Hey, everyone. My Fate break has come to an end and I'm finally back to more of my long-running stories, including Fox Tails here. Last chapter was the first in the "aftermath" of the Uchiha Massacre, and this chapter will be the second. Some very important things will be happening in this chapter, one of which I'm sure some of you can take a guess at. I hope you enjoy the chapter, and sorry for the months-long wait! I didn't mean to leave things hanging for so long, but the story starts moving forward in this chapter.
I do not own anything.
Fox Tails and Whirlpools
Chapter 27 - The Fox's Decision
"Did you think I wasn't going to come to see you off?"
"It crossed my mind, but apparently you haven't completely forgotten about me. Not yet anyway."
Sarutobi wanted to say that he could never forget him, and just because he was letting him go didn't mean that he wasn't going to watch him. He knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that he was going to have to watch Danzō like a…hawk. Exiling him wasn't going to cleanse him of the havoc he was capable of wrecking, he was simply moving it outside of the village where he could do serious harm. No, where he could do more harm. Sarutobi was standing here in this situation because he hadn't acted sooner. Now, an entire clan was dead amongst dozens of others.
He couldn't go back and time and undo that damage, no matter how much he wanted to, but he could do what he could to make sure it never happened again. That meant exiling his oldest and closest friend…and keeping an eye on him wherever he went.
Naturally, Danzō had an array of Root operatives surrounding him, guarding him. There were several more hidden from plain sight, and hundreds more who'd decided to follow him. Hiruzen was willing to allow that, but he knew his old friend was leaving with a small, fanatically loyal army. There was no way he was letting that go and thinking no more of it.
And if Danzō remembered who he was, he knew that.
Sarutobi knew he was old. He should have been retired by now. His chosen successor had sacrificed himself seven years ago, forcing him to retake the mantle of Hokage. In the time since then, he should have found a successor, but he hadn't. As a result of that, here he was, having to make a difficult decision that promised another thirty years of stress. There was no doubt a part of him that wanted to just say no to all of this, but he'd run away enough. He'd failed enough before by being weak and indecisive.
Inhaling the night air, he looked straight into the remaining eye of his old friend; he knew this wasn't going to be the final time in spite of his declaration. Optimism could only go so far, as could willing ignorance.
"If I see you in the village again…you know what I will do." The Third Hokage said.
"You will do it…or will you leave it to someone else?" The cyclopic ninja plainly asked.
"Oh, believe me, I'd love to be the one to do it. I'm almost tempted to ask you to come back by morning so I can sprinkle your ashes across the village." She'd been quiet during the initial stages of the standoff, but no more. Tamamo-no-Mae glared back at Danzō, just like she'd done before the night she'd confronted him after the massacre.
Danzō broke off the glaring contest to turn his attention back to the village leader. The flicker of remorse was there, in both of their eyes. Not one member of their respective groups spoke about it; they all knew it was going to happen. Everyone, including Tamamo, knew that this wasn't just the parting of two old associates, but two old friends. Two old friends who'd been through one war together, and overseen another in which they saw countless men and women die from their decisions. They oversaw peace and oversaw a crisis together…until now.
A recent crisis, and blame squarely lay with one of them.
"Danzō, we both know being…emotional is not your forte…but don't try to drag this out. Don't make this any more difficult than it already is…and don't you dare try to shift the blame." The remorse was there, but almost immediately after speaking it was gone. Hardness replaced the sadness with each word until the old Kage was boring holes into his bandaged-up rival. A spark of amazement flickered in Danzō's eye. "If you set foot in the Hidden Leaf Village again, then I will kill you myself."
At times like this, one would have expected a remark along the lines of "You'll try," or "I'll kill you first". Danzō had been on the receiving end of countless such remarks; the fact that he was still alive was a testament to the failure to make them a reality. Preferring action to words, especially bravado-laced boasts, Danzō went straight for the jugular.
Sarutobi knew this, which was why he wasn't expecting any sort of retort or denial. If he tried to keep his word then his old friend wouldn't merely let him kill him. Sarutobi was certain that a battle between them would result in their mutual deaths; he didn't want that, but…if he had to give his life to stop his old friend then it was a sacrifice he would make. His weak heartedness had led him to let one close associate go and countless people had paid the price for that. Another such mistake couldn't be allowed.
"I understand, Hiruzen. For all of our sakes…I hope the village will remain standing."
"It will." The goateed man affirmed.
There was a short nod as the war hawk turned his back to the Third Hokage. The rest of his followers did the same, none of them sparing a glance to the Anbu on the opposite side. It seemed there was little to be said between the splintered Anbu ranks. "You will do what you must to protect the village…and I will do the same. Exiled or not, it is still my home and I will protect it from all threats. Foreign…and domestic."
"As will I, Danzō." Sarutobi said in response. His eyes shut in quiet acceptance of this…apparent final farewell. "Goodbye, Danzō."
"Goodbye, Hiruzen…and until we meet again."
That was a silent promise that everyone present knew would be upheld. The only question was where would the meeting take place. If it were on the outside then there was a slight chance the two veteran ninja might walk away from it alive. If it were in the Hidden Leaf…then one or both men would be joining their long-dead sensei and a handful of their comrades.
Several of Sarutobi's Anbu disappeared as Danzō's group did. Their orders were to track them until they were one mile outside of the village. If any one of them were struck down then the order of exile would become an order of execution. The Caster of the Hidden Leaf Village would waste no time in carrying out that order, yet there was only one who she'd relish killing, and perhaps even take her time in doing so. Still, based on the look on her face, she was quietly hoping such a thing wouldn't happen, at least not tonight.
Though she was no stranger to bloodshed, Tamamo was still recovering from the latest round that she'd seen, a round that had claimed a friend and left a little boy an orphan. An orphan whose fate she couldn't help but feel she was going to play a part in.
"The deed is done…and now we wait for the repercussions." Breathed out the old Kage. He looked back at his Anbu guard and gave a silent nod. Several more of them dispersed to continue their patrol of the village, as well as continue to oversee its recovery. Sarutobi and Tamamo looked out over the village from one of its many rooftops. The bright lights were proof that life hadn't been stomped out in their beloved village. At a glance, one would hardly even know the village had suffered a sudden attack; the nightlife was still thriving even though the Hokage had set a curfew. While he'd ordered it enforced for the next three days, he was willing to be lenient, as were his enforcers. Even the guardians occasionally took time off to unwind from the attack.
"How long do you think it'll be before they manifest?" Asked the young woman beside him.
"My optimistic answer would be a month, but that's me being extremely overly optimistic. My true answer actually puts us more in the timespan of days. Itachi is out there…and Sasuke is in here. As far as we're aware, they're the last two Uchiha." Turning to the woman beside him, the old ninja showed that he was only speaking a half-truth. The true reality was there for Tamamo to pick up.
She wished she didn't have to, but she did. Simply another one in the long, long line of things she didn't want to do, but would be doing anyway. "That man that Hakuno encountered after the battle with Celtchar, the supposed long-thought dead Madara Uchiha. Would he really be so cruel-hearted as to wipe out his own clan? Was their subjugation not the reason for his defection?"
"I believe so, though it wouldn't surprise me if he's still bitter about them turning their backs on him all those years ago. This would be the second time that he'd struck the village, both times crippling it ad leaving scars that will take time to heal. While they do, the village will be weak, even with potentially three Servants guarding it."
"Two, actually." Tamamo corrected. Sarutobi's face fell. All the Caster could do was shake her head in sad acceptance. "I know her, while we may try to convince her to stay, she will follow after Vitch. Honestly, I can't blame her, I'd do the same."
"At the very least, she's chipped in to help repair some of the damage. If possible, could you pass along my thanks to her?" For the first time, the two shared a mutual smile. The fox gave a cute giggle before bowing in acceptance of his request. Sarutobi turned his gaze back to the village, a solemn look once more decorating his face. "Tamamo…about my…other request. Have you considered it?"
Like him, the cheer evaporated from the pink-haired woman's face. "I have…and I…still need more time, if you'd please."
"You may have it." Needless to say, he was well aware of how big a request he'd made to her. There was much about Tamamo-no-Mae that he didn't know, but he knew that she'd been a part of an imperial court in her moral life, and was damn good at politics. Sarutobi quietly wondered if that skill might have played a part in her being chased out, but such thoughts were his own idle musings, not anything to bring up to her. "Just know that…as far listings go, you're at the top."
"Hmm, and when it comes to lists of possible replacements for you? I've heard whispers that perhaps now is the time for you to retire?"
"And what do you think?"
The Servant breathed in the cool night air. Though aligned with the sun, she still looked quite stunning at night. Sarutobi could take one look at her and find it hard to believe she was the same excitable woman who gushed over her husband and son. He actually found something admirable and enjoyable in such a trait; it was one of the reasons why he wanted her at his side as his special advisor. She'd undoubtedly be better company than his now exiled old friend, and no doubt provide more grounded yet still sound advice.
"Personally, I don't think you can retire now. Not until the village has stabilized, and there's no telling when that will be." Tamamo began in an entirely neutral voice. "Lord Third, I will not hold my tongue and say you've had an excellent reign. From what I gather, you've had your achievements…and your failures. Through them all, you've remained, and the Hidden Leaf still stands. To guide it through these troubled times is going to take a steady hand. I believe that hand to be yours. Besides, from what I hear, two of your…somewhat still loyal students are scattered across the land. Have you received any replies from them?"
"I already sent word to Jiraiya, and I'm awaiting word back from him. There's no doubt he's on his way back; it may take time, but he will return. When he does though, I highly doubt that I'll be able to convince him to succeed Minato." Wearing a whimsical smile, he turned to the Caster. "Of course, you can always take a crack at it."
Tamamo made a face that was halfway between a frown and a pout. From what she knew of Jiraiya the Toad Sage…he was an unapologetic pervert. His perversion though, was only rivaled by his genuine ability. One of the Three Sanin, students of the man beside her, who was a shinobi of great renown, even in his old age. Of the three though, he undoubtedly had the most bombastic personality. Upon learning that, her husband had joked that she and him would get along great. Especially since they were both perverts, the Toad Sage being an author and her being a fan of his works.
