Wah! Wah! WAAH!!!!
Sorry, freaking out when this chapter turned out to be, humongous! I did not intend to make it this long, I hope you don't take it to be too long, I never guessed three mini papers of notes would be this long.
Oh, anyway...
I am kind of thinking about adding a SaiIno pairing into this story, and before you collapse from your chairs or decide to switch to another story, hear me out. Yes, normally I hate making up pairings, but believe me that this story will differ from the other stories, and as you have seen so far, I am a little against to get too lovey dovey. I still think the chapter where Naruto and Sasuke got together was one of this story's worst, but then again I still haven't found a way to make it turn out better.
Also, for everyone who want a full explanation of Akatsuki's doing, then read this chapter, because this once more bring up the subject. I think everyone knows what Akatsuki are after, but why are they after it?
Shitza
Ps: Current chapter, partly inspired by Pirates of the Caribbean. Okay, I am still half in ecstasy since a while back when dad bought it. Though the second movie isn't as good as the first, I still love pirates. Pirates and ninja, great combination, eh?
PPs: Also, Shitza wonders where all of her reviewers have gone for the last couple of chapters, because if the story quality is getting worse then she begs you to tell her. Because she can't change those annoying things unless someone alerts her about it, and she can't help this is a long story. It wasn't, to begin with, planned to be this long.
OH, AND SINCE I AM STRONGLY BELIEVING THIS WILL BE THE LAST CHAPTER BEFORE CHRISTMAS, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chapter 34
Sai's Roller-Coaster,
The Next Move
The wind howled outside, the streets were pretty much deserted since there had been an unexpected storm coming, though it did not bother some few selected. Neither snow, storm or rain could stop a shinobi from her duties, and so Ino was walking down the road, careful not to get hit by any of the flying sticks or selection of items. A few wind users had taken this wonderful afternoon as a brilliant training opportunity, she was pretty sure she would have seen another blond guy there, if it didn't happen to be so that he was out on mission. She could not understand how she, a Jounin, had been selected to watch Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto's two adoptive daughters, but then again she would probably have done so even if it wasn't a mission. Sasuke and Naruto were two great guys, and while they were gone someone needed to watch the two girls, now that their father was dead who knew what would happen to them.
The wind blew, surprisingly close to throwing her off balance. The blond girl grunted as the wind ripped her clothes. She couldn't see how such a storm would develop when it was still spring, but she couldn't say either she knew much about weather. Her father had told her when she was little: "A Shinobi can control a lot of things, but he/she can never control the forces behind nature." which indeed had a point. They mastered the arts of chakra, but when it came to the secrets behind storms, thunder and snow, they couldn't do much. For any shinobi, to fight against a storm was enough to make you run out of chakra for a week, in which case, common people had developed a saying. Out of all the jobs you could get, if you became a sailor, geisha or ninja you were bound to end up superstitious. Now, a shinobi rarely acted superstitious, but more then half had found their own ways to predict the course of nature. If you only looked at her Hokage... if her gambling suddenly made her very rich, something terrible was about to happen.
Finally, she reached the door and safely could lock herself away from the blowing storms. She was immediately greeted by two happy chirps of voices, and four arms dragging her skirt, wanting her to play with them. Ino sighed, longing till the day the girls would grow up from their playful act, but then again she had to admit they were really sweet. It was impossible for her to think they were really Itachi's daughters, to think such a maniac who killed his own clan, give birth to such wonderful girls. Ino nodded giving them a grin, before racing them towards the living room. There all three started a game of hide a nd seek, letting Ino try to find them. For some reason though, two brats were harder to find then she thought. Maybe because they were related to one of the strongest Clans in the village, but then again perhaps not.
Outside the weather only was getting worse, now with rain coming. The hours had passed, and the girls calmed down slightly soon sitting on the floor with some tree weapons, shaped like kunai and shuriken. Some families, like the Uchiha, the Hyuuga, The Yamanaka and other clans believed that children should be taught as early as possible if they should become shinobi. When the Rookie Nine had started their Academy days, six people of all nine had been practising early. Sasuke and Hinata had been no surprise, with their families being what they were. Shino, she and Shikamaru had also began early because their families wanted to keep their position in the village. Even Naruto had began his training before the Academy, but it was probably because he wanted to, and the boy had always been able to get his will through, one way or another. She also knew Tenten and Neji had started early as well, Tenten because her family trained in the arts of weaponry.
