PART II Chapter 6

Faint grunts and thuds spread through the trees, sometimes cut off by a more enthusiastic or pained cry. The three familiar chakra signatures moving around in her awareness made her smile softly. A particularly bouncy one flared along with a shout of effort. Gohama reached the wide clearing of the training field soon enough to see the wind attack being intercepted by a think wall rising from the soil. At this moment, Kisamaru used Hansuke's focus on his jutsu to sneak behind him. The jonin evaded his gentle fist and the ones that followed suit. Nikato joined his partner in the close taijutsu fight. Hansuke was still too fast for them to hit severely.

The redhead swiped his gaze through the place where Gohama was leaning against a tree. His head turned to his adversary and quickly snapped back towards her. Who would have thought he would be the first to notice her? When Nikato was ready to sprint to her, Hansuke took advantage of his distraction and kicked his side. Gohama cringed as he rolled through the ground, only to pick himself up again and run towards her. This made the other two heads glance to her. There was no more need to hide her chakra now. Nikato lunged himself and caught her in a crushing hug. She coughed at the pressure on her ribs. After a few long seconds, she gave him a strained pat on the back.

"You can let go of me now."

He settled her back on the floor.

"You've missed some things while you were gone. Hanako and I broke up, turns out we weren't actually together, at least she said we weren't." he explained with a chagrined tone and blushed cheeks.

"Hanako?" she felt bad for asking, but she had no idea who he was talking about.

"The blonde you helped me with…"

"Oh the blonde!" she exclaimed in recognition "She wasn't the right girl for you. Kind of a bimbo, really."

"You weren't there when me and Kisamaru went out to drown my sorrows…"

He was trying to seem indifferent, but Gohama could sense his dejection. She tore her eyes away from him to her other teammates now reaching them. He shouldn't have expected her to be there. He shouldn't have expected anything from her.

"Good to have you back, Kyura." Kisamaru spoke her clan's name with a soft voice.

"Did you actually miss me, Hyuga?" she joked with him, but the warmth she felt at her team's welcome still seeped through her tone.

Her gaze moved to Hansuke's hazel eyes. He had an annoying knowing smirk, practically screaming to her how right he had been about their team, about her.

"How about we continue with our spar?" he asked, never faltering with his gaze on hers "Gohama and I against the boys."

"Hai." the other two answered and moved to the centre of the field.

Hansuke wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pressed her to his side in a half-hug. "Let's see what that logged body of yours can still do." he teased.

Gohama blushed at his talk about her body. She shoved him away with her shoulder. "It can still do more than you could ever handle, Suke."

Their spar ended with a victory from team Gohama and Hansuke, as was expected. Still, she could definitely feel the strain of a few weeks without training and simply flopping on a bed or couch. Her muscles were painfully sore and her speed had decreased slightly. The team had agreed to meet that night on a quiet, less frequented bar, which Gohama internally thanked, she was definitely not ready for Ippon yet.

The boys went ahead, while she stayed back with Hansuke. They hadn't talked about her two-nights stay at his place and she hoped they wouldn't. He, probably already knowing this, indulged her with that. Still, Gohama had something to ask of him. After days of thinking and now that she had decided to stay on the team, she had pondered about learning kenjutsu. Hansuke was a master at it due to his days as ANBU, he could certainly train her well.

Kenjutsu had become her training priority because of Father. For all her childhood, she had been fascinated and inspired by Father's mastery of the long sword. His tachi was an heirloom that had been in the Kyura for hundreds of years, craftily made and kept. Its beautiful sheath depicted a winter hunting scene where white wolves harmonised with people. It had been made for chakra moulding and, when handling it, Father covered its blade with a powerful layer of chakra. Gohama had always dreamed of once fighting with the sword, moving with same deathliness and prowess as Father. During her time in the Arms, other pressing training had gained priority, but now she could follow on Father's footsteps.

"Hansuke," she called the man walking slightly ahead of her.

He stopped and turned to look at her with a charming smile. "Yes, Gohama?"

