NOTE: Chapter 1 has been edited with new stuff. Hopefully it will answer some questions.
Hello one, hello all!
I was pleasantly surprised by your reaction. It was encouraging and rewarding to see so many reviews and favourites in a short space of time.
So here is the second chapter.
My special thanks to my beta ABitterPill for editing and brainstorming.
Adittional thanks to BijuuDamaBomber who provided some sweet pictures of xenos and some cool ideas.
Chapter 2: Another Day
"I need you to understand. If you go through with this, provided you don't die, it will change you. Forever. What you are now; you will never be again."
- Saica Miyamura (scientist) to Oda Miri (2nd Xeno-jinchuuriki) before transference of the Queen Mother.
0o0o0o
Arthritis is a bastard. Imagine your body being set on fire, but there is no way to put it out. It is painful, heavy, distracting and worst of all unnerving. And it gets worse with age. That will give you a rough idea of what it is like to have arthritis.
I guess the Shodaime and Nidaime could count themselves lucky for passing on so young. The Sandaime massaged his hands in silence, using a little chakra to dull the pain. It's funny, we can use chakra to glue someone's skin back on and raise them back from the dead, but we can't find a solution to old joints and bad backs. It's times like this I can empathize with Oonoki.
It was Monday morning and already the Hokage could tell he was going to have a bad week. The paperwork was larger than normal and it was more complicated. Hiruzen was a master of speed reading but it seemed there was a lot of mission foul-ups; thus he could not just skim over the blasted things.
"Kotetsu!" The Sandaime shouted. "Coffee!"
"Sorry sir!" A young man rushed in with a fresh cup of the heavenly brew. The very smell made the old man smile.
"And keep it coming," the Hokage sipped, "it's going to be a long day."
"Yes sir!" The Hokage would generally go back to being a bureaucrat but he noticed the chunin had not moved. And he was holding something in his hand: that was not good.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
Fifteen.
"I am not in the mood for twenty questions Kotetsu." The Sandaime looked up. "Stop being polite and just tell me what the problem is."
"Well sir…" Kotetsu fumbled handing the small bundle of paper over to the Hokage, "there was an incident this morning. A Naruto one."
"Again?" The Hokage groaned, he reached into his third desk drawer and pulled out an orange folder, the Naruto file. It was filled to the brim with incident reports, it was getting so bad he might have to make another one. "Damnit... what's the damage, this time?" The Hokage snatched the document from the chunin's hand.
"Some minor property damage; broken dishes and a glass window." Kotetsu gulped. "But sir, it was not a regular one, there was a fight."
The Hokage's eyes darted back up to the chunin. "What kind?"
"An Academy fight…it got a little out of control." Kotetsu gulped. "Naruto is a little beat up, but otherwise fine. But his opponents…" Kotetsu tried to sound reassuring, and failing spectacularly, "but his opponents are…they're alive but they are currently in intensive care. It is unknown if they will recover at this time."
"Oh god…" The Hokage blinked slowly, taking in the news. He slowly read the incident report; it was sketchy and rushed. And the crumpled texture of the paper told him it was handed between too many people in a hurry.
Three Graduating Academy students. One boy said something to the other. Naruto attacked and was kicked through window. Renewed effort to attack using retractable claws. Frenzied. Academy student used kunai. Cut Naruto. Blood injured two Academy student; their hands and arms severely damaged. Third minor lacerations. Academy instructors responded by restraining all parties involved.
Damnit, damnit, damnit, damnit…. The Hokage frowned. This was just as bad as last time.
"Where is Naruto?" The Hokage grumbled.
"Outside sir." The chunin piped. "Under guard."
Of course, the Hokage moaned. Naruto had been giving the village every excuse to ostracise him further. Giving the council even further credence to the folly of adopting the Queen Mother. Hiruzen tried to argue that Naruto is no different than any other jinchuurki; Konoha had the kyuubi for many years and those that were host to it were treated like people.
But this is different, they countered, he's unpredictable and more importantly: dangerous. Konoha sharing Uzushiogakure's fate was a nightmare that haunted everyone on the council.
While technically a secret, everyone knew Naruto was the xeno-jinchuurki. The acid for blood was kind of a dead giveaway, amongst many other sign. It was kind of like ANBU; no one is supposed to know about it yet everyone does.
"Send him in." The Hokage filed the latest in a long line of incidents in the orange folder. "No need for guards." Kotetsu nodded and left the room in hurried fashion. The Hokage did not wait long before the door opened again.
