“Who’s Sebastian?” Kurt’s blood was pumping; he could feel each individual vein in his body. It felt like he was about to burst, between the fear and adrenaline he was afraid his body would give out. He thought that focusing on something else might distract him enough to regain his composure. The air was chilling, in a metaphorical and physical sense. The ice that had decapitated Anji still stood towering over them all and Kurt couldn’t believe Jeff’s ruthlessness. Whatever the ANBU did to anger him, it worked.
“Nobody important,” He cut off quickly. Will decided it’d be best to keep his mouth shut. There was a bigger task at hand. “What is important is that we blow this place before the rest of Gato’s guards get here and find the two assassins, ultimately they are the obstacle that’s in our way.”
“Okay, then why are we wasting time? We need to go now.” Blaine’s voice was determined; he was ready for his first fight, his first chance to test his strength against a formidable opponent. So what if he was rushing them a little? Pressure isn’t always a bad thing.
“He’s right.” Kurt agreed, “We can only imagine what they’re planning. If they wanted Tazuna and that ANBU out of the way it can’t be pretty.”
Quinn looked around for a moment, her eyes shone with confusion, “We’re still on orders to protect Tazuna right?”
Will nodded, not quite getting what she was hinting at.
“And, the enemy obviously knew we were coming with all the extra security they put up. And not to mention the fact that Jeff’s gone…”
“Quinn.” Schue Sensei deadpanned. “Spit it out.”
She took a deep breath, “Long story short, we’re here… And Tazuna’s not.”
Quinn’s eyes flicked from each of her teammates faces waiting for the realization to set in. Kurt was squinting, Schue was looking at her as if waiting for the punch line of a joke he already knew, and that damn dog would not stop licking her.
“I don’t understand,” Blaine eventually said.
“Yeah,” Schue Sensei added, “He’s at home with Tsunami.”
Quinn was getting impatient; she knew she worked with boys but for Heaven’s sake.
“Yes, and we’re not there protecting him!”
Schue Sensei’s eyes widened with shock or panic, she couldn’t tell which. “Oh my God, We need to get back. Now.”
~X~
Tazuna finished cutting the ingredients for Tsunami’s fruit salad. He really did love his daughter but really? Who prepares a fruit salad while the very ninja who were protecting him might’ve been killed already? He shrugged it off and kneaded the pineapple and kiwi slices to prepare them for the bowl. As he was pulling out the sugar he heard a small crash outside. Tsunami was out at the market getting a cake done in honor of the Leaf’s tremendous help, and that took at least and hour so she couldn’t have been back already.
Carefully, he moved towards the knife holder that was near the stove. He gripped the handle of a steak knife and placed it on the countertop near his fruit pieces. The bread knife he was using to cut the food wasn’t nearly sharp or intimidating enough to ward off a burglar. Granted, the Land of Waves doesn’t get many robberies because the natives are usually piss poor, but there are always people who are worse off than everyone else.
The last few minutes Tazuna spent “preparing” the fruit was filled with silence. Maybe the sound was just a squirrel looking for a bite to eat. That’s not uncommon. With one last glance towards the window he shoved the knife in his pocket and ran into the living room to turn on the T.V. With the Leaf protecting him he’s had much more time to relax. Tsunami scolds him for not doing anything meaningful with his time but come on. He’s been building a giant bridge for the past year, cut a guy some slack. Not to mention he‘s sixty-four.
As he was snuggled into the giant couch pillows he felt a draft through the room. With a grunt and an immense amount of mental preparation Tazuna heaved himself off the couch to check the thermostat.
He made his way through the long hall in the back of his house to adjust the temperature. The wood was cold against his feet and he felt the room steadily dropping in degrees. When he finally made it to the thermostat he was shivering. As his eyes focused on two chills ran through his body, one because it was freezing, and another because the thermostat was placed at a normal seventy-two degrees.
Tazuna quickly turned away from the hall and tried to run down to the living room, but he harshly slipped and fell onto the blistering cold ice.
Ice?
With terror in his eyes he saw what the once polished wooden hall had become. It was frozen; the doors and windows were sealed with the ice that ran up the full length of the walls. There was no way to escape but to run back to the kitchen.
So that’s what he did. But he didn’t stop to think about the consequences of running on ice.
Tazuna skidded into the kitchen wall banging his head and knocking the fruit salad across the floor.
“I worked for hours on that!” He screamed before he could stop himself. Up until now he might’ve been able to escape the house in silence, but now that dream was killed. He rubbed his neck, he might have a small concussion, and he did slam into the wall at full speed.
“I’m sorry.”
A chilling voice snapped Tazuna back into the importance of the situation. The voice didn’t sound old, actually it sounded quite young.
“Who are you and what do you want?” Tazuna was shocked to find that his voice wasn’t shaky. It must be the adrenaline.
“I really don’t want to hurt you, I’m sorry we had to meet under these… circumstances.”
The voice was getting closer, he could feel it. Tazuna didn’t know what to do, he had a concussion and he’s pretty sure it’d be a bad idea to fight on ice with his head like this; he couldn’t run because all the windows and doors were sealed. He knew it was stupid to let the Leaf ninja leave him. He could’ve stopped them but he foolishly thought he would be alright. He took a deep breath before he spoke, maybe he could reason with the boy. That’s what he is after all, a boy taking the wrong path in life.
