Author's Note:
A chapter not about Naruto! Yay! Because Skyrim is a game of side quests and therefore side characters!
Just FYI, the other teams from the first mission were:
Hinata/Tenten/Lee and Neji/Sakura/Choji with random chunin/special jonin support
This round's teams are:
Gai/Hinata/Lee/Shikamaru/Hana
Kakashi/Serana/Tenten/Sasuke/Shizune
Asuma/Kiba/Ino/Neji/some random chunin/special jonin
Kurenai/Shino/Choji/Sakura/ditto
As for why Naruto's not a chunin yet, well that was just the first round. You had to be exceptionally qualified and not being picked isn't the end. Naruto is exceptionally qualified as far as pure strength is concerned, but he hasn't shown the awareness, calm, and strategy needed yet. Shikamaru did better in that case. And remember, not many people actually know about Naruto's abilities yet, in fact b/c of the Chunin exam cancellation the village's perception of him hasn't changed from day 1. Naruto didn't beat Neji in front of everyone, and even Gaara he didn't beat Shukaku like before, and Tsunade's not Hokage. Kakashi knows he needs an ironclad case for Naruto to get promoted (or for his reputation to change, which may or may not occur), and in this case he wouldn't be able to argue Shikamaru wouldn't be the better mission leader. And besides, its funny for Naruto to be the Hokage-power genin like in canon. Which would totally match how the guards act towards you in Skyrim. You saved the world twice, ended the civil war, and are Harbinger of the companions? Don't care, you took a spoon from the Inn, you're coming with me.
Sadly I won't be killing Sasuke (yet). But I am trying to make him less emo. Trying. Making Alduin a good guy might be easier. Or I could just res the First Hokage like Kishi.
Slight consistency error when I implied Sasuke was on a different team last time but now he is on Kakashi's team. W/e let's all pretend that didn't happen. I hadn't decided the teams so was leaving options open, sorry. Maybe Kakashi trying to avoid Naruto getting jealous at more Kakashi time? Yea, lets go with that.
-Chapter 9: Grohiik ahrk Deyra (Wolves and Daedra)-
-Konoha Gates-
Naruto waved at Team 7 and Serana as he, Jiraiya, and Haku set out from Konoha. There was no telling when they'd be back, but no matter, Jiraiya would probably teach him another epic jutsu on the way! Kakashi, Serana, and Sakura waved back, while Sasuke just smirked...but Naruto could swear in a slightly more friendly way than before. Kakashi turned back to his team.
"Well now, my team will be meeting here to head out. I'm sure you two need to get to your teams. Good luck!"
-Shimo no Kuni-
"Keep it up team! We're almost there!"
Gai turned back and gave his team a thumbs up and a smile. Lee saluted.
"Yosh! Gai-sensei! Surely we will beat the record!"
Hinata, Shikamaru, and Hana were too busy panting and trying not to collapse.
"So...troublesome..."
Hana's dogs whined. Hana just nodded her agreement. Hinata gulped.
Is this why Neji-kun is so strong?
The three would've shouted for joy had they had any breath as the team reached the town. Gai pulled out a stopwatch and then gave his team the nice guy pose.
"We've done it! Great work team!"
Lee raised his arms and jumped for joy.
"We couldn't have done it without your leadership, Gai-sensei."
Both master and student had tears of affection.
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
The other three shinobi collapsed to the ground, too exhausted to react. Someone watching from an alleyway disappeared into the shadows.
-Camp site nearby-
A jōnin from Kumogakure stood while his team sat by the campfire. There were seven of them including him.
"Kokei! Report!"
One of the Kumo-nin, a man, stood up.
"Yes sir! All clear in my area!"
"Very good, Mina?"
"Clear as well!"
The jōnin proceeded through all his squad.
"Good work team, once Reijiro reports from town we'll be ready to move on to the next area."
Kokei leaned back, holding the back of his head with his hands.
"Man, why don't we just stay in the town and say we checked?"
The woman named Mina punched him.
"Oh come on Mina, you don't seriously believe we're going to find a dragon do you?"
The jōnin walked up behind him.
"We were given an order, soldier. You don't have to like it, but you will follow it. And we all saw that village earlier. Villages don't burn themselves down."
As the squad pondered that thought, a cloaked figure jumped into the campsite.
"Reijiro! You're late!"
Reijiro pulled back his hood.
"Sorry, something popped up."
The jōnin folded his arms.
