The Price of Faith
Jishin's electrified corpse collapsed to the ground as the cloaked stranger brushed his robes clean. He then bowed his head and started whispering. "Um…" Naruto started sword still at the ready. The man held his hand out, silencing the boy as he continued his prayer. Kurenai stepped forward putting herself between the newcomer and her students. He may have helped them, but that didn't mean she trusted him.
He was still praying; it didn't normally take him so long on the Prayer of Passage. In fact, he was spending far longer on it than these men truly deserved. He was buying time trying to think of what to say. Father often warned them to stay away from shinobi, but there was something here, something he had to investigate. "Greetings soldiers of the Leaf," He finally said raising his head to look at the shinobi assembled before him. The sisters had taught him that when meeting someone for the first time you were supposed to smile. He had never gotten it down right, and judging by the reactions of the children, he still hadn't. "I-it seems that I had arrived at just the right time," He said trying to create a relaxing atmosphere. Given the stench of roasted flesh in the air, that was a rather tall order.
"Yes your arrival was quite fortuitous," Kurenai said, not really sure what to make of this strange man. "Thank you for your aid…um…"
"Ah! Forgive me, I am often told that I forget my manners. I am Shinkō, adept brother of the Shrouded Heralds."
"Shrouded Heralds?" Kurenai asked?
"Yes, we are but a small religious sect. It is no surprise you don't know us," Shinkō explained. "While I would like to continue this conversation, your students seem to be queasy. I apologize, that was most likely my doing." Kurenai turns and saw that indeed her genin were looking a little green. She had been in so many shinobi battles that she had grown accustomed to the smell of burning humans.
"There may also be more bandits around, we need to move." Kurenai concluded.
"Excellent thinking! You all look exhausted, I'll scout ahead," Shinkō said happily before running off down the pass.
"Th-that was w-weird, right?" Hinata asked confusedly.
"That was most unexpected indeed. What is the plan going forward, Kurenai-sensei?" Shino asked turning to the jonin.
"Naruto what could you read off of him?"
Naruto crossed his arms and scrunched his face in thought. "Sensei's much better at this than me, but I didn't sense any malice or intent to harm us," Naruto said while the look of concentration on his face deepened.
"But?" Kurenai prodded sensing there was more.
"I couldn't really glean anything more than that," Naruto said dejectedly.
"Too much emotional control?"
"No just the opposite really." Seeing the confusion on his teams faces, Naruto decided to explain. "There were too many emotions going through him for me to pick out just one. He was conflicted about something, don't know what. But, one of the first things Sensei taught me was how to focus on sensing ill-will, and I didn't sense any from him." Naruto explained.
"Even so I don't trust this guy, shows up at just the right moment to help, doesn't expect anything in return. Okay team we're heading back down the pass and taking the normal route home. Jishin is dead and I would rather fight a group of poorly trained bandits than someone who can use that level of ninjutsu. Come on let's head back," Kurenai said turning away from the direction Shinkō had run off. As soon as she took a step a massive crack rent the air. As one Team Eight froze as the sound of more cracks filled the air. They turned and saw the rock walls of the pass start to shift. The shifting stopped as the assembled ninja breathed a sigh of relief. "It seems Jishin caused more damage than I thought. Let's hurry before anything el-" As misfortune follows those who invoke it, with one more mighty crack boulders, rocks, and massive amounts of dust broke free of the walls, filling the path. Kurenai just stared at the mess with her mouth hanging open. It was far too unstable to climb safely, and the team was far too exhausted to even make the attempt.
"Is everyone all right!?" Shinkō shouted running back towards them. "I heard something and then I felt a-Whoa! What happened?"
"Seems part of the wall collapsed," Kurenai sighed. "Don't worry about it. Lead the way Shinkō."
"Absolutely! I'll make sure nothing like this'll happen on our way down, just leave it to me," Shinkō exclaimed turning right back around. Once he was out of sight Kurenai turned back towards her genin.
"Shino keep one of your insects on him, Hinata keep an eye on him, and Naruto continue to monitor him for any changes."
"Yes sensei!" the three genin shouted in unison.
The sound of paper scraping against paper was the only sound that filled the small stuffy room as Ziren rifled through multiple scrolls and files. Parsing legalese was always a tedious task, made even worse by the lack of a cross breeze. Why did paper have to be stored in warm, dry places? He wiped the sweat form his brow and continued going through all the papers. At the very least it was as he had anticipated, no real major surprises. Stretching Ziren popped his back multiple times, he had gotten what he came for. He stacked what he had taken from the archives into a neat pile and left it on the far too small table provided. "Find everything all right Mr. Stenton?" the head archivist asked as he came down the stairs.
"I have no idea what you're talking about sir," Ziren said shaking the man's hand, while pressing a bundle of bills into his palm.
"Hmm, oh I seemed to have left these papers lying around. Silly me, better put them away," the archivist said completely ignoring Ziren.
Not even a flinch or the batting of an eyelash, the man was used to taking bribes. With Gatō dead the country could finally take steps to repairing itself, so long as the idiotic daimyo actually started doing some work. But one underhanded plan at a time, that would come later. He stepped out into the cold morning air, mist still clinging to the ground. Finally, out of the stuffy archives, Ziren took a deep breath and promptly began coughing. Seems his broken ribs weren't quite healed through yet, that had been one brutal fight with Zabuza. Taking a much shallower breath Ziren started heading towards the city gate.
The mood in the capital city was dismal, and that was putting it optimistically. Years of Gatō's corrupting the system had drained most of populace of any hope. The news of his rather violent death had not yet spread. Half the people who had witnessed the event were dead, the other half had become extremely busy and hadn't left the construction site since. Worked just fine for Ziren, such status quo shattering news being released at just the right time could prove most fortuitous for him. Ziren was distracted from his plotting by the sight of a fruit stand. "Good Morning," Ziren said to the stand keeper as he started picking over the fruit.
"Morning," the keeper said half-heartedly.
"I'll take these," Ziren said holding up a bag of apples and holding out some money.
