3
Yamigakure no Sato, Chikage office, 7:15am
The warning had been issued. Now the group of ninjas know that they are not the only ones in this place. It is just a matter of time before they go searching for those who infiltrated them. Then war will come about the village. As a village born only of ninjas, they were always ready, prepared for any kind of assault to before them. For a group of such low intellect, there is no doubt that the lot of them would be killed before they managed to kill one ninja of Yami.
The Chikage looked out through the window to her village. Directly in the centre she could only see half of her large yet undiscovered village. It is a large place full of life and colour. Yet before it was said that this place was full of darkness and only involved in dark deeds. But that is not true. Looking at the village now, you could tell the difference to what was said to what you could see.
At the very edges of the village is where the true darkness begins. That edge has provided them with cover for so many years. However, it is also due to that darkness that the village has been seen in the wrong light. It is because of what they are surrounded by that has drawn the wrong conclusions. From the inside it looks like the darkness is trying to take them over and that they are the only people battling it away. On the outside it may look different. Almost as if they are the reasons behind the darkness.
Sighing, the Chikage turned away from the window and sat at her desk.
It is the usual day. Nothing much to do, no interaction with outside villages and yet they have a big problem that could mean their downfall. If things go wrong and she leaves it to the other villages to handle the situation, again their village would be seen in the wrong light. Already they must think that those people waging war against the Five Great Nations are from this village. It's already damaging any progress at having any relationship with the other villages. And they had yet to introduce themselves to the world!
'Lula-san,' she called out.
The door opened and the brown haired assistant stepped into the room. She closed the door behind her and bowed low at the Chikage. 'You called for me, Chikage-sama?'
'Hai,' she waved her hand towards the seat. The assistant took it gratefully. 'Do you suppose I could step out of the village and check on the Five Great Nations for a bit?'
The assistant blinked. 'Alone, Chikage-sama…?'
The Chikage nodded her head.
'That is unwise!' the assistant immediately exclaimed.
'How so?' the Chikage prompted.
'Well, alone something bad could happen to you…' The Chikage smiled at the concern within her assistant's voice. 'The other villages might kidnap you. Or those thugs could do something. I can't risk that kind of worry. The village still needs you. I don't think we can afford to select a different Chikage. There would be uproar because the Chikage is not the direct line of the last.'
The Chikage sighed. 'I really should change that part of the tradition.' The assistant frowned disapprovingly. 'But it has been part of Yami's tradition for years. I won't change it, only for the sake that everyone has gotten used to the ways of the tradition.'
'Not even for your ancestors?'
'Not even.' The Chikage looked at her assistant thoughtfully. 'There is another reason that you did not want me to go.'
'Well you are the only one with the authority to rule the village. We have no elders or other members of authority if something were to happen to you.'
Leaning back in the chair, the Chikage looked up at the ceiling. 'I may have to do something about that. It goes to show that we're too overconfident if we believe nothing will happen to me.' She leaned forward. 'Do argue with me if there is something you deem wrong in my words. After all, I am only young.'
She shook her head. 'I do not find any fault with you just yet, Chikage-sama. In fact, I think it would be wise to set up a system that would take over the authority's position should something happen to you.'
'I shall sort something out about it soon enough. For now we need to focus on that blasted group that dares to set up their base in my territory.'
'I would say let's been done with it. But then you are trying not to make out you are merciless and kill just for the sake of it. But with the way they are pinpointing the blame on our village, I would say "Off with their heads."
The Chikage laughed. 'Yes, I do suppose that is the right thing to do. But I want to see them scurry around trying to work out how they should respond. At least they know that if they do happen to attack they would know the outcome.'
'And because they willingly went to war against us knowing of the outcome, it would be all on them.'
'Exactly!' she was rather proud of the outcome she hadn't thought about until now. She jumped away from the thoughts of the Rogue ninjas and then back onto the other villages Yami has yet to get into contact with. 'There's no way for me to convince you to allow me to visit the other villages, is there?'
Lula laughed. It was such a happy sound that it brought a smile to the Chikage's face. 'You sure are persistent, Chikage-sama. And no, you cannot leave the village. As I pointed out, there is no way to rule it whilst you are not here.'
Pouting, the Chikage leaned back against her chair. 'It is so unfair to be the Chikage.'
'Life's unfair, Chikage-sama,' Lula said with a smile.
Konohagakure No Sato, Hokage office, 9:27am
Naruto, Sakura, Sai and the other genin of the Chunin exam three years ago stood before the Hokage's desk. They wore serious expressions before their leader. Sheer determination shone in their eyes and their postures were that of soldiers. They would all listen to commands, except Naruto. He would do just what he wanted just so he could win a battle, except cheating. Besides his little stubbornness at having to win every battle, he was a soldier like all the others. He made everyone proud although he still acts just like a little kid.
