Chapter Twelve: Black Clouds' Organisation
"Mother wants your blood!"
"Kyu wants that damn raccoon to set his gender straight!"
"KUCHIYOSE NO JUTSU!!"
"Get out of the way, Temari of the Sands."
"Temari, get out of the way! It's me that she wants!"
"You can call me Tenken. And do not expect the same mercy for a second time…Gaara of the Sands."
Sasuke's eyes snapped opened as he lay against the trunk of a tree not too far away from the training grounds where team seven usually trained at and growled, curling his hand into a fist. It had been a few days since the invasion and for some reason, the battle between the FIRE Squad member and Gaara had been haunting his dreams day and night. He kept waking up in the middle of the night, only to hear Tenken's voice resounding through his head.
"It wasn't just Itachi who had assassinated the Uchiha clan. A few members of the FIRE Nine were involved as well. I was among those that assassinated the Uchiha clan."
Sasuke curled his hand up into a fist, gritting his teeth with fury. Those dreams had been keeping him up all night and he had been falling asleep during afternoons ever since. After the invasion, all jounins, chuunins and ANBU were assigned missions and the genins were assigned tasks to rebuild the village and the last that team seven had heard, Naru was doing missions with a few ANBU since word had gotten out to the genin teams that she was originally an ANBU captain in the Black Ops division.
Sasuke snarled at this. He should have been the one taking on A or S-class missions, not an average student like the golden haired kunoichi in his team. After hearing that Uzumaki Naru had been in ANBU Black Ops as captain for several years, he knew that his brother must have been her teacher as he was by far, one of the most powerful shinobis in Konoha. Of course, Sasuke knew better than to insult either Naru or his brother in front of any shinobi in Konoha, particularly ANBU. They'll separate his head from his body faster than he can say 'ninja' since all shinobis in Konoha held extreme respect for the two.
Just then, a coil of nin-wire wound themselves around his body, tying him to the tree that he was on and he stiffened in shock as an individual with silver hair that just brushes against her shoulders and honey-brown eyes appeared in front of him, one hand holding onto the other end of the wire wound around him, the other hand stuffed into the pockets of the black cloak with black clouds that she was wearing.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, stopping his struggling for a moment. For some reason, she reminds him a lot of that genin, Yakushi Kabuto whom he had met during the Chuunin exams. "Who are you?" he demanded in a rather rude tone.
"Well now, aren't you polite?" said the teen who seems to be around nineteen in an extremely sarcastic tone. "I'm here on orders of my organisation. Would you like to have more power?"
Sasuke snorted. "Power? Of course I want it!" he snapped. "But it's not like anyone in Konoha would give me the power that I want! They gave it all to the people who don't deserve it!"
The girl narrowed her eyes slightly. "Sou ka?" she said. "Then we will give you the power that you want. Seek us out and we'll give you the power that you want." She pulled her free hand out of her pocket and flexed her fingers and Sasuke saw that all five of her fingers were glowing purple with a kanji character on each fingertip.
"Wait! What are you going to-" Sasuke was cut off as the silver-haired girl slammed her hand down onto the base of his neck and he screamed in agony as he felt as if he was set on fire as the purple flames on the girl's hand disappeared into the seal that had appeared on the nape of his neck.
Sasuke was fast losing consciousness as he struggled to keep himself awake, feeling his vision blurring as he tried to focus on the girl standing in front of him. "Wait…who…are you?"
"I'm Yakushi Yuka," answered the girl, recalling back her nin-wire. "Member of the Black Clouds' organisation."
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Somewhere else in Konoha:
A certain silver-haired pervert was giggling as he peeked through the hole that he had made in the wooden fence which looks into the women's side of the hot springs, a notebook and pen in his hands.
"Oooh! Not bad at all! Plenty of young beauties in this village!" he cackled to himself as he scribbled down in his notebook.
The pervert was so engrossed in his 'research' that he didn't realise than an extremely peeved off ANBU was standing behind him, her arms crossed over her chest and tapping her foot impatiently, a slight tick in her eyebrow as she realised just what the Sannin was doing.
"Ahem!" she coughed as the Sannin nearly got the shock of his life, hearing her cough so close behind him. "What are you doing, Ero-sennin?"
"Research," said the Sannin, turning back towards the hole in the fence.
Naru's eye twitched dangerously. "While I'm thinking about yelling to the kunoichis in there, we don't have time for this!" she muttered. "We have to find Tsunade-sama!"
"Right, right," said Jiraiya, getting up and slipping his notebook into his pocket. "It would be difficult for me to get her back to Konoha, but it'll be easier if you were there. No one turns down a request of the FIRE Squad, after all."
Naru's eyes snapped opened just then and she spun around to face the north-west direction, her eyes narrowing dangerously and her hands clenching together into fists by her sides.
