The Three Sacred Treasures

Seichuu no Katana, Kaichou no Kagami, Chiyu no Magatama

(Sword of Loyalty, Mirror of Unity, Jewel of Healing)

Pierce of Valor, Reflection of Wisdom, Shine of Benevolence

Part One

Identity Lost

Chapter Two

The Cursed Seal of the Hyuuga Clan

"Master Kakashi, isn't this great!" Ryuusei commented, "Now you get to train Suzuko and me!"

"Yes, I agree." Suzuko answered.

Kakashi smiled and laughed, patting Ryuusei on the head.

"Well, I see we already know each other." Kitsunata said friendly.

"How exactly do you know each other?" Sasuke asked

"Kakashi practically raised me." Ryuusei laughed, "He's like my dad."

Kakashi flinched at the mention of 'dad'.

Suzuko was the only one who noticed. She gave him a strange look. Suzuko was unsure if she should ask, or just leave it at that. Suzuko frowned briefly.

"What's wrong, Suzuko?" Ryuusei asked

Suzuko looked up to find that now everyone was staring at her. She giggled like she always did and answered, "Oh nothing. Just… thinking about something." As she said this, her eyes quickly darted to Kakashi.

"Well it's not like we don't know each other, Sasuke." Kitsunata said.

"I was under the impression you were from another village." Ryuusei stated.

"Oh, I am, but I knew Sasuke from childhood stuff. Plain and simple."

"But…How? If you're from a different village…" Ryuusei continued

"It's all really complicated to explain. Easy to comprehend, but hard to explain. I shouldn't have befriended him because I was from a different village. But hey, I do a lot of things I'm not supposed to do."

"I thought Jounin weren't allowed to switch villages." Sakura said

"Well, you're looking at me, your new Jounin, aren't you?"

"True," Ryuusei agreed, "She's got a point there."

"I'll be right back, Neji." Yanagi told her brother.

"Where do you think you're going?" Neji said, stopping her, "You've got to train with us, remember?"

"I know, but I've got to go home and get my sword. I'll be right back, I promise!"

"Alright," Neji answered.

"Thanks, Big Brother!" Yanagi hugged her older and taller brother before taking off to the Hyuuga Compound.

Neji shook his head, "Honestly…I let her get away with too much…"

"Well, you can't exactly blame yourself." Tenten said, "After all, she is your little sister.

"Plus, it's hard to say no to that face." Marise agreed.

Yanagi dug into her pocket, finding there her key to the compound. She opened it and entered the courtyard. At the very center of the compound, right in front of its gates was the Main House. Yanagi glared at it. She would never, ever enter that house, even if she were allowed to. She hated it. She hated everything about it. She hated what it meant.

Yanagi turned to go to her and Neji's house, one of the smaller branch houses. Entering it, she went upstairs. The entire upstairs was hers, seeing as only she and Neji lived in this house. She had an entire room for sleeping; one for the stuffed animals Neji always bought her, one room for her clothes and jewelry, even though it wasn't all that much. She even had a room for training.

Yanagi entered this room and took her favorite sword.

Downstairs, Yanagi left her home. She walked towards the gate to the compound when someone stopped her.

"Yanagi,"

Yanagi stopped in her tracks. She turned around, trying to hide her apparent glare towards her uncle.

"Yes?" She asked, trying to hide the spite from her voice.

"I hear that this morning you and your partner were paired up with Neji's team."

"That's right." Yanagi said without emotion. Her face was blank and emotionless as well.

Yanagi's uncle grabbed onto her wrist and pulled her to him. This time, Yanagi couldn't conceal her glare, "What're you doing?"

"I can't have you acting like your brother, now can I, Yanagi? I know very well that you leave the village regularly with your second rate friend Suzuko. Your brother has already had thoughts of leaving the village. It would be a terrible loss to lose him…And you. Your brother has already received it; now it's your turn."

He dropped Yanagi. Making several quick hand signs, he slammed his hand down on her left forearm. A horrible, and involuntary, scream ripped from Yanagi's throat. Her body suddenly became very weak. She fell to her side, her body hitting the stone wall of the gate. Sliding downwards, her body shuddered in defeat. She felt so cold and everything went black…

"Where is she…" Neji mumbled to himself. It was had been many, many hours after Yanagi had gone home to get her sword. Practice was over and they were all taking a break. The sun was beginning to set.

