Ninja Fears

Disclaimer:I still don't own Naruto/
Notes:Here's chapter two!

Hiro's arm slid off of Zephyr's shoulders as he watched in horror. "No... No, it's probably... they're probably making a bonfire..." Bonfires didn't surround the whole school though. Hiro's fist clenched around the blade of the Iga Knife. "This isn't real..." Foosh! Hiro's speed was breakneck. In an instant, he bolted off towards the academy.

He watched stunned, then ran after him, thou not nearly as fast. As he got closer his pace slowed. The school was surrounded by flames...students bodys strewn every where...including his abusors. "No....." He looked frantically around for Hiro.

He'd found a few ninjas and wasted no time. They were obviously the culprits! They looked much older though and were shrowded entirely in black. Hiro's knife was held another way now. The sharp side was no longer pointing towards himself, it was aimed to kill. "I won't.... I won't forgive you!!!!"

He climbed over a hill in time to see Hiro attack the black enshrouded ninja's. He watched, sinking to his knees, freezing as he watched. How could Hiro expect him to...to be like that..."Hiro...." he whispered out softly, then louder...and bolder... "KICKIR AIR ASSES!!!"

"Udasai!" he roared. Hiro was a blur as he made his first attack. He charged foward at on of the ninjas in black, it was a frontal attack but... he wound up striking from behind! His knife sunk deeply in to the back of the ninjas neck, and he yanked it out viscously. There was one more swift movement as his hand passed by his own shorts. It was there he grabbed a ninja star and sent it flying right between a ninja's eyes. Hiro was fueled by pure rage. But he was severely outnumbered... and he wasn't fighting mere amatures.

He watched as one snuck up behind him and he cried out. It wouldn't be enought...he took out his shuriken and with surprising accurasy, hit the ninja between the eyes.

He glanced up at Zephyr giving a quick thumbs up. He then did a little backflip to get some space between him and the ninjas. He threw his arm up above his head, knife pointed to the sky. "Shinkirou!!" he shouted. Hiro became kind of fuzzy, almost as if he were some type of hologram. Then two other Hiros stepped out next to him. There were now three Hiros, back to back to back. The attacks were full of incredible speek now, all three Hiros savagely slicing at a group, taking about seven of them down at once. The images soon stepped back into one solid Hiro. His attack was finished... but the battle was not. Now Hiro... was at a disadvantage. A ninja made contact with a punch, knocking Hiro right across the face. Another one kicked the boy in the back, causing him to fall to his knees. The tables were turning.... and not in his favor.

"HIRO!! NO!!!!" He stared and then dashed towards him, shurikens flying at the ninja's, tears streaming down his face. He reached Hiro's side, and fell to his knees beside him. "GET BACK!" He thru another few shuriken, killing more.

He coughed up a little bit of blood and then rubbed his mouth. "Mm...mmh... I'm... I'm okay, Zephyr..." He weakly pulled himself to his feet, staggering slightly as he stood up. He winced in pain, but gripped tightly on to his knife. "I... I can do this, Zephyr... If you want... g-get out of sight... argh..." He winced slightly, clutching his side.

"No..." He stood in front of the other boy, his power growing, as his eyes sunk shut. "You said...."defend those you love"...I'm going to defend you..." He let out a soft cry of "Double Dagger Firefly" as he threw daggers on fire thru the air at enemys. They flew thru their targets and like a firefly, went after another right away, til none were left, and he was on his knees gasping for breath.

He actually blushed a little bit as Zephyr protected him against the remaining ninjas. "Zeph-kun...." He said lightly, watching the boy do his attack. He smiled as the rest of the ninjas were defeated. They'd won! He never doubted himself, or Zephyr! "Mmgh..." He winced again, falling to one knee. He took a deep breath, rubbing the side of his head. "You did it! You were... amazing!"

He was sobbing. "I am not amazing...i've killed..no matter what..that is wrong...." He shook his head then mumbled "Zeni-chi" and Hiro's wounds were healed.

He soon felt better.... not knowing how are why... But he knew that Zephyr had done it. That mantra... he could never do the healing properly. He turned to the boy now. "You killed because you had to. Had you not fought, they surely would have killed you... and they would have killed me as well. You saved me.... and I thank you." He sighed slightly. "They killed everyone, Zeph-kun... they... they deserved this."

