Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Eyes piercing the darkness ❯ Before the storm: Battle for supremacy ( Chapter 20 )

Here it is, I've been looking forward to this chapter for I don't know how long, I just know that it was a long time coming. This fight is going to absorb the entirety of the chapter, and it's not going to let go, It's so long, that I decided to cut it into sections, something I have done with no fight so far, no matter how long it was. It has four parts and all are going to be epic, either way, I wish you to enjoy, and oh yeah, I made no references in the last chapter.









Before the storm: Battle for supremacy.


(Music cue: P3 FES-by Lotus Juice and Yumi Kawamura)

Both stared at each other, long and hard as whispers flew from the crowd, neither cared what the onlookers said, all they could see was each other, one of them had to fall, it was the only way.
Raizen: Let's do this.

He said wearing the smile of an Uchiha. Then with a single kick back, both launched themselves at the other. The collision could be heard for miles, the roars of combat ripped through the night sky like crackling thunder. Each time one of the fierce combatants met with one another, the world was forced to acknowledge it, whether it wanted to or not. Each punch, each motion seemed to be thrown with vicious disregard for the other's well being, but never once did they doubt their resolve.
Sasuke: Rahhhhh!

He shouted out, once again throwing a punch that was quickly blocked by the person in front of him.
Raizen: Pathetic!

He said as he deflected the fist and returned one of his own in kind. With a single smooth turn, Sasuke managed to dodge that attack, and the several others hidden behind it. Sasuke turned into a kick and collided with Raizen's forearm, sweat flying from both limbs as the intensity of their fight grew. Raizen hopped forward, fist drawn back as he flew to the ground, aiming for Sasuke, who managed to flip back and avoid the attack before it could reach it's mark. Finally gaining his ground in the fight, Sasuke latched onto Raizen's arm and dragged him forward into his knee, forcing a grown from the older boy, but Raizen's arm dragged back, proving that physically, Raizen was stronger than Sasuke, with his power he pulled Sasuke into a head butt and then slammed his fist into his chin. Not wasting his chance to counter Sasuke used the force of Raizen's punch, by flipping back, kicking into his chin. Before he could land from his attack however, Raizen's hand became enveloped in sparks and with a smile, he slammed it into the ground and launched himself in the air, right above Sasuke. Sasuke prepared to dodge, but Raizen's arm shot back sparks like a rocket engine, sending him flying back down to the ground, right into Sasuke's face, knocking him into a sideways spin to the ground. Sasuke quickly recovered from the attack and placed his hands on the ground, throwing himself into a sidekick that slammed into Raizen's face.
Raizen: Shit.

Raizen turned back and punched into Sasuke's chest, forcing him back across the ground, and then kicked straight into his chest, sending him rolling back. Sasuke cursed and flipped himself back to his feet, smiling the whole while. Five shuriken whizzed from his hand and flew toward Raizen, only to be knocked from the air; however that was all the time Sasuke needed to close the distance between them. His hand crashed into Raizen's face and forced him into a stumble.
Sasuke: Got you!

He shouted out as he launched his knee into Raizen's stomach. Raizen leaned forward in cough, and then effortlessly pushed Sasuke back with amazing force, showing the results of his training with Zabuza, then in almost the same second, he rushed forward and punched into Sasuke's face, sending him sliding backwards across the ground. In almost no time Sasuke pushed himself back to his feet and skid to a stop as he swiftly formed the seals for the fireball jutsu. As the wall of fire launched at Raizen, he easily ran through it as if it were nothing, but failed to land a hit on Sasuke, who had moved into the air. Raizen gazed up to another ball of fire, but this time, Sasuke was right under it, with his foot raised high into the air. Sasuke's foot slammed down, catching onto the fire on its descent, yet Raizen raised his arms, blocking the brunt of the attack and with tremendous force, he pushed upward, dispersing the fire and knocking Sasuke back. Then with a roar he charged electricity to his hand, rushing after Sasuke once again, but Sasuke moved away from his downward punch and set fire to his own fist. Raizen did the same, and with a wide smile he gazed over to Sasuke, ready to lock horns with him once again, and as both collided they slammed their fists into each other's and in one final clash they pushed each other forty feet away from one another.
Sasuke: I'm getting tired of this warm up.

He said as he extinguished the flame covering his arm.
Raizen: Yeah, then let's stop playing.

(Round 1: Raizen versus Sasuke)

(Music cue: These days by 3 doors down.)

Raizen dropped into stance, ready to completely crush Sasuke, there was no more will to toy around with him, he had to prove something, he needed to rid himself of something and taking down the person in front of him was the only way to do it. Sasuke had never seen Raizen, move, but he could feel the presence of someone at his side, the second he turned to face him, Raizen's fists slammed into him at a speed matching that of the wind, slowly lifting him into the air, the last of which being a punch that sent Sasuke spinning. Before Sasuke could land, Raizen grabbed him from behind and leaned back, slamming Sasuke into the ground in a fierce German suplex. Immediately following his attack, Raizen gripped onto Sasuke's legs, and with a fierce snap, he dragged him upward, slamming him face first into the ground in front of them. Sasuke tried to lift himself, from the ground, but without even giving a moment to pause, Raizen grabbed onto the back of his head and threw him with all of his force down the plain, then launched his shuriken passed him.
Raizen: Destructive shuriken jutsu.

Sasuke flew over the shuriken, right at the moment the explosion went off, blasting him into the air like a rocket, but Raizen still wasn't done. With a chuckle, he appeared right next to his shuriken and threw it into the air above Sasuke, then reappeared with it.
Raizen: Raizen-ken!

He shouted out as lightning engulfed his fist and he shot down at Sasuke, slamming his fist into the boy's chest until they both reached the ground. Raizen stood tall, gazing down at Sasuke, lying in the hole he had buried him in. As Sasuke lay still, gazing up at Raizen through fatigued eyes, he caught a glimpse of something; his mind ran back, running down the cold lonely streets of Konoha, being chased by the cold murderous intent of his older brother. Then in front of him appeared a dark figure, a person standing in the shadows gazing at him, laughing at him, taunting him, it was.....
Sasuke: Raizen.

He growled as he moved from the hole, quickly grabbing onto Raizen shirt as he drove his fist into his stomach, forcing a cough from his mouth, then another into his face, forcing him into a stumble.
Sasuke: Don't fuck with me!!!

He shouted as he closed the distance and flipped over Raizen, slamming his foot down into his face before quickly following with a fireball jutsu. Raizen barely had any time to dodge; even with his amazing speed he couldn't avoid the impact. After resulting explosion, Raizen was sent skidding back across the ground, yet he managed to stop himself only a few feet away from where Sasuke landed, however this was a bad move, Sasuke jumped to the side and hurled five shuriken at Raizen, who quickly dodged it, moving right where Sasuke had planned. Raizen took notice to the sound of something crunch under him, but it was too late to move.
Sasuke: Release.

He said activating the explosive tag under Raizen's feet, blasting him into the air, giving Sasuke just the opening he needed. Sasuke leapt into the air and aligned his body with Raizen's.
Sasuke: Lion's barrage!

He shouted out as he kicked into Raizen's side, then turned into furious backhand, followed by a straight punch and downward spinning kick to his chest, knocking him to the ground. Still airborne, Sasuke quickly formed seals, and aimed down at Raizen, He blew a massive fireball down at him.
Sasuke: Still not done yet!

Sasuke formed several more seals and held his left hand in front of him.
Sasuke: Chidori!

The sparking lightning in his hand posed no threat to his opponent on its own, but combined with the blazing fire below; it was a force to be reckoned with. Sasuke dived down, his chidori now blazing red and slammed it down into Raizen. Sasuke's speed extinguished the flames, but severely decreased the power of his chidori, however not by enough to make it not hurt like hell. Sasuke flipped from in front of Raizen and smiled back at his fallen opponent, groaning under the weight of the attack that had been used on him, his mind faded back, staring down to someone who could easily hold him up with one hand. Raizen ripped off the mask and gazed down to the face of the person holding him, laughing to his face. That person was.....
Raizen: Sasuke.

He called out as he leapt back to his feet and latched tightly onto Sasuke shoulders before grinding his knee into his stomach. Then with the ferocity of a tiger, he punched down into his face, giving Sasuke no room to counter. Raizen lifted Sasuke by his collar and slammed him back first into the ground, but when Sasuke landed he quickly rolled to his feet and turned into a roundhouse kick that crashed into Raizen's jaws, knocking him off balance, and then followed with a kick that sent him sliding backwards. Sasuke dropped low to the ground and leapt forward with a kick for Raizen's head, but before it could land, Raizen vanished, reappearing behind Sasuke, but Sasuke did the same. Both repeated this act until they reappeared before each other with clashing fists. Sasuke was physically weaker than Raizen, so he'd use that to his advantage. In what looked like a flash, Sasuke jumped onto Raizen's fist and kicked into his face, then twisted into a corkscrew behind him, unleashing a triple fireball jutsu before he landed to the ground. Each hit landed, propelling Raizen across the field and passed the onlookers, right into a tree. Raizen gazed at the tree and pulled his shuriken from his back, stabbing it into the trunk, before ripping the tree from the very ground and holding it on his shoulder as if it were a small log. Then with a smile he launched it into the air like a missile.
Raizen: Instantaneous transport jutsu!

He shouted, pulling himself to the airborne tree. With unmatched speed he ran to the tree's roots and pushed down with his feet, firing the whole tree down at Sasuke, who panicked at the site. With no time to dodge, Sasuke shot a fireball jutsu into it, bursting into pieces, but Raizen was expecting that, through the fire and flames, he leapt from chunk to chunk until he reached the final piece and he shot for Sasuke, roaring loudly as he passed him. Raizen slid passed Sasuke and after half a second, Sasuke began reacting to the hundred punches Raizen had landed before he passed him. After all of the hits landed Sasuke stumbled back, never seeing the jumping back kick Raizen sent for his head. Sasuke went flying back, sliding right next to where Raizen's shuriken had landed in the ground.
Raizen: Nap time!

Echoed the boy's shout as he stood above Sasuke, bringing down his fist for the boy's face, hoping to knock him out, but Sasuke wasn't going down that easy. Placing both hands on the ground, Sasuke turned himself into a spin and kicked twice into Raizen's face before latching the hilt of Raizen's closed shuriken on his foot and slamming it down into his neck. As Raizen stumbled Sasuke flipped to his feet and threw the shuriken into his own hands. Raizen saw this and, in one second, teleported to the shuriken with his head drawn back, but the two had been on the same team for a long time, Sasuke knew what was going to happen. Both boys drew their heads back and at the same moment, they slammed them into one another, sending each other sliding back fifteen feet. Both stared at each, letting the blood trickle from their foreheads with a smile.
Raizen: I have to admit, I didn’t expect you to still be standing after I got serious.

He arrogantly stated, leaving his original persona behind, showing his relation to the Uchiha. Raizen stood before Sasuke as the boy he was before he began to loosen up.
Sasuke: I’m surprised you were able to get up after that last hit.
Raizen: I’m not that easy to take down, or else your brother would have been able to do it. What do you say we stop with the whole equal footing thing? I want you to actually try to win from this point on.
Sasuke: Fine by me, let’s do just that.

