4
Inside Yami's forest, 8:33am
'This feels so great,' the female said stretching high above her head. 'No walls to confine me and nothing to stop me from relaxing to the max. It's too bad I can't spend all day out here.'
She strolled through the thick trees, ending up further away from Yami. She looked behind her and smiled. Some towering buildings jutted out through the treetops, allowing sight but no passage to the village beyond. If you're a Yami ninja like she was, it'll be impossible to get through the confusing darkness to the village beyond. It may look like the shadows are protecting the village, but the 'cover' can also be rather confining and very eerie most of the time. She strolled even further away and stopped when she came to a little cliff.
The drop wasn't dangerous. Especially not for a ninja such as herself.
She dropped off the edge and landed lightly on her feet. She stood and looked to the left. Just further through the trees the encampment of the Rogue ninjas was settled. Still not having gotten the idea to get lost they remained settled in with every intention of going about their plans. Now included in their plans was to discover who else is sharing the forest with them. She frowned in the direction. Do they not understand that all that awaits them is death? They move forward to nothing more than darkness. May be that's why the Yami village is associated with the shadows!
She went in the opposite direction of the Rogue encampment. If she happened to go there there's no telling what they would do. Or what she would do. Every Yami civilian was a ninja. Not a single one was left defenceless or without the natural instincts to fight back to defend themselves and their village. All capable of performing jutsus, all with their own significant purpose to the life of Yamigakure, she was no different. Despite being sixteen, she's a very tough ninja and has been for many years. Not even low level Rogue ninjas scared her.
A low growl sounded from her right. She turned and saw a group of shadow wolves lining the trees. Their furs were as dark as the night itself with gleaming eyes of yellow, blue and brown. The alpha stood in front. His piercing blue eyes eyed her. A non-threatening growl erupted from his throat. Like the ninjas of Yamigakure, the animals here are very much attached to the place and understanding enemy from ally. He regarded her with intelligent eyes and perceived her as an ally. All animals inside of Yami's borders are regarded as shadow creatures.
For some reason all the animals have dark coats. Not one has another colour. She supposed it was so they could blend right into their environment.
She smiled at the wolf. Then some snagged her complete attention.
She looked down the path she was originally thinking of going down. Something was emitting chakra, something strong and at quite a number. Frowning, she inched closer on cautious steps. The wolves stalked alongside her. Both an itch of curiosity and the need to protect an ally had them pulled towards what she could feel and sense. She had no doubt that whatever it was, was very dangerous. She wanted to tell the wolves to go to safety but where would the point in that be? Wolves are territorial creatures. They would stop at nothing to protect what belongs to them and their own pack.
By the time she found the source of the numerous chakras, she was far away from Yami. With only the wolves and her own power to back her up, she kept to the shadows as she peered around a tree trunk. A large noticeable group clustered together. Their gazes were everywhere as if taking everything to memory. Her heart leapt to her throat. The itch to strike them dead where they stood had her inching towards her weapons pouch. She stopped herself in time. Curiosity to find out what brought them here kept her against the idea of killing them.
Intruders in Yamigakure's boundaries? She would have thought it scandalous at first. But after hearing of the Rogue ninjas settled into the place, she didn't find it as such. Not anymore. More and more people were trespassing, sticking their noses into unwanted territory. The wolves were growling viciously at the intruders but they made no move to attack. They kept close to her, peering around and allowing their rumbling growls to alert the intruders before them that they weren't wanted or welcomed. They were going to get themselves killed in this place if she didn't do something about it.
Should she or should she just leave them to their demise?
Think! She ordered herself.
Gods this was such a stupid idea but it was the only one to have appeared to her at the time. Why was she even arguing to herself about this? She had decided what she wanted to do about this a long time ago. To back out now was just a sign of weakness and fear. She was never one for weakness or fear. Clenching her fists, gritting her teeth, she shoved away her emotions and stepped out from around the tree. At the sight of her they immediately got on the defensive. Kunais were drawn out of their pouches and armed in a defensive position. She could sense chakra readied in case she decided to attack them.
The wolves padded out after her. The alpha stood at her side, his body leaning against her, providing comfort and support. She owed the big lug for this. The other wolves crammed close to them, offering protection, support and ready to defend if the need arose. She readied her own chakra but kept her hands from inching towards her weapons pouch. If she made that first move they would attack. Not only would she most likely lose her life because of the odds against her but so would the wolves for trying to protect her.
She wouldn't allow anyone from Yamigakure, animal or human, to be killed.
