Thank you, Aszel96 (deviantART) for this amazing fanart!

"Naruto and Neji now, huh?" Shikamaru muttered, leaning across the railing.

I leaned across the railing next to him, peering down into the arena. I knew how this battle was going to go; I knew Naruto would win.

"Aniki's going to win," I said quietly, confidently.

"Maybe," Shikamaru allowed. "After them it's Shino and that Dosu guy, followed by me and that troublesome woman, then Sasuke and Lee, then you and Gaara."

"Mm-hmm. Sasuke-kun will be here soon enough. Pakkun told me that they were just wrapping up and expected to get here in half an hour at most."

Shikamaru gave a grunt of acknowledgement. "... This whole thing is just troublesome."

I only shrugged. I felt a nervous flutter in the pit of my stomach, and I looked up towards Grandfather.

I had informed the staff at the hospital of my discovery, but I didn't get the chance to tell Grandfather directly. I could only assume that they told him, but with so few days until the tournament, I doubt there was much he could really do.

Why do we have to go last? That's so ridiculous!

It's just the way it is, I replied. I don't like it either, as it means the others will be more tired when the invasion starts, but there's nothing much we can do.

Hmph.

Hey, Kurama?

Mm?

I was wondering... umm... about that space where all the bijū and their jinchūriki could go to... can you do that?

You mean...? Oh. I don't know.

Can you find out?

More than likely. Are you sure you want to find out now? While the silly one-tails is still deranged?

Of course not. But I do need to start considering the future and whatnot: the Akatsuki and the other bijū and their jinchūriki.

Fair enough.

Speaking of Akatsuki... any ideas?

How about we just kill them all?

... I kind of don't want to.

... Why? Why? They don't even have any redeeming qualities.

Deidara was forced to join the Akatsuki, Sasori is suicidal, Itachi is most definitely not a bad guy, and the same applies for Nagato and Konan.

... I care, why?

I don't know. I'm just telling you that I do want to save them. At least some of them.

But they work for That Man!

But they aren't all bad.

That Man!

Madara-sama is not that bad, either!

Brat!

Stiff old fox!

Respect your superiors, damn it.

Why can't you act a bit more mature and place your grudge aside for one second?

Kurama snorted before going quiet.

... Oh my God, are you sulking?

Fuck. You.

... I swear you're like a teenager at times.

Fuck. You.

We lapsed into an uncomfortable silence for a while.

... I like your voice.

What the fuck?

I don't know. I was just musing to myself on what I like about everyone and I realized that your voice was one of the things I liked most about you. I like your tails, too. And your eyes. I like Aniki's personality, his charisma and his hair. I like Nii-chan's determination and intelligence.

I swear you are the strangest human I have ever had the displeasure of meeting.

Do you regret meeting me, then?

No.

Mn. What's it feel like, having Aniki draw your chakra while you're still talking to me?

Weird. I suppose to you... it would feel like placing your hands, palms down, above calm water. Not quite getting them wet, but enough to feel the water.

That does sound weird.

Indeed.

Did it hurt?

Did what hurt?

Being sealed away.

No. It did not physically hurt.

We fell into silence again.

I think... I think I'll be able to adjust the seal enough to allow Naruto and me to change the scenery a bit. I want to show you some of my favorite memories.

I spent... I spent most of my life in that hospital room, but Father was a wealthy businessman. Very wealthy. He took me out to see three things in my life. I was very little when I went to them, it was before my conditioned worsened, and I could never stay long due to my condition. But I can remember them very clearly and I think you would enjoy them.

We shall see.

Okay.

When Naruto landed the finishing blow, I screamed with joy and cheered happily. Soon enough, everyone in the stadium was cheering right along beside me and Naruto was looking up, smiling and beaming proudly.

Shino and Dosu made their way down to the arena while the medics carried Neji out on a stretcher and Naruto ran up to us.

Naruto and I hugged each other tightly the moment we were within arm's reach.

"You did wonderfully, Aniki," I murmured.

Naruto laughed, pulling back and rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"Begin!"

Shino eyed Dosu impassively, shifting his stance subtly. Dosu tilted his head discreetly, eying Shino in return. Dosu's eyes narrowed before he lunged forward, racing towards Shino. He raised both of his arms up, and I watched with mild interest as he launched his signature attack. Shino dodged it with relative ease, merely leaping further away.