Yes, it was true, but still! The only one allowed to peek at her was her Hakuno! Not some old ninja who played with toads!
Her expression was enough to garner a humorous reaction from the Third Hokage. Tamamo's frown morphed more into a cute pout.
Her tails and ears advertising her slight irritation, she finally gave a response. "I'll think about it, but I wouldn't hold my breath. There have been sage rulers, but I can't help but doubt your perverted pupil will be one of them." Sarutobi chuckled in agreement. "What about the other one, Tsunade Senju, descendant of the First Hokage himself?"
The Third's face turned somber. "I've sent Anbu to track her down. Should they find her, she's to be informed I'm asking if she can return to the village."
"Asking and not demanding." Tamamo noted.
"Technically speaking, she is no longer a resident of Konoha, and my authority as her teacher has long since dissipated." He explained. Sarutobi knew that Jiraiya was a long shot, but his one female student was an even further shot. "If pressed, Tsunade will undoubtedly brutalize the Anbu, albeit many of them already know that since they're familiar with her reputation."
"Ah, so they've been instructed to check the gambling dens?"
"Precisely."
Giving a nod, Tamamo ruled that part of their discussion was shelved. The entire thing should have ended, but she felt a nagging suspicion in the back of her head. It wouldn't go away, so she decided to get it out into the open. "And what of…Orochimaru?"
Just as she knew it would, the Third Hokage's face fell further, his eyes disappearing behind the shadow of his hat. Tamamo immediately felt rude for asking, but she had to get it out there. They couldn't discuss threats to the village and not bring up the Third Hokage's rogue student, whose knowledge-driven insanity had claimed the lives of hundreds of villagers already. "I have heard whispers that he's joined a…certain organization. If that organization is what I think it is, then we will have to rely on Itachi to keep him suppressed. For now though, we can't roll anything out. I suppose that goes for the Hidden Stone and Cloud Villages as well. I've heard that the former has obtained Servants while the latter has not. Kumo will not let such a thing stand."
Overhead, clouds finished their drifting across the moon, allowing its light to back the land. Tamamo looked up at it, being reminded of two of the most important men in her life. Ironically, in spite of being tied to the celestial lantern above her, they were polar opposites. One thing they had in common though was their divine wrath when angered. Tamamo had that anger too, she was a god after all.
"If they attempt to come after Naruto, Lord Hokage, you must know what I will do." Came the adoptive mother's quiet voice.
"Yes, I'm aware." Calmly replied the veteran ninja. When he envisioned the scenario, he couldn't help but feel sympathy for the poor ninja A would be sending to their deaths. It'd arguably be even worse than if Kushina were alive and able to be a mother like she always wished. At the very least then it was plausible the attempted kidnappers might have bodies to collect. He turned his attention from one slain mother's child to another. "Tamamo, about Sasuke…have you…also given some thought to him?"
A look of seeming pain colored the Caster's face. "I…I have. He's yet to awaken, but I'm glad that his slumber isn't rife with nightmares. At least not as far as we know." With sorrowful eyes, she looked at the village's leader. "Please, about that, is it possible to wait until he wakes up? I can only think it's going to end in disaster if we make this decision for him while he's still unconscious. I imagine he'd only be angrier and more confused to wake up and learn his slain family has been…replaced." The word felt so ugly to say, but Tamamo knew that's how Sasuke would look at it. The one crucial difference between him and Naruto was that the latter had no one from the start before she and her Master came along. Sasuke, on the other hand, would always have the memories of his birth family. The pain of their loss wasn't going to heal for years, if ever completely. Right now, that pain would be raw and trying to set him up with a new family would only exasperate the pain.
"You do have a point there. This…isn't something we can rush, yet I can't help but feel like we're on a timer. Every day that passes, I can't help but feel like bracing for something to go wrong."
"It's a very real possibility, but we can't let it utterly consume us. Doing that will rob us of what little peace we can enjoy." The Servant affirmed, yet countered with a smile as she looked over the village. She knew that things could have easily gone so much worse. Whenever her villainous Alter Ego was involved, cities such as Konoha tended to be left in ruins; not this time though thanks to the part of multiple people, including her son who she tried to keep from danger. A light-hearted chuckle fell from her lips remembering seeing Naruto there riding atop a fox with a spear in hand. She knew from that moment he would grow up into a mighty warrior if he stayed on the right path.
As for Sasuke…she had a vivid idea of where his path would lead him. Tamamo had seen it play out numerous times, and very rarely, rarely was there peace waiting at the end. Her heart ached with sorrow as she thought of the response she'd get if she told him that when he was far, far down that path.
"Peace? I'm not looking for peace."
Looking out over the village, Tamamo wondered how many more peaceful nights they'd have before something went…bump in the night. Or the day. She knew all too well that even when the sun was out, horror and tragedy could still strike. The face of her beloved shot through her mind. She remembered realizing that she and Naruto had spent the day with a clone while the real one went out to meet Comstock and his Servant before they could enter the village. Hakuno had been proactive in protecting them and their new home. It was a trait that she'd noticed growing within him, and Tamamo had grown to deeply love it even if it did give her numerous heart attacks.
To see a threat coming and taking action against it, and taking action if it arrives before you see it… Went her inner musings. Looking to her right where the Third Hokage stood, Tamamo remembered how heavy the duty of protector was. Indeed, it could crush the sturdiest of people, yet just as many held strong underneath the pressure as they did crumble. Even those that faltered could find the strength to rise again.
Tamamo looked away from the Hokage to the east, where this world's sun would rise again in several hours, casting warm light across the Hidden Leaf. She deeply breathed in, as if dawn had already come. In the depths of her soul, she was realizing that it probably had, in more ways than one. Acceptance trailed after that realization.
Konoha Hospital…
Tamamo was pleasantly surprised to find a small audience watching over her son and the village's now most prized orphan.
"-talking about turning it into some kind of jutsu testing range or something. I kind of think that idea would be really, really cool! You can practice your Fireball Jutsu and I can practice a couple of my wind jutsu! See which one is bigger!" Came the jubilant voice of the village's sole Uzumaki.
There was no response from his orphaned counterpart, the village's last remaining Uchiha. Coming upon the teacher and nurse, Tamamo knew that this had likely been the norm all day. She'd witnessed it herself when she'd stopped by to check on Sasuke. There had been no change in his condition, though some would say that was a small bit of relief unto itself. No nightmares, no strange transformations nor phenomenon happening around him, or anyone else at the hospital. As some would say, boring was best, and that was especially true in the aftermath of a major catastrophe.
Shooting a quick smile at Iruka and the in-training nurse who'd seemingly taken a liking to her son, Tamamo stood with them behind the walls. Peeking out from them, she saw Naruto sitting before Sasuke, still talking to the comatose boy and giving him a rundown of the day's events. Was it possible the black-haired boy could hear him? Maybe or maybe not, but at least someone was making an effort to reach out to the boy. Naruto certainly made for a better company than the unseen Anbu; should Sasuke awake, it'd fall to either them or the doctors to inform him of what had happened.
The most common prediction was that Sasuke would wake up in another day or two. That's how much time they all had to prepare to tell him that his entire clan, every Uchiha barring his brother, their killer, was dead save for him. As for his brother? He was now a wanted criminal. There was no right way to go about it, and no way to make it easier for anyone.
"You know, he's a little ball of sunshine. Or at least that's what he's become around here. It's pretty nice to have." Shimako confessed.
"Almost exactly how he is at the academy, albeit a little more restrained." Iruka laughed. "I'm actually a little jealous."
"Fufufu, Mr. Iruka, that's to be expected. Hospitals are quiet and tranquil places of healing. Schools are meant for learning and laughter." Tamamo declared. The teenage nurse shot her tongue out in comedic victory while the chunin teacher sighed in comical defeat. Careful not to disturb her son, she bowed her head to the two. "Thank you both for looking after Naruto."
Both humans looked rather sheepish at the Servant's praise.
"W-W-Well, he is my student. He's…um, don't tell anyone this, but he's probably my favorite student." Iruka confessed. The parental love in his eyes warmed the Caster's heart. "What he's doing now…it's…one of the reasons why."
Shimako spoke next, a gentle smile on her face. "I grew up hearing stories about Naruto, but that night was the first time I really met him. That I got to know him. I got to know the boy…not the monster that's sealed inside of him." Her smile fell as she looked straight at Tamamo. "Mrs. Kishinami, I don't want to be rude, but…when are you going to tell him?"
The faces of both adults fell as the question that they'd both secretly dreaded was presented to them. Iruka had always feared the awful truth being revealed to Naruto one day. He didn't deserve the heartbreak that would ensue. With the arrival of Tamamo-no-Mae and her husband though, the great burden fell to them. The weight of it manifested on Tamamo's face.
"I'm…my husband and I would like to cross that bridge when we arrive at it, whenever that may be. When that time will come, I don't know." She answered.
"I don't believe you should rush it, in fact, I think the last thing you should do is that. Helping Sasuke through his trauma is going to be tough enough." As an academy teacher, Iruka had learned to become quietly attuned to the troubles of his students. It was one of the things he liked about teaching, but it was also one of the most burdensome things. Being able to recognize another person's pain, but being limited in the capacity to do something about it. Leaning out from the wall, he looked back at his blond troublemaker of a student. He's different though. You're able to do something me, an experience ninja and teacher can't. Naruto…it's a miracle there's still some good in you. I thank the Kami that it's being fostered.
"Um, Mrs. Kishinami," Shimako called. "I…you were there at the Uchiha District, so…is it true that Itachi Uchiha…"
Tamamo's fists tightened. Being a witness was a terrible burden, but like many roles, it was one that she was forced to play. "Yes, at least…he…he did indeed slay his own kin. As to why, I cannot say."
Both of them leaned over to look at the still comatose Sasuke. The lack of an answer was puzzling and unnerving to them, but for Sasuke, it would no doubt be maddening to the put of insanity. Or perhaps he already did know, he too had supposedly been there when Itachi had massacred their entire family.
Over the heads of the three, a horn sounded signaling the end of visiting hours, it was also the time for all the patients to return to their original rooms. That included Naruto. All three went silent and chose to watch the last exchange between the two boys.
