Life As A Fox
Chapter 91
NSW
Shinjin awoke suddenly, something was wrong. He sat up on his bed, which was a lowly reed mat, sleeping on that honed his disobedience to his god. He sat patiently, peering into the darkness of his tent, which lay bare of almost everything except basic necessities. The ground had a tremor going through it, a tremor that was building.
Vaguely he heard men yelling outside his tent. Muffled and increasing in urgency. With a slight haziness to his brain from awakening at such a late hour he stumbled towards the door flap, pulling his robes tighter. He fumbled with the cord binding, but with a vicious tug he snapped it open. Peering out into the night he searched vigorously for what was wrong.
He was almost knocked over by a few running Lumenion. The growled and snapped at each other as they sprinted past. Steaks of white bounding over the ground. The tremor was growing. What was going on? An earthquake? Was the rest of their wall falling down? But then he heard it. Like the rumbling of a giant. He could feel something big coming, crashing through the darkness.
Fear hit him, the fear of knowing that something large was coming but not knowing what it was, not being able to see it and defend himself from it. Then blue light crackled to life. Lightning screeching like birds illuminated the darkness. He ran forward towards it to see what was happening. Fire was breaking out, as some of the tent caught flame.
The bonfires lit up the scene that lay before him. It was an attack. Vicious and blood thirsty the enemies doled out their revenge on their unprepared forces. Shinjin turned and yelled, alerting all who were still sleeping, although he had no idea how they were. The camp was in chaos and disarray. What with the enemies and everyone trying to defend.
Shinjin turned when he heard a roaring. Expecting it to be a demon or other creature, he was thoroughly stunned when the noise was revealed to be admitted from a man. Wild silver hair streaming behind him like a mane. In both hands crackled lightning, as if he wielded it like a thunder god. He wore a black mask covering up his mouth and nose, but his eyes were visible.
One had a vicious scar raptured across it, beneath the marred flesh a red eye spinning off kilter as it focused in on him. He stepped forward like a lion stalking its prey. His arms hanging down at his sides, clenched into fists. He walked slightly hunched over like a beast, he spoke. His voice dark, and saturated with anger. "You...you are the one who has started this war."
Shinjin said nothing. The man continued. "Your god is the god of humans, do you want to know who my god is?" the man asked. "He is the god of war, and now he's on my side!" the man spat at him then his hands flamed to life with two crackling orbs of lightning. Shinjin backed away, it was as if a demon had taken form of a humans body.
But luck was on his side yet. Suki leaped in front of him a long wooden tube held in her hands. She brought it to her lips. Was it an instrument of some kind? What was it? She pushed him back and she exhaled a quick breath upon the opening of the tube. From it shot a single needle. In his rage the man did not bother blocking such a puny weapon.
The needle dug into his shoulder. "What did you just do?" Shinjin asked as Suki pulled him "saving your life, get out of here if you can't fight! Your god is not going to protect you from everything!" She shoved him forward so hard he lost his footing, but he managed to correct them. She turned and using one of her blades defended herself from two of the enemies.
She easily forced her was through their defense then stabbed one in the gut. The man crumpled to the ground clutching at his stomach as blood wept from it. She turned, removing her blade and spinning in one fluid motion and slit the throat of the other. She then rose. "I said move it priest!" He turned and with her covering him they ran to safety.
Kakashi staggered something was wrong, his head was spinning and his body felt so weak. Energy sapping from his limbs, he sluggishly pulled the senbon from his shoulder. Of course he now realized, it was poisoned. He swore, as he felt himself drop to his knees. He heard a feral growl, he turned expecting a lumenion. It was, but it was Rebel.
Her and her pack circled around him, forming a protective ring about him. "What's wrong!" She snapped. "Poisoned, I need to get out of here" He managed to say. He felt his chakra coil falter and dim. He groaned as he closed his sharingan. Maybe he shouldn't have been so brash. Rebel growled as she flung herself at a nearby Lumenion, tearing into its shoulder and neck.
The Lumenion screamed and fell to the ground. Rebel finished it off then returned. "Free-One! Go get Wolfheart!" "No need!" He yelled coming in "I saw what happened, I had to fight hard to get here as quick as I could, thank-you for covering." Rebel nodded. "Kakashi what's wrong?" "Poisoned, I can't...I can't feel my chakra coil it's compromised."
Naruto growled. "Can you stand?" Kakashi reached for Naruto and pulled himself up, bracing himself using Naruto. Naruto nodded "good, stay low, you guys cover us!" The Lumenion growled in agreement and surrounded him. The group helped the staggering Hokage back towards the majority of their line. Konoha nin parted and formed tight rings around their leader as he was led back through the line.
Medics rushed forward. "What's wrong?" "His chakra coil is compromised." They stared at Naruto as if he spoke pig latin. "V..Very well, we will do what we can-" "Do what you can! I did not retire and become the head medic for you to 'do what you can' he's the Hokage dammit, it is our duty to make sure he is ready to fight."
Naruto turned to see a familiar sight. Tsunade, the retired 5th Hokage, the slug princess. She decided to join the fray once more. But as a medic of course. Kakashi looked up "Thank-you Tsunade" "Don't thank me, you are lucky I don't whack you over the head for being an idiot and rushing in like that, men, all of you are moronic hot heads."
Kakashi sighed. Once more he was being punished for being so brash. "I apologize" "Do it later, let's get you fixed up first." He nodded and followed her. Kakashi paused "Wolfheart, go get Sasuke and support the front line, keep them pushing forward." Naruto nodded "Yes sir." Tsunade froze. "The Uchiha" she spat. "He's changed" Naruto said looking up at her.
She stared at him, flabbergasted. "H..How can you say that?" "Because it's the truth, he changed for real this time, he discovered love, and forgiveness, and I have forgiven him as well, without him, I would not have lived the life I have managed to live now, I would not have me Yume or would have been able to be with her."
Tsunade nodded slowly, understanding what he was saying. "Very well, if you trust him again, I will let you." "Quit yakking and back to healing! Head medic nin! Pah! Just another gossiping old woman standing around when people need to be healed!" Naruto turned to Gomeg. "Gomeg...run. just...run" Gomeg glared at him "I will not."
Tsunade glared down at the demon who dared to call her old. "Excuse me, old-timer, but what did you just say? Did you just call me a-" "Yes, yes I did, it's the truth and you know it, now get over yourself and back to healing, I don't fear you any more than you fear me, our duties are to the flesh not the tongue...unless the tongue is harmed as well."
Gomeg then turned and scurried back to where injuried were being gathered to be taken to Konoha again. Tsunade stared at the badger. "I must say...I have respect for that little creature." "We all do, now excuse me, I have a war to finish." Tsunade nodded and turned yelling at nearby medics.
