NOTE: This fanfiction takes place in the world of Naruto, a manga and anime series written and illustrated by Masashi Kishimoto and owned by Shonen Jump. All places and characters excluding the characters Kikena Mizuke, Ren Hamasaki and their families belong to Masashi Kishimoto and Shonen Jump. Please enjoy and drop me a like or comment if you find this story interesting!
Orochimaru's Ghosts
Chapter 1
The air was so hot and dry…
That was the first impression the young kunoichi Kikena Mizuke had of the Land of Wind. That had been a few days ago, once they had left the Land of Rivers, her parents had kept her close, their garb disguising them as a caravan of harmless merchants and travelers. In fact, they were shinobi from the Land of Fire on an extraction mission. Kikena adjusted her cowl and trudged on, the heat not bothering her much. It was the dry air that was getting to her but she wasn't about to complain. She was a kunoichi after all, a genin still, from a small village on the border of the Land of Fire and Land of Rivers. She'd make her parents proud; it was the first mission she'd been able to go on with them. At the young age of 8, she'd been in training for only a year but showed promise as heir to the family head.
"We're almost there; over this last dune you'll see the Oasis." Chiyo Mizuke spoke up, her voice soft, her soft red eyes ever watchful. "I've been here once before, it's a truly beautiful place."
Kikena looked up at her mother and then her father, Takeshi, who walked a few paces ahead. They were the best of their village, and so strong. The little kunoichi couldn't help but grin beneath her cowl; she could barely contain her excitement to be with them. But she was on a mission! She had to remember her job…! Kikena looked about her carefully, seeing sand and more sand with the blur of mountain in the distance as they climbed the last sand dune she saw a sight truly wondrous. With a gasp of surprise, she grabbed onto her mother's sandy cloak and looked into the bowl oasis beneath them. Surrounded on all sides by the vast desert was a bowl of green, sunken into the sand but protected by the thick growth of trees surrounding its outer rim, the entire area inside was as green as the Land of Fire they'd come from. Not too far from the ring of trees lay a large lake with an island in the middle and it was on that island that she could just barely make out a small village.
"Remember, we're not safe until we've made it back to our village, Kikena." Chiyo warned. Kikena flushed red with embarrassment and let go of her mother's cloak, resuming her position of watching their back. There was nothing but sand in all directions, sand and the caravan they had hired to camouflage them. The camels bayed at the sight of water and picked up the pace. Chiyo adjusted the pack on her back and pulled her cowl down a bit lower, shading her face from the harsh sun. As they descended lower into the bowl, the wind stopped whipping at them but as Kikena looked up, she could see it carrying sand across the top of the dunes surrounding the village.
So it worked to camouflage them too…The young kunoichi thought it was brilliant. She continued watching the trail they left behind them. The wind and sand had worked well to cover their tracks when they were above the bowl, but now there were distinct tracks from the caravan they led.
"It looks like they've sent an escort." Her mother's voice brought Kikena's attention back to the front. Peering ahead of them, she spotted two black figures on the sand. They were strange looking dogs. Chiyo saw her daughters confusion and chuckled. "You've never seen jackals before, have you? They prefer the hot desert, they don't live in the Land of Fire."
"Jackals?" Kikena murmured to herself. It was a strange name.
"Greetings, Mizuke! We're glad you didn't encounter trouble." The jackals greeted Takeshi at the front, standing and turning to lead them, falling in step next to him. "The Hamasaki clan will be pleased. They've been concerned about the Kazekage's men confronting you."
"We didn't have any encounters since leaving the Land of Rivers." Takeshi's eyes did not show relief, in fact, he seemed even more on edge, "I'd expected at least a little resistance from Lord Kazekage."
"We are well hidden here and if you took the agreed up route, he wouldn't have known of your arrival." The jackal on the left spoke cautiously, "But I can understand your trepidation. Will you wish to leave right away?"
