Fantasy Unleashed
Story written by Xamusel and F-14 Tomcat Lover
Disclaimer: Tomcat and I own absolutely nothing about this fanfic in general. We only own whatever OCs might be involved in this.
Xamusel Beginning A/N: Why I decided to write this story, I’ll have absolutely no idea, but I thought it was a good idea at the time. Now, though, I need to ensure that I get this story back in tip-top shape for posting.
This story has an opening scene as found in the first episode, but modified to account for alternate universe stuff… which I won’t spoil what it means for this story, because that would be utterly stupid of me to do. Also, if anyone is interested in finding out the Crossover materials used, I’ll list them at the end of the World Arc.
Now… may the wheels of fate turn to show what all will be changed.
XxX
Ten years ago, a Nine Tailed Fox Demon suddenly appeared! Its tails lashed out, crushing mountains and sending tsunamis crashing to the shores! Each ninja rose to the task to defend their home ninja village.
“Hold the attack and wait for the Yondaime Hokage!†One ninja yelled out, before jumping forward to face the colossal demon as per his duty.
“It’s getting closer! Don’t let it get near the village!†Another ninja yelled, while throwing his kunai before he, too, went up to face the demon.
Suddenly, a giant toad appeared from nowhere, crushing a few trees beneath its webbed feet. On top of it was a Shinobi, clad in a white coat with red flames, his sunshine blonde hair standing out as he stood before the all-powerful demon. This was the Yondaime Hokage, leader and hero of the Hidden Leaf Village. He stood all alone against the titanic beast in a night of swirling light and energy as he and his faithful friend clashed against the might of the demon.
When the dust settled, no one was fully sure of the night. All we knew was that the demon was defeated. The battle, confusing and long, had been concluded. The demon sealed into a newborn infant. Such was the strength of the Kyuubi no Yoko.
Now…
Had we known the truth then as we do now, we would not have breathed a sigh of relief…
“NARUTO! KURINA!â€
“GET BACK HERE YOU TWO!â€
-Sigh!-
Case in point.
Prologue Arc
Pilot Part 1
Butterfly Flaps Make the World Go Round
Uzumaki Naruto, a sunshine blonde with cerulean eyes and the strangest whisker marks on his face, and his adopted sister Kurina, a redhead with orange eyes and equally strange whisker marks on her face, were currently running as if they didn’t have a care in the world while holding paint buckets in their hands and having a mixed group of Chuunin and Jounin, who served under their mother, chasing them. There was a reason for this chase, and that was….
XxX
“Hokage-sama! It’s an emergency!â€
“If I had to guess…†the redhead spoke quietly as she strode to the top of the Hokage Mansion, a palatable anger barely suppressed beneath the surface of her charming and lovely face. “…my
son and
daughter…,†the way she said that sent dread through the two Jounin who still remembered who it was before for them. “…are pulling pranks again, aren’t they.â€
“I’m afraid so, Hokage-sama,†the first Jounin spoke to her as the three climbed the steps to the roof. “I have no idea why they would go this far though.â€
“Where did they strike this time?†Kushina let out a suffering sigh as they walked up the steps.
“The Hokage Faces,†the second Jounin reported. A rather tacky and cheap vase sent by the Fire Lady as a ‘gift’ to the Hidden Leaf suddenly shattered as Kushina briefly glowed blue.
“Those two are so dead,†the first Jounin whispered to his friend, who merely nodded as the three of them reached the roof to see the damage done.
“Erk?!†was Kushina’s first reaction at the Hokage Faces, and for good reason.
The face of Senju Hashirama, the Shodaime Hokage, had three designs painted on it: something resembling a written character, slappishly painted in green and white, which only a child of 3 could do; what looked like a white booger coming out of the nose; and in red, the Uzumaki swirl.
Then the face of the Nidaime Hokage, Senju Tobirama, had three red slashes from his nose to his chin, blue eyelashes and cross shape scars and a yellow paint of coiled something or other.
After that was the Sandaime Hokage, who was standing next to Kushina with his ever present pipe in hand as he looked on his own face with white paint streaming from eyes and nose, with green and blue scar marks and red cheeks with eyes pointedly looking around the Yondaime’s head at the Godaime.
“I know you’re very beautiful Kushina-chan,†the old Hokage chuckled lightly, “but I was happily married myself.†Of course he would never admit the times he and Jiraiya had spied on her and the other ladies at the Hot Springs; otherwise, Sarutobi Hiruzen knew he would be that much closer to the end of his life.
“Actually,†someone spoke up, noticing something. “I think that the eyes are actually looking over at the Hot Springs,†the man said, as he pointed out that indeed the Hot Springs District was definitely there. A startled sound preceded by a smoke cloud from his pipe told how surprised and startled the retired Sandaime Hokage was at that, as he coughed and choked trying to clear his lungs to form coherent sentences.
As for the Yondaime Hokage, Uzumaki Kushina’s late husband Namikaze Minato, and her own head, they looked like two blushing teenagers with all the looks of two stereotypical pathetic nerds trying to get together.
It was taking everything that Kushina had not to blow up and chase them around the village. She had a massive ninja force for that after all. Though in all honesty, she had only one ninja she could turn to at the moment, the only other major prankster in the whole village able to catch the two as they fled around the village.
Oh yeah, there was also the trainer of Sarutobi Konohamaru as well.
“Iruka-kun.â€
“Here Godaime Hokage,†Iruka kneeled behind her to the right, a Chunin wearing the standard issue vest of his rank over a long sleeve navy blue shirt, navy blue slacks, his headband with the seal of Konoha on the metal plate, blue sandals, and a scar that ran across the bridge of his nose and under both eyes, his black hair in a top knot.
“Ebisu-kun.â€
“Yes, your ladyship,†Ebisu landed to Kushina’s left, kneeling behind her, his attire of a long sleeved shirt, slacks, blue sandals, black bandanna with the metal plate with the seal of Konoha on it, and black simple round sun glasses.
Kushina then began sweetly, “Can you two catch those two so I can have a real long discussion with them?â€
“At once Hokage-sama,†Ebisu shot off in pursuit of Kurina, as she was a safer chase for him compared to her brother.
“Will do Madam Hokage,†Iruka let out a long suffering sigh. His annoyance was hot on his breath. “Although, I’ll need to hold onto them for a lecture in class.â€
“Then do so,†Kushina granted, and Iruka was off after Naruto, as he was always able to find that troublesome boy.
Kushina merely sighed and turned to look up at the defaced face of her husband, longing for him and his aid in rearing her troublesome children.
XxX
Half an hour later….
