Disclaimer: Naruto is the property of Masashi Kishimoto; Seiryu Himura is my own creation. Yuki Ookami belongs to Wing Commander White Wolf's. Chiharu Hatake is the creation of Ayame the Red Iris.
The Mist Wolf Chronicles: Director's Cut
By Storm Wolf77415
New Arrivals
(Three Years Later)
Five dark shapes shot through the trees, four were human, the last not so much…they settled on the branches of one of the largest trees in the forest that surrounded Konoha, surveying their surroundings.
"So that's the Village Hidden in the Leaves? It's too bright and cheery." The first ninja remarked. "Do we really want to fall in with the tree huggers, Sei?"
"Please Zabuza-san, shouldn't we give them a chance?" a softer voice spoke.
A harsh guttural voice snorted, "If Momochi's backing out, that shows he's not being honest with us. He's violating the terms of our agreement!"
There was a loud crack, "Enough! All of you!" a stern voice commanded, "We all agreed that we had no choice but to leave our respective villages, and join forces. Konoha was our best option. They get our services and we get a place to call home, especially with what we know…"
"Hopefully they don't kill demons on the spot." He sniffed the air, "The wind around here still reeks of blood, and that demonic aura can only belong to one creature. The one creature stronger than even me." The entire party all nodded, word had spread had far and wide of that monster's defeat.
"Kyuubi no Yoko…I pale to think what would happen if Konoha got serious and unleashed that beast on their enemies." The leader of the crew said. He patted the shoulder of the lone female of the small band, "You okay? I thought you might be nervous…since you're coming home and everything."
"Yeah, I'll be fine." The girl spoke in a hushed tone.
"You'll be fine, Chiharu. I know you've wanted this for awhile." The wolf said, the dark form shifted and shrunk. A human hand patted the girl on the shoulder. "We're all here for you."
It was a bright, spring morning in Konoha, the sun spread it's warm rays down across the entire village. Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, stood on the back yard of his home. Thanks to his victory against the Kyuubi, Konoha's status as the greatest of the Five Ninja Villages was secure. Many of the smaller nations were interested in exclusive long-term contracts with the Leaf, which would guarantee a steady flow of missions. But that was the furthest thing from his mind at that moment.
His attention was on the three-year boy with spiky, sun-kissed hair and brilliant blue eyes running across the freshly cut lawn. The Yellow Flash looked on with pride at his only son and heir. Naruto was the living image of his father, although his face inclined more towards his mom, who at the moment sat on a blanket, wearing a simple dark blue kimono. The toddler ran to Kushina's extended arms, the redhead snuggled her son, rocking him back and forth.
"Oh, my sweet little boy! I love you so much, Naruto!" Kushina cooed. It was no secret how much the redhaired Uzumaki spoiled her child. It was also no secret that she had already begun to share the fine art of pranking with her son, To the consternation of the more conservative members of the village.
"I love you too, Mommy!" Naruto chirped, enjoying the warm embrace of his mother. Minato swelled with fatherly pride, and walked over to his family. "Daddy!" the little boy said, holding his arms up. Minato picked up his son, two sets of blue eyes locked.
"Are you being a good boy, Naruto?" Minato asked. "You should be, because we're going to have some friends over today. You remember Uncle Hiashi and Aunt Hikari? Today is their daughter's third birthday and they're all coming over to celebrate. So you treat Hinata-chan really well okay?"
"Yes Daddy!" the little boy smiled brightly. The gate creaked open and in walked the Hyuugas.
"Hello, Kushi-chan!" Hikari chimed, giving her friend one of her patented killer hugs. Her gaze then turned to Naruto, "And how's my godson?" She picked up Naruto in her arms, swinging him back and forth.
Hiashi was a bit more reserved. "Hokage-sama, it's good to see you as always." Hiashi offered a slight bow.
"Oh come on! There's no need to stand on formalities here. This is a private gathering of friends, Hiashi. You and your wife are always welcome here." Minato said. "So where's the lady of the hour?"
The clan head smirked slightly, and motioned with his arm. A complete duplicate of Hiashi came through the gate. He wore the Konoha headband to help distinguish him from the Clan head. But even still, looks were the only thing that Hizashi Hyuuga had in common with his brother. Even in the rare moments when he showed his caring side, Hiashi was still quiet and reserved, offering only the slightest of smiles.
Hizashi on the other hand, was gregarious, and outgoing. He was never afraid to laugh at a good joke. He came in with Hinata on one side, and his own son, Neji on the other. Four-year-old Neji was stoic, as all good Hyuugas were expected to be, clad in a simple white kimono.
The little girl wore a light pink kimono with cherry blossoms on it, much like her mother's. Her long blue hair cascaded down her shoulders. She spied Naruto and hid behind her mother, peeking out. Hikari smiled and gently pushed Hinata towards Naruto.
"Go on dear, say hello." Hikari whispered to her daughter.
"H-hello." Hinata blushed. Naruto stepped forward and took the girl's hand.
"Wanna play?" He asked with big, friendly grin on his face. She nodded shyly. The two walked away hand in hand to the large jungle gym that Minato and Kushina had built for their son.
"So cute!" Hikari gushed. She looked to her nephew, still standing by his father, looking almost like a statue, but she could see the wistfulness in his eyes, wanting to join his cousin and her friend in having a good time. "Aren't you going to play, Neji? I'm sure Hinata and Naruto would enjoy the company."
"I wouldn't want to get in their way, Aunt Hikari." He said plainly. Hizashi looked at him sternly. "What is it father?" Neji shrunk back, He kneeled down, putting his hands on the boy's shoulders, two sets of lavender eyes locking with each other.