"No...No!!" He shook his head frantically back and forth. "It's not true!!! Not matter what! Reguardless of the past mistakes, no ones life deserves to be taken away!!! No ones!!!" He cried out hysterically. "I hate this...I hate this...I hate myself..I hate what I've done...."

He winced once more, arms coming to fold over his own chest. "Zeph-Kun. I killed just as many... if not more than you. I suppose you hate me now as well?" He tapped his foot lightly, simply staring at the boy.

He shivered not answering, his breathing becomeing labored. "I don't want to be a killer...not like oniichan...never...I don't...NOOOOO!!!!!" He cried out as he feel to his side, shivering intensly, his eyes glazed over.

He watched curiously as the boy flipped out. "Zephyr?" He rubbed the back of his head a little bit. "Murdering somebo. an. and killing to survive are different things. Murdering is done through evil... the other way is solely defense. Had you not faught... I would have been killed. Would you have been sad if they murdered me?"

He stopped shivering and looked up at him pained. "I would...I would...I would miss you...I would have...I would have become a murderer had you died...I don't want to lose you..."

"And I would miss you as well, Zephyr..." He knelt down on one knee besides the boy. "That is why I fought. To protect you." He shook his head a little bit. "I lost everyone today... all my friends... Sensei... but at least I still have you..."

He looked around and knew that the other was right. "Gone...." shudshuddered again. "This...this is terrible..." He sat up slowly and looked at his hands. "I...wanna run away....and never look back...hide...." He glared at his hands. "I don't want to be like my brother..."

"You can run, Zephyr... I won't stop you." He shook his head standing up, turning his back to the boy. He made a tight fist, holding on to his knife, tears streaming down his face now. "But I'm not going to run. And I'm going to look back. I'm going to remember... this scene. Because... I'm going to find those responsible for this... I will have revenge on them. I'll make... them pay!"

"Murder...." He breathed before he cried out again, gasping for breath, twitching on the ground, his eyes wide open in fear as he saw flashbacks to when his brother had tried to kill him. "No...aniki.....iie....tasukete....Kaasan..Otousan!!! IIE ANIKI!!!!" He screamed and suddenly became still.

He quickly dried his eyes, turning to see Zephyr. He kneeled down next to him. "I suppose... you're right. Perhaphs I am a murder.... but I can't sit be idely... not after what they did." He placed his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Get away from me while you can... I don't want you... drawn in to something like this."

Zephyr didn't move, nor did he breath, just lay there. His eyes glazed over, skin paleing slowly.

He simply sat there quietly. Nothing would cause him to abandon his mission of revenge... but he'd stick by Zephyr until he was like... conscious and stuff. He sheathed the Iga knife as he sat down, sort of holding the boy on his lap for comfort. He needed the guy to feel better... he couldn't leave a crying heap all alone like this.

He twitched, drew in a breathe, and then just stopped breathing. His eyes rolled into his head, as the lids slid shut, his body not moving.

Hiro went quiet. What was this!? Panic was setting in on him. "Zeph-Kun?" He shook the boy lightly. "What are you... hey, hey! Wake up!!"

Nothing. He remained in the same condition, motionless, non-breathing.

So he was dead.... Or at least that was the conclusion Hiro came to. He felt tears swelling up in his eyes, his head hanging low. A few rolled down his cheeks dropping on to Zephyr's face. Hiro baway way now, letting the other boy lay on the ground. "I really did lose everyone then..." He had to lean on a tree to keep from falling over. "And the only one... who ever really loved me... is dead..." More tears fell as he looked at the grass. He felt sick, about ready to vomit. "I'll kill each and every one of them...."

His body twitched slightly, the second power of his Jutsu emerging. A shadowy wisp hovered in front of the other boy, smiling gently. 'You would give up on me that easily, Hiro? I am not dead, mearly resting. Take a closer look. Please, don't give up yet...this is mearly a side effect from the Jutsu preformed.' It hovered there a moment, then lightly pressed it's transparent lips to the other boys. 'Do not abandon me, love.'

He blinked a few times, rubbing his eyes. He was in disbelief. "I... no... I wouldn't... but you were..." He protested a little bit and that transparent form kissed him. It was exactly solid, but... it shut him up. "I would... never abandon you..." He said finally.

