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Thank you,
(Hope you like the Chapter!)
- Rain
"Yumi." He greeted her instantly, friendly.
"Jinkun?" She grinned making it a question. All her nerves and poker face to this tent seemed to calm. The fist she had been gripping so tightly relaxed. He was friendly with her, so maybe this letter wasn't what she thought it was...
"Yes, can you believe it."
"Yeah - actually." She grinned again.
"Well - anyway, I am glad you decided to not resign... It would have been difficult to keep morale if our previous long-standing Jinkun, Tomohisa, You, and the others of the top ten had all resigned together." He informed her honestly. A number of the Jieti and Jieti-erito with the highest reputations had all resigned temporarily to go support the ninjas.
"Hm." Yumi hummed unsure how to answer. Was he leading her into a trap? A test of the Jieti code, because of her relationship Kazekage?
"And... I guess... On that note... I fear... I mean... Well... Here" Ungracefully, unskillfully, and fully showing his novice to the position, the new Jinkun handed her a letter without a single explanation.
Yumi's eyes tried to read his. Was she supposed to read it now?
A pause occurred with the Jinkun now the one seeming nervous.
"You... You don't have to read that here. Actually, I would rather you wouldn't as it's personal. I only read it because it was also addressed to the Jieti. Go get situated, make yourself comfortable... We'll have our meeting to split into groups in about two hours... so, when you're alone, read that." He rattled off, feeling sorry for her.
"Yes sir. Thank you." Yumi went into a professional mode and bowed, but her mind was elsewhere. A personal letter?
Without hesitation she dashed off to be alone. Greetings and catching up could happen later. At this moment, Yumi only wanted to read that which was in her hand...
To whom it may concern within the Jieti, and Minawa Yumi,
I, the Kazekage - Gaara of the Desert, am writing to nullify the relationship between myself and Yumi. I do not wish the Jieti to believe this to be an act against your group or a dividing line. Instead I am trying to give this enemy no reason to target you through our connection. If, should the time come, after the danger has subsided, and if we both choose - we may end up continuing our relationship at a later date. However, given the action I am taking now as well as the dangers currently present - I am not going to guarantee what the future holds for myself or any others.
Also, you should be informed that if any enters our groups, we will treat them with suspicion until they are questioned and interrogated. We are all on lockdown until this enemy is identified and until there is a means to attack them. I would suggest you do the same to anyone entering your groups whether ninja, villager, or other to ensure your own safety as well.
Respectfully,
- The Kazekage of Suna
Yumi,
I'm sorry. Thank you for being with me up to now. I cannot endanger your group, nor let my own feelings endanger mine. From now until further notice, I will no longer be seeing you as someone that I'm in a relationship with. As the Kazekage during this crisis, I do not have that liberty. You will be treated like everyone else. For all who come into any ninja group, they and yourself will be interrogated and treated with suspicion until they (and you) are proven to not be an enemy in disguise.
I wish you well and hope you remain safe.
- Gaara
Yumi exhaled slowly, trying to get a handle on her feelings and understanding what she had just read. The ninjas were going on the defensive and she along with any others who were not a part of their current group were to be investigated upon entering. She could understand that.
Exhaling again she re-read the part to her which was attached to the same letter, meaning the new Jinkun had read this. He was breaking up with her due to this war. Unlike before where he had vocally broken ties to protect her, this time - he was protecting his village. He was their Kazekage, and his people would need to know that they had his full attention. His people would need to know that he wasn't connected to anything that wasn't in support of them - and at this moment, the Jieti officially did not support the ninjas (only their villages).
Why!? Why couldn't they just stay together but apart? Why, again, was he breaking their relationship - the same relationship that made her doubt her choices so much. He was the reason she was feeling so caged by the Jieti right now. Didn't he know that? How much it meant to her!? So much so that she was considering changing her entire livelihood, a part of her identity? For him - for them - for herself... Why did he have to do this?
Yet... She knew why. Yumi knew why. And, she couldn't hold it against him. She would have done the same thing in his position - made it clear to all that the ties were temporarily cut to support the current agenda. She would have put the village first too, the ninjas first too, if she was him - she had put her own Jieti title first.
But...
Kami - it hurt. It hurt. A pain in her chest and watering in her eyes.
Worse, there were no promises for the future... None
" If, should the time come, after the danger has subsided, and if we both choose - we may end up continuing our relationship at a later date. However, given the action I am taking now as well as the dangers currently present - I am not going to guarantee what the future holds for myself or any others"
He had politically broken up with her. It was the right thing to do. She knew that. Yumi understood that.
Droplets of water marked the paper which she held.
She knew. She understood. It was ok. She'd be ok. Everything would be ok.
Slowly she wiped away her tears. She was supposed to be a Jieti-erito, not someone who cried over a boy. Still, it hurt. Relationships hurt.
