Notice: I do not own Naruto, and make no claims of copyright on the
characters who are not my property. Original characters, however, are mine.
Author's Notes: Alright new chapter, my pace has quickened, mostly from having little to do over memorial day weekend. For the action inclined, sorry, no fighting in this chapter, but I promise things are about get rather substantially violent and pretty much stay that way as things continue. For anyone who cares about the whether Neji is dead issue, feel free to email me your thoughts and I'll respond with my own (lengthy) view on the matter, but I won't discuss it here.
Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviews, I'll try to keep things going quickly now!
A Cold Parting
"No!" Xi barked. "Do it again, both of you! Shiren, you're letting your control slip when you contact the wood. Neji, focus dammit! That move requires power behind it, willingness to strike, hit hard! Now, again!"
The commands were harsh in the cold air, and the dragon ninja merciless upon his two pupils. Again and again the commands, the instructions, beating on the spirit, with no breaks or pauses, only the unceasing training. The cold mountain air was raw in the lungs after only a few breaths, and under the pressures of such exertions as these it burned terribly, scorching and agonizing. Xi refused to let up, he pushed them hard, again and again, Dragon Rend, Dragon Swipe, two different moves, one purpose, to push the killing techniques into his students, to force them to learn them.
For three days they had trained in this brutal fashion, practicing until their chakra ran out, pausing only long enough to recover it, and then practicing some more. It was horrible to endure, falling down at the edge of the field almost everyday, Shiren and Neji staring into each other's eyes wondering when it would let up, but they did not complain. Not an ounce, they understood.
Xi's purpose was twofold, to make them learn the jutsus the only way he knew, by endless repetition until complete precision was achieved, and to build strength and stamina. When their chakra was exhausted he did not give breaks, but they went through exercises and runs, forcing them to become more capable. The frozen ground was murderous on the feet, and running through the snow in boots felt like you were dragging a great weight on your feet, but it made a person strong.
"Be grateful." Xi had said at the end of the first day. "We have a month before storms abate below us and it becomes possible to take the roads south again with ease. A month to train, so we will make the most of it, because when this month is over the world will begin moving again. It is luck that brings us this hard place to build strength. You will need strength." He had said sternly. Quietly he had added. "As will I."
Indeed Shiren and Neji could not even contemplate complaining, for as hard as Xi pushed them he pushed himself harder. There is some demon driving him. Neji thought, he is preparing for something and he does not think he is ready. It was obvious to Neji, but he could not fathom what could make Xi push himself so. The older ninja's reserves of stamina were incredible, his strength tremendous. His chakra potential had long since reached its maximum, but Xi would sprint through ice caves on the ceilings to improve his control, and leap up frozen cliffs and waterfalls. He did not spar against opponents, but set extraordinarily exacting courses, where even he failed to hit targets, and would try them again and again until he got them perfectly.
Several stone ninja had stopped by to watch him at times. "This dragon ninja is insane." One of them told Neji.
"No, he is preparing the best way for our type." Neji answered derisively, and stopped bothering to recognize the presence of stone ninja.
The day wore on interminably. I am not making progress. Neji decided. Shiren is, I can see it, and she is getting better at forming blades. It is difficult, and it will take time, but she will learn the jutsu eventually. I...I am stuck, why am I not advancing. I know how to do the jutsu, I apply the right amount of chakra at the right time, and I can perform everything flawlessly, so why does it not work? There must be a mistake I'm missing, something that is preventing me from fixing it. Neji searched constantly for any mistake, using all his senses and his enhanced vision; by he could not find anything. Xi railed at him, but the older ninja's words did not inspire him, did not provide any opportunity.
When darkness totally covered the mountainside Xi finally told them to stop. "Enough. That's...enough." He spoke though gasping breaths, as his students likewise tried to haul in as much air as they possibly could. "We will go in for the evening now, any more and injury is the likely result. Come."
They walked back slowly, over a path long since beaten into the deep snow. No longer exerting themselves to their utmost they became conscious of the bitter cold. Neji and Shiren walked close together, side-by-side, and staring at Xi's back. She offered a weak smile, as she had the two nights before, but they had no more strength to say anything.