"What's wrong?" asked Jiraiya.
Naru didn't answer him as she continued glaring in the direction that she was looking at. "This chakra…" she muttered. "It's her!"
She quickly pulled the hood of her FIRE Squad trench coat over her head and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
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At a teahouse in Konoha:
Kakashi was humming to himself as he read his perverted novel, walking past the several shops and houses that were currently undergoing repair when he suddenly noticed a certain couple walking towards his direction and closed his novel with a sigh.
"Oh? It's you two already?"
Kurenai blushed and Asuma growled. "Don't be stupid!" Kurenai nearly yelled, flushing as red as her eyes with embarrassment. "I'm only here because Anko asked me to get her some dango!"
"And I'm only here because she asked for my help in carrying it," added Asuma. "You help as well too! Do you have any idea how heavy twenty deluxe boxes of dango are?!"
"Well, I can't say for sure since I don't really eat them," said Kakashi cheerfully. "But I'm looking for my wayward student. Have you seen her? Naru, I mean."
A certain someone wearing a black cloak inside the teahouse that the three jounins were outside twitched slightly and the three jounins exchanged knowing looks.
"Well, no," said Asuma. "But I hear from Genma and Hayate that Hokage-sama had assigned her on missions with a few ANBU members from the Black Ops' division after the invasion. It seems that she had been called back for ANBU duty until Konoha had recovered. She's probably on another mission."
A slight tinkle of a bell caused all three jounins to look inside the teahouse and the seats where the two cloaked figures were occupying were empty – two steaming cups of tea and a plate of dango on the table.
Kakashi exchanged looks with Asuma and Kurenai and they nodded before disappearing.
The two cloaked figures walked along the river pass of Konoha before they were stopped in their tracks by two jounins by the names of Yuuhi Kurenai and Sarutobi Asuma.
"You two aren't from around here, are you?" said Asuma. "State your names and business here."
"It's been a long time, Kurenai-san, Asuma-san," said the shorter of the two and both Konoha jounins narrowed their eyes with suspicion.
"If you know our names, then you must be once a ninja of this village," said Kurenai. "Identify yourself!"
The shorter of the two raised a hand which fingernails have been covered with purple nail polish, wearing a silver ring with the number '3' on it in crimson red on the ring finger and pushed the straw hat (imagine the hats that Itachi and Kisame have been wearing when they made their first appearances) up a little, revealing cold indigo eyes which had both sharpness and coldness in them and both jounins took in a breath. Only one person in the entire village of Konoha had indigo coloured eyes.
"You are…" muttered Asuma. "No doubt about it…"
The cloaked individual removed her straw hat and unbuttoned the first few buttons of her cloak, revealing her face. Navy blue hair worn short with two long braids covered in cloth framing the side of her face with indigo blue eyes and a Konoha hitai-ate with a scratch across the leaf symbol worn around her neck.
"You're…Soi Fon."
"Soi Fon-san, you know these guys?" said her companion. "Then I should probably introduce myself as well." Hat was thrown off as well, revealing a young teen – around the age of eighteen or so with dark orange hair just brushing against the tops of his shoulders with red highlights to it and cold gray eyes. A nodachi was strapped to his back, its hilt engraved with the designs of white snakes. "I'm Yami Keiichi. Pleased to make your acquaintances."
"You're not making any acquaintances here!" growled Asuma. "As I'm finishing both of you right here and right now!" Asuma's eyes flashed to Soi Fon, growling low in his throat. "Soi Fon…you sure have a lot of guts… Returning to this village after what you and your mentor did. Shihouin Yoruichi turned traitor and took out over twenty teams of our best ANBU before fleeing and was promptly cut down by members of the FIRE Nine. Then, two days later, you turned traitor as well. You, apprentice of the former Koneko, Number Seven of the FIRE Nine, Shihouin Yoruichi. You killed sixteen teams of both ANBU and Hunter-nins dispatched to take you down after you took down four squads of Jounins all by yourself, then was forced to flee the village when Tenken and Shunshu of the FIRE Nine engaged you in combat. Soi Fon, former apprentice of the FIRE Nine, being made an S-class missing-nin at the mere age of six; the youngest missing-nin that was ever listed in the Bingo Books."
Keiichi chuckled. "Soi Fon-san…seems like you really aren't welcome in this village," he commented.
"I know who you are as well," said Kurenai, glaring at Keiichi. "Yami Keiichi, the Dark Snake of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. You are said to be the best among the apprentices that the Seven had, seeing as you are trained personally by the leader of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. You are wanted for several murders of nobles and the attempted murder of the Water daimyo along with several others."
Keiichi grinned a dark grin. "You seem to know me pretty well," he commented. "I heard that Zabuza and Kisame have joined the Leaf. Pity…I would have preferred to face them than either of you two." Keiichi placed one hand on the hilt of his nodachi, drawing part of the blade out. "It's been a while since Mizuhebi (Water Snake) had tasted some blood."