Kami, help this enemy... She hurt. They were making her hurt.
When did things become so difficult?
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"Did you hear Yumi's dating someone. Like a real person! I hear it's the Kage of the sand ninja village. That man who lead the other Kages against the Akatsuki during the great ninja war!"
"Holy shit. No way. I thought she was asexual or something. You know- not interested in anyone, no one, ever."
"No seriously, I hear she saved all of the Leaf, Sand, and Rock villages so the other Kages gave the Kazekage to her as payment."
"She'd never accept something like that - besides, if she was truly with him, why wouldn't she be helping them now!?"
"I dunno, but I know for a fact they are together. Jinshi confirmed it - he was there during their Chunin exams and saw their relationship himself!"
"I strongly suggest you shut up - you're acting like a bunch of gossiping housewives with nothing better to do." Ikiryo butted into their conversation his voice booming in their minds through a genjutsu.
The men stopped the chatter instantly fearful that he would tell Yumi what was actually in their heads.
"The Kazekage and Yumi are broken up during this crisis for political reasons. I warn you to advise others to make sure no one mentions him to her. I'm sure you'd hate to find out what type of pain she could inflict if she ever lost that sweet professional facade of hers- especially considering how large of a gap there are between her rank and yours... I don't generally enjoy cleaning up body pieces." Ikiryo embellished to give them more than enough reason to keep quiet. Yumi's eyes had been a little red when he saw her last, and the new Jinkun (for some unknown reason) had informed him of why she had been summoned and the contents of the letter.
"Holy shit." One whispered under his breath. To date Yumi was a dream, an impossibility... but to break up with her!? ...She was the number one Jieti-erito! Her 'father' had been the most feared Jieti-erito of all time. Plus the (exaggerated) rumors around her who she could defeat, what she had done, death-defying situations she had overcome, brought her to a demon's status in an instant!... That... that... that would be shear inanity!
"Holy shit." Another whispered - thinking the exact same thing.
"Holy shit." People, large amounts of people, needed to be warned!
.
.
"The Jouza Jinkun will remain at the head receiving information and sending it out. Any commodities or Senkou produced items needed will go through his arena."
"First Rank - Jieichou (Captain) Yumi's group will be taking the Land of Rivers.
Second Rank Jieichou Ikiryo's and 20th Ranked Aoi's group will be scanning the Land of Wind
Fourth Rank Junshou (Commodore) Jinshi's and Sixteenth Rank Hachirou's group is over land of Fire
Eighth Ranked Jieichou Nobusuma will be over Sound, Grass, and Stone
Seventh Ranked Tonome and Eleventh Rank Kenta's s group will be over..."
The list went on as Yumi stood at attention at the front with the other group leaders. She did not have an official second nor did Nobusma - any area deemed smaller did not have one since the range needed to cover was not as large nor did they have as many members in their groups as Ikiryo and Jinshi.
With the geography, Ikiryo's group was to her west, Jinshi's group to her east, and Nobusuma's group North. It made her feel more confident knowing they had her boarders, and she had their side too.
"Ah, you caught me again this time..." His voice showed aggravation; his genjutsu catching all the leaders in. It bothered him any time Yumi caught on ahead of him pulling her in, for that was how he had lost to her!
"Hn. So, we deciding our own plan or drawing lots for a speech?" Yumi asked looking at those who were also trapped in Ikiryo's genjutsu.
"If we see those who have left us to join the ninjas in danger - we help them." Jinshi stated with authority.
"Agreed." Tenome did not hesitate.
"Same" Nobusuma declared making the lesser ranked start to nod their heads as well.
"And we make sure none of the unprotected villages- ninja or not, remain safe at ALL times." Yumi added thinking of Suna under Ikiryo's protection.
"Yes, that was the reason we withdrew from the ninja - to protect those without endangering more." Ikiryo announced, thinking of his own relations who were in unprotected villages as well.
"Now... whose giving the speech?" Kenta moved to the more important and less easily agreed upon decision.
"Not it!" Yumi's finger went to her nose before anyone else could respond, taking her out of the equation.
"Ugh." Ikiryo groaned. He HATED her being first ranked - useless!
:)
"Alright Everyone! We are heading out. Remember, once we are there we'll want to set up a strong perimeter, know the routes to and from the Hidden Village in the Valley and the other smaller country-side towns as well. Supposedly many ANBU were trained in this village - so we'll have to especially be on guard as this enemy is targeting anyone with associations to the ninja! We will make sure the trade routes stay open and no harm comes to these villagers and residents of the land.
Also - I do not accept death, so if any of you are looking to die... Get out now, because I've only ever lost one person, and I refuse to allow such a loss again!" Yumi barked, her eyes unwavering.
