I wake with a start, head banging, lower right leg aching like hell. I sit up straight, yelping as fresh pain sprouts from my leg. A woman comes into the room after hearing my cry of pain. She shakes her head at me, kneeling next to me, gently pushing down on my shoulders. "Easy Riley. You've put a massive strain on your body for the past week. You've barely recovered from yesterday."
I frown at her, tilting my head to the side. "What're you going on about?"
She sighs, moving the blanket covering me to show me a bandaged right leg of mine. Confusion crosses my face. "You've torn your muscles in your leg, Riley. If you try to move anytime soon, you'll cause yourself more damage. Please, rest for now. The rest of your team are at the bridge, so don't worry. They're all worried about you, so do them all a favour and just rest for today, okay?"
I scowl, lying back down. I'm not happy about this. She smiles, getting to her feet and exiting the room. "If you need anything, don't be afraid to call, alright?" She closes the door.
I scowl, turning on my side. "Tch, stupid Uchiha. This is all his fault! ...Then again, I might've pushed my body too far, as I was well aware of the pain when fighting Sasuke..." I sigh, putting my hands behind my head. "Wonder where they all are?"
The woman comes back into the room again, this time carrying a tray full of food and a drink of water. "I brought you some fruit. You may have trouble keeping anything else down right now. You're in for a rough week, Riley. So, just try to relax, okay?"
I nod, thanking her for the tray of food. She nods, leaving the room. I call her back before she does. She appears at the door, giving me a questioning look. "Uh, where are Kakashi and everyone?"
She pauses before smiling. "At the bridge. They all went there today." She leaves the room.
I throw an orange across the room in anger. It splats against the wall, sliding down on to Sasuke's pack. Tch, serves him right. Stupid ass Uchiha! I really, really dislike him at this moment in time T_T. They've all gone to the bridge without me! I can't believe them. Jerks. Kakashi knew I wanted to go to the bridge since we've been here. Dammit. Damn Kakashi! T_T.
An idea clicks in my head. I'll go to the bridge...but get there faster in lion form... Hehehe. Ah well, so much for the fruit, I'm off! I feel myself changing, then smirk as I get up onto four paws, padding my way to the door. I then stop, frowning as I realise I can't open the door. -_-'''. Honestly, you think I would've learnt that by now... "Uh, can you come and help me?" I call, hiding in the shadows.
The door comes sliding open, the woman smiling again. She smiles too much. It's creepy. "You wanted some help? ...Where's she gone???"
I sneak past her, ignoring the now twanging pain in my back-right leg. I dart along the corridors and out the house, stopping to sniff the air. I growl in frustration. They left a while ago. I can't smell anyone of them. Great. I take my chances and guess in a direction, sprinting forwards. How I manage to ignore the sharp pain in my leg and to keep running at this speed is beyond me. Hm...head towards the water, Riley. Smell out a lot of water.
I slow to a walk, pausing to sniff the air. I smirk as I smell a faint aroma of ocean water. I start running again, this time, in the direction of the smell. I sense myself getting closer to the ocean, and closer to my team. But, I also sense something else... Something bad. Like, why is there a slow forming mist the further near the ocean, and bridge, I get? Also...why can I smell a faint scent of blood...? And not only that...this blood smells...familiar...
* * * * *
I arrive at the bridge, turning back to human. My leg immediately starts to hurt, but I walk on unfazed. The fog's gotten so thick...and the scent of blood unbearable. I walk further into the fog, immediately sensing danger and going to alert mode. I walk along, quiet as I can. I finally spot two figures in the near distance, one a tall guy, the other a smaller form... "Sakura?"
She spins on the spot, kunai knife at the ready, trembling slightly. "Who's there!?"
I jog over to her, "Sakura, it's me."
She blinks, lowering her kunai when she sees me. "Riley?" I nod, looking from her to Tazuna. "Riley, you shouldn't be here!"
"Sakura, never mind that now. What the hell is going on? What's with the fog? Where's everyone else?" I ask, getting puzzled by her glum expression.
"This fog...is from the rouge ninja Kakashi-sensei fought before, when you were poisoned-"
"Woah, wait! I was poisoned?" I ask. She nods. "Why'd no one tell me this before?"
She smiles a quick apology. "We didn't want you to worry. The ninja! Kakashi-sensei is fighting Zabuza, Sasuke and Naruto went to fight the other one! Kakashi-sensei told me to protect Tazuna! Please, Riley! Find Sasuke! And Naruto! Please, go find them! Make sure they're safe!"
