Quest 42: Birth of a Shinigami

Warmth, is first I feel, light seeps through my eyelids breaking the darkness. My eyes open to a blurring brown, that later clears up revealing the cloth material a tent a rather big one at that.

How did I get here? My mind travels back to what happened before.

"You love her don't you?"

"What of it?"

Toke-kun! I have to- ugh! Damn my body hurts like hell.

"Whoa easy there! You'll reopen those wounds if you jerk around like that." a middle-aged man says running here.

He looks me over examining my bandages.

"I'm fine, fine." I try to calm him down, I need to find Toke-kun!

"The hell you are! Now lay down." Damn, he's one of those "no nonsense," kind of medics.

He eases back down on this crappy cot.

"Fine I'll stay here, but tell did you see a young boy, kinda tall wears a black hoodie, name Tokegeroh Ren have you seen him?"I ask and the medic just smiles at me.

"Who hasn't crazy brat was covered from head to toe in blood-"

I nearly jump out the of my cot. "What?! Ah!"

"Hey lay your ass down! I won't have you undoing my hard work."

Sadly I have no other choice but to comply "Sorry but is he okay?"

"Yeah some sleep deprivation and minor chakra exhaustion, really he just needs rest right now.

"But you just said that-"

"He was covered in blood, but no none of was his, he came here a few hours ago practically begging us to look you over first, it's a good thing he did too, despite his skill with first aid you coming close to death's door."

I absorb the medic's words but somethings missing in this picture.

"Did he warn you about the ambush? Was it repelled?" I ask urgently.

The medic about a weird expression and scratched his graying head.

"Not exactly-

"But I told him to- that was his number one priority, he should have just left me to die!"

"Hey! Don't make go through all this work to say that! Furthermore, let me finish my damn sentence!" The medic roars out making feel I'm at the academy again. "The boy didn't warn us because he claimed he stopped the ambush party himself and seeing him cloaked in blood that isn't his I'm inclined to believe him. I so far I'm heard as many as two hundred dead mist ninja so far and there still finding them. That crazy bastard must have taken out an entire battalion on his own."

"A battalion,"I whisper.

Toke-kun, I hope you're alright, I know what using the Leviathan power does to you.

four hours later

Brian

Oh god, what have I done? So many lives and I just snuffed them out I still see them their faces, anger, horror, and despair. I killed before I'm desensitized enough to it but, the night before, I enjoyed and reveled in it. What am I becoming? My tattered hoodie is soaked in their blood a harsh reminder of what I've done. While I slept I saw so many horrible things, the mist genin exam I watch them forced to slaughter their friends and comrades. I witnessed sodomy, rape, molestation, abuse, matricide, fratricide, betrayal guilt one after the other horrors, and I couldn't stop any of it. I was them the victims I felt their pain and suffering it was hell! I didn't help any of them I murdered them in cold blood. I wish I never had this power, it's curse an abomination, I don't need power like this!

As tears roll freely down my cheeks I can only think "This is madness I can't keep doing this!"

I wipe my blurry eyes and grab my tan vest, leaving my useless hoodie I need to see Akiko hopefully she's healed by now and we can go home.

I step out of the tent my eyes wince at the harsh sunlight. As walk to the medic tent I see several eyes fall on me staring, perhaps I should have taken the hood I walk by trying to my best not shrink under their gazes. They probably think I'm a monster.

I listen to murmurs as I walk past:

"is that him?"

"did you hear he's the one that -"

"How did he do it?"

"Yo!" A voice grabs my attention, I see an eager looking man he's pretty old, probably a jonin.

"When we go home I am personally buying you a drink magnificent son of a bitch!" he howls.

Suddenly the whole camp seems to burst with applause and cheers, I'm quickly reminded of all the lives I saved here. It helps ease my mind of what I've done.

" Sadly, I'm still underage!" I shout back. Well even if I could drink wouldn't get anything out it.

"Who gives a shit?!" A kunoichi shouts outs and the camp is filled sounds of spirited laughter.

I didn't just save their lives I've boosted their morale as well.

My path is blocked by ninjas all wanting to meet and greet with me.

I wade through to the medical tent where I see even more smiling faces.