"We'd hoped to stay at least the night, but I fear waiting that long will give the Kazekage's men the advantage." Takeshi murmured. "We should be prepared to leave at least an hour after we arrive. Is that ample time for the Hamasaki clan to be ready?"
"They've been prepared since yesterday. It's a dire situation." The jackal on the right nodded to the other on the left and it ran off quickly towards the village. "Ra will alert the Hamasaki of your arrival."
Kikena spotted something along the bowl's rim but when she focused to get a better look, it was gone.
"Mom." She tugged on her mother's cloak. Chiyo looked down and Kikena pointed to where she had seen the shadow, "I saw something up there. I'm not sure what it was."
Chiyo nodded and relayed the message to her husband. The caravan was on alert, but they didn't show it. Kikena picked up the pace to match her parents and the rest of the caravan. They reached the ring of trees and Kikena could feel a cool breeze on the skin around her eyes. She wanted so badly to take off the hot cowl, but she knew she wasn't allowed to. Underneath it she wore her Leaf village headband, and they didn't want anyone who might be following them to know who they were. She jogged after her parents until they reached the lakeshore and a boat waited for them. The caravan rested the camels at the lakeshore where they guzzled down water after the long trek. The villagers in the boats were friendly and welcoming and even offered to help her into the boat. She sat in the front as they slowly paddled across, letting her guard down a little as some large fish swam underneath the boat. She gasped and laughed as she followed their movements. Kikena cleared her throat and sat back, glancing at her parents. She could tell from the crinkle in the corner of her father's eye that he was amused by her reaction. She maintained her focus and kept her eyes on the watchful lookout. The Kazekage's men could already be in the village and waiting for them. She checked all of her equipment quickly but thoroughly to make herself feel better. This was an A ranked mission, and the only reason she was on it was because they had needed to look like an inconspicuous family. If there was going to be a battle, Kikena would be outranked and outclassed and she knew it so she was nervous.
"Ah!" Kikena gasped in excitement as they neared the island and the village became clearer. There were strange fish climbing out of the water with strange frills on their necks and actual legs and tails! "Daddy, what are those?!"
"Lung fish." Takeshi chuckled, "They are fish that can survive in water as well as on land. This is one of the only places they exist anymore. This lake has a lot of rare fish in it that thrive well."
"They're so funny looking!" Kikena laughed and sat back in her seat as they reached the shore. The lung fish scattered and slithered back into the water, watching them from just under the surface. Kikena jumped out and stood on guard, looking around carefully.
"It's okay, 'Kena, you can relax." Chiyo laughed softly, patting her daughter's head. "Enjoy yourself a little just stay close."
Kikena nodded, letting her rigid posture go and running to the edge of the water where she crouched down and watched the little lung fishes swim about playfully in the water. Giggling happily, she reached out to touch one but it darted away skittishly and played keep away.
"Kena…!" Chiyo called after her daughter as they started to walk into the village and Kikena left the water's edge, following her parents as they headed deeper in. There were children, some her age, some younger, all running around and playing. It was a happy place, the sun shone but as warm as it was, the cool breeze coming off of the lake made everything a tranquil temperature. Kikena looked around with wide eyes and hung onto her mother's cloak.
"Hey!" Kikena jumped, turning around at the young voice. There was a little girl standing there with the most unusual shade of violet hair, long and almost to her waist. The ends of her hair melted into a heated pink that reminded Kikena of some of the sunrises she'd seen on her journey through the Land of Wind. It was quite the opposite of her own red and yellow sunset tones. The girl standing behind her, clutching at her cloak had eyes the same color as the lake behind her, a soft and gentle bluish green that sparkled happily.
Kikena stared at the girl, who couldn't have been more than three years old.
"What are you wearin' that mask for?" The girl asked curiously.
Kikena wasn't sure what to answer so she looked at her mother but she wasn't paying attention. She took a deep breath and looked back at the little girl who was still standing there expectantly.
