A/N: Thank you for the warm reception from last chapter! It put a smile on my face, and really made my day. This chapter isn't quite like the last one, but regardless, I hope you all enjoy! :)
"Thanks for the purchase!"
The journey was a little longer because the man felt like taking his time, but Kyofu was happy nonetheless. In his hand was a fresh apple he bought from a wandering merchant on the road, one who mentioned he was heading home after a long journey. It was something Kyofu could relate to, though he was less certain just how much he would care for his new home in the Hidden Mist. Either way, it couldn't have been worse than the Hidden Sand; he had heard there was an attack in the Mist as well, but at least he could walk through town and not remember people important to him being killed.
He rubbed the apple on a cleaner part of his cloak and took a bite, savoring the sweetness of the fruit every time he bit down to chew. He shrugged a shoulder that had a large sealing scroll slung over it, as well as a holster beneath his cloak for the massive sword on his back. Oddly enough, the weight of these items felt less heavy now that he was halfway through his journey, and far from Land of Wind. Now? He wandered through the Land of Fire, and the constant scenes of rolling grassy hills, beautiful lush forests, and general tranquility put his mind, and his soul, at ease. He took in a deep breath of fresh air, and exhaled with a 'phew'. The air smelled clean, fresh...not a hint of blood carried on it's current. He smiled to himself, even let out some light laughter that felt pure, natural in response to how he was feeling. Things really did look like they were going to work out for the better.
It was a shame that someone following him did not share his feelings for the world or their own future.
A filthy kunoichi draped in a crimson cloak and hood stood very far back, hiding in shrubbery as she watched Kyofu walk along the dirt path that would wind and twist until he reached a boating pier with passage to Water Country. There were heavy bags under her eyes from a lack of sleep, and she was absolutely filthy. A stained scythe was slung onto her back, and she swallowed a lump in her throat when she heard her old friend, a man she cared very much about, laugh to himself. He was very happy, it seemed, and all without her. She wanted to join him desperately, she wanted to walk beside him in the sunlight and laugh with him. And yet he was so far away from her now, so high above morally in the eyes of the world. She was a criminal, a disgusting Jashin-worshipping murderer of shinobi. He would never try to understand, and she knew he would only feel more betrayed if she revealed herself to him and begged for forgiveness. Jari's gaze became downcast, and she clutched at the Jashin necklace beneath her cloak, running a thumb along the metal that was warmed while against her body.
"Why not join him? He is your friend."
To say that Jari panicked was putting it lightly. She had to slap a hand over her mouth to muffle her sudden cry, and jumped further into the shrubbery she was hidden in when the sound of such a rough and deep voice spoke to her. She could see from the road was a man, bare-chested with roughed-up shinobi pants and rags wrapped around his head with only a slight gap to show his eyes. This man had scars upon scars on his upper body, and she could tell he was definitely older than most people, yet his physical condition screamed 'experienced shinobi'. His eyes were familiar to her, the way they seemed to be so...
...glassy.
With great caution and a hand reaching for her scythe, Jari stood from the bushes she was hiding in, her eyes narrow and cold as they waited for any sign of hostile motion. The man was like a statue, and it was almost unreal to her. "Fucking creep. Why would you sneak up on someone like that? I could take your head off right now if I wanted."
The man didn't even blink. "You did not answer my question."
"..."
"Child, I understand that you are fearful of what that man may think, but you will never know how much he is willing to accept you if you only observe from afar."
"How I handle my own personal matters isn't your business."
"Perhaps," he responded. A hand went up to the rags on his head that draped along his shoulders, and pulled them down past his chin; a thick dark grey beard with white hairs peppered throughout was present. "I only offer a bit of wisdom. While I am doing so, I feel the need to also share that you are terrible at hiding. Had I been hunting you, your body would have been cold by now. You must learn to cover your tracks better, and remain hidden. That scythe is obvious...any shinobi worth their salt will know who you are, Jari."
The way this older man was talking pissed her off, she didn't care who he was, or why he looked so familiar. There was little time between Jari pulling the scythe from her back and swinging it at his neck. The sound of glass chipping from impact against metal snapped through the air, and the kunoichi froze when she noticed little glass pieces crumbling out from beneath the man's rags. Without acting like he had been attacked, the older man flicked the pole of the scythe away from his neck with a single finger; Jari pulled the item away after he did so, bringing it to her side and seething at him visibly.
"Senshoku Hira of the Stained Glass. What do you want?"
"I do not desire anything, I am free once more. That is all I have wanted ever since my imprisonment, a sentence with which you had a hand in assisting with."
"You were...no, you are an S-ranked missing-nin that took over an entire village. The hell did you expect me to do?"
"Only what was asked of you, which you had done admirably." Senshoku lifted his chin, glassy eyes rolling over Jari's body. "...though, I see now you act as a true kunoichi. You are ready to strike me once more, I can hear your muscles tensing with anticipation. Very good."
"Tell me what you want, damn it!"
That rude demand got him to frown; it was subtle, but she noticed right away.
"...I only managed to happen upon you by chance, child. But, I can see now that you will die in no more than a week if you continue to pursue that man in such a manner...either by someone else's blade, or his own."
"..."
