Chapter 30: Kage's and Cowards
Suigetsu and Hibiki held each other's hand tightly as they walked past the front gates and into Konoha. Suigetsu and the others had their hoods pulled up, so that their identities remained a secret. Hibiki was the only one whose face could be seen. She wasn't too worried about the dark, quiet streets of Konoha. Only certain shinobi might recognize her, but they were off miles away at war. The streets had a few people walking through them. A few very young Shinobi patrolled the streets, and any adult ninja still looked very young and inexperienced.
As they crept deeper into the heart of the village Sasuke looked up, he jumped off a few roofs and up onto a water tower high above, getting a larger view of the village.
"What's up with Sasuke?" Suigetsu asked, watching him take in his surroundings.
"He's just like me before operation destroy Konoha," Orochimaru said, he looked at Sasuke with a distant look, remembering his own experience seeing Konoha with different eyes.
"How so?" Suigetsu asked, stumped.
"Even if both he and the village have changed, this place is still his homeland, where he was born," Orochimaru explained, "He needs some time to reconfirm his decision and resolve, through immersing himself in sentimentality, and retracing the past."
"Huh I see, so does that mean you're over it already?" Suigetsu followed up. "The whole immerse yourself in sentimentality to affirm your resolve to destroy the Leaf thing."
Orochimaru pondered this as Suigetsu continued, "Hey, come to think of it, we were all your cream of the crop subordinates, right? And now we're inside of the Leaf. All the strong ones are gone because they're away fighting. Isn't this a perfect opportunity for you?" he finished.
"Hmmmmmm, Perhaps, Except for one thing." Orochimaru replied, "You're no longer Hebi."
Before Suigetsu could consider his words Sasuke had returned,
"Let's go," He ordered, the group moved on and as they got closer to their destination, the buildings were replaced with demolished ones.
"This is from the aftermath of pain's assault." Hibiki frowned while kicking a piece of lumber away. Suigetsu watched Hibiki's sad and guilty face. She still blamed herself for missing it. But before he could say anything they arrive at a large ornate stone. Sasuke performed the proper seals and watched as the stone moved away.
"You use a Jutsu to remove the entry stone," he smirked.
"There's not even a trace of the Uchiha's Nakano Shrine," Orochimaru commented.
"The exterior doesn't matter. What's important is what's beneath." Sasuke corrected them.
"Let's go." The group descended the stairs into the underground shrine. Every step they took echoed off the walls, growing louder as they moved deeper. Fire erupted in the lanterns and lit their way. Hibiki felt nauseous. They were doing something that was wrong. She grew increasingly reserved, walking slower than the rest. Suigetsu a few steps in front of her looked back at her worried face. He walked back up and caressed her face softly, the others growing more distant. She looked toward him, unsure if she should go further.
Seeing her so hesitant and unsure was strange, and he pondered what to do to make her feel better. As much as he wanted to return to the surface with her to wait for the others, he had the most annoying feeling that Sasuke needed Hibiki with him down there. And he knew she wanted to be there for Sasuke. Internally swearing to beat the hell out of Sasuke someday, he kissed Hibiki's forehead, held her hand tightly and began to hum her mother's song. Soft appreciative smile touched Hibiki's lips before her grip grew tighter on Suigetsu's hand and she hummed along with him. The two moved quickly and caught up with the others at the bottom.
Inside the chamber was two small fires glowing warm and bright on either side of a stone tablet with writing on it. They approached and stood by Juugo.
"I will start then," Orochimaru said stepping up to the tablet, "Stand back," He warned as he donned the mask. Ice ran through Hibiki's veins as she thought of their journey here. While still moving through the forest Orochimaru had explained the procedure.
"To do what is written in that scroll, first you need the mask of the shinigami, you can find it in the Uzamaki's clan's temple on the outskirts of the village. Then you must let the shinigami of the shiki fuujin possess your body to make it come out. If it cuts your stomach the seal will break. But I will need to be sacrificed for that. This will allow me to get my arms back from inside its stomach," Hibiki shuddered as Orochimaru cried out in pain as he cut his own stomach open. Her skin crawled as he called out "They're back!"
"If I can recover my arms, I will be able to use the Edo Tensei and summon those four, of course, I am sure you know I will need 'something' for that."
