Chapter fifteen.
A dance with a sneaky serpent!
"When did a Dragon ever die from the poison of a Snake"
~Nietzsche
The pre dawn light glowed over the small valley in soft purples, blues and yellows. To anyone awake it was probably one of the most peaceful sights of the day. Down in that valley though, the struggles of this new day were just being felt and not even a beautiful sunrise was fully able to wipe away the horrors of the past months.
The first to wake up was Hinata. Which normally wouldn't have been surprising as she came from a clan of morning people, but this was still a feat as she had received a harsh whack to the head causing a severe concussion. By all accounts she should have been out for another day or so.
Pale lavender tinted eyes opened slowly. The real world was just to bright and unnaturally loud compared to the heavy migraine that raged in her head. She felt tired and horrible, but she concluded that she was at least alive and sort of well enough to feel this way. If she didn't hurt so much, she would've cracked a smile and maybe laugh out loud. I'm alive. I made it. I wonder how the others are doing…oh kami the others! Did they make it? Are they okay?
Hurrying up from her prone position, Hinata had to fight down the wave of nausea and dizziness as she stumbled forward. She needed to find her friends.
Just as she was about to fall forward however a strong slender arm reached out and steadied her. Feeling a sense of panic, her eyes shot up and she nearly gasped.
"Shifune-sensei!?" the shock of seeing her medical instructor was immense. Last she knew of, the med-nins were at the border between Hi No Kuni and the land of water, so what was she doing here?
Frosty green eyes watched as the poor child looked around her new space. Really it was nothing special, just a small tent with medical gear lining the sides and a hard cot in the center of the space.
She was considerate enough to place the small mouse summons -she was quite use to them after working in the medical field for ninja for so long - on the cot next to her student.
Really she had been so worried for the girl she had been teaching, when she went missing that she had alerted the Hokage himself for any news on her whereabouts. And after almost several weeks, she finally got a message back. It was from Ibiki-san, and he had stated that the three genin and two other females and one summons had been located almost three days travel into the land of winds borders. Needless to say, she had instantly dispatched a squad -including herself- and had raced down to the land of winds border to provide medical aid.
Now she was glad she had done so.
The boy in the group had a greenstick fracture along his right arm. That was the worst of his injuries and alone would take four to eight weeks to heal. Thankfully it wasn't a serious break and she could issue a splint and sling to hold his arm immobile while it healed.
The girl, Naru, was the worst out of the group. Several cracked ribs, a closed fracture on her arm, a severe concussion, and severe chakra depletion. Her skin was also layered in bruises and cuts. The inside of her chakra pathways though, caused the seasoned med-nin to pause; they were burned and slightly cauterized along the edges, like if someone had poured acid down the tubing that made up the pathways and then tried to reopen them back up. It was extensive damage and nothing she could do but try to coax some healing chakra down in there and hopefully soften the pathways so they could heal.
For the rest she put the broken arm into a cast and sling. And wrapped her ribs up in several layers of bandages. They cuts were treated with a special ointment to stave off infection. Really though, the girl wasn't going to be doing missions for a while and was on no duty for at least three to six weeks, then after a good checkup, it would be light duty for another four. And that was being lenient.
As for Hinata, she had bruises and cuts, a severe concussion, and several torn muscles. Nothing light duty and bed rest couldn't fix. The only thing the ex-Hyuuga needed to watch out for was re-tearing the muscles once they finished healing.
Satisfied with her diagnosis for the three, she motioned the girl to follow her. She knew the genin would all put up a fuss if they didn't see each other first thing after waking up. It reminded her of her old team, back when they had been alive, and caused a fond smile to form on her rough features.
She blinked at the girl, "follow me Hinata-chan, your teammates have been waiting for you. Lets not keep them waiting anymore hmm." she nearly laughed out loud as the Hyuuga girl suddenly lurched forward, grabbing the sleeping mouse off the cot, and stumbled almost drunkenly out of the tent. Oh this would be funny.
Bright lights hit her eyes as Hinata walked out of the tent, narrowly avoiding a med-nin on his way to another tent with a load of bandages. She smiled lightly, this was something she had missed. Looking around she noticed Shifune-sensei heading over to a large tent in the center of the camp. It was huge and a muted tan color. A large plus sign signaled that it was a intensive care tent, a place where all the really injured ninja were held.
Feeling apprehensive, Hinata walked over to her instructor and nodded before walking inside, completely missing the sad and guilty look thrown at her back.
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It was dark in the tent with only a few oil lanterns to light up the few cots and their inhabitants. In a corner, several male ninja talked softly to each other as their injuries were tended to by a small trainee ninja. The light conversation was soothing to Hinata as she walked over to the other side towards three cots, two of which were occupied.
"Oi, Hinata-chan…how are you feeling. isn't it youthful that we all made it out alive." a semi-loud voice broke the air.
"Lee, shut your youthful mouth before I shut it for ya. Some of us are trying to die in peace here. And leave Hinata alone, you heard what Shifune-baba said, she has a really bad head injury." the sarcastic, but relived voice snapped out in the darkness.
"Hinata-chan, forgive me I was so caught up in your youthful awakening that I forgot you had been injured. When we get back to Konoha, I will run fifty laps around the village to apologize to you…oh no I talked to you again, make it one hundred laps!" Lee practically sparkled in the dim lighting as he raved about the power of youth, green and his friends recoveries.
Giggling softly, she made her way over to the bed next to Naru, her friend was flat on her back with her right arm snug in a cast and held by a chakra enhanced sling. An annoyed look on her face as she watched their other teammate ramble on.
"how are you feeling Naru?" she asked the now blonde genin. She really did miss that red hair.
Said blonde tore her eyes away from the other and looked up into the pale lavender of her best friend, she smiled, "I'm doing fine. Annoyed that I am confined to bed once we get home and relived that we all made it out alive." she paused, an unreadable look in her eyes before she continued. "how are you feeling? You had a nasty bump on your head when Ibiki-JiJi pulled us all from the sand we were buried under."
