Author Note: Heh, I had faith that I would finish this chapter this year. Hope you will enjoy it and a big thanks for still reading ;-)
It's really 6 months already that I started to write this story - time's running fast if you are busy. And since we have the end of the year do I want to tell you how awesome you are in my eyes. So here comes my own personal flashback of 2016:
Story Followers: 147
Story Favorites: 125 - really, these numbers are great to me, considering I'm totally new to this site and writing and stuff and knowing that my writing was bad in the beginning. Like, totally...
Also close to 400 different people seemed to have reached my previous chapter. Never really thought I would get that much attention (though I guess it's low compared to others, but who cares?)
I'm even on the alert list of 27 users here. And that after stating that I won't plan any other story so far - thanks for your faith. I mean it ;-)
So, yeah, have fun with the recent chapter and have a good start for 2017. I promise that I'll continue this story - there are some funny things ahead (and some creepy ones as well) before the Wave arc starts.
Still think writing fighting scenes is one of my weak points though... *grumbles*
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C's Scouting Report: The new genin
"Okay boss, here is the list you asked for. The most promising new genins from this year, listed in alphabetical order together with their strengths, weaknesses and other intresting information I could dig out:
Aburame Shino: Heir of the Aburame clan and, like all members of this clan, user of Secret Art jutsu based on the bugs they are befriended with. He is using bugs that drain the chakra out of their victims, leaving them defenseless or even dead, if that's the goal. Strong in offense and defense with his bugs, he actually can sacrifice a lot of them to block attacks, but currently pretty weak in taijutsu. If anyone is getting close will he get problems.
Akimichi Chouji: Heir of the Akimichi clan. Uses his clans special taijutsu, based on enlarging body and limbs. Eats a lot of food in order to get the energy needed for these jutsu. Has no real talent for nin- or genjutsu. He has a lot of potential and would do much to protect his friends, but his goodheart nature may often come in his way as well. He needs to get over it. Has a serious temper issue if called "fat".
Haruno Sakura: The only civilian based kid on my list. A real smart girl that also seems to posses a lot of strength, but can't really use it yet. She also has a real temper issue and is obsessed with the heir to the Uchiha clan. Does have potential, if she's getting over her two major weaknesses.
Hyuga Hanabi: Second heiress of the Hyuga clan. User of her clans special taijutsu style, the Gentle Fist. Also trains in using her Earth nature chakra after first meeting with me, with this basicly being the first Hyuga to actually work with elemental jutsu. Right now the only registered slave holder in the village. Usually a happy girl, but she does have a serious temper issue.
Hyuga Hinata: First heiress of the Hyuga clan. Same skills and background as her sister Hanabi, just with Water nature chakra. Currently the only registered slave in the village. She's hard to split from her sister and usually pretty quiet, but can also get a temper if given the chance or being alone.
Inuzuka Kiba: Heir of the Inuzuka clan and, like all members of this clan, user of Beast Combination jutsu together with his partner Akamaru. Great in tracking and speed but gets easily provoked and tends to charge in blindly. Thinks of himself as the greatest.
Nara Shikamaru: Heir of the Nara clan. Outwards just a lazy boy, but I tell you, he's a genius just like his father. Always complaining about everything being too troublesome but if he puts his mind on it, will he analyze everything within a short amount of time. Uses shadow based jutsu, property of his clan.
Uzumaki Naruto: Last Uzumaki in the village and with this most likely the heir of the clan. Also the vessel of the nine-tailed fox, though there are no known contacts between vessel and prisoner so far. Due to his state, of which he isn't aware, is he hated by most villagers. For reasons still unknown without any elemental chakra nature, uses a three-segment staff as weapon. Very protective of his friends, but tends to loose his temper quickly.
Yamanaka Ino: Heiress of the Yamanaka clan. User of her clans signature Mind Transfer jutsu. Managed to figure out that this jutsu alone was nothing and is training on her Fire nature chakra. Is also called the 'Queen of Gossip' and might be a good spy in the future.
That's it for the most promising genin this year. An advice based on personal observations: keep the Inuzuka seperated from the Hyuga. There are high tensions between them and, if given the chance, could this result in unnecessary deaths. Still not sure what started it in the first place, but it clearly went out of control by now."
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A Tale of two Sisters - Chapter 19: Team Assignments
"Where is he?" Naruto asked, standing in the middle of a road crossing in the village. "We can't have lost him, can we?" he was looking towards the girls next to him, both having their Byakugan activated, scanning the area on search for Sasuke Uchiha.
"I'm not sure. He was clearly running in the direction of the Hokage tower, but I can't see him anywhere between our location and the building." Hanabi replied, her eyes twitching under the intense usage of her bloodline.
"Can't see him anywhere left or right of us either." Hinata added, her eyes darting from side to side, trying to cover a wide area with her sight. "Maybe he changed directions and ran away from the tower? Or he's way faster now and already there? Anyway, we should still aim there as well and not stand here at all."
"Good point, sis. Quickly towards the tower. We have to find him to see if our feeling is right or not."
They started running again, the girls still scanning the surroundings. They all had a bad feeling about this situation and wanted to make sure that nothing bad happens. After all had Sasuke tried to kill Naruto because he couldn't beat him in a spar nearly three years ago. Who knew what he might do if he really failed the genin test?
Some minutes later when they were nearing the Hokage tower was Hinata speaking up. "I found him. He's already far north of the tower, heading towards the northern forest. And he's carrying something... looks like a big scroll to me. Not sure what it is."
