Hey, before we begin I'd like to clear up a thingy!
I have updated the previous chapter due to a comment by GamerX568 (Thank you so much), who pointed out that the Civilian Council doesn't exist. This is my fault, because I'm not too knowledgeable about the Naruto Universe concerning village politics. Of course, it is important to note that this is a work of Fanfiction, and obviously there will be times where I go on a complete tangent from canon in order for the prepared timeline to make sense. This isn't a call-out, but it is a warning for the future.
I'd also like to state that, even though the Civilian Council isn't canon, it is still, very much, a useful plot device when it comes to political conflict. I am already guilty of using the Civilian Council device in my other fic (which I will be continuing) called Winged Redemption: Exiled Hero.
Because of my mistake, I hope it's become clear that, in terms of the Timeline, I'm not that knowledgeable when it comes to Naruto Shippuden, and because of that I'd like to ask for you, the readers, help me.
I just need a cut-down version of what happens when Team 7 goes off to find Gaara. I know there's something about a seal, and simultaneously tearing it off, and perfect clones fighting the real version. Plus there's the whole thing with using Sasori's body to meet up with Kabuto. And a bunch of other stuff, but I don't know which event goes where. (I know, I'm dumb).
So, in the meantime, I will be doing FLASHBACK FILLER, where we have Wei Wuxian, the YiLing Patriarch, interacting with other, somewhat, well-known people in the Naruto Universe, and, if you give it time to read, it may reveal some interesting Fanficiton Lore which will act as foreshadowing. These takes place during the 16 years as well.
With that said, I hope you enjoy this filler.
Melody of the Woods
In the Past...
"Ah..."
A seemingly simply phrase when one realizes something... it can contain much meaning when a clever person lets out a breath of realiza-
"Arghhhh... Where can I get a drink around here..."
Unless you're the powerful YiLing Patriarch, where he finds himself in a trivial dilemma. His many-tailed companion looked at him and snorted out in annoyance. The Kyuubi looked at him.
"I don't understand you humans and your liking of alcoholic beverages..." He growled out.
"Like you'd understand. You're made of energy, while I am made it Flesh and Bone... I haven't had a good drink since I came to this place." The YiLing Patriarch would say, looking up at the blue sky, bright from the sun and full of clouds. Then, he found himself stopped by the paw of the Biju. Looking up, the Kyuubi crouched down low to be hidden in the leaves (get it?).
"There's a village up ahead... it's bigger than any I've seen before. And it looks like it's still under construction... perhaps we should-" The Kyuubi looked down to see the human gone, and then he'd look ahead to see the human practically skipping towards the village. The Biju let out an annoyed sigh, knowing full well he couldn't stop the YiLing Patriarch, and so he just stayed hidden and let the human do his business.
Moving to the YiLing Patriarch, he found himself on a dirt path which led to the village being built, a smile on his face as he saw men and women nailing and cutting wood, painting to make the town beautiful. It's clear they've been working on this place for a few years, and it was a beautiful location, here in the middle of a forest. He looked up towards a mountain and saw men suspended and carving away at the mountain... it looked like a face.
The YiLing Patriarch smiled wider and looked around some more, spotting some buildings that were already done and conducting business. He ran towards one of them, as it looked like a restaurant or tavern of sorts. But, upon entering he saw that most of the seats were full, all except one in front of a man with brown hair. He approached and motioned a hand to the seat in front of the man.
"May I?" The YiLing Patriarch asked the man. Some of the other men in the tavern turned to look at the newcomer. The Brown-haired man himself looked up at the Smiling man wearing black and red. He gave a smile and a big laugh, before nodding and motioning a hand.
"Of course my friend! I haven't seen you around before, are you new to the area?" He asked, to which the Patriarch sat down and chuckled.
"Sir, your strong drink!" The YiLing Patriarch would say, smiling as the tavern owner nodded and brought a bottle of Sake, placing it in front of the man and placing two small bowls to drink from.
"You'd be right, by the way. I'm just travelling along and I came across your... beautiful little town. It looks quite big." He'd say, pouring himself one of the small bowls and bringing it up to smell the alcohol. It was an unfamiliar scent, but he's never had Sake before. He looked at the liquid before downing it and letting out a satisfied smile.