Injured and sick who are happy just to see me. Then I see her, and my heart flutters, she's okay thank goodness. Akiko is still bandaged up her eyes fall on mine and she softly smiles. No matter the nightmares I face seeing that smile will make my day brighter.

I go over to her trying my best not run over there.

"Hey, kid I figured you were on your way with all the yelling going on. How are you doing?" She asks.

"I'm fine," Better than I was before at least.

"You sure?" Her expression turns serious, no doubt this is about me using the Leviathan's power.

"Really I'm fine," I assure her.

Akiko's face changes again this time she seems unsure about something."That's good to hear."

She nervously scratches her head, she is confused about something. Wait does she know?

My heart is trying break free of the confines of my ribcage. Even before I decided to the fight the mist own or while trying to save Akiko, have I ever felt so terrified.

"Um Akiko-sensei I ugh," I'm fighting just to find to right words here. "Well back there, with Richard, did hear me say anything- I um, well if you did just know that I would never act on it, after all, you're my superior." So far so good "I wouldn't want you to get in trouble, after all, And um maybe what I said was too a strong a word it's just smaller like a crush." what the hell am I saying! Then again maybe its for the best if she that is just a harmless crush she'll much quicker to drop this subject and get back to her usual self.

"Oh I see," Does – does she actually seem disappointed, oh god I fucked it up!

"Well I'll um let you get back to resting, hopefully, we can get back to reporting to Lord Sora soon," I say quickly hoping to retreat from this awkward situation. Then again if we are going on the road again it's only going to get more awkward from here.

Akiko

Kid, you're hopeless, I'm even more hopeless, damn it! The way he said back it back then.

" What of it?"

He was certain of it too certain like it had become clear to him like it was always clear to him. Ugh, it's more than a crush, and don't think it's puppy love either.

"What of it?"

Now I can't get him out of my head, I think all the missions and all the time we spent together. Part of me wants to explore these new feelings, but I know it's wrong because I'm his superior I won't work out, it can't.

By shooting himself down, Toke-kun made things seamlessly easy and yet impossible at the same time!

A few days later Star Federation

Brian

Thankfully, a few shinobi were kind enough to escort us back home, if was just the two us the trip would have gotten eerily quiet. For the most part

I just dropped off my hood at Mizore's she was pretty angry about the holes and blood stains. Strangely enough she said that should have expected as much.

That could only mean word about what happen on the northern front has already reached here, which explains all these smiles and waves I'm getting right now. They treat me like a hero but if they could only see what I did to those mist ninja, I doubt they'll treat me the same way.

Ryuzaki suddenly pops up in front through blur of wind. "Sup, hero" he greets me mockingly.

"Hey Ryuzaki what's up?" I casually address him.

"Lord Sora wants to see you."

"Another mission already, where to this time?" I ask.

"Not us you specifically," he states. Weird we already were debriefed on what happened on the mission today.

Despite failing the initial mission, he seemed happy enough stopping the ambush. I'm hoping Richard hasn't another move.

"Come on let's go," he ushers me on.

"If he only wanted me why are you coming?"

"Cause I can now let's go baka-geroh," he scoffs at me, he's acting weird what's going here.

We arrive at the Hoshikage office, looks pleased with himself for whatever reason.

"Tokegeroh-San, please come in."

Immediately something feels off, I see several surrounding jonin smiling at me, Akiko's here but some reason she avoids my gaze. I really fucked things up, didn't I?

Along with her are Ryuzaki's dad, Tatsuki, Erik's commander Tsugiri, Makina and one of the escorts from the Rain border's northern front.

The Hoshikage unfurls a map on his desk and points to the Rikoto bridge. " Do you know what you've done?" As incriminating as his question sounds he has a smile on his face.

I look attentively at the map, lines drawn on a map, showing our forces pushing forward and The Mist and Cloud retreating. We can take half the Rain if it goes well enough but, it also shows that they can lose a lot more territory once we close on the rivers. The Rain uses it for their trade but the mist and cloud have been moving their troops along the water if take these place they won't survive, they'll have no choice but to retreat from the Rain's front lines.

From what I can assess,"We've effectively pushed our enemies out of the Rain."

"You've done that the credit goes to you kid." Shisuke states with a big grin on his face. "With those supplies, you've given my men more than a fighting chance over there."

