An: I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed and helped me reach the 1000 mark. I'm glad that so many people have enjoyed this story. So again thanks. Also since quite a few have asked I guess I can say how many arcs I plan to do before Naruto comes back. Those would be the Isaribi, Idate, a second Chunin Exam, and finally the Star Village. So again Thanks for the reviews S. o. t. A.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.
Chapter 43: The Beast
After heading to her burnt out apartment, in order to retrieve more mission specific clothing which she kept in a fireproof safe since the village was prone to invasion. She dressed in her old chunin garb and took off to help her former student. As soon as she arrived at the villa Kurenai knew something was wrong as she hadn't been met by any of the Anbu watching over the girl. Stepping up to the door she tensed as it opened by itself. Recognizing an invitation when she saw one she stepped inside. In the center of the room sat three of the Anbu and two medics piled against each other. Checking the closest medic's vitals she sighed in relief as the man had a pulse, but the wide eyed stare he was giving showed he was in a genjutsu, a very powerful one. She moved them outside where she tried to release the genjutsu. However her best efforts had no effect. Heading back inside, she walked up the stairs. Having been here many times to visit the girl over the years she walked to the room where Yakumo liked to paint while indoors.
Pushing the door open she found Yakumo with her back turned towards her working on a painting. Scattered around the room were other paintings that the girl had completed. Stepping into the room she said, "Yakumo, it's me Kurenai."
Putting her pallet down the girl turned but remained impassive as was often the case when she visited. "What do you want? Why do you keep coming here? Wasn't it enough that you destroyed my dreams?"
"Yakumo," Kurenai replied sadly, "I'm so sorry, but you have to stop this."
"Stop what," Yakumo replied confused.
"Are you saying you didn't place the Anbu and medics in a genjutsu?"
"I can't use genjutsu remember," Yakumo said her ire rising, "You saw to that."
"Can her Id be responsible?" Kurenai thought, "I know Yakumo would experience blackouts when it was in control, but she doesn't seem to notice anything amiss in the house."
Reaching to her former student Kurenai said, "Yakumo, I need to check something."
But the girl slapped her hand away saying, "Leave, the last time I let you check something. You took away my dreams."
Kurenai felt tears enter her vision but said, "I'm sorry Yakumo and you're right. I didn't have faith in you. But if what I think has happened did. Then not only are you in danger but all of Konoha as well."
Yakumo was about to shout that she didn't care, but then the door to her study burst open as six shinobi entered the room. Yakumo recognized one of them as her uncle saying, "Uncle Unkai? What's going on?"
However her uncle directed his attention to the older woman saying, "Step aside Kurenai. You know what must be done."
Taking up a protective stance in front of the young woman Kurenai said, "I will not let you harm her."
Noticing the cut on her arm Unkai said, "That is noble of you Kurenai. Kami knows I wish it hasn't come to this, but the creature is awakening and has already attacked you. What more proof do you need that Yakumo has to be stopped?"
Turning her head to look at the girl who realized her uncle was here to harm her Kurenai said, "I gave up on Yakumo once. I will not do so again."
"It seems we are at an impasse then," Unkai said, "But eventually the creature will regain its strength and when it does Yakumo will be a threat to you as well. Do not make this more difficult than it needs to be."
Kurenai didn't respond with words casting a quick genjutsu that rendered the two of them invisible to the eye. Snatching up Yakumo she ran for the blacked out window of the room as the Kurama Jounin responded immediately by throwing shuriken in a wide arc in front of them. Many of Yakumo's paintings were ruined as a result of the barrage. Unkai seemed to sense were Kurenai was heading saying, "Aim for the windows." Seconds before the Kurama jounin responded the window shattered letting them know that Kurenai had escaped.
Landing roughly Kurenai darted for the cover of the forest as the Kurama began following her. Although still invisible to them she was leaving a trail in the grass and dirt that the men could follow. From behind holding tightly to her former teacher Yakumo whispered, "Why are you helping me?"
"I know you may not believe me Yakumo, but I do care for you," Kurenai said, "I will protect you with my life if necessary."
Gai had managed to find Kiba as he walked Akamaru as well as Sakura and Hinata. He then proceeded to head to the villa, but upon arriving found no sign of Kurenai or Yakumo. It was obvious some sort of confrontation had taken place yet he had no clue as to who else was involved. But he believed he knew a way to get some answers and was just biding his time.
Due to the wind Gai took a few steps to his right as Kiba approached him. As the Inuzuka ran up he said, "Kurenai-sensei took off into the woods and was followed by the guys who owned the shuriken in the room. Any ideas who they are?"
"I'm afraid not," Gai said, "But I know who to ask." He then lashed out with a spinning kick which to Kiba seemed to hit nothing but air. Yet the grunt of pain, followed by a dent appearing in the side of the house, made it apparent that his attack had hit something. A shimmering form appeared revealing a bald Leaf shinobi with a thin mustache whose ends hung below his chin. Before the man recovered Gai had picked him up slamming him back up against the house saying, "Now what happened here? Did you attack Kurenai?"
"I…I don't know what happened here?" the man said. "I am a member of the Kurama clan. Naturally after seeing the room upstairs I was a little concerned you were the ones behind the attack."
"He's lying," Hinata said watching his mannerisms.
"Yeah his scent is on some of those weapons," Kiba added.
"I must say I really hate that hip attitude of yours," Gai said to the man. He then buried his fist into the wall next to the man's head adding, "I suggest you tell me what I want to know before I lose my temper."
Gulping the man quickly changed his story, "We came here to kill Yakumo. The creature within her has broken loose. Kurenai got in the way and managed to escape with her. She doesn't understand the danger she is in."
"She understands," Gai said, "She has merely chosen not to take the easy path of destroying the girl in order to save herself. Something the rest of your clan could stand to learn. Contemplate it while you rest." He then hit the man in a pressure point on his neck rendering him unconscious before binding him. Turning to his team he said, "Alright, Sakura how are the Anbu doing?"
