HIDDEN MOON I - SUNDOWN

A/N: As of the posting of this chapter, it's officially been one whole year since I started writing Naruto Karyuden. I want to thank everyone who's read a year's worth of sloppy fanfiction! I hope you've enjoyed it so far and will continue to enjoy it as I hopefully improve as a writer. :D

A week ago

Aburame household

With Team Five having received their mission parameters, they've each gone home to prepare for their departure first thing in the morning.

Shino is currently sitting by a napping Shichi's crib, quietly looking at his son.

When Shiho eventually walks past, she jumps in her spot from the surprise presence in Shichi's room and lets out a quiet squeak. She just barely manages to hold onto the book she's holding.

"Shino, you're back." She takes deep breaths. "I thought you went on a mission."

Shino nods and speaks in a hushed tone. "I received it, but we leave tomorrow." He looks back to his wife. "I didn't mean to startle you, I'm sorry."

"No, it's fine, I just… wasn't expecting you back."

Shino stands up and walks out of the room to not disturb the sleeping babe. The two proud parents take one last peek before they close the door.

Shiho lifts herself up on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. "So what's your mission?"

The two of them walk to the room right next to Shichi's, which also happens to be Shiho's office.

"A diplomatic one. We're to go to the Hidden Moon Village and negotiate on behalf of the Shinobi Union."

Shiho raises a brow. "But you're not a diplomat. I mean, I think you'd be a good one, but it's not your job, is it?"

She sits down on a couch in the corner and places her book on the table. He takes a seat next to her.

"Perhaps not usually, but the purpose is to showcase the best and brightest we have, the ones who will eventually come to lead the Shinobi Union. My Team Five just happens to be that." Shino states matter-of-factly.

Shiho chuckles. "Such confidence in yourself."

"Not in myself." Shino shakes his head. "In them. Although they may not realize how important they'll be to the Hidden Leaf's future, that's because… They still have their childhoods to live out."

"You think they'll actually get to that point?"

"It's my responsibility to ensure they do. Оr, at the very least, ensure they have that path before them. Whether they take it is entirely up to them. Kashiwama and Genzai have sense of duty instilled in them from being the sons of their clans' heads and while Jiriki may not have that, he still has a lot of faith put in him by the Hyūga."

"You've even said he's compared to that Neji Hyūga."

"He is, but he still has a way to go. He's smart and capable like Neji was at his age but I think he still lacks the same driving force that Neji had."

"Not that Neji's driving force was from a good place." Shiho winces. "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't speak ill of the dead."

"No, you're correct. He may not have started with good intentions, but he turned it around. If I can help him find that something, besides his rivalry with Team Nine's Shoto Teshin…"

"I'm sure if someone can, it's you." Shiho leans on his shoulder.

"Thank you." Shino rests his head on top of Shiho's and looks at the unmarked book that she'd take in. "Is this work related?"

"Hm? Oh, this? Yes, Mitoku sent some things he asked me to look into, some coded messages from escaped convicts. It's… taking a while." She sighs.

Shino chuckles. "Well, I'm sure if someone can decode them, it's you."

Shiho laughs. "Thanks."

"I don't want to disturb your work. I'll go put Shichi back to sleep."

Shiho raises a brow. "But he's already-"

A cry from the next room interrupts her mid-sentence. Shiho looks between her husband and the wall behind her with a confused look.

Shino lifts his finger to show a single tiny beetle on his fingertip. "I left behind a kikaichū to watch over him. I'll most likely be gone a while for my mission; I promise to make up for my absence." He then turns around and goes to check on his son.

Shiho simply smiles at her husband's thoughtfulness and diligence and goes back to work, as the crying from Shichi's room subsides.

-x-

Senju household

Kashiwama spends his day in a rather relaxed manner. Rather than training or doing something more physical, he's spending his time baking. He's hard at work crafting his specialty wagashi, confections usually served with tea.

He's hard at work decorating each of the sugary delights in bright colours, while one man sits at the kitchen counter and observes.

"So, whatcha think, dad?" Kashiwama asks in anticipation.

His dad takes one of the wagashi and closely inspects them before taking a small bite of the already small treat.

He hums and gives an approving nod. "It's really good. You've gotten better at this."

Kashiwama grins. "Right? It's gonna knock 'em out!"

"It sure will."

"Shōji!" The man turns around at his name being called out from the other room. The door to the kitchen opens to reveal Fusuma walking in and looking around. "Have you seen-" She stops when she finds who she's looking for. "There you are, Kashiwama. What're you doing?" She asks as she takes a seat next to her husband.

"Baking!"

Fusuma laughs. "I can see that, but why? And why so many?"

"It's training for my next mission." Kashiwama answers.

"Apparently he wants to wow the Hidden Moon with not just his skills as a shinobi but also as a baker." Shōji clarifies.

