Tale of Tails
(A Naruto/Naruto Shippuden FanFic Set in the Era before the Second Great Ninja War)
Legendary Shinobi often spread their name by battling other legends like themselves. One of these legends, before he was legendary, was Madara Uchiha. Before his name became known, he was another Shinobi, like anyone else—beside for his bloodline which granted him the legendary Sharingan.
Of course, he and his fellow clansman were still men after all. Men of war, often times when they are away, will sometimes spread more than their names.
Far away from the Uchiha settlement, a village sits atop a mountain in the Northwest Land of Fire border with the Land of Earth, and is one of the more prosperous of these places due to surrounding villages, allies just outside its borders. Trading vegetables and other supplies was their way of getting things they needed.
After Madara's defeat, Morigakure became a more secretive place. If these children of Uchiha decent, as one would imagine, were to be discovered, they would most likely be terminated to keep secret techniques secret.
Morigakure, however, is not an espionage type village. Their practices include just getting by with what they have. They take advantage of the resources they already have, including the fabled Sharingan. Many villagers oppose this, some believing that having a hidden weapon like the active Uchiha is like a country that promises peace with war while others believe standing back and relying on a possible inside threat like the powerful Genjutsu powers of the Sharingan is simple folly.
The Uchiha branch, named the Niseru that lives in Morigakure only has three Shinobi who were able to awaken their bloodline. The family itself has forty-two active members with Rei Niseru as their leader and spokesmen of the council of the village.
Rei Niseru, age twenty-six, a Jonin and a kind, caring man with longer, messier hair than his nephew, Kazuki that goes only slightly below his neck—due to his status as the first child to awaken the Sharingan, he grew to be more pampered than most others of the clan, causing him to develop an apathetic point of view as well as a pacifistic attitude with village affairs. He is much respected as a leader, but some question his sense of honor and loyalty. Despite his young age, he has the rank of Jonin and Clan Leader for a reason.
Kazuki Niseru, age twenty-four, a Jonin and a noble fighter with short, dark hair that looks as though it's constantly wet, due to the humidity of the forest—his face is often very contorted, as though he's always upset or worried and has dark bags under his eyes.
Jiro Niseru, the village's fool, age nineteen, a young man with a happy go-lucky attitude that often puts gray hairs on Kazuki's head and chin. At Jiro's birth, a new opportunity had arisen at the time for Morigakure—the Two Tails. Morigakure came into contact, and later captured, the Two Tails, because it seemed it was fleeing a battle with a tougher opponent. Jiro was merged with the Two Tails in order to one day control its power to defend the village.
When this seal was placed upon him, it changed him. Immediately following the sealing, his hair had grown to be blue, just like the body of the Two Tails. Over time, after Jiro awakened his Sharingan, his parents and immediate family had noticed it had become warped. Unlike the usual Sharingan, it only made it to two marks, but was still as powerful as a true Sharingan. In his right eye, the Sharingan was yellow and his left was green, matching the eyes of the Two Tails.
He was not raised knowing he was a Jinchuriki. In some cases, as Matatabi, the Two Tails, would call out, he would go to his mother for guidance. "Mommy," he would say, nudging her yukata, "sometimes I hear voices…" The mother would dismiss such things and claim it was his elders yelling at him for whining about Kazuki's eyes and newfound glory.
On other days he would nudge her, asking for milk. "But you hate milk!" his mom cried.
"But Matatabi-san wants some!"
"Well, I'll get 'Matatabi-san' a glass with dinner!"
Once, on a hot, dry summer evening, Jiro ended up setting his bed ablaze by his chakra nature, granted to him by Matatabi. Kazuki was, in turn, tricked into being his mentor on Fire Style and was almost burned alive because of it. Jiro was and always will be a pyro.
"Mom!" young Kazuki cried. ""Jiro set the garden on fire, again!"
"No I didn't you liar!" Jiro protested. "I was at the store!"
"What were you doing at the store?" their Mom gasped.
"You lit the garden on fire!" Kazuki screamed.
"I was buying matches!" Jiro proclaimed proudly.