"Keiichi, stop it," said Soi Fon, then narrowed her eyes. "But it definitely seems like we won't be able to get out of this village without a fight."
"Then, shall I?"
"Go ahead," said Soi Fon with about as much enthusiasm as one would watching paint dry. "But don't show off too much; your moves are too flashy and stand out too much."
For a moment, the four stayed silent. Then, the leaves falling from a nearby tree acted as the trigger for the fight and Keiichi sprung forward with Mizuhebi drawn out and clashed against Asuma's trench knives which were infused with wind chakra.
Kurenai had leapt backwards a little and had started forming handseals before disappearing into thin air like mist and Soi Fon narrowed her eyes slightly. 'This is…genjutsu?'
Keiichi's strength was overpowering Asuma and the blade of his nodachi rested against Asuma's left bicep before Keiichi grinned. "It's a bad idea to get this close to my sword," he said. "Because you see…Mizuhebi reacts to the chakra and blood of a person; it thirsts for it!"
Asuma's eyes widened before he leapt away from Keiichi just a second too late as Keiichi roared out, "Roar: Mizuhebi!" And a trio of white water snakes were formed from the blade of his nodachi and went for Asuma, injuring his left bicep as the bearded jounin clutched his injured arm.
Just then, tree roots and trees were growing around Soi Fon, catching her within its holds and Asuma grinned weakly from where he stood. "You're slow as ever, Kurenai."
Kurenai emerged out from the tree trunk, a kunai in her hand as she hovered over Soi Fon. "This is over, Soi Fon!" And just as she said that, she found herself being bound to the tree and Soi Fon standing in front of her, her hands stuffed in her pockets. 'This is…a genjutsu counter?'
"A genjutsu of that caliber wouldn't work on me," said Soi Fon before she swung towards Kurenai, a kunai in her hand. Kurenai bit on her tongue hard enough to draw blood and the pain allowed her to escape from the genjutsu just in time to avoid Soi Fon's kunai which sliced off a few strands of hair.
"If that is so…how about if I became your opponent? Soi Fon."
All four ninjas present turned towards the source of the voices and saw Kakashi standing between Asuma and Keiichi, with Zabuza and Kisame flanking him on either side.
"Kakashi!"
"What are you doing here?" asked Asuma. "Not that I'm not grateful for your help, but what are you doing here?"
"Well, I know that I'd asked you guys to handle them, but I got worried," said Kakashi before glancing at the two missing-nins. "I thought that I'd detected some suspicious guys at the teahouse and wondered who they could be…never thought that they'd turn out to be Soi Fon, the blade in the shadows as well as Yami Keiichi, the Dark Snake of the Mist."
"Kakashi-san."
Keiichi smirked as he saw his former Mist comrades. "Never thought that the both of you would sink this low as to join the Leaf," he said and both Zabuza and Kisame snarled at him.
"The one who had fallen is you, Keiichi," said Zabuza. "What you're doing now goes against what the Seven had stood for."
"Well then, shall we?" said Keiichi.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. "Kurenai, Asuma and myself will take on Soi Fon. Zabuza, Kisame, you will fight Keiichi."
A split second later, the shinobis moved.
The three ex-Mist ninjas were unleashing every water jutsu that they knew on each other, causing all trees and paths to be uprooted by the power of the jutsus. A cry of, "KAKASHI!" over from Kakashi, Kurenai and Asuma's end caused the three swordsmen to stop their battles and look over at their side.
Apparently, the fight among the four Leaf-nins (or former Leaf-nin in Soi Fon's case) had somehow ended up on the top of the river. Soi Fon was standing a fair distance away from the three jounins and Zabuza and Kisame turned just in time to see 'Kakashi' explode in a burst of water.
"Nice, Kakashi!" said Kurenai as she grabbed the kunai that Kakashi handed her whilst underwater and leapt at Soi Fon, but was intercepted by Kakashi who had leapt out of nowhere.
"Don't!" hissed Kakashi. "That's a Mizu bunshin as well!"
"Damn it…how strong is she?" panted Asuma.
"We mustn't underestimate her," said Kakashi, panting heavily, his Sharingan eye exposed. "She used to be the apprentice of one of the FIRE Nine, after all."
Kakashi's eyes widened as a handful of shurikens appeared in Soi Fon's hand and immediately formed a number of handseals. "Water Wall!" A wave of water protected the Leaf-nins from the water dragon jutsu that Soi Fon had conjured up.
"Not bad," said Soi Fon. "You anticipated that the shurikens were only a distraction and my real motive is the water dragon jutsu. But seeing…" She stabbed 'Kakashi' in the back with a kunai while the 'Soi Fon' burst into water. "…isn't enough." 'Kakashi' burst into water.
