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Post by Kiel on May 25, 2005 17:26:10 GMT -5
Okay, here we go with Part II:
The room was dark.
A circular command centre who's only illumination was provided by the lit up buttons, controls and panels of the surrounding work stations.
Despite the darkness, the entities within the room had no trouble seeing, or rather...sensing each other. Dark and menacing in a manner that corresponded to their surroundings perfectly.
Three figures stood to the back, seated at a pinnicle. Their elevated positions represented not only their status...but also their power. Clad in heavy black armour and cloaks, the three addressed two others facing them. The other two wore the attire of their homeland; their head protectors worn tightly on their heads.
"Then it is agreed. What our scout has told us is undoubtebly true"
"Konoha has sent its resistance...they march against the empire towards the rebellion!"
"Our pressence in this sector must be kept at a minimum if the Impirial forces are to take over. Suspicion must be avoided at all costs"
"That is why we have summoned you...the perfect pair for such a mission" One addressed the two in front of them.
"Find these Konoha rebels and kill them. They carry with them something of great importance...retrieve it...unharmed...and we will double the reward"
One of the two finaly spoke.
"And what of the reward?" he said harshly.
The robed men only smiled.
"Greater than you can imagine...will you accept?"
The two stared at each other for a moment. The younger of the two nodded.
"We'll take the job" he said at last.
"Excellent. You have twenty four hours".
With that, the two turned and exited.
The three remained.
"Hmmph...renagade missing nins...can they really perform this task?"
"Both parties will kill each other...we've nothing to lose"
*********
Mist.
A dense fog clouded over the choppy water of gab between the two continents. The waves rocked back and forth, frothing with foam. The sky was dark with cloud, the sun refusing to show her face.
Three faint lights began to cut through the thick fog. As the lights grew brighter, so did the objects they belonged to. Three small, wooden rafts skimmed along the surface of the icy black water. Each carried a small group of people. The rafts traveled south in an arrow formation.
Ino rubbed her eyes and looked blearily out into the distance. They'd been tavelling by raft for almost two days. Almost no rest had been permitted as Asuma feared another attack from the strange assassin that had bombarded them previously. Ino could still see his vivid red and black face in her mind's eye. She shivered.
She looked down to see Rieni huddled amidst a pile of course, wool blankets. She, being a child (as well as their number one priority), was given rest whenever possible. She dozed peacefully despite the swaying motion of the raft.
"We'll be out of the fog in a short while. It shouldn't be too much longer"
The voice belonged to their guide. He was a young man, probably only a few years older than she was. His short black hair was drenched with perspiration and splashes from the surrounding water. Asuma had hired him because he was renouned as one of the better guides through the area. Asuma also mentioned that he was a former Konoha genin.
*flick*
Ino looked to see he had taken out his pocketknife again. Whenever he wasn't busy with something, the man took out a knife he carried with him and flicked it open and closed. Probably a nervous habit Ino assumed. She never bothered to ask.
"Idate, once we clear the fog, how much more distance will we have to cross before reaching the mainland?" Asuma asked beside her. Their raft was occupied by herself, Asuma-sensei, Rieni and their guide, Idate-san.
"At least a six hour journey, assuming the weather is clear once we make it out of this" he said, pocketing his knife. "We're almost out of the fog now"
Sure enough, the fog became less dense. It yeilded to their vessels and bade them passage. Rays of light began to pierce through the mist, making the promise of sunlight.
"The sun...ahhh, I never thought I'd be so happy to see it" Ino said aloud as she basked in the radiance of the incoming sunlight.
The fog lifted and the sky was clear. The sounds of waves echoing around them.
*********
Little did the Konoha ninja know that they were being watched from afar.
The two figures watched their emmergence from the heavy cloud of fog and into the daylight. The older of the two smiled deeply.
"That's definetely them. Who would have guessed we'd spot them so soon..." he said coursely.
"Hai, master" the younger one murmured.
"We'll be able to bring in our bounty in less than a few hours"
"I spot two Konoha jounins...bringing the total up to...ten, including their raft guides. None of them look like any of the notables in the Bingo book"
"No need to check, they'll all be dead in a moment"
"B-But master! The little one is supposed to be brought in alive!"
