Animaman: The specifics of the prophecy aka leave Naruto behind and neglect him was a part that was only known to Jiraiya and the Great Toad Sage. The other toads had no clue about the neglect part of the prophecy. It might also bring into play that maybe it's time to get another Toad Sage because maybe this one is kinda senile and old. As for manipulation, I plan to reveal exactly what happened with the prophecy and let's just say a certain Rabbit is involved.
zero fullbuster: Glad that you liked my last update and hope that you like this one.
777torn777: Well Naruto has to get some consequences to scaring Yakumo like that. How else will he learn not to scare her like that? :)
PinkiePieParty122894: I'm really glad that you liked the last chapter I posted and hope that you like this one as well. I appreciate the continuous support.
Huntergx60: I have something in mind for the fates of the tailed beasts that centers around Naruto and Aiko. Can't say much more about it. Glad that you like the story so far.
thor94: I thought it was a fair twist but I will say this, not everything is as it seems. Soon I'll be revealing some things about the toads and the prophecy that may change your hopes for them.
Natzo: I plan to explain Jiraiya's twist more in the future along with Orochimaru's when I go in depth about the toads' part in all of this.
Sage of the Azure Phoenix: I'm happy that you like the story and I'm glad that it's kept you interested. I really wanted to kind of give Jiraiya a different take though he played a part in the prophecy manipulation because I actually really like Jiraiya. Naruto's next real big fight will be against Tsuranabi so we might not have it if Naruto loses the fight and dies, or he might survive and then he'll face his siblings. Either way they will come into play after the Tsuranabi fight.
coronaprimo: I think that the Tessaiga is a great reference just with more intricate designs on it's handle. I've never seen Inuyasha so I had to look up the sword but that's essentially it, the blade is black though. Thanks for the support and there are definitely unbelievable aspects to it. I think that I made it really unbelievable early on with how strong he was and I've tried to temper that and make it more believable through later chapters.
Michael: Thanks for the compliment. I haven't read Shishi no Naruto but I have read Leaf's New Tree and The Will of Fire and I enjoyed both of them a lot. It would have been much more meaningful if he could've told Naruto himself how sorry he was but he just ran out of time. I checked out the dinobot clip and I agree with you there but I was more comfortable letting him die a hero and unfortunately Naruto wasn't around to witness it.
Shanks 1: I will be explaining Jiraiya's choices more in the chapter that deals with the toads.
Freddielebron: Doubt that you've made it this far but I will respond to your review regardless. That early in the story, he isn't necessarily the strongest swordsman but his abilities at night take a monumental leap. Only at night is he able to beat Itachi and that's because of the massive boost he gets from the moon. Also I don't think Itachi was ever as strong as prime Madara especially not this early on in his life before he is set up to leave the Leaf. Sorry you didn't like it.
Rebelling Death: Thanks for the wishes and I'm blessed to not have COVID. Stay safe.
LionFist56: Thanks for your patience and well wishes.
sao for life: It's alive and in motion.
Ryu wolf: I'm doing well and doing my best to stay safe, hope you are as well.
Reedz22: I don't know what ? is referring to sorry.
troutman30: I thought that Mei having her own relationship advice book was a bit of ironic humor to add into it and I'm glad that you found it funny. As for the dark part of him, for the most part he just destroyed all the leftover resentment he held towards his parents. The darkness within him will always find a way to come back as it would for any other character.
(Shinigami's Blade)
Tsuranabi arrived in his room from the distortion in Paradise. The man had his fists clenched and his teeth grit. For a long moment, he stood in his room silently stewing in his anger until it eventually all boiled over. "AAHHH" the man shouted in rage summoning his sword to his hand and slashing at his wall heavily. He continued to slash as his breathing got heavier and heavier. After a few more slashes, the leader of the Shinigami's Blade ended his tantrum opting to regain his breath as best as possible instead. Still clenching his fists, Tsuranabi looked up. "Hear me now Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze, I will kill you the next time we meet. I will take everything that you have and everything that you are" the man said in quiet rage before walking to his bed, ignoring the still bleeding cut on his cheek courtesy of the Lunar Swordsman.
Sitting on his bed, Tsuranabi closed his eyes. He was so close. So close to attaining the goal that had eluded him for years, so close to fulfilling the mission he had been given so long ago. All he needed was the remaining power of the second remaining pure chakra weapon that Naruto held. Once he gained the weapon at it's fullest potential along with the pure chakra that now circulated through the blonde himself, the world would have no choice but to adhere to his demands for perfection. A world with a singular mind, a singular will. No conflict, no dissension. Perfect.
