The Path To Darkness (Book Two of The Choice of an Uchiha)

Cloud Envy and Close Calls!

~Kalen~

As the crowd cheered for Naruto's victory, he ran around with his hands in the air. "Yeah!" It reminded me of my sister and Nema a lot.

"Incredible, even after that fight he has the energy to run around, that kid has amazing stamina." I noted to myself quietly, I then looked to my side to see that Neji was still in the arena. As Naruto kept shouting "Yeah" I spoke to Neji, "Hn, even a caged bird was smart enough, to be able to figure out how to open the door to its cage with its beak. the dream of flying and breaking free, is too great to resist. but this time you lost."

I looked up to my sister, who was jumping in circles with Nema.

~Alai~

As soon as my brother announced Naruto as the winner, I wanted to jump down and give him a giant hug, but Nema and Talon had already told me to stay put, so I settled for shouting his name as loud as possible, and then jumping in circles with Nema.

"I knew he'd win! I just knew it! Go Naruto!!" I laughed as I continued my cheer, Nema was laughing with me happily. "That brats not half bad! I'm actually really impressed."

"It certainly was a turn of events, I was almost convinced that the Hyuga boy was going to win." Talon broke in, anyone else would have confused the tone with an insulting one, but that was how Talon always spoke. I could tell from our connection that he was in a good mood from this match.

Nema stopped dancing around with me to face Talon, "That's what I thought for a while there! He'll make a good shinobi one day." Nema gave us both a hint at what he was talking about.

He was thinking that Naruto would be a better match for my warrior, he knew the Uchiha was bent on revenge and didn't approve of Talon choosing him.

"So is the Uchiha, do we need to argue on this fact Houzuki?" Talon challenged, I looked at both of them quickly before looking to Hiro, begging for a subject change.

He thankfully agreed. "What a exciting crowd we have today." As Nema and Talon stopped their fighting, the 'Kazekage' looked over, joining the conversation.

"This crowd is certainly energized." Hiro welcomed the conversation and smiled, "That's because it was a terrific fight."

"Of course it's that too, but..." The 'Kazekage' trailed off, causing Hiro to look over confused. "Hm?"

"It's also, anticipation it's likely that the shinobi leaders, feudal lords and other spectators are looking forward to this next match more than anything. By the way... the Uchiha wasn't at the opening ceremony, he has arrived hasn't he?" The 'Kazekage' looked over to Hiro in a questionable manner.

Hiro answered quietly, "Well..." he looked over his shoulder to speak with the shinobi behind us. Said man leaned in between our shoulders and updated us. "There's been no news of Sasuke yet, and then there's the issue of Orochimaru, please before everyone starts to make trouble, disqualify Sasuke."

I scowled at the man, I wouldn't let Sasuke get disqualified so easily. As if on cue, the crowd started getting agitated. They were demanding the next match to start. Even Kalen was getting uncomfortable down in the arena. Hiro looked at me sadly before sighing.

'No!'

"I have no choice. Sasuke is disqualified."

While the Shinobi answered quickly, "Right." Nema and myself looked to Hiro with shock.

Nema questioned, unable to believe it. "Sasuke Uchiha is disqualified?"

I voiced my opinion. "What? Lord Hokage you can't!" I made sure to use his title today. Whether he was an imposter or not, everyone else still thought he was the 'Kazekage'. Hiro apologized to me silently. "Yes, I'm afraid that this has to be done."