"A Mizu bunshin?!" gasped Asuma. "When did she put it up?"
"Her movements are too fast!"
Keiichi suddenly disappeared in a burst of smoke and appeared beside Soi Fon, his hand on his nodachi. "What are you here for, Soi Fon?" Kakashi gasped out. "I know that you aren't here for sight seeing. What are you here for? Are you here to assassinate Suzaku-sama?"
"No," said Soi Fon. "We are here for the Fourth's legacy."
All Konoha ninjas gave a sharp intake of breath. If Minato knew about this, heads would roll. Kakashi narrowed his eyes. 'Naru…?'
"You are after her…because of the Kyuubi, aren't you?" said Kakashi. "Shunshu-sama had told me about you…and your organisation. Black Clouds, isn't it? You're after the Kyuubi inside of her."
"Black Clouds?" said both Asuma and Kurenai at the same time, turning towards Kakashi.
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes dangerously; the first sign of emotion that she had showed ever since engaged in battle. "Keiichi, let's take Kakashi-san with us," she said. "Let's make the others disappear."
"Roger."
But before either one could move a single step, the water in front of them exploded and a voice roared, "KONOHA WHIRLWIND!" And a green spandex wearing ninja kicked Keiichi in the face and sent him scuttling backwards.
"Who the hell are you?!" snapped Keiichi, getting to his feet and nursing an injured cheek.
"Konoha's Beautiful Green Beast," said Maito Gai with a smile that showed off his sparkling teeth as he stood before Kakashi, Asuma and Kurenai. "Maito Gai!"
"Looks more like a dodo to me," snickered Keiichi and Aisu and Koneko of the FIRE Nine appeared by Kakashi just then.
Aisu narrowed his eyes as he caught the sight of Soi Fon. 'So it's really Soi Fon…'
"Kurenai, Asuma, Gai, get Kakashi back to land and tend to his injuries," said Koneko as Kakashi fainted from chakra exhaustion and began sinking into the water but was picked up by Gai and slung over one shoulder. "Kisame, Zabuza, stay out of this."
The mentioned jounins nodded and Asuma, Kurenai and Gai appeared by Zabuza and Kisame with an unconscious Kakashi with them. Koneko narrowed her eyes at Soi Fon. "So you've returned…" she muttered. "Soi Fon."
Soi Fon narrowed her eyes slightly, finding the voice familiar. "So you've taken Yoruichi-sama's position as Number Seven of the FIRE Nine, huh?" she said. "Ran." She then chuckled bitterly. "I see…you guys are the reason why Kakashi-san knew about our organisation. That information came from you."
"Do you think that the FIRE Nine don't keep tabs on their traitors?" snapped Aisu. "Especially one who had been trained by a member of the FIRE Nine. We have been keeping close watches on you, Soi Fon."
"I see…" said Soi Fon. "I'm guessing Tenken and Shunshu knew about this as well?" At Aisu and Koneko's curt nods, she set her face back in that impassive look again. "You're right, in a sense. Our organisation, Black Clouds has sent us to retrieve the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki."
"You know that Naru isn't just someone whom you can just kidnap on the streets," said Aisu. "She's one of the best shinobis that Konoha had and the strongest of the nine Jinchuurikis."
"This guy sure talks a lot," said Keiichi. "Can I kill him?"
"No."
"Hmm?" Keiichi turned towards Soi Fon. "Why not?"
"We have a guest."
Aisu and Koneko leapt backwards at once as the water exploded and when it cleared, a certain member of the FIRE Nine was standing there, one of her wakizashi in her hands, pulsing a soft blue.
Aisu's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Her wakizashis…it has…evolved? To the ultimate stage…has she grown that much? Tenka; the first stage of her wakizashi and the ultimate stage; Shirayuki…the ultimate stage of her weapons. She had finally mastered it. Shirayuki…the only weapon which can match its power to my Hyourinmaru.'
"Tenken."
"Soi Fon," muttered Tenken. "We finally meet."
"Shall we complete our unfinished battle here then?" muttered Soi Fon, drawing out a nodachi from her back, pulling out a silver blade with a golden hilt with engravings of a certain clan symbol on it, its blade pulsing a soft golden.
All eyes of the members of the FIRE Nine flew opened in shock.
"Hirameki (Flash)…" breathed Aisu in shock. "The weapon of Shihouin Yoruichi."
"This is impossible…" said Koneko, shaking her head. "That blade chooses its owner and we buried it with her when she died!"
Tenken narrowed her eyes. "You took it from her grave?"
"Yes," said Soi Fon with a nod. "I'm her apprentice, after all. The sword chooses me as its wielder. I'm once a member of the FIRE Nine. I know how you deal with the corpses of traitors." She held her blade in a reverse sword grip. "Shall we dance?"
