Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Inner Secrets ❯ Chapter 20

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

 

Pairings: Ita/Na, Shika/Neji, Kaka/Iru, Gaa/Sasu

 

Warnings: You should all know them by now ^^

 

A/N: Wow! Look at all those reviews! That is just wow! Thank you all for reading and reviewing; means a lot to know that you actually like this. Sometimes I wonder if people just say the kind things to humor me. But hey, I appreciate it none the less. Well, once again, sorry for the wait, and of course the smallness of this newest installment. So, without further ado, Onto IS!

Wait! Hold the phones! I just remembered, there is a reference to another series (anime of course) in this chapter, as such, you may notice something from Yu Yu Hakusho.

Also, I must say busted, someone called me on my summary of this story, saying that it didn't fit. It's true, I made that up for chapter one and from there my mind and fingers worked as one without and pre-plotting, bringing for what you are about to read. ^^

 

Previously on IS:

 

Naruto sat crouched upon a tree, blue eyes closed, and his body unmoving. `I can't believe they want to test you so close to the greatest war this country has ever seen.' Kyuubi muttered in the back of the blonde's mind, causing the teenager to smirk as he reopened his eyes and glanced to the left, eyes meeting white, as he looked over at Neji who sat likewise in a tree. The blond noticed the veins pulsing on either side of the dark haired Hyuuga's eyes and smirked. Kakashi was doomed; he had no element of surprise.

Brilliant brown met dazzling blue, a curt nod was exchanged before they both looked back at their pale friend. The Hyuuga silently rose his arm, making sure to keep it well within the shadows, but still easily visible from his companions. He motioned behind him, before making severely strange hand symbols, earning himself a nod before the three of them vanished again. `It matters not; this test will be over before it becomes apparent to Kakashi what exactly happened. You could tell by his eyes that he has greatly underestimated us.' Naruto whispered in his mind as he appeared within the branches of a new tree, eyes peering down at the concealed form of his former sensei, who at crouched behind a tree, his back to a small bush.

`Indeed. In his eyes you three are still just students, he would never expect that they, let alone you, would be able to beat him, even through a tag-team effort. He does not believe it is possible for the student to surpass the teacher. He and none of his instructors have ever done so. In the line of Jiraiya, he is the strongest, a Legendary Sannin by name, one who trained your mother's cousin. Sure the blond he trained was great and strong, but never would he have been able to defeat the white haired Ero-sennin. And lastly, Kakashi was trained by the Forth, and still the silver haired ninja had never been able to surpass the one before him. Kakashi will not anticipate such a thing. But remember, be cautious, to reveal your true power now would be foolhardy.' The demon fox advised as three sets of eyes met again from their new position, with a nod matched by the other two and a smirk that graced all three of their lips, they moved into action.

 

Chapter 20

Naruto smirked, “Time to teach the teacher a lesson or three.” He murmured softly on the slight breeze, his words unheard but his smirk clearly seen by his comrades. With a nod he vanished from sight, soundlessly appearing behind his crouched teacher, a kick moving out from the blond, connecting solidly with his teacher, sending Kakashi flying face first into a tree, with an ominous crack.

“Lesson one: Taijutsu.” Naruto stated clearly as Kakashi pulled himself up and into a defensive stance, his only visibly eye frowning. Naruto vanished again, reappearing beside the silver haired man and delivered a swift punch to the man's face. Kakashi was ready this time and he leapt to the side, causing the fox vessel to smirk. With wide eyes, Kakashi looked behind him just in time to feel a sharp pain as a foot collided with the back of his knees, knocking him backwards. Shikamaru sighed as he leapt out of the way of the man he had just kicked, allowing the man to perform a back flip that landed him smoothly on his feet.

Kakashi eyed the two ninja that stood side by side in front of him. “It can not be a lesson in Taijutsu if you use Ninjutsu to transport yourself.” The man said firmly.

“Troublesome.” Shikamaru muttered with a slouching sigh. “It was mere speed that we used.” He stated firmly, looking as bored as ever before he and Naruto both vanished from sight.

“Second lesson: Genjutsu.” The Hyuuga stated quietly before thousands of white roses without their stems rained down upon the Jounin in a twirling downwards flow, disappearing as they touched the ground.