“You say you’re sorry but you’re gonna kill me anyway aren’t you? C’mon, you’re just a kid. Surely your parents wouldn’t be happy to find you assassinating old men.”
Tazuna froze at the change of chakra in the air, before it was stable, slightly cold, almost like being blasted with the A/C on high. Now it’s gone colder. It’s much more frigid than before; Tazuna can almost feel icicles piercing his skin.
“Kid? Are you ok?” He was taking a gamble talking, he’s obviously hit a sore spot and the boy didn’t respond well to it.
Tazuna was about to ask again when the boy spoke, “You’re an old man. All of your parents died of old age, peacefully right? You’ve lived your dreams?”
When Tazuna didn’t reply the boy continued, “As I thought. My parents, no, my whole family is dead. Do you know what that’s like? Can you understand? Not having a dream… not being needed by anyone… The pain of merely being alive? To have to live life knowing that you might never have comfort again? I do. And it was horrible. And then suddenly out of nowhere someone rescued me. Treated me right, like I was the only person in the world.”
Tazuna was silent throughout the boy’s story. The wars have left so many children orphaned. Good children, innocent children. The thought brought small tears to the corner of his eyes.
“I was forever in his debt.” His assassin continued, “And your death is his dream. So I’ve made it mine.”
The boy finally stepped out from wherever he was hiding so Tazuna could see him. His face was hidden behind an old looking ANBU mask, but otherwise he looked young.
“You can show him your appreciation in other ways!” Tazuna might’ve been investing too much emotion in this whole ordeal. But he wanted to help the boy. He saw too many good lives go to waste and he was sick of it.
“I don’t see how. I’m giving my whole being to him. That seems absolute. Could you ever honor that type of commitment?”
“Hell no. Kid, once you grow up you learn a few things. One of those is that you can’t live your life for someone else, you have to be your own person.”
“I wouldn’t be my own person if it wasn’t for him.” He countered.
“And-“ Tazuna ignored that last statement, “You have to let your heart feel something. You can’t be stuck in ice for your whole life, you have to burn. As cheesy as this sounds… You need to see the light!”
Jeff stood there looking at this old man. The man he was going to kill for Nick, because he owed it to him. This insignificant piece in his journey was somehow stalling him. Maybe it was because what he was saying was getting to him. Maybe it was because it was the second time this week that someone had told him to get rid of his ice and fight with a fire in his heart. Of course Nick’s needs would always outmatch his own.
He thought back to all the times Nick has helped him throughout his cold life. He was simultaneously his brother, father, and lover all wrapped into one. It was a complicated relationship. Trivial matters didn’t worry him. He loved Nick for who he is, what he’s done. His mind went back to the task on hand. If he kills Tazuna, Nick would be happy. He loves seeing him smile, his shark teeth, and the way his eyes shine. He turned his head towards the bridge builder. His face frozen, emotionless.
“If I need to I’ll treat myself to a hot bath.”
Jeff flicked his fingers and launched multiple ice shards at Tazuna. Feeling it was time to give up on convincing the boy not to behead him he ran to grab the cutting board to act as a shield. It worked somewhat, the ice was wedged into the wood, so with great courage, Tazuna ran towards the only exit there was.
The one his assassin entered from.
Consequently meaning he’d have to run past the boy.
He really was asking to be killed.
Nevertheless with a battle cry he jumped on top of the kitchen island, knocking off the decorative napkin holders and intricately carved china. Upon hearing them smash against the ground he flinched. Tsunami was going to kill him.
You know if it doesn’t happen now.
He launched himself off the island over his killer’s head. By the time he realized what was happening it was too late. Tazuna was behind him booking it to the exit. He ran like his life depended on it. He was running on a high of adrenaline, almost happy that he was going to make it out alive. But then one sentence made his entire spirit drop.
“Ice Style: Igloo Shut In!”
Shit. Shit. Shit. He needs to get out of here now. Before he could process what the jutsu could do it was already activating. The walls of his house literally froze into ice right before his eyes. He snuck a glance back into the living room. The floor was twisting and turning into a whirlpool, the ice was shifting the ground and walls turning it into what looked like a frozen sinkhole. All of his belongings were destroyed, not to mention the fruit salad. The creaking of the floor he was running on brought him back to reality. The ice was catching up to him; he was only a few inches ahead of being an Eskimo for eternity. The thought made him shudder and he continued on.
How long is this hall anyway!?
His knees were aching and his joints felt like they were about to snap open. This kind of exercise was not meant for sixty-four year old men. In his reverie he didn’t notice the floor had changed already. He cursed and looked forward. He was so close to the window. Yet the Justu had been quicker it had frozen it shut. He skidded to a stop early to make sure he didn’t get another concussion. He was at a block. He was going to die.
He was going to DIE!
Before he could have his breakdown he felt something in his pocket. The knife! He felt a resurgence of hope and put his carpenter skills to the test. He started carving the ice wall like a madman. Who knew how fast Jack Frost would get here. He was pressed for time. After what felt like years he light filtered through the small slit he made. He would’ve thought the ice would be stronger than this. Oh well, Frosty’s mistake. Tazuna didn’t have enough time to whittle a opening big enough for him so he used his head.