Hinata shrugged. Honestly she couldn't really remember what had happened. One second she was almost ready to go over the waterfall and the next she was waking up in a medical camp. "I feel fine, just a bit nauseas and dizzy. But I guess that's to be expected. How are you feeling Lee…Lee!"
Black eyes widened comically as he stopped talking mid sentence. A large embarrassed blush covered his face as he rubbed the back of his head. "hehe, I'm good Hinata-chan. My arm hurts but its nothing that I cant handle."
Hinata and Naru laughed softly as Lee tried to defend himself when one of the med-nins came in to give him more medicine. He was strong, the other was stronger.
Hinata suddenly stood up as Shifune-sensei walked into the tent. Her green eyes flashed in amusement as she watched the small ninja force liquid antibiotics down the youthful boys throat. A manic smile on the smaller face as he talked in a false soothing tone.
Behind her a very large man stood at attention. His gray uniform and black trench coat stood out stark against the sea of green and tans. His head was covered with a dark blue head band in the form of a bandana. His face though was heavily scarred.
Shifune-sensei gestured for the man to step forward. Hinata felt that he should be familiar but for the life of her she couldn't remember where she had seen him before. His dark eyes watched the three genin with an unreadable look as silence reigned.
Thankfully Naru didn't like silence very much. "Ibiki-jiji! What are you still doing here. I thought you were going to report to the old man third.
A small tick mark appeared on his face at the nickname - his or the Hokage's - and instead sat on an empty cot. "how are you all feeling?" Hinata felt there was more too it than that. He seemed like the type with a lot of mysteries.
Remembering her training as an Heiress, she bowed slightly before answering. "we are fine Ibiki-san. Tired and injured, but fine."
"Yeah, don't worry Ibiki-jiji, we aren't going to die off any time soon." Naru snorted in bemusement. They had survived a high level escape from a high level containment factor. That had to mean something right.
Ibiki looked over at the three. All were wrapped in layers of bandages and gauze. Their clothes hung off their half starved frames and the look of weariness covered them like a shroud. And yet, the fire still burned in their eyes. He smiled at that. No they had just been bent but not broken, this was something that could still be fixed.
"Naru, I was not suggesting that you are unable to fend for yourselves. In fact I'm praising you for a job well done." apparently him praising anyone was a big deal. Evidenced by Naru and Shifune-sensei's eyes opening wide in shock.
Hinata looked over at the still out of it Lee, then back towards Ibiki-san. He nodded at her silent question. "its time for us to head back to Konoha. We leave tomorrow at dawn, so make sure you have all your stuff packed. I leave your other teammate to you to tell. Shifune-san, I would like to talk to you outside please."
With that he was gone, Shifune gave them a small look as she turned and left after the older ninja.
Naru looked down at her broken arm, her lip held between her teeth as she thought about what was going to happen. Beside her Hinata watched her friend. It had been Naru who had been there for her when her clan had thrown her out, being her friend and confident, she had slowly made a home for herself among the two other genin. Without them she would still be alone. So she knew Naru would one day need to talk about what was weighing heavily on her mind. She also knew it was futile to try and make her talk now when she was so uncomfortable and confused.
When you're ready Naru, we will talk. Lee and I will always be there for you. she smiled at her thoughts. "we should get ready I guess. We leave at dawn…I wonder how the village is. We haven't been there in so long. I wonder how much has changed. maybe Anko will be able to help us out." she rambled out, trying to fill the silence.
Naru grinned beside her, "I wonder if the old man has finally torn down that death trap of a dango shop."
They both laughed.
Hinata smiled, "Anko would kill you if you even tried to suggest that the shop be closed down." they both laughed again, this time Lee started to join in as he woke up.
The blonde grinned out to the raven as he stirred. "morning sleeping beauty, did you have a nice nappy." she laughed hard until a pillow smacked her in the face. The look of stunned shock on her face to funny for the other to resist.
Outside the tent, Med-nin smiled as they heard the happy laughter of the three teammates.
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It was about three o'clock in the afternoon as the Hokage sat behind his desk. He had received a message from Shifune stating that the three genin and Ibiki were on route to Konoha. That had been several days ago and they were due to arrive back here at any time.
He had always known that any child of Kushina's was going to be a handful, but this was taking it to the extreme. Sure he had put her in anbu and yes she was now a genin, but that didn't mean much if the person who was after you was more experienced and stronger. No those three would have to get stronger, he couldn't have this whole mess happen again because they were unprepared.
He felt the shift in the air as the hidden anbu in the room stirred. Ah, they had come back home.
He smiled at the sound of yelling, laughing and general happiness. Made the years etched into his very being feel light for a change. He had missed his pseudo granddaughter and her new friends, they were after all the newest generation of kings as he had told his son, Asuma.
Now though they were back home and safer than out there in the hands of who knows who.
Two brisk knocks echoed from the door as he called a quick, "enter." Ibiki was the first to walk in, a small smirk on his face as he saluted his leader, followed by Naru, Lee and then Hinata who was carrying a small mouse summons in her arms. He noticed that a younger woman was following behind them and he raised an eyebrow at Ibiki, who nodded back.
"Mission accomplished Hokage-sama." Ibikis rough voice called out.
Lighting his pipe, he observed the group. They looked like hell. He smiled, like true Shinobi coming back from a difficult mission. Half-starved, cut up, bruised and battered but there was fire and heat in their eyes. Their Will of Fire was strong and undefeatable.
He cleared his throat. "congratulations, all of you. Ibiki, I want a full mission report about they're experiences and yours before the week is up." he saw the nod, "you are dismissed."
He waved of the goodbye and focused on the smaller group. Who was this woman. Maybe the genin would tell a curious old man. "Naru who is the woman with you?"
