Clash in the Snow Country: Legacy Version
Chapter 19 – Ill Fate has Fallen
10:27 am. A few minutes prior to Naruto's capture
Sasuke
Sasuke felt himself sinking back into the dark cold waters. He had been right up at the surface, only to be stopped by a huge amount of ice. He didn't know if he could form a Faiatama or set an exploding tag to try and free them. Whether it would actually work underwater or if it would just be a futile attempt, he knew it didn't matter now. His strength was gone, his body limp, his lungs screaming for air as he felt his vision darken. Sakura slipped out of his arm as they both sank.
Only his mind was active.
They say your life flashes before your eyes when you're at death's door. But what you see is often not what you expect. And the first flash Sasuke experienced was definitely not one he would expect.
A six-year-old Sasuke was playing in his room with toy shuriken. Scattered around the room were various other items, such as building blocks, a small TV in the corner, even a few stuffed animals around.
Huh... he had forgotten about those. What did he call them again? He didn't remember. Only that he had been fond of them. That was kind of funny; he, Sasuke, had played with stuffed animals in his younger years...
"I'm home."
The young Sasuke perked up immediately as he dropped his plastic shuriken and ran out of the room, right as his beloved older brother walked across his door, jumping into his arms. "Big brother! Welcome home! Let's play!"
Itachi just gave a smile in return as their mother came walking over, a laundry basket in her arms. "Sasuke!Your brother has his Academy homework to do! You can play afterwards!"
Sasuke saddened immediately, depressed. It had been weeks since his older brother could play with him. That look was all Itachi needed as he told their mother his homework was easy, and the two went out to play hide and seek. Out of the corner of young Sasuke's eye, he saw his mother's disapproving look change into a small smile as she went about gathering clothes to be washed.
That's right... mother... had always said 'work first, play later'. She had been a strong believer in that. But she could never remain angry or disapproving for long. Especially when seeing both of her sons smiling and happy.
Would you smile now, mother?
Grunting in concentration, Naruto's back hunched forward as his body grew taut with strain. Then, with a louder burst now that he was closer, Sasuke watched as water erupted from the general area of both his hands.
He continued to watch with a growing interest. Making sure that he was hidden perfectly in the underbrush, Sasuke waited patiently for the blond to move.
Apparently, whatever Naruto was doing had caused him to lose focus because he suddenly dropped into the pond and had to climb to shore. Dropping to his knees and panting loudly, he just sat there for a moment. However, after a loud and deep breath, he climbed back onto his feet.
An excitement suddenly rose in Sasuke for a second. Maybe the dobe was attempting to make another jutsu, probably something with water. He suspected that the idiot had created that smokescreen and image blur like he had with the Oiroke no Jutsu. What was it was trying to make now?
"I know you're there, Sasuke, Sakura," Naruto barked angrily.
The realization that he hadn't been able to sense Sakura's approached due to his lack of attention was like a slap to his face. Snorting in disdain at being caught, by a dobe nonetheless, Sasuke merely turned and walked away with a glare on his face.
"Why were you two spying on me?" Naruto asked bluntly, watching as Sakura stared yearningly at Sasuke's retreating back for a moment.
That's right... Naruto's knack for creating jutsu had caught his interest even way back then... times seemed so much simpler then... they would argue... Sakura would crush on him... berate Naruto... Naruto would utter some kind of comeback...
Comparing that to what they were doing now – all three of them arguing, Sakura hating his guts and working alongside Naruto willingly, and that even he and the blond could put aside their differences and work together – it hardly seemed like they were the same people from back then.
And now... Kakashi was gone... and soon... him and Sakura as well... he had tried... and failed. If he had... been quicker at defeating Fubuki... maybe Kakashi would still be around... if he had been stronger, faster, quicker... maybe he and Sakura wouldn't be meeting their end in some icy forsaken tomb... he couldn't even save her when he was trying...
"Those that are closest to me are in this room right now. And I'm going to stand with them." He looked specifically at Sakura now. "And I swear to you on my own life that you won't die."
Looks like he had his answer... he would give his life to save her. Why? Why didn't matter. Too bad he failed miserably at it. Now they were both dead... just like...
An eight-year-old Sasuke was frantically running through his clan's grounds. Bodies. Bodies were everywhere. Frightened and worried, he ran to his own home looking for his mother, father, and brother, praying with all his being that they were still alive amongst this tragedy. He came to the main room, ignoring a voice warning him not to come in.
"Father! Mother!" the young boy shouted, disregarding the warning as he ran right into the room. The sight he saw next would forever leave a scar in his heart. It was his parents' bloodied bodies on the ground with a shadowy figure looming over them, a blood-stained katana held in its hand before quickly sheathing it. The figure then stepped out of the shadows.
His older brother. Itachi.
"Brother!" Sasuke had shouted, sure that he had came in looking for the killer. No one could defeat his brother after all. "Father! Mother! They're... they're... Why!? Who the hell did this...!?" Sasuke was sure his brother knew exactly what was going on.
And he was right. Just not the way he expected.
That's when a shuriken flew by him, cutting his cheek as it hit the door. "Foolish otouto." That's when Itachi closed his eyes and when he opened then, his Sharingan had shifted into a new three-pointed design.
Images of Itachi slaughtering the clan played through his mind with sheer intensity and weight as he watched each clan member fall to him one by one until the end with their parents.
I looked up to you...! How could you do it!? Why... why did you do it?! What would you think of me now, 'brother'? Dying because I tried to save someone... wretched and repulsive? I can live with that... anything to make you miserable, you insufferable bastard...
… brother... why...?
He was at a small bridge overlooking a pond as he ran through the seals for the jutsu he practiced for the last hour. His father was watching again. This time, he would succeed. This time, he would get his father's approval.