She just had to say it, but for some reason, whether concerning her pride or fear of being rejected, it was suddenly very difficult to form the words. "Could you, maybe, train me in kenjutsu?"

His smile turned into a self-satisfied smirk. She already knew what would coming out of that annoying mouth of his. "My, my, Gohama, are you admitting I actually have something to teach you?"

"Are you just going to pester me or take this seriously?"

"I am taking this perfectly seriously."

"So… will you?"

"Only if you beg with "Please, teach me, Hansuke-sensei"." he poorly mimicked the timber of a pleading woman.

"You're a really kinky pervert."

"I won't train you if you don't say it." under his amused tone was an actual demand.

All Gohama did was huff in frustration and stomp away from the training field. She would never fall in his stupid depraved little requests, just so he could mess with her.

Gohama was standing on her building's front door, searching for her key, when an ANBU operative materialised behind her. Had Tsunade found out about her idle weeks and admonish her for that? She turned around with crossed arms and leaned against the door.

"Danzo-sama requests your presence."

Her heart skipped a beat. She would actually have to confront the man, he couldn't just take a hint from her silence. Was he pissed off? Was he planning something? Gohama could imagine he wasn't used to being said no, most powerful people weren't.

"Where?" her voice had a perfected indifferent tone.

"I am to escort you there."

A bead of dread started growing in her stomach. If she were to enter Root grounds, the most likely outcome was to never come out of them. Could she say no to going there? Could she warn someone before? Why hadn't she taken Nikato and Kisamaru to Ichiraku? She was beginning to regret her choice of a quiet dinner in her apartment. At least, if she didn't show up for drinks tonight, the three of them maybe would suspect something.

"Can't I freshen up first? Go to the bathroom?"

"There are bathrooms in the Hokage Tower."

That wasn't so bad. She could do Hokage Tower. She carelessly waved her hand, pointing to the path in front of them. "Escort away."

The Root operative jumped onto a rooftop and she followed suit. In a couple of minutes, they were at the Hokage Tower. Gohama supposed that, as a former Council Elder, Danzo had an office somewhere in the building. They hadn't passed anyone she could warn or ask to give a message. If she were to disappear, the boys would have to realise that by themselves. They walked the long circular corridor, no one crossed their path. The Root stopped in front of an ordinary wooden door, the same as all the other ones there, and knocked.

A drawled out rough voice sounded from inside. "Come in."

The door opened and a wave of malicious chakra swept over her. A shiver ran through her spine. She would never get used to the sinister feel of Danzo's chakra. Despite how much it affected her, Gohama moved forward with haughty steps towards the bandaged man sitting behind a desk. There were no windows in the office and every corner of the room had a Root operative guarding. It wasn't as barren nor wide as the Hokage one, some weapons and tapestries decorated the space.

"Glad you could meet me, Kyura-san." he greeted, as if he had given her a choice.

"Kyura-sama." she corrected.

"And what makes you think you deserve the honorific?"

"I'm the head of the Kyura, one of the noblest clans."

He gave a dry rumble of his throat. "I see you not only have the Kyura bloodline limit, but their conceit as well."

"It's only conceit if it's not deserved. The Kyura deserve every honour."

He leaned against his chair with his fingers crossed under his chin. Gohama focussed on the cross scar in his chin, it was a weird pattern for a facial wound.

"Do they?" he let the rhetorical question linger, while he scrutinized her "You remind me of another massacred noble clan's heir. The same powerful blood, the same arrogance, the same circumstances. Everything points for the same fate."

"I'm not the Uchiha boy."

"No. You're the Kyura girl. The only difference between your stories is that he already chose to follow power. You have the choice now. Will you choose to fight for your clan?"

"Yes."

He leaned forward, a flicker of uncertainty in his eye. "So you accept my invitation to join ANBU? An independent team led by you with operatives of my own. Freedom of movement besides what I ask of you."

Gaara had given her the same offer. She had said no then, she would say no now.

"No."