"Well, let's hear it."
Reijiro nodded.
"The townspeople haven't seen any dragons, though they are concerned about some wolf-pack. What's interesting is a team from Konoha is here to deal with it."
Mina frowned.
"It's strange they would ask Konoha instead of us."
The jōnin frowned too.
"Maybe, but the town is close to the Hi no Kuni border and we are a bit understaffed due to this dragon situation. In any case, it doesn't matter, the Raikage gave us strict instructions to avoid contact with foreign shinobi."
Reijiro smiled.
"I think he might make an exception in this case."
Kokei tilted his head.
"What do you mean?"
Reijiro continued smiling.
"They have a Hyūga girl with them. I got a glimpse of her forehead...she's from the main house."
The other Kumo-nin smiled at this. The jōnin folded his arms and closed his eyes.
"Hm..."
-The forest, the next day-
Gai's team was lead by a townsman to a clearing in the forest.
"This is where I saw them last. Now if you don't mind, I'm getting out of here, I'd rather not be around when you find them!"
Gai nodded and the townsman started running back. He gave his team the nice guy pose.
"All right team! Spread out and look for any sign of these wolves!"
While the genin and Shikamaru did so, Gai walked up to Hana.
"Anything?"
Hana sniffed the air and frowned.
"They were definitely here, all right, but something smells off. Whatever they are, they're not just wolves. Also...it's a bit faint but I think there are other shinobi in the area"
Gai frowned.
"Probably because of the dragons. But they shouldn't interfere with us if so. We'll be careful, regardless."
Gai was interrupted by a yell, or as loud a voice as possible for her, from Hinata.
"G-Gai-sensei!"
Gai turned and ran towards the genin.
"What is it, Hinata?"
Hinata gulped and pointed.
"I-I think I found some tracks."
Gai gave her the nice guy pose.
"Good work Hinata! Let's find out where these go team!"
-Nighttime, in Hi no Kuni-
Tenten grunted as a branch hit her face for the tenth or so time.
"Kakashi-sensei, why are we traveling during the night?"
Kakashi kept his attention forward as they leaped through the trees.
"Our mission is to investigate a potential vampire attack. If we slept during the night, we'd be vulnerable to attack."
Serana nodded.
"And, well, the sun isn't good for some of our skins, if you know what I mean."
Tenten sighed, and was promptly smacked in the face by another small branch.
After a bit Kakashi raised his hand and the five stopped on a branch. Visible between the leaves of the trees ahead of them was the entrance to a cave. There was a Konoha shinobi leaning against the wall of the cave.
"Serana, what do you think?"
Serana peered through the trees.
"Yes, I think he's a thrall. This looks like the right place."
Kakashi nodded and then vanished. He appeared behind the shinobi and silently knocked him out. His team leaped out in front of him as he tied up the shinobi.
"We'll come back and see if we can help him later. Sasuke, Serana, take the lead since infection's not an issue for you two. Tenten, be ready to cover them. I'll stay back and guard Shizune since she's carrying the cure. Let's move."
-Shimo no Kuni-
Team Gai followed the tracks. They made it out into another clearing. Everyone twitched their noses, as in front of them was a deer that had been torn apart a day or two ago. Hana sudden stopped and sniffed the air and her dogs started growling.
"They're close!"
Gai turned to Hinata, who made a handsign.
"Byakūgan!"
Hinata gasped.
"A-around us! They're...they're..."
Hinata didn't finish as a shadow shot out of the bushes, charging towards the shinobi.
"Lee!"
"Yosh!"
Lee and Gai jumped at kicked in unison.
"Konoha Senpū! (Leaf Whirlwind)"
The combined kicks sent the creature flying, allowing the shinobi a good look. At first it looked like a wolf, but the shinobi realized that except for the wolf-head it was humanoid, with human-like limbs and muscles, though much much larger, covered in fur, and ending in massive claws.
"Gai-sensei, what is that?"
"I don't know Lee, but get ready! It seems there are more!"
Two more of the creatures charged out of the bushes towards the green duo. Gai and Lee each ran to meet one. The creatures froze right before clashing with the two. Shikamaru flinched and grunted.
"They're strong! I can't hold them for long!"
Fortunately he didn't have to as Gai and Lee closed the distance and knocked them away too.
"B-Behind us!"