Sasuke ran his blade once more through another enemy. To his left Bee spun using his eight blades to kill another as well. Sasuke waited for Bee to fling the dead body off his sword before turning to Sasuke. "You know" he said turning and punching a man in the jaw, knocking him down. He stepped on the struggling man and began to bury his sword into him.
"Some day Uchiha, we should have a re-match, my blades against yours." Sasuke smirked and turned. Sending a chidori stream through three enemies. "I would be glad to." "Here's an idea, how about you kill enemies instead of talking about fighting each other!" Gaara roared at them as he crushed an enemy with his sand.
Sasuke pursed his lips as he heard the snap of the man's spine and the muffled screaming stopped. "He's right, lets have a competition now, first to ten kills wins!" Bee exclaimed. Sasuke and him stared at each other than they scurried forth like two kids in a candy shop. Gaara sighed and put his hand to his forehead. Why? He asked himself, why oh fucking why?
Naruto broke through his thoughts. "Gaara!" He yelled. "yes?" Gaara said turning. "I need Sasuke where is he!?" Gaara pointed towards said nin. Sasuke and Bee were arguing over who killed the man who was suspended on both of their blades. "I killed him first!" Sasuke yelled. "He was still twitching!" "He was twitching because my sword was imbedded in his spinal cord!"Sasuke roared at Bee.
Naruto stared at the duo then back to Gaara. "Really?" he asked Gaara. Gaara sighed and nodded. "Sasuke!" Naruto yelled breaking the two out of their argument. "I need you to help me push the lines forward!" Bee and Gaara nodded "Got it, I will go tell my men." "Same yo" Bee said turning. But not before him and Sasuke shared a look that could only be described as 'this is not over.'
"Nice to see you making friends" Naruto said. Sasuke smiled "yeah, we kind of get along, in a weird way." "Well that's good, but...CAN WE PLEASE CONCENTRATE ON THE BATTLE! WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ENEMY CAMP!" Sasuke quirked his head "no, we are kind of on the outskirt of it. Naruto spun and took Sasuke's legs from under him.
"Oi! What was that for!" "For being a complete and absolute moron!" Naruto yelled back. "Let's go" Naruto said shoving off. Sasuke running after him. With a loud bellowing Naruto turned to see Arthis lead a charge with a large group of his own. Bursting forward, their antlers brought down as their legs pumped and bounded over the ground.
Their massive build pushing all others out of their way. They snorted and bucked as they built momentum. But Naruto from the corner of his eye saw an ambush waiting. They would be blindsided and leveled with the force of that earth users wave. Or make that many earth users. Naruto rushed forward sending out a warning, but it went unheard.
Arthis and his men were focused on the group of ninja that were being used as bait. "ARTHIS!" Naruto screamed. Arthis, faltered in his step, hearing the urgency. But it was too late. The elks turned to see a wave of fire and earth rain down upon them. Naruto and Sasuke rushed forward. Sasuke sending a chidori stream hoping to diminish the force of the earth jutsu.
But it hit, with a great sound, Naruto heard many antlers and bones break as they were blind sides. He heard bellowing and screaming of elks. The ninja who were 'bait' rushed forward with knives at the ready, ready to kill of the survivors. Naruto charged forward, his wolf's brigade jutsu forming by instinct. He leaped over the fallen bodies of his comrades and formed a small line of defense in front of them growling, snapping and lunging he beat them back.
Sasuke was keeping the earth and fire users blockaded off by building a wall of intense fire. He then turned and the wall spanned and completely protected them for a few moments at least. Naruto turned to Arthis and them. Arkill, stood over the fallen body of his grandfather. Arkill's leg was held at an awkward angle. Broken, along with one of his proud antlers.
The look on Arkill's face told him that Arthis was parted from this world. The other remaining elks forced themselves to whatever limbs that were still intact. Bellowing they called out to their fallen leader. Naruto's eyes were laced with tears as his soul line pinned in misery at the loss. But he shook himself and readjusted himself.
They were in war, they were in battle. Arkill snorted and pounded his hoof into the ground. "They will pay!" He trumpeted. As he reared back on his hind legs. Which Naruto wondered how he did such a thing, with his one leg broken. He spoke "take down that wall, I will finish the last charge of my grandfather!" Sasuke glanced to Naruto.
Naruto turned, forming many clones. "Not alone you aren't" Arkill snorted, "so the wolf and elk run together." "No, the wolf and elk hunt together." Naruto said grinning. Arkill nodded and fumbled forward, the others remaining following, resolve in their eyes. Sasuke turned and closed his eyes, releasing the fire with a last burst, that blinded the enemies.
"I got the one's on the left." Sasuke said and charged forward alone, his sword drawn as he faced off against the earth and fire users. Naruto and the elks charged forward and attacked the men who were still reeling from the glare of light. Arkill brought his head up, a man bayoneted on his one good antler. He tossed his head removing, the screaming, bleeding man.
He thudded in the ground, his guts sprawled out beneath him, blood pooling from him. Arkill turned and reared out with his hooves. Hard as rock and sharp he delivered blow after blow to any unlucky human who foolishly got near him. The same was true for all other elks. If they had no horns they pounded in skulls with their hooves, if their leg was broken they used the other.
No matter what, no matter how injured or broken they were, they finished their charge. Finally when all were dead Naruto quickly escorted them back to their line. They limped and were saddened by their loss, but they held their battered heads high, for they had finished what they started.
Night passed by slowly. The battle raged on, and on. But the only witnesses to their struggle were the distant stars and blurry moon. Slowly, tent line by tent line they pushed the enemy back. The ground was muddy and ran red with the blood of the fallen. So much blood, so many bodies. Lumenion fell at a faster and faster rate.
The fliers seemed to have fled. So did some enemy nin. But Naruto made sure none escaped. None would escape the punishment they deserved. Besides those who abandon their own are worse then scum. Naruto panted as he turned his head. Which in itself was a struggle, his armor seemed to weigh so heavy on him. Sasuke stayed by his side.
By now they were with the horse demons. Their ability to use chakra and earth helped out greatly for Sasuke. Lightning type users could re-charge off of each other. Imasen was a great and proud beast. He seemed to get stronger as the war raged on. His hooves falling harder and faster. His lightning crackling louder and brighter.
He would at times forge on ahead on his own then come back as if to say 'come on, keep up.' Naruto shook his head, this horse was incredible. Sasuke dashed ahead and began to cut down enemies. Imasen turned to Naruto. "That man, I like him, he fights like a true stallion." "He has the attitude for one." Naruto muttered.
He turned his head once more scanning for enemies, his instinct telling him that he was missing something, all of them were. Suddenly a fresh wave of enemies broke through, they had been in waiting, all of them perfectly rested and ready to go. While most of them were tired and exhausted. Naruto bared his fangs and stood at the ready.
