LIES LOVE AND BETRAYAL
Greetings from the void!
Well just want to apologize for the wait, had a bit of writers block slowing me down but I'm pleased with what I've got in store for you all. Enjoy
Chapter 6: Toxin
"The hell do you mean you helped your brother design the steam armor?!" Han retorted as he leaned over the counter top that separated him and the craftsmen known as Kuja.
"So you're not only deaf, you're stupid too?" Kuja replied curtly, "I mean just what I said. The man who gave you that armor was named, Yoshimaru, right?"
"Yes, and with the money I had to pay him I could have purchased a whole village."
Kuja stroked his bearded chin, "Sounds like my family, alright. I didn't think he'd ever actually manage to perfect it. How did he overcome the water-to-heat-to-pressure ratio problem we were having?"
"Well, when the self contained furnace wasn't exploding or melting the best ratio he discovered was 2-2-1. But even that wasn't stable enough. He managed to make it work by only having the furnace preforming one of the tasks, in this case; heat. Then its was up to the user to incorporate water element only when needed. It allows for less stress on the furnace and optimal control of the produced steam." Han explained with a rather long winded reply.
Naruko and Fū, who stood just a few steps away, were not only feeling left out on this conversation but even Fū was beginning to feel stupid. She didn't like that one little bit.
Kuja nodded, absorbing the information, "hhmm I can't believe we didn't think of that sooner. Probably because we were trying to make an armor that could make a common man as dangerous as the strongest shinobi. Guess he just compromised with an armor that made shinobi even stronger. He always was one for... compromises." he said.
"Well as lovely as it is to be left completely out of the conversation at hand, I have a question for you Kuja" Fū suddenly jumped in.
Kuja directed his attention to the mint-haired girl, "Oh? and what would that be?"
"Do you know of any places we might be able to find more work?" Fū questioned.
The craftsmen tapped his chin before turning to Han, "Yoshimaru is still alive isn't he?"
Han nodded, "Last time I saw him he said he was going to the Tsuru no Kuni(Vine Country). That was a little over a year ago though."
Kuja nodded, "hhmmm I suppose I could try burying the hatchet with my little brother." He said before pulling out a piece of paper and pen. He began to write on the paper and after a few minutes he folded it up and sealed it inside of an envelope before handing it to Fū.
"Am I to assume you want us to hunt him down and give that note to him?" Han asked as he pointed to the letter.
"Yes" Kuja said before pulling another pouch of money out of seemingly nowhere and handed it to them, "His full name is Takata Yoshimaru. He's likely established himself as some manor of merchant in Tsuru.
"Alright then!" Naruko finally spoke up again.
"Deliver a message, simple enough." Fū said.
"Yeah... what's the worst that could happen?" Naruko asked as she shrugged.
Six days had passed since the Jinchuuriki had left Kuja's establishment for the valley country. And this was a trip that-in order to avoid Naruko's capture-they had to trek their way north westaround the fire country. After leaving Yu no Kuni, they traveled through the Rice Field country, Forest country, Waterfall country, and to save time they even cut through the southern boarder of the earth country, until they finally came to a small country nestled between The Earth and Wind countries.
Tsuru no Kuni was mostly uninhabited save for two large trade cities-one for trade with the Earth country and the other for trade with the wind Country-and one city between them where the countries Daimyou resided.
The whole country was true to its name and covered in large and small vines alike. They sprawled the floral mountain scape of the whole country. About ten miles further west of the cities, was a vast wilderness of gray crags, archtree's and "everlasting" vines. A land that few dared to tread. It had claimed over a thousand people who tried to tame it in the last century. Amateur explorers, mountain men, and experienced shinobi alike.
The skies above were prone to unpredictable weather. This was made clear as rain drizzled down across the country. The trio finally had found the central city of Baishu, twenty miles from the eastern boarder with the Earth Country. The city was protected by a massive wall armed to the teeth with ballista's, cannons, and various other defenses. it sat surrounded by cliffs leaving only its northern gate, the one and only way, in and out of the city.
They approached the large metal gates. Two guards posted on the ground and guards in towers and on the wall around them.
Naruko came to a stop to awe at the impressive size of the walls and gates to this city, "whhhooaaa."