Somewhere in Yami's forest, 10:27am
'Did you hear that, Kazekage-sama?' Matsuri said quietly. Her eyes darted from shadow to shadow trying to pinpoint where the threat she sensed seemed to come from. She was ready to sacrifice her life for her Kage's if someone decided to come out and attack. She readied herself with a kunai, keeping it low as to not take away the element of surprise. Determining there was nothing there as of yet, she turned her attention back to her beloved leader and secret crush.
The red haired Kage didn't look at her but at the trees ahead. Indeed a sound had drawn their instant attention. Now guarded, they were prepared to take on any that decided to come out of those trees. So far as they know it was the Rogues that had been targeting the Five Great Nations. They would have come out charging, not caring for their lives. It must be someone else or even an animal.
Before they left Konoha, a message had appeared by a strange looking eagle. It was by far larger than the largest eagle and was deadlier. Although it hadn't attacked it looked like it was trained for such measures. The message it carried was within a scroll that the Hokage had first read then the Kazekage. In response, the Hokage had gotten her assistant to get it copied and sent to the other Kages. She decided it was genuine rather than a false lead. It explained all about the Rogues that had settled there and who the person writing to them was.
The Chikage, Gaara thought narrowing his eyes. What have you got planned?
The sound came again but this time it was accompanied by a single person stepping out from around a tree. Behind her was a pack of wolves, all snarling and growling as they saw them as a threat. Their immediate reaction was to ready themselves to defend and to retaliate. She stood non-threateningly but something was slightly off. She didn't smile, her ice blue eyes were hardened and guarded, yet her posture was relaxed. She was confident Gaara noted. He could read it with the way she held herself.
She was strikingly gorgeous. Dark red hair descended to her mid-thighs where a simple white dress clung to her figure, outlining her curves and her well developed chest. She was as pale as Gaara and tall enough to reach his shoulders. The wolves pushed close together around her. A leading black wolf rubbed up against her, his blue eyes glaring at the lot of them. It was like he was claiming the girl for himself. She ran a hand over his head. His growl was cut off and he looked back at her. She scratched him behind his ear. The wolf closed his eyes, leaned more heavily against her and wagged his tail lightly.
'Who the hell are you?' Haruno Sakura demanded.
The blue eyed wolf snapped to attention and growled back at her.
'That is the question I ask rather than you. You are trespassing after all.'
'This land isn't claimed!' Haruno snapped.
The girl's ice blue eyes turned deadly. She was not an ordinary female if she could quickly look to be a killer. Her posture hadn't changed. Only her eyes. And right now her eyes were hinting at slaughtering every last one of them. Whether or not she had the strength and power to do so remains to be seen. But there's one thing that Gaara knows not to do and that's to underestimate a stranger in their own land. That was the feeling he was getting from her. This land belongs to her and the people she lives with. In other words the information in the scroll was right after all.
This land has been claimed for and she's one of the villagers.
Outskirts of Yamigakure, 11:12am
What a busy day and it's not even noon yet. Here she stands confronting intruders from the other villages and they have the guts to claim that this land hasn't been claimed? Such ridiculousness! Do they not understand that they are facing imminent danger just by blabbering off at the mouth? With the way the pink haired kunoichi seems to ramble on, she took it as if they have no idea who they face.
The red haired guy took one step forward. That lone action ceased the oncoming words that were going to come out of the kunoichi's mouth. Her eyes immediately zeroed in on him. He stopped dead in his tracks. He remained calm in front of her, showing her non-threatening signs. She frowned but then her features smoothed out. The dangerous look in her eyes didn't disappear though. The kunoichi had pissed her off. No way was she just going to accept that so easily. With one last glare at the pink kunoichi, she turned all her attention back to the one seemingly to be in charge.
'From the information sent to us, I believe you to be a member of Yamigakure No Sato.' He accused.
Interest lurked in her eyes and a smirk crossed her face. 'How much information did you take in?' she challenged.
'This land has been claimed by Yamigakure centuries past. Once the village was part of the Great Nations but then it disappeared into the dark, until now. Care to explain why your Chikage wants to suddenly become known throughout the ninja world?'
Her smirk vanished. 'And be accused of crimes we hadn't committed?'
'So that's why.' He said more to himself. 'We'd like to speak with your Chikage.'
She crossed her arms. 'Sorry no can do.' He frowned, a question in his eyes. 'Chikage-sama's indisposed at the moment. I could pass on a message if you'd like.'
'Passing on a message will not do. I wish to speak with your leader.'
'On whose grounds do you demand this, Kazekage?' her mouth quirked when she saw their shocked expressions. 'Yes I know who you are, Kazekage. And forgive me if I don't bow to you but I only ever bow to Chikage-sama.'