Literally.
With a giant yell he smashed his head through the window and came tumbling down.
Oh yeah, his house was two stories.
He fell into the bushes with surprisingly soft impact. His head felt like it was going to explode but he made it out nonetheless. With one last fast glance at what used to be his house he ran down the street for backup. He was not risking becoming a snow cone. Definitely not, with his age the ice would be so dry.

Jeff stared at the whole the bridge builder used to escape. It was unorthodox but he did escape. He underestimated him. While Jeff was mentally kicking himself for not using the more chakra to make the ice impenetrable he heard voices. He closed his eyes to focus on the sound.
“Whoa, what happened? It looks like Ice Queen’s lair.” That voice he didn’t recognize, gruff.
“I don’t know but it can’t be good. Tenjimaru can you sense Tazuna?” That was that damn Sharingan ninja Will!
“No, he’s not here. Which also means he’s not dead.” It was the same gruff voice.
“Who do you think did this?” That voice was definitely female, maybe the blonde?
“Seriously Quinn,” This was another male voice, not Schuester though, “Ice? It’s the same guy that killed the ANBU back at Gato’s lair.”
They knew about him? Granted he didn’t cover up his murder but that ninja rubbed him the wrong way.
“Blaine don’t be harsh, she’s just shocked. We all are.” Jeff’s breath stopped. That voice. No doubt that was Kurt. He wondered if the advice Jeff gave him made any difference. He hoped so.
“Anyway,” It was Will again, “We need to find Nick. If he’s after Tazuna then we have to end him right this time.”
Jeff clenched his fist. So they were after Nick again? Why can’t they just leave him alone? Jeff had to get out of here, not only do they have a sensor on their team, but a reason to kill Nick. The only reason they hadn’t detected his chakra yet was because it was so similar to chakra emanating off the ice. With blinding speed Jeff broke out of the back door and fled to meet up with Nick. If he was going down, they all were.

“Another dead end then?” Kurt looked distraughtly at the once quaint little ranch that was now a dark foreboding ice prison.
“No.”
All eyes turned to Tenjimaru who was sniffing the ground furiously. “What do you mean “no”?” Schue Sensei asked him anticipating some good news.
“I mean,” Tenjimaru turned to the cell, “I have a scent.”
“A scent?” Blaine asked, “A scent of what?”
Tenjimaru sighed, “Of the ice ninja.”
“What!?” Kurt was shocked at his outburst but continued anyway, “He was here? Why didn’t you sense him before?”
“Because, this Jutsu must have been recently activated, I couldn’t tell the difference. Whoever this kid is… He’s good.”
“Yeah,” Schue Sensei said off-handedly, “He is.”
“Enough talking! He’s already got a lot of distance on us so we have to go now!” Tenjimaru barked gaining everyone’s attention.
Team 10 looked at each other, both communicating the urgency of the mission and the danger they might face going to battle. Quickly they all came to their mutual decision
“Alright…” Schue Sensei started, “Let’s move out!”
~X~
The group quickly found their way on the trail. Unlike the forest jumping on their way to Gato’s, this path was simply manmade. Their sandal soles slapped against the concrete in their hurry to get to their destination.
“Why are there all these construction signs?” Quinn asked observantly.
She was right. Everywhere they looked were bright orange warning signs telling them construction up ahead, or to watch your footing. Kurt even noticed some stray wooden blocks every now and then.
Schue Sensei looked around for a moment and then looked back to the path, “I think I have an idea…”
Before Kurt could ask what he meant they approached a large sign. It read: “Bridge under Construction, proceed forward at your OWN RISK”.
“Schue Sensei…”
“I know Kurt. Let’s just go, were wasting daylight.”
Kurt nodded carefully and followed the rest of the group. He could feel the air getting colder, not unbearably so but enough to notice. They made their way through many different hangars. They had to maneuver around the different blocks of wood that stood in their way, almost like a maze. Kurt didn’t know when but he soon lost track of the rest of his group. He started to panic at being stuck alone in a fight with two well-known assassins.
“Schue Sensei!? Quinn!? Tenjimaru!?” He bit his lip as he whispered the next name; “Blaine…?”
He gave sigh and started to freak out. Honestly he knew he should’ve stayed calm but the danger of the situation was getting to him. He was full out running now, loudly knocking into wood by accident. After a few minutes of getting nowhere he came to a stop. The tears came easily now and this time Kurt didn’t try to stop them.
~X~
The group being separated was a bad thing, Blaine knew as much. But he was surprised to find that he was actually worried about finding his cell, one person in particular. Blaine decided to use this alone time to think about his life and what was happening.
He was finally going to be able to test his strength against somebody who could keep up with him. He was psyched about it. He’s gone through basically his whole life with this fear in the back of his head that his brother was right. That he was a coward, a weak excuse for a human being. He hated when his mind when to these places but he couldn’t help it. Then his mind traveled to Kurt. The boy said he felt so attached to him because of the Nine Tailed Fox, but he also said it had an evil chakra. He only felt one thing around Kurt and that was his chakra alone. The demon’s chakra was unique, in aspects of color Kurt’s was white, and the Fox’s was red. He’s never actually came in contact with the red chakra until that night he tried to kiss Kurt. Deep back in his mind he knew he liked Kurt, maybe more than friends. And granted if he was in his right mind he would have never tried to kiss Kurt that night, but… That doesn’t mean he hadn’t been thinking about it. He didn’t want to admit this to himself, but he did think the idea of love would be nice. To be able to have someone you could count on forever, having that trust never die.