"I, too, am once more a wanted criminal. Though I am quite capable of surviving on my own, I will admit that such a task becomes...tiresome, even stale when there is none whom I can speak with. Perhaps what I could use, and what you could benefit from, was a traveling companion."
"The only companion I need is my scy-"
A glass dagger was flung into her thigh, and a wide-eyed Jari fell to her knee. She hadn't seen his sudden movement when he threw it, she didn't even notice him conjure the weapon. He was still very fast, faster than she really remembered. Before much could be done on her part, Senshoku grabbed her by the face with his open hand, and slammed her head down onto the dirt road. And, only once she was stunned from blow did he pull the glass kunai from her thigh with his free hand and hold the tip of it against her neck. Jari froze, glaring hard at the experienced shinobi while he removed his first assaulting arm; she didn't dare move with the tip of a weapon at her neck.
"No, my child, I do not believe that is true. You may know of how to kill efficiently, but you lack proper training. Expected, seeing as how your sensei was a mere Puppet-Master, and not a true fighter."
Standing up, he offered a hand to the kunoichi. She only looked at it, then him; it wasn't until the glass dagger he held in his other hand cracked, broke apart, and fell to the ground in thousands of glass pieces that she accepted the assistance. He pulled Jari to her feet, but he could see the kunoichi was still pensive about the whole matter. Regardless, he had her attention, more than the wound she was ignoring with ease.
"I will train you to live off the land and be independent, and I will train you in the proper ways of shinobi combat. However, the condition is that you are to stay by my side in my travels. You are to do as I say, when I say it...and you will be prompt. I hate waiting, you see..."
The glare that was burning into his head became softened, though it was obvious Jari did not really feel comfortable with this. "...if you cause me even a bit of trouble, you'll be used for my next prayer to Lord Jashin."
That remark made Senshoku smirk, which pissed her off even more. "You can certainly try, though I doubt I will allow such a thing to occur." He lifted the rags over his face once more, and turned his back to the kunoichi before beginning to walk up the road the opposite way that Kyofu had been going. He gestured for her to follow with a wave of his hand, not bothering to bark a command that would have been common sense.
The scythe found itself becoming slung once more on Jari's back, and the hooded kunoichi looked out to where Kyofu had been. He was a distant speck now, and the afternoon sun was making it harder to watch him leave. The crinkled brow softened, and Jari felt her heart wrench a little at the sight of a good part of her past literally distancing itself from her. Then, she brought her attention frontward to Senshoku, who was not waiting for her. The blonde huffed under her breath, and began to follow the man.
"So where are we headed," she inquired from a distance, soon catching up and walking by his side.
"I do not have a particular destination in mind, though I believe I will find some sort of town where we will not be recognized right away. This is, after all, the Land of Fire. Surely a town full of simpletons is around here, far from shinobi influence. All it will take to earn their trust is a few nights where we protect them, and then we will have a base of operations."
"And then what?"
"And then, we begin your training. From there, you will discover what path you truly wish to pursue, child."
It was such a strange sensation to be walking beside someone who had once tried to kill you, especially when they are now more or less a teacher-figure. She kept her eyes on the road ahead, though the occasional glance would meet with Senshoku.
So...find a place to live, earn the people's trust, train with a missing-nin who almost killed me and my friends when we were genin, and discover purpose in life...
...right...nothing but simplicity there.
Closer now, but still some ways to go. The last time Suzushi tried speaking with either of his siblings, the situation became immediately awkward. That being said, the rest of the journey was almost completely silent; even the twins didn't bother speaking with one another. Now, the two walked along a dirt path and were finally getting past the more dreary places they had been to. Finally, green fields were becoming the norm, and healthy trees started lining their path. With a bright sun and chirping birds around, Suzushi felt that true progress was being made.
And still, it seems I'm having trouble keeping us all together. Uncle Boseki, I never once believed that my bonds with my siblings were that important, that if I ever needed to rally them, I could do so on a whim. However, they only accompany me now because it was your final wish...they follow your orders until the very end. I can't connect with them like you did, and I see that they'd rather bite their tongue than speak to me on a personal level. I had been wrong for such a long time, and you had tried telling me this...but I was too stubborn. Once more, I only realize the truth after it has taken a stand against me.
He remained calm on the outside, but the sensation of knowing that he very well was alone in the group of three was disheartening. He could only hope that this journey had some weight to it, some meaning to it. If he could at least speak with Suchiru and find a way to reconnect with his siblings, perhaps they would be able to work together properly once more...but more importantly, prevent the same schism that occurred between Boseki and his own brother from repeating itself.
Speaking of a schism, there was very audible bickering down the road. Suzushi began to slow his stride and the twins did so to match his speed, but what they ended up finding was that further down their path, two cloaked Rain-nin were hashing it out at a fork in the road. How appropriate.
"I'm telling you, we need to go LEFT!"
"Idiot, the path to the shoreline of this Kami-forsaken place is on the RIGHT!"
One was a kunoichi, who's drastic flailing of arms revealed beneath her cloak a mechanized suit. The other was a stick of a shinobi, one who wore gauntlets and a strange device on his ear which held some piece of glass in front of his eye.
Behind Suzushi, Ikari muttered to Kisu with her eyelids lowered. "Heeey, aren't those two..."
The twin nodded, hand holding his chin and raising a brow. "Yeah...I mean, they might be, but I don't know for sure..."