'Then wake me from this slumber. There is still time...please don't let me die.' The form hovered for a moment longer before bowing and fading away slowly. The boys body still remained un-moving, but if you looked close, and felt for it, there was a pulse there.

He sat next to the boy, wrapping his arm around Zephyr. "Wake up, Zephyr, please wake up..." He would try a healing ninja skill, but he wasn't very good at those. He was usually a more offensive fighter. "Ikioi Chiyu..." Muttered, rocking back and forth while holding onto Zephyr. "Please work... please work..."

Nothing for a moment then..."AH!" He gasped out, coughing and sucking in air as his eyes snapped open quickly. "What....oh..." He took a few more breaths. "I should warn you...next time...ne?" He blushed and smiled shyly.

"Jerk..." He muttered, exhaused from the events that had taken place. Getting beat up in battle then having to use a heal like that... boy, his energy was getting severely diminished. He smiled, very relieved, and leaned his head against Zephyr's. "I was scared."

"Eh-heh....gomen ne...I don't often use that technique...it's rather...strenuous..." He smiled lightly. "I can usually stay concious thou...it was odd this time....would you like me to replenish your strength now?" He blushed.

"Iie..." He shook his head a little bit. "I'm fine. You save your strength." He yawned a little bit. "So Zephyr, I suppose you have a decision to make. I will not pressure you into something you do not wish to do... but you must know... I don't think I can ever forgive those people for what they've done... and... I will find them, Zephyr. And what I will do to them... Well... you won't like it."

He nodded. "I know, and that's why...I'm going to go with you." He smiled gently. "I know I must get over my ...I...I was frightened...after Ikito, after Ikito, I was very afraid...but, seeing you in danger...the fear was gone." He frowned slightly. "I can never forgive Ikito for what he tried to do, but, I will not run scared forever. Not...when the one I care for is in danger."

He nodded a little bit. "Arigato... Zeph-kun." He smiled a little bit, but then looked serious once more. "It will be long, but we must look for some clues to the identity of our attackers. We will find their clan... and make them sorry they ever messed with us."

He shut his eyes and shivered. "It's cold, and I hate to say this...but I feel very tired...." He blushed. "I'm so weak..." He chukled slightyl then winced. "Owww....that's not done healing...heh..."

"We... cannot sleep here. When the ninjas do not return to base, surely somebody will come to check things out. If we are caught sleeping, we will be killed for sure. You must try and stand so that we can find someplace safe. If you need, you can lean on me again. I can support you."

"You say that, but you are just as weak my friend..." He stood on shaky legs and held out his hand. "Let's find...anywhere...even a tree!!" He smiled lightly.

"Trees are good..." He led the boy along, knowing where to go. "Just follow me." He walked slowly so the boy could keep pace with him. He was also, as Zephyr said, weakened.

He kept up quite well, a slight bounce in his step. Trees were always his favorite place to sleep, and it was going to wonderful that he could once more.

The tree was in the distance, about 100 yards away from the rubble that was once the academy. He was still pretty torn up about that, barely able to hold himself together. But... he needed to be strong.

"You can cry." He looked at the ground. "Sometimes, that's all you really want to do, is cry it all out. I wouldn't think you were and weaker." He smiled out of grief. "Ra knows that I have shed many tears in my life."

"I won't cry anymore than I already have... crying will not bring them back to life... my tears are not those of a phoenix." He sighed deeply, kicking a little rock. "There... the tree." He motioned to a large oak in the distance.

He passed the other boy and paused at the base of the tree. "Even a fallen Phoenix has the power to return life." He looked back, no real expression except exhaustion. "You have to think past their deaths, and become stronger from this." He looked up at the tree and jumped to the lowest branch easily. "Thou, I should listen to my own advice, ne?"

"A phoenix can fall...and be reborn from it's own ashes. We are not Phoenixes... There will be no rising from those ashes." Of course. He was speaking about the academy and how it had burned, but soon, he followed Zephyr up the tree.

"Even so, we have the strength to try." He yawned and then shivered. "Cold...it's freezing...how is it that in summer it's this cold...?"

"It is always cold when you are facing death..." He said, rather grimly. He sighed a little bit, huddling himself up in the tree. Today was not a good day to be wearing the simple short set that Hiro had on.

He glanced at his own attire. Well, he was probably better off then Hiro at any rate. "Aa...Hiro-kun...I can...we, we can share body heat...demo, if you don't want to..I understand, de gozaro."