Hanabi felt a stinging pain in her scar at the mention of the forest. "Why the northern one?" she grumbled. "I hate that place... bad memories.". Sighing in frustration was she changing her track, following her sister who spotted the target they were following.
"Think he stole it or something? Why else would he have it with him? Must be valueable..." Naruto pondered aloud, following the girls as well. They were determined to do what needed to be done - or to find out what needed to be done in the first place before actually doing it. At least confronting Sasuke to ask him about it was a good start in their opinion and the thing they should do as new shinobi of the village. None of them thought about informing anyone though. Against their better knowledge were they charging straight into a situation they had no information about, something they actually wanted to avoid. They were hyped from passing the test, failing to analyze the situation.
It took them a good twenty minutes before they reached a clearing in the northern forest, seeing Sasuke sitting on a tree stump, reading inside the scroll. The girls were taking positions slightly hidden behind trees while Naruto was walking out into the clearing, aiming straight for the Uchiha.
"Sasuke!" he shouted out, getting the attention of the black haird boy. "What are you doing there?"
Looking up from the scroll was Sasuke looking towards the voice, realizing who it was. He mustered him for a short moment before growling out. "How the hell did they let you pass, idiot? Still the favorite of Iruka, huh? There is no way you could have passed without him letting you." he was glaring at Naruto, anger strongly within his voice.
"What do you mean? Don't say you haven't passed? What happened? And what are you doing here?" Naruto asked a bit confused, not exactly sure what was going on. He was still slowly walking towards Sasuke though.
"That stupid Iruka said I wasn't fit to be a shinobi because of my character, declining me the headband. And Mizuki agreed right on the spot. Idiots, all of them. I could easily beat them in a fight, what more do they want?"
Thinking about that for a short moment was Naruto slowly nodding. "You know, they do have a point. You tried to kill me, remember?"
"And you are annoying. I should have really finished you off. Maybe I should correct that mistake now?". Sasuke was standing up, placing the scroll on the ground, and got into a fighting stance.
"No need for that. All I want is to know what's with you and Mizuki-sensei and this scroll there." he was shrugging lightly, but his hand wandered down on his thighs, ready to pull his staff segments to defend himself.
"I see, so you were spying on me and decided to follow me? That's something I don't like at all. Prepare yourself, idiot, and face the consequences." there was hate in Sasuke's eyes and he was ready to attack Naruto.
But before he could start a fight was a voice calling out to them, stopping any move they might have done, their heads turning towards the source of it. "Well, look what we have here. Sasuke Uchiha that got me my scroll and the demon, all by himself, trying to play hero, huh?"
It was Mizuki, standing on top of a branch, watching the scene in front of him. He had an oversized shuriken strapped on his back and an evil smirk on his face. "Honestly, I don't care if you two want to kill each other or something. Just hand me over the scroll and you two can do whatever you want."
"I knew it, Mizuki-sensei. You never liked me! I am no demon! And I hate that you along with all the villagers are calling me that!" Naruto shouted out angrily, glaring at his teacher.
Nearly at the same moment was Sasuke shouting out as well. "What do you mean, your scroll? You said I could pass the test if I get my hands on it and that I did. Are you trying to trick me?"
"Geez... not so loud and please, one after the other..." Mizuki was rubbing his ear. "Yes, I tricked you Sasuke. Thanks for stealing the forbidden scroll for me. And you, Naruto, are a demon. The nine-tailed fox, to be precise. I don't know how you found out about this little meeting here, but I'm surprised that you came here without your mindless bitches."
"What did you call them?" Naruto was hissing in anger. "They are my friends and totally no bitches! Friendly and kind and just great, but no bitches!"
Out of her hiding point was Hanabi watching the scene, her blood boiling already by all that happened so far. How could Mizuki dare to call Naruto a demon? And how could he dare to call her and her sister mindless bitches? She was ready to attack, but looked over to the point her sister was hiding. Hinata, knowing her sister well, knew what she was thinking. Seeing her look towards her was she slowly shaking her head, trying to signal Hanabi to not act and to calm down. Somehow understanding that signal was Hanabi taking a deep breath and trying to relax for now.
Sasuke was starting to laugh. "That idiot shall be the nine-tailed fox? Sure, he does look like one... whatever, I don't care. What was that about tricking me?" he was shifting his position slightly, ready to attack in both directions, Mizuki and Naruto.
"They are, demon. Mindless bitches you keep around you for the simple purpose of satisfying your lust. I admit, they are pretty and would be good for breeding, all three of them. Maybe I should kill you right here on the spot? That way could I be the hero of the village and take your bitches as mine." a wide grin was on Mizuki's face by now and he was barely able to hold in his laughs, seeing how Naruto got angrier with every word he said. And the way Sasuke got angrier for being ignored. If he would play it right might he get rid of both and could simply walk away with the scroll.
The next events were all happening within just a few seconds.
"Don't you dare touch them!" was all Naruto shouted before quickly pulling his staff segments and linking them together, charging in the direction of Mizuki. The thought of a leech laying a finger on his friends managed to let his patience snap, memories of past events flooding his mind. C turned out to be a kind person and didn't made any move towards the girls, but it might have had turned out differently back then during the kidnapping. He wouldn't allow anyone to even touch his friends, not to mention worse things like using them as breeding stock.
That was enough for Sasuke's patience to snap as well. "Stop ignoring me!" he hissed angrily, going through a set of handsigns, aiming on the target that catched his eye first which was the moving form of Naruto. "Fire Style: Fireball jutsu!" he shouted, throwing a pretty big fireball in the direction of the boy he already tried to kill once.
