Chapter 2: Gathering of the Maidens 2
Land of Water
At a luxurious palace deep in the city of Misty Jewel a woman in her early 30's of prodigiously long auburn hair rested on a massive bed of soft cushions and silky sheets. She was of fair faced and gifted with a very feminine luscious body that any man would lust after.
Dressed in a sea green dress the woman rolled lazily on her body to observe the rising sun through the closed window slits and knew that soon her daily routine would begin anew.
She got up and as in cue a loud knock to her door made her turn already guessing who was on the other side.
"Lady Mei, time for your morning training session" said her retainer Ao.
"Yeah, yeah…Give me a moment" replied the still drowsy Mei Terumi, self-proclaimed Lady of Water
Mei approached her large mirror and after clearing the bangs of hair from her face noticed with some satisfaction that it didn't sport any wrinkles of signs of age that marred the beauty of a maiden in time.
And though aging graciously was part of growing old, for Mei Terumi that was something that wouldn't do…at least while she was still single and without children!
Quickly getting dressed, applying makeup and doing her hair, Mei stepped out of her room and followed Ao to the training arena.
Mei Terumi had been working so far to achieve a great feat many would find daunting and that was the unification of the Land of Water as a single country and though she had invested almost half of her life to accomplish it, she realized that she stood at a road block of sorts.
Much of the country's territory belonged to her now but crucial spots of it remained under the domain of the ever rebellious and belligerent Swordsmen. And those bowed to no one despite bribes or threats and constantly fought her or one another for little gain.
Now that she had reached 30 she realized that her dream was a fleeting one for on not having taken a proper husband before and concentrating so much power on her, she had failed to produce a lasting dynasty that could survive her.
And that pesky fact made all her efforts and the work of a lifetime useless unless something special happened.
And to her the coming tournament for the Land of Whirlpools Queen's Crown to finally unite her Land and admittedly dream further…with a stunning visage of a mid-20's year old girl.
Getting to the training arena she noticed the nervous looking shape of her youngest retainer Chojuro who seemed like wanting to sprint from there.
Liking the young man's always nervous demeanor, Mei advanced on him with a predatory look and lifting her golden smoking pipe "Dragon" to her lips she said "Well Chojuro? Ready for some sparring time?"
Chojuro blushed at her tone and lifting his Hiramekarei yelped when from the golden pipe a drop of hot lava fell to the floor making a hole.
The Land of Rain
The Land of Rain was known for two very distinct characteristics. One being a land that for its geography, never ceased to have rains throughout the year and the other for being the bloody battleground of many wars among the greater Lands that surrounds it.
Local legend says that because of all the bloodshed the gloomy land has suffered the gods in the sky never ceased to cry for it.
The people of this country were sour people too used to tragedy and though it sported at times some measure of strength, it always fell prey to the power of greater ones.
Today those dark skies accompanied the sobbing of a young maiden struck with sadness who in a small cottage made company for an ill man.
Said man was pale beyond healthy and his complexion reminded one of the skeletons found on the Land's many forgotten battlegrounds.
The man managed to open his eyes and gently groped the woman's blue hair and say "Just a little longer Konan…I can endure that much still"
"But Nagato…" began to say Konan just noticing the hand on her head and grimacing at the fact that she couldn't feel his hand on her.
"This is something you need Konan, so go ahead and put that demon's power for good use already" said Nagato cupping Konan's fair face and sighing at the strange unwarm texture of her skin.
Konan retreated from Nagato's hand knowing what he must have felt and she herself couldn't
"I promise that I won't only get rid of this curse but save you and give you your proper place in this world Nagato" pledged the girl removing all sadness from her voice.
Nagato smiled weakly and said "It would suffice with you getting back at that Origami demon, Konan"
"It's time Konan…" suddenly said a tall orange haired man from the door.
"Be sure to wait for me Nagato…" said Konan casting one last glance at the form of her stricken friend.
"Don't worry, I still have enough fight in me" replied Nagato giving her his best encouraging smile.
Land of Rice Fields
Nearby a rundown village of less than reputable characters in a patch of trees the sounds of a small clash could be heard.
In the middle of a small clear a young girl with bright orange hair in a long mane with a short pony tail and two bangs covering her face spun around with outstretched arms and hands.
