The sun set the sky aflame come morning. Brilliant bursts of gold red and orange kissed the earth with the promise of lazy summer days and damp skin. The light the sun secreted crept along glass windows and glided across closed curtains as if searching for a secret entrance to the bodies hidden inside. The sun shined with purpose, as if aware that it was an important day, that had no place for shadows. It was the morning of the selection. The day the empire would be made whole again.
Inside, the servants scurried around, having been awake long before the sun rose. The cooks had been hard at work preparing breakfast; and were earnestly beginning preparations for lunch.
The groundskeeper and his team were hard at work clearing the arena. They swept and shoveled, redrawing lines with red sand across the stone floors.
The strength of the protective barrier was tested and fixed near weak points. The spectator boxes were cleared and being filled by the cooks with snacks and drinks. And finally, an assortment of weapons was put into their place against the walls.
Back in the palace, the quiet clamoring of the servants had transformed into a noisy bustle of movement, as the Crown Prince and Kings of the empire sat at the banquet table, placed high at the front of the room observing the young woman that sat crowding the lower tables.
King Naruto of the whirlpool leaned over to Sasuke and whispered
"So can you explain this whole selection thing, I'm afraid I stopped listening somewhere after they told us it was ordained by the gods."
Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"You can't be serious"
Naruto shrugged, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment.
"You know as well as I do that I just didn't have the patience for that kind of thing back then".
Sasuke scoffed,
"even Kiba managed to make sure he understood the selection"
King Kiba of the Fang smiled wolfishly at Naruto.
"I felt it was important to know how a King received his wife after all."
Naruto paused before narrowing his eyes.
"I know we marry them, I just don't get why"
Shikamaru sighed. Leaning back and taking a long drink from the goblet that had been placed before him. Naruto looked at him expectantly, waiting for a response.
"The selection is more than just a lottery for our wives', Shikamaru began.
It goes as far back as the beginning of our Empire.
Each King had a single god he worshiped, however, all of our lands are close and we began to war specifically because each king swore their god was superior to another. This era was called the endless war.
We had known, of a mother Goddess, but she had never claimed, any specific kingdom. But quietly, the shrines began to spring up. Women left the kingdoms in droves. Some say to escape the violence, others suspect the mother Goddess called them.
Then one day, there was a lethal attack. Hidan of Akatsuki arrived. One man with a sickle and a servant of Jashin slaughtered a country as a sacrifice for his lord.
Once the realization set in that the Akatsuki had many members and very specifically worshipped Jashin, the kings came together and formed an alliance. They voted the Uchiha into their place as emperor and were prepared to attack.
Madara, the new Emperor had a wife that had been highly respected by the shrine priestess' and told him they could not go to war without the sanction of the mother goddess.
She gathered the women she knew to be capable, the best healers and warriors the women had. Allegedly, a crest appeared above several women specific to the God they were pledged to. They paired off and protected the newly established Empire. Waging war against the lands of Akatsuki and fighting off Jashin's might. Eventually, it became common knowledge that the women of the shrine carried wisdom for the kings. They worked together, created tools that allowed them to wield the power within those crests… And the rest is history."
Naruto snorted. Reaching for his goblet.
"And yet we have never seen those crests again have we? … Why are we so sure that we fight for the gods. All the suffering and blood. Do they even care anymore?"
Neji leaned forward giving Naruto a look.
"It is not the place of a man to determine the whims of the gods."
Naruto frowned.
Then what is the place of a man?
King Jiraiya leaned forward and uttered.
"We are their vassals".
The eyes of the young Kings followed his gaze across the banquet hall taking in the light chatter that rang amongst the women.
"We represent their physical form here on earth. We are their strength, a weapon, and according to some, literally made in their likeness. While we may not have seen the crests in millennia, the High priestess will select the most fearsome women to take over the leadership of the Shrine. The skills needed to do so place their abilities on par with ours. That logic alone makes them the only women worthy of being by our sides. The life of a King is a hard one, we make choices that spill blood. Having a priestess beside you helps you carry the burden. She will heal where we can only maim. She will calm while we rage. And perhaps, most importantly, she will see when we cannot".
Jiraiya turned his head looking over the young Kings.
"Traditionally the priestess learn a great deal and eventually choose a study that brings them closer to any of our specific Gods. the selection will let them showcase these skills. Though it is not just for us to view it is also for the gods".
