Chapter 2:
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
Naruto, Kei, and Shade sprinted through the forest back towards the Hidden Leaf Village.
"So what did you want to tell us back there?" Naruto asked Shade.
"I could tell your old comrade Sasuke had been given a curse mark sometime in the past," Shade said in near monotone, "Even though that curse mark was removed a while ago, its venom still lurks in Sasuke. If you ever want a prayer of recovering your friend, we must cure him of that venom."
"How do you know all this?" Naruto asked, "And is it really true, Sasuke didn't leave the village of his own will?"
"What I say is true," Shade replied, "Your friends, regarding whatever evil deeds he has done, did them because of the curse mark. Even when the curse mark was removed its venom still lingers in Sasuke."
"We'll have to find a way to cure it," Kei said, "Based on my knowledge of such venoms, Sasuke will regain his own free will once the venom is cured. I know where to find ingredients to make an antidote to such a venom."
"I'll have to run this by my leader Grandma Tsunade to get permission," Naruto said, "We're still three days away from the village. While we're traveling I can fill you in on the situation in the village."
Over the next three days Naruto recounted all of his adventures to Shade and Kei Starting from Sasuke leaving the village up to the most recent event, Pain's attack on the village.
"Your village sounds like it could use our help," Kei said on the third day as they approached the village and Naruto finished filling them in, "Since you don't seem to be evil, we will be glad to assist you."
"Really?" Naruto said shocked, "You don't want anything in return."
"Our mission was to help the world we awakened to," Kei said, "If that means helping your village then we will do everything we can. I am also concerned about this Akatsuki group you mentioned. They obviously have evil intentions."
Naruto nodded as the trio entered the repaired village and started to make their way toward Lady Tsunade's office. Shade and Kei stared at their surroundings in wonder.
"Things sure have advanced since we went to sleep," Kei said as he observed the various shops and stores that they walked past.
"NARUTO YOU BAKA!" a voice from behind shouted, "HOW DARE YOU LEAVE THE VILLAGE WITHOUT TELLING ME!"
Naruto barely had time to turn around before Sakura's fist hit him in the face and sent him flying. Naruto jumped to his feet and glared at Sakura angrily.
"You didn't have to do that Sakura," Naruto shouted, "I was ordered by Grandma Tsunade to keep my mission a secret. Besides you should be happy we might have a chance of bringing Sasuke back now."
Sakura glared at Naruto.
"You mean you also met Sasuke and failed to bring him back," Sakura said getting ready to punch Naruto again. However Shade stepped between the two and grabbed Sakura's fist and squeezed it.
"It's annoying little girls like you who think playing ninja will make difference that pisses me off," Shade growled, "Go home, You have no right to wear that head band."
"Excuse me," Sakura snarled, "Who the hell are you?"
"Someone who can see right through you," Shade snarled, his eyes boring into Sakura's "I know all about your infatuation with Sasuke. It disgusts me, you have nothing but lust in your heart."
Before Sakura could react Shade dropped her hand and walked away. Sakura was about to burst into tears when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Sakura turned around to see Kei
"Don't listen to him," Kei said, "He has a tendency to judge people. While it is true that you have an infatuation with Sasuke. I know that what you truly seek is love, not lust."
Sakura was slightly confused from being randomly accused by one stranger and then comforted by another but she nodded to Kei in appreciation before Kei followed Naruto and Shade to Lady Tsunade's office.
Naruto probably would have come to Sakura's defense on Shade's comments if he had not been out of earshot. He also was slightly confused about the situation but did not investigate it further when he saw Shade and Kei heading to Lady Tsunade's office without him.
"What was that all about?" Naruto asked Kei as he caught up to the two brothers.
"Don't worry about it," Kei asked knowing Naruto would probably get pissed if he heard what Shade said to Sakura.