'I cannot fail!' Those words rang through his mind as he performed the Goukakyuu no Jutsu for his father the second time that day. This time, he blew out a fireball that was equal to the size his father had done, with loud, explosive results. He eagerly looked to see his father's approving face, only to see his back as he walked away.
His face had fallen, an all new pain hitting him as a result as he desperately tried to figure out what he did wrong this time.
"As I expected, you are my child."
Sasuke's face jerked up at his father, hardly believing Fugaku was saying the others he longed to hear for as long as he could remember.
"You did well. You may shamelessly wear the family crest on your back. You must now improve, and then you can soar to new heights."
"OKAY!!"
That had been the only time he heard his father's praise and approval. His mother had proclaimed that at night, his father couldn't help but talk about him, but that was the first and only time he saw his father actually do it. And it made him so happy... so proud...
Though... he didn't remember his Goukakyuu exploding during it...
The four of them were now standing together. His father standing tall, his mother at his side. Itachi was at his father's shoulder and Sasuke himself was in front of his mother, her hands resting on his shoulders, squeezing them. Tightly... too tightly...
Ouch... that hurts... his family... all four of them... at times he thought it would just last forever. Just the four of them the way it had always been. Father, the quiet and watchful leader; mother, the supportive and loving caretaker; Itachi, the role model and rival; and himself, the striving and watchful one. Now he felt himself being raised upward. Dandy. Must be dead now and ascending. What a crappy way to die...
Now he was standing in the midst of Kakashi, Sakura and Naruto as a member of Team 7. Kakashi was behind them standing just as tall and proud as Fugaku had been. Sakura was standing on his left, those admiring eyes laying on him like they did in the beginning and Naruto on his right, giving a small scowling look, but eyes that gave a glance of mutual respect between the two.
Team 7. The new family. Did it replace the first one? Yes and no. They had similar roles: Kakashi and Fugaku the overseer and director, Sakura and Mikoto the comforter, and Naruto and Itachi the rival. Both the same and different, but by no means a replacement for what he had. Rather, something new to help him strive and live.
Naruto turned Sasuke around and punched him hard in the gut.
Oh, the JERK! Even when he was dead, that little pipsqueak hothead couldn't help but get on his freaking nerves! What he wouldn't give to...
RELIEF!!!
Sasuke found air exploding into his lungs again. resulting in a deep gasp as he felt the water fall off him. The blackness around him was slowly coming back into focus as the distinct colors made their way back into his vision. Sounds began filling his ears again as he found himself on all fours, coughing and hacking up water.
He heard something that sounded very much like a swear. Looking into that direction, he saw nothing there other than tiny bits of smoke as Sasuke took in his surroundings. He was out of the lake, now on top of the ice that had encased it, breathing in that wondrous air. Looking down at his left side, he saw Sakura's form lying on her back.
We're... not... dead? Sasuke thought as a brief gust of chilling wind hit the back of his neck. That certainly felt real. He then slapped himself on the face several times. He was still frozen to the bone, his sense of touch almost non-existent, so numbed by the cold and his vision was hazy. Carefully, he tried out his voice. "It's... damn... cold..."
He touched his throat, expecting some sort of trick before finally beginning to believe the impossible: he was alive! They were both alive! How? He frantically looked around for any type of answer. He saw the battlefield and train tracks off to their right where they had fought all those Snow Ninja, the scars on the land still remaining from all the jutsu used. He didn't see another person around. Anywhere.
So then... how did they survive? Did someone save them? Who? No one was around. Did he somehow manage to break both Sakura and himself free from that ice trap? He didn't think so...
Maybe Kami was finally cutting him a break. He had no other answer.
A faint smile appeared on his face at his unexpected good fortune. Something had gone right in his favor for once. He looked over at Sakura. "Hey. Sleeping beauty. We have to get moving."
No response.
A bit worried, he knelt over her, checking her pale face.
She wasn't breathing.
"No... Sakura..." the boy started, the tone in his voice one he couldn't remember using before; frantic. He slapped her face lightly. "Come on... don't do this... we're out... come on, here!"
Again she didn't response. Without thinking, Sasuke's head lowered in a second, his mouth to her mouth, his lips touching hers as he breathed into her. "Come on... please...!" he said as he pulled back and put his hands on her chest, pumping up and down as he counted. "One, Two, Three! Don't you dare leave!"
Once more, there was nothing as he knelt down again and breathed into her a second time. "Don't you dare leave..." he said more softly. He felt himself becoming more desperate as he started pumping on her chest again 'One, Two, Three!' Still no response. "Say something!" he demanded, breathing hard as he looked at her still form. "Punch me! Kiss me! Hate me! Embrace me! Say you'll knock my block off! Something! I'm begging you here!!"
For a third time, his mouth clasped on hers. What he didn't notice, though, was a small tear falling from his right eye as it splashed on her face. "... please don't leave..." he said in a voice so quiet as he started pressing on her chest again. "I don't want to go through this again. I don't want to lose another precious person. One, Two -"
Sakura suddenly began coughing. First a small one, then a louder one. She coughed several times as water spat from her mouth. Color began returning to her face as she took in a breath. Then another and another. Then she began breathing on her own as Sasuke just fell on his butt in relief, hardly believing it.
She was breathing...
She was breathing!
"Thank you..." he whispered, subconsciously touching his face, realizing it was wet anew. Not believing it, he checked around his eye to confirm it. He had been crying. No, he didn't... oh... fine! So he cried. She was important to him. Fine, okay, whatever. It wasn't like anyone was going to know.
