Quote of the Day: The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning. - Ivy Baker Priest
Chapter 11: A Warm Welcome
They stared out into the wasteland's seemingly endless dead land. They were on guard duty. Which, in the wasteland, is probably the most boring duty in the entire village. In other ninja villages guard duty was more exciting. Probably because enemy ninjas could be lurking around, just waiting for a chance to slip in and do whatever it was they were sent there to do. But no this was not the case in the wasteland. No, the village in which the people of the wasteland live in was considered by people in the other elemental countries to be nothing more than a myth.
Many people shinobi and civilian alike had tried to prove that there was a village in the wasteland. Over 80% died traveling through wastes. If the elements didn't get you, the countless demons that roamed the land would. Of the remaining 20% over 95% of them managed to crawl back to there nation's borders near death and borderline insane. There talks of demons and endless seas of sand. From their words countless stories came forth and the wasteland became a realm of certain death. Many nation's would use the wasteland as a banishment area. A place to send people that governments didn't like, but couldn't kill. The people that were sent into the wastes were never heard from again.
Now the remaining people that went into the wastes that did survive were "allowed" to be found. The people of the wasteland tell legends of the wasteland. They say that the wasteland is alive. And if the wasteland did not want you there it would kill you. Sandstorms blocked out the sun and tore flesh from bone, compasses became useless. Everything around them looks the same. Hours would be spent walking around trying to figure out where they were only to learn that they were walking in circles the whole time.
Those that the wasteland deemed worthy were allowed to find the patch of earth the natives of wasteland would call a patch of heaven in an ocean of hell. Those that made it to the village never left. Why leave? After braving the harshest land in the world and finding something that would qualify as a paradise in the eyes of a weary traveler, it was understandable that they did not want to face the horrors of the dead lands. (Wow got a little off topic there lol.")
"Man I fucking hate guard duty." one of the guards said to his partner, as he sat on the edge of the village's giant wall.
His partner let out an annoyed sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Dude shut the hell up already. I heard you the last fifty times already."
The seated ninja seemed unaffected by his partner's angry reply. He yawned and stared out into the wastes. Sand, sand and more sand as far as the eye could see. Suddenly he stood up and stared out intently. His partner noticed his sudden change.
"What is it? Do you see something?" He asked as he focused.
"Can it be?" the once seated ninja said in almost a whisper.
His partner was now looking frantically in the direction his partner was staring, hoping to find what ever it was that his friend was looking at.
"What is it?"
"Its..Its.."
"What?"
"More sand!"
A silence fell between the two guards. The more serious one felt his eye twitch in annoyance. He hated when his partner did that. And the worst past about it was he falls for it ever fucking time. His partner always bitched about guard duty, and he just loved to let everyone know. The more aloof of the two guards sat back down, removing his cap from his head and wiping the sweat from his forehead before running his hand through his brown hair and placing the cap back. 5 more hours until his relief would come. 5 more hours of just staring at nothing. He wondered if anyone had ever gone insane while on guard duty. If not he was sure that he would be the first, and from what he thinks not the last.
The more disciplined one returned to his duty. Sure he was bored to but at least he didn't complain about it, and distract others.
"Man I fucking hate guard duty."
That's it! He was going to get it this time. The now angered guard raised his hand. He was about to deliver strong smack to the back of his partner's head. But his partner spoke again.
"What's that?"
Against his better judgment he stopped and looked out into the wasteland once more. This time there was something. He could barely see it.
"What is it?"asked the once mad guard.
His partner narrowed his eyes. Thanks to his "enhancements" his vision was several times better than other people.
"Looks like the team that had gone to the forest."
"You go meet them, I 'll go find the Shikyokage. He wanted to speak with them once they returned."
"Hold up! Why do you get the easy job?" complained the brunette.
"You want to go find the Shikyokage?" asked his partner.
"No, I just want to know why you get he easy job." said the brunette before he stepped off the edge of the wall to go meet the team.
"I swear he is going to give me white hair." said the remaining guard as he went to inform the guard office and find his leader.
"Hey jiji-san, where are we going?" asked Naruto as he snacked on some mochi the Shikyokage had gotten him.
The old man had been showing him around the village. Every so often he would stop and point out a building. They would also stop and speak to whoever greeted them. Naruto was cautious at first. He was not used to so many people being so nice to him. But eventually, much to the Shikyokage's relief, he was more relaxed.
"I'm taking to one of the training areas." he answered as they made their way further into the village.
"What are we going there for? You want to see how strong I am?" Naruto asked, he wasn't sure if he could really fight his best in his recovering condition. But that has never stopped him before.
"Actually I want you to meet some people." answered Naruto's guide.
