TangentOne: Do you think it's high time we stop writing new stories and stick to one?
TangentTwo: What do you mean? We stick with these stories.
TangentOne: We've dropped the past two ones we intended to continue for a long time.
TangentTwo: Shrug It's fine. One of these days we'll find something we love. Oh hey, a new beta!
TangentOne: What? Where?
Person on the Horizon - Waves ecstatically.
Chiura Residence: 19:30 - Thursday
Chiura Hitomi hums quietly to herself as the pot roast rumbles in her pot. 'It's almost done.' She thinks pleasantly, wondering when her wayward teammates would show up. Going through her cutlery drawer, she begins to set up the table in her mediocre apartment. Hitomi likes the small rooms in her apartment, it makes her feel homely and comfortable. With the table now set, she wanders back into her kitchen island and stops the simmering pot roast.
As if on cue, her front door slams open and hits the wall with a tremendous force. "Good evening Hitomi! Oho! Is that your signature pot roast I smell?" Sano Shikon's eyes gleam happily as he ambles into her apartment with little grace, slamming the door closed just as loudly as when he entered.
Immediately, frustration surfaces in her mind and settles down to a simmer. "You need to work on knocking, Shikon. I swear, I've gone through too many doors with your entrances."
She turns to face the Jonin with a grieved look, and used to seeing his outfit, she's curious to note a new addition to his standard shinobi garb. Along with his reinforced vest instead of a flak jacket, he now wears a gauntlet on his right hand. Eying the gauntlet curiously, her frustration is temporarily forgotten, much to the relief of her teammate. Her gaze isn't lost on the brown haired shinobi.
"This is my new toy." Shikon grins and brings his arm up to show her. "I just got back from a mission in the Land of Snow, they have this weird type of metal that is extremely chakra sensitive, and another type that is completely resistant to chakra. They mesh the two together to form this type of armor." He shrugs his shoulders, not really in the mood to do an in-depth lecture. "I'll explain more when Daishin shows up."
Hitomi gives a nod of understanding before turning around to focus on the roast, moving the succulent slab of meat behind her and sets it down upon the dining table. Shikon saunters over to take his regular seat at the circular table, facing the window. Just as the pot roast is laid on the table, the window opens seemingly of its own accord and in comes a leafy mist, slowly revealing a man in ANBU attire without his mask. His long black spiky hair ends at his shoulders, though a tail of hair that reaches down to his waist rests on his shoulder. One thing that stands out is the black sword strapped to his back, sitting in the place of a tanto. Shimura Daishin rests his eyes on the pot with a greedy look.
"Food, my old friend." Daishin beams with delight as his stomach rumbles loudly.
Hitomi narrows her eyes at the new arrival. "You're late."
The younger of the two looks at his wrist and then back to his friend. "I don't have a watch so you must be mistaken, I arrive as a ninja always does. Right when he's needed." Daishin keeps a straight face as he observes Hitomi's reaction.
Hitomi sighs audibly as she sits in her seat opposite of Shikon, who has already taken a bowl full of her legendary pot roast. Daishin takes his seat to Shikon's left on the circular table, to the right of Hitomi. He grabs his own helping of pot roast, faster than a normal human could perceive. Both males of the former team make an audibly pleased sound.
"I swear, it's like you two never eat." Hitomi drawls out as she helps herself, slightly concerned for their eating habits
With his mouth full, Shikon speaks up. "We do go some days without food out in the field. It makes these dinners all that much better."
Hitomi frowns and gives acknowledgement in the form of a nod, still concerned. "So, your new glove?" She asks, between mouthfuls, shaking her head at Shikon's table manners
"Daishin, you know of the Land of Snow's metal, don't you?" Shikon asks, his mouth full of another bite, not acknowledging the disapproving look from Hitomi.
"The chakra resistant or the chakra sensitive one?" Daishin returns, questioning his friend.
