AN: I know, I know, it's been a long time, But I have my reasons so please put down the pitchfork and the torches, *Dodges Tomato* and the fruit. I started my first semester of college and was concentrated on that, also I got a job now, I test and examine games that my Video Game and Animation Club create. So between that and life I am and Will be short on time, Winter semester will bring 13 hours of class and 5 hours of work which leaves 4 hours of sleep. so updates will be slow with gapps in between. I am sorry if this sounds like I am making excuses, but education comes first, I hope you will understand.

On that note, Have a Late Merry christmas and a late Happy New Years

-Alex The Digital HellReaper

Mokusei: Will of Fire


Chapter 5: Dealing with a Spirit

Naruto walked back into Gaia with the jinchuriki in his arms. She hadn't moved once, but had muttered in her unconscious state about a Kirabi, Samui and several times cursed the Nibi in her sleep. The fact she seemingly had complete control of her biju's chakra amazed him, but he was humored by their relationship. It was much better, or worse depending on who you asked, then that of himself and his biju. Kyuubi wasn't one to be exactly civil whenever they spoke, but she did understand the major disadvantage she had against him.

"M-Mokusei-san you're back!" Kin said in slight surprise before giving him a once over and noticing the unconscious female in his arms, "Who is that? What happened to your clothes? Are you alright?"

"I am unharmed," Naruto said as he placed the girl in his arms on the couch Kin had been occupying, "As for whom she is, I know nothing more than her being the jinchuriki of the Nibi no Neko. My clothes were lost while I fought her, but it does not matter. My clone is on its way back with a new shirt and pants."

Kin blinked as the Mokusei's markings glowed again and blanket of moss and vines appeared from the back of the couch, covering the unconscious jinchuuriki. She watched as he then went over to a wall and put his hand against it, making a new smaller couch appear against it. The same moss-like cushions on it as the one Kin had been using that was now being used by the jinchuriki. Naruto looked back at Kin as his markings stopped glowing.

"This is for you," he said, gesturing to the couch, "Do not disturb the jinchuuriki from her slumber. When she awakens, do not try to speak to her until I return. I must now resume my patrol, goodbye Kin."

With that he left her once again. Kin frowned at his constant leaving before looking back at the unconscious girl lying on what was once her bed. The girl was a pale blonde and had almost a feline tint to her facial features. Kin estimated her to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, and subconsciously crossed her arms over her chest when she saw her impressive bust.

I wonder why she attacked Mokusei-kun...Kin thought before she widened her eyes and blushed, Oh god, I didn't just call him Mokusei-kun, did I?


"I believe we all know why I called this council meeting today," Sarutobi said from his seat at the council table. The council all nodded before Hiashi Hyuuga spoke.

"I would like to say something before we discuss on what to do with this...Mokusei boy," he said in his ever-so-serious Hyuuga tone. Earning a nod of approval from the Hokage, Hiashi continued, "One of the branch members in my clan, Neji Hyuuga, witnessed the two deaths of the Oto genin that assaulted Sasuke Uchiha and confirmed the boy did indeed do it. His exact words were, 'I have never seen such brutality from a boy my age. If I had to choose between disobeying an order from one of my superiors or face him in a life or death battle, I would choose defying a superior.'"

The shinobi council were all whispering amongst themselves while the civilian that was injured by the Mokusei stood and growled angrily, "So what? We let this...this monster take a hold of our council and Hokage by manipulating our fears? I say we send a squad of ANBU in and kill him!"

Hiashi narrowed his eyes, "He is a Mokuton user, fool. Sending a squad of ANBU into those woods would be the equivalent of sending a genin up against Orochimaru. We need to remain on his good side. I do not doubt he would hesitate to suddenly allow Orochimaru to attack us should we provoke him."

"All the more reason to get him under our control!" the Haruno civilian council member shrieked, "We should bring him in and use him as a breeding stock for an army of Mokuton users!"

"Would you do that to a child, Haruno?" Tsume Inuzuka growled, "That would do nothing but make us like Orochimaru when he was doing his own experiments!"

"How DARE you say that!" the Haruno shrieked. Kuromaru hopped up from his spot at his partner's side and growled along with her.

"Inuzuka-dono is correct," Homura said, shocking the rest of the council save Koharu and Sarutobi, "As is Hyuuga-dono. Sending someone to attack or attempt to capture him in his own world could spell trouble for us all. What we need is a diplomat between us and him."

"WHAT?" the civilians all shrieked. Danzo silently smirked and prepared to offer one of his own ROOT agents when Koharu spoke up.

