An: As always I would like to thank the people that review they truly keep me fired up about working on this story. Your humble Author S. o. t. A.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit. Also if you recognize where the idea for Haku's summons came from you know I don't own them either.
Chapter 36: Ashes to Ashes
Kin was walking down her path carefully having already avoided several traps ranging from simple spring loaded poison senbon launchers to a trap floor that if she had fallen in wouldn't have done her any favors. She could see a light at the end of the hall. She also heard a stringed instrument playing up ahead. Stepping into the room holding three senbon in one of her hands spaced between her fingers she was surprised to see a woman decked out in a kimono playing a koto.
"Hello my master told me to expect visitors," the young woman said while playing her instrument, "why don't you join me for some refreshment."
Throwing her senbon so that they cut several strings on her instrument Kin said, "I'm fine right where I am. Now why don't you tell me under what rock that bastard Orochimaru is hiding?"
"Such impetuousness," the woman said slowly standing, "as if I know where Lord Orochimaru is staying. However, if you are looking for a guide I can show you which way hell is."
Kin let several senbon fly which caught the woman in the chest falling back she burst into smoke only to reveal that it was the koto. Kin scanned the room looking for any sign of her opponent. She found it when suddenly the woman's hair began to wrap around her from above lifting her in the air. The woman then threw Kin across the room. Landing where the woman had been kneeling before, Kin heard a latch give way dropping the ceiling.
As the smoke cleared the woman dropped to the ground. She was about to leave the room when a kick to the back of the leg dropped her to her knees. Wrapping the woman up from behind, with her forearm around her throat and her other hand holding a senbon in front of her eye, Kin said, "Alright bitch, let's try that again."
The woman surprised Kin when instead of talking she attempted to impale her own eye on the senbon. Kin instead dropped the senbon and grabbed the woman by the hair and pulling her backwards and slammed the back of her head on the ground knocking her out. Shaking her head at the suicidal woman she wondered if there was some sort of mind control at play. Bounding her hands and legs she picked her up and began backtracking the way she came.
Tayuya quickly realized that her path was going to lead to the throne room that Orochimaru liked to occupy when he was staying at Northgate. Whether the new base commander was using it or not, she didn't know. She had Sasame follow behind her. She also had marked the various traps so if one of her teammates ended up following behind her they would be able to move quickly.
Finally coming to the end of the path they were traveling the two kunoichi entered into a room filled with tall pillars. As they walked down the center of the room the door that led to the throne room opened revealing the familiar silhouette of Orochimaru. Stepping out of the shadows the Snake Sannin said, "Tayuya, Tayuya so you finally have come crawling back hmm." He then let his Killer Intent fill the room causing Sasame to fall to her knees.
A look of surprise appeared on his face when Tayuya laughed. Giving him a dark grin she said, "You overplayed your hand. I've felt the real deals KI this is barely a drop in the bucket compared to his."
Reaching up to his face the false Orochimaru pulled his face away revealing an attractive young man's face. Running a hand through his light gray hair, that had black highlights, he said, "Regardless you have traveled a very long way to die, traitor."
"Arashi," Sasame shouted once the KI faded. She tried to run towards her cousin only to be stopped by Tayuya who had grabbed her wrist when she tried to go by. "Let me go," the orange-haired girl said pulling on her arm trying to get free.
However, Tayuya just pulled her back saying, "Calm the fuck down. Your cousin didn't have any problem causing you to almost wet your panties a second ago and somebody left all that blood in the hallway for all you know it was him."
"Arashi would never do that," Sasame shouted.
"Arashi wouldn't do that," her cousin said in a high pitched screeching voice. He then began laughing saying, "I may not have killed them but I was there. But don't fret Sasame even in death they'll serve a purpose. Would you like to see?"
His skin then began taking on a darker shade and bumps appeared on his which continued to grow eventually ripping his shirt away. Sasame's eyes grew wide in horror as the faces of Kamikiri and Jigumo appeared from his back. "Arashi," the orange-haired girl said weakly.
Tayuya took her eyes off the monstrous form of Arashi for a moment to check on Sasame and that was when he struck sending the elongated arm of Kamikiri at them. Sensing the attack Tayuya scooped up Sasame jumping away as the sharp blade of Kamikiri's weapon smashed into where she had just been standing. Quickly ducking behind one of the pillars Tayuya said, "Stay here," before jumping away to face Arashi.
Reaching into her pouch she grabbed a kunai. Holding the knife in a loose grip, so that she could throw it if an opportunity presented itself, she said, "So you allowed yourself to be turned into a freak in order to resurrect the Fuuma."
"That's right all the power of the strongest of the Fuuma contained in one vessel," Arashi said stepping forward the forms of the two Fuuma Jounin attached to his back constantly shifting and moaning, "But can you say you were any different? You allowed him to mark you with the Curse Mark for power."
"You're right, but I was all alone and had come to believe that only power truly mattered," Tayuya said hoping to reach the kind hearted boy that Sasame had described when talking about her cousin.
"Are you saying that it doesn't?" Arashi asked with a sneer.
"That's right, you have a cousin that was trying her hardest to reach you in this base isn't she more important than anything Orochimaru could bestow upon you?"
"Haha, you truly have gone soft under that failure Anko if that is what you believe. If Sasame had power she would have stormed the base and taken what she wanted," Arashi said. Growing bored he said, "Attack now Jigumo."
Responding to the verbal command the figure of Jigumo shot forward attempting to hit Tayuya. The red-head however was ready for the attack easily avoiding it and dashing at Arashi kunai still in hand. Arashi though tightened the elongated flesh connecting him to Jigumo pulling himself forward. Tayuya dodged to the side barely avoiding the metal claw of Kamikiri that swiped at her as Arashi flew by.
Tayuya waited for Arashi to turn to face her but he continued on towards the pillar that she had stashed Sasame behind. Cursing Tayuya threw the kunai aiming for the back of Arashi's head while running to attack him. However the metal claw moved to block her attack. While the claw deflected the kunai, the Jigumo portion shot forward catching Tayuya in the stomach with his fist and smashed her into one of the pillars. Arashi peeked around the pillar finding his cousin still sitting there clutching her knees and shivering. "Aw, poor Sasame," the crazed Arashi said bringing around the metal claw. Opening it he placed her head between the blades saying, "Don't worry Arashi will make it all better and then you can become a part of me too."
Tayuya managed to get back to her feet in time to avoid the Jigumo portion's follow up attack. Seeing Arashi crouched around the pillar Tayuya threw a kunai with a paper bomb attached to it at the main body. The Jigumo portion moved to intercept it and succeeded in doing so, but the tag exploded blowing Arashi away from his cousin. Tayuya didn't waste any time in running towards Sasame and pulling the still shivering girl to her feet, and slapped her across the face.
The blow seemed to pull the girl back to the real world causing Tayuya to say, "Pull it together bitch. We're in some serious shit here, and I don't need you to be freezing up on me."