"Both. I just came back from there and one of the shinobi I fought had this." Shikon raises his arm to let Daishin see, still shoveling mouthfuls of food into his mouth. "It enhances my taijutsu by allowing me to sustain my ninjutsu longer, and of course, more power." He explains, mentioning his augment style ninjutsu used to make his punches and kicks more explosive, even making explosion noises for effect.
"Looting the corpses again are you, eh? Sometimes I wonder where you learned battle etiquette." Daishin wonders aloud, wiping his mouth with his arm while staring at the gauntlet.
"Or even etiquette at all." Hitomi whispers quietly under her breath, but of course Shikon overhears.
"Hey!" Shikon shouts childishly, but he wisely chooses to stop when he receives a disapproving look from Daishin. He shrugs, returning to his food. "They were barely worth mentioning as shinobi. Far too green, sometimes I wonder about the smaller villages. Either way, it's going to make me stronger, and that's what matters."
"Oh! I had a great case today." Hitomi starts, branching off the conversation. "We had a shinobi come in to the hospital from Grass country, everything about him was ruined. Everything but his mind. He never broke, Kusa didn't get to him fast enough, but through the sheer force of his will, we healed him in a day."
"So Kusa is interrogating our shinobi now?" Shikon wonders, looking to Daishin who knows the most about the political climate. He doesn't pay close attention to that, because that is Daishin's job.
"Not anymore they aren't, but they'll attempt to start again soon enough." Daishin answers with an air of mystery.
Shikon nods absently, wondering where his friend gets his knowledge. Another mouthful or two, and Hitomi steels herself, setting her utensils down. Daishin feels the atmosphere of the room shift with her one movement.
"We know that you're knowledgeable Daishin, but you always disappear on us. We understand your duties to ANBU and everything, but now we're being left in the dark." Hitomi sighs, rubbing at her temples to attempt at alleviating some worry. "We don't even know whether you are home or not majority of the time." She looks him in the eyes, refusing to back down. "You used to tell us everything. What happened?"
Shikon makes no physical move to indicate his surprise. Hitomi and him were waiting for a good time to start this conversation, but it's come far earlier than he expected. He continues to eat the pot roast, now on his fourth bowl, but watches expectantly. Daishin's eyes shift swiftly to Hitomi and begin to pierce like daggers into her. He makes no other movement or attempt to answer her.
Shikon frowns when Daishin stays silent. He pauses and puts his own utensils down, looking to Daishin with a rare, somber gaze. "She makes a good case, Daishin. Of course, you, as an ANBU, are only required to tell us what you want, but..." Shikon breaks away, moving to fill his fifth bowl. "We just worry, is all."
"Then drop it." It is said with more force than necessary, but Daishin continues. "You both know I am entitled to information and missions that I cannot discuss, so don't worry. Please." Daishin tries to cover with a smile and attempts to push past the issue and continue his meal.
Shikon gives a nod. "Yeah, you're entitled to it, but you need to know that we're here for you, so don't go doing anything stupid. I happen to like these meals with all of us, thank-you-very-much"
Hitomi gives an exasperated sigh. "Shikon, you aren't being harsh enough. We're all we have, we can't skirt the fine lines."
Shikon shakes his head. "That's precisely why. We're all we have, so I'm not pushing the matter. Daishin is doing what he feels is best, we should trust him."
"Thank you, Shikon." Daishin reaches out and places his hands on Shikons shoulder while nodding in approval.
Hitomi huffs and gives a frustrated look to the two of them. "I hate you both sometimes."
Shikon shrugs. "I love your cooking. Never stop with it." He gives a thumbs up to her, effectively brightening the mood.
"It's definitely better than Grandfathers." Daishin manges to form a sly smile.
Shikon gives a rigorous nod of agreeance, urging himself to bury that memory into the deepest, darkest recesses of his mind. With that discussion over with for the time being, the three have a good night, chatting about their recent missions or hospital cases. All in all, the night goes well, the beginning notwithstanding.
Eventually the two arrivals take their leave and Hitomi begins to clean up. She looks to the door with a faint smile. "Thankfully the door isn't in need of another replacement."