As for the remaining Chouji had been spoiled enough that his parents allowed him to have a close to carefree childhood, teaching him instead how to eat huge amounts to save calories. Kiba had been busier with the dogs, and his mother had thought it was more important to create bonds with the animals instead of a early start. Lee and Sakura didn't come from higher clans, some did not have shinobi parents so they didn't ave the same benefit in that way. Not surprising Sakura had gotten quite amazed by her skills back at their days in school.
Ino was lying on the couch, watching the two play with their fake shuriken and kunai when she heard the door slid open and bolted up. She hurried to find out what had happened, but it seemed that only the wind had caught it. She was about to close it, when she saw someone lying face down before her. To her surprise it was a teen, around her age probably, and he looked wounded. Though she was not a medic nin, she knew some healing jutsus and used them to at least close his wounds. It was a good thing he did not have internal wounds and high bleedings because if so only skilled medics would have been able to handle this. She carefully dragged him to the living room, making the two girls stop playing to see what she was doing. She wondered if she should send them to bed, but it was probably too late. Pocky stood silently watching while Dango /the smart girl) went to fetch a wet cloth she could put on his forehead noticing he was starting to get a fever. The oldest girl sat down beside the teen, looking at him with glazed eyes. Ino wondered for a moment what this girl could possibly have witnessed with a father like hers.
It wasn't much she could identify the boy with. He had short black hair, wore black clothes and he was, according to his hitaiate a Konoha shinobi. But, she couldn't recall seeing him before, though some parts of him seemed familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Shrugging this feeling of she helped him to lie down on the couch. Then she could send the girls to bed, knowing they would leave him alone now, seeing how he was. Dango obediently grabbed her sister's hand, dragging her of to the bathroom and their bedroom. Before she disappeared, it seemed as if she blinked at Ino, but then again it could be her eyes deceiving her as well.
It had taken them two days to get to the borders of the Fire Country, and it would take them a further three to sail to the Mist Country. As it was, team seven were enjoying their fourth day of travelling by well... doing nothing. Naruto was sat lazily on deck, watching some sea gulls flying above them. Sasuke had fallen asleep on his lap, tired of waiting as well. Sakura chuckled, holding a book which was titled: Healing Wounds Under Water. It was a book she had "borrowed" from the library for this mission, in case she could find some new areas to continue her expertise. Her sensei had taught her a lot, perhaps, but it was still not enough to satisfy her hunger for more and more knowledge.
Naruto yawned widely, stroking Sasuke's soft hair between his fingers. The dark haired Jounin snuggled closer to the comfortable warmth, enjoying the moment. It was unusual for them, busy as they were normally, to take a day relaxing like this. Naruto chuckled, placing a kiss on Sasuke's hair before closing his eyes as well. The sound of the waves was indeed making his feel sleepy, so drowsy.
A sailor shortly whispered a question into Sakura's ear. "They are lovers, right?" he asked. The pink haired Jounin didn't bother looking away from her pages, but simply nodded and said "yeah". The Sailor smiled. "I knew it." he said before his captain told him to go back to his duties. The hours passed slowly, the deck smelled of tar, wood and faintly of salt from the water. As the hours passed, the three of them stood looking towards the sunset and the dolphins playing with the waves. With good speed, and hopefully good weather they would reach the village in the morning.
They ate dinner in the captain's room that evening, for the last night together. The captain, an elder man who had spent his life on the sea always enjoyed company and would tell them stories, for example stories of storms, of pirates and of beasts that so far had not been identified. The three youngsters listened politely, though some of the stories sounded quite absurd. The Captain particularly loved one about a white whale, and a maiden he had rescued from the sea, but it sounded like nonsense to them. There were no white wales, as far as they were concerned.
It was almost night, and the three were heading back to their rooms which lay in one small corridor. Sakura said goodnight, closing the door to a smaller room she shared with one of the sailor's cats, whom seemed to have taken a liking of her. Naruto and Sasuke shared together, as if they didn't always do that. The two of them had a room further into the corridor, where they slept.
As night fell, the winds suddenly turned and a heavy rain smattered onto the hard wood. High waves met the crew, who were doing their best to control the situation. Stormy winds made the journey a lot harder, surely there were some things that were worse, but what was worrying the sailors weren't the storm or the rain, but what could come afterwards. Storms around this area were usually followed by a complete stillness, and it was far worse simply floating out in nowhere with no wind, then risking your life in a storm. Because a storm passed rather quickly, yet stillness could go on for weeks, and no one knew if the food would be able to hold for long time enough to be able to take yourself to shore.
Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto had surely enough had a rough awakening when the storm surprised them, and being shinobi they helped out as much as they could. Using their skills, they were able to take care of most of the crisis, and for the dozen of sailors on this ship the three of them came as a blessing from the gods. It took around four hours for the storm to pass, and when it was over, the sailors cheered thanking the gods of the sea and their saviours. However, neither of the three seemed to care somebody treated them like gods. Having been working half the night they were kind of tired so to say, and spent the continuing morning sleeping on deck, heads resting on top of each other, it looked to be honest, quite amusing.
Luckily there was a slight wind that took them further, and all omens around them seemed good. The sailors were working hard to make it to the coast by noon, and as the journey continued they soon could see land coming. It was probably around an hour before they would reach port in Kiri.
Or so, they thought.
The next horror of the journey came in an unexpected wave, smashing into the boat, making water start to leak into it. A bunch of the sailors hurried below deck, to see what had happened. On deck, the three shinobi stirred awake, having landed like a pile over each other. They quickly stood up again, only to see a second wave coming at them. Seeing the upcoming danger, Naruto did not hesitate but to send his strong windarrow to split the water. Even though wind wasn't stronger or weaker than water, hitting the water at a weak point managed to save them. When the water had returned to the sea, now completely still, they saw two familiar figures, two figures they only knew too well. Hidan and Akatsuki, both missing nin and both from Akatsuki.
"You!" Naruto said as his memory flashed in his mind, reminding him about the mission in Amegakure. Hidan smirked, throwing his scythe, aiming for their heads. The three Jounin ducked, and the scythe changed course back to its owner.
Kakuzu sighed. "Impatient as always." he said to his companion. "But I remember these brats. You almost screwed our mission last time, won't happen again." Thereafter he sliced his hand, letting the blood mix with water to form his blood clones. The three Konoha Jounin quickly changed position, to be able to confront the attacks, Sakura to the left, Sasuke to the right and Naruto in the middle.. Kakuzu's clones attacked rapidly, giving the three shinobi a hard time to defend their positions, and it was only worse that the sailors were still on board. The air was filled with screams as clone after clone killed effectively. The three Konoha shinobi did their best to save as many of them as possible, they were more then relieved to see one of the life boats disappear from the ship, which meant that not everyone had died. Naruto created some of his Kage Bunshin to hopefully even the odds. However, it did not exactly even things up, as only a new wave of Blood clones appeared.
The sea was soon coloured red with all the clones getting killed, since Kakuzu's clones were the closest to real bodies as you could get. Their kunai, as well as their arms had literally been drenched in blood, how a clone could produce so much blood no one knew, but it was surely annoying. To others this would be a horrible sight with three teenagers fighting for their lives, in this red sea but to them, it was nothing more or less that a troublesome day, because their targets were already gone, and yet they could not abandon their posts and let these things attack the village. However slowly they all wondered what the Kiri shinobi were doing, not coming there to aid them, seeing as they were almost by the village. Surely, the crew would have found land and told everyone about this, wouldn't they?
Naruto nodded towards Sasuke, who made a few seals shooting a mass of smaller fireballs at them, which was sooner caught by Naruto's wind. However, by doing this, the boat caught fire. Sasuke took out a scroll, which he used to summon a large net, with heavy rocks which would make it harder to escape. Tossing this over the remaining clones, the three decide to make their escape, letting the now flaming ship sink to the bottom. Not mortally wounded, because all wounds they would be able to heal later, they hurried to get to the village, feeling that their last amount of chakra would soon drain. The closer they came to the village, they could hear people coming to meet them. A few Jounin, all wearing the Mist hitaiate, and two whom looked exactly alike. If Sakura did not mistake it, as two Jounin came to help her stand (because they had all grown very tired from the fight), the identical people she saw had to be twins. There was a slight difference between a clone and a real person, and once you got powerful enough, you could almost feel that distinction. The two twins were helping Sasuke to drink some water. You barely noticed in the heat of the battle, how sore you could get, and they had as it looked, fought beyond their limits.
With the help of the Mist shinobi, the three of them were brought to the hospital to rest. On their way curious heads had been staring at them, but no one got any closer to them, there still seemed to be a slight ravine between the villagers and the shinobi. At the Hospital, they were tucked into blankets, while skilled medics took care for any wounds, which turned out to be nothing more then cuts and loads of bruises, but nothing that would scar them for life so to say, exhaustion seemed to take care of them anyway. Little did they notice, while they were treated, how people avoided them having seen the fight from shore. The reason the Mist did not come to aid was simple, they suddenly saw three completely unknown figures taking care of clones which had put the village into loads of sacrifices for the last couple of days.