He stood up and stretched, hoping his body would still respond despite the cold. He didn't get out of drowning to just freeze to death. He glanced downward at Sakura and saw she still had a bad bump on the head from where Mizore he struck her. Tearing a small piece of his cloak off, he wrapped the makeshift bandage around her head, hoping that would be enough, before putting her on his back and walking through the frozen ice forest, moving until he cleared the trees back to the solid snow ground.
True enough, his eyes hadn't deceived him. There wasn't a soul in sight. Not even the defeated Snow Ninja were here. Who moved them out, their friends in that blimp? Where was everyone? He began walking through the area, seeing the impressions in the snow from where many of the snow ninja had fallen. However, what he also saw was what looked like large animal tracks everywhere. Someone recovered them, Sasuke thought.
The wind blew against his neck again, prompting him to turn around to the horizon, only to come to a complete stop. "... you have got to be kidding me..."
The horizon was filled with big black clouds, a low rumble sounding through the air as they moved steadily closer to the two Leaf Genin. A storm was coming.
A bad one.
It was going to be upon them in minutes. So that's why everyone cleared out as fast as they could. They didn't want to get caught up in that. Sasuke looked around himself for any signs of shelter. There was the lake, of course, and the forest surrounding them. There was the long train tunnel Naruto and Koyuki had gone through, except the entrance was covered with a thick blanket of snow now. Some stray jutsu must have collapsed it.
"Wonderful," Sasuke said in a hard voice. "Just wonderful." He glanced over his shoulder to see Sakura still out cold on his shoulder. She wasn't going to be much help. And unless he found some shelter quick, they were both doomed.
He started walking, only to stop just as quickly as he caught sight of something out of the corner of his eye. Laying on the snow beside him was a discarded katana. Sasuke's eyes rested on it, recalling how he had broken two (or was it three?) of those already in the last fight. Did he really need another one?
On the other hand, his kunai and shuriken were now gone since he gave them to Sakura, and having a sword had proven useful. He breathed out, giving a half smile as he knelt down and grabbed it. "I'll give this one three hours before I break it," he mused as he stabbed it through his now-empty kunai holster as a makeshift sheath. He then shifted the girl on his back as he began walking north into the forest. Maybe the trees would provide some protection.
"... Mr. Oinky-kun..." he said after a moment as he walked. "Mander-chan... that's what I called them."
10:31 am
Quarter of a kilometer away from the battlefield
Homare was following Taigi back to the battlefield as they leapt from frozen tree branch to frozen tree branch. His teammate had claimed he heard an explosion from the battlegrounds and Homare was tagging along so that when Taigi saw nothing, he could convince the man to head back to what they should be doing instead of wasting time chasing ghosts.
About twenty seconds later, both of them landed on the snow-covered ground. Homare looked around, seeing the ruined train, discarded weapons and ruined landscape. He looked up as he saw the storm approaching, the wind already getting intense as he had to cover his eyes to protect against it. "It all looks the same to me."
"I know I heard something," Taigi insisted as he looked through the snow, kicking debris aside as he looked through the train. "And if it's not..." he stopped suddenly as though realizing something. Without warning, he took off toward the frozen lake, Homare following a moment later. "You're not going to find... anything..."
A section of the ice had been blown apart, leaving a hole to the water underneath. "I knew it!" Taigi said, practically vibrating with excitement despite the cold and wind. "Someone got them out! The Uchiha is still alive!"
When the Ironwill had started pulling back, both men had witnessed Mizore striking the girl, which knocked her into the lake, how the Uchiha had dove in after her and Seihyouki Kijo had frozen the lake over with the ice kunai.
As expected, Taigi had lost any lingering hope that he could kill the Uchiha himself as the two of them began assisting the recovery efforts led by the Alpha Team. Those shinobi who had remained inside the train to operate the kunai launchers were the medics (aside from Kiganai, Kiou and Ikusa) among the group, which was why they didn't join in the fighting. Summoning several large snow creatures, the medics, Alpha and Gamma Teams put their comrades on the animals' backs and moved them to a safer location. They had been in the middle of moving their comrades away when Taigi swore he heard something back at the battlefield, prompting him to take off back there. Homare had followed along mostly to humor Taigi so they could go back to the more important matter of helping the others.
Only now he saw that Taigi had been justified. This certainly complicated things. There was no question in Homare's mind which was the more honorable choice between helping their fellows or tracking the two Leaf Ninja.
Homare didn't say a thing as he saw Taigi walked around, clearly looking for any sort of sign of which direction the Uchiha and possibly the kunoichi had gone.
The Snow Fuuton user could already see the counter-arguments his teammate would use. They weren't medics, they wouldn't be able to help out anyway, and if the Leaf Ninja had survived, it was their duty to hunt them down and neutralize them as per Doto's orders. To strike them down now before they had a chance to recover.
Homare considered what to say to him. That just being a pair of willing hands would be helpful with the wounded. That neither of them were trackers and had any idea how to pursue the two. That there was a freaking storm coming on top of them and staying out in it was suicidal.
The Loyalist turned his head and looked at his teammate. "Let's go."
Loyalist. It was very easy to forget that this man was one of Doto's chosen. That he held a considerable amount of power regardless of what his official rank was. Plus, he was worried about the man going off on revenge... and what might happen if he succeeded. And in his personal opinion, taking revenge when the kids were tired and weak was a cowardly and criminal way to do it. Honor demanded you faced your opponent at their best, both giving your all as you fought for your reasons. A test of true combat, character and dignity.
He gave a sigh as he held up his hands in resignation. "Lead the way, boss."
Hopefully the others would get along just fine and that he would be able to keep Taigi in line as he followed the man southward.
11:28 am
Daimyo's Castle
Unknown to many outside of their country's borders, Doto's castle had an official name. A name he felt described it perfectly for what it was and what it represented.
Kuro Kiba Shiro.
Black Fang Castle.
