Midnight
Author's Note: Oh boy! A new epic! Well, this story is a kung fu story. The names will be confusing at first, but I think it's pretty easy to figure out who's who! :D
Anyways. Enjoy!
Summary: When an important item is stolen from the emperor, the five famed warriors of Konoha are sent to retrieve it. Love, jealousy, vengeance, and madness will stand in their way.
Chapter One
In a faraway land known as Konohagakure, there were once five warriors. These five warriors were known not only throughout Konohagakure, but throughout the entire world as well, for their prowess and skill in kung fu. They were thought to be nearly unbeatable, which was why Emperor Sarutobi called on them to complete the task of the century. The old wizened emperor knew they were the only ones who could possibly help him now.
"We need you, warriors, to retrieve the Jade scroll from the Snake." Sarutobi held out a hand shaking with arthritis as he looked down from his throne on the five warriors kneeling at his feet. They waited for him to elaborate with bated breath, their eyes ever watchful, their muscles tense with awareness. The old emperor was a man worthy of their respect, and a master of kung fu himself. Unfortunately, his time was drawing to a close. He did not fight anymore.
"Ninetailed Fox, there is no one who does not know of your incredible hand to hand combat capabilities. All cower in fear of your very name." He nodded towards a blonde man with close-cropped hair and intense cerulean eyes. He wore an orange yukata, left open over a bare chest and dark blue pants. He did not need to carry weapons, somehow making him even more inimidating. The whisker-like scars on his cheeks were what had given him the moniker of 'Fox.'
"Midnight Fan, your skill with your katana as well as your speed and focus have won you many a battle." He smiled upon a man wrapped completely in black, so that only his eyes were visible. They too were of the deepest black, like midnight itself. On his back, he had strapped a lightweight katana with a black and red handle. The only color on him was a simple red and white fan emblazoned on the back of his shortened yukata.
"Silver Mirror, you can copy any foe's skill during a battle and use it against him tenfold. Because of this, you know the most forms of any kung fu artist in the five countries." A man waved towards emperor Sarutobi loosely. He wore a black mask covering his mouth and nose, and a dark green yukata that had been shortened and tied tightly. He wore an eyepatch, and his silver hair betrayed the air of youth he seemed to radiate.
"Poison Ink, you are known for your killer instinct and the signature in ink you leave at every victory. What you specialize in is not clear, but I have never heard of a single loss on your part." A man with eyes so placid and dark they looked like a calm lake at night smiled at the emperor. His clothing was black and hacked off in random places, and he apparently had no intention of fixing it. He carried simple daggers in holsters as well as senbon, and otherwise carried nothing.
Now, the emperor turned his gaze to a woman with short wavy pink hair. She wore elaborate earrings and hairpins and bracelets, and a devastatingly beautiful red kimono with gold designs embroidered all over it. The kimono had been shortened, and she wore emerald green pants, wrapped up to the knee, that matched her emerald green eyes. She was not classically beautiful, but her eyes were captivating and shone with intelligence. "Floating Blossom, you have held many a man entranced in your emerald eyes. Your beauty is dangerous, and you use it to your advantage. I could not assemble a team to help me without you in it. You are perhaps the most dangerous of all." He said gravely. Floating Blossom's red lips curved into a sly grin.
Emperor Sarutobi stood, slowly, his bones creaking. His headress made noise with the movement, beads clinking together. In between the warriors and the stairs leading to the throne was a wooden box, shallow in dimension, and filled about halfway with sand. Sarutobi held a mahogany cane, and drew in the sand with it. The five warriors watched, wondering exactly what he planned to do.
"This is a map of the five countries. Our enemy, the Snake, has stolen the Jade scroll from us. This scroll contains a secret that he must never find out. Do you understand?"