Shimura Clan Residence: 23:55 - Thursday | Same Day
Daishin slowly walks out of a swirling mist of leaves, proceeding up the stairs at the front of his Grandfather's mansion. The large building towers over head and blocks any light to those who wish to enter. Each step is taken with a leisure grace as he begins to think over the events that occurred at his teammates residence. Hitomi was always very stern with him and Shikon, but she had never outright interrogated him before. Just as he is about to snap out of his thoughts and open the large oak doors, they swing inward to reveal that his Grandfather had been waiting for him.
Danzo eyes his grandson with his clinical eye, noting nothing out of place. "We have to talk. Hurry up."
Daishin bows deeply and follows in step of Danzo who has already began to walk into the residence. "Yes, Grandfather."
The two proceed down the near empty halls, passing a few paintings and cabinets each of exquisite quality. Danzo is not one for vast displays of wealth, he cares only for usefulness and that is not something his wealth can buy him. A few maids and servants pass them as they get closer to Danzo's office, each bowing in respect for their master and his heir. Danzo stops once reaching a locked door, taking only a moment to unlock the large lock and stride follows suit, noting the immense amount of papers piled on the single desk and on top of the few cabinets around the side of the room. He walks up to the desk and kneels in front waiting for Danzo to begin his briefing.
"I pulled a favor from the Hokage. You will be teaching a Genin team from the next generation. Of course, the academy doesn't graduate it's students for another month, so you have some time. You will be teaching Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Yamanaka Ino." Danzo lists off from memory and flings a piece of paper to his grandson.
Daishin catches the slip of paper between two fingers, holding on to it for the time being."I understand, is there any particular reason I am to be assigned to them? For appraisal perhaps?" Daishin endeavors to understand his Grandfather's reasons behind this political move.
Danzo nods. "All three of them are the heirs of their clans. You will get to know them, find out what makes them tick, and befriend them. Of course, you will also be their sensei, teaching them right from wrong."
"And by 'right' you mean that they must strive to always place Konoha first." Daishin clarifies, now reading the small slip of paper he was thrown.
"Indeed. Do not fail me, Daishin." Danzo says, just as easily as anything else, but the shinobi recognizes it as a threat.
"I will shape them into formidable tools." Daishin confirms, standing and taking his leave.
Hokage's Office: 13:00 - Friday | Next Day
Shikon and Daishin both stand in the Hokage's office, idly pondering their reason for doing so. The Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, gives them both ample time to feel uncomfortable in his gaze before speaking up.
"So, you wish to teach genin, Shikon?" He asks while taking a puff from his pipe.
"Yes, Hokage-sama." Shikon answers, now understanding the reason for the summons.
The Hokage nods and looks to Daishin. "And Danzo has told me you wish to teach as well. Care to tell me which students interest you?"
"Each have their talents and drawbacks, I would enjoy teaching any of them." Daishin sees through the Hokage's question and answers as safely as he can.
The Hokage gives a sly smile at Daishin's answer. "And you, Shikon?"
Shikon thinks for a moment. "I've seen a lot about many of them. I think a tracker team would be nice to teach, it would certainly be a change of pace for me."
Hiruzen nods. "Well, with that said, you will be given until graduation day to put together your team, provided they pass, and no one conflicts with your choices, you may teach them."
Shikon smiles broadly. "Thanks, Hokage-sama! I'll see what I can come up with." He turns to take his leave before halting and spinning on his heel. "Does this mean I get the next month off?"
The Hokage stares at Shikon as if he'd lost his marbles. "Of course not, what kind of question is that?"
"A rather poor one, Hokage-sama." Daishin stifles a laugh at his friends expense.
Shikon scratches the back of his head. "I just thought-"
"You thought wrong." Hiruzen concludes.
"Sorry, Hokage-sama." Shikon slumps a bit in disappointment and bows slightly. "Are you coming, Daishin?"
Daishin places his hand into his pocket and quickly produces a small piece of paper which he sets onto the desk. "This is the team I would like Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen looks at the paper with a curious gaze. "Interesting choices. Care to explain them?"