"Getting matches?!" their mom shrieked.
"You lit the garden on fire!" Jiro exclaimed to Kazuki.
"Why would I do that? Mom would kill me!" Kazuki explained. "You got the matches and set the garden on fire!"
"I wasn't there! You did it!"
"ENOUGH BICKERING AND PUT IT OUT!" Rei shouted after getting water in a pail.
Jiro developed strange Fire Style abilities, too. Blue flames would engulf him when he grew angry. Sometimes he would get paperwork and burn it, causing Kazuki to pick up what he leaves behind and work to make up for it. Jiro just thinks Kazuki works hard, when the truth is he runs himself into the ground for his brother's sake.
All three young men wore the same Shinobi Uniforms which consisted of black jumpsuits with white leathery belts and sandal-boots as well as an optional white breastplate that guarded their chests from attack. Jiro did not wear the breastplate, though. He wore a white coat with dark fur at the sleeves, hood and the tail, which went very low—just above his knees. He hates the humid climate. He claimed it hinders his Fire Style as well as keeping Matatabi calm. This was another thing Kazuki dreaded about him.
Days were dismal and humid in Morigakure Village. Jiro, being the Jinchuriki of the Two Tails, was never allowed to leave the village without an escort of Chunin or higher rank. He would often mope around the village when his brothers were away on other tasks.
In his times of boredom, Jiro would enter his own world—an open prairie area where Matatabi, the Two Tails, would roam freely. He and Matatabi had grown very close, like siblings would.
He lied down in a bed of flowers, arms folded back. "You know, Matatabi-san," he started small talk, "it's really boring."
"You should know," she replied, "only boring people grow bored."
Jiro's eyes narrowed. "You sound like Kazuki."
"I do not sound like myself?"
"No—no—I mean you said something Kazuki would normally say."
Matatabi stretched her body, yawning. "I suppose it makes sense. Kazuki shares more with me than you do."
Jiro sighed. "If you like him so much," he remarked, "why don't you—"
"Enough!" Matatabi shrieked. Jiro laughed hysterically.
"I am strangely reminded of when we first actually met…"
"Yeah…"
Jiro, age eight, was meditating with Kazuki, Rei and his father. His father had told him the fundamentals of chakra and was giving all three boys about how to control it. Jiro ended going deep into his psyche and ended up in a strange land.
"What the hell? Where's Morigakure?" Surrounding him was an open prairie full of tall green grass and colorful flowers strewn randomly about. He noticed in the distance a strange light coming toward him. "What's that blue thi…? OH MY GOD! IT'S A FLAMING BLUE CAT! NO!" He ran opposite of the cat but it caught up eventually, introducing itself as Matatabi.
"JIRO!" a voice shouted to him, waking him from his trance. The owner of the voice was none other than Kazuki.
"Yo, Aniki," Jiro apathetically said, putting up a hand.
"Did you deliver that letter to Miki yet?" he called, taking authority over Jiro in a tree.
"Was that supposed to be done, today?"
"THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE, YESTERDAY!"
Jiro fell right out of the makeshift tree bed right on his head. "Okay. Consider it done."
"Go. Now."
"Going now!" Jiro jumped, throwing his arms through the sleeves of his coat and taking off at full speed.
Rei approached Kazuki from behind. "It's always something with you two," he said, using his index finger to clean his throbbing right ear. "Don't ya think you're being a little too hard on him?"
"Look," Kazuki changed from demanding to commanding, "it's because I want him to grow into a fine Shinobi. You know he only just became a Chunin not too long ago? And he even almost blew his cover!" He adjusted the black cloth of his forehead protector with the tree inscribed in it on his forehead.
"You can't hold it against him. You'd freak out, too if you saw the Second Hokage."
"I can honestly say I wouldn't. There is nothing wrong with Tobirama Senju."
"Aside from his almost permanently threatening face," Rei added. His voice was failing him as he had to endure training a large group of Genin.
Kazuki sighed. "It's times like this I wish that Mom and Dad could babysit him for me."
