I have no rights to Naruto.
Enjoy.
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After Neji's demoralising news Lady Kagome had once again called for Ino and Kisame to meet her in Sakura's chambers, having undergone a change of mind with the news of the approaching One Power. There was no room for error.
"You shall learn and memorise this." Lady Kagome intoned with nary a glance to Ino expecting to be followed without argument as she handed the blonde sheets of paper.
Gaping at the elegant older woman Ino rifled through the sheets and sheets of paper, eyebrows rising as she found the pages written back to front. Hearing Kisame snort in laughter she slapped the papers on his chest scowling as he rubbed his chest in mock hurt, leaving him to hold her orders as she stepped forward and addressed Lady Kagome with a flip of her hair.
"I have extensive training both Shinobi and Clan, I don't need instruction."
Lady Kagome stiffened, hand stilling within Sakura's wardrobe as she searched for an acceptable outfit for Ino to don. The snap of her fan and the light tapping of it against her thigh the only real indication of her ire, turning to face the blonde she meet the blue eyes with a steely gaze, Kisame instantly sobering as even he caught the woman's – a civilian's power.
"Do you not?" The chill in her voice would have formed icicles, Ino tilting her head in response confident in her own training. "No."
Kisame's eyebrows rose as the older woman simply sniffed after a searching look at Ino and turned back to the wardrobe, looking down at the blonde who gave a triumphant smile he shrugged and sat in a chair to watch Ino pick out clothes, admire them and then have Lady Kagome discard them. A low rap on the door had him bounding to his feet as Ino looked around frantically before turning to Lady Kagome.
"What are you waiting for girl?
Come in."
With barely time to take a breath Kisame and Ino made a rapid flurry of hand signs and with a quiet pop took the form of Sakura and Hidan, smoothening the skirts she had seen Sakura wear a few days ago Ino turned to face a young woman who bowed respectfully and cheekily giggled at Kisame/Hidan, Kisame giving the young woman a wink in response.
"Forgive me for interrupting Sakura-chan but Hisoka was wondering if you would like to have tea with her? Oh and Nisou needs to know if you plan to take part in the sacrifice to Jashin during Juugo's initiation?"
Ino blanched – Sakura took part in sacrifices? she couldn't remember what Sakura had said about them. Turning and receiving no help from Lady Kagome and a simple nod from Kisame Ino/Sakura smiled warmly. "Please tell Hisoka I will gladly take tea with her and I will of course perform my duties to Jashin."
The young woman's face fell, and turning to Lady Kagome she gave a respectful head bob to her and simply turned and left the room without a back ward glance at Ino and Kisame. Ino's mouth fell open, Kisame shrugging his shoulders at a loss. Ino barely holding in the wince as Lady Kagome still looking through the wardrobe spoke without reprimand.
"Lana is Sakura-Hime's personal maid, she only ever calls her Hime-sama and sometimes Sakura-Hime in private, Hisoka is a distant relative who believes her place is on the throne if she was inviting Sakura-Hime for tea it would most likely be poisoned. Sakura-Hime does not take part in the sacrificial rituals; she has given her own flesh and blood to Jashin-sama enduring years of training and pain to reach enlightenment. "
With each word Ino held back a wince and forced herself to keep her back straight, turning her head to meet Lady Kagome's neutral face as she was handed a navy and purple ensemble. Lady Kagome stepped back and gave both Ino and Kisame one last look.
"She also refers to Jashin-sama as Father, and Hidan does not flirt with any woman infront of her and usually rebukes advances with a sneer.
Sakura-Hime also bears the scars and marks that prove her right, position and power as the Daughter of Jashin."
Turning her back to them she left the room, Ino dropping the scar-less henge and grabbing the papers from Kisame with a crumpled rustling of paper, half of them being torn from her hands as Kisame realised some were instructions for him.
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Dawn had not even begun to break when Juugo had woken Suigetsu up from his deep slumber, Sasuke wishing the tall orange haired Shinobi a quiet good luck as he pulled a groaning Suigetsu from the room and Shinobi quarters. As they walked the corridors Suigetsu quietened and head swivelling watched as passing servants, priests, Guards and the few awake nobles nodded in greeting and best wishes to Juugo.
And while he garnered glances no one said a word to him, no wishes of good luck or warm greetings.
