Chapter Seven: The Seigin Strike

Tanomei POV~

We walked back to the training grounds in silence, and once we arrived Kurotsichi was wearing a mangled expression, which consisted of fear, anger, misery and confusion.

"Sensei. Here he is, are you ready to take him home?"

Kurotsichi looked up at me, looking like a very unhappy, wet puppy.

"Yes, Tanomei. I- I'll call you l-later," he replied and placed a hand on Marakuno's shoulder, guiding him from the grounds. They said their brief goodbyes and strode from the site; I watched them until they were completely out of my vision.

"Tanomei…? Is it- is it true?" Ten-Ten's voice was unnecessarily shaky.

"Yes. The Seigin have found me. They will attack, but they are no threat," I stated in a cold, flat tone.

"I will stay with Neji-sama for the next few days. Knowing those fools I'll be their target," my voice suddenly boiled with malicious humour, "Of course, they'll want to avenge their precious witch. Every single one of those imbeciles will willingly give their lives in her name. Oh, how noble they'll feel when I rip their still bleeding hearts from their chests and hold them in front of their faces as they die."

Then something unexpected happened- I laughed, laughed until I cried.

Neji-sama stood unphased in front of me giving me the same look a mother would give a child saying, 'Now, now, dear. That wasn't a very nice thing to say.' Ten-Ten stood rigid, with a look of sheer horror distorting her face.

When I had finally pulled myself back together, Neji-sama put a hand on my back saying calmly, "Tanomei-chan, come love. Let's take you home, get you a nice, hot shower, okay? Come now."

With that he took my hand and lead me away from the grounds. Halfway to the Hyuuga manor, I burst into tears and fell to me knees. I had completely lost control; Neji-sama knelt beside me and took my hand, "Tanomei-chan? What is it love? What is it?"

It seemed that my mind had collapsed in on itself; I had no control, no sense, "Mattakisei, my poor, poor Mattakisei-kun… No…" I moaned.

"What are you talking about? She's okay Tanomei, she's fine," Neji cooed, cradling me in his arms.

"No, no she's not…" I cried, "I left her without a mother… She was lonely, she was and I didn't even try to save her…"

"It isn't your fault… You saved Marakuno; none of you had a mother… It isn't your fault, she grew well, she's okay…" Neji rocked me, stroking my hair.

I turned my face to him, livid in dismay, "That's because I killed her!" I sobbed, "I killed her and I was never sorry!"

I slowed my breathing and gathered myself to a cold, emotionless state. This was no time for madness. Rationality is key. As soon as we came into his home, Neji-sama suddenly did something unexpected, he grabbed my shoulders and spoke in a loud, demanding tone, "Tanomei, I will not stand for this! You are clearly in danger, you are hurting and I cannot help you… I cannot handle that. Tell me what is going on, the full story, from beginning to end. Now."

I strode over to the bed and sat down, "Alright. However, it would be simpler to understand if I showed you," I began to untie my waist sash and pull down my shirt. Neji-sama's eyes went wide.

I looked at him, with one eyebrow raise and turned around, pulling my shirt down to reveal the symbol on my neck "Haite," Neji read it, "You tattooed your surname…on your neck…?"

"No, it's a birth mark. My real name is Tanomei Uyuudei Seigin, daughter of Lady Uyuudei and Shahumaru Seigin, leaders and shamans of the Seigin clan," I paused for a moment, cleared my throat and continued, "Tanomei Haite is an alias, for when I ran away. You see, I was born with a...gift, as many people call it. An ability that looks a little like this," I switched on my ability, my eyes turning a bright crimson colour, my pupils dilating to the point where they are invisible, "That's amazing."

Neji-sama's eyes widened, "You… read my mind, so simply? I knew you could, but I had no idea you controlled it so well."

"For the most part, yes. But it took many years of training and focus to control it as much as I can," I promptly close my eyes to switch off my ability, "It's as much a curse as a 'gift'. Being in large crowds of people...can cripple me. I was also born with this mark. Marakuno… he has a gift, similar to mine, but no mark. His gift is very interesting...at his age, he can almost perfectly control it, he can sense the emotions of other, however he cannot..."

"Cannot what?"

I paused, shuddering at the word, deeply annoyed by the lack of a better one to use in its place, "Possess people."

Neji-sama went silent for a few moments then continued in a slightly shaking voice, "You can...do that...?"

"I've done it once. It lasted for a few seconds, and it took so much out of me I fainted shortly afterwards," I sighed, looking down. Then I felt Neji-sama's warm lips on my neck, "I'm not afraid of you, Tanomei-chan… please, continue with your story."