He watched as she stood straighter, offering her own salute before answering. "Hokage-sama, she is a civilian blacksmith, who has decided to petition for entry of Konoha." she cleared her throat, "Her name is Hana and she is a friend. She is very trust worthy and she makes some of the best items and weapons I have ever seen."
A puff of smoke exited his lips. Hmm, a smith. Konoha was always looking for better trades and as a ninja village, they did have a high need for better weaponry. He sighed, where Naru was concerned, he didn't have the gall to deny her. "very well, I'll draw up the paperwork for a civilian license and a permit for a shop to be constructed. Do you have anywhere to stay?"
He watched as the woman nodded. He sighed, "very well then. You are all dismissed. Naru please report back here in two days. We have some matters that need to be discussed."
Hiruzen watched as the group left his office. So much trouble and they hadn't even been genin long. He needed a drink.
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Walking down the street Naru breathed in the crisp spring air. Summer was just around the corner which meant that the academy was going to be let out soon. She grinned, good riddance to that place.
Behind her Hinata was conversing with Hana as Lee walked beside them. The small group walked closer to the clan district of the village, until the rising walls of their home came into view.
She smiled when she heard Hana talk about how beautiful it was, and she hadn't even seen the inside of the compound yet. Hurrying through the small little ceremony they all waited for the gate to open. A small gasp sounded out into the air as the other beamed in pride. This was their home.
Walking in they searched for a suitable house for the blacksmith, and after an hour found one with a small garden and several sheds in the back. It was perfect for the fiery smith they all called friend.
While Hana left, saying she was going to go and get some things for the place, the others quickly ran back to the main house. Sleep, a bath, and some real food sounded so good right about now. They walked into their house and grinned. The place was still very clean, looking at each other the three shrugged before heading to the kitchen for something to eat.
In the kitchen Hinata pulled out some bread, while Lee grabbed some peanut butter and jelly from the fridge. Naru grabbed some plates and a butter knife.
The exhaustion they all felt was palpable as they ate mechanically. The food while filling, tasted like ash in their mouths.
Nodding to each other they waited respectfully for everyone to have a bath. Before they headed off to bed. After all tomorrow was a new day and there was things that would have to be done.
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Lee yawned as the morning light filled his room. must of forgotten to close the curtains last night. he groaned as he rolled over, taking extra care not to bump or jostle his injured arm. No time like the present. he grumbled on his way to the bathroom. Normally a morning person, today was just not his day.
All he wanted was to head back to his wonderfully comfortable bed and not reemerge for fifty or so years.
Jumping in a shower he hurriedly washed and brushed his teeth. He knew the girls would wake up soon as well and the least he could do was start on breakfast. Not caring that he forgot his clothes, he just wrapped a towel around his waist and walked back to his room to change. So what if the girls saw him. A few weeks in anbu had taken care of most of the modesty issues. They had showered in each others presence and changed in front of each other. Though they made sure to keep their eyes averted, mostly for Hinata's sake as she still blushed neon red whenever they hit the coed baths.
Walking to his closet, Lee sorted through his clothes and frowned. huh, I thought this shirt fit me before I left. wasn't this jumpsuit a little looser? I know these pants weren't so small before, I bought them two weeks before I left… He sighed, looks like he had to do some clothes shopping today as well. Good thing he was on light duty and couldn't take any active missions right now. Showing up at the mission desk with cloths two sizes to small and he would never here the end of it.
Grumbling louder, he grabbed a pair of loose sweat pants and a large, slightly ratty t-shirt before walking out of his room towards the kitchen.
Lets see…we have eggs, dried ramen, some bread, half a wheel of cheese…huh that's it. looks like he was also needing to head out for some groceries, and knowing Hinata, they were heading to the market. She hated grocery stores, preferring to eat as healthy as possible. Lee smiled, well they all could use the exercise.
Starting up a pot of water to boil he got out the ramen. A small whisper of cloth against a wall alerted him that he wasn't alone anymore. Moving his feet slightly apart he tensed, ready to fight at a moments notice and then relaxed when Naru and Hinata both walked around the corner.
"Morning Lee-kun"
"Morning Lee."
He grinned and said his pleasantries as well. Watching the water boil he added the dry noodle to it and waited some more. Several minutes later he added the spices to it.
To his right, Hinata had started a list of grocery items they would need to get. Behind him he could hear Naru setting the table in the dining area.
It was so very comfortable and yet, he was almost ready for one of the Shadows lackeys to jump out from behind a corner screaming obscenities and trying to recapture them or worse then that, he was almost afraid he would wake up back in that cell listening to people dying as the day wore on. He didn't know about the girls but he had a feeling the felt the same.
Shaking his head, he turned off the stove and poured out noodles and broth into everyone's respected bowls. Muttering a 'thanks for the meal', they all dug in. well he dug in and Naru practically inhaled the hot noodles in her eagerness. Hinata just sighed and told Naru to slow down or she'll choke.
At least some thing were still normal.
He cleared his throat, "After we go shopping for some groceries, I need to head out and pick up some clothes. Most of mine don't seem to fit anymore."
Naru looked up from her noodles and swallowed before talking. "yeah I'm with Lee here. Must of grown while we were away, most of my clothes don't fit very well anymore either."
Hinata looked between both of them before nodding. "guess I'll get some new clothes as well. We all could use a change in style now that we are shinobi. We'll need different outfits for different missions." they all nodded.
With that everyone hurried to eat the rest of breakfast, before heading to the front door. Lee felt something brush his shin and looked down at Yakennono, the small mouse was the size of a medium dog now and if what he knew about summons was true, they got hell of a lot bigger once they got older. Hinata grabbed him under the mouse's arms and walked over to the door.
Hmm, he really should check on his own summons soon. Oh well, on to shopping.
Even though it was early in the morning, nothing could stop Konoha wives, mothers and die-hard shoppers from getting the normal day going. The shops had been opened up at dawn and all three friends found it insanely difficult to move around the virtual sea of people.