The stone grew colder the deeper they went into the castle, carpets and wall hangings disappearing leaving unadorned stone in its place, doors with well-polished handles and gleaming surfaces dotted the corridors they passed, torches giving weak and dim light to the halls. Reaching a side corridor Juugo turned sharply going without any directions but following the light in his heart leaving Suigetsu to stride forward before he realised he was on his own, turning and looking around he shouted loudly and jogged back with a scowl to catch Juugo turning another corner just before he lost sight of him.
Nearly barrelling into his back as he followed Suigetsu stepped to the side and looked from a hesitant Juugo to the dark red doors before them. The look on Juugo's face was filled awe, hesitation and fear, his hand trembling as he held it out, scant inches between his fingers and the dark red polished wood before it fell to his side.
"Juugo? Dude?"
Juugo heard Suigetsu words and blew out a breath in frustration, his hand rising to his forehead and after a brief moment running through his hair.
"What if they are wrong?
What if I am not . . . . "
Suigetsu smirked and shook his head, moving to lean against the wall and pick at his sharp teeth, sucking and swallowing the remains of the grabbed breakfast he had had.
"I do not want to find out that I do not belong, this feels as if it is where I belong, I do not want to lose it . . . or Solas."
The pain and fear was stark in his eyes and Suigetsu felt an unusual pang of sympathy go through him for his tall teammate as his shoulders slumped in defeat – how many times had Juugo been promised help only to have been lied to and find out he was once again only a tool to be used by some asshole. Hell this was the most he had ever heard the big guy speak and not stick to his aloof, protective quietness. In one swift movement he pushed the red doors open and threw Juugo into the room.
Juugo staggered and rightned himself, a red blush stealing over his cheeks as he met the eyes of the elderly high priest, who smiled kindly and reaching out squeezed his arm. Still pale and weak from the poison Daisaishi spoke briefly.
"My old heart always feel younger when Jashin's children find their way, even more so when they are his true sons and daughters. It was Hidan's initiation when last I felt so proud and you shall make me even prouder my son."
Juugo had already been informed that Daisiashi would be unable to perform his initiation and while he had not cared he found himself feeling bereaved that this elderly priest who had devoted his life to Joshing would not start him on his way. But as Daisaishi reached out to pat his arm and turn to the young priest who aided him he stopped and gave Juugo a searching look, and to the quickly stifled gasps of many and secretive smiles began to remove his pendent stopping and smiling.
"My old hands aren't what they used to be, remove my amulet for me and give me yours – for luck."
Gently and with reverence Juugo did so, his heart soaring as Daisaishi nodded approvingly as the clasp of his amulet clicked around Jug's neck and Jug's rested around his own. With a nod and old eyes twinkling with warmth Diasaihi let the young priest lead him to the seat he had insisted be placed in the chamber, defying the healer's orders to return to bed in favour of watching an initiation that would herald a new beginning for the people of Jashin and for the young man before him.
Focused and trembling with excitement Juugo was lost to Suigetsu's grumblings and curses following the priests and priestesses who stood him in the stone alcove and stripped his clothes from him. Water infused with oils and incense were rubbed all over his body, massaged into his hair, muscles and limbs, the touch soothing and mind setting, the smell of the oil and incense, the frankincense soaring up and through his nose, sinking into his brain as the other unidentified scents made him tingle. Small cloths padded him dry and an un-dyed plainly woven cloth was wrapped around his legs and waist, barely hearing the protesting Suigetsu who grabbed the cloth from the priest beside him belatedly realising that it was a man and not a woman who would be weaving the cloth around him.
Under the watchful eyes of Diasaishi they were lead to a sunken circle the symbol of Jashin carved at least two inches deep into the stone surrounding them by at least a foot as they were bade to sit in the middle of Jashin's symbol.
Watching a middle aged priest, Diasaishi's direct underling show Diasaishi a jaggedly curved blade Juugo felt a deep seated eagerness fill his body, trembling and taking a shaking breath, ignoring Suigetsu's protests and curses as a priest approached him with a similar blade.
The jagged blade bore the symbols of Jashin and with low chanting, the guttural tones and singsong of the old language created a thrum in Juugo's body and as the blade was held out and sank with ease into Juugo's chest all his worries were swept away. He was washed away in the pleasure of the pain the blade gave him, folding and dipping, sweeping down his chest to his stomach to create the triangle that was the centre piece of Jashin's symbol, blood painted his chest red, soaking into the un-dyed cloth and dripping onto the stone, through the crevices. Peace overcame Jug's mind, the pain fading to pleasure-to acceptance – to hope – to welcome- to love- to home – to understanding – to peace.
With a growl Suigetsu raised his arms and knocked the blade from the priest hands.