From her finger tips long barely visible threads followed her dragging different weapons and tools in them making a storm of steel.
From the tree tops several shuriken and kunai shot towards her with great speed, but the unfazed girl moved her arms around using her bound weapons to deflect many of the incoming threats and using unused threads to catch others.
She then twisted her fingers and the threads threw back every tool and weapon at hidden targets among the trees.
Seeing that she was done with the training, she flopped down to the ground sighing making the threads coil back on her.
"Great work Sasame! You finally got it down!" said a girl of lime green hair, pale skin and blue eyes landing in front of Sasame.
Sasame looked up and said "Thanks Kagero but it was brutal! I never tried so many at the same time"
Kagero laughed at that and replied "Oh don't worry Sasame, you got this in your pocket! Those girls at the tournament won't know what hit them!"
Sasame laughed lightly and said "Sure hope so…"
Kagero sat down next to her and said "So it's finally time huh?"
"Yeah, time to bring back the Fuma clan back to prominence!" exclaimed Sasame with fire in her eyes.
"Where we ever that prominent?" wondered Kotohime bringing Sasame spirits down.
The reason for that was that though the Fuma clan was widely known for its expert use of Threads in combat and some ninja seals, the trait that truly distinguished them from other clans was how unlucky they were and how that luck have affected them in history.
Dogs catching them, sneezing during infiltration, wounding themselves, and at one infamous occasion wrongfully infiltrating the manor of an employer instead of its rivals'.
"Don't worry Sasame! I am sure that you winning the tournament will turn things around!" said Kagero
At a Dango Shop next to a Road
Sitting on a bench outside a Dango shop on a road lost in some country a woman of dark purple hair, light brown eyes, fair skin and a very luscious body, stood going through her twentieth stick of the apparently delicious treat.
"Man! Dango has to be up there with sex and money among the best stuff on this world" loudly stated the girl making some of the patrons direct her dirty glances.
Some men on the road heard that and laughed loudly at that and with confident air approached her admiring the scantily dressed girl who looked more like a courtesan.
The woman observed them and with a half-smile stretched back pushing out her quite large breasts forward which were in turn encased around a dark red strapless small top while her legs were encased in dancer like burnt yellow pants.
This attire showed her belly and left little to imagination making the men exchange knowing glances with one another thinking that tonight they would be able to score despite being in such a unremarkable place.
The leading man, rough looking, broad shouldered and somewhat scarred walked up front and said "Glad to know girl, we happen to be good in the sack and have enough money to make it worth your time"
The girl opened a single eye and observed that this was likely a band of mercenaries but judging their size and current location guessed that they lined their pockets with banditry every now and then when returning home.
"If I were paid for every time I heard men saying that I would be rich by know. Scram you ugly morons, I can tell miles away you know nothing of how to please a woman and if you had any money you would be wearing better armor and riding horses" said Anko eyeing them all with a confident demeanor.
This riled up the men who circled the girl making the other patrons turn away from what they knew was likely to happen in moments.
The leader still trying to sound a bit charming said "Listen missy, we do have money on us and we are much worn from the campaigning. We can make this worth your while so don't give us further trouble"
Seeing that indeed the Leader's coin bag was quite stuffed the girl licked her lips and said "Fine, give me the money there and I'll let you go unscathed"
Losing his patience the leader made for the blade on his belt but upon feeling a sharp sting on it withdrew his hand and his eyes went wide when attached to it was a small brown skinned snaked.
The man screamed and shook his arm making the snake fall off and land on the woman's lap where she approached a hand and it coiled around it gently.
The other men made to move but a raised hand from the girl stopped them and she said "Better move slowly guys, my pretties don't like rough men"
At that they looked down and saw a multitude of snakes writhing around their feet and some already coiled around their legs and arms.
Seeing this the men panicked and that compelled the snakes to start biting them making for quite a gruesome show as the poison brought them down one by one.
Once all men were on the ground the woman stood up smiling at the small snak on her wrist and said "Don't worry guys, you won't die…soon that is"
The semi paralyzed men looked at her with horror but barely able to move at all.
"Now I am going to take all of your money for I have quite a journey ahead of me and I would enjoy it more if I can make it a luxurious one" said the man slightly twisting her hand making several snakes seek out and retrieve their money pouches.