"Ahhh you're planning on using us as sacrifices ain't you!" Suigetsu had exclaimed.
"That's not a bad idea but there are better options even though you can't see them…."
"Juugo, Suigetsu, Sasuke get ready!" Orochimaru called as Suigetsu moved away from Hibiki.
"Yes," Juugo agreed.
"Juugo give Sasuke the hermit power of the curse seal, by doing this zetsu who Tobi had used to watch over Sasuke, will respond to the chakra and come out."
Loud crashing and banging pursued as four of the 6 zetsu in Sasuke were held down as sacrifices while Juugo and Suigetsu held the remaining two. Orochimaru proceeds to complete the action, escaping his dying body and taking over the Zetsu Suigetsu held down.
All the air left the room as four soul-shattering screams erupted from the four zetsu, Hibiki's body went rigid. Her skin crawled like a thousand insects scuttered up and down it.
Suigetsu was able to return to her in enough time to keep her from falling. She looked ill and terrified. Which he couldn't blame her, watching the 4 hokage emerge from the zetsu's wasn't the most pleasant sight or sound. Keeping one arm around her to hold her steady he turned his attention to the others.
Before him, in the place of the Zetsu stood four glowing corpse-like renditions of four men.
"This is the first Hokage? The man who was said to be the god of shinobi. The real Hashirama?" he questioned.
"What did you expect to see?" Hibiki asked, "a glowing angel?"
"It just it's very underwhelming, considering how much this guy was built up."
The four men opened their eyes and took in their surroundings.
"This Orochimaru guy again?" Tobirama sneered when he recognized the man.
"What do you mean?" Hashirama asked his brother.
"He probably removed the seal of the shiki fuujin that was trapping us. And then he used the End tensei." the third Hokage speculated.
"How did he manage to remove that seal? Orochimaru-san how did you do it?" The fourth asked.
"You're underestimating me Minato." Orochimaru smiled. "Originally it was a sealing technique of the Uzumaki clan. After losing my jutsu, I've been studying the ruins and documents of the now lost clan." Hibiki huffed a bit, she had been the one who searched for months for those stupid ruins. The Uzumaki clan had been very good at hiding their secrets.
"Lord First It appears we've been recalled into the world of the living," Minato explained to the man.
"Who the hell are you?!" Hashirama exclaimed.
"Oh, uh The Fourth Hokage, sir," Minato said, pointing at his back.
"Oh? The Fourth Hokage, you say? I see! So, the village has remained stable." Hashirama chuckled happily.
"Well, I'm not actually sure if it has or not. Because I died and was sealed away much earlier than Lord Third." Minato bashfully told him.
"Huh? Is that so in a separate incident than when I was sealed away with Sarutobi?" Hashirama asked.
"Yes, a completely separate incident," Minato confirmed.
"So who's the Fifth Hokage?" Hashirama asked again.
"Your granddaughter, Princess Tsunade," Orochimaru said holding a smile back.
"Tsuna, huh? Is the village okay?" Hashirama grimly worried.
"Is there something to be worried about?" Minato asked.
"She was my first grandchild, so I spoiled her rotten! In the end, she even picked up my gambling habit." The first burst out laughing.
"The Reanimation Jutsu again? I can't believe the Jutsu I devised would be used so casually." Tobirama commented, appalled.
"It's not a complex Jutsu. However, you should not have created it in the first place. Lord Second many of your policies and jutsu that you developed ended up causing problems later on down the line" Orochimaru argued.
"Even now? Why you! Are you planning on attacking the Leaf again?! I took away your jutsu in exchange for my own life. Yet you still-! And this time you revived me, your former master, to pit me against the Leaf!" Lord third accused.
"Conflict, no matter what the era." Hashirama shook his head. "It certainly cannot be called that great a Jutsu. Tobirama, that's why I told you that time to listen to Hikari!" He scolded.
"Will you be quiet, big brother? I am trying to talk to this stripling right now." Tobirama ordered his brother.
"But I…"
"Shut up!" he demanded again. The first pouted a little.
So not dignified for the God of Shinobi! Suigetsu thought, and from Hibiki's annoyed groan, she must have been thinking the same thing.
"Please do not misunderstand. I don't have any more leanings in that direction. Haven't you noticed that I'm not suppressing your personality? There are certain circumstances at play this time. I'm merely creating a stage for discourse per his strong desire." Orochimaru said motioning to Sasuke.
