AN's: Back with another update! This chapter won't have much romance (next one will ;) , but I will introduce a lot of important characters in regards to the overarching plot of the story here. Things might get a little graphic (blood and some violence, but nothing too extreme) later in the chapter, so I'm blocking off the start and end of the section with an XXX to be safe.
Chapter 16: My Fair Lady
With even footsteps and a cautious eye, the Fourth Tsuchikage observed the tall, almost imposing mountains gradually coming into view ahead of her.
Despite technically being within the borders of the Land of Earth, Kurotsuchi rarely visited this side of the world. Up until now, she had been under the impression that this area was completely isolated and devoid of human life save for a few civillian rock farmers. Her dark eyes flickered with surprise when small patches of grass began littering about the softening ground. She paused to dig a heel in.
Natural grass and fertile soil was a rare sight more often than not in most of Iwagakure.
Continuing forward, the familiar, rocky terrain of her proud Hidden Village gradually shifted to lush, green grass as the two headed closer towards the Western mountain range.
"Incredible," Kurotsuchi commented, rubbing the bottom of her sandal against soft wild grass again. "There's actual greenery and wildlife here."
Akatsuchi hummed thoughtfully next to her. "Considering the clan we're about to meet, Tsuchikage-sama, it's not too surprising that there's an abundance of life around this area."
She inhaled, noting how a sweet scent picked up in the air. "So... have you been around here before, Akatsuchi?"
The taller man shook his head, eyes glancing curiously at the long lines of wildflowers, bushes, and small trees that led to a much larger meadow at the base of the mountains.
"Not in quite some time, but I've heard rumors from a few buddies," Akatsuchi replied. He rubbed the back of his head with a grin.
"Oh?" Kurotsuchi lifted a brow. "What rumors?"
The man's round cheeks became tinted with red as he let out a nervous laugh to deflect the question.
"Ah! Nothing you'd need to worry about, Tsuchikage-sama! Rumors are just rumors, after all."
Kurotsuchi narrowed her eyes at the man, but maintained her peace.
This little oasis of life, though not impossibly far outside of Iwagakure, was almost like a trade secret among chosen civilians and Shinobi.
The dense mountain range dividing Iwa from the outer nations was usually enough to ward off regular wanderers and travelers, but small whispers every now and then about the sweetest honey in the Land of Earth being sold here brought in a few of those brave enough—or curious enough— to take the risk.
Of course, many of the daring explorers that took the time to seek out this heavenly meadow came because of more... exciting rumors.
Hearing it first-hand from an older farmer at a New Year's celebration, Akatsuchi found it wasn't all that uncommon for late-night talks in Iwa bars to revolve around the 'enchantingly beautiful maiden fairies' that sold honey at the base of the mountains.
It was like make-believe, those rumors. Something taken from an whimsical children's story. The way that a few men and women alike spoke about their visits to this section of the mountains, one would think they were bewitched.
Akatsuchi's cheeks reddened again in embarrassment. That rumor was the primary reason he was eager to accompany his Tsuchikage today. He wanted to see it for himself and join in on the commotion.
As the two Shinobi walked closer towards the base, the wildlife became more abundant. Rows and rows upon bright flowers, splashing the green, summer grass with shades of blue and purple and red. The smell of soil and honey wafted through the sweet air as a breeze brushed passed them. It was hard to believe that the two were even in Iwagakure anymore. Small pollinators like butterflies, though bees primarily, flew about the flowery meadow as far as the eye could see.
"It's beautiful," Kurotsuchi said, staring in awe.
In the middle of the meadow, a small wooden store stood inconspicuously atop a large circle of grass. 'Honey' was written in simple Kanji at the top of the building.
The two carefully approached, noticing the large jars of raw honey and mead that lined the shelves. Other products seemed to be included in the mix, like candles, baked goods, soaps, and even lip balm. While no one seemed to be behind the counter, there was a hanging sign indicating it was indeed open.
"Ring Bell" a note on the counter read. Kurotsuchi raised an eyebrow at the smaller words in Kanji written below:
"Bees are Friendly, but Please Do Not Try to Touch!"
Curiously, she rang the golden bell, hearing its sound slice through the air with a clear 'ding'. After a few moments, the two began hearing various faint buzzing sounds that seemed to get closer and louder with each second that passed.
