Naruto Shippuuden: Blood and Roses

It was a dark, foggy night in the Fire Country. Fog wasn't an uncommon occurrence along the southern shore of the Fire Country. This particular village housed a feudal lord's sister. The village itself was a wealthy, decent sized village but still had comparison to Konoha. It was surrounded by large wooden walls and a single gate was the village's only means of entry. Three guards stood at the village's entrance. One on either side of the gate and the third stood in between them. They remained alert waiting for anyone to come through. However at this time of night it was extremely rare for anyone to come by. They had at least a few more hours before their shift change. Needless to say, it was boring. The one in the middle stepped forward a bit. The other two looked at him quizzically.

"What is it?"

"I thought I heard something. It sounded like a bell."

"Nah, it's just your imagination."

At that moment all three of them heard the sound of a bell. They all stood ready. Ahead of them they could see the silhouette of ten figures.

"Identify yourself."

The group of figures said nothing. The three guards heard the sounds of hand seals being made and a seal completion sound.

"Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu." (Fire Element: Great Fireball Technique)

A gigantic fireball was launched towards the guards at a high rate of speed. They didn't have anytime to react before being engulfed by it. The attack alarmed the rest of the village. Explosions and screams erupted everywhere throughout the village. A man ran into a room with a bird's cage in it. He pulled his camera from his neck and pulled out the film in it and put it in the small case on the birds back along with a message.

"None of us will make it out alive and pictures are the next best thing. I have to get this to the Hidden Leaf." He said to himself.

The bird flew out the window away from the fiery village.

Meanwhile in the Hidden Leaf village, Shuji sat on the steps of a house across the street from his mother's old house. He rested his arms on his knees and just stared at the house. His two swords were 

propped up against the wall next to him and his head protector rested on the step next to his foot. He had a handful of rocks in his right hand just leisurely tossing them out into the dirt road.

"So tomorrow is your birthday." Shuji said at the house. "I'm not exactly sure how old you would be. Clearly, not Tsunade-sama's age but I'd guess at least in your thirties."

There was no response from the house. Nor would there ever be.

I wonder what things would be like if she lived. Or if the Uchiha clan still existed. This village seems to be full of broken families.

He stood up and tossed the remaining rocks on the ground. He grabbed his forehead protector and two swords and walked out of the old Uchiha district. He walked up the street and saw Satori and Yukino walking towards him.

"What are you two doing out this late?" Shuji asked.

"Walking." Satori said.

"I see that but it's late."

"Not really. We're always out late." Yukino said.

"Have you talked to Hanako yet?" Satori asked.

"About what?"

Satori's expression fell. He looked at Shuji with an obvious look on his face.

Once Shuji realized what Satori meant he shook his head. Satori also shook his head but his was in disappointment. Yukino lightly elbowed Satori.

"Leave him be. He'll talk to Hanako when the time is right." She said. "However, I do suggest that you do get on the ball."

Shuji grinned at the fact that Yukino was slightly on his side.

"So what are your plans for the rest of the night?" Satori asked.

"Just relaxing. I might head to the hot springs chill there for a bit."

"Chill wouldn't be the proper term for going to the hot springs." Satori said with a smile.



"Fair enough. I'll see you both later."

The two of them began to walk away from one another when they heard a bird up in the sky. They all looked up to see a messenger bird.

"Come on; let's get out of here before we're picked for that mission." Satori said.

Tsunade sat in her office getting ready to leave for the night. She was tired and wanted to leave. She stood up from her desk when there was a knock at the door.

"What?" She said annoyed.

"Sorry for the intrusion, Tsunade-sama but we just received a message from the village that runs along the southern shore." Shizune said.

"Doesn't one of the feudal lord's sisters reside there?"

"Yes, ma'am. It was attacked."

Tsunade's eyes widened. "By whom?"

"We don't know. The message said unknown attackers but a roll of film was encased with the message. We have a team developing the film right now and should be done shortly."

"Good. Bring me the pictures when they are finished."

Shizune nodded before leaving. Tsunade sat back in her chair and turned around to face the window.

What is going on?

A few minutes later, Shizune returned with the pictures. She handed them to the Fifth Hokage. Tsunade's eyes widened at the images she saw. She slammed the pictures down on the table.

"Bring me Shiranui Satori and Yohaku Junshin."

"Right away, Tsunade-sama."

Satori lied with Yukino on a grassy hill. The two of them were halfway asleep when Yukino felt a presence near them. She opened her eyes to see Shizune standing over them. Satori opened his eyes as well and then a look of annoyance spread across his face.



"What is it now? You all seem to find me with incredible ease."

"You don't go anywhere else other than the ramen shop or your house."

Satori sighed knowing she was right.

"What is it, Shizune?"

"Tsunade-sama, requests your appearance immediately."

"What's it about?"

"I'll leave the explanations to her."

"Fine."

Junshin lied in bed fast asleep. He had finally got to sleep an hour ago. His sleep was disturbed by someone tapping on his window. He slowly opened his eyes and saw that it was Shizune at his bedroom window. He leaned up and opened it.

"You know Shizune, it's usually the girlfriend that sneaks in to my bedroom through the window."

"My apologies for waking you but Tsunade-sama requests you to report to her at once."

Junshin nodded as he got out of bed.

Shortly later, Junshin and Satori stood in front of Tsunade.

"So what couldn't wait until tomorrow?" Satori asked.

Without saying anything, Tsunade handed Satori a few pictures. As soon as he took one look at them his eyes widened. Junshin looked at them too and had the same reaction. The pictures they saw were of ten figures wearing straw hats and black cloaks with red clouds on them.