Shinobi

[Chevron 7 locke]

"He's you're friend Karela, he would never say anything to hurt you on purpose. I know he doesn't think you're a monster."

 

"But what he said...he was right in a way. I transformed and then immediatly went after them. I was so filled with rage and sorrow with what Takai had said that I couldn't control myself."

 

"You still have time to give him that chance."

 

"I...think I should. As soon as he finishes talking with the others then I plan on letting him explain why he said that, But first I think I'll apologize to him for getting angry."

[Cyborg Ninja]

"I...think I should. As soon as he finishes talking with the others then I plan on letting him explain why he said that, But first I think I'll apologize to him for getting angry."

 

Specter looked into Karela's eyes and for a few seconds he could see his own daughter staring back at him.

 

"Now that sounds like a great plan to me Karela," he said as if he were truly her father.

[DrPhil2501]

"My body has been able to turn into ice for 17 minutes Tategami sensai."

 

Tategami nodded. "You seem to be an ideal candidate for this objective. We will need you to guide yourself through the Steam Shaft, until you reach the dead end - where the room housing the control console will be situated. If you are coated with ice, it should be resistant against the heat of the steam. But you will need to hurry, before the steam melts the ice. Its risky, but do you think you can handle it?"

 

"The steam shaft runs along one of the paths towards the reactor core. We can send a team through to ensure you're survival, if its a case of using an explosive tag to remove a section of the pipe." Naruto added. "Everybody here will be split into teams. I will lead Team 1, who will travel into the Reactor Core itself. You can rendevous with us once you're objective is complete, Takeda. Do you have any objections?"

[SkywalkerRules]

((Guys, I'm lost. I don't know what to do with Asuka. ))

[Cyborg Ninja]

"You seem to be an ideal candidate for this objective. We will need you to guide yourself through the Steam Shaft, until you reach the dead end - where the room housing the control console will be situated. If you are coated with ice, it should be resistant against the heat of the steam. But you will need to hurry, before the steam melts the ice. Its risky, but do you think you can handle it?"

 

"I know I can Tategami sensai, I won't let you down."

 

"Everybody here will be split into teams. I will lead Team 1, who will travel into the Reactor Core itself. You can rendevous with us once you're objective is complete, Takeda. Do you have any objections?"

 

"No Hokage, I am ready to do my part for Konoha," Takeda said bowing to him.

[Chevron 7 locke]

"Now that sounds like a great plan to me Karela."

 

She smiled up at Specter before turning toward Takeda and the others who were talking with each other.

 

Karela waited until Takeda was finished speaking before motioning him over toward her. She was still thinking of what to say.

 

I haven't had to apologize to someone in a long while. I really don't know what to say. I'm starting to think I should just say that I'm sorry for getting angry at him and then ask him why he said what he said. Yep. that should work.

[Lord of Hunger]

"Yoroi...Yoroi...Yoroi..."

 

His eyes slowly opened to a face he hadn't seen in years.

 

"...Riko..."

 

It was almost exactly like the mission he and Riko had been assigned to, but rather than Yoroi holding her in his arms it was the other way around. Indeed, Yoroi found that he was bleeding from the chest area.

 

"You shouldn't give me such a scare like that," she told him. "I thought that you were dead, and that would have meant two loads to carry back to Konoha. You know Sado wouldn't have done it," she added with a chuckle.

 

"Riko...is this real or just a dream?" Yoroi asked softly.

 

She leaned in and kissed his softly on the lips. "This is your heart, Yoroi, just as chaotic as that battle where I died. And I will always be here inside of you."

 

He nodded. "I see...and what happens now?"

 

She shrugged. "You get up and keep fighting for what you believe in. Or was it what I believed in? That is the case with you nowadays, isn't it?"

 

"I...don't know if I have the strength to go back. I couldn't even take on Takai on my own, and I only ended up exhausting myself because of it--"

 

Riko shook her head. "No no no, you know that's not entirely true. You're attacks were what enabled Takeda to win and given enough time and extra chakra your Rinnegan would have let you tear Takai apart. So stop mopping about and get up now!"

 

Yoroi started to get to his feet, but paused. "But I don't want to leave you, Riko. You were everything to me and you still are."

 

Riko smiled. "Yoroi, your mind is like a rock at times. I love you and I will always be a part of you. Here," she touched the center of his chest and she leaned in for a more passionate kiss....

 

And Yoroi's eyes snapped open as he returned to the physical world, feeling very drained. He saw Dai attempting to use his medical jutsu on him.