As previously established, the Daimyo's castle and the actual capital were not located in the same place because it was believed by Snow that by having them in two separate locations, they could still keep the chain of command should something happen to either the castle or the capital. But there was another reason as well.
Black Fang Castle was located in between two large mountains, with the back of it directly on a cliff edge that spanned over eight hundred meters to the ground. Strategically speaking, there was a degree of sense to this. The position was more defendable as there were only limited ways to approach Black Fang, much less attack it. The main road was really the only feasible option. However, due to being backed in a corner, there was also lack of escape for those inside if worse came to worse. The only real escape opportunity was that of the Ironwill itself. A method that would allow only thirty of the entire castle population of over a thousand to evacuate.
Naturally, one could scale the cliff face to attack from the rear, but this offered its own degree of danger. Should the attackers be spotted before they reached the top, they would find themselves in a very poor position that would almost certainly result in a complete loss of troops.
As a means to compensate for the location, a number of outposts were stationed upon the top ridges of the castle to cover blindspots. Each one of these was operated by a Snow Ninja of the Loyalist faction, able to quickly warn Black Fang should an attack come.
The castle itself was a fair size with many facilities featured. Encompassing half a circle to the cliff edge, there was only one main gate for entry from the main road. On the wall perimeter were eight guard towers that served as defensive fortifications and lookouts.
Once one entered through the main gate, they came to the castle square, where people gathered when Doto gave his speeches, issued decrees, or gave orders. The main stable was located on the left side of the square, while a smaller, lesser stable was located on the right.
Below the main stable was the castle blacksmith, responsible for forging all the standard samurai and shinobi weapons for the castle personnel. It was located right next to the landing pad of the Ironwill, allowing the blacksmiths quick and fast access for repairs. Three small air balloons rested at the landing pad's side.
On the opposite side of the blacksmith was the armory. Most of the castle's weapons were located here. Swords. Spears. Axes. Maces. Kunai. Shuriken. Wires. Exploding tags. The works. Weapons all of types and sizes were located here, and in times of war, could arm much of the Snow Country. Naturally, access here was restricted as it was constantly under guard, requiring written permission from either Doto, one of his warlords, or a Loyalist for the common man to enter.
At the very end was the castle itself. A huge towering building that had very little artistry to it. Every detail about the place screamed 'power'. The castle wasn't designed to look pleasing to the eye like the old Kazahana palace of old. No, this place was designed for warfare and made sure to give such an impression. The Castle was home to Doto, those of his personal favor, and a hundred Loyalists, including the San Eihei.
To the castle's left side was a large kitchen building, where the best cooks Snow had to offer worked diligently day and night to make sure all were fed with only the best meals.
On the castle's right side were the samurai and servant quarters. Simple enough living quarters for both. Basic room with a bed, sink and table for each, with showers at the end of the hallways. There was no need for other things in the rooms as the servants were constantly working to keep the palace and its grounds clean, while the samurai were constantly on duty with patrols and guarding. The quarters were home to seven hundred samurai and five hundred servants.
The castle also sat on top of a large cavern that Doto took full advantage of. It was here where his prison and personal lab for the Chakra Armor were located.
It was also the location of the Hell Asylum.
The castle personnel saw the air blimp descending from the sky. The shinobi and samurai began walking towards the landing pad as they were accustomed to doing. Doto always enjoyed a welcoming committee when he returned to his home.
The airship landed soundlessly on its landing pad as the door opened up. Doto himself exited first, pleased to see the samurai and his Loyalists lined up in greeting for him. They stood in neat rows of ten each. Each side had a hundred samurai standing in salute, and in front of them were twenty Loyalist Snow Shinobi.
Next came several of the Ironwill's crew flanking him, Rouga Nadare coming out next with a young woman at his side. It took many of them a few moments to recognize her as the warriors began muttering to themselves that it was the princess.
Following the two were the other two members of the San Eihei, Kakuyoku Fubuki and Fuyukuma Mizore. In between them was a young leaf shinobi with blond hair in a black and orange jumpsuit. He had whisker-like marks on his face and his left eye was firmly shut. His arms were bound securely behind his back and they all recognized a Chakra Restraining Device attached to his torso. Doto had finally gotten a guinea pig for it and they all breathed a mental sign of relief that it wasn't them.
They had all heard of the Princess returning home and that she was bringing a small team of Leaf Ninja, but most had been sure they would have fled once they saw the seriousness of the situation. Well, one was captured at least. Any others were probably dead as a result.
Fubuki just shot a smirk at the young boy, who was still a bit crestfallen from the news of his teammates. He hadn't spoken a word since Mizore had dragged him off to the brig.
The Ice Maker Witch gave her hand an unconscious shake, trying to numb the pain from the brat's teeth. Seriously, what kind of shinobi bit their opponent? She could still feel the teeth marks on her hand, nearly certain that they were going to leave a lasting impression. Oh, she was going to enjoy paying the boy back for that little antic.
As they disembarked, a single snow ninja walked in between the rows of men, coming up to Doto as the San Eihei came to a halt, as well the others. The woman was old, at least 70. She was quite small, just barely taller than Naruto himself. Her face as heavily wrinkled and she was missing several teeth. Her eyes were gray, but filled with strength. She wore a thick white cloak, and underneath that was thick clothing in the forms of a long sleeve shirt, thick white gloves on her hands, wool pants and gray boots. A large Loyalist symbol was on her shirt and back of the cloak. She was a rarity among the Snow Shinobi for several reasons, one of the most prominent being that there was no Chakra armor or accessories on her person as she was one of the few that did not use it.
She was also the person that made Fubuki and her teammates the most uneasy.
This old kunoichi was Youba Akufu. The Enigma of Snow and leader of the Loyalist faction.
