Hi every one, I'm Back from the dead as you can see. I'm really sorry it took me this long to update this story. In fact, I had almost forgotten it existed until i started getting review and followers again. There is really no excuse, though, life kind of sucked me back into reality for a while with graduating high school and getting a job, I really didn't have any time to write chapters. I actually lost the notebook i had the next few chapters written in. But, I wanted to get this chapter up before i left to go on vacation. This chapter might be a little different than the last eight because my writing has gotten better, a least i think so anyway. but to those who have been waiting a long time for it, I'm really sorry and i hope to get a few more chapters up if i have time, thanks so much for waiting and to those who reminded me to keep writing, thanks.
let me know if I'm doing ok with this story, I love critism and opinions.
Love, VampKnightlvr94
Chapter 9: Shinobi Intervention
The man looked wistfully at the picture on his nightstand. Four faces were visible in the plain wooden frame, one of them his own. The three of them had all been about twelve at the time, with their sensei in the background, and although only one eye was visible, it held the most amazing grin that was full of pride at his students, though he didn't show it very often back then.
"It's already been ten years," the blonde man sighed as he picked it up and sat down on his bed. His fingers traced the rose-colored locks of his now deceased team mate. Her smile was so innocent, so full of excitement for what the years would hold for her as she rose through the ranks. This photo was taken before all of the pain and betrayal had marred the once hopeful spirit of the young girl he once knew and turned her in to the fiercest and most loyal friend he could have ever had.
'It's been so long, yet it feels as though no time has passed at all, as if it has just happened and the wound still fresh.' He thought to himself as he set the frame back on to the table and ran his hand through the mop of gold on his head until his fingers met the metal headband that adorned his brow and began tracing the leaf symbol etched into it.
"Naruto, if you don't hurry, Tsunade-sama will start the meeting without us!" his wife called from downstairs.
"Hai, I'm coming," he replied and headed out the door and made his way to the Hokage Tower.
Earlier that morning….
A buxom blonde sat slumped at a large desk filled with mountains of paper work with her name on them. There were empty bottles of sake strewn across the floor and the entire room smelled of stale liquor.
She sighed and turned her chair around to face the window that spanned the entire length of the wall. She looked out across the village and saw the scars of battles past and the potential of the generations to come. These were a people who saw hell and still woke up each morning with a smile on their faces and persevered despite the constant danger of living in a shinobi village. She sat and stared out the window until she heard a knock at her door.
"Yes?" she called as her assistant and oldest friend opened the door and peaked through.
"Pardon me, Tsunade-sama, but there are two men who wish to speak with you. They say it is of great importance," Shizune said as she stepped inside and waited for a reply.
"Who are they? What do they want?" the Hokage asked, not at all pleased at the thought of being bothered today of all days.
"I'm sorry, I don't know," Shizune said regretfully," All they told me is that they are on behalf of their commander."
Tsunade thought for a moment. Her brow wrinkled in concentration as she wondered why any of the local lords would need shinobi assistance in civilian peace times.
"Alright, let them in, but be on your guard, they may be working for HIM," she said cautiously as she fingered a few of the shuriken that she kept hidden in her desk.
Shizune bowed and quickly left the room to fetch their "guests". A few moments later Shizune returned with two men. The first one to enter was a man who looked to be in his mid twenties to early thirties. He had long black hair that was pinned into some sort of clip that held it in place over his left eye, which, like his right, was colored a cold, gunmetal grey. He was wearing a black kimono and a white haori. he katana hung at his hip looked like it had seen many battles. The second man was just an inch or two shorted than the first and appeared to be in his early twenties. He had bright red hair that was styled in what could only be described as a pineapple top, not unlike Shikamaru's. He wore a white headband over what might be perceived as tribal tattoos. His red brown eyes seemed bored as he took in his surroundings, but Tsunade knew that that was only a front to cover the calculations and scenarios going on inside his mind. This man was also in a black kimono, but the only other adornment was a wooden badge with the kanji for the number six on his left sleeve. He too, wore a battle worn katana at his side. The Hokage could tell that these men were both well-seasoned warriors because neither of their hands left the sheaths of their swords, like they had to be ready to strike at any moment.
"What can I help you gentlemen with?" she asked them expectantly.