"I did hear you got a pretty important mission. So this is your battle plan, huh?"

"Yep!" Kashiwama starts munching on the wagashi. "I heard the Hidden Moon's real welcoming to outsiders so sharing cultures is a good way to win them over."

Shōji raises a brow. "Is that true? I'll be honest, I've not really heard much of the Hidden Moon."

Fusuma shrugs. "They usually keep to themselves, but it's true they differ greatly from other hidden villages. They've been somewhat of a neutral zone in past conflicts. It's probably one of the easier villages to negotiate with."

"Still, I doubt that means it'll be a simple task."

Kashiwama nods. "Shino-sensei warned us. Just because they're a peaceful village doesn't mean they'll want to join the Union."

"My, my, aren't you the sensible one." Fusuma chuckles. "It feels like only yesterday that you were running around shouting about how much you want to learn ninjutsu, and now look at you… Already entrusted with such mission."

Kashiwama blushes and sinks down behind the counter. "Moooom…" He whines in embarrassment.

"Now it's only a matter of time before he marries that Kotori girl and becomes head of the clan." Shōji adds to his son's embarrassment.

Kashiwama grumbles. "Not like that's going to happen. Kotori isn't really interested in that, so…" He stands up with an attempt of a smile on his face.

"Oh?" Shōji raises a brow. "Even though you were so concerned about her when she came to the village; so determined to help her find her place. You're just giving up on her now?"

"Ahh! I don't wanna talk about it!" Kashiwama screams and speedwalks to the door. "I'm going to train!" He makes a very hasty and abrupt exit.

"I think we went too far, dear." Fusuma chuckles.

"Looks like the kids still have a lot of things to figure out, huh?" Shōji joins her in their shared amusement. "Feels like such a simpler time."

"Even though you were pretty awkward, too." Fusuma pats him on the back.

"I was most certainly not!" Shōji protests. "I was a dashing rogue, that's why you fell in love with me."

"Yeah, sure."

-x-

Sarutobi household

Genzai's having a bit more trouble with his pre-mission day afternoon. He's currently running through the clear and open space of the Sarutobi clan's compound in a desperate chase with two particularly annoying monkeys.

The mischievous brother and sister duo, Enki and Enka, are giving him a run for his money.

"You're gonna have to try harder." Enki smacks his butt in Genzai's face before he zooms away.

Enka sticks out her tongue while running backward through the treetops. "Hurry up, slowpoke."

Genzai stops running for a moment to catch his breath. He leans on a tree as he pants from the chase. "How are they so fast? Speed's never been an issue for me and yet…"

A chuckle from directly above interrupts his rest. Two chuckles, actually. Genzai looks up to see his older brother Konohamaru and his own summons, Enra, leaning over his shoulder.

"Having a hard time?" Konohamaru asks.

"I have it handled." Genzai straightens himself and brushes away his sweaty brow with his sleeve. "Just need a break, is all."

Enra hops down to a lower branch and hangs upside down. "Boy, you sure got the short straw when those two answered your summons. You sure you don't want a refund?"

"I'm fine." Genzai begins making his way toward where he last saw Enki and Enka.

Konohamaru swoops down and grabs his little brother around the stomach and carries him over the shoulder.

"Wh- what're you doing?" Genzai demands.

"You're not going to get anywhere like this. You're a smart one, you should know it's useless to just chase after them."

"But we have to start working as a team! We leave for our mission tomorrow and if I can't even get my own summons to cooperate…"

"Then think about how you can accomplish that. Running around is their specialty, so you shouldn't play on their turf. Drag them to yours."

"Easy for you to say." Genzai grumbles.

"Ook, listen, there's no shame in admitting you can't do something." Enra hops on Genzai's back while the boy is being carried on Konohamaru's shoulder.

"I can totally do it. I just need to trap them somehow."

"Then do just that. Once you rest up." Konohamaru drops his younger brother next to a boulder and hands him a bottle of water.

Enra hops on the boulder above Genzai.

"Fine." Genzai snatches the bottle and takes a big swig.

"Easy there. It's not good to drink too much at once."

It's then that the two brothers see their parents, Taisaku and Ikusa Sarutobi, walking toward them along with a figure that Genzai has never actually seen and Konohamaru hasn't seen in many years now. The towering form of the Monkey King Enma, Hiruzen Sarutobi's lifelong companion.

Taisaku beckons for Konohamaru to come to them.

Konohamaru and Genzai exchange a confused look but the older brother leaves his young sibling alone to rest while he checks out what's happening.

"Hello, Konohamaru." Enma smiles at the boy as he approaches. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Indeed, it has." Konohamaru firmly shakes the Monkey King's hand. "Is something wrong? For you to come all the way here…"

"Well, it's not really 'wrong' per se…" Enma scratches his fuzzy chin.