Naruto and Kurina were both tied up in their homeroom classroom as they ended up being berated by their main teacher, Umino Iruka, about what they had done. “I’m at the end of my rope here, you two!†Iruka started his lecture.
“I think you still have enough,†Kurina deadpanned.
“You think that this is a cool way to spend your ninja career before it can begin?! I have to tell you, your methods of training are screwing up the whole village worse than any invading army could pull off!†Iruka lectured without stopping in mid-sentence like he would have before now. “If you want to succeed like your parents before you, then you have to pass the Genin Exam with better grades than you’re showing right now, especially since I
know you two are better than this!â€
Naruto had his eyes closed while he turned his head to his right, giving off a ‘humph’ while he did so, thus irritating Iruka even further.
“But! Because you two missed it, everyone will have to review the Henge no Jutsu!†Iruka declared, making the whole class groan in disappointment.
XxX
Kushina organized her paperwork as she read through the reports. Kumo had backed down from its usual menacing of their borders. Largely, that was in response to the mutual threat of Kiri, the unstable village of the Five Great Villages. While she had never forgiven them for her kidnapping and the failed kidnapping of the Hyuuga heiress, resulting in the increasing tensions between the two different village’s groups of ANBU, both knew that Kiri was both unstable and unpredictable.
The recent treaty both had signed in actual honesty saw that they were focusing more forces to dealing with missing ninja from Kiri and Kiri itself due to the ever increasing numbers of rogue factions in that village and its home country, the Land of Water.
“EARGH!†suddenly sounded from where the retired Sandaime was looking through his Crystal Ball.
“What the?†the redhead rose and walked into the room with Tiger and Boar covering her flanks.
What they found was The Professor out cold with blood coming from his nose. Then the three saw the Crystal Ball, still active, and there was Naruto laughing at two passed out Chunin. It didn’t take long for Kushina to put two and two together and her face suddenly matched her hair.
“He’s a dead kid!â€
XxX
After the Ninja Academy let out for the day, Kurina and Naruto were both dragged by their mother to the Hokage Monument, making people wonder what happened to cause Kushina to do what she did… before they simply chalked it up as part of Naruto and Kurina’s punishment. What the punishment was, nobody would know, at least not right now.
“Okay, you two,†Kushina said to her kids when they made it to their destination. “I want to know if you two really are sorry for causing such a ruckus earlier today. If you are, you’ll need to show me by cleaning the Monument of any paint, and I’ll give you a good treat of Ramen, on me. If you don’t, then you won’t get your treat.â€
Their eyes shone brilliantly at that (the two of them had an insatiable hunger for Ramen that matched her own). Kushina looked on from above at her children’s progress and was proud of the effort they put into cleaning the monument.
When her children finished cleaning the monument, there wasn’t a single square centimeter of paint left. She thought of teaching them the Kage Bunshin technique… then decided against it for the time being. It was probably for the better that they didn’t learn that for a while.
‘Less paperwork too,’ she thought, knowing how foxy her children could be.
Fifteen minutes later, Naruto, Kurina and their mother were sitting at their preferred Ramen establishment, Ichiraku, while they easily devoured their ramen in great amounts. Kushina was really happy that her children were good kids at heart, knowing when they were in the wrong about a major issue, and willing to make up for their shortcomings. Not only were the three of them there for Ramen….
“Oh, Hokage-sama, I’m glad that you got your children to clean the mess they made of the Hokage Monument.â€
...but Iruka was there as well, much to Kurina’s annoyance.
Naruto, on the other hand, didn’t mind. Iruka was like an older brother to him. True, it annoyed his sister sometimes, but Iruka was still very nice to her. He also helped to pay for some of their ramen from time to time when their mother was so busy being the Hokage.
“Naruto.â€
“Huh?†the boy looked up.
“Kurina?â€
“Yes Iruka-sensei?†the girl also looked up.
Iruka had a thoughtful and curious look on his face as he eyed the two 10-year-olds before asking his question, “Why did you two decide to vandalize the Hokage Faces anyway?†Both blinked at the question. Though Kushina already had an idea herself, she still wanted to hear it from her children.
“You know the importance of the Hokage, being the children of not one, but two Hokage, correct,†it was a statement. He knew Naruto would at least have an idea, since he wanted to be the Rokudaime Hokage himself and Kurina, well, truthfully, he didn’t know her as well as he would like.
“Of course!†Naruto answered immediately, with a wide smile and his eyes closed, making him look like a jolly fox.
“We’re told that our father protected the village during the last Shinobi War and, giving up his life to do so, vanquished the Kyuubi no Yoko, a feat said to be so unparalleled that it has brought to us a chance for peace,†Kurina stated, recalling all she had been told and what she had learned over the years. She then looked down, forlornly, only for Kushina to wrap an arm around her and pull her in close, letting her know how much she loved her daugher, who smiled back weakly, though with some conviction.
“Then why did you two do that?†Iruka inquired. “If you know and believe that, why vandalize the Hokage Faces?â€
Naruto laughed heartily, a joyous laugh full of youth and conviction, a sense of invincibility that adults no longer believe in as they get older, before he began speaking the why, “Because that’s our way to say that ‘we’re gonna surpass our parents, believe it!’†Naruto declared happily. The orange tracksuited boy wore a wide happy-go-lucky grin. “I
will be my
own legend
and Hokage!
I’ll make
my way to the top on my
own strength!â€
Kurina merely smiled and nodded while maintaining her silence. Yes
she would too
prove her
own strength. She was going to
prove that
she was
Uzumaki Kurina, a
kunoichi greater than
her mother! A new
ninja legend all
her own!
After all, she was…
“Kurina?â€
The redheaded child blinked, looking to her side, orange eyes widening when she saw how close Naruto’s face was to her own face.
Naruto, oblivious to this, asked, “Are you okay? You were a bit quiet there like-â€
“Kyaa!†the red and white clad girl screamed and whacked Naruto upside the head as Kushina and Iruka both gave suffering sighs.
‘When will that boy learn?’
XxX
Within the ruins of Uzushiogakure no Sato, there was a relatively intact building that had once been the part of the castle of the country’s Daimyo. The building didn’t look special and had thus avoided the serious damages of the other facilities within the walls. While the upper level didn’t look special, there was a hidden tunnel that was so obvious that it was overlooked. This tunnel led to another part of the same building, protected by a battered but still holding door and serious seals designed to encourage attackers to leave rather than defeat them.
