New Lives
Chapter 12
Tayuya's transformation had managed to scare of most of her erstwhile traveling companions away, but not all. She closed her eyes and told herself she shouldn't kill the brat, but it was hard.
"So Tayuya-San, you don't mind, jan?"
"Listen you puppet-#! freak, I don't have a #! copyright on my #! horns! If you wanna' use 'em for that #! puppet, I don't give a #! Just leave me the #! alone!"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes, ever since Maki had seen Tayuya transform, he wanted her to model for an upgrade on his 2nd puppet, Youkai, in full Cursed Seal form, no less. Apparently he believed it would make his puppet more terrifying, given the fact that Tayuya's appearance had frightened almost everyone else and made his Sensei scream like a little girl.
"I'll #! perform for your #! when we stop, alright, you little #!?"
"Thank you!" Maki grinned eagerly and went back with his team.
"Can you #! believe the balls on that #! brat? He's too #! stupid to be afraid of me!"
"He's right, though, a puppet that looks like your Cursed Seal form would scare the crap out of almost anyone."
Tayuya gave a devilish grin, "What if I just took the brat and..."
"NO! He may be annoying, but he's pretty much the only one here who doesn't already hate us. Besides, Kidoumaru seems to like him, not to mention Kankurou. He's a good kid..."
Tayuya moaned loudly, It's going to be a #! long trip...
...
The kids on the training field reacted with awe at Kidoumaru's Cursed Seal form, and started babbling questions, many of which he couldn't answer. School wasn't back in session yet, but news of the Oto-Nin's newly regained abilities had spread like wildfire, sending ripples of curiosity and fear throughout Konoha.
"Okay, Jirobou. Let's give these brats a demonstration."
The kids watched as Jirobou transformed into a reddish brown, long-maned, monstrous version of himself, and then the two Oto-Nin began to spar. Jirobou began tearing huge chunks of earth from the ground as Kidoumaru nimbly dodged and struck at his friend, relying on speed rather than brute strength, not that he was lacking in strength. Eventually Jirobou trapped Kidoumaru within a earthen cell, but the Spider-Nin broke through and webbed the Earth user to the ground as the kids began clapping.
"Man, you almost had me, Chunky. I'm getting rusty in my old age."
As Kidoumaru helped him out of the webbing, Jirobou suddenly had a great idea, "Why not show them your summon?"
"Are you kidding, their parents would burn me at the stake!"
...
Tayuya watched as the kid made a detailed sketch of her head, obviously he couldn't make the alterations to his precious puppet here, lacking the right materials, so he was evidently taking down what amounted to design schematics. "Hurry the #! up you #! I don't have all #! night!"
"I'm almost done, jan, Thanks again for posing for me."
She huffed and looked over at Shikamaru, who was also examining her transformed features, "What are you looking at?"
Shikamaru shrugged, "It's just amazing, the physical changes caused by that Troublesome Seal..."
"Alright, I'm done. Thanks so much, jan."
"What the #! does 'jan' mean? Never mind, I don't #! care, is this thing gonna look just like my #! beautiful self?"
Maki shook his head, "No, just similar, the facial features will be different, just a few things, like the horns, cheekbones and sunken eyes will stay. But it won't be your face, jan."
Tayuya returned to her human form and yawned, "You're #! lucky I'm such a #! sweet, generous person!"
"I'm sorry I took up your time. I'm grateful you were kind enough to model for me, jan."
Tayuya snorted, This brat is such an #! kisser!
Shikamaru put an arm around her and leaned forward, "What say we go off and I examine you... In the interests of science, of course..."
Tayuya grabbed Shikamaru by the arm and started to drag him into the woods, Maybe this brat isn't so #! bad after all, he gives Shikamaru such great ideas...
...
Sai looked down at his former teacher, Danzo's eyes were open, his agony shining clearly through.
"So, this is how it ends, Danzo-Sensei." Sai looked at the paralyzed man without any flicker of emotion, "Tsunade-Sama says that you will never regain any muscular control. It is somewhat... Unsettling. I spent so much time within ROOT, under your will, you were almost like a god to me. You ruled every second of my existence, and now you are totally helpless, you cannot even open your mouth to give any commands. My brother says that this is poetic justice, do you agree?" He clenched his fists, without even knowing why, "Of course not, because you believe yourself so superior, you place your morality, or lack of, over everyone else. You tried to make yourself a god, now you are merely a lump of useless flesh." He cocked his head and gave a small smile, "Is this sadistic humor? Or is it poetic justice? A pity I can't tell..." Sai turned and left his stricken former master behind.
To Be Continued . . .