"That's impressive even by my standards." Han said as his eyes trailed up and down the massive wall.
"Yeah-yeah, now lets just go in and see if we can find Kuja's brother." Fū said uncaringly.
She walked towards the gate and the two guards stepped in front of her, "State your name and business in the city of Baishu." One guard said calmly, almost apathetically.
"Name's Fū and we're looking for a friend of ours. What's it to you?" Fū put her hands on her waist as she glared at them.
The guard simply held out his hand as if expecting something. Fū raised her eyebrow and shook his hand "Yeah, hi, can you let us in now?" she said and she let go of his hand.
The mans eyes slowly trailed down to his hand then back to the mint-haired girl, clearing his throat, "...your admission fee please? 2500 ryo per person for adults and shinobi, 2000 ryo for children." she said, trying to remain apathetic, but a bit of irritation was still obvious.
"WHAT?!" Both Naruko and Fū shouted in unison.
"Your total would be 7500 ryo for all of you." The other guard chimed in, "No money, no entrance."
"You charge an admission fee!?" Fū blurted out.
"For a CITY?!" Naruko chimed in, equally irritated.
Fū continued to rant, "What the fucking hell kinda bull shi-" but she was interrupted by the first guard.
"Baishu law 001-paragraph 4; EVERY Non-citizen is to pay an admission fee plus an entrance tax and guest tax before admission is allowed into Baishu."
"That's absurd!" Fū barked, "An 'entrance tax'? What the fuck is that?!"
"It costs money to open these massive gates, and your wasting our time which also cost money. If you have a problem with the fee you may purchase citizenship for 12,000 ryo per person in which you would only ever have to pay an entrance or exit tax." The guard said, retaining his apathetic posture well.
"I'm not gonna pay you so I can live at a place where you have to pay to go or enter!" Naruko yelled.
"Irrelevant! If you three wish to enter it will cost you 7500 ryo. Take it or leave it!" The other guard said assertively.
"Fine! Geeze, Kuja didn't even pay us that much to find his brother." Fū said. Before pulling out a couple pouches of money, counting it and giving them 7500 ryo. The guard took the money and walked over to a drop box, opened it up and dropped the money in.
"Thank you for contribution to the welfare of Baishu city. Have a wonderful evening." The apathetic guard said before the two each stepped over to a chain hanging from either side, they both pulled their respective chains and a loud unlocking noise could be heard.
"Three to enter!" The guard shouted up to the towers.
"Three to enter!" The guards In the towers repeated before they began cranking large wheels like an expert labor force. Another unlocking sound was heard.
"Three to enter!" Guards in the basements of the towers shouted as they stood next to large steam engines, before grabbing a lever and pulling hard.
The ground began to vibrate as steam shot out of the doors creases. The massive gates began to ever so slowly open up. They came to a stop no wider open than two feet.
Han pushed the two girls forward despite their desire to stay back and protest the ridiculousness.
After passing through the gates they closed as slowly as they had opened.
"I can't believe we had to PAY them to come in here and they didn't even open the gate all the way for us." Naruko growled as she crossed her arms
"A perfect example of one of the reasons I despise human beings." Han said as he repositioned his hand back into the opening of his gi, "However this city is quite spectacular."
The trio took a second look at the city. What they saw was by far the most illustrious city any of them had seen in their lives. Massive buildings, bright lights, the hectic hustle and bustle of the town even in the mild rain they were experiencing.
"I'll give them that, but still... an admission fee? C'mon!" Fū whined.
"We'll survive." Han said calmly
"Well I guess we can look at it this way... this would be the perfect place to get some work don't you think?" Naruko said.
"Yeah, that's the only reason I paid." Fū replied.
"So... where do we start?" Naruko asked.
The trio had rented some rooms at an Inn and began their search.
They split up and began searching the streets. Naruko was walking south for few before she came to an abrupt halt. She saw a sign that she was hoping to see. Nothing to do with Takata Yoshimaru. You see she had ulterior motives. She wanted some frigging Ramen before she did ANYTHING.
The sign she stared at was a god send. So she enter the shop and approached the busy bar stand.
The man approached the young woman and looked at her, "What can I get you?"