Once emptying the smelly bags into her snake skinned one she turned to the store owner who was trembling by the entrance and threw him several coins and a vial with a white liquid in it.
"That's an antidote for my pretties old man, be sure to give it to them before sunrise or you'll have quite a number of graves to dig. I would also take the weapons away from them if I were you, they don't seem very friendly folk" said the woman starting to walk away as somehow all the snakes she brought had disappeared already without a trace.
Walking away she looked at the moon and its pale color reminded her of an unpleasant character in her life.
Rubbing a tattoo on her neck she said aloud "Just wait a little longer you bastard! Anko Mitarashi will give you what you so richly deserve very soon"
The Sound Kingdom (Far to the North in the Land of Rice Fields)
In the far north of the Land of Rice Fields lies a large fortress that was once envisioned by the Lord of the Land as a bastion from which to attack neighboring lands and deter invaders but since his murder at the hands of renowned villain it was turned into something else entirely.
The Fortress and its adjacent lands made for a tiny country which main source of income was all manner of criminal enterprise.
Forbidden substances, women, slaves, mercenaries, assassins and spies made the backbones of such a place.
But all those things were means to a loftier end that only its ruler could device in his twisted mind.
And such ruler observed how a girl of long black straight hair sounded some cymbals and bells attached to her body making several men in front ot her writhe in pain, others be unable to stand again and other lose control of their bodily functions.
"So cruel and yet so clean" hissed the man enjoying the bizarre show.
Only until their ears began to bleed did the man sounded a gong making the girl stop all her motions and give the men a respite.
From the balcony the man called "Kin, be so kind as to join me"
The girl turned around and bowing began to make her way to the balcony where her liege awaited.
Reaching it she immediately took a knee and said "I am here as you requested Lord Orochimaru"
"I assume your training is complete?" asked the man in his usual hissing voice which the girl guessed was how snakes would speak if they could.
"Yes my Lord, I have mastered all aural attack and defense skills available. I am as ready as I can possibly be" replied the girl without looking up.
"Then you'll be departing along Dosu and Zaku to the Land of Whirlpools to claim the Queen's crown. I hope you haven't forgotten what the use you'll give it is" said Orochimaru making the girl visibly unsettled.
"I-I remember my Lord!" hurriedly said the girl trying to keep her composure.
"Excellent young one…Now leave and remember what awaits you should you fail" declared Orochimaru making the girl get up quickly and leave even faster his presence.
Orochimaru then looked out the balcony and said "Well there's always that other pawn available if things go awry…"
In a Cave at the Land of Rice Fields
"So you are going huh?" spoke a man with four arms eating a bowl of soup recently served.
"Damn right I am! And I am winning!" barked back a red headed girl with a cap over her head.
"You sure you have it in you?" asked large man serving the bowls of soup for his companions.
"Want me to trash you morons all over the place again?" spat back the girl finishing her bowl and using her sleeve to wipe her mouth.
Two men laughed as one and said "You sure are strong but I shudder to think what your future husband will think of your manners, least your looks!"
That made the men in the room share a short laughter that was cut short by loud coughing from the unlit back of the rather well furnished cave.
The girl had wanted to unleash her powers then and there to teach those guys a lesson regarding how to speak to a "lady" like her but like the others her voice went silent at the sound of the pained coughing.
"So…think you really have a chance?" asked the four armed man sounding almost worried.
"I do…For vengeance and a future I'll vanquish anything and anyone…" replied the woman sounding equally serious.
The other men nodded and continued their meals in silence.
The Land of Noodles
"Three servings of Pork Ramen coming up!" shouted a spirited girl from the kitchen of a crowded Ramen restaurant.
From the swinging doors of the Kitchen a young girl of brown hair and black eyes leaped into the ceiling and from there threw three bowls of steaming Ramen right in front of their requesters earning claps from everyone gathered who took the chance to ask for more bowls.
The girl heard all this and with darting eyes went to the bar where her father had already placed the orders and with multiple jumps and pirouettes delivered all bowls with ninja like precision.
"Hey Ayame, is it true you are competing at the Uzumaki Tournament?" asked one of the patrons over the roar of people in the restaurant.
Ayame took the chance to stop and say "That's right folks! I'll be leaving tomorrow for the Land of Whirlpools!"