"Sir! Your alcohol is very good!" He'd say with a bright smile. Meanwhile, the brown-haired man would give a hearty laugh at the attitude of the young man.
"Yes, the village will be wonderful... I never got your name." The man would say to the YiLing Patriarch.
"Oh... I am known as the YiLing Patriarch." He says, pouring himself another bowl, and then, as a courtesy, pouring the brown-haired man a bowl as well who silently accepted it.
"YiLing Patriatch... I feel as though I've heard that title before... Why not your name?" The man would ask.
"Because I only give it out to people I respect and trust..." He'd reply. The brown-haired man would nod at that.
"Well, I am more trusting in most people. My name is Hashirama Senju. One of the founders of the village." The brown-haired man would introduced himself. The introduction would make the YiLing Patriarch stop a bit, and peek at Hashirama... So that's why everybody looked at me weird...
"It is my pleasure to share this drink with you, Hashirama." He'd say, bringing up his bowl, to which Hashirama clinked with his own bowl to toast the YiLing Patriarch, before they both downed their Sake.
"So, Mr. Patriarch..." Began the village leader, this time taking the bottle and pouring them both a bowl of the Sake.
"What brings you to the village? Other than the sights, of course." He'd ask, bringing up the sake and downing it in a single gulp. The YiLing Patriarch smiled at the village leader, before sipping his own bowl a bit conservatively.
"The drink. If I'm being honest... It's my first time having this." He'd say, looking down at the bottle they were given. That made Hashirama look at him strangely.
"Your first time drinking it? Ha! Then what exactly do you drink on the regular? You seem like the type who's more refined in his choices..." The brown-haired man would say. It was at this moment where he felt a pang of guilt as he saw a flash of sadness come from the Black-haired man who sat across from him.
"Regional wines... from my homeland. They're very rich..." He says, looking away and at the ground. A fond smile made it's way onto his soft, pale face as he reconnected his eyes with Hashirama's.
"I remember one in particular... it was called 'Emperor's smile', from a town known as Gusu. It has a lovely flavor... possibly my favorite wine ever." He'd state, trying to make it sounds as great as it is to his new friend. Hashirama, however, recognized the value of the drink, not from the description of the wine, but how the drink was described.
"It seems... it carries a lot of sentimental value." He'd inquire, to which the Patriarch gave a sad nod, now staring off into space.
"I now realize... that I'll never be able to taste it again." He'd say, allowing a sigh to escape his soft lips.
Hours would pass, and they would have idle conversation about more... lighthearted... topics afterwards. The YiLing Patriarch stood from his seat as he saw the sun setting behind him. He turned to Hashirama and gave him a bow.
"Thank you, Lord Hashirama for sharing the drink with me." He'd say, to which the brown-haired man patted him on the back and gave out a hearty laugh. The Patriarch held back the urge to rub the area where he was patted... Hashirama was quite strong.
"Thank you for joining me Mr. Patriarch! And please... feel free to return whenever you'd like."
The YiLing Patriarch nodded, turning and heading towards the village gates, before turning around and asking one last question...
"What's the village called?" Hashirama smiled at the question.
"Konohagakure no Sato... the Village hidden in the leaves." He'd reply. The YiLing Patriarch smiled and stared at the orange, now turning dark blue, sky as it shifted into night, he felt the wind pass by and listened to the leaves rustling around the village which was under construction.
"The Village hidden in the leaves... A fitting name. Until next time, Hashirama." He'd say, before waving once to say goodbye and heading out of the gates, clutching onto his flute all the way until he met with his furry friend once more, who was curled up asleep already.
"Hm... I should write a song for it."
So, as you can see, it doesn't add to the main story (I'm sorry for this), but because I'm working out where the next chapter is in terms of the Naruto Shippuden canon Timeline, I think this will sate your interests for now. If not, I'm sorry again. I'm sorry a hundred times that I must keep you hanging...
But the Voting is still open.
- Kurotsuchi: 0
- Shizuka: 1
- Ino: 8
- Fu: 1
- Tayuya: 2
- Temari: 1
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little Mini chapter... and may I post the next real chapter as soon as possible. Thanks for your support, and you bearing with my unbearable posting schedule.
Nitro