"She said she'd be right back." Tenten said, "She's not one to go back on her word."

"I'm beginning to worry about Yanagi." Marise stated, "She's never been gone like this before."

"I agree." Lee answered, "Guy Sensei, should we not go look for her?"

"A glorious suggestion, Lee!" Guy shouted loudly.

Marise stared wonder at his new Jounin. Tsuyu giggled. Suddenly noticing something, Marise turned to look. The sun setting behind her, Yanagi walked towards them. She looked slightly out of place, like she'd lost her usual composure. Her headband had been removed from her hair and was now tied to her forearm. Her hair was messy and not tied up. Her sword was in her right hand.

Marise gave her a strange look. She usually carried her sword in her left hand, seeing as she was a left handed person. "Yanagi!" Marise said in concern, "What happened?"

Neji looked very worried, but hid it from his voice, "Do you have any idea how long you were gone?"

"I know…" Yanagi said quietly and apologetically.

Neji let out a sigh of relief. Then he noticed her hair was down, "Yanagi, you put your hair down. Wasn't it up earlier?"

"Yeah…" Yanagi answered, trying to conceal her left arm.

She moved it too much. A violent jolt of pain shot up her arm. Her legs were turned to rubber and she almost fell, had Tsuyu not caught her.

"Whoa, be careful there. We don't want you getting hurt." Tsuyu said with a smile. She helped Yanagi sit down.

"Yanagi, what happened?" Neji asked fiercely.

"I'm sorry, brother…" Yanagi said, tears welling in her eyes, "I couldn't stop him…"

Neji watched in horror as she revealed it. Yanagi untied the headband around her forearm, which sent more jolts of pain up her arm. There it was: The Cursed Seal of the Hyuuga Clan. The very thing that branded Neji's forehead. The very reason he hadn't left the village for good yet.

"I'm so sorry, Neji…" Yanagi said over and over again, "I couldn't stop him…If I had been as strong as you are now..."

"It's okay, Yanagi." Neji kept telling her, "It's not your fault. Besides, I'm not blaming you for anything."

Marise examined the mark, "What…What is…It?"

"It is the Cursed Seal of the Hyuuga Clan." Lee answered.

"I've seen this mark before…" Tsuyu said quietly, "It keeps the wearer under complete control. Well, not actual control. You see, the wearer must obey the one who marked him/her. Why? Because whomever made the mark can kill you with a few simple hand signs."

"If I had been as strong as you, Neji, I could've stopped him…" Yanagi stated again.

"But why would he brand Yanagi?" Marise wondered, "Yanagi is the sweetest, kindest person I know! She'd…She'd never hurt anyone without a liable cause!"

"Marise, calm down!" Tenten told him.

"Guy Sensei," Lee said, "Is there nothing we can do? This cannot be right! I cannot believe that anything like this would be right!"

"Unfortunately, after she's been branded there is nothing you can do." Guy answered. "The Cursed Seal can only be deactivated if the brander is dead, or the one marked is dead."

"There is an alternative." Tsuyu said.

"What?" Marise asked

"You could seal it…"

"Then do it!"

"Unfortunately, again, we can't."

"But…" Marise protested

"It's not like we don't want to." Tsuyu continued, "It's just…The higher ups will most likely agree with Main House Hyuuga in this situation, and Neji's. Both of them are exceptional shinobi. Both of you, I suppose, do not like Main House Hyuuga, if not hate. When you deemed ready, you most likely would've left the village. That's why you were branded. That way you couldn't leave the village for good without the fear of dying. Plus, the brander can also track the Seal.

"Neji, Yanagi…I would more than love to seal you Seals…But, at what consequence?" Tsuyu said, "What are you willing to give up if I seal them? Not only would you two get into trouble, but so would Guy Sensei and I. Plus, they'll probably try to put it on you again. You'd have to run and hide. I don't know anywhere you could go to stay.

"Also, the sealing process is short, but fatal. You could be killed during the sealing, if it's not done properly. That is the main risk I press."

"So there's nothing?" Marise said, "Nothing at all we can do?"