A room in that part of the building contained a cylindrical pod maintained by seals and machinery that was occupied by a naked young girl that looked roughly like she was 10 or 11, her long blonde hair going down her back and her eyes closed. On one of the machines, a countdown sequence was finishing its run, which led to a defrosting stage in which the girl in the pod was able to get her bodily functions back into gear… after a few minutes of waiting for the defrosting at least.
When she opened her jade orbs, the girl looked around for signs of any of the servants that she asked to be around, only to realize….
“Where did everyone go?†she asked out loud, fear creeping into her voice. As she looked at the calendar, her blood froze. It was supposed to be the duty of the servants to update the calendars every single day, but the calendar that was there was last updated on October 2nd of RSY 572, and the calendar was covered with a heavy layer of dust!
Stepping out of the pod and into the room at large, the child genius walked over to a computer console that was attached to the main power generator and activated it, showing to her shock that it was almost a month over 26 years since the calendar was updated! Granted, the day she was put in the pod was October 29th of RSY 570, the same day that she was released this year.
Shaking in fear of what could have happened to her friends and family, Kagekiri Yamiko looked through the databases of everyone that lived in the country and any living relatives they might have, only to find that almost every last citizen of Uzushiogakure was dead. The only one left in the village that was alive was herself, and that would never count the golems that were made to help the village out at times of conflict, considering that golems were never alive to begin with.
Tears filling her eyes, Yamiko almost missed the records under the name “Uzumakiâ€, showing Kushina and her own family alive and well… sans a husband for some reason. When she saw Kushina’s name….
“Kushina?†Yamiko whispered in shocked relief, glad to see her earlier friend was doing alright and with children of her own, which caused her to remember a conversation they had with each other.
A six year old Yamiko was walking with her dear friend Kushina home from their classes in advanced Ninja Theory and Application when Kushina asked, “Ya-chan, how would you like to be related to the Uzumaki through marriage and blood?â€
Yamiko looked at her friend in confusion, before asking, “Ku-chan, what do you mean?â€
Kushina looked to Yamiko, gave her a big smile, and said, “I mean, I want us to be more than just friends in the future. I want us to be the best of friends possible!â€
Yamiko, for her part, could feel her heart beat extra hard at the thought of being related to her best friend… no, scratch that, her only friend. She really wanted to be more than simple friends with Kushina, but, well….
Shaking her head slightly, Yamiko said, “I want us to be more than just friends in the future as well. I promise you this, should anything happen to keep me frozen in time, I’ll be sure to come and find you after I get unfrozen. I really want to be with you and whoever else for as long as possible… though I don’t know when that will be the case.â€
Giggling for a bit, Kushina eventually said, “Silly Yamiko, there’s no way that you’d be frozen in time while we’re still together, especially not when we still need to have fun together~!â€
“Wait, when did we go to first-name basis, anyway?†Yamiko asked with confusion apparent in her tone.
Kushina smiled brightly and answered, “Ever since you agreed to be related to the Uzumaki, though I know for a fact that I won’t set you up with anyone at all. That would be rude of me.â€
Yamiko’s confusion wore off, allowing her to say with absolute certainty, “Alright… Kushina. I’m glad for that.â€
It was later that year when Kushina had to leave Uzushiogakure, but when it happened, Yamiko promised to make sure that things were safe for being with her friend later on.
Yamiko shook her head, clearing her mind of the memory for the time being. She needed to figure out how to get to where Kushina lived now, but she didn’t know anyone in the area of the village ruins that could possibly take her to where Kushina was last heard from… if anyone was still alive in the vicinity of the ruins.
Sighing, she walked over to her room, feeling miffed that she forgot to keep her clothes nearby or in a sealing array that would keep them from wearing them out over time. It was going to be a cold day from what she could tell, and she didn’t want to deal with the weather right now. She sure hoped there was something she could find to wear in her bedroom.
XxX
Two men screamed in horror just before their bodies exploded. Such was their fate, as the two were the last of the slavers in the hidden series of tunnels they used to store the young women and girls they kept. The group they had belonged to had mistaken a seemingly cute little blonde girl for being easy prey and quick cash in the pocket. Instead, in an ironic twist, the inevitable fate had finally caught up to the group of slavers in the form of one very irate Kyuubi no Jaakuna Kitsune as the young girl turned out to be.
She had played coy, pretending to be frightened and scared, and then lured them into a false sense of security and control. She had allowed them to come close, so tantalizing close that they were nearly foaming at the mouth with the thought of the money they could make selling her to any number of customers…
Then she ripped away their illusions and replaced them with the grim and dark reality of death.
She had not paid attention to their terror or their pleas, attacking them with an aurora of sheer malice. Their defenses and tools turned against them. She struck without mercy, killing them all as they fled, but they were trapped and they knew it.
Then, she killed them off, alone or in groups until only two were left and then... in one final drawn out step crushed both of the last survivors.
The seemingly innocent face had only pure joy and revelry at the deaths of the slavers. Their screams of terror were such a high for her. The deep resonance of terror, fear, horror, and realization that they were going to die, filled her with ecstasy that she so enjoyed.
It made it worth being in her current form and allowed her to bleed off some stress that had been building up inside of her.
Though normally, after such a venting, she would go find a man and enjoy the next few nights, usually with new partners as few humans could keep up with her. But not in the imperfect form she had been left in. Her power nearly completely robbed of her.
"And on top of that," she grumbled angrily as she turned to leave the current -and she found the term ironically joyful- dead end, "They were a group only interested in females," she huffed a bit and while she would have likely done the same, in this form she felt a bit queasy at the thought of being sold off.
She stalked back to the main tunnel. The results of her rampage could be easily seen in the results left. Yet for her, she hardly paid attention, though now she felt herself to be more dignified and so she stepped around the messes she had created in her spree. She already knew she would likely have to seek out fresh clothes and a way to clean herself off.
It annoyed her, but she forgot one important detail during her assault…
With most of her power gone, she couldn't just clean herself easily anymore. She would actually need fresh clothes and a bath. While she loved baths, she wouldn't be Japanese if she didn't; she hated the idea of laundry. She wasn't some stupid mortal, after all, who obsessed with keeping clean. With her true power, she could just stay clean.
"How annoying," she stated to the air as she walked by the empty cells she was certain teenage girls and young women were placed into before being shipped off to some rural backwards area in need of young brides to produce more children, "And I'm supposed to be the 'evil' one, HA!" she laughed at the ridiculous nature of the base born humans, no matter the dimension.
She passed by the cells that were supposed to hold playmates for the wealthy offspring and sneered; she would be far more powerful than any human ever born.
Turning at the area used to train others into being barmaids, items still neatly stacked and ready for use, she made her way back towards the front. Though, as she was leaving, she heard a sniffle as her ears perked and she looked around the place for the first time since arriving.