Kakashi backed himself against a tree as he lifted his ninja band, revealing his Sharingan eye, his head moving to each side slowly analytically, as roses gently brushed against him, tickling him. With caution the man stepped forward, and as he did so a rose drifted across his mask. With a ripping sound the black cloth fell from his face, leaving him visible to all and where the rose had struck the mask, there was a small bleeding cut on the man's face.

Wide eyed, the man leapt up as the roses began swirling violently, slashing at him like thousands of dancing blades, cutting him shallowly as he tried to fend them all off with a kunai knife, and yet, his Sharingan could not see through the trick, nor could it follow the roses' paths. “Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!” Kakashi stated as he breathed out a mouthful of flames, burning the roses, breaking the genjutsu to see thousands of kunai knives moving along hundreds of wires.

“The third lesson,” Shikamaru spoke out from the tree branch above the Jounin. “Ninjutsu.” He stated as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the rough wooden trunk, drawing the man's eyes to him.

 

“Chakra Nageya!” Naruto intoned behind him, causing Kakashi to whip around; his eyes wide. Barreling towards the man were hundreds of darts that were forged of a glowing blue. Kakashi leapt into the air, moving through the wires and kunai, barely managing to get over the darts.

Kakashi then suddenly plummeted to the ground, eyes closed and breathing slow. “Well that was a breeze.” Naruto muttered as the three ninja appeared before the sleeping Jounin. “It would have been more of a challenge if he hadn't underestimated us.” He added with a sigh before he looked over at Neji who landed silently beside him, a Senbon needle sliding out of view.

“Neji-kun…” Naruto began. “From my angle it looks like you are avoiding something… or maybe someone.” Naruto said with a wink, causing the Hyuuga's cheeks to grow a pale rose. Shikamaru smirked slightly, as he glanced over at Neji, his strange expression causing Naruto to blink. “Well, that's a first.” Naruto mumbled to himself as he crossed his arms behind his back and looked up to the sky.

Neji, feeling slightly awkward, cleared his throat, his beauteous white eyes looking off to the side. “I suggest we wake him up before the timer goes off.” He suggested, changing the subject with practiced ease.

“Wait! I have an idea!” The blond exclaimed before he reached into his pocket and withdrew a permanent marker, an evil expression upon his fox-like features. “I've always wanted to do this.” He said by way of explanation before he kneeled down and began drawing funny marks all over the sleeping man's face.

Neji chuckled slightly, his blush long forgotten. “I'm sure you will be on his to torture list when he realizes what you did.” The teen commented as he tucked stray hairs behind his ears.

“Oh well, call this his just deserts for underestimating us so much that he didn't even put up a fight.” The blond stated as he placed the lid back upon his marker and tucked it back inside his pocket. “Let's just hope he gets his act together before the war knocks on these gates.” Naruto muttered as he looked back up at the sky, his expression thoughtful. “There will be no room for error. One mistake could very well be the death of someone else.” He whispered knowledgably before shaking his head and smiling.

“I'm getting ahead of myself.” He stated cheerfully before he touched his old teacher's forehead, causing the man to groan before his mismatched eyes opened. “Welcome back.” Naruto said with a smirk. “Gesh Kakashi-san, you sure have gotten weak in your old age. And, oh my! Is that a grey hair?” Naruto asked teasingly, mirth visible in his eyes, as Kakashi sat up, and blinked at the three of them.

 

“How did you manage that?” He questioned with a frown.

“Managed what Hatake-san?” Neji questioned as he quirked an eyebrow at the man, playing innocent. “If you are referring to us having bested you, then I suppose it would be your lack of caution that made us the decisive winners.” The prodigy stated with a shrug his eyes watching a bird soaring in the distance.

“Tch, that was troublesome.” Shikamaru muttered as he tucked his hands in his pockets, and absently blew a random tendril of hair out of his chocolate brown eyes, looking as bored as ever. Kakashi opened his mouth to speak but the alarm clock went off in the distance, effectively silencing the words he had been about to utter. “Neji-kun, Naruto-kun.” The Nara genius muttered as he looked between the two of them before all three nodded simultaneously, vanishing in a breath.

