Chapter 8: Recovery & Recovered

"Three months and one week," Shouta said as he poured me some tea. I merely blink as I look at my, apparently, new ceiling. "You've given everyone a scare…" I wanted to tell him that he already said that many times but I've been told to not talk and I don't want to get scolded again. But I understand where he's getting at. It's been an extremely long time and I could tell the morale of the clan has decreased since I've been gone.

Apparently, they had decided to move the compound's location when I was captured. They didn't know if I'd ever come back but they knew it wasn't safe where they were, so they moved a month after I hadn't returned. Unfortunately, during the time they were moving, the Shimura attacked, killed a few Kireha and captured poor, my poor Kemu. After they had attacked and Kemu was captured, a new sense of motivation and despair seemed to ignite within the clan and they went full exploration mode to find the Shimura clan.

I'm still not too sure how they found the Shimura compound, but apparently Keno-sama asked the Akimichi who asked the Nara, and the Nara ended up helping the Kireha locating the Shimura. Then something about using birds with the Yamanaka and using dogs to help track down the Shimura compound. They explained some stuff but a lot of details escaped me. Whatever, in the end it seemed like the Shimura did something bad to the Nara so the Nara ended up helping us. So there was an attack on the Shimura compound by the Kireha, Nara and a few Akimichi, the Yamanaka didn't want to partake in this fight. Thankfully one of the Nara's found me and they escorted me to the Kireha group.

The Kireha clan had already moved in the new location and the most important buildings have been constructed. Most people still lived in tents, but the walls and important buildings were up and the other houses were being built. It was a steady progress and I'm eternally proud of my clan in being able to do so much despite me being gone and the mishaps.

Now it's been a week since I've returned. Shouta was the first face I saw when I woke up in the new compound, since I only saw Kin's face when I was actually being transported to the new compound. After seeing him, I saw Kin and Keno-sama, and they told me how glad they were to have me back and they told me to rest up. After that, I was left alone with a medic and Shouta.

After that, kids came over and talked to me, telling me how they missed me and how I missed when Soke almost chocked by accidently swallowing a poor ladybug that happened to be flying by. I could tell they were sad and shocked by Kemu's capture and death and I wasn't in the right state to tell them anything about that, so I stayed silent. I had to stabilize myself before teaching the kids.

After that, the kids would come every day for an hour and talk to me about their recent adventures Their training with Kin, what they learnt, some childish voyages. I listened with joy, so happy that I'm back to my family and to know they are happy and not hurting. The fourth day was when Kin told me what happened, to which I mostly forgot and didn't pay attention. But I got the general gist of what happened, as you can tell.

And apparently I cough out blood when I talk too much, so I'm not allowed to talk for god knows how long.

Bastard Kosotsuko.

The medic said that, somehow, my vitals were spared, even though there were signs that they were cut. So it was fairly obvious to say that this ass Kototsuko actually sliced my body right up and had that Shimura medic do a mediocre job in patching me up.

It's an actual miracle I'm alive. Even the Kireha medic has no idea why I survived. I also have no idea. But I don't question it and count myself as insanely lucky. I may have gotten used to these anime aspects of life, but... surviving that hell hole was so realistic, was so bad, it didn't feel like I could ever survive that. So I don't dwell on my survival for much longer and meditate to help my chakra flow, making sure that at least my chakra speeds up my healing process. Unfortunately, the Senju haven't been kind enough to tell the world their mystical healing hand jutsu thing, so I was left with herbs, stitches, bandages, and gross medicine balls that the Akimichi gave us… it helped, but it was seriously disgusting.

But, things were alright now, and that's what matters the most.

X

Three weeks later and I'm allowed to walk around. The kids have been bothering me almost all of the time until Kin finds them and shoo's them away. I silently note how people seemed to be busier than before, more productive… more stressed. I sit on a rock, under a tree and overlook the training the kids are having with Kin.

We're too weak. If the one of the most elite squads of Kireha got wiped out, it highlights how weak the clan is. Is doesn't matter that we were weakened in the first place. We had to become stronger. Stronger to protect and to survive, and we won't rest until we're sure of it. I closed my eyes, I'll make sure of it.

X

A week later and I joined Kin in training the kids. The mornings, I let Kin teach them whatever and in the afternoon, I correct and teach the kids everything that I know of. How to perform the best stances in taijustsu, the most effective places to hit and what you should hit after. The difference in killing, handicapping and knocking out. I didn't even want to teach them how to use a weapon, because one shouldn't use a weapon if they can't even use their body.

Soon, a few adults came and asked for advice. Well, 'adults'. 'Adult' is a very subjective term in war times. Let just say clan members that have been out in war have come to me in search for tips to improve. And so that is how I spent my day. In the morning would be my time alone, to heal, to meditate and to train by myself. The afternoon is reserved to teach my clanmembers, to train them to be better, to survive.