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha and I want to ask you Hokage some things." Sasuke chimed in
"Is that you Sasuke?" Lord third peered at him.
"You belong to the Uchiha? Of course, you'd stick with a scoundrel." Tobirama sneered.
"Tobirama! I told you to stop saying such things!" Hashirama scolded again.
"You're too soft, big brother!" He argued back.
"Never mind me. Lord Third, why did you make Itachi do what he did?" Sasuke demanded.
"So, you've learned what happened." Lord third sadly exhaled.
"I killed Itachi to avenge the Uchiha Clan. Afterward, I learned the truth from Tobi and Danzo. And I leaned towards swearing vengeance against the Leaf. However, I want to hear it straight from your mouth." Sasuke growled. Guilt, anger and internal confusion showed on his face. He looked to the side at Hibiki, closed his eyes, took a breath and continued his conversation.
What preceded Hibiki heard from what felt like underwater. She knew what they were saying but had a hard time focusing on a single voice. She placed her back on the wall and slid down it, her stomach rolling. Suigetsu went to her side and held her hand as the others continued to speak. Hibiki wanted to listen in but she felt too sick and weak to pay attention. Her ears were filled with the sound of a trickling river, she could barely make out Suigetsu's voice. But she did hear him beside her for some reason. The only thing she would feel in her underwater world was Suigetsu's touch.
The Hokage and Sasuke finished talking and began to move to the exit. Suigetsu gently tried to wake Hibiki, but she didn't open her eyes. Panic filled him but it only got worse when Orochimaru bend down on Hibiki's other side and checked her pulse.
"Her pulse is a little fast," he said mostly to himself.
Hashirama stopped in his tracks when he saw Orochimaru and the Shark kid looking over a young girl. She seemed so familiar; He grabbed his brother as he moves to the exit.
"What is it?" he asked. Harashima pulled Tobirama along with him to the girl.
"She looks just like her right…" he said to Tobirama. He glanced at the girl and a rush of memories struck him.
"Hey, Kid!" Hashirama called to Suigetsu. He looked up at the two and was a little terrified, but he kept himself glued to Hibiki. Moving unconsciously, he hid her slightly from view.
"Uh yeah?' he stuttered.
"That girl what's her name?" Harashima asked, trying to see Hibiki from behind Suigetsu.
"Hibiki."
"No, her clan name." he corrected himself. Suigetsu eyed him suspiciously, as he began to ask why they needed to know, Orochimaru spoke over him.
"Omoikane," he told the two kage. Excitement filled the first Hokage's eyes. The second Hokage was plaster faced but some strange emotion sat somewhere deep in his eyes.
"A crystal girl just like Hikari," he exclaimed. "She looks just like her!"
Tobirama examined the girl a little closer, "I wouldn't say exactly like Hikari, but I do see the similarities." he corrected his brother. "Can she also see the future?" he asked.
"Yeah." Suigetsu confirmed.
"That's not good then. Hikari always hated my edo tensei, said it messed with her head, a crime against nature, disrupts the flow of time…"
"We need to wake her up." Hashirama added.
"I'll use a seal that Hikari taught me that will help limit her Foresight to prevent us from making her so sick," Tobirama instructed. Suigetsu picked Hibiki up and the group ascended the stairs and reached the outside.
With a deep gasp, Hibiki sprang up into a sitting position. The air was clearer, and she didn't feel as sick as before.
"Suigetsu?" she asked.
"Yeah right here," he assured her.
"Are the zombies gone?" she asked.
"No…" Hashirama pouted a little hurt. "Me and my brother knew your great grandmother, Hikari, and we know how the Edo Tensei can cause you problems. We placed a seal that will limit your foresight, so us zombies won't bother you much."
"Grandmother? Her name was Hikari?" Hibiki asked, surprised.
"Yes, and you look just like her." Hashimara smiled.
"Well, you look similar to her." Tobirama corrected.
"What do you mean? What did she look like?" Hibiki asked.
Tobirama thought for a moment, "Like an angry hamster." he answered with a serious and even tone. Suigetsu, Hibiki and Hashirama gave the second Hokage a strange look, that he ignored. With a pat on her shoulder, the second Hokage walked to were Sasuke, Juugo, the Third and Fourth, and Orochimaru were standing. Hashirama followed quickly after. Once they were out of earshot Suigetsu leaned in close and whispered to Hibiki.