"They are alive," the young medic said, "However I am unable to release the genjutsu on them. I've never seen one so strong before."
Thinking for a moment he said, "Then we must leave them for now. We have to proceed with caution from here on out. The Kurama clan is made up of the finest genjutsu experts in the village not to mention we have to believe that Yakumo is a threat as well. Hinata and Kiba will take point. Hinata your Byakugan should reveal any hidden traps they may have left to discourage Kurenai from returning to the house or to Konoha. Sakura and I will follow behind."
Everyone nodded but before they left Kiba asked, "How did you know that guy was there? I couldn't smell him."
"He was staying downwind of you Kiba," Gai replied, "Every time he moved he disturbed the grass. Having a rivalry with Kakashi tends to make one aware of the various ways people try to use genjutsu to hide. That is why it is important to never trust in one sense too much."
Kiba nodded before taking off in the direction Kurenai ran with Hinata following at his side. Gai spent a moment to look at the house since it had made him uneasy since arriving, but took off after shaking off the feeling as just being worried about his fellow jounin.
Kurenai stopped for a rest and to see if she had lost the Kurama following her. Setting Yakumo down she began scanning the way she came. However she didn't see any sign of pursuit but didn't discount that they were still nearby.
"Why don't you just let them kill me," Yakumo said both angry and sad at the same time.
"I told you Yakumo. I will not allow that to happen."
"Why are you pretending to care?" Yakumo shouted but Kurenai placed her hand over the girl's mouth.
"Yakumo I do care, please believe me," Kurenai said, "I know you feel betrayed by what I did, but you have to trust me that it was for the best."
"Why," Yakumo said while glaring at the woman.
Kurenai didn't know what to say not wanting to inform the girl a portion of her psyche had been responsible for the fire that killed her parents. Luckily for Kurenai the young girl changed topics saying, "I heard Rock Lee was made a genin."
Grateful for the change in topic Kurenai said, "Yes he did. He also performed quite well in the chunin exams."
Yakumo's look darkened before she said, "And yet you couldn't do that for me."
Kurenai sadly replied, "Rock Lee while being someone you wished to emulate is exactly why I couldn't train you solely in genjutsu."
Yakumo looked at her in surprise so Kurenai clarified her position saying, "Rock Lee due to his underdeveloped Chakra coils has no talent for ninjutsu or genjutsu. But on the other hand should you have ever fought him you would not be able to affect him with genjutsu as easily as you would a normal opponent or keep him under it." The Kurama leader didn't look convinced so Kurenai explained, "What is it that Genjutsu affects."
"The chakra in the brain," Yakumo said.
"Exactly, but Rock Lee has a very small amount of chakra flow moving through him, and as you know one of the ways to release genjutsu is to stop chakra flow. Something that is far easier for somebody like Lee."
"I was willing to take that chance," Yakumo said.
"But as your teacher I wasn't Yakumo," Kurenai said sadly, "However I should have had more faith in you. I'm sorry."
Yakumo looked at her former teacher in surprise. She looked like she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Kurenai said, "We'll talk more later I promise. But for now we have to get moving."
Unbeknownst to the pair a small sprout began to grow behind Kurenai. The jounin sensed it at the last moment before it ensnared her. As she was lifted into the air a string bean pod began to grow from the stalk of the plant. The pod opened revealing a Kurama jounin wielding a kunai. Out of the corner of her eye she could see two more moving to attack the defenseless girl. Having already cast her own genjutsu the moment she sensed the attack she waited until she was right in front of the man before her body dissolved into cherry blossom petals. The Jounin began to look around for some sign of the woman but noticed his two comrade's body being covered in the petals. Looking at his arm he noticed his own peril too late as his body began to be consumed. The three Kurama jounin passed out as a result of the genjutsu running its course.
A half dozen kunai launched from the trees towards Yakumo. Before they connected Kurenai burst from where she had been hiding to snatched the young girl up. Moving Yakumo to her back, Kurenai faced Unkai and his five remaining Jounin.
"Give it up Kurenai," the elder Kurama said, "It is only a matter of time before the creature takes her over again."
"What is he talking about," Yakumo said confused and scared.
But Kurenai kept her focus solely on Unkai aware of just how dangerous the man could be. That was why, when at first the arms around her neck tightened she thought that Yakumo was merely scared. "Yakumo I know you're scared, but please let go," Kurenai said.
But the dark whisper of, "I'm not scared sensei," alerted her to the fact that Yakumo was no longer in control. She noticed the other jounin step back in fright and saw why when she turned her head and saw that the white of Yakumo's eyes had turned black. The girl gave an evil smile before tightening her arms around Kurenai's throat with a strength she didn't think the girl's body possessed. With the added pressure Kurenai was rendered unconscious a few moments later.
Letting the unconscious woman go and letting her fall to the ground Ido, in control of Yakumo's body, said, "So you want to destroy me Uncle Unkai."
"Don't play games creature," Unkai said, "I know the truth. You aren't a segment of my niece's personality."
"Does it truly matter Uncle this body is hers," Ido said.
"I suppose not," Unkai said while his men went for their kunai. Before they could even hurl them the kunai turned into serpents which then bit into each of the men's hands. As his fellow Kurama succumbed to the toxins Unkai prepared an illusion that made him disappear in order to get away so he could strike when the creature wasn't in control. However as he turned to leave Ido was already behind him.
"Don't go yet uncle," the creature said and with a wave of its hand the jacket that he wore turned into a straight jacket. The man tried to move away but found that his legs were wrapped in the snakes that had bit his men before they turned into ropes. The creature walked up to Kurenai and grabbed her by the hair pulling her up to the bound Unkai. He watched as several more snakes wrapped around the woman binding her as well.
Unkai glared up to the creature as it stepped up to him and he asked, "Why have you not killed us yet? We are at your mercy."
"Yes you are," Ido said, "However I want you and Kurenai to witness as I take over this body as my own, and then destroy everything the two of you hold dear."
