Symone: A Naruto Side-Story - "The Heart Of Rain"
Chapter Nineteen: New Ambitions To Kumogun!

Thought has the power to neglect reality, and in certain situations, that reality can become too fierce, causing the lie of thought to infatuate and stimulate the road of incompletion, but what happens when reality sings itself a world of difference from the thoughts which tremble unadmirably? How does your body react? Does trust become an option on your new journey to form what was incomplete, forming it to become whole? This is Chapter Ninteen of the Symone: "The Heart Of Rain" series, "New Ambitions To Kumogun!". What was the reality seen for those engulfed by pride?...

[Authors Note: What a turn around the last special chapters were. Just so you know... I have everything as organized in my head as possible and stick to the reality of what's been created, so as I write... everything comes new to me at that moment, no matter WHEN I write it... so when I finish writing a chapter, reading it back is something new and unexpected, giving me reason to enjoy it as well. So... after writing this... my imagination is gonna have to make up new scenario's off the top of my head like all the other chapters... and I can't even tell you what this chapter is gonna have in it to be honest. All I will say is I hope you like todays imagination perspectives. Also, I have a bad virus as I write this, so I might mess some things up, but please forgive me if I do so. Thank you for reading.

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Over the broken body of Sanka Renji, Nova-Teichou had been seen hovering over him as his right knee had been planted to his side. Mikomi and Symone watch on from a distance, worrying the worst. "Nova! Step away from Renji! Now!" yelled Mikomi as he plants his right foot forward, readying a kunai in secret from his back as his hand swayed behind him. Symone looks on with her mouth open, noticing Nova moving to his belt as he pulls out what he had removed from the ground moments before the chase. Nova is then seen laying the root he had discarded upon the ground. He then holds a seal for a moment, giving his fingers an ominous green aura that began to emanate lightly. He then places his glowing fingers on the root, burning it down to a liquid as he gently places it over a thick leaf. Nova then stares towards Mikomi as he smirked. "You can drop your kunai. I'm merely healing his body" spoke Nova, being as observant as a captain should be as he began rubbing the liquid across the open lacerations of Renji's body. From the side, Mikomi's eyes widen as he places his right foot back towards himself, placing the kunai back within a pouch that layed to his side, underneath the bulk of his trench coat. "Why are you healing him? Isn't it your duty to kill him?" asked Mikomi as Nova had replied, "I have no duty anymore except my own, and that duty... that duty is... to kill that fool, Genburori". "You want to kill your own master? Why is that your duty now, and what does healing our comrade have to do with any of this?" asked Mikomi. Nova had replied, "You see, I believe I am capable of killing Genburori now, but the thing is, if I make a move, the ninja within the temple will attack, even if it's my own squad, and I will be at a disadvantage. Sanka Renji should jump on top of this situation since in the end, it will better his village if the Kumogun are gone, no matter how they are defeated. As for why... let me just say it's a personal matter no one needs to know". "I... don't really give a shit... about how the Kumogun are squashed, like you said, it benefits me and my people, but... I also... want a taste... of the man who put me through that hell for so long behind the scenes!" spoke a weary Renji as he is seen opening those beaten eyes from the ground as Nova had continued rubbing the herb root on his body. "So you're awake already, Renji-kun? How pleasant. There's a fire burning deep inside of you that will forever live on until you're at peace... and that's why you will help me" spoke Nova as Renji sharply snatches the arm of Nova that had been seen rubbing the healing herb on him as he pulls him closer, staring at him with a glare of rage. "That fire burns on it's own will and takes no orders from trash like you" spoke Renji as he had smirked with his lips that have been tainted with a temporary malice. "So much power has already returned to you. You'll soon be ready to help, and that is all I care for at this moment." spoke Nova as he just