Sorry I haven't updated!! I've just been way busy and stuff . . . yeah.
:)
xCrazyKindOvWeirdx: Well, it'd be kind of awkward for Sasuke to show up like a ninja (no pun intended) during a huge battle. ;) Well, here's the latest chapter. Thanks for the review.
Neguru Sucashi: Hahaha. . . Yes, he was. XD . . . Sorry for the not updating sooner. I hope this makes it up to you!
Afictionado: Thanks! :)
LiL sPoIlEd BrAt: Hahah. Thanks. :D
neji's goddess: Haha. Good! I like long reviews! :)
piixiiestiix: Me too! :D Haha. Ravish? Oh, my! ;)
Disclaimer: Most. Epic. Chapter. Ever. :D Kishi owns!
Plot.
Sasuke waited until midmorning to approach the fort.
Outside the walls, things were still scarred from the battle the previous day. The abandoned horses that hadn't run off had been captured by the soldiers in Fort Minato. Freshly dug graves were settled on the southern side.
Prior to his venturing out from his hiding place in the western woods, Sasuke had been careful to change his clothes to more clean-looking garments.
His dagger he stowed in his boots, where no one would find it, lest they search for it.
Emerging from the woods was a problem, so Sasuke walked through the woods to the main road coming from the east, walking into full view in front of the fort.
Time to prove yourself, Itachi had said on the day of his departure. Don't let me down, Brother.
Sasuke nodded to himself.
No, he would not fail.
This was his mission. He would carry it out.
-
Atop the eastern rampart were Neji, TenTen, and Naruto.
"It really wasn't such a bad fight," Naruto was saying to the two, surveying the grounds. "We got lucky when they retreated."
TenTen pursed her lips, doubtful as she leaned back against the wall.
"Yes, we were lucky. Almost too lucky. Their retreat was too clean."
Neji and Naruto considered the woman in front of them.
"TenTen, what are you talking about?" asked Neji, raising his eyebrow at her.
TenTen shifted against the rampart wall, frowning a little.
"Doesn't it seem a little too well-planned to you two? They came, surrounded us, and retreated. No purpose, really, other than to have a little battle. They didn't even try scaling the walls."
"You're overanalyzing," Naruto dismissed with a scoff. "They can't climb the walls, even if they tried."
Neji wasn't so quick to judge, glancing at TenTen.
She stared ahead, her brown eyes worrisome.
"Commander!" called a voice from below.
Neji, Naruto, and TenTen moved to the edge of the inner rampart wall, looking down.
Kiba was on the ground, standing next to a group of soldiers, who were holding a single person.
"Come down," Kiba called up, face stern.
Naruto moved past the other two, not hesitating.
TenTen stole a glance at Neji and indiscreetly brushed his hand with her fingers.
"Come on," she murmured.
Neji obediently followed after her, sighing.
The man that was being held by soldiers was not struggling, nor did he look particularly bothered, like this was normal.
He was unfamiliar, with short dark hair and eyes.
Neji glanced at the man.
"State your name," he ordered.
"Suigetsu. My name is Suigetsu," Sasuke answered.
"What are you doing here?" continued Neji.
"I'm a messenger. I'm here to relay that Itachi Uchiha's army will be here soon with large numbers."
Neji blinked and sighed, his shoulders sagging a little.
"You're a day late. They were here yesterday."
Neji watched the messenger's face crumple.
He bowed in front of Neji, submissive.
"I'm sorry. I came across a blockade a few days ago. It slowed my progress more than I first thought." Sasuke took a breath. He said a second later, with more feeling, "Please, Commander, I'm at your disposal. I must repay this debt I owe."
Neji was ready to decline, but Kiba took his wrist and led him out of earshot.
"Don't you dare refuse, Neji Hyuga," Kiba said in a hushed voice. "He's offering, and if he had gotten here sooner, then we might not have lost more of our soldiers. Besides, we need all the help we can get. Forfeit him to me. My squad needs the most numbers."
Neji exhaled.
"Fine. He's yours."
Kiba smiled and turned back to the messenger.
"Since you offered, we could use you," Kiba said to Sasuke. "I am Kiba Inuzuka, the Captain of Squad Two. And you, Suigetsu, are my new soldier."
