Disclaimer: I do not in ANY WAY own Naruto or Naruto: Shippuden.
A/N: And here's the next chapter. I hope you guys enjoy!
Also, please review!
Never Yield (Chapter 14) – Set in Stone
Naruto's P.O.V.
Three Days Later
The past three days have been relatively normal and calm. Because everyone is off the active duty roster, we have all just been training and hanging out when we can. But it's not that easy – besides all of us on Team 8 training together, I'm still working with my godfather on sealing, Shikamaru and Hinata are working with their clans, Choji is working triple duty (with his team, his clan, and with Yamato), and everyone else is working with their team and clans too.
On Sunday, Sasuke had told the Skulk about his training over the past two weeks that he has been having with Itachi with his Mangekyou Sharingan, and what he described sounds truly awful. What he and Itachi see when they activate it must be way worse than what I have been re-living since my last mission. Shikamaru later told Team 8 that he has been helping Sasuke recover after some training sessions, too.
But I'm glad that thoughts and memories of his friendships with The Skulk is helping him push through it. Because even though we can't do anything to really help, we are still supporting him in at least one way. And I know I'm not the only one to share that sentiment, either.
"Like Naruto said about enduring the seal removal for Kyuubi, I have to endure this training for everyone here. Because I need to be as strong as I can be to be able to fight with you all. And because I owe it to all of you to stay alive as well. I couldn't hurt my family by dying if I can do anything to help prevent it." Sasuke had said about his training, while holding Shikamaru's hand.
It's really not fair that Hinata and I, along with Shikamaru and Sasuke (and maybe even Choji and Tenten soon, too?) have to deal with all this while we are still new in our relationships. We shouldn't be worrying about the fate of the entire shinobi world – instead, we should be worrying about where we can take our partners for our three-month anniversary in a couple weeks.
And it especially doesn't help that we have to keep waiting for things instead of just taking action. We had to wait for Kurama to come back after his initial dissociation, then had to wait for a second dissociation, and we have been waiting for Sikona's response (which will lead to another dissociation to inform the rest of the bijuu).
And it's been three days, but Sikona's response finally came.
We should have seen this coming.
"So, it's a plan then!" I say, excited at the news.
Sikona is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He actually trusts us enough to host all the jinchuuriki and their bijuu in his secret underground village.
(Then again, as sealing masters, they probably have ways of dealing with things if they do get out of hand, too. I don't want to think too much about that because I trust the Uzumaki, but it's still creepy to consider.)
"So Kurama will dissociate and let his sibllings know of Sikona's rules?" Shikmaru asks aloud to just confirm and to make sure everyone (really, me) is on the same page.
But of course Sikona has conditions. Each jinchuuriki from outside of Konoha is allowed no more than two fellow companions inside the village. I am allowed to bring all of the Skulk, and Karin with her group if they want to come. Everyone must pledge to help protect Whirlpool if it comes down to it (and not just run away or something).
Those rules seem fair enough. It might seem unfair to the other villages that Konoha is allowed all of the Skulk, but the other bijuu and jinchuuriki know that I am an Uzumaki and that Whirlpool had (and now still has) a close alliance with Konoha.
However, Kurama assured us that Yagura is not aware of my name or of Whirlpool. And I am grateful for that – if he really is a 'maniac' and a 'stupid human' like Suigetsu and Kurama say he is, then I am glad not to have that Kage as an even potential enemy.
I asked Kurama what would happen if Akatsuki did manage to get their hands on him and his bijuu. I wasn't even afraid of asking – just being afraid of hurting his feelings.
'He would fade for a long time. Akatsuki wants all of us, for what I don't know. You can't just contain one in a non-human host. He would eventually re-form, but he would be out of be completely out of communication until then.' He had explained, and what was unsaid was the reason for all this – he doesn't want to be out of contact from his brother or any of his other siblings. But unless Yagura changes his mind, there's nothing we can do to help.
Kurama will dissociate tomorrow – they had all agreed upon four days – to let them all know of the rules and conditions.
All the preparations of travel have been made. We want everyone to arrive around the same time to Whirlpool. Those jinchuuriki further away will leave sooner and those closer will leave later. If they all leave at the same time, it could let Akatsuki know.
They will start to leave the day after the dissociation ends. Konoha in particular, we will leave last after Kurama returns even though we are not the closest but not the furthest from Whirlpool either.
The Skulk, our sensei, and possibly Karin's group will all travel together – but we are aware that that could attract a lot of unwanted attention. So going there last would make sure everyone else makes it there safely first.
Jiraiya, though, will be going first as a political liaison. As Sikona has not met any of the others, Jiraiya has to go to be accountable and to make sure everything goes smoothly with getting them into the village without exposing its secrets.