He said sliding his left foot back, and then cycling through the many seals needed to summon the fireball jutsu. The second he fired it, he leapt forward, slamming his right fist into it, dragging it along with him as he punched down at Raizen, who quickly managed to side step the attack, but Sasuke had expected this and using the momentum of his own punch he dragged down his left foot, through the same fire and slammed it down into Raizen’s face, knocking him off balance. Sasuke landed in a crouch, not ready to let this advantage slip by, he turned back to Raizen with his fist drawn back.
Sasuke: Karyu no tekken Kai!

With mighty roar he slammed his flaming fist into Raizen’s face, or what he thought was his face. The object Sasuke had hit burned to cinders and the haunting presence he felt behind him was enough to let him know that wasn’t going to be able to dodge what was coming next.
Raizen: Rai-Kanketsuken!

He roared out as he slammed his hands into the ground, sending forth a powerful eruption of electrical energy that sent Sasuke flying across the field, yet Raizen wasn’t finish. In a gust he slammed his fist through the residual electricity and dragged it after Sasuke, slamming his fist into the boy’s stomach.
Raizen: Raizen-ken!


Raizen’s attack was enough to send Sasuke flying across the field, but not enough to knock him out, Sasuke easily flipped himself back to his feet and turned to Raizen. Completely ready to take him down, but suddenly Raizen started doing something strange. For some reason he started to remove his shoes, and then shortly after, he took off his own shirt. Sasuke had realized, this was the first time he had ever seen the scars on Raizen’s chest and back, they were deep and long, making him understand the boy’s deep hatred for his brother, however, this made the young girls of the village realize something else, Raizen was extremely ripped. Most found themselves staring at the boy’s well toned muscles.
Ino: W-Why is he stripping?

She asked out with a blush on her face. Sakura had no reaction, she had known why, and it only made her more frightful of the boys’ fight.
JJ: He’s fixing his wind resistance and traction control.
Ino: Huh?
JJ: He’s about to blind us.

He replied with an arrogant smile. Raizen tied his shirt to his waist and started hopping in place, testing the wind against his body then while slouching, he shot off after Sasuke, significantly faster than he was before. Sasuke couldn’t even think of attacking before the hits reached him, all he could feel was the unrelenting pound of Raizen’s fists. As Sasuke stumbled back, Raizen stood tall behind him, smiling as he with the speed of a propeller turned back and kicked into Sasuke’s stomach, knocking him along the ground. Sasuke tried his best to stop himself, but there was nothing he could do, Raizen stared on with a sad expression on his face as he walked forward and then ran after Sasuke as if he had been fired from a cannon.
Sasuke: Damn it!

He shouted out as finally regained his own footing, and then, with a fist covered in flames, he punched into the ground.
Sasuke: Fire wave!

Raizen stared at the approaching flames, three rushing waves, breaking through the ground after him.
Raizen: That’s a new one.

He chuckled as he closed the distance between him and Sasuke, sliding from side to side through the flames until he reached Sasuke, who stood to his feet to greet the boy, trying his best to land a hit, but nothing got through. Raizen blocked every hit as if it were his job then grasped tightly onto Sasuke’s fists before flipping back, kicking into Sasuke’s chin, then he let go when his feet touched the ground and kicked straight into Sasuke’s stomach, knocking him higher into the air. Then with him held up there Raizen flipped onto Sasuke’s chest and ran up his body, each step harder than the last, until finally he stomped into his face. Sasuke’s body was forced into a flip and when his legs reached high enough, Raizen reached back and grabbed onto his ankles before spinning down and hurling Sasuke back to the ground with as much force as he could muster.
Sasuke: Gah!
Raizen: Raizen-ken.

The sound of lightning crackling reached Sasuke’s ears as his opponent drew closer, but before he could reach him Sasuke flipped back and jumped forward with his knee out, colliding with Raizen’s face, and then he dropped down with his fist held out, enveloped in fire, crashing down into Raizen’s face. Stumbling from the attack Raizen gazed back at Sasuke, who quickly positioned himself under the older boy.
Sasuke: Karyu no Tekken Kai.

He shouted as he sent two straight punches into Raizen’s face, and then followed with a spinning back hand, each reaching their mark as sparks from the flame flew through the air. Clenching his teeth Raizen turned around and sped away from Sasuke, or so it seemed, shortly after he moved, he returned on Sasuke’s blindside, then slammed his elbow into his back. As Sasuke stumbled Raizen flipped back and kicked back into Sasuke back three times before landing in a crouch.
Raizen: You’re forgetting who you’re dealing with Sasuke.

He said as he lifted himself sparking electricity on his arms. Sasuke smiled and turned back to him while forming seals.
Sasuke: Earth style: Binding stone jutsu!
Raizen: What?

The ground beneath Raizen slowly crept up and covered his hands, holding him to the ground. Raizen could’ve broken the rocks, but something was taking away his ability to focus, the endless rain of fists Sasuke was pummeling him with. Raizen pulled back with everything he had, but he wasn’t going anywhere.
Sasuke: Fire style: Phoenix flower jutsu!

Sasuke flipped back into the air and fire hundreds of fireballs down into Raizen making the boy scream out in pain under the weight of the attack. Sasuke fell down to he ground and stared at Raizen who had collapsed to his knees, seemingly unconscious.
Sasuke: Hmph, after all that talk.

He said turning away, Kiba stared on at Raizen, never once doubting his friend, Raizen was stronger than Sasuke, and he was sure of it; Raizen was concentrating.
Raizen: 10% release.

He whispered under his breath. Raizen’s head shot back up and he ripped the stone from the ground, quickly making his way over to Sasuke. Without stopping he slammed his stone covered left hand into Sasuke’s stomach, shattering the stone, and then he brought the other down into his head.
Raizen: You think you’re slick?

He asked to the spaced out Sasuke, still dazed from having that stone fist shattered over his head. Raizen pulled Sasuke closer, looking into his eyes with his berserker’s gaze. Raizen smiled at Sasuke put his shuriken into Sasuke’s shirt then threw him over fifty feet into the air.
Raizen: I’m ending this! Instantaneous transportation jutsu!

He said teleporting to where Sasuke was. He quickly pulled his shuriken from Sasuke and grabbed tightly onto his neck.
Raizen: Lightning Taijutsu: Thunder drop!

Raizen’s hand began to release electricity from it and he spiraled down, dragging Sasuke with him, leaving a spiral trail of lightning behind him. Then when he slammed Sasuke into the ground he stood tall over him in the crater he had made.
Raizen: Still not done.

He said silently as he turned and slid up the lightning trail he had left. Once he reached the top he held he fist down with a smile.
Raizen: Raiden-no-Sakuya!

Raizen shot his fist forward and the sparks burst into small pedals, all shooting down into Sasuke, and each caused a massive electrical explosion. Raizen laughed loudly as he jumped between the pedals as if they were stones, following them down toward Sasuke. After the final pedal fell, the explosion had reached forty feet wide, but Raizen still wasn’t done. With his arm drawn back, Raizen called down all of the lightning to his fist.
Raizen: My new technique, Raiden-Soken!

Raizen buried his fist into Sasuke’s stomach and the resulting feedback was a massive pillar of lightning shooting into the sky. Raizen smiled down at his work and jumped back away from Sasuke.

(Round one: Raizen.)

Raizen turned down to Sasuke with a smile, holding the Aname windmill proudly on his
Raizen: So you could handle that huh?

He asked as Sasuke growled, picking himself up from the pit Raizen had buried him in. Sasuke gazed up to him slowly and stared at him through red eyes.
Raizen: So you wanna kick this up a notch huh?

He asked with a smile as he gazed at Sasuke, slowly lifting himself from the hole.
Sasuke: I hate to admit, but you got the better of me that time.
Raizen: Get used to it; because I’m gonna be kicking your ass all night.
Sasuke: I don’t think so. After all, I’m going to be the one triumphant this time.

He said clenching his fist tightly. Raizen looked down with a chuckle and returned his face to Sasuke, now wearing his own Sharingan.
Raizen: Alright, I’ll humor you.

(Round 2: Sharingan vs. Sharingan.)
(Music cue: How can I live by- Ill Nino)

Raizen dropped his shuriken to his side, beckoning Sasuke to come after him, and as he asked, Sasuke rushed for him. Both clashed in the middle, each other’s fist reaching the other’s open palm. Raizen pushed back and turned into a roundhouse kick that Sasuke smooth ducked under while sending a sweep kick for Raizen, who simply stepped back away from it. Each hit was as if it were in slow motion, nothing escaped their eye.
Sasuke: Karyu no tekken!
Raizen: Raizen-ken!

Both shouted as once again their attacks clashed causing an explosion that blasted both back, but Sasuke’s recovery was quicker. With a smile he rushed after Raizen once again, holding five wires tied to five different shuriken. With a very precise throw he wrapped them around Raizen’s body and pulled tight. Before the boy had the time to break free, he quickly formed seals, and then with a deep breath he streamed fire along the wire.
Sasuke: Dragon flame jutsu!

Raizen screamed out as the flames burned him, but with a smile he called out to his massive sword. Once in hand, he slashed through the wires with his shuriken and threw it into the air, swapping for his sword. Using the fire to his advantage still covered in flames he shot forward, slamming the tip of his dulled blade into Sasuke’s stomach.
Raizen: Finishing strike!

He said with a smile, now focusing all of the flame onto his sword, he turned and spiraled up, bashing Sasuke into the air, with the flame still dragging behind him, he turned downward and twisted like a saw’s blade.
Raizen: Final blast!!!!!!

As Raizen landed to the ground, the still spinning Sasuke turned to the ground trying desperately to regain his balance, but before he could his opponent stood before him and with a vicious kick, he sent him sliding back across the ground. Once he finally came to a stop, he stared back at Raizen, who was slowly losing his grip on his released state. Slowly becoming more muscular, Raizen lifted his sword and stared down to Sasuke, who slowly rose to his feet and walked over to his sister. Shocked as she was, she had no time to stop him from removing her dagger and rushing back off into battle. Both boys ran at each other, staring straight into the other’s eyes, slightly catching the image of themselves in it. Meeting in the middle of the field, Sasuke slashed at Raizen, only to have the smaller blade knocked off course by the larger one, what he had expected, with a fluid turn he slashed at Raizen, sending a wave of liquid fire flying at him. Raizen quickly dodged it and reappeared at Sasuke’s back, slamming his weapon down for him, but Sasuke placed the dagger into the ring at the tip of the blade and twisted, deflecting the attack from him, then turned into a spinning kick over the blade, simultaneously ripping his dagger from the hold and flipping back, unleashing the flames from it at the same time. As the flame knocked Raizen back Sasuke chuckled, cycling through seals, but Raizen charged through the flame, arm extended, and slammed his forearm into Sasuke’s throat, forcing into a triple axel all the way to the ground. The young Uchiha prodigy fell to the ground and once again came face to face with Raizen’s crazed form. Raizen had given in to his combat high, and punched down for his younger cousin with enough force to shatter the ground under him, only missing Sasuke just barely. Sasuke rolled out of the way just before the hit could land and put all of his efforts into dodging, knowing what Raizen’s punch would do in that state. He had to think fast, reaching back into his pouch, he grabbed the longest wire he could and ducked under Raizen’s fist, rising up into a flip kick that barely moved Raizen’s chin. Realizing that stunning him was out of the question he rolled under him and lassoed the wire around his neck before running up back and pulling as hard as he could. Raizen grabbed onto the wire and struggled with Sasuke, but in the position, he could summon all of his strength, not to mention his fading consciousness. Sasuke pushed as hard as he could, trying to choke out the boy as he thrashed around beneath him. Raizen then focused, gaining control over his body once again, and pulled roughly onto the wire, dragging Sasuke into his back, then with him closer, Raizen grabbed his arm and spun him over head before slamming him down into the ground.
Sasuke: Gahh.
Raizen: ‘Huff’.