"Ramen, miso pork, Three bowls, now." She said eagerly.
"Quite an appetite, coming right up." the man said before he walked away.
After a few moments of enduring the hunger pains the man brought out her food and placed it in front of her, "Enjoy."
"I intend to! but first I want to ask you something." She said.
"Depends on the question I suppose."
"Do you know a man named Takata Yoshimaru?" she asked. before digging into her food.
"Oh you mean that super genius engineer guy that built the gates and most of our steam powered machines!" The guy said, "I don't know him personally, kinda glad I didn't since he went into the Dreadlands a month ago and hasn't come back."
"The Dreadlands?" Naruko asked with a full mouth as she slurped down the noodles.
"Yeah, you must be new around here if you don't know this stuff. The Dreadlands are the nickname of the deep wilderness ten miles west of here. Its a dangerous uncharted valley that spans the rest of the country. People go there and most don't come back. Those that do come back, never go there again."
Naruko drank down the last of her ramen and put the empty bowl down, "Ahh. thanks for the info!" Naruko said dropping some money on the tabling and dashing out to go find Han and Fū.
The man looked at the three empty bowls and chuckled, "Quite an appetite indeed."
She new Fū was searching the east part of the city and she couldn't have gotten too far yet.
Naruko jogged through the streets expertly dodging the people, until she say Fū talking to a merchant.
She ran up in time to hear her mint haired friend shout, "You want 800 ryo for one apple? Are you frigging kidding me? and another 1000 just to hear a rumor?"
"Well step into my shop here and maybe we can arrange a more... personal payment." The merchant said as he eyed her with a smirk. A smirk that was immediately corrected with a fist to the face that sent him into the wall and knocked him out cold.
"Fucking pervert!" Fū growled.
"Nice shot!" Naruko said
The mint haired girl turned to her friend, "Didn't see you there, shouldn't you be looking for info? I can't get anything from anyone without them wanting money or sex!"
"Really? I found out something pretty easy when I ordered ramen. The guy said Takata Yoshimaru was the one whose responsible from the steam powered machines but he went missing a month ago in a place to the west of here called the Dreadlands." Naruko explained.
"Fair enough, we tried oh well, lets get the heck outta this city." Fū said.
"No we gotta find him, he might be in trouble." Naruko protested.
"Why?" Fū said, "I was asking for some rumors and the one I paid for was that the Dreadlands are a hell hole that sane people avoid."
"I know but we should do it for the clients. We do have a message to deliver right? What kind of example would we set for other potential clients? That we give up if its a bit dangerous?" Naruko said sternly.
Fū's eye twitched, "ooo, she's smart. If we show people we can follow through with more advanced missions that original predicted. In a place like this where rumors are worth money that would spread like wildfire. We might even be able to get settled here permanently, in business for ourselves." she thought.
"I doubt the girls mind was quite on those lines. Only YOUR brain works quite like that, little Larva."
The girls quickly flew to find Han. The next day, they would leave the city for the Dreadlands...
Heat radiated down from the booming sun as Naruko and the others worked their way west. Following the large roots to the wilderness in the distance.
"I'm just glad we're out of that city..." Han sighed.
Fū nodded in agreement, "But imagine the opportunities we could have with that city as a connection."
"True. However, I do not share your desires for money..." Han said calmly.
"Yeah-yeah. You're in heaven here aren't you? The ultimate wilderness right?" Naruko turned to Han.
"I have to admit it does hold a significant appeal. It's becoming quite hard to contain Kokuo's desire to explore it." Han said.
"Keep it your pants, we haven't even reached the Dreadlands yet-and are the vines getting bigger?" Fū asked as she came to a stop and looked at the vines. The vines sprawling across the ground around Baishu were no thicker than a common tree branch. But the closer they got to the Dreadlands-where the vines seemed to be coming from-the thicker the vines laying on the ground became. So thick now, it was up to Fū's waist.
"These are some crazy weeds." Naruko said as she began looking around the vines and trees. Many of the large vines were sprouting smaller vines that intertwined with the flora of the mountain-scape.
"They don't call it the Vine Country for nothing." Han said.
Naruko looked through the bushes and plants, seeing the vines interlacing with them, "The vines are in and around everything in this place."