This whole thing is going to be complicated, dangerous, but necessary.
Kurama dissociated earlier today, and I still don't like the emptiness that I feel. But now it's just a matter of time before we start to take action. The Skulk was informed of the approval and Sikona's rules, and of course they accepted and now are waiting like we are for Kurama's return for further details.
But now that there is a full plan in action, it's time I do something I wish I could have done sooner: telling Karin Uzumaki about the existence of Whirlpool and passing along Sikona's invitation.
I'm going there with Hinata, Shikamaru, and Jiraiya so we can finally tell them. I hope they aren't (too) upset at the secret we had to keep from them, but it really was necessary due to the plans that we made.
And it's Sunday again in just a few more days, and we are planning for these three to meet the rest of the Skulk. As we may all be traveling together, it's important they spend some time and get to know each other.
Since they were released from the hospital, they were all given some apartments for orphans, refugees, and the like (though I had quickly learned that they all insisted on staying in one apartment – so it looks like what Sikona said about staying together will come to fruition).
I feel a bit bad that I haven't spent more time with Karin. She is my clansman – my cousin – and she's been through this awful trauma and I have only visited her a few times. But we've all just been so busy that I really couldn't be with her and her friends more.
She really is an amazing person – all three of them are. Suigetsu has a vulgar mouth but he's a really good guy and he's offering to do stuff for Karin and Juugo all the time. And Juugo is very quiet and big, but he's actually very gentle and animals seem to really like him.
We walk over to their apartment building and walk up the stairs. I knock on the center on the leftmost of their three assigned units, and within a few seconds the door opens and Karin is there, smiling!
"Naruto! It's so good to see you!" She says and pulls me into a hug, which I return with a laugh. She also hugs my teammates and then bows to Jiraiya when we walk into her apartment.
Suigetsu walks out of his bedroom carrying a cup of water...and wearing only underwear (so I guess he is more crass than just his language), and Juugo proceeds to walk out of the same room wearing full clothes but a scarf and cap too. One is underdressed, the other overdressed.
"Ugh now I need to put on fucking clothes. Goddammit." Suigetsu says and walks back into the room while Juugo bows to us without saying anything. When Suigetsu returns a minute later, we are led to the couch.
"Okay, so we have something to tell you three. It's nothing bad, per-say, but it may be a bit surprising. Karin, as an Uzumaki you have a right to know – the Uzumaki are still alive and are still at Whirlpool village. Sensei and I were there for a month a few weeks ago, and the village leader said you and your companions," I say, waving my hands to the two other guys, "can go there if you wish to." I finish.
Jiraiya thought I should be the one to tell her this instead of him because I have a rapport with her – we are both Uzumaki, I was the one talking with her when she was still in the cage, and I have been visiting her a few times since we got back to Konoha.
"We wanted to tell you sooner, but we had to get permission from the village before disclosing that information. As you are aware, they have reasons for wanting their privacy." Jiraiya adds, and I see her nod.
She looks to Suigetsu and Juugo and then back at us. None of them seem angry or upset, so that's good?
"Somehow I am not surprised at all. I always dreamed of going to Uzushio one day – I hoped that I could go there and it would be alive with families and cities and just people. And to hear that it is true and that my best friends can go with me? It's not a surprise – but a miracle!" She exclaims, grabbing her friends' hands and shaking them in excitement.
"So when do we get to go? It's not that I don't like Konoha, but if Karin wants to go, then we're going!" Suigetsu immediately asks after turning his hand into water and forcing Karin to let go of it. Juugo doesn't say anything but he does nod and smile.
What kind of power is that? Does that have something to do with his thirst?
"Well, that's the thing. Naruto says you already know his secret. Well, an organization called Akatsuki – of which Orochimaru used to be a member," Jiraiya starts to explain, and I can see their faces scrunch up at the mention of that fucking asshole. "is after all of the tailed beasts." He continues to explain our deal with Sikona and how the Skulk and these three are allowed to come.
"I want to go. If Naruto is in trouble, I want to help him." She says to sensei then turns to me. "You went on that mission to find me. You helped keep me calm when I was still in the cage, and you both helped Juugo. And you're my cousin. I – we are going to help you if you would have us." She tells me, and the other two are in agreement without her even needing to look at them.
As Suigetsu said, they are in it together.
"Of course! I...I really appreciate you saying that. And I want you all to come because the place is so amazing. Explanations can't do the village justice. I know it won't be under the best of circumstances, but you won't regret it." I tell them, and I can see her eyes light up. It's basically telling her that her dreams will actually come true.