Hinata's warning was too late, one of the creatures leaped out of the bushes and slashed at Shikamaru, who jumped and avoided fatal damage but was still cut. Hinata moved to help, but the creature turned and pounced on top of her. She let out a scream as she fell to the ground.
"Hinata-san!"
Hinata flinched, terrified. Her eyes widened as the creature pulled back its claws.
"I'm going to become Hokage, dattebayo!"
Hinata had a flash of Naruto's grinning face.
I-I can't give up! Naruto-kun wouldn't give up!
Hinata gathered her chakra and struck the creature in the chest with her palm.
"Jūken! (Gentle Fist)"
The creature growled, then pulled its arm back and slashed with its claws. Hinata gasped as the claws cut through her cheek, but suddenly stopped. Shikamaru grunted, but the creature was already breathing heavily. After a few seconds it fell on top of Hinata, and everything went black.
"Hinata-san! Are you ok?"
Lee and Gai lifted the creature off of Hinata. Hinata sat up slowly while Hana walked over and started healing her wound.
"I-I think so...s-sorry for worrying you."
Gai gave her the nice guy pose.
"Hinata, you are our comrade! Never feel like your well-being is a burden to us!"
Hinata just stared up at Gai for a second.
"H-Hai!"
Hana nodded.
"She's fine, we're ready to move."
Gai made a fist in front of his face.
"Yosh! Good work defeating these monsters team! Unfortunately a few of them escaped, but we'll run twice as fast and catch them!"
Shikamaru groaned.
-Hi no Kuni-
"HA!"
Tenten unsealed a yari and stabbed with all her might, running the charging vampire through the heart. As she resealed the yari, Serana threw a ball of blew energy, and the fallen vampire rose, glowing blue cracks in its skin. Tenten deadpanned and stopped herself from attacking.
I'm never going to get used to that...
Another vampire appeared behind Serana. Tenten quickly threw a silver-coated kunai into its head. A group appeared from another entrance down the hall, but Sasuke engulfed them in flame. Suddenly a kunai with an explosive tag attached shot into the middle of the group.
"Get back!"
Everyone scattered, Serana's reanimated vampire getting caught in the blast. Tenten heard a cracking noise and looked down. The ground fell beneath her.
"AHHH!"
Tenten shook her head. Luckily the fall wasn't that far down. She was about to jump up when she saw a chest in front of her. She scanned it quickly for traps and opened the lid. Inside there was a white gem. She reached in and picked it up.
"A new hand touches the beacon."
Tenten jumped at the voice in her head.
"Listen! Hear me and obey! A foul darkness has filled my temple. A darkness that you shall destroy. Bring my beacon to the mountain to the west and I will make you the instrument of my cleansing light."
Tenten shook her head.
What was that? Anyways I should get back to the battle!
Tenten sealed away the gem, leaped out of the hole, and rejoined the fight.
-Shimo no Kuni-
Despite the most youthful pace they could manage, Team Gai was unable to catch the retreating creatures. With a most heavy heart, Gai called for his team to stop, tears in his eyes.
"For this failure, I will do five hundred one-handed push-ups!"
Hana, Shikamaru, and Hinata collapsed while Gai began his self-imposed punishment. Lee ran up to him.
"As will I, Gai-sensei!"
Hana yawned and unsealed a sleeping mat.
"Well, since you two will be up anyways, you can have the first watch."
Hana rolled up in her mat, her dogs around her, and immediately passed out. Shikamaru yawned and followed. Hinata laid out her sleeping and mat, and laid down to do the same.
Hinata tossed, trying one more time to get comfortable. Another 'Lee! Gai-Sensei!' rang out. Hinata tried covering her ears but nothing worked, she simply could not sleep. She heard someone stirring next to her.
"You two are so troublesome. Well I can't sleep anyways, so I guess I'll take the next watch..."
-With Team Asuma-
Ino stopped and started trembling uncontrollably.
"Ino? How on earth are you cold? You're not even alive!"
Ino glared at Kiba, then got a worried expression on her face.
"I don't know...I feel like something very wrong just happened."
-Back with Team Gai-
Hinata got up.
"Um...I can't sleep either so I can take the watch, Shikamaru-san."
Shikamaru yawned.
"Sure, you're quiet so maybe I'll be able to sleep now."
-Back at the attack site-
The Kumo-nin landed in the clearing.
"Mina?"
Mina bent down, observing the ground.
"There was obviously a battle here, looks like they went that way."
She pointed towards the forest.
