Author's Note: Hoping this chapter turns out alright! I have said this on every single fanfic I've written that I dislike writing fight scenes. Though, I somehow keep writing stories that have them… Tis the curse of watching fighting based anime.
Disclaimer: I obviously do not own Naruto, the world, or the characters. All of these belong to the creator Masashi Kishimoto.
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Chapters 3
Reunion
"-Kuro? Kuro?" She blinked as Akatsuchi waved his hand in front of her face.
"I'm sorry, what?" Kuro dumbly asked after shaking her head free of painfully longing memories. The older of the two sighed, and repeated his question. He motioned to the quaint tea shop they stood in front of.
"I was asking if you wanted to take the lead here?" Her friend plainly explained. Kurotsuchi took a moment to process his words and remember what exactly their goal was. The group had split upon reaching a small town near the mountain their reports were from. Everyone being tasked with gathering information from the people before they would rendezvous near the mountain's base. Kuro and Akatsuchi had decided to visit a popular tea shop to scout out any useful knowledge, which lead to their current dilemma.
"I will, thanks." Kuro sagely nodded, and checked to make sure they were alone. From what they'd heard, "Tea with Hiroto" was popular among the villagers. However, since the village was quite small there weren't too many occupants. Which was fortunate for the pair who conversed outside its doors. "Okay, we're just a couple of tourists interested in exploring the caves. Hopefully, the people inside will spill where Kiri's teams went last time." She outlined, causing Akatsuchi to nod. The duo had changed out of their distinctly Iwagakure uniforms and strolled inside the shop wearing casual apparel.
"Smells nice." Akatsuchi commented as the deep scent of sweet flowers and earthy grains smacked their noses.
"A little cramped." Kuro coughed as they sat near a more densely populated table. Instantly, the sound of endless chatter greeted them. She noncommittally read through the surprisingly detailed menu as a waiter approached. "Matcha Green Tea, for me please." The young woman quietly requested.
"I'll take the same." Akatsuchi added. The waiter happily nodded and skipped away, orders in hand. Afterwards, Kuro tilted her head back to indicate the table behind them, silently signalling to begin their task.
"Oi, you two travellers?" One of the patrons at the other table loudly quizzed before they could talk.
"Yes…" Kuro slowly answered, sharing a wary glance with her partner. "What gave it away?" She questioned in what was supposed to be a friendly voice. Though, Akatsuchi's eye twitch showed that her acting skills were sorely lacking.
"We don't usually see many foreigners around these parts! The last couple were travellers, so we sort of guessed." The patron explained with a laugh, fortunately deaf to Kuro's off tone.
"And we were right!" One of the patron's companions cheered with a wide smile.
"Well, could you guys share a few things with us? We're thinking of exploring the mountains and heard there were some neat caves up there." Akatsuchi popped in, his little smile coming through much more naturally.
Immediately, the other table stiffened.
"The caves, eh? I wouldn't really go there if I were you. My uncle worked in the mountains and he told me he hears voices in those caves." An older patron warned, gripping her teacup with a serious expression.
"Voices?" Kuro curiously prompted, resting her head in her hands.
"Your uncle's crazy, Mai. We all know that. Don't you remember when he nearly ran down Miss Hana claiming there were ghosts in his house?" The girl's friend nonchalantly waved off. "Speaking of, if you two really want to visit those caves you should speak with Miss Hana. She knows the mountain a lot better than any of us in town." They helpfully added while leaning back.
"Do all travellers get sent to Miss Hana?" Kuro pressed with a glint in her eyes.
"Eh, I guess so." They responded with a shrug.
"Where can we find Miss Hana?" Akatsuchi asked while grabbing some paper to write on. The waiter returned with their teas as the patrons continued to direct them on Miss Hana's usual whereabouts.
"Bitter!" Kuro choked while spitting the tea back into her cup. Nearby, her friend was doing the same, albeit more subtly. Later, after cleaning their tongues they met up with the others. To her disappointment, Ao and Onoki were squabbling once more. The two old men trading insult after insult about their respective villages. Chojuro appeared to be attempting to diffuse said argument. While the scouts watched from the shadows, twiddling their thumbs.
"I'll have you know-" Her grandfather was saying when she loudly coughed.
"Gramps, we have a lead. Come on." Kuro explained, motioning with her head for everyone to follow.