Raizen’s vision went grey and shortly after slamming Sasuke, he fell to his knees. Their eyes had lost focus, but something more important came into one’s. Sasuke saw Itachi standing above him slowly getting farther and farther from him as the bodies of their family piled up behind him. With that vision in his mind, Sasuke clicked his teeth and rose back up. Raizen’s eyes focused in staring at Sasuke, whose image had become blurred due to his lack of oxygen. Sasuke stood before him, slowly growing taller with each step, and then he took the form of the person he most resembled. Raizen growled and shot to his feet, making his way to Sasuke who no longer wished to exchange blows with Raizen, he was going to finish this quick. Cycling through seals, he slammed his hands into the ground.
Sasuke: Leaf style: Sprouting thicket.

Raizen stopped himself, as all around him the ground began to shake, trusting his instincts, he managed to dodge some of the bamboo shoot coming up at him, but found himself caught behind hundreds, being dragged into the air, entrapped by hundreds of bamboo trees. As he struggled to get free, he saw red eyes staring at him from the deep within, Sasuke smiled at him and jumped back.
Sasuke: Fire style!

He shouted out as he pulled on four wires tied to each end of the thicket. Sasuke placed all of the wire in his mouth and streamed fire down to where Raizen was. Once it reached him the thicket exploded and all caught fire as Raizen screamed out into the night. Sasuke fell to the ground and smiled.
Sasuke: Ceremonial cremation.

(Round 2: Sasuke.)
All were tempted to stop the fight there, especially when Raizen fell limply from the thicket once the attack ended, but suddenly he started to static and faded from sight.
Sasuke: What?
Raizen: Honestly, I wasn’t expecting that, you got me good.

Sasuke turned to the side, staring at a wounded Raizen.
Sasuke: How did you?
Raizen: I’ve never been pushed this far in a normal fight.

Sasuke stared at Raizen; his head was aimed at the ground during their entire talk.
Raizen: I never thought you would push me this far.
Sasuke: You’ve last, what makes you think you can continue with injuries like that.

Raizen stared at his wounds and placed his hands on them, using the sparks from his own body to heal them. No one had ever seen him do that before.
Raizen: I didn’t even know I could do that until I started training. Of course this only works on external wounds.

Raizen said, still aiming his eyes at the ground, no one but Sakura knew what was happening, and she was afraid, the fight was going too far.
Raizen: I’m going to rip you apart for that one, it hurt you know. It’s about time I showed you how superior to you I am, with my other Sharingan.

Those words were like a tidal wave, everyone reacted to it, no one had known that Yukari developed another Sharingan except Sasuke, and Raizen had told everyone why he couldn’t possibly have one.
Sasuke: Nice try, but the mix of genetics would make that impossible for you. Your Uchiha blood was mix with another clan with a strong bloodline; you’re not able to develop another Sharingan.
Raizen: Heh, you’re right, I can’t develop one.

Sasuke smiled at his own words, dismissing what Raizen had said.
Raizen: But that has nothing to do with the Mangekyo I already have.

He retorted, finally bringing his eyes up to Sasuke, showing the lightning god Sharingan to the world. Sakura tightly grabbed her fist and shouted out.
Sakura: Raizen stop, this is going too far. You can’t use something like that in a fight like this.

Those words suddenly turned all attention to her, her good intentions had just given away something Raizen had avoided saying. Sasuke stared at her with a glare, asking her the question that only Kakashi, could bring himself to ask.
Kakashi: Sakura, did you know?

With a sudden realization of what she had just said and then the notice of all the eyes on her, Sakura, nodded her head.
Sasuke: So you-

Before he could lash out at her, Raizen held out his hand in front of him.
Raizen: ‘Sigh’, Sakura, I thought I told you to stay out of this, and don’t blame her, I made her swear that she wouldn’t tell anybody.
Sasuke: Why would you tell her, but not your own family?
Raizen: Well a secret is supposed to bring people closer.

He said with a smile that made Sasuke angrier. Raizen sighed; gazing at Sasuke he lowered his head continued.
Raizen: Besides, I didn’t have a choice. I was staring down the most insane member of the three legendary ninja and you were down, Naruto was unconscious and Sakura was in danger, if I didn’t do it, who knows what would have happened.

Those words once again, sent shock through everyone. Did Raizen just say that he beat Orochimaru with that Sharingan?
Kiba: I knew it; you were the one who caused that big thunder crash in the forest of death weren’t you?
Raizen: You said it was me from the beginning huh? Well, I guess I did, I didn’t mean to though, but my friends were in danger so I did whatever I could. I never trained my original Sharingan, but this one I’ve been training for years, and I got a boost in that when I start training before the finals of the chunin exams. I’m sure you’ve noticed certain things, like how I used to need my shuriken to use the Raizen-ken. Now I can do it by just clenching my fist.

Raizen looked away from Sasuke and smiled.
Raizen: You know, my parents named this Sharingan, because of what they said they saw in me. They said that I was the reincarnation of Raiden, the lightning god. When I was a kid, I didn’t get that claim, but now. I think it’s true.
Sasuke: So you’re gonna start calling yourself a god just because you have a stupid new Sharingan? You’re losing it.

He shouted as he charged at Raizen.
Sasuke: You’re nothing compared to me, I don’t care what you have.

He said punching at Raizen, but his hit veered off course and slammed into the ground. Sasuke stared in surprise, and then tried again, but once again he missed. With a growl he repeatedly attacked Raizen, but his attacks kept flying away from him, and soon his could see why. Sasuke threw a punch with all his force holding it in place, but Raizen caught it, much like he expected.
Sasuke: So that’s it, your Sharingan makes you faster? That’s all? I’m disappointed, after all that the solution is as simple as stopping you from moving.

He said with a shake of his head, Raizen chuckled and shifted his hand, grabbing tightly onto Sasuke’s wrist.
Raizen: You’ve made a stupid move Sasuke, in two different ways. First, is that you forgot, I’m physically stronger than you.

He said, flinging his arm to the side, dragging Sasuke with it. Sasuke punched with his free hand, but before he could reach, Raizen grabbed onto his other hand.
Raizen: The second mistake was that you assumed too much. Never run into battle recklessly once your opponent changes tactics, that’s one of the things my father always told me. Yours should have done the same.

Sasuke stared into Raizen’s deep red eyes, slightly catching a glimpse of sparks.
Sasuke: What the?
Raizen: I see you’ve noticed. Then why don’t I stop playing with you.

He said as his entire body began to spark and lightning shot from his mouth, then through to his hands. Raizen’s body channel electricity all the way into Sasuke, then the feedback began to shot from everywhere between the two. Sasuke screamed out, desperately trying to pull himself free from Raizen’s grip, but that was proving harder than it seemed, especially with the large amount of juice flowing into his body. Finally Raizen let go, leaving Sasuke to writhe in the pain of his attack. After a minute Sasuke regained himself and stared at Raizen with slight fear in his eyes.
Raizen: Your arrogance is the flaw of the Uchiha clan. You completely dismissed me as a threat before you even knew what I was capable of.

He said as he began walking forward.
Raizen: Do you know what makes the normal Sharingan special? It’s the supreme focus that makes the world seem to slow down in front of you. By doing so, it allows you to copy techniques by studying even the slightest motion that the opponent makes.

Raizen smiled at Sasuke and then vanished from sight.
Raizen: But-

He said, suddenly standing on the other side of the field.
Raizen: Then there is the Aname’s ability to harness the power of electricity, and their unnatural speed. However, there was always one flaw they had. Their bodies can only channel, absorb, and expel electricity, but I surpassed that flaw.

He said once again vanishing to the other side of the field.
Raizen: The supreme focus of the Sharingan was able to draw out the hidden strength of the Aname bloodline, in other words, simply activating my Sharingan was enough to make this one appear, and only two people can ever gain it, me and Seria. That means that only I can ever have this Sharingan, or maybe the children I have some day.

He said once again appearing in front of Sasuke.
Raizen: Do you know why I surpassed the one flaw, because I can convert my body into pure electricity.

He said changing his arm into static.
Raizen: This power allows me to completely harness the electricity in the area, as well as magnetize anything I choose, that’s how I was able to call my weapons back to me. I didn’t know that I was going to be able to do it without this Sharingan though. My speed is actually just a plus. You know why my parents called me the god of lightning? Because the said there was nothing else they could think of when I was born. “Raizen” was actually derived from Raiden’s name. However, this Sharingan gives me the power to do much more.

He said walking forward, snapping his fingers, making the very clouds above thunder, lightning shot to the ground around Raizen and then gained forms; one a tiger, the other a wolf. The wolf sat in front of Raizen, staring down at Sasuke with a glare as Sasuke placed his hand on its head.
Raizen: You say I was being foolish, but I only spoke truth, with a single snap of my finger the heavens will rain down lightning, or I can banish those very lightning with a single wave of my hand.

He said doing so, making the lightning stop and the beasts disappear. Like Mika, Raizen had learned complete control over his element, but his control was almost scary. Mika needed to harness the earth around her to use it, but Raizen could call his to him.
Raizen: With this Sharingan, I am the god of lightning!!!

He said in a voice that made the sky rumble.
Raizen: Now, let’s begin.

Raizen finally dropped into stance and smiled.

(Round 3: Struggle.)
(Music cue: Immortal by- Adema.)

Raizen’s smile went wide as he stalked closer to Sasuke, slowly closing the large gap between them, and then with a mighty roar, he screamed into the heavens, summoning a lightning storm around him, each flash made his body form into something different, he looked like a monster and soon Sasuke saw why. He had missed it before, but now it was all too clear. Raizen’s was using his berserker state to amplify his powers, that’s how his training had changed his sharingan. After the storm in the sky calmed Raizen took a single step forward, and then in a flash he was standing right in front of Sasuke.
Raizen: What’s wrong?

He asked down to his kneeling cousin with an arrogant smile. Sasuke clicked his teeth and punched at Raizen, who was now at his side.
Raizen: That hit was sloppy, if I didn’t know any better-

He said as Sasuke turned with a spinning backhand had didn’t connect.
Raizen: I’d think you were scared of me Sasuke. Am I right?