Hardly anyone knew about her or her past. Due to her age, it was said she was one of the first to attend the Academy when Bansou established Yukigakure. It was said she had been kicked out of the Academy within the first week, though people differed on the reason why. Some say she scared the instructors, others say she was too uncooperative to learn. Some even said she killed a fellow student and that she had to run as a result.
Whatever the reason, Akufu had wandered the countryside afterwards. All attempts to find her were in vain. She would appear and disappear like the wind, making many believe she was a witch and not a shinobi. This belief was furthered by the few times people had seen her fight. Able to cast ninjutsu without a single handseal. Some even claimed she could do it without even moving a muscle.
The San Eihei were acknowledged as the strongest of the Loyalists, but it was felt that Akufu could give them all a run for their money if she tried. After Doto claimed leadership from his brother, he had somehow tracked down the lady – if she truly be called such – for his Loyalists as acting leader. While the San Eihei were capable of the position, they weren't readily available due to their duties as bodyguards and carrying out the Daimyo's personal orders. As such, someone was needed to keep order with the Loyalists and direct their activities. For reasons never explained, Doto chose Akufu for the job.
Alongside being in charge of the Loyalists, Akufu was the overseer of Snow Country Tech, the industry that manufactured the Chakra armor pieces and its accessories to later sell to the Snow Ninja or provide the materials needed for Jonin potentials when they created their own armor.
Snow Country Tech had started as a small family business decades back with the creation of the Ice Kunai, a popular weapon used among the Loyalists. Using a combination of Ninjutsu and Fuuinjutsu, the makers sealed actual ice within them and not chakra-manufactured ice. There were several reasons for this, the first of which was that man-made ice was actually stronger than chakra-manufactured ice, believe it or not. Another was that it was more easily controlled in its creation, allowing for an easier sealing process.
As such, the family set up a small factory where they harvested and grew Icicles for the ice kunai. A long process, but the results were worth the wait. It was here that Kaigen first got the idea to invent the Chakra Armor, which would lead to many similar inventions for the Snow Country.
Then Doto took over and one of his first acts was to assume control of the business. He expanded it greatly, turning it into an enormous industry to produce not only the ice kunai, but other chakra-related items in bulk. To the Loyalists especially.
Being a Loyalist entitled one to several benefits that ordinary Snow Ninja did not get, the first of which was higher pay for missions with a constant stream of 'bonuses'. Another was that they received the best of the Snow Technology at cheaper rates than the rest of Yukigakure. Loyalists also had unspoken authority and power among them. If a Loyalist Chunin were to "suggest" something to a standard Jonin, the Jonin would be wise to act on that "suggestion". Loyalists were also entitled to carry out surprise inspections in order to find terrorists, discourage rebels, make sure no one had items they weren't supposed to have and so on. Finally, only Loyalists had access to the village's best jutsu scrolls and training regimens. This allowed Doto to keep his followers one step ahead of the rest of the village.
"My lord," Akufu said in a low yet stern voice as she gave a bow. "I am pleased to see your safe return."
"Your actions are noted," Doto replied. Naruto just looked up at the old hag as Doto walked over to her and whispered something into the old crone's ear. She brightened up considerably as she gave Naruto a toothy grin, something that sent shivers down the boy's spine.
"Find out just what makes him... tick," Doto declared loudly, sending his own sadistic smile towards the boy. The crone gestured toward two Loyalists at the lines, who walked up to Naruto in response, each grabbing a shoulder as they marched him into place right behind Akufu.
Fubuki almost felt a touch of sympathy for the boy. Whatever Doto thought the boy was, Akufu was going to take a few... drastic... steps to either validate or disprove Doto's theory.
And that was going to be quite intense.
Doto watched the four enter the castle until they disappeared from sight. "Nadare. Fubuki. Mizore."
"Yes sir," the San Eihei responded, snapping attention to their leader.
"Gather my Warlords to convene in the meeting room at once."
All three nodded.
The time for Snow to act was fast approaching!
11:34 am. A few minutes later
Naruto
The blond gave a grunt, which only got the two guards to tighten their grips on his shoulders as they walked. He could still feel that damned Chakra device on him and was not enjoying it one bit.
"Cheeky little thing, aren't ya?" Akufu said, beaming at the idea.
He had been led into the castle. The place was huge, but once inside, he found it was spacious but very little was in it. No decorations around, not even rugs. What kind of idiot had so much space and didn't use it? The only answer Naruto got was that Doto had a serious inferiority complex.
"Now, I'll ask ya again," the Loyalist leader spoke as they took a turn down another hallway. "Are ya a Jinchuuriki?"
"... what's a Jinchuuriki?" Naruto quipped again. And again, the two shinobi just increased their grips on his shoulders. Like that kind of pain could hurt.
It was nothing compared to knowing what became of Sasuke and Sakura.
Youba Akufu just chuckled again as they reached a downward spiral stairway. "Alright then, my pretty," the old bat said. "Is the Kyuubi no Kitsune sealed within ya?"
"Kyuubi? Never heard of it. That some kind of noodle?"
"Considering your name means 'fish-paste cake', I find that ironic, kya heh heh!"
"You shouldn't laugh," Naruto retorted as he was just marched down the stairs. "It makes you uglier."
"Beauty is only skin deep with the self-absorbed, my little pet," Akufu countered. The four suddenly stopped descending as she opened a door. It took Naruto's eye a moment to adjust to the darkened environment, but he saw it was a large, barely lit cavern with prison cells lined up on either side.
"You think locking me up is going to crack me?" Naruto asked, not really caring as the four walked on forward.
This time, the old crone looked over her shoulder, that toothless smile back. "You'd be surprised what total darkness and confinement can do to those even with the most steeled of nerves. But no, my pretty, that is not what awaits ya."
