal everyone.
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