Hello everyone I'm back once again to bring you all another chapter of my story; I hope you all enjoy it and with nothing else to say let's begin.
Ashigaru Kitsune: Chapter 12
Lightning Front: 2 years 11 months into the war.
A lightning calvary scout was riding through a burnt and scarred field looking around; all along the ground were the dead bodies of both lightning and fire troops. As he continued he passed one of the five burning 'tanks'; as he passed he saw the body of a fire soldier laying just outside a tank with a red fox painted on the side.
As he rode by someone jumped off the top of the tank and he was tackled off his horse falling to the ground; in a savage display of violence the soldier was stabbed multiple times through the eye sockets until the trench knife was pulled out with a sickly wet noise.
Naruto looked down at the enemy soldier he just killed and wiped the blood off; he then took off his saber off his hip and his calvary insignia off his collar and stood up. Naruto then walked over to the horse and took off it's saddle and reigns and with a light slap to its rear let it run off into the wild 'wars over for you buddy' Naruto thought as he saw the horse run away.
Naruto then climbed on top of the tank and climbed in using the hatch; as he entered, he saw Yujiro and Asuma trying to fix the engine. Colonel Hojo was saying a prayer to the dead body of Sado; a explosion from a grenade sent a rivet from the hull into his skull killing him instantly. Naruto then walked over to Asuma and put his trench knife back into his thigh holster; Asuma seeing this looked at Naruto.
"You got that fucker" Asuma asked.
"Knocked him off" Naruto said "I got a saber; I'm going to mail this back to the old man. Another war trophy" Naruto said holding up the sword before putting it next to his ballista. Naruto has been collecting trophies from each campaign he participated in; a jar of sand from Wave, a enemy hat from Spring, the Navy helmet that he got issued back in Konoha and now a sword from Lightning country.
Asuma finishing turning his wrench sat up and let out a sigh "ok Yujiro; crank her up" he said as Yujiro got up and grabbed the starting lever; first turn nothing, second turn a sputter, third turn a slow start. After a few seconds the engine began to warm up and everyone began to go back to their battle positions.
"Yujiro, drive us back to base" Colonel Hojo ordered "lets ensure Sado here gets a proper burial". As the tank began to crawl forward everyone inside the tank looked around the at the carnage.
"How the hell did we survive this" Yujiro wondered out loud.
"Not all of us did" Asuma said looking to the corpse of his former comrade Sado.
3 hours later
Sado's body was placed into a grave outside the camp; once Naruto and the rest of the crew finished placing the dirt on top they all stood there in silence. Sado was a Samurai before and during the war; yet now all that showed that he even existed was a simple wooden post with his name, rank and birthday on it.
"Would you boys like me to say a prayer" Yujiro offered; the rest of the crew nodded silently and he began "may our all knowing Kami bless the soul of our fallen brother Sado. While he lived a life of war and death he was but a lowly man like any of us; may his suffering and pain fade as he is led into the heavens by your divine power. Amen" Yujiro said.
"Amen" Naruto, Asuma and Colonel Hojo said.
Colonel Hojo then placed his cover back on "let's go boys; we have a briefing in an hour" he said; Naruto and his crew began to walk away.
Naruto took one final look at Sado's grave 'goodbye Sado' Naruto thought 'I don't think I'll be able to come back; but at least you will have company' Naruto thought as Sado's grave marker merged together with the hundreds of other graves in the field.
One hour later
Naruto, Asuma, Yujiro and Hojo were standing with the remaining tank crews in a total of 5 crews; this number is misleading as each crew had a different number of crewmembers. Naruto's crew was at 4, 2 were at 3, and 2 were at 5; however the 2 that were at full strength were a mixed crew from the survivors from others.
A General with a tattered and bloody uniform stepped into the clearing and began to speak:
"Ok gents this is it; we are almost at our objective. The village of Chosokabe is now only 4 miles away; the second division has broken through the enemy defenses and has provided us a opening. We have only 5 tanks left and we are needed to lead the assault into the village. Our job is simple; roll into the town and kill the enemy, all civilians have been evacuated from what we have read from enemy documents. So mount up and move out.