“Mah...” Kakashi muttered under his breath as he ran a hand through tussled silver locks, mismatched eyes looking up upon the intricate set-up above him. “Since when have those three had such strength?” He questioned a wind as the sky renewed its crying. “How did they find the time to set that up without me noticing even a hint of it?” He whispered as he moved himself to his feet with a sigh, his eyes serious. He then slipped his ninja band down over his crimson eye before he too vanished from the forest, the alarm silencing seconds later.

------

The cave was dark and dank, the overpowering sound of water dripping into puddles echoed loudly in the dark cave. “It has begun.” An accented voice spoke with mirth plaguing his words. “And it would seem our numbers sit not as they were, one of our own has defected to another side.” The male voice added calmly, causing the seven other shadows within to shift uncomfortably. “You all know who has left us.” He paused, knowing that all attention shifted to the only other figure that stood separate from the others. “It is almost time for us to move, with the ashes of the war we will strike and capture the greatest of our targets while it is weak.” The man stated with maliciousness.

“Are you sure you wish to move so quickly?” A voice questioned.

“Fool! You dare question my choice!” The accented voice hissed with displeasure. “We will indeed do this as I have commanded. Konan, commence phase one.” The leader ordered in a sharp tone before his presence vanished from the black cave.

“You really shouldn't have questioned him,” A voice muttered condescendingly, though a smirk could be almost seen, glowing ominously in the eerie black. “Especially since it was your partner that has defected… Tell me, how does it feel to know Itachi abandoned you?” The man questioned before he too vanished like the leader, the others following his example, leaving one figure alone.

 

“…” silence echoed around the larger man before he too left the cave…

 

----

Blue eyes, masked behind a mask of black and white, stared up at the gloomy sky above. The weather still had not cleared up, and it looked to be another rainy day, suiting though it was. A soft breeze rippled the darkly cloaked figure's opened cloak, showing too all the figure hidden below the blackened folds.

His costume was the same as it had always been, and that was something that he never wanted to change, for it was his mask. “They have reached the parameter of the forest, it won't be long now.” A voice to the Shadow Assailant's right stated quietly, causing the blond haired ninja to close his eyes and exhale a deep breath into the dismal atmosphere.

“I can hear it.” The Kage Gesshoku whispered, his words carried by the breeze to all those who stood behind the three cloaked figures. “The beating pulse that is their steps.” He elaborated. “Like an ominous drum, blaring in the distance, and as the danger approaches it grows in volume, shaking the very earth on which we stand.” He stated before reopened his startling eyes and turning his back to the front gates, facing the entirety of their army.

It was small, their numbers, despite their allies, were far too small to compare to the mass of enemies swarming nearer. “Konoha… The time of reckoning is near at hand.” The blond stated loudly, his words caught with rapt attention, all eyes peering at him. “You and your sister countries must stand strong, bold and resilient if you hope to succeed. Be cautious; do not be bold or rash. Do not show mercy for you shall receive none.” He stated firmly as Tsunade moved to his side with an approving air about her.

“Death will claim many of us.” He admitted loudly, his masked eyes pausing upon Itachi who stood in the Shadow's true image. “Pain will paint this beautiful city a striking red. Konoha will become a Golgotha, a slaughter grounds for many, but so long as we believe, so long as we persevere, we can win.” He said with a resolute nod, sharing a look with his dearest friends.

“Listen to him you had best do.” A voice rang out through the silent crowd.

“You're late.” The Shadow Assailant admonished teasingly.

“Only had we shown up afterwards could we be presently viewed as late.” A man stated as he stepped out from behind a tree, his tall form foreboding.

The man was tall, easily towering over everyone who stood ready to fight. His skin was tanned a golden hue, and his head was dressed in elegant crimson braids that reached his lower back, and his deep green eyes were glowing with power. The man reeked of power and beauty, and his garbs were like those of kings; rich in quality and style, a pure white gilded on the ends. But the most attention drawing thing was the crimson fox tail stretching out behind him. “I'm glad you could make it, Akira-kun.” The Shadow Assailant greeted with a nod.

The demon, Akira nodded his head. “Yoko-sama regards to her friends.” The demon stated with a regal smile as he walked towards the three cloaked ninja, ignoring the busty blond woman at their side and the strange looks for his peculiar speech.