"More than rumors about what happened in swamps have quickly our enemies are scared of you. I heard word of a flee on sight order given by the hidden mist, very few shinobi get that during a war." Tsugiri chimes in.

"Have you heard you new moniker yet what our foes call you now? Tatsuki asks.

I only shake my head in response.

"Tokegeroh the death god," Makina says with a grin. " A rather grim nickname."

"But fitting not many people can take on an entire battalion of four hundred and forty-four shinobi and live to talk about it." Shisuke wistfully says.

"I hear the called those swamps the Bloodlands because of the corpses left there." Tsugiri chirps out.

"Anyway, called you because of this," The Hoshikage pulls out a huge stack of letters. " These are recommendations for a promotion to Jonin, just from the Rains northern front," He pulls out and even larger stack from under his desk "As you can see, they aren't the only ones happy with what you've done the jonin present what to give their personal praises for you.

"I can't accept this," My words silence everyone, " I feel like I haven't truly earned this, surely there are more seasoned chunin to promote, also during that battle against the mist I relied solely on leviathan's power."

Sora walks over to me gentle smile and softly squeezes my shoulder. "Humility is the sign of a great man Tokegeroh, Every shinobi has their tools the Uchiha and Hyuuga have their eyes and the Uzumaki clan has their seals and longevity. You can't fault yourself for making the most of the tool you have." He says with utmost sincerity.

Damn, I can't argue, and I can't find another legitimate reason to turn this down, my real reason is to keep things simple for me. If I take this promotion Akiko goes from being my commander to just my senior and there's no rule that keeps us from fraternizing. Even so, the clan's law still makes this impossible. What if she gave her recommendations to do just that? To eradicate what she thinks is the only wall between us. No, I'm thinking about it too much.

I take in a deep breath at least with the promotion I can use some of the perks."Fine I accept the promotion to jonin Lord Sora."

After a small applause Sora pulls out a new flak jacket it's same except for the small black star marking on the chest.

"Take some days off Captain Tokegeroh, celebrate your new position." Sora smiles joyfully.

"I will, Lord Hoshikage."

I left quickly try to put as much distance between everyone else. Unfortunately, Ryuzaki is hot on my heels

"Whoa, where are you going we got grab Itsuki and celebrate. Not to mention Akiko-sensei." Ryuzaki says the last part teasingly.

"No," I don't want to go anywhere I need a distraction, That's right should be able to learn all the jutsu in the archives without restrictions I'll hit the A-rank techniques immediately.

"I guess you're right she's more like a Akiko senpai to you now." Is he still talking about going out?

"Ryuzaki I'm not going out, I'm training, in case you have forgotten we're still in a war." Hopefully, that excuse will get him off my back.

Ryuzaki stands in front of me blocking my path "The hell?! You're not going back to this lone wolf bullshit, what's wrong?"

His eyes bore into mine, he not going to let go I should have known. He's a good friend he's just too damn stubborn sometimes. "It's a lot of things, most of it is about back what happened in Rain country, I- I don't want to talk about it." but just as I try to move around him he grabs my collar.

"Too bad, now tell me what's up with you?" He demands, the look in eyes tells me that he's too determined to quit, he's definitely Naruto's kin.

A chuckle escapes my lips causing him to ease up.

"I may have told Sensei how I feel about her, accidentally," I say quietly, he just smiles.

"Good for you, now that you're a jonin and last I checked she's still single if you're nervous I'll help out." He says grinning like an idiot.

"Not it wouldn't work out," Just as he opens his mouth to counter my comment, "it's not the age difference either, just drop it Ryuzaki please."

His eyes change as if something just dawns on him. " Is it your clan?"

I'm deer in the headlights, how in the fuck did he put that together? His instincts have sharpened dangerously.

"Tokegeroh is it the Clan? Are you not allowed to date?" He asks I can feel his anger rising as well I don't like where this is going.

"Ryuzaki, calm down,"

"Tell me!" he shouts getting everyone's attention.

"Dating is fine," I say quietly I need him to calm the fuck down.

"Then what's the problem?" he growls.

"I- Can't say,"

He finally releases my collar and I feel something so dark inside of him, he despises me.

"Is some sort joke? You've both been stringing me along this whole time you and Kali knowing I never had a chance." he hisses out.