The sounds of people calling out prices, haggling, and even arguing filled the air as Hinata handed each a list. Naru was back on getting meats, seafood, and any good dairy products while Lee was supposed to get fruits and vegetables. That left spices for Hinata.
With a sudden cheer all three of them leapt away using their ninja abilities to maneuver around the early risers.
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Flashing around the crowd Naru grinned. Konoha was a normally peaceful place until you hit the market district. The smell, the sounds, the very people were all jostled together to create a beast of arms and legs and baskets that instead of snarls, yelled out prices for fresh baked bread. She snickered at the mental image before jumping down from the shop roof she had perched on.
The shop was the same butcher shop she had visited before she left. Walking through the door she saw it was slightly crowded as mothers held the hands of slightly annoyed children and even several ninja had popped in to get some meats.
Most of the civilians glared at her when she walked up to the counter but didn't say anything. Still, she couldn't help but feel slightly annoyed herself with their pettiness. It was too early in the morning to deal with them today, especially after the botched hell she had just went through.
"Hello there little lady. I see you've come back here now." blue eyes shifted to take in the heavy man who was the butcher. His dark eyes crinkled up in a soft smile that showed his grandfatherly features
She returned the smile, "yes, I need two pounds of the beef and pork cubes, a whole chicken, three pounds of the duck breast and a pound of the bacon fillets, please."
The old man chuckled at the order before picking up his cleaver and getting to work. She walked away from the counter and took an empty seat a she waited. Seeing the glares burn just a bit brighter, she grabbed a worn magazine and pretended to read it as she shielded herself from the stares and muttered comments.
"Order fifty-eight, two pounds beef and pork cubes, whole chicken, three pounds duck breast and a pound of bacon fillets." a person working the counter said.
Seeing her order done, Naru walked over and filled up her basket and paid the man plus a small tip for service and said her goodbyes as she left.
Outside she felt just a bit better. Shaking her head she walked to the fishmongers and picked up some trout, some bluegill, and salmon and several pounds of shrimp. Hinata like them with melted butter. Again paying the couple who worked the shop, she muttered a goodbye and walked back towards the grocery store for the milks and cheeses.
Once she was done, she waited for the others to get done with their errands. Boy, being bored was so boring. She wanted to go on a mission, hell even the academy would be better then just waiting for something to happen.
She smiled when she finally felt her two teammates reach her. They, like her, were laden down with groceries. Nodding her head at them, they walked to the clothing district of the market place.
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It was a shop called dragons scale designs. Small, almost to the point of being unnoticeable it was ran by a old woman in her eighties. Her eyes were nearly white color from age and her skin was soft and wrinkly. Her hair, which nearly touched the floor, was completely straight and thin and the softest color of silvery-white.
She had used to run this tiny shop with her husband, but he had died nearly twenty years ago. Never had children of her own and thus had always been sweet on the Uzumaki child that had once hid in her shop from the scary mobs.
She was so old she hardly even remembered her own name anymore and thus had a bit of a scattered brain personality. But she did love children and always treated them well. Though that could be said by the few shinobi that came to her for new clothes that were both stylish and durable. To her, even the Sandaime was naught but a younger man, and she knew him well; after all, she had been the one to provide him with his first shinobi outfit.
Maybe her name had started with an H… Maybe?
True she was old, nearly ancient even by civilian standards but not without the wisdom of her years. She may have never been a shinobi but that didn't mean she couldn't be as spry or benevolent as the best of them. She saw what most never even took the time to learn of - like when the Sandaime was ready to retire or when the Namikaze boy had finally knocked his beautiful woman up. No, she understood well enough and too this day, had kept her peace and mouth firmly shut.
The door chime rang sweetly out into the lonely shop as three children walked in.
Shinobi. The woman thought. They didn't look the part, which really didn't matter in a 'ninja' village. But it was the way they acted that had her answers.
They moved with an odd grace. Less like assassins and more like dancers. Every step was choreographed with rhythm and agility, poised like a falcon, ready to fly at any given moment. The way they flanked each other, close enough to help defend, far enough away not to hinder a fight… it was almost beautiful. Especially to one of her years.
To her, these children reminded her of a flock of bats. One wrong or sudden move, and the whole mass took off as one in a graceful cloud few animals or even ninjas could ever hope to match.
It was also sad. It always was when they youngest, the brightest and the best had to be chosen at such tender ages. So young, they should be with their mamas and papas, playing in the dirt or sitting in a stuffy academy room, not fighting wars and creating jutsu.
They say a ninjas childhood is over when you know you're going to die. Sometimes it ends sooner than that.
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Lee whistled at the interior of the shop Naru had dragged them too.
Gilded walls with pretty designs covered the expense, only hidden when a rack of clothing got in the way. Colors ranging from the deepest of reds to the brightest of whites gave the room the impression of being on fire. He liked it.
Looking at the wares, he nodded to himself.
Mainly the place seemed to cater to shinobi and their lifestyle with heavy, durable fabrics and chain mail, mesh. There was even some weapons - kunai, shurikan, katana and tanto's. but on some other sides there was normal, everyday clothes. Shirts, pants, jackets and underwear and bras and panties.
Looking around he saw some small little rooms and guessed that that is where they would try on the garments. Next to those was a circular entryway that seemed to lead further into the seemingly small shop. If he was a betting man, he would lay some cash on that way lead to more outfits or even to custom made items. Turning around to look at the girls he blanched when he realized they had already disappeared to look around.
Sighing, Lee walked over to a small shelf that carried mainly green items. He found a green jumpsuit, like Gai-sensei's and immediately ran to a room to change into it. He was so excited, his old one had been ruined beyond mending.
Sliding into the oddly soft outfit Lee smiled wide. It was far different from his old one definably, this one felt far more comfortable. It was also slick, and the fabric seemed to whisk away his moisture. It seemed to keep him cool. Grinning like a loon, he slammed open the small wooden door and modeled his outfit to both Naru and Hinata.