"Where are they!?" I ask urgently, waving my hands at the pink hair.
She shakes her head, her eyes wide, full of fear, worry and anger. "I don't know! In there somewhere! That's why you need to find them! Riley, please!"
I nod, running off in a random direction. Please...please let them both be okay... I keep running, hearing sounds of fighting. I see two figures fighting out a dangerous battle. "...Kakashi?" I ponder, but keep running. Kakashi'll be fine, Naruto and Sasuke may need help.
I scowl, hardly able to see. "This mist is so damn thick...oof!" I go flying, hitting the ground quite hard as I trip over something solid on the ground. I sit up, rubbing my head, looking back, "What the heck did I-?" I stop when I see what I tripped over, pure shock filling me slowly. "Sa-Sasuke...?"
My voice fades away as I see him lying there, not moving at all. I crawl over to where he's lying, putting my hand over my mouth in shock when I see something. Needles. He has needles stuck in him all over his body, blood across his clothes and face. That's what I smelt earlier, no wonder it seemed familiar... The scent of blood is so thick here...it's awful... "No...Sasuke," I whisper, gently lifting his upper body off the floor, staring down at his blooded-up features. "Sasuke...no... You can't die...you're too tough to die... I-I...I'll...m-miss you too much...if you left..." I burry my head in his top, careful not to touch any of the needles. "Sasuke..."
Somewhere in the mist, Sakura spots one of the motionless forms beginning to move. The forms of Kakashi and Zabuza. She turns to Tazuna, "One's moving!"
Haku, the former ANBU, eyes open as he notices something odd in the air. "Huh?"
Naruto charges him, his kunai knife ready in his hand, his heart set on killing. "Ahhhhhhhh!!" He finally reaches the other boy, ready to make the final move, his hand moving swiftly...when Haku stops him. "Huh!?"
Haku looks down at Naruto, his hand stopping Naruto's one holding the kunai. "Sorry Naruto, change of plan." He lets Naruto go. Naruto backs up a few steps, a confused look on his face. Haku does a row of hand signs, his eyes determined. "I'm not ready to die quite yet." He poofs away on the spot, leaving a puzzled Naruto.
Kakashi glares at Zabuza, determined on taking the rouge ninja down. "This time, you die," Kakashi growls, his right hand glowing an electric blue, cackling sounds coming from the light. "Lightening Blade!" He charges Zabuza, the look to kill in his eyes.
Zabuza stares at the advancing Kakashi with wide eyes. Is this the end? The mist around him thickens momentarily, something shiny appearing in front of him. What!?
Kakashi throws his right arm forwards, yelling at the same time. "Hyh!" His hand hits something solid, the shockwaves from his attack flowing through it. Blood splats his and Zabuza's face, dripping on the floor below. The shockwaves burst from the figure, sending them along the bridge.
I stumble on my knees, sitting down properly, Sasuke still tight in my arms. "Sasuke...I'm so sorry... I wasn't there to help you...like a team mate should be... Who...who did this to you...? ...Was it...them?" I give a dark growl, my bright green eyes darkening.
Sakura gives a small scream of shock, pointing at Kakashi, Zabuza and the figure. Tazuna's eyes widen with shock too. Kakashi's eyes widen with shock, unable to say anything. The dog's holding Zabuza still all vanish in a poof of smoke, leaving Zabuza free. Haku's eyes narrow with pain and sorrow, Kakashi's hand over his heart, only his eyes giving away his pain. "Za...bu...za!"
Zabuza smirks, gloating at Kakashi. "So...my future is all used up, huh?" He gives a dark laugh, then looks at the silver haired jounin again. "Wrong again, Kakashi."
"Huh?" Naruto exclaims. Haku just disappeared in a poof of smoke, leaving Naruto confused. "What!? Where'd he go!?" He scowls, folding his arms. "...Huh? Hey! The fog's lifting!" He goes back to looking for Haku, confusion still present in his mind.
I lie Sasuke back on the ground softly, pushing one of his bangs from his face. "Sasuke...I'll get them... I'll make them pay for ruining your dreams..." I growl darkly again, attracting the attention of the near by Naruto.
He runs over to me and Sasuke, his eyes widening as he sees me. "R-Riley!? What're you doing here!?" I look up at the blonde, making him go quiet from the look on my face, the revenge present in my dark green eyes. "Riley...your eyes...what's going on?" I remain silent now, looking back down at Sasuke, my rage building. Naruto gives up and begins looking for Haku again. He spots some shadows in the distance. "Wait...is that him?" He darts off towards the shadows, slowly coming to a stop at what he sees, Haku between Kakashi and Zabuza, covered in blood, his eyes closed. "What...? What the heck!? I don't get it...what the hell's going on here?"