Sasuke growled at those words and kicked back for Raizen who simply stopped it with a finger, and then walked right passed Sasuke who stared idly for a second then felt the top of his head, a wet sensation was dripping down, he was bleeding. As if time needed to catch up, Sasuke began reacting to the attacks Raizen had landed on him. Raizen smiled at Sasuke’s side and slid under him, suddenly releasing a volley of untraceable attacks on him. Even as Sasuke’s body was being dragged by the punches Raizen only appeared to be walking forward, and then laughingly he walked to the both sides then behind Sasuke, at the same time, Raizen moving so fast that he appeared to be in four places at once. Then finally he landed in front of Sasuke, pushing him back with a single finger. Sasuke, angered by this, roared out, punching for Raizen who had simply sidestepped to dodge. Raizen flipped into the air with a spark and slammed his fists together, generating an electric storm on his hands.
Raizen: Thor’s hammer!

He shouted out as he descended to the ground, hurling Sasuke into a panic. With quickly formed seals, Sasuke vanished just before the attack could reach him. Raizen landed to the ground, dragging with him a massive explosion of electrical power. Raizen gazed around and roared out for Sasuke, who had somehow managed to avoid his attack, but then after realizing where he was, he created and giant pillar of lightning and slammed it into the ground, dragging Sasuke out. Raizen laughed as loud as he could; pushing back on Sasuke’s hand, forcing him down the field. Sasuke gazed back, looking at the large lightning bolt Raizen had made, then Raizen suddenly lined his face up to it, making half of it form on the lightning, and then he pushed his hands through forming them as giant arms on the lightning bolt. Raizen smiled at Sasuke, stepping through the bolt, forming into a massive lightning giant over forty feet tall.
Sasuke: You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me!!!

As Raizen roared down at Sasuke he wisely chose to avoid the attack at all costs, fleeing into the forest behind them as the giant gave chase. Raizen slammed his arms into the ground, ripping through the dirt as he followed Sasuke, his formless body rushed through the forest then grabbed onto Sasuke as he leapt away. With a chuckle of mockery he tossed Sasuke back toward the field and landed on the ground, finally revealing the true form of the this technique, a mighty wolf with a single lightning bolt going down it’s face.
Raizen: Rai-getsuuga!

Raizen shot forth, slamming into Sasuke, dragging him back down into the ground with tremendous force. Above Sasuke, Raizen dispelled his form and hovered over him; reaching into his pouch he grabbed three scrolls and hurled them into the air, quickly wiping his blood across them. A mass of blunt weapons shot from the scrolls and Raizen charged them all with electricity before flipping away from Sasuke.
Raizen: You better move if you wanna live.

Sasuke’s eyes shot open and he flipped away from the attack as all of the weapons moved after him.
Tenten: Wait, is that my-
Raizen: Floating blade wall!

He shouted as all of the weapons changed direction and slammed into Sasuke repeatedly crashing into him until they held him ten feet in the air. Raizen hook them all on one finger and said with a smile.
Raizen: Watch out for the rain of steel.

He said as he dragged his finger down, forcing all of the weapons to fall down into Sasuke. Sasuke slammed into the ground and the force made him bounce back into the air, where Raizen vanished under him with both fist pulled down.
Raizen: My father’s strongest jutsu!

He shouted as he repeatedly punched up sending spark balls flying up into Sasuke, forcing him higher into the air. After fifteen hits he flipped up and thrusted his legs up, sending a wall of electricity up into Sasuke, knocking him high into the air. Raizen stared at him then over to his teacher as he charged electricity to his right hand. With a smile he whispered.
Raizen: I’ll to both of you the power I have.

Raizen pumped his fist into the air, creating something that was no doubt a call out to his own teacher.
Raizen: True lightning blade.

The speed of which he threw the blade would have been enough to cut down an entire army before they even realized there was a fight. Raizen wasn’t playing around, he wanted to win. Once the blade reached Sasuke it exploded into sparks that lit up the entire sky. Raizen stared at the sparks and flared up electricity in his left eye. A final attack; the sparks broke apart and formed into tiny birds making up one thousand in total. Raizen turned away from Sasuke and snapped his fingers.
Raizen: Chidori.

As Raizen commanded the many birds flew into Sasuke, forcing a scream from him that echoed throughout the entire field. The lightning lit up the sky like glorious fireworks, dancing around Sasuke’s body before releasing him to freefall to the ground.

(Round 3: Raizen)
Raizen: Claire-sensei. I didn’t kill him, but I doubt he can continue after that hit.

He said to the woman with a clear face, void of the fury it had once shown. Everyone had been left in shock, not only did Raizen win, he had overwhelmed Sasuke completely. That wasn’t even a fight, it was and onslaught. Raizen turned back once again, Sasuke was lifting himself, despite the pain he felt, the overwhelming shot he had taken to his pride, he wanted to continue. Looking at Raizen with pure rage he shouted out.

(Music cue: Heartful cry-Persona 3 FES OST)
Sasuke: I won’t accept this! I won’t lose like this, not to you.
Raizen: You’ve already lost.
Sasuke: No, I’ll never accept that, you’re not better than me. Admitting defeat now, is the same as giving up my goal to you. That’s why, I’ll stop you here.
Raizen: Feel free to keep trying, but it’s going to end the same way.

He softly said to Sasuke urge him to come at him. Sasuke stepped forward the kicked back, throwing himself into a sprint. Raizen barely even moved, he could easily read Sasuke’s attacks at this point. Sasuke punched at Raizen, gaining only a solid impact with Raizen’s palm. Raizen stepped forward and gripped Sasuke wrist, then with a solid push to his stomach, he had sent him flipping into the air. Sasuke landed on his face, growling he shot back up snapping at Raizen who stood over him with a sad gaze.
Sasuke: You think you’re better than me!?

He shot as he leaned to the side, sending three high spin kicks at Raizen who did little more than roll his head under them. After dodging, Raizen hopped back three times, each one teleporting him ten feet away. Sasuke ran after Raizen again, this time throwing any type of hit that he thought would land.
Kiba: Rai’s slower.

He said out loud as the sound of battle flew in front of him, never taking his eyes from the battle.
JJ: So you noticed. Well I guess we should expect that from his best friend.
Mika: Demi-gods have a law that they must abide by. This law separates them from the god they descended from. My law disables me from using earth when it’s not directly present.
Naruto: Raizen’s law is that he must serve as a sort of battery. He can absorb and expel lightning, as the Aname could, but his Sharingan gives him the ability to even transform his body to lightning. However, his first law still exists, use too much of a battery’s power and you drain it, but it’s also easy to recharge one. If he were to absorb his residual chakra or use the power of anything harnessing electricity he could regain his chakra.
Mika: But stifling that power causes a massive strain on the body. Raizen’s last two attacks could have killed Sasuke, but he suppressed it. Over 65% percent of his attack missed its mark so his residual chakra spread into the air.
JJ: And because of that he’s no longer ball of unbridled energy. He’s still far stronger than that kid, but he’s only about 40% what he was before.

Raizen dodged another of Sasuke’s hit, slowly backing away from him as if he wasn’t even a threat anymore; this fact alone was enough to drive Sasuke crazy.
Sasuke: Fire style: Fireball jutsu!

He shouted out firing a massive ball of flame at Raizen, but before it could reach him, Sasuke twisted his body, kicking into the flame recreating a mock of JJ’s hurricane kick. Raizen smiled, no longer utilizing his speed, he flipped back along the attack and grabbed onto Sasuke’s leg, dragging him into a giant swing, extinguishing his flame before letting go and hurling him all the way across the ground, right under where his sister stood. Sasuke lifted himself, pushing away the hands of his worried sister and began walking forward. Raizen ducked under Sasuke’s high then grabbed onto his leg, quickly sweeping the support leg into the air. As Sasuke hovered in front of Raizen, he placed his hand on the boy’s chest and shouted.
Raizen: Spark shotgun!

The blast exploded in front of Sasuke, sending him tumbling across the ground, but the impact was weak. Sasuke rolled back to his feet and rushed at Raizen. He wanted to show him something, hatred couldn’t help anyone, due to his one-sightedness he was unable to focus anymore. He was just flailing around like an angry child. Sasuke’s attacks had no form anymore; he was doing little more than letting out a heartful cry. Raizen, in an effort to show him his own foolishness placed his hand over Sasuke’s face and pushed with all his might; that alone was enough to send him rolling back fifty feet. When Sasuke stopped, he looked into the sky, that last hit was more like he had been dismissed as a threat completely. Sasuke stared at his hand and suddenly felt something he hadn’t felt in years, the feeling of something wet dripping down his face.
Sasuke: (Why?)

He asked as he covered his face, not allowing anyone else to see him.
Sasuke: (Why? I can’t lose here, I can’t give in. If I can’t beat him, then how will I…..)

Sasuke wiped his eyes suddenly deathly calm he closed them.
Sasuke: More, I need more.

Raizen gazed at Sasuke, now standing to his feet he formed hand signs and extended his left hand, clutching tightly onto it with his right.
Sasuke: More, more, more, more, more!

He repeatedly said to himself as he formed the chidori in his palm.
Raizen: What are you doing, you know I can just absorb that and-

Raizen stopped himself mid sentence, something wasn’t right here. Raizen moved just barely avoiding a fatal wound, but still catching the tail-end of the attack on his side. Though the wound wasn’t deep, he now had claw marks on his side as if a tiger had attacked him.
Raizen: Black chakra?
Sasuke: You know, honestly, I had forgotten about this. Suddenly I don’t feel so weak anymore.

Raizen turned back to Sasuke, gazing into his eyes, the left being a golden Sharingan complete with black marks streaming from his neck.
Sasuke: What’s wrong? You were winning weren’t you?
Raizen: Good, you’re done acting like a little pansy, huh? Let’s finish this in style.

Realizing how far this was going, once again the adults began moving in, but the glares from the boys showed that they weren’t going to have it. Sasuke would be easy to catch, but Raizen was impossible. If he got away he could always finish this later. There was nothing they could do but let them get it all out.

(Round 4: Lightning wolf vs black phoenix.)

(Music cue: SPARKING by Tom Leonard and Jeff Pescetto. Tekken 5 OST)

~I’m here now~

Raizen rushed at Sasuke, much like he had before, but this time Sasuke could trace him, without much effort, he reached out and grabbed onto Raizen’s neck, revealing a newfound strength. Raizen could barely react before Sasuke slammed his free hand into his stomach and slammed him into the ground with enough force to cause a fissure.

~I’m doing the best I can~

Without even flinching under the weight of the attack, Raizen peeked down at Sasuke and kicked his left leg up, knocking Sasuke away from him. Both now wore smiles on their faces, there was no more fear, no more hate, no more rage, only the urge to crush the person in front of them remained. The intensity was enough to drive out the combat urges of mostly all males in the area, it was the real way fighting should be, no intent to kill, just the will to overcome your opponent.

~Where are you nooooooow~

Sasuke ducked under one of Raizen’s swings and placed his foot on his stomach, kicking him clear across the field. Raizen pulled himself to a stop and stood tall before his cousin.

~Did your dreams come true~

Raizen: This is what I’m talking about, if you had this trick up your sleeve you should have pulled it out long ago!

~Here we go~

He said releasing sparks from his mouth, rushing to the side and vanishing into the air. Sasuke’s eyes could trace where Raizen had been, but not keep up with his every movement, while he had lost a lot of speed, he was still the fastest thing in existence. As if giving everyone something to mark his speed; Raizen snatched up his sword, and then his shuriken, before anyone could lay eyes on him, he reappeared at Sasuke’s side dragging down his sword at a speed that couldn’t be intercepted.