"There's no need to spare her. Much less baggage to simply carry their heads"
"...b-but...the extra reward-"
"More money? Has the sin of avarice clouded your mind? We've no need for a bonus either"
"Yes...master"
"Now, let's go"
*********
"The water's shallow here. If you really want to get off and stretch, there should be enough space to walk along the seabed here" Idate pointed out.
Asuma, Shikamaru and Chouji lept off with vigour. The rest prefered to stay dry.
Shikamaru spoke up.
"Oi! How can the water of the sea be so shallow? It barely comes up to my chest" he asked his guide.
"At one time, this mass of land was actually part of the mainland. It's said that the shinobi of legend warred here, reducing the ground to rubble and dust. It then was swallowed by the sea, creating this shallow stretch of water" the guide chuckled.
"I see..." Chouji said, stretching his back and arms. "I'll be glad to get on land soon"
Asuma raised his arm forward!
Seeing this, everyone dropped low.
Asuma had told them that he he suspected that someone was near, he'd signal like he was doing now, which was a sign to drop and take cover.
Shikamaru waited, watched and listened. He heard it as well. A low skimming noise, like something moving quickly across the water.
Suddenly a loud clang echoed throught he air!
Shikamaru turned to see Asuma being forced backward by a large sheet of metal. An enormous sword! Out of nowhere, a figure appeared on top of the flat of the sword. The man crouched and kicked Asuma square in the face.
Quick, move! Shikamaru told himself. He prepared the seals for Kagemane no jutsu.
Pain flarred through his wrists and arms. He'd been struck by something. He glanced down to see his arms were a mass of blood. Senbon sticking precariously out of them.
Sh'Kuso! Someone else! he thought, turning to see his attacker.
With Asuma down, their two attacks stood side by side, revealing themselves to their prey.
One was tall and menacing, wearing a skin tight black piece with long gloves and a scarf. His giant sword strapped to his back, most of his face was covered by a mask. His eyes...the striking eyes of a demon.
The other was much shorter and fairer in complexion. Long black hair was worn tight in a bun. Sporting a thin teal robe with a pair of senbon needles, the figure had the face of a woman...but the physique of a young man.
Asuma regained his footing, blood dripping from his right temple. The Jounin's eyes widened at the sight of these two.
"Y-you can't..." he said under his breath.
The hard eyed one smiled.
"Feh, Haku...let's make this quick and painful"
"Hai, Zabuza-san"
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Post by Nayo-Chan on May 25, 2005 17:51:15 GMT -5
AAAAAAAHH!! Hakuuuuuuuuuu!!!! ^_______________________________________^
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on May 25, 2005 20:55:51 GMT -5
Yaaaaaaay, they're back!!!!! ;D
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Post by Kiel on May 25, 2005 21:05:21 GMT -5
Wow...two fic posts in one night. The gods must be crazy! I'm in a fanfiction kinda mood tonight. Instead of actually finishing my fanfiction.net story I'm thinking of writing a new one for all the people who supported me with the previous one. It'll be about Naruto and Hinata in their young adult years as they struggle with the challenges of a relationship.
Post your opinions of that...I need some feedback. Okay, here we go:
Haku stood vigilantly beside Zabuza-sama as they faced their targets. There were two jounins; one who was now injured. The others were genins...and perhaps one chuunin by the looks of it. Haku kept her gaurd up. She knew, after the wave country...not to take Konoha genins lightly.
One of the Jounins, the bearded one whom Zabuza had picked out as their leader, stepped forward and assumed a fighting stance.
"The Hidden Mist's Momochi Zabuza...rated as an A rank felon in Konoha's bingo book..." the jounin said, forcing a smile.
Haku felt Zabuza's tension, his high strung focus lessen slightly.
"Ah...my reputation preceeds me..." he said gleefully.
The jounin's glare shifted towards Haku.
"And this must be the sole survivor of the Yukigakure's 'Kekkei Genkai'...what was it...Haku?"