"So…I…guess I'll be back tomorrow." Naruto sounded, his voice suddenly quiet and unsure. "It won't just be me though. A lot of people came by, even some kids who aren't even from our class. Everyone's worried about you and waiting for you to wake up." He reached forward and placed a hand atop Sasuke's, still covered beneath the sheets. Naruto could feel it and gently gripped his hand. "When you wake up…I…I know your world's going to be shattered. I…I don't know what it's like to lose a family, but I know what it's like to not have one. The pain can be…it can drive you nuts. It can get bad, but…you're not alone, even without your parents. You still have people that care about you, a whole lotta people."
Mere seconds after the little boy finished speaking, a new yet familiar hand fell atop of his own. Another hand gently sat atop his shoulder. He smiled, looking up at the face of his adoptive mother. Behind her lay other smiling faces that he knew, Iruka-sensei and Shimako. Seeing all their reassuring smiles caused Naruto to look back at his comatose counterpart. He gave his hand another gentle squeeze with Tamamo following suit.
"You've still got a lot of people here who care about you." Naruto whispered.
There was no response from the black-haired boy beyond his continued breathing. Maybe tomorrow would bring something different, he'd open his eyes or stir providing hope. All they, and anyone else, could do was wait. In the meantime, they all had to move on with their lives. Given what time it was, that meant getting some sleep and preparing for the next day.
三o-◁≡=⊳ ⊲=≡▷-o 三
Shimako would have her morning shifts, and maybe a meeting with her teammates. For Iruka, the school was still closed, and would be for the rest of the week. That meant he was to devote himself to patrolling the village. Naruto would spend most of tomorrow resting, as it would be his final day at the hospital; he'd have liked it if his father could be discharged as well, but he heard that Hakuno was to stay one more day. Finally, that left Tamamo.
The question of what would she do weighed heavily on her mind as she said her goodbyes and carried her son back to his room, kissing him goodnight. Her husband was the next person she would see, the last. It was a simple yet extreme pleasure to go to sleep with the last face you see is the person you loved.
Going to sleep in an empty bed in an empty house? Even the sun goddess felt a cold shudder at the thought.
Her beloved knew that as she came to see him and sat down with him, telling him of how the last few hours had gone. He was looking much better as was she, but they both knew that scars still lingered. In Hakuno's case, the scars were physical as his encounter with Celtchar had left him with a new set of scars on his now physical body. He wasn't thinking about those though; his honey-brown eyes were focused on his Servant-turned wife. Her normally cheery face was bent in concentration, the more thoughtful and even tactical side of herself coming out. Hakuno loved that side of her as much as he did her bubbly and carefree self.
"What do you want to do?" Hakuno asked after a seemingly prolonged silence.
Blinking at him, she looked away with a downtrodden frown. It wasn't exactly the expression a person expected to have when discussing how they had been offered a job, especially one that would grant them immense political power. If one knew what sort of burdens that power came with, they'd understand. Hakuno had never been a politician, albeit he didn't know what his previous life had been. What he did have was a great deal of personal experience, meeting people, navigating power dynamics, and a developing sense of foresight. He knew perfectly well if his wife took the Third Hokage's job offer, normal would grow further away from them.
Frankly, he didn't have a problem with that. He'd long since accepted their "normal" didn't quite fit the textbook definition.
"I never wanted to go back into politics." His wife began. "In fact, it's the last thing I ever want to set so much as a toe back into."
"Look on the bright side, at least this isn't an imperial court. That'd really suck, wouldn't it?" The male brunette humorously joked. Tamamo gave him a genuine laugh, finding some measure of truth in his words. "Not to mention the leader is a lot nicer and is more or less on our side."
"That is true. I suppose we're fortunate that Mr. Sarutobi was still in office when we arrived, and that we've arrived here in the Leaf Village. I've heard some rather nasty rumors about other villages, especially the Hidden Mist."
"Oh, we're especially fortunate. I like the water, but a city forever shrouded in the mist filled with violent purges and periodic rain!"
"Well, there is a Hidden Rain Village…" The heroic teen laughed as his wife reached over and playfully pinched him on the cheek. It was clear that his sense of humor was still perfectly fine. "For what it's worth, I think you two would make for a good duo. I'm sure that the village will prosper with you two working together." Silently reaching over, he took hold of his wife's hand, gently squeezing it. "We can't help people talking, we've dealt with that before. We dealt with it back on the Moon Cell, and we can deal with it here, where we've set down roots."
Tamamo knew that her husband had a point. Gossip was omnipresent wherever there were people. Frankly, she didn't quite have as strong a leg to stand on as she would like. Even she felt the temptation of gossip pull on her and indulged in it for fun. The higher up one was in power, the more alluring and toxic it could be. It took a certain amount of self-restraint to keep your head above it all, especially the foulest rumors and whispers. She knew she'd have to do that if she took the job of "special advisor" to the Hokage. The old ninja heavily suspected she'd given wise council in the past, and the man she loved knew that for a fact; so too did the numerous allies they made.
If they learned she'd taken up a political position of power, would they be drawn to the Leaf? Their enemies certainly would be, especially her "sisters". Full-scale wars with her and her Master as the targets were very real possibilities.
"I'm…scared." Tamamo finally said.
Hakuno moved his whole body. It wasn't just his hand holding hers, it was his whole body. The Caster found comfort and hope in his embrace just like she always did. She had a thousand times more power than him and more often than not was the strong-willed one, but that supposed "fact" went both ways. He was always her pillar of strength and voice of encouragement. Without him, Tamamo knew she'd have met her end a long time ago.
"Whatever choice you make, I'll be there for you." He quietly affirmed.
"Even if…that…includes bringing another child into our home?" She nervously asked.
Though he pulled away, he kept his arms at her sides. "Sasuke?" She nodded, causing Hakuno to inhale and then exhale. "Can't say I didn't see that coming. I've heard people chattering around the hospital about what's going to happen to him. In more ways than one since he's never going to take what happened to him lying down. He's going to hate Itachi for what he did…and Okada if he ever learns he had a part in it." The idea of Sasuke confronting either of the men made Hakuno shudder in fearful nervousness. While he doubted Itachi would kill his little brother, especially since he was the one he loved above all others, Okada was something of a different story. His stubbornness combined with his ego would lead Sasuke to do everything in his power to kill the Japanese Assassin. And all that wasn't even getting into how he'd react to learning Danzō had set everything ablaze. It didn't matter that he was now exiled, Sasuke would hunt him down to the ends of the earth.
And he'd likely kill anyone who got in his way, accumulating a body count in the triple digits or more.
"Do you think…we could do it? Raise two kids? One as bright and beaming as the sun, while the other has been so deeply wounded, he may never recover?" Came his Caster's voice.
Hakuno gave her a thoughtful stare. "I really don't know, Tamamo. Frankly, I think we've been lucky so far with Naruto. Sasuke though…" He thought of the smiling little boy he'd seen weeks earlier, that he'd gotten to know. Hakuno knew that boy had died along with the rest of his clan. "He's going to spend the rest of his life hurting."
"Yes, he will." Tamamo sorrowfully affirmed. She knew that pain like what Sasuke had experienced rarely if ever went away. "But…if we could help him heal, if only a little…" As she trailed off, she caught the twinkle in her husband's eye. His smile chased away the anxiety that had quickly built up within her. Her lips curved a smile, a giggle fell from her lips as she felt his hand move to the back of her head and pull her close to him.
Still smiling when the kiss ended, he finally gave her a seeming direct answer. "I wouldn't mind adding another member to the family. On top of that, I don't think I'd be able to just sit back and do nothing while another person is suffering in agony, and I have the power to reach out and help them."
If he was able to do that…Tamamo wasn't sure she'd be able to say she loved the man in front of her as much as she did.
"We can talk about this a little more in the morning if you want." Hakuno offered.
"Anything special you want me to bring you for breakfast?" She affectionately asked.
He made a face of seemingly deep thought. It was indisputable that he (and his son) took full advantage of the devotion shown to them by the most important woman in their lives. Who also happened to be a phenomenal cook. "Hmm, I could go for some grilled fish for breakfast. Definitely salmon if we've got any lying around."
"Alright then! I'll be here first thing in the morning with a nice hot bowl for you and Naruto!" If the latter were here, he'd have been jumping for joy, excited at the coming morning. Also knowing him, he might ask if Tamamo could bring a side of ramen with the grilled fish; she could manage that. Her excitement gave way to resigned acceptance as she knew that her time of departure had arrived. She hated it, but Tamamo could tolerate it knowing tonight would be the last night. For her son would come home, then her husband, then they'd all be together again under the same roof.
"Goodnight, Tamamo." The male brunette said, realizing it was time for them to separate for the night. It was funny to think that there was once a time when he was fairly neutral to even happy to put some distance been them. Technically speaking, that had been roughly two years ago; a lot had happened since then.
"Goodnight, dear, I'll see you in the morning." She responded, kissing him on the lips.
三o-◁≡=⊳ ⊲=≡▷-o 三
Tamamo knew there was something else weighing her down as she left the hospital, something beyond just the pain of separation from her loved ones. Her pain was temporary as her family was still alive. For Sasuke Uchiha…there was no such relief. Realizing that was the cause of her unease caused her to stop and look back at the hospital building from the street. Her face was passive, almost sorrowful as she thought of the young Uchiha. Her own self-assured thoughts came back to her, tomorrow she'd return home with their son, and the day after her husband would be home. The family that she'd built in Konoha would be complete. That was cause to be happy.
But there was someone she knew, the child of a friend, who would no longer have a family. His home, if he even returned to it, will be an empty house occupied by nothing but bad memories.
Could she let that stand and still say she was happy?
Those thoughts would weigh on her all the way home. They would also serve as a lure to the second personality within her, who'd been surprisingly silent for quite a while. The period of silence had seemingly come to an end.
Tamamo hated an empty home. She hated being alone as it was the worst thing for her.
When they were granted the deed for this house, words couldn't even begin to describe how happy she was. She didn't need a mansion or upscale home, just something comfortable and cozy for her and her Master. Luckily, they had enough room for one more, a boy who'd never known what a real home was. Tamamo had been more than happy to provide that. Now, she was getting a small taste of what Naruto had felt during his years in the Leaf…and what Sasuke would feel when he woke up.