"It seems that way…" Tsuyu said. "I'm sorry..."

"Let's call it a day." Guy said, "Let's pick it up tomorrow."

The Next Day…
"So you're Suzuko? And you're Ryuusei?" Naruto said.

"No, no, Naruto. I'm Kitsunata." Kitsunata said, "This one's Suzuko. That's Ryuusei."

"Wanna watch me eat fifty bowls of instant Raman?" Naruto said, drooling at Suzuko. She giggled at him. When the steel bracelet around her wrist began to vibrate, she looked at it. There was a silver bell in the shape of a sun connected to it that didn't seem to ring anymore. She gave it a quizzical look, but looked up when Sasuke spoke.

Sasuke sighed exasperatedly, saying calmly, "Close your mouth, Naruto, you're starting to make a pond."

Ryuusei rolled her eyes, "As miraculous and unbelievable as eating fifty bowls of instant Raman is? I think I'll pass."

"Me too." Suzuko giggled.

The two began to walk away.

"Where're you two going?" Sakura asked

"We're going to go practice, what else?" Ryuusei answered

"You're supposed to practice with us." Kitsunata stated, "Our team work needs to improve. We've gotta practice together."

Suzuko and Ryuusei looked at each other and said in unison, "Alright."

"Come on, Shikamaru." Kentaro called to him, "If you want to win, you've got to beat Ino at hand to hand combat!"

"Man, this is a drag…" Shikamaru said, "I've got to fight a girl again?"

"Hey, don't insult them." Kentaro chuckled, "Kunoichi are some of the most deadly of shinobi I know. Ino's strong and determined. She's even looks willing to hit you, Shikamaru. If you don't want to insult Ino, you might want to fight back. Remember the rules: Taijutsu, Kunai and Shuriken only. Ninjutsu is not allowed."

"Man…" Skikamaru said, "Fine, if you want to fight…"

"Come on Shikamaru, get in the game!" Ino threw a kunai at him and disappeared into the shadows.

Shikamaru side stepped in time to dodge the kunai.

"Now where'd she go?" Shikamaru said, looking around the area. Then he spotted the illusionary cover. He threw a shuriken at it, catching it by its edge. It was pulled up, and Ino was revealed.

"Watch carefully, girls." Kentaro told Takara and Nariko, "These are the Chunin from last year. They might know some things you may not. You might want to examine their moves. Try to figure out how they did some things."

"Yes, Kentaro Sensei." Nariko answered for them both.

Sarutobi watched Kentaro as he watched Shikamaru and Ino. He thought, "He's here for a couple of hours, and he already feels comfortable with teaching my team. Oh well. Might as well get used to it… At least he's interested in the team."

"Here I come, Shikamaru!" Ino ran at him, a kunai in her hand.

Shikamaru drew a kunai of his own. Ino slammed into him, their kunai pressing onto each other. Neither was giving in. Pushing back and forth, both began to slide backwards with the force of their pressured kunai. Both pulled away at the same time. Both went into a series of short attacks, in which both either dodged or countered.

"The two know each other's fighting style too much." Nariko told Takara, "They know when and where the other will strike. These two's team work is remarkable! When they work together, it will truly be a force to watch for."

"This could drag on forever." Takara whispered in an animal sort of tone to Nariko.

"Aargh!" Ino and Shikamaru threw themselves at each other. Slamming together, the force of the blow knocking them both backwards and onto their backs. They sat up, panting hard.

Chuckling and clapping, Kentaro said, "Nicely done, both of you! I haven't seen such sportsmanship in hand to hand combat in a long time! Bravo!"

Later on, sitting on the boulders nearby, the two rested with water in their hands.

"Alright, the next pair." Kentaro said, "Takara and Nariko. This time the rule is…All chakra control. No weapons. A little bit of Taijutsu, but that's it. Ready?"

Takara and Nariko stood straight in front of each other, ready to fight. Both were going over the other's fighting form in their heads.

"Alright, then, begin!" Kentaro shouted, leaning against a nearby boulder.

In a flash of gold and garnet, the two disappeared from view.

"Where'd they go?" Choji asked

Nariko appeared and so did a very large Dingo. Nariko made several hand signals and the area suddenly erupted in rose petals. The wind blew them in swirls and flits. They danced in a beautifully mesmerizing way. Now the entire clearing they were training in smelled of nothing but rose petals. Nariko disappeared, leaving the Dingo confused and looking around.