Lee never noticed the crone like woman behind him.
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Naru noticed. Noticed that jumpsuits would never be attractive that is. God, it was green and nearly skintight and green. She liked green but she wasn't obsessed with the color like her male teammate was. She studiously ignored the look Hinata threw her that screamed 'this is how you are with the color orange.'.
It wasn't like she was obsessed with orange, she just liked the color and the individuality it brought her. Besides, nobody messed with orange.
A small flicker of bright grey shook her out of her musings. It was aforementioned, bright, but it was also tattered and layered with what seemed to be a hurricane of random colors.
A whisper in her mind said they weren't just colors spinning around someone, that they served an even bigger purpose. Now normally Naru wouldn't listen to strange voices in her head, but this time she actually considered what was happening. One, she was the Kyuubi jailor, thus weird conversations in her mind seemed logical but only when the fox talked back. Two, she really wasn't sure it was a voice that was telling her about the odd colors… more like, instincts or something or other. Either way, she decided to listen.
Blue seemed sad or melancholy. Pink was shy or unsure. Yellow was a happy color, so was purple. Bright lime green seemed ugly… like it gave her the feeling of a snake in the underbrush two inches from her feet. She didn't like that feeling.
These were just some of the colors - emotions, that she knew. As far as she could tell, only she had these talents in the whole village, maybe the world. Not to mention she would only tell a select group of people, this was for a very good reason. The council, made up of shinobi and civilian, was power hungry and very dangerous, especially to her because of her tenant. If they caught wind of her being able to sense emotions of people or worse found out she is the only one capable of doing so, she could kiss her ass goodbye.
Best cause scenario is they marry her off to a clan member of Konoha. Worst case is they marry her off in a alliance treaty or deal as a way to cement loyalty to the village. In either case she would probably have to quit being a konoichi. Naru shuddered at the thought.
Back to those emotions though, she realized she knew the person.
A grin split her whiskered face as she smiled. "Heya Hag!"
Behind her, both genin face palmed at the audacity of their friend. Meanwhile the old woman smiled comfortingly. "such a good looking boy." she chuckled as he blushed, before she continued, "but you cant leave in such a uncompleted outfit. No, no it missing something."
Creaking by them, she grabbed a loose kimono top with the pattern of a Chinese dragon on it. "try this one on."
Lee grabbed it gingerly, looking it over in approval. It was light weight, almost spandex in texture and feel. It showed a Chinese dragon in green and reds and a light blue. Around the design was a flaming design in black and white that complimented the creamy color of the shirt as a whole.
Putting it on over his jumpsuit he noticed it went to mid thigh in length and covered the palms of his hands, only leaving his fingers exposed. He definitely liked the bell styled sleeves. Looking back at the old woman he bowed low in thanks.
Smiling back at the boy, she whipped out a slender pipe, seemingly from nowhere and turned to her next two victims. "Now you two."
Naru smiled and pushed Hinata forward. True she was all for sticking up for her friends and all that jazz, but Hinata needed far more human interaction than she did at least that's what she was telling herself.
Grinning at the Hag, she purred, "do what ya will. She needs all the help she can get."
Ignoring the cries of her friend she took to simply watching the puttering of the hag and her unwilling victim. Laughing all the while.
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Hinata glanced in mortification as Naru picked up some skimpy outfit that barely qualified as clothing. It had been an hour already and she sighed. This wasn't getting them anywhere.
Looking over her shoulder she grimaced at the growing pile of rejected outfits. She liked her outfit as it was and had only gone with her teammates for shopping and moral support. Besides, she didn't need anything.
A small squeak drew her gaze back at the mouse babe. His pink eyes glared at her in what seemed like annoyance as he nudged the girls shin. Sighing in defeat, she picked him up and walked over to the small group.
"Child, you be stubborn as a ox. You stay in your families shadow. Not living is what you be doing." the whispery voice chided her. Was she being stubborn, sure. Did it have anything to do with her family, not at all. But just because she didn't want to pick out some clothes didn't mean she was wallowing in self-pity, it just meant she didn't want to pick out clothes.
Even-tempered, be even-tempered. Discipline. "I just don't want to wear anything new. that's not a crime." Hinata ignored the shocked looks of her teammates, instead choosing to stare into the weathered face of the smoking woman.
A puff of smoke escaped pale lips as the woman answered back, "I never said it was child."
Suddenly a immense feeling of anger washed over her and she could no longer contain the dam over that emotion. "what do you know, huh! Did your family kick you out for being different, for being weak. No, then you have no right to judge my choices. I am disowned, my little sister is being groomed to take my place, the clan elders tried to place a seal on me and I am constantly expected to be complacent in all of this. I have been abandoned by my family, captured by an enemy I know little about, trained by anbu and learning medical justu. I have become a Mice summoner, genin far too young, and I'm on a team with two of the loudest and exuberant genin on this planet. SO TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT MY PAST!"
Hinata gulped in large breaths of air as she tried to calm her racing heart. The adrenaline flowing through her heated blood seemed to boil as her rage and anger simmered readily. Like a pot of water close to boiling over. Something wet dripped past her cheeks, in the back of her mind she realized that they were tears. She didn't move to wipe them.
Her hands clenched so tight, she felt the muscles freeze up. Still she watched the smoking woman with a false sense of calm, waiting warily for a response to her near hysterical question.
The old woman pulled the pipe away from her lips and looked over at the trembling girl. so young. she thought. So naïve about the harsher truths that reality threw at one. How life was about change and balance.
Her clan was nothing but fools. Like preening buffoons, they looked away from the child and left her in gilded neglect. Taught how to fight, they didn't teach her the fluidity of form. Taught to lock up most emotions, they didn't teach her how to embrace nor control those which would keep her sane. No they only taught which they felt she couldn't do without and cut off all the rest of the lesson. So foolish.