Haku felt his blood pound in his ears, his heart racing. How does knowledge of my bloodline limit still exist?! he thought.
Asuma's smile widened. "Although...something is quite amiss here..." he started.
"Hmm?" Zabuza hummed playfully.
Asuma's smile dissapeared. He raised his bladed knuckles.
"Both of you...are supposed to be dead!"
Haku knew Zabuza wouldn't be able to help himself...Zabuza laughed out loud. He relished in the fact that the two of them were always assumed to have died in the Wave country.
"I can assure you Konoha, we're both very alive..." he sneered. "...now, if you'd please, hand over the girl!"
Haku looked over. She saw the little girl cower in fear behind one of the genins still on the raft. The Konoha ninja became more alert at Zabuza mentioning this.
Asuma clinked his hands together, causing the metal knuckles to emit a menacing sound. Zabuza didn't seem phased by it, but Haku felt herself tense up. She didn't like her master's cavalier idea of rushing in and attacking these ninja head on. They were outnumbered greatly. While he was confident they could probably win, he still didn't like the fact that the odds weren't in their favour.
"One has to wonder though...how did you two survive? Kakashi-san told me both of you were dead and burried. They witnessed your burial themselves.
He knows Hayete Kakashi?! Could those genins also...know that boy? Haku wondered, his gave darting from genin to genin.
"You wish to know?" Zabuza started, "Well, it's actually a very interesting story. It all started with-gck!"
Zabuza's words were cut off. Haku tried to turn to see what was the matter, but couldn't! His body felt completely stiff; as if she was no longer in control. His eyes darted around, looking for the source. She saw one of the genins had performed a seal. His shadow was reaching across and melding into both of theirs!
"N-Naaaanniiii?!" Zabuza roared. It seemed he too was under the same ninjutsu.
"Heheh, good work Shikamaru" She heard one of the jounins say "You become distracted far too easily, Zabuza-kun. We're in no mood to catter to the whims of traitors".
"Kage Kubishibari no Jutsu...allows me to control both of you with my shadow" the genin said as he lifted his arms. Haku felt his own arms raise in the same possition, Zabuza's as well.
"Disarm them" The jounin ordered his subourdinate.
Haku felt her hands turn upon herself, groping around her body. Her hands found her store of senbon, then forcefully threw them behind her a fair distance away. She saw Zabuza doing likewise; his hands and arms awkwardly searching for weapons and disposing of them.
"Ino...you're up!" the bearded jounin said quickly as they were being disarmed.
Haku saw the genin on the raft rise, steping away from the little girl. She formed a bizarre seal with her hands, making the shape of a heart.
"Shintenshin no Jutsu!" she cried.
Suddenly Haku felt his consciousness slip. A sound similar to an owl's "hooting" seemed to echo in his mind. His vision failed and his mind felt dim.
Zabuza...sama......gomen
He thought no more. His mind replaced.
*********
Okay, so...am I in control? I am? Good, then let's get this over with...
...
...hmm...this girl feels a little funny...
...almost as if she's...off balance.
Hmph...makes me feel better about my own body, she's completely flat! X3
Her skin is still soft....I wonder what she feels like down th...
...
0_o
o_0
...
...wh-what?! She's a BOY?!
"I'm a boy?!" Ino cried out.
She saw Zabuza turn to face her, almost forgetting who's body she was in.
"H-Haku! Stop spouting nonsense and break this jutsu!" He spat.
Ino reached into her host's robes to search for a weapon. Kuso...Shikamaru! Why'd you have to throw them all away?! she thought as she searched, finally finding a long needle at the base of his sandles.
Shikamaru's 'Kagemane no jutsu' had just run out. She saw Zabuza regain control of his body. The hidden mist ninja turned to face his comrade. Ino raised the needle to her throat.
"Zabuza! Surrender now or this...boy...dies!" She shouted, her voice coming out much deeper than normal.
Zabuza's eyes widened.
"A member of the Yamanaka clan...I never would have counted on that...let her go or I'll kill you!" Zabuza shouted.
"Ah ah aaah! One step closer and I'll slit his throat!" Ino said quickly as she saw him advance.