Asuma hummed leaning forward,
" This year's selection will be a bit different".
The eyes of the Kings turned towards him.
"My child, Mirai is far too young to be given the choice of joining the priestess' or taking over my reign. The Sarutobi last heir, Konohamaru is too young to be named my crown prince. As such I will stay in power until the time has come for us to change. Meaning Kurenai will remain a Pillar."
Asuma looked to Kakashi of Lightning and Jiraiya of the Marsh and nodded.
Jiraiya cleared his throat before speaking again.
"Kakashi and I have been unable to produce heirs. We have discussed, the realities of this issue. And have decided that to keep from bloodshed we will be relinquishing our territories. I to King Naruto of the whirlpool"
And I, Kakashi began to our very own Crown Prince.
Looking closely at Sasuke and Naruto the two began, "do you accept?"
Naruto and Sasuke shared a brief look.
Before bowing their heads briefly before swearing together.
"On my honor, your people will be loved as my own"
The two men nodded. Turning their heads back towards the women.
Asuma cleared his throat again before speaking,
"There will be two fewer women to evaluate. The preliminaries will begin just now."
The young men leaned forward. Watching as a haze seemed to slowly descend from the roof. Settling lightly across the women.
One by one their speech stopped. Some looking around wildly. Others sitting completely still.
Sasuke held his breath as one girl with long dark hair with two swords on her back rose from the table, pulling the two blades from her back and charged towards another girl.
The ensuing battle was chaos that somehow stayed neatly away from the King's table.
Naruto paused eating as he noticed something.
"They aren't all fighting."
Indeed they weren't, ten or so young women sat drinking tea calmly amongst the chaos.
Neji chuckled.
"Well, it seems they aren't easily manipulated by illusions."
The fighting lasted a total of ten minutes. Before the illusion was lifted from the room.
The result was instantaneous. All movement ceased before a collective sigh seemed to rush through the girls that had been fighting.
Tsunade, Anko, and Kurenai walked forward shaking their heads disapprovingly at the girls, waving them to one side of the room.
Stopping in the center, Tsunade's voice carried.
" those of you sitting, you have successfully disabled a genjutsu from Kurenai and have passed the preliminary. Congratulations."
Silence answered her declaration.
"For your second test you will heal all of those injured in this hall, and then report to the infirmary where you will heal five soldiers each".
Tsunade watched as the girls rose from their place, and bowed deeply before approaching their sisters. This year's selection was truly interesting.
Hinata had almost laughed when the genjutsu had fallen into place. It was one that fed on paranoia and fear. Two emotions that should not exist within a shrine priestess. The only fear she held, was of failure. Failure to succeed, failure to heal, failure to protect. Perhaps, fear of the God Jashin. But she did not fear her sisters, and this particular illusion fed on the fear, paranoia and perhaps jealousy that the girls harbored.
Rotating the chakra in her body backward she watched as the girls continued fighting. Wincing lightly when Mizu began to walk in her direction only to be lifted and thrown by the immense physical strength Tayuna possessed. The fighting was brutal. The occasional snap of bone or shriek of pain pierced the air. She turned her head; catching Tenten's face, a full sneer evident on her lips as she watched Tayuna's arms pulled behind her back and broken after her brutal assault of Mizu.
Hinata raised an eyebrow when they made eye contact.
Tenten shrugged picking up her tea and walking over to take a seat next to Hinata.
"She broke both of my arms in that exact way during training once. She was punished, but it was almost twice as painful to heal then it was to break them".
Hinata twitched a smiled.
The gods have moved in your favor.
Tenten rolled her eyes,
" yes well, I could complain about the wait though I suppose I shouldn't".
The two looked around, noting that of course Sakura and Ino were sitting and barely containing their glee as they watched four girls specifically take blow after blow.
Recognize anyone else that made it?
Hinata hummed, looking around
"Karin and Tamaki …'
swiveling her head around to take in the very few of the girls sitting and finishing their breakfast.
"Temari, Hanare and Kin".
"That's, what nine of us?" Tenten asked
Hinata nodded,
"I thought more of us would make it".
Tenten snorted
"You would think Tayuna would have made it passed the genjutsu phase at least I mean she is a sound genjutsu specialist".
Hinata finished her fruit calmly ducking her head as a kunai flew by.
"Finish eating Tenten, I suspect we'll have to heal them".