They three Konoha Jounin were allowed to stay at the hospital over the night, resting from exhaustion and weariness. As they dreamed themselves away from reality, they did not notice a pair of golden eyes watching them with a bright smile.
Morning broke swiftly over the blue village Kirigakure, home of water, boats and hundreds of legendary stories. Of all the Five Great Hidden Villages, the Hidden Mist had probably been through the worst kinds of inner war than any other village. From being small riots, great organisations, like for example the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen had appeared from these blocks. However, no matter all the pain and suspicious events, there was always one smile that everyone relay to. Shinzo, the Fourth Mizukage was a middle aged man, yet his hair had already grayed and his eyes weren't as bright as they had used to be, still his smile still held a touch of mischievousness. He was 53 years old, and he had been the Mizukage for around twenty five years, and still not planning on retiring. He was well known for being a genius, much since his early career, becoming Genin at the age of six, Chuunin at the age of eight and Jounin at the age of barely eleven. It had taken him a few more years before he was decided to become the Fourth Hokage, when the Third died in war, and since then he pretty much stayed alive.
Walking towards the hospital, which he only had visited the day before, he smiled brightly watching the kids play on the streets, playing Ninja, which had since generations back been the most favourite game before you graduated that is. After that, it became the real thing and not just a game.
There was another interesting famousness of the Mist Leader, and that was his clothing. No Kage in history, refused to wear something somebody else gave them, what Shinzo always wore was a baggy robe, where there were stains of sauce, Sake, miso and a lot of other things. It was constantly being fixed, since it many times looked as if it would fall apart. His boots held a hole each, and he smoked a long pipe which smelled welcomely. Literally to say, Shinzo was not someone who cared about his looks, but more a person who cared about the heart. Because he was well known within the village of always carrying a warm heart to everyone.
Oh, and don't forget his bright earring of gold, a trinket he had gotten from his wife, before the days she left him, for som punk she nowadays ate grass with.
Wearing a calm smile he walked into the hospital and down the corridors. He didn't need directions, he knew this place from corner to corner. A few nurses bowed to him in the corridors as they hurriedly passed him, all welcoming him warmly. No matter how rough the Hidden Mist may seem on the outside, in the inside there was in many ways a more welcoming spirit than what many other places had got.
He reached the door to the Konoha shinobi that had been brought in the day earlier, but before he got the chance to open the door he could hear loud giggling and someone speaking rather annoyed.
"What the heck Naruto, what was so funny with that?" a male voice said.
Inside the laughter roared, coming from two persons obviously. A female voice gasped between laughter: "Have we gotten ourselves a chicken in the room."
"Don't look so grim, Sasuke! You look really cute with feathers in your hair. Stop glaring at me, or I might consider ever getting together with you."
There was a slam to the wall, and the first male voice said, almost too quiet for him to hear behind the wall: "Don't even think about that!"
The female continued to giggle, while something obviously was going on, and the second male voice said, though it was quite hard to grasp: "Sha... Sa... Sasuke... There's... uh... there's someone listening to us, behind the door."
That was obviously his signal to entrance. Inside the once tidy room, feathers covered the ground, which explained the giggles, and the dark haired teen was holding his blond comrade to the wall, kissing him. He had expected a lot when Tsunade-san had agreed to aid them, but not to be helped by a male pair like this. He wasn't unfamiliar with it, after all homosexuality had been a part of the world since humans were born, but it had surprised him. The blond teen, who was forced to the wall, blushed deeply trying to struggle free. "Let me go, teme!" he said.
The dark haired teen nodded, releasing his shirt while their third teammate, the girl, bowed in forgiveness for the mess they had made, after all they had been childishly been having a pillow fight in the room a few minutes earlier, before Sasuke started to complain that two equals against one was highly unfair, thinking that his dobe was one of them. It then ended with a kiss, which was of course, interrupted. Sakura was used to their behaviour, but then again not everyone were and that could sometimes mean trouble.
"I heard Tsunade said she could send some troublemakers to me, but I did not expect it to be such a neat description." Shinzo said with a light chuckle.
All three slowly rose to their feet, bowing.
"I'm Haruno Sakura, Sir!" the pink haired female said, pointing at the blond and dark haired teen she said. "These are my friends and teammates, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke."
Shinzo nodded, noticing that Sakura, as her name was, reminded him partly of his ex-wife. Same green eyes and same name, such a coincidence.
