Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Twilight ❯ The Battle of Eternity ( Chapter 25 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Haru Mclean Namikaze 
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Comedy / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.19.2009 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.9K | Visits: 271 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Comedy / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.19.2009 | Pages: 5 | Words: 5.9K | Visits: 271 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 19: The Battle of Eternity
The previous nightÉ
Fukai willed her arm to reach to the rubber bandage cutting off the blood supply to her already dying leg. Even though wave after wave of unbearable pain crashed down on her, she bore it bravely and pulled on the tight knot to release the rubber.
She cried out as the restraint broke loose and the blood rushed back and forth in her arteries and veins. The medic nins were startled, as they had not noticed that she was moving around in the stretcher. The parameds were more worried about avoiding the battlegrounds in fear of endangering their own lives and their patientÕs already fragile life.
Fukai gritted her teeth as she felt as if sharp, pricking senbon needles were pushing in and out of her leg muscles. Spasms and muscle vibrations were evident even with the naked eye, as her leg slowly and very painfully regained life. Another added pain was the feeling of the burning virus spreading up her thigh very, very slowly and agonizingly. But she willed herself to ignore the white-hot blinding pain and sat up, stretching her legs.
ÒFukai-san! Lie back down and rest!Ó one of the parameds gushed, as they continued to run towards the entrance to the mountainÕs inner confines.
ÒWeÕre near, Fukai-san, donÕt you worry.Ó
Another one visibly scowled, the one who seemed to be the team leader. ÒWakachi-san, give her the antidote!Ó
ÒBut the antidote is not enough to kill all the virus!Ó
ÒGive it to her, itÕs enough to at least fight off the virus for a couple of hours before it comes back!Ó
The guy called Wakachi nodded to another ninja who immediately took over his post in carrying the stretcher. Wakachi broke into a sprint beside her as he prepared the antidote, slipping a vial into an injection tube. ÒThis will sting a bit.Ó
Wakachi drove the needle of the injection tube into FukaiÕs thigh, making her cry out. The pain of the needle on added to the pain she was already feeling in her burning legs. Wakachi pressed hard while sprinting and emptied the contents of the tube quickly, pulling it out with regal care.
Miraculously, Fukai immediately felt the effect of the antidote, as a cool, refreshing feeling spread out from the point where the needle pierced her and throughout her whole leg. It was a welcome relief, a heaven from the blinding pain she had been bearing only a few moments ago. Though her flesh was still bruised and sore from the tightness of the temporary tourniquet, she was a hell lot better.
ÒThis will only be temporary, Fukai-san, the antidote will keep the virus at bay for a couple of hoursÉ and after that, God knows what will happen. But hopefully weÕll be able to purge the virus before then.Ó
Fukai nodded her thanks to the guy who had administered the dose.
ÒI will regret what I will do next, you guys, and I am sorry in advance,Ó Fukai suddenly said.
Wakachi and the others were both shocked and bewildered at the same time, and having nothing to say, they just gaped openly at the girl they were carrying.
A few moments later, the parameds were all lying on the forest floor, unconscious. Fukai weakly hobbled through the thick undergrowth, bearing the half-dead weight of her half-dead leg. She had managed to take them on and knock them out in a matter of seconds, using her unique techniques.
This is a painful sacrificeÉ and a tiring one at thatÉ but I have toÉ
Fukai disappeared into the darkness of the early morning, hiding under the shadows of the foliage and slipping through the battlegrounds, mostly clearings and glades. There were some who battled at the treetops, but they were far too high and far too occupied to notice her slipping in and out of the shadows quietly and innocently. She could feel her leg starting to tingle as the blood started rejuvenating the deadened nerve control.
Good, itÕs returningÉ
She sighed as she looked up at the constellations, the sky still a strange red to her eyes. According to the sky map, she was heading East. She needed to go South East. She turned and started heading a different way.
IÕm so sorry you guysÉ
She walked on determinedly, despite the loneliness, silence, noise and darkness enveloping her like some stifling blanket.
Ébut this is what I was predestined to doÉ
She smiled wistfully.
Éand this is my duty.
Kouji stared blankly at the white ceiling, his heart thundering in nervousness inside his aching chest. He stared down the ceiling as his last moments of life counted down slowly. He just made the most difficult decision of his life and the fact still didnÕt sink in deep enough for him to comprehend everything happening around him.
It was a little hard to process that he was giving up his life RIGHT NOW for the girl he had vowed to hunt and kill ever since he could remember.
I guess I do love her, donÕt I?
What did I tell you, boy? Ooooh my, IÕm dying, IÕm dying, IÕm ACTUALLY DYIIIIIING!
Will you shut up?
Why did you have to risk your life like this? Why did you have to risk OUR lives like this! You didnÕt even think that there are TWO minds in this body, not ONE!
Even though there are two minds in this body, I am still in control, dumbass, so shut up and bear with me. IÕm not exactly chipper about my death here either, am I?
ButÑ
Shut the fuck up!
--IÕM DYIIIIIIING! NOOOOOOOOOO, IÕM TOO YOOOOOUUUUUNG!
Kouji sighed heavily, his forehead scrunching up in annoyance and his eyes screwing shut from the deafening noise that apparently was not going away anytime soon.
Dear Lord, why did you have to give me an abomination such as this?
I resent that!
I know, asshole.
He chuckled. He could not believe himself. Here he was, waiting for his death, and he was still arguing with his inner self, his alter ego. He was really mental.
KoujiÕs gaze dropped to the mangled (courtesy of himself, of course) yet living and barely breathing form of Tenten, which was wheeled in gently by the assisting medics. Sakura was getting geared up for the jutsu, gathering up her chakra and concentration for total control as the process goes on.
Kouji ignored the meditating kunoichi and shifted his gaze back on TentenÕs smooth, but tear- and blood-stained face, observing her frowning expression. She could still probably feel numbing pain even through the comatose state she was in. As Sakura had explained earlier, she was like underwater, and she knew it, but she could not escape, not without anotherÕs help. And so, the only way to pull her out of the coma was to have somebody else, another body, to transfer her injuries and coma into.
And that was lucky, fortunate, stupid him.
He had volunteered to be the living body needed for the transfer. All of TentenÕs injuries and wounds and diseases and whatnots will be transferred to his body. There was a chance that he would survive, yes, but considering the range of TentenÕs state, it was a very slim chance.
And that was the reason, yes, that was the reason why he was here, lying down on an operating bed, with his shirt off and his uncoordinated eyes staring up blankly at the ceiling.
He was still under mild shock after all.
His eyes swiveled downwards as a flash of pink approached him. He watched as Sakura walked over to him, her eyes now a gleaming pale pink instead of the charming natural emerald green.
ÒKouji, are you ready? WeÕre waiting for your approval. You can still back out,Ó Sakura smiled at him, placing a hand at his chest and another at TentenÕs.
