Revised again! Thinking about this story (for several years now :P) I realized how much more interesting I could make it. I was already wanting to change a bunch of things anyways when I first started revising it which is why I lost my motivation and stopped posting. I didn't really know what to do. I don't really have a super clear idea now either but I am feeling more motivated and inspired with my new realizations about what I can do. I apologize but don't expect me to post consistently. I know that's not a great motivator for sticking with this story but I know we all keep those well loved stories on our favorites list hoping for a new chapter someday. All I ask is that you give me that chance. The good news is that I have a base to work from and I love lots of things about this story so I will finish it someday. The bad news is that I'm graduating next semester and my priority is to make sure that happens. So while I may not post a lot on here hopefully behind the scenes I can get lots of stuff finished. But again it's going to take me time as the changes I'm making are complex and I'm going to have to work it all out. Well that's all I wanted to say so let's start!
Disclaimer- I do not own Naruto or any of its characters, concepts, plot, etc. I do own my OC's.
Deep in the mountains, from the grey, snow clouds that hung low in the sky, a gentle yet continuous snow fell onto the already snow packed ground. The tops of some trees could barely be seen and many more were hidden under the tens of feet of snow that had gathered over many months. Small snowdrifts were beginning to form around what remained of the trees as well as a camp that was now being slowly broken down. The massive group consisted of over a thousand people and their animals but their numbers did nothing to stave off the freezing cold that sunk beneath their wool and fur clothing. The biting wind only added to everyone's misery, aiding the cold and snatching the already thin air from their mouths.
The group was at the end of a large valley, miles and miles wide with two immense mountain ranges on either side. Though nowhere near the bases the two mountain ranges still towered over everyone, never letting a single person forget their tiny, insignificant existence. Just in front of the camp were several smaller mountain ranges that formed two narrow ravines, each one being a path that the group would take.
Though the cold united them, the large group clearly consisted of two opposite kinds of people. Some had red upside down triangles, long like fangs, on their cheeks and by their sides walked large dogs and even an occasional wolf. Others, though not immediately visible, had long dark green rectangles going down their spine and by their sides prowled all manner of large cats, many not looking too pleased with the weather.
Soon, though not soon enough for some, everyone was packed up and ready to move and the leaders began to trudge through the snow along the invisible road. After a short distance they made their way down a small hill of snow, where the road and dirt reemerged. The heads of each group of people continued to walk until they reached a fork in the road near the base of the middle mountain range. At the fork stood an old broken down shack which seemed to be magically unaffected by all the snow that had fallen and was still continuing to fall. The two leaders, heads of their bloodlines, stood several feet from the shack opposite of each other, clearly indicating the path they would take; dog bloodline to the left, cat bloodline to the right. The large group began to split as they reached the fork, everyone spreading out to make room for those behind them. This was their final meeting place and as everyone filed in the leaders conversed, with several other men joining them.
As the now two groups waited for everyone to get over the hill, some stood with absolute stillness, just looking towards the other group while others moved about in a frenzy, adjusting their things. A few people were crying, some looked across sadly at their friend that they would never see again, some even looked with longing. Many were glaring, obvious hatred in their eyes. Some wouldn't even look at all, wanting nothing more than to get away. At last, when the final person had made it down the hill and joined their appropriate group a strained silence fell over everyone. The cat bloodline leader spoke, his voice ringing out so that everyone could hear. "So it's been decided. For the sake of our clans, we must go our separate ways." "Yes, it would be best." The lifelong friends grasped hands saying their goodbyes. Neither of them wanted to leave but they knew it was inevitable.
Suddenly the door to the shack flew open with a loud creak before banging against the wall. Those closest jumped and everyone looked over, surprised at the unexpected noise. Murmurs ran through the crowd as those who could see explained to those who couldn't what was going on. Shock soon showed on the faces of those nearby as they watched an impossibly old lady emerge from the seemingly inhospitable shack. The murmuring grew louder as everyone heard about the old lady and those in the back moved closer to get a better look.
The crowd quickly grew silent afraid they might scare the woman away or miss something. The old woman took slow, labored steps out of the shack, a thin layer of frost crunching beneath her feet. She seemed to take her time, as if waiting for everyone to get to a place where they could hear and see. When she reached the group of men that had gathered near the shack, she stopped walking and opening her mouth, she spoke in a clear voice.
"As opposite as night and day,
Yet one cannot exist without the other.
The fate of many with them lay,
Coming together in the face of danger."
Puzzled looks began to cross many people's faces but all was silent as the old woman turned around and walked back into the shack, the door closing behind her, just as abruptly as it had opened, when she stepped back inside. With the bang of the door slamming shut, voices picked back up again, everyone mumbling about what they had just heard with quite a few crying out in fear. Confused, many looked to their leaders waiting to see what they would make of what just happened. The two men looked at each other for several moments with wise, understanding eyes. After everyone quieted down the dog bloodline leader spoke. "Something to remember and pass down." "Indeed, everyone." The two friends shook their hands one last time, saying their goodbyes and before long the groups parted ways.