"I am deeply sorry for the mess..." she continued "but my friend (she glared at Naruto) is still such a child deep within."
The blond Naruto glared at her. "Am not!" he whined, making her giggle again. The older teen, Sasuke, smirked pushing his close friend back to bed, before sitting down beside him.
"No need to ask me about forgiveness, leave that to the nurses instead. I hope you have had a pleasant night, sadly they'll be throwing you out as we normally don't accept other shinobi into the hospital. Would you mind dropping by my office instead. As you all know." he said put his hand on the wall. "Walls have ears."
All three nodded, Shinzo turned and walked back to his office. Once more the voices rose from inside and chuckling the elder Kage walked humming back to his office to await what he hoped for, was a better and brighter future.
Several hours later the three Konoha shinobi had been escorted to the Kirikage's Office, which lay in a square blue tower in the centre if the village. The reactions from the village, as they had turned up only the day before, was mixed so to say. Some did not trust any other shinobi than their own, while others thought of them as heroes.
"It's kind of annoying they have to follow us everywhere." Naruto whispered to Sakura as a dozen of shinobi were walking around them, almost shielding them from view.
"Perhaps, but it is quite necessary. Half of them probably don't know we are here to help out. Speaking of which, are you okay. You should really learn to control your anger, Naruto. You'll end up loosing your head."
It was not unknown in their small group about Naruto's hate towards Akatsuki and what Sakura meant by losing his head was that in each Akatsuki fight he'd been caught up in, his anger had nearly succeeded his ability to think. In which, if he did not start to plan his move rather than improvise, he would soon loose his head, the other way around.
Their watchers walked them all the way to their Kage's office, but stopped outside the door, nodding at them to continue forwards. After that, they left. Three chairs had been placed in front of a huge oak desk where Shinzo sat, writing on a report he surely had opinions upon. Many opinions.
"Bah!" he said as they entered. "They surely don't know what's expected of them, do they? Look here!" he said handling Sakura the paper. The pink haired kunoichi looked at it, read it and shrugged. "I can't see what's wrong with it." she said deep in thought. "It says it was a successful mission, they met some enemy shinobi, but chased them away and they finished their task. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?"
Naruto, who was reading over her shoulder however shook his head.
"Sakura, your mind is obviously not sharp today. That looks like an S-rank mission, and in all S-rank mission a deep analysis needs to be made. They would have needed to put up the situation between enemies and this village, the level of strength, a full chart of theories and speculations probably if this would be accepted."
Sasuke took the paper from her. He too read it and shook his head. "Inadequate." he simply said.
"You too are quite sharp, I see." Shinzo said scratching his beard. I guess both are applying for higher positions seeing you understood the matter quite rapidly. Yes indeed, this was an S-rank mission and I have to say, if my children keep this up, I will probably have to go down there and give them a piece of my mind, aye?
The elder man chuckled lightly. "However, I guess I should give you the full mission now, instead of telling you all about Kirigakure's faults."
Sasuke nodded. 'Finally'
Shinzo sat with his elbows on the desk, his hands closed under his chin and cleared his throat. "About one and a half week ago, two figures appeared in the Hidden Mist asking about a rare artefact we in the village call Tsuki's Charm. According to our village's legend, about a hundred years ago the sea engulfed this village, and threatened to drown it. But there was one small spot that did not even get touched by the surrounding water, and when our grandfathers went to investigate it they found a piece of what looked like a Tortoise shell, they named it Tsuki's Charm because it shone with a luminous light which reminded them about the moonlight. This village has held many rare artefacts, for example The Yasakani no Magatama, which was stolen some time ago, but the Moon Charm was our most precious since it was believed it gave this village it's prosperity, because after it was found, a gang of thieves was located nearby and our grandfather's easily captured them and got a lot of money from some lords.
It is the gift of the Kirikage, which means it is in my possession, and when the two said they wanted it I turned them down, because they are well known for whom they are. Since then, they have continuously been attacking our village, and we are soon out of hope. So, I have asked in all directions for help, and with much persuasion I managed to convince your Kage to send some aid. We saw your fight in the ocean, and we were all amazed by your skills. It was clear to our eyes you are not what they call any Jounin. You are children who have great potentiality and I beg you, on my knees. Help save this village, before it's too late."
And indeed he begged, having turned from his desk, sitting on the floor bowing deep enough for his nose to touch the floor. The three of them looked at each other, kind of unsure what to say.
"Sure" Naruto answered after a while.
