I do not own Naruto Shippuden or any of the characters.
Escorts
Kaori walked into the room and stopped, staring at the empty bed. She sighed, sitting in the chair beside the bed, watching the sky slowly darkening. Finally, Ryuu and Fu descended back through the window, Ryuu gingerly climbing back into bed as Kaori stood.
"You really are a trouble child," Kaori said, checking his bones. "You know you can see the sunset from down here, right?"
Ryuu chuckled, activating his Sharingan. "Kaori."
She looked up at him as his Sharingan spun, her mind being filled with images of the sunset as Ryuu and Fu had seen it, tendril of color waving across the sky. After a moment, he released his Genjutsu, and Kaori sat there, dazed, for a moment before blinking and smiling.
"Nevermind, I understand completely now," Kaori smiled. "Anyway, you should be okay to leave in about three more days."
Ryuu nodded as Sasuke walked in, several bandages over his body. "What happened?"
"Itachi tried to capture Naruto," Sasuke said. "I managed to stall him long enough for Jiraiya to find us, but he did a number on me."
"Partners?" Ryuu asked.
"A tall man with blue hair and skin, gills, and a sword wrapped in bandages," Sasuke said.
"Kisame Hoshigaki," Yugao said, walking into the room, dressed in civilian clothes. "Former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist Village."
"Welcome home," Ryuu smiled. "What do you know about him."
"He defected," Yugao said. "He's in every Bingo Book there is, and with a run on sight order. He's known as the Tailless Tailed Beast because of his seemingly endless chakra."
"I see," Ryuu nodded. "He'll be trouble when the time comes."
"You have a plan?" Sasuke asked.
"Somewhat," Ryuu nodded. "You won't like it."
"Let me guess," Sasuke said. "I go on vacation."
"No," Ryuu said. "Fu trains us directly."
"Nope, don't like it," sasuke said. "Anyway, I'm heading home."
"See you in a couple of days," Ryuu said, Sasuke leaving as Fu took her normal seat. "So, when are you finally heading home?"
"I was thinking once you get out of the hospital," Fu said. "And I was hoping you could go with me."
Ryuu turned to Yugao who sighed, smiling.
"I'll see what I can do," Yugao promised.
Ryuu smiled as she left and Fu took his hand, Ryuu smiling as closing both of his around hers. After a moment, she climbed into the bed beside him, their hands clasped between them.
Ryuu stretched as he waited. Finally, Yugao, Fu, and Sasuke walked over, stopping at the gate.
"You've been cleared to go on a mission to escort Fu home," Yugao said. "If Shibuki agrees to Fu's request to be transferred, you'll be escorting her home again. While unnecessary, Sasuke will be coming with you as backup."
"Understood," Ryuu nodded. "We'll be back as soon as we can. Hopefully with Fu."
Yugao nodded. Ryuu turned, walking out of the village, the others following. As they walked, Fu slipped her hand into Ryuu's. Ryuu smiled at her and they walked in silence. As the sun set, Ryuu unsealed three tents and bedrolls. He set his up quickly before creating three clones, the four of them scattering into the trees to take watch.
Sasuke finished his tent as Fu stopped beside him. He sighed, nodding.
"He's worried," Sasuke said. "He's always had a nasty habit of closing himself off when he's worried or in pain. In this case, he's afraid that Shibuki will refuse. Rightfully so. As a Jinchuriki, you're incredibly valuable to your village. More than you know. I'll be more surprised if he agrees than if he refuses."
"Maybe," Fu said. "Should I talk to him?"
"Yes," Sasuke nodded. "Any walls he's put up to protect himself from the pain of him having to leave you behind, tear them down. Force him to feel everything. Force him to be human."
Fu nodded and jumped up to Ryuu, sitting down and pulling his arm around her shoulders. Ryuu smiled, resting his cheek on her head. She cuddled into his side, wrapping her arms around him.
"Everything's going to be fine," Fu promised. "Even if he says no, I can come visit anytime. it's not like this is goodbye."
"I know," Ryuu said.