She reframed from smirking at them. How could one be simply so dumb? They come in here with information about Yamigakure and expect Yami to not have any on them? How absurd! As if anyone's that dumb to not do their homework beforehand. In fact, Yami's been centuries prepared for this encounter. Learning all about the other villages always helped in order to identify one from another. In this case it puts her at more of an advantage.
How cruel for the Chikage to pass information onto them, letting them think they have the advantage and then find out that they really don't.
Pitiful, she thought. Truly pitiful.
'Who are you?' the red haired Kazekage asked. She even heard a note of a demand in his voice.
'Tut tut,' she said scolding. 'The proper way to address someone is by introducing yourself first. It's impolite to demand it of someone.'
He frowned but didn't seem to argue with her. 'You already know I'm a Kage. How do I know that you don't already know who I am?'
'Ah but that's the question isn't it, Kazekage?'
'I am Sabaku no Gaara the fifth Kazekage of Sunagakure.'
She nodded in approval. 'Very well put, Kazekage-san. They call me Tsubasa Chi.'
Yamigakure no Sato, Chikage's office, 2:43pm
The Chikage sighed and rested back against the chair. She twiddled with a strand of hair as she stared at the ceiling.
Intruders in Yami…
She knew it would come. She had always known. Ever since she sent out that letter she knew they would respond, just not how quickly. She should have expect the reaction but she hadn't and that's what frightened her most of all. They demanded an audience with her and since it was refused they were settled into the village. Of course they weren't allowed to interact with the villagers until they she has seen to them first of all. If they're a threat she wouldn't let them live long, but if they weren't…
What should she do?
'My, oh my, it's begun already?'
She looked up and saw her Obaa-sama. She looked the exact same as the other week when she had walked in on her letter writing. Her white hair was tightly secured into a bun and she wore a kimono. Her wise blue eyes stared at her granddaughter as if she knew something that she didn't. Yet the Chikage knew the kind of look from experience. She only ever looked sly and pleased with herself when she's found somebody suitable.
'Who have you chosen this time, Obaa-sama?' the Chikage said on a sigh.
'I don't know what you mean,' the old woman said framing innocence. Her small body lifted off the floor and she sat crossed legged on the desk. 'So what are you going to do?'
'I'll deal with them soon enough, Obaa-sama.' The old woman had that look in her eye. 'I won't even get married until I'm well passed my twenties. So stop looking for a suitor!'
'Always quick to ruin an old woman's fun,' the old woman grumbled.
'I heard you, Obaa-sama.'
The old woman only grinned at her granddaughter. It was clear enough that the old woman didn't want to tell her anything or was trying her best to keep it a secret. At least she was the only one in the village that seemed to think it a good idea to set her up with someone. If there was a lot more people behind it then it would be almost impossible to refuse. Although marriage wasn't part of the tradition, having an heir to the title was. If it means that the village would get the next heir then the village would go for it. That is if they knew. That's something she's hoping to avoid.
But for the one thing that she can't avoid. The intruders from the Five Great Nations. One Kage, the Kazekage if she remembered correctly, decided to be one of the very intruders himself. He's as young as her with red hair and turquoise eyes. He's tall, much taller than she gathered, but then she didn't really expect much about the Five Great Nations until now. What kind if jutsus would they know? How strong are they? And are they going to be a threat to the village?
Yes, that's the proper question she should be asking herself. Was it wise to let them stay here until she decides to be done with them?
She smirked to herself. For now they are her prisoner, but that's what they don't know until it is said.
'You're smirking to yourself again,' her Obaa-sama stated breaking her out of her reverie.
'At least I don't speak in my sleep,' she poked back.
The old woman huffed, crossed her arms and looked away. 'At least I'm not a stubborn teenager.'
'At least I'm not a grouchy old woman.'
The old woman laughed. 'Touché, my child.' She jumped off the desk and walked towards the door with her hands clasped behind her back. 'Let me know the moment you have your eye on a man.' She turned and gave her a mischievous grin. There was even a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. 'I'll do everything in my power to make sure that you're able to continue Yami's tradition.'
She ran just as the Chikage threw pencils at her. They dug into the door. Sighing she sat back in the chair.
'What am I going to do with you, Obaa-sama?' she said shaking her head.
First things first, deal with the intruders before going onto anything personal. Business always comes first; nothing should ever come in front of it no matter the occasion. Unless it's a family emergency or something like that. But why was her Obaa-sama so determined for her to become married?
Too young, she thought, much too young for marriage or children.