And there stood the Hokage's deepest regret.
A six year old boy walked into his office half slouching, half crouching. His skin was of an eerily pale complexion. His build was gaunt, almost skeletal, the skin hugging his bones and flesh. Combined with slight tinges of yellow or green, the boy could be mistaken for a very sick person. Hardly the kind of individual who can take on three newly promoted genin and win…or at least reach a stalemate. The blonde's hair hung limply on his head and blue eyes darting all around the room, looking for something that made sense only to him.
He was dressed in his orange jumpsuit, but modified with large zippers, velcro and gashes. It was the kind of clothes you would think a stripper would wear. Then again when your blood can melt steel you tend to stop spending money on trying to look presentable. The Hokage noticed Naruto's right sleeve was made of a different material, as if the sleeve was torn off and replaced it with a new one.
"Hello Naruto." The Hokage tried to take the first step.
"Hello Sandaime." Naruto hissed, taking large gulps between breaths, trying to keep drooling to a minimum.
"You know why you are here?"
"Yes." Naruto continued glancing around the room…watching…waiting. "Same reason as always."
"Naruto we've had this talk before." The Hokage kept his voice even. "You can't do this anymore…"
"They started it." Naruto sounded confident and vindicated. Neither was the case as far as the Hokage was concerned.
"You can't start a fight based on what they said." The Hokage frowned. "They're just kids."
"Easy for you to say," Naruto growled glaring at a piece of furniture in distain, "they weren't trash talking you."
"Naruto, listen to me. You just have to…" The Hokage's slammed his hand against the desk. "Naruto! Look at me when I'm talking to you!" Naruto's eyes complied and immediately zeroed in on him like a hawk on a hare. Hiruzen was briefly taken aback by the blonde's pale blue eyes and the intelligence that hid behind them.
"This has got to stop." The Hokage exasperated. "You might be right, maybe they were saying something against you, but you are not proving your case. I am not going to be around forever, who is going to help you then?"
"What do you mean, you won't be around?" Naruto's eyes widened. "Are you sick?"
"No, I'm not sick Naruto." The Hokage soothed his breathing, allowing the tension in the room to drop. "I'm saying I'm old Naruto. I am going to die eventually."
"But that won't happen for-"
"Naruto, listen and focus." The Hokage interrupted the boy. "I had a meeting last week with the council. Do you know what they want to do?" The boy slowly shook his head.
"They want to put you under house arrest." The old man continued. "They want to put you in a prison. And frankly I am running out of excuses not to do so."
"You would do that to me?" Naruto's eyes widened in horror. "Over this?"
"I'm on your side Naruto, but I am just one man." The Hokage leaned back into his chair, his back aching. "I may be the Hokage but that does not make me all powerful. I can be overruled. I can be ordered. And when you are attacking Konoha citizens left and right with little to no valid cause... Do I need to remind you that you have just inflicted grievous bodily harm on two Konoha shinobi?"
"They started it!" Naruto yelled gripping his fists. "What do you want me to do? Not get cut?! They pulled the kunai, not me!"
"You wouldn't have got cut in the first place if you had that temper of yours under control." The Hokage spoke slowly. "Naruto, I will not deny there are those who have mistreated you. But that does not give you the right to attack people on sight simply because they bad mouth you."
The boy remained silent, but the Hokage could see Naruto's eyes watering. Yet practice and determination allowed him to keep the tears from falling. Crying was okay, but it's just a little embarrassing when your tears can melt the floor. The Sandaime breathed in slowly. "Naruto, you are a bright boy, with top grades in all areas. I know, deep down you think what you did was wrong. Use your head, not your gut." Appeal to the boy, not the Queen Mother. Hiruzen recited to himself. Get him thinking again. "Many shinobi have ended up in dangerous, even fatal situations because they let their emotions run rampant. You need to stop and look at things logically."
"Naruto I want you to promise me to think things through next time. And if you are stressed or panicked, you know where I live. You can come to me for help, day or night. Can you do that?"
"…Yes…I promise." Naruto echoed.
"Okay." The Hokage nodded. "Now get back to the Academy."
"I don't want to go back. I don't like it there. The kids…" Naruto frowned. "It's boring."
"Maybe Naruto," The Hokage smirked, "but you have to. Think of it this way Naruto, do well and you will never have to go back again. No boring schoolwork, no insults. You'll be free and clear."