—
Apparently, everyone in the village directed them to Miss Hana. According to the tea shop's patrons, she lived a way up on the mountain. Many of the villagers had tried persuading her to move away from her isolated cottage. But, the young woman had always refused with some candid remark or another. Fortunately for them, living on the forested mountain had gifted Miss Hana a deeper knowledge on its layout.
As they walked up the steep mountain trails, Kuro noticed a humble wooden sign marking a crossroad. A pointer hung to the left, the word 'Hana' carved deep into it. They travelled further, and came across a sizeable clearing with a small home in its middle. Light fell over the area, giving it a warm glow. A small pond rested nearby, and smaller birds perched around it. Most notable however, was the hunched over figure in front of the cottage.
"A-Ao and I can take the lead on this one. If that's okay?" Chojuro politely offered, pointing at his Kirigakure headband for emphasis. Kuro started to nod, acknowledging that Miss Hana would likely be more receptive to the local nin of her land.
"It's the obvious path. You don't need to ask." Ao sternly retorted, grabbing the younger male's arm as they approached Miss Hana. "Excuse me, are you Hana?" He asked while straightening his back. The woman turned and Kuro was briefly blinded by her apparent beauty. She wore a loose, light green dress with lotus patterns embroidered onto the fabric. Her long ebony hair was woven into delicate braids that slept against her neck. It was as if she were straight out of a storybook.
"Yes, that's me." Miss Hana affirmed with a soft melody like laugh. "I was just working in the garden. Can I help you folks with anything?" She amiably asked, motioning with graceful movements to their entire group.
"We have a few questions we'd like to ask you - about the mountain and some previous visitors you may've met with. Would that be alright?" Ao diplomatically instructed, folding his arms behind his back.
"Oh, of course! I'd be happy to! Please, come in! Would anyone like some tea!" Miss Hana graciously acted, hurrying to open her cottage. After a brief discussion, they decided that the scouts would stay outside while the rest joined Miss Hana. Who in turn, revealed herself to be a very chatty individual. She pranced around her seating area talking about all sorts of subjects, fiddling with her flora and water colours before setting tea on the table.
"Bitter!" Onoki, Chojuro, and Ao sputtered after sipping Hana's tea. Kuro and Akatsuchi amusedly watched from the side, having wisely abstained.
"Why, you certainly aren't the first who've visited me these last couple of weeks! I was so very worried when I didn't see those last two groups return. I suppose something amiss has occurred then…" Miss Hana bemoaned, wiping a tear from her golden eyes.
"T-That's actually why we're here… to investigate." Chojuro bumbled, to which Ao sent him a look of stark disapproval.
"So, it would be of great help if you could tell us where our comrades went. They were exploring the nearby cave system. And, we're assuming they came to you for directions." The older Kiri nin explained, leaning forward.
"Oh my, I see!" Miss Hana cried, cusping her hands over her mouth.
"S-so they did come to you?" Chojuro asked, unsurely patting the woman on the shoulder.
"Y-yes… they did. It was about the strange noises coming from the caves. I thought they could help stop them and told them where to find the tunnel entrance. But, instead I've brought great misfortune!" Miss Hana mourned, falling into a wooden chair.
"H-Hey, don't blame yourself, miss." Chojuro tried to comfort, looking a tad uncomfortable himself.
"Could you tell us where they headed off to?" Ao pushed, his lips a thin line.
"I don't know. I just couldn't bear learning any of you disappeared as well." Miss Hana deflected, holding her elbow in a worried gesture.
"We need to know what happened to our comrades. And to stop whatever problem they might be facing." The eye patch wearing shinobi swiftly replied, empathy swirling in his visible eye. Kuro noted how he spoke in present and not past tense. They stared each other down for a moment before Miss Hana relented.
"I-oh, alright then! Just do be careful!" She fretted, exiting her cottage to point at the trails. "Just keep following the path and take the first right you see! The entrance is rather large, and there are these brilliant tiny bluebells nearby. So, you can't possibly miss it!" Miss Hana guided. Afterwards, the woman lightly tugged at a strand of her hair. "Oh, but I'd make sure to keep your eyes on the path. It can be quite tricky!" She nervously suggested.
"D-do you have any i-ideas about the voices in the caves we've heard about?" Chojuro prodded.
"I'm so very sorry, but I don't. I haven't visited those caves in years." Miss Hana shook with a slight bow.