Seeing that was Mizuki grinning, figuring that he could get rid of the demon in front of him pretty easily now. If he would attack him as well was there no way for him to get away. He couldn't dodge or block both attacks and Mizuki would have one nuisance less to take care off. Unstrapping the giant shuriken on his back was he quickly throwing it towards Naruto as well, waiting for the few seconds to pass that were needed for both attacks to hit and kill the blonde boy.
Hanabi was acting on pure instinct here. Realizing that Naruto got attacked from two sides and knowing that there was no way that he could do something against both was she jumping down on the ground, revealing her presence. She trusted her friend to be able to block the shuriken flying straight to his front. His weapon was rock solid and the shuriken was pretty big, giving Naruto a good chance to block it. Going through a set of handsigns herself was she shouting out an "Earth Style: Earth Wall!" and slamming her hands on the ground, starting to raise a wall between Naruto and Sasuke to block the fireball for her friend.
Hinata was cursing to herself. She was unable to locate any kind of water source in the surrounding area, rendering her useless to help her friend. Her training was still far away from the point that she could use the water particles that were existing in the air or ground and needed an existing source of water for her Water Style. Luckily was she still calm enough to keep herself hidden for the moment and not rushing into this situation blindly, knowing that her taijutsu wouldn't be of any help right now and that she would just present herself as another easy target for their opponents.
The cracking and shrieking of the moving earth echoed through the forest and the sky above it was enlighted by the fireball crashing against the earth wall, being quite visible because it was slowly getting dark outside. Naruto was stopping his run to block the incomming shuriken with his staff, being pushed back a few meters because of the force behind the throw, but he managed to block this attack unharmed.
Just some seconds had passed and Mizuki was quickly scanning the situation in front of him, taking in the differences to before and quickly judged of what to do now. A wide grin entered his face. "Well, seems like you brought one of your bitches with you after all. Guess I should take advantage of that right now.". Pulling out three shuriken with each hand was he throwing half of it towards Naruto and the other half towards Sasuke, quickly going through a set of handsigns and shouting "Shadow Shuriken" before heading off towards Hanabi, not even watching his shuriken multiply while flying towards their targets.
Seeing all these shuriken come in his direction was Naruto slightly starting to panic. He could dodge a few or maybe even deflect a few with his staff, but these were way too much for him to handle. He acted on a whim when he detached two segments of his staff, starting to spin it around like a windmill. If he could block an elemental attack that way might he be able to block a lot of shuriken as well - or so he hoped.
Sasuke on the other side of the wall just smirked. "You call that an attack and still call yourself a chunin? I'm way better than you and I'll kill you for tricking me!". He went through the same set of handsigns and spit another fireball, this time targeting the shuriken coming his way, effectively melting them away before they could hit him. This illuminated the sky above the forest a second time and also set one tree on fire. One tree that luckily stood slightly alone, hopefully not starting an inferno now.
Hanabi was already slightly out of breath, the Earth Wall having claimed a good amount of her chakra. Realizing that Mizuki was heading her way was she getting ready to defend herself, entering her clans fighting stance. Mizuki was just smirking at that, avoiding a few punches Hanabi sent his way and quickly getting behind her, grabbing her from there and rendering her helpless. She started to struggle but stopped when she felt a kunai on her throat, hearing Mizuki whisper into her ear. "I would stop that or else..."
It were just another few seconds that passed and again was the scene different. Naruto was panting, actually having blocked most of the shuriken. However, he had several cuts on the outer sides of his legs and arms from shuriken that managed to slip through his rotating staff. At least was he able to avoid any of it hitting dead center or any vital points of his body. Still, his state wasn't to his advantage now and his movement limited.
Sasuke walked calmly around the wall, a smirk on his face directed towards Mizuki. "You done playing?"
Mizuki on the other hand was having a smirk as well. He was clearly taking advantage of the situation with one of his hands openly and painfully squeezing one of Hanabi's A-cup breasts while the other was still pressing the kunai on her throat. She was groaning in discomfort while he spoke up calmly. "Well, I guess. The demon is in no shape to fight anymore and I'm having one of his bitches. All I need now is to grab the scroll and get away from here. I'm still having no intrest in you, Sasuke, but thanks for stealing the scroll for me and all. So..." he was thinking of a way to get across the clearing and behind Sasuke to grab the scroll, distracting him with the talk while he figured out a way to do so.
Hinata was watching kinda helpless, but decided to still not move because she already spotted the person heading in her direction with her Byakugan. True to her sight was a man standing behind her just moments later, but she wasn't turning around at all, knowing about this situation. Her eyes still focused on the scene in front of her.
"Okay girlie, there is quite the commotion and searching teams out there because of some serious theft and the lightshow you are doing here was quite spectacular so far. Seems like I was the closest, so... care to give me some details what is happening here?" Taking the same hiding spot as Hinata was C waiting for her reply, not daring to interfere without knowing what exactly was going on at all. Though he had to say that the situation he saw was quite... intresting.
Hinata nodded slightly, her eyes still focused. "After the tests were we seeing Mizuki-sensei talking to Sasuke which looked kinda suspicious to us. We decided to follow him and confronted Sasuke here with Mizuki-sensei appearing some moments later. Seems like he tricked Sasuke into stealing something he called the Forbidden Scroll and is trying to kill both Naruto-kun and Sasuke to take the scroll and leave. And he took Hanabi as hostage, planing to take her away for breeding..." she spoke quietly, anger present in her voice what C could understand. That wasn't just her mistress but her sister down there.
