Death and Rebirth Part 3

     The campsite shook from the force of the distant explosions. The girls sat by the camp fire eating small snacks and telling stories as if nothing were happening at the lake behind them.  Asuka chuckled to herself as shockwave from one of Kross' fiery explosions knocked over her drink.  
     Hikari moved to pick it up but Asuka motioned her away with a smile.  Hikari looked her in the eye; she noticed an absence of worry in her eyes.  She spoke softly yet anxiously.  "Aren't you worried about them?  Those explosions sound huge.  One of them is going to get hurt!"
     Asuka looked off in the direction of the lake.  She sighed and smiled at her new friend. "Those boys are tougher than they look."  Hikari looked shocked; they all looked pretty tough as it was.  Asuka continued "It's been like this ever since we were kids.  It seems like those boys can't enter the same room without testing each other's limits."
     "But, why?"  Hikari was lost in the complexities of this awkward group.  What possibly could be the anchor holding a mismatched group of Shinobi from varying villages together?  "The world has been so peaceful ever since the end of the war.  Such extreme training isn't a necessity anymore."
     Asuka smiled distantly, "Because. . .  We need each other."  They sat in silence listening to the roar of the battles in the distance.  "Come on Hikari.  Let's go check on those knuckleheads."  They rose to their feet and made their way into the woods.  
     The air grew cool as they moved further from the campsite.  Hikari looked around in amazement.  Frost covered trees stood abundantly throughout the forest, and on a warm summer evening.  Large, shattered pillars and shards of ice spears littered the ground.  She shivered at the thought of the battle that must have happened here moments before.  The girls stepped out into the clearing.  They saw Vorian and Kuno standing side by side at the edge of the water.  The boys didn't take their eyes off of the raging battle before them, but they greeted the girls all the same.  
     Asuka stood next to Vorian and tried to get a handle on what was happening in the battle.  She asked without looking away, "So, how's it going?"
     Vorian smirked, "The dimwit is on a fiery rampage once again.  He has been blasting fireballs like there is no tomorrow."
     Kuno interjected.  "To top it off, Kaza has been playing it defensively the entire match.  I can't tell if he is helpless or biding his time.  Either way, He'll run out of chakra before he ever lays a finger on Kross if he doesn't make his move soon."
Hikari stepped between the two boys and looked across the water.  She did her best to try and make out the figures amongst the flames and flashes.  She traced a jet of flames to its source and then to its target.  It took all she had, to focus on the figures and follow the action.
     Kross' hands moved blindingly fast as he formed his seals and blasted another Fireball technique in Kaza's direction.  Kaza reacted quickly, his hand formed seals and his chakra charged.  
     "Ninja Art: Lightening Shield!" he roared.  His blinding chakra surged forth from his body forming a dome of pure electricity around him.  He watched intently Kross prepared another fireball.  He smirked.  Now was his time to strike.  "REPULSE!"  The dome expanded outward meeting the fledgling fireball but a few feet from Kross.  The colliding attacks exploded, the back blast hurdling Kross backwards and off balance.  Kaza raced forward intent on finishing it now.  His seals formed, he prepared another devastating jutsu.  This should finish it.  
     "Behold Zeus' Judgment!"  
As Kross struggled to regain his balance the world fell silent.  The air became heated and charged.  A massive bolt of lightning screamed in from the sky crashing mere inches from Kross.  Kross leapt out of the way just in time, breathing heavily from the shock and anxiety of nearly being struck by lightning. Kaza smirked; his attack was far from over.  Another bolt crashed down, again Kross barely avoided it.  Bolt after bolt rained from the sky in a deadly barrage.  Each time the bolts narrowly missed their target.
     "Damned Uchiha!" he shouted as he dashed forward once more.  As he ran he threw a volley of electrically charged kunai in Kross' direction.  
     Kross dodged carefully, weaving himself between the deadly missiles.  As he barely avoided the last blade he smirked, he had gained the advantage.  He saw Kaza draw his sword, in an instant he had already reacted.  His hands grabbed a small scroll from his belt.  Kaza dashed as fast as he could to stop Kross as he recognized the summoning scroll in his hand.  Kross leapt in the air and flipped open the scroll.  Kaza readied his blade as a large cloud of smoke burst forth from the parchment in Kross' hand.  He dashed forward with blade in hand only to be met by the sweeping attack of Kross' new weapon.  