Naruto pale eyes gazed at the old man with a certain glint you don't see in children; the kind where people think you are lying to them. Naruto nonetheless swallowed whatever he was going to say and nodded glumly. "Yes sir."
"Good. Off you go." The exact moment Naruto closed the door, he scrambled for his paperwork muttering diligently. Insane paperwork and now this, the Hokage sighed. I'll never hear the end of it.
0o0o0o
Naruto did not go back to the Academy exactly, he would return to class eventually but it would be best to slip back in quietly during recess. At the moment he was sitting on a roof of one the many buildings in Konoha. Oh how he hated open spaces, it felt so very exposed and vulnerable. He wanted to return to his small house just on the outskirts but it was too far. So Naruto decided best just to take a time out somewhere isolated and deal with his problems. The blonde was experiencing a variety of emotions; fear, anger, guilt, suspicion and betrayal were among them.
How could he do this to me?! Naruto fumed silently, clenching his fists. It was their fault (defend us). They treated me like crap; they all treat me like crap! I defend myself and I'm the bad guy?! (Bad guy) Naruto blinked, right or wrong the Hokage insisted he had a problem. Konoha's going to make me a prisoner (make us a prisoner). But the old man will defend me, he'll protect me...Won't he?
Naruto wanted to believe the Hokage would help him. But that look…it did not look very reassuring in the slightest. No, he can't help (abandon us) I'm leaving him no choice (always a choice). The council is rallying against him (old and weak), he's stuck his neck out for me too many times (we can't trust him).
Naruto sniffed unpleasantly before taking a large gulp of the saliva accumulating in his mouth. No, I'm on my own (we are alone). I can't trust this village (wants us dead), and I can't rely on the Hokage (kill him). Gazing at the sky, Naruto judged that recess was approaching soon. He probably had enough time to pack his stuff and make a run for it, he doubted the village would miss him: no more drooling for fights; they might even celebrate. But where would I go (we leave)? Wouldn't I end up a missing-nin (protect us)? But I can't abandon the Sandaime (kill him), I owe everything to him (will take everything from us).
Naruto glanced behind him to see the stone carving of the Hokage's, his eyes settling on the old man. I can't leave with him still here (kill him). He's basically the closest thing I got to family (kill him and leave).
"What?" Naruto muttered in confusion. I would have to kill him (KILL HIM).
"NO!" Naruto blurted out only to clamp a hand on his mouth; don't bother anyone remember (remember). Only then did he taste the warm copper in his mouth, he glanced at his hand; he clenched his fists so hard he drew blood. "Ah crap…" Naruto gasped realising the implications. "Oh crap!"
The blonde glanced on the roof; several droplets hit the roof hissing and spitting madly. Naruto heart raced, panicking on how he was going to explain this so soon after just getting out of the kage's office. Ohshitohshitohshitohshitohshitohshitohshitohshitohshitohshit.
It was only when the blood was neutralised did he sigh in relief, rather than large holes there was little more than scars; obviously not as much blood as he thought. That or the roof was made of hardier stuff. Kami, that could have been a disaster.
Naruto shook his head, forcing his mind away from the disappointed look on the old man's face, focusing instead on the first time the Hokage took him out for dinner; a happy time. A time where he felt safe. Remember Naruto, the old man was always there for you, he will always be there for you. He is just trying to protect you. He could scarcely recall a good memory that did not have the Hokage in it.
When Naruto got into fights in the orphanage, the old man came and gave him a home.
When Naruto was starving, the old man gave him a meal.
When Naruto was borderline destitute, the old man got him back on his feet.
Naruto felt the warmth of the memory come to him and his fists slowly unclenched. The thought of killing the old man and leaving the village was stupid; the Sandaime was always there for him. He was just trying to protect him. Besides, he's the Hokage. Naruto scoffed. I wouldn't stand a chance even if I wanted to.
On cue the familiar sound of an Academy bell rang. With a groan Naruto hopped down off the roof and headed back to the place he loathed so much, making sure to wash his hands and face on the way.
0o0o0o
"Welcome back class." Iruka greeted cheerfully. He received response with various degrees of enthusiasm with Shikamaru quietly snoring in the back, chances are he did not even wake up for recess.
A few seats away from the Nara, Iruka noticed a familiar blonde and nodded pleasantly. Naruto in turn nodded back before leaning into his chair. "Ready for a good nap Shikamaru?" Naruto muttered.