"We've been travelling through the desert. It helps keep the sun and sand out of my eyes." Kikena explained.
"Ooo! The desert? Why are you still wearing it? Where are you from? What's the desert like? How long did it take you to get here? Does it itch-?"
"Lady Hamasaki!" A woman ran up and caught the girl's arm. "Don't go running off like that!"
The little girl looked at her feet sadly, "I'm sorry…"
"I apologize for any unwanted behavior she may have displayed." The woman bowed deeply, "She can be so inquisitive. She hasn't ever been outside this oasis, so the outside world is very new to her."
"It's fine." Kikena murmured and glanced behind to where her mother was still walking, a little ways off. "I have to go."
She ran off after her mother and the little girl cried out behind her, "Wait! What's your name?!"
"Chiyo!" A woman with violet and pink hair pulled back into two long braids came rushing out of the round house in front of them and threw her arms around Chiyo Mizuke happily. "I'm so glad you made it here alright! I'm so glad to see you!"
Chiyo seemed just as happy, "I'm pleased to see you too, Aya, it's been a long time. Although, I would have been happier if we had encountered at least a little resistance getting here, it makes me a little nervous we were so unhindered."
"It will be fine, it just means that our plan is working." Aya smiled and stepped back. "Kiran is inside, will you be joining us for dinner?"
"No, we'll be leaving immediately." A man spoke from the doorway as he exited. Takeshi was with him and so was one of the jackals. "We need to stay ahead of the Kazekage. The only way we're going to do that is if we keep moving."
"But you've been travelling for so long! Aren't you tired?" Aya frowned.
"We'll rest once we've seen the leaders of the Hamasaki clan safely transported into the Land of Fire." Takeshi nodded to his wife who took Aya Hamasaki into the house to get her things. Kikena felt a little tug on her cloak again and turned. It was the violet haired little girl. Suddenly, she understood. Crouching down, she looked at the little girl and pulled her mask down a little so her mouth could be seen.
"So you must be Ren, right?" Kikena gave a friendly smile. "I'm Kikena."
"Are you the ninjas that are taking us across the big desert?!" She gasped excitedly, turquois eyes sparkling. Kikena froze, uncertain of how she should answer that. So she put a finger to her lips and smiled. Ren giggled and nodded, mimicking her gesture.
"Our secret!" The little girl giggled again. Kikena already liked her.
"Yep. Our secret. You can't tell anyone else, got it?"
"Yes ma'am!" The little girl grabbed onto Kikena's arm and grinned, "When I grow up, I wanna be a super pretty kunoichi princess! I'll be as pretty as my dolls and as tough as my daddy!"
"When we get back to the Land of Fire, I'll teach you!" Kikena smiled.
Ren's long intake of breath was adorable and her eyes were as wide as they could get, "PROMISE?!"
"Mhmm!" Kikena nodded and held out her finger. "Pinky promise!"
"Kikena! Take Ren and get to the boats; we're leaving!" Takeshi called from the house. Kikena straightened up and saw the worry on her father's face. She nodded and crouched down again.
"Okay, Ren. We're going to have to move fast, so climb on my back and hang on, okay?" The young kunoichi instructed the three year old Hamasaki girl who listened immediately. Kikena looked back at her mother and father before running off to the boats, moving fast. She had always been a fast runner, often moving too fast for her eyes to keep up. She made it to the boat quickly and saw a black smudge on the edge of the bowl, high above them to the north. Her parents appeared right beside her and started to push the boats into the water.
"What's going on?" Ren asked in a whisper, looking back at her parents, each in a different boat. They smiled at their daughter.
"It's okay, Ren, we'll be okay." Kikena swallowed her own fear. It looked like the Kazekage's men had waited for an ambush once they were all together.
"Kena." Her father's voice was stern. "Your job from here on out is to keep Ren Hamasaki safe. Do you understand?"
Kikena looked at her father with wide eyes. But she knew better than to argue, "I understand. Does this mean we're going to be running?"