"... what then?" Now he was starting to worry.
The old bat ignored his question. "So if the Kyuubi isn't sealed within ya, then how do ya explain that strange power Doto said ya used during the fight?"
"Maybe he's just dumb and can't tell what chakra is. I hear dictators aren't all that smart. That they're so blind they can't see what's happening under their own nose."
The Yuki-nin on Naruto's left actually reached for a kunai this time, fully preparing to use it on the boy, but Akufu merely held up her gloved hand, stopping the action. "Blind is such a relative term. But even a blind man can tell that there is something off about ya."
"If you're referring to my charming etiquette, you're way off base, bitch."
"What do you say happened to the Kyuubi then, if it's not sealed within ya? What's your source of power?" Akufu pressed, once again ignoring his comment as they continued passing cells. Not one of them occupied.
"Duh, the Yondaime Hokage killed it when it attacked Leaf all those years ago."
"On October 31st," the kunoichi supplied.
"On the tenth, bitch," Naruto corrected.
Once again, she showed that smile of hers as she looked at him in the eye. "Which wouldn't happen to be your own birthday now, would it, my pretty?"
Naruto stopped himself from making another smart aleck retort, wondering if he was saying too much even with all the crap he was spewing out. That's when they reached the end of the path to a large stone wall with a single iron door. Akufu walked over to it and put a key in the hole, unlocking it. Once it was opened, they all walked inside. Or at least the three Yuki-nin walked; Naruto was shoved in, falling first on his knees then face. Bright lights flickered on, making Naruto involuntarily close his eye as a result before opening it again, everything coming into focus.
It was a lab. A fairly large one at that. It was neat and clean with many tables, closets, shelves and drawers around. Chakra armor parts, tools, diagrams, test tubes and other items Naruto couldn't put a name to were everywhere, just cluttered on all the space like some toddler had thrown them on... yet there seemed to be some organization to it as well. Parts and pieces that looked similar were on one table, needles were on another and so on.
Akufu gestured toward one clear table, prompting the ninja to roughly grab the boy again as he felt the bonds on his arms cut, and both men held him up in the air, turned him around and shoved him down hard against the table on his back. Next thing he knew, he found his ankles and wrists being strapped down. He glanced at them as he felt the table rotating upward, bringing him to a 'standing' position. The straps looked like ordinary leather, but felt as strong as steel. He noticed some kind of seal etched on them as he tried to identify its purpose. Strengthening? Drawing his chakra (not that that was needed)? What?
"Ya claim you're not a Jinchuuriki," Akufu commented, rolling what looked like a large body mirror over to Naruto. "And that ya have no idea what the Kyuubi is even thought ya know your Hokage defeated it." She looked at his reflection and tapped it fondly like it was a treasure chest as she turned her head towards the boy.
"Let's find out if that's true. The Mirror knows all." At that, the glass seemed to begin... glowing? Naruto breathed out harder as he felt sweat dropping down his forehead as he watched that thing glow brighter and brighter, an ominous red glow about it. "Aaaahh..." Naruto gasped out unexpectedly as he clenched his mouth and jerked his head to the side, trying not to not look at that thing. "AAAHHH! What the HELL do you think you're – AAAAAAHHH!!"
And so Naruto's screams echoed down the empty prison halls. Each one louder and with more anguish.
Five Minutes prior.
A single Yuki shinobi escorted Koyuki down the same flight of stairs Naruto himself had just descended. The actress/princess's face show no hint of emotion, no indication of what she was thinking, just keeping her eyes downward on the ground as the man led her on.
They stopped at one cell as the man unlocked and opened it, gesturing Koyuki inside. She went in without a word of protest, watching the door being locked behind her and the man moving away. No doubt back to the castle proper.
With eyes that might suit a dead person, she looked around her new home. It was fairly nice. A sink and a small toilet. A bed that actually looked decent. A comfortable looking chair. Even a nice rug in the middle. The temperature was surprisingly warm as well.
Koyuki just gave a roll of the eyes. This was obviously not standard for the prison cells. What was Doto trying to do, win her over? Seek her approval for what he had done? Did he think she would actually start supporting him for whatever reason?
She didn't believe such things were possible. Though she had to admit, she was surprised she wasn't on the headman's block already. That was the first thing she expected. She no longer had the Hex Crystal, so she had nothing Doto wanted. Maybe he just wanted to make a spectacle of it. Let all of Snow see their "last hope" die and crush any lingering dissidents and supporters.
That's when she heard the first scream. It was faint, so she thought her mind was playing tricks on her. Then it happened again, and Koyuki found herself looking around walking up to the bars. Her eyes scanned the area, trying to identify the source.
That's when the third one came as Koyuki looked in that direction, now recognizing that voice. Naruto.
By this time, Doto's face was completely red with fury and nearly ready to blow his top. How dare the brat not recognize him! "I'm going to enjoy torturing you to death, brat! Very. SLOWLY!"
That had been her uncle's response to Naruto's verbal slander of him back when the train first pulled out. Looks like he was delivering on that promise.
"... you should had listened to me, Naruto," Koyuki said, surprised that her voice was actually soft and sad, even though she was trying to be indifferent to it as she turned around walking to the bed. "You all should have. I told you all it was hopeless. That you couldn't get rid of Doto-ojiki. That if you went along with this mission, you three would end up dead like your sensei...
… why didn't you listen?"
The only response was another scream, more painful than the last, as she sat down on the bed and took a deep breath. She wondered how long she had before someone came announcing her execution date.
Approximately half an hour earlier. 10:58 am.
Sasuke.