Silence. Pure deafening silence where one's thoughts were the only things that could be focused on. They seemed to act as a magnet, drawing all attention toward themselves. Either that or a constant buzzing that refused to go away. Tamamo felt both descriptions were apt as she sat alone at the family dining table with a cup of tea in front of her.
She was alone, yet not exactly. After a long sip, she looked up. Only to her golden eyes aimed at another figure that could be seen, one that bore her likeness, yet wore a mocking smile that made her skin crawl.
Well, well, here you are again. Luckily, it's only temporary, right? I mean, first Naruto will be back, then Hakuno, and finally everything will be right back to normal. That's what you want, isn't it? Amaterasu coyly remarked. Her right hand fell atop the table, her fingers drumming along the wood. The sound wasn't real, she wasn't real, nothing but projections of Tamamo's psyche.
Knowing that, the Caster kept calm in seeping her tea. She wasn't surprised at all to find the Kishinami Home unscathed by the chaos of the Night of Ōma. When they first got it, she put down every barrier spell and curse she could think of to keep intruders out of her home. Tamamo could only guess it'd worked since she heard talk of some demons attempting to break in, only to meet their end in various ways; spontaneous combustion had been common. It was faint, but she could smell the ashes on her doorstep. She'd made a mental note to do something about that before her loved ones were discharged from the hospital. Originally, she'd been looking forward to that time, she still was, but there was now an air of dread to it.
Do you seriously think you can be the light that boy needs? You're not his mother, you're not Naruto's mother. You can't fill the voids in their hearts anymore than-
"Are you finished?" Her cup came down with a thud! that seemingly shook the entire room. It was enough to get her divine self to go silent. Her predatory eyes glared back at Tamamo's hardened gold orbs. "Amaterasu…I know that. I know I'm never going to be able to replace Mikoto, and I don't want to." Her grip on the cup tightened as she thought of the Uchiha Matriarch. "I couldn't save her, or any of the other Uchiha. That's something I'm going to have to live with. But," she stressed. "I'm not going to fail her or the rest of them in death."
Amaterasu's eyes glowed as the temperature throughout the entire house. So…you're really going to do it? You think that you can stop the darkness from consuming that boy's heart? My, haven't you grown arrogantly optimistic.
"The sun shines on all who dwell in the land of Yamato." The Caster calmly retorted. "No, it shines on all of this planet, for it is our responsibility." Tamamo felt the teacup in her hand heating up. Were she someone else, she'd have dropped it and yelped in pain.
You dare to quote our father, who abandoned his wife to the darkness of Yomi? Amaterasu sneered.
"Why are you so against this? That's really the best excuse you can give?" The pink-haired woman fired back with a raised eyebrow. Tamamo was keeping her excitement muted; it wasn't often that she was able to get one over her inner self, but this was proving to be one of those times. She almost wished there was a way to record this moment. "Are you scared of watching him fall to darkness? Of potentially becoming like Susanoo?"
Tamamo's own dismissive sneer manifested on Amaterasu's face. Gaaah, don't bring HIM up, even though I can't help but feel Sasuke will develop Susanoo's tendency for revenge. Hell, it seems the entire Uchiha Clan might take after him if they really were plotting this little rebellion as a way of getting back against the village. Their wrath…more like a storm than a great blaze like ours. It'll ravage everything around them until nothing but ashes remain.
"And you're telling me to stand by and let that happen? Let that storm even ravage this home? One day…" Her grip on her cup tightened as she felt a dark temptation creeping within it. The feeling intermixed with what she felt would be a grim premonition if she went to sleep.
Sensing the unease within her, Amaterasu held up a finger, a golden flame frolicking about. If you have this uneasy feeling…why not verify it? See what the future holds in store for him. You've yet to use that application of your witchcraft yet.
"You know why." Rather it was on one side of the planet or another, the temptation and dangers of future sight remained the same. Tamamo felt all the muscles in her body tighten, as if she were trying to fight off the temptation encroaching upon her. "Whatever future there is, you know we don't hold the absolute power to shape it."
Yet here you are, talking about what sort of future awaits the little Uchiha and how you want to prevent it. Do you think you have the power for THAT? The Caster's divine self challenged. We both know how long and dark the path of vengeance can be. Do you honestly think you can dissuade the boy from walking it?
"…I don't know. The hatred that will bloom in his heart…if it were balanced out by more love, then maybe he won't end up the same way that so many others have."
I'll say it again, do you think that you and Hakuno can give him enough love to do that?
The silence of the house clawed more deeply at Tamamo than it ever had. She inhaled and exhaled, feeling the dark silence all around her. Thankfully, it was different from Vitch's Noble Phantasm; alternatively, she was stronger than she thought. That's what Hakuno always told her when the truth was she was only strong because of him. He gave her so much strength, strength to do things she knew would have been normally impossible for her.
"The way I see it…you two are the reverse. Your love is the sort that's to be aspired to, just like Paris said. You two are a testament to the possibility that love can change anything, preferable for the better."
"Cassandra," The Caster whispered, feeling a twinge of sorrow for her fallen comrade. It was quite a thing for the most famous foreseer in Greek mythology to tell you that you could change fate, especially via love. Tamamo remembered how not only had she been stunned, but so too had Amaterasu. "I wonder if you'd have any advice to give to me if you were here now. Hehehe, I wonder if Apollo's curse would even stretch this far, another dimension with nary a hint of Greek influence."
You could always transmute your soul across hundreds of light-years and dimensional barriers to ask him for his thoughts on the matter.
After giving her divine self a smirk, Tamamo finished the rest of her tea and stood up. She walked up the stairs to the second level of the house. Her destination wasn't the master bedroom or her son's, but another. Their home had come with four rooms, only two of which had been used. That naturally left two more - the guest room and Hakuno's private study, or rather their private study. The two of them had talked about maybe one day expanding the house, a fit they could either do manually or with her witchcraft. She'd been looking forward to that. The thought made her smile even as she came upon the guest bedroom.
Holding out a finger, she lit a little flame illuminating the empty room. A bed, a desk, and a bookshelf, she felt that had been enough. In the glow of the flame, she sensed a presence beside her.
What do you think it'll look like? The condescension was gone, replaced with a light-heartedness that the sun goddess didn't often reveal. Amongst it was a genuine curiosity that was shared by Tamamo herself.
"I don't know." She answered. "But whatever it'll be…I want this place to become one of safety and comfort for him."
Hmm, that's one of the Third's offers that's been accepted. Now, what about the other one. Are you ready to take up that position again? Questioned the goddess. Her side glare was sharp and focused like a laser.
Tamamo's face fell as she recalled the conversation that had led her to this crossroad.
三o-◁≡=⊳ ⊲=≡▷-o 三
In little more than three hours, Danzō Shimura would be exiled from the village. Did Tamamo think he would go quietly? As much as she'd come to loath the man, he wasn't the dramatic type, which she appreciated. It was probably one of his few saving graces. That said, she was fully expecting him to take some sort of parting shot at his old friend.
The Third Hokage had suspected that as well, thus he'd requested for her to come with him. Sarutobi knew perfectly well it was going to be inciting, but he'd finally realized how dangerously unhinged his old rival had become. He couldn't take the risk with him, not anymore.
"Tamamo." he called. But the full truth was that there was something else he wanted to discuss with her.
"Hmm? Yes?" Within seconds, she realized that something big was coming. The Third Hokage's body language spoke to her and it put Tamamo on edge. He was about to say something that would deliver with the force of a bomb. She could only dread what it would be.
"I am grateful for all that you've done for the village since arriving. If I may, you've been a godsend." The old war veteran began. Even though she was tensed up, Tamamo couldn't help but giggle at the compliment, waving her hair and letting her tail and ears wag in appreciation. "Without you, I believe we would have been far worse off."
"Well, I don't believe I deserve all the credit. My husband's done his part. The Leaf is our home, and we'd be terrible people if we didn't fight to defend it." She casually replied. While appreciative of the compliment, she recognized an attempt at buttering her up when she heard one. Tamamo felt her heart begin to race as she braced herself for what was about to come next. "Mr. Sarutobi, please. Could you just…come out and say it?"
"Very well then, I want you to replace Danzō as my advisor." He'd heeded her wishes alright. "I understand that in your previous life you had…experience in politics, and you've gained more experience. In fact, you and Hakuno know of the characteristics and abilities of many of the Masters and Servants that are now out there in the ninja world. I don't mean to be rude, but-"
"You're talking specifically to me instead of Hakuno."
"Yes…because between the two of you, your eyes are sharper, more calculative, yet serene when it comes to the things that matter to you." He answered without missing a beat. Though respectful, he wasn't mincing words, nor was he hiding his intention. "Furthermore, you are the one with great experience in politics. You have better qualifications than your husband."
She already knew all that, but Tamamo supposed she just wanted the old Kage to humor her. It was a self-destructive urge as having all those reasons verbally listed made her tense up even more. Every word he'd said had been more or less right on the mark. Tamamo shut her eyes and let her aggravation be known.
Sarutobi took notice of it and raised his hand. "I'm not demanding you take the job, nor will I tell you that it'll be all-consuming. You can still run your shop alongside your husband, but there will be times when you're called upon."
"Except this time, it'll be an official order instead of you simply asking me for a favor, right?" He had the courtesy to give her an apologetic smile. "Mr. Sarutobi, I'm honored that you see me fit to hold such an office, but…I don't know if I can take it. I'm not sure if I want it. I have no desire to hold any political power or give advice. All I want to do is live in peace with my family."
"I can understand and respect that, Tamamo…but you must know that these last few incidents won't be the last. As you and Hakuno have stressed, you have enemies out there - the Fox Hunters. They will come to this village, and unlike Comstock, who has escaped, they'll likely take numerous indirect approaches. And that's not counting the mayhem they may raise in other villagers and how that will affect Konoha."
The Hokage's office became filled to the brim with silent tension. It was far from uncommon as it'd been the scene of many, many tense standoffs. More often than not, they always involved words and nothing else, but physical violence wasn't unheard of. For Tamamo and the Third Hokage, it was entirely the former; words that struck home and the feelings they invoked.