Tenten sighed
"I can't eat anymore. This genjutsu may have been simple, but it was powerful".
She frowned making eye contact with Hinata.
"I almost didn't make it through"
Hinata shook her head "
the point is that you made it through. The others didn't. Don't fret".
Tenten shrugged reaching out and refilling her teacup in silence. Steady hands made a steady medic and nerves would do her no good.
When the illusion had been lifted away, the girls retreated to one side of the room at Tsunade's command. The room was silent as she entered and silent as she exited.
The nine girls that remained seated rose slowly, sharing a brief look among them. Sakura stepped forward first pulling her long pink hair into a bun on the top of her head.
"There were sixty of us so we each have to heal five right?
She clicked her tongue in thought as she stepped forward.
"though I suspect one or two of us will heal more than that'. She paused looking to the other girls with sparkling jade eyes.
"I bet you I'll heal the most."
Karin pushed past her rolling her eyes "right, let's get this over with."
The girls crossed the room, selecting five women each, and moving to clear a medical space.
The young women worked quickly, clearing areas from the breakfast table and cutting away strips of cloth to better see the wounds.
Sakura looked up gratefully, as basins of water and other tools were placed along the length of the tables. She rolled her shoulders the girl took a deep breath and turned to her first patient quietly mumbling under her breath as she began assessing the wounds.
Hairline fracture, possible concussion. Their work was cut out for them.
After an hour Hinata looked up, noting that Karin, Ino, and Sakura had already started on their sixth patient. She hurried forward selecting another girl at random.
"Fuck, that hurts you bitch!"
Hinata's eyes widened as she turned her head sharply to Tenten who seemed unfazed by Tayuna's outburst.
"I know she answered, as I recall you were the one to give me this exact injury"
Tayuna stiffened turning her eyes away she mumbled
"You shouldn't have been a weak bitch."
Tenten chuckled wiping her arms down delicately with a damp cloth
"and yet here we sit, you a failure of the first task and I, a participant of the second".
Tayuna glared.
Undeterred Tenten began to apply healing chakra to her arm. Tayuna gasped, pale face bleeding color to stark white as her bone rotated and snapped back in place.
"I- I alone am exalted"
Tenten lifted an eyebrow before moving on to the next arm.
"Arrogance", she murmured "will be your downfall Tayuna, you have always been strong. You could have escaped the genjutsu you believed that you could never befall an illusion that stopped you".
Tayuna huffed,
"I didn't want to have to marry one of those shit heads anyway"
Tenten shook her head.
"Whatever you say Tayuna".
The rest of the healing process was done in silence.
Hinata sat down with the young girl who fidgeted constantly in spite of the kunai that sat plunged deeply into her shoulder, and even deeper into her thigh.
"What is your name".
The girl looked up blushing heavily.
"Moegi."
Ah, you're a bit young fifteen perhaps?
The girl nodded yes,
" You must be an amazing medic",
Hinata paused staring at the kunai in her shoulder.
"I'm going to have to take this out.i'd rather do it quickly. She reached out grabbing a towel.
"bite down"
The girl did as she was told holding her breath as Hinata's hand wrapped around the hilt and the other braced against her arm. She nodded once to the girl who shut her eyes tightly. Hinata began to count,
"one, two"-
she pulled surprising the girl so that she gasped dropping the damp towel out of her mouth before swaying gently. Hinata had her lay back. Placing a hand on the bleeding wound she poured healing chakra into it. She began to speak, working on keeping her conscious.
"Moegi tell me how you made it to the selection".
The girl sucked in a breath and swallowed
"I-I come from the land of whirlpool".
Like Sakura.
"Yes!" Moegi gasped out
"when she returns to the lands every weak she would train me; eventually she took me to the high time to train for longer periods. There has been a shortage of female births, women are opting for the path of motherhood in hopes that more women will be born so the temple requires more Shrine Priestess.
Hinata frowned, blood flow had stopped and the flesh was beginning to heal.
How many are there?
"Four two of which have only just begun their training".
And how long have you been training?
"My wh-whole life. My parents died in the war. She closed her eyes, I didn't have any other family so I turned to the temple".
With her shoulder healed, Hinata helped Moegi move into a sitting position reaching up she gave her a glass of water and a piece of dried fruit.
Quickly now. You'll likely pass out if I don't get your blood sugar high enough before I remove the second Kunai.