For a moment there, Kouji seriously considered backing out. But then, he stole a glance at TentenÕs tragically sad face and his resolve broke. ÒNo. No, my mindÕs made up. WeÕre going to do it.Ó
Sakura looked intently into his eyes for a full minute before she gave him a sad, appraising smile. She nodded and closed her eyes.
ÒAny last words, Kazahana?Ó she spoke, her head bowed.
ÒJustÉ just tell that Hyuuga guy to take care of Tenten andÉ and tell him that I want him to tell her that I love her and IÕm sorry,Ó Kouji muttered silently, so that only Sakura could hear his words.
Sakura nodded. ÒHere we goÉÓ
For a moment there, Kouji thought he saw a glimmer of a tear dropping down SakuraÕs cheek, before white-hot blinding pain racked his body and he felt himself fading away, floating between the rift of life and death and sinking into an eternal, deep sleep underwater.
Hinata and Sakura both emerged from the medical room, Hinata looking heartbroken and Sakura looking like she had an 11-ton burden placed upon her sagging shoulders. Sasuke immediately stood up, walking over to Sakura and wordlessly pulling her into a tight, comforting hug. He neednÕt see her face to know that she was feeling heavily guilty for what happened. Her actions and aura had said enough. Several years spent with her as his fiancŽe did not go to waste; he had memorized her thought and action patterns and was able to guess what she was thinking by simply looking at her actions and her aura.
Naruto, meanwhile, looked clueless as Hinata sank down beside him on the sofa.
ÒWhudda matter, Hina-chan?Ó Naruto asked insensitively. Itachi and Kouji both snorted at his stupidity. Naruto turned to look at them. ÒWhat?Ó
Naruto stared at a solemn, silent Hinata, before sighing and just slinging an arm around her shoulder, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. ÒWhatever it is, Hina-chan, donÕt worry too much! Smile for me! Come on!Ó
Hinata forced a small smile that disappeared as quick as lightning. Yet Naruto seemed satisfied with it and smiled along with her, placing a peck on her cheek and picking up his sundae. He spooned a hefty amount and placed it in front of HinataÕs frowning mouth.
ÒCome on, Hinata-chanÉ open up!Ó
Hinata, despite her solemnity and sadness, giggled slightly at NarutoÕs antics, as he pretended it was a train that was waiting to get into the tunnel. Hinata opened her mouth wide enough for the spoon, and Naruto smilingly gently pushed the spoon with the sundae in.
ÒNow, isnÕt that delicious? You stop thinking of whatever youÕre thinking, Hinata-chan, and cheer up! YouÕre turning uglier by the minute if you continue to frown, you knowÉÓ Naruto said. Hinata frowned.
ÒSo you mean IÕm UGLY?Ó
Itachi and Kouji both shook their heads at NarutoÕs insensitivity towards girls.
ÒNo! No, youÕre beautiful, Hinata-chan, what I meant is that youÕll TURN ugly if you continue to frown!Ó
Naruto sweated profusely as he felt HinataÕs wrath leaking dangerously.
ÒOh. Ok.Ó
Then as simple as that, the dangerous aura was replaced by a neutral one, and Hinata was calmly spooning more of NarutoÕs half-eaten sundae into her mouth.
ÒWhereÕs that Kazahana guy?Ó Kouji asked.
Sakura and Hinata both looked at Sasuke.
ÒDidnÕt you tell her, Sasuke-kun?Ó asked Sakura.
ÒI told him.Ó
ÒOh.Ó
ÒKoujiÕs dead. He survived far enough for the injuries to be transferred, but right after the process, he died from excessive loss of blood,Ó Hinata explained, bowing her head. ÒTenten-chanÕs not going to be pleased with this.Ó
ÒSpeaking of which, where is the girl?Ó asked Itachi.
ÒIn the recovery room,Ó Sakura supplied. ÒShe needs to recuperate, her body is exhausted from coping with the transfer. KoujiÕs left a message for Neji. Hinata, would you kindly pass it through for me? I donÕt feel like confronting Neji with the facts right now. I think FukaiÕs went missing too, you know. SheÕs supposed to be here by now, but reports from other medic ninjas say that the parameds we sent to retrieve her were confirmed dead near the mountain foot.Ó
ÒNejiÕs not going to be happy about this either,Ó Sasuke muttered, shaking his head.
ÒGuuuuuys,Ó Shikamaru said, calling their attention. He smiled at them, looking freakishly intimidating. ÒYou have a visitor.Ó
Neji anxiously paced around the cliff edge he was posted to, a thousand thoughts bothering his head.Where is Fukai?
WhatÕs happening in the other side of the mountain?
Is everyone okay?
How many are the casualties?
Did they manage to cure Fukai yet?
Where the hellÕs Tenten when you need her?
WhatÕs with these leaders of ours?
What was that virus injected to Fukai?
Is the ultimate battle on yet?
Can I participate?
What does that virus do?
Where is Fukai?
Is she safe?
Is she alive?
Is she breathing?
Neji fought the urge to scream out loud with great difficulty, fearing to give away his position in the hidden cliff edge. He set up traps lower down in the forest facing the cliff edge to prevent ninjas from entering the perimeter of the higher places in the mountain. That was reserved for the ultimate battle, and so the lower ranks should remain down there. He was in no state to fight too, he was far too distracted right now, and he was still shaken from the last battle with Kanata.
The incident with Fukai had racked his nerves.
These freaks have biological means of warfare on their hands as well! Dammit!
This war was getting more and more desperate as each second, each minute, each hour passed. He glanced at the dawning sky, orange and yellow painting the far eastern side as the sun started rising up to fill the nightÕs bluish darkness with light.
This way, camouflage and stealth will be a lot trickier and this could play on their side.
The rays of sunlight started bathing the green foliage below, the soft light comforting as the night faded away. It seemed to signal the start of a new day, a better tomorrow. And thatÕs what Neji wanted to have. With Fukai.
If she survives.
Neji sighed. Hours had passed since the beginning of the war, and it was not showing any signs of stopping.
He was startled to his senses when a sharp bark of order pierced the silence, though.
ÒNeji! Do you copy?Ó
ÒThis is Neji, I copy. What is it, Uchiha?Ó
ÒWeÕve adjusted plans. Leave and secure a number of traps behind as you leave your post. Proceed towards rendezvous plateau, am I clear?Ó
ÒCrystal.Ó
ÒGood. Over.Ó
NejiÕs eyes narrowed.
This was it. The last battle. The final, decisive battle.
Neji leapt from his post and stringed a couple more traps quickly hidden in the foliage and the rock face, even up on the cliff edge, securing them and then giving one last surveying sweep of his surroundings before he disappeared with a silent poof and a puff of white smoke.
Orochimaru raised his head slowly, his snakelike, shadowed eyes emerging behind his disheveled long hair. The strong wind whipped his jet black ugly hair away from his face, allowing whoever was present to catch a glimpse of the wide smirk gracing his features. He knew that it was a one to four battle, but nevertheless he was confident with himself. After all, heÕll be fighting mere kids.