With that said Ido cast a powerful genjutsu over them that rendered them invisible and began dragging the pair back to the villa.
It was slow going for Gai and the others as the Kurama had indeed left booby traps hidden by genjutsu. Kiba finally called a stop saying, "Kurenai-sensei was here. But I can't pick up her scent after she left."
"She didn't leave under her own power," Hinata said before releasing the genjutsu that had covered the area. The trail that Kurenai and Unkai had left as Ido dragged them away appeared as well as the defeated Kurama.
Sakura immediately ran towards them scanning them. Finding that they were suffering from snake venom she reached into her poison kit to try and find an antidote. "What happened here," Kiba asked looking around.
"If I was to guess I would say that the mujina within Yakumo has awakened," Gai said worried.
"But it seems she has taken Kurenai-sensei back to the villa though. Why?" Kiba asked looking in the direction the trail led.
"I don't know," Gai replied, "but we'll have to find out. Sakura, how are they?"
"Not good Gai-sensei," Sakura answered, "As near as I can tell they were all bit by an Alabasta Rattlesnake which shouldn't even exist in Fire Country. They are indigenous to Wind Country."
"It would seem that the creature sealed within Yakumo has taken over," Gai said, "Sakura, can you treat them."
"Not here," the medic replied, "Unfortunately I don't have an antidote for the venom and even if I did I wouldn't have enough for all of them. I'll have to run back to Konoha and alert the medical core."
"Alright you and Kiba do that and inform the Hokage of the situation," Gai ordered, "Hinata and I will return to the villa."
"Why do I have to head back," Kiba complained.
"Well there may be more Kurama in the woods for one and I don't want Sakura traveling back to Konoha by herself," Gai replied. "Furthermore, our adversary has the added advantage that it can make its illusions real. I would send Hinata back as well if the Byakugan didn't allow her to see through illusions."
Kiba grouched a little under his breath but nodded his head in acceptance. Hinata activated her Byakugan focusing back towards the villa but took a deep in breath of surprise at what she saw.
"What is it Hinata?" Gai asked worried.
"I think it would be best if you saw for yourself," Hinata said jumping to the top of the tree with the others following.
"Wow," was all Kiba had to say, which was plenty, as they saw a dark tower rising above the forest where the villa had stood.
"Is it an illusion," Gai asked the young Hyuuga
Hinata shook her head as she said, "No it is real."
"Alright we better get going. Be careful you two and tell the Hokage what has transpired here."
"You too Gai-sensei. Watch yourself Hinata," Sakura said before jumping away with Kiba following after he left his own words of warning.
"Let us go Hinata," Gai said before leaping towards the tower wondering what lay inside.
Kurenai woke slowly feeling cold stone beneath her. Remembering that Yakumo's Id had been in charge she shot awake. Taking stock of her surroundings, she saw she was chained to the floor in what appeared to be a twisted throne room of some sort. She was next to the throne which was currently empty. Spotting Yakumo lying in front of it she tried to reach her but the chains attached to her wrists prevented it.
"Yakumo," she said, "wake up please."
"Don't bother," Unkai said from behind her.
Looking in his direction she saw the older Kurama hanging from the ceiling by his wrists. "Why, maybe we can awaken her to stop the Id?" Kurenai asked.
Sighing the older man said, "There is no Id, Kurenai."
"What do you mean?"
"A creature called a Mujina was sealed within Yakumo to create the Kekkei Genkai of the Kurama clan. However there were side effects. The most prominent being her weakened body."
"Why would your clan head do that to his own daughter?" Kurenai asked disgusted.
"Desperation," Unkai replied looking sadly at his niece, "I was against it."
"Is that why you have often called for her death?"
"No," Unkai replied anger entering his voice, "I did it because the Mujina is taking over and soon it will destroy Yakumo. Even as we speak the creature is moving about within this tower able to exist independently of her."
"Then why would it destroy her?"
"This tower is a representation of Yakumo mind. That it is so twisted shows just how much control the Mujina has. It is doing all this for Yakumo's body and chakra." Unkai answered, "As a result of the sealing the Mujina has become the most powerful of its kind and does not wish to return to its more humble origins."
"Why did you all let me go on thinking it was a construct of her mind?" Kurenai said angrily. "If I had known I could have stopped it permanently."
"Don't you think we tried?" Unkai snapped, "The creature has been destroyed hundreds of times by me. However it continues to exist in some corner of Yakumo's soul and is able to reconstruct itself."
"Couldn't we pull it out using the various jutsu that they use to remove a tailed beast?" Kurenai asked.
"The creature by itself possesses a fraction of the chakra that a person has," Unkai said, "Those jutsus only work because the tailed beasts have so much more chakra. They wouldn't work on such a creature."
"So what is it up to now," Kurenai asked looking at her old student.
"As we are standing within a construct of Yakumo's mind," Unkai answered. "The mujina will try and wrest control from her. But, for the moment their fates are tied. However the creature is hard at work to separate them and when it succeeds it will then attempt to destroy her. One or the other will cease to exist."
Yakumo beginning to stir attracted both of their attention. When she focused on Kurenai she said concerned, "Kurenai-sensei what's going on?"
Scrambling to her feet she tried to pull Kurenai free. The older woman smiled warmly before saying, "Yakumo forget about me. Save yourself."
A mocking laughter cut into the room as the door to the room slide open revealing the black-eyed Yakumo standing there. Yakumo fell back in revulsion causing the creature to say, "Is that really a look you should give to yourself?"
"What's…what's going on?" Yakumo asked her gaze switching from Kurenai and her uncle.
"Why are you looking at them?" Ido said snidely, "It isn't like they have been honest with you up till now. They've known all about me since the beginning."
"What are you?" Yakumo asked directing her attention to the creature.
"I'm you," Ido answered.
"Don't lie to her," Kurenai shouted.
Laughing the creature said, "But didn't you believe that SENSEI? Isn't that why you stole our dream?"
"I…," Kurenai started before looking away in shame.