"Homura-kun is correct," Koharu said from her spot on the Hokage's left, "I for one would like to keep this boy on our side, he has shown us he doesn't care who he hurts, as our fellow councilman can attune to that. That, and he has sealed off Sasuke Uchiha's and Kakashi Hatake's Sharingan eyes. We need to at least get him to unseal Hatake if this upcoming attack is going to take place."

"I agree," Chozu Akimichi said with a nod, "Hatake is one of our strongest, if not THE strongest, jonin in the village. We need him at his fullest power to counter this attack."

"Well...Then get Jiraiya to unseal him and Sasuke-sama!" the Haruno shrieked. The Hokage narrowed his eyes at her.

"Jiraiya won't be in the village for another week," Sarutobi said calmly, "and I have personally examined this seal, it is one my master, Hashirama Senju, designed. No one but the one who created it can unseal it."

"How can we trust that opinion, Sarutobi?" Danzo challenged, "Perhaps if we have Jiraiya look at it–"

"Who taught Jiraiya-san again, Danzo?" Homura snapped, silencing all whispers of disbelief, "Hokage-sama has looked it over, and if it was done by his master, he would be the one to know! We need to get back on track. What are we to do about the Oto shinobi in the Mokusei's care?"

"He said he would only give her up if we give him something he wants," Shikaku muttered, "What would he want that he couldn't get out in the forest?"

"Money?" a civilian suggested. Others nodded in agreement, believing it to be a wise suggestion, while a greater greedier side of the council all scowled at the suggestion.

The Hokage shook his head, "No, I do not think that the Mokusei would have any need for money. I believe we should ask for a council with him and negotiate."

"We could always just try and take the girl from him," the Haruno suggested. Everyone gave him a look saying he was stupid, even Danzo.

"I'll admit that sounds tempting," Danzo said, earning everyone's attention again, "But Sarutobi's advisor Homura and Hiashi had stated earlier that he would have the home field advantage."

"I second the Hokage's idea for a council with the Mokusei," Shikaku said. Several civilians muttered their agreement as did the Shinobi council.

"Then it shall be done," Sarutobi said with a nod. He snapped his fingers and an ANBU appeared before them.

"What can I do for you, Hokage-sama?" the ANBU wearing a Neko mask asked.

"Please escort Anko Mitarashi to us, Neko," he said in a kind tone, "And if you could, have Hayate Gekko come as well. I believe we should consult him on this as well."

The ANBU visibly stiffened at Hayate's name before bowing, "As you wish, Hokage-sama."

The ANBU vanished once again and the Council took a small break from the Mokusei discussion to speak about what to do for the invasion. Several people, mainly shinobi council members, believed it would be best to recall all Konoha shinobi from any mission they are on. The civilians concerned with money, or how they would obtain it, immediately challenged this suggestion with angry cries of negativity. Fortunately before a large argument could take place, Anko Mitarashi and Hayate Gekko entered with the Neko masked ANBU. They stood at ease when the Hokage smiled at them.

"Hokage-sama," they both said with a bow, "Councilmen and women."

"Relax," Koharu said calmly with a neutral face, "The reason we have called you both here is because we need the both of you to relay a message for us."

Anko arched a brow and crossed her arms over her chest, "Uh-huh, sure, why aren't you just using a messenger hawk?"

"Right to the point," Homura said, "We need you to go into the Forest of Death and make contact with Mokusei."

Anko's jaw dropped while Hayate smiled slightly, covering his small grin with a fist as he coughed. The ANBU stiffened once again and shifted in her place, showing her unease. Neko was unaware that the Mokusei, a boy her fiancé (who stood before her) spoke often of and until her duty defending the council today, existed. She originally thought the Mokusei was a delusion of a newly developed symptom of his illness and when he asked her if they could hold the ceremony in the woods, for the Mokusei's sake, she thought he was joking about the arrival of the 'Spirit'.

"W-Why do we need to go bother him?" Anko asked. She was slightly hesitant of going back into her favorite playground now that she knew the guardian residing in it knew what she did in it. That a boy barely seven years younger than her, and a total stranger, knew that she...she actually read her friend Kurenai's romance novels...it unnerved her to say the least.

"We need to tell him about our offers," Hiashi said, "And though it surprised some of us, he required that only you, Anko, are the one he deemed necessary. The Hokage though, asked for Hayate for an unknown reason."

"It is for a good reason, this I can promise," Sarutobi said, reassuring the Tokubetsu Jonin. The council all seemed unwary of his motives, but he was the Hokage and there was a reason for that.