"Why marry one of those jerks? Marry me! You just have to beat my wife!" said one of the patrons roar in laughter and slam hands on the table to signal their approval.
Ayame shared in the laughter and said "A well fed man is a happy man and a happy ruler will make for a happy world! Not to mention that with him I'll be able to create the definite Ramen!"
That made many men moan their objection over seeing their favorite cook leave to marry someone else but they all recognized the truth that with her as Queen the world could breathe easily for a while and maybe see their joyous country prosper a bit more.
Noticing their falling mood Ayame placed her hands on her hips and said "So you guys better enjoy tonight and give me a proper farewell!"
The men roared their approval and went on to order even more of their favorite meal.
Tanzaku Town
"Lady Tsunade please…" whined a short black haired woman at an angry looking light blonde woman with brown eyes.
"Silence Shizune! I got this!" snapped Tsunade slapping Shizune's hand away.
The woman saw how a man shook a wooden vase where something rattled inside and many people looked with unblinking eyes.
Then the man brought the vase down and as one all the witnesses shouted "Pairs!" or "Odds!"
Tsunade roared "Pairs!"
The man removed the vase and underneath a set of dice marked a 3 and a 2 making it an Odd number.
"Lady Tsunade!" whined Shizune seeing how the betting master retrieved their last coins from in front of them.
Tsunade bit her thumbnail and said "Crap! I was sure it was a Pair number! Alright, next time is my lucky try. Shizune hand me over some money!"
Sniffling Shizune said "That's what I was trying to say Lady Tsunade that was our last money…How we are supposed to pay for the journey to the Land of Whirlpools?"
Tsunade seemed unfazed and said "No biggie Shizune! We just need to ask for a new loan and we will be set to go"
As in cue several well-dressed men stormed the betting den with dozens of armed rough looking behind them and they all converged on Tsunade and Shizune while the other gamblers scurried away as to not get caught up in trouble.
"Thinking of asking for another Loan Legendary Sucker?" growled a man with a patched eye.
Tsunade and Shizune gulped as if being caught red handed in the cookie jar and turning with apologetic smiled said "No, of course not"
The man barely smiled and said "Good, then you can pay for the money you already owe us, correct?"
Tsunade stood up twisting her neck slightly and giving Shizune a meaningful look she turned and rubbing her heads said "Yeah, about that, you see I have been in a slump as of late and was thinking if you could give me another week I will pay you all good gentleman back with interest"
The man sighed and forming a crooked smile roamed Tsunade's body with his good eye and said "I am afraid that we can't give you any more extensions and we will have you work up the money"
Tsunade caught on to his intention and sighing she crossed her arms under her generous breasts saying "And how do you propose I repay the money?"
The men ogled the woman's quite famous bosom and failed to notice Shizune going over to a large case by the wall of the gambling den.
"W-Well you must know how women pay for debts on their names…but I am quite certain you'll recover the money in no time. Now, don't give us trouble and accompany us" said the man already knowing how he would get some of his money's worth.
Tsunade smiled mischievously and walking while swaying her hips she stood in front of the man and slowly putting a finger against his forehead she said "I am afraid I am all trouble for you guys"
With that she flicked him on the forehead and sent the man crashing against a wall while the rest observed with stunned wide eyes.
It didn't took them long to recover though and as one pulled blades and daggers from their clothes while their henchmen moved forward with more weapons of their own.
Tsunade grinned at that and said "Oh great! Look Shizune, sparring partners for you!"
"What?" asked the first men and soon went silent when from the Gambling Den stepped out Shizune clad in a white armor the hugged her body tightly. The armor though looked like a metallic nurse uniform.
Her face was covered with a white armored mask that covered only her mouth and nose while her head had a cute metallic nurse cap with a red cross on it.
But what made the men gulp was the lance size scalpel she was holding and soon twisted with great skill before lunging for them with a sharp "Aiiii!"
While Shizune made short work of the Loan Sharks, Tsunade returned to the deserted Gambling Den where she would "collect" the funds they needed for the long journey ahead.
Kingdom of Rock
"Come on you curs! Is that all you can do?!" shouted an excited black haired woman with pink eyes and clad in Red and Brown robes, as she landed in the middle of an arena slamming the haft of a large deep red pole into the ground shattering the ground around her and making it sprout upwards in several walls where many arrows missed their mark.