He had finally reached a high, wide plateau about three-fourths up the mountain. From down below it seemed just a small ledge, but it seemed eyes could be tricky. The plateau covered a few kilometers, and he could see that it was used before as training ground from the evident wide scratches on the cliff face on the other side of the plateau. Those scratches could only be made by ninja weapons or by wind scarring techniques.
He had caught the hint earlier on as the taijutsu kid Rock Lee let him pass through easily, while blocking his subordinate Kabuto. He knew that Kabuto had no chance whatsoever against an expert taijutsu master like the Lee kid, but he neednÕt worry. He didnÕt care a bit if Kabuto didnÕt survive, he was just one other subordinate among many. The only difference was that Kabuto was easily blinded and easy to control.
He felt that the Tasogare leaders had planned something prior and that they wanted him to proceed here for the battle. A line of dead animals and wolves littered the forest back down leading up here, pointing him to the right direction. He had guessed that Gaara had done the honors of slaughtering the animals along the lane, as there were traces of sand everywhere.
His beady little eyes surveyed around, his purple eye shadow ominously visible in the dawning light. There was not a single living, breathing creature on the wide plateau, not even a single bird. It was just him, the wind and the sky. He sighed.
ÒHow impolite. Making the guest wait. Tsk,Ó he muttered, shaking his head mockingly. ÒKids todayÉ what happened to discipline and respect to elders and guests?Ó
ÒThatÕs obsolete, Orochimaru,Ó a voice drawled behind him.
His head snapped around, his hair whipping painfully against his face. He didnÕt seem to mind though, as another wider smirk spread on his face.
ÒAnd discipline and respect cannot apply to you. It simply cannot be,Ó Neji snorted. ÒThe phrase discipline and respect and the name Orochimaru can simply not be found in one sentence.Ó
A small, laughing voice rang in NejiÕs ear, recognizably Naruto. ÒYou tell him, Hyuuga!Ó Neji ignored NarutoÕs comment, intently observing OrochimaruÕs every move as he moved to face about.
ÒAhhÉÓ Orochimaru smiled evilly. ÒHyuuga Neji, the heir of the Hyuuga Branch Family. What an honor to finally meet you.Ó
ÒStop the flattery, you snake,Ó hissed Neji. ÒYouÕve got some debts to pay, and youÕre paying them right NOW!Ó
Neji charged, Byakugan activated, hands in the immediate form of the Hyuuga Gentle Fist Taijutsu. He attacked all out with his fists, managing to land a couple of targeted blows to OrochimaruÕs solar plex, but the enemy seemed unscathed. Orochimaru was even smirking at him. Neji was enraged and growled as he emitted a large amount of chakra into his right fist, jamming it into OrochimaruÕs abdomen. Neji smirked.
But then, with a sudden poof, Orochimaru was replaced with a log, and puffs of white smoke dispersed to reveal NejiÕs palm print on the log, breaking the tough bark. Neji scowled and whipped around, only to be hit with a sudden combination of two punches in the chest and a sound kick on the side of the head. Neji was sure he felt something crack in his chest. The momentum was too much for Neji to withstand, and so his body was thrown sideward and rolled and skidded to a halt a few meters away.
Neji coughed out some blood, but stood up nevertheless. He felt as though his head weighed a million tons and as if the world was too tight to breathe in.
ÒAre you okay, Neji?Ó a worried voice bled through the communication line. It was recognizably Sakura. ÒHold on for a while and fend him off, okay? WeÕll be there in a minute, weÕre having quite some trouble with the incoming batch of wounded people hereÉ theyÕre blocking all the exit paths.Ó
ÒIÕm fine, Sakura, just hurry,Ó Neji snapped. ÒIÕm not sure if IÕll be able to hold him off that long, heÕs too strong for me.Ó
He could almost see Naruto and SasukeÕs raised eyebrows on the other side as he said the last line.
ÒAnd donÕt raise your brows at me, Uchiha, Uzumaki,Ó Neji growled.
ÒWhich Uchiha?Ó asked Itachi.
ÒWhich Uzumaki?Ó followed Kouji.
ÒWhoÕs raising brows?Ó giggled Naruto.
ÒYeah, no oneÕs raising brows,Ó snickered Uchiha.
Neji just scowled, as he analyzed OrochimaruÕs movements. The snake leapt up and threw several kunai with explosive tags on them. Neji smirked, whirling around and creating a shield of whirling chakra around him, deflecting the kunai all at once and making them explode but not letting the shrapnel touch his skin. For all he knew, there might be poison in those kunai.
He was startled, though, as he felt a wet, slimy object wrap around his left arm and shoulder. He turned to see OrochimaruÕs elongated tongue slipping quickly through his defenses and starting to squeeze, the distended flesh reddening as the pressure it applied increased.
ÒWhat do you say, Neji-kun?Ó Orochimaru smiled freakishly.
Neji screamed in agony as Orochimaru started squeezing even more, reducing the Hyuuga to his knees. Neji scowled as wave over wave of pain invaded his body, emanating from his arm, which was currently being tortured mercilessly.
Damn! IÕm too distracted to fight this fight!
It was true. Neji was too distracted by all the matters plaguing his already cluttered mind. He could not concentrate on the fight and think up a strategy to defeat Orochimaru. It was a losing battle, he knew, but he had to keep on fighting until reinforcement comes. And it didnÕt look good at all, not at all.
He screamed out as he felt something pop in his shoulder and something crack in his upper arm. White-hot pain flooded his senses as the thick, slimy tongue retreated back, leaving the mangled arm. Neji carefully cradled his arm, crying out at the littlest bit of movement. A single, tiny movement caused tons of pain.
He gritted teeth and slumped over on the ground, the pain more than he could comprehend. The training theyÕd done was supposed to give him more pain endurance, but he guessed that he already had a concussion and a couple of broken ribs to add to the dislocated and mangled arm on his side, so his pain endurance must have gone through the brink already. He was also exhausted from his earlier fight with Kanata, and from the ordeal with Fukai.
He simply wasnÕt ready to fight this freak.
Orochimaru walked over to his slumped figure, smirking as he watched Neji writhe in pain. NejiÕs left hand was protruding at an odd angle out of his slumped body, and it was immobile, but Orochimaru was sure he could still feel pain on it.
He sadistically stepped on the hand painfully, making Neji cry out again.
ÒNeji-kun, you made a wrong choice, you knowÉ you should not have gone here. You should not have followed orders, presuming that they ordered you here,Ó Orochimaru sneered. ÒAnd now lookÑÒ he said, emphasizing his words by hefting his body weight on NejiÕs hand under his foot. ÒÑwhat you got. Injuries. And lots of them.Ó
Orochimaru was evidently having fun. Neji could plainly see that. He was all out on sadist mode.