"It seems they were in a hurry. They aren't even trying to cover their trail."
Kokei shrugged.
"Why would they? Not like they're expecting us."
The jōnin shook his head.
"Don't get cocky. From Reijiro's intel they have an Inuzuka as well as a Hyūga. They will know we're coming, maybe not now but certainly before we catch them. Let's move."
-With Team Gai-
Hinata sighed as the sun rose. Maybe an hour or two of sleep at most. Shikamaru yawned.
"Troublesome...now even sleeping's difficult."
Gai stood before the sleepy genin, somehow full of energy.
"Yosh! Let's get going team! We have wolves to chase!"
Hinata let out a sigh in unison with Shikamaru and Hana's groans.
-Hi no Kuni-
Tenten let out a deep breath as Shizune sealed the last vampire body in a scroll. The battle had been quite fierce. Kakashi smiled and gave them a thumbs up.
"Good work everyone, looks like that's the last of them. And no new infections either."
Sasuke walked up to Tenten.
"So, Tenten, where did you go during that fight?"
Tenten thought for a moment.
"Oh! Right! I almost forgot."
She pulled out a scroll and unsealed the gem.
"I found a chest with this gem inside down that hole."
Sasuke grunted.
"Doesn't take that long to grab a gem."
Tenten flashed him an angry look.
"Well sorry for checking for traps! Actually, when I grabbed it I heard a voice in my head. It told me to go to some temple in the mountain to the west."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow and turned to Serana.
"Well it's not a vampire artifact. I have a guess, but I'd have to see the temple to be sure."
Kakashi sighed.
So much for not discovering more ancient legends, sorry Hokage-sama...
"Well we finished this mission pretty quickly. Sasuke, why don't you take Shizune back home? I'm sure Tsunade-sama would like to see those corpses as soon as possible. Serana, Tenten, and I will go investigate this temple."
-Shimo no Kuni, a few days later-
"KONOHA SENPŪ!"
Gai knocked away another one of the creatures. Team Gai had finally caught their quarry, only to find a whole den full of them! Lee knocked away another.
"Isn't this a excellent test of our youth, Gai-sensei?"
Gai punched another in the jaw as it tried to bite him.
"Focus Lee! We will need all our youth for this fight!"
Lee saluted.
"Hai! Gai-sensei!"
Shikamaru grimaced.
Even those two are starting to get tired, and there's no end to them. They may be acting tough, but if we don't do something soon we're going to be in serious trouble!
Another creature charged towards Shikamaru, but he stopped it with his shadow. A few moments later, Hana crashed into it, spinning.
"Tsūga! Gai! We can't win this fight! We have to get out of here!"
Just then they heard a scream. Everyone turned and saw one of the creatures leap at Hinata. The creature collided with her, both of them hurtling forward and off a cliff.
"Hinata!"
"Gai look out!"
Gai was distracted, and one of the creatures tried to slash him. Its arms stopped inches from his face, and he kicked it away.
"Nice save, Shikamaru!"
Hana grimaced.
"Gai! I smell more of them approaching! But these ones smell different, even more powerful!"
Gai frowned.
At this rate, I may need the gates...
"Here they come!"
Everyone was surprised, however, when an arrow shot out of the bushes, killing one of the creatures that was about to flank Shikamaru. A woman in fur clothes with metal shoulder pads and gauntlets, face paint, and a bow leaped out of the forest. She grabbed three arrows and pulled back her bow, letting loose. The shinobi swore her arrows curved around them as the flew and struck three of the creatures. One of them turned and charged towards her. She pulled out an arrow and deftly rolled under the creature's swing, stabbing it in the knee and she rolled passed and then running up its back, shooting it in the neck and leaping off. The shinobi, though stunned, quickly resumed their fighting as well. As they did, two men in steel armor shunshin-ed next to them, greatswords in hand, and started cutting down the creatures.
Gai gave a thumbs up to his team.
"Yosh! Good work everyone! I knew you could do it!"
His teeth shone, then he chuckled.
"Well Hana, I guess sometimes even your nose is wrong."
Hana frowned.
"I wasn't..."
The woman walked up to them.
"You handle yourselves well. Few can survive a pack of werewolves."
Shikamaru and Hana gasped and looked at each other.
"Is that what we're fighting?"
The woman nodded.
"We were tracking this pack for a while now. It was fortunate you happened by, you bloodied them well."
Suddenly the three stopped moving.