Naruto took another bite of his snack, it calmed his hunger for now. Who exactly did this man wan him to meet? They must be really important for the Shikyokage to go out of his way to introduce him to them. The village reminded him a lot of Konoha. The training area looked like a forest. Naruto guessed if it was like Konoha the forest would have several open areas in which teams could train. They made made their way through the woods. They walked in silence as Naruto finished his mochi. After a a few minutes Naruto heard something. As they neared Naruto could make out the sounds as voices. They were mainly grunts. As they reached the end of the treeline Naruto could finally see who the voices were coming from.
The area was clear of trees, there was no grass in any part of the open space. Several wooden posts were position on one side of the area. There was a log about ten feet long in the middle of the area. And the he saw them. Three people were occupying the training area. The first he recognized was the one in a red gi, he was the one that was asleep in his hospital room the night before. His long hair was pulled into a pony tail, his hair moved back and forth as he moved. He was fighting. His opponent was a girl that had waist length green hair, which was braided and moved wildly as she fought. Her gi was a light blue color but unlike her opponent's gi, which had tron sleeves and the ends of his pant legs where torn as well, her gi was better maintained. The third person in the area was standing on his hands, and balanced on both his feet were two square stones. He was doing vertical push ups, with his fingers. It reminded Naruto of how Rock Lee would train.
The blond one was the first to notice Naruto. His distraction cost him. The green haired girl took this opportunity deliver a kick to the side of his knee, causing him to buckle and drop to his knee. Then the girl, with an amazing show of speed and grace jump about a foot off the ground, spun and delivered a solid kick to the side of her opponent's head, sending him to the ground. She landed about the same time her opponent hit the floor.
"Looks like a win again Ken." the girl said as she looked down at her brother, her hands at her hips and a cocky smile on her lips.
Ken slowly sat up try to get the ringing in his ears to stop.
"No fair I got distracted." Ken complained as he rubbed his head.
"Distractions happen Kenpachi, and it is how you deal with them that determines victory or defeat." the Shikyokage said as he walked toward his children.
Naruto followed closely, he was a bit nervous. The brunette doing the vertical push ups noticed and leaned forward and let the stone blocks slide off his feet. Naruto jumped when the stones hit the floor. A loud boom echoed through the entire clearing, dirt and dust flew into the air. When the dirt settled Naruto could see two holes in the ground where he assumed the stones had landed.
"Wow, how much did those stones weigh?" thought Naruto.
The three children of the Shikyokage made there way forward. The girl in between her two brothers.
The Shikyokage was about to introduce them when he stopped and turned to his right. Just then a shinobi landed, kneeling his head bowed in respect.
"Forgive the interruption Shikyokage-sama, but the team that was sent to the forest has returned."
"Good. Thank you you may return to your post."
"Yes sir." replied the guard as he stood and with a final took off to return to his post.
The Shikyokage returned his attention to Naruto.
"Sorry Naruto but I have urgent business to attend to. For now they will look after you." the Shikyokage said to Naruto before tuning and making his way toward his office.
Naruto looked at the three people that stood in front of him. He felt a bit nervous, he was now alone with complete strangers. Granted that he was in a village with only strangers.
"Uhh. Hi." Naruto said shyly as he scratched the back of his head.
The girl was the first to speak.
"You don't need to be so nervous we don't bite." she said with a smile.
"Yeah she'll just crack you skull." the blond said.
The minute that the final word left his mouth his sister brought her hand up and smacked the back of his head.
"See told ya." said the blond as he rubbed his head.
"Whatever. Anyways nice to meet you Naruto I'm Yuuga Miyabita." she said with a smile.
"Ryu Hoshi." said the one in the white gi.
He extended his hand. Naruto looked at it and slowly raised his own hand. Naruto gripped Ryu's hand in a handshake and squeezed. The Ryu squeezed and Naruto could feel his power. It felt like he was going to brake his hand. Naruto cringed. Ryu quickly released his hand.
"Sorry sometimes I forget my strength." apologized Ryu.
"Don't worry about it." Naruto said as he shook his hand.
"I'm Kenpachi Masters, but you can call me Ken. I would actually prefer it." Ken said as he also shook Naruto's hand just not as hard as Ryu did.
Naruto looked at the three.
"Sorry about our father leaving like that he can get really busy." said Yuuga.
"Wait you three are his children?" asked Naruto.
"Yeah why?" answered Yuuga.
"Well it's just that you all have different last names." pointed out Naruto.
"That's because we aren't related by blood. He kinda adopted us." answered Ken.
Naruto nodded in understanding.
"Well that's enough chit chat I'm sure Oto-san didn't show you all of the village." Yuuga stated.