"Thank you, sir. I appreciate the chance."
Kiba nodded roughly and gestured for Sasuke to accompany him.
The soldiers dispersed, and Naruto followed after the newcomer and Kiba, curious.
TenTen caught Neji's eye.
"If only we had more dedicated, willing people around," she said, wistful.
Neji smiled at her.
-
"Do you want to come see what a good shot Moegi is now?"
Neji looked up from the sheaf of plans and inquiries on his desk. TenTen stood framed in the doorway, waiting.
Neji rubbed his eyes.
"Yes. I'd like a break."
They walked out of the officer's barracks and into the dark.
"We'll have to go outside the gates. It's too cramped in here. Someone might get hit," TenTen explained.
They steadily reached the gates, exiting through with nods to the posted soldiers there.
TenTen led him to the clearing in front of the eastern wall, where Moegi was standing.
The moon was full and shone brightly down; there was not much need for candles.
Neji sat a few feet from Moegi, where TenTen was whispering in her ear.
Moegi nodded and TenTen strode back to Neji, sitting beside him and leaning back on her hands.
As they waited for Moegi to string her bow, Neji murmured to his counterpart, "Are you feeling better?"
"Yes. Sakura looked me over again this morning. The wounds are healing fine, so long as I don't tear the sutures."
"Are you in pain?"
"Only if I exert myself."
"And have you been exerting yourself?" Neji pressed on.
TenTen turned her head to view him.
Neji noticed her eyes were darker than usual, thanks to the brightness of the moon.
"You aren't a doctor, Commander. My health is not your concern."
Neji stared back, frowning.
"You won't let me care about you," he finally murmured, flicking his eyes back to Moegi, who was now shooting off arrows quickly.
"Why should I?" TenTen retorted, not a little angrily. "You are the one who brought up the fact that you're betrothed a few nights ago. Why should you care about me when you're going to marry someone else?"
Neji did not have an answer for her.
"See?" she said, more quietly. "Even you don't know what you want."
Neji flinched.
Moegi finished emptying out her arrows on the distant trees and turned expectantly to her teacher and Neji.
Neji tried to smile.
"Well done, Moegi. Has TenTen been teaching you swordplay?"
Moegi nodded vigorously.
Neji stood.
"Let's see how well you are with a blade then."
He walked over to his squire, accepting the sword she handed him.
Moegi picked up another sword, training her eyes on the much taller person in front of her.
Neji tapped her lightly on the shoulder with the flat of his blade.
"Don't let the fear read in your eyes. Soldiers don't let their fear show," he stated.
Moegi nodded quickly and gripped her sword, staring up at Neji expectantly.
Obligingly, Neji advanced, trying to whack Moegi across her knees. She blocked, both hands wrapped around the hilt of her sword.
Neji stepped back, careful not to be too forceful with her.
"What else has TenTen been teaching you?" Neji asked in a low voice, blocking a swing from Moegi.
Moegi withdrew her sword, parrying against Neji's blade.
"A little of everything really. After I mastered archery somewhat, she moved on to swordplay. I learned all of these things in page training of course, but she's taken it to a higher level. TenTen said something about lances the other day, so we might try that next."
Neji was quiet for a moment as their swords met and clanged.
"What if I brought you with me to the front this time?" Neji offered, thoughtful.
Moegi's eyes widened in surprise.
She stopped parrying, her sword falling limply to her side.
"Really?" she asked. "TenTen said that you thought I wasn't ready for the front the last time you left."
"Yes, but you've gotten a lot better. And you're almost fourteen. I'm wasting your talents here, where no action is taking place. At the front, you'll be placed with more responsibility, and responsibility is something a squire at your age should be made aware of."
Moegi nodded dutifully.
"I'd like to go. . . Though, what will happen to my lessons with TenTen?"
Neji blinked, unsure.
Finally, he decided, "TenTen is not going to the front. She's staying here. I'll train you when I can, but if you want, I'll appoint someone else to train you."
Moegi agreed and took Neji's sword, sheathing it. She gathered up the various weaponry quickly, claiming she needed to write her parents of the change of plans.