"What happened to Takara?" Choji asked, "Why did Nariko use a useless flower jutsu on the clearing?"

Kentaro smirked, "That Dingo is Takara. In Dingo form, Takara can smell much better than humans can. If Nariko hid, Takara would just be able to sniff her out. But with the entire clearing smelling of roses? Not much you can smell but the flowers. Basically, it would be wise of Takara to transform back because the Dingo Form's nose is too good, she'd be lost and confused. In times like this, you've just gotta love those Kunoichi… After all, they're the only ones brave enough to actually use flower based jutsus."

"You said brave, not girlie." Shikamaru stated

"Of course. They're the only ones who are brave enough to use these kinds of jutsus. You don't see men and guys using them, do you? There's nothing girlie about flower jutsus. Flower jutsus are based on the art of beauty and deception, not girlie stuff. You've seen Nariko, right? She's almost as beautiful as her older sister Ino here. But just take a look at the type of flower Nariko used."

Kentaro beckoned to the last remaining flower petals fluttering about.

"They're roses, so what?" Shikamaru said.

"So? Unbelievable!" Kentaro commented, "Don't they teach you anything in school these days? Haven't you ever seen a rose before? They have thorns! Thorns! Big, thick, long ones at that. Roses are beautiful, like Nariko and Ino. But they are dangerous and can really hurt you, like the thorns. Beauty and deception: Flower Jutsus."

"I'm surprised you knew that." Ino said.

"Like I said, Kunoichi are some of the most deadly of shinobi I know. Just take a look at Nariko and Takara."

"You know them from before? Did you know their original Jounin?"

"Know them? I am their original Jounin!"

A cloud erupted around the Dingo and Takara appeared. Her eyes darted about, wondering where Nariko had gotten to. Takara closed her eyes, calming herself. She breathed slowly as she crouched there, as if in meditation. Takara's eyes suddenly shot open. She flung herself over. A fully opened lily shot out of nowhere. It grazed Takara's stomach, blood beginning to seep out. That was close. Too close. Hanging from the lily was a bell in the shape of a rose.

'Quit playing games, Nariko…' Takara thought, smiling.

"Why is it that you were allowed to stay as their Jounin." Sarutobi whispered to Kentaro.

While pretending to watch the match so he could talk to Sarutobi in privacy for a moment, Kentaro answered, "Takara and Nariko are special. They need certain care and guidance. If they were to be introduced to a completely new Jounin, I doubt that Jounin could handle them."

"What was that?" Ino asked, "I've never seen something like that!"

"It's ultimate chakra control." Kentaro said, "The lily has been kept alive and sharpened by Nariko's chakra. The swiftness it went at? Pushed by her chakra. Otherwise, Takara would've dodged it easily. Takara is one of the swiftest shinobi in this village."

Takara turned and closed her hand around something that was clearly invisible to everyone else. Even Sarutobi was watching intently now. It was another lily. Takara caught the high powered lily at the expense of having her hand cut.

"Isn't that supposed to be weapon use?" Sarutobi asked Kentaro.

Kentaro shook his head, "Not really. You see, those lilies that Nariko keeps sending down are basically made with chakra. These are old, let me tell you, and they wouldn't be so beautifully deadly without her chakra. And, lilies aren't classified as weapons because no one has ever really thought of using them."

Takara made several hand signals as she stood there. Takara clutched her hand and thrust them upwards. Out of the ground shot twin grass dragons. Caught between their mouths was Nariko!

Nariko made hand signals and flowers gathered onto the dragons. They began to tear through the dragons.

"Alright, practice," Kyoshi said, "Shina, Taura, you two first."

Shina toyed with something in her pocket for a bit before walking forward, Taura in front of her.

"Ready? Begin!"

"Oh, I'm gonna love this." Taura said, "I finally get a chance to hit you."

Shina scoffed, "Don't underestimate me."

"Then don't do that to me, either."

The two nodded at each other as if in agreement.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Shina shouted. Making several hand signs, Shina inhaled deeply, making her chest puff out. Shina exhaled forcibly and a huge ball of fire engulfed Taura.

