Dying Embers
Chapter 3 – Greetings Konoha!
Note - This chapter has been proof read and improved
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Kamitzuki Izumo yawned deeply and rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands, as little stars burst into his vision. Opening his eyes again he glanced at Hagane Kotetsu, his closest friend, whose head was laying on the desk in front of them his dark hair covering most of his face, and a small trail of drool winding down his chin from the corner of his mouth. Lazy slacker…but…
Well he couldn't really blame him, thought Izumo dully as his brain struggled to keep his eyes from sliding shut completely, a battle that may be a lost cause already. Guard duty had to be the most boring job they had to do ever since the 5th Hokage had been decided. Izumo didn't dislike her, no not at all. He liked her as a person, and thought her an energetic woman despite her age, and often firmly believed she truly was the 25 year old she appeared to be. However despite her good points, he couldn't deny he absolutely hated her as his boss. Actually loathe may have been a better word.
Ever since the day she had become Hokage, she seemed to deem both Kotetsu and himself her personal moving company, rather than her personal assistants. They did everything for her: files and towering piles of documents, boxes of important supplies and her bottles of sake were the easy things. Yet furniture and large heavy objects were an all too common occurrence for his liking. Just remembering the last time the Godaime had decided to rearrange her office was enough to bring tears to his eyes, in fact it did, blurring his vision greatly. If only it happened once a year, not every other week, then maybe he could take it, without breaking down… sometimes he believed that Tsunade did it all for the reason of making Kotetsu and himself suffer….but that would be being paranoid on his part, wouldn't it?
Izumo sighed and rested his chin on his hand. What he wouldn't give for an interruption from someone, anyone, just about now. Even Gai san attempting to convince him to wear one of his green leotard suit things would have been greatly welcomed, or maybe Naruto bouncing around in one of his usual hyper moods; he had to admit the blond haired kid was starting to grow on him, in fact most of the shinobi around were beginning to recognise him as more than just the kyubi container these days. It was those lazy civilians that still treated him liked trash though... A sudden snort from Kotetsu, obviously in a deep, deep, sleep, was enough to awaken him from his thoughts. Ready to give him a good old hair ruffling, he instead nudged him sharply in the ribs as something of interest caught his eye.
Kotetsu awoke with a groan and glared accusingly at Izumo, before noticing anything was happening. Following his field of vision he spotted what had Izumo oblivious to all around him.
Two girls were entering the village gates looking nervously, or so it seemed, around at the large structure. They seemed to be of about 15 or 16 years of age, and were definitely not from around the village, years of guard duty could tell you that, it made every face in the village familiar to you, and those foreign were made even more so due to this.
The slightly taller and older girl, of about 16 years, had blond messy pigtails on either side of her head, tied up with matching rose coloured ribbons. She had a messy fringe and bangs on either side of her face, and bright sky blue eyes. She was wearing a short dark green skirt and a short pale green top with a black lining at the top and black sleeves. She also had a dark green school girl sailor overthrow around her shoulder with a rose and pale green stripe travelling its circumference. Combined with a rose coloured tie around her neck, with a singular white stripe and a pair of ordinary dark green shoes, she looked anything but a ninja. If she hadn't had some of the basic ninja equipment on her, Izumo would have mistaken her for, granted a brightly dressed, civilian, but a civilian nonetheless. He blushed slightly as he caught her gaze and she gave him a stunningly sweet smile and waved a fingerless gloved hand at him.
The second girl was obviously a ninja; it was easy to tell simply by glancing at her. Not dressed as brightly or extravagantly as her smiling friend, she still could be considered a little unorthodox. Her dark green hair was tie up in a ponytail, which stuck up and framed her head like a crown. She had bright green eyes surrounded by her messy fringe and bangs on either side of her face. She wore a deep red coloured jacket which had black lining it at the hems and sleeves and a snowy white on the inside of her lowered hood, it looked both snug and warm, yet light and cool at the same time, if that's even possible thought Kotetsu rubbing his sleep deprived eyes (yeah, right) in confusion. She also wore a pair of ¾ length trousers, finishing a little bit above the ankle and again has the basic ninja equipment on her. As her friend walked cheerfully up to Izumo and Kotetsu's desk, she followed quietly behind unsmiling, a hint of a glare taunting her pretty features.