Neji turned back to see TenTen lying on the grass, staring up at the sky.
Reluctantly, he went over to her, crouching by her side.
"I don't want to be angry at you when you leave," she murmured flatly, her face calm.
"Neither do I," Neji replied, studying her.
TenTen blinked and sat up suddenly.
"I don't blame you for what your uncle is forcing you to do," began TenTen, staring at Neji unwaveringly. "But since you believe in Fate so much, don't you see that there's a reason why we've been placed together?"
Neji considered her, exhaling smoothly.
"I'm sorry for complicating our relationship," Neji said slowly.
"You didn't. Your uncle did," TenTen interrupted, sighing.
Neji looked TenTen over, taking in the features he was now so familiar with.
"I'm going to miss you," Neji said quietly.
TenTen shook her head.
"You wouldn't have to if you would just take us to the front."
Neji smirked.
"That is a different argument for another day," he claimed, standing to his feet.
TenTen followed his lead, surreptitiously clasping their hands together in the dark as they walked back to the fort.
-
In Queen's City, torrential rain was now a common occurrence.
It irked Kankuro.
He was naturally an athletic person, and the downpour that was now an assured daily prediction was a serious contributor to his restlessness.
Not that there wasn't anything to do inside the palace that was now his temporary residence.
There were plenty of courtiers and women Kankuro could entertain himself with, but after their month's stay was marked, he realized he was just homesick for the sand dunes of his homeland.
"Kankuro," admonished Temari.
She had just turned a corner to see Kankuro practically smothering a young woman. The young woman let out a yelp and pushed on Kankuro's chest to get free. Kankuro moved slightly, and the woman darted out, obviously frightened. Temari rolled her eyes, irritated by Kankuro's loud laugh.
"Honestly," Temari scoffed.
Kankuro leaned back against the wall, considering his sister.
"Come on, Temari. What else do I have to do?"
"You could be helping Gaara and I on this treaty, idiot. The sooner we get done with it, the sooner we can go home."
Kankuro bit the inside of his cheek, thoughtful.
"What are you working on?" he inquired, turning serious.
Temari sighed and began walking down the corridor. Kankuro accompanied her, lagging a little at her side.
"Queen Tsunade is swinging a hard bargain," Temari started in a hushed voice. "Gaara is unsure of what he needs to request."
Kankuro blinked, thoughtful.
His experience in political matters had been well-instructed at an early age. Every member of the royal line received a thorough education in the ways of politicians and how to deal with treaties and accords.
Despite the fact that Gaara had been elected as the Wind Country's leader, Kankuro was still kept up to date with the goings-on.
"What are they requesting of us?" Kankuro finally inquired.
"Soldiers, of course," Temari responded instantly. "Protection. They're losing their war and their people. The Fire and the Wind's unification would hopefully help finish the war, and prevent it from spreading to our country as well."
Kankuro stayed silent for a few seconds before saying, "Fine, I'll speak to Gaara about it. Where is he?"
"His chambers, I suspect."
Kankuro left his sister's side and started down the hallway, swiftly covering ground to Gaara's rooms.
He knocked briefly before entering, not giving his younger brother a chance to accept or decline his entrance.
Kankuro eased the door shut behind him, considering his brother.
Gaara was only twenty-one years old, but his fresh-looking features made him appear younger. His vibrant red hair was unlike the other, more docile colors of their family. His turquoise eyes, ever impassive, glanced at his elder brother upon his emergence.
"Kankuro," greeted Gaara flatly.
The young leader of the Wind Country was standing before a large window, studying the deluge outside.
Kankuro silently moved to stand by his brother's side, watching the rain beat against the window's thick panes.
"Temari was telling me of your dilemma," Kankuro said after a moment, glancing at Gaara.
Gaara was quiet, his eyes emotionlessly staring ahead at the drenched city.
"Yes," Gaara finally released, blinking slowly. "I'm afraid things aren't going well for our neighbors."
"Do you know their current situation better than what Commander Hyuga explained when we arrived at the fort?"
Gaara's face was grim.