Blaine’s fist clenched.
Of course, that’s what he once thought about his brother.
As he shook off his thoughts he heard footsteps. He went into ninja mode and hid behind one of the giant blocks of wood that were layered around the space. He drew his kunai as he heard them come closer. Step by step he felt his adrenaline growing, his desire to prove something taking over his mind.
The anticipation was growing, this was his moment, his time to prove his brother wrong. As he felt the person right on the other side of him he jumped out with his kunai in hand ready to kill. He looked into the eyes of his opponent and instantly froze.
He looked into the blue eyes of his opponent.
As he took in Kurt’s frightened face he felt guilt over come him. He didn’t think, he couldn’t believe out of everyone he could have stabbed he almost came in contact with stabbing Kurt of all people. All of a sudden Kurt started sniffling and tears streamed down his face.
Now Blaine felt like a dick.
“Kurt! Kurt I’m so sorry I thought you were the enemy!” He quickly put his kunai away and helped Kurt into a sitting position with him on the floor. He fussed over Kurt like he was his mother, he made sure there were no stray scratches and that his clothes were intact.
“Do you need anything?”
Kurt shook his head, “Blaine-“
Blaine’s eyes widened. “Do you need Quinn to heal something?”
“No Blaine-“
“Do you need to rest for a moment? I can be on lookout?”
“Blaine!”
At the sound of Kurt raising his voice he looked at him. His eyes were red from crying and his hair wasn’t perfectly organized like it usually was.
“Yes?” He asked tentatively.
“Why are you doing this? You haven’t been nice to me since the day we first met at the Ninja Academy.”
The realization of the reality finally sunk in. Blaine’s been either too afraid of being weak, or too afraid of his feelings to be nice to anybody. As far as he could remember whenever he talked to Kurt he bit his head off. Hell, this morning he told him he didn’t want him. Blaine’s been a horrible teammate to Kurt and he honestly felt horrible.
“Kurt I’m… I’m really sorry. I was just scared.”
The silence was immensely stressing. Neither ninja knew what to say. Kurt felt like Blaine should be the one to apologize, and Blaine was at a loss for words how to. So Blaine felt like this was a safe way to start.
“I’m sorry for making you cry.”
Kurt stared at him, as if he was finally seeing the real Blaine without walls or lies. And then he started to laugh. Blaine was so happy that things seemed to be looking up that he felt himself smile.
“Just now? No I was crying because I was alone. I was actually looking for one of you.”
Blaine’s smile faltered and his expression became serious. “No I mean, I see you every morning Kurt. I know you’re mad at me, we all do. I see your tear stained face and feel guilty every time I look at it. I really am sorry. And I can’t promise that I’ll never get moody or rude but… right now, in this moment, I mean it.”
Kurt looked to his feet. He was so overwhelmed with emotion right now. So many things were happening and it looked like he and Blaine were going to be okay for now. It was Kurt who stood up first.
“Were going in to battle and in case something bad happens… I just want you and me to be cool. Could we start over?”
Blaine beamed at him and extended his hand, “Hi, I’m Blaine Uchiha, pleasure to meet you.”
“Kurt Hummel,” Kurt said with a laugh as he shook it. For the first time in years it felt like Blaine was returning to his old self, his parents always used to tell him that he was charming but he never really saw it. Now he can kind of see what they meant.
“So… Do you want to find the others? We have some ass to kick.” Blaine was determined. He had to people to win for, not only himself, but also Kurt.
Kurt gave him a devilish smile, “I do believe you are right.”
~X~
“Schue Sensei we lost them.”
Quinn looked around for the two idiots they somehow lost on the way to the bridge.
“Yeah, I know. But we can use this time to talk strategy.”
Quinn nodded, “Strategy?”
“Yeah, I have a feeling the ice guy might be a handful but with Blaine and Kurt’s combined effort I think they can defeat him.”
Quinn waited patiently for the rest of his plan, “And you, me, and Tenjimaru are going after Nick.”
“Do you really think I can be of any help?”
She hasn’t done much this whole mission except yell at people and buy groceries. Granted her entry plan to Gato’s hideout bought her a few points but that wasn’t in the middle of battle.
Schue Sensei stopped abruptly consequently making Quinn crash into him. “Sorry,” Quinn started but was cut off by Schue Sensei.
“Are you kidding? If you weren’t here Kurt would have been dead a long time ago from that poison that the two Mist ninja attacked him with.”
She might have forgotten about that.
“And,” he continued, “You defended Tazuna in the first battle and helped us break into Gato’s hideout. Not even mentioning all the strategizing and thinking you’ve done. We didn’t realize we left Tazuna in danger until you piped up. Give yourself more credit Quinn, you’re amazing.”
Quinn smiled. She was speechless. She kind of thought of herself as dead weight. But apparently she’s really appreciated. She’s not gonna lie, that really did lift her spirits. She felt less insecure with herself.
“Okay, what’s the plan?”