Lying down on his back, Tsuranabi allowed himself to drift off to a much needed rest. A rest that would inevitably revive the memories of his past within his dreams.
(Within Dream)
Tsuranabi sat in a corner with his knees pulled into his chest. He sat sniffling, his eyes red and puffy from crying. The ten year old Tsuranabi sat in his sad state wishing for the pain inside to stop. It had been only a few days since two men and the village elder had come and taken him from his dwelling on the street to a place he was unfamiliar with. Once they arrived, they boy was chained and pulled into a dark room before being put on a table. The men had drawn a large series of lines all along his body and immediately an excruciating amount of pain had begun to course through his body. The process had lasted for several hours but the pain was still flowing through his small body.
The black haired boy cried more as bursts of pain continued to rock his body. Sitting in his room, Tsuranabi looked up when the door opened revealing a bright light. In walked a brown haired woman who looked to be in her mid thirties dressed in commoner's apparel with a cooking apron around her waist. Slowly, she came to stand in front of Tsuranabi before carefully kneeling down to the boy's level. Tsuranabi flinched in fear from the woman and then again from the pain going through his body.
"I know that you're hurting right now but I'm going to try my best to make the pain less. My name is Kara, what is your name?" the woman asked in a gentle tone that instantly erased Tsuranabi's fear of the woman and lessened his pain. For a full minute, nothing was said until Tsuranabi found the courage to speak. "T-Tsuranabi. My name is Tsuranabi" the boy said in a small voice. "Where am I?" Tsuranabi asked, a question that when he asked his kidnappers he was met with a strike to the face. He watched Kara, waiting for any indication that she was going to hurt him but saw none. Instead, he saw the woman frown and look away before returning her gaze to him. "We are in your new home Tsuranabi. This is where it has been decided that you will eat, sleep, and live" Kara said with a little bit of spite and anger at the end that was barely noticeable.
Tsuranabi was about to ask another question when Kara raised her hand causing the boy to immediately flinch in fear. Realizing what she had done, Kara put her hand down immediately. "I'm sorry Tsuranabi, I didn't mean to scare you. I was just raising my hand to keep you from asking any questions. I'll answer your questions as best I can tomorrow, but for now you need some rest. Go ahead and get some sleep, I'll watch over you. I'll keep you safe" the woman gently said with a smile. Under normal circumstances, Tsuranabi wouldn't dare close his eyes after the beating that he had just received, but something in the lady's tone told him to trust her. With a slight nod, the child closed his eyes and let himself be enveloped in the darkness of unconsciousness.
Kara's smile disappeared and immediately formed into a sad frown once Tsuranabi had drifted off. She watched as his body continued to twitch and slightly convulse in pain despite Tsuranabi being asleep. Little did the child know that any chances of him having a regular life was over. The people of her village all knew that this child was the most recent in a long line of sacrifices chosen to hold the ten tailed beast. Every four years a child would be brought forth to hold the beast and when the power of said beast corrupted and overloaded the host, they would choose a new child as another sacrifice. It disgusted Kara.
Tsuranabi would be the third child that she was in charge of keeping alive. Her duties were to simply make sure that they survived. She had been told when she first received her position as the caretaker of the sacrifice that she didn't need to feed the child every day, just enough so that they didn't starve. There was also no need to talk to the sacrifice. Just feed the child and let it rot until their inevitable and painful demise in four years. Kara was unable to do such a thing. She disagreed with the entire idea of sacrificing children and sending them like lambs to the slaughter. It cut deep in her heart every day as she would listen to the child crying in pain, knowing that she was unable to stop what was already in motion. For being selected as the ten tails sacrifice was a death sentence, nothing more.
The process had certainly taken its toll on Kara over the years and constantly drove her to thoughts about leaving this Kami forsaken village. However, the thoughts about how poorly anyone else would treat the sacrifice is what kept her here. It seemed that she was the only one in the village that realized that these were children in need of love, care, and affection. They needed the fresh outdoors, not to be locked up in a cage. They needed to go out and make friends, not be sentenced to a short life of isolation. There wasn't much that Kara was able to do being that she was just a simple caretaker, but she could try to make these last four years of the sacrifice's lives as peaceful as possible. That is why she stayed in the same village and in the same position. Coming out of her thoughts, Kara gave one last look to Tsuranabi before quietly getting up and leaving the room.