"You don't have to give me an immediate response. Just…think it over. If you decide not to accept the offer, I won't begrudge you for it or attempt to persuade you. As I said before, you and your husband are free to live in this village as your wish." Came the Third Hokage's declaration. The tension almost immediately evaporated. "I only ask that you perhaps…not keep me in suspense for too long."
Giving him a smile, the Caster gave a short bow. "Thank you, Lord Sarutobi."
三o-◁≡=⊳ ⊲=≡▷-o 三
In the past, his kindness had been negative, yet in that moment, the Third Hokage's kindness had further endeared him to Tamamo. Could she at times be the stern force needed to balance him out? Did she want to be that? When it came to her relationship with her Master-turned-husband, she certainly could be that from time to time. Practically everyone could see it from their allies to their enemies.
Tamamo dropped her hand, letting the flame die and allowing darkness to seemingly consume the guest room. The mystic manifestation beside her hummed as she walked forward, then turned around to face her.
Is this the choice you've made? Amaterasu asked.
With quiet resolution, Tamamo-no-Mae answered, "Yes, I have."
Forests West of Konoha, Early Morning…
"Thank you for waiting for me." The Caster called to the hooded figure who turned around to face her. Her dark and dreary aura stood out in sharp contrast against the morning light that was bathing the land.
From beneath her hood, pale red eyes stared back at the fox. Her expression was impassive as she looked her over, even as she spotted the tightly-wrapped bag that the Servant held in her hands. It had a familiar fox-faced logo on it. "I…decided that it was courtesy enough. Is that for me?"
Flashing her a smile, she walked forward without a hint of fear. She held out the bag and allowed the hooded figure to take it. "I can't convince you to stay, but I can wish you the best of luck on your quest. If you were to slay Vitch before me, I wouldn't lament it."
Even though she didn't smile, her expression did soften. "You know me. I'm going to do my best."
"Well, these little treats will help boost at your best several levels." A twinge of sadness overcame the kitsune as she looked over the woman in front of her. The dark cloak she wore was a fitting metaphor for her soul; it'd been like that ever since her husband died. Once, centuries ago…and again on the Moon Cell, at the hand of her villainous Alter Ego. "Kriemhild, are you sure I can't convince you to stay?"
The Germanic Avenger reached up and removed her hood, allowing her true face to be seen by the Japanese Servant. In spite of sharing quite a few similarities, they were as physically different as east and west. Tamamo's bright pink hair sharply contrasted the ashen gray of the European Servant. It hadn't always been that color, trauma and heartbreak had turned it into such a dull and off-putting color; her current Servant class might have also played a part in it. The Avenger Class certainly wasn't one that made Servants look their best. In spite of her somewhat ghostly appearance, Tamamo believed some would have called Kriemhild beautiful. Even now, a pale shell of what she once was, the former princess still radiated a certain aura around her that would draw people in. They'd certainly be attracted to her once they found their material fortunes somewhat improved in her presence. Tamamo had already discovered that herself.
Her red eyes looked past her to the village behind them. "I…I…can't. You know me, this isn't the place for me."
Though she gave an understanding nod, the Caster didn't seem willing to give up just yet. "Maybe…but sometimes the last place we expect to be, turns out to be the right place for us. Even wanderers could use a place to stop and lay their heads down to get some peace of mind."
Kriemhild's expression didn't change, not one sign that the Caster's words had any influence. Not visibly. "No…I don't think my presence would be good for the village, especially after what happened two nights ago. This village has already given me quite a boost, enough mana to potentially sustain myself for a week, maybe more." She wouldn't say that she'd potentially helped the village by absorbing grudges into herself. There was no way to say for certain just how much negativity she collected in her short stay. Personally, Tamamo didn't want to further emphasize the widow's darker and vengeful nature. "How's Hakuno?"
"He'll be discharged tomorrow, a few scars but none the worse for wear." Tamamo's smile turned even sadder as she made one last futile attempt. "He'd love to see you, and so would our adoptive son."
That caused Kriemhild's eyes to widen. "You two have…adopted a child?"
She nodded. "Yep. Naruto Uzumaki." It was probably for the best she didn't reveal any more. As an Avenger, feelings of hatred and rage came so easily to Kriemhild. Learning more about the blonde's parentage might lead her to look at the Leaf with disdain, not that Tamamo would blame her for it. "Like I said, it'd be great if you could see them. We'd love to serve you lunch or dinner sometime."
Kriemhild was silent as the morning wind made the forest sing around them. She stood out as such an anomaly in so many ways. Tamamo could see that she felt that way as she was itching to leave, yet it was obvious she had something to say first. The Caster optimistically hoped her words were having an impact. Her optimism was somewhat confirmed as the swordswoman's ruby-colored eyes stared into hers. She didn't smile, but the way her lips curved upward just a little was proof, that was enough for her.
"I would…like that, Tamamo. Maybe one day, if I pass through here, I will take you up on that offer." She said.
"We'll be here. It is our home after all. As for you…good luck out there, and if you see my sister, give her a good bashing to the head for me." Tamamo finished with a wink and a raised fist.
Maybe it was the prospect of violence on the target of her vengeance that got Kriemhild to smile. It was minuscule, but undoubtedly it was a smile. "You have my word, I shall. Until next time, our paths cross." Raising her hood, she began to walk away into the illuminated forest. "Tamamo," Kriemhild suddenly called. "I…heard a talk that there was a survivor of that massacre. A little boy."
The fox's cheery disposition fell. "Sasuke…Sasuke Uchiha. Yes, he is…the village's last Uchiha."
"…Will he become an avenger?" She solemnly asked.
Tamamo herself was quietly surprised by the intensity of her response. "He…he may, but I'm going to do my best to keep him from walking that path."
Kriemhild started walking again, seemingly not having anything more to say. At least until she was almost twenty feet away. Even from such a distance, Tamamo could hear her voice, clear a day. "I pray your best will be good enough." After that, there was truly nothing else to be said. The Heroine of Violent Vengeance, wife of the Dragon-Slaying Hero of Germany, continued to walk on, appearing as no more than a gloomy shade in the world. When she found her prey, her shadow would ignite, setting ablaze anything and everything around her, just as it had done at the court of Etzel. She would burn the world around her until she could finally drive her beloved's sword into the heart of the woman who'd taken him from her a second time.
Even if she had to carve through a legion of demons and rogue ninja to do so.
三o-◁≡=⊳ ⊲=≡▷-o 三
"Enter."
The first thing Tamamo did was smile. She was actually happy to see the Third Hokage, and he was evidently happy to see her.
"Good morning, Lord Hokage. How goes the reconstruction?"
"Smoothly so far. Mercifully, we haven't had any major incidents…barring, well…" A familiar heavy-hearted sigh filled the room. "We…found a body several miles outside of the village where Itachi Uchiha was believed to have been spotted. Izumi Uchiha, she'd been killed, but only recently."
"Izumi…Uchiha? Wait, I believe I've heard of her. Weren't she and Itachi…"
"I believe so, and I suspect that might have been the reason why she was killed. Or more accurately, why Itachi…" Sarutobi trailed off again, unable the finish the thought either out of grief or wondering if Tamamo would be able to pick up the trail for him.
She didn't like it, but she did so nonetheless. "He killed her as a show of commitment. I'm certain that Vitch stole her away during the massacre and…urgh, 'saved her' for Itachi to personally kill."
"Would she do something so needlessly cruel?"
"Absolutely, and relish every second of it, especially after the humiliation she suffered during her attack on the village." Tamamo felt her hands tightening so much that they threatened to draw blood. It was only with several deep breaths was she able to regain a hold of her fury. She now hoped more than ever that Kriemhild ran into Vitch and dismembered her from head to toe. The passion in which she wished for such a thing was gradually smothered as she put her focus back on the matter she'd come to discuss. "Mr. Sarutobi…I've…thought about the offers you made."
He sat up straight, realizing that he was about to receive an answer. All his focus was on her and he was seemingly bracing himself for whatever decision she'd arrived at. Including rejection.
"I could barely get to sleep last night; I hate an empty home. It's amongst the worst things for a person to come home. The silence…the emptiness, it's hell."
"Tamamo…I can understand the feeling." He quietly responded with genuine sympathy in his voice. Looking into his wrinkled eyes, Tamamo saw more than that. The man in front of her knew more than just about coming home to an empty house, he knew of potentially being the reason the home was empty in the first place. That was the burden of leadership. Granted, it was only a burden for those who cared.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was a man who deeply cared about the people in his village meaning it was a burden he bore. He was similar to her husband, who was the official leader of the Fox Catchers. Every loss that they'd suffered, Hakuno had taken to heart, and so too had Tamamo. They fell trying to help them clean up a mess she'd made. Still, people had gathered around them and followed after them. Even after setbacks.
"That empty home of mine…it won't always be empty, or at least I hope it won't. When me and my Master received it, I can't begin to tell you how happy I was. It was all that I could have ever wanted - a place for the two of us to live a long and happy life. As a woman, I'll admit, such a happy life would hopefully one day involve children. I was blessed to be able to serve as a mother to a child without one." The short recount brought a genuine smile to her face, one that glowed like the sun on the horizon. "I'm hoping I'm making my own adoptive mother proud."
"Adoptive mother…I believe I heard you speak of your parents once. You were adopted, were you not, Tamamo?"
She nodded, still smiling at the memories, both old and new. "She was the best mother I could have asked for, and it is to her that I've looked to. It's to her that I look to when I think of Naruto…and it is her that I'll try to look to when looking after Sasuke. That said, I believe it'll be a little different with him. I'll have to look elsewhere in how to be a good parent for him."
Sarutobi's eyes widened. He had to keep from letting a smile consume his face. "Sasuke too, so, does that mean you'll…"
"Yes…my husband and I will adopt Sasuke and become his guardians. I won't let him come home again and again to an empty house, and let the infectious darkness within it corrupt him." Declared the pink-haired woman. The smile that the old Kage had been suppressed finally bloomed. Tamamo admired it for a few minutes before she spoke again. "As for your other request…I've thought about it as well. I find it so much more preferable to wake up, tend to my family, run my store, return home, be with my family and repeat the cycle endlessly. From the depths of my heart, I want that…but I know that such a cycle will be interrupted by deviations. Rather it's from my own world or this new one…life is unexpected and it'll throw challenge after challenge at you. Some of those challenges, or many of them will threaten not just my family, but this village that I've come to call home."