"Uh no he didn't." replied Naruto.
"Well let us show you around." said Yuuga as she started to move in the direction to the village.
"We haven't finished our training yet." said Ryu crossing his arms.
"Aw come on Ryu, you can train anytime you want. Naruto need someone to look after him, pops said so." Ken said to his slightly older brother.
Ryu remained silent. He didn't really like skipping out on his training. But his father did tell Naruto that they would look after him so his hands were tied.
"Fine. I suppose a break would be couldn't hurt." Ryu stated as he uncrossed his arms.
"Best keep an eye on him lest his demon decides to escape again." a voice echoed in Ryu's mind.
"Don't worry I doubt that it will try anything again, and if so I'll just subdue it again." thought Ryu somewhat arrogantly.
"Careful Ryu, arrogance has been the fall of many warriors."
"It is not arrogance it is confidence." replied Ryu.
Naruto didn't really like feeling like he was the reason for making someone a do something they didn't want to. But it seemed like they were all going along with so he let it drop. The group of youths were now making their way toward to village to continue Naruto's tour.
When the Shikyokage arrived at his office the team's leader stood in front of his desk waiting patiently. When the Shikyokage entered the man turned to face his leader. His blood red eyes looked exhausted.
"Shikyokage-sama." the man said.
The Shikyokage made his way to his desk. He took his seat and took in his shinobi's appearance. His spiked black hair was covered in dirt and grime, the red steak of hair that would run from the base his hairline to the top of his hair was completely covered. Two similar similar red streaks ran vertically on the sides of his head, one on each side, the streak on the right was partly covered, while the one on his had steaks of dirt and grime on it. His black shinobi pants were torn in several places, the left leg was gone below the knee. His black shinobi vest was torn as well, the white shirt that he wore under also was ripped. He looked like he was in bad shape. Well he was out for about two weeks.
"The mission was a failure." said the black haired man.
He sighed, he was afraid that it would be.
"How strong has it gotten?"
"I could have killed it, but it had managed to catch us by surprise. It' has gotten smarter. It wounded Tokido, Jace, and Shinji. I fought with it but it would keep targeting my team. After it had its fun he left. I would have given chase but my team would have died." explain the team leader
The Shikyokage placed his elbows on his desk, intertwined his finger and thought a bit.
"You did the right thing."
"If I had done the right thing when I should have this wouldn't have happened." snapped the crimsoned eyed shinobi.
Silence enveloped the room. The Shikyokage and his subordinate stared at each other. The calm gaze of the Wasteland's leader clashed with the angered stare of his ninja.
"I have told you many times that it was not your fault...
"No. If I had do what I need to do 15 people would still be alive."
"I'm sure if someone else was in your position they would have done the same."
The black haired man was silent. He knew that the Shikyokage was right. He always was. He let out a tired sigh.
"Head home. You need to rest. Your wife has been quite worried about you. Go put here mind at ease."The Shikyokage told him.
The red eyed ninja said nothing. He bowed and left the room. All he wanted to do was to get home a just drop on to his bed. He could care less if he dirtied the sheets. But he was sure his wife would fuss over him, denying him his sleep. He closed the door leaving the Shikyokage to think.
"This is unfortunate the longer it remains alive the stronger it becomes. It needs to be dealt with quickly."
Naruto and the children of the Shikyokage had been making their way through the village. Yuuga leading the way showing Naruto the things that he had not seen yet. They were currently at the "center" of the village.
"Yuuga-san can I ask you a question?" Naruto asked after much pondering.
"Of course you can ask anything you want."
"Well it's just that I see a lot of people with tails and stuff. I know that there are people with bloodlines that give them animalistic traits. But almost everyone hear has something animalistic."
Yuuga figured that her father hadn't told him.
"Well because this village is special." said Ken
"Special how?" asked Naruto.
"Well Naruto almost everyone in this village is like you." answered Yuuga.
"Like me?" asked Naruto confusion show on his face.
"You see Naruto this is a village of jinchurikis and hanyous." answered Ryu.
"What?"
Here is the long awaited chapter. As usually I am sorry. Not much action in this, but good news the next chapter is the last chapter of the "arc". Yes after that the true tale can begin. So thank you all who have stuck to this thus far. You only need to wait a bit longer.
So what did you think? I know that there are stories out there about Naruto meeting other demon holders and half demons, but I may be the only one that has made a village of them that will play a huge part in this fic.
I'm so close to 100 reviews! Help me get there, after that I'll be aiming for 200 reviews. Hopefully I'll be about to reach that. But I need your guy's help to do that. So please R&R. Also remember you want to chat with me send me a PM and I'll reply.
Well See Ya Squall Leonhart Out.