As the door shut, Tsuranabi continued to twitch from pain but also from visions that he was seeing in his sleep. Tossing around, the boy was sent a barrage of visions. The moon, a great tree, the stars, a man, and finally a white haired woman. Each vision was just an image except for the woman. While he only received still images of the moon, the tree, the stars, and the man, when the woman appeared she seemed to walk towards him. Dressed elegantly she carried herself like royalty, with horns protruding from her head, two white eyes, and one red eye on her forehead. After a short walk, she came to a stop before whispering, "We will have peace". Immediately after the words were spoken, everything went black and Tsuranabi continued to sleep a dreamless sleep.
Morning came rather quickly. Opening his eyes slowly, Tsuranabi pushed his sore small body to sit up in his bed. Blinking his eyes a few times, he looked around his room and was reminded of the grim situation that he was in. Before his thoughts could deepen, the door opened and in walked the newly met Kara holding a bowl of something smoking. The smell immediately made Tsuranabi's mouth water in part because it had been days since he had been given food. The boy kept his eyes on the brown haired woman as she came to sit in the chair next to his bed while his body would occasionally twitch due to the effects of the sealing on his body.
Kara sat down and looked at Tsuranabi with a kind smile. "I thought that you might be hungry so I fixed you up some soup. Be careful though because it's pretty hot so make sure to blow on it" she said handing the bowl to Tsuranabi. The boy looked at the bowl for a few seconds trying to figure out if it was some sort of trap before he fell into the need for something in his stomach. Taking the soup, he brought a spoonful to his mouth and give a small blow before eating. His taste buds instantly fell in love as he quickly devoured the meal given to him.
The brown haired caretaker once again smiled a sad smile. The child was obviously starving and from what she had been told, he had never had a properly cooked meal before. After all, why should anyone put any effort into making something for someone who would become just another sacrifice? The thought disgusted her but she kept her smile up so as to not cause any concern to the boy. It didn't take long for Tsuranabi to finish his soup and when he did, he set the bowl down beside him and looked at Kara.
Tsuranabi stared at the woman for a few moments as questions started to form in his head. "Where am I?" he asked after a long moment of examination of the woman in front of him. Kara's smile fell slightly at the question but not completely.
"Well Tsuranabi, we are in your new home. It was decided by the village elders that you would come to stay here and that I would watch over you" Kara said in a gentle and calm tone. "So I'll be taking care of you and if there's anything that you need, you shouldn't be afraid to ask me and I'll do my best to get it for you."
The boy stared at his caretaker for a long moment before taking a breath. "Why are you acting so nice to me? You say that you are here to help me but why? You don't even know me?" he asked needing an answer if he was going to put his trust in the woman before him.
Kara kept up her smile but her heart hurt at the obvious skepticism coming from her new charge. "Because Tsuranabi, all children deserve to be loved. Innocent people shouldn't face the world alone. What has happened to you is unfair Tsuranabi, but I want you to know that I will try to be there for you as much as I can" she said putting her hand on his shoulder. When she did, Tsuranabi flinched slightly but allowed her to lay her hand on him and eventually a smile appeared on his face which caused Kara's smile to grow as well. "Now how about we get out of bed and do something productive" she said with a chipper tone that caused the boy to nod.
( 10 Hours Later)
Tsuranabi was lying in bed waiting for sleep to overcome him. He had had a very fun and eventful day thanks to Kara. After he had gotten out of bed earlier that morning, Kara had taken to teaching him how to read. He had already had a rough grasp on reading, but wasn't very proficient at it. Lucky for him, he had a very good and patient teacher in his caretaker and by the end of the day he had started picking up on it pretty well. After a day of learning how to read as well as learning other subjects, Kara had let him watch and help out in cooking dinner. They had made a mess but the two had fun through the process. Safe to say, it was the best day of Tsuranabi's short life. Thinking of the events put a smile on his face before he slowly fell into slumber.
Once again his dreams seemed to be nothing but a series of images. The moon, a tree, two odd looking men, and finally the same white haired woman as before. Once again the woman sent a message to him saying "Blood taints this world. We will have peace and soon, my gift will become yours" the woman said before once again everything went black and Tsuranabi continued his sleep.