"Thank yo…uh excuse me sir but this is too mu…" the store keeper started but Ziren had already walked off.
He had made it too the city gate when he stopped in his tracks. He reached down into his shirt and pulled out his copper fuuinjutsu amulet. It seemed to have heated up for just a split second. But it shouldn't be, he was too far away for the bond to work. Yet it did, didn't it? Ziren stared at it, perhaps he could glare it into revealing its secrets. Nothing, maybe he still wasn't up to one hundred percent, he needed a nap. But no rest for the weary and there was much to get done.
Sakura and Kiba slowly circled one another, wearing a ring into the grass. Kiba moved first, launching himself across the ring as he threw a punch at Sakura's head. She ducked and swept her leg trying to take Kiba's legs out from under him. He hit the ground in a roll and leapt back to his feet as Akamaru took Kiba's place in attacking Sakura. "Hey I thought we said no dogs!" Sakura exclaimed putting distance between her and the growling pup.
"You're fighting an Inuzuka, what did you expect?" Kakashi asked lazily not taking his eyes off the almost completed bridge.
"But you said…"
"I say many things," this time he accompanied the comment with a yawn. After the excitement with Gatō and Zabuza watching the construction project was intensely boring.
"Come on Sasuke back me up," Sakura whined.
"Hn."
"What's wrong Sakura, afraid you're going to lose," Kiba taunted hopping on the balls of his feet, Akamaru yipping at his ankles.
'Fine if that's how he wants to play it,' Sakura thought reaching towards her kunai pouch. She grabbed the handle when the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Sakura twisted and brought her knife up, slicing the flying apple in half. She looked down at the cut fruit curiously.
"Getting better," Ziren said walking out of the woods tossing an apple up and down in his hand.
"What was that for?" She asked as Kiba relaxed, realizing the spar was over. Ziren clicked his tongue at Sakura while wagging his finger.
"Try again, what you should have said was 'Thanks for the apple Ziren-sensei,'" Ziren said tossing the apple to Sakura. "Don't worry I got enough to share," Ziren said pulling another apple out of a bag.
"Did you remember Akamaru?" Kiba asked. To answer Ziren pointed towards the sliced apple on the ground, currently being eaten by said puppy. "Oh, cool."
"So it took you all morning to pick up some apples?" Kakashi asked finally turning away from the bridge.
"Um…sure, let's go with that," Ziren answered handing him an apple. "I'm going to get a closer look, see what's up with Tazuna."
"Have fun. Okay Sasuke, it's your turn." Kakashi said looking at his students. As Ziren approached the bridge the sound of hammers slamming into nails and saws biting into wood became louder and louder. After the battle was won the morale of the people had reached dizzying new heights. The towns people threw themselves into the project with a gusto that was nothing less than astounding. And, thanks to Tazuna's leadership the project was well ahead of schedule. Ziren had to navigate a labyrinth of lumber, workers, and other construction materials in order to reach the bridge builder.
"Morning Tazuna!" Ziren shouted above the din.
"Hey Ziren! How goes it!?" Tazuna shouted back.
What Ziren wanted to talk about wasn't something to shout about. He gestured for Tazuna to follow him and moved away from the bridge. Once they were a good distance away Ziren turned back to Tazuna, a serious look on his face.
"What…uh…what do you need?" the bridge builder asked getting nervous from Zirens mannerisms.
"We need to discuss this," Ziren said handing a piece of paper to Tazuna. Said piece of paper was an invoice from Konoha for services rendered. Tazuna's eyes bugged out once he went over it.
"Wha-huh-eh-uh…" Tazuna trailed off as he sank to the ground, staring at the numbers.
"Here, a gummy bear aways cheers me up," Ziren said offering Tazuna some candy. Tazuna just sat there blankly trying to digest this new information and formulate some sort of cohesive thought.
"Konoha wouldn't happen to have some sort of payment plan would it?" Tazuna said all color draining from his face.
"Why as a matter of fact I do have a payment plan," Ziren said a mischievous glint entering his eyes. Tazuna swallowed hard not sure which psyched him out more; the bill, or Ziren's new grin.
Team Eight plus Shinkō had finally made it out of the pass and were enjoying the shade offered by the woods nestled at the base of the mountains. They were sitting beneath a large tree eating some lunch before heading back out. They were relaxing and taking in the scenery when "Wait!" Shinkō shouted leaping to his feet causing Kurenai to reach for a kunai, Naruto to grab the handle of his sword, Hinata to activate her Byakugan, and a buzzing to start emanating from Shino's sleeves. "I never got your names," Shinkō said turning to the team expectantly. Team Eight looked at each other having a silent conversation. Naruto finally got fed up and decided to break the silence.
"Naruto Uzumaki."
"Kurenai Yῡhi."
"Shino Aburame."
"H-Hinata Hyῡga," Hinata finished. "Hyῡga? Why does that sound familiar?" Shinkō mused scratching his head.
"You know the Hyῡga name?" Kurenai asked suspiciously.
"Hmm I know I've heard it before. I think Father spoke of them when he was teaching us the history of chakra. But what was their role? This is going to bother me," Shinkō said running his finger over the tattoos on his head.
"We should probably continue on our way. Um...where are you headed Shinkō?" Kurenai asked switching topics away from her student.
"I believe it is time for me to end my pilgrimage and return back to the monastery."
"Pilgrimage?" Naruto asked getting to his feet.
"Yes it is something those in our order do every now and then. Father teaches us how to be wise in spirit and strong in body, and sends us out on pilgrimages into society to make us wise in the ways of the world," Shinkō explained.
"So it was this "Father" that taught you ninjutsu?" Kurenai asked, fishing for information.
"Most of it yes. But sometimes on our pilgrimages we find injured shinobi and take them in to nurse them back to health. Many of them convert and choose to learn under Father. And in return they teach us what they know so that we may better protect ourselves." Kurenai digested this information. She wondered what kind of shinobi would join a cult, or what kind of shinobi would give away such village secrets.