The Nara barely made any form of acknowledgement, but Naruto took the slight drool coming out of his mouth as a 'yes'.
Shikamaru was not exactly a friend per se, more like a fellow bored student. All Naruto knew was that after several fights he was left largely alone, except for the bullies with little common sense.
The Nara just showed up one class and joined Naruto in the back, only to promptly fall asleep on his desk, much to the blonde's confusion and amusement. The only time he would wake was when Iruka yelled at him or the final bell rang dismissing the class.
Academically, Shikamaru was on par with Naruto in terms of knowledge and skill. Physically Naruto out classed him by a huge margin…Unless of course the jerk used that Kagemane-whatever jutsu in which case it was more of a challenge. Thankfully Naruto did not have to worry about that, as Shikamaru would just give up if it meant sleeping more. And after the first few incidents Naruto was not really allowed to spar with anyone; period.
Naruto was ready to doze off himself while Iruka lectured on about ninja battle tactics (something he memorised years ago though for the life of him he could not remember when), when Iruka broke tradition.
"By the way class, a we have a new transfer for us," Iruka smiled, "she's from class 4C. Please say hello to Aburame Shino." On cue a small girl walked through the door, she wore a sea-green jacket with a high colour that reached to her nose, a set of brown pants and a pair of circular sunglasses. If it wasn't for her long flowing brown hair that disappeared into the collar, many would have mistaken her for a boy.
"Hello everyone." She whispered pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "I look forward to being in your class." Naruto was caught off guard, sure he knew of the Aburame but never actually saw one, much less met one. They tend to keep to themselves which suited Naruto just fine.
But this girl, Aburame Shino was different. Naruto could just sense something that separated her from the rest. He heard a faint sound emanating from her, there was buzzing but behind that…
What is that…Naruto squinted, titling his head slightly to get a better angle.
"Welcome Shino," Iruka smiled warmly, "please take a seat." Shino nodded and took the closest one she could find, a side seat near the front. While Iruka was lecturing the class on the tactics of the Battle of Shadow Hill, Naruto's eyes never left Shino, the strange sound having both his full attention and curiosity.
…is that…music?
0o0o0o
"Ugh that boy is going to be the death of me. I just know it." Part of the old man was furious, another part was upset, and the rest was guilt. His already large pile of paperwork got bigger in his absence. Rather than taking care of it, he spent all morning and some of the afternoon checking in on the injured Academy Graduates. It did not help that one of them, Makoto Aki, was the son of Makoto Ruvie, a jounin and high level bureaucrat.
The amount of wrangling and political arguments (stuff the old man absolutely hated) just to convince him to drop the charges took most of the wind from the Hokage's sails. Even then he had to deal with families of the other two. Although the Hokage managed to 'brush' aside the issue like he did in the past he noticed negotiations regarding Naruto were becoming more difficult with each incident.
"Beware what you say, Hiruzen. You just might get it." Homura muttered in response to Sarutobi's statement. "We're lucky; the injuries of the kids will heal, just not for a long while. Even then the amount of rehabilitation will be a nightmare to experience."
"It could have been worse," Hiruzen held his head in his hands, "if they did not get medical attention immediately they would have lost all their limbs. Thank kami there were a couple of off-duty medics on site."
"He's getting worse." Koharu interrupted. "Not even Kushina was this bad."
"Kushina was not made into a jinchuuriki until she was in her early teens. By then she had enough mental control to be stable." Homura argued. "Naruto was infused when he was just born, he has no mental defence against the Queen Mother's instincts."
"I wonder whose fault that was." The Hokage glared up to face his former teammate. Then immediately winced; the blame for what has happened rested solely on him. His teammates decided let that slide.
"Naruto is one of, if not the youngest jinchuuriki in recorded history, much less a xeno-jinchuuriki." Koharu concluded. "Bottom line is we have no idea what is going to happen, we might as well throw out what we have on previous xeno-jinchuuriki."
"Thanks to that prick, Mitsuhide we have little go on." Hiruzen grunted. "And if we do that, we will have nothing." The only information Konoha had on the xeno-jinchuuriki was acquired through the rubble and what intel they collected from private investigations, courtesy of Danzo.
0o0o0o
"Alright class, have a good day." Iruka waved at the children who ignored his attention something to be expected when school ends. "I'll see you tomorrow. And don't forget to do your homework!"