The five warriors nodded silently. Sarutobi continued. "The Snake is rumored to have just left Mist. I know you can do it. The key to your success will be in your teamwork. Your reward..." He paused, looking at each of them. "...will be the Eternal Happiness scroll." He turned, gesturing to the wall behind his throne. Clutched in the mouth of a gold statue of a dragon was a scroll. Rubies took the place of the dragon's eyes and the statue was so terrifying to look at that none had dared to steal the scroll in over a thousand years. The scroll contained the most dire secrets to the art of kung fu. All warriors gasped. "You will each get to read the scroll, do not worry." He said, smiling kindly at them.
He wiped away the map, and drew again in the sand. A picture of a man, gaunt in the face and evil in the eyes, came into focus. "This is the Snake. As for his accomplice..." Sarutobi drew a blank face next to the face of the snake. "...his appearance is unknown. The only clue I have found is that he is one who is always looking through windows."
Confusion was etched upon each warrior's face, but none voiced their concern. Sarutobi wiped the drawings away, and turned back to his throne. "Now, warriors... there is not much time left..." he coughed. "Hurry!"
--
"Lord Orochimaru!" A pale faced man ran into the underground throneroom, coughing and gasping. A man with long, thick black hair pulled into a loose braid looked up at the messenger, who now knelt on the dirt floor. An arrow pierced his side and when he coughed, blood splattered across the ground, seeping in dark stains into the dirt. The man with the long hair wrinkled his nose in distaste at the man. "Emperor Sarutobi...he's sent the Five Warriors after the Jade scroll!" He cried hysterically, as he dropped completely to the ground. Anger darkened Orochimaru's face and he held out his hand, grinning evilly as the man writhed on the ground, foaming at the mouth, before dying.
"That was a bit harsh, wasn't it, my Lord? Haven't you ever heard the saying, 'don't kill the messenger?" A soft voice from the side of the throne came from the shadows. Orochimaru scoffed.
"He was going to die anyway. Now..." He turned in the direction of the soft voice. "About the Five Warriors..."
"You want me to take care of them, don't you? Consider it done." Said the soft voice. "I'll set out now."
"I trust you very much, my dear friend." Orochimaru said, tapping his fingers together and leaning back in his throne. He picked up a thin, delicate scroll, encased in opalescent glass and jade caps. It had been sitting in his lap, and now that he held it up, it seemed to catch even the most meager rays of light, here in the dark throneroom. In fact, it nearly glowed. He held it up, spinning it around and gazing in awe. He had not yet figured out the secret to opening the scroll, but he was confident that meditation would help him there. "Pick them off one by one...start with Midnight Fan. You'll remember him, I'm sure."
"Midnight Fan? How could I possibly forget?" The other voice laughed softly. "This will be an interesting reunion. I wonder...will he remember me?"
--
Into the dawn, five figures moved swiftly down the mountain, back towards the city of the Leaf. It was just before the city would awaken, and begin moving. All were still asleep.
"We'll convene on the hill outside of the east gate!" Silver Mirror said, just loud enough for the other four to hear. All agreed, and without further speech, jumped from rooftop to rooftop, their feet barely touching the ceramic tiling.
On the hill, they stood in a circle, facing each other. Ninetailed Fox was the first to speak.
"So, how is the best way to do this?" His voice was friendly and a little too loud. Floating Blossom shot him a glare.
"The last time you and I worked together, we screwed up the plan and had to have Poison Ink's help, remember? Why don't you let someone a little more intellectually capable decide things this time!" She hissed. Ninetailed Fox frowned, looking hurt.
"Aw, come on, Blossom!" He whined. Floating Blossom rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, looking away from Ninetailed Fox.
Silver Mirror cleared his throat.
"I have only every worked with Midnight Fan before, but I trust you all to be skilled fighters. The emperor told us to work together, so we should do it."
Midnight Fan looked around at the fighters. When his eyes met with Blossom's, he felt a sharp pain in between his eyes, but he didn't acknowledge it. There was something familiar about the woman, but he couldn't be sure. She was looking at him with a guarded expression, and he wondered if they had done battle before.
"Just tell me what I have to do, and I'll do it." Midnight Fan said, his voice muffled through the cloth. He adjusted his katana's strap, and averted his eyes. Poison Ink smiled, stepping forward and bowing politely to all.