Taisaku shakes his head. "This is a mistake."

Ikusa nudges her husband with an elbow. "That's for him to decide."

Konohamaru's now even more confused.

Enma sighs and reaches behind himself to take off a sheathed sword from its strap. He holds the blade in front of himself and, unprompted, the sword flies out of its sheath and stands at the ready by Enma's side.

"That's… a neat trick. I didn't know you had telekinesis."

"I don't." Enma says. "That's the sword itself responding to me." The blade flies back into its sheath and Enma holds out the hilt to Konohamaru. Just as he's about to take it, Enma continues to speak. "This is Orochimaru's sword, Kusanagi, that he killed Hiruzen with."

Konohamaru stops in his tracks as his hand begins to tremble, mere centimetres away from grabbing the hilt. He eyes the sword with a great apprehension before looking up to Enma with a cold expression. "Why are you showing this to me?"

"I've been holding onto this since Hiruzen died, wondering what I'm even supposed to do with it. You've grown into a splendid shinobi; you're now, what, 18?"

"I turn 19 this year." Konohamaru corrects him.

"How time flies." Enma smiles. "This is a powerful weapon that can even rival our Adamantine form. It's a waste for it to stay with me. If you'd use it, it's yours."

Konohamaru grits his teeth. "And why exactly would I use the sword that killed my grandpa?"

"You shouldn't." Taisaku answers. "It's a vile thing that has no place in the Sarutobi clan."

"It's a mere weapon." Ikusa retorts. "It's neither vile nor is it good, but it's been used by many shinobi over the centuries. Just because Orochimaru so happened to be the last person to wield it shouldn't condemn it to waste away."

"I… don't know if I can take this. Not now." Konohamaru lowers his head.

Ikusa places a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Konohamaru…"

He places a hand over his hers. "I know you're right, mom. I just… can't…" He turns around and begins slowly walking back to his brother. "I have to help Genzai with Enki and Enka. I'll think about it."

Enma places the blade on his back again. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause this pain to resurface."

"You've done nothing wrong, Enma." Ikusa reassures him. "Just give him time."

With a bow, Enma disappears back home.

"I still don't like it." Taisaku continues to grumble. "Father wouldn't approve of this."

"Your father would definitely approve of this. He was never one to think ill of another, even someone like Orochimaru." Ikusa reminds him of Hiruzen's belief in the good of people.

Taisaku sighs. "Maybe you're right."

"I always am." She smirks.

He laughs and shakes his head. "Don't you have a mission to go to?"

Ikusa playfully holds her finger up to her lips. "Shh. You're no longer Anbu, remember? You're not supposed to know about it."

Taisaku grabs a small pebble and flings it at a seemingly random tree, behind which two members of the Anbu are waiting. "Then your squad should do a better job of hiding."

"Don't be a show off, dear." Ikusa kisses him on the cheek and disappears along with her squadmates.

Over to the side, Genzai eyes his returning brother and the sour mood he seems to be in.

"Did something bad happen?"

Konohamaru puts on a smile and ruffles his hair. "It's all good. Nothing you need to worry about."

Genzai narrows his eyes. "That's usually said about things that need worrying about."

"For now you just have to focus on getting Enki and Enka to listen, okay? We'll deal with other stuff later."

"Sure." Genzai apprehensively agrees to let it go.

-x-

Hyūga household

Jiriki has taken to a more standard use of his free time. Training.

He's his Byakugan activated and a bow in his hands, he's currently in the process of dodging blows by a man with short hair and a woman with shoulder-length hair tied in a ponytail, both wearing standard grey kimonos of their clan. His father, Toboshi, and his mother, Tsuyu.

The two each take turns in trying to distract their son with their Gentle Fist, while Jiriki tries to shoot his arrows at nearby targets. If one is trying to distract him, the other is trying to intercept the arrows.

Jiriki does his best to outmaneuver his parents and get his arrows to stick, but even though he has his Byakugan, he still falls short.

During one instance, Jiriki jumps back and sloppily pulls on the bowstring, sending the arrow wide. Toboshi still manages to catch it, but decides this is enough.

"This is it for now." He slowly walks over to his son and wife.

"I can keep going." Jiriki says as he tries to stand on his shaky legs, clearly unable to keep going.

Tusyu brushes her son's hair. "Don't strain your body, Jiriki. You need to be in shape tomorrow, not tired."

A fourth figure appears besides them, long flowing hair taking its time to fall down as she lands. "They're right, you know." Hanabi smiles.

"Lady Hanabi!" Toboshi and Tsuyu take a deep bow. "I wasn't aware you were here; my deepest apologies."

Hanabi nervously holds out her arms. "There's no need to go that far. I wanted to check up on Jiriki and didn't want to interrupt your training."

"On me?" Jiriki wonders. "Am I needed for something?"