As always, Neji found himself confused by his feelings for Shiren. He had difficulty saying anything of meaning to her, but he knew Shiren could easily detect that. Likewise she said little to him, but gave him those soft and quiet smiles that made him quiver inside. It was an impermanent situation, they could both tell, but at the moment Xi pushed them too hard to make time for anything more. Stumbling back to their loggings to desperately consume their hot dinner, and then doing little more but collapsing onto their pallets at night left little space for conversation. Though Neji recognized that his pallet was ever so slowly creeping nearer to Shiren's, and made no move to avert that progression.
During this meal there was a small deviation from the norm. Xi put down his chopsticks and looked at both of his students, causing them to pause as well. "We will have a different routine tomorrow." He told them levelly. "Tomorrow the Raikage and his lightning ninja are leaving, so we will take the time to say goodbye at least. That will take up much of the morning, and I intend to make up the time in the afternoon." Xi looked into the eyes of Neji and Shiren in turn. "Once tomorrow is over there will be no pauses until this month is done. I intend to have you two ready to go once the passes are melted enough for our passage. Shiren, it is your objective to learn Rend by then. Neji, I know and you know that you can do these jutsus. You must find what is holding you back and rid yourself of it, and you must strengthen your body. You have yet to reach your full strength, that is almost as important as the jutsus."
With that Xi stood up and left, leaving for his own room, the room that he never slept in. Neji and Shiren continuously wondered at that, but had yet to pierce the mystery.
They returned to their meal, making sure to finish everything, recognizing how much they needed the energy, how draining the hard work in the snow was. When they were done they turned to each other. "One month then." Neji muttered. "It will be a long time."
"I wonder why he is keeping us here." Shiren considered. "We could forge our way through the passes the same as Raikage-sama, we could even leave with him if we wished."
"There is certainly a reason." Neji decided. "Likely the same one as why Xi pushes himself so hard. Perhaps we can glimpse it tomorrow."
They said nothing more before going to the room they shared and collapsing into sleep, Neji's last glimpse before sleep took him was of Shiren's calm face.
The morning comes with a chill wind, and snow falls lightly as ninja scramble about at the edge of the village of stone. They number perhaps a dozen, young ninja and adults, skilled and unskilled. They strap baggage to bulls and donkeys, loading down the fur wrapped animals only lightly, realizing that a heavy load would be crippling given the snowy reaches they must cross. A single jounin gives them orders, and the group, mostly chuunin obeys with some grumbling. Two identical youths, the Monihii twins, are part of the loading, and they grumble the most, for they are given the most thankless of tasks, cleaning up after the animals.
Behind one of the teams of oxen is a large cart filled with straw and blankets, all the other ninja avoid looking at the silent cart, save the two who stand to one side. One is tall and imperious, wearing his white robes and hat with their light blue symbols and the ever-present sword on his back, the Raikage. Next to him stands Kabure Gosain. The chuunin is uncomfortable, standing near the stern-faced kage, and he fiddles with the pole in his hand, wondering why he is not part of the loading. He suspects the reason is so not to antagonize the Monihii twins, but Gosain sees no reason why offending their sensibilities is a problem. So he is left staring at that quiet cart, the vehicle that contains the immobile form of Yilosi Nemari.
The crippled ninja cannot move, and his blankets and straw are piled high enough that he cannot see Gosain watching him. If he could he would likely be spouting a stream of curses, as he had before when he glimpsed Gosain walk by, but curses were the only vent to his hatred now. Looking at the cart, hastily rigged to attempt to carry Nemari over the mountains, Gosain felt compelled to ask the question. "Raikage-sama, were attempts made to heal him?" It was a strange query, for Gosain found that he truly did not care the moment the words slipped from his mouth. He had put Nemari and everything he represented behind him when he heard he had been made a chuunin.
"An attempt was made, the Examiner, Special Jounin Acade, insisted upon it." Raikage replied, leaving the implications unsaid. "The best medical ninja in Hidden Stone tried and failed. The cut you made was too deep and clean, no medical technique can reattach the severed nerves and slashed bones. I doubt even the fabled Tsunade who serves as the Hokage could perform that trick." The words were relayed matter-of-factly, the Raikage hiding his feelings, something Gosain had noticed the man did commonly, letting anything slip only when his anger overwhelmed his control, something that had only happened once, when Nemari had his bed wheeled in while the Raikage visited him and demanded Gosain's death.