(Kara)
Kara sat in her room thinking about her day with her new charge. She had definitely broken some walls with Tsuranabi and had seemingly gained favorable opinion from him. It had taken a lot of careful maneuvering but she had managed to get through some barriers. It was something that made her smile. If she was able to ease the burden that the children she was given charge of just a little bit, it helped ease her conscience enough to let her sleep at night. The horrible truth that she was in charge of keeping a sacrifice sedated until their death still hurt her soul inside, but it was her duty until she found someone else that would treat these kids as human beings and not monsters to be beaten around.
With a sigh, Kara turned off her light and got into bed. She needed her rest for tomorrow because she had more plans and activities to do with Tsuranabi. All the fun would be mixed with teaching him the essentials such as improving his ability to read, write, and think cognitively. It may have seemed like an effort in futility, but she was willing to go to any lengths in order to make every child she was tasked with looking after feel loved and like a regular kid.
(The Next Day)
Tsuranabi was awakened by a knock at his door. Getting up slowly and rubbing his eyes, the boy clad in a t-shirt and pajama pants walked to the door and opened it. He was met with the sight of a smiling Kara which caused his mouth to slightly smile as well.
"Time to wake up sleepy head. Go ahead and get dressed so that you can come have your breakfast. We have a big day Tsuranabi" Kara said in a chipper tone to which Tsuranabi nodded rapidly before closing his door in order to get dressed.
In a matter of minutes Tsuranabi was sitting in the kitchen dressed in brown shorts and a blue shirt while enjoying a plate of eggs and toast. Kara sat across from him eating a piece of toast and drinking a cup of orange juice. The little boy stopped eating for a moment which gained Kara's attention and spoke. "So what are we going to be doing today Kara?" the boy asked with some egg still in his mouth which caused Kara to slightly giggle before swallowing her food.
"First of all Tsuranabi, it is polite to swallow your food before speaking. As for what we are doing today, we will be doing a bit of learning and some playing outside if that sounds okay to you" the woman said which gained a nod from the boy. "Good, because it is beautiful outside and it seems like a crime to stay indoors on a day like this" she said looking out the kitchen window seeing the sun shine brightly.
Ten minutes later, the duo of Kara and Tsuranabi are sitting outside in the grass. The sky was a perfect blue and the sun shined brightly which made Kara smile as she looked around. The grass was a bright green and many different types of flowers were in bloom. Inhaling the beautiful scent of nature, she turned to Tsuranabi who was looking around him with a smile. "Tsuranabi, everything that you see around you is alive" Kara said interrupting the boy's thoughts and gaining his attention. "From the grass to the trees, everything you see is a living, breathing, thing. Nature is the life force of this world. Isn't it beautiful?" she asked gently to which Tsuranabi nodded quickly.
Kara smiled again but it slightly faded causing Tsuranabi to tilt his head in confusion. "Unfortunately, not everyone can see that. Every day part of the earth is destroyed in some way or form, people are killed on vast battlefields on the dead earth. The planet is crying and no one will listen to its pleas for help" she said sadly.
Tsuranabi looked down at the blades of grass. He looked at the dirt, he even looked at a small group of ants carrying something to their den. Looking back up, the boy stared at Kara. "What can we do to help it?" the boy asked with the intent to save the planet.
Seeing the enthusiasm in him, Kara giggled before smiling a gentle smile. "Unfortunately, there isn't much that we can do. People will continue to fight and by doing that, they will continue to ignore the planet's pleas. The best thing that the two of us can do is listen and comfort the planet. Spend time with it, acknowledge its beauty, talk to it. Make its time bearable. Treat it like the living thing that it is. For you see Tsuranabi, the earth is greater than any one person. It was here before any of us were here and it will be here well after we pass on. It's very important to treat the ground that you are on with the respect it deserves" Kara said as the sun shined on her.
The two sat in the grass for the next two and a half hours as Kara taught Tsuranabi more about the earth and the creatures that inhabited it. She taught him about the different seasons of the year and why the planet would change during the seasons as best she could without confusing him. She also taught him the difference between night and day and why the transition occurred. It was an eventful and knowledge packed day in the sun. When the two were done, they went into the house and worked together to make a small lunch of noodles and rice.
As for the rest of the day, Kara taught Tsuranabi new words, better speaking techniques, writing practice, and more cognitive exercises along with his math studies. By the end of the day, both Tsuranabi and Kara were tired but they overcame their exhaustion enough to fix dinner together, something that was quickly becoming a favorite for Tsuranabi because of the fun the two would have in the kitchen. All in all, it was a long and fulfilling day and now Tsuranabi was in bed asleep.