 

"Hello Dai, and thanks a bunch. Uh, how long was I out?"

[SkywalkerRules]

((Sorry if I'm doing this wrong...))

 

Asuka stood there, not saying a word. Ever since she came back with Takeda and the others, she's been feeling distant. She still deserved to be punished after what she's done. But they still believed in her and treated her as family.

 

Why? Why would they still put up with her after all her mentalities? Asuka sighed quietly, and leaned against the wall, not being with the group. She stared at them. She didn't want any of them getting hurt again, due to her recklessness...

[Cyborg Ninja]

Takeda looked over to see Karela trying to get his attention. At least she was willing to speak to him this time.

 

"My apologies Hokage but I need to patch up something before I'm ready, it will only take a minute."

 

He bowed again and made his way over to Karela.

 

"Yes Karela?" he asked unsure of what she would do.

[DrPhil2501]

((Its ok Skywalker, you're in the right place of mind Incase you're still a little confused, all the characters are in a large hall with a floor made of ice where a battle took place.))

 

"No Hokage, I am ready to do my part for Konoha,"

 

The Hokage nodded. "Very well. Then lets get ready. We have no time to waste."

 

"My apologies Hokage but I need to patch up something before I'm ready, it will only take a minute."

 

"Please hurry. I am about to assemble the men and divide them into teams."

 

Kaneda was listening into the plan. He hoped he would be in the team that will travel to the reactor core. He wants to face Gatoa, and look him in the eye as he kills him. He was the one responsible for everything. Karela, Asuka's father... the destruction of the Hyuga estate. They fooled them from the very begining. Now its time for payback.

 

He looked over at Asuka, whom was just leaning against the wall. He walked over to her, and stood infront of her. He crossed his arms.

 

"If we had the time, we would have rescued you earlier. But I'm afraid time was an important factor, in all of this. For that, I'm sorry." he looked down shamefully. "I can feel your guilt, you know... Though I cannot say I blame you. If its redemption you seek, than help us fight the Arashi. With or without your dark powers."

[Chevron 7 locke]

"Hello Dai, and thanks a bunch. Uh, how long was I out?"

 

Dai pulled his hand back from Yoroi with a satisfied look on his face. It seemed tha the medical jutsu had done it's work.

 

"A few minutes from my perspective. I was knocked out and only work up a few minutes ago."

 

 

 

"Yes Karela?"

 

Karela rubbed the back of her head briefly before turning briefly to specter and then back at Takeda.

 

"I...I wanted to apologize Takeda. For getting angry at you earlier. But there is something I want to know. Why did you say what you said during the battle with Takai? I was telling the truth, it really hurt me to hear you say what you said."

[Cyborg Ninja]

Specter nodded his head when Karela looked over at him.

 

"I...I wanted to apologize Takeda. For getting angry at you earlier. But there is something I want to know. Why did you say what you said during the battle with Takai? I was telling the truth, it really hurt me to hear you say what you said."

 

"I'm sorry as well Karela, I had no idea those words would hurt you that badly and I was caught up in the heat of battle. I only said those words because of what I knew Karela." He took a deep breath before continuing. "Back when you were still under the Arashi's control, Takai use his technique on you and whenever he used it while using my body not only did my body gain new abilities but memories as well. Your past merged with mine Karela. Takai was going to use you Karela... Maybe I should let him speak."

 

Takeda removed his mask and was careful of what he was willing to temporarily give up to Takai. His right eye turned black once more as he looked at Karela. Takai turned his head over to Yoroi and flashed him his psychotic grin before turning back to Karela.

 

"He's right, had I not been defeated I would have used you to kill everyone in this place and eventually place the ten tailed beast in you to make you even more destructive. Than I would have laughed as I watched you finish off the pathetic town that is Konoha!"

 

Takeda placed his mask back on and took back control of his body.

 

"I didn't mean to hurt you Karela honest, I just didn't want Takai to achieve his goal."

[SkywalkerRules]

((Thanks, PK. ))

 

Asuka was still looking down, until Kaneda came.

 

"If we had the time, we would have rescued you earlier. But I'm afraid time was an important factor, in all of this. For that, I'm sorry." he looked down shamefully. "I can feel your guilt, you know... Though I cannot say I blame you. If its redemption you seek, than help us fight the Arashi. With or without your dark powers."

 

Asuka began to cry. "This is all my fault. You becoming a Werebeast. Karela almost became too insane with the Bijuu. And... me listening to Takai. I have issues, Kaneda, and... I should be put away rather than do anything!" She looked down in tears. "I'll help you fight the Arashi... but without my dark powers..."