The three continued on toward Lady Tsunade's office and reached it within a few minutes. Naruto knocked on the door and entered when he heard Lady Tsunade give him the okay to enter. Naruto entered the room with Kei and Shade. Lady Tsunade raised an eyebrow when she realized who the two other ninja were.
"I'm surprised," Lady Tsunade said, "I personally thought the legend of that temple would be nothing more than a myth."
"We are much more than a myth," Shade said sternly, "Naruto told us that your village was in need of assistance so we decided to help."
"You are the one with the unique ocular jutsu," Tsunade said staring into Shade's eyes questioningly.
"You have an ocular jutsu?" Naruto said surprised, "You didn't tell me that on the way back to the village."
"I would have preferred to keep it a secret but now that lady Tsunade brought it up I guess it can't be helped," Shade grumbled, "You are both correct I do have an ocular jutsu. However I would like to keep the details of it confidential for now."
"That's fine," Lady Tsunade replied, "Have you anything else to report from your mission Naruto."
"Kei claims that he has a way to get Sasuke to come back to the village," Naruto said, "Tell her Kei."
"It's true," Kei said, "Based on my observations it was the curse mark that caused Sasuke to go rogue. Even though the curse mark was removed, a venom of it still lingers in Sasuke. If we can cure that venom, Sasuke will regain his freewill and most likely return to the village."
"That is interesting," Lady Tsunade said, "However, There are more important matters at hand. An outlying post in the Hidden Sand Village has been receiving trouble from remnants of the wandering ninja tribe. You're next mission will be to go annihilate these pests. However since you just came back from a mission I will give you a few days to rest. The day after tomorrow is your assigned date to leave to the Hidden Sand outpost. You are dismissed."
Nartuo, Kei, and Shade left the room.
"Want to go get some food," Naruto offered, "I know a really good ramen shop around here."
"You two can go," Shade replied, "I saw a weapons shop on our way here that I want to go check out."
Shade stood in front of the door to the weapons shop he had seen upon entering the village. He cocked an dark eyebrow at the name. Tenten's weapons and equipment store was mainly deserted as Shade peered through the window, however this was a good thing. If there was one thing he hated the most, it was crowded noisy places were all the idiot dumbass's of society gathered. Yet this weapons shop was looking to be more of Shade's tastes. Quiet, dimly lit, and best of all, there were privacy seals on all the windows and the door. Shade didn't like people listening in on his conversations. And privacy was exactly what Shade wanted while interacting with the weapon smith inside the shop.
Shade put the hood of his blue flamed cloak over his head and made a hand sign.
"Cloak," He whispered and he drew two of his fingers over his eyes. His eyes, which were in their visual jutsu form, transformed back to a normal ice color. He didn't want anyone to see his unique eyes and spread rumors about them.
Content with his appearance, Shade pushed open the door to the weapons shop. Bells jingled as he opened the door, alerting the shop keeper of a customer.
"Be with you in a minute!" A female voice yelled from a back room.
Shade cocked his eyebrow yet again. Usually men made weapons, it wasn't considered a feminine job back in his time. While he waited for the owner, Shade looked at the assortment of knives, swords, and other weapons that were hung on the wall of the shop. Many had been in use since his day, but others were rather new. However, a voice rattled him from his thoughts.
"Hey there, what can I do for you?" The girl asked from behind the counter.
Shade turned and observed the bun haired konoichi. She had deep brown eyes, a pretty face, and a muscular body. Shade could tell she was a ninja of this village without seeing her headband.
"I was wondering if would like to examine some of my weapons. You see, I make weapons as well, and I'm sure you would be interested. However, you must show me some of your more advanced weaponry." Shade offered, taking his cloak off and hanging it on a coat rack near the door. Shade could feel her eyes wandering over his body, not only checking out his muscles, which were visible through his shirt, but also the large number of knives, pouches and scrolls attached to his body.
"Ok you have yourself a deal, Mr.…?" Tenten asked.
"Shade," The black haired man said simply.
