Hello there!
The sun rose even higher still as the day wore on, there was no place where its' light wasn't welcome, well...Almost no place.
Even the most insignificant amount of light could not penetrate the inner sanctum that is the council chamber. The entire room was swathed in the darkest of hues, so dark that even the most vibrant of colors that may or may not have accessorized the chamber, were subdued. Suddenly the overhead light was triggered, and shot a star-shaped prism of light that illuminated three figures who stood at the center of the room.
"The trial of the former Deputy-Hoshikage, Akahoshi and the trials of Shisō and Yotaka will now come to order." An anonymous booming voice announced.
The middle figure within the light struggled against his bonds. "This is an...Outrage!" He wheezed, as he searched the shadows; seeking the owner of the voice but the no avail. "Show yourselves...You cowards!"
"We're as veiled as were your intentions, ne Akahoshi-sama?" Another voice called out bitingly. Akahoshi shook with rage as Shisō and Yotaka began to cower in fear.
"You bastards!"
"You're not in any position to speak in such a manner." A distinctly feminine voice cut in. "Outbursts such as that one, will only further prove your guilt."
"Ha! The Council of Eight hasn't the authority to trial me....It's not within your jurisdic---"
"Unless two thirds of the civilian populace are dissatisfied with the current administration then The Council can be called upon for immediate review of policy, as well trial any shinobi suspected of foul play; and that includes you, guv." The snide voice made himself known once again.
""Hmph...I suppose even you dogs can learn a new trick." Akahoshi smirked. "Done your homework have we?"
Another voice answered. "Damn right! That law has been in place since the Nidaime Hoshikage's reign or have you forgotten, Akahoshi."
"Quite the opposite....I've been meaning to strike that doctrine." Akahoshi replied smugly.
"....Ya know you really aren't helping your case."
"Why preach to the choir if they all sing off key? You fools can't even begin to comprehend my plans."
"Look, if we're as dumb as you say; how come we're not standing where you now stand?"
"...."
"Did you really think the ANBU were taking orders from you? Face facts they were monitoring you the whole time, moreover we've known of your ambitions for weeks."
Akahoshi's poker-face disintegrated with that comment.
"What!?"
The female voice continued from where her comrade left off. "We've had our suspicions, we were able to exhume the Sandaime's remains, the later autopsy revealed three kunai knife wounds to the left of his sternum. ANBU later gathered all ninja tools from the village for closer inspection.--"
"That can't be! The Sandaime was killed six months ago, all kunai would have been too worn to be sharpened properly, they would've been swapped out." Another voice from the shadows interupted.
Undeterred the woman continued. "Perhaps that would be true, however since most shinobi within Hoshigakure focus primarily on ninjutsu a weapon's life would be extended, due to disuse."
"I see, I had almost forgotten, please continue."
"Needless to say, three kunai were found; having traces of the Third's blood on them. These were confiscated from yours, Shisō and Yotaka's weapons' pouches."
"Lies!"
The cynical voice pressed on. "Ah, is it now? Shisō and Yotaka during interigation admitted to it; both claiming that it was your idea from the start!"
"You squealers!"
At this, Yotaka gave Akahoshi a side-long glare. "It's true, while we did have a hand in the Third's assassination we never imagined why he canceled the star training. The only one who knew why was Akahoshi here."
"That's right! Even after he knew of the effects he continued with the training." Shisō continued from where Yotaka left off; his eyes boring holes through Akahoshi. "We would never had followed him if we had known what he had known."
The booming voice spoke up again. "Be that as it may, you two will be held responsible for his death, as well as Lady Natsuhi's. However your testimony has been most helpful. Thank you Shisō, Yotaka." At this both shinobi bowed deeply as Akahoshi fumed.
"You tratiors!"
Yotaka sneered. "Traitors are we? You knew from the start what would have happened to the children if the star training continued. None of them would probably have survived it, yet you reinstated the program!"
"While I didn't see any harm in banishing the children, I never wanted to fight them in the first place!" Shisō declared from his position.
"You idiots have grown soft, 'The children are the future of the village.' I'll destroy the Third's legacy!"
"Legacy, which legacy do you speak of?" The female voice inquired.
A dark smile rose on Akahoshi's face; making both Shisō and Yotaka edge away from him. "I meant the Third's teachings but..." The smile gave way to a crazed expression. "Taking out his precious, little granddaughter would have been a nice bonus!!" The former Deputy-Hoshikage was suddenly hit with so much killing intent that he was sent sprawling to the floor.
"Silence! Akahoshi you have been found guilty of all listed charges. As punishment your chakra shall be sealed off permanently, also since you endangered the Leaf shinobi dispatched to the region, you will be handed over to Konoha to await further sentencing."
"Wait, there's a chance that he could leak classified information about the village. Shouldn't we---"
"Good point, but the village doesn't have any silencing seals...However"
'Ta-ting-Shing!'
"We could always do it the old fashioned way, no guarantee it will be completely painless though. Let the court finally see what is sharper, a blade's edge or Akahoshi's tongue. "
"So be it." The sound of eight gavels echoed throughout the chamber in unison.
Hokuto basked in the warmth, as her eyes opened with a bit reluctance. Her sight was fixed pointedly on the once neatly layered sheets, that were now thrown askew; another unfortunate victim of Naruto's unpredictability. The scent of lilacs tickled her nose, making her stifle a giggle as she softly inhaled the scented linen. 'When did they switch detergents?' She thought absently as she began to ponder just how many different fragrances the hospital had.
The sienna-haired girl thoughts were interupted by the sound of ragged breathing. 'Naruto-san?' She stayed silent at first, as if not to give away her presence however as the boy's body continued to shake tumultuously, she was finding it harder to play coy.
"...Naruto?"
The boy stiffened as he slowly lifted his gaze to meet her own. Naruto blinked once; realizing just how close in proximity he was to the girl, as his mouth formed an 'o'. "Yipe!" Surprised, the blond shifted his weight and fell to the other side of the bed; bringing the sheets and the girl wrapped up in them with him.
"!!!"
'Thud!'
At that moment the tumblers in the door were activated. A young nurse stepped through the doorway with a questioning look on her face. A vein throbbed in her forehead when she saw the condition of the bed, she shook her head in aggravation as she walked around to the other side to gather the fallen sheets. She snatched the sheets up with authority; unveiling what laid below them.
A prideful smirk appeared on her face. "Aren't you two a little too young to be doing that?"
Later...