"You're outnumbered Zabuza-san" Kurenai said formally. "I've heard a great deal about you...a renegade thought to have been killed, dying in the act of slaying Gatou, a corrupt businessman. Why are you after this girl?"
Ino could see the man tense up. She concentrated to maintain the technique and keep the phsade of her suicide up for him to see.
"We...we were hired by men of the Empire. They promised a great deal of money for your deaths and the capture of that girl" he said at last.
"The Empire?!" Asuma shouted. "And you expected that they'd keep their word?! Do you know know nothing about them?"
Zabuza kept silent.
"They dispise missing nins. Your reward for our defeat would be your own demise. They'll kill you...just like they're killing the people of your former village, as well as every other Shinobi village who doesn't swear loyalty and servitude to them. Are you really just a dog to their genocide and hipocracy?!"
Zabuza sighed.
"I have my reasons...I don't expect Konoha fools like you to understand"
"They'll kill the girl you know!" Ino shouted. "As soon as you bring her to them, they'll kill her! Asuma-sensei is probably right, they'll kill her then kill you!"
Zabuza raised his hands to the air, a gesture of surrender.
"Fine...we're beaten...just...j-just let Haku go" He said slowly.
Ino glanced over to Asuma for the go ahead. He raised a hand, ordering her to wait.
"Momochi Zabuza, we're on a mission to reach the rebellion. I can easily kill you and your friend right here and now If I ordered my men to do so" Asuma said quickly.
"But! I can offer you an alternative to death if you wish"
Zabuza rolled his eyes. Ino pushed the needle a tad deeper against her host's flesh.
"I'm listening..." he said at last.
Asuma cleared his throat.
"If you return to your client, your future is death. If, however, you aid us...I can promise you the same amount from the Rebellion that the Empire promised to pay you"
Zabuza raised an eyebrow.
"AND...I can offer you and your friend Haku...amnesty in Konoha"
"Asuma, what are you saying?!" Kurenai shouted.
"I can promise you'll recieve protection and the ability to reclaim your rank as a shinobi in Konoha. You'll be absolved of your previous wrong doings!"
Suddenly Ino felt her grasp on her host weaken. Her hold slipping away. She opened her eyes to see she was back on the raft again.
NO! she thought, expecting the worst.
...
However, Haku stood perfectly still. He merely turned to face Zabuza.
"Zabuza-sama! I'm here! Please forgive me for displaying weakness!" she pleaded.
"Haku?" Zabuza turned.
"Zabuza-sama..." Haku said quietly, Ino could barely hear him.
"...please...Zabuza-sama...accept the offer" he cried.
Zabuza's eyes flared. "Urusei Haku!"
"We shouldn't have to run anymore! They're giving us a chance to be free people again! Besides...with...with the money we'll be able to afford the medicine. Konoha's Kage is a medical specialist, maybe she can cure it!"
"H-Haku...we can't take this big a risk"
"Zabuza-sama...gomen...I'm tired. Tired of living in fear...tired of injections and stealing...please...I'm begging you" The boy dropped to his knees, supported by chakra on the water.
Zabuza breathed a heavy sigh. He turned to face Asuma.
"Alright Konoha...we surrender...we'll join you" he said slowly.
There was a pregnant pause. There seemed to be no sign of him acting against his words.
Ino could see Asuma smile.
She took a deep breath and held Rieni close to her, reassuring her that everything was going to be alright.
That they had just gained a new ally.
Yeah, I know...kinda anti climatic...but hey! The real meat and potatoes (or...fish and...champuru) of the story is just ahead!
Yeah, it'll be all cool then!
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on May 25, 2005 23:15:18 GMT -5
Squeeeee! Yay Zabuza! Yay Haku!!! Things are really starting to pick up!!
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Post by Kiel on May 26, 2005 10:30:27 GMT -5
Who? What? Huh? I'm seeing double! ... Four Kaori posts back to back! ^_^;; heehee
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Post by Nayo-Chan on May 26, 2005 16:01:55 GMT -5
yaay....but....why was Haku refered to as she?...just accident?
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Post by Kiel on May 26, 2005 19:30:08 GMT -5
Okay, seriously...that's my bad.