For the little boy in bed, sleep overcame him almost immediately and now he laid in bed in a dreamless sleep. After a few hours in bed, when the moon shined is when the woman appeared within Tsuranabi's mind once again, but this time it was different.
(Tsuranabi's dream)
Tsuranabi was surrounded by nothing but darkness. He seemed to float through the nothingness around him. Floating for what seemed like hours, he was startled and closed his eyes when a bright light appeared. Barely opening his eyes in order to let his eyes adjust to the light, he was met with the sight of the same white haired woman who had been appearing to him in his sleep walking towards him. By the time his eyes were adjusted and he could open them fully, the woman was standing in front of him.
He looked at her examining her features quickly while she stared at him. "Who are you?" the boy asked the woman. She was quiet for a long time, examining him and watching him before she responded. "My name is Kaguya Otsutsuki the Rabbit Goddess and I have a mission for you" she said turning around and beckoning with her hand to follow. As if a switch had been turned from off to on, Tsuranabi found he could walk instead of float now. And so he followed the goddess.
"This planet is dying young Tsuranabi" she said without looking at him and still walking forward. "Long ago, I tried to save the planet and all of its inhabitants. I tried to make sure that man would stop killing man, that all violence would end, and that they would take care of the earth and adhere to my wishes. But man fell into their lust for power and violence. They fought against me to disrupt the peace that I had created and through my own sons' betrayal, I was sealed away. For centuries I have been unable to do anything but watch as man taints this land and ignores its pleas for help. This must not go on. The blood and violence, the war and destruction, all of it must end. In order to stop it however, I will need your help young Tsuranabi. I will need you to save this world" Kaguya said turning around and looking at the boy behind her.
The black haired boy looked at the ground thinking about the words he was hearing. What Kaguya was telling him lined up with what he had learned today from Kara, but one question dominated his mind. "Why do you need my help? I'm just a kid" the boy asked looking up at the goddess.
Kaguya smiled at his question and walked up to him before lowering herself to his level and placing a hand on his face. "I see potential in you young Tsuranabi, more so than any other I have come across so far. You and I are tethered together so I will always be with you to guide and assist when necessary. You will need my help, but I will also need yours as well. Can I count on you to help me in saving not only the world, but all beings that live here Tsuranabi?" the white haired woman asked looking into the boy's eyes.
Tsuranabi took a few moments to digest what he had been told before smiling and nodding which gained a smile from Kaguya. "The time will come when I will call upon your assistance. Our time will come soon, and together we will alleviate the pain of the earth" she said before standing up. "It is time to wake up now Tsuranabi."
(Tsuranabi's Room)
Tsuranabi woke up and for the first time remembered his encounter with Kaguya. The things that he had been told ran through his mind and dominated his thoughts until a knock at his door to wake up drew him back into the real world. Shaking his head, Tsuranabi got out of bed and prepared himself to have another fun day with Kara.
The day went well for the black haired boy. Like all of the days he had been here previous, it was a day mixed with fun and learning. He learned more about math, science, writing, and vocabulary mixed in with various games like hide and seek and a few board games that Kara had in the house. The best part however was just talking with Kara while they cooked dinner. It made him feel special, like he was actually someone when he talked with her. She was always so kind and understanding. She cared about his problems. It was nice to have someone care about you and it was a feeling that he never wanted to end.
After his yet again eventful day, Tsuranabi prepared himself for a sleep in which he hoped to talk to Kaguya once again.
This cycle repeated itself day after day, week after week, month after month. In the blink of an eye, Tsuranabi had been with Kara for about nine months and the two were as thick as thieves. Tsuranabi looked at Kara as a mother figure and the feeling was mutual on Kara's side. Over their time together, the two had gotten to know everything about each other and their relationship was solid. Tsuranabi had learned a lot under his time staying with Kara and it was discovered that the boy was a very quick learner. He grasped concepts and gained understanding much faster than most people which continuously surprised Kara on a daily basis. The boy was also quite a good cook after so much time in the kitchen with Kara.