Tazuna coughs, finding his voice. "Isn't that...the young man in the mask?"
Kakashi looks at Haku, his eyes darkening as he meets Zabuza's. "The boy threw himself in front of my attack." Zabuza looks down, closing his eyes. "He saved your worthless life at the cost of his own."
Zabuza laughs, opening his eyes again, making Kakashi's narrow. "Well done, Haku." He then yells, his hand reaching for the sword on his back.
Kakashi's eyes widen slightly. He'd hack right through the boy to take me down?
Zabuza laughs again. "I knew I'd found a treasure when I'd found you, boy. You've not only given me your life...but Kakashi's as well!" He swings his sword, intent on cutting through Haku to get to Kakashi. Kakashi jumps out the way before he can, taking Haku with him. Zabuza laughs again. "Not bad for having a corpse in your arms."
Naruto's eyes narrow as he glares at Zabuza. "You'll pay for that!" He goes to hit Zabuza when Kakashi yells at him.
"No! Stay out of this Naruto!" he yells, making Naruto stop to look at him, question across his face. Kakashi lies Haku down, closing his eyes properly. He closes his eyes momentarily before opening them and glaring at Zabuza. "This is my battle ...Zabuza's mine!"
Sakura blinks, confused. "Naruto?" She looks through the fading mist, smiling as she sees Naruto. "Naruto! Over here! Naruto!" She waves like mad at him.
Naruto's taken aback, then sighs sadly as he sees the pink haired girl. Sakura...
Sakura's still waving, smiling her head off. "So're you and Sasuke alright? Oh, and Riley! I saw her run that way!"
Naruto looks at Sakura, "Ah...um..." He turns his head, looking over his shoulder in the direction he left me and Sasuke in.
Sakura's smile fades slightly. "What's wrong? Where is Sasuke anyway?" Naruto turns his head away from her gaze, looking like he's trying not to cry. Sakura's smile fades completely. "No..."
Kakashi turns to look at the pink hair, his face sadder than normal. "Sakura..."
Zabuza growls. "Kakashi!" Kakashi looks back to him. "I'd stay focused if I were you!" He rushes Kakashi. Kakashi's eyes narrow. Quicker than lightning, he kicks Zabuza around the face, sending him flying backwards. "Oof!"
Tazuna turns to Sakura, a serious look on his face. "Let me take you to him, Sakura. As long as we stay together, you won't be disobeying your sensei's orders."
Sakura looks up at Tazuna, taking his hand. "Thank you..." Both of them set off at a run, running past a sorrowful Naruto.
Naruto still looks down at the floor. "Sasuke..."
I raise my head, alert to approaching footsteps. My alert fades slightly as I see Sakura and Tazuna. I hear Sakura, "Hm?" as she gets closer to us. She nears us, slowing to a stop, tears in her eyes. "No..." She falls to her knees next to Sasuke's form. I watch her intently. She's trying so hard not to cry...I'm going to kill whoever did this... "Sasuke...no..."
I get to my feet without looking at Sakura. Seeing her cry will just make me even more angry. "Take care of him, Sakura," I say, then run off into the mist. I can't take it anymore. I feel myself changing...but this time...it feels...different. Usually, there's a white light, but now it's dark red. I've changed, but I feel...weird. More powerful...faster...fuelled by rage. Rage of my team mates being treated the way they have. "This time...you die...not one of my friends," I growl, speeding in the direction of Kakashi's fight.
Sakura places the palm of her hand on Sasuke's cheek, almost flinching at the touch. "His bodies cold. This isn't just one of his genjutsu tricks, is it...?"
Tazuna sighs, turning away from Sakura. "Go on. You don't need to be brave on my account. Go ahead and let your feelings out Sakura, it's alright."
Sakura smiles painfully. "I was the best. Aced every test at the academy. Perfect student." Tazuna turns to look at Sakura. "Did you know there are more than 100 principles of Shinobi conduct? I memorized every single one. I used to love it when they tested us on them. Gave me a chance to show how smart I was. I remember so clearly this one exam, they asked us to explain the 25th principle. I got it right of course." She stops, trying to stop the tears from falling. They gather in the corner of her eyes. She fails as one slides down her cheek. "A shinobi never shows his feelings, no matter what the circumstances." Streams of tears fall down her cheeks. "Feelings are a weakness that only cloud your sense of judgement and weaken your sense of duty." More tears fall. She can't handle it anymore. She puts her head in her arms on Sasuke's chest, crying harder. "Sasuke!"