I thought I had corrected all of those >.<
As I was writing it, I kept catching myself refering to Haku as a 'she'.
I'm sorry...he's just...way too girly...too girly for his own good!
Well, let's see if being trained by jedi and little green frog people can make him a little more masculine ^^;;
A starless night brought feelings of fear, anger, and hate to those who bore witness to it. A high balcony oversaw it from a tall building.
Two men dressed in black cloaks watched the night sky with interest. One was hunched over, his hood obscuring his face. The other stood tall and menacing, wearing a large amount of mechanical armour. His entire head encapsulated in a black mask and helmet. His breathing deep and audiable, penetrating the silence of the night.
"Can you feel it, my apprentice?" The hunched man said, his voice hissing with a snake-like quality to it.
"Yes, my master" The tall one said, his voice coarse and mechanical, like a robot.
"It appears then, that our hired missing nins will not work out as planned"
"As you predicted..."
The hunched man laughed.
"The weak minded are easily persuaded. The force is strong with these shinobi, but to overestimate them would be foolish...they will perish"
"My master...Sarutobi travels with them...the force is with him"
"Sarutobi? Hmmm...his demise must be made. He is a great threat to us"
"What if...he could be turned, my master. He could make a powerful ally"
"...yes...he could. Sarutobi will submit to the dark side"
"He will join us or die" the tall one breathed.
The hunched figure smiled and turned to face his apprentice.
"Darth Maul encountered them not too long ago...they're disorganized; led by a pretend Jedi. Darth Ikari sends word that preparations to the station are complete. You and I will oversee its first voyage and mission"
"Yes, my master"
"With this weapon, the Rebellion will no longer have the manpower to stand against us. The continent will be ours"
*********
Asuma looked upward towards the night sky. He shivered despite the warm weather; a terrible feeling of foreboding ran through him, as if he knew the future held nothing but grief.
He shook off the feeling, clearing his mind. He reminded himself to remain in a state of complete calm, freeing his mind of all distractions. He remembered his father's words on how to communicate with the force and use it as his ally. Concentration and calm were needed.
"Asuma" a voice called behind him.
Asuma's concentration broke as he faced Kurenai. Her red eyes shone against the light of their campfire.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I've spoken with Idate. He says the other guides have left. That they won't continue with us because they fear what the Empire could do to them. Idate promises he'll stick with us, though" she said.
"Don't worry about the others. Zabuza knows these parts well. He'll be able to watch after the other rafts" Asuma reassured her.
Kurenai merely scowled.
"I don't trust him. I think you're talking a very unnecessary risk by letting him live. Besides, how do you know Tsunade-sama will grant him amnesty? He's a murderer! He's a cold blooded killer, both of them are!" she said, her voice raised slightly.
The two of them turned to see Zabuza sitting over in the distance, keeping guard. They had chosen a small island to camp on for the night. The genins sat together with the exception of Ino, who sat beside Haku as they played a game with Rieni. Idate watched their rafts.
"Kurenai...I sense no real evil in him. Only desperation and frustration. He will be granted amnesty...I know it"
Kurenai turned away from him.
"I understand your mistrust, but please...bear with him. We'll need the two of them before we reach the Rebellion's base"
"...Alright," Kurenai said at last. "but if I get even the hint that he's going to double cross us...I'm taking him out".
Asuma nodded and moved to see Zabuza.
Staring at the distant ocean, Zabuza's expression was unreadable. Asuma couldn't be sure if he was furious or simply annoyed.
"Are you through talking about me?" he said as Asuma approached.
"Just about" Asuma chuckled as he sat beside him.
"You don't trust me...do you?" He said quietly.
"We don't really have any reason to, no" Asuma said.
"Hmmph..."
"Tell me this then," Asuma said, lighting up a cigarette. "Why did you accept the Empire's mission? Was it just for the money, or do you hold a grudge against our village?"
Zabuza laughed.
"We have nothing against Konoha...in fact...we, owe Konoha a very big debt" he said quietly, staring off into the distance.
"I see...then was it simply the money?"
"It was..."