Fu sat up, turning his head to look at her. Ryuu smiled but it fell just short of his eyes. She rested her head on his chest. He gently ran his hand over her hair. She sighed, listening to his heart beat.
"We should be there tomorrow," Ryuu said.
"And two days later, we'll be home," Fu smiled.
Ryuu smiled as well and nodded, then stood, holding Fu bridal style. "First we have to deal with them."
He dropped off the branch just before it exploded. He set Fu on her feet as three shinobi landed in front of them, Ryuu's clones held by the face and instantly crushed. Sasuke landed beside them, all of them watching the newcomers in silence. All three were pale, their eyes glowing red and with long white hair flowing down their backs and with blank forehead protectors. One was holding a katana with a blue grip and a demon-themed tsuba, one held a khakkhara made of a blood red metal, and the last held a kusarigama, the chain looped in his left hand, the sickle in his right. It had a forest green shaft and a blood red blade.
"Who are you?" Ryuu asked, Sharingan activating.
The one with the sword lunged, slashing at him. He drew his tanto, blocking the blade and shoving it away. The shinobi leapt backward again and Ryuu raised an eyebrow, Fu and Sasuke landing off to either side where they had scattered when the attack was launched.
"Fine then," Ryuu sighed. "Sasuke, Fu, be careful."
Both nodded. Then, all six scattered. Ryuu and his opponent both charged straight, their blades clashing before Ryuu leapt into the air, the kusari crashing into the ground below him. Ryuu landed on a branch and instantly leapt to the side, his opponent crashing down where he had been. He raised his tanto, crouching and readying himself as his opponent turned.
"You're fast," his opponent said. "My given name is Mhao."
"I'd wager that you know my name," Ryuu said. "Who are you?" Besides your name?"
"My father wants you alive," Mhao said. "But I want you dead."
He shot forward and slashed at Ryuu, and Ryuu deflected it, ducking under another slash and slashing back. His tanto sparked against Mhao's own blade and Mhao grinned, gripping his black cloak.
"I'm betting on armor," Ryuu said, seconds before the cloak fluttered away.
Instead of armor, he wore a simple martial arts gi and pants, his sandals made of metal. Ryuu wouldn't have been surprised if they had concealed blades in them. They also probably weighed a lot.
"Weighted shoes, good strategy," Ryuu grinned. "But I'm not going to let you beat me by dropping weight."
Just as Mhao kicked his shoes off, Ryuu loosened his Gravity Seals, shooting forward and crashing into Mhao, their blades clashing and forcing Mhao backward, slamming Mhao's back against the tree. Mhao shoved Ryuu's tanto upward and slashed back down, blu flames rolling along his blade, only for Ryuu to grin. As the blade met his flesh, Ryuu suddenly expanded and exploded into a fireball, blasting the tree into splinters. Mhao crashed down on the ground, the side of his face burned and his sword broken, but alive. Ryuu landed in front of him and hummed thoughtfully.
"You're tough," Ryuu said. "Barely any damage from that. But still, now that your sword's broken, this fight's over. Any last words?"
"You may kill me today, but the next time we meet, I will capture you for my father."
Ryuu's eyes narrowed in confusion for a second before he shot forward, tanto slicing Mhao's head off cleanly before he slowed to a stop, refusing to look back as he formed hand seals, a glowing red seal appearing on Mhao's body and head both before flames burst to life on them, burning them to ash in a few moments. Just as it finished, Fu and Sasuke both landed beside them, Fu with the khakkhara in her hand and Sasuke with a gash on his shoulder freshly bandaged.
"What was that about?" Sasuke asked.
"They were sent by someone to capture me," Ryuu said. "Mine said something about meeting again later on even if I killed him. I'm not sure what he meant, but he's gone now, so it doesn't matter."
"True enough," Sasuke nodded. "Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine," Ryuu said. "Eventually, anyway. Come on. Let's hurry up and get to Takigakure before anyone else attacks us."
Fu and Sasuke nodded, Fu wrapping her arms around Ryuu before taking his hand as they began to travel again.
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