Chapter Seven: Earthly Attachments

Sense returned to them. Tenten found herself being drawn along a forest path within sight of the castle. Her ropes were bound with real ropes, and there were only two guards. Looking, she saw Neji gaining a bit of sense; he looked disturbed. Disturbed and horrified.

Of course, he was.

Neji was a slave to his own family. Watching these people happily destroying themselves must have hit close to home. Though Tenten supposed, she wouldn't mind that kind of slavish devotion from Neji. Obviously, she wouldn't abuse it or anything; it would just be...

Nice to have authority.

"Do you think Itachi-sensei is watching?" whispered Lee.

Tenten began to cut at her bonds.

"Almost certainly," said Neji. "I sincerely doubt that he would not have kept tabs on us. Our sudden deaths could have serious repercussions for his career."

"Are you willing to stake your life on that?" asked Tenten, cutting further.

Her scroll was in their hands, as was their equipment.

"Of course not," said Neji. "Pretend to still be in a trance. Our chance will come."

At last, they came to three crosses that looked recently built. The guards cut their ropes, and Tenten wondered how they hadn't noticed the change in them. Though the guards were heavily armed.

"You three, tradition dictates you build your own crosses," said the guard. "But Lord Suzaku wants you all hanging before sundown, so you can see the flames from the castle.

"So you're going to start work on it right away. Lie down on the crosses."

No one replied.

"What is it?" asked the guard, as if wondering why they were hesitant to leap into a cold pool of water to bathe.

"Will my possessions be of use to Lord Suzaku?" asked Tenten suddenly. This was her chance.

"He has ordered they be handed out to the men," said the guard.

"Well, that could be a problem, is all," said Tenten. "See, a lot of my possessions are sealed inside that scroll, and only I have the power to use them. I wouldn't want Lord Suzaku to be inconvenienced, so if you let me open the scroll, I could put it all out now.

"Then you can hand it in."

The guards looked at one another and nodded. This was unbelievable; how could anyone be this stupid? "That makes sense to me.

"Fuijutsu specialists are expensive. Right, go ahead and take it."

Tenten moved forward, hands still bound, and took the scroll. Unrolling it, she unleashed and drew out her bo staff. Spinning it around, she made two precise movements and knocked both out. The men landed hard.

"Thanks," said Tenten.

"Well, we're free now," said Lee. "Neji, no. Don't kill them!"

Tenten looked up and saw Neji about to use one of the guard's swords to behead them. Lee caught his hand. Tenten found she didn't really care either way. Let Neji kill them if it made him happy.

"They don't deserve to live," said Neji.

"You saw what Suzaku did to everyone in that village," said Lee. "They might be under his spell too."

"Lee has a point," said Tenten. "I mean, they actually fell for that and believed I'd just hand things over and go back to being crucified. How can anyone be this stupid?"

"I believe that Suzaku gets people to abandon their individual will and supplant it with his," said Lee. "But Suzaku does not really know or understand those he is talking to. So his will does not resonate within them.

"They simply carry out his orders mindlessly and forsake themselves.

"Those two could not understand that we would not want to be crucified."

"Well then, why would Suzaku let us do this?" asked Tenten.

"Perhaps he has never tried to execute someone with a stronger will," said Neji. "Ordinary people live in a very small world. And they are not particularly well educated."

"He would also likely know a great deal more about his own people," said Lee. "So he is unaware of the weaknesses of his own power."

"What do we do now?" asked Tenten, who was kind of checked out at this point.

"Now we must stop Suzaku's abhorrent actions, even if it costs us our lives," said Neji.

"I thought the plan was to inform the Leaf," said Tenten.

"That may no longer be an option, Tenten. He said he planned to burn the villagers alive," said Neji. "If we alert the Leaf, all of them will be dead. What has happened here is our responsibility. And anyway, he has already admitted to killing two Leaf Ninja and tried to kill us. I think the Hokage will understand."