"Greed is never the greatest of allies, you know?"
Zabuza sighed. "It's not greed. We need the money..."
Zabuza motioned over to where Ino was sitting. The three of them seemed to be playing together quite well. Haku laughed and smiled.
"That boy...is dying"
*********
"How many are there?" an impirial officer asked his commander. Both of them wearing grey flak jackets with metal pips on the breast to represent rank. They both wore small hats with Impirial insignia.
"I've heard that there are two accompaning the Empiror. One is Darth Vader...our commander in chief. The other I don't know about...all I've heard is stories. He's known to be ruthless and efficient in battle. I think his title is Darth Maul..."
"Darth Vader...the mechanical man? He doesn't seem to be human"
"who knows...he might just be a machina..."
"...Sith lords...they're scary"
The officer's commander nodded in agreement.
*********
"dying?!" Asuma asked.
Zabuza nodded sadly.
"Little is known about the Yukigakure...much less their medical history. We've been to as many medical specialists and doctors as we could find...rather, one's who were willing to help us"
Asuma understood. As wanted felons and missinf nins, more doctors would want to turn them in rather than help.
"What's wrong with him?"
"It's his blood...his bloodline limit. At first he would complain of being cold, even in the hottest weather. At first, I dismissed it as just him whining...but it got worse. His face would pale, his breath came out as it would in winter. The air around him seemed chilled. One morning he seemed catatonic, completely frozen in a horrible expression. We studied it...it seems that his kekkei genkai is manifesting itself through his chakra without his command. His blood is literally freezing inside him. We've been treating him with injections of fortified plasma we stole from a lab in the Sunagakure...but it only lasts so long. Without a cure...he'll die"
"That's why you need the money..."
"Yeah...we can't draw anymore attention to ourselves...we've got to raise enough for a medical ninja to perform the jutsu that could cure him..."
"That's rough..."
"Your Hokage...I hear she's a medical ninja?"
"Tsunade-sama is the greatest in the entire country. if anyone could cure your comrade...she could"
Zabuza smiled.
"Because of that...you can trust me. I'd give my life to save this boy now...anything I can do to help him, I will".
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Post by Nayo-Chan on May 26, 2005 20:29:33 GMT -5
nooo! Haku cant die...not again!
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Post by Kiel on May 27, 2005 23:12:21 GMT -5
Nayo, have you ever known me to kill off characters?
...er, well...Tayuya and Sakon kinda...um...and, Orochimaru fell into...er...yeah.
Um, nevermind. Let's just think positive.
The three rafts bobbed along the water's surface peacefully that morning. The Konoha ninja (as well as their guide and ex-Kirigakure companions) woke at dawn and made their way towards the continent.
Asuma had mentioned stopping at a small port which was known to be a haven for Rebellion soldiers and smugglers. He said that if they could establish a line of communication with the Rebellion, they could accelerate their plans and deliver Rieni much sooner.
However, upon checking their map several times, no sign of the port could be found.
"Asuma-senseeeeeeei, how much longer will it take?" Ino whined.
"I don't know..." he looked to Idate, who poured over their map and compass.
"It's like...the port's just...vanished. We're at the right location...just, no port" Idate said confused.
Asuma's eyes widened.
"It was destroyed...by the Empire!"
Zabuza laughed from the other raft.
"That's crazy! Only a fool would believe that! It would take hundreds of ships and thousands of shinobi to destroy an entire port!"
Zabuza's scoffing was interupted by a spray of water as something moved past their rafts at high speeds.
Asuma instantly recognised that it was a military skiff, outlined with an Imperial insignia.
"An Impirial ship!" Kurenai exclaimed, recognising the symbol as well as the skiff sped away.
"A skiff couldn't have made it all the way out here without some kind of transport..." Asuma wondered aloud.
"Well, however he got here, we're gonna make sure he doesn't go and tell anybody about us!" Idate said fiercely as he gunned the raft's engines, putting them in a high speed pursuit.
Something in the distance began to come into view just over the horizon. The skiff sped towards it.
"Look, he's heading towards that island over there" Idate pointed.