"Okay, I see. I'll take care of that creep Mizuki and you be a good girl and protect me while I'm doing so. I'm sure that other saw your lightshow as well and will arrive soon. It will be over latest then." he sat down cross-legged on the branch and let two cards slip from his sleeve in his hand, placing them in front of him.
"I'm not your slave!" Hinata hissed through gritted teeth in response on the 'good girl' part but took a defensive position in front of C anyway. After all was that the best she could do right now.
"Glad to see that you are loyal." he said with a smirk before going through a complex series of handsigns, in the end placing his hands on both cards, Ace and Jack of Spades. "Card Tricks: Black Jack." he whispered, trying to surprise his target with this trump card of him.
Hinata's eyes went wide when a shadowy figure carrying a scythe appeared, stalking around the tree and towards Mizuki who was still holding Hanabi. The first to spot this figure were Naruto and Sasuke. Naruto's eyes went wide, not knowing what this figure might be or were it came from. He knew that he wouldn't get away from it with his injuries and hoped that it wouldn't attack him. Sasuke on the other side was raising his eyebrows, more curious about what this jutsu might be.
Having a creepy feeling all of a sudden and seeing the two kids in front of him suddenly reacting on something was Mizuki slightly turning around, giving Hanabi another grope during that, slightly paling at seeing this figure coming his way. Deciding that it wasn't worth to risk anything was he tossing Hanabi towards the shadow, hoping that it would get distracted with the girl, and turned around to sprint towards the scroll still laying on the ground.
Fearing the worst was Hanabi closing her eyes, being pushed right towards that shadow and falling right in front of him. She wasn't sure what was worse, the unknown shadow or the way Mizuki treated her just moments ago, but she expected her end any moment. A shiver ran down her whole body when the shadowy figure simply walked through her, leaving her a quivering mess on the ground. She never felt something that cold and evil in her life and she never wanted to feel that again. At least was the shadow not aiming for her.
Mizuki wasn't even watching what might happen to the girl, simply running towards the scroll. However, his way was suddenly blocked by another fireball, property of a smirking Sasuke. "I said: Don't ignore me! I will beat you up for tricking me!"
Standing atop the branch was Hinata worrying about her sister, but wasn't moving just yet. "What is with her?" she asked fearful, not knowing what just happened, only seeing a shadow walk straight through her. Or the way she saw it with her Byakugan a massive amount of chakra flowing through her body and out on the other side.
"The reaper just touched her soul. She is fine, he wasn't after her soul at all, but the feeling is quite... terrifying. When this is over should you comfort your mistress." he was sending more chakra into his cards, with this increasing the speed of his Black Jack. "What about the Uchiha kid? On which side does he stand in this chaos?"
"On his own. He attacked Naruto-kun and Mizuki-sensei the same, with the intent to kill them both." Hinata said quietly.
"Got it. Guess he's next after the creep than. Though I'm sure the old man wouldn't accept it if I were to kill him. Ah, whatever." concentrating back on his jutsu was C becoming silent.
Feeling uneasy was Mizuki watching around him, figuring that he was in a disadvantage by now. Between him and the scroll stood Sasuke Uchiha, angry for being tricked and ignored. And he knew that the boy wouldn't hesitate to kill. That was the reason why he got banned from Academy in the first place. From behind was the shadow with the scythe approaching. He still wasn't sure what it was or whom it belonged to, he just knew that the girl it touched wasn't moving at all anymore. And from a third direction was Naruto slowly limping in his direction. The boy might be less mobile now, but his will was far from being broken. He would defend his friends.
Deciding that his plan failed completely was he doing the only thing that came to his mind: aiming for the last direction and to retreat. He was already on the run when the shadowy figure had an increase in speed, passing Mizuki in a blur and suddenly standing right in front of him, the scythe ready to strike and an evil smirk on it's featureless face. Pulling out some kunai was Mizuki throwing them on the shadow, hoping to bring it to strugle and slip past it to safety, still running towards it.
That however was a mistake. The last mistake he would do in his life. The kunai were simply flying through the shadow, just like the shadow simply passed through the girl. It wasn't physical and physical attacks won't have any effect on it. The scythe went down on the nearing Mizuki, cutting right through his body from his shoulder down to his waist. It went just through, leaving no physical injury, but it ripped the soul out of his body, sealing his fate. The lifeless body of Mizuki fell to the ground and the shadow instantly started moving towards Sasuke.
Seeing how effective this jutsu was and that attacks doesn't seem to be working against it, the fact that it was stalking towards him now was also a major point, was Sasuke deciding that he should take his leave. He wasn't caring about the dead teacher nor his former classmates. The scroll wasn't too important to him either. Right now was surviving his goal and that he did by jumping into the trees and quickly leaving the scene.
Naruto, not knowing what would happen next, took a defensive stance, ready to defend himself against whatever it was that just killed his former teacher. However, he knew that he wouldn't have a chance if this thing decided to attack him as well. After all was his mobility lowered, not that he would leave the place and let the girls to their fate anyway, he also was just capable of physical attacks which weren't working on it.
"You..." Hinata started, but wasn't finishing her sentence. She was slightly shocked at what just happened, forgetting her sister for a moment.
Cutting his flow of character was C letting Black Jack go back into the shadows he came from, releasing his jutsu and putting the playing cards back into one of his many secret pockets. "Just killed a traitor, yes. And from what I've seen was his dead way too merciful. That creep might have deserved to suffer for his actions. Simply letting the reaper rip out his soul was too quick. Anyway..." he stood up and stretched his body, the use of that jutsu taking it's toll. "I guess you should look after your mistress, no?" he said it lazily, like it wasn't important at all. But it had the intended effect. Hinata snapped to attention and jumped down from the tree to run over to Hanabi.