Gosain trembled to remember the man's rage then. He suspected that had Nemari not been crippled Raikage would have had him whipped to the edge of his life and run ragged about the whole village. As it was Raikage railed at Nemari and informed him in cruel words that he was dismissed forever from the ranks of Lightning's ninja and he should thank the fates for his disability, or he might face death for his use of forbidden jutsu.
Though they had spoken little and met only a few times Gosain found he had great respect for Raikage, a man he had always considered very distant and someone unaware of his problems. Now, seeing how the man carried himself, how he forced himself to control the great anger he felt at so many inefficiencies and political artifices, Gosain admired the man. I have little use for politics myself, it has always gotten me and my companions hurt. I would rather fight, and I sense Raikage-sama would as well.
"Ah, they have come." Raikage's voice broke Gosain from his revere.
Gosain looked out into the cold and snowy hills, following Raikage's gaze. There he saw them approach, three figures, two men and one woman. The one to whom he owed the rank of chuunin, Xi, and his teammates, perhaps he even dared call them friends, Neji and Shiren. Looking out though, Gosain saw another figure, one coming out to the party from the north side, wearing the clothes of a stone ninja, but wearing a sword as a samurai does. Gosain did not recognize him, but he stiffened in readiness, wondering what the presence of a stone ninja foretold.
However, he quickly pushed that vision to the edge of his mind, and turned to Xi, Neji, and Shiren.
Xi was in front, his slightly longer stride and forcible walk propelling him ahead of his students. He approached Gosain and Raikage.
Gosain held out his hand to Xi. "Thank you once more for letting me travel with your team, so that I became a chuunin."
Xi gave the hand a cold look, filled with iron, then took it in his own gloved hand and gave a single shake. "I needed you as part of the team just as much. There is no debt between us." Then he turned to Raikage.
The leader of Hidden Cloud stepped away from Gosain. "I leave you to say goodbye to your friends. I have some words yet to speak to the dragon ninja."
Neji and Shiren stood in front of Gosain. Neji extended his hand first, and shook Gosain's firmly. Gosain met those strange white eyes without fear or trepidation, and he was rewarded with the slightest hint of smile from Neji. Neji looked at Gosain, and decided to speak what he really thought. "I appreciated your companionship, Kabure Gosain, and am sorry it is over." He paused, looking past Gosain for a moment, and the lightning ninja could have sworn Neji glanced at Shiren, though he could tell little from those pupil-less eyes. "Should I ever come to your village perhaps we can talk. I hope we never become enemies."
"Ah." Gosain said. "I suspect I would not live long if we did." It was a joking comment, but Neji looked into Gosain's dark eyes and saw the fear there. He knows we would not hesitate if it came to that, and he thinks I would kill him. But I would not, I would not, it would not need to be killing. He told himself that even as he felt a crawling sensation within, and was not so sure. Do you believe that? It is not so easy. It seemed to whisper, and Neji had a horrible sensation that the voice that spoke the words was Gosain's own.
"I truly hope that never happens." Neji managed to reply after the uncomfortable pause Gosain's remark had left. Then he stepped back.
Shiren greeted Gosain with a smile. "Thank you for coming with us Gosain." She said happily. "You helped us both through all the trials here, and without you we would not have succeeded. I hope I will see you again as soon as fate and missions allow."
"I hope so as well, both of you." Gosain managed a smile from his own grim and lined face. It stretched his scars uncomfortably to do not, but then, perhaps he just was not used to smiling. "You may well have broken my curse, and that much is worth at least as much as becoming a chuunin." His smiled faded as he continued more quietly. "This time I am not leaving anyone behind."
Shiren shook Gosain's hand then, and embraced him gently for a moment. "Keep watch at home for us." Shiren whispered to him. "I don't like the look Xi gave Raikage-sama."
"Ah." Gosain grunted as Shiren released him. "I'll do that. Watch your own backs, both of you, you've made some enemies here, and Xi is not the type to protect anyone."
"We will be careful." Neji answered. "Now it seems it is time for you to leave." He pointed out the returning Raikage and Xi.
"So the dragon ninja is staying, and there number has increased." The voice was hard-edged, accusational. "This is not what I expected."
Neji, Shiren, and Gosain turned their heads to see that the voice had come from the stone ninja, the man they had mostly been ignoring while they said their goodbyes. He was young, perhaps seventeen years old at most, a year younger than Gosain, he was nondescript, but his wiry form held a quickness and power that Neji noted instantly, and his eyes had a crystalline clarity that was complete focused on those before him. His right hand was on the hilt of the sword hanging at his side, and Neji saw by his stance that he was able to draw and cut instantaneously.