After helping my clan members in the aspect, I would join Keno-sama and discuss about various different things. How the clan was doing, the morale. The discussions on war and what should be done. How other clans are doing and our relationship with our allies. Soon, came an interesting topic, one that I had wanted to address for quite some time.

"When I was captured at the Shimura base, do you remember when I said I 'snapped'?" I told Keno-sama, who Kin sat next to and Roku say next to me. They call hummed, well Roku nodded. "Well, it was more… specific than that." I took a sip of my drink and sighed, trying to remember all that happened. It was weird, it was a very bizarre feeling of empowerment.

"There were these distinct 'clicks' in my body, an each time there was a 'click' I felt more powerful but everything hurt more. It felt like my muscles were being torn apart, it was horrible. But I felt faster and stronger."

I looked carefully at the three men and they all stayed silent… but I wouldn't be a good ninja if I hadn't noticed the shine in Kin and Keno-sama's eyes. "Did you do something with chakra?" Roku asked and I sighed and shrugged. "It was extremely weird. At first, it seemed like it. But then it was all just physical energy from my body."

"Did you hear these clicks from different parts of your body?" Keno-sama asked calmly. I eyed him thoroughly. So he knows exactly what I'm talking about. "Yes. I don't exactly recall where, but some were from my head, spine… I think." Keno-sama hums and slowly sips some of his tea. It takes him ten excruciating seconds to say: "interesting". My eye twitched as Kin sighs at the leader and looks at me, "It sounds similar to the red beast phenomenon." I raise an eyebrow. Roku then nods, "Ah, from the chakra sources, right?" I look at him, trying to hide my confusion but they all obviously see through me.

I send a brief glare at Roku, who smirks at me, since he apparently knows something I don't. "The red beast phenomenon is quite rare and happens to only remarkable shinobi who is extremely talented in taijutsu. It requires immense training, top notch taijutsu, good amount of chakra control, a lot of meditation and a vast amount of meditation," Kin begins, holding his tea cup firmly. "This phenomenon happens when a person unlocks eight main chakra sources, which are actually called tenketsu as the Nara told us, and blood from above the heart must be released to the open. Since the main chakra sources, the eight kenketsu, are unlocked, it makes the person extremely strong. All physical attributes are multiplied," he pauses for a second and eyes my arms, "but it comes at the price of destroying all muscle tissues and the host to die."

This sounded familiar. Far too familiar. Seriously fuckin' familiar.

"Why is it called the 'red beast'?" I ask. I get a curious look from Roku, probably because I sounded a bit too energetic. Kin also raises a slightly eyebrow but Keno-sama just smiles while drinking his tea. "It's because the host gets surrounded by a hue of red, as if it was a coat of chakra while it is actually evaporated sweat and blood. It is truly terrifying." There is no doubt then. I remember this precisely from my former life. The two taijutsu masters from Konoha of the manga, Might Gai and Rock Lee, and their stupidly powerful eight gates bullshit. And if those six clicks meant anything, it means that I somehow went up to six gates, somehow.

"But everyone has died from this red beast. Once they've activated it, they could do nothing about it. And no one has succeeded in performing a lesser version as of yet," Keno-sama finally says. He then look at me with his scheming eyes. "Well, aside from you, that is." There is a tense silence until Roku somehow falls to his back and Kin slams his hands on the table. "SERIOUSLY?!"

Oh lords.

X

Apparently Kin had tried to open all eight gates before and failed, but is now sure he can do it. I told them all I knew, what I thought and what could perhaps be achieved. I made sure it sounded all like theories and now the term "Eights Gates" was an official thing. It didn't take long for all the kids to hear about it and they all wanted to try it out.

"Once you're as strong as Kin, you can start learning it," I had said to them. After that, their excitement cooled down but they were more determined to become stronger and to surpass their current teacher. Kin and I would often talk about it, how steps can be made. I knew if we both trained hard, we could both open the first and second gate in two months. And disclaimer, I did. He took two weeks longer than me.

I sometimes think if Might Gai actually is a Kireha but I don't dwell on that thought too much. I don't know and I don't even want to know. I'll see when the times comes and it wouldn't surprise me if he is or isn't.

X

It's been three months since I've returned from the cursed Shimura and I'm up and at it. The Kireha clan hasn't been out in battles so far, we've secluded ourselves and only fought when people have been in our way. In my case, I've been training by myself even more and have caught up to my previous strength. I still had to be mindful of my slightly weakened body though.

Now, I was walking with nine other Kireha clanmembers to a village to meet up with the Akimichi, for our usual exchanges. It had been over six months since I've sensed an Akimichi, and it was actually very depressing. To think I've been out of commission for so long… I shake my head slightly and focus more on the route and sensing around me. We were a little late and I could tell the Akimichi were already there, but we were prone on being late so I'm sure they aren't surprised.