Kurenai, Kiba, and Hinata lurched forward, along with Kyoshi. Shino even looked at them curiously.

Shina jumped backwards and far away.

'Where did she learn that?' Kyoshi thought, 'I thought only they knew it, and they're all practically gone, except for a runaway and that other boy…But he doesn't seem intent on teaching anyone for the time being…'

"Why's she jumpin back?" Kiba asked, "She's clearly already won the fight."

"Not quite," Kyoshi pointed towards the ball of flame.

When the ball finally disappeared, it left a heavily singed dent in the floor. But Taura wasn't hurt. A large sphere of water was protecting her.

"What is that?" Kiba shouted

"Water Prison Jutsu." Kyoshi answered, "But…This is a strange move on Taura's account, almost idiotic. Since every part of her body is touching the prison, she can't disperse it."

"Um…What…Does that mean?" Hinata asked shyly

"It means Taura is virtually trapped within the sphere of water."

"Then why did Shina jump backwards?" Kiba asked.

"Just watch."

Taura made hand signals within the sphere, some how shouting, "Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu!"

Literally, a giant vortex of water shot from the sphere of water and at Taura!

Shina smirked. Her hand shot forward and silver cords unwound themselves from her hand, "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"

Fire ran from Shina's mouth and along the silver cord. The tendrils of flame flew straight into Taura's water vortex. A massive amount of steam arose from it and clouded the area. A rush of energy flurried around, slamming both Ninjutsu users backwards.

When the steam cleared, both were seen. Taura was out of her sphere, on her hands and knees breathing hard. Shina was about twenty feet away, sitting and leaning backwards on her hands, trying to catch her breath too. Both wearily rose after awhile.

"Okay, that's enough!" Kyoshi shouted, "If we keep going on this way, both of you will be dead at the end of training!"

The two girls collapsed. Kyoshi caught Taura while Kiba caught Shina.

"Damn…" Shina said, "I thought I could beat her this time for sure."

"Hey, you guys are using two opposite element based jutsus." Kiba said, "Did you ever consider learning a different based jutsu?"

"No, not really." Shina stated, "I don't want to beat her because my element can beat hers. I want to beat her because I'm better!"

Taura told Kyoshi along the same things.

"Alright, next…"

"Naruto, you're up against Ryuusei." Kitsunata commanded.

"What?" Naruto asked, "I've gotta fight a girl?"

Ryuusei faced off Naruto. Glaring at him, she said angrily and sarcastically, "Well excuse me for not being the right sex for you to battle! Apparently I should've been born a boy, just so during our battle today you wouldn't have to fight a girl!"

"Exactly." Naruto answered.

Ryuusei rolled her eyes and said sarcastically still, "Oh, so what you're saying is that just because I'm a girl that automatically makes you better than me? That you'll automatically win?"

"Yup."

Suzuko, from the side lines, sighed, "Now he's got her all riled up… This is over already…"

"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked.

"Ryuusei is a really good Kunoichi. But when she's angry? She's even better. I know, most people get worse when they're angry. Not Ryuusei."

"If you two are done…" Kakashi said in a bored tone

"Oh, I'm ready to beat this brat up alright." Ryuusei said.

"Alright…Begin!"

"Lightning Shield!" Ryuusei raised her arm. Lightning and thunder flourished from her palm. She made a circular motion around her, and a thin coat of electricity encased Ryuusei. "I must warn you. If you hit me with a physical attack, you could get hurt pretty badly."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Naruto said, not listening at all, "Enough girl talk! Let's fight!"

Naruto ran forward, his fist the first thing he swung at Ryuusei. As Naruto's fist collided with Ryuusei's barrier, Ryuusei clapped a hand to her head saying, "Naruto, do you ever listen?"

Naruto jolted and fell backwards. Ryuusei sighed, letting her barrier down.

"Is he…" Suzuko said.

"Yup," Ryuusei answered, "He's out of it alright. A classic case of putting your foot in your mouth."

"That was embarrassing…" Sakura commented.

"Winner: Ryuusei. Who want's to go next?" Kitsunata asked, "Kakashi? You pick this time."

"Hm…" Kakashi thought for a long time, "How about…Sakura and Suzuko?"