She walked over to the side of the desk and looked out over the village. Already morning activities were beginning, and that included continuing reconstruction. Sarutobi rose from his seat and walked over beside her, joining her in her viewing. They were both looking at the same thing, and probably feeling the exact same emotions.
"It's only been a few months…but I've come to like this village. I don't want it to perish or suffer. While I can't condone its treatment of Naruto…I'll say I won't abandon it to whatever fate may have in store for it." With resolution in her eyes, she turned to look directly at the ninja master beside her. He stood up straight, a look of quiet relief yet regal dignity on his face. "Lord Third Hokage, I will accept your offer to become your advisor. I promise you that I will not hold my tongue at all times, but I will give you what advice I believe will safeguard the village and its people. I swear on my nine fluffy tails."
"Heheh, well then, I'm glad that I have your word, and I'll be having your wisdom from this point onward!" Taking a step back, he gave the pink-haired woman a respectful bow, just as she'd given him. The formalities for everything would come later, and by then there was a chance that news will have begun to spread around the village. "I held back on telling you this before since it seemed more…political than you probably wanted to hear, but there are now multiple open seats on the village council. It's not a requirement for the role of advisor to be a member of a clan, but…"
"Yes, I'm well aware, especially regarding the clan part." Tamamo wondered if she'd ever stop the subconscious thinking that directed her attention to her stomach. Only letting it occupy her mind for a couple of seconds, she faced forward. "We can work out the formalities toward the end of the week. Like I said, it's for the best that when Sasuke wakes up, he's…given some time. I can't help but feel like somewhere down the line, he'll see the adoption as a power play on our part. His faith in people has likely already been shattered."
Tamamo didn't know which one would hurt more for him to learn: that his brother had killed their whole clan of his own will, or that he'd done it in order to save Sasuke from all of them being killed because they were planning a coup. She had a feeling that it would be years before he was ready to hear that full truth. Between now and then…well, Tamamo knew she and Hakuno would only be able to do their best to make him ready for that day.
"Rebuilding that trust isn't going to be easy. However, I'm confident that you, Hakuno, and Naruto will be able to heal his wounded heart, little by little if need be." The Third Hokage said with a smile.
Tamamo shot him a smile of appreciation. Watching him look back at the village outside, she couldn't help but wonder if he was looking at something else. Her intuition told her that there lay a great many mysteries and secrets in this world, including here in the Hidden Leaf Village. With the decision that she'd made, how many of them would she discover? Personally, she didn't fancy herself as a person who sought adventure and mystery, but when she caught a whiff of it, she became enthralled. Not so surprisingly, it was a trait that she shared with her beloved.
Once she told him of her decision, he'd no doubt agree that they were taking one big step forward into the unknown, again. A shiver of excitement raced up her spine. She found it surprising that she felt only a small modicum of dread - fear of failing and having this blow up in her face. The latter was definitely there, but it wasn't as all-consuming as she thought it would be. Tamamo knew there was someone to thank for that, the same person who made her realize that she could show her true self, reveal all that she'd done and all she was capable of…and still be loved. That person had given her the power to take this brave step.
She was sure that when he took the first bite of the grilled fish he'd asked for, his face with glow with the radiance of the morning sun before her.
三o-◁≡=⊳ ⊲=≡▷-o 三
Afternoon…
Every time he looked up at the sky, Sasuke felt himself unable to comprehend it. Ever since waking up, he'd been unable to comprehend much of anything, but the sharp contrast in the skies above him simply stood out too much to him.
The last time he'd saw the sky, he'd seen darkness, faint stars, and splotches of red courtesy of the numerous fires and columns of smoke. He saw none of that in the afternoon sky, blue as could be and dotted with puffy white clouds.
He wasn't sure if he liked it or hated it. With every step he took, he was leaning more toward the latter.
Dead…the Uchiha…my family…they're…they're… His mind was an empty yet chaotic maelstrom except for those thoughts. When he woke up, he could hardly remember anything except darkness, then light. The more he tried to focus, the more his head hurt. Sasuke wanted to give up, but he felt a nagging drive not to, it was his desire to understand why he was lying in a hospital bed with a bandage around his head and arms. Minute by minute, through the frustrating pain, clarity began to come back to him leading to the memories.
When he got up and looked out the window of his room, he could see signs of repair work. The memories of him running through a village under siege came back to him. Based on what he saw, the attack hadn't been the end of the village, they'd managed to repel it.
So, why had his clan died? Were all of them really dead?
"Any change in his condition?"
"So far, none. I…I know I shouldn't say this, but a part of me doesn't want him to wake up. Really, what's he supposed to wake up to? His family's gone."
"Is it really true it wasn't the demons that did it? It was…it was really Itachi Uchiha?"
"I honestly don't know for certain, but I've heard he was there, attacking everyone with some kind of magic sword."
"Could he have been possessed?"
"Like I said, I don't know. If that were the case, he'd have been brought in for treatment or something. To run off though…"
"Sasuke Uchiha, poor kid."
"He didn't deserve this."
It was a shock that he was able to move so fluidly after that. Sasuke felt some hollow surge of strength fueling his body. Sneaking out of the hospital, quietly moving through the village back to the Uchiha District, his home. All of it went by in such a blur that he could only recount it when he looked up at the blue sky. A part of him kept hoping something would happen - a crack in the sky, a monster flying overhead, blue turning black, anything other than the reality that he was fearing was indeed true.
His gut twisted as he looked at the yellow tap over the district entrance. Beyond it lay craters and dried splotches of blood that had yet to be cleaned up. Seeing them lit a fire in him. Sasuke felt his legs moving, pushing him past the tape and into his home. Or what used to be his home.
For the most part, the buildings were still standing, but that was a hollow comfort as they were all deserted. No one, not a soul in sight or could be heard. Sasuke felt an urge to call out, but his voice couldn't work. Only his eyes could, and all they saw was desolation.
Dead…everyone's dead, except for you. The logical part of his mind realized. It was whispering it to him in a stoic voice. Something inside of him tried to fight it, but it was a losing battle. His legs continued to carry him down the street, down the familiar walkway that he took every day to and from school.
A spring wind blew as he stood in front of the doors of his home. Sasuke said nothing as he pushed them open; he trembled while doing so. In his heart, he already knew what he was going to find.
"I'm…home." The black-haired boy whispered as he pushed the doors open. More silence, deafening silence that brought back the memories of darkness and blood. Even with the midday sun shining, the darkness was still there. Retracing his previous footsteps, he found that some of the blood was still there too. Along with a body outline.
Sasuke felt his knees hit the ground. It was the first true physical sensation he'd felt since waking up. The outline of two bodies that had been slumped on top of each other. His parents.
They'd been there, right in front of him, both of them dead. And Itachi standing over them, coldly dismissive of the deed as he confessed to the crime right in front of him.
"This is me severing the chains that bind me. I've freed myself."
Sasuke saw him standing right there, blood splattered across his body, the blood of others - their clansmen.
"F-F-Freed yourself?"
The rest of the conversation came back to him right up until he saw his brother's eyes transform. The Mangekyō Sharingan, the evolved form of the baseline Sharingan. His body trembled with fear as he remembered falling under its thrall. Grasping at his head, he felt his brain especially remember the horrible agony his brother had subjected him to. His body remembered; his mind certainly remembered.
"So, finally awake?"
Popping his eyes open, he stared at the jet-black crow that had landed right in front of him. At first, he didn't believe it was real, but as its eyes turned a familiar shade of red, he recognized it for what it was.
"Like I said, you were too weak to kill, so I spared you. My hope is that in doing so, you'll provide a challenge for me in the future." It was amazing how quickly he'd come to associate the cold voice with his brother, the big brother that he looked up to and idolized.
As he thought of everything that had transpired between them, Sasuke wondered if he'd ever really known Itachi. "Y-Y-You…where are you! Where?!" Without even thinking, he lunged for the crow, crashing into the wooden floor. The pain was momentary, forgotten about as he looked all around him. The Sharingan-eyed bird was sitting on the ground beyond the hole in the wall. Sasuke stood up, his breathing heavy as he stared at it with pure disdain.
"That's a good look in your eye, Sasuke. Hold onto it, hold onto that feeling inside of you." Itachi's voice said through the summoned animal. "If you ever want to make me pay for what I did…hone your hatred and use it to strike me down. That is…if a weakling like you is capable of it. If you desire to see me again on this road I've chosen to walk…seek the truth of the Uchiha Clan." With a single flap, the crow took off into the sky.
Sasuke impulsively began to form hand signs for the Fireball Jutsu, but as he watched the black bird fly away. It was already out of his reach, a physical representation of the brother who'd always been so far ahead of him. Sasuke felt his knees hit the ground again and a scream of tearful frustration rose in his throat.
"Aaaaaaarrrrgggghhh!" It burst out, echoing into the sky and across the empty Uchiha District. He was probably the first person to let loose such a sound since that night. For the foreseeable future, Sasuke knew that he was likewise going to be the only Uchiha left alive in the Uchiha District.
As his scream ended, he looked down and noticed something lying on the ground. A single black feather had fallen from the crow. Nervously, he crawled forward and grabbed at it. In his hand, it morphed into a folded-up sheet of paper that he uncurled. He immediately recognized his brother's handwriting.
"Sasuke."
Almost immediately after he finished reading the letter, he turned around and stared at the pair of figures that had caught up to him. The pink hair of Tamamo-no-Mae, he recognized, as did the white robes and red-tipped hat of the Hokage.
He didn't know what he felt looking at the two of them, taking in the heartbroken looks on their faces. Sasuke quietly wondered if they'd seen the short encounter with Itachi's crow. As the seconds passed and neither of them said anything about it, he realized that they hadn't. A small part of him felt oddly relieved at that.