Moegi nodded her thanks. Chewing softly.
Hinata cut away her pants at the hip, grabbing a fresh basin of water she began to wash the area around the wound. Moegi watched her work.
"Once Sakura deemed me proficient, I returned home to heal the wounded and sick. A month ago, Lady Tsunade asked me to join the selection, she said my healing abilities were too important to go unnoticed.
Her eyes flickered to the King's table, taking in the cleared table and their relaxed figures as they watched.
"But I guess I failed".
Hinata shook her head, her tresses falling forward as she pushed down on the skin, delighted at finding that the girl's skin had simply swelled and the kunai wasn't as deep as he thought. Grasping it lightly she locked eyes with Moegi who steeled herself before nodding once. Hinata pulled and the girl grunted.
Hinata gave her a brief smile; pressing down, she reduced the swelling with her glowing hands and further assessed the damage.
You didn't fail.
Hinata clicked her tongue softly.
I'm sure Lady Tsunade just wanted to test you. From what you've told me Sakura has only trained you in the art of healing, likely due to the shortage whirlpool is experiencing. I think she just wanted you to get a taste of battle, something that would be easily controlled and ensure that she could get an accurate analysis of your potential. You are skilled, Fast and fairly strong. I wouldn't be surprised if you were asked to lead the whirlpool temple very soon.
Hinata wrapped a bandage around her leg, opting to let the flesh wound heal on its own. Handing the girl a cup of fresh fruit she stood,
"besides the selection lasts all day. I'm sure you'll be healing one of us next" she said with a wink.
Looking around, she noted that Sakura healed eight young women, and Karin healed seven and she had healed six. She turned surprised that they all succeeded in healing the preliminary five. As the doors to the banquet hall opened, Tsunade stepped forward assessing their work nodding as she checked over the work that was done.
"Well done she began, but this is only the beginning. You may follow Shizune to the infirmary you'll have one hour to heal those wounds. Good luck, you'll need it".
The girls filed out of the hall following the dark-haired, dark-eyed women that happened to be carrying a small pig.
"Come along, quickly we haven't much time".
Izanagi and Izanami were not known to be gracious. They had warred directly before. Having lost control of their strengths they had almost casually ended the era of immortality for the humans of earth. The two sat looking at their children.
They fought each other for years, centuries. But today, nestled in the stars surrounded by the very souls that called on their names for strength, that a decision was made. Jashin must be vanquished and to do so they would claim their Heirs. Izanami touched her face, wondering lightly how she would be perceived. She looked to her children, supernova eyes, brilliant in the darkness of the infinite sky. Her mouth, curved around each sound that passed her lips. In the distance, new stars sprang to life and the brightness of others went out.
" For the sake of all that we've created, and all that we have destroyed, Izanagi and I have reunited."
The energy was palpable, Izanagi shifted blinking his bright eyes as he murmured,
"Jashin was born of all our ill will."
The stars shined brighter as he spoke. A new planet sprung forth as the syllables left his tongue. Absentmindedly he brushed it aside.
"Together we will tear him down, we will fight, on earth with our vessels".
The longer he spoke the more life seemed to breathe into his surroundings. Izanami sighed, stilling the growth.
"The strongest candidates in centuries have been born", waving her hand the images of the Uchiha Palace sprang to life.
"The selection has begun. Watch closely."
The full focus of several Gods strained heavily on the image.
Below, walking passed tapestries, talking calmly amongst themselves Sasuke's Sharingan Flashed. He paused, running his eyes wildly around his surroundings. Slowly he raised his eyes, unknowingly staring right into Izanagi's eyes. Odd though it was, Izanagi smiled it appears his son had noticed his attention.
The infirmary had been chaos. It seemed the injured men of the fire country had been brought all the way inland suffering their wounds. Shizune walked briskly speaking in loud clipped tones that left no room for questions.
"Should you be selected today, you will become Queens, Pillars of society that must rest on your strength. These men have risked their lives defending the borders from attack. The Land of sound is relentless. As such all hands are required to keep the number of casualties down".
Brushing past the nurses running by with gauze Shizune yanked the door open.
"Oftentimes the wounds leave the men in critical condition. As it is, you will be in a position where you are the only ones capable of healing them. Be it on the battlefield or at home, you must try your hardest to preserve their lives.
Each of you has been given patients in critical condition. You must do your best to save their lives. You will receive no assistance and your timers will begin as soon as you touch your first patient".