"Kage mane no jutsu, success."
Lee turned in shock.
"Shikamaru-san, what are you doing?"
Shikamaru grunted.
"Guys, remember what werewolf tales say? Werewolves are transformed people, and these three smell enough like werewolves that Hana thought they were part of the enemy."
Lee and Gai turned back to the three, wide-eyed. The woman closed her eyes.
"Seems you have a sharp mind and a sharp nose on your team. Yes, we are also werewolves. But unlike these poor sods, we can control our inner beasts. And we did just save your lives."
Gai turned back.
"She's right, Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru looked in shock.
"Gai! We can't trust her!"
Gai gave him a thumbs up.
"If she wanted to kill us she just needed to wait. Besides, look how many we fought! We're youthful enough to handle three of them!"
Shikamaru frowned, but released the jutsu. The woman nodded, walked forward and extended her hand to Gai.
"I'm Aela. This is Vilkas, and the dumb-looking one is Farkas."
Gai shook her hand.
"Maito Gai! Handsome green devil of Konoha! I'm pleased to meet such a youthful fighter!"
Aela nodded.
"Honored as well. But I believe you had another companion."
Gai and Lee jumped in fright and shock.
"That's right! Hinata!"
Hana and Shikamaru grabbed the pair before they leaped off the cliff themselves. Aela pointed her head in another direction.
"Come on, we know a way down."
As the group rushed off, Reijiro smiled.
Werewolves? That might complicate things, but luckily they smell so strong that Inuzuka can't seem to detect me. And the Hyūga's all alone now!
-Hi no Kuni-
Kakashi, Serana, and Tenten walked up the trail they found on the mountain. As they neared the top they found an entrance to some old ruins, on top of which was a statue. Tenten jumped as a voice rang in her head.
"Look at my temple, lying in ruins. So much for the constancy of mortals, their crafts, and their hearts. If they love me not, how can my love reach them? Return my beacon to the statue."
Kakashi and Serana turned.
"Something happen, Tenten?"
Tenten nodded.
"The voice again, it wants me to put the beacon at the statue."
The three walked up some stairs to the statue. Kakashi stopped.
"Well Serana?"
Serana nodded.
"As I expected, a Daedric Prince."
Kakashi and Tenten turned to her, curious.
"They're powerful beings who live in a different dimension called Oblivion. Some people worship them as deities. They can grant people great power, but most of them can't be trusted. Looks like this is Meridia's temple."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
"Do you know this Meridia?"
Serana nodded.
"Meridia's one of the few Daedric Princes considered benevolent, or at least not inherently evil. If you're living that is."
Tenten tilted her head.
"Living?"
Serana nodded again.
"Each Daedric Prince embodies some quality or has some obsession. Meridia hates the undead: vampires, draugr, reanimated bodies, skeletons, you name it. Her word can be trusted…but it wouldn't be wise for me to enter her temple. I won't be able to help you in there."
Kakashi turned to Tenten.
"Well, Tenten? You're the one Meridia called."
Tenten thought for a moment.
"Well, can't hurt to see what she wants, right?"
Kakashi sighed.
And that's how we found Serana's family. Sorry Hokage-sama.
Tenten approached the statue and placed the beacon there. She gasped as she found herself floating into the air. She stopped, high above the world, and squinted as a bright ball of light appeared in front of her.
"It is time for my splendor to return. But the token of my truth lies buried in the ruins of my once great temple, now tainted by a profane darkness skittering within. A Necromancer defiles my shrine with vile corruptions, trapping lost souls to do his bidding. Worse still, he uses the power stored within my own token to fuel his foul deeds. I have brought you here, mortal, to be my champion. You will enter my temple, retrieve my artifact, and destroy the defiler. Guide my light through the temple to open the inner sanctum and destroy the defiler."
Tenten found herself floating back down…
"Tenten, are you all right?"
Tenten opened her eyes and found herself back on the ground.
"You blanked out for a bit, what happened?"
Tenten blinked.
"I…I think Meridia spoke to me. She says someone's trapping dead souls inside the temple. She wants me to kill him."
Kakashi's eyes narrowed.
"Normally I'd be skeptical, but with recent events I'll accept it. This sounds extremely dangerous, it might be better to wait for reinforcements and come back later."
Tenten shook her head.
"I feel like I shouldn't let this wait, and if someone's really using dead souls his army will only grow, right? We should do something now."
Kakashi sighed and Serana nodded.