"Okay, we'll go going then. Thank you for your help, miss." Ao concluded while waving for the scouts to begin moving out. Onoki grumbled about the Kiri nin taking the leadership role but followed nonetheless. Kurotsuchi lingered for a moment to speak with the older woman.
"So, why do you live so far from the village? It must be lonely all by yourself." The Iwa kunoichi pried as Miss Hana returned to her garden.
"Ah, I hold such fond memories here… I couldn't possibly leave!" Was the answer she received.
—
Bluebells were like the rare spots of sky visible in a storm. Of which, the cave's looming, shadowy entrance resembled. The group assembled in front of the cave as if sizing it up. Though, it was really them waiting for the five scouts to return with a brief.
"It's completely caved in further back. There's no getting past it." Umi reported after stealthily exiting. The other four scouts had more or less the same to say about the other entrances.
"It's like someone's trying to keep other people out." Kuro grimly analyzed as they began searching for another way in. "Keep an eye out for weaker sections. We might be able to punch our way through." She ordered, sending a wry gaze at the Kiri ensemble. Of course, if it were only herself, Akatsuchi, and Onoki they'd be able to burrow without issue. But, with the water nin they had to search for alternatives.
"How about here?" A mousey faced scout named Raion offered, tapping his knuckles against a vine covered wall.
"Hmm…" Kuro mumbled while inspecting the area. "This could work." She nodded, rearing her fists back to begin smashing a tunnel. However, Onoki impatiently grabbed her arm.
"Leave it to me." He demanded and she backed away with a shrug.
"Can you handle it without falling over, old man?" Kuro quietly snarked, though the Tsuchikage didn't react. A few hand movements later, they had a narrow tunnel leading inside the mountain.
"Let's go." Ao went, pushing past them to enter. Though, she'd noticed with some private amusement that he'd needed to duck to fit. Her grandfather had a spiteful twinkle in his eye as Ao grumbled about the tunnel's height. Afterwards, the rest of the group entered, leaving a scout behind in case they encountered any problems.
It was unsurprisingly dark in the caves. However, the group was stunned to find small cracks along the walls. The thin lines glowed a soft blue and provided enough light to see.
"What are these?" Chojuro pondered after failing to stab a kunai in between.
"I don't know, looks like some kind of crystal." Akatsuchi guessed, trying to pry the rocks apart to get a better look.
"They don't look bad, so let's not stall. Let's go further and see if D-Deidara is here or not." Kurotsuchi pushed, disregarding the strange light as they moved on. Onoki and Ao once again started bickering about some silly topic. Meanwhile, she inwardly chastised her stutter when calling Deidara's name.
"Kuro?" Akatsuchi quietly asked, tapping her on the shoulder.
"Yes?" She replied, pulling apart the darkness with her eyes.
"Are you alright?" He carefully whispered, so soft that only they two could hear.
"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" Kuro defensively retorted, crossing her arms in the process.
"… Are you really sure we can kill-" Akatsuchi started before being interrupted.
"Stop. We've been over this before…" The kunoichi hissed, lightly jabbing him in the stomach.
"I know… But, do you really believe any of us will actually be able to do it?" Her friend brought up and Kuro stilled. Her hands were clenched at her sides in anger. She narrowed her eyes at the stone beneath them. Stone. Unyielding stone.
"It's the least he deserves. We… we have to." Kuro answered, shadows obscuring her face, only deepened by the cave's claws. Suddenly, a huge tremor shook the earth and caused them to lose their footing. Onoki yelled something, and the others rushed forward. Kuro and Akatsuchi shared a solemn look. "It's him. It's time." Flew through both their heads.
They ran ahead.
They didn't really have a choice.
—
The group emerged in an expansive cavern. Water dripped down from the rocky ceiling and provided a periodic clicking. However, contrary to the dark tunnels there was a blinding light in the area. It was light from an explosion.
"Oh, look who it is, hm!" That painfully familiar voice cackled from above. Kuro directed her gaze upwards to find a figure clad in black and red. His blonde hair and blue eyes gave him away.
"Deidara!" Kuro shouted, catching the young man's attention. His crazed smile seemed to grow even wider upon seeing his former team.