Letting out a long sigh of relief was Naruto slightly relaxing when the shadow started to vanish, wondering who might have controlled it. It was then that he saw Hinata jumping down from her hiding spot and running towards Hanabi, deciding to check on his friend as well. He wasn't as quick as Hinata because of his injuries and was stopped by a hand on his shoulder before he could reach her.
"Give them some time for themself." C said quietly, now standing next to him. "The little one just experienced something that can be disturbing. Give them some time and better go get the scroll, will you?"
Turning his head around was Naruto looking at C for a moment before silently walking over to where the scroll lay on the ground. After picking it up was he walking back to C. "That shadow thing was yours?" he asked, watching the girls with worry written all across his face.
"Yeah, that was Black Jack. Basicly an envoy of the Shinigami, the God of Death. Don't want to bore you with the details." he replied to the boy, also watching the girls. "Will you give me the scroll?"
"What's that great about it anyway?" Naruto asked while handing the scroll over to C.
Taking the scroll was C letting an empty joker card slip out of his sleeve, making a quick handsign to seal the scroll in it. The joker card was taking on an image of the scroll before it vanished in another pocket. "Oh, I don't know. It's containing boring stuff like forbidden jutsu or secrets of the village. Really, it's nothing intresting at all."
"Huh, so basicly the one thing someone like you would like to get his hands on if you were our enemy?" The grin on Naruto's face was wide when C gave him a guilty look in return.
In the end was he simply shrugging. "You got me there. But I will return it to the old man, don't worry. Want to come along when I do, just to be sure?". Nodding in return were both of them looking back towards the girls, waiting for them to show that they were okay.
When Hinata reached her sister was she quickly kneeling down next to her, taking her sister carefully into her arms. "Hanabi? Are you okay? Talk to me.". There was worry and fear in her voice while holding her shivering sister tightly to her body.
"Cold..." Hanabi spoke quietly, not moving at all. "I feel... cold... from the inside..."
Hugging her sister even tighter was Hinata trying to comfort her. "That will go away. C said that the reaper touched your soul and moved on. He killed Mizuki-sensei, everything will be fine."
"Reaper? Who... is he?" her voice was unsteady, her mind unfocused. If she got in contact with the death, was she not intrested in ever meeting him... it... again.
"He's our friend, Hanabi. That's all that counts, right? And if he is that strong is that great, isn't it?" she gave her little sister a smile and Hanabi was nodding slightly.
"I guess..." slowly getting control over her limbs back was she hugging her sister. "It was terrible... Mizuki-sensei... the reaper..." she started to cry, now realizing what just happened to her. All she wanted was to help her friend, but she ended up being taken hostage, molested and getting in contact with death itself. That was way too much for her to handle right now, so she simply cried.
"Sshhh, it's okay, Nabi-chan. Just a bad dream." wiping the tears away from her cheeks was Hinata giving her sister a kiss on the forehead. "I'm right here, everything will be fine. Come, let's take you home. The dream will be gone tomorrow."
With these words was Hinata getting up from the ground, taking her sister with her and carrying her bridal style in both arms. She was looking over her shoulder towards Naruto and C who were still standing some distance away, before starting to walk back to the village without saying a word. Even ignoring the two shinobi that came her way, also drawn in by the lightshow and commotion, was she just walking on, thankful that she wasn't stopped by them.
Letting the girls pass and watching them disappear into the forest were the newcomers turning around to face the two persons who walked up to them. "Care to explain?" Cat asked, taking a quick glance over the marks of battle and the corpse, before focusing her eyes on C.
"The short version? That creep over there tricked the Uchiha into stealing the Forbidden Scroll. He hasn't survived, the Uchiha is on the run and we are on our way to the old man to bring the scroll back and give a detailed report. Anything else, Kitten?" C replied calm and bored, the kill not bothering him at all. He did worse during his life and his time in the Organization and he knew it.
"That's Mizuki, right? Never liked that guy." Anko spoke up, eyeing C warily. "And what have you done to the girls? You surely tried anything funny, like you always do."
"Well..." he started, but made a grimace then. "Okay, fine, it's partially my fault. The little one might be traumatized. Both by what that creep did and because I wasn't able to avoid her. Black Jack walked right through her."
"Are you crazy? I know what they say about me, but hell, you outtook me with ease just now. You know that you might have destroyed her career with that, right?" Anko asked in disbelief, her anger against C forgotten for the moment. She might be cruel and sadistic on the outside, but she would never do something to permanently traumatize a kid. Well, she would at least try to avoid traumatize a kid, most of the times at least.
"It was an accident, okay? And I'm confident that she will overcome it. She does have her sister at her side and a strong will!" he tried to avoid the glare Anko was sending him. "Okay, look, we need to get to the old man. Would you mind taking care of the creep? You can do whatever you want tomorrow." with these words was he grabbing Naruto and disappearing with him using a transportation jutsu, leaving behind some floating playing cards.
"Heh, that will be fun. I wanted to go easy on him for offering my panties to that creep. I know that he wouldn't loose a card game when betting valueable stuff." she said grinning to her best friend while both were walking over to the corpse of Mizuki. "But now did he screw up for real. I thought he cared for these girls... What do you think should I do to him, Kitten?"