"I'll wait outside."
The three walked down to the front gate. Tenten stopped, gulped, and took a step in. Once she did, the doors immediately shut behind her.
-Several weapon strikes and an explosive tag later-
Tenten sighed.
Well, I guess I'm on my own now…
Tenten turned and walked down a flight of stairs. There was a dead shinobi lying there, and several more in the hallway in front. Tenten took a deep breath and ventured forward. She came to a large room with a pedestal. She approached the pedestal and found a lever. As she pulled it, a large crystal rose out of the pedestal, and a beam of light appeared, hitting and being reflected by it. The light pointed to another hallway.
Tenten walked down the hallway and stopped at the entrance. Inside were several…creatures. They were skeletons, but missing legs and floating in the air, surrounded by black mist.
What are these things? Would my weapons even work on them?
Tenten noticed they were holding weapons. She squinted her eyes.
Well…those kunai look real. I guess that means they're physical…here goes…
Tenten tossed several kunai in rapid succession. The creatures were struck in the head, and dissipated.
Wow easier than I thought!
Tenten found another pedestal, activated it, and continued into the ruins…
-Shimo no Kuni-
Hinata groaned as she lifted herself up. Thankfully she had landed on top of the werewolf, who had died mid-flight from her jūken strike.
Ow…everything hurts…I hope the others find me soon…
"Good, you're alive."
Hinata looked up, her eyes widening in fear. In front of her was a shinobi from Kumogakure! He pulled out a kunai and held it up.
"I'm sorry, but for the good of my village you're coming with me. Cooperate and I promise I won't hurt you."
Hinata shut her eyes.
Why?! Why always me?!
She thought of her village, her friends she would never see again. She thought of Naruto, tears in her eyes. Then she stopped.
N-No!
"No…NO! YOU WON'T TAKE ME FROM HIM!"
Her vision started to grow red and she felt a rage growing in her. She could feel it in every inch of her body. The Kumo shinobi took a step back.
"Wha…What are you?!"
Team Gai raced down through the forest.
"Come on…she fell this way!"
Hana's nose twitched.
"Wait!"
As Hana spoke, a kunai with an explosive tag shot forward. The shinobi and their companions jumped back just in time. As the smoke cleared they found themselves confronted by seven Kumo-nin. Gai frowned.
"What do you think you're doing? Kumo has no right to interfere with a Konoha mission here."
The Kumo –nin in the center chuckled.
"Maybe. But you have someone we want."
Gai's eyes narrowed and he got into his signature taijutsu stance.
"You won't stop us from reaching her."
The shinobi chuckled again.
"We don't have to. Our boss is picking her up now. And one Hyūga genin is no match for a Kumo jōnin. We only need to stop you."
Suddenly Shikamaru started groaning. Aela shouted at the Konoha shinobi.
"Get back! He's turning! He's going to attack anything in sight!"
Gai wasn't sure what she was saying but he complied and leaped behind Shikamaru. Shikamaru lurched forward, his body growing, fur appearing. His clothes seemed to melt into the fur as he grew, his face becoming wolf-like. He through his head and arms back and let out a roar. The Kumo-nin hesitated for a moment.
As they recovered, Shikamaru appeared in front of the first one and tore out his throat. The others grit their teeth and charged at him. Shikamaru was too fast for them, however, and tore two to shreds. Another threw a kunai at him. He roared in pain, then turned and pounced on the shinobi, mercilessly shredding at him. The other shinobi quickly retreated. Gai nodded at Lee.
"Come on!"
Gai and Lee appeared to either side of Shikamaru, holding on to his arms.
"We got to restrain him!"
Lee and Gai flinched as Shikamaru roared.
"He's so strong!"
"Lee, use the gates!"
Both Lee and Gai grunted.
"Initial gate, open!"
Shikamaru's muscles bulged. Lee and Gai let out yells and held with all their might. After several tense minutes Shikamaru's resistance waned. His body began shrinking back down, the fur receding and his clothes appearing from underneath. He curled on the ground…asleep. The group had no time to wait, though, as they heard another roar and a scream.
"Come on!"
Gai's team arrived in the clearing. They saw the dead body of a werewolf, and of the Kumo jōnin, or rather what was left of him. They noticed a path of destroyed trees. They followed it for a while until they found Hinata, curled up unconscious on the ground like Shikamaru. Aela went over to her.
"There's no doubt…she turned too. I assume they were injured a few days ago?"