“I like that determination! Okay, basically were going to attack Nick on the offensive. His main weapon is that sword so I’m going to try to get it away from him. If I succeed he’s obviously going to try to escape. That’s where you come in.”
Quinn nodded, “So what do I need to do?”
“Ah, your job. If and when he tries to escape I need you to keep him near me with your strength. Just enough to startle him. Can you do that?”
Quinn gave a smirk, “definitely.”
“Excellent. Tenjimaru I’m certain you already know your job?”
The ninja hound scoffed, “What kind of dog do you take me for? Of course, just give the signal.”
Schue Sensei gave a triumphant smile, “Then, we should come out of here victorious.”
They made their out of the main construction zone and up a few stairs. At the top was a giant bridge stretching across to the Land of Fire.
“I didn’t realize they were making it this big.” Quinn commented.
“Yeah, and it’s about four-fifths done. It really would be a shame if they couldn’t finish it.” Schue Sensei walked slightly ahead of the two and looked around. “Why is it so deserted?”
“Lunch break?” Tenjimaru offered.
“No… something’s off.”
As Quinn was pondering the weird sense of foreboding they heard a familiar voice, and it wasn’t long before they felt a certain sense of d�j� vu.
“Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu.”
Immediately the area filled with an impenetrable fog, like last time it clouded Quinn and Schue Sensei’s sight, but this time they had Tenjimaru.
“This again?” Schue Sensei was appalled, “I can’t believe he called me a one trick pony.”
“A pot calling the kettle black?” Quinn offered.
“Looks like it.”
As the fog got thicker they could see two figures move onto the far side of the bridge. Quinn could immediately make out Nick’s giant blade even through the haze.
“Sensei,” she warned, “They’re here.”
“I noticed, remember the plan.”
Quinn and Tenjimaru nodded and moved back behind their sensei. Quinn was on defense but she didn’t know what Tenjimaru’s plan was. Perhaps she didn’t need to, she had her orders and that’s all she really needed.
“William,” Nick’s smooth voice floated through the mist, “it’s great to see you again. Our last dance got… Postponed.”
“It didn’t get postponed, you’d be dancing with the Devil if your assistant hadn’t come running.”
“Ah, so you’ve already met Jeff? That makes it so much easier. I’ve heard it’s really disconcerting to leave this world without a familiar face by your side.”
Upon seeing Will’s tense face he continued, “Although most of those murders have been by me so I guess I really can’t be of any help.”
“Enough talking!” Schue Sensei’s voice rang out across the bridge, “We end this now.”
“I agree, Jeff you take the girl and the mutt, I’ll take Schuester.”
“As you wish.” The masked boy started to move closer to Quinn, but before he could take another step he was already in the air dodging a kunai that was thrown from behind. He landed on the ground with a somersault and quickly regained his stance.
“If you touch her,” a boy appeared, a familiar face he had bright blue eyes and a bitch face that could put Quinn in the hospital. “We won’t make your defeat painless.”
“And trust me;” another boy appeared, who had styled black hair and bright brown eyes, “It will be painful.”
“Kurt! Blaine!” Quinn yelled at them through the mist, she wasn’t sure they were going to hear her, but they yelled back.
“We’re alright! Just stay with Schue Sensei!”
She nodded to herself and made her way back to her teacher.
“Oh, so the other brat’s decided to show up? Fine, Jeff you take Tweedledum and Tweedledee, I wanna give Schuester the dance he so well deserves.”
“Whatever you say.” Jeff turned around and stared at his opponents. The one he assumed as Blaine was short, but looked like he could hold his own. Kurt however, he did not know his limits. Jeff decided not to hold back, It’s better to be safe than sorry.
“Wait,” Kurt turned to Blaine, “Am I Tweedledee because I’m definitely not Tweedledum.”
Blaine looked aghast, “Are you saying I’m dumb then? I thought we were cool?”
Kurt smirked, “I’m not the one who tripped up the stairs.”
Blaine was getting flustered, “Those steps were tall they were like four inches apart!”
“To you-” before Kurt could enjoy his comeback, Blaine was already shoving him across the bridge. He smacked his shoulder into the pavement when he landed to glare at Blaine when he realized he was already dodging attacks from Jeff.
“Kurt stay back! I’ll fight him!”
Easier said than done.
As Blaine was turning back to the battle he flicked his head back instinctually, dodging a razor sharp senbon that Jeff had aimed at his neck. Blaine dodged Jeff’s many senbon that were launched at him from all directions, he had superhuman speed, and Blaine wasn’t going to be able to keep up much longer. Jeff could move. Each time Blaine tried to attack him, Jeff dodged and evaded in some amazing way; it was as if they really were dancing. Jeff spun and leaped and twirled all around Blaine all the while launching senbon at him. It was too much. As they were going through the notions of their parry, Blaine spotted an opening. With the kunai he was using to deflect the boy’s attacks he slashed his kunai along Jeff’s senbon leaving them in a struggle. Blaine figured with him only having one free hand he couldn’t weave seals for his Ice Jutsu.
“You’re fast...” Jeff acknowledged and Blaine couldn’t help but feeling a sense of accomplishment.
“Thanks-“
“But I’m faster.”
~X~
“Schuester, you might want to go help out your student.”
Will was in much of the same position that Blaine was with Jeff. Using a single kunai to block and deflect Nick’s giant Executioner’s Blade. The sound of slashing metal filled the air, sparks flew, body parts were cut but overall Will was doing all right.