"Look we got to go, Four super-strong zombies and three monsters! If I tag along, I'm dead for sure! I'm making a break for it when I see a chance!" he shuddered a little. Not in an argumentative mood, Hibiki agreed to follow along. Helping Hibiki to her feet, he began to walk backward with her, creeping away from the group.
"This view brings back memories!" Hashirama exclaimed. With a quick movement Suigetsu no longer stood beside her. A loud splashing like noise replaced him.
"What the hell?!" he yelled as he was being beaten by Karin.
"It's you, after all, Sasuke! I sensed your chakra and I couldn't believe it, so I backtracked and look what I found!" she continued to stomp on Suigetsu's liquefying body.
"Karin. Oh my, so many of my best experiments gathered here in one place!" Orochimaru smiled like a father at a family reunion.
"You bastard! I'll never forgive you!" she yelled at Sasuke, as she continued to wail on Suigetsu.
"I'm sorry, Karin," Sasuke says casually, feeling a little bad for Suigetsu.
"You bastard! As if a simple apology will get you off the hook you good for nothing…" Karin slowly sputtered as she gushed at Sasuke's face.
"I see you still have a weakness for Sasuke, Karin" Orochimaru smiled as Karin battled with herself.
"Sasuke had the gall to stab me. Lord Orochimaru!" Karin tattled to her formally dead boss.
"What a coincidence. Me too. But I'm helping Sasuke now. This is perfect timing. You help too." he sarcastically told her.
"What?! I guess I have no choice…" she sputtered again, blushing and rubbing up against Sasuke affectionately. (although Suigetsu though it was more obsessive.)
"Orochimaru why did you decide to help Sasuke? You were trying to destroy the village." The Third asked Orochimaru, a question that had been burning him for some time.
"After being inside Kabuto, I realized something he imitated the way I lived and tried to possess everything and failed. So now, I'm just curious about the different path Sasuke has chosen. Unlike Kabuto, Sasuke didn't copy me." he explained. As the Kages reminisced on their personal head cliff carvings, Karin breaks away from Sasuke and goes to Hibiki. She had just got Suigetsu on his feet again when Karin shoved him out of the way, coddling Hibiki.
"I have been so worried about you! And I see you busted these losers out of prison, but why didn't you come for me?" she pouted, keeping Hibiki firmly in her arms.
"Did you really need any help, Karin?" Hibiki asked.
"Fair enough," she giggles. After a few more moments of absorbing her beloved Hibiki, she scurried off back to Sasuke's side. Bending over and taking Suigetsu's arm, Hibiki him up onto his feet.
"You okay," she asked petting his head.
"No," he grouched.
"We have to go to war now," She reminded him.
"These people are going to kill me."
"Maybe." she smiled, moving her hand to caress his cheek.
"Yeah that's really comforting Hibiki," he mumbled as he leaned into her hand.
"Let's just be careful."
"Let's? You are not coming." he frowned, taking her wrists into his hands and holding her still.
"Yes, I am, I'll use my front sight and help in any way I can." She told him. He groaned in disapproval, he wanted to demand she stay in a safe place, that she waits in a hotel or something until he came back, but he knew Hibiki wouldn't listen to him if he tried to argue. He sighed giving in, he took her hand in his and lead them to the group. As they approached, Orochimaru stood at Hibiki's side.
"You two have become close," Orochimaru commented, "You know Hibiki, there are plenty of guys who aren't as cowardly as him."
"I know, but he's my coward." she smiled.
"Hey," Suigetsu took offense.
Plans were briefly discussed before they split into two teams. From what Hibiki picked up, the Hokage, Sasuke, and Juugo where to go to the front lines through a fast-moving Jutsu. Orochimaru, Karin, Suigetsu, and Hibiki were going to run to the location at a slower pace. Before Sasuke turned to leave Hibiki grabbed his shoulder, he looked down at her, her face solemn.
"Sasuke, I've never really expected anything from anyone, I could always tell whether they would or wouldn't do something. But right now, Sasuke, I'm expecting you to fix this mess. I expect you to end the war and come back alive." she ordered.
"I know," he replied.