smiled as casually as always, finishing up his treatment on Renji as he throws his hand back towards himself, away from Renji's grasp. "Renji. It's good to have you alive, but what happened to that guy Bankoku?" asked Mikomi as Renji had replied, looking over to him with a slow turn of the head, "I defeated him, but it was..." as Nova had quickly interrupted Renji as he said, "...but it was a hard battle I watched from a distance in which Renji had killed him. His body is a few yards to your right" as he looked over to Mikomi, answering the question asked to Renji as Renji looks to Nova with narrowed eyes. Mikomi looks over to his right, trying to locate the body as he realizes it was buried face down in a puddle of mud, almost blending in with the dirt around him. "We need to bury him... he was still a living thing. If we're gonna leave here... then... well, then... I can't just leave this dead soul to just remain left in such a pitiful, disrespectful way!" spoke Symone as she noticed the body, having a strong opinion of what to do next before any thoughts of attacking Genburori or the Kumogun. "Are you fucking kidding me!? You stupid girl! Do you think this man had buried the lives that were once living in which he stole!? How can I even THINK of him getting buried before being able to bury the body of my best friend!? What about Bangai!? He's gone now, and you want to give this scumbag a proper burial!? Is there something wrong with the fucking brains of you Rain-nin!?" argued Renji as he had blew up to Symone and her words. "Listen! Bangai was a great person! He will get his burial, along with all the other villagers who died in the war that me and Sensei ended for yours and his sake! Now to keep it safe, it doesn't matter who gets buried first, or even if they get buried! When a human life is dead... they're just bodies to honor with no feeling, thoughts, ideals or any of that stuff! They're just lonely bodies, and each and every single one of them deserve to be buried!" yelled Symone in reply as suddenly, she began to think... "How did he know I was from the Rain?" as she quickly remembers her arrival to the village, wearing her bandana in which was laced with the Amegakure forehead protector that had then blown off during her absurd infuriation in the village when she fought off all the ninja. Quickly, she remembers Mikomi handing it back to her before they found Nova-Teichou as she had tucked it within the bandages that laced her thin waist. "I see. So all this time... I could of just been a spy Bangai accidently brought home, yet he trusted me within his village... either that or he realized the Kusagakure symbol on my back... either way, he didn't even hassle me until now about being from the Rain" thought Symone as Renji had replied with angst and attitude to Symone and her comments. "Go home, stupid girl... I don't need you anymore. Bangai's dead. He is the one who started this mission for you guys and you did your part. Just leave it to me now. This is my battle, and for whatever reasons, it's this guys battle(referring to Nova as he points his thumb to him, dropping it down to his side), and I'll be damned if some little Rain-nin wants to play ninja" spoke Renji as Mikomi stepped forward, speaking. "Renji-kun... We understand you are hurting due to your loss, but while I was busy with that guy Shouten, Symone was the one who actually defeated every ninja from the squads that were sent. She saved your village, so I think it's far from playing a game of ninja. Bangai may be dead, but to us, our mission is not over. Not only that, but there are other reasons I wish to appear within the Rain Country, so please accept us as companions for now" Mikomi spoke as Nova was seen standing up, moving to the side as he thought, "That girl defeated both squads of ninja on her own in such a short amount of time!?". Renji lifted himself up more-so against the tree his head was by as he thought to himself, sighing a breath of relief, "She... of all people... won against over 200 ninja?" as his eyes become glistened with a gentle shock, absorbing the fact that his village is safe. "Fine. You can accompany me, you may be useful" Renji then spoke as Nova had also replied with nearly the same remarks, "Yes... useful is definitely the word I am looking for as well. Is the girl truly that talented... Kusa No Mikomi?". Mikomi had replied with a smile tainted upon his lips, "She has the potential to be, though something unknown happened to her out there. It almost