"I can't fight him," Sasame whispered as she watched Arashi regaining his feet.
"Then don't, but don't just stand there like a lump of crap while he kills you," Tayuya said pulling out another kunai as the mass of flesh that represented Jigumo began to rejoin the main body. "Don't you have any pride as a kunoichi?"
"But he's my cousin," the orange-haired girl said tears leaking from her eyes.
"Not anymore," Tayuya replied preparing to attack, "The sweet cousin you remember is dead. He's just a puppet of flesh now."
"Tayuya you say such horrible things," Arashi said, "Let's shut that foul mouth of yours for good."
"Stop it Arashi," Sasame shouted in between sobs.
Arashi took his eyes off of Tayuya for a second to look at his cousin and that was when the red-head moved closing the distance between them. Arashi sensed the attack however blocking Tayuya's kunai with Kamikiri's metal claw. Tayuya expected that though and using the momentum of the claw as it tried to push her back, spun in past his guard. Bringing the kunai up she attempted to plunge it into his chest. As the blade got closer to scoring a hit a look of panic crossed Arashi's face and he jumped away.
He landed half-way across the room causing Tayuya to say, "I've got you figured out now you bastard. You're not as indestructible as you appear; your main body is still capable of being damaged."
"Well I guess I need to stop playing around with you then," Arashi said. Tayuya noticed that for a moment, the blank lifeless eyes of the two Fuuma-nin that were a part of Arashi, glowed a light blue.
Arashi then began making hand-signs which Sasame recognized causing her to shout, "Tayuya watch out."
When Arashi shouted, "Curse of the Mandala," Tayuya attempted to do as Sasame recommended but the jutsu moved to fast. She found herself trapped in a pyramid type structure made up of a rainbowish color chakra. She also noticed that the main body of Arashi was holding his hands apart from each other and that as he brought them closer together the jutsu entrapping her began to get smaller. Realizing what was in store for her, she began pushing against the sides with all her might hoping to prevent being crushed.
"Amazing," Arashi said to no one in particular, "she is actually holding me at this current level of compression. No matter she'll tire soon enough."
Sasame hearing the cold way her cousin spoke about killing Tayuya couldn't take it anymore. Running forward as tears ran from her eyes she said, "Please stop it Arashi. This isn't you."
"I told you already Sasame, you lack the power to make what you want a reality. You can't stop me," he said having the Jigumo portion casually knock her away. She landed hard against one of the pillars. Blinking the tears out of her eyes she saw the Kamikiri portion send the claw towards her to cut her head off.
Sasame watched unable to believe her cousin would be capable of killing her in such a detached manner. As the claw was about to reach her she was tackled to the side causing the weapon to bury itself into the pillar she had been leaning against. When Sasame realized she wasn't dead she noticed that her rescuer had taken up a defensive stance in front of her.
"I take it that this monster was at one point Arashi?" Kin said having stowed her captive near the entrance of the room.
Sasame nodded her head saying sadly, "Arashi is truly gone now."
From inside the jutsu Tayuya shouted, "Now you pull it together you dumb bitch!"
"Hey she's been through a lot," Kin said, "Cut her some slack."
"I'm sorry, maybe it's the fucking idea I'm about to be crushed to death that has me a little snappish," Tayuya said putting more effort into getting free.
"Sasame," Kin said gently but with some authority, "How do we get him to drop the jutsu?"
"It'll end if we can get him to break the hand-sign he's been holding."
Kin noticed how the main body was holding his hands in a triangle shape before saying, "I know that he was your cousin Sasame. But my teammate's life is on the line and I'm going to need your help to save her. Are you up to it?"
Sasame looked at the monster her cousin had become before nodding her head to Kin and grabbing two of the kunai that the two kunoichi had given her before entering Northgate. The two girls charged at the crazed Fuuma monster.
Arashi however simply turned his back to them, from the mass of flesh that connected the three Fuuma-nin came another shape. Except, this mass disconnected itself before assuming the shape of Kagero's true female form albeit her flesh was now darker. Kagero opened her white pupil-less eyes before running to meet the charging kunoichi. As she closed with the two girls she ducked under the swipe of a kunai by Sasame to catch Kin in the chin with a palm strike. Spinning around she hit Sasame in the side of the head with a kick that sent her rolling away.
Tayuya watched the two get hit mumbling, "My fucking heroes." Redoubling her efforts she began to push against the sides of the pyramid actually feeling it getting a little bigger. However, her small victory didn't last long as Arashi applied more chakra to the jutsu managing to collapse it right back. Tapping into the same desperation she had felt when facing Shikamaru she thought, "I'm not going out like this. Not to some stinking science experiment." She then began to push with all her might digging deep into herself. As she did so her skin began to darken and her hair began to grow turning more pinkish. She heard a ripping sound but was too busy pushing against the jutsu to care.
Arashi's eyes grew large in surprise as his hands were forced apart by the girl. He tried to pour more chakra into the jutsu but found he was already drained. As his hands broke alignment the jutsu gave way in a large explosion that blew him away from Tayuya. As he flew he felt shrapnel from the pillars of the room shred his chest and then knew only darkness.
Kin quickly grabbed Sasame before the explosion reached them and ducked behind a pillar. She noticed that Kagero hadn't moved in time and was blown across the room with stone from the ceiling collapsing on top of her. As the smoke cleared she saw a girl standing there with horns coming out of her head, "Tayuya is that you?"
"Not anymore," Tayuya said darkly, but began cracking up when a look of concern appeared on Kin's face.
"That wasn't funny," Kin said in a huff.
"It was plenty funny from where I was standing," Tayuya said as she walked closer. Just as she reached Kin her features returned to normal causing her to stumble.
Kin caught her before she could fall to the ground saying, "I thought your curse mark was gone."
"It is," Tayuya replied moving her hair to show Kin that it was indeed gone, "I don't know what that was. It gave me a power boost but it didn't last as you can see."
"We'll ask Anko about it later. Let's go see if she needs any help," Kin said helping Tayuya walk.
"That would be a bad idea," a pair of voices hissed behind them. Turning the girls saw the two headed gray snake that Anko had summoned before.
"Why?" Kin asked.
"Because Anko says the base is set to collapse and she's fighting the kunoichi with her hand on the button," the head that had a white dot on its head replied.
"Alright it's decided we go help Anko-sensei," Kin said with Tayuya concurring.
"She said you might say that so she also told us that if you do disobey her orders she'll have both of you training in the forest nude against some of the villages' biggest perverts," the head with a black dot said, "I'm hoping you disobey her personally."
"Pervert," the head with the white dot said to which the other half replied, "I'm just being honest."
Tayuya and Kin looked at each other before Kin said, "She'll do it you know."
"And we really should trust our sensei knows how to handle herself," Tayuya responded, "Also it was a direct order."
"Okay we'll head to the surface," Kin told the summons. Ignoring the look of disappointment the summons gave them they went to collect Sasame who was saying her good-byes to her cousin.