"Your team is not enough for power. Not even Hatake Kakashi is. "Gohama's stomach flinched at his name. Did Danzo know she had wanted him to train her? How could he? She was always aware of the chakra signatures spying on her" Uchiha Sasuke knew this." another dry chuckle "It seems the Kyura heiress is denser than the Uchiha heir."

"What makes you think you can give me power? What makes you think I want power?"

"You're a Kyura. Your blood is made for power. And there is already unfathomed power in you. I can fathom it. I can truly make it yours."

Was Danzo referring to the ten-tailed beast? He thought she was the jinchuriki. He wanted Seiryu's power. Gohama already suspected this, but having him say it with that demanding sinister tone made another shiver ran through her. A heavy coldness sank on her stomach. Even without making the deal with him, Danzo wouldn't give up on such enormous power, even if he couldn't be sure she even had it. The certainty of her bloodline limit was enough for him to take the risk.

"We both know you only want to make it yours."

"No. I only intend to bring forth the full potential of a dead clan to safeguard my village. You're a Konoha kunoichi now, you should wish the same. Taking this in mind, what is your answer?"

"No." she stated firmly.

He sighed condescendingly and eyed her with intensity. "I would offer you a few more days to gain some reason, but I think the past few weeks alone have been enough brooding for you." Gohama wasn't surprised he knew about her moment of reclusion "I suspect your stay with your team leader persuaded your decision. You've grown quite close."

There was an underlying threat to his comment. The protectiveness part of her rose with full-force, but she quieted it down. Gohama couldn't show she was affected, that would give him leverage over her and jeopardise her team more. He could threatened all he wanted, but if he actually had the audacity to touch one of her teammates, he would regret it. No amount of power or cunning could stop her raging Kyura chakra. He was dangerous, still. Danzo had both brute power, with Root, and influence, with his political games and intel. She was still unsettled by his ability to gain it, it seemed in Konoha every wall had Danzo's ears.

"Not really. You and I both know how crucial it is to leave those around us pleased. A pleased person doesn't question. Better even if they don't know what it is to be pleased or displeased, much less question." her gaze swept over all four Root surrounding the room.

"Kyura-sama, it is good to see you don't take after your father." a sharp, stabbing pang thrust into her heart "It would have been interesting to see you as Yukikage, if your Village was still standing."

"Father was a great, honourable Yukikage. I could only dream to be more like him."

A disturbing smile twisted his lips. "Maybe that's where you fail." She was ready to plunge into the man when the four Root surrounded her. He was amused by her reaction, her insides curled in disgust "I hope you accept the consequences of your final answer." he raised a hand in signal "Until the next time, then."

When the operatives grasped her arms and coaxed her to move, Gohama's muscles flexed and tensed in position for fighting. Would they only imprison her or kill her? Her chakra was already surging towards her skin and hands, when she felt her back hit a wall. The corridor wall. And the door in front of her closed. She dropped her head back on the wall, a long relieved and suffering sigh leaving her lips. This was not the day.

The bar of choice was a dingy one Gohama used to go when needing a drink alone. The patrons were sparse but regular, which helped keep the business up. Most of the noise that night came from their table. Nikato was especially excited, he spent the whole time trying to either rile her up or make her laugh. Halfway through the night, the both of them began their usual drinking contest. Kisamaru was more talkative, he threw every now and then some well thought, almost philosophical comment that made everyone laugh. The little smirk he let out after that told Gohama he was exaggerating for the sake of entertaining them. Hansuke was his typical self, he joked around with all of them. His looks lingered slightly on her, taking note of her behaviour. He was probably making sure she had picked herself up after the last weeks. Honestly, Gohama wouldn't have done so easily without his patient help. His presence was always safe and calming to her, and her stay at his home only increased that. Danzo was right, they had grown quite close, every single one of them, but especially Hansuke.

It terrified her. This little talk with Danzo hadn't helped her dread over getting too attached to her team. However, she was too exhausted to fight it now. She was giving in to it. Pain and loss would come. It always did, at least for her. Now all she could do was protect them as best as she could. Would she fail? Probably. Would she die for them? Could she die for them? Her purpose was her duty to the Arms, dying before would be failing that. Maybe she would, maybe she wouldn't. Only in the moment could she know.