Sighing she decided to answer in the only way she knew how, bluntly. " you are wrong." before the girl could explode once more she continued on. "I've excepted that Clan Hyuuga is nothing but a family of idiots, I don't want to except you as one of them. You have more potential out of them all and the fire and compassion to be a great leader. Truly their loss is your gain. You ask how I know you, I see which you allow yourself to be blind to."
She drew in a drag of her pipe and looked into the pupil less eyes of the child. "you are changed girl. Embrace it or be lost to it, matters not to me but all to you. You cannot hide from this forever. You are forged in the fires of adversity and cooled in the streams of acceptance. Move on from this pain, grow stronger from it. You have friends who love and care for you. A partner in that mouse summons who you must train and care for as well. Too long have you been a bird who thinks their wings are clipped. Now you must fly free, open the cage door and leap into the air and fly towards who you wish to be. I know you are stronger for this, learn to show the changes in yourself so you may walk beside those you care for, before they move on as well."
Fat tears flowed out of the lavender eyes as the girl pitched forward to her knees. A small keening wail and sharp gasps left cupid bow lips as the child cried. A blur of green and orange raced past her and dropped around the lost girl, hugging her and whispering anything and everything.
Before them stood an old woman, a slender pipe cradled in a gnarled hand weathered and spotted with age as thin wispy columns of smoke burned upwards towards the ceiling. It was harsh, in was blunt and quite possible rude, but with all her aged heart knew it was what the girl needed to move past her issues. Oh not all of them, she would need time, maybe more than she would ever have to help push past this and leave it all in the pages of her history.
She just hoped it wouldn't take her so long to realize it.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Naru had never seen her friend like this and it scared her.
Hinata was the quiet, shy one. The balance to their crazy team, she was the one who saw reason where only irrationality stood. Sure she knew how Hinata had come to her life, Lee had his assumptions, but never in their wildest dreams did they think she was this damaged by her clan and past.
She had remembered Crane-sensei saying once in a meeting, "All shinobi are damaged goods. The least desirable apple left on the shelf to rot and waste away as it watched all its bushel carried off. But from its sacrifice, a seed is left behind to grow into a mighty tree to bare more apples left to be undesired. A cycle more timeless than war itself."
She took those words to heart.
As long as there have been people on this planet, there have been those who never quite fit in. those who are lost, damaged or alone, they prevail in their own secret ways and find ways to cope with being different. Even among those who don't fit in, there are still some who don't even click with them. such is the way of the outcast.
And as sad as that may be, it was a truth none the less. It didn't mean she had to like it though.
She, Hinata and Lee, they had all known that feeling of never belonging. To look over you shoulder and watch parents play with their children, couples eating at picnics, or watching kids play with friends at the academy. To know that you must put on a mask and face the world with a smile, no matter how fake it was, and wander through life always wondering what could have been. It was a lonely existence.
Then she met Hinata and they had clicked, then they both met Lee. They formed a group, a team. They lived for each other. Then they had been captured, which hadn't been fun and was more than a little scary. But had met two insane women that quickly wormed their way into the genins hearts. Family, such a simple word and yet, it meant everything to three attention-starved children.
So she vowed to make sure Hinata never felt like this again. She would make sure the Hyuuga clan reaped what they sowed and would protect her family from themselves if need be. She would become Hokage and fight for not only the village, but for all of those who had become outcasts in this world. She would never go back on this promise of a lifetime.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Thirty minutes later had everyone up and moving around again, this time with Hinata actually helping find an outfit. Small chuckles could be heard, besides Naru's loud mouth going a million miles a minute, as everyone tried to help the shy genin with her changes.
"Oi, Hinata. How about these ninja pants." Naru yelled from across the store.
"Hina-chan, what do you think about this shirt, it has silky sleeves." a small whack was heard as Lee tripped over a bench trying to show her the shirt.
A chuckle sounded by her ear as a older voice talked. " Keep the pants, I have some arm and shin guards that would fit with this lovely fur cloak she be wearing. Lee-kun, grab me that chain mail shirt please, the one that looks like mesh. No the other one…good, bring it here."
Smiling at the flurry of movement, Hinata felt better. The all had forgiven her for that horrible outburst. Not that it didn't make her feel like a fool, but still. It was the thought that counted right. "How about these fingerless and palm-less gloves. They would suit my style more so."
"Great idea, Hina-chan. We can even get small metal plates sown on the backs of them."
"oh, great idea. Hey lets all get some. We can have matching ones and we can have Hana engrave them with our team symbol when we have one." Naru agreed readily.
A small push on the small of her back had Hinata stumbling forward. Looking back she saw the old woman nodding towards the changing room, coincidently drawing her gaze to the small bundle of clothes that had somehow made there way into her arms.
Sighing in resignation she marched onwards. Like a lioness going into battle or something.
To everyone outside, it sounded like a one way conversation was going on in the cramped little space. Shrugging it off, they waited for the unveiling, so to speak.
Ten minutes and some colorful threats later, Hinata finally walked out.
Dressed in slightly baggy shinobi pants in a dark blue, they fit well with the chain mail shirt and cloak. The gloves were snug on her hands leaving most of her fingers free as well as her palms. They were made of a black leather that was soft and pliable. The shirt was quarter sleeved and reached just above her elbows. Around her forearms sat plated arm protectors that looked and felt almost like arm warmers. The same was on the shin protectors as well. And finally on her feet, were heeled shinobi sandals in a muted blue color.
All in all she was dressed to a tee. She hardly looked like the old Hinata now, though everyone was smart enough to see that though some of her had changed, she was still the gentle and caring girl she may always be.
Amidst the congrats and awe, Hinata shot a pointed look at Naru, a smile so sly, her other female teammate actually felt immense pride in also felt like running away from.
She got two steps before the Hag had her in a death grip and was dragging her off to the farthest corners of the tiny store.
"now for you child, follow me."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
"How about this one Naru. It has orange in it."
