Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Rated PG-13 for: Violence, adult language, adult situations, and suggestive content. Rating will go up in later installments.
* * * * * *
Seven sage-nin from various hidden villages sat silently in a forest clearing, none of the legendary warriors making a sound. The anticipation that hung so heavily in the air, though, said more about the mood than anyone would speak aloud. Expectation and anxiety lingered thickly in the shrouded wood, every eye alert for the slightest motion from the large camouflage-patterned tent that had been so carefully erected for this meeting.
"A ha ha, of course," laughed a voice from inside the tent, causing the strain in the seven gathered terrorists to snap suddenly. All eyes turned to the tent flap as it rustled and was pulled aside, revealing a tall, dark figure. The form stepped silently into the mist of the gathered Atatsuki, and bowed its head. "Good evening, fellow sage ninja," greeted the figure solemnly, its voice smooth and seductive. "May someone start a fire? You will need your eyes during this meeting. Almost immediately, a small flame burst from the ground at the figure's feet, yet the person did not even flinch at the sudden heat. "Ah, thank you. Now, I know that you would all rather be out, indulging in your every desire," there was a murmur of assent at this statement, "but I beseech you to hold on a moment longer."
The speaker, now illuminated, would be able to frighten a child to tears just at the mere glance. Sleek black hair feel unabated to the serpentine man's hips. Slanted yellow eyes, pupils shaped like a snake's, graced his gaunt face. A long, pointy nose led down his chalky face to his seemingly lip-less mouth, which was curved up in a freakish grin. If any wise adult looked at him, they would think that this was not truly a human, rather a snake in a man's skin.
"The Akatsuki is a small group, carefully selecting our members. I will not get into a long-winded speech now, so here you go- the bottom line. I have found a person who seems suitable to join." The clearing was silent, and the serpent man in the center merely smiled. "I will bring them out for your inspection." The tall, lean man turned on his heel and disappeared back into his tent, and the sound of brief scuffling and murmurs could be discerned.
It would be a lie to say that every member of the Akatsuki was not curious as to who this new member was. Surely it was just some man who got past Orochimaru by luck, and would die by the current members' hands as they tested him. That was just the way it was- no one had gotten past the test after Itachi.
All thoughts suddenly turned back to the tent as the flap opened once more, and Orochimaru stepped out, someone behind him. From what the Akatsuki could see, the person behind Orochimaru was shorter by almost a foot, eight inches at least. But, then again, nothing else could be discerned until they entered the firelight. And as they did, everyone let out a silent gasp inside themselves.
The person behind Orochimaru was not some tall, dark, intimidating man- it was a kunoichi, a female ninja. Silky hair, a mixture of both deep orange and golden brown, graced her head. Most of the shiny hair was pulled back in two low buns, held by black ribbons. Two thin sections of hair framed her lovely young face. The heart-shape of her face set off her beauty immediately, though her large, slanted jade eyes surrounded by long, thick lashes were just as- if not more- noticeable. Her eyebrows arched up and back down expectantly. A tiny nose and tanned skin complimented her looks as well. Her mouth, unlike most of the others surrounding her, had full, perfect lips that were colored a dark- almost black- brown, giving her the definite look of a foreigner. Her height, despite her exotic beauty, left something to be desired- she was only about five feet tall, five inches.
Her clothing choice flaunted her lean, muscular body as well. Though she looked to be only about fourteen years of age, her body displayed what many adult women would seek. A black tube top covered her moderately-sized bust, and a long-sleeved mesh shirt was flung on over that, its semitransparent fabric exposing her slim waist. Full hips and thin legs were clothes by white capris, and traditional dark blue sandals graced her tiny feet. Two brown leather belts with small silver studs crossed over her hips, and an emerald necklace hung from her neck down between her breasts.
"What is this, a joke Orochimaru-sama?" asked one of the terrorist group members, amusement in his voice. "Look, we know its been a while, but-"
"I'm not here for your personal enjoyment," said the girl in a low, threatening voice, immediately silencing the speaker. Her dark jade eyes flashed brightly for a moment, but then returned to their original color.
"Yes, well, as she has stated, Tora is not here for our pleasure," Orochimaru chuckled. "I have brought her here as a potential Akatsuki member. Would anyone care to test her abilities before we initiate her?" There was silence for a moment.
"I want to challenge her," said one icy voice from the dark. All eyes darted to the speaker- Itachi. The teenager stepped out of the shadows and approached the young girl silently, their eyes never leaving each other's. Itachi stopped exactly one foot away from Tora, and Orochimaru stepped away to the sides of the clearing.
"Feel free to begin whenever you wish, now. Oh yes- and I'd prefer it if you both survived," the serpentine ringleader said calmly.
"I hope you realize what you have gotten yourself into," Itachi whispered, his indifferent expression unwavering.
"I know what I have done," Tora replied, something like sadness in her husky whisper. She stared back at Itachi placidly, cool wisps of golden chakra emanating from her lean form.
"Begin," Orochimaru instructed.
* * * * * *
Preview for Chapter Three: In a battle expected to be fought to the death, who is going down?