Instinctively, they all formed a line, and braced themselves, facing off against the fresh wave of enemy nin. Naruto turned his head and scanned about him, seeing if he could spot any of his friends. He saw Lee, and Gai, Gai was bleeding from some wounds. He spotted Neji and Shikamaru on the other end, both of them had wounds as well.
Naruto turned back and let out a feral growl. "Remember" he spoke, "Remember our oath, when the sun rises it will rise to see us victorious!" With new found strength they surged ahead to join in the fray. Time suspended to a slow tick, it was as though he were running in water. Sound drifted away, he stared ahead at the incoming enemy, who were coming in closer and closer.
The faster Lumenion surged ahead and leaped upon some of the faster demons. Cheetah and tigers clashing with Lumenion before anyone else. Naruto gritted his teeth and forced himself to go faster. Leaping up and clashing with a Lumenion in mid-air. The moon seemed to shine even brighter at that moment.
Neji ducked and weaved underneath several attacks, on instinct he went into his signature defense, his version of the main branches eight trigram palm rotation. Blocking several enemies and pushing others back. he protected himself. Scanning the field with his Byakugan he searched for hidden enemies. He saw none but he did see a chakra signature that was familiar.
It was Hanabi, but she was in one of the tents. Was it possible that she got kidnapped? But then he saw that she was with others. Ah, maybe she was confronting the enemies in the tent. By the chakra signature he could tell they were no Konoha nin. But she was not fighting, they were all standing idle. What was going on?
He beat down and killed the enemies that stood in his way without really thinking. He saw them as an annoyance at the moment. He ran forward, trying to remain hidden as possible. He ran to the tents side, making sure to hide his chakra signature. He listened in on the conversation she apparently was having.
"I have done everything on my side of the agreement, and yet you cannot manage simple tasks that I give you." Hanabi spoke. "Taking Konoha is no simple task" Another woman said. Her voice icy and cruel sounding. "Apparently, even kidnapping a child seemed difficult for you, how on earth I ever thought you could manage this war is beyond me."
"Don't forget that you helped plan this endeavor, you and that father of yours." The woman spat. Neji's breath caught in his throat, so the main branch was behind everything! "That is right, we did help you, we paid for that child to be kidnapped, which you ended up losing, we paid for your research and the mining equipment for those weapons of yours, and yet you still manage to be utterly weak and helpless."
The woman was silent for a moment, he could only guess she was seething in rage. "Do not speak to me like so, you are but a child!" "Silence your tongue! I will not be spoken to like so! I am Hyuga Hanabi, and I will not be taken down with the likes of you!" Hanabi spat. "As I thought, here to kill me, to cover up your clan infractions to the village."
"Smart little cunt you are." Hanabi said. The woman chuckled. "Go head and try little girl, see if you can fight as well as you speak." Hanabi rushed forward. But the woman evaded, in the small confines of the tent, Hanabi was dishindered by it and the thick ermine traveling cloak she wore. Neji managed to look through a hold in the tent.
He watched as the woman with a speed he did not think she could posses, she was a known scientist not a ninja! But apparently she kept her abilities hidden. Her chakra coil roared to life. Neji spotted a child sitting in the corner of the tent. A boy, no more than three sitting quietly, his eyes vacant, as he watched his mother with a small grin on his face.
He was young, he did not understand the severity of the situation. He did not know that the knife that his mother held and was stabbing into shoulder of Hanabi was a cruel thing to do. Blood dyed the beautiful white fur cape. Hanabi choked out, in rage and pain. She swung herself around. She struck the woman in the chest, missing a tenketsu point, but Neji knew it would still be painful for the woman.
The woman grimaced but stood her ground. Hanabi activated her Byakugan. Neji cursed. Hanabi gasped, she was frozen, because he knew that Hanabi was staring directly at him. The woman took her chance. She came in, slicing the blade across Hanabi's eyes. Hanabi let out a blood curdling scream. Neji looked away, his eyes closed, just as Hanabi's would be for the rest of her life.
The woman did not stop there though. "You are so precious to your clan no? The heir? Your duty is like most privileged animals with breeding, to be paraded around and kept close, then sold off at your owners whim." She chuckled as she grabbed Hanabi by the hair. "Such beauty, even when bleeding." She sighed "In truth I saved you, your father would have married you off then forced you to bed a man until his seed took root in your rotten womb, you are nothing but prime breeding stock, forced to stand as whatever man your father would allow, mounts you."
"I will save you from such pain." The woman said, and stabbed Hanabi in the stomach, but lower, Neji could also tell that Hanabi would never produce an heir as well, her womb destroyed in a single thrust of a knife. Blood welled from the wound. Hanabi clutched, doubled over. The woman chuckled, Hanabi keened and whimpered like a fox caught in a trap.
The woman growled "Silence" she said then hit Hanabi over the head with the blunt of the blade. Knocking her unconscious. "Come" the woman said holding out her bloodied hand to the child. Wordlessly he toddled over to her. "Mommy will always protect you" she said sweetly, such a contrast to her usual voice. " "Lets go."
Then with that she walked out the back tent flap. Neji backed away, he looked up, no one. He turned and wanted to try and track the woman but he ended up catching himself. Lee and Gai were back to back surrounded by Lumenion. By the looks of it they had been trough much. Neji dove in, helping out his close friends.
Gai panted as he spoke "About time you join in, they made a dagger and split us up, then they just kept splitting us up, surrounding us, these damned creatures." From out of the forest came more of the large deer like ones. Snorting and tossing their antlered heads. "This is insane, we need to get together, if we are separated like this of course they will overwhelm us!
"Not our fault really, with Kakashi down we have no one to stand behind and follow, the sand follow Gaara, the lightning follow Bee, the demons follow Naruto, but us? Who are we to turn to?" "Kakashi is still not back?" Neji asked as he struck down three Lumenion. Gai and Lee captured Lumenions heads and twisted and snapped them or crushed them with their might.
Lee flipped up and around, landing on ones back, breaking it's spine. He stomped on its head ending its misery. "What is the news on him?" "same thing, his chakra is down, and not responding to anything." Neji froze, that was not good. "What will we do?" "Fight? What more can we do?" Neji nodded and bent over as he ducked underneath a leaping Lumenion and Gai's leg who struck the Lumenion, collapsing in its chest.
"Nice one" Neji commented. "Thanks" Gai said and roared as he wheeled around and grabbed two at once and smashed their heads together, brain matter splattering on his face. Neji swallowed back the bile that rose in his mouth. He never had a strong stomach for these things, which is weird considering his profession.
"All right you Lumenion, lets see if you can handle Konoha's noble blue beast!" Gai yelled, covered in sweat, grime and blood, some of it his own. Neji smiled, his teacher even after all these years was still the same. "Hai! Gai-sensei!" Lee roared. Neji shook his head "Idiots" he said as he turned and together the three of them stood back to back against each other, facing the enemy together.