"I personally disagree with Silver Mirror, unfortunately. I have only ever worked alone, and I have only ever been successful. We should work as we do best, and keep loose contact." He said, smiling despite his disagreement.
The five looked between each other.
"I'm not working with Blossom, then! Nyah!" Ninetailed stuck his tongue out at the pink haired woman, who shook her fist at him and grumbled obscenities.
"I'm not working with Fox or you, pervert..." She grumbled, turning to the silver haired man. He rolled his eyes.
"We'll compromise. We can work in teams, and Poison can work alone. I'll work with Fox, since our styles are opposing, and Fan and Blossom can work together. Blossom excels in information-gathering, and Fan is skilled in direct combat. Poison, I do not know how you fight, but I trust that you will do fine if the stories that precede you are true. If you need help, you can join any of us at any time."
Floating Blossom glanced at Midnight Fan, anxiously twisting her hands.
"Do I have to work with M--"
"It makes the most sense, since it's better to work with someone of an opposing style." Mirror interrupted her. "We should try to work together as much as possible. Fan said he'd be willing to do anything, and you won't work with me or Fox. Don't complain so much." He ordered. Blossom faltered, and glanced at Midnight Fan, who met her eyes. They broke the eye contact hastily.
"We'll keep contact through messenger birds." Poison Ink said. "It's easy and convenient."
Everyone agreed, and after a few words of encouragement from Fox, they all dispersed.
--
"Mirror...I hate to be rude--"
"No you don't." Mirror shot back as the two men ran through the treetops like the wind. The sun had officially risen and painted all surfaces with fiery hues.
"--Fuck you! Anyway...Just out of curiosity... do you actually know anything about Blossom? I guess if you did, you wouldn't have put her and Fan together." He asked, scratching his head anxiously.
Mirror glanced at Fox as they paused at a stream to drink for a minute. Fox jumped into the water and came out almost automatically, shaking off the water quickly. Mirror raised his eyebrow.
"No. None of us actually know anything about each other. It's the way things go." He said suspiciously. Fox grimaced, stretching.
"Not true. You suck at information gathering, you know that? Anyway...Midnight Fan...you know about his amnesia right?"
Mirror eyed Fox and they began moving again. The breeze dried Fox's clothes quickly.
"Who doesn't know about it? He had an accident two years ago and lost all of his memories. That's why he's so good at what he does—he has no personal ties...to anything. I don't see how this relates to Blossom though."
Fox stopped, and stared into the distance sadly. "Mirror...she was his wife."
--
Poised on a branch, Poison Ink, known by his familiars as Sai, held a senbon out, brandishing his weapon as he observed the scene below him. Sai was, in his most neutralized state, an indulger in voyeurism, and these kinds of missions were his favorite.
It had been two days since the five warriors had been called together. Sai was relieved to be working alone, mainly because he was terrible at interacting with others. He had spent his life alone and now, at age twenty five, he found it difficult to live his life any other way.
He'd picked up a trail about five hours ago. A woman had mentioned the Jade scroll—people were beginning to hear that it had been stolen—and now Sai was hot on her heels, looking at her various connections. He didn't know what the Jade scroll contained, and he didn't much care, which made everything much easier. The fewer details he knew, the better. He could concentrate that way on the important things, instead of worrying.
"Have you heard? He sent the Five Warriors after the scroll!" The woman was bustling about her kitchen garden, with what was most likely her two teenaged children helping her out a bit.
"I heard they are all part-demon!" The girl whispered loudly as she carried a bundle of herbs to the side. Sai raised his eyebrows at this. No, he had no demon blood—only the determination to train to be the best. Hearing the stories about himself was always amusing. No one realized that the five warriors were merely humans with a lot of drive and no more natural ability than anyone else.
It seemed, now that he'd been observing the woman for several hours, that she was just another peasant. He leapt away, to another tree, and began moving back towards the city wall. He found a spot that hid him from other's eyes but allowed him full view of the city market and its going ons.
