War Torn {A Naturo Fanfic}

Page 24

Thoroughly ticked off I ran at her swinging wildly and accurately while blocking her attacks. She was so easy to defend against. I got in a few slices before taking her arm clean off. She staggered back and held the heavily bleeding wound. She looked over her shoulder at Hidan and I plunged Juryoku into her stomach just like I had our grandmother. She looked at me and choked up a fair amount of blood.

"I hope you like how this feels Maeko. You're a Jashinist now. If you're too chicken to continue you'll die one way or another." I told her darkly before removing the blade and watching her fall to my feet. I backed up and let out a breath. I felt much better. I really did just need to kill someone.

"Next." I said, smiling triumphantly at Pein. He sent Hidan to pick up Maeko, who he cursed at the whole time. Poor Maeko didn't know what to do with herself.

I took a few deep breaths and felt my heart flutter. The next fight was a real one. I wouldn't be the only one able to do something about my anger. Whoever I went up against was going to be tough to beat, if it's even possible. Well, I think I can take Hidan and Deidara pretty easily, but that's just my opinion.

"Kakuzu." My heart jolted and I had to breathe it down as Kakuzu took off his cloak and cracked his knuckles. I rolled my wrists and mentally prepared myself.

Okay Etsuko, you can take him. Focus on defense first and figure him out. You've never really seen him fight because he's too fast for Hidan to notice. He's easily angered. Act all innocent and cute. Maybe it'll give you an opening. Come on Etsuko, you know that isn't going to work.

Kakuzu stopped at the same relatively far distance from me as Maeko had. I closed my eyes, relaxed one last time, and took a deep breath. The sun was suddenly blocked out of my view. I knew it wasn't because my eyes were closed. There would still be a glare. I opened my eyes and found myself faced with Kakuzu's chest. I looked up into his strange, glaring eyes.

"If you're prepared, there won't be any sorrow." He told me darkly.

"Is that a threat Kakuzu?" I asked smoothly with a straight face. I wasn't afraid of him. I wasn't afraid of anything. Not anymore.

He made a short, amused sound. "Interpret it how you wish, Lady Etsuko." My eyes momentarily widened in surprise.

"Now isn't the time to act as if I'm the daimyo's daughter Kakuzu." Even though his eyes were normally enraged or unreadable I could see something in them now; excitement. "Perhaps you should back up. It would be difficult to fight from this close proximity." He did back up, but only slightly over the length of Juryoku.

"Begin." Pein called.

Everything was silent and Kakuzu and I stared at each other. Tension built as we waited for the other to make the first move. Starting fights was always the hardest part for me. I needed an opening. So far I didn't have one. I had not course of action; no plan of attack.

A breeze blew and that was my cue. Keeping a poker face I swung with the wind, sending a splintering wind to where he was standing. He jumped out of the way, but I was planning on that. Using the wind for motion and earth I strengthened the loose leaves in the air. I sent them at him like kunai and watched surprise dawn on him as they sliced the skin on his arms and cheek, tearing through the cloth covering his mouth and nose.

He dropped to the ground, landing on his feet, and though I should have rubbed it in to make him angry I didn't smile. I could feel this was going to be good because he wasn't the only one who was excited.

He came at me with a kunai in hand and we fought close combat. I didn't know what he was doing, but Kakuzu wouldn't do anything unless there was something to gain from it. Speaking to me before the fight; that had some meaning and this does to.