Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ The Life of a Ninja ❯ Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Back in Takigakure

 

Ryo opened his eyes; quickly regretting that he had done so. The bright sunlight streaming through the windows hurt his eyes. He reopened them slowly and looked around. He was the village's hospital in a white bed. He sat up suddenly; wincing from the shooting pain in his neck. He touched the spot gently; his fingers running over several bandages. He took another look around and noted that he was alone. “That damn snake-face must've really knocked me out. I've gotta get outta here. I'm fine now.”

He pushed the blanket aside and got to his feet. He was surprised to see that he was still wearing his original clothes. `That's strange. The nurses usually change you into some creepy hospital gowns. Oh well, one less thing standing n my way.' He left the room and headed for the front doors. Suddenly, he stopped. `Wait, where's Keyoko? She passed out too.' Realization hit him like a ton of bricks. `Oh god, that's right! That snake bastard kidnapped her! But why? Either way, I've gotta save her!'

He dashed through the doors and out onto the streets; not one person trying to stop him. He ran towards the entrance and slipped out of the village. `How ironic, the founders of this village thought no one would find it by placing the entrance away from the waterfall. Yet, we get attacked constantly just because we're not as strong a nation as the fire nation.' He growled in frustration as he picked up a scent. `I can smell him. He's only an hour away.'

He traveled for an hour until faint voices reached his ears. He stopped and listened; hidden among the tree's foliage. “I can't believe you let her get away! You incompetent fool!” Orochimaru's tone was that of someone extremely pissed. A slapping sound soon followed. “Sorry boss, I thought she was out cold. I didn't even fell her move to do that substitution jutsu.” Another sound of slapping followed that. “I'm so pissed right now I could just kill you all! I suppose the next time we attack we'll just capture her again.” He sighed heavily.

Ryo groaned quietly. `I'm glad Keyo got away, but now I've gotta search everywhere for her. I guess I'd better get going then. My poor Keyoko.' Before dashing away, he suddenly had an evil idea. He quickly transformed his left arm into a smart bomb launcher. He placed an invisibility henge over the bombs before silently launching them at the enemy. The bombs landed beside the enemy without exploding. He dashed away in the opposite direction, so as not to be discovered.

Once he had reached a considerable distance, he performed a single hand seal, which set off the bombs. Boom, boom, boom! Several screams and sounds of panic soon followed. Before continuing to dash away, Ryo chuckled to himself. `That'll teach you to think twice before you mess with waterfall nin, assholes.' He leapt forward to leave the scene of destruction behind.

Several miles ahead…

Kaitoshi and Keyoko continued to tree-jump as fast as they could. Kaitoshi scouted the area and sighed. “Damn, it'll take forever at this rate. We've gotta transform if we're gonna make it there by nightfall.” Keyoko looked at her incredulously. “Are you crazy? We can't make it there by nightfall. A trip to Konoha takes anywhere from two to three days.” Kaitoshi frowned. “Well, I have a bad feeling about my brother, so we have to get there ASAP. And you're wrong, if we partially transform into our demons, we can definitely make it there by nightfall. Watch.” She stopped jumping for a moment.

Kaitoshi closed her eyes and her body began to glow. Suddenly, reddish-orange fur sprouted all over her body as two pointed ears and a bushy tail began to grow. Within seconds, a human-sized demon fox stood before Keyoko. She could only stare. “Cool! Jinchuruki can do that?” Kaitoshi nodded. “And you can too, just close your eyes and focus.” Kaitoshi's voice was now deep and demonic, but still female.

Keyoko sighed. “I told you, I'm not a Jinchuruki. What makes you think I am?” Kaitoshi grinned. “We can tell. Plus, Kyubii says you do, and she's never wrong.” Keyoko grunted. “Fine, I'll see what I can do.” She closed her eyes and entered the inner sanctum of her mind. Her spiritual self looked around the enormous white room she was in. `Hello? Are there any monsters in here?' She was answered with a booming demonic female voice. #How dare you call me a monster!# Keyoko's eyes widened as she stepped forward.

In a matter of seconds, a ghostly figure appeared before her. It was that of an enormous dragon with a slender face, eight tails, a slender body, muscular limbs, and a purple jewel embedded in its forehead. The dragon pushed its face towards Keyoko. #Well?# Keyoko frowned. `Well what?' The dragon hmphed. #Aren't you going to apologize to me?# Keyoko grinned evilly. `Nope.' The dragon's eyes flashed dangerously. #Why you little ungrateful brat! Who do you think has been assisting you in battle your whole life? Me! Who's protected you when you've been in danger? Me!# Keyoko began to laugh. `I was just kidding. Sorry, your majesty. I'm just shocked that I've been a Jinchuruki all my life and you've never told me. So, you're Hachimata, the eight-tailed dragon. Pleased to meet you.' Hachimata snorted. #Whatever, just do not disrespect me again.#

Keyoko brought her hands together and bowed. `Terribly sorry, but I have request. If you don't mind.' Hachimata raised an eyebrow. #Do you now? And what might it be?# Keyoko grinned innocently. `Could you lend me your power so that I can partially transform into you and make it to Konoha by nightfall?' Hachimata sighed. #I suppose if I didn't, you'd just beg me until I did. Alright, I hope you can handle this.# The dragon's image disappeared. Keyoko looked around frantically. `Where'd you go?' A slight tugging feeling coursed through her feet. She glanced down, causing her eyes to widen considerably. `What the hell is this?' There was a misty chakra-like liquid snaking around her ankles. #Do not be afraid, this is my power.# The strange substance slithered up her legs and began to smother her. She fought back the urge to resist, and closed her eyes.

She then opened her eyes back to reality. Her body was tingling oddly was she noticed that Kaitoshi was grinning widely. “I hate to say I told you so.” Keyoko looked down at her hands, which were now scaly claws. Her reptilian eyes widened as she wagged her long tail. She eyed it oddly. “One tail, but Hachi had eight?” Kaitoshi shook her head. “You've got a lot to learn. When you are partially transformed, you only sprout one tail per level of overriddence by the demon. I'll explain more later. For now, we've got to keep going.”

She dashed ahead and resumed her tree-jumping. Only this time, she was running five times as fast as before. Keyoko tried to keep up, but her reptilian body seemed to be more of a burden than an advantage. “Kaitoshi, being transformed is just slowing me down. Should I change back?” Kaitoshi shook her head. “Try flying. Dragons are usually built for flying, not running.” Keyoko nodded and stretched out her wings, which were now three times their original size.

She jumped up and took to the air. Before she knew it, she had caught up to Kaitoshi. She even realized that in this form, she could fly five times faster and smoother. She grinned widely. “This is mush better. Hey, I bet I can beat you to Konoha.” Kaitoshi smiled competitively. “You're on.” The two of them quickened their pace; racing each other neck and neck.