What I didn't expect though was a huge cheer when I arrived there. I furrow my brows and immediately sensed around to understand what the big ninjas were cheering about… until the squad leader came up to me with a huge smile, "It's wonderful to see you're doing good, One-san!" I had almost forgotten how they called me. As previously mentioned, outsiders don't know the names of the people from Kireha, just number code names. And more often than not, I am the leader of squad, hence the 'one'. I blanked for a second, "I… thank you?" He laughed very loudly at my response and gestured me to come to a… carriage full of goods. "Take it as a token of happiness from the Akimichi!" I faced him, shocked. A token…? What is this crazy man talking about?

"Akimichi-san, I- I really can't accept this, you have outdone yourself," I finally say, a bit flabbergasted by how much food and everything there was. He just laughed and put his hands on his waist, I could tell how badly he wanted to pat my back but restrained himself. "Please, it is a gift!" I looked at him, or well faced him since my eyes were closed. I stayed silent for a while before a bowed slightly, "Thank you very much." He laughed and scratched his neck, saying it was nothing and that it was the least they could do for me and for Kireha. I send him a small smile and face towards the carriage of food. There was for sure a lot, and the clan would be very happy.

I went to face him again but I suddenly sensed something and my guts squeezed in discomfort. My smile was immediately replaced with a straight line and I crouched to the ground and touched the ground in concentration. My actions seemed to shut everyone down and the atmosphere shifted in a tense one. "You've been tailed, Akimichi-san, by four Shimura," I say. I am suddenly filled with void. Void, except for the desire to kill those scum. I stand up and face the Akimichi.

"Let me subdue them." It wasn't a command and it wasn't permission. It was a need. The squad leader Akimichi stayed silent for a moment, "Alone?" I nodded at his question. "Then do it with caution, we shall wait for you here." I nodded once more and I disappear from everyone's view.

X

I am back at the village with no traces of murder in exactly eleven minutes and 54 seconds. I gesture Fopu, Kopu's brother who is my current right hand man, to come as I go up to the Akimichi. The Akimichi nods back, "Successful?" I nod, "Yes, I managed to get intel from them."

I reached for my pouch and took out two things, a map and a bloody sack. "Apparently they were scavenging a field filled of corpses of Uchiha's and Senju's and they were going to steal from Intel from the Yamanaka by tailing your team." I handed him the map, "I am unsure, but I believe this map will show you where the Shimura presumed where your clan boundaries are and certain routes your clan takes." The Akimichi opens it and hides it from the Kireha. "You… you are correct…" His voice is filled with disbelief. I hummed and don't bother him further. If he didn't want to disclose where his clan location is, then that it fine by us.

"Secondly…" I hold out the pouch. "I believe these holds the sharingan…" there is another tense silence. "… The Akimichi wants nothing of the sort, you may do as you please with it." I nod at his response and put it back in my pouch. If there was one thing I absolutely hated about the Shimura, it was their want of blood line limits, of kekkai genkai, or these special eyes. That was the reason why they killed my clan members and my poor cousin.

So no way in hell was I going to do the same as them.

And as much as I hated confronting the Uchiha, if I ever see them again… I would do that. I would return the eyes to them. I will.

X

Remember when we stole scrolls from the Uzumaki, years ago? The first time I've been face to face with Madara and the battle that would have killed my clan, I had used barrier scrolls to keep the Uchiha away from my clan. Those barrier scrolls and seals that saved my clan. Well, barrier seals weren't the only things I stole. There was also a small storage seal. It could take less than one kilogram and less than 10 cm2, so basically it was perfect to store those sharingan eyes. Cause in storage seals, nothing became moldy. All was preserved, of course as long as it wasn't a living organism. So it was perfect. So I always had these eyes with me, until I would bump into an Uchiha.

And I did, two weeks later.

This time it wasn't an Akimichi that asked for our aid, but it was a Yamanaka. There was a battle with some other clan, but they had the inkling some other clan would be meddling soon. So we had to come to their aid. We accepted, of course.

So I went with nine others, as fast as possible. When we ran there, I felt Madara in the battle field and that is when I knew things would get complicated. But I needed to make it simple. So, I told my team to stay back and to help the side lines. I started walking on the blood filled field and I spiked my chakra as strong as I could. It made everything halt for a second and I sensed Madara look at me. I walked calmly to him, my huge sword called the "Kubikiribocho no Wairudogurei" was proudly set on my back as it clinked with other weapons on me. Yes, Soke had finished it and I used it often when I wanted things to end quickly and when I had to intimidate people. But I made no sign of using it right now or my other weapons.