"Father must be quite the charismatic speaker." Kurenai instantly regretted her word choice when Shinkō rounded on her, brown eyes sparkling.
"He is simply the most amazing man I have ever met. He speaks and you can hear the power in his voice. He enters a room and the whole place lights up. He smiles and the world rejoices. You can't ignore him when he begins teaching. When he…"
"Yes I'm sure he's fantastic but we have to get going," Kurenai interrupted the monk before he could continue his fanatical love monologue. This brought Shinkō up short and he had to recompose himself. He had found out on his pilgrimage that most people would interrupt him when he tried spreading the truth, or praising Father. But this was why he was sent out, to become wise in the ways of the world. It was simply that they had never heard the truth. He would teach them, he would free them, and find his own truth. It was here, he had thought it a figment of his imagination in the city, but then he felt it in the pass far more strongly. It was here and he would find it.
"Yes let us go. Actually Konoha is on the way back to the monastery, so I can accompany you a little ways longer."
"G-great," Kurenai sighed.
"U-um I was w-wondering what y-you were taught about th-the Hyῡga?" Hinata asked. She had of course been taught her own clan's history, but had realized early on that it was a somewhat whitewashed history and was curious to hear what others thought about the Hyῡga.
"Hmm what was it that Father said about you. I have been pondering this, give me a moment." Shinkō started running his fingers over his tattoos again.
"Perhaps while you are pondering the answer to Hinata's question you might answer one of mine?" Shino interjected in. "What is the meaning of your extensive tattoos?"
"These are a sign of my devotion to Father. It connects us, and by doing so empowers me. And by carrying His sight, never will I be blinded by the illusions that bind this world."
"Was it painful?'
"What is pain in the face of faith?" Shino nodded, never really having understood how people can have such faith in something intangible. "Hyῡga, Hyῡga, Hyῡg-" Hinata saw Shinkō tense up for a fraction of a second before relaxing again. The whole thing happened so fast that Hinata only saw it due to her Hyῡga training, and even then she wasn't entirely sure she did see it. "The history lesson was unfortunately very brief, something about bloodlines or some such." A lie, Hinata was sure. But why would he lie about this, maybe Kurenai was right to distrust him.
Speaking of Kurenai, said jonin was watching the pair very closely. She raised an eyebrow when Hinata started acting a bit standoffish towards him. But what worried her the most was that every now and then Shinkō would discreetly, at least he probably thought so, glance over at Naruto. These weren't fleeting glances either, but intense inspections. 'Why would he be interested in Naruto? Could he know Naruto's secret!?' Kurenai dismissed the possibility. Information concerning Naruto and his…"companion"…had been strictly controlled after Ziren took him out of the village, to the point that Kurenai wasn't even aware that the village's Jinchῡriki wasn't even in the village. And it seemed that Ziren had also taken precautions concerning Naruto. His secret was safe in that regard. 'So why?'
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but what were you doing in Tabe?" Shinkō asked turning to look at Kurenai.
"What makes you think we were in Tabe?" Kurenai asked.
"I saw Naruto in the markets, he acknowledged me. Most kids just run and hide when they see me. It was nice," Shinkō said wistfully.
"Oh just checking out the sites," Naruto said nonchalantly.
"It's a beautiful city, isn't it?" Shinkō asked?
"It is, what were you doing in the city?" Naruto asked moving to walk beside him.
"Spreading the truth."
"And what is this truth you keep telling us about?" Naruto asked, his curiosity finally getting the better of his good sense.
Naruto could feel Shinkō fill with excitement, but before Naruto could regret his decision, the excitement became mixed with apprehension. Naruto also didn't miss the fact that this mood shift was preceded by Shinkō glancing over at Hinata. Naruto was fascinated as the swirl of emotion inside Shinkō continued to grow ever more chaotic. At first Naruto could make out individual emotions, like his initial excitement about talking about his faith. But then that was overcome by apprehension and anxiety. The maelstrom became too much for Naruto to pick any one out. Although before Shinkō was consumed Naruto managed to identify one last emotion was it….optimism? "I am often told that my love for Father's teachings leads me to come across as overpowering to others. The last time I tried to preach the watch at Tabe got angry at me. I do not trust myself not to get carried away once I start, so perhaps I should wait to teach you until we are ready to part."
"Uh-huh," was all Naruto could say.
"I shall move ahead and find a good place to set up camp," Shinkō announced to the Konoha-nin, and ran ahead up the path. 'Weird' Naruto thought not for the first time today, and most likely not the last.
Hinata was currently putting up the tents so the team wouldn't have to sleep out in the open. Shinkō had found a fantastic site to camp in. Close enough to the road to be convenient, but far enough away that people wouldn't accidentally stumble over them. Unfortunately, he lacked a tent, but had insisted he was used to sleeping under the stars. Hinata finished setting up the last tent and looked around. Kurenai was preparing some firewood while keeping an eye on Shinkō, Shinkō was kneeling on the ground whispering a prayer. Shino was securing the perimeter using his Kikaichῡ, and Naruto was kneeling near the newly-built fire ring blowing on some embers trying to get the fire going.
Hinata walked over and sat on the ground next to Naruto. "Come on, light," Naruto whispered as the kindling stubbornly refused to catch.
"N-Naruto, aren't you a l-little too c-clos-" Her warning came too late as with one more breath the embers caught and spread rapidly, licking at Naruto's too close face.
"Gah, not again!" Naruto shouted slapping at his face.
"Naruto!" Hinata shouted getting to her feet.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," Naruto said making sure his eyebrows were still in one piece. "That always happens when I'm on fire duty."
"Always?"
"Always," Naruto nodded.
"Th-that's pretty bad," Hinata giggled.
"Not that bad, I've only lost my eyebrows twice," Naruto said proudly. Hinata couldn't hold her giggles in as the image of an eyebrow-less Naruto filled her head. "It's not that funny, besides one of those times I only lost one eyebrow," Naruto said trying to defend himself. That made Hinata double over as picturing Naruto with only one eyebrow was even funnier than no eyebrows. "Hmph." Naruto turned towards the fire making sure the newborn flames wouldn't sputter.