"What do you want, Kataishi Dar?" Xi remarked without turning to look at the stone ninja.
"Kataishi Dar?" The Raikage whirled about to look at the stone ninja, and his eyes narrowed when he saw him. "You are awfully bold for a chuunin. Do you have no duties to be about?"
"At the moment no, and I wished to see for myself what the situation was. Tsuchikage-sama plays the cards close to his chest. I expected that you would all go back to your village, or failing that only the dragon ninja would stay." Dar released his sword hilt. "It seems I was mistaken, the situation has become far more interesting."
"You are being far too curious for your own good." Raikage replied. "All matters between our villages have been settled between myself and Tsuchikage, you have no business prowling about."
"The chuunin is not here for you, soldier." Xi snapped offhandedly, and Neji almost stumbled when he heard the Raikage referred to that way. Shiren and Gosain's heads snapped around, but their kage did not react to the slight, instead he seemed accustomed to it. "He's here to watch me."
Dar nodded silently, and a grim smile crossed his lips.
"Enough boy, the dragon ninja are not leaving, and you can watch us plenty more while we train, if you truly wish. Leave these others to their leave-taking." Xi's eyes were cold, and they threatened much if he was not obeyed.
"As you will, I have learned what I came for anyway." Dar turned a quick about face and strode off in the other direction, not bothering to look back.
"That one knows how far to push things entirely too well." The Raikage muttered as Dar's back receded from view.
"No so well as he thinks." Xi remarked. "But we have lingered here too long soldier. There's work to do."
"Yes, there is." Raikage turned away from Xi. "Remember my commands, and that I am the law of Lightning still, dragon ninja. Do not forget that."
"I will remember." Xi said in a voice that seemed to freeze the moment the words left his mouth. "I will not fail."
The three dragon ninja watched the Lightning ninja get on their bulls and drive the donkeys and oxen forward, the Raikage and Gosain walking side by side as they headed down from the mountain saddle that held the village of Stone. Soon they were lost in the snow. "That's enough." Xi told them. "Let's get back to work."
Author's Notes: Alright new chapter, my pace has quickened, mostly from having little to do over memorial day weekend. For the action inclined, sorry, no fighting in this chapter, but I promise things are about get rather substantially violent and pretty much stay that way as things continue. For anyone who cares about the whether Neji is dead issue, feel free to email me your thoughts and I'll respond with my own (lengthy) view on the matter, but I won't discuss it here.
Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviews, I'll try to keep things going quickly now!
A Cold Parting
"No!" Xi barked. "Do it again, both of you! Shiren, you're letting your control slip when you contact the wood. Neji, focus dammit! That move requires power behind it, willingness to strike, hit hard! Now, again!"
The commands were harsh in the cold air, and the dragon ninja merciless upon his two pupils. Again and again the commands, the instructions, beating on the spirit, with no breaks or pauses, only the unceasing training. The cold mountain air was raw in the lungs after only a few breaths, and under the pressures of such exertions as these it burned terribly, scorching and agonizing. Xi refused to let up, he pushed them hard, again and again, Dragon Rend, Dragon Swipe, two different moves, one purpose, to push the killing techniques into his students, to force them to learn them.
For three days they had trained in this brutal fashion, practicing until their chakra ran out, pausing only long enough to recover it, and then practicing some more. It was horrible to endure, falling down at the edge of the field almost everyday, Shiren and Neji staring into each other's eyes wondering when it would let up, but they did not complain. Not an ounce, they understood.
Xi's purpose was twofold, to make them learn the jutsus the only way he knew, by endless repetition until complete precision was achieved, and to build strength and stamina. When their chakra was exhausted he did not give breaks, but they went through exercises and runs, forcing them to become more capable. The frozen ground was murderous on the feet, and running through the snow in boots felt like you were dragging a great weight on your feet, but it made a person strong.
"Be grateful." Xi had said at the end of the first day. "We have a month before storms abate below us and it becomes possible to take the roads south again with ease. A month to train, so we will make the most of it, because when this month is over the world will begin moving again. It is luck that brings us this hard place to build strength. You will need strength." He had said sternly. Quietly he had added. "As will I."