"... you know... I could be in nice warm Sound right now. But noooooo. I had to do the honorable thing. I had to just stay home at the Leaf like a good little boy. And look where it's gotten me!! On damn probation until the blasted team says otherwise, stranded in this STUPID, STINKING HELLHOLE of a country, lost a sensei, lost the idiot blond, nearly DROWNED to save the girl that I'm sure is going to kill me, if she ever frickin' wakes up, for 'taking advantage of her' while I try and build a damn shelter... IN THE MIDDLE OF A FUCKING BLIZZARD!!!"
Sasuke just gave another grunt as he put the final ice block on the structure. The last half hour had been a real hell if he ever knew one.
When he first started walking, he had no idea where to go, but two things had been foremost in his mind.
The first was to get as far away from the battlefield as possible. Even if the defeated Yuki-Nin were recovered already, Sasuke was positive that some others would return to clean up and gather the gear, as well as excavating his and Sakura's "corpses", so he wanted to get as far away as possible.
The second was to find some shelter from the cold and approaching storm. He had hoped to find some sort of cave to use, but nothing came within sight. He would have pushed himself to keep on walking for another half an hour or so, but he knew that it was suicidal. His entire body was numb, he could barely see a thing thanks to the storm, he was terribly cold and at times he felt an urge to just sleep. And since the girl was still out cold on his back, he could only imagine she was that much worse off than he was. He found himself having to slap her face a few times to make sure she was still breathing and alive on his back.
So after twenty minutes of walking, he knew what he had to do. If he couldn't find a shelter, he'd just have to make one. How hard could it be? He found the base of a hill that he felt would work as he took off his own cloak and wrapped Sakura in it, hoping she could last long enough until he built this damn thing.
Not really having a clue what to do, he just did the best he could. He dug into the snow as much as he could, making a hole about nine feet deep, seven feet wide and five feet high by his estimation. Once that was done, he dragged the girl inside it as he used the snow he had scooped out to build a makeshift wall at the opening to seal it off, leaving two openings. One was high on the top of the wall at a vertical angle to allow sunlight in and smoke out. The second was a small, thin opening between the snow wall and hill to allow him to get in and out. He just hoped that this was camouflaged enough to look natural so that any passing Snow Ninja wouldn't suspect.
Since he had cover Sakura with his own cloak, he was even colder now. So to keep himself awake and on track, he made himself talk out loud, about anything on his mind. He didn't care what. Not so surprisingly, most of it came out as complaining about the predicament he was in. Some might say that was self-defeating and that he should think of happier things. Sasuke liked to think of it as further motivation to complete this damn shelter to get out of this cold hell.
With his last self rant, he put the last snow block on his makeshift wall and called it done. He had managed to complete it in just about ten minutes. While he was ready to just jump in to what he hoped was warmth, he knew he had one more thing to do. He walked away from the shelter to the nearest tree, breaking off what sticks he could. "Things are fucking wet..." he cursed as he knelt down, picking up a fair sized log. "I'll be lucky if a fire even starts!"
After two minutes, he finished collecting as he made his way back to the shelter, sliding in through the narrow entrance.
The second he was inside, he felt an immense amount of relief. No longer was the chilled wind blowing on him, no snow batting in his eyes. It was cold, but not nearly as much as it was outside. Giving a smile of relief to himself, he walked further in as he cleared a spot, with Sakura still knocked out.
He bent down to confirm she was still alive. She was still cold and white from the weather, but a little bit of pink was making its way back to her skin. "When you do finally decide to wake up," he said, using his foot to clear a space as he dropped the wood. "You're pulling your own weight."
He felt the dampness of the wood anew. He personally had no idea if damp wood affected making a fire or not, but he guessed it would. Praying this wasn't a bad idea, he formed the seals for the Faiatama, just creating a small warm glow about his right hand just like Sakura had done for his back on the ship. He hovered it over the wood pieces, drying them off. Or he hoped he was drying them off and not just making a futile attempt. Knowing his luck, it was pointless.
After about a minute of this, he decided to make an attempt as he grabbed a small stick and formed a small but intense Goukakyuu at it. The end of the stick caught fire as it burned on the end. Slowly, he lowered the burning piece of wood down to another one. Come on... come on... burn... burn...
The second stick caught the flame as well, the fire now burning brighter. He began applying more and more until all the wood he had gathered was in a pile with a small fire burning profoundly as he sat down, leaning against the snow all enjoying the heat. "Fire... such a wonderful thing..." He had never been so happy to be a Katon user.
He allowed himself to enjoy the warmth for a few moments before he realized something was bugging him in the back of his mind. Like he had forgotten something. He began searching his memory, trying to remember anything that he might had learned about surviving in the snow climate. Wait, Kakashi had talked about it on the boat, hadn't he? Sasuke put his hands against his head, as if he could force the memory out. Calm... he told himself. Relax... let your mind drift back to that day...
Kakashi then reached for his backpack. "Now that that's out of the way, time to talk about what I originally planned on." He pulled out several items, among them gloves, long cloaks, long-sleeved clothes, and some small footwear things. "We need to cover some basics on snow combat.
"First of all is that all your normal clothing, sandals, shorts, short-sleeved shirts, isn't going to cut it. Keep as little skin exposed as you can." He started passing out the items to each person. "Second is don't you underestimate the cold. If you get lost, injured or anything like that, find some shelter ASAP. Don't try to force yourself to fight if you're too cold. You would only lose stamina and succumb to the cold that much faster. Understand?"
Urg! That was it!? The advice was useless! The man was useless! Sasuke shook his head. The man's advice had seemed sufficient at the time, but now Sasuke wished he had asked for more details at the time. Okay, okay... what about Iruka? He had to have mentioned something about snow climates and survival during the Academy years, right?