I smiled ever so slightly and whispered, "I'm the one who can read minds, yet you always know just what I'm thinking… thank you," I took a deep breath and continued, "With such a strange gift and appearance, being borne to a… holy, people, rumours began to grow. When I was a child, the rest of the clan could not even be around me, for when they were, they felt a burning in their skulls... they kept me in a room and the elders told everyone I was spawn of a demon. When I was six years old, my darling siblings were borne…nothing made me happier…" a tear slid down my cheek, however I continued, "I thought things might be better with them around. I was no longer alone, especially now that there was someone else like me... Two years passed, however I begin to hear things...hear the thoughts and feel the malicious intent of those around us, especially Uyuudei. She wanted us dead. So one night I decided to save him, I took Marakuno and packed him on my back, we made our escape. However, as vile as she was, Lady Uyuudei was not stupid; she caught us and sent our clan's shinobi after us… they chased us through the forest with every intention of killing us both... I had no choice. There were almost a dozen shinobi after us, striking any of them would do no good…no… I had to cut them off at the root, stop the heart. I took out my bow and arrow...and shot her. Shot her right in the heart from a hundred meters, and when the blood splattered from her chest, when she shrieked her final, vile shriek..." I clenched my fists, shaking.

"Tanomei-chan…" Neji-sama wrapped his arm around me and I could hold it in no longer, I howled with laughter, "I was free! Finally free from the witch! For the first time in my wretched life I felt a pure joy! My brother and I were safe…free from the beast..." I smiled, "then we found her... I had run for miles, when I finally collapsed on her doorstep. Rudei Teshugigei…the purest person in the world. She welcomed us to her home with open arms, Marakuno being barely more than an infant and I a small child. She raised us, trained us and was patient...until she fell ill. Four years after she took us in, she died. I had already become a genin and was making a small wage but not enough to find housing, but she left us some money… I found the apartment for Marakuno and I and we've lived pretty happily ever since. But…I knew this day would come. Mattakisei...my beautiful little onne-chan…she will avenge her mother. I'm sure the fools of the Seigin have brainwashed her into naming me as the enemy. She will try to kill me, and she will, ultimately, fail. I love her dearly, but I have to stay alive for Marakuno, nothing will get in the way of that."

Neji-sama was silent for a few moments, and then stood, "I suppose we have a battle on our hands then."

"Neji-sama…this is my battle-"

Neji stopped me and stared into my eyes with his own piercing pair, "Zutto zutto soba ni imasu. I will always, always be by your side. In love and battle, life and death."

I stared up at him, knowing I could not win. I nodded and suddenly my phone rang, "Hello?"

"All right Tanomei, you have about thirty seconds to explain yourself," Kurotsichi spoke sternly. I put him on speaker. "I saw her in the forest, Mattakisei. She wants vengeance, and she will have the Seigin shinobi at her disposal."

Kurotsichi was in business mode, "Right. I'll have someone look into that and get back to you as soon as I can."

"Is-"

"He's fine, Tanomei-chan. I will take care of him. Are you with Neji?"

Neji-sama spoke, "Yes, she is with me Teshugigei-sensei. I will protect her with my life."

"You'd better, if she's harmed I will personally- wait. This is Tanomei-chan we're talking about," Kurotsichi laughed, "I have nothing to worry about, but still. I'm trusting you with her."

Neji-sama spoke again, "Yes, sensei."

Kurotsichi spoke again, "While Marakuno is at school tomorrow, I want you to come meet me at the grounds, we need to discuss this in person, and I swear to you I will have information for you then. Until then, Tanomei-chan."

"Until then, sensei."

*******the next day********

Neji POV~

I stretched my arms and yawned, then looked down to see my precious Tanomei-chan sleeping peacefully next to me. I smiled as I looked at her soft, innocent face, for a moment forgetting that she had the capability of being a killing machine. I gently brushed her hair out of her face, trying not to wake her. It's strange, knowing everything she is, and what she's done… I love her, and I know she has a good soul. Those fools may think she is a demon, but I know she is pure. Behind her anger and violent capabilities, there is love, purpose and sorrow. She stirred and her eyes fluttered open, "Nn... Neji-sama?"

I gently kissed her forehead, "Yes, Tanomei-chan…"

She stared up at me with her brilliant eyes, so innocent they were, masking her pain; but when she smiled so slightly like she was now, that was perfection. "Neji-sama, what time is it…?"

"About eight, when did you say you wanted to meet Kurotsichi…?" I watched as she slipped out of bed, wearing my shirt, and stumbled about the room looking for her bag, "By the closet, love."