Cat was making a grimace behind her mask. "You know, I liked it more when you were using my real name, even while on duty, over that stupid nickname he gave me...". Seeing the grin on Anko's face was she shaking her head. "I got the one or other idea. Let's take care of the corpse for now and we can talk about it later, Worm."
Bursting out into laughter was Anko holding her stomach. "Worm? Really now? That's the best you can come up with?" she was wiping away a tear before letting herself quickly fall to the ground, dodging a sword strike that way. "Alright Yugao, you won. I won't call you Kitten anymore. But you are paying the sake."
She made a backflip away from the ANBU to get up from the ground, avoiding another strike, all while grinning like a madwoman. She was sure her life wouldn't get boring anytime soon with friends like Cat and C - and the kids C was attached to seemed to be intresting as well.
Hokage Tower
Hiruzen Sarutobi was raising an eyebrow when C and Naruto entered his office. The first thing he noticed was the state Naruto was in, with his clothes cut on his arms and legs, blood clearly visible on these. The second thing he realized was that C looked kinda tired and that he was missing his natural carelessness, his face showing something he would put somewhere between guilt and exhaustion. "I hope you bring me good news?" he asked with worry within his voice.
"Ah, yeah, depends on how you look at it I guess. Brought the boy with me because he can provide more details. In short: the scroll got recovered, one traitorous Konoha chunin is dead, a most likely dangerous kid is on the run and another promising genin might or might not be traumatized for her life, probably never recovering out of it." C said quietly, frustration clearly hearable. He was blaming himself for something, that much was clear.
"I... see." Hiruzen said calm, not showing any of his emotions. Though it was hitting him on the inside, especially the two last parts about the kids. "Naruto, if you would please tell what happened from the beginning?"
"Uh, yeah, sure old man. You see, when we finished our genin test were we seeing Mizuki-sensei talking to Sasuke. We weren't able to hear what they talked about, but it looked suspicious to us. Decided to go after Sasuke when he suddenly started off in the direction of the Hokage Tower." Naruto started to explain before he already got interrupted at this point.
"I assume you mean yourself and the both Hyuga girls with 'we'?" Hiruzen asked, just to verify his suspicion. He would be surprised if anyone else would have went after Sasuke at that point.
Naruto nodded at that. "Sure, who else? But we lost him pretty quickly and it needed some time before we spotted him running towards the northern forest, carrying a big scroll. I tell you, their eyes are amazing for that. We finally caught up to him when he sat down on a clearing, starting to read that scroll. The girls hid in the trees and I confronted him, talked to him. He became angry about me passing and him not and threated to attack me, when Mizuki-sensei showed up. Said something about tricking Sasuke into stealing the scroll and me being the nine-tailed fox."
Hiruzen flinched at that last statement. "He did say that? Do you believe him? How do you feel about that?" there was worry carried within his words.
Simply shrugging was Naruto answering honestly. "I don't know. People called me a lot of things so far, I'm just ignoring that stuff. But when he insulted the girls as bitches did my patience snap and I attacked him. From there was everything going quick. I remember Sasuke using a Fire Style jutsu, lots of shuriken and Hanabi-chan creating an Earth Wall. The next thing I remember was Mizuki-sensei holding onto Hanabi-chan, saying something about breeding her, while he... I... I wanted to... to..." he sighed.
Slowly nodding kept Hiruzen silent and C took over the talking. "Right, that was the scene when I reached that clearing. The lightshow of the fireballs was hard to oversee. Saw the older sister still in hiding and let her inform me of the situation. Naruto was already injured like he is now, the Uchiha boy grined and that creep molested the little one. Said the girl to give me cover and then used Black Jack to clear the situation. Since I wasn't spotted was that the quickest and safest method to safe the little one."
"You.. did what?" Hiruzen asked worried. "Summoning a servant of the Shinigami is always combined with risks!" his voice was getting louder and he wasn't happy about what he heard. In fact was he in posession of a jutsu that summoned the Shinigami himself, but that was labeled with a really high price for the user. So he feard the worst, hearing that one of his subordinates summoned a servant of it.
"Don't worry. One soul per summon and I'm even getting a credit if it's more. Otherwise wouldn't I have survived my encounter with Spooky back at the kidnapping. Anyway, Black Jack took the soul of that creep. Though that's the part... that went not too well. He panicked and threw the little one into the path of Black Jack. She is alive and all, don't worry, but... well, he walked right through her..." his voice trailed off, not exactly saying what happened to Hanabi. But that wasn't needed because Hiruzen Sarutobi knew exactly what he was talking about.
"Let's hope that she will be strong enough to recover from that. She has her sister at her side, right? I've faith..." sighing himself was he focusing C again. "What happened with Sasuke Uchiha? And where is the scroll?"
"The Uchiha boy ran away when he realized that he was targeted next. No idea where he is right now. Would advice to send out some searching teams. As for the scroll..." letting the joker card he used earlier slip out from his sleeve was he placing it on the office desk, releasing the scroll and the picture on the card vanishing. "There it is old man, one Forbidden Scroll."
"Okay, I see. I'll give orders for the searching soon." Hiruzen said, once again his age visible on his face and he felt it within his body as well. "And good thing we have the scroll back. Naruto?"
Said boy perked up a little, watching the Hokage. "Yeah?"
"I'm sorry to say that, but Mizuki was telling the truth. You are of course no demon, but you are the vessel of the nine-tailed fox. He's prisoned within you, which is the reason why the villagers are treating you that badly." he spoke quietly, but he felt like Naruto deserved to know the truth. After all he went through, after all these bad things happening to him and his friends. After all...