This time it took longer to think back on before he finally remembered something. It had been during their second year; Iruka had set aside the usual studies to talk specifically about snow countries and how you operated there. That naturally had just earned a class-wide groan while Sasuke had rolled his eyes. They lived in a warm climate, in a country named Fire. What did they need to know about frozen backwater places?
Still, Iruka just lectured onward, explaining how snow lands were different from their own country. Iruka had gone through the different foods, dress styles, methods of travel and other mundane tidbits of information.
Iruka walked around the classroom in the front, his soft gaze looking at each of the young ninja potentials in their seats. "Can anyone name any illnesses you could encounter from a colder environment that you wouldn't find here in the Fire Country?"
A silence followed as the students all just looked at each other, wondering if anyone did have any idea to the answer. Shikamaru just yawned in response, while Sakura just thumped her head a few times, clearly trying to think of something. Others just muttered amongst themselves, trying to think of something. Kiba loudly suggested 'sealpox' since it was too cold for chickens to live in.
That earned a small rousing laugh from the students, prompting Naruto to throw in that people in snow countries didn't catch 'colds', they caught 'warms'.
"Alright you jokers, that's enough," Iruka spoke up before anyone else could offer another 'illness'. A smirk appeared on the scarred man's face as he leaned on his desk, crossing his arms, like a hunter that just captured his prey in a snare. "Since none of you clearly know any, part of your homework will be to research diseases unique to winter wonderlands and how to treat them. To be turned in next Wednesday."
The mood of the class changed immediately to that of protesting. "Can't you at least tell us some so we know where to start?" Ino begged.
The Chunin shook his head. "Nope! That defeats the purpose of you finding it out yourselves. You'll appreciate it more if you discover them yourselves rather than me telling you."
The class groaned again as Naruto leaned back in his seat, putting his feet on the desk and his hands behind his head, a smirk on his face to match Iruka's. "Don't believe him. He doesn't know himself. That's the real reason why he's having us look it up."
Sakura had immediately turned her attention to the class clown, waving a finger dangerously. "Naruto, how can you say that! Iruka-sensei wouldn't talk about something if he didn't know about it!" She turned back to Iruka, a triumphant look on her face. "Come on, Iruka-sensei! Just name a few and put the idiot in his place!"
All eyes focused on the man as all the students privately wondered who was going to win this latest round between Iruka and Naruto.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"... you really don't know?"
"Ha!" Naruto cheered, pointing victoriously at the man. "GOTCHA!!!"
"Naruto!" Iruka spoke at last, his own face red with embarrassment at being caught himself as he pointed back at the boy. "DOUBLE homework for you!"
"WHAT!? That's not fair! That's LOW, Iruka-sensei! Abusing your power!" the blond boy complained.
Sasuke wanted to strangle something. THAT was all he remembered from that day!? Some stupid antics from Naruto!? The baka really did make his life miserable, even when he wasn't here!
He clenched his fists to calm himself. Fine. What of the day of the reports? He had to remember something from them, right?
Lightly grabbing his hair, he tried to relive that moment there. He had no clear memories of that one. He couldn't even remember what he researched for it. He thought and thought and thought, until finally he remembered Choji walking up to the front of the class presenting his own report on... hypo...hypo... hypothermia! Yes, that was it! Okay, okay... what did he say?
He couldn't remember what the plump boy said, but he had apparently gotten something wrong because Iruka gave a gentle smile, patted the boy on the shoulder as he began speaking to the class. He mentioned... mentioned... dammit!, what was it?... it... it... it was about... if they were soaked! Covered by an avalanche, fallen into a lake, that sort of thing. That the thing to do was to immediately strip out of all clothing and dry themselves off. That they had to warm themselves up quickly or they would succumb to hypothermia which resulted in... okay, he couldn't remember what that resulted but the important thing was that he had to get out of... his... clothes...
His thoughts trailed off as he went cold again, and not because of the weather, as he slowly craned his neck at the girl. Wait... when... they said... strip out of all... of the clothes... did that mean EVERYTHING!?!
As if to taunt him further, imagines of Sakura kissing him after Haku had "killed" them both, along with their mouths connecting when he was administrating CPR entered his mind. "No, no, no," Sasuke told himself. "What happened at the lake was not a kiss. That doesn't count!" Sure they had pressed their mouths together... and their lips at touched... several times...
He shook his head again. Looking at the girl, then at his own soaked clothes, the Uchiha sighed in resignation as he made his choice. "She's going to killme anyway... what's one more reason on top of that?"
Swearing again, Sasuke began his work.
(Author's Note) Another chapter done! A step back from the action for some information on Doto's followers, Taigi and Homare are on the move searching for Sasuke, a more extensive look at his castle, reminiscing about Sasuke's past and some not so nice... examination... on Naruto himself. I daresay this is now the new lowpoint of their lives.
For those that are curious about Sasuke's stuffed animals, check manga chapter 402 again and look at the bottom frame of the first page carefully ^_^
Like you all can't guess just who rescued Sasuke and Sakura from their ice prison. Careful readers will even be able to pick up the full story on why Sasuke didn't see anyone, hint, hint.
I got the name "Black Fang Castle" from the Naruto animanga of the first movie. Very handy that is. The name was featured in one of the ending bonus pages. Links for a picture of the castle from the movie and a basic diagram can be found in my profile page to my own deviantart page.
Sasuke performing CPR for Sakura doesn't count as a kiss so as to not break the "And though they had not kissed since, neither of them could truly forget it." line from Chuuten Chapter 1 as far as I'm concerned, but make your own judgment calls on the matter.
Youba - hag; old witch
Akufu - wicked woman
No jutsu list this time.
Happy Friday the Thirteenth!
I do not own Naruto. It belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. Also, any jutsu that Tellemicus created that are used in this story belongs to him. Big thanks to Paintball-Gamer for beta-reading this!