seemed as though she was possessed by the devil himself. Her chakra and Ninjutsu had increased so drastically, it would be like fighting a foe with the power of all three of us combined a few times over. I trained with her for many many years, and not once have I seen anything quite like it... but she's fine!" as he looks to Symone, patting her head as he smiles widely, yet quite moronically. Nova then quickly thinks to himself, "Wait a second! It sounds like... this girl... is she...?" as he was interrupted by the agile leaps of someone within the tree above. Everybody looks up, remaining quiet as Nova hurls a kunai up at the shadowed figure of an unknown ninja, stabbing it through the chest as it's heard groaning, though quickly, it disappeared in a cloud of smoke as everyone was looking up, though quickly, from behind, Symone had been grabbed and held with a kunai pressed against her throat as she whimpers a sigh that she felt curdle within her windpipe. "Ah! Help!" screamed Symone as she closes her eyes from the pain of the enemies clutches as they look over to her, looking to the enemy as it was revealed to be Shouten! "Shouten! As I thought. I knew you'd find me. Wasn't being at the mercy of my jutsu enough?" spoke Mikomi as he'd glare to Shouten with anger, narrowing his head down. "Ah, Mikomi! I owe you one for that little trick you pulled back there in the village! I'm sure your chakra has been drained quite a bit, where I was resting and conserving within that prison you left me in!" spoke Shouten as he smiled, looking to his left as he noticed the other Captain to his team, Nova. "N-Nova! Why are you here with these weaklings? I don't understand! Don't tell me you actually have started to switch sides or something as ridiculous as that!" spoke Shouten with a sarcastic ferocity in his tone. "Shouten. You dare speak to the superior Captain of the Kumogun in such a way? You're a balls-ey kinda guy as always. I amend you, but I'm gonna have to tell you to release that kunoichi. She is possibly needed for my mission, so please step aside and walk away" had stated and spoke Nova as Shouten replies, "So you HAVE declared yourself to ally with such dirt? That's fine then, Nova. You know you're gonna end up being killed by Genburori, right? Leave your grudge behind and forget about Katrice. There is nothing you and these people can do against such a powerful shinobi in the end anyway!". Nova then twitches his right eye gently to the sound of the name 'Katrice' as his expression becomes almost emotionlessly filled with contentment. "I'll tell you right now... do not... and I mean... DO NOT ever talk about Katrice again... or I'll KILL YOU" violently spoke Nova with intimidation as Shoutens eyes become widened, shocked at the sudden anger that had risen from Nova's expression as he turns his head to Renji who had been seen standing up, holding himself up against the tree as he stares to Shouten. "I'm tired of these verbal games! You! Shouten! I OWE YOU DEARLY FOR WHAT YOU DID TO GAKISA!" yelled Renji with an intensive rage as he throws a kunai, almost at the speed of sound directly at Shouten, but fortunately, Shouten was able to dodge as he threw himself to the side, rolling across the ground as he released Symone from his clutches. Symone had then run over to Mikomi, standing by his side as she then felt safe for a moment. Renji charges forward attempting to reach Shouten as he stands back up, staggering as he hurls his kunai at Renji, but quickly, Nova interferes, appearing in front of Renji as he sliced down on the incoming kunai, slapping it to the side as it stuck within the dirt on the ground. "Bankoku is dead... and at this rate, you're next!" yelled Nova as he reached behind him, discarding multiple shuriken as he threw them forward in one shot as they pierce his clothing, sticking him to a tree as he appears in front of him within a flash of light. "We will let you go, but first... if you go back to Kumogun, go ahead and tell Genburori what happened to his dear ninja, because I am sure you know... and tell him how Bankoku was defeated. Make sure it's noted that... Genburori-sama is next" Nova spoke as he smirked, looking over to Shouten as his body blew into a cloud of smoke, revealing it was a Bunshin the entire time! Suddenly, a voice from several yards behind Renji's location was heard. "You're a fool. All of you are fools for that matter! You will die, and what's remaining of Kumogun will take control over Tsunzaku! You will see!" said the