"Well, not here, but you've got an important mission tomorrow, don't you? Not everyone gets picked for this kind of thing."

"We're grateful for you watching over our Jiriki." Tsuyu says. "Even though we're from a branch family and neither of us have the Byakugan, you've shown great kindness to us and our son."

"Well, that kind of thing doesn't matter anymore." Hanabi says. "If someone has talent, it should be nurtured, no matter what branch of the tree they're on. A valuable lesson Neji left behind for us all."

"And his sacrifice won't go forgotten. We'll all make sure of that." Toboshi gives a firm nod.

"So how are you feeling about the mission?" Hanabi asks Jiriki.

"If Lady Hokage's entrusted us with this, then that must mean we're properly equipped to handle it. I know Team Five has what it takes." He declares.

"Such confidence." Hanabi chuckles and leans down to be closer to him. "Just don't put any unnecessary stress on yourself, okay?"

Jiriki cocks his head. "Meaning?"

"Don't feel like you're somehow representing the whole village or even clan when you go. Just do your best to be yourself and show off what you can do. It's easy with these kinds of missions to overthink and blunder in a way you normally wouldn't. Trust in Shino-sensei to handle the heavy lifting while you three do your thing."

Jiriki scratches his head. "But I thought I am representing the village and the clan."

Hanabi shakes her head. "You're representing yourself, as the future of the village, so just focus on that."

"I'll… try?" He sounds utterly confused.

"Good!" Hanabi hops back to straighten herself and turns to Toboshi and Tsuyu. "You've raised him into a fine man. You should be very proud."

They both take another deep bow. "Thank you, and for your words of wisdom."

'Is that what those were…' Jiriki thinks to himself.

Before she goes, Hanabi looks back and winks at Jiriki. "Don't be afraid to relax, okay?" With those words, she Flickers away.

"Jiriki," Toboshi's tone comes off a bit more stern than he probably intended, "Be sure to show Lady Hanabi proper appreciation, understand?"

"Lord Hiashi and Lady Hanabi have done much for us." Tsuyu reminds him. "Even if it's a simple 'thank you', you should express it clearly."

"I will." Jiriki responds.

Tsuyu smiles and hugs him. "Now, let's go eat."

Toboshi rubs his tummy. "Oh, I'm starving. You must've worked up an appetite, too, huh?" He looks at his son.

"I'm not that hungry." He says just before his stomach growls. His cheeks turn red and he immediately looks away.

Toboshi and Tsuyu laugh.

"Whatever you want to eat, consider it done." Tsuyu offers.

Jiriki grumbles. "Yakitori."

"Then yakitori it is."

Hidden Leaf Village Main Gate

The following morning, Shino awaits his students by the main gate, himself being early as usual. He stands still and unmoving by the large entrance to the point where the guards manning the entrance begin to wonder if he'd fallen asleep on his feet.

They even make a small bet amongst each other.

One of them loses when Shino finally moves after a few solid minutes of nothing, when Team Five appear pretty much at the same time from different directions.

Shino looks at his watch. "Precisely the time we agreed upon. Well done."

"Yes, sensei." They say in unison.

"Before we depart, are there any burning questions about our mission?" Shino asks as he looks the three of them over.

Jiriki raises his hand after a moment of consideration. "Um, Shino-sensei, what precisely is our purpose on this mission?" He motions to himself, Kashiwama, and Genzai.

Shino nods. "I'm glad you asked. You're to show yourself as the bright future of our village. You may end up being assigned tasks to complete alongside your fellow shinobi from the Hidden Moon. In such cases, you're to show the ability to cooperate and willingness to learn from them."

"So we're just going to do what we usually do?" Kashiwama raises a brow.

"In a certain sense, yes. By working closely with the Hidden Moon, you're to show yourselves as shinobi willing to work together with others to preserve the peace we've built."

"What about you, sensei? Won't you be doing these assignments with us?" Genzai asks.

"No, I will not. My duties will be a bit more… administrative. You will be on your own for most of our stay. I trust that won't be an issue."

"No, sensei." They once again say in unison.

"Good. Now let's depart. That's because… Team Nine has already left and we can't allow ourselves to lag behind."

"Alright, let's go!" Kashiwama speeds off.

Genzai and Jiriki both sigh, but follow him.

Shino smiles at his students' enthusiasm and goes after them.

Name meanings

Shōji Senju (千手 ショウヂ, Senju Shōji) - named after translucent sliding doors found in traditional Japanese households. They allow light in as opposed to the opaque fusuma sliding doors.

Ikusa Sarutobi (猿飛 イクサ, Sarutobi Ikusa) - 'war' or 'battle'.

Toboshi Hyūga (日向 トボシ, Hyūga Toboshi) - 'light' or 'lamp'.

Tsuyu Hyūga (日向 ツユ, Hyūga Tsuyu) - 'dew'.