"Hey there!" called the blond rushing forward with an outstretched arm, offering her hand to both men. "I'm Kamio Mitzuki, and this here's my good friend Tanaka Momoko, best friend actually, pleased to meet you both!" she said cheerfully shaking both their hands and gesturing to the green haired girl. "Momoko chan, say hi to um… can I ask your names?"
Izumo managed to smile slightly, he was rather surprised, most visitors weren't this friendly, and even if they were, they rarely asked his name. Usually it was something along the lines of "I'm so and so, take me to so and so. What are you waiting for? I said NOW!" Yeah... most were downright rude.
"I'm Kamitsuki Izumo, nice to meet you too."
"Yo, Hagane Kotetsu," added Kotetsu raising his hand in greeting.
Mitzuki smiled again and gave a little bow of respect, and then nudged the green haired girl,
"Momoko chan, say hi."
Momoko rolled her eyes, looking bored,
"Curse you and your cheerful attitude," she muttered before saying, in a sarcastically happy voice, "Why, konnichiwa! I'm Momoko, ever so glad to meet you both!" in a mock imitation of her friend.
"Baka!" shouted Mitzuki hitting her on the head… hard.
"Owwie!" cried Momoko grabbing her head as tears streamed down her face as a natural response, she crouched on the floor massaging it. Ignoring her grumbles Mitzuki stood in front of her,
"Please, ignore her, she's um, young," she said, and her eyebrow twitched slightly as she heard Momoko mutter 'ageist' behind her, but she said nothing.
Kotetsu nodded and cleared his throat,
"So, what brings you two to Konoha?"
"Are you foreign ninja?" added Izumo, "if you are I'll have to register you for the duration of your stay in Konoha. We have to keep tabs on all foreign nin," he added in answer to Mitzuki's confused expression.
"But then again, if you are foreign ninja, then where are your forehead protectors?" asked Kotetsu, scrutinizing them as he noticed the missing items in question. "If you are missing nin, tell us which village you come from and we will have to return you. Deserters aren't treated too kindly."
"Well in answer to your first question: we have come to Konoha to speak to the Hokage, and our business shall be kept conducted with her. For your second, yes we are foreign ninja currently, so I suppose you should register us, for now. And for your third, we don't have our forehead protectors with us, but we aren't missing nin, so you have no need to return us to any village now or ever." It seemed as though Momoko had recovered, for she said all this clearly in her bored voice laced with a hint of agitation while she frowned slightly.
Kotetsu felt perplexed, what did she mean by foreign ninja 'currently?' Did that mean they wanted to join the village? Sure after Orochimaru's attack a few years ago, they were still in need of ninja, but the number of foreign ninja joining them was a small percentage indeed. Were they really planning on joining the village? Or was this some kind of plot devised by one of Konoha's many enemies? Orochimaru was rumored to still be alive afterall…
Kotetsu's doubts were forgotten as he realized Izumo had finished taking down their names and was already asking both girls to follow him to the Hokage's office. He stood and followed as Izumo led the way, still pondering, as they leapt over the various rooftops of the buildings. Finally as they came to the Grand building of the Hokage, with the fire symbol on its front, he had come to a conclusion: friend or foe, the Hokage, Tsunade samma, was bound to know, and if not, then maybe Shizune would. It wasn't something he would have to worry about, he was, after all merely a member of the Kotetsu Izumo moving company. No need to worry my pretty little head. Feeling more cheerful he followed the three through the doors to the building.
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Tsunade glanced over the paper she had propped up in two fake arms protruding from her green coat which was draped over her shoulders; her real hands held the bottle of sake and a cup under the desk and she huffed as she heard a knock at the door to her office.