On a much more secret note, Tsuranabi had continued his meetings and talks with Kaguya. She had explained to him over multiple sessions that humans would not listen to reason and that certain actions were required. Blood would need to be spilled and the world would need to adhere to one will, the right will, in order to end the senseless violence that afflicted the planet. The thought of blood needing to be spilled conflicted Tsuranabi greatly as during his study sessions with Kara, she had started teaching him about morality. All of her teachings said to go against the methods that Kaguya was suggesting which was frustrating on the part of the Rabbit Goddess, but she was patient. The more that the two talked, the more Tsuranabi became entranced in her message that their must be one will to dominate the world in order to protect it.
(Kitchen)
Kara smiled as she did the dishes and cleaned up the kitchen. It had been almost a year since Tsuranabi had come to stay with her and the time that they spent together was an absolute joy. He was such a sweet and sincere boy that was put in an unfair position. Every host that had come through her doors, she had treated with love and respect. Tsuranabi was different though. In their short time together, the boy had gripped her heart and never let go. This thought made her frown. She knew what his fate was but some time ago, she had made the decision that he would not suffer through the same fate as the previous hosts to enter her doors. The cycle would end with Tsuranabi.
For the past five months, Kara had planned every type of argument to bring up in order to keep the village from transferring the tailed beast to another host. Her arguments ranged from him being a real person to the village having a more mature, powerful, and in control weapon. Though the weapon argument left a terrible taste on her tongue, she would say whatever she had to to save the boy that she had become so fond of. If all of her arguments fell through, she had made the decision that the two would leave. They would run away from the village and find solace somewhere else. She would do whatever it took to keep Tsuranabi safe.
A knock at the front door disturbed her thoughts of Tsuranabi. Shaking her head, Kara walked calmly and collectively to the front door and opened it. She was surprised to be met with the sight of the the village elder backed by two of the village soldiers. Without a word, Kara stepped aside and let the three inside and led them into the living room. Waiting for the elder to take her seat, Kara took hers immediately after. She waited to speak while the elder looked at the woman intently.
"Guard the host's door, make sure it stays in it's room" the elder ordered without looking away from Kara. The two guards silently obeyed. Once the two had left, the elder took a breath. "It has come to my attention that you have grown attached to the host. That you have been making an attempt to change village tradition. I believe that it would be for the best if you distance yourself from it immediately before some unfortunate consequences start to arise. Kara, you have been a loyal villager and I hope that I can count on that loyalty and devotion to do what's best for the village" the elder said in a stern voice.
Kara didn't flinch at the elder's words. "With all due respect, Tsuranabi is not an "it", he is a ten soon to be eleven year old boy. He has feelings, he has thoughts, he has dreams just like all of us. He is a member of this village and I believe that it would be in our best interest to treat him as such. As for tradition, sometimes things need to change like the constant cycle of using children as nothing more than containers to be thrown away when their use is fulfilled. I have witnessed this cycle conclude twice before and I believe that it is something that must come to an end. It is a despicable tradition of the village" Kara said unwavering in her beliefs.
The elder stared at the woman for a long time before giving out a sigh. "Kara, you were such a good girl when you were a child. So obedient. I'll ask you once more to reconsider. Stop thinking about the host, think about yourself. Whose life is more important, your's or that thing's?" the elderly woman said.
Without so much as a blink, Kara responded immediately. "His name is Tsuranabi and I will protect him with my life. So long as I do that, my soul is at peace. I ask you to do away with this tradition and save this village from sinking even further into the depths than it already is. Give him a chance and he may just surprise you" she said with firm determination.
Shaking her head, the elder stood up. "Guards, with me" she said in a loud enough voice to reach the soldiers. Both responded immediately and quickly made their way to the elder. The old woman took one last look at Kara and gave another sigh. "I wish things had been different Kara. You had such potential, you still do. Truly a shame to waste it on something with such a short shelf life" the woman said before turning and leaving with her guards in tow.
Once the three had left, Kara let out a large breath that she wasn't aware that she had been holding. Her mind was now made up. Tomorrow, she would take Tsuranabi and leave this place. Their exit could wait for him to finish his sleep. He would need his rest. Nodding her head, Kara stood up from her chair and went to her room. Getting into her sleeping attire, she got into bed and tried to sleep. It was a feat that would be easier said than done.
Hours passed as Kara laid in bed staring at the ceiling. She thought about how things had come to this. How she had become so attached to Tsuranabi. Each memory of him caused her to smile. The boy had taken over her heart and from their time together, Kara had discovered a maternal side of her that she wasn't sure had existed. Her thoughts moved onto her and Tsuranabi leaving. The village elder visiting her at night seemed more like a threat than a visit which put fear into her. She wasn't worried about herself, but she was worried about what would happen to Tsuranabi if she wasn't there. When Tsuranabi woke up, she would tell him about their plans to leave. She would pack enough food to last a few days and the two would leave tomorrow night.