"Hell no, that's a dress. I'm a ninja not a fan girl or have you forgotten that." snarled Naru.
Hinata simply stared at the violent and stubborn girl, trying to hold back a laugh when she was smacked by the old woman with the pipe. "yes, we all know you aren't a fan girl Naru. You don't need to keep reminding us every thirty seconds."
A huffing sound from the orange genin gave the other ninja a shudder. here we go. they all thought.
Naru didn't disappoint. "I'm a konoichi. A female ninja. That doesn't mean I have to dress femalely. I want something practical, something I can fight in and look badass in, not something someone will say I have a great ass in. come on guys, isn't there anything we can find, that doesn't have me showing off my legs or ass in." the last part was sarcastic as all get out.
A collective sigh came from everyone as they all got back to work. Really, Naru was the youngest out of the group, but she could bitch out everyone ten years older than her. Must be talent in it purest form.
"How about these Naru-chan. They are shinobi pants that end at the knees. It even has some type of blue design on them." Lee called out hopefully.
The old Hag nodded thoughtfully at his choice. They would look good on the practical girl. She even had some heeled shinobi sandals that would fit those perfectly. The only problem is, how to get her to wear them willingly?
"the boy is right child, take them. They will be your best option." she croaked out.
Mumbling about how hard it was to maintain her badass look when everyone wanted to change it into something girly. She grimaced, thinking of a pink haired banshee that always fought with a blonde haired one. Now that was truly something to fear.
Walking over to Lee, she could at least think he had some good choices. The pants material was cotton and loose. Black fabric was stretchy enough to provide comfort and would give her full range of movement. Something she liked. The blue designs seemed to be sky colored and showed spirals at the hips along with slashes of that same blue going along the shins and calves.
They seemed pretty not that she would ever admit out loud, but she liked them. a lot.
"they'll do." she muttered.
Hinata walked up to her a series of shirts hanging from her delicate arms. "What do you think about these Naru?" she asked.
Naru looked at each one, deep creases forming along her forehead as she contemplated them. There were three shirts. One was a blue short sleeve shirt with orange trimming along the edges of the sleeves and neckline. A dark grey mesh shirt, long sleeved with a long v-cut at the neckline. The last one was a black mesh shirt no sleeves and a high wrap around the throat neckline. It had a sports bra like insert attached to it to cover the breasts.
She didn't like the t-shirt looking one so much, though it offered the most coverage. That left both mesh shirts. Deciding with the one that gave her a slight sense of modesty, she chose the no sleeved one.
Running to the changing room she hurried to get into the new clothes before her crazy friends decided on some other fashion trend - like pink or bright purple or polka dots, kami forbid it.
Walking out she was greeted by cat calls and whistles, playing along though her nerves felt jumpy, she fake cat walked over to the smiling group.
Lee grinned brightly at her. "well Naru-chan, how do you feel?"
Looking at herself in a long mirror, she admitted privately, that she looked good. The clothes fell and hugged her developing form in all the right places, plus the colors suited her beautifully.
"I love it…but it seems to be missing some things?"
A tap on the shoulder had her looking back at the Hag. Her hands held a long trench coat that was a deep ocean blue with white trim. A spiral was placed in the center of the back and at the left shoulder. It even had a hood.
"I have been holding on to this old thing for countless seasons…its time it goes to a good person. I made it when I was younger for a beautiful woman who had just come to Konoha…she never came to retrieve it though, I searched everywhere for her. You take it. Who knows, maybe it will bring you luck." she said. The light of her years reflected in those near colorless orbs.
Reverently grabbing it, Naru gave a low nod. Gently putting it on, almost like she was scared it would fall away into dust, she sighed at the feel of the heavy cloth. It looked gorgeous. The blue really brought out the mix of blues in her eyes.
Smiling at the reflection of the woman in the mirror she said, "I love it…I will treasure this." a small smile was her answer.
After a few more minutes in which the trio managed to get Naru into a pair of heeled shinobi combat sandals, the gathered up their things, paid and headed home. Looking back at the sun, Lee guessed they had a few more hours till the sun went down.
Hinata caught his eye and with a gentle nudge to Naru, the three jumped up onto the roofs and sped down the street. A small blur which looked vaguely mouse shaped, though it was far too big, ran right beside them.
Not that anyone saw them go.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Naru looked out the large office window, steadily ignoring the score of hidden anbu and two old geezers as she looked towards the Hokage monument. Truly it was a sight to see in the sunsets light. All gold and red and orange, glowing like fire in the last hours of the day.
Beside her stood Hinata and Lee. Like always, she felt proud to call them her friends and teammates. Today was no different, in fact it was even more special. They were getting an announcement about their new team leader or sensei or some other crap. The important thing here was she was finally going to get back to training and maybe start up on missions. Kami knew it had been too long. Hell even good natured Hinata was starting to get stir crazy from being so inactive.
Now if only she could get away from the piercing stare of those two old codgers. It wasn't like she didn't trust them, its just that she didn't trust them. They seemed tense, like they were waiting for her to suddenly shift into a monster and eat them or something. It was getting on her nerves.
Snapping away from the window she looked at her leader. His heavy robes and funny hat seemed to swallow him up as he sat in his chair. Next too him stood another old looking dude, only this one seemed to have started a fight with a blender - and lost. His arm was slinged, and he seemed to be trying to promote a mummy fashion trend. She didn't think it was hitting off, maybe in a few years.
When she had walked in with her teammates, he was introduced as Danzo, or was it Dango? Maa, she couldn't remember. Damn, maybe Hinata had caught his name.
Still he gave her the creeps. The emotional lightshow that normally hovered around a person was almost entirely black when she looked at him. She made sure to keep away from him. Absence of colors seemed to mean bad things, like a huge ass caution sign and then a stop sign and then a sign calling you a dumbass for ignoring the other two all rolled into one.