"You'd think they'd be choking the life outta the other plants but they're not." Fū added as she looked around.
"Well I'm not gardener so I couldn't tel-OUCH!" Naruko yelped in pain and jumped back.
Fū whirled around to see Naruko land on her butt holding her shin, "Naruko, you okay?" she asked.
Han stepped next to Naruto and noticed a rather large black scorpion, with two red lines going down its back, crawling along the vine, skittering away.
Naruko hissed in pain, squeezing her leg even tighter, "Ahh! It stung me!"
Han knelt down and pulled Naruko's hands away from the wound. It was about the size of a coin and already beginning to swell and turn purple, "This isn't good, that was a Redback Scorpion. I've seen them in the Earth country before. Unlike most venoms which only have one dominate type of toxin, the Redback's venom causes the effects of both a hemotoxin and neurotoxin." He said as his armor released a jet of steam that he manipulated to flood the wound, this caused Naruko to release a shriek of pain as she latched onto his arm.
"What the hell does that mean?" Fū asked in a slight panic.
"There's only one place to get an antidote... Iwagakure. and she wont last more than an hour. In a few minutes you'll get nauseous, then dizzy as your leg goes numb, then seizures and death." Han said as he worked the steam entering her wound, "Only hope now is to try and pull the venom out with my steam."
"I-I guess its a good thing your here." Naruko said slightly shaking.
"I only know of this because Iwa uses this venom as a poison." Han said.
"Wait this country lives off of trade with your country, could it be possible that they may have some?" Fū asked a bit more worried.
"No. The antidote isn't something they would trade to anyone for anything. Its a top secret, highly controlled substance that isn't easy to make." Han said before stopping the steam, "Damn it. I could only neutralize about half of the venom."
"Wa-wait a minute... are you saying I'm about to die?" Naruko looked at Han with a look of shock and disbelief.
"I'm... sorry. There's nothing I can do." Han said as he picked her up and sat her down under a tree, against the trunk.
"Oh that's bullshit. She's a jinchuuriki, it'll take more than poison to kill her. R-Right?" Fū asked, becoming more and more unconfident about the situation.
"The first Iwa jichuuriki to house Kokuo was assassinated with this poison. When he was crippled and couldn't move they ripped Kokuo out of him and he died." Han said sternly.
"Well fuck that, I'm flying to Iwa and I'm gonna make them give me that antidote!" Fū declared as she sprouted her four wings and lifted off the ground, shooting northward through the sky.
Fū came to a screeching halt suddenly and looked down to see that a steam-empowered Han had jumped up and latched onto her ankle before throwing her straight back to the ground.
As the young female tried to get up she stopped when Han landed inches away, looming over her, "Don't be a fool! If you charged into Iwa like that, they would kill you and steal the Shichibi from your corpse!" He said commandingly.
"So what then? We just sit here and watch her die!?" Fū retorted as she stood up and retracted her wings.
"No, we search the area for any plants and herbs we can use. I might be able to replicate an antidote with the right herbs." Han said.
"Really?" The mint-haired girl asked, regaining some hope.
"Yes now go gather as many herbs as you can, quickly!" Han said and Fū nodded before taking to the air once again.
Han sighed, before the voice of his tenant echoed in his mind, "Han, why did you lie and tell her you might be able to cure the venom? You know you can not do that."
"I couldn't just let her do something stupid like that. And at least with the herbs I can make it as painless for the girl as possible."
The rain started to pick up again as they searched for herbs. Over and hour had gone by and Naruko's condition was worsening, but still she hung on. They had moved her to a small cave away from the rain and started a fire.
Fū landed and retracted her wings, "I couldn't find any more herbs we haven't tried! There's gotta be something you can do Han!" The armor clad man just looked away and down.
"Th-this... sucks." Naruko panted. Her face was flushed red and her breaths was shallow and raspy, "all the crap I survived... Za-Zabuza and Haku, The chunin exams, the for-forest of death, O-Orochimaru... and a stupid bug gets the honor of killing me. I wo-wonder what Shino would say in this situation."
"Hey, don't lump those disgusting creatures in with bugs, scorpions are arachnids, not bugs." Fū corrected her.