"My son, you're still young, and you should enjoy moments like this while you can. Be a kid and enjoy it. It won't ever come again. Go and play with your cousin and her friend, Neji. Twenty years from now you can look back at this time and laugh, okay?" Neji smiled and broke for the jungle gym, climbing on with Hinata and Naruto. Hizashi crossed his arms and smiled, "That's my boy." He said.
"Neji's his father's son, although he has quite a bit of his uncle in him as well." Hikari giggled, looking to her husband. "You've always been proud of him, haven't you, my love?"
Hiashi closed his eyes, "Of course I am…he's a Hyuuga. He will do great things for the clan." He sighed.
"What is it, HIashi?" Minato asked. Hiashi sighed, preparing for the storm that was about to be unleashed with his next words.
"Later tonight…Neji will be branded with the Caged Bird Seal, as the tradition laid out by our clan dictates," As the clan head expected, Hikari, and Kushina started shouting. Minato remained impassive, but his disproval was all too evident in his ice blue eyes. Hizashi said nothing, just gazing at where the children played.
"Why must we follow this stupid tradition, Hiashi? He doesn't deserve it!" Hikari pleaded, tears starting to form in her eyes. She hated the whole concept of dividing the clan from the very start and to see her nephew go through it was too unbearable.
He gave Hikari a stern glare; "You think I find pleasure in this, Wife? As long as I'm clan head, I have to think of what's good for everyone…Even if my stomach does clench at the thought of burning that damned mark onto my nephew's forehead." Hiashi whispered, brushing his hand along her cheek. He then turned to his brother. "Hizashi…"
"Do what you feel you must, brother. As head of the Hyuuga Clan it's your responsibility. But I ask one thing of you," Hizashi turned around. "Promise me that you yourself will never activate Neji's seal. Nor Hinata or any other children you and Hikari may have. I pray that one day this seal is never needed, and the clan can be united once again. It may not happen in our lifetime, but isn't our goal to make a better future for our children? Can we do that much for them?"
The five adults said nothing, just watching their children continue to play as the day wore on. Conversation turned to more pleasant subjects. The families had just sat down for lunch when the door swung open, and in came Kakashi, panting heavily. "Hokage-sama, sorry for interrupting your day. But you need to get down to the tower at once!"
"What is it, Kakashi?" Minato's face grew serious, immediately slipping into leader mode.
"A group of missing ninja arrived at the gate a few minutes ago, said they wanted to join the Leaf." Kakashi said. Without a further word, Minato and Kakashi had vanished in a yellow flash, courtesy of the Hiraishin. The two appeared in the Hokage's office in a burst of yellow. Minato immediately put on his vest, coat, and headband, finishing his transformation into the leader of the village. He sat down at the desk, and put on his game face.
Kakashi leaned in, whispering, "Uh, Sensei. I don't mean to break the image of the stoic leader and all, but you have some ramen on your face." Grunting, he ripped the noodle off. "That's better." He took a place at his teacher's side, putting on the same indifferent mask he wore as the ANBU Captain Inu.
"Send them in." Minato ordered. The double doors swung open, admitting five battered looking people. The Fourth Hokage appraised the new arrivals. Three of them wore headbands with the four wavy lines that marked them as ninja of the Mist Village, one he recognized immediately as Momochi Zabuza, the Demon of the Mist, the second wore an elaborate battle costume and the Hokage wasn't sure whether it was male or female. The last wore the gray and black uniform of Mist ANBU, dark brown hair with blonde highlights, and green eyes, a katana in a dark green sheath hung at his side.
A young man with piercing gold eyes and steel gray hair wore the symbol of Yukigakure, the Snow Village. Both Minato and Kakashi got the sense there was something not human about him, and the last, a young girl with shoulder length pale gray hair wore the symbol of The Village Hidden in the Waterfall. What appeared to be a metal fan hung at her side.
"Lord Namikaze, thank you for speaking with us." The lead ninja spoke, he bowed slightly. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Seiryu Himura, formerly of the Hidden Mist Village. These are my associates, Zabuza Momochi, also of the Hidden Mist, His apprentice, Haku Momochi. Yuki Ookami of Hidden Snow Village, and…"
"Chiharu?" Kakashi's lone eyebrow shot up suddenly putting a name to the face. "Is that really you?"
The silver haired young woman blushed, "Hello…Uncle Kakashi. It's good to be home." She said quietly, trying to keep the redness in her cheeks from being seen.
"…Chiharu Hatake, formerly from Waterfall…and originally born here in your village." Seiryu finished. "We've come a long way, Lord Namikaze, in the hopes that we can find asylum here."
"Indeed, It's not everyday I get one of Mist's top ANBU Captains and a member of the Seven Swordsmen knocking on my front door." Minato replied. "Why do you wish to join Konoha?"
"A few reasons, Hokage-sama," the one called Yuki spoke. "The first of which is protection. We've been traveling together for the better part of a year now. But we're starting to tire of the wandering life and would like to settle down somewhere. Your village has always had a reputation of openness and tolerance for others. It we would be given any amount of respect, it would be here."
"Wolf-boy is right." Zabuza spoke, eliciting a dirty glare from the former Snow ninja. "It gets dull having to fend off hunter-nin day and night. Freelancing isn't all it's cracked up to be. We risk our lives for a few hundred ryou and it's just not worth it. We want the stability a village provides. Despite my own misgivings, I'd rather work for you guys than some other people out there."
"You've heard for yourself, Lord Namikaze, My men speak the truth. We're all tired of running, and want a place to settle down where we won't feel threatened." Seiryu said finally. Minato stood up from his desk and looked out at the village, contemplative.
"I certainly would not object to having shinobi of your caliber here in my village. It would only make us stronger. But still, I have to act with caution. How do I know this isn't some kind of trap to try and gain access to Konoha's secrets?" Minato leveled his best poker face at Seiryu, and he didn't flinch once.