Stepping into the last room there was a collective gasp.
"They have been placed in stasis. Each of you has one patient that is quite literally on death's door. This will not be easy, and we do not expect you all to succeed. All of these men understood that they may not survive and have already pledged their lives to the selection. I will not delude you. There are many wounds here not even I could hope to heal on my own.
Best of luck".
Shizune turned, pulling the door open, briefly letting in the wails of pain before it closed sealing the silence in the room.
Sakura was again the first to move. Pausing before the area with her name written in beautiful calligraphy above the beds of five men.
Slowly the girls moved into place. Hair was pulled back, faucets were turned on and hands scrubbed as they prepared to defend the lives before them.
Unbeknownst to them, the Kings and the remaining pillars stood in an observatory watching. Tsunade and Kurenai doing their best to explain the actions of each candidate.
The hour went by quickly. Sakura found herself sending a prayer to the gods in thanks that she had learned to summon Suyu. She used her summon to diagnose each of her patients and order them from most lethal.
Tenten bit her lip brushing past, she focused on stopping the bleeding of her most delicate patient. She understood she did not have the greatest control to heal all of them like the others but she would do her best. Pressing her lips into a grim line she placed a small blade along with the burner. Focusing her chakra to heal the deeper parts of the wound.
Karin had been confident until her last patient. Using her peculiar gift of transferring healing energy through her marrow. Idly she remembers Tsunade telling her that she needed to learn other forms of healing. And she had she just wasn't very good at it, and now most of her energy was spent. Setting her shoulders she moved forward assessing the damage. Gritting her teeth she lifted his head and forced him to bite down on her arm. She would minimize the damage first.
Hanare dropped her head in shame. She had tried going as far as to climb onto his body and attempt to restart his heart but she had missed another wound and the internal bleeding had been too much. She gasped painfully slamming her fists down on his chest in an attempt to revive him and succeeded only is spraying his blood along her face.
Dazed she slipped down and backed away. The metallic scent of blood converging on her senses. She turned to the faucet taking her time washing her face. She would not heal her last patient. She refused to make another mistake.
Tamaki was patient, knowledgeable in the practice of old surgeries. She began by cleaning and sealing minor wounds with stitches. Using the time to recover some of the energy she had lost.
Moving then to the deep healing techniques. During which she summoned her cat Hira who shared chakra with her to bolster her work.
Ino took a different approach. Placing her hands on their temples she searched their minds and souls for their healing capability and roused it. Pushing their minds and spirits to pursue healing. Calmly and as gently as she could, she nudged their gate of healing open. Forcing a flux of chakra to shoot forth from their bodies and begin to heal their wounds.
Kin had given up on her third patient. He had shrapnel in his chest and her attempts at dislodging the fine strips of metal had resulted in his death. Discouraged she returned to the two that had stabilized and focused on simply healing all of their wounds.
What Temari was doing was anyone's guess. As a Shrine Priestess from the Sand, little was known of their practices in healing. However confusing her actions were, with a small fan constantly blowing wind over their bodies, it was clear with the closing of their wounds it was working.
Hinata had done something entirely different. Pouring chakra into her eyes and assessing the damage she pulled a brush from her bag and began drawing sigils along the skin of each of her patients in their blood. One by one she clasped her hands against their heads and the sigils burned a brilliant red. Dropping to her knees before them, she pushed all of her chakras out of her body and directed it in a controlled flow, over each massive wound.
The timers went off quietly, the soft blue glow of stasis disappeared from the bodies and Hanare and Kin watched in horror as the ones they could not heal succumbed loudly and brutally to death. Backing away from their patients the young women stood in the center of the room, hands to their sides. Two with heads bowed in shame.
When the doors opened, it was mercifully quiet. Tsunade, Kurenai, Anko stepped in.
Tsunade hummed. Hanare, Kin. the two young women looked up.
" you only needed courage."
"Honestly"
Kurenai glanced around the room
"we are surprised. You were only expected to heal four of them".
Hanare looked hopefully in her direction. Kurenai shook her head without making eye contact. "Unfortunately Hanare you didn't try to heal your fifth patient. It is the attempt that is the most important".
Hanare's shoulders slumped as she nodded her head.
Tsunade rested her eyes on Temari.
"your method of healing is peculiar, yet fairly successful what is it called".