Smiling the creature looked at Yakumo before saying, "See she admits it, I'm you. The part of you that gave you power in the first place. That acted the way you truly wished too."
"The thing that killed her parents and my brother monster," Unkai said.
"Silence you bastard," Ido said extending its hand at Unkai causing flames to appear that began to fly towards Yakumo's Uncle. Before they reached him the hand was knocked away by Yakumo setting a nearby screen on fire. Ido stopped the fire it started but couldn't prevent itself from lashing out at the girl striking her with a backhand that knocked her down.
Kurenai's staring at its face made it reach a hand up to its lip and when it pulled it away it was covered with blood. "Damn it," Ido thought disappointed that it hadn't fully separated its fate from Yakumo's.
It was pulled from its thought by Kurenai saying, "Yakumo only you can stop it."
Feeling her bruised face Yakumo looked up at her former teacher. Ido could feel the mindscape change as a result of Kurenai's words. Hoping to prevent the girl from gaining the confidence necessary to win the upcoming battle said, "She can't do anything sensei. I was what gave her strength. Without me she is nothing but a scared little girl."
"You're wrong about her," Kurenai said prompting Yakumo to look at her wide eyed.
Again Ido sensed the change in Yakumo making the tower it created a little less twisted as the girl subconsciously assumed control. Ido was tempted to kill Kurenai, but knew that Yakumo still desired the woman's favor so wagered that if it killed her Yakumo would suddenly grow a backbone, making destroying her impossible. Therefore created a genjutsu that had her shadow begin pulling her into it and dropping her in a lower level of the tower. Where it was confident that left alone the young girl's doubts and fears would make destroying her mind and taking over her body far easier.
"She'll defeat you," Kurenai said confidently.
Grabbing Kurenai by the chin and forcing her to stare into the twisted visage of her student the creature said, "That weakling wasn't strong enough to stop me from killing her parents and she isn't strong enough to save you."
"I have faith in her," Kurenai said assuredly while meeting the creature's black eyes.
Ido was surprised when it looked away first saying, "Better late than never, a sensei?"
It could sense the tensing in Kurenai's jaw causing it to smile before letting go and delivering a backhand that sent the jounin to the floor. Now that Yakumo couldn't see Ido was tempted to simply kill the woman but sensing a new presence in its tower decided to go investigate.
Hinata and Gai reached the tower and despite not finding a door. They were barely held up as Gai made one with his fist. Stepping into the opening they weren't too surprised as the hole closed up behind them. Taking in the room's appearance they found it to be a twisted visage of some lord's castle with ancient suits of Samurai armor lining the walls. Hinata activated her Byakugan and searching the tower said, "I see Kurenai and Unkai are chained up in some sort of thrown room at the top of the tower. Also Yakumo appears to be with them…wait a moment… there is a Yakumo in the basement as well crying."
Assuming a thinking pose Gai said, "What about the Yakumo in the throne room?"
"She seems to be taunting Kurenai-sensei," Hinata answered.
"Alright, here's the plan Hinata. I want you to head down to the basement as that is likely the true Yakumo. I will try and create a ruckus to draw the creature's attention and rescue Kurenai."
"What should I do when I reach her Gai-sensei?" Hinata asked.
"I believe that we are standing in a representation of the girl's psyche," Gai said having studied a great deal about Genjutsu due to his rivalry with Kakashi. "If that is the case, she is the key to ending this. Support her as best you can."
Hinata nodded and said, "Alright…I believe it knows we are here as it has left the throne room."
"Okay you better get a move on then," Gai said waiting for the creature to appear as Hinata left.
He didn't have to wait long as Ido appeared from the ceiling looking down at him. Taking stock of his strange appearance the creature said, "Who or better yet what are you?"
"Ha-ha, I'm the Leaf's Handsome Beast of Battle, Maito Gai. I call on you to release your captives and surrender control of Yakumo's body back to her."
"You must be joking," Ido replied.
"Nothing of the sort," Gai said calmly, "However if I must I will force you to surrender."
Giving a sinister grin Ido said, "You are welcome to try," before disappearing back into the ceiling."
As soon as the creature disappeared the suits of armor began moving towards Gai. Aware that they were probably as real as he was, at least in Yakumo's subconscious, which he was sure the inside of the tower represented. He prepared for a hard fight to the top.
As Hinata made her way to Yakumo she was surprised that she hadn't encountered any traps. She wondered if that was due to the creature not realizing that she had arrived with Gai. Or in all likelihood Gai had it right and that the creature couldn't chance Yakumo being hurt yet. Reaching the girl she found her crying in a dark corner of the room. Walking up to the girl she said tentatively, "Yakumo…"
"Stay back," she replied trying to shrink into the corner.
As reassuringly as she could the Hyuuga princess said, "It's okay, I'm not here to harm you. I'm here to help you."
"Forget about me," Yakumo said looking up, "Help Kurenai-sensei, please."
"Only you can do that Yakumo," Hinata said gently.
"Me," Yakumo replied before scoffing in defeat, "I'm worthless. So much so even a part of my mind has turned against me."
Hinata was confused until she remembered that much like Naruto the Kurama heir had no idea something had been sealed within her. "That isn't true…" she said telling Yakumo what Gai had passed onto her which was the truth about everything including how the girl's parents met their end.
Yakumo's eyes showed the horror she felt but instead of helping give the girl confidence she said, "That's exactly why I'm so worthless I couldn't do anything. Even my abilities were granted to me by some otherworldly power."
"That isn't true," Hinata said grabbing the girl to make her look at her. "There is a boy who means the world to me. Sealed inside of him is the Nine-tailed Fox." Yakumo looked at Hinata in surprise at the revelation as although she knew of the attack thirteen years ago she had no idea it was sealed into a boy. Continuing Hinata said, "To be honest it has brought him nothing but pain. As he grew up alone and was even forced to leave his home because someone hated him enough to try and kill him. Yet even then, he never considered himself to be worthless, and has always strived to prove his worth to others. But he never once doubted himself."