Looking between the two of them, Sasuke felt something inside of him. It wasn't anger, not at them or Itachi or even himself.
Tamamo was on him in a second, bringing him into a gentle embrace. It felt good, but he knew immediately that it wasn't his mother's. He was never going to be held in her arms again. Not even his auntie's or grandmother's. None of them. "T-T-They're…they're all gone, aren't they?"
The faces of both of the adults twisted into deeper pain. They could have lied, but it would have been so needlessly cruel and so easily seen through there was no point in it.
"Yes…Sasuke, they are, but you're not alone. Not completely." The Third Hokage said.
He shook his head in denial. Sasuke wanted to scream and shout, but he found he couldn't do anything more than sob. That's all he could do - nothing, just like when Itachi had slaughtered their parents and clan. His brother's words echoed in his head, even as he felt the warm embrace of another. It didn't matter who it was, it wasn't his mother. She was gone, just like his father.
"That's my boy."
The memory was a scorpion's sting. That was it, he'd never be able to achieve anything more, anything like what Itachi had…
Another sob ripped through him as his mind wandered off to thoughts of his brother. A smiling face that he wasn't sure had ever been real, a poke to the forehead that he was always annoyed by, yet secretly loved, and cold black eyes that suddenly turned red.
He cried and cried, unable to stop himself. The embrace of Mrs. Kishinami and another told him that it was okay for him to keep on crying. Sasuke didn't want to though; he didn't want to cry like the helpless loser that his brother had called him.
"It's okay, Sasuke, just let it all out."
Those words angered him, yet they also comforted him, if only a little. His mother was gone, yet there was someone there for him. She let him cry into her arms, telling him that it was okay even if a part of him was shouting it wasn't. Sasuke didn't understand any of this, and the sheer struggle of trying to drain whatever strength he'd built up. It'd been enough to carry him from the hospital to the ruins of his home, but it was now at an end.
There weren't familial faces waiting for him, but two familiar faces he'd never thought much of. They were all that he had left. He was at least thankful they were there for him as he cried himself asleep.
It's just me now. I'm all alone. I'm…the last Uchiha, just…just me.
三o-◁≡=⊳ ⊲=≡▷-o 三
"I take it you…failed at finding them? The rest of your friends?"
Captain Ziaxio had ferried many sorts of passengers across the seas; he had an exclusive list of his most…unique passengers.
The teenage girl known as Rani Nava and her "Servant", Berserker, easily made the top five. A month and a half at sea with them had been nothing short of…interesting. And that was saying something considering he'd spent thirty years at sea, having even spotted one of the legendary Tailed Beasts. Seeing the pair in battle, Ziaxio genuinely believed they could fight the infamous Three-Tailed Turtle and actually won. Especially Berserker. The man (who apparently really was a man) could punch out tsunamis with his bare fists alone.
Rani looked back at him with her twinkling light purple eyes. Her head shook, "No, I actually succeeded in finding them. They are indeed in the Land of Fire as I thought. Now, I know exactly where they are."
Crossing his arms, the salt and pepper-haired man looked up to the clear blue skies in a moment of mock thought. "Hmmm, the Hidden Leaf Village?"
"Exactly."
"That's what I thought! It's the most populous city in the Land of Fire aside from the capital! Also…I heard about seven years ago, that the village was attacked by a monstrous demon fox. That friend of yours, Tamamo…she may have been drawn to the place."
"I concur. It's been three months since we arrived in this world. I'm sure that's enough time for her to have changed at least some people's opinions about foxes." She declared with utmost confidence. Rani stood up and began collecting the gems she'd used for her scrying as she always did after an attempt. Given the fruits of this latest endeavor, there was a noticeable pep in her step.
It didn't go unnoticed by the Gray Swallow's captain. As he had done before, Ziaxio watched the colored circle around her fade away. He knew ninjutsu, but what Rani used was apparently magic, genuine magic. Well, he and his crew called it magic, she repeatedly told them that the "technically correct" term was magecraft, and that it'd nearly gone extinct in her home world. Something about "mana" drying up or something like that. Well, in this world, there was no such rejection on them. Rani had taken advantage of that and explored what she was capable of as much as she could.
At first, he was nervous to the point of being scared. A strange girl playing with mystical powers on his ship? His cargo ship?
"You can't seriously be thinking of letting her do this!?" His first mate screeched.
"I give you the word of the Atlas Institute, no harm will come to your ship. In fact, if my hypothesis is correct, I believe my time on this ship may provide the greatest security imaginable." The teenager had declared. Though her lips didn't form a smile nor did her voice rise, her eyes told the story. They were filled with a quiet determination that Ziaxio knew, and respected.
She'd turned out to be right.
Predicting storms, putting up defensive barriers that protected the ship from storms and attacks, detecting hostile incoming ships and other threats, Rani's magecraft had undoubtedly proved to be a boon to the ship. Several had remarked that it was going to be tough going back to not having her around. Some had even gotten used to her giant, silent, and incredibly unsettling Servant.
Turning to the far right, he saw Berserker having occupied his usual place as an unofficial lookout. Rai had explained that if he were summoned in another "Class", he'd be able to speak like a normal person…and able to betray them all, as he'd supposedly done in his mortal life.
She joined him on the side with Ziaxio standing to her right. The three of them looked out at the clear blue waters; for sailors, it was a beautiful constant that you had to learn to live with. One also had to learn how to read them as seemingly calm waters could belay hidden dangers. Rani herself had gradually begun to pick up on that.
"I've never…seen the real ocean before." She'd told him in response to the slight wanderlust in her eyes on day ten of their sailing. Even after all that time, she still had that look of amazement in her eyes. The crew had taken notice of it, especially Ziaxio who decided to question her on it. "As I told you, the world that we came from was a virtual one. Even before that, I lived my whole life on land…until now, I've never seen the ocean. It's…it's so big, so filled with life."
"That's the beauty of it. It's full of a wondrous and violent life, and it won't care if you get caught up in it. You have to make your own way out here, and fight to uphold it. Still…none of that takes away from the beauty of it. At least, that's how I feel about it." He'd spoken the words before to awe-struck passengers, some of whom either accepted his words or delivered varying retorts. A handful explained their own views of the sea. He recognized that Rani had no such views, so maybe he was trying to fill that void with his own.
"I want to show this to my friends, though I'm sure some of them will have already seen the ocean. It's just…we were all in the digital world for so long…"
"It's nothing compared to the real thing." Ziaxio affirmed, for what might have been the thirtieth time. He never seemed to get tired of it, something that Rani made her appreciation known from time to time. "After you confirm that they're all alright…what sort of life do you want to build here in our world?"
"I still don't know. I originally followed Hakuno Kishinami to fulfill an oath I made to my sister…then that oath became my own because I-"
"Fell for a boy who was already taken." Ziaxio finished with a carefree smile.
On her right side, Berserker let out another inaudible grunt. Rani's brow knitted, a clear sign of irritation that he'd gotten used to. Both men were getting their laughs in at the teenage girl's expense, again.
"As Hakuno told me, my life's purpose is mine to decide, and I will decide it…after I have confirmed the survival of my friends." The bespectacled girl responded with utmost determination.
Ziaxio's smile held as he looked at her. "You've got a strange but strong bunch of friends…to have gone through such struggles." He didn't doubt the stories that she told him of her group, the Fox Catchers. After seeing her massive, superhuman partner and her own sorcery, Ziaxio was willing to believe more existed in the world he knew, and in those worlds, the incredible happened. "If you all survived gods and demons waging war on all of you, I'm sure most of you will have survived this new world. Our world may not have the same sort of entities as your world…but it's got no shortage of monsters."
"There's always evil wherever you go, even if a place seems to be like paradise." Her face changed as it always did when talking of "paradise". The same happened with Berserker, whose stony visage momentarily broke. He looked almost mournful.
Tamamo…Delmo, the Supremacy of the Home. I can only wonder what a port owned by her would be like. Based on what they've told me, we're better off not finding out. Truth be told, he was amongst the members who wondered what life would be like without Rani and Berserker aboard. They'd been an invaluable help, but he was aware that they had their own obligations. Ziaxio had quietly resolved to value their assistance as long as they were aboard, which would be by his estimate another two weeks or so. In that time, they'd arrive at Hashiba Port in the Land of Fire.
A slight jolt raced through him at the thought of the famed port city. Like a great many sailors, he had some history with the port…and there was someone he was keen on seeing again.
Sucking in a breath of sea air, he refocused himself on the present. "When you meet back up with your friends, you'll have a lot to tell them."
"Yes, adventures at sea…fighting off pirates, a giant electric eel, a navy fleet, and lastly a real big and annoying flock of killer birds." Rani's head suddenly fell as she pushed up her glasses. "I imagine we all we all compare stories, that might make fourth or third on the most exciting list."
Ziaxio couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Your friends must truly lead some interesting lives if a set of adventures like that is only barely in the top three."
"Didn't I tell you? Trouble seems to find some of us like magnets. In the case of Fionn, I have no doubt that by now he and Arina have been forced to flee on account of him. Kintoki and Franklin have likely raised hell somewhere." She began to list.
"Remind me again, this Kintoki fellow…he's the son of a dragon?" Just because he believed most of her story, doesn't mean that there were some parts he still found a little…hard to swallow from time to time. As she nodded, he tried to picture what a half-human dragon hybrid would look like. "And he spits out lightning?" Again, she nodded. "Damn…I'd love to invite him onto the ship, but I'm half afraid he'd accidentally fry everything in the water, or us."
"A totally appropriate fear as Kintoki's mental facilities can be…lacking at times. Granted, he's still a step up from Lu Bu here."
Thunk!
"Gaaah…"
"Oh, simmer down. It's not like it's the first time you've heard this." Rani waved off, yet again ignoring the short but intense glare her Servant sent her. "Frankly, I'm surprised I haven't come across some story about the two of them raising some mayhem." Not for the first time today, Ziaxio saw the teenage girl smile. "At least not yet anyway."
Well, good to see she's not completely hung up on a guy she can't have. Seems like she has a liking for the courageous and foolhardy type. A good fit for a straight-lanced girl like her. "Well, some stories sadly don't quite reach out to the water. You said that there's absolutely no way of telling where your friends landed. You spent almost two whole days locked in your cabin running the numbers until you finally came out and admitted you didn't know."