~What does the word peace mean? It should only be a smilin’ face~

Raizen dropped down his sword on Sasuke’s face, and then turned upward, slamming it into his chest. Before Sasuke could recover Raizen pulled forth his shuriken and slashed across the boy’s chest, sending him sliding back along the ground. Sasuke smiled as he lifted his head gazing at the older boy coming at him, and then lifted his fist up into his stomach, grabbing his hand at the same time.

~Answer me reticent god~

Raizen reacted quickly and ripped his hand away from Sasuke, quickly turned into an aerial triple spin kick, and finishing with a downward toe kick, all landing right on it’s mark.

~Then the sun rises again, when will that time return~

Sasuke lifted himself once again and snapped onto Raizen’s arm like a vice, dragging him in front of him, he grabbed the other and stomped his foot on his back threatening to rip his arms from their sockets.

~Swear you won’t give up~

Raizen smiled under the pain and shifted his body, throwing Sasuke off balance. This one advantage changed the entire situation in Raizen’s favor and with a quick jump he pumped his feet into Sasuke’s face, expelling electricity as he did, blasting Sasuke back along the ground.

~Break out: Anything, day by day~

Raizen turned with a smile and shot into the air, releasing enough energy to cover everything in the immediate area around him.
Raizen: Overload!

~Freak out: Anything step by step~

Sasuke quickly dodged each current as if it were nothing and positioned himself right under Raizen, dripping black flames from his hands.
Sasuke: Rising storm!

He shouted out as he slammed his hands into the ground causing an explosion that knocked Raizen from the air.

~Now, live the sin and let me know, live the sinner~

Once Raizen reached the ground Sasuke punched down for him, but due to Raizen’s speed he was left hitting the ground; leaving a massive crater in it.
Raizen reappeared behind Sasuke with his hand drawn back, but Sasuke, much like Raizen had before him, vanished from sight. Sasuke suddenly reappeared at Raizen side, but Raizen once again moved before the attack could hit.

~Break down: Make my story. Get down: What they call history, my heartbeat, gonna beat faster~

Raizen and Sasuke’s attacks never landed on one another, but the shockwaves from their collisions could be felt everywhere. As suddenly as they had vanished, they reappeared in front of each other, fists reared back coated in their own element.

~Shout, shout, shout, shout, shout~

Each threw four punches, neither reaching the other, but the final punch land on the other’s face sending both shooting down in skids.

~Destiny or deadly; I don’t care which one’s walking this way~

Raizen lifted himself just in time to see Sasuke’s flying kick coming for him. Leaning back, Raizen managed top dodge it, but Sasuke wasn’t done, he kicked upward, slamming into Raizen’s back, knocking him into the air, and then repeatedly punched into his stomach, holding him in a constant hover.

~They’re nothing together~

Raizen gripped onto Sasuke’s hand and dragged himself back to the ground, at the same time, slamming his elbow into Sasuke’s face, and then with a smooth turn he charged lightning to his fist under Sasuke.

~What if I go back to zero~

Raizen lifted his fist, slamming a Raijin-Ryu into his chest with enough force to blast him into the air.

~Hit power above infinity; all men, together make one man~

Sasuke recovered in mid-air and gazed down at his wound; slowly he sucked the blood from it and started forming seals.
Sasuke: Fire style: Bloody inferno!

The fireball gathering above head was massive, at the same moment, Raizen called both of his weapons to his hands. Locking the hilts together he twirled the weapons in a full circle, charging electricity into it. After the blades had been formed Raizen held them to his side and called out the name of his double bladed spear.
Raizen: Gungnir.

~In this time of important decision, please don’t lose your vision~

Sasuke plunged head first into the blazing fireball, dropping from it in what seemed like ashes, but soon the ashes began to form and the flame covered his body. Diving down with his arms crossed in front of his chest, Sasuke quickly tossed his arms to the side, forming blazing wings behind him as the burning red flame turn deep black. Sasuke’s eyes glared from the black fire bird.

~You’re the one, show me only your dance, be earnest~

Raizen smiled ripping apart the combined weapons in his hands and tossed them behind him, making them hover directly behind his shoulder blades. As a result of which, the electricity on his blades began to surge, making the weapons spin on his back.
Raizen: Raizen-no-okami!

Raizen roared out as the electricity began to coat his body and soon he looked once again like an electric wolf. Raizen dug his claws into the ground and forced his body into a spin hurling him into the air.
Raizen: Lightning fang over fang!

Raizen brought himself up to where Sasuke was and broke free from his spin, meeting Sasuke in the middle.

~Even if; wrapped in the darkness, light is beyond where you are~

Raizen: Myollnir!
Sasuke: Burning black phoenix!

Both attacks collided with one another, creating a sphere. Deep inside, both boys could be seen fighting one another, but they didn’t look human. They slashed, ripped and from what they could tell even bit at each other, Raizen had completely adopted Kiba’s fighting style, finally both pulled back, kicking at one another, both reaching each other in the end.

~SPARKING!!!!~

This collision was all it took to bring the unbridled power to a boil and with and explosive echo, both boy s were sent flying from the imploding attacks. Both hit the ground hard, crushing the ground beneath them before coming to a complete stop.

(Round 4: Draw)

Kiba rushed to Raizen, hoping that he was still okay, but shockingly, he lifted himself, as did Sasuke, once again stepping away from the arms of his younger sister. Both walked toward each other, stumbling, limping, they walked forward. Once they reached the middle, barely retaining any chakra, they smiled. There was no more tricks, no more jutsu, no more Sharingan, just fist against fist. Raizen reached out to Sasuke and Sasuke reached back, both shaking hands.
Sasuke: I’ll do things my way. I don’t need the ideals of a fool.
Raizen: And the one who speaks on a whim like that is usually the one who falls on his own sword.
Sasuke: Hmph, you and I, are so much alike.
Raizen: And at the same time, we couldn’t be any more different.
Sasuke/Raizen: But this isn’t over until one of us falls. I’ll prove that you’re wrong!

(Final round: Desperation)
(Music cue: It ends tonight by-All American Rejects)

Both boys pulled apart, glaring at each other as the clenched their fists tightly. Raizen was the first to throw a punch, but with the fatigue both boys felt, neither had the strength to dodge the other’s attack. Sasuke took it full force, leaning down under the weight, but he wasn’t going down, with a grunt, he turned back up and slammed his fist into Raizen’s chin, knocking him back slightly. Each attack was thrown with no style, no grace, just the urge to knock the other off his feet. Raizen recovered from the last blow and punched at Sasuke, missing his attack and falling into his own opponent. Sasuke tried to push him away, but he lacked the strength to do so, this was the first moment that everyone realized the true extent of their injuries. Finally gaining the strength to push him back, Sasuke punched down into Raizen’s face again continually, pushing him back, but with lack of ability to do much else, Raizen slammed his head into Sasuke’s fist, stopping his assault. Taking advantage of the situation, Raizen punched into Sasuke’s stomach and then dropped his fist down into his face, knocking him to the ground. As Raizen pulled back his fist ready to throw another blow, but Sasuke shot up; head butting Raizen in the chin. Raizen stumbled back and grabbed onto Sasuke’s head, dragging it down into his knee. Sasuke could do little more than cough under the pressure. Raizen pulled his head back and punched into his face with all his might knocking him back into a stumble that soon resulted in him falling on his backside.
Sakura: Why?

She asked, now shivering. They weren’t even matching each other anymore, they were destroying themselves. Sasuke gazed up to Raizen and frowned, quickly rising to his feet.
Sasuke: RAAAAHHHH!

He shouted out as he tackled Raizen, spinning on his waist until they both fell to the ground. Sasuke perched on top of Raizen and repeatedly punched down into his face. The brutality was too much, and the sight finally made Sakura break down, her tears fell without pause. Raizen stopped Sasuke’s hand and slammed his forehead into his cousin’s forcing him away from him. As the boy stumbled back, Raizen quickly ran over to him and slammed his knee into his face knocking him back into a roll.
Raizen: Get up!

He shouted to Sasuke, holding his own mouth to stifle the blood dripping from it. Both leveled each other with a glare, cutting eyes piercing into each other. Sasuke rose to his feet and charged at Raizen who met him at full force. Locked in a grapple, they could do nothing more than try to overpower the other. Raizen discarded this notion and pushed down to the side; knocking Sasuke off balance, and then he slammed both fists down into his back, bringing him to his knees. Sasuke dropped down and grabbed the dirt in his hands, then turned back, throwing it into Raizen’s eyes. Sasuke smiled and slammed his fist into the stomach of the blinded boy, knocking him back. Raizen, too tired to focus on his senses, took a wild swing at Sasuke, who caught his left hand and punched roughly into his armpit, dislocating his shoulder. Raizen roared out in pain, letting his arm fall limply to his side, but thanks to that he could feel Sasuke’s leg coming at him. Raizen dodged smoothly and lifted his knee while dropping his right elbow, connecting both on Sasuke’s leg, crushing his bone. Sasuke screamed out in similar pain, but Raizen didn’t let him rest, with the sound of thunder, he slammed the back of his fist into Sasuke’s face, sending him spinning to the ground. Rain fell on the boys as they battled, yet they paid it no mind. Sasuke slowly lifted himself, forcing himself to stand on his broken leg. Sasuke and Raizen, slowly losing consciousness, stood in front of each other, throwing a loose punch, they knocked each to the side. Quickly recovering they did the same again gaining the same reaction. Clicking their teeth; they pulled back punching into each other’s face with all their might, sending each other flying. Bones cracking under the strain of movement, both pushed themselves back up, forcing chakra into their fists; Raizen covered his knuckles in electricity and Sasuke’s in fire.
Raizen: This ends now!
Sasuke: It ends when I say it does!

Both shouted out as they pushed themselves into a sprint. Time slowed down for both boys, all else around them vanished, there was nothing else but them. Once they met in the middle, they pushed their fists forward, nicking each other’s hand, knocking their attacks off course. As their fist veered away, they scraped the other’s cheek, rendering them unconscious. Both boys stared on with empty eyes, and then fell onto the other’s shoulder as the rain poured on them. As the wind blew, they fell to different sides, Raizen caught by Zabuza and Haku, Sasuke caught by Kakashi. Most stared at Zabuza, remembering that he was a missing nin, but at the moment he could care less what they thought, his pride was overflowing as he looked down at Raizen, the boy had shown himself, and bared all in that battle. As the fight finished Sakura ran off, no longer able to contain her tears as both teachers vanished from sight.
Naruto: So who won?
JJ: Well as far as lasting, neither. They both passed out at the same moment, but the winner was obvious.

He said turning away from the field, Claire was going to have her hands full with the aftermath.

flash

One hour had passed since the fight, Kakashi walked out in the forest, joining Zabuza and Haku who had made them scarce after dropping off Raizen.
Kakashi: I didn’t expect you to show in person.
Zabuza: I wasn’t going to let him fall, like you were.

He said turning back to Kakashi.
Kakashi: I was going to catch him.
Zabuza: Sure you were.