"Ryuzak-"

"No just dammit, I thought you were my friend Tokegeroh-

"I am you just have to understand that the clan has rules, rules that need to be enforced," No matter how much it hurts us.

I can see tears forming in his eyes, as long I as knew him, he never cried at least not in front of me, then he begins forming hand seals.

"Ryuzaki wait!" in a blur of wind he disappeared.

Fuck! I furiously kick ground causing dust rise.

I furiously kick ground causing dust rise.

Great, between slowly going insane by the Leviathan power, screwing shit up with Akiko, I now have Ryuzaki my friend, who I am now certain hates my guts. I am not going to tempt Murphy's Law and ask if my day's going to get any worse?

A messenger from the clan runs up to me,
" Dr. Mei would like to see you in her office." The guy runs back to wherever he came from.

Better go and see what she wants.

After a long a sullen walk I arrive at the labs, the desolate interior strikes a chord with my mood. Without so much as introduction, she points to the treadmill fuck me. She's quiet today but feel her emotions, anger, and disappointment.

Sick of her shit I ask."What crawled up your ass doc?"

She didn't like that."What did I tell you using the Leviathan power?" the way she asks feels more a demand for an answer rather than a question.

"That it's risky and dangerously addictive," I say nonchalantly I really don't give a shit right now.

"And yet you use recklessly," she says sternly.

"I didn't have a choice,"

"There's always a choice, Leviathan is growing too fast," She states urgently.

" And here, I thought that was the point, to have this bad-ass weapon to use in the war, well we are at war."

She snarls at sarcasm"If you not careful the Leviathan will consume you, you'll be absorbed right into its madness."

" I'm already halfway there, do you what's like to feel everyone's pain, all their darkness, their absolute lowest moments. It's hell Mei, a hell I wouldn't wish on my worst enemies, and you did this to me."

Sorrow and sadness emanate from her, that's right wallowing fucking guilt you deserve for ruining my goddamn life.

I hear someone approach the door "Well at least you still alive right," a man voice appears right outside the office doorway.

He's about my height, kind of pale with black long straight hair. I feel that Mei is disturbed by his presence.

"If you call it that?" I snap at him.

"I'm just telling count to your blessings," the man says smoothly.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I ask plainly, I can feel
Mei fear skyrocketing what the else have you been keeping from me!

"Be grateful your not a beta," he chuckles.

"What is he talking about Mei?" I ask but she isn't answering.

"The science behind the Reibi beta's is flawed, merging the gelel with the meteor's does yield interesting results, that power corrodes the body the more that's it's used. The chakra will put a huge strain on the body and kill them. Kind of like the eight gate in a way." he says it so casually that smug prick!

What? why? They taught them how use wield their power, why? Just to kill them? My body just moves on its own and I slam him into the nearest wall.

"You sons of bitches why sacrifice us like this?!" I feel Leviathan's whispers in my mind. Dark chakra flaring up. "What the fuck is the point, turning us into soldier just to kill us off?"

"Well not exactly, we definitely need the betas ninja like them are strong, one of them is worth a dozen normal shinobi." He says still keeping his cool.

"I'll warn them I'll tell everyone, this needs to end."

"Do it and the clan will exile you-"

"I don't give a fuck-" Kill him! My hands jump fro his collar to his throat

"And kill the rest of them." he croaks out, his words give me pause.

Kill him! I can't, my traveled back to when I first met everyone. Scared and confused just like me. Kids that didn't ask to be soldiers throw headlong into this chaotic world. I can't let them get away this! Damn it!

I let him go, I need to leave, damn it even with all of this power why can't I do anything right!

Mei

"What the hell did just do?" I ask at my wit's end.

"You were losing control now we have him under our thumb."

"You asshole you're driving him closer to corruption!" I scream out.

"Well, I don't see the problem that is the plan after all."

Two days later.

Akiko

"Nice you seem, walking better at least," Tsugiri says as she walks down the road beside me.

"Yeah that the medics for that," I say stretching my arm out. Doctors still say I need at least a week of rest before I return to the battlefield.

"And Tokegeroh, I heard even carried you there princess style, whe- Are you okay?"

Damn, I slipped up, why is it that he drives me so crazy now?

"I'm I'm fine I guess ugh I don't know."

"Come on tell me what's up?" Tsugiri's a sucker a gossip I can't shake her.