"I guess we're up against each other." Suzuko said good-naturedly, giggling a bit.

Sakura stepped into the large patch of sun opposite Suzuko.

"Begin!" Kitsunata shouted.

Suzuko slowly walked backwards and then stopped under the shade of some tall trees. She smiled.

'What's with her?' Sakura thought, 'What, is she afraid of a little sun?'

Suzuko waved at Sakura sweetly. She then suddenly melted into the shadows, looking at her bracelet.

"What?" Sakura shouted, "How'd she do that?"

Sasuke inquired at Suzuko's actions.

'Sakura will suppose that this is a new trick with the shadows.' Sasuke thought, 'But Suzuko's the only known master of the shadows to be able to control the shadows. Does that include being able to meld with the shadows as well? Not even Kyoshi Yuki, the Silent Shadow, master of all shadow based jutsus can do that.'

"Where'd she go?" Sakura said.

"You know, you really need to sharpen your skills." Suzuko stated, appearing right next to her.

Sakura jumped backwards. She looked at Suzuko and noticed that she was standing in shadow. Wait, Sakura hadn't been standing in the shadows! Where did they come from? Sakura looked upwards and found that the sun was directly over head, meaning that the sun's rays should be shining directly upon them.

The shadows around the supposed patch of sun waved in the wind, as if able to come off the ground. They shrank backwards and into Suzuko's heels.

'So she is controlling the shadows…' Sasuke thought. He smirked suddenly, 'This is going to be an interesting year.'

"How did you…How did you do that?" Sakura said.

"A lot of practice." Suzuko answered, "I'll end our match quickly."

"What?"

The shadows crept up Sakura's legs and engulfed in an orb of darkness. When it cleared, Sakura was laying peacefully on the floor, as if asleep.

"Way to go, Suzuko." Ryuusei said.

"Is it over?" Naruto said, waking up from his shock.

"Yes, Naruto." Kitsunata answered, "The Winner: Suzuko."

Yanagi changed her headband back to tying her hair. She tied her ribbon to her left forearm, to block the mark from sight.

"Does it still hurt?" Marise asked.

"Yeah…" Yanagi answered, "But I've still gotta practice, you know."

"Yeah…Alright…"

"Hiyah!" Yanagi swung her sword with her right hand. Unused to using her right arm for swordsmanship, the heavy blade threw Yanagi off balance. "Whoa!" She shouted as she fell awkwardly.

"I gotcha!" Lee said, catching Yanagi this time, "You know, that is your fifth time since practice began."

"I know…" Yanagi said, looking away in shame, "I'm a disgrace…I used to be so good at this too…But I never thought my left arm wouldn't be usable for such a long time…I never bothered to train my right arm for swordplay!"

"There is nothing shameful about it, Yanagi." Neji cut in, "Come on, back on your feet."

Yanagi nodded. With the help of Lee, she stood back onto her feet.

"Why not try to start from basics again." Tenten suggested.

"That's a great idea, Tenten!" Lee agreed.

"But that could take me months to get back to my original status!" Yanagi objected.

"Don't worry, Yanagi." Marise answered, "You take all the time you need." He smiled at his teammate.

"I guess I could try…" Yanagi said awkwardly.

"Bye, Ryuusei." Suzuko waved to her as she stepped into her compound. She closed the gate and locked it. She looked at complicated seals on the gate walls that shined a black purple.

Suddenly, the silver bell on her wrist began to ring, clear and true.

"No…" Suzuko said, "It can't be…If it's ringing, then, his bracelet…" Suzuko looked up. There he was, standing right in front of her. Sandy red brown hair, bluish green eyes staring straight at her. An identical bracelet on his wrist was ringing too. The only difference was that his bell was a crescent moon.

"You're awake!" Suzuko shouted with joy.
To Be Continued…
Next Time, on The Three Sacred Treasures…

Yanagi –

He met her many, many years ago, back when they were only several years old. She was his only friend. After everything he has been through, can he remember her?
The teams that arrived in the village for Chunin Exams are beginning to leave. Amidst their departure, a rumor sprouts of The Kenshiko herself appearing several villages away from Konoha…

Appearances can be deceiving.

Next Time, Rumors of Thunder and The Keeper of Sand