"R-Really? Correcting me on something like that in this situation?" Naruko said, one eye closed and her vision began to fade and her shaking became stronger. Then she drifted into unconsciousness.
"She's almost gone..." Han sighed as he stood up, "The only reason she's hung on this long was probably because of the kyuubi's chakra fighting the venom off."
"Damn it." Fū cursed as she turned around and walked outside of the cave into the rain that grew stronger every minute.
"I'm sorry." Han said. "I supposed it was all a silly idea in the end."
Outside, Fū wandered around, punching tree's and kicking bushes, "Damn it. Damn it! Damn it!" She came to a stop near a tree as she felt her throat swell up, her heart beating faster with fear.
The girl cupped her hand around her mouth as she braced herself against the tree, tears began creeping their way out of the corners of her eyes. She dropped to her knees, desperately trying to hold back her cries of pain.
"I Thought, you didn't think of her as a friend, little larva, yet your heart aches for her." The shichibi said from within the girls mind.
"I don't know... I don't know what I feel or what to do to help her!"
"Go back to her. That's all that matters right now."
Fū stood up and wiped the tears and rain water off her face before returning to the cave.
Han turned to her as she entered the cave, Naruko's whole body shivering strongly now. Fū's eyes narrowed in pain at the sight of her friend.
"Figures this happens to me. Some one worth knowing and I lose them."
"I know that pain well." Han said calmly.
The noise of foots steps approaching the cave caused Han and Fū to face the cave, ready to fight. What they saw was a man in a black cloak and hood. He stood there for a second before speaking, "The girls been stung by the Redback scorpion, yes?"
"What's it to you?" Fū asked.
"There's still a chance to save her." The man said.
"H-How?" Fū asked cautiously.
The man reached into his cloak and pulled out a bottle of liquid and tossed it the girl, who promptly examined it while the man pulled out a small pouch that he tossed to Han, "Rub that powdered root and herbs on her wound and have her drink the whole bottle of the that anti-venom. Quickly."
Han opened the pouch and examined the powder before smearing it on Naruko's wound. Fū cautiously turned to Naruko and opened the bottle to pour it into her mouth.
"Now infuse chakra into the powder on her wound." The man instructed.
Han did as instructed and the powder began to glow blue then seemed to be absorbed into the wound, the dark purple and blue color returning to normal, slowly.
Naruko coughed and gagged as the last few drops of the bottle emptied out. Naruko fluttered her eyes open, trying to fight the coughing. "Ahh-wh-what happened? What was that disgusting liquid?"
"I don't know but it seems to be making you better, We have our guest here to thank for tha..." Han stopped himself when he turned and noticed the man was gone. Fū did the same.
"What the hell? Guess he was in a hurry." Fū said.
"Did I miss something?" Naruko asked as she shook her head and sat up.
"No... but that is one fast acting antidote. Even for a Jinchuuriki's standards." Han said, "The wounds healing itself rapidly as well."
"Well I'm just relieved your okay!" Fū said as she hugged Naruko, who blushed and hugged her back.
"I don't know what's going on but I like it!" Naruko said before laying back down.
"That's an odd statement for someone who was just about to die." Han stated.
"I guess I'm just odd." Naruko grinned.
After resting up over night they left early the next morning. The rain never stopped and kept a steady flow.
The trio trekked closer and closer towards the Dreadlands. It took half a day considering flight was out of the question with Han present. They finally crossed into the Dreadlands, many vines now thicker than the biggest of trees.
"This place is what we call overgrown." Fū said as they traversed a massive vine, "We've scaled twenty vines like this in the last hour. Dodged two giant birds of prey, nearly got crushed by a giant centipede that was oblivious to our existence and its been raining for almost two days now!" Her frustration was peeking.
"Ease yourself." Han said.
"If we don't find some sort of evidence of Yoshimaru in the next hour we're turning back. This is just getting old." Fū said.
"Agreed." Han nodded.
"Ahh come one! I don't want to have almost died for nothing!" Naruko whined as she crossed her arms.
"We may not have a choice. This is pure nature at its most primal." Han said. "Even I tread carefully here."
They continued on for a few more hours, despite Fū's protests, dodging danger after danger as the sun went down, the rain never stopping. Now it was a matter of finding some shelter from the rain.