"Get the hell away from me. Fucking hell, is that it carve me up like a fish – yo Juu-"
Suigetsu shut his mouth with a snap, standing up in an unusual quietness as he looked around the chamber, taking in the half-hearted attention he was getting but the astounding attention and warmth filled gaze from the elderly High Priest that Juugo was earning before he looked back at what had made him stop talking. Juugo sat in the middle of the large symbol, the priest chanting and singing carving Juugo's chest, the triangle and lines that would take the shape of the symbol they sat on bleeding freely dripping steadily as it fell. Watching the blood Suigetsu watched in fascination as every drop even those that fell onto the wrapped cloth around Juugo's hips seemed to move towards the crevices on the stone, filling the lines and cracks, blood flowing faster that Suigetsu thought possible from shallow cuts. Tilting his head Suigetsu hissed loudly catching the depth of the blade that was sinking in Juugo's flesh – it was going nearly hilt deep.
But it was the total and absolute peace on Juugo's face that really stopped Suigetsu. The look on his face was bliss and pure unadultered – Suigetsu could think of no other word but peace. It was the most calm and at ease that he had ever seen the large man be, even with a damn dagger buried hilt deep into his torso and being dragged into a design. Shaking his head he rubbed his eyes, turning his head to see the growing smiles and making sure he was not going crazy before looking back and still seeing the glow that was building beneath Juugo's skin, his blood nearly filling the carved symbol, Juugo's skin simultaneously paling due to blood loss and glowing from within.
The chanting reached fever pitched Suigetsu stepping back from the priest and priestess's that joined in the chanting, a last stab somehow not earning a cry ending the carving on Juugo's skin and as the blood flowed from the wound to the crevice the priest stood back holding the dagger above Juugo's head. In dawning horror Suigetsu watched it being brought down on his head rushing forward to stop Juugo's death only to be roughly grabbed and felled to the ground from behind, from the floor he caught the blood travelling in tendrils and rivers through the stone and in slow motion saw the blade fall and strike Juugo.
Silver eclipsed his visage, tears rolling from his eyes as he noticed the carved symbol of Jashin was filled with Juugo's blood, carefully raising his eyes he heard his rapid heartbeat in his ears, tongue thick in his tongue as he was faced with a glowing Juugo, serenity and wonderment etched on his face as tears of joy ran down his face.
Uncomfortably Suigetsu bowed his head, slacking his muscles for those on top of him to let him go, slowly getting to his feet and grabbing his clothes to leave the room, one or two priests nodded at him absently but Suigetsu understood now what they and Hidan and Sakura had all clearly known from the start but let him find out on his own – he did not belong here.
x-x
She wanted to hate her, to revile her and she did. She was taking her team mate from her, destroying the only semblance of family and home that she had, taking Juugo and tearing them apart. If Juugo was gone how soon until Sasuke left, and even Suigetsu. She would be alone again.
She hated her and hated her more for actually making her like her.
She was gentle and sweet, her love for Juugo obvious but within her there was an underlying steel, Karin took note of the scars and listened carefully and with slight revulsion as Solas described how to carry out wet divination to a priest who stopped them on the corridor, apologising if she had upset them and bringing them to her quarters.
They sat for tea and talked about the castle and Solas's experience growing up and training to be a priestess, she asked about kunoichi life and their training, and while she directed questions to Karin the red head felt obliged to ignore her, turning her head to the side and pretending to be occupied with her thoughts ignoring the looks of anger the Kunoichi's gave her. She slurped her tea and took the nicest biscuits her scowl deepening and deepening as Solas spoke, voice gentle and not once did the priestess say anything about her manners.
With a clatter of broken cups and plates Solas was suddenly on her feet, swaying for a moment as tears fell down her cheeks. The kunoichi jumping to their feet weapons appearing in hand, TenTen and Hinata quickly checking the area, but neither with byukagua or skill found anything, Ino turning to Karin only to stop at the devastated look on the red head's face that was quickly covered with anger.
Solas's sigh brought their attention back to them, the tall woman's shoulders slumping in relief as he smiled happily at them, eyes shining as tears dried up. "It is done; Jashin-sama has truly accepted Juugo."
Striding to the door she turned in excitement apologising rapidly for leaving the women, trailing off as she laughed gaily and in a twirl of skirts opened the door and left, running to Juugo.
Ino, Hinata and TenTen looked at each other, the blonde giving a small smile for Juugo before hearing the door creak open and watched a stomping Karin leave the room, the door closing heavily behind her.