“I think he’s doing alright.” Will’s breath was staggered, he had to focus so much on Nick’s movements even with his Sharingan, and it was crazy. With excellent form Nick flicked his wrist turning the blade in the air and grabbed the handle when it was flipped over. Through the gap in the sword he thrust it towards Will’s neck to trap him against the wall.
Nick laughed, “In some ways Jeff’s more dangerous than me, there’s no way that piece of leftover meat can beat him.”
He’s had enough of his talking. Will did a one-eighty turn, taking extra care to make sure his face grazed against the blade staining some of his blood on it- and slammed his foot into Nick’s stomach driving him back, and fortunately, taking the blade with him.
Nick staggered only for a moment, but that moment was large enough for Will to start on another Justu. He ripped out scrolls from the breast pocket of his flak jacket and quickly signed his signature in blood. He placed the scrolls between his hands and slammed them into the ground.
“Summoning Jutsu! Earth Style: Fanged Pursuit Jutsu!”
With a giant cloud of smoke as their cover, his Ninken, or nine ninja hounds traveled underground following his scent on Nick. The dogs smashed through the earth and attacked Nick ruthlessly with their fangs. His giant bulldog simultaneously restrained Nick from being able to move and clamped down on his shoulder rendering him incapable of wielding his sword. Tenjimaru completed the jutsu by tearing at his ankles making it harder for him to move.
“Stupid mutts.” Nick spat angrily.
“Still underestimate us?” Will’s voice was cockier than he intended for it to be. He knew the Justu wouldn’t hold him for long but he was going to use this time to charge up for his ultimate attack, he was going to defeat Nick, and then help them with Jeff so they could go home.
“Not you, them.” Nick flicked his head towards Kurt and Blaine, “No matter how fast that Uchiha kid is, Jeff is faster.”
Will shook his head, “What are you getting at?”
Nick smiled; an evil smile that made his shark teeth glow In the low light, “He has the Yuki Clan’s amazing Kekkei-Genkai, and on top of that he’s perfected being able to perform seals… one handed.”
Will was speechless.
But only for a moment.
“That’s impossible!”
Nick gave a throaty laugh, “Don’t you get it? Jeff is a war prodigy; he single handedly took out a whole squadron of ANBU for me! Your teams going to have their hands full for a while.”
~X~
Blaine was witnessing something he’d never seen before. He didn’t even know it was possible. But here it was, in the flesh.

Jeff was preforming hand seals.
One handed.
It almost looked like a twisted form of sign language, he was amazed and shocked at the same time, and he didn’t know how to react.
So he just watched.
Jeff finished his seals and raised two simple fingers.
“Secret Jutsu: A Thousand Needles of Death!”
Jeff flipped upwards to get out of the way of the attack; he was too fast for Blaine to follow. In an instant all the water on the bridge materialized into hundreds of long needles. Blaine couldn’t think- he was too awestruck. By the time he actually did try to move it was too late.
Stab.
One second.
Stab.
Two seconds.
Stab.
Three seconds.
Stab.
Ten seconds.
Stab.
A minute.
Blaine was pierced and punctured in every possible joint and nerve ending in his body; he felt the world start to fade away. He looked at the ground- it was smeared with blood. He must have thrown up at some point. The pain was blinding, he really couldn’t focus on anything and yet all of a sudden he saw to bright sapphires in the darkness.
No, they weren’t sapphires.
They were eyes.
He blinked and shot up panting, all the needles had melted away but the pain was still shocking. He realized he was gripping somebody’s hand pretty hard. His eyes trailed up he arm to see what it was connected too.
It was an angel.
Right?
No it was Kurt.
…
Same thing.
“Kurt?” His voice came out choked; his heart tore inside at the horrible expression on Kurt’s face. He looked scared, and worried, and angry all at once. Three emotions he never wanted to see Kurt wear again.
“Blaine! Are you okay?”
He tried to stand, it was shaky but he managed to keep steady. “No, but I will be.” He laughed a little despite his pain, “I might need your help now.”
Kurt gave him a huge smile. “Of course. Teammates.”
Blaine shook his head still gripping Kurt’s hand, “Friends.”
Kurt gave him a kiss on the cheek and it stirred something in Blaine.
Not like normal. Well, yeah like normal but this time it was different. Suddenly the whole world was clearer and he was seeing Kurt in a different light.
“Kurt, you look different.”
Kurt just stared at him, his mouth was agape.
“Is there something on my face?”
He flinched at the sting when he rubbed at his face and came in contact with cuts. Kurt grabbed his arms and pinned them to his side.
“Blaine,” he spoke carefully, “Your eyes are…. Red.”
Red? As in the color?
Suddenly everything made sense, the clarity in his vision. The world looking brighter, and in a flash all of his pain seemed to fade away.
He found his strength because of Kurt.
He awakened his Sharingan.
“Oh! You survived?”
Blaine turned his head to glare at Jeff with his new eyes.
“Yeah we survived, and the tables have turned.” Blaine looked back at Kurt with a new sense of confidence, “Kurt you stay here, I actually think I can beat him.”
Kurt shook his head, “What!? Do you see yourself? You look like something the cat dragged in.”