Hanabi felt hands shaking her awake, and being lifted. She moaned, the pain was dulled for a moment. She broke through her fuzzy mind. "Who are you" she asked. "It is me" It was her father. "I am sorry father" she said. Knowing that her father was accessing her wounds and coming to the conclusion that she was no longer of use to him.
"She did this?" Hanabi nodded "One thing father, your brothers spawn heard and saw everything." "I see" was all he said his voice soft. Which was never. "You served me well, better than the other, you were so loyal, my favorite pet, it is a shame to lose you." "Wait" Hanabi said as she felt the cold metal of a knife near her throat. "Tell me, let me die hearing you say one thing, tell me, tell me you loved me, please?"
She whispered, her voice soft, all she did, everything was to hear her father say that one thing, to say that he was proud of her, and that he loved her. Instead of the usual thing he said. "You will hear it when you deserve it." She felt her father lean in, his mahogany scent drifting in her nostrils. Making her feel safe and secure.
He spoke. "You will hear it when you deserve it" Then she felt nothing as the blackness went on for an eternity.
Hiashi rose up from the body. She lay, her body enveloped in the pristine folds of her ermine cape. She looked as if she was shrouded with a cloud. Her skin, pale and soft lay serenely against it. Her blood, so stark and vibrant lay upon her marbled flesh like paint tossed upon a tapestry. He sighed a heavy sigh, to him it was like killing his champion hound or best stallion.
She was important to him, very important, but when the time came he easily severed his bonds to her. Though some regret to the loss of so much work he had put in sireing and rearing her he did not mind, there were plenty of bastards that he had that he could 'bring out' of the woodwork. The one boy that he had with that kitchen hand, he was 11. That boy was the best bet.
Hiashi sighed, there was only one other loose end to take care of, well two, the blonde bitch, but he would get her soon enough, the one near at hand and more pressing was Neji. True he had some peculiarities towards the boy, but that was only because of the respect he had to the boys father. His own brother, that was all. But now that respect would have to be cut as well, the boy knew, so the boy needed to go.
"Neji!" Lee yelled as his leg was grabbed by a Lumenion and tugged. It's fangs digging into Lee's flesh. Lee groaned and turned punching at the creature. The Lumenion with a whine let go and collapsed to its side. Neji ducked down and kneeled next to Lee, grabbing his arm and hauling it over his shoulder, bracing his friend up.
Lee grimaced but smiled. "Thanks" "You're welcome" Neji said. "Gai!" Neji called out. "We have to retreat! Find a bigger group! We can't stay out here I told you!" Gai turned "No! We can handle these things! I do not retreat I am no coward! The noble blue beast does not cower to any!" "Damn you and your pride!" Neji yelled.
Gai was so...as Shikamaru would put it troublesome! He had this sense of 'honor' and believe that if he retreated or ran away he would lose it, the man was as hard headed as an ox and as reckless as a buck in rut. Neji grunted "Then what do you want us to do! Lee needs to go get his leg checked out!" Neji glanced, bone poked through and so much blood. Lee looked a little pale.
"Go on! I can handle them!" "That is suicide! You are by yourself!" Gai sighed and stopped, he bit his thumb and summoned his turtle. "Now I am not! Now go!" Neji nodded and turned, hauling Lee with him. "Dammit why are you so heavy!" "I am made of muscle! I am sorry!" Lee proclaimed. Neji ran to the medic area, it was in chaos.
Neji managed to get Sakura's attention. "Lee! What..." She grabbed Lee from Neji and laid him down, a medic nin began to heal him. "How is it out there?" "We are in confusion, we have no one to join us together, we are all battling separate battles, which is letting them outnumber us." Sakura nodded. "Is Kakashi healed yet?"
Sakura shook her head. "No, he has gone back to Konoha with the others, he is making plans with the Anbu that were left there." Neji sighed. "Naruto?" "He is with the horse demons, they have served as a good stable line, there are many and they have managed to hold them back. But I fear the enemy is leading them on, falling back so that they can surround them."
"Thats their plan, surround and keep weakening till they fall." "I need to get back out there, we left Gai alone." "Go!" Sakura yelled at him. Neji left, and Sakura turned to all that lay before her. She took a deep breath and exhaled, she was the student of the slug princess, she could handle this. She rushed over to said slug princess and helped her.
"Is it true?" Tsunade said to her. "Is what?" "That they have no one to lead them?" Sakura nodded slowly. Tsunade sighed "Well, in times when the current Hokage is unable to go on, the previous Hokage, if still alive should step in." Sakura's eyes widened, she couldn't be serious! Tsunade turned "Gomeg" she said calmly but loudly.
"I am going in, you are going to have to handle everything." Gomeg sighed "Thanks, just what I need, one less person who knows what they are doing" "I have faith in you, you old grump." "Look who's talking, very well go!" Gomeg said waving her off. Tsunade chuckled and turned. She leaned down "You stay here as well, Gomeg needs your help."
"Yes Lady" "Shizune!" Tsunade said turning. "Yes?" she asked a large pig walking behind Shizune, holding bandages in her mouth and a saddle with two sacks that hung on either side of the pig, the sacks contained many a medical device. This pig, who still wore the pearl necklace and red shirt was Ton-ton, now fully grown.
She came to Shizune's mid thighs and was a perfectly docile and loyal creature, more a dog than a pig. Tsunade walked forward, "I am going out, they need me, they need someone to lead them, I need you to stay here, I want you to do what I told you to do, do you understand?" Shizune nodded. The moon and nearby torches lighting her features, showing the grim face.
Tsunade turned removing her jacket, revealing her normal gray-green tank-top shirt that she always wore. She stepped forward, and it seemed as though she transformed, where once stood a medical ninja, a practitioner of saving lives, now stood a powerful ninja, the last of the great sannin, the previous Hokage to the village hidden in the leaves.
Her hazel brown eyes glowed in the firelight, her hair flowed behind her as a wind picked up and tossed it about behind her. She walked forward, ninja noticed her coming and parted for her, then stood behind her, following her. She was their leader now. Tsunade cracked her knuckles then looked at the enemy line, studying it.
She chuckled then with her violent speed and strength, she punched the ground, sending a wave of earth hurtling towards the enemy. They screamed and ducked out of the way, some making it others...others did not. Then with that the tide shifted, With Tsunade at the forefront, they pushed the enemy back once more, taking the camp at a faster and faster rate.
Suki saw this, "It seems I have need to use the poison once more." She stroked her sons delicate face as he slept. She had given him a sleeping draught, she did not wish for him to see such things. She leaned down and kissed her son's forehead. "Everything I have done is for you, my Teiku, know that mommy will always love you, sleep my son, and waken to brighter days once more."
She turned and left her son in his safe place, hidden. She surged forward, Shinjin was gone, he left to join with the general and men he had sent away the previous night. They would flee and lay in wait, re-build re-arm, re-make the war new, someday once more he would return, and take this bloody village. Suki landed she would use every ninja ability she had.