"Of course we'll help!" Sakura said happily.
"After all, we have some saying after our last fight against those two." Sasuke said, remembering the incident in the Hidden Rain.
Shinozo bowed once more, thanking them for their kindness. However, it was really no kindness in this. It was sole revenge really. Revenge for all the pain those two caused them last time.
"There's also more." Shinzo continued. The man sat down on his chair again, taking out a scroll which lay in a drawer at his desk. He showed them what looked like some sort of rhyme, or perhaps a song of some sort.
One gate to open the good futures,
Two gates that brings a heroes past.
Three gates to release the good spirit,
Four, to help you in pain.
Five gates for the gift of life
Six gates, for the release of death
Seven gates for the bright light
Eight they are, to balance the powers.
"This is the second part of your mission, which was given to you by Tsunade. This, is an ancient song which is by tradition kept by our village's Yuhi Clan. One of your Jounin, Kurenai, was born from that Clan. They are all Genjutsu specialists, and very old. Not that strong, but it doesn't matter, what matters is this song. A few months ago no one knew what it meant, though it seems to say a lot about the events occurring. The Yuhi Clan could only inform us about the meaning of this song, that by fusing the nine Biju and eight selected gates you would be granted immortality and the eternal glory.
We have been working on this for quite a while, and we have a pretty clear view of why everything is turning out as it is. Looking through our records, and investigations we found this."
The Kage showed them what looked like a shinobi registration. It was a black and white photo of a man, around his twenties, born in the Hidden Snow.
"The Yukikage was gracious enough to give this to me. Around eighty years ago, a man known as Yoruichi Kuro was born in Yukigakure, as the ninth son in a high placed family within their small village. Being the ninth of many children, all boys, he was just one of many, neither important or special. He spent his whole childhood to prove himself to a treacherous father who just had his eyes on the three oldest, even though his abilities probably were just as good, perhaps better, his father refused to look at him, barely talk. In the end, it became too much for him. About sixty years ago, he was reported to be a Missing nin.
His career as a criminal, if I put it that way, started directly after and before Akatsuki he created two gangs, one known as Aoi no Inu, the Blue Hounds whom were just small criminals whom stole from villages all around. They were most caught and killed a few years later. The second gang he made were known as the Black Flames, whom were assassins, also disbanded shortly afterwards. In each, Kuro's hatred for the world grew, he swore to create his own world, in which he gathered missing nins with particular strength and power to form Akatsuki. These were ten in number, with some sort of special power to make it even worse.
We don't know when he heard about the legend, but according to it if you can gather the nine Biju and open eight gates that were sealed by the Gods themselves, you would be granted eternal power and life. Hearing this, Kuro obviously hungered for it and a few years ago he started the search, getting help from his companions. I think he must have lured them to believe that they would split their power between, which I am not sure he will agree to in the end.
So far, all the Jinchuuriki, The Ichibi: Gaara of the Sand, The Nibi: Cho of the Cloud, The Sanbi: Taro of the Rain, The Yonbi: Kin of the Rock, the Gobi: Tono of the Waterfall, The Roukubi: Itachi of the Moon, The Nanabi: Etsu of the Smoke, The Hachibi: Zinan of the Snow and lastly The Kyuubi..."
"Former me." Naruto whispered still partly annoyed of having been dead, loud enough for him to hear. This of course caught the Kage by surprise, since he was assumed that all Jinchuuriki had died. But after a while, he started to make sense of things, and continued.
"According to the Yuhi Clan, from their legend the Biju are older then men, much older and when the gates were made eight of them were set to guard them, the ninth acting like a bridge. To my theories, this is how the Jutsu which will unlock this works. It must be a specific time and place, judging by the age of this technique and it is very complicated. By opening one on one, a human who would try to bring this power to his body would die, which is why the gates were sealed into artefacts from various mythical creatures and persons. However by opening them all and using the ninth Biju as the bridge, the ninth will lead the power into the human, and let it remain there."
"So you are saying, that this Kuro is after becoming king of the world?" Sakura asked, her eyes widened after hearing this story.
"Yes, but not to be kind, to be the God of this world, and change it after his own delight. You mustn't forget, he was a child that was never shown love, and he despises everything known as kindness. Which is why, we have to stop him now before it is too late, if it is not already nothing we can do to stop him."
(If you are wondering a little about this, yes, I am using around the same attacks as in the manga, but I will keep my own ideas as well.)