Rolling her eyes at Karin's mood swings Ino turned to their friends quickly asking them what news they had only to be interrupted as a loud grumble came through the door, moments later the doors flung open to reveal Kisame dressed in Hidan's customary garb, the scythe that Hidan had left behind in his fear to find Sakura in hand. Nisou and Lam had been both relieved and saddened to find the Scythe in Sakura's chambers, Hidan in his fear had gone without his steadfast weapon but for them it would help cement Kisame's role for none but Hidan ever held it without permission and even then it was very rare.
Clothes hit Ino in the face; the woman stumbling in surprise before giving the fish faced shinobi a scathing glare. "What the-"
"Nobles found out, we're nee- Sakura and Hidan are needed in the hall –Now!"
With no thought Ino quickly stripped, Kisame giving a quick leer before pulling shoes and a hair ribbon from his pockets throwing the shoes and holding the ribbon in puzzlement. Hinata quickly stepped forward and took it from his hand, deftly weaving it into Ino's hair, the blonde contrasting against the maroon as TenTen wrestled with the fastenings and underskirt before pulling the shoes near as Ino kicked off her boots.
"Where's Lady Kagome, Nisou and the rest?" blue eyes demanded as Kisame checked that his outfit was okay quickly hengeing into Hidan before turning to Ino.
"Not a fucking clue, Lam found me; they all disappeared this morning without a word."
With quick hands Ino turned into Sakura, the maroon ribbon now acceptable with silver hair and scars visible in places. Ino inwardly thankful that the dress Kisame had thrown at her was less revealing than the others Lady Kagome had taken out, the less detail the easier it was to keep the henge.
Grabbing her skirts Ino followed Kisame as he left the room, TenTen and Hinata going down a corridor to the left to get the Shinobi for support and crowd control if needed, the henged duo walking briskly before exchanging a glance and breaking into a run, skidding along the corridors as knowing Guards directed them to the correct hall. Turning sharply they met a burly Guard who held up his hands to slow them, tilting his head behind them. Smoothening her skirts Ino bit her lip and checked her hair as Kisame held the Scythe on his shoulders as he would his sword bemoaning the fact that he had had to leave it in his rooms – a henge on it was not enough according to Nisou and Kaemon, the people would recognise the power present to absence in the weapon, both listening as the Guard whispered urgently.
"They have found out that the One Power are on the way, some of the Lords want reassurance that their lands will be safe, some want to bring families here, some want to be involved in the planning – to take over-"
Ino cut off the Guard holding up her hand, looking at Kisame before meeting the Guards eyes. "Our Hokage would lose her temper and beat them to a pulp or call them idiots for wasting her time, Sakura would do the same?"
"Hime-sama would, vocally and she could not be so truthful- but in this instance her temper would be warranted." The burly Guard corrected and agreed with Ino.
Ino closed her mouth in a grim line and thought for a few seconds, exchanging a look with Kisame before nodding to herself and addressing the Guard. "Don't announce us. We'll slip in quietly listen for a moment ourselves, Guards are inside?"
"Yes."
"Then we shouldn't have to physically do anything if we get this right but –"
"I'll knock out any one who really steps out of line." Kisame smirked, mouth open wider than usual his sharp teeth unseen.
Without a word the two called upon their Shinobi training and entered the room quietly, quickly climbing up onto the ceiling to hide in the darkness, the torches still dim and only giving off just enough light. The Guards pegged them instantly but luckily no noble looked up leaving the two to listen, scowls deepening and Ino blowing the non-existant blonde strands of hair from her face, inwardly grimacing at the truth in Shikamaru's words, it really was a major tell. Five minutes passed and both Shinobi could already tell that they would gain nothing else from listening to the rabble below them, with a nod and silent count they dropped to the ground in a flash, appearing amidst the nobles like magic, the surprise the nobles got enough to distract them from the lack of shadows that would have accompanied the real Sakura and Hidan.
"This is what I was pulled from my advisors for? I expected grave news, important tellings but I am faced with a bunch of cowardly, money grabbing opportunists." Ino lowered her voice letting the quietness speak for herself reminding herself that Sakura no longer shouted but seemed to scare more and demand respect with a quiet tone.
"The One Power approach we must look after our families – we need protection."
"We have as much a right to fight!"
"My family have been involved –"
"The counsel I bear-
"Our lands could be ransacked while we stay, Guards are nee-"
Ino felt more than saw Kisame shift beside her, Scythe swinging to be held upright in his hand as she listened to the nobles rabble on, catching the faces of a couple of nobles Lady Kagome and Solas had warned her about. With a saccharine smile she clapped her hands smiling widely as an idea came to her.