Many of the kids were already rushing out the door with Shikamaru himself slowly shambling out the classroom most likely looking forward to going to sleep on an actual bed. Shino on the other hand walked out with almost robotic precision her steps barely making a sound.
Naruto was trailing behind her, far enough so as not to be detected but close enough to hear the symphony radiating for the Aburame. Naruto could not believe it when he heard it, but sure enough he could hear music. And it was beautiful. Naruto was never one for music, but he had never quite heard a tune like what Shino was making.
A small ensemble produced a lovely tune which Naruto instantly enjoyed. He so desperately wanted to get a closer to listen but after the stint this morning he decided best to hang back. Part of him was curious how a person could make such music when they were so obviously not playing anything, but Naruto was far too entranced with the song he was hearing to care.
He was almost disappointed when Shino turned left into a small out of the way compound well out of sight, taking the music with her. The entrance to the supposed Aburame Clan was well hidden, but a better word would be underwhelming. The entrance looked little more than an alleyway. Simple, out of the way, and easily dismissed.
Naruto was disappointed that Shino left so soon, but it would be creepy to follow her into the actual clan compound, but then again he was going to see her tomorrow. Yes, Naruto thought with a small smile, definitely tomorrow. I should probably ask her about it.
Naruto was about to go back the way he came when he realised that while following Shino, he had walked in the opposite direction of his house, and it was now getting dark. How far did we walk? Naruto cringed, the last thing he needed was to be out after dark; that is when the drunks showed up. His inevitable cursing was interrupted by a pleasant acoustic, thinking Shino returned he spun around to stare at the alleyway.
It was only when he glanced into the alleyway that Naruto could truly comprehended it; an orchestra of music resounded through him as if the melodies themselves were a tidal wave. It was exhilarating.
Naruto wondered how the hell the Aburame had escaped his notice for so long when they were making such welcoming songs. I have got to know more.
0o0o0o
The Aburame Central Hive was the main source of Kikkai production. It looked unremarkable on the surface, but anyone who worked with the Aburame knew that appearances can be deceiving. Although the building was two storeys high, it extended twenty three levels below ground and covered an area of five hectares. Besides the Hokage monument, it was the largest structure in Konoha and got bigger every decade.
The Central Hive produced the clan's precious queens and chronicled the development of Aburame-Kikkai interaction since the clan's inception. To the layman it was more or less a gigantic bug farm. To the Aburame it was a sacred place, the value of which was incomprehensible.
The main entrance was a large laboratory; in the centre was the Primary Chamber; a gigantic glass dome that extended from the ceiling all the way to the metal grate floor and below. Inside the dome was countless Kikkai of different hives all buzzing around in chaotic symbiosis. Along the walls were volumes of books stacked orderly in shelves, desks with microscopes, walls lined with genealogy and entomology maps and hundreds of glass jars containing Kikkai of various species.
Underneath the metal grate were series of narrow walkways, ladders and pressurised water pumps. All of these were built around the Primary Chamber and the separate smaller chambers housing unique breeds of Kikkai. Each unique Kikkai hive chamber had its own exclusive set of thermal and moisture conditions. Through a series of catacombs they could pass to the Primary Chamber and back allowing the Kikkai to interact and grow. It also doubled as an enclosed environment that allowed Kikkai to interact with nature. There was soil, trees, sunlight and a variety of other insects that allowed Kikkai to thrive while keeping them safe against unwanted attention.
At the very bottom, on the lowest level of the structure was entrance into the Primary Chamber. A large steel door stood out in the glass environment. Entrance into any of the chambers without approval was highly forbidden. Permission could only be granted by the Hive Gatekeeper or the Aburame Clan Leader and that was rarely given at best. Those few instances when it was granted could only be conducted under the watchful eye of the Hive Gatekeeper.
0o0o0o
Aburame Shibi woke with a sudden start. The hives that he was bonded to were panicked and agitated. Aburame Mako woke with a sudden start. Her hives were also agitated.
In almost perfect synchronisation, husband and wife put on their dark sunglass which lay on their bed drawers. He glanced at the clock on the wall; it was three in the morning. Although Shibi did not witness it, he could quickly guess that all other the Aburame were undergoing a similar experience.
This was quickly proven when his daughter ran into their bedroom. "Father what is going on?" Although Shino's voice was calm and level, the furrow in her brow was unmistakeable.