Nikato had his eyes creased, head thrown back and his arms circling his stomach. Shudders racked his entire body as he laughed from a stupid joke Hansuke had made. Kisamaru was also laughing, which in itself was surprising and entertaining enough. His lavender eyes were still open, and his shoulders rocked slightly while he tried to force them into being straight. But his lips were spread wide in an open smile. Hansuke was chuckling with a smug smirk after a well-made joke, waiting for his students to quiet down. Gohama realised her own lips were turning into a smile. She was definitely giving in.

And, in that moment, it was fine, she was fine, they made her fine. She felt her smile soft in wistfulness. Just as her childhood friends, her family and Uncle Tsukate had, her team now made it easier, her boys made it easier. Feeling her gaze on him, Hansuke turned to her, he gave her a warm smile and a squeeze of her hand. He could always read her and he could take care of her. Gohama trusted him. Gohama trusted them. In battle and in life.

When they decided to call it for the night, she was way past due on her alcohol tolerance. Nikato threw himself at her in a tight hug and, either because of the booze or her sentimental mood, she finally returned it, even if with less eagerness. Kisamaru waved and smiled at her, propping his ginger teammate on his shoulder and the last two teammates watched them stumble and chat away. Hansuke offered to walk her home. She dismissed him with a smile and a wave thrown over her shoulder.

It was a biting cold night, if it rained it would likely snow. Gohama looked up at the dark clear sky, the steam cloud from her warm breath rising up. She wished it would snow. Her route continued through the unpaved streets instead of the roofs. She chose to appreciate the cool air in a slow walk. Maybe let it clear her mind and sober her up. She would stumble slightly and curse at her lack of coordination, it didn't matter, though. There was no one in the streets in that neighbourhood and hour, her pride could still hold itself high.

Despite Danzo's invasion, which had irked her deeply, it had been a fine day. Training had been invigorating, she had missed using her chakra to fight and pushing her body, even if now her muscles were whining. Their night of relaxed drinking had helped her pacify her fear. It had been a good decision to leave the discussion over Danzo's talk for another day. She really wasn't in the mood to deal with anything related to that spiteful man.

A chakra signature materialised on the rooftop of the building beside her. Probably another shinobi going home, as she continued on her walk, he followed her path through the roofs. That was slightly disconcerting, but her drunk mind didn't make anything of it. Most shinobi walked on roofs, it was only a coincidence they had the same path. Suddenly, another fifteen of them surrounded her. Strong ones. She really regretted not accepting Hansuke's company back to her apartment, now. It had to be Root. Danzo probably wasn't happy with her answer, he had said something about consequences, hadn't he?

Gohama summoned her chakra-covered tanto and readied herself for combat. Why had she fucking accepted Nikato's drinking challenge? Danzo had to have chosen this ambush perfectly; soon enough for no one to know about their talk and after a night of heavy drinking. Senbon flew towards her, she evaded some of them a little too late for her comfort. Then they jumped towards her. Between the silent and fast attacks coming from all sides – they fought dirty - and her slower reflexes, Gohama could do little besides flailing around with her kicks and blade. At least a couple of them had fallen, still, her thoughts repeated a mantra "This is embarrassing" (and frightening).

She couldn't refrain from using her bloodline limit anymore. As she was coating her skin with a layer of chakra, a sharp pinch hit her back. Senbon. Was it poisoned? Her chakra faltered. It was definitely poisoned. She had to fuck over her pride and teleport out of there. Before she could make the hand seals, a kick hit her side and she was thrown towards another Root, who held her forcefully. Gohama prepared a strong chakra burst, but it never came. Her energy was cemented, heavy and pasted to her core. Her pathways empty.

Fuck. She was done. She had heard of chakra cancelling drugs. Stupid girl. Why had she decided to fight while fucking drunk? Gohama kept fighting the hold on her helplessly. One of the masked shinobi stabbed a vial into her arm. Her head started spinning even more, nauseatingly more, her force on her limbs fading away and soon her conscious had vanished too.