He said turning away from the man as he sat down beside him.
Kakashi: Did you know about all of that?
Zabuza: Yeah, I made him tell me everything. That kid was holding in far too much for it to be healthy for him.

He said as he leaned back.
Haku: Raizen-kun had a lot on his mind; there are a lot of things that he still chose to hide.
Kakashi: Is that so?
Zabuza: For example; Kakashi, did you know that Raizen doesn’t like you?
Kakashi: I was able to gather that much from that “True lightning blade” technique he used. Do you know why?
Haku: As I’m pretty sure you could from his story, his parents had instilled strong values in him, like being on time, or looking carefully after the people under you.
Zabuza: And as he showed before he went on that rampage, he knew you were on the team to recover Seriga, he said he always felt grateful to you for finding her, but once he started training under you, that changed.
Kakashi: Why?
Zabuza: Constant tardiness, learning of something like that, is pretty bad when you know that this person had someone you cared about depending on him. That kind of thing would stick to the back of you mind, “what if he was this late saving her?”

Kakashi lowered his head.
Kakashi: I wasn’t late for that.
Zabuza: He knows that, but the thought alone is infuriating. You know, when he came to train under me, I always wondered why he never asked you. He told me, that your priority was Sasuke, that maybe if you had spent as much time training that pink haired girl as you did Sasuke, maybe she wouldn’t have lost in the first rounds.
Kakashi: Why didn’t he ever tell me this?

Kakashi asked, completely lost on everything being said.
Haku: His parents also taught him respect for one who teaches. If ever you felt like he was unruly, it was probably because of that first reason.
Zabuza: Aside from that, I’d keep an eye on that Sasuke kid, no matter what the end result looked like, Raizen won that fight. He used his own strength to overcome that boy, but he used something else, borrowed power. You know that right?
Kakashi: Yes. I’m aware.
Haku: Then if that’s all, we’ll be on our way.

She said, turning to Zabuza who had lifted himself. Kakashi stared down and asked one last question.
Kakashi: Why did he feel that he could tell you and not me?
Zabuza: Because I’m already on the wrong side of the law, who was I going to tell, that and……because I’m his teacher.

He said walking away from the area.
Kakashi: Ouch.

He whispered, sitting alone staring at the sky.
Kakashi: I guess I have a lot of making up to do.

Flash

The next day Raizen woke up in a hospital bed, holding his head. Even though was healed, his head was pounding like a drum. Cursing, he lifted himself immediately turning to the side. Sasuke was there on a different bed next to him, gazing down at the covers on top of him, as if he was avoiding something. Raizen traced back where Sasuke was trying not to look and the second he saw it his gaze became locked on his covers as well. Right between their beds was Sakura and Yukari staring directly at them. The pressure he felt was crushing, almost instantly the guilt had began to wash over him. Once he looked down he twitched at the sound of one of the chairs grinding against the ground, and judging from the sound of the footsteps he could tell it was Sakura. Soon he could feel her standing next to him; it took a while for him to finally gain the courage to look up and say something, but he never got to, because Sakura slapped him with all of the strength she could muster. Raizen leaned to the side; he could taste something like iron in his mouth, no doubt the blood from her hit. That was enough to stop him from speaking and draw Sasuke’s attention. Without really thinking about it, he turned to Raizen. Sakura peeked back to him and then walked over to his bed, much to his surprise, and slapped him just as hard, if not harder. Sasuke stared to the side in shock at what had just happened, but soon settled on understanding, he deserved it, and even he knew that.
Sakura: You’re both idiots!

She shouted tearfully as she ran from the room, leaving the boys to suffer with their guilt.
Yu: I’m not going to lie and say that I’m far from doing that same thing myself, expect I’m not going to use my palm. I’m going to ask you a few questions, but be warned right now that if you answer wrong, I will hit you. Am I understood?

Without looking to the girl both nodded their heads.
Yu: Raizen, you are my cousin, am I correct?
Raizen: Yes.
Yu: You knew this from the beginning?
Raizen: Yes.
Yu: And the first thing you thought of when you heard of us was to kill us?
Raizen: ……Yes.
Yu: While I don’t blame you for that thought, once you dropped it, why didn’t you tell us who you were?
Raizen: I was ordered not to.

He said silently, which was soon followed by the sound of cracking knuckles, that sound gave Raizen shivers and he rebutted his words.
Raizen: I was afraid to.
Yu: Better answer. Onii-chan, you were able to figure this out, right?
Sasuke: Yes.
Yu: And you told me nothing?
Sasuke: Yukari there was-
Yu: Answer me!!!!!!

She shouted breaking him from his words.
Sasuke: Yes.
Yu: Then you decided it would be best to fight him, knowing that we were no longer alone, you opted to attack him?
Sasuke: Yes.
Yu: I’m not even going to pretend that I understand all that male pride stuff. But I do understand that there are some things that can’t be solved by words, so I’m not going to hit you.

She said standing to her feet.
Yu: But I want this to be the end of all this. I’ll talk to you both later; okay Onii-chan, Onii-san?

The final part brought a blush to Raizen’s face, and with a down cast face he whispered.
Raizen: I’m sorry.
Yu: You had your reasons.

With her pieces said she walked away from the room and closed it behind her, leaving the two boys alone in the room. A long silence overtook them before Raizen said.
Raizen: That thing on your neck, Orochimaru did that didn’t he?

Sasuke didn’t answer; instead he just turned away from Raizen.
Raizen: Hypocrite.

He said turning to the opposite direction. The next day Raizen requested a solo mission to keep himself from the village. With his status as a chunin, he had that right. No one expected the wounds from the battle to heal so quickly, but it was the fact that they weren’t trying to fix them, and another day passed before Raizen returned, only so he could leave again right after. Sakura’s team had fallen apart, much like she thought it would, even if they just needed time, she felt like something bad was going to happen, besides that was the feelings of shame she felt. Seeing herself through someone else’s eyes was a powerful blow to her. Sitting against a bench, she stared into the sky, wondering to herself. Before she knew it, she was walking toward a place she had never even been before. Sakura knocked on the door, waiting for the person inside to answer.
Kagura: Huh?

She questioned looking down at the girl standing in front of her door.
Sakura: You were out?
Kagura: Yeah, you have good timing though. You want something?
Sakura: Can I talk to you?
Kagura: Sure.

She said walking up to the door, unlocking it while balancing the bag in her hand. With a shoulder push she welcomed Sakura in and shut the door behind her.
Kagura: So what’s this about?

She asked as she offered Sakura a seat and some tea. After promptly accepting both Sakura looked away and asked.
Sakura: I know I haven’t really talked to you that much, so this must be weird.
Kagura: Kind of.

She replied as she sipped her own tea.
Sakura: You were there when my teammates….
Kagura: Yes, under order of Tsunade-sama I was to make sure that their spat didn’t reach back to the village.
Sakura: So you saw everything right?
Kagura: Yes.
Sakura: What do you think of me?
Kagura: Heh, what an odd question. We were all young once, to judge you solely based on those choices would be biased and unfair.
Sakura: Please, just tell me.

Giving a heavy sigh Kagura lowered her head and spoke.
Kagura: Honestly, I think you’re self-centered and foolish. In truth, most spend their entire life looking for someone like that boy, but often miss it because they wanted something else. People often chase what they want so blindly that they lose what they had. There were moments during that, that I honestly didn’t like what I saw, especially the end.
Sakura: I know. I….didn’t like seeing that either. I’m a horrible person aren’t I?
Kagura: Yes.

She said as she sipped her tea, as if she hadn’t said something horrible.
Sakura: You’re pretty blunt aren’t you?
Kagura: That’s how I was raised. However like I said, you’re young, the fact that you realize it was wrong is testament to your maturity. I’ve known plenty of people who’d see themselves like that and say “So what.”

She said with a smile aimed at the girl.
Kagura: But that’s not what you came for is it? Can you ask your real question now?
Sakura: ………How could he still love me after that?
Kagura: Just as I expected, that’s a whopper right there. Before I answer, may I ask why you chose me?
Sakura: Because you’re dating Maito Gai.

She said through squinted eyes as Kagura sweat dropped, this wasn’t the first time people acted that way about it.
Sakura: I figured if you could manage to love him, then you must know everything there is to know about love.

Kagura leaned to the side and sighed to herself.
Kagura: Gai may be a goof but he’s a nice guy.
Sakura: On what planet?
Kagura: There’s your problem.
Sakura: Huh?
Kagura: Sakura, why do you love Sasuke?
Sakura: Because he’s cool, handsome, strong, dashing-
Kagura: That’s not love, it’s a crush.
Sakura: What do you mean by that?
Kagura: Sakura, look at this.

She said as she leaned back and grabbed an album, inside were photos of her, looking sullen and grumpy.
Sakura: Whoa, you’re angry in every picture.
Kagura: Back then I hated the world; everyone was an enemy to me, so I withdrew from the world, but look at this one.

She said singling out a single picture, the only one of her smiling, laughing.
Kagura: Maito-kun took that, he kept pestering me, doing idiotic things. It made me angry at first, but then he slipped up and landed on his head, though I tried to fight it back, I laughed at him, and then I saw a flash. After that I tried to take the picture from him, but he started playing keep away with me and I couldn’t get it.

She said with a chuckle.
Kagura: Then he handed it to me and said in a deep voice, “Now you’ll never forget what your smile looks like.” with a silly thumbs up.

She said with a smile looking down at that picture. Sakura stared in shock, Gai could be that cool? It was like hearing that Orochimaru does the safety dance in his spare time.
Kagura: After that I hit him and walked away, but I never let go of this picture. Each time I saw him after that he tried to make me laugh, and before I knew it, I looked forward to seeing him. He renewed my faith in the world, and because of that I got Tsunade-sama to accept me.

She said putting the back down, showing a picture of her and Gai doing the good guy pose. Sakura chuckled at it and smiled back up to the woman.
Kagura: Now do you understand? Your love for Sasuke is based on vanity; you liked what you saw, so you chased it. Raizen based his entire life around protecting his sister, it was his reason for living, when he lost that he felt empty. But when he met you, his protective instinct kicked back in, and like his sister, he wanted to protect you; but as they say; people can’t see something good when they stand right in front of it.

She said placing her hand on the younger girl’s head.
Kagura: Sakura, you brought meaning back into his life, but do you know what proved his love for you more than anything?
Sakura: What?
Kagura: The moment he took a bow, he loved you so much that he was willing to sacrifice his own happiness for you to gain yours. Love isn’t something as simple as, “he looks good or he’s strong.” Even if I took Gai’s strength, his goofiness, his passion, or his kindness, I’d still love him. If love were so easy to explain, it would be simple to just turn it off. If you truly want to know who you love, take away all of the things that you like about them, and see where that takes you. That will be your homework for today.

Kagura stood from her seat and smiled.
Kagura: You know, you’re not that bad, just impulsive. You need to think more, if you do that you’ll like yourself more.

Sakura stood up in kind and bowed to the woman, thanking her before going on her way. Yet at the moment she had entered Kagura’s house, Sasuke had had a revelation of his own. After meeting with four shadows he walked quietly through the halls of the Uchiha complex, all of the things he needed packed, all that was left was to quietly slip out, but fate wouldn’t have it that way. Yukari groggily walked out into the hallway, catching a glimpse of her brother.
Yu: Onii-chan, what are you still doing up?