The old Hokage beat away several men, crushing them with each blow. Suki growled and stayed hidden, bringing out her faithful blow dart, she would end this Hokage like she did the other. They were both the same, enraged, in their 'battle-gods' mode, thinking nothing so small would harm them. Suki took a deep breath, judged the distance, and waited for the right moment.
There it was! She let fly the dart. Tipped with the poison that would surpress chakra for days, maybe weeks, and in some cases, forever. But something happened. Tsunades hand flew up and grabbed the dart from mid-air. "Do you think I received the name of a great sannin by falling for such things?" Tsunade turned.
"Poison no doubt, I am guessing this is what you used for Kakashi, hnm, If I send this in, my student will be able to make an antidote for your poison, what do you say to that?" Suki said nothing, not revealing her location. "Come now, step up, come clean, at least admit to it." Suki did nothing once more. The Hokage got angry.
She placed the senbon into her pouch. Then she proceeded to charge forward. Suki leaped at the last moment, evading the Hokages attack. Tsunade whirled around her fists at the ready, her arms swinging. Suki like a lemur or cat dodged and ducked beneath them. Tsunade gritted her teeth she has been to long without practice, she was old, she would admit, her guise did not fool anyone anymore.
"Tell me! Why! Why start this war! Why do all of this!" Tsunade yelled at her. "Because! Within your village is a demon, a demon that took my lover! The father of my child! I would do anything to make that demon pay!" Tsunade stared at the woman. "You are an uncaring fool! Look at all the lives you have taken in your blind pursuit! Look how many families you have destroyed, peace treaties you have corrupted, the fourth ninja war was to end all this, and now you have made us return to how it was before!"
"You did this! You caused this all! Because you allowed one demon into your village! Trusted it! Revered it! All you had to do was kill it like any other would do! But no! It is your own fault!" Suki screamed at the Hokage. Tsunade hardend her gaze. "Silence your whoring tongue you bitch! You are a moron and have no idea what that demon is, you think it's all the same, that you have everything classified into it's proper fields, well you are just as wrong as any country bumpkin."
Suki's mouth hung open, no one had talked to her like so. "You think you are the only one who has lost anyone? Only one to lose a lover? I have, I have lost a lover, I have lost a little brother, I have lost everyone I put my faith in, everyone...everyone accept that demon, that demon, is like no other in this world, you have no idea how special he is, he is not a demon to us, he is our future, he is our hopes, dreams and aspirations, and for him I would gladly do anything for."
Suki hardened her gaze "Then you shall die for him!" "Come then, bring what you have scientist!" Tsunade yelled, arms wide open. Suki smirked 'All of them have underestimated me.' Suki with a flick of her wrist, threw a shuriken, it passed by Tsunade cheek, grazing it ever so slightly. Suki smirked. "We scientists always like to back up our hypothesis, I believed you are going to die, now with that shuriken, I know you will die."
Tsunade lifted her hand and healed the grazed skin. "Even healing it won't stop the poison." "It suppresses your chakra coil correct?" Suki nodded "But what if the person has chakra contained in another part of their body, not the coil?" Suki furrowed her brow, that was an unprecedented idea. Tsunade took a breath, and exhaling, the diamond on her forehead, which Suki thought was a tattoo or body ornamentation of some sort, expanded and grew, transforming into something else.
Two tendrils sunk down encasing her eyes, more markings appeared like vines upon her skin. Tsunade roared as a chakra presence expanded and grew heavy. Suki shivered, such power! Tsunade bit her thumb and then slammed it into the ground. "It has been awhile" she said quietly, "But seeing as I am the slug princess, I had better live to my name, come to life Katsuyu."
"A summoning" Suki said. Then with a great could of smoke, and a shaking of the earth as a new large mass fell upon it, a great slug, large and magnifying rose up into the night sky. Suki backed away. "Let's go!" Tsunade said leaping up onto Katsuyu. "Yes my lady" The slug said, in a surprisingly soft, feminine voice. Suki measured the slug with a glance, her mind trying to figure out the mass of the slug.
She then turned and ran to the supply tent. "Running away? How typical." Tsunade said and bided Katsuyu to go. "My lady, shall I heal you? I sense a poison." "Later, now is not the time, I have my back-up." Katsuyu nodded then moved forward, finding it hard in the tight quarters. Suki ran into the cooking supplies tent, when the cook was killed, they had to resort to making simple meals, one of the meals was the stable of bread like biscuit, salt bread, it was tasty and very filling.
It required lots of salt, so they had a fresh shipment in a few days ago, so there was large amounts of it, and it looked like enough for her plan. She ran out of the tent. She saw a group of ninja "You! get over here, I have a plan for that slug!" The man followed her, together they collected it all. "Are any of you wind users?" she asked.
Three raised their hands. "Good" she bidded them to come forward. They leaned in as she whispered her plan.
"Ninegame! Hold on I'm coming!" Gai yelled as he leaped into the fray, saving his summoning, who was hiding in his shell as the Lumenion were gnawing on it trying to get to him. Gai beat them away and pulled his friend from the trouble he was in. Holding Ninegame above his head he threw his friend at the nearest one.
Ninegame screamed as he bounced from Lumenion's head to Lumenions body, ping ponging like a child's toy. When he finally came to a will wished stop he slowly stretched his head out of his shell. "Never! Ever! Do that to me again!" Gai smiled sheepishly "Sorry...it worked." Ninegame growled at him as he tried to set himself up-right.
"Get me off of my back! I am too old for this!" Gai smirked and nodded bending down to pick up his friend. "You aren't that old" "yes I am, my grandson, is now a grandfather! Do you know what that make me! A great-great-great-grandfather! Do you know how many children, and grandsons, and great grandsons and great-great grandsons and, great-great-great-grandsons and daughters I have? Turtles lay eggs! up to 100 at a time! And we elders have to sit at all the naming ceremonies and present gifts for each one!"
"Oh brother" Gai said placing his hand on his head as he rubbed his chin. "what are you doing standing there! Help me up!" "are you done with that 'I am too old rant!?'" Gai screamed at him. "Quiet, I have every right! And you as my summoning have to deal!" Gai sighed and leaned down and picked Ninegame up. "Look out!"
Ninegame cried out. Gai turned his head and looked, a Lumenions's jaws clamping unto his shoulder and neck before he even could comprehend what was going on. The Lumenion knocked him down. Gai fell bacwards, knocking Ninegame away, still stuck on his back. Ninegame cursed and swore trying to flip himself. Gai managed to get an arm free.
He brought his hand up and grabbed the Lumenion tossing it to the side. A great weight lifting off of him. He felt blood warm and wet cascading down his shoulder and neck. Staining his clothes. He pushed himself up, the effort making him dizzy and light-headed. His limbs felt weak. "Gai!" A voice screamed, he turned his fuzzy head only to see Neji, he smiled slowly.