Their old teachers – still their squad leaders of today – stood to the side like good little bodyguards of the Hokage.
The last occupants of the room were the Suna's Kazekage, his brother Kankuro and sister Temari, Baki and Matsuri. Upon seeing the five Suna ninjas, the Hokage had scowled but then retained a neutral mask when dealing with them. She had made it rather clear that she did not like the Suna people very much, but they did not seem to be concerned about it. In fact, it seems that they were able to ignore it and continue to work with their alliance.
'So what are you suggesting, Kazekage?' Tsunade demanded of her fellow Kage.
'A surveillance team to scope out the area,' he replies without pause. He sounded very sure of himself although he's only been the Kazekage for a shorter span of time than the Hokage. 'We need to know and understand the environment. Whether it is due to the enemy or curiosity after the enemy, we still need to know what is beyond the forest. If there is another village waiting in the darkness, it would be best to know of it now rather than too late.'
She sighed heavily and leaned against her chair. The Kazekage had a very vivid point. The other three Kages agree with him and are willing to send one team from each village to assist in the surveillance team. It is so that each village receives the same information and to see if one team may have missed something the others hadn't. It has nothing to do with distrust amongst the villages; it is more along the lines of a safety measure to make sure that nothing has been left out. It is known that not everyone can spot everything.
'It seems the other Kages agree with you,' she stated only to break the silence. 'Alright, we'll do it your way this time, Kazekage. Who are you sending from your village to gather this information?'
'We will,' he replied.
'Kazekage-sama, what are you saying?'
'Are you crazy, Gaara?'
'Kazekage-sama, it's too dangerous for you.'
'Have you finally lost your mind? There's no way it's safe to go in there with such a little team.'
It seems that the four have only just heard of the decision. However, the Kazekage stood firm and stubborn. He reminded the Hokage of Naruto. He ignored the outbursts of his team and remained looking at the Hokage dead serious. He wanted to do this himself. She saw the raw determination in his eyes and wondered why he wanted to do this. She sighed heavily. It would be better if a Kage went as well. Tsunade could not argue with him when he shows great insight despite his young age.
'Very well.' The sand team gasped in shock. 'But do not think to assume that I agree fully with your recklessness.'
'Tsunade-sama,' the pink haired kunoichi, Haruno Sakura, spoke up. The blonde Hokage looked at her student. 'Is there a reason why you are willing to allow Kazekage-sama to go there without argument?'
Tsunade frowned. Although the kunoichi had trained under her, she still speaks out of turn and pisses her off occasionally. But she is bright and does pick out things better than some of the other ninjas. In regards to this new unexplored environment, it would be best to provide answers to put their minds at ease.
'Although surveillance teams from each Great Nation will be going into the land, it would be better with a Kage recording his own findings and relaying them back at a Kage meeting. Other ninjas may not be able to fully describe the place or of their experience. A Kage will be able to do this and more. With being leaders of a village, our memory has to be fully reliable. Besides, the Kazekage has a very successful jutsu capable of protecting all the teams.'
Sakura nodded in understanding. 'Would you like me to inform the teams heading out to hostile territory to prepare?'
'Why?' the blonde Hokage questioned. 'All those going into hostile territory are already here.'
Wide eyes came from all around. Only the adult ninjas remained calm as if they had expected as much from their Hokage. Muttering came from the young ninjas. It was clear that they had not expected to be the one selected to go into the territory. But then again, why else would they have been summoned to the Hokage tower in the first place?
'Does anyone have any complaints?' no one spoke a sound. 'Good because this is your last day. I expect you to be packed and ready for tomorrow. Some of you may not come back so expect the worst. And remember, record everything you find in that place.'
'Hai, Hokage-sama!' the leaf ninjas replied bowing.
They left the office with the sand team. The adult ninjas left behind them. Only the Kazekage remained behind. He looked at the female Kage expressionlessly. In truth, the Kazekage was quite concerned about this mission. As dangerous as it is, it is necessary for them to scope the place out. But he couldn't help the wrong feeling in the pit of his stomach. Something wasn't right about them going into the place.
Gaara having cold feet before he even starts a mission? That's preposterous!
'Not getting cold feet are you, Gaara?' she said tauntingly.
'Iie,' he lied effectively. 'Just out of curiosity, do you get a bad feeling about this?'
She frowned. 'I'm getting more than bad feelings about this.' She sighed. 'But we need to know what we're dealing with here. It may be a mistake going into that place so I advise you to be careful. Don't let down your guard in there.'
He nodded in understanding. 'I'll bring them all back.'
'You better,' she threatened.
Yamigakure No Sato, Chikage Office, 7:18pm
She sat behind her desk focused on the letter in front of her. She was trying to write it so she would be taken seriously. She has been thinking about this for some time and had only just recently decided it should be done. A letter to each of the Five Great Nations informing them of who they are, what they are, where they are situated and of the situation with the Rogue ninjas that have settled into their territory. Should she include that they will deal with them for them or tell them that she offers safe passage so they can sort out their problem themselves?