"Yes, I do. Commander Hyuga has been moved to the front with the First Squad. He's been sending weekly reports here to the capital. Things aren't going well there. Their numbers are impossibly low. If we don't offer them assistance. . . well, things could go badly for all of us."
Gaara frowned deeply and turned to his brother. Kankuro could not even begin to mistake the desperation in Gaara's eyes.
"I need your advice, Brother. I'm confused about everything presented to me. There are major concerns that joining with the Fire Country in war would present. I can't even begin to comprehend all of the consequences." Gaara shook his head. "I'm not sure I'm prepared to undertake such an important event as this."
Kankuro raised his eyebrows, surprised.
Gaara rarely expressed his feelings. Especially indecisiveness. He was the cool and confident ruler of the three. He knew all the answers.
What worried Kankuro was that if Gaara didn't have the answers, who did?
Kankuro cleared his throat and placed his hands on his younger brother's shoulders, immediately realizing what he had to say.
"Gaara, our people have faith in you. Those soldiers at the front have faith in you. Naruto and the Commander have faith in you. Even Queen Tsunade and her subjects have placed hope in this cause. We are the deciding factor in this war. If we let our neighbor fall to the enemy, then we bring about our own destruction as well. If we support them, then there is a chance that both of our countries will prosper. As king, it is your choice to make, but be sure you analyze all of the scenarios first before making your decision."
Gaara sighed, nodding at his brother's words.
He glanced at the window, and blinked, unsure of what he was seeing.
Gaara smiled, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Look at that," he remarked.
"What?"
Gaara gestured to the window.
Kankuro followed the line of his gaze.
Outside, sunlight was breaking up the dark, grey clouds. The rain had all but stopped, and through the thick pane, Kankuro could see a faint rainbow in the opening blue sky.
"It stopped raining," Kankuro muttered numbly, shaking his head.
Gaara's smile widened a little.
"Yes. Yes, it did."
-
"I'm pleased with your progress, Itachi."
Itachi inclined his head to the man before him, ignoring the sharp pain in the knee he was kneeling on.
The man continued, oblivious to Itachi's uncomfortableness.
"The Fire Country is certainly ready to fall. You and Kisame both have done a satisfactory job in destroying their troops and limiting their forts."
"Thank you . . . sire," Itachi murmured quietly.
The man before him considered Itachi, analyzing the younger man with cynical grey eyes.
"We must discuss the next step in conquering their resilience."
Itachi nodded submissively.
The man with the grey eyes stood from his makeshift throne and began pacing in a wide circle, amiably clasping his hands together.
"It's no good to bother with Fort Minato anymore, now that your brother has been placed there as a spy. Don't waste anymore effort on it. Commander Hyuga has moved to the front anyway, and he's the one I really need. I need him dead before I can succeed in taking the Fire Country as my own."
"I understand," Itachi replied.
The man paused in his pacing and glanced at his kneeling subject.
"You're aware that the only remaining countries are the Fire and Wind?"
Itachi blinked, surprised.
"The other nations fell more quickly than I was aware, sire," Itachi responded.
The man smiled.
"Yes. Compared to the Fire and Wind, they were much more weak. Weakness is easy to defeat. But now that only the Fire and Wind remain, it is natural they form an alliance. This is not a full concern of mine, but it would be helpful if an alliance wasn't made. It would make the Fire Country easier to eliminate. If the Fire and Wind unite, we will have to send stronger forces. . . But I'm working on it. . ."
Itachi had a question and he wasn't particularly sure if he was allowed to ask it or not.
He took a chance.
"Sire, what's the end result of the Fire and Wind being conquered? What will we do then?"
Pain smiled.
"Itachi, every dynasty in an empire must end eventually. The cause we are bringing merely speeds up the process. Nothing of these countries must remain. Old cannot be present among the new. The new kingdom I will bring about will be perfect. My subjects will obey me. There will be complete and utter obedience. The other nations have already been subdued by my immense power. The Fire and the Wind are the only countries remaining. With their fall, the final renovation can start. And then the era of Pain may finally be begun."
Pain returned to his throne, smiling faintly still.
His plan had been cultivated over many years, and now, it was finally proceeding.
All Pain needed now was the death of the Fire Country's commander. Then, the real fun could start.
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