He turned his head to see the Lumenion shake itself and charge once more, it's eyes angry, it's fangs dyed with blood and snapping viciously. He was calm though, no alarm did he have. He felt so relaxed, and content, he wanted to close his eyes and sleep. Neji struck the Lumenion down. It died with a final gasp. Neji turned a silence descending in their area.
All around them lay the fallen Lumenion. "Gai" Neji said rushing to him. "You are losing too much blood, come on." Gai shooed him away. "I'm fine, get Ninegame off his back, before he makes us all go deaf with his screaming." Neji against his better instincts did so. He went over to Ninegame and flipped him right side.
"Thank-you" Ninegame said and walked over to Gai, "I told you to look out!" Ninegame said rapping Gai over this head with his sharp turtle beak. "Ninegame! He is hurt enough!" "Oh, a little more won't kill him." Neji rolled his eyes. "Let's get him to the medic tents. "Look!" Ninegame said pointing. Neji turned it was Katsuyu.
"So Tsunade has entered the fray." "That she has, good, good, this is excellent, we have someone to lead us." Neji nodded. "How am I going to do this?" Neji asked himself. "Allow me." A voice spoke. Neji turned to see his uncle, he bowed his head even though he hated his uncle, after what he did to Hinata, but he had to follow the clan.
"Uncle, I did not know you had entered battle." He said pretending he did not know a thing of their disloyalty, playing dumb. "Of course I did, for my clan, now allow me, we are both Konoha nin are we not?" Neji nodded "yes we are, I suppose, thank-you." Neji turned away, "If you could grab one shoulder, I can get the-" Neji didn't finish his sentence, a cold chill entered him. Icy and metallic, wait metallic? Oh, it was blood, in his mouth.
He turned, pain starting to register. He looked down, a short sword, one of the enemies, pointed through his chest. He gasped, breath coming hard to him. Then with a sicekning sound, the blade was pulled from him. He fell to his knees, his strength vanished. Gai roared, getting to his knees woozily. Ninegame came to his side.
"Hyuga! You traitor!" He roared. "Come now, go quietly, don't be so brash and annoying, die peacefully and quietly." "Gai" Neji choked out. Gai looked to his student. Hiashi took his chance. He struck out at Gai. Ninegame shot up, catching the blade with his vulnerable neck, protecting his contract partner to the very bitter end.
He died with only a nod and a wink to Gai, "Now I don't have to worry about all those confounded names." Ninegame said in a harsh whisper. Gai roared as he fell beside his fallen summoning and former student. Neji still breathed yet. "You will pay for this Hiashi!" Gai choked out. "No I don't think I will, seeing as you all are dying, good evening, you fiught so valient against the enemy, but sadly, they over took you, ah well."
Hiashi said and turned leaving them. Gai roared he turned to Neji, scooping up his student in his arms. "Neji" he whispered harshly. "Sensai, I told oyu, you were an idiot." Gai chuckled, "come on, that's...thats no way to talk, at a time like this." "We..we need to warn them of Hiashi, of his disloyalty, the entire clan, the main branch, they planned everything."
"Everything?" Gai said, rasping. "Everything..." "Hold on Neji, hold on, let me..." Gai dipped his finger in some of his blood. He laid a shaking hand on the ground. Summoning a small turtle, about the size of his hand. "A messaging turtle." Gai said, "It will record our voices, speak, while you can" Gai squeezed the turtle, it's back lit up.
Neji let out a sigh. "I listened in as Hyuga Hanabi spoke to the blonde scientist, apparently the Hyuga household was in league with them, paying for the weapons, and helping out where they could, all of it done under the table and in secret." "I also heard her say that it was the main branch that hired the Chen clan to kidnap Hime, all of it, was them, they are the ones responsible."
Hiashi tricked me, and I have paid for it, Gai has paid for it, Hiashi has killed Ninegame, the summoning turtle, he has laid a killing blow upon me, I am dying, tell...tell Ten-ten, that I am sorry, and that I love her, both her and our child, I hope he or she grows up to be free, and they will not ever have to fear caged bars."
Neji let a few tears fall at this. "Thank-you everyone, especially you Naruto, for releasing me of my chains, I hope you follow through on your promise, save the second branch, free us from our cages." Gai let a few tears. "Kakashi, the boy speaks truth, I am sorry old friend, but I guess you won this round." Gai sighed as he sat on the ground, Neji in his arms.
Neji's eyes had faded, he was gone. A tear still slowly fell down his face. Gai placed the turtle on Neji's chest. "Neji was wrong, he always knew how to open the cage door and fly free, he did it everyday when he held his head proudly and did not give up on his nindo or himself." Then Gai slowly closed his eyes as he surrendered himself to the blackness, he needed to be there for his student, there in the mysterious afterlife.
Tsunade scanned the field, where the hell was that vile woman? Katsuyu turned "Do you wish me to heal those men over there?" Tsunade nodded and gave her some of her precious chakra. "Use it wisely, don't waste it on someone who doesn't need it." Katsuyu flicked on of her eye stalks in agreement. Tsunade turned, spotting something.
It was a man, a large item set before him. He was kneeling down, concentrating, his hands folded, he gazed intently to her. She glanced about, there was another, in the same position on the other side of them. Both men stood many yards away, they were small dots to her. She did not grasp what they were doing.
Then she saw the woman, with another man kneeling next to her, in the same position as the others. What was going on? Katsuyu let a tremor go through her, she was sensing something she did not like. "What is it?" she asked. "I am not sure, but I do not like what they have in those crates." Tsunade narrowed her eyes, she was right three crates sat in front of each man.
Then with an unknown sign, all three went through the same hand signs. A great wind-swept before them. Growing. The wind hit the boxes and picked up what was inside of them. A powder of some sort. The scent gave it away, as well as the stinging pain in her eyes. It was a great salt wind, Tsunade gasped, she only realized what this would do.
Katsuyu screamed, as the salt burned her. Creating pockets in her flesh as the acidity ate away. The men kept swirling the salt around her, trapping her in it. Katsuyu opened her mouth, salty air went inside of her, burning and eating away her insides as well. "Katsuyu!" Tsunade screamed. Katsuyu's body started to convulse as she separated herself into smaller clones of herself. Her great mass shifted and bulked.
Thousands of smaller slugs rained down from the mass they previous were. The smaller Katsuyu's managed to evade the salt for a moment. The ninja extended the wind. There was no place for her to escape to. Tsunade yelled "Get away! save yourself!" Thousands of soft voices writing in pain spoke "but...but my lady!" "GO!" Tsunade screamed.
Katsuyu, one of the greatest summoning on the earth, was defeated by such a simple and vicious jutsu, no one ever thought about what salt would do to her. Damn that scientist, she was smart in a vile unearthly way. Tsunade tumbled through the air, coughing and hacking as the salt air stung her orifices. The woman took her chance, the small sliver of an opening.
