It should be noted that the story following is a work of fiction and will not adhere to the facts of Naruto, and as such some details may be altered to fit this work. I don't add a disclaimer often, so please remember that I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters used in this work, save for my own OCs, and the rest belongs to MK. As such, please keep in mind that I'm aware of the true history of shinobi as dictated by the true Naruto series and any other such mention of details not clarified in the official release of the tale are created by or referenced by this writer. For more information on Shokuton and Plant Style, please reference Plant Release by CallMeChaos on the Naruto Fanon Wiki. I am loosely referencing this but adding minor changes to accompany my tale.
Thank you.
Third Person
Three Days Earlier
Brown eyes flicked over a scene she couldn't control, her own body unwilling to obey her commands to stop.
She watched in horror as she ruthlessly slaughtered her attacker, his blood soaking her hands, face, and the beautiful silk yukata she wore.
Merciless, she thought as tears welled in her eyes.
A figure came out from the shadows, quickly assessing the scene and gathering the frail woman in his arms. He formed a hand seal and a black creature slipped from his body and set about cleaning the darkening alleyway before any soul wandered upon it.
The man lifted her and murmured something gentle to her.
She could only cry as she was carried away, back to the safe haven.
Hours later, those same eyes reopened, terrified and panicked from the recurring dream.
She sat, chest heaving as she tried to collect her bearings.
A soft voice was unheard in her labored state, and it wasn't until the green haired man was gently pulling her face towards his that she began to calm.
"Z-Zetsu-san," her voice trembled as she spoke, the volume barely above a whisper.
"Zena-chan, are you alright?"
His response was the small brunette burying her face into his neck. She sobbed into his skin, emotions too strong to form into words.
He comforted her by softly stroking her hair, supporting but not smothering.
Eventually her tears subsided, and she lifted her head.
Despite the puffy eyes and ruddy face, she was actually quite cute, the ninja found himself remarking.
"Zetsu-san..." She managed, wiping her tears from her face with her arm. "What's happening to me?"
"Don't worry, Zena-chan, these usually happen when a kekkei genkai is being awakened. I'm sure that the transportation from your world is what started opening your chakra system back up." The Uchiha was suddenly in the room, his bright orange mask doing nothing to lighten to mood that his dark words had amplified.
The girl licked her lips and swallowed, eyes flicking between the two men in her room. "I- I don't understand, Obito-san."
The raven scoffed, "You used Plant Style," He explained, but when she showed no understanding of his implication, he sighed. "Shokuton, a very rare kekkei tota, actually only inherited from a mother during pregnancy. I'm not sure how this is possible, but I'd be willing to bet your real mother had this unique capability as well... Or your grandmother... Something like that. That's going into recessive genes and it's not really my strong suit." He waved his hand flippantly.
Zena gazed down at hands, "Um, but I'm from... Earth..." She sounded unsure, despite her statement.
"Apparently not," Obito chirped before warping away, leaving the girl more confused than ever, and the plant-man at a loss for words. He hadn't made the connection yet himself, so the revelation was very thought provoking. Possibilities flashed through his mind at a kilometer a minute, and a theory began to form.
"So this means... Somehow I was taken to the other world..." She mumbled, stricken by the thought.
"Zena-chan, this Shokuton... It's something I've encountered only once in my life. A very long time ago. Before-" He cut himself off, licking his lips. "I can gather more intelligence for you about it, as the public knowledge is nonexistent."
She looked up, a glimmer of hope in her doe eyes. "I couldn't ask you to do that."
White Zetsu shook his head, "I don't mind. I can arrange for an intel mission, provided I had Pein-sama's permission... He may have other higher ranked missions I'm needed for."
The girl seemed to deflate. "O-Oh, then don't be bothered by it."
He noticed the crestfallen look, and reached out to pat her head. "Don't worry, I'll get it taken care of."
She smiled, hope renewed. "Thank you Ze-" Her eyes widened, and she noticed the lack of his black half. "Ah, White Zetsu-san."
"You can call me Shiro," His lips twitched upwards in somewhat of a smile, and she returned his grin.
"Thank you, Shiro-san." She flushed and bowed her head briefly.
"You should get some more rest," He advised, before leaving the room, and the girl, alone with the bloody memory still fresh.
Sometime later, her eyes fluttered open again, this time more aware of her surroundings.