"It's Tokegeroh,"

"Did he do something wrong?"

"yes, maybe I dunno?" Damn it this hard to put into words

"You don't think he's earned his promotion either."

"No, He deserves that, something else."

"What is it then?"

With a deep breath I organize my thoughts "Okay, you know how I told he has a crush on me," She nods "let's just say it became much more than a crush,"

"Wha-" Tsugiri face resembles a koi fish.

"He said loves me, not directly, but enough not mistake what he said for anything else."

"When?"

"during the mission-"

"Well, he should know that it's not allowed-

"He knows Tsugiri, he even said that wasn't going to pursue me."

"Oh that's mature of him,"

"Yeah he even tried to play it off as puppy love, the thing is when I heard he sound so certain it gives me chills just remembering it."

"Ah I get it and we just promoted making your position a lot more awkward. Well, you can just reject him if he tries again, let him down gently like you always do."

"That's the thing Tsugiri, the more I think about him, the more I want to see how it plays out."

"Well-

"Hear me out, it time I've with he's treated with nothing but respect, not just because I'm his superior, and unlike most guys, he isn't the slightest bit intimidated my me or my skills. Mostly shinobi see me in action and they instantly think I'm a sadist, but Toke-kun he sees the real me. Not just that the things he's said about me, it makes my heart soar." I didn't think anyone could make feel this way.

My gaze turns on to Tsugiri her eyes thinking about what I've said she probably thinks I'm sick for trying to go out with someone his age.
"Well that's something, I say go for it! If the guy is able to make you feel like that you should treat yourself."

"You don't think its weird with the age difference and all?" I ask hesitantly.

"Eh, the Lotus clan tends a more mature than their peers anyway they're kind of known as the clan with sticks up their asses, and since when do you care about anyone opinion?" I hug Tsugiri I couldn't ask for a better friend. "You're welcome now go get your man- boy teen?"

I roll my eyes go toward the lotus clan compound someone must've seen him.

I see Ryuzaki on the way and it looks like someone killed his dog.

"Ryuzaki," He looks up at me his eyes, has he been crying "what's wrong?"

"Hmm, nothing just bad allergies what did you need sensei?" he asks his voice low and blank.

"Umm have you seen Toke-kun,"

"No," he snaps, what's happened to him.

"Ok well find me if you do kid."

I hate to leave him like this, but maybe he needs to be alone right now.

A clan member suggested I check the training grounds, I should have known Tokegeroh must be working on A rank techniques.

However, when I arrived I see the evidence that he had been here earlier. The Training ground is flooded and the trees are cut to pieces or charred.

I don't get it where did he go?

I went on to Kensei's Itsuki is here good maybe she saw him.

"Hey Itsuki have seen Toke-kun,"

Her eyes widen slightly in surprise, and she points to the gate.

"What's he's deploying?" She nods "Damn it!"

I try to run but still not at one hundred percent yet, my body hurts moving around. My old wounds screaming as I run, finally I make it to the gate but it feels like my body could give out from under me. I feel gravity pull me to ground. Someone stops me a picks me up, "To-," I see hazel eyes instead of dark brown I was expecting.

It's Kallen,"Akiko- sensei, you shouldn't be moving around like this-"

"Toke- kun have you seen him?"

"He didn't tell you?" Tell me what? "He already deployed with first group hours ago, crazy considering the Hoshikage gave him the four days off."

"So I'm too late I'll have to wait a while before I can go to the Rain." I can still catch up to him then.

"He's actually heading to the wind and Rock country borders his request."

"Why there?" I already know why, he trying to keep away from me, he knows my orders will be in the Rain.

"According to him, he believes he can break The Rocks hold on the border, but I don't buy it. Somethings bugging Aniki, I never seen him so stressed out not since the chunin exams."

" I have a few ideas," I mutter.

"What did you need to tell him I'm heading up that way?" Kallen asks I think carefully about what I need to tell him.

I think carefully about what I need to tell him.

"Tell him, thank you for everything."

New title: Tokegeroh the Reaper/Shinigami/Death God

items obtained:

Jonin flak jacket- +50def 20 carrying capacity

New justu:

Thunder Gate: A

earth flash: B

Water Shockwave: B

Super water Shockwave: A

Great task of the Dragon: B

Cast net: b

great cast net A