Smiling Hinata said, "I however was like you and viewed myself as a failure and worthless…"
"What changed?"
Her smile turning sad Hinata said, "The boy, who despite everybody telling him how worthless he was and despite never surrendering to those negative opinions of him, sacrificed himself to save me. Somebody who only viewed herself as worthless and although he survived I was left to believe he had died for me. I couldn't let his sacrifice mean nothing, so I trained to prove my own worth and to validate his."
"But I'm not you…" Yakumo said looking away.
"Perhaps not, but you are the only one that can save Kurenai-sensei. That creature wants you to believe you are weak in order for you to give up your hold on your mind and body. You have to fight for what you want Yakumo. Gai-sensei told me you envied Rock Lee, but even after making Genin he still has to push himself to become stronger."
"But Kurenai-sensei didn't believe in me," Yakumo said dejectedly pulling her legs into her chest.
"I don't believe that, as she wouldn't have saved you if she didn't," Hinata said causing the Kurama heir to look at her. "Also, I believe that the person Kurenai-sensei lacked faith in was herself. That she believed she couldn't train you well enough to get by solely using genjutsu."
"She told me that due to his condition Lee was a perfect example of why she couldn't," Yakumo said scathingly torn between caring for Kurenai and the resentment she still felt as they discussed her past.
"That is exactly my point," Hinata said, "She saw something that she couldn't teach you to surpass, not because you lacked ability, but because she felt she did. She cares about you too much to allow you to enter a situation like that unprepared. However, the doubt that created within you is what the mujina is using to try and control you. You have to be strong for Kurenai-sensei's sake and your own."
As Hinata spoke she noticed that the room which had started out as dark and foreboding had begun to brighten. Confident that the girl was beginning to believe in herself she said while standing and offering Yakumo a hand up, "Come on, I'll help you reach the top."
Yakumo looked at the hand for a moment before taking it allowing the Hyuuga to pull her up. They then made their way out of the room to confront the creature that had held Yakumo hostage in more ways than one.
Gai found his journey to the top to be rather exhilarating in a way. While it was life or death he couldn't help but enjoy the parallels to the dashing hero rescuing the beautiful damsel. Although he never thought of Kurenai as helpless the fact that she, a fully competent jounin, did need his help added a little fuel to his fires of youth. Smashing the last suit of armor through the door that led to the throne room he stepped in saying, "So at last I have arrived."
Sitting on the throne the false Yakumo said, "I must admit you surprised me. I never thought a fool like you would make it this far."
"Well I'm just full of surprises," Gai said walking up towards the creature.
"That's far enough," Ido said indicating Kurenai, "Unless you want me to do something drastic to Kurenai."
"An empty threat," Gai said walking closer prompting Ido to narrow its eyes, "If you intended to kill Kurenai you would have done so already. However that would go against your desire to take over Yakumo. After all, if anything could harden the girls resolve to defeat you the death of her beloved teacher would certainly do it. And since this tower acts as a doorway to the girl's subconscious you can't make a move against Kurenai without Yakumo being aware of it on some level."
Kurenai despite the situation couldn't help but look at Gai with surprise. Noticing it the Green Beast let out a laugh saying, "Ha-ha, don't look so shocked Kurenai. My rival Kakashi is quite skilled in genjutsu as well. I have studied quite hard on the subject of how the mind works in order to best him."
Kurenai looked away embarrassed at once again underestimating Gai. Ido merely scowled from its thrown saying, "Then how about a wager. Defeat two-hundred of my Samurai forces and I'll let you take her out of here."
"While I do like acting like the hero in this drama," Gai said. "My role is done, as it was merely to distract you while the only one with the power to destroy you arrived."
As he stepped to the side Ido saw that Yakumo had been led back to the throne room by Hinata. However it was slightly fearful as it noticed that as Yakumo moved deeper into the room its atmosphere became less twisted. "This is your master plan," it said mockingly, "Bringing my weak outer-self here to stop me."
"I'm not weak," Yakumo said, "And I know the truth. You aren't me, just some creature that is hoping to take advantage of my doubts."
"The mujina smiled allowing its features to morph into its more horrific kind before saying, "What exactly does that knowledge buy you? You're still too weak to do anything and whether intentionally or not your desire to be rid of me has loosened the stands of fate that linked us. Once I kill you here this body is mine."
Ido created several suits of armor which began advancing on the girl. Gai having attempted to free Kurenai from her chains moved to stop them but Kurenai grabbed him saying, "She needs to handle this."
"Yes, I know but I don't see why she needs to waste energy on weak opponents," Gai said giving a smile.
Kurenai returned it but shook her head saying, "Yakumo needs this." Gai accepted what Kurenai said moving back to attempt to pull the chains from the floor. Kurenai watched as Yakumo summoned a shadow that took on her form. Allowing the shadow of her teacher to attack the suits of armor she returned her attention to Ido. Making several hand-signs she disappeared in a cloud of cherry blossoms.
"How dull," Ido replied causing the petals to burst into flames but instead of revealing or harming the girl as it would have expected the flaming petals suddenly all began to converge on the creature.
Forced to create a dome of stone it growled as Yakumo said, "That also goes for you creature. I'll be free of you once I destroy you."
Allowing the dome to collapse around Ido saw Yakumo standing behind it. Turning the creature said, "You forget. I am what makes you powerful. Without me you are nothing."
"You may be what granted me the ability to make powerful genjutsu," Yakumo said, "But without my body and chakra you are less than nothing."
The Kurama heir smiled as the creature took a step back as she approached, but stopped in horror when from the ground rose the forms of her parents. Her mother said, "Why Yakumo, why did you kill us?"
"I…I didn't…" Yakumo said sounding weak as she took a step back.
"Don't you remember?" her father said before bursting into flames, "Don't you remember killing us?"
"It wasn't me…It was the creature…"
"Perhaps," her father said approaching the girl, "But it was only able to because you were too weak to stop it. Such a disappointment you are."