Blaine grabbed Kurt’s shoulder, “Kurt! You awakened my Sharingan! I have so many more opportunities now! But I need you safe, don’t come running unless I need you to.”
Kurt scoffed, “I can help! Why are you being like this?”
Blaine bit his lip and took a deep breath, “Because I need you safe. If you got hurt I don’t know what I would do. Honestly.”
“Oh please Blaine, that’s just the Fox talking.”
Blaine looked into Kurt, literally. With his new eyes he could see his chakra, he was reading him.
“Kurt with these eyes I can see chakra. I’m doing this on my own. The Fox is dormant.”
Kurt closed his eyes in thought and then opened his eyes after a while, “Fine. But I’m rushing in as soon as you get hurt.”
“Fair enough.”
Blaine wasted no more time. After making sure Kurt was okay he rushed towards Jeff with no hesitation. He felt renewed, strong. These eyes are more than a jutsu; it’s almost your right of passage into the Uchiha clan. And although it’s far from being completely developed- there were only two tomoe in each eye- he still felt as if he was on top of the world. He reached into his pack for another kunai and met Jeff toe to toe on his own attack.
“It’s time to dance, Speedy.”
And so they did.
With his Sharingan Blaine could see when most of Jeff’s moves were going to strike, where the senbon would go, and the steps he was taking to dodge. He could see when to strike and when to dodge- it was amazing. He copied Jeff’s own ballet-like movements and eventually the two were locked in a heated battle. Metal on metal, they twisted and turned and flipped until they found each other back in a struggle.
And then repeated.
It was acrobatic, Blaine didn’t even know he could move like this and suddenly found himself wishing this battle would never end. In the middle of a dodging one of Jeff’s senbon he found it.
An opening.
He used his own elbow against Jeff’s to stop him and surged his kunai forward. It stuck in Jeff’s ribcage and he went staggering back. In the small amount of delay he had to pull out the weapon Blaine struck. He delivered a flying kick to his stomach and sent him airborne across the bridge.
Blaine offered a small smile. He did it, he hit him. And now the battle’s just getting started.
“That’s what happens when push an Uchiha! I guess you should freshen up on your dancing!”
Blaine knew he was being cocky but he had a right to be. He felt on the top of the world, untouchable. Until Jeff stood up.
“You want more? I don’t think that would be wise,” Blaine feigned like he was thinking, “unless you want to get drop kicked again.”
Jeff stood up across the bridge from Blaine. “You hit me, that’s an amazing feat. I underestimated you.”
Blaine’s smile grew, “And I can see every move you make. Your needles won’t work anymore.”
As Blaine was about to attack the chill in the air made him stop. It was different, Blaine could see the shift in chakra and it made him feel uneasy. The bridge was freezing now, and Blaine started to feel his feet go numb.
“I didn’t want to have to use this but you leave me no choice.”
Blaine was starting to get angry. He acted like he was so above everyone, it annoyed the hell out of him. As he started to run towards the boy made him stop.
Jeff raised a single senbon, but it was different. It wasn’t made of metal. It was made of ice.
“Hidden Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors!”
Blaine was blasted back in a giant whirlwind of freezing air. He tumbled away from Jeff and skidded across the now frozen ground. He got up slowly, his side was throbbing but he endured. He turned around to escape when his face slammed against a giant ice structure. The freezing pain blinded him momentarily, but he soon gained his eyesight back. He slowly surveyed his surroundings; he was still on the bridge, but upon closer inspection his stomach dropped.
He was surrounded.
With twenty-one of those giant mirrors that killed Anji.
He started to panic; Jeff was nowhere to be seen so he used this time to survey the technique.
There were twelve mirrors surrounding him in a circle at ground level. Eight more floated above the first set and were angled towards the ground, and a final mirror floated in the sky closing off the dome and facing Blaine. He was going to go insane in anticipation until he realized one thing.
Kurt was on the outside, he could help me out.
“Kurt!” He called but got no reply. He worried that Jeff had gotten to him and started calling his name frantically.
“Kurt! Where are you!?” His voice was echoed by the mirrors, it was creepy. Like a demonic funhouse.
“Jesus, Blaine I’m right here.”
Blaine felt relief and dread fill him as he turned to his right to see Kurt picking himself off the floor. He was so glad Kurt was alive but his mind wandered to another thing.
“You’re in here!?”
Before Kurt could reply Jeff’s voice rang out as his image appeared into each mirror around them. “Of course I wouldn’t leave out your boy toy. I’m not that cruel. You can both die together.”
Blaine clenched his fist and turned to Kurt, “Stay back. I’ll handle this.”
Before Kurt could reply Blaine was already moving towards one of the Jeff pictograms in the mirror in front of him. He formed his seals and unleashed his jutsu.
“Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!”
The room instantly brightened with a yellow glow. Hot flames licked up the sides of each and every mirror on the first level. Blaine was concentrating on his breath as he was breathing out the inferno that he didn’t see the senbon coming towards his back.
“Blaine, look out!”
Kurt’s shrill scream brought him back to the battle as he released his control on the fire. He turned his body just in time for the needle to miss a fatal blow. He tried to endure the pain as he pulled the needle out with a squish. The ice was different that metal, he could still feel the cold inside him traveling up his body.