She felt greatly annoyed; she had just managed to convince Shizune that she would continue doing her work without her, and that being constantly watched was making her paranoid and jumpy, and now this. Knowing her luck, she thought dully, it would be Shizune herself, come to check up on her, again…but… Attempting to stay silent as she realized Shizune would have entered already, Tsunade mentally staged a bet against her inner self that maybe the person, or perhaps persons, would go away. The knocking persisted. No such luck. She sighed and rolled her eyes at her misfortune, however this wouldn't stop her from gambling, no she would use this set back to improve herself. Another, more forceful, round of tapping. Finally she decided this couldn't be ignored and called to the door,
"Yeah, come on in then, if you must," as the door opened she added, "You do know I'm very busy, don't you? So make it quick."
"Forgive us Hokage samma," said Kotetsu, bowing slightly, "I know you don't like to be disturbed when you're working, however our visitors insisted that they talk to you."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, "so I guess this is important, then?"
Kotetsu nodded, "Hai, shall I bring them in?"
Tsunade sighed again, waving her arm, and closing her eyes, she didn't notice Kotetsu's surprised look – well you would be too if you thought your Hokage had suddenly grown an extra arm, apart from the two holding the paper in front of her. Must be a new technique he thought as he stuck his head round the door indicating to Izumo to bring the visitors in. Useful too, his mind whispered, as he thought of the amount of carrying he had to do.
Tsunade watched as two girls were bowed in by Izumo and Kotetsu, who closed the door behind them, with her signal, and waited beyond it.
The blond girl, who introduced herself as "Kamio Mitzuki, at your service!" with a polite bow and smile, nudged the second green haired girl standing quietly beside her. The green haired girl narrowed her eyes, but did the same, bowing; she introduced herself as "Tanaka Momoko, pleased to meet you."
Tsunade smiled at them,
"I'm the 5th Hokage of Konoha, please call me Tsunade. Now, I would like to know why you two are here. Is this really so important that I had to be interrupted from my work?"
Mitzuki nodded; as Momoko shook her head disbelievingly. She turned to Mitzuki,
"You, know, I never had any idea that the Hokage's job was to sit around all day drinking sake. Hey, now I do maybe I'll apply for the job myself, what do you think?"
Mitzuki's eyes widened in surprise, what was Momoko thinking she thought miserably while Tsunade's pale cheeks became slightly pink as a tinge of annoyance swept through her. This could be the cost between success and failure she thought desperately as Tsunade and Momoko engaged in a staring contest. She cleared her throat, succeeding in attracting Tsunade's attention back to herself, who scowled as she realised that Momoko had just won the staring contest for that reason – and she knew it too - Momoko kept smiling smugly as Mitzuki spoke.
"Hokage samma, forgive us, this seems to have gotten off to a bad start," said Mitzuki bowing her head, "if I may, I shall talk on behalf of Momoko chan as well," so she doesn't screw it up, Mitzuki added as an afterthought, grinding her teeth together unconsciously.
"Yes, I think that would be best," nodded Tsunade, her eye resting on Momoko for a brief second, before looking at Mitzuki with her full attention, a rare treat indeed.
"Tsunade samma, the reason we have come here…well put bluntly, we would like to request to join your village as active ninja."
Tsunade raised her eyebrows, but let the girl continue.
"We come from a village in the Fire Country, not well known, but well hidden, even you may not have heard of it. Our home village was known as the Hidden Ember Village, a small village in the depths of a forest. Well, a few years ago Hidden Ember was destroyed in a brutal attack from the snake charmer Orochimaru…" here Mitzuki shivered and paused, everyone present could tell that it was genuine; Tsunade's eyes were fixed on her, her gaze more intent than before.
"For a few years we simply wandered around, grateful to have survived the attack, and gathered information on Orochimaru. We found out that Konoha is were Orochimaru came from, and at first steered clear of it, fearing attack from it… however later we discovered that despite being the village of Orochimaru's origins, it was also his greatest enemy. From that point on we decided to come and beg you to allow us to join you. We know how great your ninjas are, and with your help we may one day be able to exact our revenge against him, of course doing whatever we can to assist you in return. Please, you're our only hope!" At this point both Mitzuki and Momoko bowed their heads in unison, eyes fixed on the floor, awaiting Tsunade's answer.