She asked walking toward him, but the second that she saw the pack draped over his back, all became clear.
Yu: ……..I see, so you’re going to abandon me too?
Sasuke: Go back to your room Yukari.
Yu: Alright I will, I won’t make any attempt to stop you. But know, the second you leave, you’ll be the same as Itachi to me.

Sasuke froze, it hurt him to do so, but he couldn’t think twice anymore, there was nothing left for him to learn here. Without turning back or saying anything, he began walking away.
Yu: Goodbye, Sasuke.

Sasuke hid the hurt he felt, his sister had never called him by his real name before. Freezing his heart he leaned back and said in a cold voice.
Sasuke: Goodbye Yukari.

With those last words, he walked away from the girl, ignoring her sobs behind him. Walking through the street, Sasuke felt the presence of someone else waiting for him. Sakura had a bad feeling after leaving Kagura’s house, and following that feeling seemed to be a good idea. Sasuke never acknowledged her, he just kept walking.
Sakura: Where are you going?
Sasuke: That’s none of your business.
Sakura: Please, you don’t have to do this. If you want revenge, I’ll help you, I’ll do anything you want……..but if you’re really going to leave….take me with you.
Sasuke: ….Why?
Sakura: Because I love you.
Sasuke: Heh, still spouting that nonsense? I don’t want to hear that from you. You’re lying, you love Raizen, I can tell. I could always tell.
Sakura: Bu, that’s not-
Sasuke: How could you even say those words while wearing something he made for you?

He said pointing to her necklace.
Sasuke: I’ll strike a deal; I’ll take you with me if you can prove that you love me. Throw away that necklace.

Sakura looked down and grabbed onto the jewel on her chest and pulled back, ripping the strap from her neck, then as she prepared to throw it, she felt a strong urge to cry. That feeling made her mind race, settling on the homework Kagura had given her. In her mind were the images of Raizen and Sasuke, her mind picked at Raizen first, taking away his muscles, the bravery inside him, even making him fat and slow. Her first impulse was to laugh, but suddenly her inner self, appeared rushing to Raizen who responded by standing in front of her as an enemy ninja closed in. Even without his courage, he protected her, but without his strength he was quickly knocked away, despite that he stood again and held his ground in front of her. Inspired by his courage, her inner self slammed her fist into the ninja’s face and blasted him away, then with a smile she wrapped her arms around Raizen; hugging him tightly, which he returned, slowly reverting back to his real self, it was only then that Sakura realized that she had become her inner self. Once Sakura backed away Raizen stood to his feet and smiled before vanishing in front of her.

Once Raizen was gone she turned to Sasuke, trying her best to pick at him, but no matter how much she pulled at him, his form never changed, the truth had been revealed to her.
Inner Sakura: It’s about time you got it stupid!

She shouted as she grabbed onto Sakura’s hand, holding the crysm jewel with all her might. Once she broke from her thoughts she pulled back the jewel and cradled it as if it were as precious as it was.
Sakura: I’m sorry. I must have been so annoying. I hate that part of myself; I won’t say that to you anymore, because you’re right.

She said revealing the tears dripping from her eyes.
Sakura: I love Raizen.

Sasuke chuckled and turned away from the girl.
Sakura: And that’s why I won’t let you leave.

Those words made him stop, what was she saying?
Sakura: If you leave now, he’ll be crushed, he’ll blame himself, I won’t let you put that on him. If you do I’ll stop you myself.

Sasuke smiled, completely amused by the girl’s words.
Sasuke: Interesting, so how do you plan to stop me Sakura?

He asked with a look of pure evil in his eyes, however Sakura stood strong.
Sakura: I may not be able to fight you, but I can make it so you can’t leave.

She said, focusing her chakra into the jewel in her hands, the moment she did, her body split, the inner Sakura had been released. Its body grew and it slammed its fist down for Sasuke, slamming into him without making a solid impact with the ground. Sasuke could feel it though, and it hurt like hell, he needed to end this fast. Sakura opened her mouth and prepared to scream, calling out to the other ninja of the village, but before she could he was behind her, holding her mouth shut. Sasuke placed his hand over hers and dispelled her chakra banishing the inner form from sight.
Sasuke: That was a nice trick, I honestly didn’t expect it. And I’m sorry, but I don’t plan on staying here anymore.

He said as he quickly jabbed into her back.
Sasuke: Thank you, of all the girls who mindlessly harped after me, at least you tried to know me.

With those words said, Sakura lost consciousness. Sasuke placed her gently on the side bench and tied the necklace back onto her neck.
Sasuke: Don’t ever take that off again.

He said as he walked away, nothing else stood in his way. Atop the hill above the village, Sasuke stared down to the village one last time.
Sasuke: Let’s go.

He said over to the four waiting on him as all turned and began walking away. Naruto’s eyes shot wide, suddenly sitting up he stirred the girls next to him from their sleep.
Hinata: Naruto-kun?
Hanabi: What’s wrong?

Naruto stared toward the window, finding that he was no longer sleepy, he said.
Naruto: I don’t know why, but I get the feeling that tomorrow is going to suck.

With a foreboding feeling Naruto stared out into the sky hoping vainly that he fears would not be confirmed.



Chapter 20 End


Cut

Naruto: Man I knew today was going to suck.
Shikamaru: Is this everybody?
Kiba: Yeah, the little jerk chose the perfect time to slip out.
Neji: Doesn’t matter, we’re all we need.
Choji: Right, when we’re done those guys won’t know what hit ‘em.
Naruto: Alright then, let’s do this, I have a debt to repay and I intend to pay it in full.

Next time on Eyes Piercing The Darkness!: Storm.
Naruto: Bond by two promises, I will not fail. Even if I have to break your legs, I will bring you back Sasuke.



Well it’s that time again for Omake Theater.

Omake #1: Who’s faster now!?

Raizen stared at Sasuke, walking slowly forward then quickly vanished to his side.
Raizen: With this Sharingan I am the god of lightning. There is nothing faster than me!

He stated with a smile, and then suddenly caught the feeling of something different in the air.
Raizen: I was hoping you’d show.

Raizen turned away from Sasuke, who was confused beyond reason when out of the crowd stepped a strange blue hedgehog staring straight at Raizen.
Sonic: So you’re faster now huh? What do you say we see who’s actually faster?

He said pointing to the boy who cracked his knuckles and stepped forward.
Sasuke: Wait what about our fight!?
Raizen: It can wait for now, this’ll only take about a minute, it’ll give you time to recover from that ass whopping I was giving you.

He replied with a chuckle that earned a growl from Sasuke. Raizen stood a good distance from Sonic and lowered himself to the ground, readying himself for the take off, Sonic did the same, positioning himself to become sound, and with a single falling leaf, both shot off into the distance. There was nothing in existence that could have measure how fast they were moving, Sonic quickly found that he could barely keep up with the boy now, and much sooner than he expected he had to reveal his trump card. As super Sonic blasted to Raizen’s side, soaring through the air, Raizen streaked down lightning propelling him faster than he was already moving. It had only been twenty seconds yet they had already looped back to the village twice, each time dropping something on one of the villagers to mark that they had returned.

After ten more seconds of equal footing they realized that they couldn’t keep things they way they were, one of them needed to gain ground. Sonic closed his eyes, picturing something that would motivate him to move quicker, and then it hit him, a serene picture, Amy sitting next to him, leaning on his shoulder. Then without warning as if to ruin the beautiful moment she said.
Amy: Sonic, let’s get married.

Sonic’s eyes went wide as saucers as he stood to his feet and dashed off shouting out of his own daydream.
Sonic: I’m not ready for a commitment!!!!!!

That thought alone was enough to make him speed far ahead of Raizen, who stared at him with confusion written all over his face. Snapping from his disillusion; Raizen closed his eyes and did the same, except in his vision he was resting peacefully in the forest remembering a single incident, for you see while he was sleepy, Kiba just happened to be training in the forest with Akamaru.
Kiba: Alright Akamaru, Dynamic marking!

Akamaru twirled in the air and released, completely unaware that Raizen was below him, and slowly the liquid made its descent. Sonic chuckled to himself, knowing for sure that he had won until Raizen shot passed him screaming.
Raizen: Don’t pee on me!!!!!

Sonic could only stare at him with a look of pity.
Sonic: Man and I thought I had problems.

He said to himself as he pictured his image once again and quickly aligned himself with Raizen. Both pushing their speed as fast as they could go, never once stopping to notice that the world was rumbling around them, yet once they did they were staring at dinosaurs. For you see, they had together, achieved the speed of light and ripped through the space/time continuum.
Raizen: Are we in the past?
Sonic: I don’t think I wanna know.
Raizen: Okay, we just have to make sure that we don’t mess up anything and cause and butterfly effect. Let’s just back away and try to figure out a way out of this.

Despite his warning, under foot, both felt and heard the sound of a crunch. Afraid to look down they gazed into the sky and closed their eyes.
Raizen/Sonic: Cra-

Before they could finish their own curses the world began to blur around them again.
????: ….-nic, Sonic?

The blue blur shot up from the sound of his name being called. Slowly he turned, gazing into the eyes of the person next to him.
Amy: You were trashing around in your sleep, are you alright?
Sonic: Argh, my head is killing me. Amy what are you doing here?
Amy: I’m always there when you need me Sonic.

She replied with a warm smile. Without any other response Sonic just smiled, that is until his eyes fell down to his left hand, a ring; a wedding ring to be precise. Through his own fear he gazed to the side, looking over to Amy’s hand, and just like his there was a ring on it. Now shivering from his own fear he looked around, wedding photos and, and, pictures of their kids! Sonic looked over to Amy smiling happily at him, not that Sonic didn’t like the idea of having a family someday, but at the moment, he liked living in the fast lane, and a family cramped his style. What had he done?
Manik: Hey Dad, Sally won’t let me watch T.V.?
Sally: He’s lying; he just wants me off so that he can watch those stupid music videos.

As the two children argued in front of him, Sonic began to quake, and then he screamed into the sky. Raizen however woke up leaning back on the park bench, eyes aimed to the sky.
Raizen: Man, I was racing Sonic and then, what the hell happened after that?

He said holding his head.
Kiba: Man you sleep in the weirdest places.

He said down to his friend, Raizen smiled to himself and leaned down, never taking note to Kiba’s baritone voice.
Raizen: Dude I must have been out of it.

He said reaching up to Kiba, but then he froze, face frozen in an idyllic expression. Kiba for some reason had Itachi’s face.
Kiba: What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?
Akamaru: Arf.

The small dog barked up to Raizen, wearing Itachi’s face and voice as well. Raizen jumped back from his seat and turned away, however no matter where he looked, everyone had Itachi’s face. Slowly he backed away, bumping into someone, yet he was too afraid to turn around to what he felt what was behind him, yet became intrigued, by the feel of it.
Sakura: What’s wrong with you? We just started dating, what makes you think you can grab me like that!