The general waited for everyone to shout and salute but was greeted with only silence; the general then looked at the beaten, weathered men and didn't push the subject any further. The general then turned around and walked away; Colonel Hojo then took out a cigarette and lit it.
"You heard the man" Hojo said "mount up" Hojo ordered and every crew began to enter their tank.
A few minutes later the column of five tanks were rolling down a muddy road with a steady stream of wounded and tired soldiers walking back to friendly lines. Naruto seeing this only felt pity for those poor souls as many of them were limping or were staring off into space as their minds were shattered beyond repair.
Chosokabe village outskirts
"Lead tank will hit from the south" Hojo said over the radio "tanks 2 and 3 will flank from the west while tanks 4 and 5 will hit from the east. Watch your fire and stay close to the infantry" Hojo ordered. Hojo then opened his hatch and looked over to the 4 platoons of infantry "stay close to the tank and watch our flanks; we may be in a steel box but we are not invincible" he said.
"Yes sir" a young officer said "first platoon on me; use the tank for cover" he said as the platoon got behind the tank.
Hojo then re-entered the tank "Yujiro forward; keep your eyes peeled" Hojo ordered.
"Yes sir" Yujiro said as the tank began to crawl forward to the village.
The village was foggy and eerie as the tank rolled through the deserted streets; the infantry following behind were checking the buildings as they passed making sure there were no enemies hiding.
Naruto was scanning on the right making sure no-one comes and attack them; as they continued down the road a boom hit the right side of the tank.
Naruto turned his ballista and fired a volley of bolts at the direction the explosion came from; the bolts found their mark as they hit a lightning soldier before he could throw another grenade at the tank.
"Got one" Naruto said as Hojo nodded.
As they continued down the street a squad entered a house to check for enemies; the next second the entire house exploded and the building collapsed killing all those who entered. The dust from the building covered the tank.
"They booby trapped the houses" Asuma yelled.
"No shit" Naruto shouted back.
"Nothing we can do for them now; Yujiro keeps driving" Hojo ordered. As the tank continued down the road. As they continued down the road and turned a corner Yujiro then shouted.
"Shit get down" Yujiro shouted before the front of the tank was rocked by a explosion; Naruto and Asuma were closest to the explosion and were knocked down. Naruto looked to the drivers seat through shaky vision; he saw Yujiro with his head blown off and his entire front of his body burned due to the explosion.
Naruto then felt himself get grabbed and looked and saw Asuma dragging him "we got to get out she's going to blow" Asuma shouted. Asuma then threw Naruto outside the tank just as the inside of the tank caught on fire.
Before Naruto could say anything he saw Asuma get grabbed by a enemy soldier; the 2 entered a melee as they wrestled on the ground. Naruto ducked just in time as a shovel passed above his head; Naruto then tackled his attacked and began to punch him. Naruto was then pulled off and the enemy he was just hitting was shot by a crossbow bolt from one of the infantry soldiers.
Asuma knocked the enemy soldier away and took out his trench knife; Asuma stabbed the soldier in the neck cutting both the arteries and the wind pipe. Asuma then rushed over to Naruto to check on him.
"Where's Hojo and Yujiro" Asuma asked.
"Yujiro is dead; I didn't see Hojo get out" Naruto said coughing as smoke from the tank began to cover the area.
A army officer came up with 2 crossbows "you 2 are with us now" he said handing Naruto and Asuma the crossbows "follow us" he said. Naruto and Asuma fell in to the platoon and began to walk down the street leaving the smoking wreckage of the tank behind them.
As they moved throughout the village Naruto and Asuma were clearing houses with the soldiers; most houses were abandoned but some were occupied with the enemy who were cleared out with a mixture of grenades and hand to hand combat.
As they approached another house Asuma was preparing to kick down another door; as Asuma kicked the door open a explosion from the other side blew Asuma back a few dozen feet. As Asuma tired to get up he was held down by Naruto.