"Kuro, hm! Akatsuchi, gramps! Man, it's good to see you guys again, hm! How's Iwa been since I've been gone?" Deidara laughed, spreading his hands out across his face to reveal the grotesque mouths curling on his palms. She cringed, those mouths were from a kinjutsu he'd stolen from Iwagakure before fleeing. One that allowed Deidara to mould his chakra with his beloved art into lethal explosions.
Their defiant silence caused him to tilt his head.
"Come on guys, why the long face, hm?" Deidara pried in a long drawl. "I know! How about I show you my newest creation? Just for you!" The blonde cheerfully suggested, clay already being moulded in his palm. They collectively tensed as Deidara rained down clay birds that soared towards them. "Explosion: C1" He chanted as the birds detonated.
"Bring him down!" Onoki roared as the smoke cleared. However, a sudden gleam of metal caused the elder to duck back, just narrowly avoiding a scythe. "What?" Her grandfather snapped as he was repeatedly pushed back by the weapon. It's wielder laughed as he swung again and again, wearing the same robes as Deidara.
"Akatsuki!" Ao growled, already in a fighting stance. But, he too was ambushed by a sudden onslaught of water.
"Ao!" Chojuro yelled as he was engulfed.
"What are you two doing here?!" A shark like man questioned while leaping out of the shadows. Instantly, Ao's face contorted into ugly hatred.
"Kisame!" The senior Kiri nin screamed, charging the unfazed criminal. Chojuro jumped, shifting into a more serious disposition after pulling out his own sword to back Ao up. Kuro's eyes were forced closer to earth upon noticing several other figures circle the cavern. She felt herself grow paler and paler upon recognizing them.
"Old man, duck!" Kuro shouted as she rapidly fired off hand signals. "Lava Style: Quicklime Jutsu!" She shot behind the elder, only for the shadow behind him to dodge and reveal numerous grey tentacles. "Kakuza, and Hidan!" Kuro tensely noted the additional Akatsuki members. A shadow fell over her and she quickly somersaulted backwards to avoid another explosion.
"Isn't it amazing, Kuro?! Art is an explosion!" Deidara cackled from on a clay bird that followed her towards the cavern's edge. She saw Akatsuchi and Onoki approach in order to join the fight, the scouts preoccupied with the scythe wielder. The kunoichi swiftly shook her head at them.
"Go help the others! I'll take care of Deidara!" Kuro ordered, her razor sharp gaze forcing them to action.
"That's real funny, hm." The smirking blonde retorted. A moment passed before they engaged. "Explosion: C1" He unleashed, sending an army of small white spiders towards her. Kuro pivoted into the air with a determined scowl.
"Earth Release: Opening Earth Rising Excavation!" She pulled, bringing multiple stone pillars up to launch the arachnids back at Deidara. Kuro then directed the pillars towards him in an attempt to knock his mount away. Though, the missing nin merely chuckled and raised his own arms up.
"Explosion Release: Landmine Fist!" Deidara attacked, punching the racing pillars and blowing them to pieces. Kuro dropped to her stomach to avoid the sharp storm. Afterwards, she leaped against the wall and began firing quicklime at him. He tried to maneuver the bird out of harm's reach, but one of the shots stuck against the bird's bottom and causes it to tither. While Deidara was distracted by the sudden upheaval, Kuro brought a slab of stone out and hopped on it. She used the stone to launch herself up at the clay bird and deliver a punch to Deidara's jaw.
"Lava Release: Ash Stone Seal Technique!" Kuro side-stepped, summoning ash from her mouth that circled the bird. Deidara frowned, proceeding to jump off his vessel to the ground below. However, as he fell he brought his hands together.
"Explosion: C2" Deidara threatened, and Kuro barely leapt away herself to avoid the exploding bird. She staggered upon landing, yet quickly brought a kunai to meet Deidara's bird. Though, the kunoichi was further blown back by the imminent explosion. She heard a faint gasp and turned, eyes widening upon seeing one of the scouts bleeding out on the floor. A gaping hole burrowed on the scout's chest, with Kakuza's many tendrils encircling them.
"Ha! Would've been better with an explosion-" Deidara chuckled upon seeing the same sight. And Kurotsuchi was filled with a quick fury.
"Mari wouldn't have wanted this!" Kuro blurted out without thinking. Though, her former teammate's reaction caused her to reel. A look of genuine confusion fluttered over his face as he paused.