"As fast as your feet can carry you." Chiyo spoke up from the other boat. "We each have a charge to get to the village. You're a fast girl, faster than most ninja and kunoichi. Don't stop until you cross the borders and get home."
"All the way to the leaf?" Kikena gaped at her mother. That was nearly five days away!
"If you must." Takeshi nodded at his daughter. "You can do it. We'll be with you the entire way."
"PROMISE?!" Kikena blurted out the words before she could stop them.
Her mother and father shared a look before looking back at their daughter, "We promise."
They reached the other side of the lake quickly; they were still ahead of the sand ninja. Kikena jumped out of the boat, Ren secured on her back with some spare cloth, the three year old hanging onto the young kunoichi in terror.
"Mommy!" Ren cried as Kikena started running up the steep sand dune. She didn't dare look back, only trusted in her parents to be behind her. She could hear them, hear their footsteps. She didn't stop until she had reached the rim of the bowl and just briefly glanced behind. Her parents were only feet away.
"Keep going!" Takeshi yelled at his daughter. The caravan hadn't bothered to follow them, they'd stayed behind now that their cover had been blown. "Don't wait for us! GO!"
Tears leaking from her eyes, Kikena nodded and took a deep breath, pulling her cowl back up to cover her face. She took one step and then another, her footsteps getting faster and faster as she ran, sending her chakra to the bottoms of her feet to give her more balance on the shifting sand beneath. The flew across the sand, the wind racing her, and she flinched as the sound of fighting caught up with her. She couldn't stop…she couldn't look back…she had to get Ren to their home village. It was the closest safe place. And if that was compromised, she had to take her to the Leaf. The Hokage was waiting for the Mizuke clan to return.
"Mommy!" Ren's scream shattered Kikena's concentration and she slipped on the sand, sending them both to the ground. Ren came loose and went tumbling a few feet away and Kikena's cowl flew off as she spun to a stop. Kikena pushed herself wearily and ran to the little girl's side. Dirty tears were streaming down Ren's face as the wind whipped sand into their eyes. But Ren wasn't looking at Kikena, she was looking back towards their parents.
Kikena followed her gaze and saw a woman lying still on the ground, violet hair in sharp contrast to the muted sand. Aya wasn't moving.
"KENA RUN!" Chiyo screamed and fought off two sand ninja. Kikena couldn't move, her heart pounding violently in her chest. This wasn't anything like she thought it would be - she thought this was going to be a simple mission. It had been so easy and carefree since they had left the Land of Fire and that was supposed to be the most dangerous part.
"Mom…" Kikena whispered. She took a step forward but a shiruken whipped past her face and she just narrowly missed the blades by diving to the side. Without another thought, she grabbed Ren, hoisted her onto her back, and took off running. This was beyond her skills.
Takeshi saw his daughter running away and smiled. It had been the only thing he could think of to get her moving again, throwing that shiruken. To say the girl was a gifted runner was an understatement. She was the fastest among the village children, and even faster than some of the jonin he'd fought against and alongside. If Kikena could keep from getting distracted, she'd be out of the reach of the sand ninja within mere minutes. And now that she was running, he only had to keep the Kazekage's men off of her for a little bit longer.
"Chiyo!" Takeshi threw an extra kunai to his wife and fended off the blows of two more sand ninja. They would be okay if the sand ninja would only stop coming. It was like a wave of enemies that never ended. They were going to have to fight and run.
"Omega formation!" Takeshi shouted. He saw Kiran register the command and Chiyo was already on the move, she had come to the same conclusion as her husband. They took off after their daughter, leaving Aya behind on the sands. It was a hard decision, but Kiran knew he had to let his grief wait until they were safe. Otherwise, none of them would get back alive.
Chiyo cried out and was sent to the ground by an enemy kunai. She stumbled once and she knew that if she couldn't find her footing…She met her husband's gaze and smiled at him once more as three more kunai hit their mark and she fell.