Temari flexed the fan in her hand,
"The breath of Izanagi".
Three small circles could be seen. Moving her hand down she showed an X hidden by her thumb.
"I use my fans to keep the air of life flowing. The stronger the winds, the harder it is for death to grasp the body. I fill the lungs of my patient with the healing air, and the body does the rest".
Tsunade smiled at Sakura and Ino the two had learned techniques from her over the years. Ino she began.
That was a new technique was it not?
The blonde girl nodded her head.
"I stimulate the healing capabilities within the mind and spirit while nudging open the gate of healing. She shrugged I figured my stamina isn't great enough to deal with these kinds of wounds so I needed to find another way."
Tsunade nodded. We will discuss this in-depth later.
Anko stepped forward and outright laughed at Tenten's work.
"Crude, almost medieval but it works. She looked at her, with a wicked smile. I like it".
Tenten lifted a brow with a smirk and shook her head.
Anko stepped in front of Hinata. Staring down at the petit girl.
"You on the other hand. Used dark arts to save lives".
Hinata tensed as all eyes turned to her.
"You used death seals".
It was a statement, yet feeling attacked Hinata scrambled to defend herself.
"I-it was a modified death seal."
she paused forcing herself to make eye contact with Anko.
"r- rather than calling death to them, I hid them from death. Like pulling the veil over his eyes and working to heal them while he searched".
Anko lifted a brow, "and what kind of Mystical palm did you use to heal them.''
Hinata flinched.
"It wasn't" she whispered.
Tsunade stepped forward.
"Speak up Hinata".
The girl looked up, making eye contact with Tsunade as she said louder,
"It wasn't the Mystical palm".
She looked away
"I call it the Heavenly palm. It's my chakra, but it's all of my chakras. In waves, it stimulates healing and focuses all of the bodies energy on the larger wound. It- it pulls the chakra from my patient's body and merges with my own to heal them. Returning only after the major wounds are healed.
She clenched her fists, looking down again. The seal undoes itself once the patient is out of critical. They are no longer on deaths radar".
Tsunade hummed. Looking the girls over,
"Interesting".
Stepping away from the girls she turned. Karin, Hanare, Kin you will remain in the infirmary.
Karin gasped loudly.
"No! I healed all five of my patients!"
"Did you?"
Karin whirled around looking at her patients to find two of them with blood dripping from their mouths. She paled
"B- but I-I"
"You failed to properly diagnose the problem. Worse than lacking courage, you lack the skill needed to save them. You have failed the third test and will find courage and wisdom by tending to the wounded for the rest of the week.
The rest of you will return to your rooms and prepare for the events of the afternoon. Your battles will be held in the arena. Your handmaids will lead you there".
The girls filed out of the room leaving Hanare, Kin, and Karin without a backward glance to prepare for the rest of their day.
The handmaids were found standing in the main hall, bowing deeply until the priestess's stood before them. What time is it? Temari questioned.
Just minutes past ten, my queen.
As the maids turned to escort the women to their rooms an awkward silence blanketed the large group as realization set in. even without the official decree, they were Queens. Every Priestess there would be marrying a King, in one case the emperor. They had beaten the odds. Ino began to laugh,
"oh my, well Hinata you're just that much closer to being the women of prophecy huh?"
Hinata shook her head, "I doubt it. I don't think I'd be a good fit for the Crown Prince".
Sakura smiled, well if you don't want him...
"Oh please, forehead if it's not Hinata it's gonna be me!"
"Oh no, you pig! no, you won't!"
The pairs bickering did quite a bit to relieve the tension the girls were feeling. They would first battle each other, and then they would wait for the gods to claim them.
The Kings made their way to the arena.
The conversation was quiet, occasionally interrupted by the sound of a gulp or the smack of lips on fruit. Sasuke's Sharingan remained activated. Every so often glimpsing upwards, narrowing his eyes as he tried in vain to see far past the brilliance of the sun, Naruto patted him on the back, abruptly bringing his attention down to their resting place. The remaining Pillars walked in. He looked away making eye contact with Neji, whose very own eyes were activated as well.
Together they slowly relaxed their eyes, releasing the pent up energy before stepping casually towards each other.
"You feel it too" Neji stated.
Sasuke scowled "feel what exactly".
Neji smirked leaning forward to pull a grape from the vine nestled conveniently in the center of the table.