I could see, however, from the movement a small swarm of his bugs move up. Dosu had kicked up quite a bit of dust—obscuring his view of Shino—and as such Shino's bugs had taken leave of his body, flying up in the air.

Dosu ran after Shino again, launching another attack and once again, Shino dodged with ease and another portion of his bugs went up into the air. Dosu, it seemed, didn't even pay attention to them, or really notice them.

This repeated itself another two times before a considerably large swarm appeared. Dosu stopped his attacks momentarily to speak to Shino. However, whatever he said was lost on me as a harsh wind blew, carrying away his words.

I watched as Shino's bugs slowly descended around Dosu and completely swarm the boy before he could even take the chance. Only half of them were able to descend, however. Dosu used a quick substation, but I could see that Shino's bugs had already drained him considerably. The bugs swarmed towards Dosu again, half of them from above (which Dosu still hadn't noticed) and the rest from where Dosu once originally was.

It was safe to say Shino had the match.

I snorted quietly as Genma announced the winner before he called down Shikamaru and Temari.

Shikamaru gave a small groan. "So soon?"

"Oh, just go," Naruto replied with a roll of his eyes. He shoved Shikamaru down into the arena, where the lazy Nara landed with small thump.

It was at that moment, that Sasuke and Kakash—That Man arrived. They had quick word with Genma before Sasuke walked towards us and That Man went in a separate direction.

"Glad you made it," Naruto laughed, grinning brightly at Sasuke.

"Hn. Of course I did. I take it you won?"

"Of course I did," Naruto mimicked. "Shino won his match, too, by the way."

Sasuke gave a small nod.

"How was training?" I asked.

Sasuke grimaced. "... Let's just say I mastered the move and be done with it."

I giggled at Sasuke's obvious discomfort, and Naruto snickered.

"So anyone hungry?" Naruto asked.

"I'm too nervous to eat," I confessed.

"I'm a little hungry," Sasuke admitted.

"Want to grab something to eat? You know Shikamaru is going to take forever," Naruto suggested.

"... Are we even allowed to leave?"

"There's nothing in the rules to say we can't," I pointed out.

"Yeah, sure, alright," Sasuke conceded. "Leave clones, Naruto."

"Sure, sure."

('･ω･')

Naruto slurped more noodles before he blinked. "... Ah, the match is just about over. I guess we should leave."

"That was... three hours long," Sasuke sighed. "... Damn I'm glad we went out to eat instead of standing there for three hours."

"I am, too," I agreed, sipping more of Ayame's special herbal tea. She was right in that it did calm me down.

"Guess we should head back," Naruto commented. "Thanks for the food, guys!"

"Always happy to help, Naruto-kun," Ayame giggled, ruffling his hair before doing the same to me.

"Later, Nee-chan," I chirped, placing money on the counter.

('･ω･')

"Begin!"

Lee was the first to attack, quickly engaging Sasuke in combat. Lee struck out first, his leg jutting out while Sasuke ducked underneath it, his Sharingan activated. Lee twisted his body again, throwing out another punch that Sasuke successfully evaded again.

I could see that this would become a pattern until both discarded their weights. I was proven correct in this regard. Lee was merciless in his assault, attempting blow after blow, but because of Sasuke's Sharingan he was able to predict each blow and successfully evade it—if only narrowly.

The two disengaged after a few more bouts of taijutsu before Gai exclaimed his permission for Lee to go without weights. Lee seemed positively thrilled while Sasuke grimaced while also throwing out his own weights.

It was brutal.

Even with the Sharingan, Sasuke wasn't nearly fast enough to dodge all of Lee's attacks. When Lee landed a vicious kick against Sasuke's cheek, the Uchiha was sent flying away, crashing into a wall. When Sasuke stood up, Lee was looking triumphant. Sasuke snarled silently before flickering back towards Lee, but this time, I could see the subtle build up in his chakra.

Sasuke glowed a bright blue before wild, uncontrollable lightning flashed in all directions, two of the bolts hitting Lee directly.

Sasuke disengaged while Lee dropped down to one knee, panting. I could see a few more sparks of electricity run off Lee and I knew that the battle had turned in favor of Sasuke.

The two engaged in taijutsu again, this time more evenly as Sasuke's attack left Lee slowed considerably. This continued on for a bit more before Sasuke disengaged again, while Lee took this time to attempt to unlock the gates.