Asuma's face paled. His voice became grave.
"That's no island...it's a battlestation!"
"There's no way, it's too big to be a battle station" Zabuza said as they drew closer to it.
The 'island' grew as they approached it, filling up more and more of the horizon. they were getting close very fast.
"I've got a bad feeling about this..." Kurenai whispered.
"Y'know what, I think you're right...let's get out of here" Idate pulled the raft's engines into reverse.
Nothing happened. They continued towards the island.
(this post is incomplete...I'll edit it later...just, way to tired right now)
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Post by Kiel on Jun 22, 2005 20:16:42 GMT -5
OMG! Kay,
I'm totally gonna update this sucker soon! I'll make sure to stick in plenty of jedi and starfighter action to make up for my lack of updating for a while...yeah.
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Post by Kiel on Jul 18, 2005 23:39:34 GMT -5
Alright, after far too much delay, here's more of the NBFF Part II! So sit back and enjoy the Naruto/Star Wars goodness.
Recap: Asuma has allowed missing nins Zabuza and Haku to accompany them on their mission, in return, the two wanted felons will recieve amnesty on their return to Konoha.
Rowing ahead towards a port, our intrepid heroes encounter a massive Imperial island battlestation, which capsizes their raft and seperates them.
Where will our seperated go? Will their paths converge again? And what of Kakashi and Keitaro? Will we ever learn of them again?
...um...yes, yes we will...right now.
In the dead of night, deep within a festering marsh, two shinobi make their leave. They hurry away from a small domed hut where a small, green creature sees the two off. His pointed ears droop slightly, seeing the two hastily making their exit.
"Master Yoda" a deep, echoing voice calls.
The small, green creature turns, supporting himself with his small gaffi stick. He sees a figure standing next to him. The man is wearing ceremonial robes of red and white, a large hat possitioned on his head. The figure is ghostlike, giving off a faint blue glow; an appirition.
"Sandaime?! Dead you are? Told I was not" Yoda says, surprised.
"Many things have happened, old friend...I take it their training went well?" he motioned towards the two running shinobi, now nearly out of sight.
"Too early it is to tell. Completed their training they did not. Impatient, they are" Yoda said grumpily.
The Sandaime sighed. "They will return...time is of the essence, they are needed elsewhere. Tell me, what of the younger one? How's he coming along?"
Yoda harrumphed.
"Very good at handstand he is"
"What is it with you and handstands?" Sandaime asked with a confused look.
"He shows promise...Kakashi tells me he's trained him a bit himself...the two of them will be quite formidable together...master and apprentice"
"Perhaps...Kakashi already has one apprentice though" Sandaime murmured.
"That boy...the Uchiha...I sense much fear in him...dangerous..." Yoda said quietly. He shuddered a bit.
"Indeed. Keitaro...that boy is our only hope" Sarutobi Sandaime said calmly.
"No," Yoda said. "There is another..."
The two continued to stand and watch for a while afterwards. Waiting to see what the future held in store.
*********
Ino coughed and spluttered. Her head felt heavy and her body screamed in protest as she clumsily made her way off the banks and onto land. Her clothes were torn, dirty, and covered with muck. Still...she was alive.
She layed down on the cold, solid ground. She felt the cool, plush feeling of wet grass against her hot brow. Breathing deep and a little more steadily, Ino tried to remember what had happened.
Imperial skiff...island...giant weapon...Asuma, screaming to jump...explosion...noise...pain! ...Rieni?
Ino snapped to attention. She tried to stand but found it futile, her legs simply wouldn't move. She remembered her mission objective: Protecting the little girl. From where she lay, she looked around to try and find her.
Left...right...where did she go?! Did she make it? Was she safe? Could she be...
Ino dismissed the thought, instead trying to force herself up to get a better look around. She took her surroundings in.
A small bank off the water. Grass covered land with some reeds and swampy vegetation. Shapes in the distance...maybe trees. Something near the water, it's grey dress tattered and worn.
"Rieni!" Ino shouted, half of the girl's name sticking in her throat. She pushed every fibre of muscle in her body to the limit in order to crawl over to the girl. Finally reaching her, she felt her small body.