"You're a cool customer, Lord Namikaze, a credit to your position. You wouldn't have become Hokage otherwise. Your concerns are very valid. And in that case," The Mist Wolf reached into his pack, causing both Kakashi and Minato to tense, "I have something to sweeten the deal. Something that was lost a long time ago…" He pulled out a golden handle, "…but is now returned to its rightful place."
Kakashi couldn't believe his eye, "The Raijin-Ken…how did you get your hands on the sword of the Second Hokage?" Seiryu smirked.
"Took it off an arrogant little bastard named Aoi Rokusho, I believe he was one of your people before stealing this and defecting to Amegakure. We were traveling through Rain Country when we ran into his team. He tried to collect on the bounties on our heads, but it was a bit of a mismatch." Seiryu ignited the blade, the pillar of synthetic lightning flaring to life. "Magnificent weapon, far more so than a smarmy putz like him deserves. This weapon is well known in Kiri, famous as the Seven Swords themselves." He deactivated the Raijin-ken and held it out to Minato, "I, Seiryu Himura, return this to you, Lord Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of Konohagakure as a sign of good faith. If I may offer a word of advice…make sure you put a lock on the storage unit this time. It might help keep it from getting stolen again."
Minato gingerly took it, before handing the weapon to Kakashi who nodded once tenderly picked it up with great respect. "We will do that, Mr. Himura. Well gentlemen…and lady. You've just earned yourself a little respite. I will consider your application to join Konoha, and let you know in a few days. In the meantime, you're our guests here, so please enjoy yourselves."
The five ninja gave a bow to the great leader, and departed from his office. Kakashi regarded the Rajin-Ken, turning it over in his hands. He was reminded of his father's old weapon, the White Light Chakra Saber. "What do want to do with them, sensei?" He asked Minato. "Think they could have some ulterior motive?"
"Hard to say, Kakashi, but personally I get the feeling they can be trusted. They had a huge bargaining chip in this weapon, and they gave it back to us freely and in good faith. Have Tenzo and his team keep an eye on them for the next few days. In the meantime, I've got to think about the delegation from Kumo coming in."
Kakashi nodded, "I'll take the Rajin-Ken down to the storage vault, and make sure it's locked up properly this time." The Copy-Nin vanished in a puff of smoke, and Minato returned to the estate.
(The Next Day)
The day was full of pomp and fanfare, as the delegation from The Village Hidden in the Clouds arrived to sign a new treaty with the Leaf. A five-man team from Kumogakure, lead by one of the Cloud's most trusted shinobi, arrived at the gates. The delegation was given a warm welcome, parading through the streets before arriving at the Hokage tower, where Minato, Kushina, Kakashi, and the elders awaited them.
"Greetings, Lord Namikaze, my name is Hoshi Katagiri. I am the shinobigashira sent by the Fourth Raikage. Lord A sends his regards to you. He says it's been many years since you two clashed on the field of combat." Hoshi spoke in an oily tone. Minato shook Katagiri's hand.
"Indeed, there were few on the battlefield that could match me so equally as to him." Minato remarked, thinking back to his longtime rival. The two had matched wits on the battlefield many times before. And had sent congratulations to each other on their respective Kageship. "Perhaps you and your people would like a tour of the village?"
"We would be honored, Hokage-sama." Hoshi bowed politely. Unbeknownst to everyone in attendance, five sets of eyes were watching the festivities from afar on a rooftop. "What do you guys think of all this?" Seiryu asked his comrades, as he leaned against the wall.
"Pfah! Sounds like a load of total garbage if you ask me!" Zabuza sneered. "I never trusted the Cloud Village and this is just more of their usual bullshit!"
"Our resident Mist Demon is right, Cloud-ninja can't be trusted." Yuki replied. "I can speak from personal experience in that regard. Tell that to the team that ate it trying to capture me seventy years ago." He absently rubbed a spot on his left hip, recalling a particularly nasty incident from his past.
Chiharu rested her head against his shoulder; "Kumo's always been aggressive in pursuing techniques that can give it an edge over the other villages, even in peace time. A is determined to prove his village's strength" Yuki ran his hand through her hair.
The feral looking ninja replied. He then looked to Seiryu, their unofficial leader. "What do you want to do, boss? I mean it's really not our fight. I'm sure the Hokage and his people can handle things without our meddling."
The Mist Wolf reflected for a few minutes, looked up at the bright sun and sighed, "You're probably right, Yuki. Still it might be a good idea for us to clap an eyeball on our friends from Cloud anyway. Just in case they try anything funny." Seiryu finally said, kicking a pebble idly.
"Chiharu and I will take the night shift, we've been wanting some time to ourselves." Yuki grinned, causing Chiharu to blush. Haku and Zabuza chortled, and Seiryu just smirked. They made for a weird couple but they were very much in love with each other and anything to help face the loneliness and hardships of being shinobi day in and day out.
"Fine, do what you want. Check in every hour. We don't want to lose sight of them for a minute." Seiryu said. Yuki just rolled his golden eyes in annoyance
"Oh come on, Seiryu. You know I don't need to see them to know where those guys are. All Kumo-nin have the same ozone scent about them. Comes from using all those lightning jutsu I guess." They all shared a good laugh with that line. They all scattered after that.
The tour, conducted personally by the Hokage himself, lasted the better part of the day, ending back up at the Hokage Tower. "So as you can see, Katagiri-san. We're quite eager for peace between our two nations." Minato spoke smoothly, in a tone all diplomats were familiar with. "But now I imagine you and your men are quite tired after the long journey here from Lightning Country. We can start negotiations tomorrow. In the meantime, you are our guests here, please enjoy yourselves."
"We will look forward to it, Lord Hokage," Hoshi bowed, he gave a short nod to his men, and they hopped over the roofs towards their hotel. Minato watched them vanish over the rooftops. He gave a weary sigh, remembering the vast mountains of paperwork that still littered his desk and office.