Naruto's stood in the same place, still trying not to cry. Something rushes past him, making his eyes widen. "What the!?"
Kakashi and Zabuza are fighting. Zabuza swings his sword at Kakashi, missing him by miles. Kakashi goes to attack Zabuza when a loud, angry roar startles them both. Kakashi's eyes widen as a lioness jumps between both men. 
She turns to look at Kakashi, her eyes full of anger. Dark red and white in colour, razor sharp claws. She stares at Kakashi intently with dark green eyes. Kakashi frowns, then something dawns in him. ...Riley?
I look at Kakashi for a second longer before turning my head to look over my shoulder at Zabuza, baring my teeth, my ears flat against my head, my eyes narrowed. Zabuza stares at me with shock and confusion. "What is that?"
Kakashi looks at me again before saying, "The last member of Team 7; Riley Shiro." My gaze remains set firmly on Zabuza, my teeth still bared. "Riley, meet Zabuza. But Riley, stay out of this fight, he's mi-"
"Too late," I hiss, my eyes gleaming with rage. "They did that to Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura...he has to die..."
* * * * *
Kakashi's eyes widen as a dark red and white lioness jumps in front of him. She turns her magnificent head towards him, staring at him with dark green eyes filled with anger. ...Riley?
She turns her head back to Zabuza, baring her teeth, her ears flat against her head, eyes narrowed. Zabuza stares in shock. "What is that?"
Kakashi looks to the lioness before saying, "The last member of Team 7; Riley Shiro." Her gaze remains set firmly on Zabuza, her teeth still bared. "Riley, meet Zabuza. But Riley, stay out of this fight, he's mi-"
"Too late," she hisses, her eyes glowing with rage. "They did that to Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura...he has to die..."
Kakashi's eyes widen. "Riley, no!" he yells as she pounces at Zabuza, roaring loudly. "Stop!"
Riley sinks her teeth into Zabuza's lower arm, causing him to yell in pain. He then swipes at her with his other hand, making her let go. Riley jumps back. As soon as her feet hit the floor, she pounces at Zabuza again, making him dodge quickly. Zabuza swipes his sword at her again, barely missing as she lands heavily on the floor, slipping from the water. "Oof!"
Kakashi goes to dart to help, but she stops him with a loud growl. "Leave me alone, Kakashi!"
He stops, as she looks around at him properly for the first time. Her eyes seem shocked for a moment, as though realising something. The look of rage returns a second later, as she bares her teeth, turning to face Zabuza again. "You're mine!"
Zabuza jumps out the way of her teeth again, swiping once more with his sword. Finally, for him, he hit the dark red lioness, the end of his sword connecting with her head. Blood flies to the floor as she grits her teeth in pain, falling heavily to the floor. Milliseconds later, Zabuza runs at the lioness, kicking her hard into the wall of the bridge, knocking out the pestering feline. He sighs with relief, turning back to face Kakashi, and smirks, "One more down, one to go..."
Kakashi's eyes narrow as Zabuza runs at him. As he nears, Kakashi kicks out at him, sending Zabuza flying. He takes a quick look at Riley, making sure she's okay before running at Zabuza. Zabuza jumps to his feet, looking for Kakashi. His eyes widen as he hears someone say from behind him, "Game over. You lose."
A stabbing pain come from his upper arm, making him drop his sword. Zabuza shuts his eyes in pain, gritting his teeth. His sword clangs to the floor, Zabuza watching it hit. Kakashi appears in front of him, his eyes firm. "Now both your arms are useless. What now? You can't even make hand signs."
Zabuza growls at Kakashi, about to speak when he gets interrupted by a new voice. "Did quite a job on you, didn't he, Zabuza? You look like yesterday's leftovers. I must say I'm...disappointed."
Both Kakashi and Zabuza look to the foot of end of the bridge, eyes widening as a big mob of people are blocking it. In the front, wearing a suit and a smug smile on his face, is a short man wearing sunglasses, smirking at Zabuza.
Kakashi frowns. Zabuza's eyes darken, as he practically spits, "Gato...what're you doing here?"
The one named Gato smirks more, before saying, "I'm here, Zabuza...to get rid of all of you."