 

The young girl sniffed sadly. She deeply wished she would have more confidence and joy, rather than be a sorrowful girl.

[DrPhil2501]

"This is all my fault. You becoming a Werebeast. Karela almost became too insane with the Bijuu. And... me listening to Takai. I have issues, Kaneda, and... I should be put away rather than do anything!" She looked down in tears. "I'll help you fight the Arashi... but without my dark powers..."

 

"My... ability was never your doing in the first place. That ranga Gosai put up a long and dificult fight with all of us, which ended with a few consequences." Kaneda put a hand on her shoulder. "And you are certainly not responsible for Karela's well being and state of mind. The life of a Jinchuuriki is very difficult; a life you would never understand."

 

Kaneda sensed Karela's pheromone levels, indicating her desires and sorrowfulness. It was translated into words his mind could understand.

 

"Then stop being sorrowful, pull your act together and snap out of it. We need you on the line fully focussed, soldier! Comprende?"

[Lord of Hunger]

"A few minutes from my perspective. I was knocked out and only work up a few minutes ago."

 

Yoroi nodded and pulled out a soldier pill. He had refrained from using one earlier because he wanted to save them for later when they would all fight the Arashi. Now was the time, and the situation was all or nothing.

 

Swallowing the pill and ignoring the nasty taste, he scanned his comrades with the Rinnegan. Karela was in a normal state of being again and her tail beast had receded. Kaneda, Specter, and Dai were all fine. Asuka was also fine, which was strange because she distinctly lacked any Dark Release chakra in her system....

 

...which was explained by the presence of that chakra in Takeda. Yoroi felt Takai inside him once more and could not help but walk over to him.

 

"Takai made a back-up of his spirit inside Asuka, didn't he?" he noted. "I still have that experimental jutsu I invented for purifying Asuka and I could use it on you right now so we'd have this problem taken care of. However, I still don't know for certain if it will work. The choice is yours if you want to risk it now or try and deal with it later."

[Chevron 7 locke]

"I didn't mean to hurt you Karela honest, I just didn't want Takai to achieve his goal."

 

"It's fine Kaneda. But if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to Takai when this is all over...he and I are going to have a few words with one another when this is over. It's too bad he doesn't have his old body though. I really wanted to go one on one against him."

 

Karela patted Takeda on the back and then walked over to Kaneda and then walked over toward Kaneda and Asuka.

 

"This is all my fault. You becoming a Werebeast. Karela almost became too insane with the Bijuu. And... me listening to Takai. I have issues, Kaneda, and... I should be put away rather than do anything! I'll help you fight the Arashi... but without my dark powers..."

 

Karela slowly shook her head and then smiled sadly. "Asuka...when I transformed it was because of what Takai said. His words cut me pretty deep. And Kaneda is right, the life of a Jinchuuriki is difficult. Trust me, what happened was not your fault, It was Takai's.

 

She turned back to Kaneda. "Kaneda...may I speak to you for a moment away from the others? need to talk to you about Gatoa."

[Cyborg Ninja]

"Yeah, you and I both," Takeda replied as Karela walked off.

 

He was glad that his friend was no longer mad at him. He saw Yoroi walk over to him and he nodded.

 

"Takai made a back-up of his spirit inside Asuka, didn't he?"

 

I told you it was a good idea

Quiet you

 

"I still have that experimental jutsu I invented for purifying Asuka and I could use it on you right now so we'd have this problem taken care of. However, I still don't know for certain if it will work. The choice is yours if you want to risk it now or try and deal with it later."

 

Takeda wanted Takai gone but he didn't want to let his friends and village down.

 

"I'd rather deal with that later. For the time being he's agreed to help us if for some reason I become incapacitated in anyway. I must leave now, I have a job to do," he said bowing to Yoroi.

 

Takeda walked back over to Tategami and Naruto.

 

"Alright, I'm ready."

[DrPhil2501]

"Kaneda...may I speak to you for a moment away from the others? need to talk to you about Gatoa."

 

Kaneda nodded. He accompanied Karela away from the group. He made sure nobody would come and interupt them again, like what happened last time. He glanced back at Karela and wondered what was on her mind. His pheromone-reading skills had suddenly fallen asleep; was this common for a were-beast?

 

"So, back in the days where you were an Arashi member... You must have known Gatoa in person, right? You must know what he is capable of?"

______________________________________________________________

 

Naruto began dividing everyone up into teams. He was to lead the objective to the heart of the facility. Him, along with; Kaneda, Karela, Takeda, Asuka, Dai and Specter. Yoroi was questionable, given his current condition. If only he could come around.

