Shadow Shinobi

As the next round of competition started Raven found himself facing off against an overexcited Lee. As the two prepare to begin the remaining participants once again watch from their waiting area. “Lunch says this will be over in five minutes,” Sapphire says to Jade.

“Sapphire,” her sister cautions. “What have I told you about embarrassing Raven-sama?” Her eyes never leave the field as the two begin their battle.

“I’m not embarrassing him,” Sapphire protests as the two men on the field trade blows. “I’m just making a friendly wager on the outcome of the match.”

The two combatants appear evenly matched yet both Neji and Hinata can see the chakra flowing through Raven’s limbs as he battles Lee. “Something’s not right,” Neji says to Hinata. “Raven-san’s chakra flow doesn’t match the chakra required to maintain his current speed.”

“Oh no Hun there’s nothing wrong,” Sapphire whispers in his ear. “Just watch, the best part’s coming up.” In that moment Raven jumps out of range of Lee’s attacks and performs three seals with his right hand as a series of small pop are heard followed by screams of pain from the taijutsu master.

As Lee lays on the ground Neji’s eyes widen in shock and concern for his teammate and self-proclaimed rival. Both of Lee’s shoulders and kneecaps have been blown out of their sockets by an unseen force rendering the young man unable to continue.

“Chakra Charges,” Jade answers their unspoken question. “Raven-sama put a small amount of his own chakra into Lee-san’s shoulders and knees during the fight.” Seeing concern on their faces she elaborates. “The damage is not permanent . See,” She points to the field as Sakura heals Lee’s injuries before helping her friend up.

“Well sweetie,” Sapphire addresses Hinata. “Are you ready, we’re next.” The Hyuga Princess gulps and blushes at the sultry kunoichi’s reminder as she follows the other girl down to the field.

Once Raven joins Jade and Neji to watch the match he pulls his teammate to the side. "Forfeit your match,” he orders her.

“WHAT,” she demands. “Have you lost your Kami-Damned mind? No way, forget it.”

“You have no choice,” he tells her. “Hiroku-sama himself issued these instructions.” The bile and venom in his voice is unmistakable. “You will forfeit your match and that is final.”

Without another word to her he walks to the railing and calls out to Sapphire as she prepares to begin her match. “Sapphire,” he begins. “Bow-out.”

The dark haired kunoichi looks up at her leader as if she either hadn’t heard him correctly or couldn’t believe what she thought she had heard. “WHAT?”

“I said Bow-out,” he repeated. “That’s an order.” As Sapphire storms of the field disgusted with her leader Raven leaps down from the railing and walks towards Hinata. The dark color of his mask hides the single tear that runs down his face as he prepares to humiliate the girl that is to be his bride. ‘Kami forgive me.’
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As Sapphire joins the other losers of the tournament in the audience her anger continues to grow. “I can’t believe that bastard,” she growls. “Who the hell does he think he is?”

“He had no choice,” Jade answers softly coming up behind her. “He’s following his Father’s orders.”

“WHAT,” Sapphire yells. “Heero-sama ordered him to have us forfeit? I don’t believe it.”

“It’s true,” a male voice from behind them answers. As they turn around they come face to face with a man wearing an all black version of a traditional Jounin uniform. His bearded face reflects the sympathy he feels for the young man below them.

“Fei-sensei,” Sapphire says to their teacher and mentor. “Why would Heero-sama order Raven-chan to do something so dishonorable?”

“Hiroku-sama still bares a grudge against Hinata-san’s family for the loss of his wife.” The Jounin answers. “It was her idea to ally our clans with the marriage but after her death Hiroku-sama never recovered. He’s been trying for years to cancel the marriage contract but the elders of the clan refuse to allow that. So he ordered Raven to humiliate Hinata-sama and Neji-san in the tournament hoping to enrage Hyuga-sama enough to call off the wedding.”

“Raven-chan,” both sisters whisper as their hearts go out to their leader.

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Raven indeed humiliates Hinata in front of the assembled villagers, feudal lords and her clan as he refuses to fight back against her attempts to hit him with her Gentle Hand Style. He moves around her and either dodges her attacks or swats her hands away before they can touch him. In essence he makes her look like a little child just learning to fight.

After nearly five minutes Raven can no longer bare to subject her to further humiliation and pulls her past him as he draws a kunai from his holster. Grabbing her throat with his left hand he pulls her back against his chest as his right hand presses the tip of his blade to the base of her skull. “I’m sorry,” he whispers into her ear.

As fear grips her heart and paralyzes her body his words send a shiver down her spine. ‘Did he just apologize?’ Before she can voice her question aloud Raven releases her and steps away to await Neji’s arrival. She tries to see if she hadn’t misunderstood what he had said but his mask conceals his entire face making him impossible to read.

As they face off Raven speaks loud enough for all to hear his words clearly. “I am tired and would like to end this quickly so I can go home. If you’re not too much of a pussy, then give me your best shot.”

Neji’s anger gets the best of him as he launches into a direct attack against Raven. It is not the taunting so much as watching the other Genin humiliate his cousin just moments ago that has Neji forgetting everything he ever learned about control and restraint.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Raven continues to taunt. “If this is ALL the Hyugas have to offer I’d be better off bedding that kunoichi on your team then that pathetic excuse you call an Heiress.” Raven’s heart lurches at his own words as soon as they pass his lips. Striking Neji in the chest with his chakra laced palm he forces the other shinobi far enough away to ready himself for the attack he wants. Neji falls into Raven’s trap as the Hyuga prodigy performs his "Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms Strike".

Raven allows all thirty-two of his chakra points to be hit before falling to the ground. Neji’s moment of triumph is short lived as Raven slowly stands on legs that appear to wobble under the strain of his weight. “Fucking pitiful,” he says spitting up blood. “I guess the Hyugas really are a bunch of fucking pussies."

Neji roars our his rage as he attacks Raven again with his "Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms Strike". The attack never connects as Raven catches Neji’s wrist and pulls the Hyuga past him the same as he had Hinata. Unlike with Hinata though he quickly draws two kunai from his holster and stabs them into Neji’s triceps muscle, severing the nerve needed for the arm to move.

Spinning around as Neji screams in shock and pain Raven repeats the process on the shinobi’s right arm. Defenseless and humiliated Neji can only stand there was Raven holds a fifth kunai to his throat from behind.

“I’m sorry, Neji-san.” Raven tells the other Genin. “I had my orders.” Raven removes the blade from Neji’s throat before carefully removing the other four from his opponent’s arms. Before the medical-nins can arrive Raven wraps the arms to stem the loss of blood before leaving the arena and going home.