ÒBut I have a proposition for you, Neji-kun,Ó he hissed silently, heaving more weight on NejiÕs hand, making him grind his teeth in pain. Orochimaru wiggled his foot, applying pressure on the crushed and bleeding hand even more to emphasize his meaning and make sure his words sank right into NejiÕs concussed brain. ÒYou join me, and I will have the best of the medic nins cure all your injuries and give your power beyond what you know. All it takes is a single yes or no, Neji-kunÉ yes or noÉÓ
Neji sneered. ÒNEVER!Ó he yelled, pulling out a kunai with his good hand and thrusting it painfully into OrochimaruÕs ankle, hitting bone and severing ligaments. Orochimaru immediately backed away from him, stumbling and gasping in pain from the small yet precariously placed wound he had harbored.
Neji forced himself in an upright sitting position, glaring holes and daggers at Orochimaru while cradling his even more mangled arm. He examined his hand, and shook his head.
DamnÉ completely crushed! I was too carelessÉ I underestimated him, and on top of that, I wasnÕt able to concentrate!
He smirked, though, as he mockingly watched Orochimaru struggle to stand with his new injury. He was not bleeding that profusely, but the kunai he had embedded in his ankle, which was now gone, had severed several ligaments and arteries connecting his leg to his foot. He also hit the ball of his ankle and slightly knocked it out of place, making it a bit hard from him to balance himself without experiencing severe pain.
ÒGood work, Hyuuga,Ó a voice came from directly behind him. Neji whirled around, his hair whipping in a tight circle, before he sat facing Itachi, Kouji, Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura and Hinata.
Itachi smirked as Orochimaru barely managed to stand in front of them, glaring them down. ÒHello, partner. Had a nice little appetizer with our Hyuuga?Ó
ÒYou didnÕt manage to inflict major injuries on him, but you managed to place a small injury on a very precarious place. This would bear to our side a lot, Neji,Ó Sasuke smirked.
ÒI know. And thatÕs about the best thing I can do, with this arm on me,Ó Neji snorted, motioning to his mangled arm.
Hinata and Sakura grimaced. ÒBoys,Ó Hinata muttered, shaking her head. She knelt down beside Neji and started checking for any internal injuries with her Byakugan. ÒMajor concussion on his left temporal lobe, 5 broken ribs, 3 fractured, dislocated shoulder, broken arm andÉ damn, thatÕs some crushed hand!Ó
ÒWhen will you guys ever learn to take care of yourselves? You keep on playing your dangerous games, but then afterwards you come crying down to us with injuries too massive to even imagine!Ó Sakura exasperatedly breathed, blowing on a strand of her bubblegum pink hair gleaming whitish in the moonlight.
ÒChill, Sakura-chan,Ó Naruto grinned. ÒWe know for a fact that no matter how severe the injury is, you have a way of curing it!Ó
Sakura rolled her eyes. ÒYou guys are well damn lucky I do know ways of curing itÉÓ
ÒWonder why you didnÕt manage to tolerate the pain, though, Neji,Ó Sasuke muttered. ÒAfter all those trainingÉÓ
ÒTell me something I donÕt know,Ó Neji snorted. ÒIÕve been wondering myself.Ó
ÒThe concussion had affected his endurance. A part of his brain that controls the body endurance has been hit by the concussion and so his bodyÕs endurance was weakened,Ó Hinata explained, while she started channeling chakra to his broken ribs, mending them together again.
ÒFreaky knew what he was doing, then,Ó Kouji muttered. Then he glanced at Orochimaru, who was smirking. ÒDidnÕt you?Ó
ÒYesÉ of course I did,Ó Orochimaru smirked, the ÔsÕ sliding off his tongue with a sinister, trademark hiss.
ÒI trust you girls can take care of Neji, then?Ó Itachi said, glancing at Sakura. Sakura glanced back and nodded.
ÒThis is no matter,Ó Sakura said. ÒYou go ahead and have someÉ fun.Ó
Sasuke and Itachi both smirked.
Kouji and Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke and reappeared on OrochimaruÕs other side, the four of them now forming a secure square around the snake.
ÒFour against one? IsnÕt that unfair?Ó Orochimaru hissed.
ÒAw, donÕt start, Freaky, donÕt tell me you ainÕt unfair yourself!Ó Naruto snorted.
ÒThis isnÕt the world of the samurai, Freaky,Ó Kouji snickered. ÒHonor and pride doesnÕt hold high in this world. This is the world of the ninja.Ó
With that, the four of them simultaneously launched attacks on Orochimaru. Kouji sprang up and came with a roundhouse kick that was blocked sharply by OrochimaruÕs left arm, though the impact was remarkable. The strength Kouji had was almost equal to Sakura and TsunadeÕs strength. Itachi kept OrochimaruÕs other arm occupied by letting him block his sharp jabs with much effort, as Itachi was moving very fast.
ÒKAGE BUNSHIN!Ó
Kouji and Itachi then both leapt back, giving way for Naruto and a bunch of bunshins who started beating on a struggling Orochimaru. Seconds later, the bunshins disappeared as Orochimaru swiped two kunais around him in a whirl. As his whirl stopped and the smoke dispersed, though, Sasuke emerged and went under Orochimaru, connecting a sharp kick to the snakeÕs chin. The kick sent him flying upwards, and Sasuke smirked.
Perfect.
ÒOutta the way, aniki!Ó he yelled, and Itachi nodded, stepping aside and giving Sasuke wide berth as he leapt in a straight line upwards, leveling with OrochimaruÕs body. Freaky sent him a glance that was plainly shocked, before Sasuke performed with lightning speed the technique he had stolen from Rock Lee a long, long time ago.
ÒSHISHI RENDAN!Ó
Four perfectly measured and landed kicks hit Orochimaru in his solar plexus and his spinal column, the impacting throwing and buffeting him around the air as they slowly fell down. Then, with an immense surge of monstrous Blue Wolf chakra, Sasuke connected a painful kick on FreakyÕs solar plexus once again, the impact throwing him forcefully on the ground and making the soil crack and splinter. The momentum of the force buffeted OrochimaruÕs body and helplessly bounced him painfully against the hard, cold ground.
Sasuke landed back down beside his older brother, who patted him on the back for acknowledgement. Sasuke just smirked as Orochimaru got back up, wiping blood trickling down from his mouth. Orochimaru frowned and quickly started making seals in a fast pace.
The four of them immediately geared up and spread out in case of a drastic attack.
ÒRise, my faithful puppets!Ó Orochimaru hissed, a smirk gracing his face.
Figures immediately emerged from the ground, slowly molding and shaping themselves into finer features. Finally, as the figures finished molding, the four boys were shocked to find who their opponents were.
ÒYou seem to have forgotten that I can bring back the dead,Ó Orochimaru drawled in a lazy voice. ÒOnly thing is, they will only follow me and only me.Ó
Naruto now faced Sandaime-sama. Kouji was facing the Yondaime, more specifically, his father. Sasuke was facing his father as well, and Itachi was facing Uchiha Shisui, his best friend, the one who had died prior to the family massacre.
They now faced the person they were most weak against.
-
-
-
-
In the distance, in the deep greenery, Fukai faced a large cave entrance. Clutching her leg, she struggled to enter the cave, limping slightly, trying her best not to cry, trying her best not to think of Neji, trying her best to ignore the sounds and the scent of death.