Her mother also burst into flames approaching Yakumo, "It's okay Yakumo. It'll all be over soon." Behind the advancing parents Ido smiled as Yakumo dropped down and grabbed her knees.
Yakumo pulled within herself, feeling weak and useless. The creature was right she wasn't strong enough to stop it. However, upon remembering how Kurenai had been confident she could defeat Ido earlier. Recalled a time during her training when Kurenai had expressed her concerns for Yakumo's chosen path.
She had been sulking due to her having a hard time mastering a particular jutsu as a result Kurenai had said, "This is why it frightens me to train you to rely solely on genjutsu Yakumo." The Kurama heir had looked up at her still giving a slight pout asking, "What do you mean Sensei?"
"Genjutsu is unlike any of the other skills a shinobi is asked to master. Every genjutsu you cast is a battle of wills not just against your opponent but yourself as well. Doubt can't enter into your mind nor can you be too overconfident. Both are means by which a true expert in genjutsu can destroy you."
The memory caused Yakumo to understand why Kurenai had been forced to seal what she had considered her Id at the time. Kurenai believed that she couldn't control herself. How could her teacher in good conscious allow such an unstable person to continue on as a Shinobi? The answer was she couldn't but what made her truly realize how much Kurenai cared for her was that she had allowed herself to be viewed as the villain. While it had been Yakumo's doubts that allowed Ido to take control it was Kurenai who took the blame. Not willing to let the faith her teacher had put in her to be misplaced. She looked at Ido forcing her fears away.
Ido smiled at Yakumo as it appeared the girl found her spine again. However it was too late as the flaming parents were about to grab her in a hug thereby destroying her. But upon making contact with the girls eyes felt a moment of dizziness and then became aware of searing flames surrounding it as the girl's parents latched onto it. Realizing too late that Yakumo had used a Genjutsu Reflection on it tried to extinguish the flames, but couldn't as its own fears of death took hold. Screaming in rage and pain, it cursed Yakumo before bursting into a purple chakra that disbursed to the heavens.
A moment later Yakumo was also surrounded by the same purple chakra as it left her body. Collapsing in the wake of it she smiled as she saw the chains holding Kurenai disappear and the woman run up to her. Before everything went dark she heard, "I knew you could do it Yakumo."
Outside the tower Tsunade watched as it began to collapse. Having gathered what forces she could she had set up a command center nearby. Hoping that the falling tower was signaling the end of the crisis as opposed to the birth of one, she waited for her scouts to report in. She didn't have to wait long as a Hyuuga named Ko ran up to report. "All those that were inside the tower have escaped safely my lady."
"Good," Tsunade said, "Are there any casualties?"
"No," Ko answered, "Yakumo seems to be unconscious but her heart is still beating."
A short time later those that had been in the tower arrived at her command center. Kurenai handed Yakumo to one of the medics Tsunade had assembled to treat the wounded Kurama as well as her Anbu who had been under a genjutsu.
Focusing her gaze of Unkai she was about to lay into him when he dropped to his knees saying, "I know what you are going to say Milady. I accept full responsibility for my actions and ask that you spare my men who were merely following orders."
Ignoring the man for a moment turned her attention to Kurenai asking, "Is the creature secure?"
"It has been destroyed," Kurenai answered.
"I see," directing her gaze to Unkai again the Hokage said, "You and your men's fate will be decided by the head of the Kurama Clan. For your sake, I hope she can forgive that you attempted to kill her." Giving a dismissive wave, her Anbu came to lead Unkai away to a prison cell where he would be held until Yakumo decided what to do with him.
She was about to order the others to get some rest when she smiled noticing Kurenai was already asleep in a chair near Yakumo's bed. She saw Sakura giving Hinata some pointers on how to deal with snakebites and was glad to see the two girls pushing each other to be better. Looking out at the rubble that had used to be the Kurama Villa Tsunade sighed wondering how much paper work that would be generated for her as a result of the mess. Sighing she wondered where she could find a drink, but smiled upon remembering that Jiraiya should be getting her letter shortly.
Jiraiya was currently waiting for Naruto to finish patrolling the area of the Kumo forest that his contacts had reported a band of thieves called the Forest Ghosts. He had been almost as surprised as Naruto to learn that the two Jinchuriki of Kumogakure were not only well known. But, well respected. However, that posed its own problems for them in regards to making contact. Since the jinchuriki were so well regarded in Kumo, Naruto and he couldn't just approach the pair. Killer Bee especially, since he was the Raikage's brother and was watched constantly. Although, if what the rumors he heard about Bee were true it was almost as much to keep him out of trouble as to protect him.
Yugito Nii, on the other hand was a well respected Jounin that was often sent to deal with high profile missions or matters of securing Kumo's borders. Therefore in order to meet with her, Jiraiya had been supplying Kumo with locations of the various bandit groups that operated in its borders. To do so he had in effect created a new alias and discreetly supplied Kumo the information. However his plan wasn't without some drawbacks as the Raikage naturally wouldn't send out one of his best jounin on a tip from a source he didn't know.
Thus far he and Naruto had located four such bandit groups. They had started with small groups at first, since if he guessed how Ē would respond correctly, it would probably be with some genin team. They had then found larger and larger groups with the Forest Ghosts being the largest. As the size of the groups got larger so too did the skill of the shinobi the Raikage sent. If everything went well then this time Ē would send one of his two jinchuriki and if he was a betting man it would be Yugito.
With a little free time before Naruto was expected to return Jiraiya decided to accept his fate and see just how angry Tsunade was about the mess that had happened in Waterfall Country. Although Naruto hadn't gone into all the details he knew Tsunade probably could read between the lines. Opening the letter he read,
Jiraiya,
I don't know how you convinced Naruto to hold back what REALLY happened to him in Waterfall, but considering he seems willing to cover for you I suppose I can overlook it. I have Tenzo looking in my families Archives for the information you seek. Furthermore, Kakashi was able to read more of the tablet located under the Uchiha shrine. It seems to substantiate what you have learned of the Ten-Tailed beast. However in order to read more it says we need the eyes of the father of ninjutsu. So it appears to be a dead end. Please take care of him and yourself as well as it worries me to have you two reckless fools out there causing trouble.