"What are you two talk about," Suzushi cut in, looking over his shoulder at them.
In unison, both twins pointed at the Rain-nin and spoke, giving their elder brother a look of disbelief. "Seriously? They were with us during the Chuunin Exams."
"..."
Slowly, he turned his attention frontwards, and it looked like the Rain-nin were becoming more aggravated with each other. Of course, of all the people they would meet on this journey, they would be on the list. He scratched his head and let out a small sigh that both twins heard, and then they all continued to walk towards the duo.
I just hope that we're not all going the same way...
In the Hidden Abyss, celebrations were well underway. Cheering, singing, drinking, eating, fornicating; if it could happen during a party, it probably was happening in the village. In the midst of the drunken town, Tokage remained indoors laid out on his bed without a shirt on, choosing to not partake in many festivities. This home he resided in was much like all the others in this village: dark, the grey brick exterior also acting as an interior, making the place seem more like a dungeon than a home. If it weren't for the dark oak furniture and ivory fabric on the small chairs and for bedding, it would have been more depressing than it already was. Ah yes, and he enjoyed keeping his lights off, believed it helped him stay more aware of his surroundings.
Beside him was the only person he really cared about, Totaru. Though forgetful in the eyes of many people from this village, Tokage had known that she was quite integral in aiding the village gather funds, as she had been the one posted outside of the War Orphan Foundation and persuaded people to donate. Of course, now that the Hidden Rain was no longer a good place to draw income from, Totaru remained in the village, running a small stand to sell vegetables for some light spending money. Regardless, she was happy, and she was happy because she knew Tokage would come by and see her whenever he was free.
It was unfortunate that he spent most of his time training or on missions. Now that she had him here, she wouldn't let him go. She, too, was topless, and was resting beside him with an arm slung over his chest, and her hand gripping his shoulder. She sighed with glee, silently thanking the powers that be that her kid was out doing...whatever. He was mature enough, he could take care of himself. Mommy needed some 'special' time, and she wouldn't give it up for anything.
Ironically, the last thing on Tokage's mind was the woman caressing his bare chest. He kept thinking about his shortcomings as a Abyss-nin, how he was clearly thought of as a mockery after his blunders in the Hidden Sand. He had voiced his thoughts earlier to Totaru just to vent, and she had reassured him that, despite his blunders, it seemed that the Family was allowing him to get away with plenty and still keep him close. He wanted to argue, but then she had cut him off by saying that her child was out, and he knew what that meant. He partook in her, and she in him, but now that it was all said and done, his mind went back to the Family. He had been chided for his capture in the Sand, yet Daughter and Son were being praised for their efforts in the Cloud. After all, two more jinchuuriki had joined the Hidden Abyss, and such news along with all the successful attacks, was what brought about the wild celebrations outside.
There was a knock on his door. He made to get up, but Totaru didn't release him.
"Noooo...you're not home now," she whispered into his ear, her hot breath sticking to his flesh and her soft lips brushing against his face. She planted a soft kiss on his cheek, and pushed herself onto him more, being sure to press her breasts against him. "...they can wait..."
Her words were very...enticing. Tokage did indeed stop where he was, but the knocking became banging.
"Damn it, Tokage! Quit fucking and get out here!"
Ah shit, that sounded like Uncle. He gave Totaru a quick apologetic kiss, which she seemed not too keen on receiving. Within seconds, Tokage leapt off the bed onto his feet, and shuffled over to the doorway. He swung it open, and saw the rather large man standing in his doorway, head inclined.
"Meeting. Hurry up and be there."
"F...Family meeting? But why am I needed there?"
"You wanna be one us, right? Then you should probably be there. Hurry up, we won't wait for you."
Despite the request from Totaru to stay behind and have more 'fun,' Tokage opted to do as he was told by his higher-up. His recollection of her storming out of his home was very vivid, and she had said something about how he should go get intimate with a sword using his rear...or, y'know, something along those lines. Here Tokage found himself, fully dressed in Abyss-nin armor and sat at the round table of the Family. The scarlet flames in the middle of the table danced around, and Tokage found himself entranced by the wisps that lacked heat. He knew it wasn't real fire, and had a clue as to what it's true nature was, but he dared not inquire about it. Father had been the last one to enter, slowly walking around the table before taking his own chair, though one more chair remained empty.
"Great work, everyone," the leader began. His hands became folded on the table, and everybody relaxed a little in their seats. "That was a fine display, indeed. More than half of the populace in each shinobi village combined had been eradicated. They will come for us, send us their finest shinobi, and we will take full advantage."
The Uncle clicked his tongue, and his massive arms came over his chest. "We hope, anyway. If they act smart, then we'll just be undoing all our hard work."
"Oh, I trust they'll think they're clever, but there are people at this table that have seen things most shinobi could only dream of. We will not be letting the Five Nations take advantage of us. Besides, there will be plenty of questions thrown at the Hidden Leaf as to why they had not been attacked. This will give us enough time to prepare."
"What else is needed for us to be ready," Son asked. "Other than the final jinchuuriki, of course."
"Originally, it was just the eyes of Jiyuu Tamashi; not the most difficult shinobi to defeat, but he is very much like a cockroach," Father explained. "He is...difficult to kill. Either way, he is not our immediate concern now."