As they turned around, they found a small swarm of yellow and black pollinators quickly approaching them. They moved like one entity, seeming to observe the Tsuchikage and her advisor before dashing off towards another part of the meadow.
"Guess that's what the sign meant," Akatsuchi commented with a simple shrug.
What a strange place.
Only a few moments later, two young women each carrying woven baskets eventually came into view as they approached the building from the surrounding meadow.
They wore simple black kimonos embroidered with yellow flowers, the loose fabric rustling in the wind as they moved. Both had darker skin and sleek black hair, the corners of their brown doe eyes tinted with an orange dye and their lips colored with a fetching cherry red.
While one woman had her dark hair styled into a bobbed cut reaching just below the neck and the other had hers clipped behind her, the two were practically identical. Atop each of their heads, two simple flower crowns of baby's-breath and ivory rested, giving both women a youthful, fairytale-like aura and feminine grace.
Akatsuchi fought a bashful blush at how lovely they were.
So the rumors were true!
"I'm terribly sorry for the delay, Tsuchikage-sama," the one with clipped hair began with an apologetic bow. She quietly whispered something to her sister before handing off her basket to her.
The sister with bobbed hair gave a courteous bow to the Tsuchikage and her advisor before vanishing back into the depths of the meadow.
Strange indeed.
"How may I help the two of you?"
Kurotsuchi blinked. "Erm," she began. "Are you a member of the Kamizuru clan of Iwagakure?"
"Yes, ma'am," she replied respectfully. "My name is Kamizuru Akaribachi. My twin sister who you just saw is Akanebachi."
Akatsuchi gave a friendly grin to the young woman. "Both of your names are related to the color red," he pointed out. "Mine too! I'm Akatsuchi. The… loyal and strong advisor to Tsuchikage-sama."
Kurotsuchi quirked a brow at the man's sudden ego when it dawned on her. She facepalmed inwardly.
Akaribachi returned Akatsuchi's smile and nodded. "Yes, red is our father's favorite color. It's very wonderful to meet you."
The Tsuchikage took a look around. This small honey stand seemed to be the only building in sight. Where were the rest of their homes? Surely there were more Kamizuru members than the two lone girls, right?
"Where is the rest of your clan?"
Akaribachi stepped away from the counter, her sleeves rustling as she gestured to the largest mountain behind them. "The rest of the Kamizuru clan resides at the peak of that mountain there," she explained. "Just above the clouds."
"And are you able to take us up there?" Kurotsuchi asked, her eyes narrowing to make out what the top could possibly look like. "We have urgent business to discuss with your leader, and it can't wait."
Akaribachi blinked, caught off guard by the sense of urgency. "I... I'm sorry, Tsuchikage-sama, but outsiders are forbidden from entering the Kamizuru complex without permission granted by Ashinagabachi-sama. However, I can deliver a message for you? If that would be alright?"
Kurotsuchi crossed her arms. "Forbidden? Your clan is a part of Iwagakure, isn't it? You consider your own Tsuchikage an outsider?"
"Those not a member of our bloodline, or married to a member are considered outsiders," Akaribachi explained with her head bowed. "And in the terms of our agreement with Iwa, even the Tsuchikage is forbidden from entering without permission."
Kurotsuchi paused. "What agreement?"
Before the young woman could reply, her twin sister appeared from beyond the meadow. She appeared a tad breathless as she gave Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi a formal bow.
"Ashinagabachi-sama is coming down," Akanebachi said quietly, moreso to her sister.
"Oh thank goodness," Akaribachi whispered, exhaling in relief as she placed a hand over her chest. She turned back towards Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi gratefully.
"Our lady will be here in a few moments, Tsuchikage-sama. In the meantime," she gestured to the shelves behind them, a twinkle entering her eyes, "Could I interest you in any of our products?"
Akatsuchi happily readjusted the brown paper bag in his hand, now the proud owner of two scented candles and a small mason jar full of honey.
"Really?" Kurotsuchi flashed her advisor a disappointed pout.
"What?" He crossed his arms defensively. "We came all this way, and it's supposed to be the sweetest honey in all of Iwa! Frankly, I'm surprised you're not getting anything, Tsuchikage-sama. You love sweets."
The black-haired woman took a glance around, narrowing her eyes. She dropped her voice down to a hush, hoping the twins idly weaving dandelion crowns by the counter couldn't hear their conversation.