     Kross stepped out of the smoke his hand grasping the shaft of a reaper's scythe.  His arms pressed down using the superior leverage provided by his pole arm to bear the blade down closer and closer to Kaza's frantic face.   Kaza managed to parry the blow just before it reached its mark.  He regained his balance just in time to barely dodge a second swipe.
     Kross swung his scythe with merciless conviction, swipe after swipe after swipe bearing down on the young mist ninja who was doing everything he could to avoid it.  Kross was, in no variation of the word, a berserker in close combat; the combination of his already impressive speed and the wide range of his scythe made for a very dangerous opponent.  Kaza leapt back in an attempt to avoid a broad horizontal slash, he missed his footing on the landing and fell to the ground, no time, Kross was already bearing down with a vertical slash down at his face, he rolled out of the way.  Kaza forced himself to his feet backpedaling as fast as he could in an attempt to put some distance between Kross' scythe and his flesh.  Kaza formulated a plan for a mid ranged counterattack; he could feel an intense heat warming the air, he was too late.  The massive fireball crashed into his body.  The heat singed his flesh as the he was engulfed by the fiery blast; he did his best to endure the blast until he felt a sharp pain and a crash from behind.  The fireball crashed Kaza's body into a jagged broken branch on a nearby tree, the spike pierced his back and Kaza blacked out his body falling limp by the lakeside.  
Kross ran to the waterside dropping his scythe on the ground by the shore.  He ran to his friend's side.  Kaza laid unconscious on the ground his body smoldering from the blast. Kross knelt by his friends side.  The air became dense and charged once more.  An eerie gold and black aura began to seep from his body, a terrible chakra, a familiar chakra.  Kross stood up in terror.  Lightning surged around Kaza's body sparking frantically around destroying the ground around him.  The aura became stronger, flaring up and peeling the flesh from his body condensing and replacing it with a golden cloak of terrible energy.  
     Kross watched in dread as the terrible transformation took place; the beast stood before him flares of electricity surging from its eyes.  "Oh shit!" He yelled.  He looked back in the direction of his friends on the water's edge a few hundred yards away before the he felt it.  The hunched over beast had leapt forward and with one mighty blow, sent Kross crashing across the waters surface and into a rock formation on the other side of the lake.  
     "Damn it! Not now!" Vorian shouted as the group realized what was going on and sprung into action.  Hikari fell to her knees, unable to do any more than watch as they dashed frantically down the lakeside.  Kuno swung the massive weapon on his back.  With a mighty strike he swatted the beast into the tree Kaza had just collided with.  It fell to the ground, far from finished.  Asuka's attack followed, she formed a single hand seal and shouted "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"  With a loud pop, three physical clones of Asuka appeared next to her.  The best worked its way back to its feet just in time to be met by a flurry of attacks from each of the four Asukas.  They pummeled the beast with an onslaught of punches and kicks taking it back to the ground, each held down a separate limb to prevent it from standing once more. Kuno approached, standing over the beast, sword in hand.  The sword seemed to come to life as he held it against the beast's chest.  
     The demonic aura swirled up the blade slowly absorbing into the sword like a sponge.  The beast tried to resist but its only reward was Vorian's terrifying gaze.  Vorian formed hand seals and his eyes began to glow a brilliant crimson color.  "Shadow Illusion Technique: Infinite Slumber!" His genjutsu hazed over the beast's mind, forcing it into a deep sleep.  His eyes returned to normal and he looked down as Kaza's face slowly emerged from the cloak.  "Sleep beast, and give us our friend back." Vorian watched carefully as the last of the demonic aura disappeared into Kuno's blade.  He shook his head and made his way across the lake to collect Kross.  
     The night air grew cool once more as the fires from the battle died down.  A cool breeze blew through his long sand colored hair as he walked down the lakeside.  It was hard to believe how peaceful the area seemed now that the battle was over.  He approached the barely conscious form of his friend.  He knelt beside Kross and placed a hand on his shoulder.  "Hey Kross, you okay buddy?"