The previous nightÉ
Fukai willed her arm to reach to the rubber bandage cutting off the blood supply to her already dying leg. Even though wave after wave of unbearable pain crashed down on her, she bore it bravely and pulled on the tight knot to release the rubber.
She cried out as the restraint broke loose and the blood rushed back and forth in her arteries and veins. The medic nins were startled, as they had not noticed that she was moving around in the stretcher. The parameds were more worried about avoiding the battlegrounds in fear of endangering their own lives and their patientÕs already fragile life.
Fukai gritted her teeth as she felt as if sharp, pricking senbon needles were pushing in and out of her leg muscles. Spasms and muscle vibrations were evident even with the naked eye, as her leg slowly and very painfully regained life. Another added pain was the feeling of the burning virus spreading up her thigh very, very slowly and agonizingly. But she willed herself to ignore the white-hot blinding pain and sat up, stretching her legs.
ÒFukai-san! Lie back down and rest!Ó one of the parameds gushed, as they continued to run towards the entrance to the mountainÕs inner confines.
ÒWeÕre near, Fukai-san, donÕt you worry.Ó
Another one visibly scowled, the one who seemed to be the team leader. ÒWakachi-san, give her the antidote!Ó
ÒBut the antidote is not enough to kill all the virus!Ó
ÒGive it to her, itÕs enough to at least fight off the virus for a couple of hours before it comes back!Ó
The guy called Wakachi nodded to another ninja who immediately took over his post in carrying the stretcher. Wakachi broke into a sprint beside her as he prepared the antidote, slipping a vial into an injection tube. ÒThis will sting a bit.Ó
Wakachi drove the needle of the injection tube into FukaiÕs thigh, making her cry out. The pain of the needle on added to the pain she was already feeling in her burning legs. Wakachi pressed hard while sprinting and emptied the contents of the tube quickly, pulling it out with regal care.
Miraculously, Fukai immediately felt the effect of the antidote, as a cool, refreshing feeling spread out from the point where the needle pierced her and throughout her whole leg. It was a welcome relief, a heaven from the blinding pain she had been bearing only a few moments ago. Though her flesh was still bruised and sore from the tightness of the temporary tourniquet, she was a hell lot better.
ÒThis will only be temporary, Fukai-san, the antidote will keep the virus at bay for a couple of hoursÉ and after that, God knows what will happen. But hopefully weÕll be able to purge the virus before then.Ó
Fukai nodded her thanks to the guy who had administered the dose.
ÒI will regret what I will do next, you guys, and I am sorry in advance,Ó Fukai suddenly said.
Wakachi and the others were both shocked and bewildered at the same time, and having nothing to say, they just gaped openly at the girl they were carrying.
A few moments later, the parameds were all lying on the forest floor, unconscious. Fukai weakly hobbled through the thick undergrowth, bearing the half-dead weight of her half-dead leg. She had managed to take them on and knock them out in a matter of seconds, using her unique techniques.
This is a painful sacrificeÉ and a tiring one at thatÉ but I have toÉ
Fukai disappeared into the darkness of the early morning, hiding under the shadows of the foliage and slipping through the battlegrounds, mostly clearings and glades. There were some who battled at the treetops, but they were far too high and far too occupied to notice her slipping in and out of the shadows quietly and innocently. She could feel her leg starting to tingle as the blood started rejuvenating the deadened nerve control.
Good, itÕs returningÉ
She sighed as she looked up at the constellations, the sky still a strange red to her eyes. According to the sky map, she was heading East. She needed to go South East. She turned and started heading a different way.
IÕm so sorry you guysÉ
She walked on determinedly, despite the loneliness, silence, noise and darkness enveloping her like some stifling blanket.
Ébut this is what I was predestined to doÉ
She smiled wistfully.
Éand this is my duty.
Kouji stared blankly at the white ceiling, his heart thundering in nervousness inside his aching chest. He stared down the ceiling as his last moments of life counted down slowly. He just made the most difficult decision of his life and the fact still didnÕt sink in deep enough for him to comprehend everything happening around him.
It was a little hard to process that he was giving up his life RIGHT NOW for the girl he had vowed to hunt and kill ever since he could remember.
I guess I do love her, donÕt I?
What did I tell you, boy? Ooooh my, IÕm dying, IÕm dying, IÕm ACTUALLY DYIIIIIING!
Will you shut up?
Why did you have to risk your life like this? Why did you have to risk OUR lives like this! You didnÕt even think that there are TWO minds in this body, not ONE!
Even though there are two minds in this body, I am still in control, dumbass, so shut up and bear with me. IÕm not exactly chipper about my death here either, am I?
ButÑ
Shut the fuck up!
--IÕM DYIIIIIIING! NOOOOOOOOOO, IÕM TOO YOOOOOUUUUUNG!
Kouji sighed heavily, his forehead scrunching up in annoyance and his eyes screwing shut from the deafening noise that apparently was not going away anytime soon.
Dear Lord, why did you have to give me an abomination such as this?
I resent that!
I know, asshole.
He chuckled. He could not believe himself. Here he was, waiting for his death, and he was still arguing with his inner self, his alter ego. He was really mental.
KoujiÕs gaze dropped to the mangled (courtesy of himself, of course) yet living and barely breathing form of Tenten, which was wheeled in gently by the assisting medics. Sakura was getting geared up for the jutsu, gathering up her chakra and concentration for total control as the process goes on.
Kouji ignored the meditating kunoichi and shifted his gaze back on TentenÕs smooth, but tear- and blood-stained face, observing her frowning expression. She could still probably feel numbing pain even through the comatose state she was in. As Sakura had explained earlier, she was like underwater, and she knew it, but she could not escape, not without anotherÕs help. And so, the only way to pull her out of the coma was to have somebody else, another body, to transfer her injuries and coma into.
And that was lucky, fortunate, stupid him.
He had volunteered to be the living body needed for the transfer. All of TentenÕs injuries and wounds and diseases and whatnots will be transferred to his body. There was a chance that he would survive, yes, but considering the range of TentenÕs state, it was a very slim chance.
And that was the reason, yes, that was the reason why he was here, lying down on an operating bed, with his shirt off and his uncoordinated eyes staring up blankly at the ceiling.
He was still under mild shock after all.
His eyes swiveled downwards as a flash of pink approached him. He watched as Sakura walked over to him, her eyes now a gleaming pale pink instead of the charming natural emerald green.
ÒKouji, are you ready? WeÕre waiting for your approval. You can still back out,Ó Sakura smiled at him, placing a hand at his chest and another at TentenÕs.
For a moment there, Kouji seriously considered backing out. But then, he stole a glance at TentenÕs tragically sad face and his resolve broke. ÒNo. No, my mindÕs made up. WeÕre going to do it.Ó
Sakura looked intently into his eyes for a full minute before she gave him a sad, appraising smile. She nodded and closed her eyes.