"Of course Hokage-sama. Shikamaru posses a great intellect just like his father and with the right sensei could surpass him, yet he remains lazy and not just anyone can change that. Choji is also very intelligent but seems more content with snacking than any training which too requires a certain method of training to counter. Ino has a temper, one that could derail any young or inexperienced sensei, of which I am not." Daishin explains with great ease and a methodical tempo. Almost as if rehearsed.
"You chose well." Hiruzen acknowledges. 'Perhaps too well.' He thinks to himself.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. While I'm here is there any mission you would like me to see to?" Daishin asks with a cautious tongue knowing very well Shikon is still present.
"Actually yes. Both you and Shikon." He says, which grabs Shikon's attention, who was deliberating on his friends choices. "I have gotten reports of an Iwa scout team around our northern border. We don't know what they're up to, but I'd like for you two to find out. You two work well as a team, and with Shikon's sensory ability, I'm sure you could find them easily."
Shikon speaks up, dropping his smile, expression going serious for a brief moment. "And our orders if we find them?"
"When you find them, you are to follow and discern their motives. If it falls under a threat against Konoha or the Land of Fire, then you must eliminate them. If they are just passing through, let them go." Hiruzen instructs, to which both shinobi nod.
"Understood, their motives will not elude us for long." Daishin almost promises as he pats his hand on Shikons back and bows, forcing his friend to do the same.
Both shinobi body flicker outside of the office through the open window and land on a roof near the building. "Have you been thinking about teaching for long, Daishin? This is the first I've heard of it." Shikon asks his former teammate, it wasn't a job that he thought Daishin would ever look into.
"It's been awhile since I started to think about it, but I never thought I would be so lucky to teach the heirs of three well known clans." Daishin discloses to his friend, leaving out a vital part of the story. He recalls Hitomi's concern from the previous evening and quickly shakes the thought away. 'It's for the good of the Village.'
"I suppose. Let's get going." Shikon begins to take the shinobi highway and is followed closely by Daishin. "It doesn't have anything to do with why you disappear on us every so often, does it?"
"No." Daishin answers decisively, keeping all his cards to his chest.
Shikon ponders the answer for a moment, and decides they are connected, but not willing to push the subject. He knows Daishin well, and he knows that if he wants something to be kept secret, it will stay secret until he comes clean of his own accord. He casts an inward sigh and continues moving to their destination.
Northern Border of Fire: 3:00 - Sunday | Two Days Later
"C'mon Daishin, rise and shine." Shikon voices from his vantage point in the trees pushing down the urge to yawn.
It's the first night they slept since leaving Konoha, and Shikon had second watch. Now it is time for his friend to wake, as he's noticed something out of place.
Daishin is immediately alert. He picks himself up nimbly and looks above through tree branches to Shikon. "What is it?"
"You were right, they are heading to the Valley of the End. What's even there?" Shikon asks after he body flickers down to his friends side.
"Our villages history and ancient secrets." Daishin answers looking intently at his surroundings.
Shikon seems surprised. "Really? Who would've thought."
"Anyone who'd bothered to read the books in the Jonin library..." Daishin actively sases while keeping his eyes on the lookout.
Shikon mocks a wound to the chest. "Ouch, my wounded pride." He stops with his hijinks and gets serious. "Anyways, we need to move, they'll be there within the next five minutes. What's the plan?"
"Can you read their chakra levels?" Daishin questions, looking at his friend for a split second.
It only takes a second for Shikon to get the reading of the Shinobi again. "Three Chunin and a Jonin. Most likely information retrieval instead of fighting types, they have small pools compared to their more adept brethren, but it moves in a way that seems, hmm… well trained." Shikon informs, looking in their direction.
Daishin keeps his eyes on lookout as he formulates a plan. "Then we strike and force them to tell us why they are trespassing." Daishin settles on a plan, informs Shikon, and readies to move.
Shikon nods, it's always been Daishin's job to form the plans in their team. He's not about to start questioning him now, even if the Hokage gave different parameters.