"Ever since visiting Cell Block D, I've been a bit on edge. This is my first time meeting any ideas Iwagakure's resident insect handlers as Tsuchikage, and I'm not sure whether or not I can trust them. Quite frankly, I thought the Kamizuru died out some time ago."
"What do you think of them so far?"
Kurotsuchi observed from a distance as Akari— or was that one Akane?—shoved her sister out of her chair. The other responded by sticking out her tongue and pulling the other's hair clip, inadvertently skewing her flower crown and earning her a glare.
"Well, they're certainly very different from Konoha's insect handlers."
"Oh, yeah," Akatsuchi hummed with realization. "What were their names again?"
"The Aburame clan," Kurotsuchi said, wondering how her trusted advisor could be so forgetful sometimes. "During the peak of grandpa's rule, before the times of the Second Great Ninja War, the Kamizuru were often the chosen clan used to launch our attacks on other areas and villages. They ran into the Aburame and were defeated by them in a failed attack on Konoha, if my memory of history serves me right."
Akatsuchi snapped his fingers. "Right, right! Now I remember. Fighting insects with insects seems almost poetic, don't you think? The Aburame are nobles over there, aren't they?"
The Tsuchikage brushed her finger against a purple flower. "Right." She gave an affirmative nod. "The Aburame rose to prominence in Konoha after an irregular series of skirmishes between their two clans, and... well, considering how most of our village believed the Kamizuru were long since gone, it seems we already know the outcome of what happened."
"You don't think they'd still dislike each other, do you?"
Before she could say anything more, Kurotsuchi's eyes widened as the twin sisters rose from their spot and adjusted their garments. They gracefully moved to stand a good distance across from each other on an open bed of grass, bowing their heads with reverence.
From the sky, a large flapping of wings disrupted the quiet atmosphere as a very large summon of a bee descended down, landing perfectly between the two of them. The bee quickly disappeared in a poof of smoke, leaving its single handler alone on the patch of grass.
Kurotsuchi's eyes widened at the impressive woman in front of her.
Unlike the simpler garments worn by Akari and Akane, the woman wore a long, silk kimono as black as ink, the edges adorned with yellow ribbons and intricate floral patterns meticulously stitched throughout the fabric. The design of the dress left the woman's shoulders bare to the elements, where one could see the curious light-brown tattoos etched onto the surface.
Despite her older age, the woman's skin was fair and spotless, accentuating slender, steel-gray eyes, of which the entirety was outlined with orange dye, rather than just the corners.
Her russet-brown hair contained a small number of white streaks and was styled in a neat bun. Decorated with simple, white flowers, not a single hair on her head was out of place.
A small halo of bees seemed to constantly circle the almost insurmountable woman, and Kurotsuchi felt as though she should be the one bowing to her instead of the other way around.
"Like a queen bee," Akatsuchi whispered next to her, no doubt feeling the same effect of her regal aura.
The Tsuchikage could do nothing but nod in agreement.
"Ashinagabachi-sama," the twins greeted synchronously, keeping their heads bowed and voices low.
"Thank you girls," she replied with a smile that was calm, intimidating, warm, and terrifying all at once. "You're both free to go. Send Maru a message to meet me down here before he leaves, would you?"
"Yes, m'lady," the twins said, giving each other looks before quickly disappearing back into the meadow and leaving the three alone.
"I appreciate your patience, Tsuchikage-sama." She gave her Kage a formal bow. The halo of bees moved with her. "My name is Kamizuru Ashinagabachi. However, you are both free to address me as Ashinaga, if you'd like."
Kurotsuchi, almost struggling to find the words, eventually returned the gesture. "Thank you for meeting me on such short notice, Ashinaga-san. Or no notice, I should say."
"Not at all," she replied, slowly moving forward. "After all, it's not everyday the Tsuchikage graces us with her presence. Would you like to take a tour of our gardens while we discuss what's on your mind?"
Though Ashinaga phrased her words like a question, Kurotsuchi felt inclined to agree with whatever the older woman suggested.
The three began their slow journey through the flowery fields, walking along small grassy trails to avoid stepping on the plants. The Kage and her loyal advisor struggled to maintain a close, but far enough distance from the Kamizuru leader and her cloud of bees.