 

There was a reason Naruto handpicked Kaneda in particular. Everybody else in his team had to play a vital role, but incase they were to encounter Gatoa along with some incarnation of the 10-Tailed Bijuu, Kaneda's Werebeast Form would be the key to defeating it. Naruto's Jinchuuriki blood was the key to this. Theoretically, if a Jinchuuriki's Bijuu blood were to fuse with a Werebeast, there is no telling what type of enormous power would be produced, and whether it could overcome the Arashi's Ultimate Weapon.

 

He looked over at Kaneda, speaking to Karela. "I wish those two would hurry up. We're leaving as soon as they finish their discussion."

[Lord of Hunger]

((Yoroi is up and about PK. ))

[Chevron 7 locke]

"So, back in the days where you were an Arashi member... You must have known Gatoa in person, right? You must know what he is capable of?"

 

Karela winced as the memories of her time with the Arashi came back with force. She had thought that her tailed beast had wiped them out but they were somehow back.

 

Maybe I should talk about it. It make me feel less guilty about my time with the Arashi.

 

"I saw him lead an attack once. On a very small village at the very edge of the borders of the Land of water. Kaneda...I don't really know what to say. I only managed to get a glimpse of him in action but he was fast. Almost as fast as you in your werebeast form. And he showed no mercy to anyway in his way. Men, women, children...he took out anyone is his way.

 

"But that isn't what I wanted to talk you about. I just wanted to make one thing clear: When we run into Gatoa, I get to fight him first. I want to make him suffer for tricking us, and for turning me against the village."

[SkywalkerRules]

"My... ability was never your doing in the first place. That ranga Gosai put up a long and dificult fight with all of us, which ended with a few consequences." Kaneda put a hand on her shoulder. "And you are certainly not responsible for Karela's well being and state of mind. The life of a Jinchuuriki is very difficult; a life you would never understand."

 

Asuka looked down.

 

"Then stop being sorrowful, pull your act together and snap out of it. We need you on the line fully focussed, soldier! Comprende?"

 

"I..." she sighed. "Okay..."

 

"Asuka...when I transformed it was because of what Takai said. His words cut me pretty deep. And Kaneda is right, the life of a Jinchuuriki is difficult. Trust me, what happened was not your fault, It was Takai's."

 

Asuka nodded. She looked back. "I... gotta go meditate for a while..." And with that, she walked away from everyone.

[DrPhil2501]

((yay ))

 

"I saw him lead an attack once. On a very small village at the very edge of the borders of the Land of water. Kaneda...I don't really know what to say. I only managed to get a glimpse of him in action but he was fast. Almost as fast as you in your werebeast form. And he showed no mercy to anyone in his way. Men, women, children...he took out anyone is his way.

 

Just the mere thought of how ruthless Gatoa was disgusted Kaneda. He has kidnapped, exploited and murdered many innocent people with the power he wields. But hearing exactly how powerful he was made Kaneda feel nervous.

 

"But that isn't what I wanted to talk you about. I just wanted to make one thing clear: When we run into Gatoa, I get to fight him first. I want to make him suffer for tricking us, and for turning me against the village."

 

"I suppose there is no point in arguing with you..." Kaneda looked down. "We may or may not stand a chance against him though. But many of us have a good reason to fight Gatoa ourselves. Personal reasons, as a matter of fact."

 

He looked up at her. "Asuka's reason is because of her father, an Arashi member; as well as find redemption to cleans her thoughts of imperfection. Yoroi's reason to fight is to keep the spirit of his deciesed loved one alive. Naruto's reason is to avenge the Hyuga clan."

 

"And I wish to fight Gatoa myself; simply because of what he did to you. What you did in the past was all the doing of Gatoa; you became his tool, a puppet he controlled to deliver his own will. He used you, and for that I will never forgive him. You became an important part of my life. The burden you carry, and the way you deal with it, is truelly inspirational. I finally realise in my own way, I love you. And its because of this that I'm driven to fight Gatoa personally." he was glad he got it off of his chest now, incase something happened to him. "Will you not let us fight Gatoa alongside you? As a team, and as a family?"

[Chevron 7 locke]

"And I wish to fight Gatoa myself; simply because of what he did to you. What you did in the past was all the doing of Gatoa; you became his tool, a puppet he controlled to deliver his own will. He used you, and for that I will never forgive him. You became an important part of my life. The burden you carry, and the way you deal with it, is truelly inspirational. I finally realise in my own way, I love you. And its because of this that I'm driven to fight Gatoa personally."