"welcome genin team one. I'm pleased to see you have all managed to heal your injuries. By now you have passed the genin test and in light of how your subsequent capture and escape has happened we, the council of Konoha, have decided to waive the secret genin test that you would have taken with your jonin sensei. You have showed great skill and remarkable teamwork and this has only made the team stronger in return."
Naru stood just a bit straighter as her Hokage gave a speech on how badass they were. Not that she needed one, she was well aware of how cool her team was. Oh yeah, they kicked all kinds of ass. Beside her she could literally feel the pride rolling off her friends.
" now without further deliberation, I have picked out the jonin sensei who will be in charge of you until you make chunin or some other such promotion…Anbu please escort in the new sensei for genin cell one." the aged Kage asked.
It seemed like an hour, really it was like thirty seconds but who was counting before someone walked through the door. Someone who the genin would have never thought would take a genin cell, like ever.
"ANKO"!?
Okay Naru was confused. What the fuck was going on here? Why was Anko, who everyone knew had more then a few kunai missing from the pouch, taking a cell, it made no sense. Especially because she swore she would never be a sensei, she claimed to like T&I way to much to simple put it on hold for a few snot-nosed brats who didn't know a damn thing.
Sure the genin liked her. She was fun and direct. Loved to play mind games and was always saying how sexy she was. They knew she had a summoning with snakes and was haunted by a past she wouldn't tell anyone about but most people seemed to know already. But for her to come by and claim a team, now that was way to odd.
Stepping forward she addressed the purple haired woman. "Anko…what's going on here?"
A cleared throat had them all turning to the Hokage as he smoked on his pipe. "while you were all captured, Anko here took the jonin sensei exam. She decided to lay claim on your team when you all came back safe. As of now, she is your commander, sensei and confident. Learn from her and grow stronger…if that is all, meeting adjourned."
Anko turned to the stunned trio and grinned dangerously. "alright team, meet at the Dango shop in ten minutes or well have remedial training." she grinned as she poofed away. The stares of shock, so delightful on her new victims faces.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Running into the shop Naru, Hinata and Lee all collapsed into their respective chairs at the table dead center in the room. Anko of course was already there, a large plate of dango laid innocently in the center. Her dark eyes watched the group as they struggled to breathe. Aw, they were out of shape. She mentally grinned. She could fix that.
It was a few minutes before one of her new charges spoke. "Anko-sensei…so we are now a team?" ah, so Hinata was going to speak first. Interesting. Naru or Lee were the outspoken ones in the bunch, therefore she had thought those two would have jump at the chance for questions.
"Yes my cute, little genin. We most certainly are. Oh but don't worry, I promise to only work you mostly to death. Cant have the Hokage breathing down my neck at three new genins untimely demises now can we." she purred.
Three bland looks met hers as she mentally sweat-dropped. Jeez, kids now days.
Rolling her eyes she started her new job. "anyways eat up, we have a lot to cover and so very little time to do it. And with the way im going to train you, you all will need the extra food."
Muttering about trivial things, the three genin practically inhaled the food, never once noticing how odd it was that their new sensei didn't eat with them.
Anko meanwhile sighed. just as I thought. They didn't once check their surroundings nor the food itself. Getting here early allowed me to place a mild sleeping serum in the dango sauce. Odorless, colorless but not tasteless. This is stuff they had been taught in anbu, so that begs the question why abandon the teachings now…just because we are in our own village doesn't mean we cant have enemies both foreign and domestic, lying in wait for the perfect opportunity to kill us when our guards are down.
Shaking herself out of those thoughts, she watched as the genin started to nod off. First was Naru, who without the Fox, was having a harder time with detox and muted senses. Normally she would have been able to smell it or taste it at least. Next was Lee who fell face first next to his pile of skewers. She thought that was a funny sight for the mini Gai clone. Last but not least was Hinata, she slumped almost gracefully in her chair.
Forcing away the residual guilt at such a harsh method, she stood up and walked over to the three. Summoning some snakes she had them help carry the load of genin over to training ground forty four. Also known as the forest of death.
This was her backyard and home away from home. Now it was going to be the genins hell away from heaven for the next two weeks. She would teach them all about being a ninja. About life in general and unlike her teacher, she wouldn't abandon them to a life of misery. Always wondering why.
Walking over too the gate at one of the entrances, she flashed through some hand signs and teleported them to a semi-large building. Dead center in the middle of the extremely hostile forest.
Let the fun begin.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
The first thing Naru felt when she woke up was the splitting headache beginning in the front of her forehead.
The second was she was in an unfamiliar room with both Hinata and Lee, both were thankfully awake and watching the still form of their new sensei.
Dark eyes opened and blinked almost cheerily at the three bewildered shinobi. "good morning my cute little students. Sleep well."
Naru shot out of bed at that. " Anko you drugged us didn't you." she yelled out in outrage. The other two looked between their fuming teammate and the grinning sensei.
"Yep." that grin was annoying. "but its not my fault that all three of you have let yourselves go so lax in your trainings. Honestly, an academy student could have tasted that serum in their food at the first bite. So why couldn't three anbu trained shinobi do the same?"
Both Lee and Hinata looked down in shame as Naru just crossed her arms and huffed in annoyance, a mild blush colored her face.
Sighing, Anko looked at her charges and thought grimly, this is bad. "well enough about potentially deadly thoughts. Its about time we start training. And I know just the thing."
Twenty minutes later
"Here's what we are going to learn for the next two weeks you will be here. Teamwork and strategy. Next speed, strength and agility training will be focused on in week one. Saturdays are days off to recoup and relax. The second week is going to be advanced poison, medical and T&I courses as well as Taijustu, ninjustu, fuinjustu and Genjustu. Then at the very last day of the week we will have a survival course for you to run that basically will outline all of what you have learned. Any questions? Good lets get started shall we."
Somewhere in training ground forty four, screams that sounded like the souls of the tortured damned, rang out clear and strong. Not a bad start for a Sunday morning.