"Neji is correct. We can no longer sit idly by while the innocent suffer," said Lee. "Let us go."

"Right, but we can't just attack outright," said Tenten. "We've got to take out Suzaku quickly and then free the rest."

"Agreed. Follow me," said Neji, carrying the sword with him.

He hurried toward the castle, and Tenten went with him, pausing only to rearm. As they did, Lee went after Neji. "Shouldn't we head to the village?"

"The village is empty," said Neji. "The people are being led toward the castle even now, and there are already men setting up pyres. Suzaku must have planned this from the beginning."

"But why? What could he stand to gain from this?" asked Tenten.

"It gives him a sense of power to torment those lower than him," said Neji. "I have seen members of the Main Clan perform similar acts.

"But... I do not understand why they do not kill him. The Hyuga Clan provides me with some benefits. And Hiashi would never order a subordinate to commit suicide for no purpose.

"Even the death of my Father successfully averted a war."

"You've never talked about him before," realized Tenten. She didn't like Neji holding out on her.

"I don't talk about it with anyone. I was very young, and after his death, I was branded," said Neji. "In any case, the point stands. Suzaku gains nothing from these atrocities, whatever his claims. And those who he is hurting gain nothing by serving him. Yet, they continue to walk to their deaths with a smile.

"As if they were fulfilling the purpose of their life."

"Well, at least they are dying happy," mused Lee.

"Lee, that it makes it worse," said Tenten. "Being happy about having horrible things done to you is sick. People should have the right to feel bad that they are being murdered at least."

"I do not understand how his voice works," said Neji. "But it seems that if one can argue against what he says, then one can fight his control. We should examine his reasoning for weaknesses."

"To hell with that. Just get me a kunai and a clear shot. I'll do the rest," said Tenten, drawing a kunai.

"That may be more difficult than anticipated," said Neji, coming to a halt. "There is the castle; they are tying the people to stakes now but leaving their hands unbound. Actually, there are many more from other villages, most of them elderly. Braziers are being lit. We must hurry."

Tenten saw it and saw the people being tied to stakes with smiles on their faces. The guards were speaking to them like it was some sort of village potluck. It was fascinating and horrific, but she had no time to watch for more.

Coming to the walls, they scaled up it and found a guard pacing by. Knocking him unconscious, they moved toward the front gatehouse. There they saw Suzaku standing before the assembled crowds. He was now clad in flowing white, and his arms were upraised as though in welcome. A torch was in one hand, burning brightly.

"My people!" said Suzaku. "You all serve this land loyally and are worthy of praise! However, there are now too many of you! Food has begun to be in short supply, and the next generation shall go hungry!

"And so, in order to achieve peace, the herd must be culled! Present the torches!"

As they moved forward, however, Tenten found her legs slowing as if falling into a trance. She tried to fight against it but was faltering. However, then she saw Neji moving forward with grim determination.

"For me to slaughter you wholesale would be wrong, so I cannot solve this problem alone!" called Suzaku. "You must die, however. Thus, you must die by your own choice. And by dying by your own choice, you save others the sin of killing you.

"This flame shall burn away the surplus population and allow the next generation to live in peace! And by your example, a new age shall come to this land and every other!"

The people cheered from their posts as the torches were raised.

In a moment, all of them would die.

And then Neji stepped behind Suzaku, sword in hands. As he did, Suzaku turned to Neji, and silence passed between them. Yet Suzaku's face held no fear, only acceptance, even a sense of camaraderie. "...So, you hesitate to kill me, my friends.

"I must wonder why. Certainly, I have done no better by you. Perhaps you seek a greater understanding of who I am before my end?

"Like so many others in this world of suffering, I have suffered as well.

"Would you like to know how?"

"Not really," said Neji, drawing back his sword.

But Suzaku laughed, and Neji's hand trembled. "Ah, the impertinence of youth.

"Once, I was like your friend, Tenten, outcast and seeking my own way in the world. There was a time when the sword at my side was an extension of who I was. Have you known hunger? Or been kicked and spat on by those who assume you superior?