ÒAny last words, Kazahana?Ó she spoke, her head bowed.
ÒJustÉ just tell that Hyuuga guy to take care of Tenten andÉ and tell him that I want him to tell her that I love her and IÕm sorry,Ó Kouji muttered silently, so that only Sakura could hear his words.
Sakura nodded. ÒHere we goÉÓ
For a moment there, Kouji thought he saw a glimmer of a tear dropping down SakuraÕs cheek, before white-hot blinding pain racked his body and he felt himself fading away, floating between the rift of life and death and sinking into an eternal, deep sleep underwater.
Hinata and Sakura both emerged from the medical room, Hinata looking heartbroken and Sakura looking like she had an 11-ton burden placed upon her sagging shoulders. Sasuke immediately stood up, walking over to Sakura and wordlessly pulling her into a tight, comforting hug. He neednÕt see her face to know that she was feeling heavily guilty for what happened. Her actions and aura had said enough. Several years spent with her as his fiancŽe did not go to waste; he had memorized her thought and action patterns and was able to guess what she was thinking by simply looking at her actions and her aura.
Naruto, meanwhile, looked clueless as Hinata sank down beside him on the sofa.
ÒWhudda matter, Hina-chan?Ó Naruto asked insensitively. Itachi and Kouji both snorted at his stupidity. Naruto turned to look at them. ÒWhat?Ó
Naruto stared at a solemn, silent Hinata, before sighing and just slinging an arm around her shoulder, allowing her to rest her head on his shoulder. ÒWhatever it is, Hina-chan, donÕt worry too much! Smile for me! Come on!Ó
Hinata forced a small smile that disappeared as quick as lightning. Yet Naruto seemed satisfied with it and smiled along with her, placing a peck on her cheek and picking up his sundae. He spooned a hefty amount and placed it in front of HinataÕs frowning mouth.
ÒCome on, Hinata-chanÉ open up!Ó
Hinata, despite her solemnity and sadness, giggled slightly at NarutoÕs antics, as he pretended it was a train that was waiting to get into the tunnel. Hinata opened her mouth wide enough for the spoon, and Naruto smilingly gently pushed the spoon with the sundae in.
ÒNow, isnÕt that delicious? You stop thinking of whatever youÕre thinking, Hinata-chan, and cheer up! YouÕre turning uglier by the minute if you continue to frown, you knowÉÓ Naruto said. Hinata frowned.
ÒSo you mean IÕm UGLY?Ó
Itachi and Kouji both shook their heads at NarutoÕs insensitivity towards girls.
ÒNo! No, youÕre beautiful, Hinata-chan, what I meant is that youÕll TURN ugly if you continue to frown!Ó
Naruto sweated profusely as he felt HinataÕs wrath leaking dangerously.
ÒOh. Ok.Ó
Then as simple as that, the dangerous aura was replaced by a neutral one, and Hinata was calmly spooning more of NarutoÕs half-eaten sundae into her mouth.
ÒWhereÕs that Kazahana guy?Ó Kouji asked.
Sakura and Hinata both looked at Sasuke.
ÒDidnÕt you tell her, Sasuke-kun?Ó asked Sakura.
ÒI told him.Ó
ÒOh.Ó
ÒKoujiÕs dead. He survived far enough for the injuries to be transferred, but right after the process, he died from excessive loss of blood,Ó Hinata explained, bowing her head. ÒTenten-chanÕs not going to be pleased with this.Ó
ÒSpeaking of which, where is the girl?Ó asked Itachi.
ÒIn the recovery room,Ó Sakura supplied. ÒShe needs to recuperate, her body is exhausted from coping with the transfer. KoujiÕs left a message for Neji. Hinata, would you kindly pass it through for me? I donÕt feel like confronting Neji with the facts right now. I think FukaiÕs went missing too, you know. SheÕs supposed to be here by now, but reports from other medic ninjas say that the parameds we sent to retrieve her were confirmed dead near the mountain foot.Ó
ÒNejiÕs not going to be happy about this either,Ó Sasuke muttered, shaking his head.
ÒGuuuuuys,Ó Shikamaru said, calling their attention. He smiled at them, looking freakishly intimidating. ÒYou have a visitor.Ó
Neji anxiously paced around the cliff edge he was posted to, a thousand thoughts bothering his head.Where is Fukai?
WhatÕs happening in the other side of the mountain?
Is everyone okay?
How many are the casualties?
Did they manage to cure Fukai yet?
Where the hellÕs Tenten when you need her?
WhatÕs with these leaders of ours?
What was that virus injected to Fukai?
Is the ultimate battle on yet?
Can I participate?
What does that virus do?
Where is Fukai?
Is she safe?
Is she alive?
Is she breathing?
Neji fought the urge to scream out loud with great difficulty, fearing to give away his position in the hidden cliff edge. He set up traps lower down in the forest facing the cliff edge to prevent ninjas from entering the perimeter of the higher places in the mountain. That was reserved for the ultimate battle, and so the lower ranks should remain down there. He was in no state to fight too, he was far too distracted right now, and he was still shaken from the last battle with Kanata.
The incident with Fukai had racked his nerves.
These freaks have biological means of warfare on their hands as well! Dammit!
This war was getting more and more desperate as each second, each minute, each hour passed. He glanced at the dawning sky, orange and yellow painting the far eastern side as the sun started rising up to fill the nightÕs bluish darkness with light.
This way, camouflage and stealth will be a lot trickier and this could play on their side.
The rays of sunlight started bathing the green foliage below, the soft light comforting as the night faded away. It seemed to signal the start of a new day, a better tomorrow. And thatÕs what Neji wanted to have. With Fukai.
If she survives.
Neji sighed. Hours had passed since the beginning of the war, and it was not showing any signs of stopping.
He was startled to his senses when a sharp bark of order pierced the silence, though.
ÒNeji! Do you copy?Ó
ÒThis is Neji, I copy. What is it, Uchiha?Ó
ÒWeÕve adjusted plans. Leave and secure a number of traps behind as you leave your post. Proceed towards rendezvous plateau, am I clear?Ó
ÒCrystal.Ó
ÒGood. Over.Ó
NejiÕs eyes narrowed.
This was it. The last battle. The final, decisive battle.
Neji leapt from his post and stringed a couple more traps quickly hidden in the foliage and the rock face, even up on the cliff edge, securing them and then giving one last surveying sweep of his surroundings before he disappeared with a silent poof and a puff of white smoke.
Orochimaru raised his head slowly, his snakelike, shadowed eyes emerging behind his disheveled long hair. The strong wind whipped his jet black ugly hair away from his face, allowing whoever was present to catch a glimpse of the wide smirk gracing his features. He knew that it was a one to four battle, but nevertheless he was confident with himself. After all, heÕll be fighting mere kids.
He had finally reached a high, wide plateau about three-fourths up the mountain. From down below it seemed just a small ledge, but it seemed eyes could be tricky. The plateau covered a few kilometers, and he could see that it was used before as training ground from the evident wide scratches on the cliff face on the other side of the plateau. Those scratches could only be made by ninja weapons or by wind scarring techniques.