"Then what is," Tokage asked. He could feel all individuals look at him, and it got the man to squirm a little in his chair.
"It's got to be that girl's doujutsu in the Hidden Mist," Aunt piped up, facing Father. "Right? I was going to pluck them, but I figured I would attempt to take Jiyuu's first."
"And that was a sloppy decision," Elder spat. "Had you just grabbed the other eyes and come back here, we would already be one step closer to acquiring the final components for the Kanpekina Clan's birth."
"Tch, like you know any better," she responded, calm and collect. "I know for a fact you'd have done the same."
"No, I would allow Jiyuu time to develop his eyes further."
"It's been years, the boy won't push them anymore. Don't wait for something that wont happen, old man."
Father had to clear his throat rather loud to make both keep quiet, and regain attention at his table. "Anyway...yes, the other set of special eyes will be our next target. Although each of us had attacked the shinobi nations and alerted people to our capabilities, we still have the element of surprise on our side. Daughter, as you all will notice, is not joining us. This is because she is undercover at the Hidden Mist, waiting for the right time to strike. When she is ready she will take the Rinnegan, and we will be closer."
"E-Excuse me? The Rinnegan? The eye of legend?" Tokage sputtered when he spoke, unsure if he was hearing this right. Such an eye DID exist, that DIDN'T sit in the skull of Sasuke Uchiha? "Who has it?"
"Some ginger girl," Aunt clarified. "I haven't got a clue how she got it, but she did."
"As someone from the village, I'm sure I can clear things up." Yaju sat a bit forward in his chair, and placed a finger on the table. "That girl? She's known as Tenshi Kyofu, part of the Kyofu Clan. That clan is a direct descendant to the Uzumaki, which happens to be a direct descendant of the Senju. When she was much younger, my daughter had managed to almost kill her..." He paused a little, and they all watched as his head lowered some, but soon looked to Son. "...and...well, that Uchiha kid that you're so obsessed with, Tsuyo? He had volunteered to give her a blood transfusion. It happened, and the combination of genes was enough to prepare those eyes to come out. All it took was, from what I heard, Aunt beating that Uchiha kid nearly to death, and that made Tenshi-"
"What?"
This may have been the only time anyone other than Father or Elder at the table heard Son speak with such emotion in his voice, though it was minimal; even so, he did sound distraught. Immediately, he turned to Aunt.
"Is this true? Did you really almost kill him?"
Naturally, the lizard woman had no reason to hide the truth. "Well of course."
A Susanoo arm erupted from Son's side of the room, wrapping around the table and ensnaring Aunt in it's clutch. Navy blue Susanoo ribs surrounded Son, who was stood up from his chair; naturally, everyone else in the room had backed up and prepared themselves to separate the two, yet Father remained calm...Tokage, however, had practically jumped back towards the exit. They could all hear the Susanoo's arm crack with every motion, and the audible squeezing it was doing to Aunt seemed anything but pleasant. However, the Aunt never let out a noise, instead staring at the young man who was holding her.
"Any further injuries to Tsuyo Uchiha from this day on will result in suffering unlike anything you could imagine, I promise you that."
The Uncle made to summon forth his sword, but Father swinging his arm out to his side had made him halt. "Enough, Son! Release her, you should not be fighting amongst your peers!"
If anybody could see behind the mask that Son wore, they would notice the intense clenching of his jaw. Furious as he was, a single glance at Father made Son understand that if he didn't comply, things would definitely turn bad for him. Against his own wishes, Son released Aunt and let his Susanoo disperse into nothingness. He took his seat and remained silent, not wanting the tension in the room to stay at it's current level. He heard a 'hn' come from the lizard woman, and she followed his example by sitting. And, thankfully, everyone else felt safe enough to sit down as well. Tokage had been the last one, peeling himself away from the exit door and cautiously taking his seat with an eye on Son.
"Um...Father," he muttered, looking to the man garbed in white. "How long until Daughter returns with the Rinnegan?"
"As long as it takes, Tokage."
"...if I may...can I ask something else?"
"Of course."
It was clear Tokage didn't know how to properly word his curiosity, so he swallowed a little and gripped the sides of the chair he sat in, hoping that nothing went wrong.
"Why am I here, then? I was told that if I wanted to join the Family, I should be here...why?"
"Simple: to show you that being one of us doesn't always involve having to run into battle. Perhaps when you learn to be a bit more level-headed and forge plans of attack rather than putting yourself at risk of being captured, we will consider letting you in."
The comment was a bit backhanded, harsh yet true. If Tokage truly wished to become a member of this elite group, he would need to learn discipline unlike anything he knew. Yes, he was cold and calculating when the need arose, but in the heat of any situation, he was typically the first one to put himself in a bad position. His most recent blunders were letting himself get captured in the Hidden Sand, and letting Netsu escape their clutches while he had two people assisting him in the Hidden Rain. Not the best track record. The Hyuuga with one eye sewn shut felt his brow crease up at the remark, yet he remained calm.
"Fine. But I have a request."
"..."
"When the time arrives for Jiyuu's eyes to be claimed, I want to be the one sent out to do it. I have a personal score to settle."
"If you bring personal matters into play, then you will be going against my direct request of remaining level-headed. We do not pick and choose our missions, I pick and choose our missions. I do this based around whom I believe is most suitable to each task. That being said, you will be given targets that I deem suitable for you, understood?"