Indeed Shiren and Neji could not even contemplate complaining, for as hard as Xi pushed them he pushed himself harder. There is some demon driving him. Neji thought, he is preparing for something and he does not think he is ready. It was obvious to Neji, but he could not fathom what could make Xi push himself so. The older ninja's reserves of stamina were incredible, his strength tremendous. His chakra potential had long since reached its maximum, but Xi would sprint through ice caves on the ceilings to improve his control, and leap up frozen cliffs and waterfalls. He did not spar against opponents, but set extraordinarily exacting courses, where even he failed to hit targets, and would try them again and again until he got them perfectly.
Several stone ninja had stopped by to watch him at times. "This dragon ninja is insane." One of them told Neji.
"No, he is preparing the best way for our type." Neji answered derisively, and stopped bothering to recognize the presence of stone ninja.
The day wore on interminably. I am not making progress. Neji decided. Shiren is, I can see it, and she is getting better at forming blades. It is difficult, and it will take time, but she will learn the jutsu eventually. I...I am stuck, why am I not advancing. I know how to do the jutsu, I apply the right amount of chakra at the right time, and I can perform everything flawlessly, so why does it not work? There must be a mistake I'm missing, something that is preventing me from fixing it. Neji searched constantly for any mistake, using all his senses and his enhanced vision; by he could not find anything. Xi railed at him, but the older ninja's words did not inspire him, did not provide any opportunity.
When darkness totally covered the mountainside Xi finally told them to stop. "Enough. That's...enough." He spoke though gasping breaths, as his students likewise tried to haul in as much air as they possibly could. "We will go in for the evening now, any more and injury is the likely result. Come."
They walked back slowly, over a path long since beaten into the deep snow. No longer exerting themselves to their utmost they became conscious of the bitter cold. Neji and Shiren walked close together, side-by-side, and staring at Xi's back. She offered a weak smile, as she had the two nights before, but they had no more strength to say anything.
As always, Neji found himself confused by his feelings for Shiren. He had difficulty saying anything of meaning to her, but he knew Shiren could easily detect that. Likewise she said little to him, but gave him those soft and quiet smiles that made him quiver inside. It was an impermanent situation, they could both tell, but at the moment Xi pushed them too hard to make time for anything more. Stumbling back to their loggings to desperately consume their hot dinner, and then doing little more but collapsing onto their pallets at night left little space for conversation. Though Neji recognized that his pallet was ever so slowly creeping nearer to Shiren's, and made no move to avert that progression.
During this meal there was a small deviation from the norm. Xi put down his chopsticks and looked at both of his students, causing them to pause as well. "We will have a different routine tomorrow." He told them levelly. "Tomorrow the Raikage and his lightning ninja are leaving, so we will take the time to say goodbye at least. That will take up much of the morning, and I intend to make up the time in the afternoon." Xi looked into the eyes of Neji and Shiren in turn. "Once tomorrow is over there will be no pauses until this month is done. I intend to have you two ready to go once the passes are melted enough for our passage. Shiren, it is your objective to learn Rend by then. Neji, I know and you know that you can do these jutsus. You must find what is holding you back and rid yourself of it, and you must strengthen your body. You have yet to reach your full strength, that is almost as important as the jutsus."
With that Xi stood up and left, leaving for his own room, the room that he never slept in. Neji and Shiren continuously wondered at that, but had yet to pierce the mystery.
They returned to their meal, making sure to finish everything, recognizing how much they needed the energy, how draining the hard work in the snow was. When they were done they turned to each other. "One month then." Neji muttered. "It will be a long time."
"I wonder why he is keeping us here." Shiren considered. "We could forge our way through the passes the same as Raikage-sama, we could even leave with him if we wished."
"There is certainly a reason." Neji decided. "Likely the same one as why Xi pushes himself so hard. Perhaps we can glimpse it tomorrow."
They said nothing more before going to the room they shared and collapsing into sleep, Neji's last glimpse before sleep took him was of Shiren's calm face.
The morning comes with a chill wind, and snow falls lightly as ninja scramble about at the edge of the village of stone. They number perhaps a dozen, young ninja and adults, skilled and unskilled. They strap baggage to bulls and donkeys, loading down the fur wrapped animals only lightly, realizing that a heavy load would be crippling given the snowy reaches they must cross. A single jounin gives them orders, and the group, mostly chuunin obeys with some grumbling. Two identical youths, the Monihii twins, are part of the loading, and they grumble the most, for they are given the most thankless of tasks, cleaning up after the animals.