Sasuke winced at that, before he kneeled down at the ground. I could see he was moving subtly, but I couldn't really see what he was doing.

While Lee continued his charge up, Sasuke flickered to another part of the arena, and pulled out a single scroll.

He unrolled it, placed it down, stomped down on it and water began to gush out.

Oh God, he's going to kill Lee.

No, no. Lee will leave even if he is covered in water and is electrocuted. Because he accessed the gates, he'll live it. It'll hurt like Hell, but he'll live through it.

The water only went so far out, not managing to cover the entire arena, but it was more than enough.

But how is Sasuke going to get Lee wet? We know how to water-walk, so I can assume Lee does as well.

We shall see.

I guess so.

Sasuke flickered out of the water just as Lee engaged him into a taijutsu bout. Even though Sasuke was successfully managing to block Lee, it still caused him much damage. I winced sympathetically as I heard the resounding smacks. But Sasuke was managing, and slowly, I could see—and realize—he was leading Lee back to where he first knelt.

Just as he reached the area, Sasuke leapt back, and Lee leapt forward. Sasuke gave a triumphant smirk and suddenly the ground underneath Lee exploded. Lee went hurtling back towards the makeshift wide-spread water, where he was efficiently covered in it.

Sasuke began to glow as he attempted another Discharge. Sasuke released the Discharge, and amazingly enough one of the bolts managed to graze Lee. It was enough to send Lee hurtling towards the ground (as he was up in the air when Sasuke used Discharge), twitching before falling unconscious.

Sasuke was panting—most likely from chakra exertion—but he looked satisfied.

"Winner, Uchiha Sasuke," Genma drawled.

"Good job, Nii-chan!" I called out over the roar of approval from the audience.

"Now it's your turn, Imouto," Naruto said softly, placing a hand on my shoulder. "You ready?"

I swallowed roughly, ignoring the flip-flopping in my stomach. "U-Un."

I made my way down into the arena, forcing a smile on my face to greet an all too anxious Gaara.

"You will prove my existence," Gaara giggled.

"... I am so fixing your seal after this," I muttered, dropping my smile.

Try not to get maimed too much.

Thanks for your vote of faith.

Always happy to help. If you want, we could switch straight away into one-tailed mode. I know we talked briefly about it before, but you never decided. It would increase your speed significantly.

... I don't know. I just don't like using your power. I feel like I'm abusing you.

Kurama gave a rumble of amused laughter. He sneered. I offered it to you, you moron. Take it or leave it.

No. I won't. I just... Not for something like this.

I could feel Kurama's irritation. He wanted his power used for some reason I couldn't fathom. He was annoyed at my resistance to it, but didn't think it was worthy enough to really pursue.

Fine.

I bent down and unsealed my weights.

"Begin."

Gaara's sand snapped towards me and I kicked from the ground, before hurtling myself towards him. My hand snapped out in a vain attempt to land a punch, but Gaara's sand moved back just in time. I lurched back away, kicking up dust as I went and Gaara's sand snapped towards me again. I dodged to the side, running away from it while my eyes stayed locked on Gaara.

Gaara's sand was faster, faster than what I would have liked, and I was barely able to stay out of range. As it was, I wasn't able to gather any time to form handseals for an attack.

I gave a quiet snarl, frustration creeping up on me as once again his sand forced me to dodge. I was still anxious, still nervous, but anger was better. Anger was something I could use and work with, so I focused on my anger and channeled it to the best of my ability.

I flipped away from another rush of sand, before I mentally cursed as Gaara anticipated that move and effectively caught hold of my foot.

I substituted instantly as Gaara's sand crushed the log. I raised my hands and as quickly as I could, I used the genjutsu I had practiced.

"Dancing Petals," I muttered, and to the eyes of Gaara and the audience, I dissolved in a storm of golden petals, being taken away by the wind. In reality, I had substituted away, high above Gaara while my hands went through a multitude of signs.

... I need your help. I'm going to have to overpower this technique to break through Gaara's walls.

What makes you think I'll give it to you? You didn't want it before.

Not enough for a full tail. It's entirely up to you, though. I will not take your power unwillingly.

... I will give you the power.

I felt a wave of gratitude come over me as I channeled my chakra.