"I know you don't want a repeat of that incident, but yelling at Jiro might one day aggravate him and release that demon, again." Rei reached for a scar under his chin with three claw marks.
Kazuki quivered at the thought, remembering the carnage. "I guess…"
Jiro ran through the bazaar area of the village where stands that sold fruits, vegetables, cooked meals and other essentials gathered as many customers as possible by shouting at potential customers. He ran full speed past all of the making a left between two buildings where he was stopped by a dumpster that blocked his path.
He decided to jump over it, disregarding it. I'm a ninja! I won't let this stop me! He jumped off of an overhang and onto the roof of Morigaukre's Village Leader's residence. He jumped down and knocked politely on the door.
The old man, Edakage (Branch Shadow) leader of Morigakure, Miki Mizuki, answered solemnly. "What's today's ruse, Jiro?"
"No ruse! I bring letter!" Jiro pleasantly presented Miki with the envelope with a smile.
Miki raised a gray furry eyebrow. "You mean the mission report from your last assignment? That was supposed to have been given to me yesterday!"
"It got lost in the mail!" Jiro scratched his head.
"Right," Miki noted sarcastically, nodding his head. "I'll file this for Kazuki straight away."
"Roger!" Jiro immediately made tracks as he ran away. Miki muttered obscenities about things getting lost in the mail. He walked back into his dimly lit home and went into his private study. A shadow came from behind, silently passing a blade through him, leaving no trace of evidence but a small whimper from his victim.
Jiro looked around. He made sure no one would see him as he made his way to a path he created so as to leave undetected. This path was used regularly to satisfy his need to be entertained and the forest was the best place. He loved all the creatures he found while there and also loved how the forest shut in chakra, making tracking impossible. The trees were a gift from the First Hokage after relations were semi-restored. They were germinated to shut out chakra, similar to Konoha's forests. It was a paradise retreat and a great place to lose Kazuki and the others.
He left the village completely under the cover of the setting sun's aurora. As soon as he was in the forest, he switched his form, taking up the flames of Matatabi. This triggered his Sharingan, due to the added tension as well as the connection between Matatabi and his eyes. He ran on all fours through the forest, letting it all soak in.
It would be hours before he returned.
A steady rain doused the area. It rained often this time of year, especially being so close to the clouds but it was often lighter. Jiro approached the gates, knowing someone had noticed his absence, but no guards were there to greet him with a lecture. That's strange, he thought. Usually those guys have a post here… Did they leave for a village assembly? I don't hear any cheers or applause… Jiro sensed danger, which triggered his Sharingan to activate on its own.
"Jiro," called Matatabi, "be careful…"
This chakra… Kazuki is fighting someone!
Jiro walked cautiously toward where Kazuki's chakra was. He was able to see him, finally. He was standing on top of Miki's residence. "Aniki!" he shouted to his brother.
"Jiro! Get away from here!" A silhouette of another Shinobi attacked him.
Jiro drew a hard breath, terrified. "ANIKI!" His hands turned into chakra claws as he used his legs to kick the ground and propel him at the enemy, cutting them harshly on the shoulder. Kazuki fell off the sloped roof, thudding heavily on the ground. Jiro jumped after him after having concluded his opponent was out.
He lifted Kazuki off the ground. "Aniki…" he choked up. "I'm sorry I left!"
Kazuki weakly smiled. "That's my pain in the ass brother… Goes out without telling us and manages to return when we need him…"
"Look! We can get away, now!" He looked at Kazuki's wound and saw a disillusioning sight—a kunai stabbing through his breastplate, causing heavy bleeding. It wasn't the only wound, but it was definitely most noticeable. There were several deep gashes in his lower body as well as a slash to the neck.
"Jiro… You shouldn't have come back…"
"Remember? I've dealt with bandits before! Where's Rei? He can help!"
"That's… just… it…" his voice began to fade farther away.
"Aniki! Stay with me!"
"Ji…ro…"
"What?! What is it?!" He began to squeeze his brother's lymph body.
"Be…hind you!"