"Who, hm?" Deidara questioned, smile fading. Though, his eye visibly twitched as he spoke. Kuro took a horrified step backwards, but the sound of sizzling caused her to jump away. However, the sizzling followed wherever she went.
"Landmines!" Kuro realized with frightening clarity. But, her thoughts were interrupted when the ground exploded, sending her crashing against the cold cavern wall. Kuro coughed, forcing herself into an upright position. Through her pained gaze, she saw the others managing to hold the Akatsuki off. But, it was hard fought. They were all too busy to come help her.
"Dammit…" Kuro whispered as she tried in vain to gather her wits in time.
"Kuro!" Someone yelled, Onoki, Akatsuchi maybe?
"Now this… will make some amazing art!" Deidara taunted as he walked towards her, all three mouths leering. The kunoichi shakily rose; a slight trembling to her stance as her fingers protested movement. However, a sense of dread was entrenching itself in her gut. Every step brought a new wave of unease. There was no way she could defend herself against the gleeful Deidara.
"DON'T YOU DARE!" Someone yelled through the chaos. Both fighters stared above.
A hooded figure jumped down into the fray.
And the entire cavern floor was blown apart.
—
"RUN! This way!" Someone was shouting, though Kurotsuchi could barely hear through the ringing in her ears. She felt someone tug on her arm and drag her away. In turn, causing the kunoichi to struggle to no avail. However, Kuro calmed down upon finding Onoki and Akatsuchi's face facing her.
"You alright, Kuro?" Akatsuchi softly asked, and she slowly nodded. Proceeding to shake herself out of a stupor.
"What happened back there?" Kuro asked, resting a hand against her forehead.
"Deidara had you cornered while we were busy fighting the rest of Akatsuki. Then, he appeared and blew the entire cavern up. So, we all had to get out." Akatsuchi warily explained, sending a pointed glance at the hooded figure near the back of their group. Fortunately, all of them plus the remaining three scouts were able to stay together. The hooded figure noticed their staring and approached with his arms folded.
"She good?" He checked in a gruff voice, and Kuro noticed that he seemed to be biting his tongue while speaking.
"I'm fine." She answered for herself. "Thanks…?" Kuro added, looking the man up and down. He wore an Iwagakure uniform, the distinctive red and brown clear among the dim rocky scene. His hood was up, though strands of blond hair poked through the seams. While a pair of intense black sunglasses hid his eyes.
"No problem. Come on, we need to get to safety." The hooded figure curtly stated and began leading the way through the tunnels. However, Ao briskly moved to stand in front of him.
"Hold on. Remove your hood. We will not blindly follow a stranger who appeared out of nowhere." The Kiri shinobi warned, showing no signs of having fought the previous battle.
"… I'm undercover right now. So, really isn't the best idea to reveal myself." The hooded figure retorted, raising his hands in a placating gesture. In response, Ao turned to glance at Onoki. Who oddly enough seemed to glare into the figure's skull with each passing second.
"Then surely Lord Tsuchikage can confirm this?" The eye patch wearing shinobi prodded while narrowing his visible eye.
"Listen, we really don't have time-" The hooded figure tried to argue, irritation lacing his voice.
"Down the tunnel. Now." Onoki gravely nodded, indicating for her and Akatsuchi to follow.
"I-" The hooded figure started.
"As your Tsuchikage that is an order." Her grandfather threatened and the hooded figure scowled.
"Fine. But, make it quick." He grumbled, reluctantly following them down, away from the other's prying eyes. Kuro kept her distance from the stranger, suspicious of his intentions despite her earlier gratitude. Though she couldn't quite comprehend the hatred Onoki seemed to bear against him. However, Kuro quickly understood when they were far enough from the group.
It was at that moment that the Tsuchikage speedily ripped the man's hood down, which knocked his glasses to the side in the process.
"Deidara!" Onoki hissed with unbridled bile.
"Good to see you too, gramps, hm." Remarked Deidara with a humourless smile.
—
Author's Notes: That certainly went better than expected! So, just to clarify; Deidara, Kisame, Kakuza, and Hidan are in the caves with the main group. I am aware that it might be a bit odd Itachi and Tobi are absent. They were actually supposed to be present. But, I realized how that wouldn't be a fair fight and unrealistic if I kept pulling draws with certain people there. Anyways, any guesses on the plot so far?
I hope everyone has a great day! And, I'll see you next time!