Sincerely Tsunade
Jiraiya was surprised that he seemed to have been granted a stay of execution. Although he had been worried as this time he only received one letter from Tsunade. Recently he had felt as if their correspondences with each other had helped them to build a stronger connection between the two of them. Looking over the letter again he noticed that above where she had written sincerely was a black splotch were she had scribbled out what at first appeared to be a mistake. But, looking harder he believed covered what she had first begun to write. Holding it up to the light he believed the word had started with 'Lo…' Of course he knew what he wanted the word to be but after so long truly doubted Tsunade thought of him like that.
Looking at the seal at the bottom of the letter he channeled his chakra into it causing several items to appear. The first he recognized as the report on what the Research Department had learned from his first two seals that he had come up with for Tayuya. He would study it later to see what improvements he could make. What caught his eye was a brown manila envelope that had Tsunade's handwriting on it.
Reading what was written which was, "For taking such good care of Naruto pull it out slowly."
Intrigued the Toad Sannin did as instructed grabbing a hold of what was inside and pulled it out nice and slow. First to appear was a blue sky and in the corner was a small imprint of lipstick from where Tsunade had kissed it. Already liking where things were going he resisted the temptation to yank it out. Pulling it out even slower to tantalize himself he caught a glimpse of the creamy skin that was Tsunade's arm that appeared to be held behind her head. He had guessed right as it was followed by her golden mane. When her face appeared she was looking at the camera with her lips puckered up as if blowing him a kiss. Not believing his luck Jiraiya caught a glimpse of her shoulder which revealed that she was wearing a Bikini of some sort.
However, just as he was reaching her chest and due to the genjutsu she had placed on the picture which released as a certain amount of it was exposed. It began to change much to his horror into a picture of a hard bodied man, flexing in a thong. Reacting on pure instinct to preserve his eyes and sanity he set the picture aflame with a weak fire jutsu. But Tsunade having guessed that would be his response had placed a second genjutsu on the picture which reacted to the heat causing it to morph back into the picture of her in her pinup pose. Jiraiya noticed the picture shifted again catching a glimpse of Tsunade sitting on the ground her legs tilted sideways, her back arched, and with her arm behind her head while blowing him a kiss before the flame consumed it. Needless to say when Naruto arrived an hour later Jiraiya was still trying to come up with a jutsu to reconstruct the picture from the ashes while sobbing.
Sakura and Hinata arrived at their shared apartment to see that another picture had been delivered. A mini scuffle broke out for it which Hinata won, causing Sakura to glower but the desire to see what Sai drew surpassed their rivalry. Especially since it had been so long since his last one, pulling it out of the envelop they saw that they had received two pages as opposed to the usual one. The first one depicted the faceless boy. The picture made it seem as if he had been forced away from his home. Since the village was drawn in the distance, with his body turned towards it. It didn't look like Konoha but both girls knew that Sai was at the very least using Naruto as the inspiration for his tale.
The next picture made it all the more apparent as the faceless boy met a demon and if they had to guess an Ice Maiden. Both snickered at how Haku would react if he knew that Sai had made the character he based the feminine looking boy on was a girl. Placing the pictures away they hoped that the next one wouldn't take nearly as long.
Sai's Ink clone landed a solid hit against Kushina causing her to stagger back. Sai smiled to himself that she was getting sloppier in her movements instead of crispier. But at the same time he was worried as soon Danzou would want a progress report about how she was doing. He thought about lying but couldn't risk Danzou learning the truth. He could say his recent habit of having the clones speaking to Kushina sounding like her son was a type of emotional conditioning. However, he worried about the woman's safety now. As he believed if she broke down, Danzou wouldn't hesitate to kill her as he had his team.
Giving the clone a signal it resumed its old none verbal habits which caused Kushina to easily focus on destroying it. Once it was dispelled Kushina said, "What giving up on trying to stop me from killing him?"
Sai kept the smile from his face at Kushina refraining from calling Naruto, it or Kyuubi. She didn't seem to really realize that she wasn't doing it anymore which filled him with hope. Instead Sai said, "I'm afraid your recent progress has been suffering as a result and if Danzou believes you are no longer of any use against Naruto he will kill you."
Kushina stared at Sai in shock before saying, "You are playing a dangerous game aren't you Sai. What with trying to balance sabotaging my training while making me useful enough not to be killed? But what about you, one slip up by you and you're dead?"
Sai gave a small smile saying, "I would be far worse than dead if not for your son, Kushina. I would be one of Danzou's minions."
Kushina smiled but then a blank look appeared in her eyes a moment later. Sai looked on worried as the smile faltered and she said almost in a trance, "My son is dead. The Kyuubi saw to that." Returning to where she normally started from she assumed her taijutsu stance and awaited the next ink clone.
Sai wondered for a moment what he had just seen. Was Kushina's desire to kill her son even her own? As for a moment it almost seemed like she was under some sort of hypnotic suggestion that automatically reasserted itself whenever she began to question what she had come to believe about her son and the Kyuubi. If so, then who had put it there? He doubted it was Danzou as whoever had done it had been able to get close to the woman shortly after the Kyuubi attack. Although Kushina was willing to believe Danzou had the means to return her to the illusion she craved. He knew she would never drop her guard around the man. She hated him, of that there was no doubt, and the only reason she believed him stemmed more from the desperation to return to her fantasy than anything else.
It had to be somebody she had trusted. But why would they want her to kill her son? Especially since they couldn't have planned for the Kyuubi attack, could they have? Thinking about it as he created another clone he remembered that in his research to learn more about Naruto, he had read that some believed the Uchiha had somehow been responsible for the attack. Had they been and when the Fourth Hokage sealed it in his son compelled Kushina to kill Naruto in order to release it again? That theory seemed lacking somehow, as having seen the casualty reports many Uchiha had died in the Kyuubi's rampage as well. Looking at Kushina he wondered if somebody close to her in the past had betrayed her. Also, he still wondered what she had meant when she said she knew the Kyuubi better than anyone, because as far as he knew, nobody knew what had happened to the Kyuubi after the battle between the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha.