"Thank God for Shadow Clones," He chuckled, and went back into the Tower. The Fourth Hokage sat at his desk, determined to finish up as much paperwork as possible before the sun went down, when a knocking came at his door. "Who is it this time?" He muttered, "Come in!" In walked Yukimura. Minato stood up at once offering a slight bow, "Hey Yukimura, welcome back to Konoha. I thought you'd be in Iron Country right now."
The older man smiled slightly, offering his own bow in return, "Today is a momentous day, Lord Namikaze. I wanted to be here in person for the signing of the treaty. Peace between the Land of Fire and Land of Lightning. I never thought it would happen, given Kumo's usual nature. You don't think they could be up to something, do you?"
Minato sat back in his chair, "There's always the possibility Kumo could have some ulterior motive. But until I have something concrete, I have to take Mr. Katagiri at his word." A gaze at the picture frame of Kushina, and Naruto, made him want to change the subject, "How's the family doing?"
Yukimaua regarded the picture himself before setting it back down, "They're doing just fine. Hitomi's had her hands full reigning in both Daisuke and Mori. The two are quite the little troublemakers. But being boys it's not a big surprise. As we can both attest to," The two men laughed, recalling their own childhoods. "I'm very curious to see how things turn out here, Minato. Kumo's not known for their sincerity. Know my blade is always at your beck and call if need be."
"I know, we'll see what the next few days bring. I'll be happy to have you at my side during the negotiations. I should get home to Kushina and Naruto. She worries if I stay late." Minato said. "Would you like to come by for awhile? We don't get to talk the way we used to."
"I would love the chance to see Naruto again. Next time I should bring the boys along with me. I hope they'd all get along" Yukimura said. The two men left the tower together, watching as the sun set. By the time the sun had sunk in the west a full moon was out with all of its attending stars.
Yuki and Chiharu decided to enjoy their downtime by walking around Konoha and taking in the sights. For the female Hatake it was a homecoming long in the making. Her mother had been a victim of a rape attack and she had left Konoha and traveled to Waterfall where Chiharu was raised and joined their forces.
"I forgot just how beautiful Konoha at night can be," Chiharu sighed.
"You missed being here, didn't you?" Yuki said. She nodded, burrowing her head into the former Snow ninja's side. They walked around the corner, catching sight of Ichiraku's.
"Oh I remember this place! They make the best ramen in Fire Country!" She lit up, dragging him into the stall.
"Good evening!" Teuchi smiled at the young couple, "Can I get you anything special?"
"Just some miso for me," Chiharu said. "What about you, Yuki?"
"Make that two," He said, handing her a pouch. "And I'm paying, sweetheart." Yuki kissed her on the cheek. "Just because I love you so much." After they had their fill, they left the restaurant and continued walking along the canal.
"So what now?" Chiharu purred.
"Oh, we could see more of your home, or…" he smirked, pulling the girl into a secluded alleyway and started to nuzzle her neck, making her start blushing. "We could try and take our relationship to the next level. It's been two hundred years. I think it's time to pick a mate. My beautiful Chiharu." He gently started tugging at her top, a sleeveless kimono style and it was clear she was not wearing a bra underneath.
She stopped him, pulling it back into place, "Shall we go back to the hotel? It will probably be more comfortable there than here in this dingy alley." she purred. He smirked slightly, before his expression hardened and his head snapped to the left. "What is it?"
"Kumo…" He growled, getting ready to step out of the alley. "Chiharu, get ready to climb on. There isn't much time!"
"You're going to change now?" She said nervously.
"We don't have time to worry about those things!" He growled. His body started expanding. Thick grey fur sprouted out all over his body. Yuki went onto fours and had turned into a wolf the size of a Clydesdale. "Come on!" he growled. Sighing, Chiharu hopped on and they bounded down the back alleys.
In a ninja bar across town, Seiryu and Zabuza stood up at the same time. "Did you feel that? What the hell is that idiot thinking?" The Mist Wolf said.
"Doesn't matter! There's a fight inbound!" Zabuza grinned beneath his facial bandages, grabbing Kubikiri Houcho. "Let's go, Haku!" He barked at his apprentice, who was standing silently in the corner. The three Mist ninja were soon bounding across the rooftops. Chiharu and Yuki were running towards the south side of town, where the prominent clans had their homes.
The two stopped in front of one particular house. "This is the Hyuuga compound!" Chiharu's eyes widened.
"The scent originates from here. I think they're inside!" Yuki growled. Indeed, inside the courtyard, a team of five shrouded figures was trying to escape, a small bundle in the leader's arms. They were about to leap over the fence when the gate exploded inward, and they found themselves face to face with a very pissed off wolf.
"You bastards! You come here under a flag of truce and commit heinous acts like this! You're not fit to call yourselves shinobi!" Yuki growled, dodging the thrown kunai with relative ease. He bum rushed them, causing them to scatter. "You're not going to escape! Let the girl go and we may spare you."
"Says who, wolf boy?" One of the ninja sneered. "The way we see it, you're outnumbered five to one!"
"Is that a fact?" Another voice spoke, "You might want to check your math again." Seiryu, Zabuza, and Haku had arrived, surrounding the Kumo-nin. "I think it's just about even."
Yuki snorted, "Rule number one…Wolves never hunt alone. And furthermore…" Hyuugas started streaming into the courtyard. "You might have to speak to the girl's family. So you really have two choices, fight or surrender." Eyes blazing, Hiashi prepared to rush forward and cut down the intruders for even thinking of laying hands on his daughter, but Seiryu and Zabuza stopped him.
"What is the meaning of this? They have my daughter! Get out of my way!" He thundered, but the two Mist-nin were solid and unmoving.
"Easy there, ghost eyes!" Zabuza drawled, earning a glare from Hiashi, "You're not in any state to be fighting that guy. You're forgetting he has your little girl, and wouldn't hesitate to kill her if he felt threatened. So just sit your ass right there and let us handle this." Zabuza said.