She blinked, realizing she was still alone, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
Somehow, she hadn't noticed that she had been cleansed from the prior bloodshed, and an anchor dropped in her stomach at the thought of who would so such a task while she slept.
She stretched her limbs before leaving the solitude of her bedroom and wandering down the familiar path to the kitchen. There, she made a quick meal of leftover vegetables and rice, before tidying her mess and washing her hands.
As the brunette finished her task, she was joined in the kitchen by Zetsu, now fully reformed in his bicolor state.
"Ah, hello Zetsu-san," She greeted him with a smile. "Are you hungry, by any chance?"
"No, the ninja you slaughtered made a great meal after we provided proof of death," Black Zetsu mused, licking his lips. His white half looked mortified and hissed at his counterpart.
The brunette giggled, "It's alright, Shiro-san." She assured the spy nin.
"Do you expect us to believe that?" Black Zetsu asked, crossing his arms. "I agree, first kills for ninjas tend to lead to trauma among other psychological damage."
Zena sighed, dropping her shoulders in defeat. "I'm not..." She sighed, biting her lip in an attempt to muster the words to explain the turbulent emotions swelling like tidal waves inside of her. She licked her lips, finally speaking, "I understand that I have some kind of power deep inside of me... But... I just want to know more about it before I can fully accept it." She explained, "And so... I've decided that I'm going with you to get the information."
"Is that for the best right now?" Shiro asked, while his black half grumbled.
"I've made up my mind." She leveled her determined gaze on the man, and he backed down.
Deciding against arguing, Zetsu nodded and left to speak with Pein about the girl's insistence.
Ringed lavender eyes leveled against empty golden orbs. "I've already given you permission to depart, given that you'll return before midnight tomorrow..." The leader trailed off.
"My apologies, Pein-sama." He inclined his head, "It seems that Zena-san is adamant about accompanying me on this trip." The strange man explained. "I don't agree with it, but she is stubborn."
"You've grown quite fond of young Zena," Pein surmised, giving Zetsu a hard look.
Zetsu had no explanation. His white half was far too attached, and despite the constant battering and browbeating the black side of him gave, his refusal to let down the odd girl wouldn't waver. It would prove to be a hindrance to their plan.
Pein was silent for a long moment, his hands braced under his chin in the tiger seal. At last he opened his rinnegan eyes and nodded. "Very well, the girl shall travel with you." He paused again, calculating. "However, you will also be joined by Konan-san." As he spoke, the aforementioned woman entered the room from an adjoining door. She was prepared for travel already, donning her cloak that she typically shed inside of the base. Pein wasn't finished, however. "The deadline had been extended to four days. Return no later than daybreak."
"Hai." The spy and the paper master chorused, and with a flick of their leaders wrist, they exited the room.
Upon returning to the kitchen, Zetsu found the peculiar brunette filling dozens of bento boxes with different prepared foods. "Oh, you're back... Hello Konan-san." She greeted the two, not breaking from her task.
"Zena-chan..." The blue-haired woman spoke, apparent confusion in her voice.
"Oh, I'm just preparing meals for everyone while I'm gone... I am going... Right?" She glanced at her bicolor comrade, who nodded. A grin spread across her face, and she sped up her pace, filling and closing boxes of different shapes, sizes, and colors.
Zetsu and Konan watched in amusement as she rushed through the deed, eventually finishing and arranging the towering containers in the tall refrigerator. Zena cleaned up the countertop and wiped her hands with the towel.
"Konan-san, could you help me pack? I've never been on a trip..." She admitted sheepishly.
Konan smiled and inclined her head toward the door, urging Zena to lead the way.
Several minutes later, the pair of women re-emerged from the brunette's room, the shokuton user now clad in an outfit more suitable for travel, and in the worst case, combat.
She was covered with a light green turtleneck shirt and black combat pants. She wore zipped up sandals and a thin dark green cloak. She had a blank headband hanging loosely from her hip, attached to her pants.
"Why do you have that?" Konan asked softly.
"Oh—Um..." She stuttered, caught off guard, her earlier confidence now gone. "Well I'm gonna trade it out once I know where I'm truly from, but it's a reminder." She confessed, a light pink dusting her cheeks. "It's stupid, I know..."
"No," The older woman replied, "It's a nice reminder."
"Thank you, Konan-san." Zena grinned, clenching her fists.
"I hate to interrupt, but... Can we leave now?" Black Zetsu cut in, motioning for the women to carry on.