I walked calmly but with purpose towards Madara Uchiha and he stood firmly on his ground, waiting for me with his gunbai by his side. Once I was a good three or two meters away from him, I addressed to him. "Madara Uchiha," I say. He doesn't say anything back but I know he's scowling at me. He tenses up when I reach my pouch and I can feel confusion from him when I pulled out the scroll. I apply a bit of chakra on the scroll and immediately, the bloody pouch appears. Confusion is replaced with disbelief and anger.

I talk before he can, "I found it on a Shimura and I want to be nothing like the Shimura." I pull out my hand that held the sharingan. I can tell his mind is racing with thoughts and I step towards him. Slowly, he pulls his arm and hand up, under mine. I gently drop the bloody sack on his hand. "What is the purpose of this? Do you expect some kind of reward?" He spits. I don't send him my usual smirk and my usual witty comeback.

"I expect nothing from this dark, violent world."

With that, I walk back with my back towards him. I gave him a choice right then: to strike me in the back like a coward or to retreat in honor. A small smile itches on my face when I sense the enemies leaving, retreating. Looks like your honor shines brighter than your pride Madara, thank goodness for that. I shake my head when I sense the disbelief from my comrades and the Yamanaka. I'm just glad there is some good in Madara Uchiha's heart.

X

Everything was going relatively well. Training from the kids were going good, they were improving. Kin and I still were trying out the Eight Gates thing, but that was going rather slow too. Battles have begun to die down and we haven't been called from our allies for any significant battles for many weeks now. I was meditating when I sensed something: a spike of chakra appeared, approximately 20 km away.

Too close for comfort.

I called for a small unit, consisting of three poeple. One medical, two assault. We head off and before long, we arrive at the end of the mountain heavy forest and we were greeted with the sight of lost Senju ninjas.

Three ninjas, all of them wounded. But one… one had white hair and had red streaks on his face. I closed my eyes before the foreign ninjas could see us. We shouldn't kill these. I signed to my comrades and we walked towards the Senju. We made sure to make sound, as to not startle them.

Tobirama was critically wounded, with what looked like a broken arm and an injured leg. He was carrying an unconscious Senju with another Senju trailing behind him. He looked extremely lost, which was hilarious, because he was supposed to be a master at sensing. I then saw he was probably attacked at the chakra nerves, the tenketsu, and couldn't sense properly. Poor guy.

"Why are you in our territory." I demanded. They all tensed up even more, and Tobirama looked at me with harsh eyes. They did not respond, or well, at least didn't Tobirama. "The Uchiha used a jutsu… we are not meant to be here." The other Senju said, Tobirama shot a look at him. I guess he didn't want to show weakness… but they look half dead, so too late for that.

I told my comrades to step back as I walked towards the Senju. I searched briefly in my pouch and took out a scroll. They all couldn't move but I sensed Tobirama's chakra slightly flare up and put his hand on his pouch. I then clearly showed them a map. I pointed at where they stood.

"You are currently here. The grand lake of Noko is here and the Uchiha compound, of at least 3 months ago, stands here," I say, pointing out to these different locations. Tobirama looked at the map quickly and then looked back at me while the other Senju took a bit more time to understand that. "This means, if you head this way you'll get to Noko. And if you head this way, you'll be at the Uchiha," I said, pointing to other directions. Tobirama simply stared at me while the other Senji obliviously looked around himself. He nodded to himself, as if making a plan.

"You are looking down on us," Tobirama growled as I took away the map. I raised an eyebrow. "Maybe. Now leave before we finish you three off." He glared at me and walked off while the other Senju thanked me. I nodded and I told my comrades to go back as I made sure then Senju properly left.

Yes, it would be bad if Tobirama died.

Response to reviews:

fixerbacta: thank you for all your reviews! You really make me think :)
eagle0108: heheh, as you can see, I've implemented your idea! It was a really good idea, and it's definitely gonna pop up every once in a while!
Heart: heheh, thank you for your review ^^
serus black antihumannature: thank you ^^
Dreamy-Girl2016: thank you! And yes, she will fall in love with Tobirama, but that comes in later!
korohoshi: yeah, I really wanted to show some of the brutality of war.. thank you! :)

Man I am sooo tired! BUT, very exciting stuff happening next chapter! VERY VERY!

Anyways, small summary?
Yasu's back and she's all good now, except she probably has very nasty scars now.
Her snapping is actually the activation of the Eight Gates, interestingg
She talked with the Akimichi, founds a few Shimura tailing them and saw that they were spying the Akimichi for some time and they had Sharigan eyes with them.
Later, she gives them to Madara and helps end a fight.
Weeks later, she spots Tobirama and other Senju harmed near the clan boundaries. She helps them find their way back home, and this officially marks the first time Yasu and Tobirama meets!

Next chapter's gonna come out soon, cause things are gonna be more fun! ^^

11 - June - 2018

Tsuki