"My friend is right, Lord Hyuuga, besides which we need him alive. That way we can find out what he was sent for." Seiryu said. "After that, you can do whatever you want to him. But I'm sure you'd want to send him back home empty handed. I recall the Raikage doesn't exactly take well to failure." The Mist Wolf made sure to look right into Hoshi's eyes when he said it.
One of the ninja, having been terror stricken at the sight of Yuki's wolf form panicked, trying to get at Chiharu, but then he felt his whole body freeze up, A horrible, inhuman body numbing cold that ripped through him, starting from the shoulder. Yuki had buried his fangs to the gum into the man's shoulder, "Touch my mate, and I'll kill you," he growled. The Kumo-nin screamed, as he became frozen in a massive block of ice. A single swipe of the wolf's paw shattered the hapless shinobi into a million pieces.
"Thank you for protecting me, Yuki. But I'm hardly some frail flower." Chiharu replied. She went after a second Kumo-nin. Zabuza and Haku needed no prompting and leapt in swinging themselves. A three on three battle had started between the exiles and the Kumo delegation. Hoshi, still holding Hinata, looked around frantically, trying to determine how things went so wrong. Seiryu looked on with a certain satisfaction. He looked back to Hiashi and Hikari, anger and fear playing out all at once.
"Lord and Lady Hyuuga, let my friends and I handle this scum. Rest assured your daughter will be returned to you unharmed." Seiryu said. "That is my word."
"And who are you?" Hiashi demanded. The Mist Wolf turned showing the older man worn green eyes. Hikari gasped. Hiashi's eyes widened. "You…the Wolf of the Mist?"
Seiryu smirked, letting his hand fall onto his faithful blade. "I see you recognize my face from the bingo book. But allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Seiryu Himura, the Wolf of the Mist…and now a fellow ninja of the Leaf."
"Why would you help us?" Hikari said, stealing nervous glances at where Hoshi stood watching his men fight off the others. Hinata still slung under his arm.
"Because it's the right thing to do, Lady Hikari. As a shinobi I can be outright frigid when I have to be. But even I have standards. I have no desire to see your little girl be sent back to Kumo in chains to be used for breeding stock. But I also cannot let your husband kill that man just yet. He has information I need. My friends will not fall so easily to scum like this. As you will clearly see." Seiryu directed the couple to watch where Haku, Zabuza, and Chiharu fought the three remaining Kumo-nin.
Chiharu faced down her opponent, a lanky man with mad eyes and scars running all across his face, a lecherous expression that the Hatake recognized all too well from her times undercover in red light districts. Her eyes narrowed, she was going to end this fight as quickly as possible, since losing could have some bad repercussions. She reached into her boots and produced two thin swords.
"Like those are going to do any good against my Shadow Claws?" the Kumo-nin sneered, whipping out a pair of katars from his sleeves. "Time to die, little girl!" He rushed Chiharu and prepared to impale her face. Chiharu twisted to the right, and smacked him on the hand, before whipping around to elbow him in the face. "You bitch!" he snarled, wiping the blood from his lip and chin.
A pair of deft wrist flicks revealed Chiharu's swords to actually be razor sharp steel battle fans. "Say hello to my little friend, Hateshiganai-Se." She replied, hurling one fan at her foe; it caught the light of the street lamps. It hit the shinobi dead on, who vanished in a puff of smoke, signaling the use of the Kawarimi.
"Ha, she missed! How pathetic can you possibly be?" He smirked. His smug grin vanished when he felt a burning sensation right in his back. The Kumo-nin saw Chiharu standing behind him, her fan embedded in his back. She gave all too sweet smile, caught her thrown fan and lopped his head off with one swing, bouncing once and coming to a stop at Seiryu's foot. He punted it over the wall.
"That's two bad guys down!" Seiryu declared. Looking towards Yuki who gave a nod of approval, watching as Chiharu casually wiped off her blades, and put them back into their holsters.
"That's my girl," Yuki smirked in approval. The twin wolves directed their attention to their other cohorts. Zabuza was clearly enjoying himself, his massive sword swinging left and right. The shinobi he faced was like a massive wall of muscle, taking the slashes and strikes on the steel bracers he wore on his wrists.
"Pah! That oversized meat cleaver won't work on me! It's too heavy and once you've swung it," He caught the massive blade in his hand, "You leave yourself wide open!" He wound up and punched Zabuza in the face, sending him hurtling back into the wall. "Hah! Got me a new toy!" He admired the weapon. But then a low, sinister cackle rang in everyone's ears. The Cloud ninja looked in horror as 'Zabuza', turned clear and melted into a puddle of thin fluid. An eerie mist rolled over the courtyard.
"Not a bad punch…too bad you wasted it on a Water Clone!" Zabuza said. "So…there are eight vital areas on the human body that can cause instant death, the liver, the kidneys, the jugular vein, the subclavian artery, the throat, the lungs, and one of my personal favorites," A sickening squelch sounded, "the spinal column!" The massive brute collapsed boneless to the ground, his spinal cord disconnected by a single slice of the Demon's kunai, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. The Demon of the Mist emerged from the fog, kunai in hand, poised to strike "and last but certainly not least," the knife came down, buried all the way into his chest, "The heart! Enjoy hell, tell them I send my regards!" the mist receded, revealing Zabuza standing victorious.
Hoshi's fingers twitched, trying to keep his hands on the Hyuuga brat. He had hand picked his compatriots specifically for this mission, and now three of them were dead. He looked to the last of his cohorts, fighting the androgynous looking ninja, who had senbon held between his fingers.