She shouted as she pushed him away. Raizen stumbled and thanked the gods that Sakura’s voice wasn’t Itachi’s, but when he turned to her, she did have his face, yet for some reason a bigger bust, it was the most grotesque thing he had ever seen in his life.
Sakura: Huh? Is there something on my face?

Raizen crawled backwards as his friends began to show up out of nowhere, Naruto, JJ, Mika, Hinata, Hanabi, Lee, Neji, Tenten, Shino, Ino, Konohamaru, Moegi, Yukari, Udon, Nami, all of them had Itachi’s face.
Sasuke: Stop acting all weird, idiot.

He said down to him, surprisingly he still had his own face. After staring at him for ten seconds, Raizen punched him in the face and screamed into the sky. As both screams converged the racers awoke above the sea where the caused the distortion, both staring at each other with frowns.
Raizen: What do you say we call this one a draw?
Sonic: Sounds good to me, let’s do this again some time.
Raizen: Sure.

They said as they both flew off in their own directions. Raizen dropped in front of Sasuke and dusted himself off. All eyes fell on him, all asking the same questions.
Kiba: So, did you win?
Raizen: Due to the freakiest thing I have ever seen in my life, it was called off.
Kakashi: Huh?
Raizen: I don’t want to talk about it.

He said, never removing the creepy smile on his face, looking as if he were on the verge of tears.


Canon/Omake #2: Gap.

As Raizen displayed the image behind him, showing the day he met Sakura, but for some strange reason there was a big gap between then and when he was taking her on the trip outside the village. That gap was five months long, and as most were thinking, Sasuke vocalized.
Sasuke: Isn’t there a big piece missing there?
Raizen: Huh?
Sasuke: Did something happen after that, it seemed like an obscure place for a skip.

Raizen rubbed the back of his head and thought back.

4 years ago.
Raizen: Okay, so what’s out here? Is there something you wanted to show me Sakura?
Sakura: Well not anything in particular.

She said as she blushed and turned away from him. Raizen lifted an eyebrow and gazed around, there was no one there but them, why would she take him to a place like this?
Raizen: Did you want to tell me something?
Sakura: We’re going to be friends right?
Raizen: Sure I guess, that’s what I intended.
Sakura: Well Ino-chan says that when boys and girls become friends, things always get weird somewhere down the road because of….things so-

She said abruptly spinning on her heels and kissing Raizen full on the lips. Raizen’s eyes became microscopic and he backed away with a massive blush, there were no words for how hot is body felt at that moment. He couldn’t speak; all that he could do was stare.
Sakura: Well, now that that’s out of the way, we can be friends right? Com’n let’s go to the park.

She said as she ran off, leaving the frozen boy to stare off into the distance.

Present day.
Raizen for no reason burst out laughing, hysterically at that. He laughed so hard he began to choke and then after wiping a tear from his eyes he said.
Raizen: She’d kill me if I showed that.
Sasuke: Huh?
Raizen: Don’t worry about it.

He said dodging the subject completely, never leaving room for the story to be told.

Omake #3: The vow.

Raizen sat back to back with Kiba, after giving a solid vow to him.
Kiba: Hey I think that you should move, you kind of trashed this place. Beside, I think she’d like that.
Raizen: Yeah.

(Music cue: Together Forever. From Pokemon OST!)
He said as he and Kiba began packing his things. As they reached the door Raizen smiled and said in earnest.
Raizen: You know Kiba.

Kiba turned back to him with a smile.
Raizen: You’ve been such a good friend~
Kiba: Heh, I’ve known you since I don’t know when~
Raizen/Kiba: We’ve got lots of friends, but they-

Looking up as they walked down the street, Sakura and Ino ran passed them from different sides.
Raizen/Kiba: Come and go~

They said smiling on as they walked, carrying the shoulder bags on their backs, ignoring the people going about their daily lives behind them.
Raizen/Kiba: And even though we’ve never said it. There’s something that the two of us both knoooooow~

With that note, they dropped their bags and the people in the background dropped what they were dropping, somehow lining up in sync with the boys dancing as they all sang.
All: Together forever, no matter how long, from now until the end of time. We’ll be together, and you can be sure, that forever and a day, that’s how long we’ll stay, together and forever more~

As the final note ended, the boys picked back up their bags and the villagers flawlessly fell back into what they were doing.
Kiba: Always gone that extra mile~
Raizen: Depended on you all the while~
Kiba: That even in the good and bad times, you will see~
Raizen/Kiba: From now until our journeys end, you know you can always count on meeeee~

They sang climbing up to the catwalk above the village street, and without fail, once again the villagers jumped from their mundane life to join in the number.
All: Together forever, no matter how long, now until the end of time. We’ll be together and you can be sure, that forever and a day, that’s how long we’ll stay, together and forever more~

Raizen stepped forward strolling down the catwalk as the people below followed them, all humming to the word.
Raizen/Kiba: No matter where our destiny leads~

Raizen hopped onto the railing as Kiba walked leisurely at his side.
Kiba/Raizen: I’ll be there for you, always come through; for that you can believe!

Raizen stepped from the rail and dropped down next to Kiba as they walked toward their destination, but then suddenly caught sight of something below them, a boy wearing red and white cap on his head ran through the village shouting.
Ash: Come on guys, I’ve gotta get another badge!
Misty: You better figure out how to repay me for my broken bike Ash Catchem!

Screamed out a redhead chasing the boy, shortly afterward walked a boy sighing deeply.
Brock: Oh no, not this again.
Pikachu: Pikachu.

Said what looked to be a yellow mouse with a lightning bolt shaped tail. After watching them depart Raizen and Kiba looked back at each other and then shrugged as they once again began to dance.
All: Together forever, no matter how long, from now until the end of time, we’ll be together and you can be sure, that forever and a day, that’s how long we’ll stay. Together and forever more~

Both boys sang as they walked, shoulder in shoulder into the house.
Kiba: Bullshit, I ain’t sing no musical number!
Raizen: Aww, but wouldn’t it have been cool if we did?
Kiba: Hell no!
JJ: I think it would.
Naruto: Me too, the song was kind of catchy.
JJ/Naruto: Together forever-
Hinata/Hanabi: No matter how long-
Lee/Ishi: Now until the end of time.
Raizen: See they liked it.
Sasuke: You’re not taking this seriously anymore are you?

He asked, incredibly perturbed by Raizen’s attempt at humor in this situation.


Omake Theater close!


Sakura: Hello everyone, and welcome once again to-
All: Character introduction corner!
JJ: It’s been a long time coming, but one of us here has finally come into her feelings.
Ino: Yeah, wait till Raizen hears about this, you’d better tell him before someone else snags him from you.
Sakura: Big words coming from someone who likes another person’s guy.
JJ: Huh? Who’re we talking about?

He asked with a completely oblivious smile.
Ino: N-No one, Sakura just being stupid.
JJ: Oh, anyway, we have someone here who I never wanted to introduce. His name is Chronos, or Zikan Touketsu depending on what you want to call him.
Chronos: A pleasure to be here, I’m looking forward to meeting you all again.
JJ: Don’t count on it douche.
Ino: Um, while you’re here, why don’t you go ahead and introduce yourself.
Chronos: Fine, I am Chronos, and my stats are….


Strength: 12
Endurance: 10
Speed: Unnecessary
Chakra: 20
Weapon skill: immeasurable
Taijutsu: 10
Genjutsu: 20
Ninjutsu: 12
Special skill: 14

Ino: What’s with the special skill thing?
Chronos: Well, while I don’t find pleasure in exposing my strength’s until the moment I kill, I will answer your question. My name is Zikan Touketsu, it quite literally means “time freeze.” As such, I am able to manipulate both time and ice, however for gods who fall from grace, their powers are made to stop from progressing, so as far as my skills go in that aspect, they will never grow stronger. However, that is like saying that Olympus Mons will grow no larger.
Ino: Where?
Sakura: The largest mountain in the solar system.
Ino: Oh.
JJ: So what is your strongest technique?
Chronos: I was unable to use it against Naruto, however, it is called “sub-zero”, using it I can instantly lower the temperature in the human body, as well as the entire area surrounding me, this would create an environment similar to that of Antarctica. Most would have to be able to recreate an atmosphere of fire inside themselves and around them within the span of a second in order to survive the attack. However, that is one of many techniques I was unable to use.
JJ: Being smug hurts doesn’t it prick.
Chronos: Not as much as being an over evolved snake.
JJ: Oh you wanna go!? Cause we can do this right now!
Ino: Um, Fou-lu-sama, no fighting on the set.
JJ: Right, sorry, and don’t call me that okay?
Ino: Sorry, it’s a habit.

She replied with a sheepish smile.
Chronos: May we continue?
JJ: Feel free.
Chronos: When I descended from heaven I willingly gave away my right to be a god and became a fallen angel. Much as such, I a treated as a demon, the attacking and/or killing of a human would lead me to be purged, however, if under the contract of a human, my actions are justified.
Sakura: Which is why you were with Orochimaru?
Chronos: I was unable to find a use for him beyond that, so I waited, not long after my patience bore fruit. Naruto Uzumaki was created, and his death has become my purpose.
JJ: Why, do you have ultimate gain from it?
Chronos: No, I just want to kill the world’s greatest mystery. I have no pity goals; I just want to watch the world burn.

He said gaining a faint smile.

Ding dong~
Chronos: Was that a chime?
Ino: Yeah.
Chronos: …..Where did it come from?
Sakura: Don’t ask, no one knows.

JJ: Once again, it’s time for the forth wall breaking moment. When I came up with Chronos I had one simple thought, “There are no Naruto villains who are young.” Naruto never really had any rivals that were his age except for Sasuke, and he was on his side for most of the original series. And even now I still don’t consider him a real villain. Though I don’t know what’s been happening lately, because I keep my word. So I decided to create an enemy that at least looks young. I opted to do the same with Aneha, but decided to give make her older. Chronos is going to be a recurring character from now on as well, his role as a villain is going to be maintained, but I’ll leave the rest of the surprises for his appearances. When he first showed I needed a way to make people hate him from the beginning, so I figured, what’s more evil than hurting the two kindest people in Naruto? Like I stated before, I like for my villain to be true evil, even though, there will be changes to Chronos over time. His powers were a stretch like Yura’s and Ishi’s, I needed more characters that could do something that I hadn’t seen, and as powerful as he became I still think I could make him stronger, so look forward to his next fight.
Chronos: You honor me.
JJ: I didn’t mean to.
Chronos: Oh, so you’re back in character now?
JJ: Well…..yeah…..so take that.
Ino: Well, it looks like we’re out of time.
Sakura: So from everyone here-
Chronos: To everyone reading-
All: Shine eternal!




Whew, I got soooooo lazy near the end, mostly because I have a problem with going on if I feel like I didn’t do something right, so I spent a whole week beefing up this chapter, plus the time that I’m taking out to do Resident Naruto 4: REvival. I’m taking so long with that one because I try to be articulate with it, I don’t waste time on this one doing that, it’s too long to try and think up every word. Then again I do that a lot so never mind. Whatever, The next chap will be up soon, and it’s finally down to the Sasuke retrieval mission, as well as finally ending the before the storm chapters, but anyone could figure out what the storm was. Still I going to have fun with this one, look forward to it.