Sasame looked down at her unmoving cousin kneeling she began praying for him. She was just finishing as Tayuya and Kin came to collect her. Carrying the unconscious prisoner that Sasame identified as Kotohime, a fellow Fuuma, she followed them back to the surface but turned back to spare one last look at her fallen cousin.
Anko followed her path to a subbasement of the base. Walking down the steps she began to notice red crystal began to replace the stone and concrete that had made up the base. Coming to the end of the stairs she stepped through a doorway and found herself in a large dark cavern. Anko was blinded for a moment as the lights suddenly turned on. Her other senses remained alert though allowing her to avoid the large crystal shuriken that would have taken her head off.
Blinking the dots from her eyes she heard a cool and calm voice said, "Very good, I would have been disappointed if you had allowed that to hit you." After her vision cleared she spotted a woman in a green coat with white fur trim around the collar sitting in front of her in a chair covered in crystal.
Pulling a kunai Anko said, "And you would be?"
"Guren," the blue-haired woman said getting out of her chair, "One of Lord Orochimaru's chosen and the woman that replaced you as his disciple."
"Is that suppose to upset me?" Anko asked snidely.
Guren's eyes narrowed in anger as she spat out, "You ungrateful troll. Lord Orochimaru, choose you for the honor of bearing his mark, and you turned your back on him."
Anko looked at Guren in surprise before smiling and saying, "Is that right?" To tell you the truth my memories were always a little fuzzy about what happened after he gave me that hickey. It's good to know I rejected him."
"Well it's good to know you'll be at peace as I kill you," Guren said. She threw her arms wide open and as she did so several shuriken appeared in the air. The shuriken began spinning and then launched themselves at Anko.
Pulling a kunai Anko deflected the ones she couldn't avoid, after knocking away the last one she threw the kunai at her opponent. Leering at Anko she didn't even try to avoid the attack letting it catch her in the forehead. Her grin grew even more malicious as it harmlessly bounced off. Allowing the crystal she had covered her skin with to disappear she said, "Is that it? Is that all you are capable of?"
"Hey now, no need to get nasty," Anko said lightly, "we're still feeling each other out."
"Hardly," Guren said mockingly, "I know the extent of your pitiful abilities."
"You know that's what bothers me the most about you people with Kekkei Genkai you all think you're some hot shit because of them."
"Are you sure it isn't because Lord Orochimaru passed you over for someone that possesses one?" Guren said haughtily.
Anko smiled dangerously before suddenly disappearing. Guren's eyes widened for a moment but she easily parried as Anko attempted to stab her from the side. When a blade appeared on Guren's arm, she jumped away to avoid the blue-haired woman's counter-attack. Landing Anko's smile never faltered until she was stabbed from several directions as clones of Guren appeared from the crystal around her.
"Pathetic," Guren said disappointed.
However, Anko's smile returned as her form turned brown revealing she was a mud clone. The clones began looking around for Anko. The real Guren was also scanning for her when several snakes wrapped around her from behind. The snakes attempted to sink their fangs into Guren's veins but found she was one again covered in her Crystal Armor. The snakes then began to stiffen as they were surrounded by crystal as well. Anko jumped away breaking contact with her jutsu as it finished covering the snakes.
Guren's clones began to converge on the jounin. As the closest one attacked Anko dodged under its punch and swiped the clone off of its feet. Before it hit the ground she was already standing and kicked it into the clone coming up behind it. As the two clones collided they shattered into pieces. The final clone met the fate of its fellows as Anko raised her hand causing more snakes to appear from her sleeve. The snakes wrapped around the clone and Anko pulled on them causing the clone to fly towards her. She then kicked it to wear Guren was standing forcing the woman to destroy it.
"Perhaps I should be asking you if that's all you have," Anko said giving a predatory smile that was mirrored on her opponent's face.
"As you said," Guren replied calmly, "We're still feeling each other out." The blue haired woman then formed a crystal dragon. Standing on her creations head she said, "Let's see how fare against this jutsu. Oh, I should warn you as soon as I kill you I'm going to collapse this base on top of your precious students."
Anko's eyes narrowed as she bit her thumb, slamming her hand on the ground she pictured what she wanted to summon as she had been instructed but unfortunately when the smoke cleared the two headed snake named Zen'nen appeared. "You again," the head with a black dot said, "Kami lady even the slowest kid in the academy would have gotten this jutsu right by now."
"Stuff it before I turn you into a pair of snake skin sandals," Anko said attempting to make her blunder work for her. "Now I want you to find my students and tell them to get the hell out of here the base is rigged to collapse. Also tell them that if they disobey me they'll be training in the buff against some of the biggest perverts I can find."
The snake knew better than to argue so quickly slithered away. Guren who had watched amused said, "Truly, you put Lord Orochimaru's teachings to shame. Forming attachments makes you weak and the weak deserve to die."
"I'll remember that when you are looking up at me begging for mercy," Anko said before attempting the summoning jutsu again. Anko smiled in the smoke as she felt herself rising to meet Guren on the head of Naga.
"So you have managed to summon me finally," Naga said eyeing the crystal dragon in front of her.
"Yeah, but as you can see this isn't the time to celebrate," Anko said.
Nodding her head Naga asked, "Who is our opponent?"
"A flunky of Orochimaru, be careful she possesses the Crystal Release Kekkei Genkai," Anko answered while grabbing a kunai.
Before Naga could respond Guren said, "It would seem that our information about you is a little out of date. I was under the impression that you were not allowed to sign the Snake Contract. No matter. I'll earn Lord Orochimaru a favor from Manda by killing your traitorous summons." Setting about to bring her proclamation into reality Guren sent her crystal dragon forward to attack them.
Naga proved to be the faster easily avoiding the dragon as it smashed its head into where she had been coiled seconds before. "Careful, Naga," Anko said, "Our opponent has the ability to encase her opponents in crystal as well."
"Then how do you wish to proceed if we cannot touch her," Naga asked avoiding the dragons next attack.
"Simple, I doubt that dragon will be much of a threat if it gets separated from Guren since it isn't anything but a construct. Get me in close and I'll do the rest."
"Very well," Naga said before slithering across the floor at top speed. Naga stopped in front of the dragon prompting it to attack. As the dragon smashed its mouth into the ground it raised up dust and smoke causing Guren to lose sight of her opponents. As the dust settled she caught sight of the summons tail disappearing behind a crystal encased rock formation at the back of the cavern they were fighting in. She had just gotten the dragon moving when she sensed danger at her back. Turning just in time to see Anko, who had used the dust to get on the dragon and had run up its back, attempt to stab her with a kunai. Guren blocked the kunai strike but as she pushed it to the side Anko allowed her opponent to turn her so she could lash out with a kick that caught Guren in the head knocking her from the dragon's head.