They came to a large cliff that dropped off in a valley that was surrounded by mountains, The valleys tree's were massive and the vines more massive still as they crawled up the cliffs in all dirrections.
"Han, th-this place." Kokuo said from within his host.
"What? What is it?"
"This place... this was my home before I was captured and sealed away, hundreds of years ago."
"Well then, welcome home old friend." Han said.
"Whoa check out that old school feudal mansion in the middle of the valley!" Naruko said as she pointed to the large old structure that was even higher then the trees and vines if only by a bit.
"I say that looks like a good place to find shelter for the night, come on lets go!" Fū said as she waved them along before taking off along the trees and vines. Naruko followed suit and Han merely sighed before he to followed.
It took a few minutes of racing and dodging predators but they made it to the mansion in one piece. They jumped over the large run down walls into the courtyard and towards the old building which had clearly seen better days.
They found their way to large double doors that were the entrance, and pushed them open to go inside. The halls were dark and dank, waiter dripping from a few spots on the ceiling above.
"It's not a grand hotel but it will do for the night." Fū said, "Lets see if we can find some beds."
"Jur vos de'kiel mur roka kel, virtoo kes malki!" They heard a voice echo through the halls loudly. They all sharpened their stance, ready to be ambushed.
"What the hell was that gibberish?" Fū asked.
"heyuk vishka nul set, eeys... eeys."
"Anyone catch any of that?" Naruko asked.
"I supposed it was too much to ask that you'd speak the language of another continent. Must I use this guttural language?!" The voice showed great irritation before they saw the figure of a man drop and hang from the rafters above.
"Who are you?" Naruko asked quickly.
"I could ask you that, you're in MY home after all." He said as he dropped down and landed silently in front of them. "Leave here! you are not welcome!"
Han stopped for a moment, "You're the guy that gave use the antidote."
"You will leave here immediately. None are welcome here." The man said.
"Hey we were just looking for shelter from the rain. We don't want any trouble." Naruko said as she put her hand up.
"Then you will seek shelter elsewhere. NOW!" He ordered.
"Alright, alright, we'll leave" Naruko said as they backed up and headed out the entrance.
"We really just going to leave like that?" Fū whined as she crossed her arms.
"I'm not trying to pick fights with anyone." Naruko said, "I have a plan."
"Oh that's reassuring." Han retorted sarcastically.
They left the building and its protective walls, they continued towards the cliffs and the caves they would bare. within the hour they found their way to a small cave and started a fire.
"Well gee that guy wasn't a very good host." Fū joked as she munched on an apple she stored.
Naruko took a bite of the instant ramen she made "Don't worry, we'll look into it more in the morn-"
BOOM!
An explosion echoed through the valley. The trio jumped to their feet and looked outside the cave to see smoke raising from the direction of the mansion, "What the hell was that?" Han asked.
"One way to find out!" Fū declared and Naruko nodded.
Fū sprouted her wings and lifted Naruko up to fly towards it.
Han rubbed the bridge of his nose, "Never a dull moment." He said before steam shot form his armor and he vanished in a blur.
Fū and Naruko came to landing on the top of the wall protecting the mansion only to see a large group of what appeared to be mercenaries attacking the cloaked man who barred their entrance.
The man was already battle damaged as the mercenaries began surrounding him. With a quick display of taijutsu prowess he disposed of 5 men that charged him.
"Give it up! We want the power inside that mansion that you're protecting!" The apparent leader shouted.
"You will never go near her!" The man shouted before he clapped his hands together, "Kai!" he shouted before green smoke erupted from under his cloak and expanded.
Han's eyes widened, as he landed on the wall. Naruko and Fū went pale as they saw a the creature in front of them.
A massive black scorpion as big as a building with razor sharp pincers, black exoskeleton, two thick red stripes going down its back and a long tail was like that of any scorpions expect that it was not tipped with a stinger, but the head of a cobra, its fan plumed and its fangs bared.
NEXT CHAPTER:
The jinchuuriki get involved in the battle for the mansion
What is this scorpion?
There ya go folks hope you liked it. Sorry bout the wait.
'Till next time this is Damiad signing off from the void!