She sighed and leaned back in her chair. This is so problematic. She had no idea trying to talk to other villages would be so difficult. She knows what her village wants and responds to it. But for other villages…she hasn't a clue on how to deal with them, what they want and how to go about it so no one is unhappy at the end of an exchange. Was this even an exchange? Not really. The other villages are not gaining anything from this besides the location and the existence of Yamigakure No Sato. Really she is laying out the village's destruction. But the risk is worth it, isn't it?
The views given back from the villagers all were positive. They were happy with the fact that she wants the rest of the world to know of their existence. That is why she's doing this. It is not only going to help the village become healthier, wealthier and more prosperous, but she also doing that for the other villages. It is no doubt that other villages gain something from making alliances with another village.
So how could she write this letter?
Groaning, she slammed her head onto the desk.
'Ow,' she groaned but didn't move.
A knock sounded on the door and she waved her hand. The door opened of its own accord and the person stepped in.
'What's this? Sleeping on the job?' an elderly voice shrilled.
Panic struck the Chikage. She immediately sat up straight in the chair and tried to appear business-like. It failed.
'Obaa-sama, I wasn't sleeping –'
'Of course not,' she said smiling. Her white hair was pulled up into a bun at the back of her head. Her blue eyes were smiling bright as she peered over the desk at her granddaughter. The old woman was only the same size as the desk and had to tiptoe in order to see over it. 'Oh, what's this? A love letter?' she asked eyeing the letter before the Chikage.
'Obaa-sama!' the Chikage scolded. 'I don't have time to fall in love.'
'Nonsense!' the old woman scolded back. 'There is always time for love. As Chikage, you need to find a man to make babies with.'
Shock filled the Chikage. 'Obaa-sama, you didn't…'
'Don't worry, I haven't. But I do expect some children from you before I pass over.'
'Obaa-sama, I'm only sixteen!'
'I was fifteen when I had my first child. Now then, what's got you all frustrated?'
The old woman started to rise higher in the air until she floated over the desk and looked down at the letter. At first her blue eyes scanned the scroll and then she read it carefully. A thoughtful expression appeared on the wise woman's face. She lowered herself until she sat on the Chikage's desk. She crossed her legs and nodded.
'What is it?' she suddenly said that it almost caused the Chikage to fall out of her chair.
'Obaa-sama…' she said hopelessly. 'It's a letter to the other Kages,' she told her. 'I need to include who I am, what I am, where I'm situated and the situation with the Rogue ninjas on the outskirts of Yami.'
'What on earth for?'
The Chikage shook her head and muttered something about her being helpless. 'We want the other villages to know we existed. To do so I'm going to start it off by sending out a letter to each of the Five Kages. Hopefully a letter should return almost as quickly. I hope so anyway. I suspect that they're going to send someone out to Yami's land in order to find the people who are attacking them.'
'Oh, I understand. You're struggling how to word the letter?' the Chikage nodded. 'You should have just said so. I can help you.'
'Iie, Obaa-sama, I need to figure this out by myself.' Not only that, but you suck at anything related to paper.
The old woman hit the Chikage on the head, hard.
'Ittai!' the Chikage said and rubbed the sore spot. 'Obaa-sama, what was that for?'
'Be careful with your thoughts. I can hear them.'
The Chikage's Obaa-sama's legendary mind reading technique. It always comes in handy at the most difficult at times. However, in such circumstances it can be the most annoying of abilities. You try to keep a secret, she can hear it. You think anything nasty, she can hear it. In relation to thoughts, you cannot get away from her. Once caught, you can't ever get away from her snare. Should always just give it up whenever she's involved.
'Gomen, Obaa-sama,' but she didn't sound sorry.
In response, the old woman just glowered at her until the Chikage couldn't help laughing. Unable to help herself, the old woman smiled.
'Now then, I shall wait for you to come home. Don't spend too long on your love letter,' she said walking towards the door.
'It's not a love letter!' she shouted to her Obaa-sama who just closed the door halfway through her sentence. 'Damn old woman,' she chuckled to herself.
But thanks to the distraction, it helped focus her mind around the letter. Silently, she got back to it, scrunched up the old version and started anew. Energised she kept writing without starting over or crossing out words. It was almost like her Obaa-sama made her mind capable of bringing up words that would be suited in the letter to other Kages. It actually helped that the old woman had distracted her for a while. Because she had been too serious it kept putting her off. Being serious is reasonable but not to be overly so. And that was where she was going wrong. All she needed was to loosen up and allow the words to come to her.
Now she can create the perfect letter and then write it out four more times. Or she could just get someone else to copy it. Nah it has to be her writing, it'll make more sense that way.