     "I'm fine.  I'm a little bruised, but otherwise just peachy."  He smirked and tried to stand.  Vorian helped him to his feet and supported him on his shoulder.  The two hobbled their way back to the campsite.  
     Asuka and Kuno lifted Kaza from the spot where he lay beneath the tree.  They propped the unconscious ninja up on their shoulders.  They walked slowly towards the campsite.  Asuka looked over to see Hikari still on her knees by the lakeside.  Asuka looked her in the eye, "That's why. . ."  She said, knowing no further explanation was needed.  
     The rest of the night passed quietly.  Shortly after returning the whole group went to sleep.  Vorian stayed up to keep watch for the first shift.  The night was uneventful after the incident and the morning came all too soon.  The group went about cleaning up the campsite.  As they did, Kaza walked out of the tent.  His clothes were badly burned, but he was otherwise unscathed.  
     Hikari watched as everybody moved about their business as if nothing had happened.  Part of her wanted to ask what had happened, but the total lack of concern in the atmosphere told her that it was best not to bring it up.  She finished packing her things and made her way to the edge of the camp.  She sat on a rock and watched as Kaza approached Kross.  
     "Hey Kross!" he said as he approached.  Kross turned and looked as he fastened the last of the straps of his pack. "You owe me a new set of clothes, look at this mess."  He said with a laugh.
     They both laughed at the ridiculous state of Kaza's attire.  "So, how are you feeling man?  You took quite the hit last night."  
     "I am fine.  Nothing seriously wrong it would seem. I must say, you have improved a lot since the last time we fought. Just know this though.  I am going to get you next time." Kaza said in a matter of fact tone.
     Kross winced at the memory of nearly being struck by lightning . . . repeatedly.  "Dude! You almost got me this time!  I don't know where you got the ability to summon real lightning, but I was almost a crater, quite a few times."
     Vorian walked up with a smartass grin on his face.  "If you are disappointed Kross I could still put you in a crater." Kross glared at him and they all laughed.  "Alright hurry up everybody we have a long way to go today.  Kaza returned to his tent changed into a new set of clothes and then packed his things quickly.  Once they were all finished they set off.  It would be another long day of walking, and still they wouldn't reach their destination until the next day.  
     The day dragged on.  Another long and drawn out day of fun filled walking. A three day journey on foot left a lot of room for awkward silences.  Daylight drew to a close and the group set up camp once more.  They ate a quick dinner and went to sleep soon after.  Tomorrow the real mission would begin and they needed their strength.  
     Vorian awoke a couple hours later, restless as usual.  Grabbing his sword, he silently made his way out of the camp.  He wandered his way down to a nearby waterfall.  A cool night breeze blew through his long sand colored hair.  He breathed it in, listened to the sound of the running water.  He loved waterfalls.  They were so relaxing and reminded him of home.  
     He gripped his sword intently.  Tomorrow was the big day, his first real mission as a Jounin.  To top it off, this was a cave previously investigated and deemed incredibly dangerous by his father.  This was his chance to prove himself, to prove he was not just the son of The Red Dragon of the Waterfall, but a worthy ninja his father would have been proud of.  He couldn't blow this mission, he had to succeed, and he had to be the best.  
He left his shirt and his vest by the waterside and stepped out onto the water, sword in hand.  He drew his sword and took a deep breath.  His mind focused on an imaginary opponent.  His sword came down slashing the air, he slashed again and again.  He focused his chakra in his feet as he moved about the water's surface slashing leaping and attacking the air.  His form was flawless; his swordplay was unrivaled in the entire Waterfall Village.  He had to improve; he swung faster and sharper, his mind racing through an unseen battle.
     Hikari watched Vorian leave the camp.  Where could he be going at a time like this?  She followed silently from a distance.  She watched as he stepped out onto the water.  A fierce determination radiated from his gaze while he moved gracefully about the surface.  Her face flushed as she watched him, she had never seen anyone with such determination and grace.
     "He is something else, isn't he?"  Hikari turned quickly at the voice to see Kross walking from the shadows.  