"It will be done, Hokage-sama," Hayate said before a small coughing fit. They both bowed again before leaving the council chambers. As they made their way out, the Hokage and his advisors shared a collective smile, similar as they did when they were on Team Tobirama. Councilman Danzo narrowed his one eye slightly as he saw their smiles. It raised his suspicion and his weariness over the Mokusei situation. He would have to get his men in position fast, or else he would possibly lose a future asset to his village.


The Kumogakure kunoichi rubbed her head when she awoke. Her head ached and Nibi was still chastising her for attacking the quote, 'delicious piece of ass.'

"We could have finally found a mate, but no you had to go and set him on fire! Do you know how badly you ruined our chances? Besides, Kirabi only wanted you to get his attention and lure him back to Kumo for an alliance!" the Nibi no Neko growled, planning on giving her container a headache to rival all headaches.

Goddamn it Nibi, shut up! The blonde kunoichi thought as she closed her eyes and rubbed her throbbing head. She then realized she was laying on a very comfortable surface with a blanket wrapped around her. She looked down at herself to see the blanket was actually a specialized moss and dirt combo, same as the cushions on the wooden furniture she was lying on.

Kirabi wasn't lying when he said he was a Mokuton user... the girl thought with a gulp, If he truly wanted to, he could have...k-killed me...

"And as I've been saying," Nibi spoke up again, annoying her container, "We could have had a mating with him, at least giving Kumo their own Mokuton user, but no. You had to go and prove yourself against this boy! I warned you!"

"Goddamn it, Nibi I said shut up!" the girl roared from her spot as she held her head. Realizing she said it aloud, the girl slapped a hand over her mouth and turned a nice dark shade of pink. She looked around to see if there were any witnesses to her outburst, she was horrified to find that a black haired girl sat across from her on a wooden and moss cushioned couch with the visible effort to not burst out laughing on her face.

"Oh Kami..." the girl whispered to herself, her face darkening, "I...I said that out loud, didn't I?"

The girl nodded and bit down harder on her bottom lip. The blonde girl felt humiliated and tried to take her attention off the black haired girl across from her by examining her whereabouts. It seemed to be a wooden cabin with no windows whatsoever and barely any decoration at all. There was a makeshift hammock behind her, but aside from that, the only other furniture in the vicinity were the couches she and the black haired girl occupied.

"What is this place?" the blonde asked her acquaintance. Receiving no response, the blonde looked over at the black haired girl who looked as though she was having an inner quarrel with herself.

"Can you even talk?" the blonde asked again. Earning a nod, the blonde was confused until a realization hit her, "He told you not to talk to me, didn't he?"

Getting another nod, the blonde girl scoffed, "Well he isn't here now. So you don't have to worry about disobeying him. My name is Yugito Nii."

As the black haired girl refuse to respond, Yugito huffed, "Look, it's not like the house is going to tell him...is it?"

Receiving a nod, Yugito paled. So he was that gifted with his Mokuton, just as Kirabi said. Why couldn't she let her pride go for one second just to fulfill this mission? And now Nibi won't shut up! Ugh, things weren't going as she wanted them to ever since she arrived in this godforsaken Forest.

"So you are awake," a teenage boy's voice said. Yugito turned to see the Mokusei looking at her with indifference. He's attire was unscathed and he was holding a pair of black shinobi pants and a fishnet shirt in his hand as well as a towel on his shoulder. He looked from her to the girl and said, "I'm leaving these here for Boss. Want me to tell him anything for ya, Tsuchi?"

Yugito looked at who the boy was talking to, surprised to see it was her black haired acquaintance. Tsuchi nodded and spoke, "H-Hai Bunshin-san, I was wondering about a...shower?"

The Bunshin nodded as he laid the clothes on the ground with the towel atop them. To Yugito's amazement, the apparent clone of the Mokusei returned to a willow tree form before dispersing in a shower of green lighted dots. She looked over at Tsuchi, trying to see if she could recall the hetai-ite from her memory. It was a musical note, and to her knowledge, it was a forged hetai-ite. Before she could comment on it, another carbon copy of the Mokusei, this one wearing only charred pants, walked into the room. His intricate markings ceased glowing green and Yugito looked him over, surprised to see the markings covering most of his body.

"Covering his very, very, very well-toned body, might I add," Nibi purred. Yugito growled quietly at him, both for making her biju act like a crushing schoolgirl and for knocking her out without even attacking her, or so to her knowledge.

