Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Life of a Kunoichi ❯ ~The End Draws Near~ ( Chapter 20 )

A/N Recap:

 

Haru finished healing her sister, and helped her set up. “Onee-chan are you ok?” Smiling back at her sister she nodded. “Phoenix, you and Haru stand back.” Kankuro yelled. Haru stood and drew her sword, standing in front of her sister she yelles back, “like hell!” Kiba smirked as did Kankuro, “alright then let's do this.” Kiba chuckled. Phoenix stood beside her sister and picked up her discarded scythes ready to take on whatever was to be thrown their way.

 

 

Chapter 20

 

~The End Draws Near~

 

Anyone could see that the sand ninja were wearing thin. The more powerful ones running low on chakra, this portion of the war has been non-stop for five days straight today being the fifth with the arrival of the leaf.

 

“HARU! BEHIND YOU!” Haru turned around in time to stop the attack aimed for her head. Grunting as she pushed the rain ninja back with her sword, he stumbled but quickly regained his footing and came at her again. Straightening her stance she readied her weapon to block his next attack. Then out of no where he vanished. Looking around she couldn't find him. Spinning to get a full view she still was lost, “where the hell did he go?” Clink Haru managed to block his attack once again. “You're quick girl.” He hissed. “Fuck off!” she growled back. Sweeping her feet from under her he went to stab, but she turned away. Rolling onto her feet she jumped at the ninja, who quickly dodged her attack. Spinning around he managed to cut her thigh. “Aaahh.” She hissed. Stumbling she tripped over a piece of rubble, falling onto her butt with a thud. “Ooww. Damn it.” Now hovering over her form he pulled back his knife ready to kill her. Haru closed her eyes. Cracking one open slightly she was surprised to see him still standing, seeing as how he now didn't have a head. Looking down near her leg she scrambled back and stifled a scream. There laying in the spot she was near was his head, eyes open and mouth wide almost as if he was screaming. Thud his body falling in a heap, looking up she saw her sister standing, breathing heavily. “Are you ok?” she asked as she flicked the blood of her scythe. Nodding her head Haru took in a deep breath and stood, glancing down at the decapitated body, blood pooling around it and its severed head. Shivering just a bit she picked up her sword and turned to her sister. “Thanks.” Phoenix smiled as Haru began to close the wound on her thigh. Looking around Phoenix lost sight of Kankuro and Katouritsu.

 

Hey where are you and Kankuro?

 

Headed to the north wall to kill the other spider, why?

 

I lost sight of you, just making sure you two are ok.

 

I'm touched wench. *snickers*

 

*growling* whatever.

 

Looking back to her sister she noticed that her wound was healed. Haru nodded to her sister to signal she was ready. “let's go.” Phoenix instructed. Running through the streets they came to Kakashi. “Phoenix, Haru, you two ok?” he asked. “Yeah we're fine sensai.” Haru answered. BANG BOOM looking in the direction of the noise Phoenix could barley make out the figure entering through the smoke. “Manzo.” She gasped. “Who?” Haru asked. “Manzo, he was father's friend back when we lived in Oasis. I thought he was killed, what's he doing here?” she asked herself more than the people around her. Approaching she could see the cynical look he had on his face. “Aahh, Phoenix. My how much you have grown.” He then turned his attention to Haru, “well now if it isn't little Haru.” Phoenix stood more in front of her to block his view. “What are you doing here Manzo?” catching a glimpse of his headband, “and why are you with rain?” He chuckled darkly and narrowed his eyes, “I'm here to capture you, of course.” He stated as if it was common knowledge. Jumping in front of her sister Haru shouted out, “What do you want with my sister?” Staring the rain ninja down, Kakashi had moved up to stand beside Haru with a protective stance in front of Phoenix. Sighing Manzo cracked his neck, “I'm not obligated to say.” He said as he threw his hands up. “She's wanted by my boss. And I am following orders.” Phoenix sat back and wondered who would want her for anything. *I have nothing. Who would want me, and why?* she mentally ranted. “Aah well this has gone on long enough, now if you please.” And with a flick of his wrist he sent Kakashi flying, slamming into the building behind them. “SENSAI!” Haru yelled. Phoenix was wide eyed, *how did he take out Kakashi, no way* Haru took her stance in front of her sister once again. “Haru! Get out of here, now!” Phoenix yelled. “NO! I'm not letting him take you!” Haru drew her sword back and charged, “HARU NO, DON'T HE'S TOO MUCH FOR YOU!” Phoenix screamed at her sister's retreating form.