The one in the white haori stepped forward, "My name is Captain Byakuya Kuchiki, this is my second in command First Lieutenant Renji Abarai. We are Shinigami and we have come at the insistence of our commanding officer. " he started," our jobs are to help the souls of the departed pass on to the next world, but due to a new threat to all the worlds, not just the land of the dead, our missions have been deterred by the assault of a new threat that even some of our most seasoned warriors don't know how to handle."
"And how am I supposed to help you? How do you know my shinobi can take on this threat?" Tsunade asked, intrigued.
"We come from a place called the Soul Society, it is the place where people, mostly fighters and warriors go to live in peace, once they pass on, souls who were extremely strong willed and powerful sometimes choose to become Shinigami," he said, in a manner much ;like a teacher would talk to his student. "Naturally, we have a few shinobi from this world as well among our ranks."
"Yah, some of them are pretty pervy, too" Renji mumbled under his breath.
It was at that remark that Tsunade started to think. "Shizune,"
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
"Summon the Eleven along with Maito Gai and Hatake Kakashi."
"Hai," she said as she bowed and left the room, little piggy in tow, leaving the Hokage and the two new comers to their thoughts.
END FLASHBACK
Naruto burst through the door with h a loud, " I'M HERE GRANNY!"
Everyone in the room sweat dropped. Though most of them were used to the loudmouth's outbursts, they were still embarrassed that he show such a lack of discipline to the newcomers/prospective clients. The blonde stood up straight and looked around the room
'Geez, this must be a really important mission if Kakashi-sensei is here on time,' he thought to himself as he stood next to his wife.
Tsunade coughed to get everyone's attention again. She then nodded to the two Shinigami to explain their story once again. Once they brought the shinobi up to speed with their Hokage they allowed them to ask any questions.
"What kind of enemy are we dealing with here?" Neji asked wanting to get the initial facts before even considering to take this mission.
"Our ranks are similar to those you have here; we have thirteen squads with the most powerful fighter being the captain. To put it into simple terms, three of those captains went rogue and sided with our enemies, the Hallows, more specifically Arrancars, which are a more evolved hallow. Hallows are souls that have lingered too long in the world of the living, either refusing to, or don't know how to pass on. Up until recently, we have been able to keep them in check, but the stronger Arrancars called Espadas are now exhibiting new abilities we've never seen in hallows. In fact, according to our sources, they are using shinobi techniques."
The crowd in front of him froze; now any possible white noise that was going on in the room ceased and everyone's concentration was on the lieutenant.
"According to our source, there was one technique that stood out from the rest; it was attributed to one shinobi clan in particular. A clan specific to this village, which is why we are coming to you, seeing as you've dealt with them in the past. I believe the name was Uchiha."
The room was deathly silent. No one had even dared to speak of the runaway in years and most had all but given up hope that they would ever bring him back to the village. After a few moments, everyone's eyes had wondered to rest on Naruto. He stood silently, his eyes cast to the floor. His fists were clenched and shaking.
"Well," she said, his voices sounded strained, as if her were struggling not to scream at the top og his lungs," what are we waiting for?" all the shinobi looked to the Hokage.
The blonde thought for a moment then sighed." It would appear that our internal disputes have bled into another's war. Even so, I can't allow for a ninja of the Leaf, even a disgraced rogue, to aid in the destruction of thousands of lives. There will be many battles ahead, can I count on all of you to right the wrongs done by Sasuke Uchiha, and bring him back here to face his crimes?"
She looked to her shinobi; she had watched over most of them since they were young and watched them grow into her strongest and finest. She had become good friends with Gai and Kakashi as well. Every single one of them had the same look of determination and confidence as they all nodded and answered, "Hai, Hokage-sama."
"Very well, then. Captain Kuchiki," she said.
"Hai"
"The Konohagakure will accept your contract. I will be sending you my best shinobi for however long they are needed," she said as she looked at him, then she turned and faced the group, "I expect updates and progress reports for the duration of this mission. You have three hours to pack what you deem necessary and say your goodbyes."
"Hai," the group said in unison and left the room.
Both Kuchiki and Abarai bowed, "Arigato gozaimasu, Hokage-sama," the captain said.
"hn," she replied," Just make sure they come back alive, Uchiha is not an opponent to take lightly, even more so if your enemies are as strong as you say"
"I'll do my best," He replied.