She rubbed her eyes and looked at me, "Thank you… Nine," she took her clothing out of the bag and went into the bathroom to get dressed. While she did so, I called Kurotsichi on the phone, "Sensei? Where are you right now?"

"The training grounds, waiting on you guys. I have some VERY important information for you," he answered.

"Alright, we're on our way," I hung up the phone and quickly dressed. Tanomei-chan came out of the restroom, dressed and awake. We left for the training grounds immediately. Upon our arrival we found Kurotsichi waiting for us with Ten-Ten and Hanoku at his side.

"What are they doing here, Kurotsichi?" Tanomei-chan asked flatly.

"We're here to fight by your side, Nomee-chan" Ten-Ten stated, "We're your friends. Genshi wanted to be here, but he's watching over the school."

Tanome-chan nodded in approval, then turned to Kurotsichi, "Tell me everything you know."

We all sat down and discussed the situation in great deal, "So, Mattakisei has about four dozen shinobi under her belt, over half of which are at chunin or jonin level."

Hanoku looked at him wide-eyed, "Dear God, how are we supposed to fight that?"

"With these," Tanomei quickly retrieved her quiver from her back.

"We can't kill them all, Tanomei! That's over fifty men!" Hanoku shouted.

Tanomei-chan raised one eyebrow, "Watch me." I placed my hand on her shoulder.

Kurotsichi looked at Tanomei-chan seriously, "Even you can't wipe out that many men. We'll all help you. My fear is though; it won't be a normal fight. They'll be attacking you at every chance they get. Even now, there is a chance we're being watched, and listened to…"

"That's why I'm here," I activated my byakugan, "Nothing can get to her before I see it, and I'm not leaving her side."

After a minute or so of silence, we arranged a system of who would take turns scouting out different places: Kurotsichi's house, the school, and my own home, these positions would be rotated between Ten-Ten, Hanoku and Genshi. Kurostichi took the full time job of being Marakuno's personal guardian, as I was Tanomei-chan's.

The Seigin Clan will never lay a finger on Tanomei-chan, not on my watch.

Narrated POV~

Not one of our group could sleep. Ten-Ten was perched on a roof across the street from Neji's house, watching it intently as Neji lay awake next to Tanomei. Hanoku was hidden in the trees above Kurotsichi's house and as it was well past midnight, Genshi roamed the streets, looking for any signs of intruders. Tanomei turned to Neji and whispered softly, "Please, love, get some sleep... Ten-Ten is watching the house."

He touched her face, looking at her with determined eyes, "I can't. I will protect you."

Tanomei sighed and resorted to his reason, "But I need you to sleep now so you can watch over me during the day."

"That's right… Okay. You're right, I'm just...worried," Neji kissed her forehead, "Goodnight, Tanomei-chan." She smiled slightly, "Goodnight Neji-sama."

Meanwhile, Genshi strolled down a side street, thinking to himself. 'Four dozen shinobi…? I wonder how strong they are… huh?' his thought interrupted, Genshi's attention was caught by movement down the street and to his right. He walked slowly down the street and glanced over to see a young man, dressed in red and white robes and a headband with a symbol, however it was too dark and far away to see. The man was gone as quickly as he had shown up; Genshi placed a phone call to Kurotsichi. "Sensei, I just spotted a man dressed in strange clothing, he looked very suspicious."

"Are you near either of the safe houses, Genshi?"

"No, I'm several blocks away."

"Good, follow him, call me back if you find out anything," he hung up the phone, as did Genshi and he went off in search of the mysterious man.

********2 hours later********

Genshi~

I've been tracking this guy for hours...no luck. Damn. I kicked a rock out of frustration.

"Ow! Damn!"

I ducked behind a building and peeked out to see I had actually hit the guy in the back with my rock! I lagged for a few seconds then followed him from a distance, after a few minutes he took out a cell phone and made a call, I listened to his side of the conversation.

"No luck. - I'm sorry Lady Mattakisei… - Yes, I know, unacceptable. But, I've searched the entire west side and- - Yes, my lady. - Yes. - Okay."

Damn, he's headed for the east side, I'd better reach a safe place and call sensei. I found a safe roof a few blocks back and called sensei, "He's definitely one of her men, and he's headed for the east side of the village."

"Damn it. Okay. Well, its safer to stay put, you go join Ten-Ten and call me back if you find out anything more, it was just one guy, right?" he asked.

"Yes, one guy. He called Mattakisei herself," I answered.