Kurotsuchi cleared her throat. "One of the twins explained how outsiders aren't allowed within the Kamizuru complex?"
"We enjoy our privacy," came the simple response. Ashinagabachi hummed quietly, brushing a long sleeve against a lively green bush to pick off a dead flower head with precise nails.
Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi gave each other a look.
"You may not be aware, as it may have been a bit before your time, Tsuchikage-sama, but my clan has experienced tremendous losses in the last few decades. Up until recent years, the Kamizuru has struggled to survive and keep its numbers."
"Because of the Aburame?"
For the briefest of seconds, something flickered in the older woman's eyes at the mere mention of the name, calm grey eyes shifting into a hardened steel before straightening out. The Tsuchikage made a mental note to tread lightly when mentioning Konoha's noble insect handlers.
"Yes," Ashinaga replied evenly. "Our once clan fell to shame at the hands of the Aburame. After multiple… horribly failed attempts to defeat them, I ultimately decided it best we keep our remaining numbers hidden away."
"Don't you... find it isolating, Ashinaga-san? I mean, most of Iwagakure believes your clan to have been wiped out entirely. I know it's been quite some time, but you could all come into the light, out of hiding. Our village would certainly welcome you with open arms."
Steel-gray eyes narrowed ever-so-slightly. The Kamizuru leader's lips contorted into the ghost of a sneer, as though she were withholding the urge to scoff at the suggestion.
"After our defeat at the hands of the Aburame, Iwagakure and all of its political associates stood idly by and watched my clan fall apart despite how tirelessly we worked to serve the village. I alone was left to pick up the pieces."
Kurotsuchi remained quiet.
"But it's not all bad," Ashinaga continued, with no hint of rue or malice in her words. "We make our small living here by selling honey and flowers, and we remain rather self-sufficient. The benefits of a simple and safe living far exceed that of having a flashy name among the rest of the village." Her eyes glimmered in the smallest show of pride.
The Tsuchikage's shoulders dropped at the finality of her words. Based on reports of the Aburame clan's immense usefulness in Konoha, Iwa would certainly benefit from having insect-handling Shinobi available for reconnaissance missions.
She silenced the competitive voice in the back of her head.
"There's been some… dirt under the carpet, I suppose one would say," Kurotsuchi began, "Possibly involving your clan and my grandfather, the previous Tsuchikage."
"Ah, Ohnoki-sama," Ashinaga said, an apparent tone of sadness coloring her voice. Despite her conflicting views about the deceased Tsuchikage, the man was undoubtedly a legend and iconic symbol of the Will of Earth.
"Are you familiar with Liquid Ambrosia," Kurotsuchi asked with gritted teeth, images of the poor prisoners of Cell Block D flashing in her mind. Despite how heavenly the name informed to her by the good Doctor Tamura sounded, the effects of Liquid Ambrosia still sickened her and left a bitter taste in her mouth. "It was a form of honey used by Iwa in the olden days given to prisoners to interrogate them and break their minds."
"Ah, I see," Ashinaga replied calmly, knowing exactly what the Tsuchikage was referring to. "Is that what it's been called? Please give my regards to whomever gave it that name, it's quite clever."
Kurotsuchi frowned at how unbothered the Kamizuru leader was. "So you are? How can you just stand there like that, as if there's no problem at all! Have you seen the effects it has on people? It's inhumane for you to have access to something so potent!"
"So... I see Ohnoki-sama never told you anything related to the bargain he and I made." Ashinaga let out a quiet sigh. "Please simmer down, Tsuchikage-sama. You're agitating the insects."
A small honey bee flew to the woman's hand, resting upon it as if it were a flower. She paused in her walking as the bee flew away, stopping her other two companions as a result.
Steel-gray narrowed on the young Tsuchikage. "Have you considered that the anger you are unjustifiably directing towards me should be equally directed towards your grandfather?"
Akatsuchi gave his lady an uneasy look as her face became torn.
"What… what did grandpa do?"
Ashinaga's eyes softened for a millisecond at the youthful nativity of the woman. Powerful and intimidating in her role as Tsuchikage, but still so very innocent about the way things were.
"You asked me before why entrance into the Kamizuru complex is forbidden by outsiders, even the Tsuchikage. Well, those were the constituents of the agreement I made with you grandfather."
Kurotsuchi's eyes motioned for the woman to keep going.