“As does Sorano-sama.” A small female voice added in as she appeared in a gust of wind before the trio.

“And do not forget Aiko-sama.” A fierce female voice cut in as a blue-cloaked figure appeared beside the taller demon male.

“Kanna-kun, Kaori-kun, I'm glad to see you three all here.” Naruto said happily before focusing his attention to Tsunade. “Hokage-sama, these are three friends of mine from the Demon World.” He stated. “They are friends who have offered to assist in this war.” He said by way of introduction.

“Not a moment too soon it seems we have arrived, yes.” Akira stated. “Their march hear I can.” He stated quietly, his eyes cold and calculating.

“You brought friends from that realm?” Tsunade asked in astonishment. “Are you a demon as well then?” The blond woman asked quietly.

“In a sense, I suppose you could say that.” The Shadow agreed. “But now is not a time of lineages, now is time to move into position. I can hear the pained filled shrieks of those that have fallen into traps.” He concluded before he, Neji and Shikamaru vanished from the playing fields, followed closely by the three demons.

“You heard the man!” Tsunade shouted and soon all the other ninja ran off leading the Kage of the villages standing alone.

“Is it wise to trust a man whose face you've never seen?”

“Hn.” Gaara hummed in annoyance. “It is time to fight, not to talk.” The crimson haired teen stated before he took off in a swirl of sand, followed closely by all the other Kage.

 

-----

Thunder reared up, and lightning tore the skies asunder, over and over again in a violent act. Rain fell mercilessly from the sky above, and on the ground, bodies clashed together in swirls of blades and flames. The piercing sounds of pain echoed as loud as the thunder and pounding rain. Corpses covered the ground, staining it a horrendous deep red, as rain water spread the spilt blood all around. Konoha was loosing…

Orochimaru smirked from atop the head of a massive snake, his golden eyes filled with malicious joy. “Oh how the mighty have fallen.” He cackled ominously, earning a smirk from the silver haired medical ninja at his side. “Look around us Kabuto.” He motioned out around them. “Do you see the cadavers? Can you taste the spilt blood and burnt flesh upon the sodden air?” He asked as he closed his eyes and took in a deep satisfied breath. “Delicious…” He muttered softly.

“Yes, though, I do have to question why you ordered a select squad to—“Kabuto began only to be cut off as Orochimaru lifted his hand to silence the other.

“Kabuto-kun, you will learn soon enough.”

 

------

“Chikyu Mihon: Gimu-teki na Jigoku Tsurukusa!”

Jagged and thorn covered vines sprung up from the muddy crimson ground, attaching themselves ruthlessly around several dozen enemies, binding them in a razor-sharp grasp.

“Shuchu Suru Enerugi Kosen: 100 Pasento!” Naruto finished as he shot a fully concentrated beam of energy from his hands in a sweeping motion that struck down all the bound ninja, disintegrating them easily on contact.

As the beam died, Naruto glanced to his left, before looking to his right. With a nod the three of them leapt simultaneously into the air.

“Omukashi Jutsu: Chakra Tsutsumu!” Neji called out causing glowing white bandages to ensnare a wave of Sound ninja in one fell swoop.

“Koori Sutairu: Hisame Bakuhatsu!” Shikamaru called as he faced his left palm towards the bound Sound ninja. Ice shards shot forth from his palm and imbedded themselves in the flesh of the capture souls, turning them into unrecognizably figures gurgling in the crimson blood.

“Mizu, Tsuchi, Kaze, Sutairu: Hariken Sabusaku!” Naruto cried, calling forth the mass Hurricane of three elements; before he set it loose, to reap its rampage in an uncontrolled swirl of destruction and death. The ground was torn, the trees annihilated, and the people in its path obliterated.

The three of them landed, their soaked cloaks clinging to them. “They just keep coming.” Shikamaru muttered with a sigh.

“That and they seem to be dominating our side with their sheer numbers alone.” Neji added quietly as more waves of Sound ninja leapt at them in a furious move.

“We just have to up our offense, hopefully diverge most their attention from the others and onto us.” Naruto added, and all three of them nodded before they leapt off.