"The feeling of being watched, and from above no less".
Sasuke frowned refusing to say a word.
"Perhaps" Neji drawled slowly.
"Perhaps the Gods look down on us today. I imagine the weight of their gaze would be easily felt from our place".
Sasuke, deciding to brush the feeling off, shrugged his shoulders.
"Perhaps it is only their will".
Neji bit into his grape nodding, … "Perhaps".
Sasuke fought the urge to roll his eyes turning to look at Naruto his eyes widened in surprise, he had entered sage mode, channeling the power of nature through him. Abruptly, he looked up. Locking eyes with Sasuke before confirming almost casually,
"It seems the gods have decided us worthy of their attention."
He lifted his eyes to Tsunade who held an expression of almost imperceptible shock before grinning deviously.
Then I hope my darlings put on quite the show. Our Lady Izanami should be greatly disappointed if we have not produced an heir.
Hinata stared at herself in the mirror. She had insisted that they all rest in the healing baths. It had been quiet. She had done some chakra meditating. Relishing lightly when she returned to her room and felt almost as if her chakra had become more potent. Hana brushed her hair until it was gleaming. Then turned to the closet.
"What will you wear?"
Hinata glanced up, looking through the mirror before almost chuckling at the girl's bewildered look. Standing up she approached the closet herself. Pulling out the black steal bra with a high collar that blocked her throat and a light leather corset for her stomach. Hinata reached first for the black capri pants; standard issue. Pulling them securely over her hips. Hana then helped her pull on the Black steal bra, pulling the strings at her back until her shoulders were back and her head held high. Hana reached for the black leather, stopping when Hinata turned to the closet and pulled out a short kimono top. Black in color saves for the red and white Camilla that climbed up the arms of the sleeves. Hana helped her into it, pulling the small strings around and behind her in a loose knot. The black leather corset wrapped around her middle like an obi. Hana pulled it tight until it was nearly flush against her skin. Hinata grunted but nodded her head in thanks as Hana set about tying an intricate knot
" for good luck"
Hana said when she noticed Hinata observing its flower-like shape.
She nodded. Sitting back down at the vanity knowing Hana refused to let her leave without kohl-lined eyes and longer, darker lashes. Hana lifted her dark tresses high, at the very top of her head, wrapping a red ribbon around tightly until the bright color nestled starkly against her hair., finishing with the same flower-shaped knot at the top of her head.
Hinata stared at herself in the mirror
Hana, I don't know how you do it but you always manage to make me look magical.
The girl laughed then,
"No my lady that is simply my way of refusing to allow you to hide."
The two exited the room quietly
Meeting Temari in the hallway, her blonde hair remained in its signature four pigtails, though it gleamed more than usual. She donned a short-sleeved kimono with high slits on either side and a red leather corset for an obi. She nodded to Hinata, pulling on a pair of fingerless gloves. When she moved, hints of her fishnet shorts and black steel shin guards could be seen.
Temari chose to sit in the sun of the window. Sitting on the ledge, legs crossed.
Hinata leaned against the wall, deciding to strike up a conversation.
"Temari right?"
The girl in question nodded her head.
Hinata right?
She smiled, nodding once before cocking her head to the side.
You're from Sand correct?
"And you're from the Heavenly Hills".
Temari raised an eyebrow and Hinata blushed
It seems I keep stating facts,
Temari chuckled then
"It seems you do."
Hinata smiled well, what's it like in the sand?
Temari cocked her head to the side scrunching her nose in thought for a second before answering.
"Sandy?"
The two girls stared at each other in disbelief before bursting into a fit of giggles.
"My goodness, I must be more nervous than I realized".
Temari said as she shook her head.
"What's so funny?" Tenten asked as she approached.
Her chocolate hair was up in two braided buns with the ends hanging down towards her shoulders. Black qipao top and black Capri pants, both lined in red. She had two large bracelets on mostly hidden by the long sleeves of her top.
Oh, nothing Hinata hummed just that the Sand is well, sandy.
Tenten lifted a brow but shook her head instead.
Well, since we'll be working together for the foreseeable future I am Tenten she said bowing quickly to Temari who chuckled as she bowed in return. And I am Temari.
She shared a quick look with Hinata that resulted in heavy giggles.
Tenten quirked an eyebrow and asked. "again, what's so funny?"
"Probably the way you're dressed".