“Fool, you can’t melt my ice. These mirrors are indestructible, I’m invincible.”
Blaine swore as another needle struck him in his arm. He didn’t even worry about taking out this one, just turned towards the area it came from. But all Blaine was met with were twenty-one different Jeff reflections hiding behind that cold mask.
“Round and round I go.”
It felt like millions of tiny, frozen, glass, shards were slicing through his very soul. He was sweating despite it snowing outside, and he was about to reach his limit. He could not move. Every one of his joints was pierced holding them in place. Blaine tried to focus on the mirrors but it was no use. Jeff’s face was painted on each and every mirror. Still, with millions of needles coming from everywhere.
“Are you watching closely? It’s no use, I have reached superhuman speeds. I can travel through these mirrors at the speed of light. Human eyes cannot detect me.”
That’s it.
Human eyes.
He was about to say something when he heard Kurt scream bloody murder. He whipped his head around fast enough to cut air to look at him. He was attacked in the same manner he was, barely standing, ice in every joint. Seeing Kurt like this will haunt him forever, he failed. All he wanted to do was keep him safe.
Kurt, just hold on. Even if I have to die I’ll save you.
With a whole new amount of determination Blaine activated his Sharingan. The vision was only slightly clearer. He was about to try something else when his eyes focused on something. It was Jeff, jumping between mirrors.
That’s how he does it! He’s bending the light in the mirrors to move at superhuman speed!
He turned to Kurt but stopped when he heard Jeff’s menacing voice.
“Killing blow.”
Blaine’s Sharingan could see it all before it could happen.
The needles flying towards Kurt.
Kurt in pain.
Kurt dying.
As he saw the miniscule ice spears lock rocket towards Kurt in slow motion he forced himself to move. He didn’t know why he moved he just… did. Was this a natural thing? No, secretly he knew the answer. It was simple really.
He had fallen for Kurt Hummel.
The demon.
He might not be in love with the boy but he felt something more than friendship and it only took him to the point of death to find out.
But soon he realized another thing. Something far worse.
Kurt doesn’t have the Sharingan.
He’s not going to be able to see it.
At the very last second he skidded in front of Kurt.
And then the searing pain.
And then black.
~X~
Kurt watched in horror as Blaine took the fatal shot for him, he fell with a smile on his face that had Kurt questioning his sanity. Only for a minute though, then the harsh reality set in.
Blaine had fallen.
And did not get back up.
“BLAINE!”
The octave at which Kurt’s voice rose had to have been only audible to Tenjimaru.
He caught the young Uchiha before he could hit the ground. His fingers were trembling; he rubbed his thumb across his face as in hope that he would wake up.
“Blaine,” He whispered, “Just open your eyes.”
On request Blaine opened his bright honey brown eyes with a dazzling smile as he looked at him.
“Don’t die Kurt. You’re smart.”
As if that was his dying wish he closed his eyes. His body went limp and Kurt couldn’t feel anything. His heart was beating so hard he couldn’t hear anything else. The tears were coming automatically.
It was supposed to be him.
He was shaking the boy now. “BLAINE DON’T YOU DIE ON ME! WAKE UP!”
Blaine always told him he was a runner. He ran from his past, his brother, his emotions. He always ran.
“Stop running,” he could barely recognize his own voice through his tears, “Come back to me.”
~X~
Jeff watched as Kurt mourned over the loss of the Uchiha boy. It was sad, really if he could chose he’d rather not. But this was Nick’s wish, and he was going to fulfill it. Jeff felt sorry for the boy; he knows the pain of losing someone precious to you. He wondered if his teammate was the one he was fighting for.
He turned to Kurt and spoke softly.
“This is the way of the Shinobi.”
Jeff was about to kill Kurt fast to get the pain over with, really he was being merciful. But then the chakra in the room changed.
Jeff’s eyes widened underneath his mask. It was more sinister than anything he’s ever felt. The chakra became visible, it was red. The color of blood. And Jeff could feel the bloodlust.
“What is this chakra? It’s something ghastly…”
“You killed him.”
Kurt’s voice was no longer normal, it was primal, terrifying.
“You killed him.” Kurt repeated this time he look at Jeff and his blood ran cold. Kurt’s eyes were red. The pupils resembled that of a fox. His teeth have widened and were protruding out of his mouth, they looked sharper than any wolves, or fox for that matter. Kurt carefully laid the Uchiha down and turned to him.
“You killed him!” It was louder this time, less controlled.
“Yes.”
Wrong thing to say.
With a giant burst of rage the red chakra surged through the room and broke several of his mirrors. He had to make this fast. With senbon in hand he launched through the air only to have his ankle grabbed, and the tendons crushed.
I’ve kept the jutsu running to long, my speed is deteriorating.
With a roar Kurt slammed Jeff into the ground. He leveled the bridge creating a giant crater and making the seas crash against the bridge’s pillars making it quake.
Jeff looked Kurt straight in the eye, the red pupils of the Nine Tailed Fox glared down at him swimming with hatred.
"If possible, I don't want to have to kill you… nor do I want you to have to kill me… However, if you come at me… I will kill my heart with a blade and become a true Shinobi."
The only response he got was a roar, and that set the tone for the rest of the battle.
“Very well… Let’s dance. I hope you have better moves than your friend.”