"...yes, Father."
Even though the answer was what Father wanted to hear, all members of the Family could feel the bitterness roll off Tokage's tongue. Things looked less and less appealing to him, they all knew, but they also knew that he was loyal to a fault. Tokage would stay with them as long as the promise of being a member of the Family was present, though if he would actually join their ranks, none knew.
"Good," Father said. "Now, all we need to do is wait for Daughter to return. Once the Rinnegan is in our possession, we will make our next move. Dismissed."
As soon as the word was spoken, Tokage got up and left in a hurry. The moment he was outside the office, outside the cathedral that the Family lived in and hid all their secrets in, the Hyuuga leapt off into the village. Anger boiled his blood, and a hand went over his sewn eye. His fingers were trembling, almost closing around the eye like Tokage had intended to rip the thing out. Curse his luck, CURSE HIS LUCK! How come he was being treated like this?! He had helped the Family for so long, broke his back bending over backwards to aid them in anything they needed! All that, just to be talked down to as if he were a child?! They didn't understand the potential he could bring to the table, they didn't think about what Tokage could really do if they gave him room to spread his wings.
In time, they would know. In time, Tokage would prove to them all just how worthy he was.
What a humdrum event...
There were two shinobi standing off to the side of a small, private ceremony in the Kyofu Clan's compound. One of them was Tsuyo, a big grin plastered on his face and glasses shimmering in the sunlight. The other was Torukuta, hand clutching her arm and back pressed agains the wall as she watched on with her nose to the air. In her opinion, this ceremony was rather needless. The ceremony in question, despite being quite a bore to sit through, was one of the most important events her clan could go through.
Dressed in ceremonial robes that made the kunoichi look like a goddess, Tenshi stood before many elders of her clan with fellow clan members watching up close as official witnesses to the event. Her beautiful once-emerald eyes now shimmered with an amethyst radiance; true power held back to appear as a normal eye, the Rinnegan slept in a deactivated form, painting her iris a new color. With grace, she bowed before the current head of the clan, a much older man who had been leading the Kyofu for some time; in his hands were an unfurled scroll, which he began to read off of once Tenshi stood up once more.
Adjusting his glasses, Tsuyo felt his heart warm. "Ah, it's so nice to see hard work pay off. It took her quite some time and I understand she initially didn't want this, but she seems to happy to be earning this."
"Tch. This isn't the ceremony to maker her head of the clan," Torukuta clarified while she eyed her trainee with a narrow gaze. She tightened the hand gripping her arm, and shifted her attention to the elder. "The real ceremony...will happen in a few days."
"You don't sound too happy."
"Of course I'm happy for her, I saw such a thing coming long ago." Which was true, for certain...but deep down, she had to mentally keep herself in check to not frown any further.
...the one thing I didn't see happening, however...was the Rinnegan. Tch, the Kyofu are no different from any other clan worth it's salt; they only care about growing in power, and now that the only girl in their clan marrying an Uchiha also has the Rinnegan? Tenshi's jumped leagues above everyone's expectations here.
The ceremony had come to a close when Tenshi said her thanks, gave a final bow to the clan head, and people began to applaud. The sounds made Torukuta even more bitter.
...it isn't fair in the slightest. My only purpose in life, in this clan that I have fought, killed, and lied for...was to groom someone else to be better than me in the eyes of the village leader. To think my dedication means nothing to them is just...
Ah, but the time to be jealous was not now. Quick to mask her jealously with stoicism, Torukuta stood from the wall when she saw that the party began to disperse and Tenshi approached. She was absolutely radiant in her dress, while Torukuta was still garbed in dirty, ragged training attire and covered in smudges from her own private training earlier on; a perfect way to show people around here who actually got things done alone in this clan. Of course, even close up, Tenshi did not seem to mind, or notice the difference between them. Instead, she went straight to her husband and allowed herself to be pulled into a loving embrace. They parted, though their hands still held one another, and she giggled like a giddy schoolgirl. A giddy schoolgirl who got everything she ever wanted...
"Tsuyo, I'd love for you to join my parents for dinner. Won't you come?"
"Of course, Tenshi."
"And you, Torukuta," she continued, looking at the kunoichi and remaining ignorant of how dirtied up she was. "Please come, I would love to have the kunoichi who had taught me so much be a guest tonight."
The hands of Torukuta went on her hips. "Thanks, but I'm afraid I can't," she replied. "I've been requested to take care of some paperwork for the Mizukage, I really only came out here to see the ceremony. Congratulations, Tenshi." She gave the younger lady a stiff bow, and without waiting, turned and began walking away from the whole scene as quickly as she could without seeming rude. She waved over her shoulder to dissuade any negative impact she may have left, but the moment she rounded a corner and picked up the pace, the scowl she had been suppressing wriggled it's way to the surface once more. Her footsteps became stomps, though only briefly. By the time the kunoichi finally got back to her home in the compound, she immediately began to feel at ease.
She swung open the door with immense strength, and slammed it shut behind her with enough force to almost take the thing off it's hinges. Her home was darker than most, as she never bothered replacing her burnt-out lightbulbs, but the light from the windows in this small home more than made up for it. It was a small, two-story home with things like a living room, kitchen, and dining room crammed together on the bottom with a single master bedroom and bathroom on the top floor.