Behind one of the teams of oxen is a large cart filled with straw and blankets, all the other ninja avoid looking at the silent cart, save the two who stand to one side. One is tall and imperious, wearing his white robes and hat with their light blue symbols and the ever-present sword on his back, the Raikage. Next to him stands Kabure Gosain. The chuunin is uncomfortable, standing near the stern-faced kage, and he fiddles with the pole in his hand, wondering why he is not part of the loading. He suspects the reason is so not to antagonize the Monihii twins, but Gosain sees no reason why offending their sensibilities is a problem. So he is left staring at that quiet cart, the vehicle that contains the immobile form of Yilosi Nemari.
The crippled ninja cannot move, and his blankets and straw are piled high enough that he cannot see Gosain watching him. If he could he would likely be spouting a stream of curses, as he had before when he glimpsed Gosain walk by, but curses were the only vent to his hatred now. Looking at the cart, hastily rigged to attempt to carry Nemari over the mountains, Gosain felt compelled to ask the question. "Raikage-sama, were attempts made to heal him?" It was a strange query, for Gosain found that he truly did not care the moment the words slipped from his mouth. He had put Nemari and everything he represented behind him when he heard he had been made a chuunin.
"An attempt was made, the Examiner, Special Jounin Acade, insisted upon it." Raikage replied, leaving the implications unsaid. "The best medical ninja in Hidden Stone tried and failed. The cut you made was too deep and clean, no medical technique can reattach the severed nerves and slashed bones. I doubt even the fabled Tsunade who serves as the Hokage could perform that trick." The words were relayed matter-of-factly, the Raikage hiding his feelings, something Gosain had noticed the man did commonly, letting anything slip only when his anger overwhelmed his control, something that had only happened once, when Nemari had his bed wheeled in while the Raikage visited him and demanded Gosain's death.
Gosain trembled to remember the man's rage then. He suspected that had Nemari not been crippled Raikage would have had him whipped to the edge of his life and run ragged about the whole village. As it was Raikage railed at Nemari and informed him in cruel words that he was dismissed forever from the ranks of Lightning's ninja and he should thank the fates for his disability, or he might face death for his use of forbidden jutsu.
Though they had spoken little and met only a few times Gosain found he had great respect for Raikage, a man he had always considered very distant and someone unaware of his problems. Now, seeing how the man carried himself, how he forced himself to control the great anger he felt at so many inefficiencies and political artifices, Gosain admired the man. I have little use for politics myself, it has always gotten me and my companions hurt. I would rather fight, and I sense Raikage-sama would as well.
"Ah, they have come." Raikage's voice broke Gosain from his revere.
Gosain looked out into the cold and snowy hills, following Raikage's gaze. There he saw them approach, three figures, two men and one woman. The one to whom he owed the rank of chuunin, Xi, and his teammates, perhaps he even dared call them friends, Neji and Shiren. Looking out though, Gosain saw another figure, one coming out to the party from the north side, wearing the clothes of a stone ninja, but wearing a sword as a samurai does. Gosain did not recognize him, but he stiffened in readiness, wondering what the presence of a stone ninja foretold.
However, he quickly pushed that vision to the edge of his mind, and turned to Xi, Neji, and Shiren.
Xi was in front, his slightly longer stride and forcible walk propelling him ahead of his students. He approached Gosain and Raikage.
Gosain held out his hand to Xi. "Thank you once more for letting me travel with your team, so that I became a chuunin."
Xi gave the hand a cold look, filled with iron, then took it in his own gloved hand and gave a single shake. "I needed you as part of the team just as much. There is no debt between us." Then he turned to Raikage.
The leader of Hidden Cloud stepped away from Gosain. "I leave you to say goodbye to your friends. I have some words yet to speak to the dragon ninja."
Neji and Shiren stood in front of Gosain. Neji extended his hand first, and shook Gosain's firmly. Gosain met those strange white eyes without fear or trepidation, and he was rewarded with the slightest hint of smile from Neji. Neji looked at Gosain, and decided to speak what he really thought. "I appreciated your companionship, Kabure Gosain, and am sorry it is over." He paused, looking past Gosain for a moment, and the lightning ninja could have sworn Neji glanced at Shiren, though he could tell little from those pupil-less eyes. "Should I ever come to your village perhaps we can talk. I hope we never become enemies."