Rated PG-13 for: Violence, adult language, adult situations, and suggestive content. Rating will go up in later installments.
* * * * * *
Seven sage-nin from various hidden villages sat silently in a forest clearing, none of the legendary warriors making a sound. The anticipation that hung so heavily in the air, though, said more about the mood than anyone would speak aloud. Expectation and anxiety lingered thickly in the shrouded wood, every eye alert for the slightest motion from the large camouflage-patterned tent that had been so carefully erected for this meeting.
"A ha ha, of course," laughed a voice from inside the tent, causing the strain in the seven gathered terrorists to snap suddenly. All eyes turned to the tent flap as it rustled and was pulled aside, revealing a tall, dark figure. The form stepped silently into the mist of the gathered Atatsuki, and bowed its head. "Good evening, fellow sage ninja," greeted the figure solemnly, its voice smooth and seductive. "May someone start a fire? You will need your eyes during this meeting. Almost immediately, a small flame burst from the ground at the figure's feet, yet the person did not even flinch at the sudden heat. "Ah, thank you. Now, I know that you would all rather be out, indulging in your every desire," there was a murmur of assent at this statement, "but I beseech you to hold on a moment longer."
The speaker, now illuminated, would be able to frighten a child to tears just at the mere glance. Sleek black hair feel unabated to the serpentine man's hips. Slanted yellow eyes, pupils shaped like a snake's, graced his gaunt face. A long, pointy nose led down his chalky face to his seemingly lip-less mouth, which was curved up in a freakish grin. If any wise adult looked at him, they would think that this was not truly a human, rather a snake in a man's skin.
"The Akatsuki is a small group, carefully selecting our members. I will not get into a long-winded speech now, so here you go- the bottom line. I have found a person who seems suitable to join." The clearing was silent, and the serpent man in the center merely smiled. "I will bring them out for your inspection." The tall, lean man turned on his heel and disappeared back into his tent, and the sound of brief scuffling and murmurs could be discerned.
It would be a lie to say that every member of the Akatsuki was not curious as to who this new member was. Surely it was just some man who got past Orochimaru by luck, and would die by the current members' hands as they tested him. That was just the way it was- no one had gotten past the test after Itachi.
All thoughts suddenly turned back to the tent as the flap opened once more, and Orochimaru stepped out, someone behind him. From what the Akatsuki could see, the person behind Orochimaru was shorter by almost a foot, eight inches at least. But, then again, nothing else could be discerned until they entered the firelight. And as they did, everyone let out a silent gasp inside themselves.
The person behind Orochimaru was not some tall, dark, intimidating man- it was a kunoichi, a female ninja. Silky hair, a mixture of both deep orange and golden brown, graced her head. Most of the shiny hair was pulled back in two low buns, held by black ribbons. Two thin sections of hair framed her lovely young face. The heart-shape of her face set off her beauty immediately, though her large, slanted jade eyes surrounded by long, thick lashes were just as- if not more- noticeable. Her eyebrows arched up and back down expectantly. A tiny nose and tanned skin complimented her looks as well. Her mouth, unlike most of the others surrounding her, had full, perfect lips that were colored a dark- almost black- brown, giving her the definite look of a foreigner. Her height, despite her exotic beauty, left something to be desired- she was only about five feet tall, five inches.
Her clothing choice flaunted her lean, muscular body as well. Though she looked to be only about fourteen years of age, her body displayed what many adult women would seek. A black tube top covered her moderately-sized bust, and a long-sleeved mesh shirt was flung on over that, its semitransparent fabric exposing her slim waist. Full hips and thin legs were clothes by white capris, and traditional dark blue sandals graced her tiny feet. Two brown leather belts with small silver studs crossed over her hips, and an emerald necklace hung from her neck down between her breasts.
"What is this, a joke Orochimaru-sama?" asked one of the terrorist group members, amusement in his voice. "Look, we know its been a while, but-"
"I'm not here for your personal enjoyment," said the girl in a low, threatening voice, immediately silencing the speaker. Her dark jade eyes flashed brightly for a moment, but then returned to their original color.
"Yes, well, as she has stated, Tora is not here for our pleasure," Orochimaru chuckled. "I have brought her here as a potential Akatsuki member. Would anyone care to test her abilities before we initiate her?" There was silence for a moment.
"I want to challenge her," said one icy voice from the dark. All eyes darted to the speaker- Itachi. The teenager stepped out of the shadows and approached the young girl silently, their eyes never leaving each other's. Itachi stopped exactly one foot away from Tora, and Orochimaru stepped away to the sides of the clearing.
"Feel free to begin whenever you wish, now. Oh yes- and I'd prefer it if you both survived," the serpentine ringleader said calmly.
"I hope you realize what you have gotten yourself into," Itachi whispered, his indifferent expression unwavering.
"I know what I have done," Tora replied, something like sadness in her husky whisper. She stared back at Itachi placidly, cool wisps of golden chakra emanating from her lean form.
"Begin," Orochimaru instructed.
* * * * * *
Preview for Chapter Three: In a battle expected to be fought to the death, who is going down?