There were children held in cages and cells all around her with others chained or strapped to the walls. Girls about her own age and others slightly older and younger, at least in appearance of the age she appeared. As her blue eyes scanned the group, she noted that there was no similarity between them all. They simply came from all over the place and covered about every part of the spectrum. Only that they looked miserable and frightened gave them anything similar.
'Good,' she thought and prepared to leave, but then huffed in annoyance as one girl, chained to a cart ready to leave, whimpered in fear and tried to move away from her.
Normally that would have been fine by her. Unfortunately, there was no way that she could generate the power to just leave. All the signs pointed to them being in some land where there was high awareness to her power. As such, she just couldn't blow the door off its hinges and simply walk off into the evening.
Especially since she made a mess of herself earlier.
Fortunately, for her that is, she could still control the thoughts of the gathered children. She'll get useful info, and as long as she maintained some control over them, they would be useful agents as they grew older.
With their aid, she might even find a way back to Japan. After all, this was certainly not Japan. A similar feel, but as a Fox Demon of her power, she could tell the difference. It was strange to begin with and so… she needed allies.
Whether they wanted it or not.
"Do not fret little ones," she said. Her smirk was purely predatory with an evil glint in her eyes as she looked upon the gathered and bound girls and continued, "I'm not going to hurt you. In fact, I'll be taking care of you for a long, long time." The girls were in absolute terror of the seemingly innocent, but vile one among them, though a few saw it, the shadow she cast…
XxX
Two redheads stepped off the ferry, wearing simple brown hooded cloaks. The rain was coming down hard now. The ferry crew was trying to get everyone off so they could make for safer waters to wait out the storm that was brewing.
The two had their hoods up, which cast their faces into shadows. The only way the two could be recognized as redheaded young women was by the strands of red hair poking out from the sides of the hood and the faint outline of their faces through the shadows.
Several men looked their way, leering. They were situated in an alley and one of them tried to stop the girls. Several dogs suddenly appeared and made it clear that they had better stay away. Of course the men didn’t take the warning seriously. One even drew a katana, stolen from the dead body of an unfortunate guardsman, and made a swipe at one of the dogs, nearly cutting its nose.
That was their last mistake.
When the town guards arrived, two of the men had to be dug out of the side of a building. They were still alive, but it was clear that these crooks had done something stupid.
They had pissed off ninja.
Now, if they didn’t die from their injuries, there was always beheading.
XxX
Naruto reclined in a tree. He always climbed to this same spot when he just wanted to relax. It was peaceful and it let him unwind in thought.
People would be shocked if they knew that he, the ever happy go lucky ball of energy, was actually taking things slow and relaxing. Even he needed to take it easy every once in a while, otherwise he’d burn out. This particular tree was especially good for that. He yawned and stretched, then let dancing leaves lull him into a peaceful nap.
XxX
Kurina was beside herself. The nightmares had been plaguing her a lot lately. Thankfully, that idiot brother of hers always appeared to do something stupid. She could always count on them to help her forget them.
She was frightened, of course. The nightmares were so real. The dark whispers to do harm. She remembered-
“There you are, Kurina!â€
The redhead blinked as her orange eyes went up to see the toweled covered form of her mother, interrupting her internal thoughts and worries.
“Mother?!†Kurina’s face turned red as she saw her mother, she was seriously jealous, as her mother had an amazing body, while, right now, Kurina was a bit flat with a round face, so that many girls teased her as the ‘Red Farm Tomato.’
“Come on!†the older redhead grabbed her daughter by the hand and pulled her along with a smile on her face. “You wash my back, I’ll wash yours, okay?â€
Like the younger redhead had a choice? Though she did feel the warmth of her mother’s smile reach her heart.
XxX
Yamiko, now clad in her clothes, looked herself over in a mirror.
Her outfit consisted of a blue and white child’s dress, trimmed in black, with a high collar and the hem went to her knees. She had matching detachable sleeves, unusual if not unheard of for a child’s outfit. They were currently attached and had two red ribbons tied to the clamps that held them together. She also wore black long socks and white and blue children’s boots, while on her head sat a blue beret with the crest of her fallen home on it. Another crest sat just above her heart on the left side of her outfit.
Then she picked up the two pistols that she was born to use. They were nearly half her own height. As such, it was amazing she could hold them. Then she spun them and sheathed them into two holsters on her hips. In the event of needing to use them, she could draw them like swords and given how they sat on her hips, she could draw one or the other or even both with her opposite hands. It depended on her dexterity to draw and use both at the same time, something she felt she was not ready for, especially given their length.
Again, on both the pistols and the holsters, were stamped the symbol of her now gone country.
When she turned to pack all her remaining belongings inside of the storage scrolls, she nearly jumped out of her skin, all because of her personal golem, Mika, surprising her. Mika looked to be a tanned little girl with blue hair in long Princess Tails with Side Waves and two long bangs framing her face, her teal eyes glowing vibrantly. She was dressed in a purple body suit with pink sides that had a collar and went down to just above her knees. She also wore a double breasted frock coat that was grey with gold buttons that lead to oversized white cuffs on her wrists, held in place by gold cuff links. She wore a red and black open vest under that. On her legs were long violet boots that ended just beneath her knees.
On her back was a large pack and on her hips was a pair of tonfas held in holsters.
“MIKA!†Yamkio declared in shock, not having expected to see her personal golem standing before her.
“Greetings, Mistress Yamiko,†Mika responded in that monotone voice of hers that kept her emotions hidden. “I have already taken the liberty of-â€
Yamiko wrapped her arms around Mika’s neck and pulled her in close. It was a profound relief that Yamiko still had one friend left in her dead homeland. She sobbed heavily into Mika’s shoulder, unable to form words, overcome with joy at seeing Mika, fully functional and active.
Mika merely wrapped her own arms around Yamiko. She gently began to rub the sobbing blonde’s back with gentle motions. She had reactivated when an alert system informed her that Yamiko had awakened. It had taken some time to prepare and present herself, but her timing, as always, was impeccable.
Yamiko didn’t notice, though, that Mika had a slight smile on her lips and her eyes had briefly closed as she embraced her.
After several minutes, Yamiko finally calmed down. She felt no shame as she released Mika, whose face was as stoic as always.