     "Its like he is dancing." She said, her eyes turning back to Vorian.  
     "If you think he is impressive here, you should see him on the battlefield.  Nobody wields a blade quite like him.  Vorian has no rival." Kross smirked "Well except for me that is."
     As she watched she felt a small pain in the back of the heart.  She spoke softly "I think I know now why the group of you is so close."  She said "It didn't make sense to me why so many completely different people from completely different villages could be so close.  But I know now."
     Kross raised an eyebrow, "And why do you think that is?"
     "The incident last night. . ." her eyes were sad "You are all Jinchuuriki aren't you?"
     Kross smirked once more.  "So you figured it out did you?  Yes we are all housing demons within us.  Well . . . all of us but him."  He nodded at Vorian.  
     Hikari's heart sank.  She had suspected this, but she was hoping she wasn't right.  Such a curse should never be bared by anyone.  She suddenly realized what Kross had said.  Vorian was the only one in the group without a demon.  "So if he isn't a Jinchuuriki, then why would he be here?"
     Kross rested his hand on her shoulder gently.  "Let me tell you a little story about us." They sat down on a rock by the edge of the trees.  Kross looked over at Vorian training relentlessly on the water and began his story.
     "Most major villages have at least a few shinobi that stand out in their history as legends.  Konoha's Yellow Flash Minato Namikaze or the First Hokage Hashirama Senju for example.  Well Waterfall village has one as well, The Red Dragon of the Waterfall, Vorian's father.  He and his two partners were the deadliest trio ever to hail from this village.  The Red Dragon, my father Demikai Uchiha, and Cyrus Vitali.  They were the cream of the crop, the best of the best.
     Eighteen years ago something terrible happened.  The village came under attack by one of the reincarnated forms of the Tailed Beasts.  Yamato No Orochi, the Eight Tailed Snake, attacked our village claiming the lives of many of the villagers, my mother included.  Our fathers' team defeated the beast, saving the village.  But if it wasn't sealed properly, he would be revived before the village even had a chance to recover.  My father volunteered to bear the curse but was denied by the council because of his age.  A year later, one way or another, I was chosen as the host of the eight tailed beast.  
     Vorian and I grew up together; our parents were close, so we spent most of the time together.  Our father's disappeared during a mission when we were eight.  Nobody knows what happened to them, and no bodies were ever found.  The news awoke something within me.  The sleeping beast, Yamato No Orochi's power flowed through me and I flew into a rampage destroying everything in my path.  Vorian was the one who was able to talk me down and bring me back to normal.  That was the first time I lost control.  And he has always been there to bring me back.  
     As the years went on we came across the others.  Asuka Uzumaki, the host of Nekomata the Two Tailed Demon Cat; Also Kuno Uto, one of the survivors of the Yuki Clan and host of the Three Tailed Shark Demon, Isonade.  Vorian has been our anchor ever since."
Hikari gazed into the distance; it was a lot to take in.  "So that is why he trains so hard.  He feels responsible for you guys doesn't he?"
     "That may be true, it may not.  He may just be afraid to fall behind his friends.  But I think more than anything, he wants to be acknowledged.  He wants to be a ninja his father would be proud of."
     Hikari watched Vorian; she really admired him a lot.  She thought to herself for a moment then asked the obvious question that Kross' story failed to cover.  "Wait you only mentioned Asuka and Kuno.  So what about Kaza?  What was going on last night?"
Kross' eyes shifted to the floor.  Terrible memories rushed through his mind.  "Kaza Fushima is a different case.  He hasn't lived like this his whole life like the rest of us.  We cursed Kaza to this fate."
     Hikari looked shocked, but said nothing.  She sat there silently
     "Three years ago Konoha hosted a joint training program.  Vorian and I were assigned to attend and learn what we could to be used back home in our training at the academy.  Kuno and Kaza were also assigned to Konoha at the time.  We trained alongside ninja from all over the world in an attempt to 'foster inter village relations'.  One day while we were returning from a mission, the village was attacked.  A demon in the form of a Six Tailed Weasel attacked Konoha.  It came without warning, as if somebody had literally summoned it in the middle of the village."