"Let's go!" With that, she lead everyone with packed bags towards the Land of Rivers. Her pace was aggressive but not out of range for anyone in her group. She wanted everyone able by the time they got to the land.
The Land of Rivers was east of Land of Wind which held Suna... Suna... Suna that was that place she had stayed, his home. The Kazekage, Gaara of the Desert...
She felt her heart hurt, but brushed it off.
Now was the time to protect. Running without pause, she kept her realistic pace.
"Yumi-san." A male gruff voice caught her attention. (Only 6% of the Jieti bodyguards group were women, less for the Jieti-erito.)
"Yes." Her practiced tone was ready for any idea, question, or criticism.
"Here It's Nama Chocolate." The man held out a small package.
"Ah" Yumi was caught off guard. She wasn't friends with his man and she hadn't seen him cheering for her like fans or the perverted ones did.
"Thank you." A charming gracious smile came to her face as she chose to accept the gift.
"Hey! Yumi-san!" Another more chipper voice suddenly came up, as if the interaction of her accepting the chocolate sparked a ripple in confidence.
"Ah - Yes?" She answered. His tone was something she didn't understand. Did they know something she didn't?
"Here! This got me through five wives..." His hands went to his neck and undid the string of a necklace. Pulling it out towards her she saw the Maneki-cat drawn wooden pendent.
"Ah - isn't it important to you then?" Yumi wasn't sure if she should accept it (it wasn't quite her thing to wear necklaces or cute cat pendants...). Nor did she quite understand why he was giving it to her...
"Naw, You take it. I've learned - no sixth wife for me." He grinned giving it to her, another familiarity she didn't recognize. She barely knew this man, but at least for him she knew his name without looking at the profile - Niko.
"Ah - Thank you." Yumi felt a bit awkwardly embarrassed in this type of spotlight she wasn't use to... Why were they giving her gifts!? Still she smiled and put it on. It was kind gesture even if she didn't understand.
"Hey Yumi!" Another voice caught her attention, cat-drawn wooden pendant around her neck and chocolates in hand. "He doesn't realize what a stupid mistake he's made - but we'll make sure he knows."
Yumi's face remained blank for a moment...
... ... huh? ... Huh?... ?... Uh... HUH? THEY KNEW!? THEY KNEW!
"YOU... YOU... YOU! YOU ALL FOCUS ON MOVING! Now!" She yelled at them all fully embarrassed. That was personal! This was professional! She never had a boyfriend before so she had barely figured out how to handle that, let alone her society knowing about him breaking up with her!?
"Jeeze - Take that aggression out on the enemy... " A man muttered, increasing his pace to match her new one.
"If you want, we might be able to sneak the Kazekage away for a bit for you to get a few hits on him!." Yet another person spoke, causing Yumi's temper to cool down to simple exasperation.
"I wouldn't do such a thing! Even, if he did deserve it - But he doesn't, and none of you better cause us any trouble! Plus, I'd probably do the same thing in his position." Yumi felt herself become long winded as she tried to regain composure - something that had gotten thrown in the dust behind them.
"Oh - she still loves him." A voice (who was luckily enough to not be identified) spoke within earshot of her.
Instantly Yumi could feel her face heat up, she didn't know if it was anger or embarrassment.
Her hand gripped in and out of a fist as she tried again to regain composure. She would murder whoever told them! Or at least beat them significantly!
" Yumi-san. Here Take this - it will make it all better." The first man gave her more Nama-chocolate.
"Thanks." She accepted it - bitter sweetly. Placing one piece in her mouth - it tasted sweet.
Yeah... She still liked Gaara...
But there was nothing she could do but focus on the job ahead. And! The Jieti offered some entertainment along with the distraction - and they weren't bad guys...
Still - Kami better save the baka that told them HER PERSONAL business! She was a Professional! 1st Rank! NOT A LITTLE GIRL! GAH! She'd kill him...
...
...
"See anything?" Naruto asked doing yet another round the perimeter.
"No." Spoke the annoyed waterfall ninja. How many times did this 'great' ninja need to ask!?
"I'll do another check. It's been 30 minutes - they must be up to something!" Naruto declared, certain.
The ninja's eyebrows furrowed as the fast leaf nin leaped away. What if this was a trap to attack their villages directly? Some of the ninja groups had decided to leave ninjas behind secretly or not move at all - but his group was not large enough to succeed in supporting the allied efforts and have a secret force. He was counting on bodyguards and the largest ninja villages (Rock, Mist, Leaf, Sand, and Cloud).
Naruto raced through their area. He was tempted to head towards Gaara or Killer B or the others. However the Hokage and Kakashi had been very clear - until they decided otherwise or it was an emergency, all groups were to stay in their designated regions.
"Two Hours!" Naruto found Sakura, exclaiming his frustration to her.