"You mean... but... why haven't you never told me, old man?" there wasn't anger in his voice. His life improved when he befriended the Hyuga girls. There was disappointment in his voice, because he trusted the Hokage. He thought of him as family he wasn't having. He thought he meant something to this old man.
"I... don't really know. But it was time for you to learn the truth." taking a deep breath was the Hokage trying to get some resolve back. "Hey, I heard from Iruka that you are having problems with your clone jutsu, right?"
Blinking his eyes a few times by that sudden change of topic was Naruto slightly confused and needed some seconds before he replied. "Uhm, yes, because of too much chakra. Must be because of the fox, right?"
"Most likely, yes." nodding in agreement was Hiruzen opening the forbidden scroll and making a quick copy of the first jutsu written in there, before sealing it up. "Congratulations on passing the genin test. I think this jutsu might help you with your clone problem." he had an honest smile on his lips when he tossed Naruto the scroll he copied the jutsu into.
Catching the scroll was he taking a quick glance on it. "Shadow Clone jutsu?" he asked, before his eyes lighted up. "Hey, thanks old man, I'll learn that within no time!" he grinned during his statement.
"I'm sure you will, Naruto. You may leave now. Please have a good nights rest."
Nodding slightly was Naruto happily leaving the office. His thoughts went in all different directions. He thought about the new jutsu he would learn, about the nine-tailed fox inside him, and about the ramen he would eat tomorrow for lunch with the girls. He just hoped that Hanabi was alright.
"Heh, seems like my guess wasn't that far off." C stated while grinning at the Hokage who looked back with a questioning face. "You know that you just gave training informations for a forbidden jutsu to a genin, right? Well, it's really hard to get informations about him, but I'm guessing that he's at least a clan heir. And you just kinda confirmed that to me." he simply shrugged.
"I don't know what you are talking about." Hiruzen stated calmly, not showing any emotion.
"Sure thing, old man. Sure thing. Anyway, here's the list you asked for." taking a scroll out of his pocket was he tossing it to the Hokage. "A list of the most promising genin this year. Though I would like to add one additional thing to it. After todays events would it be a bad idea to pair the Haruno with either one of the Hyuga or the Uzumaki. If she learns what happened today to her crush..."
"Thank you for your work. I'm always impressed how quick you get on informations sometimes. Your addition will be noted as well. You may leave."
Hyuga Compound (alternate scene available)
Hinata was nearing their clan's compound, still carrying her sister. Luckily were most villagers at home already, the streets pretty empty, that she wasn't running into many people and the few she did ignored the two sisters.
"You can let me down..." Hanabi spoke quietly, getting a worried look from Hinata. "Seriously, sis. I think I can walk. Besides... you don't want a clan member or father to see us like this, do you?"
After a short moment of thinking was Hinata nodding, letting her sister down, still holding her for support. "I guess you are right. That would draw too much attention and we would need to explain things..."
"It would, yes...". Her legs were a bit shaky and she needed the support of her sister to not fall, but Hanabi managed to mostly walk on her own. The guards on the front gate were not paying much attention to them and they reached their home without incident, entering it.
"We are home now." Hinata was smiling at her sister, signaling her that all will be good. "I'll bring you to your room that you can rest. Let's talk about things tomorrow, okay?" Hinata asked, getting a nod in reply.
However, the girls didn't made it far away from the entrance when they were stopped by a voice. "Talk about what kind of things tomorrow? And where have you been anyway? Do you even know how late it is?"
Turning around were they facing their father who looked upset to them. He was clearly in no good mood. "We passed the genin test, isn't that great?" Hinata said a bit cheerful, hoping to distract her father from his questions and to brighten up his mood. But it wasn't that easy.
"That much I can see. But the tests ended hours ago and you are just coming back now. Stop to avoid my questions..." he was getting a bit louder and visibly angry, having enough from his both daughters playing innocent. He kinda knew that they were pretending a lot. "Besides, Hanabi, why are you looking like you went two rounds against a jonin?" his eyes focused on his younger daughter.
"We saw something strange after school and decided to investigate it... that's all..." Hanabi said quietly, trying to keep her voice steady.
Hiashi was loosing his patience and started to shout at his daughters. "Stop fooling around and tell me what happened already!"
Hinata was looking at her sister for a short moment, getting a small nod, before speaking. "You want to know? Okay father, than listen. Sasuke Uchiha stole the Forbidden Scroll and we followed him. It ended in a fight between us, him and Mizuki-sensei. We are tired and want to go to bed now. Happy?"
That did it and Hiashi started screaming, already drawing in other clan members to this commotion. "And why haven't you informed higher ranking shinobi to take care of that? Do you even know how dangerous a real fight can be?"
This finally made Hanabi snap and her temper got the better of her. Bringing out her last energy was she shouting back at her father. "Of course do we know. We went through worser situations by now. We were kidnapped and nearly sold as slaves. We were nearly burned to death. Hell, if it weren't for a friend of us would I be who knows where now, being used as breeding stock!"
These word were hitting good because Hiashi wasn't able to reply instantly, giving Hanabi the chance to continue. "And just that you know it, from today on is Hinata here officially my slave. If you got any problem with that, talk to the old man." not caring for all the clan members around her, and knowing that she had to tell their father anyway, was her mind shutting down and just adding this information now in her emotional critical state. Taking a deep breath was she speaking a bit quieter now, holding onto her sister for support. "I'm exhausted... let's go, sis."
That however brought Hiashi out of his short schock moment and he yelled angrily. "What do you mean, your slave? Our clan has nothing to do with slavery and I won't allow it! Especially not between my own daughters!"