Now that she was alone, she pressed her back and arms against the door, allowing a long-held sigh of frustration to leave her body. A trembling hand locked the door, and the other remained on a wall, dragging as Torukuta began to walk. The rough texture of the interior walls were cold, yet brought comfort to a kunoichi who had been discarded for someone more...'gifted.' Hard work meant nothing in the eyes of those above when someone else had something special, something no amount of training could obtain. What were the odds that the Hidden Mist village would lay claim to all three doujutsu, and two of them would find their way into this very clan?
Gentle steps up the stairs made Torukuta feel slightly more relaxed, as she knew the sight of her bedroom was the one thing she looked forward to every day. A day of hard work was best rewarded with a night of good sleep...but she would not be sleeping now, nor would she be working. She would be...waiting.
On the wall adjacent to her bed was a vanity mirror, though it's age was easily visible. She dropped herself onto the seat before it, and leaned in to look at her tired, weary self. She was a mess...hair frayed and stuck in places where she had been sweating on her forehead, dirt smudges all about, permanent anger marks on her face from the disapproval of her situation in the clan, and...
...and not a drop of happiness. A small glimpse of a little photo on the corner of her mirror brought back fonder memories to Torukuta, a photo of when she was far younger and still in a genin team. She had chosen to hide her kekkei genkai of Light Release like all others in her clan, seeing as the days of the Bloody Mist were still rampant. She was smiling wide in that photo, her hair all pretty and curly while she posed with a young Hoshigaki boy and some other mean-faced runt. Her sensei was present too, and he had been smiling...it was odd, normally nobody in the Hidden Mist took team photos, but her sensei had suggested it. She remembered quite vividly that one of her earlier missions was to assassinate the poor man; something about 'ruining the morale of the Mizukage's forces.' Either way, those were happier times...because the future seemed so clear to her.
But although it may have been muddied, Torukuta knew it was childish for her to be angry at Tenshi for her accomplishment. What was done was done, this clan wasn't going to offer Torukuta anything more and she knew it. Even as much as she tried to deny her fate by making Tenshi's 'training' more brutal than it had to be, the young genin began rising to the challenge. Torukuta had hoped that Tenshi would give up, say it was too hard, and that would put the older kunoichi in line to become the next clan head. But it didn't happen, even when she bumped up the difficulty in the 'training' to be nearly impossible. It had been too late...Tenshi was already riding the train to success, and Torukuta knew it was pointless when she began losing all-out sparring matches that had been a desperate last attempt to keep Tenshi at bay.
Gentle fingers went down to the bottom of her training shirt, and wriggled under it's edges before lifting the piece of clothing off her body. Beneath, she wore a mesh shirt, and one could see beneath it the faint presence of a black sports bra; on her abdomen sat the Kyofu Clan's Blessed Seal, a special branding that allowed any experienced member of the clan to don a pair of Angel Wings that enhanced their Light Release techniques...but right above it was something a bit more odd. There, just below her chest, was a black seal. The shirt found itself tossed to the side, and the kunoichi leaned in closer to the mirror. A hand went to the drawer of her vanity mirror, and out came a contact lens case. Opening it revealed that the object was empty, but soon, it wouldn't be.
Carefully, she removed one of her colored contacts and placed it in the case. The normal coloration of her eye disappeared, being replaced by the pale white color of her normal, pupil-less eye. She then took out the other contact, and placed it in the case as well. Veins protruded from her temples, and her irises visibly tensed up like any normal muscle would when being used.
"...there's nothing for me here."
She looked herself over in the view of the Byakugan, approving of the healthy chakra flow her body carried. The special eyes deactivated, and the kunoichi brushed some loose strands of hair behind her ear before smiling at herself, her true form, in the mirror. She opened the drawer again, dropping her contact case inside it, yet pulled the thing open a little more until her signature dark purple haori and featureless mask sat inside. Her vision lingered on the attire before she pushed the drawer closed, and that same hand came up in front of her, palm upwards as if she were presenting something. Chakra swirled around in her body, traveling up her forearm and into her palm to create a small sphere of light.
"Thankfully, I have a new home. A real home that appreciates me for who I am and all I can do. I won't leave here just yet, I still have one final mission..."
The black seal above Torukuta's Blessed Seal let out a low rumble, and the sphere of light in her palm turned into a black, void-like mass. The small smile on her lips widened a little more until it was devilish, asking for trouble.
"...I'll clip those little wings of yours, Tenshi...no matter how long I have to wait."
Though it was a little late, the happy couple felt the need to share the good news with all their friends. With new responsibilities on the horizon, Tenshi knew that being able to leave the compound and visit friends on a whim would no longer be possible. That being said, she at least wanted to see everyone a final time before she began preparations for the final ceremony. Together with Tsuyo, the two walked through the village to visit those who were deemed important. They both sought their individuals sensei, Ketsui and Suchiru, yet neither of them were home. The next person on their list was down by the docks, a place where the attack on their village had been the most brutal.
As Tenshi walked, a curious glance from her would bring the destruction around her to the forefront of her mind. There were construction workers outside even at this late hour, toiling away and trying to rebuild what was lost. The whole sight was depressing, and traces of blood could be smelled in the air around here. The bright and cheerful attitude that both of them felt during dinner was diminishing, but thankfully, a familiar face was finally spotted.