"Ah." Gosain said. "I suspect I would not live long if we did." It was a joking comment, but Neji looked into Gosain's dark eyes and saw the fear there. He knows we would not hesitate if it came to that, and he thinks I would kill him. But I would not, I would not, it would not need to be killing. He told himself that even as he felt a crawling sensation within, and was not so sure. Do you believe that? It is not so easy. It seemed to whisper, and Neji had a horrible sensation that the voice that spoke the words was Gosain's own.
"I truly hope that never happens." Neji managed to reply after the uncomfortable pause Gosain's remark had left. Then he stepped back.
Shiren greeted Gosain with a smile. "Thank you for coming with us Gosain." She said happily. "You helped us both through all the trials here, and without you we would not have succeeded. I hope I will see you again as soon as fate and missions allow."
"I hope so as well, both of you." Gosain managed a smile from his own grim and lined face. It stretched his scars uncomfortably to do not, but then, perhaps he just was not used to smiling. "You may well have broken my curse, and that much is worth at least as much as becoming a chuunin." His smiled faded as he continued more quietly. "This time I am not leaving anyone behind."
Shiren shook Gosain's hand then, and embraced him gently for a moment. "Keep watch at home for us." Shiren whispered to him. "I don't like the look Xi gave Raikage-sama."
"Ah." Gosain grunted as Shiren released him. "I'll do that. Watch your own backs, both of you, you've made some enemies here, and Xi is not the type to protect anyone."
"We will be careful." Neji answered. "Now it seems it is time for you to leave." He pointed out the returning Raikage and Xi.
"So the dragon ninja is staying, and there number has increased." The voice was hard-edged, accusational. "This is not what I expected."
Neji, Shiren, and Gosain turned their heads to see that the voice had come from the stone ninja, the man they had mostly been ignoring while they said their goodbyes. He was young, perhaps seventeen years old at most, a year younger than Gosain, he was nondescript, but his wiry form held a quickness and power that Neji noted instantly, and his eyes had a crystalline clarity that was complete focused on those before him. His right hand was on the hilt of the sword hanging at his side, and Neji saw by his stance that he was able to draw and cut instantaneously.
"What do you want, Kataishi Dar?" Xi remarked without turning to look at the stone ninja.
"Kataishi Dar?" The Raikage whirled about to look at the stone ninja, and his eyes narrowed when he saw him. "You are awfully bold for a chuunin. Do you have no duties to be about?"
"At the moment no, and I wished to see for myself what the situation was. Tsuchikage-sama plays the cards close to his chest. I expected that you would all go back to your village, or failing that only the dragon ninja would stay." Dar released his sword hilt. "It seems I was mistaken, the situation has become far more interesting."
"You are being far too curious for your own good." Raikage replied. "All matters between our villages have been settled between myself and Tsuchikage, you have no business prowling about."
"The chuunin is not here for you, soldier." Xi snapped offhandedly, and Neji almost stumbled when he heard the Raikage referred to that way. Shiren and Gosain's heads snapped around, but their kage did not react to the slight, instead he seemed accustomed to it. "He's here to watch me."
Dar nodded silently, and a grim smile crossed his lips.
"Enough boy, the dragon ninja are not leaving, and you can watch us plenty more while we train, if you truly wish. Leave these others to their leave-taking." Xi's eyes were cold, and they threatened much if he was not obeyed.
"As you will, I have learned what I came for anyway." Dar turned a quick about face and strode off in the other direction, not bothering to look back.
"That one knows how far to push things entirely too well." The Raikage muttered as Dar's back receded from view.
"No so well as he thinks." Xi remarked. "But we have lingered here too long soldier. There's work to do."
"Yes, there is." Raikage turned away from Xi. "Remember my commands, and that I am the law of Lightning still, dragon ninja. Do not forget that."
"I will remember." Xi said in a voice that seemed to freeze the moment the words left his mouth. "I will not fail."
The three dragon ninja watched the Lightning ninja get on their bulls and drive the donkeys and oxen forward, the Raikage and Gosain walking side by side as they headed down from the mountain saddle that held the village of Stone. Soon they were lost in the snow. "That's enough." Xi told them. "Let's get back to work."