Anko followed her opponent to the ground as Naga darted out from the rock outcropping she had moved behind and wrapped the dragon in her powerful embrace beginning to crack it by squeezing it. Guren landed gracefully despite being slightly disorientated by Anko's attack. She managed to avoid Anko's follow up attack by ducking under the blow and responding with a leg sweep that caught her opponent knocking her off her feet. Anko however, rolled away as Guren tried to press her advantage by forming a crystal blade on her forearm and stabbing the prone jounin.
Both women stared each other down as Naga struggled to destroy the crystal dragon. Wiping a bit of blood from her lip, a result of Anko's kick, Guren said, "You truly were an apprentice of Lord Orochimaru. I haven't been tested like this in quite some time. Which makes it all the more difficult to believe that you would actually turn your back on him."
"There was a time when I looked up to him like no other," Anko replied breathing hard, "But that man, if he ever truly existed, is no more. All that is left is an inhuman monster. I'm sure you have seen it that creature that lurks beneath the surface of the caring mentor he projects."
For a moment Guren returned to a portion of her past when Orochimaru had demanded that she kill a woman that had healed her after over using her powers. But the memory faded as she remembered his caring smile when she had returned after completing the task. "Lord Orochimaru demands much for his favor true. But he is power incarnate and that is all that matters to me."
"It's a pity you won't get to live to see how he will discard you when he no longer needs you," Anko said preparing to strike.
"If I was so weak as to be easily discarded by Lord Orochimaru then it is a fate I deserve," Guren replied tensing to move as well.
They moved at the same time striking at each other in a flurry of kicks and punches. Guren gained the upper hand when Anko landed a punch to Guren's chest only to find that it had been covered in crystal. The momentary pain was all the opening Guren needed to grab her by the throat and slam her head into the ground.
Dizzy Anko could barely understand Guren as she said, "I think I'll make a present of you to Lord Orochimaru. I believe he'll enjoy seeing your body covered in crystal perhaps enough to place it in his throne room." Guren picked her up and held her against the cavern wall. She then began crystallizing Anko's body wanting to save her head for last she had the crystal travel down from the grip she had on the jounin's throat.
It had just reached her chest when a shrill note that sounded like it came from a flute played. As it got louder and louder Guren felt the crystal around her begin to vibrate before shattering. Looking for the source she was unprepared as Anko having regained her senses gripped Guren's arm and the pulling her forward slammed her head into the wall behind her.
Jumping away from the Sound kunoichi to take up a position between Guren and her Team, Anko shouted, "I thought I told you three to head to the surface."
Answering for the three girls Kin said, "Would you believe that we got turned around to end up here?"
"Not for a second," Anko replied with a smile.
Taking her mouth from her flute, Tayuya said, "Hey, the least you could fucking do is say thanks for saving your ass."
"I'll consider that while thinking up a suitable punishment for disobeying my orders," Anko replied while eyeing her opponent.
"It'll be a small price to pay to live by what you taught us sensei," Kin said taking up a position besides Anko.
"And what would that be?" Anko asked curious.
"Teammates watch out for each other," Tayuya said holding her flute in a ready position.
"How sweet," Guren said mockingly causing all four women to glare at her, "but truly pathetic that you need the help of such failures to defeat me. Although, I suppose I should thank that flute wielding traitor for helping me collapse this base."
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
To answer her question a loud cracking could be heard as the crystal weakened by the sound from the flute began to give way. Explaining what was happening Guren said, "Earlier I destroyed the supports for this base replacing them with crystal. It seems your little concert has weakened them."
At that a large column of crystal gave way causing the two Leaf and one Fuuma kunoichi to stare at Tayuya who said, "How the fuck was I suppose to know?"
"Naga," Anko shouted as the ceiling began to collapse, "We need a quick escape."
Putting the finishing touches on squeezing the dragon Naga disengaged herself from it quickly making her way to the kunoichi. Kin noticed that Guren was making her way towards the stairwell so activated the exploding tag she had left there to discourage an escape attempt before they had revealed themselves. Smiling with some satisfaction as the Sound woman was blown onto her back. She lost sight of her as a piece of ceiling landed on her.
"Did you see that Anko-sensei," she said proud of her foresight.
"Pat yourself on the back when we aren't in danger of joining her in the afterlife," Anko said.
Naga stopped in front of the kunoichi opening her mouth before saying, "Get in."
Kin and Tayuya quickly did so, but Sasame hesitated, causing Anko to pick her up and throw her in the summons mouth while saying, "Get your bony ass in there." She promptly followed so Naga closing her mouth, dived head first into the ground just as the rest of the cavern followed by the base collapsed.
A few minutes later Naga made her way to the surface opening her mouth to let the kunoichi out. Sasame was the first saying, "Thank you, but I hope I never have to do that again."
Anko smiled but didn't respond instead rubbing Naga's head saying, "Thanks partner, how are you and the rest enjoying that spot I found for you."
"It is quite pleasant filled with a wide variety of terrain to suit many of our needs," Naga said before adding, "If there is nothing else I would like to return."
Anko nodded so the summons dispersed itself when the smoke cleared she spotted a bound girl so said, "Got turned around, my ass. Or did this prisoner just so happen to find her way out here before collapsing."
Both her girls looked sheepish so she said, "However, I suppose I can't get too angry, since I'd probably be on my way to wherever Orochimaru is as a piece of artwork if you three hadn't shown up when you did. So I guess I'll have to let this slide."
Both girls looked visibly relieved so Anko said, "Alright, let's return these two to Fuuma Alley to square our debt to Hanzaki. While we walk fill me in on the details of what you encountered down there." Picking up the bound Kotohime they set a leisurely pace back to Fuuma Alley.
Haku was tired as he made his way back to the central room of the underground section of the Koriryu castle. He had after several days finished the last test of might that each of the rooms had housed. After beating two more tests on the first day he had been too tired to continue and had been slightly afraid that by leaving the basement the rooms would reset. But they hadn't so he had picked up where he had left off the day before. Each test had required some demonstration of his ability with his bloodline ability in order to pass. After finishing the last one he had heard the tell tale unlocking of something heavy so hurriedly made his way back, which was why when he didn't spot anything new he was disappointed.
He was about to leave to search the castle hoping whatever had unlocked was somewhere else in it when he noticed that as he walked through the center of the room there was a pile of dust indicating that something had shifted. Looking straight up, he saw a circle opening in the ceiling that hadn't been there before. Leaping up to the top he sighed as he found himself in another chamber like the one below. Sighing he picked the only unlocked door and began the process all over again.
Team Anko had decided to take their time while returning to Fuuma Alley and were currently resting while Kin scouted ahead. They were hoping to avoid any possible entanglements with Orochimaru's forces. As the journey had progressed Anko began to have doubts about how she had handled the mission. While they had learned that Northgate was being decommissioned, her desire to provoke Orochimaru had resulted in her team almost being wiped out by Sasame's cousin and that Guren woman.