"S-sorry, sorry," Hinata said getting her breath back under control and patting Naruto on the back.
"W-what do you m-make of Shinkō?" Hinata asked.
"He gives me a headache, trying to decipher all those conflicting emotions," Naruto said rubbing his temples.
"What's it like, s-sensing emotions?" Hinata asked, having wondered this ever since they were put on a team.
"It's like…like…like…" Naruto couldn't figure out a way to express exactly how it felt. "I don't really feel the emotions…it's different…but not really. It's hard to explain to someone who can't sense chakra like me and Sensei." Usually that was enough to dissuade people from seeking an explanation, as they were hard to give. But Hinata was staring at him with such an earnest expression that Naruto had to look away as his face heated up. Was she always sitting that close?
"Well we can't really sense emotions…it's more like we sense a person's chakra, and depending on the chakra's 'feel' can figure out emotions."
"W-what does it 'feel' like?" Hinata asked scooting a little closer.
"It's like a…a…a vibration, a whisper, and a flash of color all wrapped up as one," Naruto explained poking the fire with a stick.
"W-what's it like to see with the Byakugan?" Naruto asked figuring he could satisfy his curiosity, plus he really wanted to keep the conversation going.
"W-well, we see normally but w-when we activate it e-everything goes th-this strange c-color of blue."
"Like a cold looking fire right?"
"Y-yea!"
"That's the flash of color that I…um…feel."
"B-but the chakra actually f-feels warm sometimes, r-right?"
"Mm, only sometimes, like when the person is really happy or when they're in lo…uh…that's kinda how Sensei and I can differ…dif…"
"Differentiate?"
"Yeah that's the word Sensei always uses. I mean it's sometimes cold or spiky."
"Spiky?"
"Yea spiky…please don't ask me to explain that one. What about you, is all chakra warm?"
"N-not everyone's chakra is w-warm, only a f-few exceptions," Hinata blushed.
"Oh really, like what?"
"Do you think they'll ever figure out we're here?" Kurenai asked Shino as the two watched Naruto and Hinata bemusedly.
"Unlikely, though I must ask, do you and Asuma Sarutobi act like this when you two are alone?" Shino asked not taking his eyes off of his teammates, their behavior was truly fascinating.
"What makes you think Asuma and I act differently alone?"
"My favored weapons of choice are my Kikaichῡ, Kikaichῡ are insects, an insects main form of communication is through pheromones, when a human sees-"
"That-that's fine Shino, I-I get the gist," Kurenai interrupted, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"Good, it gets somewhat embarrassing after that."
"Did you tell Naruto and Hinata?"
"Of course not, I am not one to spread idle gossip. Besides there was no need to.
"No need to?" Kurenai asked afraid of the answer.
"Naruto found out by sensing your emotions when the two of you were together, and Hinata saw the two of you kiss."
"We should probably bring them back to earth before Shinkō joins us," Kurenai said quickly trying to change the subject. "A-hem!" Kurenai cleared her throat causing both Naruto and Hinata to jump, the two of them then realized how close they were and scooted apart, faces bright red.
"Is-is the camp ready?" Naruto asked trying to dispel the awkward mood.
"Yes the camp's all ready. So what were you two talking about?" Kurenai asked unable to resist teasing the two.
"Apologies what have I missed?" Shinkō asked as he joined the team around the fire, saving Naruto and Hinata from embarrassment.
"Just finished setting up camp. Are you sure you'll be fine without a tent?" Kurenai asked.
"Yes I shall be fine, but I thank you for your concern," Shinkō bowed.
"Naruto will you please retrieve the food; I am hungry?" Shino said adjusting his glasses.
"Yea sure, got it right here," Naruto said pulling out a storage scroll.
"And not the instant ramen. Remind me why we let Naruto carry the food again?" Kurenai asked.
"He h-had the s-storage scrolls," Hinata answered simply.
"Don't worry Shino, I didn't pack only instant ramen. Just mostly instant ramen. Let's eat!"
Night had descended over the woods, leaving only the light of the dying embers to illuminate the campsite. Naruto was awake keeping watch. Kurenai had insisted she would stay up all night to keep an eye on Shinkō, but she was unanimously shot down by Shino, Naruto, Hinata as she was still exhausted and hurt from her battle with Jishin and needed her rest. Besides Shinkō was fast asleep leaning up against tree, his breathing deep and rhythmic.
To keep himself occupied Naruto was cleaning his sword and making sure it was properly sharpened. Peering down the edge Naruto determined that he would need to take it into a blacksmith, it had been seeing a lot use lately. Good thing Sensei made sure he kept a spare sword back in Konoha, he could use that one while this one was in the shop. His musings were interrupted by an insistent whistling sound. Naruto reached for the kettle...
...drip...
The walls closed around him and water dripped from the ceiling into the puddle at his feet. Naruto closed his eyes, refocused his chakra, and evened his breathing.
...drip...
"I am in control," Naruto whispered to himself as the walls fell away and the whistling came back to him.
Carefully Naruto removed the whistling kettle from the embers and poured the boiling water into an instant ramen cup.
The whistling seemed to have disturbed Hinata from her slumber. Naruto would have felt sorrier about that if not for the fact that he had let her sleep longer after having taken over part of her watch. "Hey Naruto," Hinata yawned sitting by the fire.
"Hey Hinata. I got enough water for a second cup, want one?" Naruto asked holding up another cup-o-ramen. Looking between the cup, the kettle, and Naruto Hinata decided to go for it, it had been awhile since she and Naruto had eaten together at Ichiraku.
"W-wait do you h-have a timer?" Hinata asked as Naruto poured the water.
"I always have a ramen timer, right here," Naruto said pointing to his head. "Besides you have to be careful. Certain brands require more time to cook that what the label says, others less," Naruto explained sagely.
"How d-did you figure out wh-which one's which?" Hinata asked stirring the coals.