Tsunade was blinded and in pain from the salt, unable to breathe or react, her brain was overrun with the single thought of being 'burned.' Suki ran forward, a blade in hand. She reached the coughing Hokage. Without extravagant flair she plunged the blade into the over sized chest. The Hokage gasped, blood flowing from her pink lips.
Her hazel eyes gazed into hers. "You fought valiant, but your age has surpassed you, the age of the ninja is gone and dead, now it is science and real thinking, you and your kind will not last, and the demons will die out, for good." She stabbed the blade even deeper. "No...you are wrong, my age has only just caught up to me."
The womans youth faded from her. Suki was met with an old woman, her hair a pure white. Wrinkles forming on the once youthful face. Yet still, she maintained a beauty, a beauty that Suki could not describe. The Hokage gripped her shoulders. "But you are wrong, there will always be ninja, those who are willing to fight for what is truly right, and there will always be demons, they have lived here until today and they shall always remain, all has their place...except for you, you who use others for your own selfish needs and wants, the world, the world will not weep for you, and the next time the sun rises, it will rise only to cast light your dead flesh."
"The same will be for you." Suki said. Tsunade smiled "I have lived long in this world, I have seen and learned so many things, I know I have left a legacy that will last forever, I die knowing that I will return back to my Dan's arms, but you...when you die, you will only meet up with your lover in the tormenting burning fires of hell!" Tsunade grinned "I wish I could be there to watch you burn! But knowing I guess will be good enough!"
Suki screeched at the infuriating woman. She pulled the blade from her and stabbed her again and again. The slug princess fell, but still breathed, she spoke. "That demon, that demon will get you, he will consume you like he did your lover, and you know what? The pain that you have wrought would still not be paid back in full."
Then the Hokage gave a last shuttering sigh and died, the moon was the witness to her death. The stars her mourners. "Let's go" Suki said and turned. "Call for a retreat, we will rejoin with Shinjin and the others, we will bide our time and build our strength." They nodded and left.
"The cowards are calling for a retreat!" Imasen whinnied, pumping his legs in the air. "We have won!" Naruto froze. His mind was laced as many a soul bond was ripped from him. Neji, Gai, and Tsunade all at the same time. He howled and fell to the ground. Pain lacing. "What is it?" Sasuke said leaning down to him. "Tsunade, Neji...Gai...they have all...fallen."
Sasuke swallowed. "I see." Sasuke rose "We cannot let them kill so many then run." Sasuke yelled "AFTER THEM! LET NONE ESCAPE!" He roared. Imasen stared at Sasuke. "What are you?" Sasuke leaped upon Imasen. "Where is the war hungry stallion I know! Are you going to let them run and hide like dogs? Let them escape and reorganize themselves, and come back and harm you some more? No, we run them down now and finish them while we still can!"
Imasen reared agreeing, Sasuke held onto Imasen's mane. He kicked his heels into Imasen "Then run!" Imasen charged forward, Sasuke screaming for all to give pursuit. They did, demons, humans all of them ran after their retreating foe. Sasuke giving encouragement from Imasen's back. The two of them flew forward, a great warrior untop of his war steed. His sword flashing out and striking down the running enemies.
Together they were a beautiful and powerful sight. Glowing in the moonlight, man and horse joined together and created an unstoppable force, a force that would be talked about for the ages to come as the 'Charge of the Uchiha.' The Wolf demons ran ahead, using their speed to surround the enemy camp. Howls rang out fresh from the forest, striking the night with fresh fear.
Lumenion and men were surrounded, beaten and broken. They knew it. Some already had laid their weapons down and held their hands up. There was an uneasy silence. No one knew what to do. Naruto had pushed through his pain and came forward. "Those of you who wish not to die, step forward and kneel, hands behind backs, all weapons on the ground!"
He barked at them. With solemn faces, many men, except a few handfuls forward and kneeled. "Gather them" Naruto said. Many came forward still weary of deceit. They placed bindings on them and gathered them up, leading them off, defeated soldiers, having no honor, or pride, worse than slaves. The Lumenion had stood quiet, except for the growls and snapping.
Naruto searched for Rebel. From out of the lines she came forward, her and her pack. He was happy all of them alive and well, bloody and battered but proud. Naruto nodded as he scanned all that lay before them. They stood in the middle of the camp, grouped in a massive circle around the enemy, a small parting for the ones who had given up to be led through.
All seemed a daze, of how they got to this point, it mostly just pointless fighting, hacking and slashing at them, herding and killing them like lambs, until finally they just...stopped. Sasuke still sat astride Imasen, and Imasen seemed not to mind, he actually seemed to like Sasuke sitting upon him. All was Quiet as Rebel came forward, their was murmuring from the few last remnants of the followers.
"I am Rebel, I was a Lumenion who served with you a few weeks ago, but I left, I now serve under Konoha and fight beside demons." There was a lot of widening of eyes. "They can speak?" One said. "Yes, I and those behind me know your language, we have left behind our primal and animal base instincts, choosing to commit to knowledge and honor."
Rebel continued swinging her head to the Lumenion. "You were all created with a purpose, but that purpose is flawed, and so we are flawed, but that does not mean we have no place, we can make our own place in this world, no longer would we serve humans unless we wanted to, we are free to choose our own lives, no more hunger, no more orders, this is the life I am offering you."
Lumenion relaxed, looking to one another. A antlered one came forward, he spoke in snorts and grunts. "Why offer this, we have swore to fight for humans." "The oath that was sworn was by our ancestors" Rebel spoke. "We, are not them, we have choices, don't you see, we can choose not to listen, not to follow, we can choose to not be this, I am only telling you this, is is your lives, if you wish to die and be loyal to the promises of old fools than so be it, but if you wish to make a stake in this world, and fill that void in you, come with me."
The void, she spoke of the void, how right that saying fit, that was exactly so. The void, the chasm, the emptiness inside of them. That is what the all felt. It made them angry and hateful, yet one of their own, came to them and spoke with such a higher knowledge and power, who was this? That knew so much about them?
Their inner instincts called out to her, the feeling of 'leader' and 'safety' came to them. If they followed her, she would lead them to safety, by instinct alone did they step forward and follow, like dazed stalk they came to her. She nodded and turned. Naruto bowed his head, "Let them pass, a promise is a promise." Rebel led them, in front of her kin.
Her kin had changed even in that moment. No longer angry and bitter, instead their eyes were glazed with a child like innocence. "What are you doing! Your god made you for us! You follow us!" The woman screamed, there she was, in the middle of all this. Naruto growled fresh anger hitting him, he wanted to run forward and rip her throat open, watch her die, but he wanted to watch her many deaths, over an over, to reap the pain she had caused so many in equal measure.