Coming down the road opposite of the way that the duo were heading, Tanken walked with hands in pockets and head lowered; he was wearing full shinobi gear, so he was either going on a mission or heading to the training fields. The familiar scent of his co-worker and old team member made him stop, and the solemn individual lifted his chin to at least be somewhat polite.
"Hello, you two. A bit late, isn't it?"
Once they got a bit closer, Tenshi slipped Tanken a quick hug that he returned. "Yes, but we just wanted to share a bit of good news before I became a lot more busy. Ah...what brings you out here at this time, since it's so late?"
"You know night or day doesn't make a difference for me. I decided to get some light training in, but had been preoccupied all day. Now is as good of a time as ever."
The bespectacled genin adjusted his glasses, and surveyed the destruction once more. "...yes. I'd say if there was ever a time to improve oneself, it would be now. We...need to be more prepared next time."
"For once, I'm glad I am...unable to take in the scenery," Tanken mumbled. "...I do not know how I would handle the sight of my own home in it's current condition...ah, but...you already knew that. Tell me, Tenshi, what good news have you come to share?"
"Oh, well. I finally earned recognition as next in line to become the Kyofu Clan's leader. In a few days, I'll be leaving for my official ceremony to take the position, and-"
"Leaving? During times like these?"
"Yes. There's a temple where our clan was founded and had once been used to house my people before they transitioned to the Hidden Mist. It's been there for a brief part of our history, but the journey there is three days to and from through beautiful rolling fields of green and bustling little towns. It's tradition for any new clan head to make the journey and perform the inauguration."
"I hope you do not need to go by yourself."
"Normally yes, this is a pilgrimage of sorts; once I get there, I am to pray at the temple and return with a blessing from my ancestors, and then return home. But times are not what they once were, even when war was happening. And I have something new that I need to keep safe...eyes that people will be looking for. I can't afford to take risks on this journey."
"Ah yes, I heard," he said, though his voice fell a little flatter. "...the Rinnegan, was it..."
"I know how much you hate doujutsu, Tanken, but-"
"Do not think it changes anything between us, Tenshi," he interrupted. He brushed the hair off of his face and behind his ears, showing off his own glazed-over, unfocused eyes. "I have known you for far too long for my opinion to change just because of your eyes. I know that you can see a better, brighter future with them. I know you will help lead your clan, and perhaps our village, to better days."
He somewhat expected it, but the blind man was still a little surprised when he felt Tenshi hug him again, this time tighter. The embrace was warm, and he returned it with a small grin.
"Thank you, Tanken. I'll try to not let you down."
"You could never let me down."
They remained like that for a moment more, Tsuyo watching on with his own small grin. Tanken had come a very long way from where he once was, and it was nice to see that through the thick of it all, his humanity was as strong as ever. The two parted, and Tanken gave a silent nod to them both before walking past them to do what he had originally intended. The Uchiha and the Kyofu turned to watch him walk away, and caught him in the act of brushing his hair forward once more. He disappeared into the mist, silent as ever.
"He's a good friend," Tsuyo spoke, Tenshi silently nodding in agreement.
"Yes. Now, since we're so close, let's visit Sakana. You know she's only a few minutes down that way." She pointed to her right, past the barbecue shack that somehow managed to survive the attack on the Hidden Mist, and past some further destruction that was near her old home. If all the noise from the construction died down a little, one could hear the banging of metal against metal coming from that direction. She was definitely there, and fully awake.
Another kunai finished and tossed into a barrel for shipping. She was really cranking these things out now that she understood how to properly forge them. Sakana grabbed another ingot and carefully placed it in a furnace, and when she saw the two familiar people approaching her forge, she smiled and slammed the door to the hot contraption shut.
"Hey guys," she chirped, wiping away sweat from her forehead; smudges from her leather gloves were now on her face, more than they already were. She gestured with a finger to Tenshi, raising a brow. "You look fancy. What's the occasion?"
"I just finished the ceremony I told you about."
"Ahhhhh! Congratulations!" The Hoshigaki rubbed the back of her neck, bashfully shrugging. "I'd hug you, but I'm all sweaty. I've been filling armament orders since I woke up 'cause Papa's not...y'know...here anymore. My brothers haven't started up the forge, either, so this has been going on for nearly a week."
Though he wouldn't make a remark, Tsuyo looked around at the forge that Sakana called her workplace as well as her home. Still, it was just a tent at best with it's walls rolled up. The equipment was smushed together and the workspace was claustrophobic at best, yet small things hung from the ceiling of the tent that made this place a bit lively...or, in this case, perhaps a bit more dangerous. Her fragmented sword from the Chuunin Exams was still with her, though Sakana had never bothered to reforge the item. There was also a small vase with a thorn-covered rose off to the side, and two small picture frames; Tsuyo couldn't see who was in them. Yes, homey this forge was, but it seldom changed in the years it had been up, and having to sleep on a roll-out mattress inside a tent for years must have been anything but luxurious.
"You really should take a break every now and then," Tenshi insisted, but Sakana shook her head a little.
"When I do, I'm usually training. Any minute I'm not doing this is money lost."
"It's wise to take breaks regardless," Tsuyo added. He gestured to Sakana with a hand. "You're filthy and clearly tired. A break could mean a trip to the hot springs. Unwind a little for your own sake."