Jiro looked, just as a kunai and paper bomb grazed his face. "Shit!" He grabbed tightly on Kazuki and jumped, taking him to safety. Jiro glared at the thrower of the tag and was blown aback. "Rei…?"
Rei, fangs bared, eyes glowing, glared down at Jiro from Jiro's tree to Miki's ruined garden. "Hmph. I forgot how fast you are, Jiro," he growled.
"REI!" Jiro entered the Chakra Shroud Mode, making his blue hair look ablaze with cat ears, causing his coat to take on blazing nature and a long tail to appear on his lower back. He began to growl ferociously at his uncle.
"Don't worry. I won't kill you," he hissed. "I plan to take you alive."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?! What did I do?!"
"Do you remember the early years of your training?"
Jiro did not recall those years. "What does that have to do with this? What do you want from me?"
"You're dense as always," he sighed, putting a hand over his face and shaking his head. "You're the cause of a lot of my and Kazuki's suffering! You even killed four of our family including your own parents!"
Jiro stopped. "That… No… It can't be…" Jiro was completely caught off guard by this having not known his father and also assuming his dad was a 'proper' Uchiha.
"During a routine checkup, you lost control and you killed them!"
"Do you hold a grudge against me, or Matatabi?—because I wasn't the one who did such a thing!"
"It was you and you know it!" Rei lost his sense of calm rationality. "You're the reason they died! YOU KILLED THEM! You caused the village entirely too much suffering! I'm going to end it with this!"
Monster? Is that all I am to him? After all these years, he's hated me this much? He really hates me…?
"MONSTER! BAKENEKO!" Rei drew a blade and attacked Jiro. To him, it seemed his hatred blinded him, because there was a gap where Jiro could counter.
And that he did.
Jiro slipped past him and flashed the tiger seal hand sign. "Fire Style: Great Inferno Jutsu!" A massive blue fireball engulfed the unsuspecting Rei, burning him. Rei fell to his knees, his chakra disappearing.
Rei made no attempt to get up. He knew he was defeated. "You're a monster and that's all you'll ever be. With this, the village will see it, too!" Those were his last words.
Voices in the distance were yelling in panic at what had just gone on. The mob of villagers entered the open area in front of the house. Miki pushed his way through them all. "What is going o—JIRO!"
Jiro stood over Kazuki's and Rei's bodies, tears flooding his eyes as they went dark again. "Miki-san…" he whined.
Miki jumped to the only sensible conclusion. "Jiro… Have you lost control again?" The crowd began to mutter words of fear that escalated to hatred.
"N—No! Rei attacked Kazuki and I was only defending myself!"
"What are you talking about?" Miki questioned. "I sent Rei to find you and bring you the village square!"
"He attacked out of nowhere!"
"Lies!" cried a villager.
"He lost his mind!" cried another.
"He's getting too dangerous!" cried even more.
Before Jiro could testify anymore, the mob began to fester and accuse him of the murder of both Rei and Kazuki. Miki looked disapprovingly at Jiro. "You know we can't let this go."
Their eyes… They hate me… Why me? I'm no monster… Matatabi! Help me! Explain it to them!
"I cannot," she replied. "They will not hear it from me. They won't believe us."
"Matatabi! Please!" Jiro's tears grew thicker. Miki took a step closer. "NO!" Jiro's Sharingan made a strange transition to something resembling a cat's eye gem, slit with a single straight line bisecting the iris. He jumped on a blue box now hovering in the air. "If you guys hate me, I'll leave you alone!" He jumped off on all fours out of the village and away. It hurts! They hurt! My eyes are on fire! Aniki! Help me!
Just like that, Jiro left the forest on the mountain, going as far south as his legs would carry him.
Back at the village, Miki turned to the mob. "Today is definitely a sad day," he addressed the crowd of confused villagers. "We lost three great Shinobi today. Our 'Gifted Eyes' Team has been destroyed... Come we must mourn the passing of Kazuki." He looked at the two bodies, a crimson gleam appearing in his eyes. The crowd followed his orders without question.
*Chapter 1: The Two Tails and the Two Sides END*