Rebel paused. "The god may have created us, but the god does not command us, we command ourselves, no other, we all have witnessed what happens when one serves their god to faithfully, we wish to never be like so." Rebel turned away and kept on walking. Her kin followed.
Naruto stepped forward, "One last chance, give up if you wish to live!" They all stood resolute. Naruto sighed "Kill them all, but leave her alive." He said turning to all. With a roar many ninja and demon surged forward and killed the ninja, who put no fight, the accepted their deaths. Finally only Suki remained, she was unaffected, she stood, blood splotched on her face and clothes.
Her hair in dis-array, for the first time, all could see her, for who she was. She was not beautiful, she was an ugly person, her thin flared nostrils, her high sharp cheek bones, her pointy sharp chin, the edgy piercing eyes, like daggers. Her hair thin and cut short fell away from the tie. The night wind tossed the strands about.
"Suki, the scientist, more like a snake, with your dark twisted mind and poison." She smiled bowing, "Thank-you" Naruto growled "Only you would take that as a compliment." "The Hokage was right about you, you are different from all other demons, it was no wonder my lover fell to your jaws." "Don't worry you will join him soon enough."
Naruto said. "What is it that makes you so different I wonder?" She said. Naruto smirked, he had all attention, all was here. He spoke "because I was born a human, but live a demon, that is why, I am and always have been Uzumaki Naruto, son of Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato, I was a jinjuriki, housing the nine tailed fox, during the fourth war I died by my best friends blade and was reborn into this body, where in secret I returned back to the village I love and continue to serve her, only under a different guise."
There was a loud murmur through all around them. Suki stared at him. "Your science is wrong, it has no idea about the powers of the gods, or the powers of ones will and heart, it cannot understand how humans and demons have always been meant to be, it cannot comprehend how bonds work, that is why it is a selfish and shallow knowledge, and why those who study it, lose everything in the end."
"NO! You are wrong! You are just a demon! spreading more lies! Spreading more deceit! You have tricked them all! All of you will go to hell!" Naruto shook his head. "No, only you." Naruto backed away. "I will leave you to the will of those who you would wish dead, I have sworn to never act in revenge, so I am afraid if I kill you I would break my vow."
He turned, and crashing forward came demons, all of them wanting a piece of her flesh to rip. Her scream rose up into the night one time. The chorus of satisfied and jubilated demons echoed her. Finally when all was done, when her body had been ripped open and lay broken and yawning stretched open, her bones glistening in the moonlight.
No one knew of the words that Tsunade and her had passed, but they had came true. When the sun rose, after that long, and bitter night. The night that housed so much terror, so much, death and loss. The sun rose, its entrance hesitant and majestic. It's tendrils of light shone upon the pools of blood which reflected it back, blinding the sun itself. The sun's rays shone down on Suki's long dead flesh, her dark vile soul released from this earth and sent to another where hopefully she was punished for all her crimes, hopefully writhing in the fires of hell as Tsunade had put it.
The sun fell on many others that morning, Neji and Gai, who were still together even in the end. Gai holding and protecting his student, as all sensei's do. The sun fell upon the flesh of many others who has passed. Many demons, many humans, and many more Lumenion.
The Lumenion led by Rebel had disappeared. Gone like a cool wind in the middle of summer, a whisp of a presence then vanished and only a memory remained. They had forged out into the new world on their own, hoping to find a place for themselves, to stake a claim.
Naruto was sad, to not be able to say good-bye to Rebel, but she was their leader, she had to do what was best for her kind. Naruto spoke "I hope you find what you are looking for Rebel." He said to himself softly. He removed his helm and walked through the camp. People nodded their heads to him and regarded him with so much respect.
Naruto turned as Shikamaru came up to him, tears in his eyes. "I found Neji and Gai, he had this." Shikamaru handed him a summoning turtle, he was small and he huffed. He could not speak he was a simple messenger. "Take him to the Hokage, it was meant for Kakashi." Shikamaru nodded. There was some murmuring and arguing.
Naruto came forward. "What is all this?" Naruto asked. "It's a girl...and a child, we found them, hiding." A girl with mousey brown hair stood before him. Her head bowed, looking as if she was trying to make herself as small as possible. A sleeping child in her arms, he had to be three at least. "Who are you?" he asked the girl.
She shook her head. Naruto sighed "Take the child." The girl let the child go without a fight, when the child left her arms she flung herself at the nearest blade and grabbed it. "Stop!" Naruto yelled, but it was too late. She had slit her throat, dying before her blood even hit the ground. They stared at her body for a few moments, as the blood seeped from it.
Naruto sighed once more. "Take her away" He said to them. Deftly some ninja moved in and carried the corpse away. "Who's child is this?" he asked them, looking at it. Something clicked in Naruto's memory bank, he recognized that hair and those facial features, and those eyes, it was no mistaking them, they had belonged to Teiku.
The memory of the man, brought back many pains to Naruto. But he shook the thoughts from his head. This was a child, he was free of whatever curse his father had, but then the thought his Naruto, if this child was Teiku's son, that meant his mother had been Suki. Naruto glanced at the boy, he did have his mothers fair skin.
"Take the child to Konoha, see if you can get him to speak." They nodded and left. Naruto sighed and continued on with his duty. At mid-day they had found Tsunade's body. Naruto payed his respects solemnly to her. They lifted her body gently and carried it. Her long white hair flowing down the nape of her neck. The wrinkled yet enchanting face, harnessed the features of eternal beauty.
Naruto lifted his head and gave one elegiac howl. Marking her passing for all to hear. Sasuke joined him later, leaping down from Imasen's powerful back. "Hey" he said standing slightly hunched, his legs bowed.
"Hey" Naruto said back to him. "It's going to take a few days regardless of how much you do today Naruto, come one let's go rest, we all need it." Naruto nodded and put word in for everyone to finish up whatever duties they had then return back to Konoha for rest. Imasen snorted and stomped the ground. Sasuke turned to him and scratched Imasen's neck.
Imasen huffed in relief. "You seem to be enjoying yourself" Naruto said to Imasen. "I have, I do not know why I did not think of choosing a rider before, it can allow to many a great advantage! Sasuke is the only man in this world who is strong enough to ride the thunder of the hills!" Sasuke smiled and patted Imasen, "I am only thankful you did not throw me, I had no idea what I was thinking when I leaped on your back."
"You were thinking like a true warrior and lead stallion, ushering on the herd, making them push ahead despite what may be!" Imasen answered him, butting his head into Sasuke's shoulder, almost toppling him over. Naruto chuckled. He looked about. "I am just glad this bloody thing is done with." Sasuke nodded "But it's not over yet Naruto, not by a long shot."
Naruto sighed, he could only agree with his old friend.
Holy crap. That took so much, but I hope you enjoyed it.
*Author proceeds to fall to the ground and becomes comatose*