"I suppose... as long as we're careful... I don't want to... snap the branch and fall..." He smirked a little bit, hopping over to Zephyr's branch. He shivered a little bit and closed his eyes.

He blushed and nodded. "It's strong enough." He stared at him, shiffting to make room for the other. He stared at the spot between his legs (not there hentai) and blushed.

He leaned his shoulder up against Zephyr's, his own skin rather cold due to the temperature. He wouldn't show any signs of discomfort though. An occasional shiver or two but nothing more. He was a trained Ninja, not a complainer!

He let out a soft sigh, his head falling to rest in Hiro's shoulder, him already falling asleep. "Oysamu...Hiro-kun..."

"Oyasumi, Zeph-Kun...." He was alert and awake, eyes scanning for any suspicious movements. Fear of attack was fueling him... They were camoflauged in the darkness and leaves, but danger was still creeping around... and he wouldn't let anything at all happen to Zephyr... not while he was alive.

He was asleep in a moment, hidden exahustion catching up to him. He snuggled closer to Hiro, unconciously wrapping his arms around him.

He placed his arm, consciously, around Zephyr's shoulders and pulled him in a le cle closer. This was done for warmth though... the poor little ninja was freezing! And also... he figured maybe when Zephyr woke up, the boy would be happy he'd put his arm around him.

He shivered slightly, but sighed content. His dreams were filled with nightmares, but he was too tired to wake, therefore, he slept thru everyone. His fear only showing itself when he shivered.

Hiro's vigil was a dilligent one, not ending until the early hours of the morning, before the sun rose. He fell in to a slumber, unable to keep himself awake. His head fell against Zephyr's as he slept rather comfortably.

His eyes fluttered open, but he didn't move. He'd woken a bit before, and he refused to awaken the finally sleeping shinobi...it was inhumane. He watched the area, noting the different places and finally seeing the true extent of the attack.

He shifted a little bit, first light's rays stinging his eyes. He squinted his eyes a little bit, shifting slightly, gripping on to the sleeve of Zephyr's kimono. He was torn between sleep and waking now. He didn't want to do either!

He began to hum, hoping to make the othere sleep again. It wasn't right for him to be awake...not yet...

He let out a little breath, slumping a little further against the tree, cheek now leaning against Zephyr's arm. When he was asleep, Hiro seemed rather... innocent. Completely opposite of his arrogant demeanor once awake.

He smiled, the humming continuing as he grabbed the other boys hand. He was unconcious so...he'd never know...t?? t??

"Zeph-Kun..." He mumbled in an uncoscious state, kind of rolling over a little, arm draping itself across the boy's chest, clinging in a way similar to one would cling a teddy bear.

He blushed deeply, his singing continuing. "Just remember you are not alone, so don't you fear. Even thou you're miles away I'm by your side. So open up your mind and close your eyes, I'll be there for you, no matter where you are."

"Merushi...." He muttered his li 't 'thank you' in his sleep, nuzzling closer to Zephyr. He did odd things in his sleep, apparently... heh heh. Wait until he woke up. He'd most likely turn an awkward shade of red.

He blushed and just held the sleeping boy, repeating the song over again. His mother had sung that to him...before she died. He had gotten courage from it, and it also calmed him.

Well now it was time for Hiro to wake up. He couldn't, he wouldn't, let himself sleep any longer. He shifted a little bit, yawning widely, eyes opening a little bit. Then he realized the way he was holding on to Zephyr... "W-Wah!" He pulled back a little bit turning as red asapplapple. "G-Gomen ne..." He blinked about a 1000 times and reddened even more.

"Aaa...iie, it's okay. No da, I didn't mind. Besides, I was still cold!" He grinned hopeing to make the other less embarased.

His cheeks started to return to normal, but gave a silly little laugh, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "I... er... Ohayo Gozaimasu!" Awkward timing.

"Ohayo yo!" He grinned and stretched slightly. "It's beautiful out...but, we can't leave yet...." He blushed and looked down.

He stretched hims arms over his head, so high, his shirt lifted a little bit, revealing part of his stomach. He closed his eyes, giving a large yawn. "Eh? Why not?"

"Because they weren't properly sent off to the afterlife...." He jumped from the tree. "They...even our enemys...deserve a traditional send off...we cannot just leave corpses laying around..."