"So depending on when Kyuubi comes back from communicating with the other beasts, that's when we know when we will leave. On Sunday all of the Skulk meet and we would like you three to meet – as friends and comrades." Sensei finishes, and Karin freaks out!
"I've been waiting to meet your other friends! It's about time I have a chance!" She says, and any other anxiety I may have had about this just went away and I am left with an excited cousin and her two embarrassed friends.
But the waiting never seems to end.
Four Days Later – Sunday
Kurama returned two days ago with little fanfare – he just said that his siblings understood Sikona's rules and that they are even more lenient than they and their jinchuuriki had expected. So, that's good!
However, Saiken's jinchuuriki Utakata – the one who was in a not-coma, is from Kirigakure. And at first Yagura was just opposed to himself leaving, but then started going after Utakata.
Kurama says Saiken was there for only a moment to explain everything because he couldn't leave Utakata alone, and that he had a few others fled Kiri together and got branded as missing-nin. I reported this to sensei and he immediately sent Sikona an update that Utakata may be arriving with more than two companions but for good reasons.
I'm glad he and Saiken are alright. And I'm even more glad that Yagura is not aware at all of Whirlpool. Saiken is leading the group to send out false trails that lead to anywhere but Uzushio. I have no idea what's going on in that village, but it sounds like Utakata and his friends are lucky to be out of there...still, I can't imagine what it's like to just be banished from home like that.
My dream is to be Hokage, but if Tsunade or something went crazy and did that to one of my friends in the Skulk, I would leave with them without even questioning it. My friends and my family and are my everything.
So Utakata and his friends might be leaving other people behind – other friends or family – and might not be able to see them again for a long time or ever. And that's just a really sad thought and I hope they are doing okay and maybe can somehow fix things when all this is over.
But other than all that, Kurama came back saying everyone understands what they have to do. And now that Utakata is already on his way, everyone else has to go when it's their time.
The Skulk (along with Karin and the others) are meeting today – they all already know that the mission was approved and that we are all going together. Jiriaya left to go to Whirlpool last night – he was originally going to go later tonight but because of Utakata's situation he had to leave a day earlier than originally planned.
Kurenai-sensei and Kakashi-sensei are coming with us on the mission, but unfortunately Asuma-sensei and Gai-sensei are being told to stay in the village as protection. Tsunade can't lose all four of her best jonin, so she has to keep two in the village as it will be weakened otherwise.
Team 10 and Team Gai took the news with hurtful understanding. So that's why today they are making sure to spend extra time with their sensei because tomorrow is a day of rest, and then the next night we leave.
So now that everything is out in the open already, today can just be about having a good time before...whatever happens starts to happen.
"So, everyone, I'd like you all to meet some new friends. This is Karin Uzumaki, Suigetsu Hozuki, and Juugo." I announce, introducing my cousin and her two companions to the Skulk.
Seeing how flustered Karin and Juugo are with all these new people and trying to remember names is pretty funny, actually. Suigetsu acts like he isn't paying attention (though I can see it in his eyes that he is just as confused but he isn't having a funny reaction like the other two).
And the three of them integrate with the rest of us easily!
Suigetsu is a fan of...dark humor...and at least Sasuke was laughing. Though perhaps guffawing would be a better word – Shikamaru's boyfriend is a bit fucked up, really.
Karin likes to hear stories of missions and training and was really fascinated at Lee's use of ankle weights for training.
Juugo didn't say much but happily played a couple of matches of Shogi with Sasuke while Shikmaru watched. Sasuke won every match, but they were close matches (from what I can tell, at least).
Everyone is was just doing their own thing and having fun. Shikamaru and Sasuke (which the latter continued to laugh at the fucked up jokes) played more Shogi. Kiba and Lee sparred while Sakura and Ino patched up their bruises. Shino and and Neji ate more than I have ever seen them eat. Tenten was clearly blushing and smiling when Choji talked to her away from the rest of the group (which he then proceeded to wink at me – so yeah, Choji!). Hinata and I just spent time together holding hands, talking with everyone. Even Kurama was able to enjoy the festivities by having me call out his tips while we watched the spars.
We leave in two nights. Tomorrow is a day of rest, and then we leave the following night. But right now – right at this moment – we are all together and okay and that is what matters.
A/N: I really don't have much to say with this chapter. I realize that this arc is building a bit slowly, but tht's just the way it happened. I really didn't plan any of this aside from the "somehow they go to Whirlpool" idea, honest!
What I will say though is that I am actually excited for next chapter, though, because I think it will be fun!
The title of this chapter kind of sucks. I had no idea what to call it, so I called it what it is because now the plan is 'set in stone'...I know it's lame...oh well.
I hope you all enjoyed! Stay tuned for Chapter 15!
Also, don't forget to review!