The girl spun around the pole and as it crushed the walls the pieces became conic missiles that shot back at the archers that tried to turn her into a pin cushion.
The conic missiles struck the archers and since they were empty simply gave them staggering blows without killing them.
Knowing the training was over the girl spun the pole again and striking the ground made the blasted arena return to normal.
"I see your geomancy is at its peak Kurotsuchi…at least for your age that is" commented a short and visibly very old man with a gruffly voice while stroking a white beard.
"Then you are ready to hand over the crown right?" replied the girl making the old man send him a sharp glance that softened with a sigh.
"You'll have to wait on that one sometime kid, there's a greater one to take first" commented the old turning around and signaling the woman to follow him.
"Yeah, yeah…The Uzumaki crown as to use the powers to conquer the whole of the Land of Earth and ensure your dynasty" said Kurotsuchi mimicking the older man behind his back.
The man turned his head with sharp eyes etched in his aged face and said "Just remember that if you fail me then you won't have to bother with returning here"
That sobered the otherwise disrespectful girl and she just nodded with a lump in her throat.
Kingdom of Clouds
In a kingdom surrounded by peculiarly sharp mountains deep in the Land of Lightning the clashing sounds of three combatants could be heard over the morning mist that covered the city early in the morning.
A woman of blonde hair, crystal blue eyes and generously large breasts dodged with ease the wild swings from a brown skinned red haired girl with no chest to speak off…
The angry looking red head did her best to slash at the supremely calm blonde and could help but have her eye twitch at the ease with which she eluded her despite the extra luggage on her front.
"You have to cool down Karui, you are losing your form there" said the blonde sidestepping a desperate slash from the red head and bringing her own blade down to graze the skin of her opponent sending mild electrical shocks through her.
The red head collapse slightly over feeling some of her muscles cramp due to the electrical discharge.
Still the blonde quickly retreated as another opponent brought back his blade in a more controlled manner though the man seemed to quickly sadden at failing his surprise attack.
"Omoi, don't be deflated over failing once. Keep it cool and keep trying!" said the woman bringing her own blade to a defending position.
The white haired brown skinned man turned with sad eyes and said "It's only that it's unfair that you can move with those things in front of you. Karui here lacks them and still is slower than you"
A second later Karui got up and punched the back of Omoi's head saying "Stop saying such stupid things you overthinking moron!"
Seeing that her sparring partners were about to go on another of their very uncool tirades, the woman sheathed her blade and went to a bench where cool water awaited her.
"Yo Samui, how's my beloved student doing today? Is it all hurray? Or all boo…hey?" asked a large blonde, brown skinned man with shades and Eight short blades sheathed across his armor.
Samui immediately stood up and bowed saying "Greetings Master Bee, my training is over and I am cool to say that I am ready for the tournament"
The man moved his hands in a funny manner and said "That's great to hear, I'll be sure to cheer!"
At that another large Blonde, brown skinned man stepped next to Bee and in a gruff voice said "It is indeed good news to hear your training is complete Samui. But much rests on your shoulders I am afraid"
"I coolly understand my Lord A. I shall attain the Uzumaki Crown and return to strengthen our Kingdom and unite the Land of Lightning under your banner" replied Samui still bowing.
A turned and said "Indeed, ever since those traitors Kinkaku and Ginkaku betrayed our former ruler the Land of Lightning has been wracked with conflict and death leaving us dangerously exposed to invasions and our resources more constrained than ever"
Samui nodded at her instructions and quickly left to prepare for the journey ahead.
Weeks Later
At the Whirling Tides port a number of barges approached with slow speed as the dawn breaks the night.
A large crowd of curious people, guards and traders were waiting at the docks for such an occasion brought a slew of tourists and representatives of different kingdoms all around the world.
Some of the barges approaching had banners that pointed their lands or kingdoms of origin whereas others looked like regular transports that didn't come from any particular kingdom.
Naruto along with Hinata and Ten-Ten observed the incoming ships in silence until the man said "So, someone on one of those ships is going to become my wife huh?"
That made Hinata frown and Ten-Ten sigh.
Author's Note: End of Chapter 2. I would like to thank Tachman who is working as very fast BETA for this story and for his many contributions to it. Please Read and Review!