"In return for a small amount of… Liquid Ambrosia? That was what you called it? Regardless, in return for access to this specialized honey, my clan was given a territorial claim by Ohnoki-sama himself to a small section of Iwagakure's Western mountain range, to live in peace, away from the dangers of the outside world. Absolutely no one is allowed in without my permission," Ashinaga said with a drop of her voice, the words like a warning. "Those that trespass will be targeted and taken down."
Her mind racing with thoughts, Kurotsuchi bookmarked her anger at the fact that her grandfather hadn't at least mentioned this agreement before. That was not the focus of her mission. She gave her request with open desperation.
"Please, is there any possible way you can make any more, Ashinaga-san? Maybe there's a way to reverse-engineer a medicine to aid those that your honey's inflicted. Iwa will give you whatever you need, whatever you or your clan want in exchange for another jar of your raw Liquid Ambrosia."
"Forgive me, but it's not my honey, Tsuchikage-sama," Ashinaga said with a small laugh. Her eyes moved to a spot in the distance as her voice took a faraway tone. "I understand your desperation, but accessing raw Liquid Ambrosia isn't as simple as you think it is."
"How so?
"Hidden in the outskirts of the Shikkotsu Forest bog is a paradise unseen by mankind for insects. Insects far larger than those in the everyday world, to be utilized as summons for those deemed worthy enough for a blood contract. It is actually believed that the great ancestors of the Aburame's bikochu beetle and those of the Kamizuru's bees once lived there at one point in history before coming into contact with humans."
Ashinaga's sleeve rustled as she gestured with her hand, continuing her explanation. "One species of ancient bee resides in that vast insectopia. For most of their lifetime, these massive bees and their Queen hibernate within their protective nest, feeding off of the of the Forest's abundant natural Earth energy until they emerge for one week in the Spring to gather resin and other supplies for the hive. Though extremely territorial and aggressive, the honey they produce has been described as a taste of the heavens itself."
"Liquid Ambrosia," Kurotsuchi said with a quiet gasp, dark eyes widening.
The Kamizuru leader nodded. "However... what concerns me most is the fact that those who have tasted this honey are still ailing even today."
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
"The euphoric effects of the raw honey, that state of addictive madness ailing these men you've described," Ashinaga said, looking the Kage straight in the eyes. "Given the right treatment and care, is able to be deterred. It is treatable with rehabilitation."
Kurotsuchi shook her head. "The men in Cell Block D were beyond any medical or psychological help. They've been sick for decades!"
"Then that can only mean one thing," Ashinaga said, narrowing her eyes. "Someone has tampered with the chemical properties of the raw honey, turning it into a weapon to raise mind-washed zombies."
"Kami," Akatsuchi commented in horror, mouth agape. "But why would anyone do such a thing?"
"An entire army of men and women willing to do whatever it is that you order? Acting upon one's beck and call with no regard for personal safety? That's quite a powerful army," Ashinaga commented offhandedly. "This is very worrying, indeed."
Kurotsuchi gritted her teeth, feeling more and more helpless.
"What do you suggest that we do?"
"As of now, retrieving Liquid Ambrosia in its raw state is not only very dangerous, but will be impossible until next Spring," Ashinaga said with a light hum. "Until then, I suggest you continue your previous treatment of the prisoners and keep this situation contained between a small number of people."
"If retrieving the honey is so dangerous, how did you get your hands on it?"
"Painful scars that might never heal," Ashinaga answered.
Kurotsuchi quirked a brow at the enigmatic answer. Ashinaga briefly glanced at the Kage, refusing to be pressed to anything more.
"Why… why on Earth would you give something so dangerous to us, if you knew what it could do?"
Ashinaga stopped, steel-gray clashing with black and refusing to back down. "I will do whatever it takes to keep my family safe, Tsuchikage-sama. Whatever the cost."
Before the Kage could reply with any more questions—though she had a feeling this information was likely all she would be able to get from the Kamizuru leader— a young man appeared in the distance, clothed in a simple black samue and dark grey pants. He carried a small bag close to him as he approached the three of them, like he was about to journey somewhere.
He gave respectful bows to Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi before turning towards Ashinaga.
The first thing the Tsuchikage noticed about the young man was that he looked almost exactly like the regal woman he was currently bowing to, save for a head of thick, dark black hair. The same calm expression, the same pout, the same eyes.