"Oh be quiet, Neko-chan," the Mokusei said as he pressed his hand on the ground, forming another clone from a willow tree, his markings continued to glow as the clone finished growing. The clone nodded and turned to Tsuchi, holding his hand out. Yugito noticed the fairly large blush on Tsuchi's face before the clone took her to the wall and they melded into it. The Mokusei grabbed his clothes from the floor and looked back at Yugito, whose mouth was agape from the way the clone vanished with her black haired acquaintance.

"I'll be with you in a moment," the Mokusei said as he walked toward the wall. He vanished once again for a few seconds before returning, fully dressed in the shinobi pants and fishnet shirt his bunshin had dropped off. Yugito had to admit, he pulled the look off nicely. He was drying his shoulder length hair with a towel, and she was surprised it still held its gravity defying looks.

"Ok, let's talk," the Mokusei said, walking over to the couch across from her and taking a seat, "First off, why are you here?"

Yugito huffed and crossed her arms, "No introductions? That's kind of rude."

"I already know your name is Yugito Nii," the boy said with a deadpanned expression, "And that you house the Nibi no Neko within you. From your headband, I can assume you come from Kumogakure and know the Hachibi no Kyojin jinchuriki Kirabi. Was he the reason you are here today?"

Yugito blinked before scowling. Damn him! I thought he'd be a slow moron considering he lives in the woods...

"From your expression not only did I hit the nail on the head, but I seemed to tick you off while doing so," the Mokusei said with an amused small smile, "I meant no ill meaning, I'm just curious as to why you attacked me when even Kirabi in his eighth tailed state couldn't take me on."

Yugito paled before asking, "H-How did you fight Kirabi at eight tails? He's practically unstoppable in that form!"

"Practically isn't the same as being unstoppable," the boy said, "He made me go into my third tailed state, if you must know."

Yugito did a double take. If he just said what she think he said...when realization struck her she stood and pointed defiantly at him, "YOU'RE A JINCHURIKI?"

The Mokusei laughed before smiling and holding his arms out with a shrug, "Yes...I'm possibly the second youngest jinchuriki to control my bijou's most powerful state, with you being the first. I know of a younger jinchuriki, but he is slightly insane from his tenant."

"But...how did my village not hear of this?" Yugito asked, speaking of the fight between him and Kirabi, "Or for that matter, Konoha? Where was this fight anyway? What happened?"

The Mokusei narrowed his eyes, "Maybe if you tell me why you are here, I will tell you something of our fight."

"Fine!" Yugito said with a glare, eager to get her answers, "Kirabi wanted me to get you to go to Kumo for an alliance or something. Happy?"

"Then why did you attack me?" the Mokusei challenged, "It's not often that I get attacked by a fully powered jinchuriki in a tailed state."

Suddenly taken aback, Yugito found herself at a loss for words, "Well...I, err...you see..."

The boy gave her another amused smile before his eyes glazed over and he sighed, "Pride...Your pride got the best of you, didn't it?"

Yugito blushed and looked down, embarrassed that she had been found out. Naruto couldn't help but chuckle when the image of a kitten from a childhood book he had read entered his mind as he looked at her. He could practically see her ears go back behind her head in embarrassment and he smiled again before speaking, "Well, it's understandable I guess. Not better than the Uchiha, mind you, but still understandable nonetheless."

Yugito glared at him for his response and said, "Ok, you got your answer, but what about me? I want my answer now!"

"Fair enough," the Mokusei said, "Our battle took place in the Arashi no Tani of Kaminari no Kuni. I lasted on my own power until Kirabi made it to his sixth tail."

She crossed her arms over her chest and sat back, pouting slightly like a child who was denied the toy they wanted. Yugito narrowed her eyes and said, "That's all I'm getting out of you, isn't it?"

"Pretty much, yeah," the boy said with his amused smile. The Nibi jinchuuriki huffed, severely disappointed before a silence ensued as she tried to think of something else to ask him.

"Ok fine," Yugito said, "What about Tsuchi? Why is she here?"

"Kin Tsuchi is merely a guest until the Konohagakure council and I come to an understanding about her fate," the Mokusei said, becoming serious once again, "Same as you. I will allow you both to leave when I believe it is right for you to."

"Who are you to decide when we leave?" Yugito growled. The Mokusei growled back at her.

"This is MY forest, last I checked," he snarled, making her flinch but still hold her ground, "And nobody but Kaa-san tells me what to do. You should be thankful to her; she's the one that saved you from my wrath."

Yugito blinked before resuming her glare, "Ok, so where's this 'kaa-san' of yours?"