“My (sniff) apologies (sniff) Mika,†the blonde said as she sniffed one last time, managing to finally fully recover. “But I’m so glad to see you after so long,†she pulled Mika in again to just make sure it was really her before finally being satisfied, “I just didn’t expect to find anyone after what I discovered when I woke up.â€
“I understand Mistress Yamiko,†the golem replied in her monotone voice, “I also did not expect to find much when I reactivated.†She then looked around, glancing at the cracked and damaged walls, faded from years of neglect, before saying, “Or anyone for that matter.â€
Nodding at the signs of neglect and damage, it bothered Yamiko so greatly that she had forgotten to even try to look for Mika. “I’m sorry Mika,†the blonde said as she shook her head. “I was just so shocked, I’d completely forgotten you, I should have known better.†She then smiled weakly to the golem, saying, “I was the one that built you after all.â€
“Indeed, that you did, but I do fear that would have been it if I had been active at the time,†Mika said, indicating the room they were in and far beyond it as well. “If my Mistress wishes to inquire about what happened,†Mika began, anticipating this question would appear at some time in the future.
“Yes, I do,†Yamiko said with a solemn nod.
“I’m afraid I cannot provide an answer as I appear to have been shut down some time prior, all data and memory of that period is also strangely missing,†Mika said, still the way she normally was. It was then that teal met green, Mika continuing, “Nevertheless I am filled with joy to begin serving you again, my mistress, and I can report that I am fully ready to return to my duties.â€
Giggling at Mika’s ever stoic statements, Yamiko felt profound relief. She was sad that Mika had no information to provide her with, but that was not as worrying as the fact that Mika had been active when Yamiko had entered cold sleep. The fact that Mika could not recall anything was startling. Additionally, it appeared that information and data had been purposefully removed from her, which added to Yamiko’s list of unanswered questions.
Then she took in Mika’s appearance again and quirked a blonde eyebrow.
“Er, Mika,†Yamiko began again in some surprise. “Why are you here with a packed bag on your back and armed with your tonfas?â€
“Mistress Yamiko,†Mika said in monotone. “I believe it is imperative that we move everything from the labs over to Konoha, with us setting up a new base of operations somewhere in the forests surrounding the village. We don’t know if Kushina-sama will remember you, or anything about the situation in the village, so we’d better go to Hi no Kuni the slow way and trek to Konoha by foot.†Shifting the large pack on her back, she continued, “Additionally, all available records that were left have been packed as well for our relocation.â€
Yamiko nodded, that made sense to her. She was so glad that Mika was quick to think about such things. Then, Yamiko eyed the pack which Mika took as her cue to continue.
“On the topic of recovered items,†Mika began at once. “I have found and recovered the entire history of our country, the hidden village, and the various clans and families, among other items of note and need, such as the Uzumaki Clan Jutsu Records, Scrolls, and even Theory.†She halted to allow Yamiko to digest and then once the blonde nodded, Mika continued. “This of course is to say nothing of the records that may be able to eventually assist you in understanding what brought about the end to the Land of Whirlpool.â€
Yamiko was surprised at Mika’s preparedness and forward thought. Then again, that was just how she was designed and created. It was a major leap forward. She knew without a doubt that she could rely on Mika.
“On a related note, my Mistress,†Mika turned back to Yamiko. “I have also collected and stored all remaining equipment from the armories, recovered all the remaining taxes in the repositories, and stored for transport all remaining treasures of the land and hidden village, though I’m afraid in each case, there wasn’t as much as could be hoped.â€
Yamiko frowned at hearing that, but then some concern set in as she asked, “What of armor and weapon prototypes among other kinds of equipment?â€
“The prototype equipment area had not been discovered nor raided and all items inside were in good order, thus I was able to recover all items stored there within,†Mika reported and Yamiko felt relief at hearing that. “Additionally I took the liberty to recover rare and endangered species of flora, but unfortunately, I have only been able to determine probable locations for fauna in the same categories due to a variety of reasons.†Mika then tilted her head, asking, “Should I list the reasons, Mistress?â€
“No Mika,†Yamiko said as she shook her head. “That won’t be necessary, as I trust you did all you could.â€
“Thank you, Mistress,†Mika replied with a bow, “One last note on that subject,†Yamiko was all ears, “We only need a base, some assistance, and a new preserve to move them to and we should be able to maintain and increase their numbers in the future.â€
“Mika,†Yamiko began.
“Yes, Mistress?†Mika responded, before being suddenly gripped in a crushing hug.
“If I had made you a boy, I would kiss you right now full on the lips!†Yamiko declared happily. “I might still do that, don’t know.†She then held the golem at arm’s length, asking, “Any other good news you have for me?â€
“I’m afraid that is all, Mistress.†Honestly, Mika felt a little disappointed about not getting a kiss for some reason, she mentally shrugged it off though without showing it on her face. “And to answer your question on my weapons, I believe we will be on a dangerous road, it is best to be prepared,†she said as she tapped the pack. “I also brought my other weapons and found and recovered your armor, though I’m afraid it will need some repair and adjustments, as will my own armor.â€
Huffing in annoyance that was one thing that bugged Yamiko, but then she mellowed. “We can worry about the armor when we are safe and sound,†she said, and then smiled again towards the golem. “Thank you Mika. I would be lost without you.â€
Mika had already begun to turn, so Yamiko didn’t see the cheeks look brighter on Mika’s face even as she kept that stoic tone that betrayed nothing. “I exist to only serve you my mistress,†the golem’s response was pretty normal. “If the mistress is ready, let us be on our way.â€
Yamiko gave off a sad sigh before she said, “Indeed.†She would have to learn the truth someday. She set her tone full of resolve and said, “Let us go now.â€
Their nation was just a silent tomb now. No point in remaining, in case robbers returned to plunder any forgotten place.
XxX
Naruto walked through the streets of Konoha as the day slowly progressed. He was glad that school let out early that day, but he also wanted to find a good place to train as a Shinobi, where he wasn’t being compared to his father all the time. Sure, he liked that he was recognized as a member of his own family, but this was just taking it too far!
It had been a couple weeks since he and Kurina had pulled the prank on the Hokage Monument, but nothing really big had happened since. Though he was probably going to prank that insufferable Kiba again. The Inuzuka boy just had to go off and run his mouth, again. Kiba has been getting full of himself lately, so Naruto saw it as one of chief duties to knock the boy down a few pegs.
Of course, it had nothing to do with today’s remarks about his lack of Chakra control, or the fact that he pummeled Naruto at hand to hand today and was a bit abrasive about it.
That only made it all the better.
XxX
Even as Naruto made rather ‘diabolical’ plans to get back at Kiba, he was virtually unaware of the young girl following him. The girl followed with the utmost stealth, successfully hiding as she followed. Even the people that were walking down the road failed to note her as she made her plans. Yes, truly, she had her own plans in mind.
