Naruto: Tenth Dragon's Poison

Chapter 2

Shadow Revenants

The day had brought its hardships from one end of the village to the other. There were several clouds scaling overhead, making for one of the darker nights on the month. This was not unexpected, especially in this particular area… a location known as the Iwagakure village.

It was ten of them who had been sent to investigate a reported disturbance along the borders. Minutes slipped away after their departure, those minutes quickly turning into hours. Concern had risen during that time when no form of update was given. That's when it was decided that a second group would be sent in to go and find the others, shinobi numbered at fifteen... making the overall count twenty five.

They split their groups into three, broadening the search as much as possible. There was not much said as they traveled, all focus on what was in front of them. It was a true case of the unknown, something that could prove fatal if not weary. A wind blew past as they moved, fiercely fighting its way into the opposite direction. Luckily the large stones that covered the surrounding foundation absorbed most of the force.

Regardless of this they pushed on, showing no signs of slowing up on the path forward. It was at that moment that the man who had taken lead came to a stop without warning. The two trailing from close behind did the same. It was quiet; the only thing to be heard was that of the wind whispering through the cracks from the stones towered on all sides. It was hard to see, the moon above still grasped behind the clouds in place. Nothing was spoken for seconds to come.

"… Sensei," One of the men finally spoke. "What is it?"

He raised his left hand in response, signaling for continued silence. They did what was wished, holding their current stance further. It was unclear of what he was looking for, simply staring into the darkness ahead. A low grunt came in the wake of this, slowly turning back to face the two of them.

"Kru Sensei," The other man spoke. "Did you hear something?"

"No," Kru replied. "But I do smell something."

"I don't smell anything."

"Then you're not homing all you have into it," Kru stated. "It's subtle, but it's defiantly something."

Before another word was said a staggering groan could be heard, carrying its weight through the flowing wind.

"Where did that come from?"

"There." Kru pointed.

They looked into the direction brought to their attention to find a large rock sitting in place. The three headed over immediately following this, slowly picking up an unusual odor the further they went.

"This must be that smell Sensei hinted at."

Tension only rose the closer they got, uncertain of what they would come to find once reaching the other side. They stopped just a few inches shy of reaching the rock, all three looking to one another to make sure they were ready for any scenario that was to follow. Nothing needed to be said, the response was in their eyes. It happened all in one quick motion, stepping around the rock to come to find one of their own lying on the ground.

"Helrosha-Kun," Kru said falling to a knee. "Is that you?"

There was nothing to be said in response. He checked for a pulse, his eyes widening at the result he came to gain.

"Kru Sensei, what is it?"

He stood back to his feet with the shake of his head, delivering the unfortunate news.

"He's dead."

"What?!"

"That can't be," The other man said. "What about that noise we just heard?"

"That's another strange thing about it," Kru said. "Given his current body temperature I'd say he's been dead for at least thirty minutes."

"I think we had better head back and give the Tsuchikage an up."

"Not yet," Kru said. "We first need to find out who did this."

"What about that sound we heard," The other man brought up. "If it wasn't Helrosha that we heard, then who?"

Before either of the three could make another move they heard a sound from behind, a sound of dirt being crushed under foot. They immediately tuned to see a mystery figure hiding within the darkness.

"Identify yourself." Kru demanded with one step taken.

Nothing came of his first attempt.

"I'm only going to ask you once more, who are you," Kru repeated with a change in tone. "If you don't answer you're going to force me to do something I'd rather not."

Only the same results came of this, clutching his fists as he readied himself for what was to come next.

"You two stay back," Kru instructed. "I'll handle this."

With his patience drastically dropping he dashed ahead, showing little fear in falling into the darkness of the unknown. He threw one single punch in anticipation, watching as the dark figure fell out of sight before contact could be made.

"What?!"

It was at that given moment that he heard the sudden cries of his comrades. He immediately turned to see the two of them falling toward the ground with blood spewing from their chests. Before he had the chance to react he felt his left arm tear open from unknown contact,

"Grr.."

He instantly reached for it, gripping it with his right hand as blood freely flowed.

"What is going on?"

His uncertainty slowly turned to fear, feeling himself sliced on his back, then chest almost simultaneously. And with one final blow to the back of his head not only did his body seize to the pain, but his spirit as well. There was no way of stopping it… almost as if the enemy was the shadows itself. He slowly felt himself losing his conscious, feeling the blood filtering out of his body as his eyes fell shut.

The night had come and gone, bringing a beautiful sight to see come that next morning. He had left home earlier than usual, finding his way to the field where he resulted to laying to his back. He watched the clouds brush by in a calming matter, a pattern which changed daily just like any ocean.

It had been nothing but silence for most of the time he had been out there, only hearing the chirp of any nearby birds. He eased up in the slightest, resting his hands behind his head to add to his comfort. It had been days since the last completed mission, giving him plenty of down time which he had come to appreciate. Before his mind could completely fall into the depths of the moment he heard something heading his way, the sound of someone running. He sat up in time just time to see that heartwarming smile on her face, followed by the call of his name.

"Naruto, we have another mission."

And just like that, another episode in his legacy was about to begin… a journey he could never imagine come to pass.