"Be glad. No one is certain on how they will attack next!"
"Well what are we supposed to do? Just wait!?" He paced her office.
"Prepare." She picked up a stack of packets and handed them to him roughly.
"What are these?" He asked holding the small stack back a bit to look at it.
"Healing herbs, ointments, and seals." She answered giving him a look. He should know what those were!
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"The ninjas have moved out to the boarders – we should attack their villages directly and cripple them at their knees. It would gain them the distrust and unfaithfulness they deserve." The voice spoke certain in his plan. He had used the great ninja war to gain so many assets. He would not make the mistakes of those before him – setting themselves up for a direct confrontation and defeat. Even giants would fall by the work of many.
"NO!" RAGE instantly flared up the unstable transforming chakra. "I HATE NINJAS, ONLY NINJAS! WE WILL DESTORY THEM FIRST!" The scream was neither male nor female, human nor animal. The eyes were black, filled over the brim with hate.
The man got out of the way just in time. His plans could not move forward without this once-was-woman. The ninja made monster.
"There are some villages with ninjas though. Villages who have defied the grace-filled chance you gave them to save themselves." He hinted to the transforming demon.
"Show me. Prove to me. We will kill them. The ninjas first and these retched vile villages." The words seeped out like toxic fumes filling the entire space with a consuming hate, unequaled.
"The Hidden Village in the Valleys, the Hidden Rock Village, the Hidden Village in Frost, Hidden Village by Mist, and the Nadeshiko Village all have active ninja and ANBU present… Hidden but present." The man informed the insane monster honestly. He did not have control on the semi-demon yet. "Then there are those who retired their ninjas to pretend like they are no longer connected… we should get rid of them as well, poison them in the night so they do not join the fight later."
"Poison… Retire… Retired… Ex-Nin; Re-tired... Man... 'randfather... Great-Grandfather…" The voice made the sound as if it was distant lost in some memory that once was. A dream or another existence of a being that was not itself... What was this time? That handicapped gentle elder?
"NO! NO-No-no-no-no-no-no! Kill the ninjas, ONLY the ninjas, Their blood will stop all pain! KILL ALL OF THEM. PUNISH THEM. The tyrants. The murders. The true criminals of all! Slaughter. Destroy!" It raged again, bloodthirsty for only active nin. Bloodthirsty for those it hated, for those it obsessed over, for those it could never-ever forgive.
"We will. We will…" The man backed away. The monster neither human nor demon could not control itself – consumed by the power of its hate. It was not ready yet for him to control, but it was not out of his reach and soon they would know true power.
BOOM! A sound shook the trees which Naruto ran through. His head jerked 180 in the direction.
"RATA-TA-TA-TA RA-RA-TA-TA-TA – RAOOOORRRRR!" Came the enemy call. It was the sound of those things that had come after the acid rain in Suna, the ones no one could see that rattled and roared– attacking with spikes and blasts.
Without thought, Naruto ran to the source of the blast and monster's call. Now was his time to show just what ninjas would do to protect that which they care about!
"DATTEBAYO!" Naruto screamed jumping in to the area literally feet first.
"Naruto! They aren't where their sound is!"
"Don't underestimate me. I'm the number one Ninja! The Next Hokage!"
"Naruto - focus please." Kakashi dead panned. The blonde was so easily excited - like a puppy about to wet himself...
"I am! When people are protecting something truly special to them, they truly can become... as STRONG AS THEY CAN!" He punched the ground creating rolling vibration.
"SHADOW CLONE! LET'S GET THEM!" Hundreds of Narutos appeared, going for the areas where trees and grass had not moved in the rumble.
"BELIEVE IT!" A clone screamed punching something in the thing's invisible face, or butt, or chest...
"Yeah! Naruto!" Fellow Ninjas joined in, smoke, water, and dust being deployed to find the creatures.
"RAWWW-RATA-TA-TA-TA" Spikes shot out causing clones to vanish - hit instantly. Ninjas put up walls, ducked, dodged, and blocked the spikes.
"AHHH - it's poisoned!"The mist nin grabbed their stomach as they went down - breaking into a sweat, dizziness, and blood.
"Ah, Ah, Ahhhh." More collapsed, trying to get up.
"Got it!" The Hokage's voice was certain. "Katsuyu!" She called - instantly the massive slug appeared and split into thousands - attaching themselves to the poisoned and injured nin. Those that could not be healed were dragged off - towards Sakura's Medic Base.
"I can't find them." One Naruto spoke.
"Me either."
"Same"
"Did they vanish!?" The Narutos spoke among themselves - the invisible creatures no longer seeming physical.
"Spread out - keep to your squads." The Hokage sounded. Things didn't just vanish and they had not won.
It couldn't be that easy. It was never easy.