Gai nodded. Aela turned to Farkas. Farkas walked over and picked up Hinata, while Vilkas was carrying Shikamaru.
"Come with us."
-Meridia's Temple-
Tenten panted as she destroyed the last shade in the room with a naginata. She sealed it away and activated the pedestal. A large door opened. She crouched and walked forward slowly. Through the door she could see someone performing some sort of ritual, with eight shades guarding him. She unsealed two handfuls of kunai.
Looks like this is it!
Tenten released her volley, taking out all the shades and striking the man in the head. He fell over as his shades dissipated.
"Well, that was easy!"
Tenten gasped however, as a shade rose out of the man's body.
"Foolish girl! You think I'd be defeated so easily! Die!"
The shade lifted a hand and a huge ball of ice shot at Tenten. She gasped and jumped out of the way, quickly unsealing a naginata to block two spikes of ice that followed. She pulled out two scrolls and leaped into the air, scrolls spiraling around her.
"Sōshōryū! (Twin Rising Dragons)"
Tenten began unsealing and throwing countless weapons at the shadow. It held forward its hands and began an equally rapid fire barrage of ice spikes. The spikes and the weapons collided in between them, leaving the two deadlocked. Tenten grimaced.
I'm going to run out soon, I can't keep this up…
In between her attacks she through a kunai in a seemingly random direction, and a second one after it. The kunai collided and the first one shot down, directly at the shade's head. The shade laughed and moved to the right.
"You thought such a weak attack would defeat me?"
Tenten smirked. The shade hadn't noticed the explosive tag on the kunai, and was engulfed in an explosion. It stumbled back for a second, dropping its barrage. As it did, Tenten struck it with all the weapons she had left and then lifted the weapons on floor with strings for a second attack. The shade roared in pain, and dissipated.
"It is done. The defiler is defeated. Take Dawnbreaker from its pedestal."
Tenten let out a sigh as she collected and resealed her weapons. She then walked over to the pedestal where the man had been performing a ritual. This time when she turned the lever, a sword rose instead of a crystal, shining in the light. Tenten hesitated for a moment, and then slowly reached for the sword. She grabbed the handle, pulled it from the pedestal, and was engulfed in light.
Tenten gasped as she found herself floating high above the temple once more, a bright ball of light in front of her.
"The defiler is vanquished. The dead shall remain at rest. This is as it should be. This is because of you. A new day is dawning. And you shall be its herald. Take the mighty Dawnbreaker and with it purge corruption from the dark corners of the world. Wield it in my name, that my influence may grow."
Tenten looked surprised.
"You mean, just take this sword and use it?"
"Yes. As you use it to purge corruption from the world, my influence will grow. May the light of certitude guide your efforts."
Tenten began falling and was engulfed in light.
She found herself in front of the statue. She quickly ran down to the entrance. There Kakashi was pacing back and forth.
"Kakashi-sensei! Serana!"
"Tenten! You're alright!"
Tenten smiled as her companions ran up to her.
"Better than alright! Look what I got!"
Tenten held up Dawnbreaker for the two to see. Kakashi unveiled his Sharingan. He gasped.
"This weapon…I've never seen anything like it."
Tenten beamed. Kakashi turned to Serana as he covered his eye.
"It's a Daedric Artifact. A physical manifestation of their power. It's an extremely powerful weapon, as it's Meridia's artifact I'd imagine it's extremely effective against the undead. Normally I'd warn you about the effects of using a Daedric Artifact, but Meridia can be trusted."
Tenten tried not to squeal like a little fangirl as she hugged her new, legendary, immensely powerful weapon. Kakashi and Serana sweat-dropped and then Kakashi breathed a sigh of relief.
Whew, we discovered another ancient legend but this time it isn't a threat.
"Well, we should probably get back then. Hokage-sama will be waiting for my report."
-Shimo no Kuni-
Aela led the group to a small mountain, on top of which the group could see the fires of a forge. She walked to the wall of the mountain and pressed a hidden panel, revealing a hidden door.
"Come on."
Everyone walked down into a small cave with a basin in the middle.
"That forge and this cave are some of the oldest structures in the world. Much older than shinobi. We discovered an ancient power here."
Hinata and Shikamaru groaned and stirred.
"Good, they're coming to."
Shikamaru yawned while Hinata looked around.
"Where am I? What happened?"
Gai put his hands on her shoulder.