Taking a moment to look at Tayuya she couldn't help but worry what it meant that she could still change into her Level Two form. Granted that Tayuya hadn't been able to do it since her fight with Arashi but it still bothered her. Yet the mission wasn't a total loss as Kotohime had proven to be pretty adapt at retaining what she heard even while under the hypnosis that she claimed a boy fitting Sasuke's description had placed her in to make her not value her own life. According to her Guren had arrived from a base called Southgate. Tayuya had then supplied that Southgate had been the base that her old teammate Jiroubou had been in charge of.
Speaking of Tayuya she was busy teasing Kotohime about her sense of style since once she had shed her kimono it revealed that her and Kin had almost the same fashion sense. They even looked similar in the right light but Kin quickly squashed the possibility of them being long lost siblings when she revealed she had been an orphan in River Country to which Kotohime claimed never to have been.
Anko was pulled from her thoughts as Kin ran up in a hurry saying, "Anko-sensei, there is a large column of smoke coming from Fuuma Alley."
Jumping to her feet she ordered, "Alright double time it maggots," before jumping into the trees all thoughts of stealth abandoned. Roughly a half hour later they arrived at the village and the sight that awaited them would be burned into Sasame and Kotohime's mind forever as they saw many of the people they had grown up with laying in the street dead. There were several shinobi wearing the uniform of the Sound mixed in with them indicating that the Fuuma did not go down quietly.
Sasame tried to take off to look for survivors but Anko grabbed her. Before the girl could begin shouting to be let go Anko said sternly, "Calm down, you aren't going to help anybody by getting killed. The main force seems to have moved on, but there may be several units searching for survivors." Pointing at her two girls she said, "Tayuya, Kin search the east side for survivors. I'll take these two and search the west. We'll meet up here in half an hour. No heroics understood."
Both girls nodded before leaving to search the area assigned to them. Taking the two Fuuma Anko began her search at Club Lie-down. It also appeared to be where most of the heavy fighting took place. Taking a step in Anko wasn't surprised when Sasame vomited up the contents of her stomach at the sight that awaited them. When the Sound had attacked apparently the citizens of the town had retreated here hoping the Fuuma would protect them. Judging from the number of corpses outside they had attempted to do just that. But, eventually the Sound had managed to force their way in and that was when the real slaughter had begun as they hadn't spared anybody. Anko could vaguely hear Kotohime doing her best to help comfort the distraught Sasame. Focusing on the pair of Fuuma almost cost her as she barely dodged the massive sword of Hanzaki as he appeared from around a corner.
She was preparing a jutsu to bind him so she could explain they were there to help but it proved to be unnecessary as he collapsed the last vestiges of his strength leaving him. Flipping him over his eyes focused on her causing him to smile weakly as he said, "Sorry thought you were one of those Sound bastards"
"Don't talk," Anko said trying to find where he was injured but not seeing any sign of it, "We'll get you patched up."
"Don't bother that glasses wearing bastard was an expert at medical-ninjutsu," Hanzaki said his eyes losing focus, "all the damage is internal. Did you keep your promise?"
Anko nodded even though he couldn't see it saying, "Yeah, I found Sasame for you."
"Is she here…" he asked getting weaker.
"I'm here Hanzaki," Sasame said crying, "Kotohime is with me."
"And Arashi…"
Sasame shook her head not able to find the words but her silence spoke volumes causing Hanzaki to say, "I'm sorry Sasame." He waved the his hand prompting the two kunoichi to come forward before his hand fell to the ground Sasame grabbed it while kneeling near the large man.
"Sasame, Kotohime…you two have inherited the dreams of the Fuuma," Hanzakai said his breathing getting ragged, "Raise our clan from these ashes to heights never seen before…Anko."
"I'm here."
"Please watch over them…"
She was about to promise him, but saw it wouldn't matter as his chest stopped moving. Sasame started crying fully now while resting her head on the large man's chest with Kotohime reacting similar but trying to keep her emotions in check. Anko knew she should quiet the pair yet couldn't find it in herself to do it and truthfully hoped there was a squad of shinobi nearby to take her anger out on.
She got her wish when a squad of shinobi entered the club attracted by the racket. The leader tried to get off a smart mouthed quip but found it difficult as Anko's kunai found a home in his throat. The Leaf jounin proceeded to show the rest of Orochimaru's flunkies that they weren't dealing with a fallen ninja clan any more but a full on pissed off kunoichi. It was a lesson most wouldn't ever get to repeat.
Tayuya and Kin were searching a restaurant hoping to find anything but the endless slaughter that surrounded them when they heard a ruckus in the kitchen. Creeping up on it they could hear a voice say, "Search for stragglers. What a waste of time these Fuuma wimps barely had enough chakra to even serve as an appetizer."
Tayuya was surprised when she recognized the voice as Jiroubou's. Taking a peek in, she could see the large boy searching the kitchen for food and that he was alone. Giving Kin a sign to stay put but to be ready in case of trouble she got up and entered the kitchen saying, "Still always thinking with your stomach huh, lard-ass."
Turning slowly Jiroubou replied, "Well, well if it isn't the foul mouthed Tayuya. I heard you had betrayed Lord Orochimaru."
"More like he betrayed us," Tayuya snapped back, "That little concoction his toady Kabuto injected us with was meant to turn us into living bombs."
"So"
"So," Tayuya said unable to believe her ears, "Since when did you become all about being one of Orochimaru's suicidal followers."
Taking a step forward and smirking as Tayuya took a step back Jiroubou replied, "I was given the counter-agent upon my successful return to Lord Orochimaru. Are you going to pretend it had ever been anything but kill or be killed for us in Sound? The weak deserve to die that has always been our motto and you've become so very weak Tayuya. I wonder if I bring you back as a pet, if Lord Orochimaru will allow me to keep you."
"Keep dreaming fatass," Tayuya said disgusted at the idea, "I was always stronger than you."
"Perhaps when you had the curse mark," Jiroubou said taking another step forward frowning slightly when the red-head stood her ground, "But you don't have it anymore and as a result most of the genjutsu that you used to beat me with are no longer in your arsenal."
"That maybe true," Tayuya conceded, "But I've learned some new tricks since then." To emphasize her point she charged the large boy throwing him for a loop since the Tayuya he knew would always avoid in close fighting.
He threw a weak punch that Tayuya blocked and spinning into his guard delivered an elbow to his stomach. As he doubled over in pain she grabbed his head by the Mohawk he sported and slammed his head into her knee enjoying the crunching sound that told her she succeeded in breaking his nose. However, Jiroubou had been one of the few in Sound that had been placed almost exclusively in the taijutsu portion of the Sound Shinobi Program and knew how to keep his cool even while taking damage.
Tayuya found this out the hard way as she attempted to follow up her knee attack but found one of Jiroubou's meaty hands around her throat. He then threw her against a wall and followed up with a shoulder charge that knocked her through it. Stepping through the hole he made he said, "So you picked up some taijutsu. You're still a hundred years to soon to be challenging me."
"So it would seem," Tayuya said getting back to her feet, "But I learned something else that should put us on a more level playing field."
"And that would be?"