"Trial and error, I've had a lot of under and over-cooked ramen."
"And M-Mr. Adair just l-lets you eat so much r-ramen?"
"No of course not, but part of his training is how to be sneaky. I may have just found other ways to use his lessons," Naruto said as he handed a cup of ramen to Hinata. The two then sat in silence as they ate their food. Or at least Naruto ate his food, Hinata just stared into the cup's depths while stirring the noodles. "What's wrong?" Naruto asked eating the last of his noodles. Hinata was about to say nothing, but then realized that Naruto could sense her emotions and decided to come clean.
"I'm sorry." Naruto was confused, why was Hinata apologizing? Was he supposed to apologize too? For what?
"Uh, sorry about what?" Naruto finally asked, deciding asking was better than stumbling on in ignorance.
"It's m-my fault, that the b-bandits attacked us."
"Wait your fault?"
"M-my forehead, if I w-wore my h-headband properly they w-wouldn't have attacked us."
"What are you talking about? What does your headband have to with being attacked by bandits?" Naruto asked more confused than ever. He was trying to figure out what Hinata was talking about. 'What does her forehead have to do with-wait!' A conversation he once had with Sensei bubbled up to the surface of his memory.
"Does this have something to do with the seal-thingy your clan does?" Hinata's head shot up, her eyes as wide as saucers.
"You know about the Caged-Bird Seal?" Hinata asked horrified. Naruto started at her response. But what surprised him more was the profound sense of shame that filled her.
"S-Sensei taught me about your and Shino's clans when I told him you were on my team, part of that was the Caged-Bird Seal."
Hinata couldn't bring herself to look at Naruto. The one person she didn't want to not like her and he had to find out about her clan's greatest, and still ongoing, shame. "Th-that's why I w-want t-to g-get stronger, s-so that when I b-become c-clan head I c-can be s-strong enough to ab-abolish the s-seal. S-so that I w-won't cause other p-people to get h-hurt," Hinata said her eyes beginning to water. Naruto got up and moved to sit next to her. He hesitated for a moment unsure of whether or not this was the right gesture, but decided to go ahead as he wrapped his arm around Hinata and pulled her close. She resisted initially, but the warmth and comfort Naruto was providing was too much for her to resist. She let him pull her close and rested her head on his shoulder.
The two sat like that for a time, staring into the dying coals. Once Hinata's breathing had evened out and she had calmed down Naruto spoke. "You know how I said I killed someone for the first time when I was eight?"
"Y-yeah?"
"There's more to the story. Like why we were attacked in the first place. We were attacked because of me. I didn't understand what subtlety was yet."
"Y-you know what s-subtlety is?" Hinata asked innocently, turning her head to look at Naruto. Naruto had to school his expression so that he didn't start grinning.
"I'm trying to be serious here Hinata," Naruto finally said afraid that if he looked at her his deadpan expression would break.
"S-serious, serious," Hinata nodded.
"I liked to brag a lot. Sensei and I were delivering something for someone, the person was important, don't remember who it was, and I bragged that Sensei was so awesome because of it. Apparently some people who hated that guy set up an ambush to attack us."
"It didn't work of course, Sensei's way too smart to fall for something like that. But they hunted us down and overtook us. Sensei fought while I hid, but there were too many of them and Sensei was being pushed back. That's when I leapt out and stabbed a guy that was sneaking up on Sensei. Looking back on it, Sensei was probably baiting the man into a trap." Naruto stayed silent for a moment ordering his thoughts. "This meant Sensei also had to protect me as well as fight the rest of the attackers. He got hurt, really hurt. Really, really hurt. Like, couldn't walk hurt. Luckily it was during the dry season so there wasn't any rain while I nursed him. Even while Sensei was hurt and trying to rest he still worried more about me than him. He told me that bad people will do bad things, and that we can't blame ourselves because of that. We should do all we can to stop them, but not blame ourselves for their choices. They attacked us, Hina. They chose their path."
"B-but if I w-wore my hea-"
"They might have still attacked us," Naruto said with finality.
"B-but I-"
"But nothing. You didn't make those men attack us. And you're not weak Hina, I don't know why you keep saying otherwise. You're going to make a great clan head, and if anyone says otherwise, smack 'em," Naruto said.
"I-I don't think that'll w-work on the H-Hyῡga elders," Hinata giggled.
"Maybe not, but if you do try, take a picture of their expressions. That would be a work of art to see." Hinata had to admit, the picture of her smacking the uptight elders would be hilarious. Imagining this made Hinata giggle, which caused Naruto to grin in the way that only Naruto could. Hinata then became acutely aware of the fact that Naruto still had his arm wrapped around her.
"Actually I had always wondered; why do you wear your headband like that?" Naruto asked after a time, unaware of Hinata's reddening face.
"P-promise you w-won't laugh?" Hinata asked pushing her index fingers together.
"I promise."
"W-well back in the a-academy all the g-girls would always show off j-jewelry they g-got as gifts. The H-Hyῡga Clan have s-strict rules regarding ornamentation. S-so I was always j-jealous of those g-girls. I wanted to w-wear earrings, b-bracelets, and especially necklaces. But the o-only thing I could wear r-resembling jewelry is the headband, s-so I turned it into a n-necklace."
"Why would you think I would laugh at that?"
"I-it's silly, isn't it?"
"Not really, I used to wear a pair of goggles I never used just cause I thought they looked cool."
"Th-that's right you did."
"So I don't think I can give fashion advice," Naruto smiled.
"True." The conversation might have continued in this way if not for the fact that Naruto's face split in a jaw unhinging yawn. That's when Hinata remembered that it was her turn for watch and that Naruto needed his sleep too. "G-go to bed," Hinata told Naruto.
"I can stay up a lit-"
"Go to bed." Seeing that this was a fight he wasn't going to win Naruto gave Hinata one final squeeze before going to his tent. Despite Naruto's words Hinata still felt guilty about being the cause of the fight. Her hand moved to her headband as she considered her choices. But she did feel better now than when she went to bed earlier, if anything she knew she could always talk to Naruto about it.