He had caught the hint earlier on as the taijutsu kid Rock Lee let him pass through easily, while blocking his subordinate Kabuto. He knew that Kabuto had no chance whatsoever against an expert taijutsu master like the Lee kid, but he neednÕt worry. He didnÕt care a bit if Kabuto didnÕt survive, he was just one other subordinate among many. The only difference was that Kabuto was easily blinded and easy to control.
He felt that the Tasogare leaders had planned something prior and that they wanted him to proceed here for the battle. A line of dead animals and wolves littered the forest back down leading up here, pointing him to the right direction. He had guessed that Gaara had done the honors of slaughtering the animals along the lane, as there were traces of sand everywhere.
His beady little eyes surveyed around, his purple eye shadow ominously visible in the dawning light. There was not a single living, breathing creature on the wide plateau, not even a single bird. It was just him, the wind and the sky. He sighed.
ÒHow impolite. Making the guest wait. Tsk,Ó he muttered, shaking his head mockingly. ÒKids todayÉ what happened to discipline and respect to elders and guests?Ó
ÒThatÕs obsolete, Orochimaru,Ó a voice drawled behind him.
His head snapped around, his hair whipping painfully against his face. He didnÕt seem to mind though, as another wider smirk spread on his face.
ÒAnd discipline and respect cannot apply to you. It simply cannot be,Ó Neji snorted. ÒThe phrase discipline and respect and the name Orochimaru can simply not be found in one sentence.Ó
A small, laughing voice rang in NejiÕs ear, recognizably Naruto. ÒYou tell him, Hyuuga!Ó Neji ignored NarutoÕs comment, intently observing OrochimaruÕs every move as he moved to face about.
ÒAhhÉÓ Orochimaru smiled evilly. ÒHyuuga Neji, the heir of the Hyuuga Branch Family. What an honor to finally meet you.Ó
ÒStop the flattery, you snake,Ó hissed Neji. ÒYouÕve got some debts to pay, and youÕre paying them right NOW!Ó
Neji charged, Byakugan activated, hands in the immediate form of the Hyuuga Gentle Fist Taijutsu. He attacked all out with his fists, managing to land a couple of targeted blows to OrochimaruÕs solar plex, but the enemy seemed unscathed. Orochimaru was even smirking at him. Neji was enraged and growled as he emitted a large amount of chakra into his right fist, jamming it into OrochimaruÕs abdomen. Neji smirked.
But then, with a sudden poof, Orochimaru was replaced with a log, and puffs of white smoke dispersed to reveal NejiÕs palm print on the log, breaking the tough bark. Neji scowled and whipped around, only to be hit with a sudden combination of two punches in the chest and a sound kick on the side of the head. Neji was sure he felt something crack in his chest. The momentum was too much for Neji to withstand, and so his body was thrown sideward and rolled and skidded to a halt a few meters away.
Neji coughed out some blood, but stood up nevertheless. He felt as though his head weighed a million tons and as if the world was too tight to breathe in.
ÒAre you okay, Neji?Ó a worried voice bled through the communication line. It was recognizably Sakura. ÒHold on for a while and fend him off, okay? WeÕll be there in a minute, weÕre having quite some trouble with the incoming batch of wounded people hereÉ theyÕre blocking all the exit paths.Ó
ÒIÕm fine, Sakura, just hurry,Ó Neji snapped. ÒIÕm not sure if IÕll be able to hold him off that long, heÕs too strong for me.Ó
He could almost see Naruto and SasukeÕs raised eyebrows on the other side as he said the last line.
ÒAnd donÕt raise your brows at me, Uchiha, Uzumaki,Ó Neji growled.
ÒWhich Uchiha?Ó asked Itachi.
ÒWhich Uzumaki?Ó followed Kouji.
ÒWhoÕs raising brows?Ó giggled Naruto.
ÒYeah, no oneÕs raising brows,Ó snickered Uchiha.
Neji just scowled, as he analyzed OrochimaruÕs movements. The snake leapt up and threw several kunai with explosive tags on them. Neji smirked, whirling around and creating a shield of whirling chakra around him, deflecting the kunai all at once and making them explode but not letting the shrapnel touch his skin. For all he knew, there might be poison in those kunai.
He was startled, though, as he felt a wet, slimy object wrap around his left arm and shoulder. He turned to see OrochimaruÕs elongated tongue slipping quickly through his defenses and starting to squeeze, the distended flesh reddening as the pressure it applied increased.
ÒWhat do you say, Neji-kun?Ó Orochimaru smiled freakishly.
Neji screamed in agony as Orochimaru started squeezing even more, reducing the Hyuuga to his knees. Neji scowled as wave over wave of pain invaded his body, emanating from his arm, which was currently being tortured mercilessly.
Damn! IÕm too distracted to fight this fight!
It was true. Neji was too distracted by all the matters plaguing his already cluttered mind. He could not concentrate on the fight and think up a strategy to defeat Orochimaru. It was a losing battle, he knew, but he had to keep on fighting until reinforcement comes. And it didnÕt look good at all, not at all.
He screamed out as he felt something pop in his shoulder and something crack in his upper arm. White-hot pain flooded his senses as the thick, slimy tongue retreated back, leaving the mangled arm. Neji carefully cradled his arm, crying out at the littlest bit of movement. A single, tiny movement caused tons of pain.
He gritted teeth and slumped over on the ground, the pain more than he could comprehend. The training theyÕd done was supposed to give him more pain endurance, but he guessed that he already had a concussion and a couple of broken ribs to add to the dislocated and mangled arm on his side, so his pain endurance must have gone through the brink already. He was also exhausted from his earlier fight with Kanata, and from the ordeal with Fukai.
He simply wasnÕt ready to fight this freak.
Orochimaru walked over to his slumped figure, smirking as he watched Neji writhe in pain. NejiÕs left hand was protruding at an odd angle out of his slumped body, and it was immobile, but Orochimaru was sure he could still feel pain on it.
He sadistically stepped on the hand painfully, making Neji cry out again.
ÒNeji-kun, you made a wrong choice, you knowÉ you should not have gone here. You should not have followed orders, presuming that they ordered you here,Ó Orochimaru sneered. ÒAnd now lookÑÒ he said, emphasizing his words by hefting his body weight on NejiÕs hand under his foot. ÒÑwhat you got. Injuries. And lots of them.Ó
Orochimaru was evidently having fun. Neji could plainly see that. He was all out on sadist mode.
ÒBut I have a proposition for you, Neji-kun,Ó he hissed silently, heaving more weight on NejiÕs hand, making him grind his teeth in pain. Orochimaru wiggled his foot, applying pressure on the crushed and bleeding hand even more to emphasize his meaning and make sure his words sank right into NejiÕs concussed brain. ÒYou join me, and I will have the best of the medic nins cure all your injuries and give your power beyond what you know. All it takes is a single yes or no, Neji-kunÉ yes or noÉÓ
Neji sneered. ÒNEVER!Ó he yelled, pulling out a kunai with his good hand and thrusting it painfully into OrochimaruÕs ankle, hitting bone and severing ligaments. Orochimaru immediately backed away from him, stumbling and gasping in pain from the small yet precariously placed wound he had harbored.
