Another Nine-Tails?!

After The Fight

(There is mention of a mature theme, but nothing more)

Akiko appeared behind the other members of her group. Orochimaru was leaning against a tree while Kabuto knelt in front of him, rewrapping his arm. "Welcome back." She growled before walking over to her master's side. She plopped down beside him, taking a deep breath. Her eyes glowed red, her pupils slowly returning to normal.

Kabuto quickly finished up his task so they could head back and see the full extent of the damage from the battle. "Should we get going, my lord?"

"Yes." Orochimaru pushed himself off of the tree, leading his group back home. Akiko hopped up and followed close behind him. The remaining male just sighed, walking after them. He turned his right hand up so he could see his wrist. It was burnt where Karma's claws touched him, although the burn mark seemed to seep into where the wound used to be. And despite his outfit being torn up, there was no injury from the jutsu Naruto had attacked him with. Not anymore anyway. He was sore and felt some pain, but he was in one piece at least.

There were no words between the three for a while. Each one of them were too consumed in their own thoughts. That was, until the female suddenly tried to attack her boyfriend. He grunted in surprise as he held up a kunai. He could see the fire in her eyes. She managed to push her claws closer to him. Before she could touch his neck, Orochimaru shouted her name.

He didn't sound pleased with her. Not one bit. She could sense the anger coming from him. It scared her to no end. She froze, turning her head to look at him. His eyes narrowed dangerously in her direction. Her eyes widened and she instantly dropped her claws, backing away from the older boy.

"What did I tell you prior to the battle?!"

"Don't attack unless you don't have a choice." She lowered her head, scared of what he'd do to her. Although, it probably wouldn't be too much considering his current condition.

"And yet you rushed into the fight."

"I couldn't let my brother be killed!"

"If he died, it would have been his own fault." She growled before rushing at him. Her goal was to attack him. By the time Kabuto understood what her plan was, she was out of his reach. Her right claw stopped a couple of inches in front of her master's chest as his sword pointed to her throat. "You need to learn to control your emotions, my dear. Think before you act. If you act before you think, you'll get yourself killed." He swallowed the weapon, walking away.

She glared after him, not noticing the male walking up behind her. A low growl left her throat before a loud yelp escaped her mouth. The back of her shirt was yanked back harshly, her body following. Her back hit Kabuto's chest and his kunai was held at her throat.

"Why'd you attack me?" His voice was cold.

"You nearly killed Naru."

"He chose to fight me. Should I have not fought back?"

"That's exactly-" he pulled harder, cutting her off. She winced in pain, waiting for him to continue.

"Now I understand."

"Understand what!?"

"Why your eyes are still red. You're angry at us because of the fight, right." The blade touched her neck before she could respond. "That was rhetorical. I know you're angry at me, and you have a right to be." He released her and put his weapon away. "You healed me from my fight with your brother when you could have easily let me deal with my injury myself. I deserved to heal myself."

"I couldn't just let you die. You would've bled out from the cut on your wrist. And Tsunade crossed your nerves when she attacked you. So I healed that too." Her eyes returned to normal as her claws began to disappear. She suddenly felt weakened, and tired. He caught her before she could collapse.