"Do you mind if I ask you a question Naruto?" Shinkō asked the next day as the group traveled along the road. Shinkō, as usual, had taken the lead position and Naruto had moved to stand beside him to try and glean any information from him that he could.
"Sure, ask away."
"I hope I do not come across as presumptuous but…you do not seem like the others in your team, and I had been wondering why?" Naruto considered the question for a moment. On one hand he shouldn't reveal too much information about himself, on the other hand if he revealed a little about himself he could get Shinkō to reveal something about himself as well. 'Tit for tat' as Sensei would say.
"I wasn't raised in Konoha like the others," Naruto finally said deciding a calculated risk was in order. As Naruto observed Shinkō, a change came over the man, his eyes lit up and the near constant swirl of emotions that characterized him mellowed out into hopeful optimism.
"Do you not find the way in which these hidden villages operate paradoxical?" Shinkō asked a zealous gleam entering his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked hesitantly after seeing the shift in Shinkō's manner.
"The Daimyo's rely on the Hidden Villages for diplomatic advice correct? But who profits the most when these Daimyo's go to war?" This gave Naruto pause. Somewhere in the haze of lectures nearly forgotten Naruto remembered Sensei talking about Daimyo's consulting with their native Hidden Village's when it came to foreign relations. "It is a paradox is it not?" Shinkō continued. "But people cannot see this, no they refuse to. They cannot see beyond the illusions they've blinded themselves with. But you didn't grow up among them, you haven't been corrupted by the Usurper's lies."
"Th-the usurper?" Naruto asked getting a little scared of Shinkō at this point. The optimism was still there, increasing even, but it was now accompanied by an increasing conviction. No that wasn't the correct word Naruto was looking for, zealotry was more accurate. Ziren had taught Naruto that these were the most difficult types of people to deal with, and to treat them like wounded animals, unpredictable and dangerous.
"The Usurper stole the future promised to us! He stole our peaceful world and replaced it with one that fills itself with war time and again. Where those who control the world are blinded by their ignorance, who embrace their ignorance. But you are still clean, still pure. You can escape the Usurper's influence Naruto. Come with me, learn from Father, don't give in to this corrupt system."
Naruto was now very scared. There was a crazy fanatical gleam to Shinkō's eyes, and Naruto was trying to come up with a way to not anger him. "S-sorry Shinkō but Sensei says we need to stick with Konoha for a while heh...heh, maybe another time?" Naruto said starting to slow down in an attempt to create space between him and Shinkō.
"We just need to take the left fork up ahead to reach Konoha, we're almost there," Kurenai shouted out in an attempt to distract Shinkō once she noticed Naruto's growing apprehension.
"Yes so it seems," Shinkō said gazing up at the fork ahead. Naruto swallowed nervously as instead of a whirl of conflicting emotions, hopeful optimism, or religious fervor, no there was only cold determination. "This is where our paths must diverge," Shinkō said turning around to face Kurenai.
"Sorry to hear it," Kurenai said with barely contained relief.
"Yes, however I must confess that my actions up to this point have not been entirely out of selfless service," Shinkō continued.
"What, do you want to be paid?" Kurenai asked.
"No, your money holds no temptation for me. Our order is an old one. We are not well known fore we choose to not be. We do not involve ourselves in politics or wars for they are meaningless. We do not for we have a goal that must be accomplished no matter what, one we would risk everything for. A mission so sacred that we would align ourselves, no matter how briefly, with the propagators of the great lie. Father's teachings about shinobi are clear, but I believe that there is always hope. That people can always redeem themselves. So I implore you, in the name of peace and all that is right in this world, please. Give me the artifact."
"What artifact?" Kurenai asked her hand growing ever so slowly closer to one of her kunai as Naruto was backing away slowly.
"One of many, pieces of a whole. It calls to those who can listen for it, who can recognize its song. I ask not just for me but also for yourself. It is power beyond comprehension, but those who do not understand it will be destroyed by it. For my sake, your sake, the world's sake, please hand it over," Shinkō pleaded. Her hand wrapped around the handle of her kunai, but Kurenai still needed to buy more time.
"We don't have whatever it is you're looking for, but let's assume that we did. What makes you think we don't understand it?"
"Simple, if you understood its majesty, you would not have needed my aid in your battle."
"I'm sorry Shinkō but we don't have this artifact." Shinkō's mood changed dramatically, gone was the congenial, if awkward, demeanor. Instead it was replaced with righteous fury, the same he bore when he slaughtered the bandits mercilessly.
"DO NOT LIE TO ME!" Shinkō shouted, anger filling his body. "It is there! I feel it just beyond my perception. Like a dream just forgotten, or a word barely remembered. It is there but hidden, why can I not hear it?" His eyes widened in epiphany. "Because you know exactly what it is…you understand its importance…and have hidden it from me. That is why I cannot find it. Father warned me of the shinobi, but I wanted to believe there was some good left in them. But Father was right, he is always right. They are slaves to the Usurper, you are slaves to the Usurper. You do not fight the ignorance you are born into; you embrace it gleefully. And like the Usurper's slaves you stand in the way of peace, of salvation! You would rob us of what was promised! NO MORE! Lighting Style: Claws of the Raijin Jutsu!" Shinkō threw his arms forward as lightning shot from his fingers. But instead of electrocuting them like it was supposed to do, it instead passed right through them. "YOUR ILLUSIONS WILL PROTECT YOU NO LONGER!"
"Good thinking Kurenai-sensei," Naruto panted out. The team was hiding behind a large tree after Kurenai put Shinkō under one of her genjutsus so that they could regroup and formulate a battle plan.
"What is the plan?" Shino asked. On one hand Kurenai's main objective should be the safety of her genin, on the other hand Shinkō's anti-genjutsu capabilities were a mystery and she wasn't sure if she could win on her own. So fleeing it was.