She followed her target into the ramen shop, allowing the waitress to notice her and collective her order. A short time later, the food was delivered to her target. But as she reached for her pills to sabotage the boy’s food, she found them missing. She also discovered her wallet was also gone.
“Looking for these, Ino?â€
XxX
Kurina watched as Yamanaka Ino froze and turned to look at her. The long haired platinum blonde’s face was just priceless to Kurina. The orange and red dressed girl, though, shook her head as she handed back the wallet.
“Mind if I make use of these instead?†Kurina asked. She went back to eating her food as she pocketed the pills without an answer, explaining by saying, “I want to use them on Ami later.â€
Hearing that name, Ino’s face immediately twitched in annoyance. Purple haired and eyed Ami was a girl in their year. She was little more than a bully that got knocked down a few pegs whenever Kurina or Ino, usually both actually, felt she was getting to be a bit too big in the head.
So, Ino had no intention of stopping Kurina.
“Guess I’ll have to make the sacrifice to curb stomp that twit,†Ino answered. She went to eating her food instead; stewing over the fact she couldn’t get at Naruto for that embarrassing prank he pulled with a microphone and the Academy’s PA system.
Her mother had grounded her for a month and she still had 21 days to go.
Still, how did he get into the girl’s restroom was a big question.
Suddenly both girls turned to Naruto when they heard his stomach make a strange gurgling sound.
“Oh man!†Naruto yelled. He then shot off, out of the stand and around the corner, shouting at the top of his lungs, “OUT OF THE WAY!!!!!â€
The scene left the group of patrons and the two staff blinking at the sight. They had no idea what just happened. Ino turned to Kurina who only reached out and stopped the first person she could grab from outside.
“Hey! Kurina?!†the person shouted as they were pulled in. “What gives?†the person looked a little surprised at the eerie lack of anything. He then smirked devilishly and said, “Oh I get it!†The person puffed their chest out and continued, “Now you’re gonna admit that you lo- GURK!†That was when Kurina stuffed a load of the ramen from Naruto’s bowl into Kiba’s mouth to shut him up, gagging him in the process.
It was somewhat comical to see. Kiba was doing his best not to cry at the fact that Naruto had gone with a slightly spicy flavor tonight. Well, slightly spicy to Naruto anyways. If it was ramen, he’ll eat just about anything. In this case, the house spicy special.
Once he had somehow managed to swallow without choking to death, much to the displeasure of both Ino and Kurina, Kiba coughed a bit, then turned on the redheaded girl.
“What was that for?!†he demanded in a rage. “Did you forget that I’m a-â€
Then Kiba’s stomach suddenly gurgled and then he was off at a high speed run, not as gracious as Naruto had been, especially since he was holding the seat of his pants.
“Who put laxatives in my meals?!†Teuchi shouted, indignant and irate at the mere thought of the sabotage.
XxX
Meanwhile, in a separate part of the village, one Hyuuga Hinata sneezed into the sleeve of her coat. She really hoped that she wasn’t catching a cold. Then again, she half expected her little sabotage to be affecting Naruto right about now.
Naruto… it’s not that she really disliked him — as a matter of fact, she was taken with his confidence. But her clan wanted her to marry him, and she
knew that it was just so she could help propagate the family line. She wouldn’t allow herself to be trapped in some loveless marriage for the sake of bringing her clan greater prestige in the village.
She wanted to be a strong woman when she grew up, not some weak little girl who only kowtowed and giggled stupidly. She would be… uh, oh, a rather angry Hokage stood tapping her foot, drilling a hole in her with her eyes! Lucky to be alive, that’s what she’d be if she ever grew up.
‘How does she do it?’ Hinata wondered, as the Hokage reached out and Hinata was suddenly a very frightened little girl.
XxX
On the path to Konoha, Yamiko and Mika had walked at least 150 miles from the Uzu no Kuni-Hi no Kuni border and had made it within ten miles away from Konoha, with nobody trying to rob them while they were on the road. It was rather fortunate that they avoided bandits because they were carrying such valuable equipment and all the flora and fauna of Uzushio, but it seemed that their luck was close to running out the closer they got to Konoha.
Yamiko was worried that something wrong would happen before they got to the gates, though she knew that Mika would help her out of that mess, especially if the threat was of bandits--
Suddenly, a set of low-volume growls was heard surrounding the two of them and their entourage, causing the adults to shuffle themselves around the child-looking members of the group (much to their annoyance).
“What’s that?†someone asked, obviously frightened as suddenly red eyes began to glow from the trees lining one side of the road.
Mika’s response was to fire a flare pistol immediately. The dazzling light briefly blinded everything. But the purpose had been served as a flare dangled from a small parachute and revealed a group of mad looking wild lions.
“Something is not right,†Yamiko said as she took in the view of the lions.
Their muscles bulged unnaturally as drool fell from their fanged mouths. Their eyes were glowing an unnatural deep red light with no sign of their normal eyes. Their coats, normally a ‘pleasant’ yellow color, were a far darker, more unnatural color. Their size was also unusual for the breed.
“Mistress,†Mika began after observing the lions herself. “These lions have been artificially induced into a rage. Unusual bulging of muscles, larger than normal size, darker coat, and mass amount of silva indicate further tampering of their normal selves.â€
“Uh, Mika,†Yamiko said as she pointed at the animals’ eyes. “I think the obvious part was also the glowing red eyes.â€
“I was getting to that, Mistress,†Mika continued on unperturbed by her mistress’ interruption. “The eyes are being used by a controlling force to observe, which is why they haven’t attacked just yet.â€
“Great,†Yamiko stated sarcastically. She pulled her pistols out and then demanded, “Where the heck is the ANBU patrol when you need it?â€
“Possibly not here yet or may not be coming at all.â€
“Another great,†Yamiko sarcastically announced. At that moment, whoever held control released it and the lions roared and charged as Yamiko opened up with a hail of gunfire.
XxX
A pair of redheads heard a series of strange sounds. At first they were as soft as a cool evening breeze, but they began to change into deep growls, then roars. And it became clear that the sounds were very wrong.
“We better go help,†the younger of the two, though it was hard to tell that, said.
“Yes,†her friend agreed, but didn’t move. “But first let’s address our own threats,†she stated as more growls, much closer were heard as more of the mad lions appeared before the two young ladies.
XxX
The guards surrounding Yamiko and Mika were the first to charge at the tampered lions, only for the lions to bat the spears out of the way with their enhanced paws and nearly tear the arms of their attackers off along the way. It was at this time that Yamiko started to target one of the lions that were about to make mincemeat out of the guards with her guns and fired at it, dealing heavy damage to the beast, and also angering it at the same time.