"Mother," he said, answering Kurotsuchi's observations. "Akari mentioned you wanted to see me before I go."
Ashinaga held her sleeve to her mouth as she gave a rare laugh. "You're greeting me so formally, Maru. Lift your head, would you? Do you have everything you need?"
The man's eyes flashed as he pouted slightly. "Yes."
"Good," Ashinaga said with a ghost of a smile. "Try and have fun on your little trip away. Think of this as a vacation for yourself rather than a mission to visit your sister. Make sure to give her our regards and check up on her progress. Hopefully things aren't too calamitous in… Konoha."
"Will do, mother."
"Oh, and darling?"
The man paused before flashing away.
"Do be careful."
He smiled, slightly rolling his eyes. "Bye, mom," he whispered quietly before flashing away.
"Your son?" Akatsuchi asked with a smile to break the silence.
"Yes. My younger child, Maruhanabachi. So serious, isn't he? Though, I suppose he takes after his mother in that regard." Her eyes briefly glittered with warmth.
Kurotsuchi wholeheartedly agreed with that statement, but kept her thoughts to herself.
"Where is he going? Konoha?"
A small seed of caution planted itself in the Kage's mind. If the Kamizuru were planning anything, it would be absolutely disastrous to involve Konoha. The Village Hidden in the Leaves always seemed to be involved with... Earth-shattering matters, one way or another.
Ashinaga nodded. "He is off to visit his older sister."
"And why is she in Konoha?"
The Kamizuru leader sighed through her nose, not unaware of the Tsuchikage's caution. "Our clan has been meaning to expand our honey business in other nations for some time now, and we wanted to do a trial run in another village to measure our success. No lucrative deals on our end, I assure you, Tsuchikage-sama."
Akatsuchi tilted his head in genuine curiosity. "Why send your daughter, if you don't mind my asking?"
"She is to be the next head of our clan," Ashinaga explained. "Being leader is filled with its fair share of responsibility and time commitment, as I'm sure you understand well. She wanted… to explore for a bit before committing to her duties. And she unfortunately had her sights set on the Land of Fire. I didn't have the heart to tell her no."
"Even with the risk of the Aburame there?" Kurotsuchi asked.
With how little Ashinaga seemed to express outward emotion, the flashes in her gray eyes at the mention of Konoha's insect handlers were enough indication that she wasn't their biggest fan.
Ashinaga narrowed her eyes. "My daughter knows to stay away from the Aburame, undoubtedly. And she knows even better the importance of keeping a low profile and not drawing too much attention to oneself."
"... I see."
Silence passed as the three meandered around the Kamizuru meadows, a drop of lush, green life in Iwa that shined underneath the light of the setting sun.
"Well, I suppose we should be going then," Kurotsuchi said with a slight bow. "Thank you for your time, Ashinaga-san."
"Not at all, Tsuchikage-sama, Akatsuchi-san," she nodded formally to the both of them. "Please contact me if anything should go awry. I understand that you may not be the most trusting of me considering the circumstances, but anything that is a risk to Iwa may pose a risk to the Kamizuru. And I will take whatever action necessary to ensure everyone remains safe."
"I appreciate your words, Ashinaga-san," Kurotsuchi answered, somewhat at ease. She hesitated before continuing.
"I know I've said this before... but Iwagakure really would gladly welcome your clan back into the open," Kurotsuchi said with reassurance. "You and your family wouldn't have to live in isolation anymore. You would be free to come into the light."
Ashinaga bowed to her two companions for the evening.
"Thank you both for coming," the older woman said, seeming to ignore the warm words of the Kage. The emotion in her eyes was hidden away by years of hardships.
"Please be safe on your journey back."
Kurotsuchi sighed loudly.
"Well, that was a bust," she complained. "I would have thought they had the special honey on them. Now we have to wait for months to have the chance to access it."
"It's better than nothing," Akatsuchi said as he gave a shrug. "At least Ashinaga is willing to play nice and offer you assistance."
"Is that what you'd call playing nice?"
"She offered you assistance," Akatsuchi smiled, emphasizing the words as he shifted the materials in his hands.
"She reminds me of my own mother, it's kind of scary," Kurotsuchi said in remembrance. "For how intimidating she was outwardly, you can really tell she loves her clan. And her kids, of course."