"It was the color of my skin that was my curse. My mother was from the Land of Lightning and was not taken willingly. She was a prize, taken in raids.

"I did not force her to do what she did. She knew well my intent.

"As do all whom my voice drives to the arms of the pure land. A brief candle flickers in this world of darkness, and then we are slain. True peace can only be found beyond the grave when we have freed ourselves from such attachments.

"I do so to these and so many others.

"Those whose deaths are necessary, I free from their attachments that they may be free."

"You talk too much," said Tenten.

"Such ingratitude ill suits one such as yourself," said Suzaku.

"Gratitude? Why should I be grateful to you?" asked Tenten.

"For who has been the architect of your life if not me?" asked Suzaku. "Who saved you from a life as a hostage or worse within the Leaf? Instead, by my sword, you were granted a place to grow and learn. And at last, you came to the Leaf later as your own person.

"Who would you be without me?"

Their weapons lowered in their hands, and Suzaku drew his sword. And as he spoke, Tenten wondered who she would have been if she hadn't been raised by Master Panda. Where would she have gone instead? What fate would she have fallen to?

Even as she did, however, Suzaku pressed the sword into her hands. And Tenten found her hands moving by themselves, pressing the blade to her breast. Cheers came from the crowds below. And Tenten found she could not think of anything but the sword and the hands she had on it.

"Come now, my friend, take the blade," said Suzaku. "Drive it into yourself and prove you are free of their influence."

Wait a minute, what was Tenten doing here?

Why was she doing what she was doing? Looking at Suzaku, she saw in his eyes a kind of peace. As if his eyes were windows to the Pure Land itself, promising paradise to all who would do as he spoke. They spoke of wisdom beyond her imagining. Tenten felt as though Suzaku somehow knew what was best, both for her and the world.

Neji was struggling to keep the sword in his hand, and Lee was looking down in a kind of resignation. Why? Why were they giving up on themselves? And why was Tenten even considering it?

Hang on, forget this spiritual stuff. Tenten did a basic cost vs. gain analysis. If she killed herself, she and her friends died. Whereas, if she killed Suzaku, she'd be a hero and would get to take his stuff. Suzaku probably had a lot of money which he'd stolen from merchants around this castle. They'd all be rich as kings!

Suzaku seemed to detect her conflict and put a hand on her shoulder. "It is for the sake of peace."

Tenten didn't care. "...I think I'd much rather use this on you."

And then she hit Suzaku in the neck with his own sword. The blade was dull, and he choked, trying to stem the wound as its blade. Tenten grabbed him by the hair and hit him again. A final strike cut through the neck entirely, and the head came free. As she finished the blow, the blade snapped.

It had never been anything more than a ceremonial weapon. Master Panda had given Suzaku exactly what he'd wanted.

Tenten raised the head before the people who stared and tossed it off the battlements. The guards stepped near them and hesitated.

"What the..." They looked like men who had suddenly woken up from a bad dream. "The... the spell is broken. Is the nightmare finally over?"

"You were enslaved?" asked Lee.

"We... first he told us to do things that we would never have. We found ourselves obeying just because he told us to," said the guard. "If we resisted, he spoke of our pasts, learned about us, and turned us into something else. He... he had a power to understand a person, just by looking at them. And you... you couldn't hate him...

"I... I felt as though I was merely an observer in my own body. Watching something else do things I would never have...

"No, no, I couldn't do this!"

"Enough," said Lee. "We have no time! All of you must free your fellow villagers from their bindings. And you must release anyone else who has been imprisoned unjustly! We must also give medical attention to anyone you have hurt!"

"Yes, yes, of course," said the guard. "Quickly, all of you get to work!"

And everyone sprang into action like men who had been asleep half their lives. The gates were thrown open, and people streamed in, looking for friends and loved ones. Some of them hugged and cheered. And these cheers were not the false cries of men in a trance. They were the cries of prisoners loosed from shackles. The only difference was that their shackles had been mistaken for part of their body.