Not only did this get the now-heavily injured lion to turn its attention to the two of them, but the rest of the pack turned to the source of the shots as well, rushing towards Yamiko and attempting to prevent her from shooting at them again. It was at this time that Mika, armed with her tonfas, came between them and her mistress and struck out at the head of the pack with quick jabs at the eyes, crushing them and driving through to the brain, easily obliterating the lion.
The lions attempted to swat Yamiko and Mika down to the ground, though their ninja training proved to be superior, dodging the blows with Chakra-enhanced jumps, Yamiko spinning about in the air while peppering the lions with precise bullet wounds in critical areas. Mika, having put away her tonfas for the time being, pulled out two Kunai launchers that Yamiko had made in her spare time by the day before, aimed, and pulled the triggers. Near instantaneously, a multitude of Kunai flew into the bodies of the lions that were relatively uninjured and those that were injured grievously by that point.
With both of them landing on opposite sides of the lions, they surveyed their work, seeing that the lions collapsed from blood loss and were dying slowly but surely.
Suddenly, the lions got stepped on by a larger than average lion, one that was about the size of the Hokage Monument. Not only did the dying lions get crushed, the weapons used on them were crushed as well, leaving nothing but fine powder. This lion gave a nerve-wracking roar that would have made a lesser person die from hearing the whole thing, though it was rather fortunate that the lesser people were already unconscious, leaving Yamiko and Mika ready and waiting for an attack.
“Well… crap,†Yamiko said as a general consensus of hers and Mika’s opinion, the golem nodding her head in agreement.
XxX
As the maddened beasts attacked, the two redheads evaded. It was clear that they were crazed, so there was no time to lose in releasing them from their forced insanity. One launched an attack with Kunai that were carrying explosive tags. The blasts killed three as they were shredded by the explosions and debris from shattered trees, rock, and earth.
The other evaded, flipping over two to avoid another pair. As she landed, she brought up a bow and quickly managed to get off two arrows of glowing light. The arrows sunk deep into one of the lions. It roared in pain and agony before exploding into a red mist. The woman gave a prayer as she dodged and fired another arrow, this one driving through skull of another lion before partially exiting through the throat.
A moment later and she knew she had ended another noble creature’s life, mercifully or not, it was not sitting well with her.
Her companion shared the same hard choice and its consequences. She landed on the back of another and quickly drove her kunai into the base of its head where it met the neck. She severed the vital location and the lion collapsed, rolling as she leaped off, barely dodging the claws of another, to rebound off a tree just seconds before one of the lions crashed into it.
The explosive tag she left on the tree exploded and the remaining half of the lion fell messily to the ground.
The second woman switched her bow out for a sword and with a single mighty swipe, split one lion from nose to the tip of its tail in two. She hadn’t the time to mourn the creature as she spun to avoid being clawed open, but her sword finished the spin with her and cleaved another headless. The one she dodged came back, but she ducked under and stabbed upward, arresting the madden lion’s momentum with raw strength; she tossed the body into the last three, tumbling them as they pursued her companion.
The first redhead didn’t waste a moment and chains appeared from the ground and quickly restrained the raging cats. They three struggled, but in a moment they were ended, a single tear escaping the woman as she held back a choke sob and a desire to cry out for them.
The fight was over.
“Whoever is responsible better pray to whatever they believe in that I don’t get to them,†the second woman growled angrily as she brought her bow up, an arrow of fire red light held at the ready.
Explosions and the sounds of fighting told of the other group under siege.
“Agreed,†the first said with determined conviction as her friend released her arrow and the area was consumed in light and heat.
“Let’s go,†the second one said. The two were off as the area behind them burned bright enough to be seen.
XxX
“FIRE! THERE’S A FIRE IN THE WOODS!†a watchman shouted. About that time, bits of light from elsewhere followed by explosions and the sound of madden beasts reached his eyes and ears, having him report, “BATTLE! THERE’S A BATTLE GOING ON!â€
Alarms sounded in a collection of alarmed sounds. Guards poured from barracks as the quick response teams rushed out to meet the battle. The Hokage strolled into the command center with a calm that eased others. She took command as civilians were rushed to the hidden shelters. The battle would be met with force.
Great gates closed with a mighty boom as lights pierced the night.
---
To be continued in the next post (due to length issues).
XxX
In the middle of the path in the wooded area where Yamiko and Mika were at, the giant lion was preparing to crush the two kunoichi in training (technically), with both the genius and the golem preparing for the worst in this case.
“This is going to hurt,†Yamiko said with a sigh, “Isn’t it?†She then gulped at the sight of the building sized lion when it came in full view.
“In all probability,†Mika also looked up and showed no emotion, but she felt a nagging feeling. “That possibility is 10 percent at this time, though variable factors do exist.â€
“What’s that supposed to mean?!†Yamiko snapped at her golem.
“It means that we are likely to die in 90 percent of all scenarios that can be considered in all variable factors,†Mika’s response was dead panned dry.
“Gr-
REAT!†Yamiko shouted, and barely dodged the swipe of the massive mad beast’s claws, only to find that she was missing the center of her outfit, over her stomach and had a thin trail of blood leaking out. “
THOSE ARE SHARP!â€
The lion only roared and attacked again. Fortunately, they were small enough to evade. Unfortunately, there was a lot of flying debris.
The two dodged as best they could. It was a maelstrom of death flying all about them. If not for their small and nimble size, they might already be dead. Fortunately, whoever is controlling the giant beast seemed to be less interested in a quick kill, which improved their chances…
Not by much as one of Mika’s socks is nearly shredded to pieces as she manages to avoid losing the leg it was on.
Then a particularly large branch crashes into the golem girl from behind. Mika coughed up a ruby red synthetic fluid that allows her body to function. She tumbles forward as the branch breaks in two. Her form lays stilled and unmoving, but her body, designed so much to mimic the human form she was based on, reveals she is still alive.
“Mika!†Yamiko shouted, only for the massive tail to whack her across the battle area.
The blonde girl tumbles and rolls for several dozen meters before becoming impaled on a piece of tree debris. She screams as the sharp end goes through her right shoulder and juts out, covered in her blood. Tears fall from her eyes as she breathes heavily, still screaming at the pain.
The lion then smacks her directly, but Mika intercepts and manages to lessen the blow with her great strength, but it was still not enough as both are sent flying.
Mika is seemingly destroyed as a bloody and torn up Yamiko looks on helplessly as the lion stalks overs, drooling and foaming at its mouth.