"The value of teamwork," Tayuya said enjoying the momentary look of surprise on Jiroubou's face as Kin's roundhouse kick connected sending him tumbling away.
Jiroubou got back to his feet his curse mark spreading over his body in his level one state. "Both of you are going to pay for that," he stated angrily.
Tayuya merely smirked reaching for her flute. Jiroubou stopped remembering all the times she had bested him with her genjutsu but remembering she no longer had access to her more potent ones decided to simply charge the pair. Bringing it to her lips she began playing. To Jiroubou it appeared as if Tayuya and her teammate were getting further and further away instead of closer. When he could no longer see them several large cobras sprang up from the ground. Bearing their fangs at him the snakes all bit vital areas of the Sound shinobi. Ugly purple veins appeared on his body causing a burning sensation as it spread. He realized that it would be all over for him if the veins reached his heart so tapped into his curse mark.
He returned to reality as the upsurge in power dispelled the genjutsu as he assumed his second state. He caught Kin in midair who had been hoping to capitalize on his confusion spinning her around in the air before sending her flying into a nearby wall. Much to his surprise Tayuya quickly dived in front of the airborne girl catching her and taking her punishment as she smashed into the wall with her fellow kunoichi.
Feeling at least one rib was broken Tayuya was helped up by Kin who said, "I think we are in serious trouble now. It may be best if we retreat."
"Fuck that," Tayuya said spitting the copper taste of blood out of her mouth, "I'm not letting this piece of shit think he is better than me by running me off."
"Pride comes before the fall, Tayuya," Jiroubou said making his way towards the girls slowly.
"It isn't just pride," Tayuya said, "That you are here means you took part in this slaughter. I can't forgive that since that pale piece of shit Orochimaru already took a girl named Sasame's cousin from her. He took the rest of her family away from her too. I may not be able to kick his ass yet. So I'm going to pound your fucking face into the ground in his stead."
"You mean we are," Kin said getting in her taijutsu stance at her teammates side.
Tayuya smiled before darting off to follow through on her threat. Kin let several senbon fly at Jiroubou who batted them away with his bare hand. However they were never meant to connect as they buried themselves in the ground near him. Jingling the bells attached she cast a genjutsu that made several Tayuya's appear. He tried to hit the middle one but missed as the real Tayuya buried her fist into his face turning his head to the side. She followed up with a quick that knocked his head the opposite direction. Due to the pain the genjutsu was broken so he managed to catch her follow up kick but was forced to let go as Kin joined the fray with a flying kick. He dodged it causing the girl to sail past him but couldn't capitalize since Tayuya jumped up wrapping her legs around the arm he had used to block her kick trying to arm bar him. However he proved too strong easily lifting her into the air. Kin though kicked out the back of his legs sending him and Tayuya to the ground where due to his lack of leverage she was able to pull his arm out of his socket.
Screaming in pain he rolled away as Tayuya let go having accomplished what she wanted. Getting to his knees eyeing the two kunoichi wearily and recognizing that since his arm was broken he wouldn't be able to do any jutsu as well as fight off the pair of girls said, "This isn't over Tayuya. Next time, I'm going to show you your place."
Tayuya simply flicked him off as he ran away before holding her hand to her broken ribs as the adrenaline wore off. "Well that was pretty damn reckless of us," Kin said with a smile.
"Yeah, let's not mention it to Anko-sensei," Tayuya said before feeling a cold shiver behind her.
"I thought I said, no heroics," Anko said appearing behind her two girls.
Both girls turned, but immediately noticed Anko wearing a belt made of Sound-shinobi headbands. Pointing at her trophies Tayuya said, "And what do you call those Anko-sensei?"
"A therapeutic way, of helping me deal with my anger," Anko replied in a way that chilled both her students. "Now let's go, there's nothing here left alive worth saving, I'm afraid."
Both girls sadly nodded their heads before falling into step behind their sensei, who then collected the two Fuuma girls from where she had stashed them, and proceeded to lead them all back to Konoha.
Haku had to master two more levels before the castle finally gave up its treasure. After the final level one more hole opened in the ceiling wearily he climbed it expecting more challenges only to feel reinvigorated as he entered a room filled with scrolls. There had been a scroll right near the entrance of the room picking it up he began to read. The scroll had been left by the last master of the Koriryu Clan. In it was written what lead up to the final days of the clan which was basically after the Third Mizukage killed his predecessor he had demanded the many clans swear allegiance to him. For clans like the Kaguya that had not been a problem due to their desire for bloodshed. However, the Koriryu refused not out of disloyalty but that they did not want to return to their old ways, as the clan had used its skills almost exclusively for assassinations before the founding of Kirigakure.
Even after the village had been established very few people had wanted to work with the group but the First Mizukage had looked past their fearsome reputation and had taken them in. The Clan head felt that by joining with the murderer of the First's chosen successor they would be betraying the trust that he had placed in the Koriryu to leave their dark past behind them. As a result of the clan's refusal to bow to him the Third Mizukage marshaled his forces and wiped them out setting up what would eventually lead to more Bloodline Massacres. Yet, before the clan met their end the Clan Leader managed to get many of the young children and women out of the Fortress to as he put it 'Plant the seeds for their inevitable return.' Also, they had hidden away the scrolls of their history and techniques which Haku had uncovered and the Clan Leader asked that he used for protecting the innocent.
As he had searched through the scrolls he found one in the back that was sitting on a large stone slab far larger than the other ones. Opening it he found several names written in blood as well as well as a handprint at the bottom. Immediately recognizing what it was having heard Naruto's description of the Toad Contract. Although the Contract itself gave no mention of what animal it would bind him too, he choose to believe that they would be powerful enough to help him in his desire to protect those precious to him so signed it. Feeling too tired to try to summon at the moment due to the challenges he had faced earlier he took the scroll with him and turned in for the night. While Haku usually didn't indulge in flights of fancy that night his dreams were filled with the variety of different powerful animals that this contract would allow him to summon.
Team Anko was standing before the Hokage having returned to the village after several days of travel. The two Fuuma girls were sitting in the lobby waiting to be called. To Tsunade's practiced eye she could tell this mission had been the type that proved emotional draining by the looks of the women in front of here. Having just heard their report she could understand why.
"Alright Tayuya, and Kin you are dismissed," Tsunade said as Anko finished her report. "Tayuya, I'll want to see you tomorrow morning so we can try and find out what caused you to transform."
The red head nodded before leaving with her teammate but not before they sent a worrying look to their sensei before exiting the room. While Anko was holding up well to Tsunade she looked like she was feeling guilty about something which her two students also must have picked up on.
Anko's feelings of guilt stemmed from what had happened to the Fuuma feeling like it was her fault since she had set out to provoke Orochimaru. The feeing had been hardest to deal with at night as Sasame had cried herself to sleep most nights. That was why the jounin was surprised when the Hokage said, "What happened to the Fuuma wasn't your fault?"