 

Karela simply stood there. She was a bit overwhelmed by what Kaneda had said and didn't know what to say at first and then she smiled. "I honestly don't know what to say Kaneda. And I don't really consider my Bijuu a burden...I like to think of it as a gift at times."

 

"Will you not let us fight Gatoa alongside you? As a team, and as a family?"

 

Karela sighed heavily. She didn't want to put the others at risk but if they wanted to fight Gatoa then she wouldn't argue with them.

 

"Kaneda...we'll talk about your feelings after this mission is done. I just don't really know what to think about that right now."

[Lord of Hunger]

"I'd rather deal with that later. For the time being he's agreed to help us if for some reason I become incapacitated in anyway. I must leave now, I have a job to do," he said bowing to Yoroi.

 

Yoroi bowed back as Takeda walked off. I understand Takeda, and I promise you this: I will watch you and save yourself as you and the others have done for me.

 

Turning his attention away from his close friend, he walked over to Kaneda and Karela, overhearing the former's speech.

 

"I think we understand each other quite well Kaneda," Yoroi remarked as Karela left to speak with Asuka. "When this is all over remind me to buy you a drink. Actually remind me to buy one for myself as well because I could really use one. But anyway," he continued, his tone now serious, "I was thinking about the Ten Tails and Gatoa. Something tells me the latter will use the former against us, so we may need two teams: one to take down Gatoa and the other to tame the Dragon. Any thoughts?"

[DrPhil2501]

"Kaneda...we'll talk about your feelings after this mission is done. I just don't really know what to think about that right now."

 

Kaneda nodded with agreement, rubbing his head with slight embarrasment. It wasnt exactly within his character to express his open feelings to another.

 

"I think we understand each other quite well Kaneda,"

 

Kaneda's hair raised on the back of his neck when he heard Yoroi's voice. An exaggerated vein of frustration formed within his head. "Doesnt anybody know the definition of "private conversation"?!" he thought. He certainly hoped Yoroi didnt overhear the other part of the conversation.

 

"I was thinking about the Ten Tails and Gatoa. Something tells me the latter will use the former against us, so we may need two teams: one to take down Gatoa and the other to tame the Dragon. Any thoughts?"

 

"The Ten-Tailed Dragon could take on an incarnation of anything. For all we know, its still sealed within that canopic jar Gatoa sleeps with in bed." Kaneda replied. "A team does sound like a good idea, but we'll go over the plans with Naruto along the way."

 

He turned to Karela. "I think we should head back and gather up with the Hokage and the others."

 

_________________________________________

 

Several minutes had passed. Everybody was organised into their seperate teams, given a set of objectives. Naruto awaited for his own team members to gather, so they can take the battle into the heart of facility.

 

Naruto himself was holding the fifth cylindrical piece of the bomb, placing it in his backpack and ensuring nobody but him touches it. Soon everybody gather around him.

 

"Alright, lets move out. Along the way, we must reach the entrance of the steam shaft for Takeda to enter and find his way through to the point where the console room is. There he must destroy the security system to disable the doors so that the other teams may proceed to their destinations. Afterward, we collect Takeda and move to our target location and plant the bomb."

 

"Keep in mind, we are in the very base belonging to the Arashi themselves. They are very much like the Akatsuki; each member has a unique ability. Expect the unexpected, we may encounter highly dangerous things along our path. Stay sharp and focus on our main objective."

 

He walked off, motioning the others to follow him. He walked to the very left of the hall where lay another door. The map wasnt all that complicated to follow, because the path they were taking was meerely a straight line. He the door, to reveal a chamber copper/bronze walls. A control panel lay imbedded within the wall. What stood before them was an elevator.

 

Kaneda was about to walk into it, but Naruto lay a hand on his shoulder to prevent him. "No! I dont like taking elevators without the fear of being ambushed by a waiting pack of Arashi members."

 

Naruto formed his signature handseal. "Kage Bunshin no Justu!"

 

Eight Shadow Clones appeared out of no where, leaving a puff of smoke behind. Naruto crossed his arms, smirking at his birthed shadow clones.

 

"Alright, we all know what to do." The Original Naruto announced. The clones nodded, and formed another handseal.

 

"Transform!" they all said. Each of the clones had become an individual copy of each of the members within Naruto's team. Kaneda stared weerily at the copy of himself. The copy exchanged a similar look back.

 

"The clones will be inside of the elevator, while we remain hidden on the roof of it as it goes downward."