The fell into a decent paced trot, but despite Zetsu's mayfly, he stayed close to his companions.
"Where are we going, anyways?" Zena asked, looking at Konan.
"Amegakure," She said, "Pein sent me along to help direct you to the place you need to be. Zetsu-san can guide you further, but getting there might actually be a bit of a problem."
The brunette hummed but didn't speak further, and the trio made their way to the village hidden in the rain.
Despite Konan's information that they would be traveling to the rainy village, they bypassed the city and trekked a muddy trail through the mountains northbound.
The two veterans were unphased by the biting downpour, and although the brunette shivered under the harsh conditions, she didn't complain as she carried herself onward.
Through the night the three ninja trekked on, fleece lined cloaks sopping and heavy. They didn't stop until they reached the peak of the mountain, where the rain didn't reach.
Relieved to be out of the shower, Zena let out a long sigh.
"We're almost there," Zetsu murmured.
Zena nodded once and stepped forward.
Konan spoke then, "An old acquaintance agreed to meet with us, considering the specific intel we require."
"Hai." Zena chirped, still shaking from her wet clothes.
The rest of the journey was completed in less than twenty minutes; the trio eventually broke from the thick forest covering the mountain into a clearing, where a familiar white-haired Sanin sat, meditating. At his side was the small blonde bundle of energy, famous throughout her world.
"Naruto-kun," She immediately whispered, and the Sanin's eyes snapped open.
"Ah, Konan-chan..." He greeted the blue haired woman, and she bowed to him.
"Sensei."
He laughed, his chuckle deep and hearty. "Come sit," He motioned for the trio, and they crossed the space in moments, joining the old man and the 12 year old on the dirt.
Once they were situated, Zena couldn't help but watch the blonde boy intensely, amazed that she had met him in the flesh.
He gave her a big grin, "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, believe it!"
She giggled, pleased that he had used his catchphrase. "I am Zena."
"Ah, so you're the girl, eh?" Jiraiya took her in, eyes lingering across her lips and breasts.
She flushed and pulled her cloak closed, glancing at Zetsu.
"Relax, relax," the Sanin waved his hand as if clearing the air.
His former student shook her head, unimpressed by the old man's antics.
Zena's shoulders decompressed once more and she glanced at Zetsu and Konan. Neither spoke, so Zena fixed her eyes on the Sanin.
"Jiraiya-sama... I cannot explain all to you, but I've recently experienced some change in circumstance and as such, have had an episode of a very frightening power..." Zena began, hoping he'd help supply information they lacked.
"Shokuton, yes... It isn't commonly seen anymore, not since the decimation of the Kiso clan, and since the heiress was killed in her infancy, there are no known users of the Shokuton..." He noticed the girl wince and he shrugged, "Sorry kid... Although... There's a tavern in Amegakure where you might get some answers from an old friend of mine. I used to know her as Blossom, but she goes by Ayame now. You'll find her at the Saku Hana Pub in the heart of the city."
Konan gave him a withering glare, but nevertheless she nodded, accepting the valuable intel. "I know of the place. Thank you, Jiraiya-sama." She began to rise from her seat, preparing to leave, but he stopped her.
"I don't give information for free, Konan-chan," He chided, "Stay for a few more moments, please." It had been so long since he could enjoy a moment of serenity with his former student from Ame.
She nodded hesitantly, sitting back down. She was still guarded, aware that Jiraiya could engage battle at any moment.
Zetsu sat silently, assessing the young jinchuuriki. The blonde ball of energy was fiddling with a spare water balloon, still perfecting his training for the Rasengan under Jiraiya's tutelage.
Zetsu didn't know what to think of the pipsqueak. He was supposed to play a vital role in Kaguya's return, yet the weak youngling was sitting in a state of relax, his orange-clan legs sprawled open in front of him. A matching orange jacket was tossed haphazardly over a pile of logs.
Hmph, Zetsu thought, I could easily grab him now and take that bijuu right out of him... His golden eyes flicked to his brunette companion. She wouldn't take too kindly to such an act in front of her, and his weak white half had a sentimental attachment to the young girl, preventing his dark side from bringing any harm to her, physical or emotional. Damn it.
"So, Zena-chan, right?" The Sanin's attention was back on the brunette and she felt her cheeks heat under his careful gaze.
"Yes, Jiraiya-sama." She inclined her head, reaffirming her earlier introduction.