----

Itachi, in the guise of Naruto, dodged an attack before retaliating with a wave of shadow clones that easily downed the large ninja on his back.

“Watch yourself Naruto.” Came the voice of Neji, earning Haku a glance, before Itachi leapt into the air then plummeted down to deliver a solid punch to the man that had snuck up behind him. The Uchiha smirk, this was a fun battle.

----

Zabuza grumbled to himself as he fought in the form of Shikamaru. He hated not having his blade, or the use of his techniques. With a growl, uncharacteristic of his disguise, he lunged forward, grabbed a hold of a woman's neck and twisted it, causing a loud snap to echo has he broke her neck, killing her instantly, before he turned on the woman's companions and plunged a kunai through the head of one, earning himself a but across his arm from the third one.

Before he could react, a ninja from the sand launched a pure white `blade' through the heart of the third woman; letting her crumble lifelessly to the ground. “Careful.” The man that had saved him whispered quietly, before winking at him as he vanished off to kill another.

“Damn that Kimimaro,” Zabuza muttered under his breath. “He gets to use his techniques, how come I can't?” He whined to himself, taking his ire out on yet another man of Orochimaru.

- -- -

Kimimaro leapt into the air, his guise that of a common Sand Ninja. With a deep breath he expelled all the bones from his body in a wave of white that stretched out, piercing through hundreds. The echoing cry of pain reared up in a harmonious cry, before all the bones returned to the man as he fell towards the ground, landing catlike, in a corpse ladden street.

Suddenly he fell to his knees, coughing violently as he clutched at his chest, blood seeping from his mouth with each ferocious cough. He trembled, eyes closed as his disguise shattered, leaving him panting and gagging on blood. “I can't… give up…” He muttered as his coughing fit slowed. “Naruto-kun is depending on me.” He whispered as he shakily pushed himself to his feet, his left hand wiping blood from his pale face.

“You shouldn't push yourself when you are so critically ill.” A female voice behind him stated with authority, causing the emerald eyed young man to spin on spot, having been caught unawares.

Behind him stood a gore covered Tsunade, her golden eyes haunted yet resolved. “Let me heal you.” She ordered, seeing the uncertainty in his eyes she stepped forward. “You are here for Naruto, what would he say if you died? He would blame himself, never forgiving himself for dragging you to your death. Now oblige me.” She ordered softly, as she set her glowing hands upon the teen's chest and closed her eyes in concentration.

- - -

“Kage-Gesshoku…” The serpentine voice of Orochimaru hissed out as he spotted the legendary cape. “Kabuto-kun, this is really a surprise.” He stated with his malicious smirk. “This may work further in my favor.” The man stated smugly before he leapt down from atop the snake head and landed on a tree branch swiftly before making his way towards the three cloaked figures, his silver haired minion at his back.

- - -

“Neji, Shika, can you feel it?” Naruto whispered on a breath to his companions as they wrenched their weapons from mutilated cadavers. “He is coming…” He whispered on a breath, his blue eyes frowning as a sharp pain shot through his wrist where his cursed seal still sat. “He is plotting something, be on guard.” He muttered just as Orochimaru landed lightly on the muddy blood sodden ground.

“Kage Gesshoku.” The snake man began; his golden eyes alight with a disturbing glimmer. “I have longed to meet you and your two companions as well.” The man stated before nodding his head towards Shikamaru and Neji. “And I am most honored to have you hear to witness my most triumphant moment.” He added as Tsunade appeared behind the three cloaked teens.

“Orochimaru, your plans end here!” The woman announced fiercely.

“Tsunade-chan, you really think you can stop me?” He asked sensually as he poured on his serpentine charm. “There is no Naruto-kun here to help you.” He stated smugly, his words sounding ironic.

 

“I am glad Naruto-kun isn't here, he is too pure to be corrupted by your taint. The less he sees of you, the better.” She said firmly unaware of the awkward shifting behind her.

“Tsunade-sama,” Naruto began in his henge voice. “Let me fight him, you save your prowess for healing the wounded.” He advised, though the moment he uttered his words he could see the protest rising in the golden haired woman's eyes. “Please, you are more useful to this village as healer.” He begged.

“My, aren't you most anxious for a good fight?”