Shaking her head in bed, Kara got up to go to the kitchen. She couldn't sleep and she was hungry. Perfect situation for a late night snack. Walking into the kitchen, she made her way to the pantry but stopped when she looked through the window. Bars covered the outside and a shadowy figure ran through the backyard causing her to freeze in fear. Quickly opening the silverware drawer, she pulled out a knife for protection and tried to find the figure again. As she looked for the figure, a smell made its way to Kara's nose. Something that turned her fear into panic. The smell of smoke.
Kara ran to the front door and tried to open it, but the knob was hot and something was obstructing the door. Her eyes widened as she realized that the front windows were barred from the outside as well. Through what she could see, a large yellow flame started to grow fast from outside. Turning quickly, Kara ran to Tsuranabi's room as fast as she could and practically slammed the door open.
When the door slammed open, Tsuranabi immediately woke up and sat up in bed confused. "Tsuranabi, we need to leave now. There's a fire and we have to get out" Kara said quickly as she went to help Tsuranabi out of bed quickly. She noticed that his window had bars placed on the outside blocking any exit from there as well. It came to her quickly that this was planned. This was no accidental fire, someone was trying to kill them. Grabbing Tsuranabi's hand once he had gotten out of bed, she ran back towards the living room.
As the two ran, they came to an abrupt stop when they came across a spreading fire in the living room quickly moving to the kitchen. Turning back around, the two ran back to Kara's room and Kara immediately shut the door. Kara let go of Tsuranabi who was now very scared because of their current predicament. Kara looked to her window which was now barred. It had to have been done while she went to the kitchen. Cursing in her head, she moved to her bedside table and removed the lamp that sat on top of it. Picking up the table which was quite heavy, she carried it to her window. With as much strength and force as she could, Kara slammed the bedside table against the window. It broke the glass but the bars remained. Picking up the table, she slammed it against the bars again.
Behind Kara, Tsuranabi looked at the door in fear as flames had started to spread to the door. The heat intensified and he turned away to see Kara grunting as she relentlessly slammed her table against the window. Looking closely, he could see tears streaming from her face.
Kara slammed the bars over and over, blinking through the tears at her's and Tsuranabi's inevitable demise. Inside, she was praying to whatever god would listen. She had to get this window open, she had to save Tsuranabi. With the boy in mind, she gained new strength. Slamming harder, she battered the bars relentlessly and desperately as the bars started to loosen. Raising up the table, she slammed making the bars groan but not move. She barely took notice of the increase in heat and the fire starting to burn away her door.
Kara raised the table. SLAM. Nothing.
She raised it again. SLAM. Nothing.
She picked it up again despite her arms now starting to seriously ache. SLAM. The bars loosened.
SLAM. They loosened more.
SLAM. They groaned trying to hold their place.
With a cry, Kara slammed the table one last time. SLAM. The bars broke off.
A smile appeared on Kara's face as she created a way to escape. That smile was short lived however as she turned around to be met with the sight of her door being engulfed in flames. "Tsuranabi, let's go. Hurry" she shouted getting the child to run to the window. "Be careful, there's glass on the ground below" Kara said ushering him out quickly as the fire overtook her door and swarmed her room rapidly. Tsuranabi quickly made his way out the window safely and Kara was right behind him ready to go through the window. Her plans were thrown off course when the roof above her started to collapse. Burning debris fell from above right in front of her. The smoke made her look away and when she looked back, her blood ran cold.
The debris was blocking all but a small part of the window. Too small to get out but big enough to see the child who was a son to her make it out. She watched numbly as Tsuranabi stood up and turned around only to look in horror at the situation she was in. In her head and in her heart, she knew that this was the end so she had to be quick. "Tsuranabi" she yelled out getting his attention. "Tsuranabi, you have to run away. The village is not safe, they started this fire. You have to run away. I love you Tsuranabi" she said with tears streaming down her face.
Tsuranabi listened to her words and moved to try and move part of the flaming debris blocking Kara in, but before he could, the burning house collapsed which forced the boy back a few feet. Looking up at the burning house, Tsuranabi fell to his knees with a look of utter despair on his face. He watched as the fire consumed the entirety of his home. As it consumed all of his greatest memories. As it consumed and took away from him the only person who mattered. Kara.