"I don't know." He peered out the window and noticed several lights from other Aburame households flicker to life. The Leader of Aburame Clan briefly closed his eyes attempting to get a lock on the source of the disturbance. He felt the source originate from his queen; the Kikkai was tugging on several nerves near his heart, attempting to send him on high alert.
That is bad. Shibi sent miniature chakra pulses to his queen attempting communication, akin to Morse code
The queen sent similar pulses back to her host in response. It took a brief second longer to identify the reason why. It was one word.
INTRUDER
Shibi's queen, like all the other Aburame, was receiving a signal from the Aburame Central Hive. There was a security breach; the Central Hive itself was sending a call for aid.
There was an intruder inside the Aburame Central Hive.
That is worse. Aburame Shibi paled and for the first time in decades found himself sweating. If there was an intruder in the Aburame Central Hive it would take very little to damage the precious Kikkai that dwelled within. Generations of research and careful work would be destroyed in minutes.
Similar high ranking Aburame started coming to the same conclusion and already he could hear the sound of hurried footsteps and the buzz of swarming Kikkai homing in on the Central Hive.
"Mako, take Shino into her bedroom and lock the door." Shibi jumped out of bed and pulled the massive gourd containing his secondary Ection Hive. There was no time to change out of his pyjamas. Mako's mouth partially opened to object, but she quickly closed it and complied. She hurried out of bed and took Shino by the hand and led her away.
Shibi felt relieved that his wife or daughter would not be involved in this and logically, their safety was statistically more likely. He jumped out of the bedroom window and landed on the soft earth beneath his feet.
"Aburame-sama." A nearby Aburame acknowledged. He was one of the younger Aburame, a third cousin, no older than thirteen if Shibi recalled correctly. His hair was exceptionally sort, almost crew cut and his glasses had an angular appearance as opposed to the usual spherical shape. He was running at full sprint.
"Shirin." The clan leader ran at the younger man's pace, thankfully the adrenaline allowed him to keep up. "Status?"
"Eighteen dual hived and two triple-hived are converging, including yourself." The younger Aburame nodded. "Twenty hived are following, including myself."
"Rules of engagement?"
"Aburame Sankot was primary." Shirin commented off handedly. "Current standing is 'kill on sight'."
"No. Ensure there is at least one survivor to undergo interrogation." Shibi's tone sent chills even up Shirin's spine, though he would not comment on it. "We need information on how they breached the Hive and on whose orders."
"Understood." Shirin sent several Kikkai from under his sleeve out into the dark night relaying the new orders.
Aburame may not be the most powerful shinobi, chances are they will never have one of their own as Hokage.
But there is a reason why they are one of the four noble clans of Konoha.
There is a reason why they are feared by both enemy and ally alike.
There is a reason why people do not socialise with them.
Thousands of insects slowly crawling over your body, entering through any orifice they can find will set most people running for the hills. The image of being slowly yet systematically devoured by thousands by tiny Kikkai will rattle even the most hardened veterans.
These intruders whoever they are, would come to understand the why one should be afraid of the Aburame Clan.
0o0o0o
"Ready?" Shibi whispered.
"Ready." Replied Sankot. The clan leader titled his head to allow a glance as several members of his family crouch next to several windows and doors and those were the ones he could see. With the amount of Kikkai swarming, they could easily relay orders to those out of visual or audible range almost instantly. One by one he received confirmation from his family. Satisfied; Shibi gave the word.
"Breach." As one unit, forty Aburame simultaneously breached into the Central Hive. They came in from all directions; front doors and the back, the windows, the ceiling and from under the ground.
They did so quickly and quietly, and in the heat of the moment, Shibi allowed himself a brief spark of pride before focusing on the matter at hand.
The air was thick with Kikkai and buzzing. Every square centimetre was covered with the small insects, leaving no stone unturned and no hiding place unexposed. Several seconds of silence as Shibi and indeed all the other Aburame were exchanging a breadth of information.
"Clear." Shibi sighed, he quickly drew his Kikkai back to him. "Status?"
Several of the Aburame checked the containment for the hives checking and double checking any possibility of damage.
"List all the hives – no evidence of contamination."
"I do not understand." Said a blank female voice. "Where is the intruder or intruders?"