Meanwhile, as the Konoha shinobi were given their final clue to this problem, two figures were steadily walking up to the gate of the Hidden Village, both wearing calm yet deadly expressions. Hidan brushed his graying hair from his eyes, smirking sending his beloved scythe soaring, crashing into the gate destroying it before drawing blood from people within. A circle with a triangle was drawn to the earth, thus the ritual was beginning slowly. The scythe returned, thus returned with offerings for the holy ones. Drawing his tongue against the blood, his body shaded darker, except for parts where it looked as if someone had painted his skeleton on it. Smirking his companion Kakuzu stuck a kunai where his heart was, killing him instantly. As well, for everyone who had been gracious enough to sacrifice their blood for him, died as well. Kakuzu smiled behind his mask, creating a few of his clones that would aid him for the fight until his companion as to say, would return to life once more. The remaining Mist Shinobi inside the village could once more feel the desperation appear within their hearts, feeling unable to stop this madness.
It was the breaking of the wall that suddenly alerted the former Team seven and the Kirikage that something bad had happened and looking out through the window, they could see the forms of Hidan and Kakuzu wrecking havoc. The gray haired man nodded towards the younger nin, letting them hurry to help, their mission. Now they knew where the item was, now they knew what to do and now they could break loose as well. The man opened his window, seeing three shadowy blurs run from his office down to the battlefield by the walls. The Mist shinobi, as well as the pair Akatsuki seemed surprised by their appearance. Hidan, now having returned to life, backed a frontal attack from Sasuke and Sakura, Naruto had summoned a Ninja Shoge, something Tenten had helped train him in improving his skills with shinobi tools. A Ninja Shoge was a long chain, with one end ending with a long knife and hook and the other with a metal ring. This kind of weapon was used within long range battles, in this case aiding his lack of skills in long range fighting, and used in different methods. It could stab, cut, slash, wound, suffocate and catch an enemy.
The blond teen's eyes glowed murderous, as he threw the knifed end at Kakuzu who ducked easily. But doing so he lost sight of the blond, who a second later appeared behind him, holding the chain around his throat. But, Naruto didn't get a chance to do anything more then that when a blow of air threw him back.
Meanwhile Sasuke and Sakura were managing to drive Hidan back, attacking him from all directions. While Sakura smashed her furious fists at him, Sasuke used fire techniques to pinpoint him. Hidan managed to duck, and seeing his comrade flee he asked for help. This turned the tide suddenly, and to the Konoha Shinobi's horror, what looked like four freakish dolls, as the said "dolls" together with Kakuzu started to attack with all the five elements making it impossible to attack back. All three hid behind the ruins of the buildings around.
Sakura made a few seals, before touching her throat. It was a jutsu that would allow her to talk, without deceiving the source of her voice. Opening her mouth, she calmly said:
"We know everything now. Why are you doing this? Your Leader is just using you, to find and retrieve these keys so that he can use them merely for himself."
"Like the hell you would know about it!" Hidan said, sending his scythe after them. As if this thing had its own life, it headed towards Naruto, who escaped before it crashed to the piece of wall he had hid behind. While changing hideout he flung a kunai, with an exploding tag at the duo. One of Kakuzu's creatures went in the way, getting blown up instead.
While the Konoha shinobi kept them busy, the Hidden Mist had time to evacuate their villagers to the smaller islands. While the children were taken on board the ship, they sang an ancient song that was said to bring hope and aid in the darkest hours.
"Kizuite ita nda Mou nido to tobenai tte koto o
(I've noticed that I'll never fly again)
Wakatte iru no sa Oreta tsubasa ja tobenai tte koto o
(I know that I can't fly with broken wings)
Dare ka ga naiteta "Yume ga sugata o kaete yuku yo"
(Someone cried, "a dream will change your shape")
Dare ka ga akirameta ai wa mou, doko ka e kieta
(The love that someone abandoned have already disappeared to somewhere)
Woo, oreta tsubasa de Woo, with broken wings
(Woo, with broken wings Woo, With Broken Wings)
Dakishimeru dake ja furue wa tomaranakute
(Just holding me close won't stop my trembling)
Ano koro no samusa wa kitto konna mon ja nakatta
(The coldness of that time surely wasn't like what it is now)
Woo, oreta tsubasa de Woo, with broken wings
(Woo, with broken wings Woo, With Broken Wings)
"Kubiwa no nai norainu ga ore no koto waratteru..."Itsu no ma ni ka ore wa mainichi ni obiehajime
("A collarless stray dog laughs at me..."Before I knew it, I've started to be scared everyday)
Yami no naka de mogaku Hikari o motome
(Struggling in darkness, I want light)
Kawaru keshiki no naka, nani ka o machitsuzuketeru
(In the changing scenery, I keep on waiting for something)
Ugoku sekai no naka, hontou no kotae o sagashiteru
(In the moving world, I'm searching for the true answer)
Woo, oreta tsubasa de Woo, with broken wings
(Woo, with broken wings Woo, With Broken Wings)
Kago no naka no tori ga "Soto e dashite!" to wamekidasu
(The bird in the cage has started to cry, "Let me out!")