"Asuma stay down don't move" Naruto said his voice echoing through Asuma's ears; Asuma tried to protest but then he looked down. His right leg was gone.
"Where's my leg" Asuma said softly "where the fuck is my leg" he shouted as he began to thrash around.
"Medic; I need morphine" Naruto shouted as he held Asuma down; Naruto then took off his belt and tied it around Asuma's leg in order to stem the bleeding. "Asuma calm down damn it" Naruto shouted just as the medic arrived and kneeled next to Asuma; he pulled out a shot of morphine and puts it into his arm.
As Asuma looked at Naruto and the medic his hearing becoming distorted and the world becoming blurry.
When Asuma opened up his eyes he saw that he was no longer in the village but in a tent; he sat up and saw a sight that shook him to his core. His right leg was gone from the knee down; what was left was wrapped I bandages.
"They saved as much as they could" Naruto said sitting next to Asuma; Asuma didn't even see him there.
"How long was I out" Asuma asked.
"3 days" Naruto said pulling out a cigarette "they changed your bandages twice" Naruto said; Asuma then began to cry.
"How am I supposed to go on" Asuma said "how am I suppose to go back to Kurenai" Asuma said through his tears; Naruto then bonked Asuma on his head.
"Stop your damn crying" Naruto scolded "you lost a leg so damn what; Kurenai will be grateful you are alive, you can go home, get married and all that other good shit" Naruto said as Asuma began to calm down. Naruto then put his hand on Asuma's shoulder "go home Asuma" Naruto said.
Asuma looking down at his leg was wiggling the toes that were not there anymore and he looked back at Naruto once more "home" Asuma asked.
"Home" Naruto said smiling.
The Next day
Asuma was loaded on to a wagon carrying several other injured men as he lit a cigarette he saw Naruto approaching with a object in his hands.
"Naruto what are you doing here" Asuma asked; Naruto stood next to the wagon and smiled as he presented the object in his hand, Asuma's trench knives.
"I picked them up after you passed out" Naruto said "I thought you'd want them back" he said handing Asuma his knives.
Asuma looked at the 2 blades for a few minutes and then at Naruto; Asuma then handed them back to Naruto and smiled.
"Keep them Naruto" Asuma said surprising the blonde; Naruto knew that these knives meant the world to Asuma as they were a present from the fire Diamyo when Asuma was a guardian 12 member. "You'll need them more than I will" Asuma said smiling "but I want them back when this war is over" Asuma said.
Naruto smiled and tied the knife holster to his right leg "I'll bring them back Asuma; don't you worry" Naruto said. Asuma then extended out his hand and Naruto shook it "be safe Asuma" Naruto said softly.
"Keep your head down Naruto" Asuma said. A few minutes later the wagon carrying Asuma began to roll down the road being followed by a caravan of other wagons.
Naruto seeing Asuma off began to walk away back to his tent; as soon as he entered he sat down on his rack. He looked down to the ground and a stream of tears began to roll down his face.
'I'm all alone again' Naruto thought 'Lee, Kizashi, Asuma, Hojo, Yujiro, Sado, Tazuna, Inoichi' they're all gone now' he thought as he remembered all his fallen and separated friends. Since joining he had forgotten the feeling of loneliness but now that he lost the final member of his original squad it hit him full force.
Just as Naruto began to fall into deeper despair a voice rang out "K company form up" a Sergeant Major shouted; all around Naruto soldiers began to put their gear on and collect their weapons.
Naruto wiped away his tears and grabbed his Crossbow, trench knives and his kit and marched out into the company area 'time to go to work again' he thought. Naruto got into formation with the other soldiers and awaited for the command.
"Company" the Sergeant Major shouted "forward march" he ordered; Naruto and the company began to march forward in unison to the front as the distant sound of explosions echoes from miles ahead.
Konoha a week later
Kurenai was watering her plants when she heard a knock at the door; Kurenai put her watering can down and walked to the door. Upon opening the door, she smiled the biggest smile possible "Asuma" Kurenai shouted as she saw her fiancé "what are you- "she began until she looked down.