It was damp, but warm.
"Rieni? Sweetie? Can you hear me?" Ino coaxed, praying the girl was alright.
"Mnnnnnyuh..." she groaned. "Too...tired...wanna sleep"
Kami-sama...arigato Ino thought.
"Sweetie, I need you to get up...please, try to move"
"But I'm tired...I wanna just nap for a bit onee-chan" her voice was clear, if a little strained, but clear.
"Are you hurt? Injured anywhere?" Ino asked feebily. She felt that the girl was probably in better shape than she was. Rieni finally turned over sat up, watching Ino intently.
"Onee-chan, are you okay? You look really bad!" the little girl squealed.
"I-I'll be fine...but are you okay?"
"I'm okies...but you look bad onee-chan. You need some doctors or something!"
Ino smiled.
"I'll be fine. I just need to relax for a second or two," Ino forced herslef to sit up so she could look out on to the water. "have you seen anyone else for our group? Any other people from the boat?"
Rieni looked past Ino towards the distance.
"Like that scary man behind you?" Rieni said with a smile, completely oblivious to how this statement might make Ino react.
Ino jerked her head in the opposite direction so quickly it hurt. She saw Zabuza crouched in the direction, staring intently at the two of them.
"So you've noticed me, eh?" he said casually.
Ino wasn't sure how she should feel or react. She felt anger, followed by relief, then fear. How long had he been watching? Was he truly on their side?
"Y-you! What're y-you-"
"Calm down. We're still allies...for the moment. Haku is out gathering supplies. It seems we're the only ones who made it..."
Ino tried to make sense of the situation. The only ones who made it?! What did Zabuza mean? Asuma-sensei, Shikamaru, Kurenai-sensei, Chouji...they weren't with them?
"W-whaddya mean 'only ones'? Where's everyone else?!" Ino yelled.
Zabuza stood up and slowly walked to them. "Calm down. I mean that we're the only ones here. I've been searching through the water and around the area for the others...but I've found no one"
Ino imagined the worst.
"They're...dead?!"
To her surprise, Zabuza chuckled.
"I've found no one...and I mean no one. No people alive or dead. If they didn't survive, then where're their bodies? I haven't found anything,"
Ino felt herself calm down a little.
"My guess is that they've been captured by the Empire" Zabuza finished. As he did, Haku came into view from the distance. He walked in carrying a pile of something.
"Zabuza-san, I have the provisions" he said. "Oh, you're awake" looking at Ino.
"Now that the two of you are up, we can go. Can you stand, genin?" Zabuza asked her.
"I think so..." Ino said shakily. "We're going to save Asuma-sensei and my comrades?"
Zabuza shook his head.
"It was your mission to escort that little girl to the Rebellion, wasn't it? That comes before your other comrades"
Ino couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"But-" she tried to protest, but Haku cut her short.
"Your team leader would agree that the mission comes before saving other teamates at this point. The Rebellion's outpost isn't too far a journey from here. We've got to get out priorities striaght".
Ino nodded hesitantly. She knew Haku was right.
After making a few attepts at standing Ino soon found herself on her feet with Rieni following Zabuza. She looked back towards the back where she had washed up.
Asuma-sensei, Chouji...everyone...hold on. I'll come back for you!
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Post by Nayo-Chan on Jul 20, 2005 17:58:40 GMT -5
oooo....u totally get a karma thingy for that!
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Tensei Kaori
Hokage
Konoha's #1 Henge Master
Taking over the world, one bishie at a time...
Posts: 7,888
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Post by Tensei Kaori on Jul 22, 2005 17:34:22 GMT -5
Yay! Awesome job, Kiel! Just....ahh.... don't forget to edit that incomplete post, ne? I can't wait to read more! ^_^
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Post by Kiel on Jul 22, 2005 20:39:44 GMT -5
I'll see what I can do. Love the new sig and avatar btw! Awesome!
I'm a tad preoccupied with working on cosplay and writing another ff.net fic at the moment. If you haven't checked it out already, it's the latest thread in the "Fan Stuff" page!
It's just been updated, so check it out!
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