He chuckled, "Jiraiya-san is fine, sweetheart. I'm not that old." This remark was followed by a wink. Zena held back a squeak, uncomfortable in the pervy sage's flirtation.
"Jiraiya." Konan growled, and her older sensei chuckled, batting his hand at the air in her direction.
"Tell me more about yourself, Zena. What are you doing for the Akatsuki?" He asked after a moment, his note of seriousness returning as he carefully assessed the young kunoichi.
"Um, well," She quietly started, fiddling with her hands. What could she say to him? What was her role? After a long moment, she came up with an answer. "I take care of the Akatsuki."
"Hmm, and you're aware that they're all criminals and murderers, then?" He mused, placing his right fist under his chin.
She nodded, "I'm aware... But... They're not all bad. They're misunderstood, and yes, some of them have some unsavory qualities, but when it comes down to it, they're a group of comrades trying to do what they believe is right, as misguided as they are." She slapped her hands over her mouth, fearing she had spoken too much.
Jiraiya gave her a contemplative look. "I couldn't say I agreed more."
"Well... It's just that..." She began, wrenching her hands again. "I want world peace as much as they do, and I don't exactly agree with their methods, but I'll try my best to keep these people I care about safe." She said, decidedly, clenching her sore hands into determined fists.
Naruto had a glimmer in his eye, amazed at the girl's words. "Whoa, Zena-chan, you're so cool."
She shook her head, refusing his compliment, "I don't think so, I just care."
Konan rose, then, looking at the sky. "It's time to depart, we need to make it to Amegakure before nightfall."
Jiraiya stood as well, Naruto bouncing up behind him seconds later. Zetsu helped Zena to her feet, and she exchanged a few quiet words with him before he joined Konan.
She had distanced herself from the camp considerably, avoiding saying farewell to her former sensei again.
"Zena asked to speak with Jiraiya and Naruto alone." He informed the blue haired woman.
His remark was met with a shrug, "Then let's give them a moment." She glanced at her former sensei and left Zetsu at the camp, disappearing down the mountain.
"What is it, Zena-chan?" The Sanin asked, glancing at Zetsu.
"I... Jiraiya-sama, I have something important I'd like to say..." She glanced at Zetsu as well, then back to the Sanin. "Privately."
He nodded, a solemn look gracing his face. "Naruto."
"Got it, Old geezer," the 12 year old grumbled, stalking back to the makeshift training grounds.
"Please, after you," Jiraiya said, opening the flap to the tent.
Zena ducked in, followed by the Toad Sanin.
They sat, quiet and tense for a moment.
"This tent is sealed with a sound barrier. You can speak freely." Jiraiya told the girl.
She sighed, "The conditions of your death-"
He held up his hand, "I don't want to hear it."
"No, you must hear this," She urged, eyes dark and serious. "It is preventable. My... Comrades and I have seen Naruto's storyline in its entirety... We want to prevent the Ten Tails from being risen... More importantly, we want to preserve the great shinobi that Naruto-kun will become... However," Jiraiya didn't know what to make of the words.
"We... There's something off about our situation, an we've yet to find out why we're here... We want to save the ninjas comprising the group Akatsuki."
He scoffed, "You already know that they're dangerous people."
She shook her head. "Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko... They just wanted peace didn't they? It's unfortunate how their lives ended up, but they're being manipulated. There are many dark secrets around this group, including Itachi Uchiha..." Her eyes shifted back to Jiraiya. "In the time I've spent with these 'dangerous' people, I've come to see that they truly want to live in a world that isn't constantly ravaged by war... And in the greater scheme of things, they end up causing the third war."
Her words left a bitter taste in the old man's mouth.
"I promise you... They won't succeed in stealing the tailed beasts." She was determined to prevent the Gedo statue from being unsealed, a promise that Jiraiya hoped the young kunoichi could keep.
"Ah... Well, to be honest, I'm not sure how to respond to that..." Jiraiya chuckled and scratched the back of his head.
"Then don't," Zena mused, standing up. "But please keep my words in mind..."
She left the tent then, and Jiraiya followed her. She called out a goodbye to Naruto, who was still training with the tree stumps, and rejoined her comrade.
They left, and Jiraiya stood watching them disappear through the forest for a few minutes,
Perhaps Tsunade-sama might want the intelligence about four young kunoichi who knew the future.
Zena yawned as she treaded down the mountain beside Zetsu,
"Tired?" He asked, and she was caught off-guard by his sudden words.