"Just Shade?" The bun haired women asked.
"Yes, and your name?" Shade asked.
"Tenten, just Tenten," She said, with a slight smirk.
"Very well, Tenten, I'll show you some of my collection first," Shade said approaching the counter.
"Alright let's see what you've got," the konoichi said with a sly grin.
Shade nodded, reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple kunai knife.
Tenten's eyebrows rose to an astonishing level.
"That's, just a kunai," She said, stating the obvious.
"Not exactly, this is a special kunai meant for stealth and assassination." Shade stated. He concentrated his chakra into the blade, after a couple of seconds the blade turned white. "You see, when you slit a enemies throat with this knife there is no blood or evidence that someone was killed. Simply because the blade, which is white hot, cauterizes as it cuts. So it's a silent, bloodless death."
Tenten looked at the kunai like some other girls might look at a fancy piece of jewelry.
Its… beautiful," Tenten sighed as she stared at it. "How does it work?"
"Simple, you pump chakra into the handle, and it converts it into heat in the blade." Shade said, smirking inwardly at the girls admiring expression.
"What other handy tools do you have?" Tenten asked with eagerness laced in her voice.
"This," Shade said, drawing his black katana out of its sheath on his back. "This is my primary weapon in a fight, its name is Fang." He set Fang the katana on the table, in front of Tenten. It had a black, non reflective blade, with a silver handle.
Tenten was about to pick it up when a hand grabbed her wrist. She looked up and gave Shade a questioning look.
"Hold on," Shade let go of her wrist and put his palms over the black blade. "Neutralize," Shade whispered. Tenten stared in wonder as the black of the blade stared to liquidize and come of the blade in black droplets. The droplets levitated to Shade's palms, were they were absorbed into his skin.
Finally finishing, Shade spoke up.
"Sorry about that, if you would have touched the blade, it would have poisoned you. My partner thought it would be useful to have a coating of poison on Fang. He tends to poison anything he comes by."
"That's alright, but wont the poison hurt you?" Tenten asked, inwardly thanking Kami she didn't touch the now silver blade blade.
"No it won't, I have resistance to such petty things as poison," The black haired ninja said.
"May I?" Asked Tenten, nodding to Fang.
"Be my guest, but a word of warning. The sword has just as much of a personality as you and me. He can either reject, or accept you." Shade warned.
Tenten nodded and picked up Fang. Her eyes went wide as she felt the perfect balance, and weight of the blade. She swung it once and felt it as if it were an extension of her body.
"I had no idea such a well made blade existed. I don't even think any of the Seven Swordsman's blades can compare to this," She said, swinging the blade in a beautiful dance.
"It was forged with chakra to be light and practically indestructible. Legend says that Fang was forged in the fires of hell." Shade said with a smirk. "I see your nature is fire," He said nodding to the red glow of the blade. "He likes you."
Tenten smiled graciously as she finished playing with Fang. She handed it back to Shade.
"Thank you," Shade said with a sly wink as he received the blade, earning a slight blush from the weapon loving ninja. The instant Fang was back in Shade's hands, the blade turned back to its black color.
"I would love to stay, but its getting late, maybe tomorrow you can show me some of your fine weaponry," Shade said with a flirtatious smile.
"I can tell you're a newcomer to the village, do you have a place to stay?" Tenten asked.
" Hmm, I'll find a bench somewhere to sleep on," Shade said with a shrug.
"What? No way, you can stay here, I have a guest bedroom you can stay in," Tenten said, trying to hide the blush that was creeping over her cheeks. She never had another man sleep in her house, not that she had never dated, but this was different.
Shade smirked at this, "I accept, thank you Tenten."
"Its nothing really, this way, I'll show you to your room." The bun haired girl gestured to the door behind the counter.
Shade nodded his black haired head and followed the cute koniochi.
Maybe this whole deal won't be so bad after all, Shade thought to himself.