Akimichi Choji
Ch.7: The Race to Wake
"We should move soon, the blood lover knows." The clocked Kunoichi glanced over at the darkened Shitenshi. How long would she have to deal with this insufferable man? He was hardly a useful tool but one needed none the less.
"We move when we are told, and not a moment before nor more." She said bitterly as she turned to leave. She stopped next to him contemplating if she should be civil with her next words; he was after all far weaker than she.
"I warn you Noigaz, disobey the orders even once…and you forfeit your life." The Shitenshi remained neutral as the 'contact' left his office. He had only agreed to put up with the annoying female till the last of Chishiogakure had been wiped clean, Knowing they were the only people who could locate Seikatsugakure. Unfortunately the only one who had been bestowed with the village's location had also been the only one to escape the massacre. 500 years was a long time to wait to possess the powers for eternal life…and ultimate soulless death. He would wait 500 years more if he had to. The door to his office opened as a Shinobi entered.
"Sir the armies are ready to move on Hifushigakure." The Shitenshi smiled darkly, he had received no orders in regard to those blasted Skin users.
"Prepare to advance, once we wipe out the village hidden in skin, all that is left is to wipe out the Life givers…Seikatsugakure."
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Ino sat looking down at her unconscious love as Choji finished speaking. Several thoughts raced through her mind, she knew Eienai was indirectly the cause of Sasuke's state but she also felt for Choji because she knew what it was like to have a loved one in jeopardy.
"The only way to overturn a decree made by the Hokage is to have a Clan Vesto." Ino whispered not once looking away from Sasuke. Choji scratched the back of his neck thoughtfully.
"Clan Vesto?" Choji blinked as he repeated the phrase.
"God you're such an Idiot! Didn't you ever pay attention in the academy?" Ino snapped before letting out a sigh. Choji flinched but just deadpanned having become used to Ino's abuse. To answer her question no he hadn't, he'd been too busy getting in trouble with Naruto, Shika and Kiba. It was a miracle he'd passed at all.
"It's where the entire village Clans must agree on a decision that directly conflicts with the Hokage's order. It's hardly ever successful though since they can never truly agree on one thing. The last time one was enacted was centuries ago." Ino said as she got a cloth and wetted it before placing it on Sasuke's forehead.
"So if the clans agreed—"
"The Hokage would have no choice but to do as the Clans decided."
"Then Eienai would be part of the village and they would have no choice but to go to summit!" Choji smiled in hope at what he had learned but the smile quickly faded as he saw Ino's sad face staring at him.
"But that's only if all the Clans agree and that's nearly impossible…besides Choji do you realize even if you unite everyone on this choice and the summit disagrees, Konoha will stand alone, and we may not survive?" Choji looked away from her knowing she spoke the truth. Once again it came down to him choosing which to protect, the outsider he hardly knew or the place he and everyone he loved that so many had given their lifes for. Choji chuckled lightly, oh if Asuma-sensei saw him now he'd be so ashamed.
"I'd have to tell Naruto if you called for a Clan Vesto Choji…for the good of the village." Choji stood facing away from Ino as he spoke.
"When everyone turned on Sasuke and condemned him….What did Naruto do? He went after him. Naruto chose both his friend and his village. Tell me Ino does Sasuke realize what you chose at the time?" Ino's eyes widened at Choji's words as he glanced over at her from his shoulder. She looked away guiltily as a lone tear fell from her exposed eye.
"I was…madly in love with you ya know?" Ino looked up at Choji with the guilt only getting heavier at his words; he looked away with bitter irony.
"But then again you knew that…you always have…and yet…" Choji couldn't bring himself to finish his statement; the pain was really getting to him.
"Eienai helped me forget you…I could finally focus on something else…you won't tell Naruto…you owe me that much." Choji said with a hardened glare as he left the ward. Ino watched him go feeling the hurt cut into her like razor blades. She had known about his feelings the whole time, from their days at the academy to now. She had known about the flowers and the date offers that always came out in a stutter before being cut off and forgotten completely, truth be told she had entertained the thought once but it never truly felt right. Then Sasuke had come home. All thoughts of the calorie ninja had left her in light of the rogue nin's return. As Ino lost herself in her wonderings Sasuke stirred slightly, a single twitch of his hand.