"I do not think anyone will be sad that Suzaku's reign is at an end," said Lee. "It is a shame, with such power, he could have been a great servant of peace."

"Will you give it a rest, Lee!" said Tenten, walking away.

"Where are you going, Tenten?" asked Neji.

"To loot Suzaku's treasury," said Tenten.

"Is that really appropriate?" asked Neji.

"His entire family is dead, and we liberated the land from him," said Tenten. "If I'm going to end up a rogue ninja because of this, I want to end up a rich one."

"That actually makes some sense, Neji," said Lee. "It is certain that much of his wealth was stolen from those who he murdered. Many of them will never now reclaim their wealth."

"How will we even transport it?" asked Neji.

"Fuijutsu, obviously," said Tenten.

"Oh, right," said Neji.

Tenten was in love.

The armory was... the weapons... the steel. She squeed in joy as she picked daggers and swords and scythes off the walls. "Oh my god! Look at all these weapons! They're so beautiful! I could hit a million targets with all of these! I'll take this one, and this one!"

"Haven't you seen such weapons before," said Neji.

"Never this many," said Tenten. "Master Panda never let me into his vaults.

"Are you going to take anything, Neji?"

Neji picked a sword off the wall. It looked nice but wasn't actually that great. "I think I will take the sword.

"Having a weapon which can give me more reach could be helpful. And the Hyuga have some arts that deal with swordplay."

Tenten sighed and picked up a sword that was of great quality but of humble appearance. "I think this one should suit you better. It's of better make."

"I yield to your superior knowledge," said Neji.

Tenten liked it when Neji obeyed her. It made her feel giddy and powerful.

"I do not think my fighting style needs a weapon," said Lee. "And I would prefer to avoid earthly attachments."

"Have it your way, Lee," said Tenten. "I'll take everything else."

And that was exactly what Tenten did.

Later as they walked away with her newly filled Fuijutsu Scroll. She had heaped on heaps of treasure and lots of weapons; Tenten was feeling very pleased with herself.

"Was it really necessary to steal the entire treasury?" asked Neji.

"I didn't steal the entire thing," said Tenten. "I left some funds behind. And it's not like the people who own it are still alive. Finders keepers."

"Whatever you say, Tenten," said Lee. "I still believe your obsession with wealth could cause us problems."

"My obsession with wealth is how I chopped off Suzaku's head," said Tenten. "I didn't care about his promises of paradise. And I saw that I'd be hurting myself and not getting anything for it by seeking them.

"So I figured I'd just chop his head off and take his stuff."

"...That is an unusual way to resist temptation," said Neji. "What did you feel after you killed him?"

Tenten thought about that. "Oh, um, the impact was pretty jarring on the wrist, I guess. Though I didn't notice it at the time. The sword wasn't very well made. The grip was weird and not much good for impact. I hope I don't get a blister."

"...I am uneasy," said Lee. "Guy-sensei taught me to learn from every success and failure. But I am unsure what I am supposed to learn from this?"

"Suzaku created an illusion," said a familiar voice. "All who heard him speak and met with him were offered a vision of a perfect world. That perfect world could only be attained by their degradation and destruction.

"By doing so, Suzaku exploited the good nature of people in order to control them. He detached them from the grounding of their everyday world and made them inhabit his dream. He kept them focused on a faraway, imaginary future and made them sacrifices themselves for it.

"It is not possible to fight a dream. For dreams change and cannot be defined in narrow terms.

"However, Tenten was able to ignore the illusion by striking at reality. By focusing simply on the effect Suzaku was having now, she broke the spell. She saw that you gained nothing by helping him. And you also knew him well enough to know his promises were hollow. Once she realized that, she choose to embrace her own interest as a means of rejecting him.

"Dreams for the future are all well and good.

"But the dream that comes true is made from what you do now."

"...Itachi Uchiha," said Neji.

And their sensei emerged from the shadows.