"With all due respect Lady Hokage," Anko said sadly her gaze directed at the floor, "I have to disagree. I wanted to provoke the bastard and I did right into destroying a whole clan."
"Anko, your plan to get the news you were in the country relied on the belief he had spies in the Fuuma. Orochimaru could have destroyed the Fuuma at his leisure," the Hokage said getting up from her chair and walking around the desk placed a hand on the jounin's shoulder to make her look up from the ground.
Anko met her gaze so she continued, "I have little doubt that Orochimaru timed his destruction of the clan with your arrival because he knew how personally you would take it if you survived. But don't believe for a moment that it was somehow your fault he always intended to destroy them of that I have little doubt. He probably let them limp on like they did because it amused him that's all."
"You can't be sure of that," Anko said here tone indicating she wanted to believe her leader.
"I can," Tsunade stated flatly, "It isn't public knowledge but on my first mission after my time of absence he managed to use what he knew about me to get me to heal one of his shinobi. He used my fear of losing those close to me against me. He's always had a way of manipulating the emotions of those around him Anko you should know this better than most. Those two girls you took in are proof of that are they not."
Returning to her desk Tsunade continued, "I don't want him to destroy you by making you feel guilty for something that is solely his doing. Don't forget you saved the future of the Fuuma. Speaking of which what do you plan to do with them?"
"I plan to sponsor Sasame and hope you'll see fit to place her on my team," Anko said feeling better due to the Hokage's words.
"That can be done. Am I to take it you want to go the Chunin Exam route, of getting her certified as a Leaf Shinobi?" Tsunade said, "I'm sure you could easily find the necessary votes in the council to get her into the village."
"True," Anko said shooting a look to the door, "But I want her to be able to feel like it was something she accomplished with her own hands, not a result of the tragedy that befell her."
"And the other one?"
"She's holding it together better than Sasame. And I believe she would be an asset in the information gathering department," Anko answered, "Therefore, I think it would be best to get her out there working as soon as possible, after some remedial training of course since both of their skills are pretty low."
"Again that shouldn't be too much of an issue," Tsunade replied before telling Anko to get the two young women in question.
As the girls entered Tsunade took in the two girls' appearances. Kotohime was slightly older probably around seventeen years of age. Her long black hair reached about to the middle of her back and she could see the girl's onyx black eyes begin to widen in surprise at meeting one of the legendary Sannin. She was also wearing a green vest with a purple tube top and the camouflage pants that seemed to be standard issue in Sound. She was also wearing a scarf in the same colors as her pants.
Going off of what Anko reported her skills were probably very low chunin since it seemed that her goal had been to lure Kin under the trap ceiling to crush her and probably if necessary hold her there. Tsunade knew it would be a tough sell, but she was sure she could muster enough support to get her certified through the council. What troubled Tsunade the most was that Kotohime claimed to have met Sasuke and her more suicidal self seemed to have been a result of that meeting. She would have to remember to ask if Kakashi was gaining more control of his Mangekyou Sharingan to read what else was on that stone tablet he and Shizune had found hoping it may hold details of some of the less known powers of those cursed eyes the Uchiha possessed.
The other girl Sasame appeared just as nervous as Kotohime, but didn't have the look that Tsunade associated with people recognizing her status as a Sannin. Her nervousness probably stemmed from her recognizing the woman in front of her held her future in the balance. The girl looked as if she was a little underfeed, probably from her time in the woods trying to enter Northgate. She also carried an air of great sadness which Tsunade fervently hoped didn't turn into the desire for revenge that had eventually consumed Sasuke. Turning her gaze to Anko she could see the same concern was in her eyes as well.
Confident Anko wouldn't allow the girl to reach that point Tsunade said, "Allow me to express my heartfelt condolences for the losses you have both suffered." Both girls nodded their heads so she continued, "Anko has told me you both have expressed interest in joining Konoha." Again another pair of head nods from the kunoichi was here answer, "Very Well, I will recognize that as of this moment you are both sponsored Ninja of the Leaf Village. However Kotohime, I'm going to have to ask that you allow yourself to be not only interrogated, but also submit to having your mind scanned by one of the Yamanaka."
"You can't do that," Sasame blurted grabbing onto Kotohime's arm.
"I beg your pardon," Tsunade said a little indignantly.
Before Sasame could continue Kotohime quickly said, "Please forgive her outburst Lady Tsunade." She then turned and dropped to one knee in front of the younger girl saying, "It alright Sasame. I'm sure it's just a precaution and to be honest it will be somewhat of a relief since I don't know if there are any other subliminal commands inside my head. Also don't forget I chose to serve Orochimaru willingly therefore it is only natural that they will want to make sure my joining the Leaf Village is sincere."
"Exactly," Tsunade said causing both Fuuma to look at her, "Don't worry no harm will come to her and if you wish you may even watch the interrogation."
Sasame relaxed at that, so Tsunade pressed on, "As to you Sasame. You will be placed on Team Anko. I trust you don't have a problem with that arrangement?"
Sasame shook her head no and looked quite pleased at least until Anko said, "Wipe that smile off your face maggot. Trust me when I say my training is going to be as close as you can get to hell while still breathing. I'll expect you to meet us at the Forest of Death tomorrow at sunrise."
Anko proceeded to leave the room since Tsunade had said she would have her apprentice show her where the two girls would be staying. Before she left Sasame asked, "Where is the forest of death?"
Looking over her shoulder she gave a predatory grin and said, "You're a kunoichi find out, but that's where I'm going to turn you into a real shinobi."
Tsunade could see Sasame give a grim nod of understanding and smiled at the determined young girl fully confident that with Anko's guidance she would overcome her tragic past to become a proud shinobi of the Leaf.
Haku was excited as he prepared to summon for the first time having decided the courtyard outside would probably be the best place to perform the jutsu. Having seen Naruto practice the jutsu he knew the hand signs necessary if not the exact means of what to do it. Forming an image of the Boss Toad he hoped to at least summon something along the lines of that. Biting his thumb he went through the hand signs before slamming his hand on the ground.
When the smoke cleared four penguins stood in front of him with three of them facing away. The fourth and youngest looking one was staring up at with him in what appeared to be nervousness. The one in the middle of the three facing away from him said, "Kowaski, it seems you made a slight miscalculation in the course you set seeing as I don't see the beaches of Moon Country in front of me."
"Well Gunso, I would say that is unlikely since we were on that pirate ship we hijacked only a few seconds ago. The fact that we are seemingly and suddenly in such an unfamiliar environment would suggest a summoning took place."
Before the penguin Gunso could respond the penguin staring up at Haku said, "G...Gunso sir."
"Not now Genin. Can't you see we are trying to figure out where we are?"
"B…but sir," the penguin said tapping him on the shoulder.
"I said in a moment," he said turning before stopping to look up at Haku as well. "Good work Genin," he added walking forward. "I take it you are the one that summoned us to this god forsaken place."
"I did," Haku said slightly disappointed at the results he achieved.