She saw that Asuma was using crutches to stand as his right leg was no longer there "hey Kurenai" Asuma said sheepishly. Kurenai then grabbed his hand and began to lead Asuma to the couch.
"Asuma what happened; your leg" Kurenai asked as she sat Asuma down and joined him.
"Kicked open a door and a mine went off" Asuma said with a sad tone "Kurenai I know that this changes things; if you don't want to marry me anymore, I understand, you don't have to- "Asuma began until Kurenai slapped him.
"Asuma how dare you" Kurenai yelled "I don't care about your leg; I'll love you no matter what. If I need to take care of you I'll do it happily; this doesn't change anything" Kurenai say with tears running down her cheeks.
"You could've said that without slapping me" Asuma said rubbing his face "thank you Kurenai; I didn't know what to expect when I got back but I'm glad to hear that you'll stay with me" Asuma said as he leaned in and kissed Kurenai. Upon breaking he kiss he smiled and Kurenai buried her head into the crook of Asuma's neck.
"I'm glad you're home" Kurenai said.
"I'm glad to be home too" Asuma said "hey where's the old man; I stopped by the Hokage tower a few hours ago and the receptionist said he was off on some important business" Asuma said; Kurenai then looked at Asuma wide eyed and held her hands to her mouth.
"Asuma did you not get a letter" Kurenai said making Asuma nervous.
"No, I haven't received mail in months" Asuma said "why what happened" Asuma asked. Kurenai then went to a drawer and took out a letter; as he looked at it he saw his name, unit and soldier I.D. number on it written in sloppy hand writing.
"Konohamaru wanted me to mail that to you because he didn't think he'd get a chance" Kurenai said making Asuma go wide eyed.
"Why wouldn't he have a chance Kurenai" Asuma said worriedly.
Meanwhile 20 miles outside Konoha
Konohamaru was sitting next to his friend Udon; both boys were breathing nervously as the wagon continued down the road.
"Konohamaru" Udon spoke "I'm scared" he said.
"Don't worry Udon" Konohamaru said grabbing his shoulder "if we stick together, we'll be fine" he said with a re-assuring smile. As soon as he said that the wagon stopped and someone opened the back flaps and shouted.
"What the fuck are you waiting for get off my fucking wagon" a man yelled at the top of his lungs; Konohamaru, Udon and the rest of the occupants of the wagon began to scurry off the wagon. "Line up you fucking idiots. Line the fuck up" the man shouted as Konohamaru and the other boys scrambled to form up into a straight line.
Konohamaru and Udon were standing with at least 100 other boys between the ages of 9 and a half to 12 all scared shitless; Konohamaru then saw a tall muscular figure approach from behind a wall of men and he began to speak.
"I'm Sergeant Major Iwagawa; as of today, you are all Marine recruits. My Kami how am I suppose to train fucking Marines if they keep sending me weak little faggots like you" he shouted to the group of terrified boys. "As of now you are under my care; you will be fed, clothed and trained to replace those that were killed before you. I don't care who you are you are all equal and useless; but by the end of the next 6 months you will all be full fledge warriors ready to kill for your country. And I only want to hear 2 things from you little fuckers; 'yes sir' and 'no sir', do you understand me" he shouted.
"Yes sir" Konohamaru and the rest of the boys shouted.
"Sergeant; get this fucking shit out of my sight and begin processing" Iwagawa ordered.
A sergeant stepped forward "Ok you little bastards; turn right and get stepping" the sergeant commanded.
Konohamaru and the 100 other boys turned right and began marching; while marching to the gates of their boot camp Konohamaru swallowed hard.
'What the hell did I get myself into' Konohamaru thought as he marched through the gates into the unknown.
Ok everyone here is the chapter. Just to let you all know basic training intro is no joke; I had the 'shark attack', people screaming left and right, no one knew what the hell was going on and when I laid down in my bunk that first night I thought 'what the hell did I just get myself into'. All I can say is that after 9 weeks and my graduation ceremony I had a pride like no other. Ok with nothing else to say please like, comment and share with your friends and with nothing else to say bye.