voice as everyone turns, seeing Shouten from a distance as he tilts his head, giving a smirk as he sighed, leaping off towards the Kumogun temple, disappearing from view. Mikomi looks to Symone. "Symone, are you alright?" he asked. Symone replied, "Yeah... I'm fine" as Mikomi nodded his head, looking over to the general area. "I guess this Genburori's gonna be expecting guests now. No matter what though, they wouldn't move. A smart man would wait and set traps, so what we'll do is rest for tonight until tomorrow when we regain all of our strength and chakra. By then, I should be able to be up to nearly 100, and it would give Renji enough time to be back typically on his feet. We should elongate our departure for the temple though for now. Are we agreed?" spoke Mikomi to everyone as they listen to his words. Nova replied, "Well, that sounds like a good plan, and knowing Genburori, we can now expect a lot of danger waiting for us once that fool Shouten decides to yap. We will sleep the rest of the night off and get as much sleep as possible before tomorrow night sets then". Renji then had replied, "I don't think that asshole should of been set free! You're a fool for interfering, and you're lucky that I am so badly injured that I can't take your head and kick it into a tree right now. Just remember this for now. I, Sanka Renji will kill those two with my bare hands until the blood is drained from their bodies, and even their souls". "Renji-kun. That's fine, but it's whoever kills first when we get to the Western Rain" spoke Nova as Renji curdles his face of angst, looking away with disgust as he sits down on the ground, leaning up against a tree as he had closed his eyes, trying to go to sleep so soon, considering he just woke up from a two hour unconsciousness. Mikomi and Symone are then seen walking towards the body of Bankoku as they appear standing over to his side. They look down to him as Symone had spoke. "Let's bury him now... Sensei" she said as Mikomi had replied, "Yeah...". Nova watches them from a distance as they are seen lifting the body as he thinks to himself, "Katrice... I am sorry. Things will be alright soon enough. I promise".

Within the woodlands, Shouten is seen from a distance hidden well within a tree as he watched Mikomi and Symone lift and bury his companion, the second Captain to the Kumogun temple, Bankoku. "Honestly... I don't understand. Bankoku killed so many people, and he was a ruthless murderer like no one I've ever seen before. The things he did in his past... and what he did to Tsunzaku... yet he is receiving a proper burial from the ones who were his enemy? How do I feel about this? I truly can't comprehend my heart right now. Nova... you, too. I understand your rage and despair for what happened, but going against Genburori is suicide. Do all of them together truly have the courage and power to face Genburori while I remain enslaved by his power? If only... If only I had the courage to escape this life, I probably would, but with the sins I've committed, a guy like me can't ever live a decent, humane life. Honestly... I am confused. If only Buddha can help direct me now, I think I'd feel a little more at ease... but I truly don't deserve guidance of any kind... at all...do I now?" thought Shouten as he raised his head upwards towards the heavenly night sky as a brutal, devastating night of pain and losses come to end... at least for now.

Off somewhere deep in the Rain country, the carriage that had departed with the Government officials appears by a building quite high in structure as it's pulled to its side within what seems to be the Hidden Rain of the West. The men open the carriage doors and hop out, walking to the back as they open the blanketed back area that the mysterious person had been sitting in. "Come on now. We have some business to take care of" spoke one of the men as the unknown man had jumped down, revealing baggy, grey pants, along with a shirt that was colored black with long sleeves that had hung past his hands. The side-profile of his face had been engulfed by shadows, though just slightly, you can notice his long, flattened hair that reached over his ears and down his back and sides, unknown as to what color it was. Suddenly, a man appears opening the door to the building and appearing upon the highest step calling out, "I see you've managed to make it back safely... and it seems you managed to obtain 'him'. I'm very pleased!" spoke this unknown man as he smiles over to the five standing below.