"Well at least you're easy on the eyes eh Riko?" Gunso asked addressing the tallest penguin that had yet to speak. The penguin merely nodded its head.
Sighing that now even animals were confusing him with a girl Haku said, "I'm a boy."
Gunso stared at him for a moment before saying, "Well congratulations you have successfully made me question my sexuality. However, putting that aside why have you summoned us and why do you look dissatisfied?
"I'm sorry," Haku quickly said schooling his face into a more passive one. "I didn't know what the contract I found summoned. I suppose my disappointment stemmed from the fact that I hoped to have summoned something along the lines of Gamabunta the Boss Toad."
"Gamabunta," Gunso said a little offended that the boy wanted to summon a giant like that, "I suppose he would come in handy if you wanted to have him sit on somebody. But do you think a fifty-foot tall toad has ever snuck up on somebody and slit his throat."
"I suppose no…"
"You're damn right he hasn't," Gunso said pointing a flipper at Haku, "Furthermore, I haven't met the opponent yet that with the proper application of explosives and jutsu couldn't be brought down to our level. But by the look on your face I guess you need a demonstration." Turning to the silent penguin he said, "Riko!"
The penguin opened his mouth and a white beam shot out right at Haku, who dodged to the side, and hit the white wolf, that had been stalking Haku ever since he arrived on the island, in midair. The wolf began to turn a bluish-white as it froze from the beam's impact and shattered into little pieces as it hit the ground.
"Not bad, huh?"
"I'm sorry for doubting you," Haku said still amazed at the power of the Ice jutsu he just witnessed. "May I call on your services in the future?"
"Well you did sign the contract and the fact that you dodged Riko's blast means you probably got the chops to be a real shinobi…"
"Not to mention it has been quit sometime since we have been called on to use our talents," the penguin called Kowaski added.
"Yeah, it has been while since we've been allowed to cause some real havoc so feel free. Now if you will excuse us there's a beach in Moon Country with my name on it," Gunso said before he and his team dispersed.
Haku stood there with a look of satisfaction on his face after the penguins left feeling as if he was another step closer to attaining his goal. Heading back into the fortress he decided to find another skill to learn since he was quite sure that he would need every minute of the three years the dying Mizukage had suggested his death would delay those threatening his friends.
Sai was breathing hard as the inexhaustible Kushina went through another of his Ink Clones. Summoning another one he sighed as he looked towards Fu Yamanaka who had been watching over these training sessions. Sai didn't dare try to implement his plan with his fellow Root member there since he was one of Danzou most faithful soldiers. Watching Kushina fight was like watching Naruto they both didn't know the meaning of the word moderation. That was something that frightened him as the woman had improved so much from when she had first been awakened. However, she, at least to him, gave off the same aura of friendship and kindness that Naruto seemed too.
Moving to sit against the wall he began to draw the next picture for the book he wanted Sakura to assemble. It had been a while since his last one due to his not wanting to attract too much attention since all the outgoing mail was monitored. The man who checked the mail had yet to question why he sent out pictures and he didn't want to change that by rushing them out. As Kushina finished off the clone he was just finishing the rough outline for the picture he wanted to create. This picture would have the faceless boy he was using to represent Naruto, at the moment, standing protectively in front of two girls clutching each other in fright. In the foreground, was the leg of their would be attacker, as he held a wicked looking knife.
Closing his pad he smiled slightly as Kushina waved to him before indicating she was heading to her quarters for a shower by holding her nose and waving her hand in front of her. After she left he began collecting his stuff to follow suit while thinking about the plan he was currently in the middle of. Truth be told, he would be surprised if Sakura saw the truth in the pictures before the final page. Not because she was lacking in intelligence, far from that, but because she wasn't in the right frame of mind when it came to the pictures as she didn't know just how important they were. Granted, he didn't doubt she would see that they correlated to Naruto's life as the picture he was currently working on was inspired by the attempted abduction of Hinata by the Cloud-nin. But as far as Sakura was concerned it was just Sai trying to be a good friend. No, it would be the last page that would hammer how important the pictures were to Naruto's future, but if Sakura put it together before then that would be a bonus he supposed. Those were thoughts for the future however, as inattention in the present could result in his removal from the game that Danzou was playing before Sai could make his final move.
Kabuto stood outside the entrance to the ruins that had been Northgate as the shinobi with him continued exuviating it since arriving after they had wiped out the Fuuma Clan.
"I still don't see why we are wasting time digging up this base," Jiroubou said rubbing his arm that Tayuya had broken which Kabuto had healed.
Smiling while he pushed up his glasses, Kabuto replied, "I told you, we are attempting to recover the body of Arashi."
"That's what I don't understand. If he was defeated by those bitches it's pretty obvious the experiment was a failure," Jiroubou said with a sneer.
"Well considering you have been defeated the past two times you have faced the Leaf you don't have much room to talk. Furthermore, even a failed experiment can yield surprising results and the Casualty Puppet Jutsu may lead to creating the perfect vessel for Lord Orochimaru. Now if you are feeling fit enough to complain, why don't you lend a hand time will proceed much faster then."
Jiroubou knew an order when he heard one, so proceeded down the steps of the entrance. He had just disappeared through the doorway when Kabuto felt the ground begin to rumble. The rumbling got worse until the ground towards where the center of the base would be began to crack and red crystals began to sprout from the ground. From one of the bigger ones an image of Guren appeared before she emerged from it falling to the ground.
Walking up to the prone woman, Kabuto said, "Welcome back to the land of the living Guren." Kneeling next to her and reaching into his pouch he said, "Although, perhaps it would far more merciful to kill you so you wouldn't' have to report your failure to defeat Anko." Guren merely stared at him with hate filled eyes before Kabuto pulled out a soldier pill and placed it in her mouth. "But we wouldn't want to lose such a valued member of the Sound Village would we now," he said mockingly before walking away.
"Sir, you're going to want to see this," a Sound Chunin said running up to him.
Walking to the room that housed Arashi's remains he walked past the worthless flesh of the dead Fuuma as well as the two jounin that had joined with him to the true prize that they had seemingly uncovered. The fully self sustained form of Kagero, unlike the other two Fuuma jounin who she had partnered with. Kagero's continued existence did not rely on that of the body that she had become a part of due to the Casualty Puppet Jutsu. While it was always a possibility Orochimaru had not really expected Arashi to bore such golden fruit so soon. Looking at the woman he could see that her body was already healing at an accelerated rate and if she retained Arashi's ability to make other shinobi a part of her she may become a truly formidable weapon or as he had told Jiroubou a perfect host body. An idea that Kabuto fervently hoped was possible, as he would enjoy offering Sasuke to the woman.
Keeping such thoughts from his face he said, "Alright pack her up and let's return to Southgate to inform Lord Orochimaru of our success." Sparing one last look at the now brown skinned woman Kabuto smiled as he also thought that while studying the woman it would be such a shame if she somehow got loose long enough to kill Sasuke after all turning humans into weapons was such a tricky business.