Tsunade looked at them considering. Many thoughts chased each other through her mind, and became a maze of colours; maybe I've had too much sake? She sat there in thought for what seemed like hours; she began to feel worried that their backs would be seriously damaged if she didn't answer soon.
Tsundae bit her lip.
Finally she came to a decision, and glanced up at the door,
"Izumo, Kotetsu, come on in, now!" she barked the last word.
Mitzuki looked up in surprise, gazing fearfully into Tsunade's eyes, was this it? Had they failed? Momoko turned to look at the opening door through which entered Izumo and Kotetsu. I guess the old drunk's kicking us out, she thought bitterly, and steeled herself for Mitzuki's exaggerated weeping afterwards.
Mitzuki looked into Tsunade's eyes, her bottom lip trembling, and her eyes becoming shiny with added moisture,
"Tsunade samma, what does this mean? Is this an n-?"
Tsunade smiled,
"Save your tears…"
Tsunade couldn't say she trusted them. No she sensed too many fibs for that…
"It's a yes."
Mitzuki's face brightened as though it was a board being wiped clean. Immediately a smile graced her face and she beamed at Tsunade. Momoko's mouth dropped open, and she simply stared at Tsunade in awe.
"Izumo, Kotetsu, I want you to show these ladies to that apartment building, you know the one I mean, where they live. Help them get settled down and then return to your jobs, they will take care of them."
Izumo and Kotetsu stared blankly at each other before nodding as a flicker of understanding sparked,
"Hai, Hokage samma!"
Motioning for the girls to follow, they left the room, Mitzuki still beaming at Tsunade and waving like a five year old, leaving Tsunade alone with her thoughts.
It was true…
Tsunade couldn't say she trusted them. No she sensed too many fibs for that… yet she sensed the truth in various sentences, and it made her wonder. True the Hidden Ember village had been destroyed years ago, but more than the girls suggested. Tsunade estimated they would have been a couple of years old at the time. However, she also sensed that what was said about Orochimaru may have some truth to it. How deep she didn't know. But she decided to give them a chance, following the example she was sure her teacher, the 3rd Hokage would have given.
They were worth watching…
She sighed slightly as her thoughts drifted back to her untouched sake. Before she could do that however she knew there was one last thing, now added to her agenda. Swivelling in her chair, she tapped twice on the window, and looked distinctly unimpressed as two small sparrows appeared on the ledge, twittering excitedly to each other before quietening and gazing up at her in cheeky sparrow fashion.
"Where are the eagles? Busy?"
One of the sparrows lowered its head respectfully. Tsunade sighed again, she preferred showing style, but they would have to do. Ripping two pieces of paper she copied the same words on each, folded, and addressed them to two individuals.
"Give these them, and make sure they do it, I know how lazy he can be, reading those books continuously, and how er, distracted the other can get…but this is important, understand? Impress the importance upon them if you must," she said sternly, tying the notes around the leg of each bird, while wondering how a sparrow could impress anything on anyone.
Both birds bowed their tiny coin sized heads low and took off through the window, small wings beating hard whilst playing with the wisps of clouds and leaves which blew past them. Sparrows are too childish, thought Tsunade, annoyed. That was why she preferred eagles, more dignity and they looked important too. Would anyone take her seriously with sparrows?
Sighing for a third time, she turned to her desk. Remembering the sake she reached out eargerly, the cup rising to her lips. Just as her tongue touched the sweet liquid, she heard a voice shout,
"Tsunade samma, stop that at once!"
It was so loud; Tsunade promptly spat all she had in her mouth over the various documents in front of her.
"Damn it!" she cried pulling her light blond hair nearly out of her scalp. She couldn't drink sake now! Not now that…
Shizune had returned…
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Chapter 3 by Kamio Mitzuki
A word from the author:
Well that was my second chapter, the third in this story. Again not great, but I haven't written a story for a long time. Look out for Momoko's next chapter, coming out soon.
Hugs and Huggles from,
Mitzuki