"Then it is sorted. You wish to go home, you to protect your families, you to fight, you to advise." She pointed to each group as she spoke gaining slow nods, clapping her hands sarcastically as she spoke to them as she would the genin team she had trained two years ago.
"The you may go home", she pointed to one group, "And you bring your families", she pointed at another, "the lands will be protected, and to make sure you are save you can protect them, you may have to fight but as it is what you wish I am sure you will be happy and as we face the brute of the attack it works out well as I cannot afford to send any Guards." Ino pointed at the group of young fops with more brawn than sense who wished to carry tall tales home before finally smiling at the last group. "And of course each estate will need advisors in case we are defeated here to rally and also to have in place provisions and support, when we win we will need medicines, food, water, clothes."
Ino smiled widely, acting more herself than Sakura but as this gathering were more ornery than anything else she didn't care and it had the added bonus of putting them off guard. Turning sharply she walked to the doors, nodding at the burly Guard at the doorway who kept watch on her back as she quietly along with Kisame counted, at eight they both heard the shuffle of feet and clearing of throats as protests began, turning swiftly Ino gave an evil smile as Kisame stepped forward and held out the Scythe barring the approaching idiots. "Of course I am also sure than none of you will interrupt any meetings with my advisors and Guards again, and if you so certain you need to help we could always use diversionary targets instead of using the Guards. So while we plan to ensure you sorry asses are saved please keep your stupidity to yourselves."
Turning sharply Ino left the hall, Kisame behind her clapping her heavily on the back as soon as they were out of sight, the burly Guard giving a short nod in acknowledgement. "We'll see that they leave to their estates, Commander Kaemon is trying to evacuate all civilians and non-combatants following Hime-sama's orders to dismiss the court so many already on their way."
"Bar a few idiots." Kisame added to the Guards agreement, who turned at a loud shout and with a nod left them jogging down the hall.
"We better go back and change." Ino lifted her skirts and with Kisame walked quickly back to the Shinobi chambers, skirting the corridors and watching for any nobles and priests. With a sigh they closed the doors behind them, wincing and turning slowly as a familiar voice spoke.
"Overly sarcastic, none of Hime-sama's grace or diplomacy but well done – you were right as in there was no time to waste and they were showing their lack of mental capacities."
Facing Lady Kagome, the heir to a well-respected and powerful clan and a feared member of the Akatsuki slumped in relief at her words, dropping the henge's and rolling shoulders and carefully dropping the Scythe that had been slowly burning his hands before looking for orders.
"It is Yamanaka I need to speak to."
With an unusual show of support Kisame looked to Ino, the blonde smiling in acknowledgement and shooing him away to get changed before facing Lady Kagome, the older indomitable woman scrutinizing Ino thoroughly. Minutes ticked by, until Kisame came out dressed in his usual garb and with a wave went to find Itachi or one of the older Shinobi, leaving Ino and Lady Kagome alone.
Tapping her fan on her leg Lady Kagome blinked and gave an uncharacteristic sigh.
"Nisou mentioned having you attend to Sakura-Hime, you Shinobi abilities both clan and medic possibly having some use."
Ino nodded slowly.
"You must understand the risk and the dangers involved, your captain explained your abilities and you must understand that with Sakura-Hime using the power of Jashin, in the state she is in you may be lost to us also."
"I have used my abilities on patients before-"
"I am not insulting or bringing your abilities into question." Lady Kagome interrupted her not unkindly but frankly, explaining. "You must be sure and certain that you want to do this, none will ridicule or call foul if you change your mind but if you do this and are caught in the same mindscape as Sakura-Hime you may never return.
Her moods and feelings have been broadcasted before, catching us in their grip, but this is the strongest ever seen, where the people can manage but the castle itself shows her mind set – hidden and barely there. She is protecting herself and if you are seen as a threat you will be destroyed – Jashin may not even be able to help you."
Ino let out a shaky breath, folding her arms and unfolding before she raised hard blue eyes to Lady Kagome. "Forehead is my friend, our family and the Shinobi of Konoha fight for that."
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Dia Duit,
I am so so sorry this took so long, I got a job in September and had to move and it has been so mad that this is the first week I've had time to anything. So I am sorry for the delay and any mistakes I may have missed in this- I'm visiting my aunt and using her internet and didn't have time to double check this but will tomorrow. I hope you like it.
Please let me know what you think about it.
Lots of love,
The Rose and the Dagger x xx x