However if Kushina's desire to kill Naruto wasn't her own than Sai felt confident that when the two inevitably met that her son would be able to get through to her. As to his unanswered questions he reasoned that it may be risk, but perhaps another trip to the compound's file room was in order.
Danzou sat in his study above ground for a change. Looking out over the forest he had witnessed the tower collapse somewhat amused. A short time later Fu had appeared to report what had happened.
"The Mujina has been defeated Lord Danzou."
"Indeed it has," Danzou said hardly concerned, "What of the Kurama heir?"
"She has apparently destroyed it completely," Fu responded. "What that means for her I cannot say."
"It doesn't matter," Danzou said already losing interest.
"Sir," Fu said looking surprised at the revelation in light of how long it had taken him to learn the Anbu patterns.
"I suppose you want to know what it was all about then," Danzou said as close to amused as he ever seemed to get when his plans came to fruition.
"If you don't mind sir, as near as I can tell this mission was a failure."
"True, however you must never forget that we who operate in the shadows have to make sure our moves allow for more than one outcome. For instance, while on the surface this is a failure it succeeded in many respects. It distracted the Hokage and her forces long enough for Torune to make a seemingly small and insignificant file disappear."
"If the file wasn't important couldn't we have simply taken it?" Fu asked.
"Perhaps, but there may have been questions asked if people noticed a blank record. As a result of the Mujina's little rampage we were able to replace the record with something trivial without arousing suspicion. But again that was merely where the mission succeeded. Granted had the Mujina survived it would have been a grander success, but depending on where the file leads we may gain something far more valuable."
"What was in the file?"
"A report about the Kyuubi's chakra that blanketed the village after its rampage," Danzou said but seeing Fu was confused clarified, "Or more accurately it detailed sections of the village that should have been covered but weren't, almost like someone gathered it up."
"I understand," Fu said, "And whoever gathered it up may have turned it into a weapon."
"Exactly," Danzou said allowing a corner of his lip to rise in an effigy of a smile, "A weapon that given time Root will find and harness. But even in failure this mission served the added purpose of protecting our home from a threat that those that think like Sarutobi would have otherwise left for me to deal with later. Better to have Tsunade clean it up for me and had the mujina survived it would undoubtedly have eventually needed to seek me out to help it against the combined might of Konoha. Which would thereby, secure me another ally to throw against the nine-tail Jinchuriki."
Fu wasn't surprised at the many facets of Danzou's plan. Bowing his head he asked, "What are my orders Lord Danzou?"
"For now I want you, Dajimu, and Tera to begin searching for who gathered the Kyuubi chakra. Begin by looking at the old traveler's logs."
Acknowledging his orders, Fu left Danzou to stare out the window of his study confident that whatever it was the missing chakra was being used for would one day be used to move his ambition forward.
Kurenai was picking through her apartment as the sun fell over the village. Anko had just left having helped for most of the day. Anko had also been giving her a hard time as well. As the jounin had said upon seeing Kurenai's apartment, "Just because you weren't able to find a man didn't mean you had to burn down our home."
Kurenai had accepted the ribbing good naturedly, but was glad when Anko finally called it quits for the night as it meant she would enjoy some quiet. Although there was quite a bit of damage the apartment was repairable and most of her more treasured possessions had been stored in her safe. Walking into the living room where most of the damage was she moved to her window. As she looked out of it she saw Gai walking on his hands. Raising an eyebrow at the jounin especially in light of how much he had done during the day she decided to talk to him.
Gai was on his seventeenth circuit through the village when he saw a pair of beautiful legs blocking his path. Following them up to the equally beautiful face of Kurenai he flipped back to his feet resting on his haunches and asked, "Kurenai, what is it I can help you with."
Smiling at the seemingly inexhaustible man she said, "I was curious as to what you are doing out here. Surely after the day we've had, training is the last thing you need."
Standing Gai said while giving his impossibly white smile, "I suppose normally I would agree with you. However before all this craziness started I was in the middle of this exercise since I did not manage to score a second date."
"Okay," Kurenai replied, "but don't you think fighting your way up a tower excludes you from it."
Giving a thumbs up, Gai said, "When a man goes around strutting like a peacock the least he can do is honor his word. I promised to do twenty laps if I failed to garner a second date and should honor the bargain I made with myself."
Hearing pretty much how she wanted Asuma to act when he had said they would talk Kurenai said, "Gai wait. It really isn't necessary."
Gai having already returned to his handstand turned and asked, "What do you mean Kurenai?"
With cheeks blushing she knelt down in front of Gai saying, "Well to be honest I was considering giving you my information but didn't because of what I had with Asuma. However, this whole affair has highlighted quite a few things I was unhappy with…That isn't quite right as I was unhappy before which is why I was at that dating circuit. I guess what I'm saying is would you like to go out with me sometime?"
Dropping back down Gai said, "Really Kurenai you don't need to feel bad for me as…"
"It isn't that," Kurenai said, "You're passionate and sure of yourself. You care greatly for those around you and you deal with everything head on."
"I would be honored," Gai said without any of his usual boastfulness mixed in, "But perhaps we should wait till Asuma returns so you can clarify your position with him."
Kurenai was again surprised with Gai; since it was obvious he was giving Asuma another chance to set things right with her. Kurenai nodded her head so Gai said, "Well then Kurenai. I'll wait to hear from you one way or the other."
He began walking away on his hands again causing Kurenai to just shake her head. She figured he was simply the type that once he started a task he always saw it through to the end. Watching him disappear around a corner she couldn't help but think that was a great quality for any man to possess. Turning she began heading back in since she would be staying with Anko while her apartment was being rebuilt, but before she entered the building she found herself looking in the direction Gai had disappeared.