“No… no…†Yamiko pleaded as the lion stalked forward. “Not now... please not now,†Yamiko looked on as the beast prepared to pounce, remembering her life up until that point, what she hoped to accomplish, and her…
Chains explode from the ground and quickly wrap around the duo and pull them to safety as the beast pounces only to get an arrow to its face that explodes on contact.
XxX
“Just in time,†the one controlling the chains stated as she observed the unnaturally giant beast before as she settles the two girls down gently near her.
The other only nods as she observes the enraged berserking giant of a lion. She could sense the fel energies coming off the beast. She may not know the type of energy, but she knew evil when she encountered it. Now it was not her time to truly cut loose, but she knew she would like have to use a bit more power, if need be.
“This…†she trailed off, seeking a word that was simply not there. “This energy is very malicious,†she shook herself. “It appears to have a warping effect. As far as I can tell, it was some time for the beast to be broken and bent and then made massive,†she observed how it suddenly looked in their direction and she smirked. “But to fully use it, it must be controlled closely.â€
“This will be trouble,†the first redhead remarked as she tended to the wounds of the two girls, only to find….
“What the?†she said as she held her hands over Mika. “No,†she stated in quiet disbelief, not wanting to believe as she moved her hands up and down the unconscious golem girl. “You’re Mika,†she said as a small, gentle smile formed and tears silently began to fall, “Aren’t you little one?â€
The younger redhead gently moved a hand to cup Mika’s cheek as she leaned forward to press her forehead against the unconscious golem’s own. “I’m so glad,†she said and sniffed a little, but then spotted how her pack had somehow survived, though a latch had come undone.
Gently, she pulled a scroll out and found it to be a storage scroll. She opened it up and discovered it was from her family’s destroyed homeland. With a little hesitation, she removed an item from within, a Scroll of the Uzumaki Clan. “So this must be Kagekiri Yamiko then.†She smiled at the blonde girl quite happily as she said, “So she did survive.†She then turned with a frown to the lion that eyed them carefully.
“I shall buy you time and hold it off,†her straightforward companion said. She then launched herself straight at the beast, clearing the vast distance in a single leap and smashing a fist into the side of the beast’s head and sending it careening to the side and off its feet in the single move as the power was so great as to displace the air around its contact point.
Nodding as her friend and companion would hold the beast off long enough, the first redhead pulled back her hood enough to see to the two. Her dark eyes shown with care and gentleness as she took care of the two. Her gentle features on her thin face were smooth. Her long red hair held was held back by a white band. She would do what she could for Mika, but she was a little out of her depth on Golems, though she could at least set Mika to live long enough until Yamiko had fully recovered.
The other redhead smirked as she evaded the ponderous beast again. The massive size was working against it. Being smaller and more powerful allowed her to evade with nigh absurd ease.
With a slight twist and a quick back flip, she escaped another claw attack. Once she was set, she brought her bow on target and fired another arrow of light. Then she moved at once, flipping over the tail even as her shot impacted against the nose of the lion and exploded with electrical energy.
The lion roared in shock and pain as it shook its head. The attack had damaged its sense of smell and with all the drool and foam about its mouth, it was shocked something fiercely. The lion shook and wandered in a circle, confused and hurt from the attack. Then it howled as it suddenly regained control of itself, or rather, the puppeteer had.
“I do wonder where you could be?†the woman ideally wondered aloud and the head snapped to her. “Oh, yes, I can sense your power controlling this noble animal you filthy bastard you!†Her yellow eyes looked up, piercing through the glowing red eyes and into the eyes of the puppeteer, “You should know what you mess with before you do so!†She allowed her canine teeth to reflect light, just before she vanished and the lion was actually sent tumbling a good 900 meters, tearing up a length of the forest they fought in.
Once the lion had stopped and tried to regain its feet, the woman came down from above to drop kick it in the head. The massive beast slammed back to the earth in an explosion of dirt and debris. The woman came spinning out of it and the lion was hot on her heels, biting into the air she had just been.
Then she landed in a crouch, but not in a position most would consider good.
The puppeteer saw the short landing and charged. The lion was manipulated into attacking the woman as she had yet to rise from her crouch. As the lion closed the distance, lights danced beneath the woman’s hands. It was clear, she hadn’t been crouching, but getting ready to attack again.
Suddenly, chains exploded from the earth. The pure, raw energy of Chakra quickly wrapped itself around the lion and pulled it back. The lion fought back and a vicious struggle ensued as the lion and the woman fought for dominance.
All the while, the yellow eyed redhead continued to charge her power.
XxX
“Those are Uzumaki Chakra Chains?!†Dog looked on in disbelief, for never in his wildest dreams did he expect to see those used by anyone again save for the Godaime Hokage.
Tiger kept his senses better, saying, “Send a message back to the Lady Hokage and now!â€
XxX
The lion berserker pulled hard left, only to find there was no resistance. This allowed it to seemingly begin to escape, but then a sharp yank to its left caused it to overbalance and roll over as it was held down tightly. The beast struggled to get off its back and regain its footing. It was mostly successful, but more chains wrapped and held ever tighter.
Nevertheless, the sheer might of the larger beast and its raw, uncaged, and enhanced madness caused it to begin to win ever so slightly. It pulled hard to the right and immediately yanked left followed by a powerful buck onto its hind legs. Several chains strained and nearly all had to be loosened to some degree to prevent their destruction. The mad monster was winning.
With a deft pull, the chains began to slip and fall and the lion roared mastery, but then they recoiled and bound ever so tighter, wrapping around the legs so effectively and suddenly that it fell forward into the ground.
“Now!†the first redhead shouted as she reeled the beast in after a long and tense struggle.
Her comrade didn’t dither.
Her eyes shot up as her hood fell down and she brought her hands up as she charged forward, slamming her hands together to forge a massive sword of yellow energy that glowed as bright as the sun and then stab forward in a classic samurai sword attack.
The lion roared in defiance as it struggled to break free, the red eyes glowing ever brighter as the chains suddenly vanished and the yellow blade of energy dove into the neck of the frenzied beast and down into its heart, cutting upwards and through its spine…
As the woman landed, her fox ears twitched and the giant lion exploded from the embedded sword cascading out of control now that there was nothing to hold it together.
“Spirit Sword Technique,†the fox woman said softly. “Earth Light Purification Explosion of Release.†With a sigh she brought one hand up and then snapped it out to the side, the remaining energy turning the area into an inferno, destroying all that had been tainted. “Rest in peace noble ones and let your spirits be reborn pure and anew from this vile work of evil.â€
She pulled her hood back on as flame spread her way and when it engulfed, there was no sign of her.
---
To be finished in the next post (I hope).