He allowed his thoughts to wander for a few minutes. He deserved a break; he hadn't slept since before he'd been called to the palace. His mind rested on the vision of Floating Blossom. He'd heard of her, of course, but had never met her personally. She was fascinating. It was always surprising to meet a woman who was a kung fu master. Just thinking about what she was like to fight piqued his curiosity. Hopefully, one day he'd find out.
He went back to scanning the crowd for interesting figures. He had no clues as to Snake's whereabouts or who was helping him these days, but the best place to be looking would be in the big city in Mist.
--
Midnight Fan opened his eyes, and lay still as he tried to sense any imminent danger. When he found none, he sat up slowly, looking at his surroundings.
The woman known as Floating Blossom was still asleep on the ground next to him, and seeing her curled up, her hair undone and in her face, made his mind itch, almost. Something about it seemed so familiar, but he couldn't remember. Something about her in general was familiar, and the way she always stared at him when she thought he didn't know was really beginning to bother him.
They'd been working together for about two days now. Their strategy was to mill around different villages, picking up what they could, and watching over various criminal hideouts, to see if any were in cahoots with the Snake. The stories about Blossom had been true—she really was excellent at gathering information, though he hated to admit it. This was the only way he could reconcile continuing to work with her. Otherwise, she was irritating and randomly called him by the name of 'Sasuke' a few times. When asked, she'd blushed wildly and mumbled something about him reminding her of someone she had once known.
He clutched his head in his hands, trying to relieve the headache he always seemed to have. Two years ago, he'd woken up in a medicine woman's hut, bandaged and confused, with nothing to give him clues to his former life except a beautiful katana and a yukata with the symbol of a fan emblazoned on its back. The medicine woman had told him that he was a great warrior who had been felled in a battle, and just barely survived. She had found him, lying in a house that had been mostly burned down, covered in cuts and gashes, whispering a woman's name-- "Sakura." These were the only things he knew about himself. He didn't even know his own name. Since then, so many questions had plagued his mind, but he had listened to what the woman had said, and found it to be true—he was a great warrior. His muscles recalled the movements of kung fu, and he chose to ignore his shadowy past and forge a new life—as the greatest warrior that the world had ever seen.
Because of his injury, his head ached constantly. He never saw relief, except in sleep—but then, he was hit with a barrage of nightmares; horrible fragments of his life before the accident, though he could never piece these together enough to come to any understanding. For some reason, being near Floating Blossom intensified his headache and the nightmares.
He turned at the sound of her turning over. They were staying in a cave in the forest, having spent the entire day before tracking a group of bandits that inhabited the forest. It had proved fruitless, unfortunately, and now, Fan wasn't quite sure of what the next move would be.
"You're awake." He stated when her eyes fluttered open. She stared at him, and chills ran directly up his spine. Those eyes...he saw that exact shade of emerald in his dreams.
"Yes. I guess I am." She said sleepily, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"What is our plan for today?" He demanded. She glanced at him, and stood up, gathering her various hairpins. It wasn't until a skirmish yesterday that he'd found out that the jewelry she wore had little to do with looking nice—the earrings contained deadly poison in their beads, and the hairpins were really needles in sheaths so that she wouldn't cut herself by accident. He was impressed by her craftiness, to be honest. He watched as she did her hair up in twists that were surprisingly elaborate, considering how short her hair was.
"We don't have much time. We have to step it up if we want to get the scroll back into benevolent hands in time." She said, straightening the beautiful kimono she wore. Fan nodded and stood also, re-wrapping his forearms and calves in black strips of fabric. "Oh! Looks like you've got a cut." She said, pointing to his left forearm. "Let me clean it for you." She offered, already stepping towards him. Fan shrugged; he couldn't see the harm in letting her help him. He was bad at cleaning his wounds anyway.
She knelt next to him and slipped a vial out of a pouch at her waist. "This is just antiseptic, don't worry." She said soothingly. But when she touched his skin, electricity seemed to crackle in the air. He yanked his arm back and she drew in a breath sharply.
"Maybe you shouldn't." He said, and they both stood abruptly, and continued going about their morning routines.