Letting out a loud cry for his fallen mother, Tsuranabi grabbed at the warm ground as if it would help alleviate the pain he was feeling.
"What a shame indeed" said an old voice that caused Tsuranabi to look up and behind him. An elderly woman backed by two men who had swords at their sides stood watching the fire. "I truly wished to avoid this cause of action, but Kara was insistent upon protecting you. You see young host, your position is that of a servant to the village. Your duty is to us and anyone who would look to disrupt that will be put down" she said before turning to her guard and whispering something. Her whispers were interrupted by Tsuranabi who took this as his time to stand.
The black haired boy kneeled looking at the fire as a dark feeling overwhelmed him. Standing up, Tsuranabi turned around and faced the elder and her guards. Without his knowing, a certain goddess whispered to him the words that he would utter next. "An endless cycle of hatred, and endless cycle of violence, and endless cycle of man killing man, an endless cycle of death. Your actions make this planet weep in despair and as a servant to this planet, I will end the weeping. I will break the cycle. I will have peace. All will succumb to my will and I will bring peace through submission".
Tsuranabi's words caused the elder and her guards to shutter slightly and the guard to her right took the initiative to restrain the host. As soon as he reached Tsuranabi's side and prepared to force him to the ground, the black haired boy growled and shoved his arm through the chest of the guard. An aura of black energy started to exude from the boy as he continued to stare at the elder while the man impaled on Tsuranabi's arm sputtered. His lungs started to fill with blood and he reached to try and remove Tsuranabi but the boy held firm. A dark burning sensation started to run through his body and in an instant, a black flame covered his body. The man tried to scream but his body wouldn't allow him to as he burned to nothing but ashes on the host of the ten tailed beast.
The elder and her remaining guard looked on in horror at the sight of the man burning to nothing in front of their very eyes. The whole time, Tsuranabi kept eye contact and a part of him was amused at their reactions. Once the guard was finished burning, Tsuranabi started to approach the two remaining villagers. The last soldier removed his sword and went to swing it at Tsuranabi's head but the boy caught the weapon in his hand. "Just like man, your ultimate solution is always violence" he said before launching a kick to the man's groin. The guard fell to his knees with his mouth in a silent scream. Tsuranabi capitalized on that by taking the sword from the guard's grip and stabbing it through the man's open mouth. He let go of the sword and let the guard fall to the ground dead with the sword still stabbed into his mouth.
Tsuranabi continued his walk with a twisted smile towards the now shaking elder who was now on her knees. He came to stand before her kneeling form and watched as she cried pathetic tears in the hopes that they would save her. "Please, show mercy. Please, I'm just an old woman. Don't kill me" she begged in fear.
The woman's begging made the boy let out a dark chuckle as he raised his hand and petted the old woman. For a few seconds, he petted her hair before grabbing her head tightly causing a gasp in in pain from the elder. "I will take from you everything" he whispered before the black aura surrounding him spread over the old woman causing her to scream in pain. He stared into her eyes as her entire life force was taken from her. Her skin started to become gray, her white hair almost immediately fell out, and she struggled to try and get away. Tsuranabi laughed as the struggles got weaker and weaker before the woman in front of him was nothing more than a husk that once housed a living soul. Her hair was gone, her skin was a dark gray, her eyes were completely black, and her face was an eternal expression of fear.
With a smile, Tsuranabi turned his attention to the rest of the village that was nearby and started walking. That night, his smile never left his face.
(End of dream flashback)
Tsuranabi woke up from his memories and sat up in bed. He moved his hand to the spot that Naruto had struck him with his sword. "Kaguya, let the boy know that his time has come. You know what to say" Tsuranabi said to seemingly no one. The time had come to end the Lunar Swordsman's journey.
Author's Note: First and foremost, I hope that everyone is safe and staying safe in this trying time. I also want to thank all of you for your support during my unofficial and unintentional hiatus. For those of you who don't know why I took so long on this chapter, my author's alert that I posted before this chapter pretty much detailed why I've been gone for so long. Anyways, I expected to be done yesterday but there were a few finishing touches that I still had to make. Next chapter, we're back in Konoha. I'll probably reveal more about Tsuranabi in future chapters but I thought it was appropriate to end it like this for now. Hope you liked it and I'll see you next chapter.