Neji forced himself in an upright sitting position, glaring holes and daggers at Orochimaru while cradling his even more mangled arm. He examined his hand, and shook his head.
DamnÉ completely crushed! I was too carelessÉ I underestimated him, and on top of that, I wasnÕt able to concentrate!
He smirked, though, as he mockingly watched Orochimaru struggle to stand with his new injury. He was not bleeding that profusely, but the kunai he had embedded in his ankle, which was now gone, had severed several ligaments and arteries connecting his leg to his foot. He also hit the ball of his ankle and slightly knocked it out of place, making it a bit hard from him to balance himself without experiencing severe pain.
ÒGood work, Hyuuga,Ó a voice came from directly behind him. Neji whirled around, his hair whipping in a tight circle, before he sat facing Itachi, Kouji, Sasuke, Naruto, Sakura and Hinata.
Itachi smirked as Orochimaru barely managed to stand in front of them, glaring them down. ÒHello, partner. Had a nice little appetizer with our Hyuuga?Ó
ÒYou didnÕt manage to inflict major injuries on him, but you managed to place a small injury on a very precarious place. This would bear to our side a lot, Neji,Ó Sasuke smirked.
ÒI know. And thatÕs about the best thing I can do, with this arm on me,Ó Neji snorted, motioning to his mangled arm.
Hinata and Sakura grimaced. ÒBoys,Ó Hinata muttered, shaking her head. She knelt down beside Neji and started checking for any internal injuries with her Byakugan. ÒMajor concussion on his left temporal lobe, 5 broken ribs, 3 fractured, dislocated shoulder, broken arm andÉ damn, thatÕs some crushed hand!Ó
ÒWhen will you guys ever learn to take care of yourselves? You keep on playing your dangerous games, but then afterwards you come crying down to us with injuries too massive to even imagine!Ó Sakura exasperatedly breathed, blowing on a strand of her bubblegum pink hair gleaming whitish in the moonlight.
ÒChill, Sakura-chan,Ó Naruto grinned. ÒWe know for a fact that no matter how severe the injury is, you have a way of curing it!Ó
Sakura rolled her eyes. ÒYou guys are well damn lucky I do know ways of curing itÉÓ
ÒWonder why you didnÕt manage to tolerate the pain, though, Neji,Ó Sasuke muttered. ÒAfter all those trainingÉÓ
ÒTell me something I donÕt know,Ó Neji snorted. ÒIÕve been wondering myself.Ó
ÒThe concussion had affected his endurance. A part of his brain that controls the body endurance has been hit by the concussion and so his bodyÕs endurance was weakened,Ó Hinata explained, while she started channeling chakra to his broken ribs, mending them together again.
ÒFreaky knew what he was doing, then,Ó Kouji muttered. Then he glanced at Orochimaru, who was smirking. ÒDidnÕt you?Ó
ÒYesÉ of course I did,Ó Orochimaru smirked, the ÔsÕ sliding off his tongue with a sinister, trademark hiss.
ÒI trust you girls can take care of Neji, then?Ó Itachi said, glancing at Sakura. Sakura glanced back and nodded.
ÒThis is no matter,Ó Sakura said. ÒYou go ahead and have someÉ fun.Ó
Sasuke and Itachi both smirked.
Kouji and Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke and reappeared on OrochimaruÕs other side, the four of them now forming a secure square around the snake.
ÒFour against one? IsnÕt that unfair?Ó Orochimaru hissed.
ÒAw, donÕt start, Freaky, donÕt tell me you ainÕt unfair yourself!Ó Naruto snorted.
ÒThis isnÕt the world of the samurai, Freaky,Ó Kouji snickered. ÒHonor and pride doesnÕt hold high in this world. This is the world of the ninja.Ó
With that, the four of them simultaneously launched attacks on Orochimaru. Kouji sprang up and came with a roundhouse kick that was blocked sharply by OrochimaruÕs left arm, though the impact was remarkable. The strength Kouji had was almost equal to Sakura and TsunadeÕs strength. Itachi kept OrochimaruÕs other arm occupied by letting him block his sharp jabs with much effort, as Itachi was moving very fast.
ÒKAGE BUNSHIN!Ó
Kouji and Itachi then both leapt back, giving way for Naruto and a bunch of bunshins who started beating on a struggling Orochimaru. Seconds later, the bunshins disappeared as Orochimaru swiped two kunais around him in a whirl. As his whirl stopped and the smoke dispersed, though, Sasuke emerged and went under Orochimaru, connecting a sharp kick to the snakeÕs chin. The kick sent him flying upwards, and Sasuke smirked.
Perfect.
ÒOutta the way, aniki!Ó he yelled, and Itachi nodded, stepping aside and giving Sasuke wide berth as he leapt in a straight line upwards, leveling with OrochimaruÕs body. Freaky sent him a glance that was plainly shocked, before Sasuke performed with lightning speed the technique he had stolen from Rock Lee a long, long time ago.
ÒSHISHI RENDAN!Ó
Four perfectly measured and landed kicks hit Orochimaru in his solar plexus and his spinal column, the impacting throwing and buffeting him around the air as they slowly fell down. Then, with an immense surge of monstrous Blue Wolf chakra, Sasuke connected a painful kick on FreakyÕs solar plexus once again, the impact throwing him forcefully on the ground and making the soil crack and splinter. The momentum of the force buffeted OrochimaruÕs body and helplessly bounced him painfully against the hard, cold ground.
Sasuke landed back down beside his older brother, who patted him on the back for acknowledgement. Sasuke just smirked as Orochimaru got back up, wiping blood trickling down from his mouth. Orochimaru frowned and quickly started making seals in a fast pace.
The four of them immediately geared up and spread out in case of a drastic attack.
ÒRise, my faithful puppets!Ó Orochimaru hissed, a smirk gracing his face.
Figures immediately emerged from the ground, slowly molding and shaping themselves into finer features. Finally, as the figures finished molding, the four boys were shocked to find who their opponents were.
ÒYou seem to have forgotten that I can bring back the dead,Ó Orochimaru drawled in a lazy voice. ÒOnly thing is, they will only follow me and only me.Ó
Naruto now faced Sandaime-sama. Kouji was facing the Yondaime, more specifically, his father. Sasuke was facing his father as well, and Itachi was facing Uchiha Shisui, his best friend, the one who had died prior to the family massacre.
They now faced the person they were most weak against.
-
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In the distance, in the deep greenery, Fukai faced a large cave entrance. Clutching her leg, she struggled to enter the cave, limping slightly, trying her best not to cry, trying her best not to think of Neji, trying her best to ignore the sounds and the scent of death.