Rani actually made a pouty face remembering that. Ziaxio again laughed, as did Lu Bu…sorta.
Her pout was short-lived as she looked back up with a small but content smile. "There's a chance that Hijikata will probably have gotten himself into some trouble too, and it'll be up to Alyssa to get him out. Granted…this kind of world is just the sort that he'd be at home in. It's the world that he should have been born into." Her smile remained as she looked to her right. "And Berserker here." The gruff warrior's response was another grunt. Rani was able to keenly decipher an entire statement from it, as she always could. "Just be patient. Knowing our luck, someone will come to us." Her smile then dropped as she fathomed the possibilities of who that could be.
Fox Hunters, the more antagonistic opposites of the Fox Catchers. While both groups were undoubtedly opposed to the Tamamo Nine who took over the Moon Cell, there were several key differences between them. From what Ziaxio understood, the former was perfectly willing to kill the "original" Tamamo-no-Mae, who helped form the Fox Catchers to stop her rampant sisters. That targeting included her Master, one Hakuno Kishinami, who from what he understood was used to people trying to kill him. That could be done in a number of creative and cruel ways, the collateral damage included. In fact, from what he understood, most Fox Hunters seemingly had no care for who or what got in the way of their mission.
Ziaxio had recognized that willingness made carrying any member of the Fox Catchers on his ship a danger. It also made any interaction with the aforenamed pair dangerous in itself.
Then again, from Rani's descriptions, some of these Fox Hunters were simply unhinged maniacs who'd kill or maim anyone unfortunate enough to cross their paths or interfere with their interests.
Lu Bu grunted again, a booming sound that rolled across the calm waters.
"Guan Yu, right?"
Rani looked at the captain with surprised eyes. "Yes, him and Kenelm. Currently, their score stands at Lu Bu's five losses to Guan Yu's three. The score would grow in the latter's favor if he caught us out here." The academic girl finished with a look of deep anxiety.
Ziaxio had dealt with ice before, but ice commanded by a warrior who wielded a spear made from a dragon? He had no desire to confront that. Glancing at the red and black-armored warrior, he still weighed the odds of that battle happening. Having seen Berserker's strength, he was confident if he wanted to, he could reduce glaciers to finger-sized pieces. Assuming the glaciers weren't fighting back, and the whole ocean wasn't being made into a-
Boom!
The sound was deafening in more ways than one. It felt like a bomb going off, yet it had such a sharp whistling that one's ears could have bled. That's certainly how Ziaxio and Rani felt as they clamped their hands over their ears. Berserker did no such thing; he simply lifted his head back and roared. In his outstretched right arm, his spear manifested.
Stumbling back, Ziaxio called to the crew, screaming for them to get into battle stations. He saw that they were disoriented just like him.
Their hearing problems were somewhat compounded as they heard multiple explosions go off overhead. These sounded much more like traditional bombs. Looking up, they saw that they were actually more like cannonballs.
"-sTatIons! Bat…tle…stations!" Ziaxio shouted. His legs wobbled to the point he fell onto his knees, but as soon as he did he was fighting to get back up. Suddenly, he felt a hand on the small of his back, an energetic pulse ringing through him. Knowing it was Rani, he opened his mouth and shouted once more. "Everyone, battle stations! We're under attack!"
This time, his crew got the message.
Though several were still clearly reeling from the sonic attack, they all began to get into positions. Looking back, he saw Rani had already cleared up her own disorientation. She was scanning the sea for their attacker.
"There, at fifteen degrees from the bow!" Her hands clapped together and a mystical incantation was fast-moving from her lips. As it wrapped up, she summoned one of her many oval-shaped jewels. It glowed bright green as she tossed it forward over the railing. Berserker jumped toward it as a whirlwind of greenish-colored sand swelled up around her, then shot toward the gem. Within seconds, it formed a circular platform for the raging warrior to land upon. It quickly sped toward the direction Rani had indicated.
The teenager herself was moving toward the center of the deck. That was the position she occupied when they went into battle. It was from there she spread her magecraft throughout the rest of the ship for either offense or defense. Everyone had long since learned not to mess with her; she could prove vital to keeping them alive just as her Servant served the role of attacker. The quicker he could destroy whatever it was that was after them, the better.
Berserker roared as he leaped from the magic platform toward what was seemingly nothing. He couldn't quite see it, but he could sense it. His prized spear was raised and brought down. It made contact with something hard and powerful.
Ziaxio momentarily stopped in his race up the stairs to the bridge. His old sea-worn eyes could see a good distance, and they could certainly see the clash. The air itself seemingly shimmered, then the illusion was broken revealing a giant crystal sphere around a ship. As cracks spread along the sphere, he quickly moved to examine the ship in question to get a feel of what they were in for. He had to admit, it was quite a splendid-looking vessel, it was a classical frigate with an intimidating black and red color scheme with gold highlights. As expected, its side was facing them, all eight of them. Ziaxio had seen worse, but he knew they couldn't take this latest threat likely.
A second later and the crystalline dome shattered and Berserker fell upon the deck. Ziaxio spent the next ten seconds nervously waiting for the inevitable snap. Berserker had been launched at other ships like a human missile, or rather spear, splitting them in half in a single blow. That wasn't what happened with this ship. A series of explosions were visible on the deck. Gnashing his teeth, he immediately concluded that this enemy ship wasn't going to fall so easily. He continued straight up the stairs to the bridge.
"Captain on the bridge!"
Everyone was exactly where they needed to be saved for him. He saw the steering wheel waiting for him and immediately went for it. A familiar rush swept through him as he moved his hands along the hardened metal of the steering wheel. The lives of all forty-two members of his crew's lives were in his hands, and the Master-Servant duo they'd taken in.
"Rani, what are we looking for!?" He shouted at the shiny gemstone that floated beside him. Another one of Rani's magical additions to the ship.
"Servant! I know that ship, it's the-! Incoming torpedoes from the starboard side!" Came the seventeen-year-old's voice.
Though he knew she was already raising a barrier, he quickly began to turn the ship. He gave the alert to his crew, who all began to brace for impact. They'd all seen Rani's barriers in action and knew they could withstand most impacts. But that didn't mean that weathering that impact was going to be pleasant.
Torpedoes from an old-looking ship like that! No doubt about it! Ziaxio thought as a translucent blue barrier manifested around the Gray Swallow. It took the impact of the underwater projectiles shooting up water dozens of feet into the air. They were only the opening shots.
"Rani." he called over the magic communications gem.
"Pirates." Came her tight, rather annoyed response.
"Yeah, I got that."
"The pirate of our world." She continued, a rising seriousness in her voice that told him they were indeed in for a tough time. "That is the Queen Ann's Revenge, the flagship of-! Berserker!"
Ziaxio could only see so far, but the panic that he heard in Rani's voice told him that they'd just run into a roadblock. He could accept that though. As he'd told the teenage magus during their first week at sea, the unexpected was the only thing you could expect for certain in open water. Danger could appear from anywhere at any time, and when it did, survival was all-or-nothing.
As he turned the ship to its side, he calculated the distance and direction his own ship's cannons would take. He knew Berserker was tough enough to survive almost anything thrown his way. His opposition he was betting on being considerably less durable. "Load the Long Shells!"
Not to mention, according to Rani, he wouldn't be too peeved at being caught in a little friendly fire.
And that concludes Chapter 27. Sorry for the extended break in updating, everyone. It took me way longer to get this chapter out than I originally wanted (way back in March).
To start this chapter up and in a sense show the Konoha's about to enter a new era, I decided to do Danzō's exile. There were no big theatrics since he isn't that kind of person, nor did I want to drag it out for too long. It's going to be a while before he shows up again, though his presence is going to be felt in different ways in future chapters.
In his absence and as a result of the Uchiha Massacre, Tamamo's received a rather unwanted promotion of sorts. She doesn't want any sort of political position because, as she stated, she just wants a quiet life with her family in the village. The thing is, the world she and Hakuno now live in isn't static, nor are the lives they live static either. Life throws you unexpected curveballs and you have to react to them as best you can. In her case, the curveball is the position of power and Sasuke's newly orphaned status. The former she doesn't want, but the latter she feels she morally can't ignore. Though she has a rather dark reputation and can come off as the party girl, I've always found Tamamo to have a rather clear and solid sense of morals to her. She knows if she doesn't do anything, Sasuke will go down a dark (canon) path and the guilt will eat her up.
Since Sasuke had some focus on this chapter, it felt a good enough time to formally introduce another OC Servant and personal favorite mythological figure of mine, Kriemhild, the widowed wife of Siegfried. She got a short appearance during the finale of the Ōmagatoki Arc with this chapter giving her something of a full introduction. As you can imagine, she and Sasuke would have a lot to talk about, and they will when she spots by the village again.
In order to better write this part of the story out, I went back and rewatched the string of episodes focusing on the Uchiha Massacre. It's hard to tell if they're more depressing without knowledge of the truth or with the truth, but I maybe lean toward the latter. Obviously, there's a lot that he doesn't know and will discover, but how he discovers it will play a part in the kind of person he turns into in this story. Another influence is going to be him having a supportive foster family. I'm pretty excited to write his interactions and vice versa with the rest of the Kishinami Family. That said, I'll drop this warning, there's going to be some rough patches since Sasuke's going to take months of mentally recovering from having his entire family slain. There are going to be some short time skips to illustrate how the family is doing, as well as what else is happening in the story. That leads me to the final segment of this chapter.
I admittedly went back and forth on who I wanted to focus on, but in the end, looking at my storyboard, it was Rani and Lu Bu. I have them planned to end up in a very specific place and for that, I needed to show what they've been up to. On top of that…there's one fight I've been eager to get to for several dozen chapters. It'll be coming next chapter which will also turn the focus to some other characters. I will show how Itachi's been handling things since fleeing the village. When I get around to that, it'll be fun writing the early days of the Akatsuki, which is going to see some alterations as a result of Vitch's involvement.
Leave your thoughts in the reviews! Until the next chapter, keep safe and have a good day, everyone!