     Vorian approached.  He was soaked from head to toe from swimming back to the shore.  He sat beside them and continued Kross' story.  "That is because it was.  A creature like that can't just appear like that on its own.  And even if a Tailed Beast had revived right there in the middle of the village it would have taken time to form and the Hokage would have done something about it.  There is a report of I found a couple weeks later that revealed a terrifying truth.  One of Konoha's Jounin at the time had encountered a mysterious cloaked figure fleeing the scene.  He pursued them into the woods, but was easily defeated and the culprit escaped."  He paused for a moment.  "Frankly the idea of a single person with enough Chakra to summon a tailed beast terrifies me.  That beast Raijuu was a monster.  It nearly leveled half of the city before we got there."
     Kross spoke solemnly "The battle was a nightmare; the most difficult thing we have ever faced.  Its roar alone could level buildings.  And if you add that to its monstrous strength and the constant lightening strikes, I am sure you can imagine how terrible it truly was.  Eventually with our combined efforts and those of the ANBU elites, we managed to subdue Raijuu.  A traveling Seal Master named Kendai, who had been staying in the village and helping us with our training for a few weeks, sealed the beast in the first viable host.  Kaza Fushima."
     Hikari didn't know what to say.  She sat silently for a moment, thinking over the details of the story.  "That doesn't sound like it was your fault Kross.  You couldn't have predicted Raijuu's appearance."
     He shook his head, "You are right, nobody could have predicted that.  But one thing we could have done would be to keep the beast subdued until we could find a more permanent solution.  Instead we forced this life on someone else, and a friend at that.  Not to mention the political ramifications.  If this feeble peace between the villages ever dissolves, the Mist Village now has two Jinchuuriki."
     "Kross, I don't think he blames you.  I am sure he is proud that he was able to save lives.  How could you possibly think he blames you?"  
     He stood and began walking back towards the camp; he looked back over his shoulder.  "Because I would if I were him."  He said quietly as he walked away.  Hikari stood to pursue him but stopped short as she saw Vorian shake his head.
     "Leave him be," he said with a smile, "He's fine.  That's just Kross.  If he isn't being a smartass, then he is beating himself up about something.  He'll be back to his wisecracking self in the morning."  He looked up at the moon, its soft glow illuminating the water's surface.  "Tomorrow is the big day."  He smiled politely.  "Are you ready for the real mission to begin Hikari?"
     She looked back to Vorian.  The sudden realization that he was still wet and shirtless rushed to her face.  She looked away to hide the blush.  Vorian raised an eyebrow.  She answered quietly, "Um . . . uh, yeah.  I'm ready."  Her eyes shifted around as she tried to form a coherent thought.  Finally calming herself she said, "I am actually looking forward to seeing what is causing this anomaly.  Can you imagine a chakra strong enough to affect my meditations from hundreds of miles away?"  She smiled excitedly.  "Maybe we will discover a new species or find a lost civilization or something."
     Vorian laughed lightheartedly, "Calm down crazy.  Weren't you the one that said these sorts of outbursts can simply turn out to be a distressed animal or a Shinobi battle?"
     She blushed again, embarrassed at her own spastic enthusiasm. "Well . . . it is true for the most part.  But I also said that those outbursts are usually sudden and fade as fast as they started.  I am talking about a continuous pulse.  Whatever is causing this aura is a stabilized energy source.  In my honest, professional opinion, we should proceed with caution tomorrow.  I have no idea what we will find in there."
     He nodded, "So in your professional opinion, what causes a cave to un-collapse?"
     "I don't know.  It certainly isn't a natural phenomenon."  She stated the obvious.  "Perhaps it was mined back out after the fact?  Or, perhaps it never really collapsed.  We can't really be sure.  Al l we have to go on is the word of one ninja."
     "Well that ninja was my father Hikari.  I don't think he would have a reason to lie about the collapse, or about the death of his own partner.  I think there is more going on here than we know about it.  We need to be prepared for anything tomorrow."  He walked back to the water's edge.  He put his shirt back on and collected his things.  "We should head back to the camp.  We need to be well rested for tomorrow's mission."  He smiled kindly and helped her to her feet.  The walked back to the camp together, their minds focused on the upcoming mission.