"Very Intimidating. Very pretty, though," Akatsuchi commented with a blush. "I can only imagine what the rest of their clan looks like."
Kurotsuchi smirked at her male companion. "You're a pervert, you know that?"
Her taller companion stopped in his tracks and stood with a dropped jaw at the audacity of her tone. Kurotsuchi laughed into the evening despite the severity of the issues of the future.
She sighed tiredly as they continued their walk back towards the center of Iwa. "I have to contact Dr. Tamura once we arrive, and fill out the paperwork I shirked off this morning. Goya arrived this morning, and I should write a thank-you letter to Konoha for taking care of him to boot."
Akatsuchi placed a hand on her shoulder. "In time, Kurotsuchi-sama. In time. But since you're already procrastinating, how about we grab something to eat, huh? I'm kind of hungry."
Kurotsuchi rolled her eyes. "You're ridiculous."
XXX
Dr. Kei Tamura, an accomplished psychologist and accredited doctor renowned among the higher-ranked professional elite in the Land of Earth, stood in the pristine, white room, with arms crossed imperiously behind his back.
No noise could be heard in the quiet evening hours, especially in the isolated room the three men were in.
"Welcome back, Hiroto," he said politely to the man restrained in a white jacket across ok him.
Hiroto Goya's eyes darted left and right frantically despite how physically tired he was. His forehead glistened with an ever-present sheen of sweat.
He was always hot. He was always tired. He was always restless. His senses were dulled and heightened at the same time, and every second of everyday passed by like an eternity. He wished he could pick at his skin to cool it down, rip it right off of his skeleton and organs so release the fire burning him alive from the inside out.
He was melting. Everything around him was boring and gray and unimportant. Nothing else mattered except his need for the ache inside of him to go away.
"So you made it to Konoha, did you?" Tamura said with a smile, disrupting the silence. He erupted into a hardy laugh. "My God, I didn't think you could actually do it."
The man across from him was unresponsive, his eyes darting left to right as his heart raced uncontrollably fast. He squirmed helplessly in his straight jacket, grunting pitifully at his entrapment.
Tamura gestured to his tall bodyguard. "Taichi-san, would you release our dear Hiroto for me? Careful though, I remember he liked to bite."
With a grunt, the muscular man moved forward to release the struggling man from his confines. There were red marks on the man's skin where the straight jacket had dug into him.
Falling out of his chair, he convulsed on the floor, picking and scratching at arms and face to ease his skeleton.
"Gold, gold, gold, gold," Hiroto mumbled over and over as he itched and scratched all over. For a brief moment, he dry-heaved in the floor, attempting to empty the fire in his stomach, but nothing came out.
Tamura smiled, looking down at the pitiful shell of a man with no remorse in his eyes. "Nothing, huh? I'll be damned, you probably didn't even eat or drink anything on your way to Konoha, did you? I could order you to Kiri and you would swim across the ocean to get there."
The smile on the old doctor's face faded away as he ran a hand through his gray hair. There was a dark expression in his eyes.
"But you made a spectacle of yourself, didn't you? You almost harmed innocent Konoha civilians, and worst of all," he said, seething. "You made Kurotsuchi aware of my Cell Block D."
He gestured to his taller companion. The Goliath said nothing as he moved forward to sit Goya back in his seat. The frantic man squirmed to breakaway, releasing an ungodly shriek as one of his arms was snapped in half like a pencil. The bone contorted beneath the leathery skin unnaturally.
Goya shrieked at the pain in his arm, wailing like a baby as he called for help to anyone that would listen. It was as though the shock of the pain briefly knocked some sense back into his eyes as he realized the danger he was in.
This was the bad man.
The bad, bad man who hurt people.
He needed to get away.
Tamura tutted aloud. "I would hold still if I were you, little Hiroto. We wouldn't want both arms broken, would we?"
Hiroto whimpered as he flopped forward on the table. A dull razor was thrown carelessly before him.
"As punishment for your actions, I'm ordering you to cut yourself."
Hiroto didn't move, fighting with himself and the fire underneath his skin. He covered his ears, whimpering like a baby to silence the noise. He wanted the bad man to go away.
Wordlessly, the man pulled out a small jar of a sweet substance. Hiroto screamed at the sight, reaching out for it like a depraved lunatic. He screamed the words gold over and over until his voice went hoarse.