Haku's expression was unreadable, as much as he disliked fighting, the idea of the ninja from Cloud taking an innocent child to be used as little more than breeding fodder burned in his heart. "Surrender while you can, and I'll spare you. But if you desire to join your friends…I'll be happy to oblige you!"
"Bring it, girly!" the last Kumo-nin sneered, and the two went into a taijutsu battle, A fierce clash of fists and feet. It was a clash of styles; Haku's movements were swift, fluid, and graceful, like a massive glacier. The cloud ninja was violent, fast, and choppy, a raging thunderstorm that hammered all in its way.
Haku's opponent made liberal use of lightning charged Shunshin to avoid the literal shower of senbon that seemed to come from every angle. "How many of those things does he have?" the scarred ninja said. Haku suddenly appeared out of the mist of his own Body Flicker, kicking him right in the head. The young ninja landed effortless on his feet. He reached into the folds of his robe and pulled out a Mist style ANBU mask.
"You must be getting tired, Shunshin can be very draining when used repeatedly." Haku started flickering through hand seals, but to the Kumo-nin's amazement, the seals were one handed. "Makyo Hyosho." He said quietly, and soon they were encased in a cage of mirrors. The mask came onto his face, "Say hello to my special technique. It will be the last thing you see." Haku said, leaping into one of the mirrors, and started zapping between them faster than the enemy could see.
A searing pain ran up his left arm, several senbon had embedded themselves into the man's arm, rendering it useless. A second pain stabbed into his right leg, several of the needles had hit sensitive pressure points there, he went to one knee, and was unable to move. Haku leapt out of the mirror and landed gracefully in front of his foe. Kunai in hand, Haku advanced on him. "Wait a minute!" The Kumo-nin tried to beg.
"It's too late to beg." Haku said, embedded the knife directly into his enemy's skull, silencing him forever. Hoshi growled in anger, and decided he'd better leave with the goods while he could…if a giant mirror made of ice hadn't suddenly appeared before him and Hinata was ripped right from his grasp, and deposited into her mother's arms. She hadn't woken up once. "Your daughter, Milady," Haku bowed slightly. Hikari cuddled her baby. Hiashi ran his hands through her soft blue locks.
The Head Ninja looked around frantically, his entire plan had fallen apart and now his only means of escape were cut off, the Hyuugas had surrounded him completely, and even if he tried to escape, Seiryu's crew could cut him down in seconds.
"Nicely done, Haku. I'll take it from here." Seiryu said. He strode with purpose towards Hoshi, his eyes hardening to emeralds. "As for you…I think it's time we had a little chat." His hand went down to the elegant looking katana hanging at his side. "Don't you think?" Hoshi growled and produced a ninjato. The two vanished, and the sounds of clanging steel could soon be heard.
Hikari grabbed onto her husband's arm. It then all clicked in the Hyuuga clan head's mind. Recalling the group of missing-nin that Minato left to deal with the other day. Hiashi grabbed his wife's hand and squeezed.
The two warriors continued their clash in a storm of blades. Seiryu appraised his opponent's skill. His bladework is above average, expected of a Kumo Head Ninja, he smirked. But still, he's never faced the likes of me before…or my particular style of swordsmanship.
"The Wolf of the Mist, there's a huge bounty on your head. I'll be rewarded extra…especially if I take that sword of yours back with me as a trophy." Hoshi leered at the ornate blade, the handle ended in a carved wolf's head with the fangs bared.
The Mist Wolf snorted derisively, "Don't bet on it. Your friends are lucky, since they're all dead. But your pain has only just begun…I hear the head of Konoha's interrogation department is a real expert in getting people to tell what he wants them to know." Seiryu replied, bringing his blade up to a high guard position.
Hoshi lunged, and his eyes bulged as Seiryu expertly swept around in a circle, evading his attack, and doubling the strength of the strike through centrifugal force. Hoshi used the Kawarimi to evade getting bisected. Two pieces of wood clattered to the ground. "That jutsu…the legendary Hiten-Mitsurugi. I should have known!"
Seiryu smirked, "Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryukansen…A useful counterattack. And just the beginning of my true strength." He vanished in Shunshin again, appearing in the sky over him. "Hiten-Mitsurugi Ryu: Ryutsuishosen!" He swung the blade down, cleaving Hoshi's ninjato in half, before slamming the flat of the blade into the pit of his stomach. The air driven out of his stomach, the Kumo ninja stumbled back, before Seiryu delivered a powerful back kick, sending him into blessed unconsciousness.
Finally the ANBU showed up, and picked up Hoshi and the remains of his compatriots. Hiashi came forward to Seiryu, and to the shock of his wife, brother, and the entire clan, got on his knees and bowed to the Mist Wolf. "I am permanently in your debt, Himura-san. You saved my little girl tonight, and there is no way I could possibly begin to repay you." Seiryu looked with amusement. He had the head of one of the Leaf's most powerful clans prostrating himself before him. He reached down and helped Hiashi up.
"There's no need for that, Lord Hyuuga. Justice has been served tonight. We may hail from different villages, but ultimately we are all shinobi, that distinction alone connects us all." Seiryu said. "It makes us all a very large family." He directed his gaze towards Hizashi, "It's important, would you agree with me?"
Hiashi looked towards his brother and nodded, "Yes…family is very important." He said. One of the Branch House Hyuugas came up to Hiashi and whispered in his ear, For a split second, his Byakugan flared to life and receded, he nodded briefly before turning back to Seiryu, "My wife and I would like to invite you and your comrades to a special banquet in your honor in a week's time, Himura-san. Know that you forever have a friend in the Hyuuga clan from this day forward." The four ninja bowed humbly, the massive wolf even kneeled slightly, before they vanished into the night. Leaving the family alone.