"Raiton: False Darkness," I declared before bellowing out a long stream of thick, bright, lightning that darted towards Gaara. Gaara's sand rushed to shield him, but thanks to Kurama, as well as the elemental advantage, it cracked through and continued on its way.

When the ninjutsu faded away, I could hear a tiny, high-pitched scream and I stared at Gaara's bright red shoulder.

Right where Sasuke hit him with the Chidori originally...

Ironic, isn't it?

I didn't have time to respond, didn't have time to pay attention to Gaara or the others because—because—because—

Grandfather!

There, up there, I could see the plan already in action. But I was too far, toofar, toofartoofar.

I won't make it in time!

You can... all you need to do is allow more of my chakra through. You want to protect him, don't you? Just allow me through...

Whatever it took.

I felt the surge of chakra run through me and I hurled myself into the air. I could feel my nails sharpen, turning into claws. I could feel my canines growing more pronounced and my vision took a reddish hue as Kurama's chakra surrounded.

I saw the Sound Four first, and almost in slow motion their hands rose up.

I slammed into one of them with every ounce of energy I had, grabbing hold of them and burning Kurama's chakra into them. I snarled, feeling so furious at how they dared attempt to take away my Grandfather. He was mine! He was family! He was one of the ohsoveryfew that loved me here and I would be fucking damned if anyone fucking took him away from me!

I snarled, my teeth bared as I pinned down Kidōmaru. Kidōmaru looked up at me with startled eyes before his face twisted into a sneer.

Kill him.

I snarled again, before I reared my head back and slammed it into his forehead. My head rung, but I would heal. I wouldn't be hurt. Kidōmaru looked dazed, but his forehead was bleeding heavily. I reared my head back and slammed him again. Then someone slammed into me and I was sent hurtling away.

Jirōbō was standing over me, a foot placed over my chest.

"Fuck," Tayuya snapped. "Kill the bitch and then we can put up the barrier."

"I won't let you," I hissed, grabbing Jirōbō's foot. Jirōbō was already in his first state but as I grabbed his foot with both my hands, I could feel the demonic chakra sizzling through his clothes, touching his skin. Jirōbō winced and tried to pull back, but my clawed hand raked across his achilles tendonitis. Jirōbō howled in pain and I watched with morbid fascination as his calf muscle rolled up his leg. Jirōbō fell back on his butt, snarling and hissing from the pain.

"Miwako!"

My head snapped up towards Grandfather who had positioned himself between me and who I now realized as Orochimaru.

"Jiji!"

I began to run towards Grandfather, my heart in my throat, but Orochimaru did something I didn't even expect.

His hands moved up into a seal.

And a black box surrounded him and Grandfather.

I halted right before I touched the edge. "Jiji! You fucking snake! What the hell did you do?!"

Orochimaru laughed. I hated that sound. I wanted to ripripkillkill him so bad; it physically hurt me that I couldn't do so. "I had originally wanted my Sound Four to uphold the barrier, but this one will do. It won't last as long, granted, but it's enough to give us an... exclusive fight."

I latched on to his last sentence. "Jiji! J-Just stall him! It won't last, please, please don't—don't—"

Please don't leave me. Please don't fight him. Please don't send for a Shikigami and have your soul ripped out. Please, please don't leave me.

"I will be fine, Miwako," Grandfather said gravely.

I felt a flicker of movement and soon ANBU positioned themselves beside me, kneeling before the barrier. "Hokage-sama!"

"Fuck! Does anyone else want to join in on the fun?" Tayuya snarled.

"Sound Four, deal with these intruders so that way when this barrier does fall, I won't have to," Orochimaru instructed.

"ANBU, capture or kill the Sound Four... Miwako, the same order applies to you," Grandfather replied.

"Hai!"

"H-Hai."

I was scared. I was worried. I didn't want to lose Grandfather. Why didn't I anticipate Orochimaru having this sort of backup plan? I thought—I thought—I thought that this would be enough. But—But maybe I haven't failed yet. If I could just... There was a time limit. Grandfather only had to survive. That was all. He could do it. He would live. He would.

Then all that was left—all that was left was...

"Hmph. This will be almost too easy," Tayuya sneered.

Anger. Hatred. Fury. Killkillkill.

No one was going to come in between me and my family.

They were fucking dead.

Kurama laughed in glee in the back of my mind.

Good girl...