Ino called flipping her blonde hair on to her shoulder. She wore a black leather halter, trimmed in a deep purple. Arms and exposed midriff covered in black mesh. A long skirt with high slits donned her hips each step she took exposing her fishnet shorts.
Tenten rolled her eyes.
"Ino, I don't particularly care about looks the way you do."
Ino huffed well you should.
Tamaki stepped into the hallway, a small kitten trailed behind her. Long black hair flowing down behind her; she wore a simple Qipao dress black in color with red trim and a long slit up either side. She wore solid red shorts underneath. A small pouch could just barely be seen with her steps.
"Oh, I don't know Ino it seems to me our looks are the last thing we'll be judged on".
Ino rolled her eyes. They are still men.
Hinata sighed rolling her shoulders.
You say that as if the men are choosing their wives.
Of course not Hinata Tsunade is choosing, and she'll pick whomever we look best with.
Hinata frowned,
"No, the gods choose Ino", looking up with a surprisingly more serious face than anticipated.
"I suspect that they are watching more closely today than any other".
There was a collective silence broken moments later by Sakura who walked in wearing black capris, standard-issue under a long red qipao top trimmed in black. Her long pink hair in a messy bun on top of her head. And black gloves pulled firmly into place.
Alright, Ino pig I'm ready to kick your ass.
Ino rolled her eyes turning to follow the retreating handmaids before answering, "as if Forehead".
Izanami stared intently at the dark-haired girl. Glancing around she noted that they all seemed to have their eye on a different heir. She smiled. The darkness of her mouth pulling in the light from around her. Little Hinata. She leaned back, the black of her hair moved like ink in water, somewhere between rising and falling around her darker than the deep navy of the sky.
Her namesake was far from what she was. Hinata, of the sun. and yet, she felt the darkness nestled deep within her. How do you control your rage little one? She lifted a finger trailing it along the length of her shadow.
Hinata shivered as she entered the arena glancing upwards briefly she clicked her tongue. As a sudden rush of emotions came over her. Excitement, fear and something foreign something vicious. She clamped down on it before she could give it a name.
Standing with her arms clasped behind her back she waited in silence with the others. Tsunade stepped forward. Placing her hands on the banister before her she projected her voice loud and clear.
" Hinata, Sakura, and Tamaki please step forward".
The trio took a single step forward. Stopping just before three large slabs of stone.
Hold out a hand.
Simultaneously they raised their right arm.
Shizune rushed forward pricking a finger for each girl with a needle quickly.
She was gone before the drop of blood swelled and dripped from their fingers. Leaving angry red marks against the white stone.
"Tenten, Ino, Temari"
The trio looked up, stepping over to three more stones.
"Arms" Tsunade called.
Shizune rushed forward again. Disappearing before the blood made itself known.
When the final splash of blood hit the white stone, all six slabs glowed a deep blue before moving around to slam together.
"The matches have been decided".
Tamaki versus Ino
Tenten versus Sakura
Hinata versus Temari
Tamaki and Ino are first, the rest of you may be seated.
The two girls walked to the center of the arena in silence. Ino took her stance. Tamaki stood almost casually with her hands to her sides.
Above them, Matatabi leaned forward. Her large grin feral in nature. I have long known this to be my child. She reached forward a sharp talon caressing her image lightly.
Be wild my child.
Tamaki shivered, the hair on the back of her neck rising. Her eyes narrowed on Ino, waiting for a sign that she would move, a twitch of a finger, a shift of her hair. And then, it was there, the raising of her eyebrows. And then Tamaki was above her, Hand-stretched out as her chakra took the shape of claws around her hand clashing loudly against Ino's kunai. Pushing back Tamaki put some distance between them, before rushing forward again.
The selection had begun.
Hello, my darlings! Thank you so much for the lovely reviews and follows. it means a lot to me. We are just getting started. Next chapter is the Battles of the final selection and I am already writing it. with any luck, you guys might get another chapter in a few days. perhaps tomorrow even if im feeling cheeky enough. and then there will be maybe a weeks break, as I have to finish typing out at least three chapters for The light of Luminata. check it out, you guys. without that story, this one wouldnt be here. Every idea I couldn't fit in the light of luminata ended up here.
Let me know of any mistakes, like how I spelled Jiraiyas name wrong for two chapters and only figured it out today.
And don't be afraid to make any requests. I love to hear your input.
Best,
LK-NY