Hikari, flanked by two Branch House females, took Hinata back to bed…she wouldn't leave her for the rest of that night. Hiashi stood rooted to the spot where the Mist Wolf and his crew fought the ninja from Kumo. Hizashi stood alongside his older brother, gently nudging his side, "You going to be alright?" He whispered. Hiashi turned, his eyes taking on a steely quality. The head of the Branch House prepared for the all too familiar searing pain of the active curse seal, but it never came, "Brother?"
"Hizashi, let's go for a walk…" The clan head said. The two men retreated to the sanctuary of the inner garden that their mother had planted in their youth. It was a sacred place to the brothers, a tribute to happier times. They found a pair of stone benches facing each other and sat down. An awkward silence permeated the air.
"Nothing's changed…the garden is as beautiful as I remember as a kid." Hizashi remarked. The older twin couldn't help but crack a smile.
"Mother always did love working in here. She said it was a great stress reliever for having to deal with our antics all the time as kids! Like the time my head got trapped in that flower pot and you tried to pull me out and you tripped, and ended up landing in that huge pile of dirt?" Hiashi started laughing, and Hizashi joined in turn.
"She was so mad! We were both filthy and we had to spend the entire evening in the bathtub before she'd let us back in the house!" Hizashi chuckled, his face turned wistful. "I miss those days a lot. Before we had to spilt and attend to our respective duties."
Hiashi nodded, "I know…I miss them too. Now it seems so far away. Hizashi, Tell me truthfully…do you resent me for being born first? Do you resent me for becoming head of the Clan when you couldn't?"
For the second time that night, Hizashi was taken aback. First he had seen his older brother kow-tow to the ninjas that had saved his daughter's life, and was now asking him if he was mad at him. Hizashi stood up, "Let me be absolutely clear about this. I resent my own fate, and the fate of my son, but I never resented you. I would give my life to protect you, Hiashi. Not because I'm head of the Branch House and you're head of the Main House, but because you're my brother. I love you Hiashi, and it's because we are family that I would give my life for you. That's what I believe in."
A huge weight fell from Hiashi's shoulders. He stood up and embraced his brother. "Thank you, Hizashi. I needed to hear that. So does this mean I can count on your aid?"
"Yes! What is this all about, brother? You're acting very strange." Hizashi said.
"I'm going to do something I should have done the minute I became head of the family. But I can't do it alone. Especially for what's going to happen next…" Hizashi's eyes became ever colder, "Those bastards tried to take my greatest treasure for their own sick needs. One of the guards reported that the Kumo-nin infiltrated during shift change, that's why we didn't catch them until it was almost too late. We both know there's only one group in the clan that has full knowledge of all the shift changes, and could give that information freely."
Hizashi's eyes grew hard. "The clan elders…why would they do such a thing? What would they have to gain from selling us out to Kumo?"
"Because they hate the fact that I married outside the clan." Hiashi snapped. "They never approved of Hikari, You think they would have backed Hinata if she were next in line? I don't think so. Odds are they were attempting to get rid of Hinata and put one of their own children in her position. Those old fools are too bound by their precious tradition, and they were leading me by the nose the whole time. Tonight my eyes were opened, and I can see clearly now. Those scheming old men are all going to pay the price. But first…Remove your headband," Hiashi commanded. His brother removed the armored headband, exposing the all to familiar manji shaped mark of the Caged Bird Seal on his forehead. His hands snapped into a series of hand seals that Hizashi didn't recognize. His index and middle fingers flared with chakra.
"Brother…what are you doing?" Hizashi asked, his voice just a little nervous.
"I'd advise you to hold still. This should be over fairly quick, but it will be very painful." He jabbed his fingers right into Hizashi's forehead, right onto the seal. Liquid fire poured through the younger Hyuuga brother's veins. His entire body twitched, and he was certain that he had lost control of his bowls on top of that. Hizashi collapsed to the ground coughing, caught by his brother.
"What…did you just do?" Hizashi rasped. The elder Hyuuga just smiled, and pointed to the pond in the center of the garden. Hizashi looked at his reflection and to his shock…the curse seal was gone, as if it never existed. "Brother…does this mean what I think it does?"
Hiashi crossed his arms, "Yes, starting today, the division in the Hyuuga Clan is no more! There is no more Main House or Branch House, just Hyuugas. One clan, one family…as it should have been all along! Your seal was linked to all the others in the Branch House. Now that it has been removed from you, the rest are free. Tomorrow morning there will be a reckoning!"
The next morning, every member of the Hyuuga Clan, Main House and Branch House, numbering almost one hundred and twenty assembled in the courtyard of the compound. The Council of Elders stood to the side with their families. The nine men were the oldest, fattest, and greediest members of the clan, an opinion shared by both Main and Branch House alike. Both Hiashi and Hizashi entered, walking tall, side-by-side.
"What is the meaning of this, Lord Hiashi? Is there some purpose to us being up so early? That wind is brutal, and I have a very frail constitution." One of the elders whined in an oily, sniffly tone that only a stuck up aristocrat way past his prime could manage.
Hiashi looked to his brother who offered a slight nod and smirk. "Oh yes, Lord Higyou, there is a very good reason for this meeting. I've assembled the entire clan here to address the little issue of you and the other clan elders committing treason!" The entire council gasped, and murmuring started rising up from the rest of the Hyuugas.
"Treason? Are you mad, Hiashi?" Higyou sputtered.
"I'm very much in control of my mental facilities, Lord Higyou." Hiashi said the last part mockingly. "It's no secret that you've resented being passed over to become the next clan head. You and the other elders never approved of my marriage to Hikari, and would do anything to make sure your pig of a son was named the next heir!"
Hizashi stepped forward, his eyes filled with equal fury, "You and the rest of the elders sold us out by leaking information on when the shift changes would occur to the Kumo ninja. Only the Elder Council has that information. However, that plan kind of backfired thanks to Himura-san and his crew."