"Kubiwa no nai norainu ga ore no koto waratteru..."
("A collarless stray dog laughs at me...")
...Ah, tonde miseru
(...Ah, I'll show that I'll fly)
...Ah, oreta tsubasa de
(...Ah, with broken wings)
...Ah, tonde miseru
(...Ah, I'll show that I'll fly)
...Ah, oreta tsubasa de...with broken wings
(...Ah, with broken wings...With Broken Wings)
A few days later after having been found, Sai lay resting on the couch. The dark haired boy was watching the two Uchiha children run around him, obviously playing one of their usual games. Sai smiled, even he had to admit they were cute, even though they were horribly loud. Moments later, the girl Ino appeared, chasing them away. Dango took Pocky's hand, as they hurried back to their room, each holding a doll Sasuke had bought for them before he went to mission.
"Thanks." Sai said as Ino gave him some green tea. The ex-Ne follower sat up, letting the blanket that moments ago had laid over him, fall to the floor.
"Feeling better?" she asked. Sai nodded. The dark haired boy was amazed to have met such kindness after such hate. Ino was, to him, everything he had dreamt of ever hearing. She did not tell him he was useless, just a tool or treat him like an object. She was warm, she was loving, kind of a mother treating to his wounds.
"You gave me quite the scare, when you showed up, you know." she said slowly. Sai finished drinking his tea, gazing down at his trembling hand. Was he even allowed to be held by such kindness?
"Here, made some sandwiches as well." she said handling him a plate, while filling his cup from a kettle. The silence remained around them. Several times, Medic nins and other Jounins had been by the mansion to check him up, but none could identify him, even though when he showed them his shinobi legitimation everything was correct.
"Thank you, Ino-sama." Sai said.
"Just say Ino." she corrected him. She seemed comfortable if he said Ino-chan, but addressing her in such a high position as sama seemed out of the question.
Silence continued to cast its veil around them while he ate the last of the sandwiches. Ino was meanwhile preparing the usual treatment. She was Jounin, and his stay was reported and because they had so little references around him, they needed to collect information. In other words, Ino, who was trained to master inner shields and read minds would also be Sai's interrogator. However, Sai had no problems with this since she was just so far interested in whom he was. But today, she was interested in from where he came from, stumbling inside like he did.
Sai laid down again, as Ino's soft fingers touched his forehead, somehow lulling him back to his memories. He trusted her, probably because of her immense kindness, and he showed her the threat that awaited their village. He showed her everything he knew about Ne, and even though it scared her, she kept going.
And then they came to the scenes where he ran, and there she broke their connection, falling and landing on top of him. She was shaking ofrom the information she had gathered this night, however knowing this was indeed important information she dashed after something to report on, only to be stopped by three masked people, standing in her way.
Ino had also been taught Kage Bunshin reaching Jounin level, and quickly she created a clone which transformed into a falcon, that would have to fly with this knowledge to Tsunade-sama. The falcon flew out through the open window, doing its best to dodge a rain of kunai that was meant to stop it.
"Sai, why flee from us?" A woman asked from behind one of the masks. Sai stood up, knowing what awaited him. "However, done is done and done it must. This is it, Sai. You will never live to see the dawn come to Konoha. You will not see the great Utopia Ne will create.
TBC
(walks around in confusing circles)
Am I done now???
Sorry, but I guess a long chapter was needed. It feels like there hasn't been much time to write, that until all my exams for this term is over, yay!!!
The song the Mist kids sang was Kimura Kouichi's theme song from Digimon Frontier, which means I am taking no credit for it. I haven't watched Frontier for quite a while now, but I remembered that I liked the song, and the lyrics kind of fit into the story, however I was on my way of writing my own, but I'm too lazy to keep doing that every day! It can take hours to write songs, and when you sit here wanting to finish a chapter tonight you are hardly in the mood.
Anyway, see you next chapter, and MERRY CHRISTMAS once again. See this chapter as a VERY early Christmas present.