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Choza stood looking out his window onto the garden as his son stood behind him waiting for his reply. He had never dreamt in a million years Choji would go so far as to think of a Clan Vesto, to literally disobey…no…betray their Hokage, his friend. Did he even know the consequences if his little meeting were to fail? Banishment was the best he would get off with…
"Do you love her that much?" He whispered with a heavy heart and harsh tone. Choji looked up at his father's question. Did he love her? He was so confused he felt sick. Choza frowned as Choji let out a thoughtful noise from deep in his throat as he always did when faced with something complicated.
"I don't know honestly…but I'd do anything to help her…." Choza turned and looked at his son sadly. What was it about her that had Choji bordering on obsessive? Worry throbbed in Choza as he took in his son's messy hair, pale and sickly skin, his swirls on his cheeks were pale and transparent, and his clothing was rumpled. A long silence stretched out between them, Choza sighed, since when had it become so hard to talk to his own son…
"And if she doesn't love you? You have seen the way she is, she can't express emotion nor does she understand it, for all we know she'd leave you and anyone else to their fate were they in this situation." Choji felt numb at his father's words…he knew he spoke the truth but yet he couldn't bring himself to accept it.
"You want me to give up?" Choji said with such a tone you would have missed it if you didn't pay attention. Choza watched as his child bordered on tears.
"I want you to think Choji!" Choza snapped. Dear god if you were so resolute in a decision don't you dare cry over it! He was an Akimichi!
"Would you do the same for mom?" Choza flinched taken aback by the sudden question. There was a world of difference between Eienai and his wife.
"I'd die for her, throw away the world…but I wouldn't betray everyone who loved me if she herself didn't care for me." Choji looked away from his father as a single butterfly fluttered in the window and landed on his shoulder. What could he do?
"I think you should talk to Naruto again….this time as a friend." Choza whispered as he turned to look out the window officially dismissing his son. Sadly Choji took the butterfly and stood next to his father as he released it out the window. They stood in silence with a wall between them that had never been there before, and it killed both of them. Nodding Choji turned and walked out of the room without a single glance behind him, while Choza ignored the tears that ran down his face.
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Naruto sat at his desk with his head in his hands thinking over recent events as Hinata stood next to him with a comforting palm on his shoulder. Images of Hinata as Eienai kept plaguing him as Choji's words rang in his mind. How would he feel…like a dead person, completely numb to life and the world. He'd be doing all he could to save her, just like Sasuke…Reading Shikamaru's report only sent more worry to him, who were these ninja and what were they after, there had to be more to Eienai. A knocking of the door made Naruto jump as it shook him from his thoughts. Who could be knocking at this time?
"Come in!" Naruto called out in an annoyed tone as he frowned. His face instantly became shocked as Choji walked in. Hinata kissed him on the brow as she excused herself from the room. The shutting of the door echoed loudly as the two were left alone with each other. Naruto stared at Choji as though he was seeing a ghost, while Choji couldn't bring himself to make eye contact.
"N-naruto…I…" He couldn't bring himself to speak first, he was still mad but guilt ridden. Naruto smiled sadly with wide comforting eyes. Maybe Choji really was losing it.
"I'm sorry to Choji…" They shared smile before Naruto jumped up and went over to his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder. If it meant that much to his friend he'd do his best to help him. After all if he or anyone else were in Choji's position they'd do the same thing.
"I was wrong to just go off like that without trying for you Choji. I'll think of something, there has to be something we can do." Before Choji could speak a ninja ran in panting. They shared a look as the young medic gained his breath.
"Hokage-sama! Sasuke is awake!"
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Naruto and Choji raced to the hospital jumping rooftops and racing past civilians to the hospital. Naruto was worried, He had a shiver going down his spine and Kurama had been unusually silent these past few days, but at the mention of Sasuke the kyuubi had roared so loudly it had nearly deafened Naruto. As they landed on the roof of the hospital Naruto slid and jumped to the entrance without waiting and rushed to Sasuke's room. He found Ino at the dark nin's bedside holding his hand, and became stock still as Sasuke laid eyes on him in one look Naruto knew something was wrong and it only strengthened when Choji entered and Sasuke narrowed his eyes.
"Choji, wait outside please." Naruto whispered. Choji hesitated before nodding and shutting the door to go sit in the hall. Naruto looked at Sasuke with seriousness.
"Sasuke?" He asked in question as his friend looked at him with a dark look.
"Eienai." Sasuke said simply.
"What about her?" Naruto questioned not liking where this was going. Sasuke looked up with a deadly expression before he spoke, and when he did it rocked Naruto's world.
"I saw her…with the Death ninja." Naruto's eyes widened just as the wall of the hospital room blew.