Before she could give orders "Move!" Naruto shouted. The team leapt from where they were standing as the tree they were hiding behind was obliterated by a pillar of fire. On one side Kurenai and Naruto, Shino and Hinata on the other. So he had not only broken the illusion but also found them quickly, that made fleeing much more difficult.
"Battle plan Sigma!" Kurenai shouted to her students. This concerned Naruto as battle plan Sigma meant to strike while Kurenai distracted the enemy, but if Kurenai gives the word they are to run and leave her behind.
Naruto could already feel Shino and Hinata moving into the treetops to get a better position, he was about to do the same when he felt Kurenai put her hand on his shoulder. "Naruto, Ziren said I can give you permission to use some powerful techniques if you're in danger. If you feel it is needed you have my permission." Naruto nodded soberly before leaping into the trees. Kurenai turned back to where Shinkō was before she quickly ducked as a lightning bolt sheared the tree behind her in half.
"You cannot hide from me any longer deceiver!" Shinkō shouted walking towards Kurenai.
"Who said I was hiding," Kurenai smirked before charging the tattooed man.
Generally, Kurenai would try to create distance between her and her enemies, but her current opponent excelled in long range and she needed to keep him from using more of his ninjutsu. She started with a punch to his throat, but was quickly blocked as he caught her fist. He twisted her arm in an attempt to throw her from her feet, but she flipped around and tried to bring her heel down on his head. He caught her foot and was about to slam Kurenai to the ground when he dropped her and drew a dagger from within his sleeve in order to block Naruto's sword. Lightning covered Shinkō's hand as he brought his fist around and smashed it into Naruto's chest. But instead of the crack of breaking ribs the Naruto exploded into a cloud of smoke. This gave Hinata an opening to fall from the canopy and smash Shinkō's head with her heel.
He rolled with the blow and came up dagger first to block the real Naruto's attack. He locked blades with the boy when his features twisted in rage. He pushed the much smaller swordsman away from himself and started running through hand signs. "I TOLD YOU YOUR LIES WON'T DECIEVE ME ANYMORE! Lightning style: Quetzalcoatl's Wingbeat Jutsu!" He brought both arms down releasing a whirlwind of lightning that tore up the ground surrounding him that blasted right through the illusory Naruto. He spun around and knocked a few shuriken form the air that were heading for him. He wasn't able to get all of them but had managed to avoid being hit in any vital areas. Kurenai once more rushed forward and engaged the monk in hand to hand combat.
They punched and blocked until Shinkō's guard slipped, as his movements aggravated the Shuriken still lodged in his body. Seeing an opening Kurenai moved to sweep his legs out from under him. As he was falling Shinkō twisted his body, ignoring the pain, and managed to backflip away from the Konoha-nin. Only for his leg to fall through a hole as he landed. As his foot broke through the thin surface a swarm of insects started crawling up and along his body. He could already feel his chakra start being drained and his flailing and slapping wouldn't kill enough of them fast enough, plus he could see Kurenai moving forward to press the attack. "Fire Style: Glory of Ra Jutsu!" Fire engulfed Shinkō's body incinerating the Kikaichῡ that clung to him. He sent the fire radiating out from him and ripped his burning cloak from his body before he hurt himself further.
He Turned to engage Kurenai again when he realized he couldn't move. A tree had sprouted from the ground behind him and had started twisting its roots and branches around him. He tried dispelling the genjutsu, as he was sure that was what it was, when Kurenai seemed to phase out of the tree and held a kunai to Shinkō's throat. She had been layering this genjutsu on him since he had declared he was traveling with them; he wouldn't be breaking it anytime soon. "Forgive me Father, for I have failed you. I did not listen and have grown blinded in my arrogance to question you. I'm sorry, and I beg your aid in my hour of need" Shinkō whispered as Kurenai brought her kunai up to his throat, one small movement and this fight would be over.
Before she could, however, light suddenly enveloped Shinkō and chakra surged around him blasting Kurenai away from the trapped monk. When Kurenai got back to her feet light was shining from the tattoos covering Shinkō's body. Naruto, Hinata, and Shino came out from the underbrush to get a better look at was going on. Shinkō opened his eyes and the team could see a change in him. They were still the same color, but they seemed older, as though they had seen more of the world than someone his age could possibly have done. "Fear not my child, you have learned much on your journey. You are forgiven, and never will I ignore your prayers." The voice that came from Shinkō's mouth was not his own. "So you face Shinobi of the Leaf, my child?" Naruto could feel a flexing of chakra as the genjutsu Kurenai put Shinkō under shattered. "Light Style: Blades of the Seraph Jutsu!" Orbs of light winked into existence and hovered around Shinkō.
"Run, now!" Kurenai shouted as the orbs shuddered for a brief moment before shooting out beams of light. Team Eight leapt out of the way just in time as the beams cut right through wood, soil, and rock leaving flaming trees, melted stone, and scorched earth behind.
Kurenai flung a handful of shuriken at the glowing Shinkō as she started to run circles around him. He batted the bladed pieces of metal out of the air effortlessly as Kurenai started weaving illusions. One to hide her from his eyes, one to create an illusory copy of herself, one to weaken his reflexes, and one to throw him off balance. Shinkō turned and held his hand out in Kurenai's direction, as though she had never even used the genjutsus, and beams of light shot out of the hovering orbs once more. Kurenai just barely managed to substitute out of the way as the log she switched with was incinerated. She then noticed him looking away from her for a moment before flinging a few of his circling orbs into the underbrush. Bursts of light filled the ruined woods, setting ancient trees alight. Kurenai sighed in relief when she saw her genin moving away from the blaze, he hadn't hit them, but she needed to draw his attention.
"Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu!" Bringing her hands to her mouth Kurenai exhaled a massive gout of fire towards the shining monk.
"Light Style: Blessings of Protection Jutsu!" With a sweep of his hands Shinkō summoned a wall of golden light in front of him that easily withstood the onslaught. A few more kunai bounced off of it as Shinkō looked up at Kurenai. "You will not escape retribution slaves of the Usurper," the not Shinkō voice said as he prepared more orbs of light. "Though young the others may be; they too will pay for their sins." Kurenai could only clutch her kunai tightly and grind her teeth trying to figure out a game plan.