“A good fight no.” Naruto stated firmly as he stepped closer to the man. “This is not a good fight, this is the execution of a vile monster; an execution in which I will assume the noble role of executioner.” The blond teen announced with determined clarity as he pointed one of his swords at the heart of the evil man.

The man smirked bringing his hand up to his mouth to conceal his chuckle. “Daitoppa!” Orochimaru shouted suddenly, sending forth a great blast wave of wind directly at Tsunade. Wide eyed Naruto leapt forward and pulled the Hokage out of the line of fire, his hood falling from his head.

“I never pictured you as a blonde.” Orochimaru stated in shock. “It's such a rare hair color in these parts…” The man whispered with a frown, and inwardly Naruto thanked whatever deities he could that he still had his mask in place.

“Yeah well, people often tell me they thought I was taller too. I guess my name doesn't quite suit my physical appearance.” Naruto murmured as he set a shell shocked Tsunade down beside Neji, nodding at the prodigy he turned back to face the enemy. “Tell me, do you always attack those weaker then you?” The blond questioned with daggers in his voice.

“I was merely testing your reaction time Blondie. Edo Tensei!” He called as he slammed his hand to the ground calling up two coffins. “Now if my dear old sensei were here he would know what this move is. It is one of the ones that lead to his death.” Orochimaru bragged with a chuckle as the coffins opened wide and from inside came the reanimated corpses of the third and forth Hokage.

Naruto blanched, his eyes darting between the man that had been so much like a grandfather to him and the man that had protected and cared for his mother. He felt tore, his shoulders slouched.

`Kit focus!' Kyuubi called on death ears.

“My, you seem startled by my pets.” Orochimaru commented smugly as his two pets opened long closed eyes.

“What the--?” The Yondaime asked as he stepped out of his coffin, his brilliant blue eyes riveted to his hands. “I'm not dead?” He whispered as he looked over at Sarutobi who was frowning and glaring death at Orochimaru.

“Welcome back to the living, are you ready to become my slaves again?”

“Don't you touch them!” Naruto shouted as his knuckle turned white on his sword's hilt. “Don't you dare touch them!” He growled venomously. “You've screwed up their lives enough as it is, leave their afterlives in peace you monster!” Naruto growled causing all eyes to regard him.

“You speak as if you knew them…” Orochimaru whispered suspiciously as he eyed the cloaked figure.

“I did!” Naruto whispered as he brought his free hand up to his face, pulling his mask off slowly. “One as a grandfather, the other as the idol that protected my mother.” He admitted as he lifted his mask away.

“Naruto-kun!” Tsunade whispered in shock as she regarded the teen.

“Naruto!” Sarutobi exclaimed in shock.

“Naruto…” The blond man whispered as his blue eyes locked with the teen's. “Hana's son.” He added with a nostalgic look. “You've grown well.” He stated with a nod before his smile faded and he regarded the man that had summoned him and the third back to the living.

“But… if you are Naruto-kun… you two…” Tsunade mumbled in shock.

With a nod from Naruto, Neji and Shikamaru both reached up, pulled back their hoods and took off their masks, dropping them onto the ground. “All pretenses are now broken.” Neji whispered on the crying wind.

“Water will wash away impurities.” Naruto added.

“Leaving only beauty to blossom.” Shikamaru added quietly, his eyes darting to Neji's face.

“Well if this isn't a pleasant surprise.” Orochimaru whispered with a smirk. “Now that I know your true prowess, I want you even more.” He chuckled.

“Suffer!” He chuckled as two seals appeared on the backs of the two resurrected Hokage, turning their eyes blank and crimson. They were now his puppets…

With a piercing cry that cut across the very heart of the war ravaged lands, Naruto cried in both anguish of loosing the two again and in the pain burning from his cursed scar. He crumbled to his knees, his sword falling with a squelching sound. His vision turned red…

 

- - - -

End of chapter Wow, sorry about the long wait for such a short chapter! T.T I feel bad on making you all wait, but hey at least there was some action in this chapter ne? Even if it wasn't any Yaoi goodness.

Next chapter I promise you the death of a main character, and important one too, bet you can't guess. ^^

Thanks again for reading and please review. Ja!