"Even our enemies?" He made a face. But he soon nodded. "Let us do that then... we will make sure... all of them... pass with peace."

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Hiro-kun." He began his work, saying prayers as he burried the victems, and marked their graves with stones, and what little flowers he managed to find.

He slid out of the tree and chased after the other boy, gatherinfew few flowers and herbs and stuff as he went along. He did know enough about the ceremony to participate in it, but he'd never really done one before.

The bodies were burried, and the markers in place. He stood back and bowed his head, hands held in prayer. "Kami-sama, guide our friends, foe and abusors safely to the next world. May their souls be reborn into someone better."

He was quiet for the most time but now... Hiro had lost it once more. He fell to his knees, tears rolling down his cheeks. "Kame-Sama... Guide them... let them rest in piece... may their souls be at ease... Onegai, Kame-Sama..." His little form was shaking now as he hugged himself in a desperate attempt to calm down.

He looked at the other and then kneeled, drawing him into his arms and held him tightly. "It'll be okay...they'll be safe now...remember, no more tears?" He kissed his cheek softly. "Just remember you are not alone...and have no fear..."

He sniffled a little bit, rubbing his eyes. "G-Gomen ne, Zeph-kun..." He shook his head a little bit. "You must think me utterly childish... sobbing away..." He leaned in to the other boy's embrace, calming himself down a little bit. "Arigato..."

"Never weak, Hi-kun...." He held the other tightly, not admitting how, despite the situation, he loved the other with him, even if only seeking comfort.

"I just can't believe they're all gone..." His voice was small, wavering a little bit. He quickly wrapped his arms around the other boy, burrying his face against the boy's stomach. The little ninja who had always acted so strong had been hit too hard by the tragedy... there was no way to contain himself any longer... it all spilled out. He was thankful... that Zephyr was with him during such a rought ime.

He let the other cry. Granted, he was sad that others had died, but he had been disliked anyway, so he knew that Hiro was feeling it even worse then he. He just held him tightly, running a gentle hand through his hair.

Hiro had never experienced death in such a way before... nobody he was ever close to had died before and now suddenly.... everyone was gone. "I... I'll be alright..." He sniffled into the other boy, rubbing his eyes slightly. "It is... rude of me to be crying like this... we should... we should go..."

"If you're ready...I am here for you, and I am not going anywhere." He meant those words with all his heart.

"I thank you, Zephyr... Honestly..." He smiled at him, tightening the embrace a little bit. He then stood up, dusted off, and dried his eyes. "There are many things to be done... it will be tough, that's sure... but... We will triumph... together. As a team. Me and you." He grinned a little bit.

"Hai! Team "Saiyuki desu"! That's us!" He grinned back and nodded. "Then let's go!" He too stood and brushed off his kimono bottom.

He gave a small laugh, grinning to Zephyr, still sniffling a little bit. "Right... but where are we going to? Did you notice anything about the ninjas? We do not even know their clan..."

"Oh, yea we do though." He held up a scratched symbol. "It was torn from one of the enemys." He handed the odd symbol to the other boy, cocking his head slightly

"It's..." He tilted his head staring at the symbol. "It means Dark Heart..." He scratched his head a little bit. "The clan of the Dark Heart? Is that right? They sound familiar... But I cannot... remember where they're clan is located.... Can you make anything of it, Zephyr?" He looked to the other boy, handing the emblem back to him.

His eyes clouded over. "D...Dark Heart...." He glared at the emblem. "I knew it was....familiar..." He whimpered and tossed the emblem to the side, walking towards the west, without glancing back.

"You know of them, Zeph-Kun?" He turned to the rubble and graves taking a deep breath. "Rest, my friends.... I will be the one to avenge you..." he nodded, making his promise to his fallen friends and then chased after the boy, slowing to a walk once hreached his side.

He didn't say anything, only looked at the ground, a pained look across his face. He clentched and un-clentched his fists, sighing sub-conciously.

"What's the matter, Zeph?" He asked, looking curiously to his friend. "You know of this clan? What did they do to you?"

He stumbled a bit, but contiuned to walk. "Ikito...."

He'd heard the boy mention that name before... but who was this Ikito? "Ikito is...?" He thought he knew... but he had to make sure.

"My oniichan."

End 2. Read and Review onegai!!