 

Haru ran full speed to the man now known as Manzo. She drew her sword back with both hands, leapt into the air, and pulled it over her head ready to strike. Smirking Manzo pulled his right hand back, chakra could be seen coursing around it, preparing to take out the red head. As if in slow motion Haru came down bringing her blade with her, Manzo reaching throwing his fist to strike as well….Click. Splash. Standing in the middle of the two was Phoenix. Her scythe blocking her sister, whos face and chest was splashed with her blood, and her chest had Manzo's hand through it, her face was twisted in a painful expression. Haru dropped her sword which clinked as it hit the discarded scythe below and listened as Manzo grunted as he pulled his hand out of Phoenix's body with a sickening sucking sound her blood pooling onto the ground around them. “Now you weren't supposed to do that.” Tsking Manzo shook his hand ridding it of her blood. Phoenix dropped to her knees and began to fall back. Haru caught her sister, tears flowing from her eyes at the blank expression her sister held. “No, no sister please.” Manzo stated to walk over to the two. Haru in complete shock paid no attention to where he now stood. Reaching down he grabbed Haru by her hair and forced her up, dropping her sister with a thud. “Let me go!” trying to hit her capture she ceased when he began to speak. “You know she was always protecting you, shielding you from my eyes.” Staring him in the face now, he smiled at her glossy eyes, red from crying. “Don't look so sad. She isn't dead, yet.”

 

“Aaahh.” Dropping to his knees the tiger demon groaned as he held his chest. Closing his eyes he tried to contact the girl.

 

Phoenix….

 

……….

 

Nothing. Standing he turned to the others. Kankuro's expression was one of worry. He knew that the demon was connected to Phoenix and for him to drop down like that with no outside injury meant something happened to her. “Phoenix.” He whispered. Nodding Katouritsu spoke, breathing ragged and low. “She's injured badly, a wound to the chest.” Kankuro went to shout something when the demon vanished, returning to his host, no longer able to stay outside her body. Kankuro turned to the others who had just finished with the left over ninja, “We need to find the others, and fast!” Turning they followed the jonin, heading to the front of the village.

 

Throwing the battered body of Haru to the ground, Manzo attempted to walk away from her to head over to where Phoenix lay. Grabbing a hold of his leg, she tried to stop him, tried to keep him from taking her sister. Turning swiftly he kicked the young girl, rolling to a stop a few feet away on her stomach. Trying to sit up her arms gave out and she fell back down into the sand. Blood leaking from the corner of her mouth, she lay there staring at her sister's still form. Slowly tears began to leak from the corner of her eyes as she watched, unable to move, as he picked her sister's lifeless body up and holding her bridal style, her head hanging over his left arm. Her blonde hair more red now that it was stained with her blood, no longer up in her normal fashion, her poisoned needles lost long ago. He turned and walked past Haru heading towards the entrance of the village, and just as he appeared he was gone. Haru closed her eyes. She could hear Shikamaru yell her name before she succumbed to the darkness.

 

Arriving on the scene, Shikamaru screamed her name as he ran up to his love, left for dead. Looking down on her form he slowly turned her over, revealing numerous stab wounds along her stomach, arms, legs and big one near her right shoulder. Her once beautiful face, now had bruises and a cut along her left cheek, her red hair messy and caked with blood. Shikamaru lightly picked up her head trying to rouse her. Turning to look at the others he paused. Kankuro stood next to the spot that Kiba determined was Phoenix's blood. Looking down everyone thought the same thing, “there's too much here for her to still be alive.” Shaking his head of the negative thought, he turned to Shikamaru. Shikamaru looked back down at her, his eyes spilling tears at her lack of response. Pulling her face to his neck he buried his face in her hair rocking her gently to his sobs. Soon the group was accompanied with Gaara, Hinata, Lee and Gai. Hinata, Kei and Kane immediately set to healing Haru. Ryu being the one to pull him away to give them the room they needed. Hugging the younger shinobi Ryu tried to hold his own tears from spilling at the sight of his little sister.

 

Everyone sat silently outside the infirmary waiting for the news of Haru's condition. Kankuro, Kiba, Neji, Naruto and Lee were searching the area outside the village trying to pick up on Phoenix's scent. Kakashi lay in the bed near Haru. Choji sat in a chair not too far from that, he was getting treated for minor injuries, but injuries all the same. Kira, Toru, Shikamaru, Ryu, and Temari were the ones sitting outside waiting. Gai had gone with Gaara and Baki to send word to Konoha about what was going on.

 

“Her scent leads to the west. Most likely who ever took her is headed to Rain country.” Kiba pointed out. Kankuro stared out to the west, his face set in determination. “Then we'll bring her back.” “Yeah let's go.” Naruto shouted. “Wait! We need to wait, we can't just head out blinded. We need to come up with a plan and contact Konoha first.” Neji commanded. Lee was the first to speak, “Neji is right. We must come up with a plan, otherwise we will be running in blind.” Kankuro balled his fist, “she could be dead by then, we can't wait!” he yelled. Kiba placed a hand on his shoulder, “we have to. She'll survive.” Kankuro closed his eyes and fell to his knees, punching the sand beneath him soaking it with his tears. Naruto and Kiba both bent down to try and comfort their comrade, but Kankuro pushed them away and stood making his way back to the village, “let's see if Haru's awake, she should be able to tell us something.”

 

 

 

A/N

 

Phoenix- CLIFFY!!!!

 

Haru- I want a cookie!!!!!

 

Gaara- O_O my cookies!!!!

 

Kira- Yes they are insane.

 

P/H/G- >_< *starts to come after Kira*

 

Kira- *backing away* Um next chapter up ASAP.