"Hmm... we should of had the spy ninjas back by now to report the situation. I believe something went wrong. It's more than that, but an intuition of the mind. It's telling me to be cautious of the future..." thought Genburori as he is seen cupping his chin with his hand inside the Kumogun temples main room as he is seen sitting within the chair that appeared above the slight set of stairs. "It's been a few hours since the war started. It shouldn't of taken this long to destroy a mere village border" he had thought again as his facial expression becomes clearly annoyed as he stands up from his chair, walking down the steps slowly as he whisks his hand across his facial hair, looking down to the final unit of ninja below in which they were separated equally on each side, having fifty or so on each side. As he stops at the bottom step, he turns his head, looking to the side on the right as he speaks generally to them, "The side to my right of Nova-Teichou's unit... you will spread out within a distance of a quarter mile around this temple, within the woodlands. Prepare traps of all sorts. I have a hunch we're going to b expecting company" commanded Genburori as the ninja all had yelled, "Yes, sir!" as they marched out in line. Genburori then tilts his head to the left at the remaining fifty or so ninja. "This side... I want the half furthest to me to surround the temple completely. Go!" Genburori had ordered as half of the ninja furthest from Genburori leave the temple in a line, leaving the remaining twenty or so ninja behind with Genburori. Suddenly, a ninja from the middle of the remaining group runs out of the line and calls out to Genburori. "Genburori-sama!" yelled the ninja as Genburori narrows his eyes with a disgusted curiosity. "I heard a rumor that out in the woodlands, a dying ninja made it out from the Tsunzaku area and he stated that every ninja you sent had died by the hands of a very young kunoichi before dying himself. The ninja that returned with the news then was somehow slaughtered, but still had life to report to another ninja the news he had before dying himself, though... it isn't the most reliable thing... I just thought you might want to know" spoke the ninja as Genburori replied with an emotionless glance, "Ninja... what's your name?". The ninja replied, "Dairi, sir". "Come here Dairi..." spoke Genburori as the ninja known as Dairi walks to the position of Genburori. "You say... this was a rumor?" asked Genburori. Dairi had replied, "Yes, sir!". Genburori looks to the left, staring over at the wall as he closes his eyes tightly. "...and you dare bother me with such unconfirmed information? This is not a school where children spread lies. This is the Kumogun temple, and I do not appreciate such idiocy!" spoke Genburori with some ferocious intent, still staring off to the side with closed eyes. "Note to everyone... that if you dare try acting as impudent as this fool, you will end up the same way!" yelled Genburori as Dairi asked, "W-What?... end up the same way?" with sharpened and wide eyes as Genburori turns his head with much speed, opening his eyes as they had changed from a dark black to an ominous crimson as Genburori tilted his hand forward, placing it on top of Dairi's head, smiling with derangement as he holds his middle and pointer finger up in his other hand. "Daraku Dageki!(Degradation Blow!)" yelled Genburori as he palm thrusts the chest of Dairi, knocking him back across the room as he hits the wall by the exit door. Dairi looks confused as he stands, looking around curiously as suddenly, a sharp pain enters his head as he clutches his temples with his hands, closing his eyes as he screams in such intense pain. Suddenly, the head of the ninja had then imploded, spouting out pieces of brain around his body as his right eye rolls from out of his face, killing him in a horrid display. "I made my point... now someone clean that trash up" spoke Genburori as quickly, about six ninja run to the body and begin scooping his remains into the cracked skull of Dairi, lifting him and dragging him outside. "So what is it you have decided Nova? Are you going to try and save me the trouble, or am I gonna have to end everything for you, just as I did to this mere ninja of yours?" thought Genburori as he walks back up the stairs, sitting down into his chair as he closes his eyes, smiling as he rests his head back.

A new team has assembled with Renji to take down the Kumogun, but with the endless amount of ninja and all of the traps awaiting them, can they even get to Genburori and his temple? As for Shouten, where will he appear and what will his heart tell him? Also, what is it Nova was to suspect of Symone, and how will Symone end up during the final battles ahead to protect those who wish for simple peace the most? Will she shine as bright as her smile? Mikomi seems to believe in his students power and himself very strongly... with their help, can this tyranny be dissected? As for Nova... will his true reasons for accompanying the enemy be revealed? Stay ready, and stay prepared! Symone: "The Heart of Rain" will bring you it's 20th chapter! The excitement mounts... where does the story begin to stand?