"Can't you use you insects, Shino?" Naruto asked hiding behind a tree as Shinkō continued firing his beams at Kurenai.
"I am afraid that most of my soldiers were incinerated by his previous fire ninjutsu," Shino said tossing his broken glasses on the ground. The three of them had barely managed to escape the explosion thanks mostly to Hinata's Byakugan.
"W-what do we d-do, Kurenai-sensei n-needs our help?" Hinata asked.
"Kurenai-sensei's orders were to run and leave her behind so that she might buy us time," Shino responded.
"Yeah but I don't think whatever that is, is going to let us get away. Look what happened last time we tried that," Naruto said gesturing to the ruin around them. "We need to help Kurenai-sensei." Shino and Hinata shared a brief glance before they both nodded
"L-let's go."
Kurenai was currently engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Shinkō. While he was decently skilled at taijutsu before he put on the light show, his skill now was far better. They had exchanged blows, Kurenai more on the receiving end then the giving, when he suddenly pitched to the side almost losing his balance. Kurenai took the opportunity to punch him square in the kidney and was about to follow up with a kick to the temple when he regained his balance and grabbed her foot. Before he could press his advantage he had to let go and almost bend in half to avoid being cut down by Naruto, who then engaged him in close combat himself. Shinkō had conjured a sword of light and was currently using it to parry Naruto's attacks. He then grimaced in Pain as Hinata had managed to sneak up on him and deliver a gentle fist strike right to his back. She saw the tattoo where she struck dim slightly before regaining its full glory. Before she could move to strike a second time Shinkō let loose another barrage from his orbs causing them all to jump back.
"A Hyῡga, unmarked?" Shinkō said looking at Hinata. He then flung the last of his orbs at Naruto and Kurenai forcing them to scramble out of the way. He was then on top of Hinata instantly and fought with her furiously. He seemed to be somewhat familiar with the Gentle Fist Style as he gave Hinata no opening to strike at his chakra pathways. She tried to bring both of her palms together to deliver a powerful blow but Shinkō batted the attack away and grabbed Hinata's neck with his hand and lifted her from her feet. "You whose family has stolen so much from this world would dare face me!?" Shinkō shouted as Hinata tried to break free of his grasp in vain.
"Let her Go!" Naruto shouted charging forward sword raised. Shinkō raised his free hand and conjured another wall of light to block the charging youth. Naruto swung his sword at the wall only to have it bounce off like he had just swung at a piece of steel.
"You will atone for the sins of your family child and return what they stole." Shinkō continued, bringing his attention back to Hinata. She still struggled but found herself fascinated by Shinkō's eyes. Her struggles ceased as she was unable to look away from them, almost as if they were reaching into her. "Even if I must take with force." Hinata felt her muscles tense up as pain started racking her body. His eyes continued to bore into her, deeper and deeper. She felt as if he were looking for something. She fought as hard as she could, but the one controlling Shinkō had immeasurable willpower. She felt his presence within her begin recede, but it was taking something with it. She fought as hard as she could to resist as the pain grew worse. She fought, she screamed.
Naruto looked on as Hinata screamed in pain as she felt…something…happening within her. "I SAID LET HER GO!" Naruto screamed running back at the wall. "First Step of the Traveler: Ignorance!" Suddenly a black cloying miasma surrounded Naruto's sword. He swung his blade at the wall again, but instead of bouncing off it cut through the chakra giving the wall shape. The wall shuddered for a moment before shattering completely. Shinkō stared at Naruto's sword in utter shock at what he had just witnessed. He only barely pulled his hand back, preventing Naruto from cutting it clean off and dropped Hinata. Naruto grabbed Hinata before she hit the ground, she was unconscious but breathing. He then pointed his sword at Shinkō and yelled "Second Step of the Traveler: Isolation!" The cloying black mist condensed into an orb of impenetrable blackness, it then flew at Shinkō and expanded twenty feet in all directions.
Naruto with his senses was easily able to make it out of the darkness and moved as quickly as he could towards Kurenai. "What was that?" Shino asked taking Hinata from Naruto, Kurenai nearby.
"It blocks out all light, but it doesn't last long in the sun." And it was true for the orb of darkness had already started shrinking.
"Shino get Hinata somewhere safe, Naruto you're with me," Kurenai said.
"Right!" Naruto and Shino said in unison. It was then that the black orb exploded as beams of light shot out from Shinkō in all directions.
"What madness is this!? What blasphemies have the Usurper's puppets created now!?" Shinkō yelled looking around for the boy. He didn't have to look far as Naruto was heading right towards him, sword once more cloaked in blackness. Shinkō charged at Naruto and summoned another sword made of light. When he used it to parry Naruto it shattered like his wall and the blackened sword cut into his arm. Accepting the pain Shinkō grabbed Naruto's sword arm with his wounded arm, and brought his fist right into Naruto's gut. Channeling his chakra Shinkō sent Naruto flying accompanied by an orb of light. So strong was Shinkō's punch that Naruto blasted right through a tree and cracked a second one with his impact. But that was not the end of it as the orb Shinkō used to send the boy flying exploded surrounding the boy in searing light.
"Naruto!" Kurenai shouted. She turned back towards Shinkō and moved in to continue the fight. She didn't care if she lived or not anymore, this man that had hurt her precious students would die! He wasn't able to fight as well as he used to, Kurenai thought noting a patch of blackened flesh where Naruto's blade had cut him. She pushed him back and brought her kunai around to plunge into his neck, just as Shinkō's hand became encased in light and was moving to impale Kurenai with it. Neither blinked as they were about to kill the other and, hopefully, end this fight.
...drip...
They stopped dead, Shinkō's eyes showing confusion, Kurenai's showing a deep primal fear. Her hands began to shake as she remembered this feeling. She had felt it only once in her life, when she was powerless and lost everything, when the living incarnation and rage and hatred was unleashed upon the world.