"Mattakisei? She's running the whole operation? She's an eight-year-old girl!" Kurotsichi exclaimed.

"Eight? Then what are we so worried about?" I laughed.

"Don't underestimate her... She's Tanomei's sister after all. However… it is an advantage. She's fueled by anger, she's not sure to make good strategic moves, and if she's controlling all these shinobi, she won't try to fight herself… and that's a good thing indeed," Kurotsichi explained.

"Is she that powerful?" I was shocked.

"Probably not," he answered, and I was confused, however he continued, "Tanomei may be ruthless, but she can't even harm her sister." Sensei hung up the phone and I ran off to find Ten-Ten.

***back at the Seigin compound***

Narrated~

"WHAT?" Mattakisei shrieked with fury.

"M-My Lady... I'm sorry... Kuden and I have both been searching, but we just haven't been able to find her yet..." Yutsu tried his best to explain himself, shaking with his head bowed, on one knee, "M-May I suggest sending more men...?"

Mattakisei looked at him with eyes aflame, "My father is DEAD! My mother is DEAD! I am the leader of this clan now and I want the demon Tanomei dead as well! MAKE IT HAPPEN!"

"Y-Yes my lady..." Yutsu promptly stood and left the room, thinking to himself, 'what kind of a jonin are you, Yutsu? Afraid of a little girl?' this thought was interrupted by his phone ringing, upon looking down at the screen he saw it was Kuden. "Give me good news Kuden, please."

"Well… I found her home," he replied shakily.

"That's good! Should I send in more shinobi? What's the addre-"

"She's not there," Kuden interrupted. "So she's hiding out somewhere else? Where?"

"Well, I don't know."

"Kuden, tell me you're not calling me just to tell me you haven't found her. If you're doing that, Mattakisei will kill us both. Please."

"Well, I actually found a card in her mailbox, it's from a Hyuuga Neji."

"Hyuuga... I know that name, but where from?" Yutsu racked his brains searching for memory of that name.

"'My dearest Tanomei-chan, I can't wait for our date tonight, I love you so much. Love, Neji"," Kuden read the card, "But, it was sent a couple days ago."

Yutsu thought for a minute then said, "Well, if they're lovers... She could be at his house! Is there a return address on the envelope?" Kuden read off the address and hung up the phone. Yutsu thought 'maybe there is hope...'

*****shortly afterward*****

Ten-Ten burst into Neji's room, "Tanomei, Neji, get out of here NOW!"

Neji and Tanomei both jumped immediately out of bed, "What's going on?" Neji shouted.

Ten-Ten ushered them towards the back door, "There are five Seigin shinobi outside, but Genshi and I are holding them off, go!"

Tanomei stopped short and laughed, "Oh no. I'm not going anywhere." With a smirk she grabbed a kunai rushed out the door, still wearing Neji's shirt.

"STOP!" Ten-Ten and Neji shouted after her, she stood outside the door, straight in front of the shinobi.

"Ya-Yajuu-onna!" the shinobi stood in shock and fear, staring at Tanomei who laughed and said, "You can call me Tanomei. After all, we're family."

"We'll kill you!" one shinobi piped up.

Tanomei smirked, "Is that so? Then come and get me. I'm right here." The shinobi lunged at her with a kunai, who turned and delivered a swift kick to the face and cut his throat with her ankle dagger. The others stared in shock then came at her as well, Neji and Ten-Ten tried to jump in, "This is MY fight!" Tanomei shouted and they retreated, "Alright boys." She smirked and picked up one man by his neck, crushed his throat and threw him into another man. A shinobi tried to sneak behind her to stab her with his kunai however she leaned forward, stood on her hands and cut across his stomach so much that his top half fell backwards and was nearly in half. Tanomei picked up one of the remaining two shinobi and kneed him in the stomach so much that he flew up into the air and he came down onto her kunai. After pulling her kunai out of his forehead she took the remaining shinobi by the collar and brought him close to her face. He was shaking with uncontrollable fear, "Oh don't void your bowels, I won't kill you, yet."

His eyes widened as he stared into her blood-red eyes, she smiled and said, "Listen mushi*, I want you to deliver a little message to my sister, okay?" He nodded, still trembling. "Good boy. Now, tell her that sister loves her very much and if she wants a fight, she's got it. Now, don't forget to say I love her, well, here, you won't forget."

Tanomei picked up her kunai and carved "love" and "Haite" into the shinobis forehead. Ignoring his screams, she picked him up, "Now, run along." The shinobi ran as fast as his legs could carry him.

This took place over the course of seven minutes.