NO ROMANCE. There's enough for everyone in already, no need for me to add.
IIII
It's been a short week, travelling north through the white snow, beautiful forests and majestic mountains. For about a month, Naruto travelled alone, but not anymore. Having companions, made travelling all the more enjoyable, even when Naruto knows little of his companions.
Chitsuki had been awfully quiet, her eyes told she was trying to remember some parts of her past, but couldn't. In fact, she'd probably be wondering why she decided to tag along with Naruto to begin with. As for Seshiro, Naruto had been slowly teaching him basics of the art of a ninja, things taught when he was in the academy, things learnt when he was but a small child.
A group divided, yet still travels together. Strange, but Naruto felt he had to form some basic unity and purpose for all of them. A reason good enough for all of them to band together.
Thus, he approached Chitsuki, while she is still deep in her thoughts.
"Chitsuki."
She snapped, "Huh?" Then, her platinum eyes observed Naruto. "What?"
"Recall anything?"
"...Erm... No."
"Well, since you said you are a missing-nin, that means you have no home to return to, am I right?"
She sighed. "Yeah."
"Then, why don't travel with us, help the both of us rookies? You do remember you are a jounin, after all. So... Why don't you, as a jounin, train us? It'll be something to occupy you while you search for your memories."
"...Only some of my memories are lost, you know. Don't make it seem so bad." She gave a small laugh. "AH, why not. You're a missing nin, and so am I. Seshi... whatever his name is, is a blank piece of paper. I will stay and travel with you people, but that is until I have something better to do."
"That, would be enough." Naruto flashed his normal foxy grin, one he had not used in a while.
I2ndI
"First move to sow the seeds. Now time needs to pass, for the seeds to turn to plants." Kagizume spoke inside his head, "Well done, but still more to go."
'Yeah.'
"You still need to accelerate the pace of your improvement. I think it'll take you six more months to reach jounin level, assuming you keep up your blistering pace."
'I will. Or that damned vision is going to get replayed.'
"Good. Threats work well on you."
'Hey! Don't you dare...'
"Anyway, a game of chess again?"
'Would work.'
III
Stout and unforgiving walls turn into a woundrous shade of gold, the rocky fields a scene of crimson and the skies are decorated with rays, streaks and beams of golden light, all while the sun slowly sets, giving way to the night. The people of Stone prepares for the hours of twilight, and the guards changes shift. Almost everyone returns home for dinner, but a few have duties to uphold.
Marble halls where many delegates of big and small have been received, a room of great history and a room where future history, is made. This halls mean many things to many people, to some, it is a sign of Stone's sovereign rights, while to some other, a symbol of oppression. The Tsuchikage looks at the members of his council, then back to the booklet prepared for the meeting. Today, is a day where a meeting takes place, to decide and many things from economics, to military agendas.
"You can't be serious." The tsuchikage motioned.
"From what we know at this time, Cloud has aligned itself with Sound. Although no war plans are made, and Orochimaru has legendary hatred towards Leaf, we might be caught in a crossfire. I think we should participate and join their faction." A council and clan leader answered
"That's...that's... preposterous. We are more than capable of defending ourselves, so why in the world find trouble? That's warmongering." The Tsuchikage was clearly bewildered.
"Exactly, we have forces to spare, so we can launch an attack. At the current time, we are by far, the strongest of all nations. This is a clear oppurtunity for us to reaffirm our power and might as the leader of the ninja nations."
"By allying ourselves to a known lunatic? Have you people lost your minds?"
"No." Another councilmen answered. "This is our chance at payback at every other nation that has capitalized on our weaknesses years ago. It's our chance to make amends in honor of the memory of our fallen people."
"What? This seems driven by vengeance..."
"There is nothing you can do, Tsuchikage-sama. Everyone here have agreed to the plan except you. Therefore, we are more than capable of overthrowing you and install a new Tsuchikage. So, save your own head and pride by agreeing."
"... I won't."
"Very well. But we still respect you as a leader, and thus, we offer you a chance to leave, save your own life."
"I... will leave. It will be best to keep everything under control." The tsuchikage said, and although he had many supporters himself, and if a civil war is to break out, he stands a good chance at victory, but now a civil war is what he needs to avert. Bloodshed is what he needs to avert, and let the council do what they decides to do. 'Who knows? Maybe my ideals and moral issues are clouding my ability to make a good decision at this point. Maybe we are capable... but. I can't. I will have no part in a swashbuckling leadership, it's not my way.'
"We hope you will leave our country by sundown tomorrow, or you will be.. executed." Chancellor Shin Kaida said.
"Ah. Don't worry, Kaida-san. I will leave."
"It's a loss to us to not have you to lead our military, since many of our men trusts you. But since you are willing to leave and give up your position, I guess it can't be helped."
"I hope you people know when to stop. That is all." The Tsuchikage then placed his hat on the table, and walked out of the room. "Goodbye."
IV
A quiet room's silence broken by the motion of the door.
"Kodama! Why didn't you warn me a coup was already brewing?" The ex-Tsuchikage screamed.
"I thought it was pretty obvious from the way your council was acting."
"No. Visions..." The Tsuchikage replied, but there was some hostility in his words.
"Visions cannot be controlled, Tsuchikage-sama." The seer, Kodama answered. "It's like the lottery, random and unpredictable."
The Tsuchikage's anger subsided slightly. "Damn.. Now the country is going to war... More death."
"Have they decided who will take over?" Kodama asked, while looking out the window.
"No. But no matter who, it meant alliance with Sound." The Tsuchikage answered, but there was some subdued disappointment and sorrow in his intonation.
"Ushi-san. You must not let your past haunt you. Maybe this war would prove useful for the country and the council." Kodama answered, his tone unwavering.
"... Can you see the outcome?"
"No."
Ushi sighed, and slowly took off the Tsuchikage robes he had worn for years, revealing a normal commoner's clothing. "I'm leaving tonight."
"Where would you be heading?"
"...I trust your vision, Kodama. I'm going to find Naruto. Now that I have no political constraints, it would be the best action I can take. He would need all the help he can get."
"But you do have constraints, my lord. Your people trusts you more than the council. They are willing to fight for you."
"A civil war is best avoided."
"Are you abandoning them?"
"...There's nothing I can do."
"Can you not stay to protect them?"
"And get killed for nothing? I will be away, but should Stone requests me to return to defend it's soil, only then I will return."
"Best of luck, Ushi-san. May the lord of the lands guard you through your days."
"Thanks, thanks indeed."
V
It snows, and Naruto treads through the wilderness. Every step he takes leaves a deep mark on the snowfloor, every breath becomes a white mist before vanishing.
'I think I hear something...' Naruto thought, instantly activating all of his senses. 'It's...It's a.. bear.'
IIII
School holiday for me, so faster rate of update on this story. But my other stories are still going to stay in the 'not going to update' area.