Higyou growled in rage, "The servant should know better than to question his master!" He raised his hand to activate Hizashi's curse seal. To his shock and horror, nothing happened. Hizashi just looked on with mild amusement. "What's going on here? Why isn't the seal working?" He started freaking out. Hizashi pulled his headband off, revealing his unblemished forehead. "What…what did you do? WHO REMOVED YOUR SEAL?"
"Easy…I did." Hiashi said. All of the elders went white with shock.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" one of them barked.
Hiashi leveled his best stone glare at the elder, "I know exactly what I've done. I'm reunifying the clan. The division between Branch House and Main House is no more…we are simply the Hyuugas now, one clan, one family!" Hiashi declared to everyone assembled. "This division was supposed to make us stronger, and it did for a time, but now I see that such measures are no longer viable!"
Hizashi nodded in approval at his brother's words. "We must adapt if we are going to keep up with the changing times." He gave a triumphant smirk to the elders, "And sometimes that means cleaning out dead weight!"
"Dead weight! Dead weight! We've done everything for this clan, how dare you defy us!" Higyou sputtered in anger.
"The clan nothing! You've done this all for your own selfish benefits!" Hizashi snarled, "Like those nine women in Water Country you all meet once a month?" All the elders paled, and now found themselves under the stern gaze of their wives. Hizashi smirked, "What is it you were saying about seeing women outside of the clan? Brother, I think it's time for us to bring this farce to an end, don't you think?"
"Oh yes indeed!" Hiashi said.
The Elders shrank back as the brothers advanced, "Now think this through Hiashi! You can't run the clan without the council's assistance! You need us!" Higyou said, desperately trying to save his own fat hide. "The clan will fall into damnation due to your decision!" Hiashi lashed out and struck Higyou across the face.
"Don't you dare talk to me about such things! Your greedy actions alone have already shamed us enough! I'll pick a new council in time. But until then, my brother and I can handle things. I wouldn't trust anyone else to help me." Hiashi barked, "Hizashi…it's time!"
Hizashi made a signal and soon several Hyuugas, both Main and Branch grabbed the elders. "You damn ingrates!" Another elder screeched, "Unhand me if you value your lives!" The elders were forced onto their knees. "You'll regret this, Hiashi! You and your whore of a wife and your little bitch of a daughter!" Higyou cursed.
After both Hiashi and Hizashi's Byakugans went active at the same time. He immediately regretted his words. "Oh, is that a fact? Good job…Elder. You've just sealed the fate of the entire council. And I mean that quite literally!" Hiashi started snapping into a familiar set of seals that every Hyuuga in the building recognized. For all the members of the Branch House, it was poetic justice at its finest.
The elders were petrified with fear, a few even pissed themselves, "No…Kami no, Hiashi! Please no!" Higyou begged, but Hiashi would not be deterred. He reached the final ram sign and his fingers started glowing. Faster than anyone could see, Hiashi jammed his fingers into the forehead of each of the Elders, and the sign of the Caged Bird Curse Seal was burned onto their foreheads. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?" Higyou wailed in agony, "My complexion is ruined!"
"This seal is the embodiment of an era that is long over. After today, all knowledge of the Caged Bird Seal will be destroyed." Hiashi intoned soberly, "But not before it performs one last duty to the clan. As punishment for attempted treason, you will all die by your own damned seal!" The twin brothers brought their hand up in a half ram sign, "May you rot forever in the special corner of hell reserved just for you!"
The screams rang out through the entire village, and for years to come, people would talk of the agony in the skies over Konoha. Higyou and the Hyuuga Elders were now on the opposite side of the cage, feeling every minute, every second of the searing pain they inflicted on their own clansmen. The two kept pumping more chakra into the seals, and soon blood started seeping out of their ears, noses, and mouths. With a sickening pop, their eyes burst and blood gushed out. All nine of the former elders collapsed to the ground.
Hiashi looked on impassively, "Remove these bodies from our home, and get someone to clean up this blood!" Hiashi turned on his heel and went back inside, Hizashi right behind him. The two went to the Hyuuga's private library, and removed a large scroll from the shelf. Not needing words, the two went out to the inner garden, in a clear spot. "Care to do the honors, Hizashi?"
"I'd love to!" Hizashi made the signs for Grand Fireball and torched the scroll. The two watched the paper blacken into ash and blow away on the wind, "You sure that's the only written record of it? No one else can reproduce the seal?"
Hiashi nodded "Yes, we never released the information to the public for obvious reasons. The only other place the knowledge to create it existed was within the minds of the former elders. The Caged Bird Seal will die with our generation, and so much for the better. I don't want any of our grandchildren or future generations to even know about it!"
"Agreed." Hizashi said, watching the last of the ashes waft away in the morning sun. "So what happens now, brother? The Elders are dead. The kidnappers have been dealt with, but what about their superiors? Certainly word will get back to Kumo about this and they'll want restitution."
Hiashi looked to the sky, "We will leave that to Minato and his people. If I know him, he will not let them have the last laugh. And if they push it," He let out a rather undignified snort, "Well there's a reason Iwa issued a flee on sight order for the one known as the Yellow Flash. Kumo will just have to learn the hard way in that regard."
Hizashi nodded in agreement. "Then pray they have a quick death, brother. Our leader isn't known for his mercy when his friends are slighted."
"Daddy?" A small voice said. The brothers turned to see Neji nervously poke his head out. "What's going on Daddy? Everyone's acting really weird and it woke me up." Hiashi strode towards his nephew, kneeling so they were on the same level. Neji flinched some when Hiashi's hand came up, resting on the top of his head.
"Neji, my precious nephew, today I name you as my heir as head of the Hyuuga clan. My most precious knowledge will be yours, but promise me one thing, Neji. That you'll always stand by your cousins…just as your father stood by me today." He looked towards Hizashi. "Hinata and Hanabi will look to you for guidance. Can I count on you?" He nodded happily.