"Just try not to kill them, or they will just send more." Daishin advises before setting off for The Valley of The End.
Shikon follows his former teammate as they advance toward their goal. A few minutes pass as the trees whizz by and silence reigns supreme. They land on the edge of the lake and watch the Iwa team stop at Uchiha Madara's feet. The supposed leader of the four steps forward and begins to use a technique on the statue.
Daishin unsheathes his black blade, and Shikon readies his gauntlet. Daishin waits a half second before Shikon opens the first gate and a ton of chakra seeps into the air. The leader startles and stops his series of hand signs, all Iwa eyes turn to the two now glaringly obvious shinobi. Shikon pushes forward and launches at the shinobi, cratering the ground from his launch point. Daishin unsheathes his sword in one swift movement, holding his it in a reverse grip, swinging around a dart connected to his pommel. Daishin propels the dart forward and grapples the nearest enemy shinobi before launching himself into the air and dive bombing down to the startled chunin.
Shikon punches the Jonin readying a technique square in the jaw, and sends him flying over to the first Hokage's feet, skipping twice across the lake. He spins on his heel once landed and kicks the nearest enemy into Madara's foot, digging his heel right into the man's abdomen. Daishin cracks the chunins ribs, and breaks his limbs before retracting his dart and throwing it through the last Shinobi's liver. Effectively crippling the shinobi within a second. The shinobi in Madara's shoe peels off the indentation and falls flat on his face.
"The leader is over there." Shikon gestures to the other side of the lake with his thumb. He grins. "I'll keep an eye on these three."
With that said, he ties the three chunin together with ninja wire as Daishin darts over to the dazed Jonin. He pushes his blade to the man's throat, but does not pierce the skin.
"Care to explain why you are so far from home? And in the Land of Fire no less... what, you didn't get enough in the last war?" Daishin openly mocks the Iwa-nin, keeping his blade ready to slice the man's throat at a single movement.
The man grimaces in disgust and spits in Daishin's face. "You fucking leaf shinobi always have a big ego."
Daishin begins to swing the dart around again before letting it go on its course to impale the Shinobi's leg. "I don't have time for your life story." Daishin's face is void of any emotion. He speaks with more force. "Answer the question."
The Shinobi grunts in pain. "We're passing through."
"You were, were you? Then tell me why you stopped and started to prepare a jutsu right here." Daishin inquiries, his patience visibly growing thinner.
"You really suck at interrogating people." The Iwa Shinobi retorts, grunting in pain as the dart digs deeper into his leg. "Because I told the truth." He finishes.
"Ah, that's because I haven't actually started yet, I thought I'd give you a chance to tell me before things got serious, but I'll start if that's what you want." Daishin's aura takes a sharp turn and becomes extremely dark.
"Give it your best Konoha, I'm as solid as Iwa's walls." The Shinobi presses, glaring at his perpetrator.
Daishin drags the dart in the man's leg down his thigh to his knee. He yanks it out, none too kindly, and the sharp rigid edges catch the shinobi's skin, lacerating his muscles. Then Daishin begins the slow, methodical process of skinning the man. Cutting in squares along his chest, three inches by three inches, just deep enough to touch the lowest portion of the man's skin. He bled, but not excessively, as the cuts never went into his system. Over the years, Daishin has found this to be the best torture technique in the field without a Yamanaka present.
The Shinobi's grunts started turning into yelps of pain, and eventually screams for help. Daishin continued his work relentlessly, eventually finishing the torso and moving down to his legs. The screams eventually cease, turning into silent sobbing. The man had given up.
"Now, I'll ask again. Why are you in the Land of Fire?" Daishin smiles and asks like he never tortured the Iwa-nin in the first place.
The man's eyes had glazed over during the process. "To find out Konoha's secrets."
"Ah, that was a very bad answer." Daishin sighs and once again launches the dart at the Iwa-nin, this time impaling the Shinobi's head and ending his life.