"Easy Hinata. You're with friends."
Hinata relaxed at Gai's presence. He nodded at Aela.
"You two have become werewolves. Unfortunately you are infected with the same strain as those poor sods. Your transformations will be sporadic at first, but you'll never predict when they will occur. They will grow more and more common, until eventually the beast inside you takes over."
Everyone gasped. Hinata raised her hands to her mouth, eyes quivering while Shikamaru grit his teeth.
"Is there a cure?"
Aela nodded.
"There is one thing we can do."
She nodded at Farkas. Farkas lurched forward, and started growing. Gai and Lee jumped into taijutsu stances as Farkas turned into a werewolf, but were surprised when he made no move to attack.
"The Underforge here grants us a stronger form of lycanthropy. We can control when and where we transform, and can control ourselves even in beast form. If we replace your lycanthropy with ours, you'll be able to control it, but will retain the considerable power it gives."
Gai looked thoughtfully at Hinata and Shikamaru.
I can't say I'm comfortable with leaving them like that, but it's true that it's a powerful tool. Little Hinata killed a jōnin, and even Shikamaru forced Lee and I to use the gates to restrain him.
Shikamaru thought as well.
"Are there any downsides?"
Aela shook her head.
"You'll have trouble sleeping, though your body won't need as much sleep so it won't impact your strength. A minor inconvenience at most, another advantage for some."
Gai chuckled as Shikamaru groaned.
Minor inconvenience for some, the end of life for Shikamaru.
Aela walked over to Farkas and cut his wrist with a knife. She held it over the basin and it filled with blood. She motioned to Shikamaru and Hinata, who both hesitantly walked to the basin. They gulped, and took a sip of the blood.
"Um, did it work?"
Aela nodded.
"Normally this would be your first transformation, the only one you can't control. However, you two have already experienced yours, so you won't do so again. If you'd like to test it, you can try to consciously transform."
Shikamaru sighed.
"Troublesome, but I guess we need to test it."
He lurched forward and began transforming. Lee and Gai prepared themselves to restrain him, but after transforming he curled up in a ball and tried to nap. Gai shook his head happily.
"It was a success!"
Aela nodded.
"Now, have any more of you received injuries in the previous battle? It's not guaranteed you were infected, but better safe than sorry."
The other shinobi looked at each other. Lee stepped forward. Gai's eyes widened.
"Lee, you..?"
Lee looked down.
"I am sorry, Gai-sensei. I allowed myself to be distracted when Hinata-san fell."
Gai gave Lee a hug.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, Lee."
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee!"
Aela looked at Hana.
"Do they do that often?"
Hana nodded grimly.
"Far too often."
Lee stepped up to the basin. Aela motioned and Vilkas walked over and opened the door.
"You will definitely transform after this. We're going to let you into the forest; it would be dangerous to us to try and restrain you. We'll keep track of you and find you after it's over."
Gai nodded grimly.
If little Hinata and lazy Shikamaru gained power to equal a jōnin, what will my precious Lee be like?
Lee took a sip and fell to his knees, coughing.
"Lee!"
Gai moved to help but Aela blocked him. Lee began transforming, and ran out of the door, Vilkas following from a distance. Everyone turned back to Aela.
"Anyone else?"
Hana stepped forward.
"Hana, you too?"
Hana shook her head.
"I wasn't injured but…"
She turned to Gai.
"Come on Gai! You've seen what they can do! This power is perfect for my clan! I've got to show them!"
Gai shook his head, chuckling.
"Well, I can't argue your clan isn't suited for it. All right."
Hana took a drink and began transforming. Aela led the shinobi out of the door as they chased after her.
-Unknown-
A man in a black robe and a spiral mask stood over a white body with green hair. As he did, a figure rose from the floor. It was half black, half white, with a giant venus flytrap around its head.
"Well?"
The figure from the floor shook its head.
"Shukaku hasn't regenerated yet."
The masked man's visible eye narrowed.
"Strange, it should have by now. Anything else?"
The figure nodded.
"Most of the villages are preoccupied with the dragon attacks. In addition, the Kyūbi jinchūriki is traveling with Jiraiya in the direction of Iwa."
The masked man looked up.
"Interesting, but we aren't ready for the Kyūbi and Jiraiya's a force to be reckoned with. Observe for now and report to me any opportunities to move on the others."
The figure melted into the floor.
Dragons eh? With such a distraction, the world is ours for the taking!