The boy's hard stare softened as he took a calming breath and his markings glowed, causing the Nibi to purr in approval while the jinchuriki herself fought back a small blush from the now noticeable definition of the boy before her. The couch he was on slowly shrank back into the ground and he altered his sitting position so he was sitting lotus style with a calm expression on his face. He opened his eyes, revealing a softer pair of blue irises with green along the edge and around the pupil. In a more mature voice he spoke to her, "Kaa-san is everywhere. She surrounds us with her care and protection, hiding us from those that wish those in her care harm."

Yugito blinked and before her eyes, the blonde boy's markings ceased to exist, his eyes shut, and his body floated above the ground. Needless to say, her eyes became the size of plates and her mouth unhinged completely.

"What...How...Are you levitating?" the Nibi jinchuuriki asked. Opening one eye, still the same color as before, the Mokusei replied in a calm tone.

"Yes," he said, "It is a manner of meditation I use to achieve peace with nature, commune with my tenant, and overall raises my spiritual and intellectual level. I can tell that Kirabi also introduced it to you, you are welcome to join me."

Yugito shook her head from her slightly awed face and replaced it with one of suspicion before sitting across from where the Mokusei meditated. She took in a calming breath of her own before sighing and closing her eyes, joining him in meditation. The only difference being the blonde boy was now only hovering only two inches off the ground.


"How are we going to find him?" Anko asked as she and Hayate stood before the entrance to the Forest of Death. She shifted uneasily from one foot to another as she looked at the trees that once brought ease to her mind and body. This was her home away from home before she had run into the rumored Mokusei that guarded the forests of Hi no Kuni. The meeting unnerved her slightly, but she wasn't afraid of the boy, more so she was afraid of the things he may know of her more hidden side. Would he take advantage of her secrets?

"He'll know when we're in there," Hayate said as he walked past the first gate, slightly eager to go and meet with his friend again. The boy was very knowledgeable and a very good sparring partner. When he first returned to the forest, the boy was gruffer than their first meeting and looked to be more withdrawn. Through a small conversation, more so on Hayate's part than on the child's, he was able to open him back up slightly. It was through this small show of camaraderie that they developed a small sibling bond. When the Mokusei learned of the disease he was stricken with, the young blonde took it upon himself to look for a cure. Through the years they have come a long way, but they were close. The Mokusei was sure if he knew where Tsunade of the Sannin was and could talk to her, he could very well create a permanent cure for his 'nii-san's' ailment.

Anko looked over at her fellow Tokujo and arched a brow before rushing up to his side. The purple haired snake mistress kept her arched brow as she spoke to the swordsman with a wondering tone, "So what's got you so eager to meet this guy, Hayate? I know you're the only one that had known the Mokusei existed, but you act as though you've had more than one conversation with him."

Hayate chuckled before it turned into a small coughing fit before he replied, "You could say that. We're...pretty close to say the least. I don't know if he sees our relationship like I do"(a lie)"but to me, he's just a kid looking after his home. If the forest was a hidden village, he'd be the Kage."

"If that's true, then why doesn't he come into the village and become a shinobi for it?" Anko asked, "I mean, he's certainly got the talent in sealing. You've talked to Kakashi right? Poor guy, he seems so down without his Sharingan."

Hayate coughed into his fist before he nodded and spoke again, "Yeah, but he's told me he's also kind of relieved. It's allowed him to take a break from his own little 'duty to his team' thing. I'm getting off track though. The reason Mokusei hasn't joined Konoha is simple: He hates shinobi."

Anko nearly tripped on her own two feet before looking back at Hayate. He nodded at her shocked look before she started stuttering.

"Wh-What? Why? I mean, he saved most of the genin from Orochimaru, right?" she said. It was one of the reasons that kept the Mokusei, who was also a skilled warrior that had defeated the spy (Kabuto), in Anko's head along with all the questions revolving around him.

"I think," Hayate started before taking a moment to get a few coughs out, "Pardon me, I think that he was more interested in getting the threat of Orochimaru out of his forest, along with the fighting genin within it. You know, our sentries sent to retrieve the bodies of the deceased still haven't returned, but then again, I doubt that Mokusei even let them go far from the tower."

"You are correct, Nii-san," a voice said from the two Tokubetsu Jonin left. The two shinobi turned to see the Mokusei walk out from a tree and his marks stopped glowing. He smiled slightly before returning to his more serious self and saying, "Right, let's get to it then, shall we?"


AN: How will the small meeting between Naruto, Hayate, and Anko turn out? What happened to Kin when the bunshin took her from Gaia? Will Yugito soften up to the Mokusei and in turn will he? And what of Danzo? Is the old War Hawk still plotting to send his troops into the Forest of Death? Guess you'll all just have to wait for the update, won't ya? PEACE. -Bonesboy15