Out of better judgement, Sakana let the ignorant remark about her being 'filthy' slide, though it did make her smile twitch. "I'll think about it." Suddenly, the Hoshigaki lit up. Her eyes went wide and she punched into her hand before quickly removing her gloves and tossing them to the side. "OH, I just remembered! Give me a sec!"
Without warning, she dipped down to the ground until she was out of sight from both her friends. The sounds of metal shifting and rubbing against each other rattled from below, and Sakana swore to herself a few times. A curious look was shared between the couple, but soon Sakana stood up and let out a 'bwah,' as if she had been deep-diving and came up for air. In her hands was a clean ivory sheath with gold detailing here and there etched in for detailing; naturally, emerging from the sheath was a katana handle to match. The Hoshigaki checked the weapon one final time, inspecting the sheath for smudges or imperfections and pulling the blade out only a little to see if the oil inside the sheath remained fresh. The small amount of the blade that emerged shimmered in the moonlight, and Sakana clicked the weapon back into it's holster before walking out of her forge with it, and facing her best friend.
Of course, Tenshi was wordless. The blue-skinned kunoichi gave a half-bow and extended her arms out, presenting the weapon to the soon-to-be head of the Kyofu Clan.
"May your time as ruler be prosperous, and may this sword protect you in times of need."
"...S-Sakana...I don't know what to say...you made this?"
Instantly, the kunoichi stood upright and became as casual as can be in her demeanor once more, again rubbing the back of her neck with a coy smirk. "Uh, well...yeah? Took a bit of time but I got to work when I heard you were almost ready to become the new clan head. It's more of a ceremonial sword than anything, but you can kill people with it if you really need to." She looked at her work of art again, now clutched in a single hand, and Tenshi could see the raw and pure affection she had for such a piece. "...I know it's not a gem, or jewelry, or money, or anything fancy. This is all I really know, and I wanted to make you something nice. I'd be happy if you accepted the gift..."
Although she was covered in sweat and smudges from working with iron, Tenshi ignored all these things and wrapped up Sakana in a hug, this one even more intense than the one she gave Tanken. Although a bit surprised from her action, Sakana returned the hug without question, clearly pleased with the response. They parted, and Sakana offered the sword with a single extended arm. With a quick bow, Tenshi took the item and held it close, running her finger along the sheath and handle.
"I consider you part of my family, Tenshi. You're like the sister I never had. This was the least I could do for you."
"It's beautiful, Sakana. I wouldn't want anything else." She was absolutely radiant, bursting with happiness. "I'll treasure it always."
"Good," she said before looking at Tsuyo. "So, who else have you told?"
"We wanted to tell Ketsui-sensei and Suchiru-sensei, but they weren't home. We passed by Tanken on our way here and informed him. We're just making the rounds because, quite frankly, Tenshi's not going to have much free time after she's officially the clan head."
"Yeah, I know about the whole journey she's gotta go on," Sakana replied. "...so, I guess Jiyuu's going to be your last stop?"
The reaction couldn't have been more polarizing. While Tenshi gave a weaker smile and a simple nod, the bitterness on Tsuyo's mug and the fact that he looked away said loads about how he felt in regards to that man. The dividing opinion on the man spoken about made Sakana lose her own cheery attitude rather quick, and the kunoichi folded her arms beneath her chest.
"To be honest, Sakana, I haven't seen Jiyuu since the funerals," Tenshi admitted. "Of course, we all know about Warai-sensei and what she's going through...I can only imagine what Jiyuu must feel."
"I say it's best we don't bother him," Tsuyo proposed, though Sakana could tell his motivation was much more different than what Tenshi would interpret it to be.
"Regardless of what you guys decide to do, take care the rest of the night," Sakana spoke. "I really should get back to work."
"Of course. Thank you again for the lovely gift."
The Hoshigaki nodded, and watched as the couple walked past her forge and along the dock. She could tell they were whispering, though about what, she didn't care to guess. She went back to her forge and hummed in thought, brow scrunching as she pulled a weapon out of an oil vat. Steam rose up from the steel blade, and she let it drip.
Jiyuu...maybe I should go looking for you. I'm not sure why you've been avoiding everybody since we learned about Warai-sensei's condition, but even when you knew, you still popped up here and there. What are you doing?
She stepped outside her forge, and swung the blade to the side. It cut through the air with ease, even though it wasn't sharpened yet. She held the creation in front of her face; a stainless steel sword with chakra conducting metal welded into it, plus the serrated edge had smaller, finer teeth. Probably her best creation yet, and a suitable replacement for the weapon that her father destroyed. Clutching the handle tighter, she looked up at the moon.
...whatever you're doing...please don't beat yourself up more than you already have.
In the grove where many things have happened to the man throughout his years, Jiyuu laid flat on the grass below with his arms and legs spread apart. Lazy, distant eyes stared up at the branches and leaves above, and peered at the moonlight filtering through the mist into this little spot. He was alone in the darkness, in the quiet of night, yet the tranquility was not reaching him. Warai's battle kept raging throughout his mind, the memories of her struggling to save him, when he by all accounts didn't deserve such a sacrifice.
"..."
He needed something to do, something to take his mind off of the current predicament. Who knew how much longer he could keep this up before he went insane...