Seeing that Hanabi had no energy left, and kinda upset about the topic itself, was Hinata taking over. She was shouting herself, partially angry, partially going with the flow of the situation. "Our clan has nothing to do with slavery? Really now? Than how would you call putting clan members into the branch family, even branding them with that stupid Caged Bird seal? That is slavery! I at least have choosen to be one, something most of our clan couldn't!" her temper got the better of her as well. However, when she felt the weight of her sister increasing on her shoulder, meaning that she was close to collapsing with everything that happened, was she acting quickly. "I'm taking Hanabi-sama to her room. She needs to rest badly. Good night, father."
Making her way through the clan members around them was she aiming to get away from the scene, hoping that Hanabi wouldn't pass out. There was just this one thing on her mind, comforting her younger sister, getting her to a place where she could rest, making sure that her mistress was okay.
It took him a moment to get out of his schock again and seeing his daughters leave was Hiashi shouting up. "Come back here right now, this isn't over yet!". The girls however weren't listening and when they were completely out of sight was he turning towards the assembled clan members. "What!?" he asked loudly, getting the crowd to dissolve.
Hokage office, the next morning
A group of five people was sitting around a table with four of them reading through a report while talking to each other. "Is the rumour making it's round true? That the Uchiha stole the Forbidden Scroll with a fierce battle afterwards?" Asuma asked before taking a inhalte from his cigarette.
"You better believe it. I haven't all the details, but me and Yugao reached the scene to clean up. That creep teacher Mizuki got killed by C out there." Anko replied without looking up from the report.
"Yes, sadly it is true. Mizuki is dead and ANBU still looking for Sasuke Uchiha. But the scroll could be recovered safely." it was the Hokage speaking, confirming the rumour. "So, what do you think about the list of most promising genin this year?"
Kurenai was raising an eyebrow. "That must be a joke, right? I mean, we all know C and his former occupation... but to add that Hinata Hyuga is a registered slave? That's beyond funny."
"Or that Hanabi Hyuga does have a slave holder license... these things run over your table, dad. So... are these informations correct?" Asuma asked, looking at his father the Hokage.
Also having the eyes of the other jonin on him was he sighing, before adressing Anko. "Could you stop that grinning, please? Or do you want to tell them?"
All eyes went to Anko who bursted out in laughter. "Alright, fine. Yeah, it's correct. C told me that he was present when the girls requested these things. Seems like the shy little Hinata is the slave of her younger sister."
"Which is why you applied to become a jonin sensei, right Anko?" Kakashi asked, his eye wandering back on the report in front of him. "But there are only nine promising genin, which means that one of us isn't getting a team."
"That is correct, Kakashi. This is why I ordered you all to come here. To judge the genin and to decide who will be taking the teams. You are the best jonin that applied to be sensei which is why I'll give you the chance to check the list of promising genin to choose from." taking out his pipe was Hiruzen inhaling deeply. "So, what are your thoughts?" he exhaled the smoke, watching the gathered jonin.
Asuma was the first to speak. "Knowing that you won't let me slip the job of being a jonin sensei..." he smiled weakly and got a serious look in return from the Hokage. "...would I volunteer to take the new Ino-Shika-Cho team. You know, to keep the tradition running. Think their parents would appreciate it as well if a Sarutobi is taking the lead of this team."
"Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi... lazy bastard." Kurenai snorted. "I hope the 'Queen of Gossip' will kick your ass. From what you can hear is she taking things seriously for some time now."
"I heard she is training together with Naruto for some time now to improve. She nearly put him into the hospital because he forced her to use a Fire Style jutsu. Speaking of..." Kakashi spoke, but got quickly interrupted by Anko.
"If you are going to say that you want Naruto and the Hyuga girls, forget about it, Spooky. I want the slave sisters. And maybe the Haruno girl for some fun..." she was pondering aloud, getting looks ranging from confusion to disbelief.
"But..." Kakashi tried it again.
"I said forget about it!" Anko shot back, glaring at him.
Kurenai sighed. "I'll take the Aburame and Inuzuka. Would have liked to get a whole scouting team but doesn't seem like any Hyuga would be a good pair with the Inuzuka, so..." she took a look at Kakashi and Anko for a moment before looking at the Hokage. "As third the Haruno. According to the informations is it the only available genin that wouldn't result in a fight, correct?"
"Considering that Asuma is taking the Ino-Shika-Cho, yes. So the only thing left is to decide whether Kakashi or Anko is getting the Hyuga sisters and Uzumaki..." looking at the two jonin in question was he raising his voice to be heard by them who were engaged in an argument right now. "I think I should find another sensei for Naruto and the girls."
That did the trick and both stopped fighting, looking at Hiruzen. "Fine, now that I have your attention..." he smiled at them. "Anko, I'm sure you get enough possibilities to... be around the kids. But all you want is have fun with them, so... Kakashi will take the role of being their sensei. He already does have a conncetion to them and he knows about their skills."
Anko pouted at that statement, but kept silent. She knew before that she wouldn't get the team and simply applied for her own amusement.
"Thank you for your trust, Hokage-sama, I..." Kakashi started, but got interrupted... again.
"Don't let them fail like all the other genins you had under your care." the Hokage gave him a serious look on which Kakashi simply replied with a smile. "As usual, you can pick up your genin tomorrow morning at the Academy. Well, now that this is decided are you all free to leave. All but Kakashi, that is. I need to ask a favor from you."
Watching his friends leave was Kakashi waiting for the Hokage to speak up, wondering what this favor might be about...