"Out of the way! What kind of dipstick thinks he can barge into this chamber under my watch?" Aburame Shin, the Hive Gatekeeper shoved past several of his clan to get to his desk. He began to troll through all his papers and books looking for anything missing. Shin who was the Clan Leader before Shibi as well as his father. He was different from other elders, namely in that he lacked the conservative niceties that most Aburame embrace. He swore, he abused, he laughed, he smiled and he told jokes (admittedly they were bad ones). When queried on his behavior, Shin always replied with some variance of 'I'm too old for this emotionless calculator mumbo-jumbo.'
"Father," Shibi raised a brow, "was anything taken?"
"No." Shin huffed. "As far as my Kikkai are concerned, they did not so much as touch any of them. There is a perimeter around the Central Hive, it has not yet been breached."
"Did they escape?"
"Negative." Sankot shook his head. "No indication of escape."
Shibi began to look around the room allowing his logic to walk him through the situation. "If the alarm was triggered, and nothing was taken…"
Shin continued his line of thought. "…and there is no evidence of escape…"
"…and the Central Hive does not give out false alarms…." Sankot puzzled, and his eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Someone is still in here.
Kikkai began to slowly come out of them and began to encircle the room, this time they began attaching themselves to other Aburame sending signals. Shibi furrowed his brows as he concluded there was one place they did not check.
"Open the Chambers." Shibi whispered. After several seconds he heard the sound of heavy doors being opened.
"Contact. I'm in the Primary Chamber." It was Shirin. He heard and Aburame whisper, his voice carried by his Kikkai to those above him. Several Kikkai users began to quickly move further down, their pace notably more frantic than before.
In the Primary Chamber itself, Shibi's heart raced, the damage that could be inflicted would be limitless. Nightmarish thoughts flooded his mind. Thoughts of the next generation being without Queens, the Central Hive slowly dying from some unknown pathogen or disease and his Clan withering away into extinction. All of this and more, and it would have happened under his watch. Shibi realised he would not sleep well that night or any other night in the near future.
The Clan Leader pushed the thoughts away for the time being, he had to focus on the then and now. However terrifying that may be.
"Status?" Shibi's brow furrowed, if someone was willing to hide in the main chamber they must be either desperate or they were not afraid of Kikkai. Either case meant a possibly dangerous opponent.
After a second of silence Shibi heard a response. "…asleep."
"What?" Shibi realised that his voice betrayed his disbelief. "Repeat and confirm."
Several seconds of silence followed before he heard Shirin's voice, this time more confident. "I can confirm he is asleep."
"I can second that." Another voice called out. "Target asleep."
Several of the Aburame looked at each other with stern neutrality, but the buzzing of their Kikkai confirmed what they thought. How…odd.
"Aburame-sama?" Shirin called out. "You might want to take a look at this."
Shibi nodded and began to climb down the steps to the entrance followed closely by his father. They could do little but wait as they tried to climb down the steps as quickly as they could and it was a long way down.
One they reached the bottom they saw Shirin along with five other Aburame peering into the Primary Chamber. The Clan Leader and the Hive Gatekeeper slowly walked in and were greeted by a tidal wave of Kikkai of different hives all buzzing in curiosity and surprise. However, once they recognised the queens that dwelled within them they quickly left allowing the Aburame to pass unabated.
"That was an unusually small greeting." Shin muttered. "Where is the rest of them?"
"I think they are over there." Shibi pointed to a large black cloud of Kikkai that were swarming over in the middle of the Primary Chamber. They walked through the enclosed forest until they reached the very centre. They saw a large Katawari Hive mound stretching thirty meters in the air.
At the very centre they saw a small individual lying immobile at the base of the mound. Millions of Kikkai slowly swarmed the foreign entity but made no move to attack. They just seemed to float around him.
"What is going on?" Shibi turned to his father. "Some kind of jutsu?"
"Unlikely." Shin shook his head. "The way they float so calmly indicates some kind of resonance signal. The kind generated from a Queen."
Shibi's eyebrows rose in surprise but quickly resumed his neutral posture. They slowly moved forward and as they grew closer, the individual became more defined. It was a small boy no older than Shino, and he was indeed asleep. "What is going on?" Shin mused, genuine interest in his voice.
Shibi stepped a bit closer and managed to make out the blonde hair and the tattered clothes. He identified him immediately. "Uzumaki Naruto, the xeno-jinchuuriki."
The Clan Leader felt his father tense slightly before muttering, "Damnit."
"So what do we do?" Shirin asked his elder.
Shibi thought about for several minutes and grunted. "Somebody contact the Hokage."
0o0o0o
A/N - well guys and gals there you have.
Read and Review as always. Take care.