"Mm," She affirmed, "I'll make it to Amegakure."
He shook his head and offered his hand to Zena, and she hesitantly took it.
In an instant, his mayfly was activated and the two melded together into the ground.
Seconds later they were in the pouring rain, caught up to Konan.
"I was beginning to think you two would never come back," She sighed, standing up. "Pein-sama is updated and we are expected to continue travel now."
Zena nodded, quietly apologizing for holding her up. Konan didn't speak, but patted the brunette on the head as she passed.
"We'll run now. Zetsu, carry Zena-chan." Konan commanded, and Zena was immediately swept up into the spy's arms.
Accepting her fate, she relaxed into the strange man's arms, and eventually the rhythmic jostling of his shifting lulled her into a soft snore.
Taking the relative isolation from the brunette for granted, Konan addressed the spy. "You were listening to their conversation."
He made a noise, neither confirming or denying the accusation.
"What did she say?" She asked again, glancing at the two-toned man.
His golden eyes flicked over her, then settled back on the horizon. "...It seems our former-feline friends have a plan to stop us from resurrecting the ten tails." He finally told her.
"Hm," the sound was troubled. "They've already warned us that our plan doesn't work as intended. It seems we'll have to have another conversation with them."
Zetsu made a noise of assent, "And the infernal bindings of 'true love'... We must remedy that." Black Zetsu growled.
Konan didn't reply, and the conversation ended there.
As they neared the village once more, nearly an hour later, Zena began stirring.
"She's awake," Shiro murmured softly. "Obviously." His black half added.
Zena didn't say anything, but her stomach rumbled quietly.
"We'll arrive soon," Shiro informed her, and she responded with a nod.
It wasn't much long later that they entered the village, bypassing the ferry and sprinting across the open water until they reached the dock.
Zetsu set the girl down, and she stretched her legs before turning to her comrades, energy renewed from her nap.
She felt invigorated, ready to find Saku Hana and meet Jiraiya's informant. "So, Konan-san, where are we staying at?"
Konan glanced around, spotting a dodgy building with crumbling bricks. A tattered wooden sign hung from the door, advertising the shaggy edifice as the Weeping Willow Inn.
Despite her concerns about the stability of the sloping building, the interior was taken well care of, but it was obvious that it had seen better days. Still, it was somewhere warm and dry to sleep.
Konan briefly conversed with the innkeeper, who hastily acknowledged the group and lead them to their rooms with a nervous grin.
Zena tried to ease him with a friendly smile, but he gulped and scrambled to leave the presence of the dangerous ninja as soon as he could.
Disheartened, she slunk into the room behind Konan. It was a double room with two twin beds and a pair of faded armchairs by the fireplace.
Zetsu followed her, kneeling to light a fire in the hearth. Konan shucked her cloak off, leaving her in a set of damp, dark gray combat wear.
Zena followed her lead, draping her own cloak over the back of one of the armchairs. She sat on it, balancing on the edge daintily to keep from soaking the thin fabric and ruining the chair. She was suddenly too aware of how much her legs ached from the trip. She had never walked as far in her life, not htat she needed to living in a large city with any necessities at the touch of her fingertips.
"I'll shower first, then Zena." Konan announced distractedly, slipping into the sanctuary of the bathroom.
She spent a decent chunk of time in there, the shower running for only fifteen minutes before Konan shut it off. The origami creator had spent long enough taking care of herself in the steamy room, that by the time she exited, Zena had dozed off into another nap.
Her clothes were less damp from her proximity to the fireplace, so wringing the rest of the rainwater out of her items didn't take long in the small bathroom sink.
She turned the shower on, relishing the relief the warm spray of water brought to her tired muscles, before quickly scrubbing her pale skin with the bar of soap in the shower.
Convincing herself to turn the water off took a few moments, but eventually she shut it off and exited the shower, immediately getting goose bumps from the cold room.
She gave her clothes one last wringing before slipping them back on and rejoining the ninja in the main room.
"Feeling better?" Konan asked, lounged by the fire in the other chair. Zetsu was sitting in the corner, quiet and withdrawn.
Zena spared him a glance as she crossed the room to reclaim her previous seat. She nodded as she sat, stretching her sore muscles toward the warmth with a low groan.
She still had a ways ahead of her before she found out everything she wanted to know, and despite her inexperience in the massive world filled with deadly ninja, she was determined to press on until she knew exactly who she used to be.