"That's it, that's what I like to see," Tamura said, smiling in a sickly satisfaction as he wiggled the small jar in front of the other man. "Now… cut yourself."
With a roar, Goya quickly used his broken arm to prop up the dull razor, as his other arm slashed forward and backward, trails of red trickling down after each deep cut.
After cutting over and over, his left arm was a mangled mess, dirtying the pristine white room they were in with red. He cut and cut, eventually falling over as he blacked out from blood loss.
Tamura frowned, gesturing for Taichi once more. "Take him back to his cell and try to cover up those nasty scars, would you? We can't have Kurotsuchi being overly suspicious while she tries to cure these animals."
Once the tall man and the unconscious Hiroto left, Tamura stepped forward, watching as the leftover blood stained the bottom of his shoes. He narrowed his eyes at the jar full of liquid in his hand, sneering as he angrily threw the jar on the ground.
The glass shattered upon impact, the golden liquid mixing with the blood stains on the floor. He flipped over the table in a fit of rage, fighting the urge to scream.
It was just another failed attempt of his to recreate the original batch of Liquid Ambrosia. Oh, it looked the part certainly, but it seemed that with every form of honey the doctor was able to come across, every species of damned honey-producing bee that existed, nothing could hold a candle to the sweetness of the original.
What he wouldn't give to know the secrets of the mystery honey. What he wouldn't pay to know its location. Kurotsuchi wanted to cure these animals, but Tamura saw so much more potential in them.
A super army he could create. He could force-feed powerful men and turn them into addicts with only a spoonful of honey.
The Kages would have no choice but to do as he willed, too overly concerned with the endangered lives of their civilians. He would be a God and he wouldn't even need to lift a finger.
That damned Ohnoki just had to die, didn't he? The only person alive that could give him access to his key ingredient, and the old bastard was 5 feet under, laughing at him, no doubt.
Ohnoki wanted to discontinue the use of Liquid Ambrosia until the last drop was gone, but he was a short-sighted fool. He couldn't see the possibilities of its usefulness like Tamura could!l Iwa could have been the most powerful nation among the hidden villages!
… But no matter. What's done is done.
All he needed to do to enact his plan was find the location of the secret honey, or at least force the information out of whoever knew its location. That was all he needed.
Then he could discard these old, haggard zombies rotting away and using resources in Cell Block D and form a new army of younger, fresher Shinobi.
He will become God over all.
He will become God over all.
His mental mantra was quickly disrupted by the piercing shriek of his mobile device. The old doctor quickly composed himself, reapplying his perfected mask.
"Hello? Dr. Kei Tamura speaking."
"Hello, Dr. Tamura? It's Kurotsuchi," the line said. "I have a few updates regarding my venture and seaking out Liquid Ambrosia. Do you have a few minutes?"
"Ah, Tsuchikage-sama," he replied genially through the phone, his facial expression twisting in real life. "Of course! Please tell me everything that you know…"
XXX
AN's: The plot thickens. Hopefully it wasn't too confusing. I really just wanted to write a chapter solidifying the major characters and antagonists of this story. I intend to write Ashinagabachi as a foil or counterpart to Shibi, and Maruhanabachi I'm setting up to be like the Tybalt to Mitsubachi's Juliet :) Akari and Akane are also the daughters of one of the known Kamizuru members we got from the anime, but imma let y'all figure out which one yourselves :P
*For those interested, Ashinagabachi is the name for paper wasp in Japanese, while Maruhanabachi is the name for bumble bee. Akaribachi roughly means "Vermillion bee" while Akanebachi means "Deep Red bee." The image of the ancient bee I had in mind for this story is also based on Wallace's Giant Bee, a nearly extinct insect found in Indonesia!
Thank you so much that took the time to read/follow/fav this story! Being able to update and read your comments is one of the highlights of my week, believe it or not LMFAO. If you have any suggestions on what I can do to make the dialogue/plot/descriptions better, please letta girl know! I really do take suggestions and comments into account when I write and edit chapters.
Yakitori-chan and Nolwe: I'm so happy y'all are enjoying the budding romance :D. There's gonna be a lot in future chapters, I promise. Figured I've kept readers waiting long enough, right? And I love writing the dialogues between Shino and Mitsubachi, so there's more to come in the rest of this story.