Daishin uses a one handed seal, and a small fire comes to life on his finger. He pushes the fire onto the body of the dead shinobi, which alights the whole body in a blaze of flames and he turns to ash. He then body flickers over to the now awake three Chunin and Shikon.
"You took a while." Shikon notes.
"Iwa-nin live up to their name... well, for the most part." Dashin explains, swinging his dart around idly, a small intimidation tactic. The leftover blood on the tool flew off, some drops hitting one of the Chunin on their cheek.
Shikon nods, frowning in approval "Learned his place, I expect. Now, what are we doing with these three?"
"That he did." Daishin spits in the direction of the three remaining shinobi. "Which one of you scum is the weakest?"
None of them say anything, choosing instead to ignore Daishin's words.
Shikon speaks up. "I'd say the one you crippled. His bones are a little worse for wear, I'd wager."
"Good, then set him free." Daishin orders, keeping his eyes on the other two. "Kill the rest."
Shikon throws a kunai at the mans knot, effectively releasing all of the man's limbs. Another two kunai pierce the other Chunin's foreheads, passing through their hitai-ate like butter. Their bodies drop to the floor with a satisfying thud.
"That's another two Iwa-nin since the war. What am I at?" Shikon wonders aloud.
"Eighteen for you, fourteen for me." Daishin recounts each kill briefly while answering.
"Huh. Coulda sworn you were higher. Are you not counting that building you toppled?" Shikon counters.
"Ah yes, fourteen and a building, how could I forget." Daishin places a finger on his chin as he sasses his friend.
Shikon just shrugs. "Oh, he seems to be crawling away." He casually mentions the Iwa chunin. He wasn't even being subtle about it as he wormed his way, groaning in pain with his movements.
"Then our mission is complete, and Hokage-sama will need to know that Iwa knows of this deposit of knowledge." Daishin comments, looking at the Iwa-nin.
"Alright. Let's get on with it then. I need to choose my team still! Oh, the choices!" Shikon immediately moves on from the display.
After burning the last two bodies, Daishin and Shikon start their trip back to Konoha. They move substantially slower than they took getting here, pleased to have finished a mission. Tree jumping from limb to limb, Shikon continues deliberating on his team.
"Can I make a recommendation?" Daishin pipes up, keeping the pace.
Shikon's head snaps to his friend. "You can, but it isn't normally like you. Who are you suggesting?"
"Hyuga Hinata." Daishin answers simply.
"Any reason why? I've never known you to make a plan without any information." The slightly older Shinobi returns.
"She's got potential, yet she's weak and needs someone like you to help her grow-" Daishin starts explaining before he gets cut off.
"What do you mean, 'someone like me'? I'm quite a strong shinobi, sir." Shikon retorts with a childish pout.
"You are, but more than that you're an idiot, yet that plays in your favour. You're approachable and easy to like and trust, which she will need." Dainshin tactfully informs Shikon.
"Sure, you're right, but that can't be why you suggested her. We both know you've put some more thought into this. After all, there are plenty Jonin who fit both qualities you've pointed out." Shikon counters.
"Her Kekkei Genkai." Daishin looks to his friend and says it slowly as if it was painfully obvious
Shikon nearly facepalms. "You're fucking right. Seeing over five kilometers away is similar to my sensory ability."
Daishin shakes his head at his teammate."The fact it took you that long to figure out is why she's a perfect fit for you." Daishin articulates, before adding in hushed tones. "You both need a lot of assistance."
"I hate you." Shikon simply replies. "We both know you wouldn't have survived this long without me."
"Oh, you mean Hitomi? Because I'm sure I could outlive you." Daishin offers up.
"I seem to remember a certain building you destroyed. I also seem to remember that a certain someone needed to be saved from it collapsing on top of them." Shikon retorts, reminding his teammate of that time.
"Are you sure you wish to play this game, Shikon?" Daishin asks with a sly smile.
"Shall we consider this a stalemate?" Shikon backpedals with sweat beginning to form on his brow.
"Yes… for now." Daishin concedes and turns back to focus on the journey home, sly smile growing ominously