Title: A Demon's Tale
Author: swiftstar85
Genre: Drama/Friendship/Romance
Rating: T for some strong language, violence, suggestive material, and crude humor.
~Chapter Twenty-Nine
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, though I wouldn't mind if I did.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!" The voice of the Fifth Hokage could be heard throughout the entire Leaf Village, making all of it's people jerk their heads up and look towards the Hokage Administration building with alarm. They could hear the rage and confusion from her very voice, making all realize that something was up.
But then again, after all, news traveled rather fast in Konohagakure.
It was already going around that there were new faces in the village. Everyone had heard that several of their Leaf Ninja and the Fifth Kazekage, former Leaf Ninja and his siblings had returned with a nicely sized group of new people from elsewhere. The news had spoken of Mist and Cloud Ninja among them. They had even heard of the strange three Shinobi with black stones embedded into their Shinobi headbands. They had heard that they were Shinobi from a secret village of Shadows, but no one knew anything about it. Many of the villagers were gossiping about this new group of strangers. Some were uneasy, some were excited.
But one thing for sure, no one knew who these strangers were or why they were there. And no one was sure if the rumor of the so called dead Leaf Shinobi coming back to life was true.
After the revelation that Sen's Guardian, Lord Okami had given them, everyone had stared in shock at him or at the completely taken by surprise, Sai. They couldn't believe what had just been said.
Almost everyone had wide eyes and jaws dropped nearly to their chests. Everyone But Gaara, Yagura, Guren, Yukimaru, Yugito Nii and Ibiki; who only looked minor surprised. Everyone else was just gawking at Sai or the Wolf Lord with shock.
"WHAT?" Naruto was the one to burst out in shock. His eyes were as large as saucers, while his jaw hung wide open. "ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME? SAI IS SEN'S TWIN BROTHER?"
No one really answered him while Lord Okami's ears did twitch in irritation at the wacky blonde's exclamation. He merely let his full moon eyes glance at him before looking back into the surprised Sai's dark eyes. He did not reply but watched the young Leaf Ninja's reaction.
Sen, however, had tears flowing down her cheeks as she smiled brightly, looking from the Wolf Lord to Sai, and bouncing a little on her heels. "You mean…! You mean….! We found him! We found him!" She cried before launching herself forward and throwing her arms around an alarmed Sai's chest, who jumped and looked at her with wide eyes. "Sei! I knew it! I knew it was you! I knew that I would meet you some day!"
But Sai quickly grabbed her arms and pushed her away, moving backwards. He was definitely stunned, for someone so emotionless. He could not believe this. He would not. He looked at Lord Okami, shaking his head. "You must…..You must be mistaken. I can not be…" He was saying.
The Wolf Lord sighed, tilting his head away and closing his eyes. "You were Sei Zangetsu before your uncle, Caligo Zangetsu stole you away from the Shadow Village, Sai. You wield the ability to bring ink to life, yes?" He asked, earning a surprised look but a nod from the young ninja in black. He opened his eyes, not needing to see the nod at all. "That was your mother's, Yukoi's ability. She was once a Shinobi but after marrying Kageri Zangetsu, she gave up that life to raise you and Sen. She only brought ink creations to life for the entertainment of children."
Slowly, Sai shook his head, quite bewildered. He still couldn't believe this. He wouldn't. "But….I…..I have been with Danzo…." He was saying again.
"Clearly, Danzo took you from Caligo." Chiro said, quite sourly. "He must have. That's the only explanation."
The Wolf Lord glanced at him but nodded as he looked back at Sai. "The only one who can answer this predicament is Danzo, himself. He alone can explain your existence, Sai. But know this, I am a demon spirit and some spirits can look into the souls of people. I see who you really were." He told him.
"That is…..if the old man decides to be cooperative." Anko said rather dryly, her arms folding across her chest.
"The fact that Rin Hayashi has just told us that Danzo was plotting the assassination of the Fourth Hokage, that takes more priority to look at." Ibiki agreed but with the shake of his head. He was still reeling from what Rin had said and he just couldn't believe it. Or take that news lightly. Especially if a Leaf Elder was doing such plots against the Leaf Village. He refused to take it lightly. "That will be have to addressed immediately. We should all return to the Leaf Village and get this straightened out."
Rin grimaced and Kakashi saw it. He glanced at her, noting the worry in her eyes. He knew very well why she was so worried and so did many others when they saw the same look as he did. They knew that if she had that kind of news, there would be no doubt that Danzo would want to make sure she didn't tell anyone else. He would probably have his Root ANBU looking for her to kill her before she could deliver the news to Tsunade, who would definitely have something to say about it.
"Rin," Kakashi said very seriously. "I will not let any harm come to you. If Danzo does send his people to kill you, I will make sure that they don't."
"As will I." Gaara said sternly, making everyone look at him. He was looking rather dark at the thought that Danzo would try and have this woman killed when she was a close friend of Kakashi's and the fact that she did have some news to tell Naruto, whenever she got the guts to actually tell him. "I will protect you with everything I have."
"SO will I!" Sen said, wiping her tears and looking at her friend with determination.
Everyone else nodded in agreement. Even Yagura, who was only agreeing because Gaara was. He trusted only the other Jinchuriki and would do what he would do. Even all of the Leaf Shinobi nodded, as well as Ibiki. "As long as you come willingly and with cooperation, I will make sure no ANBU attacks you. You have news of a higher treason than you ever performed by pretending you were dead. That can be over looked when you have plans of assassination against a Hokage. Even if that Hokage has been dead for years."
Everyone just glanced at him with dry looks before they shook their heads. They didn't wan to get into this right now.
So without another word, the large group of Shinobi began their way back towards the Leaf Village, even though Rin was actually helping Kakashi right along. He was still a little weakened by the over use of his Chakra. Yugito Nii was chatting away cheerfully with a highly amused Sakura and Sen jumped in right with them.
The only one who didn't look too amused with this entire thing was Guren. She was highly irritated that so many things were happening and she didn't like the fact that most of the Shinobi all around her were men. She was definitely not happy.
Yagura was just passive.
It was just right at the front gates of Konoha did things get stirred up, and not in a very good way at all.
Just as everyone was approaching the gates, several black blurs immediately leapt down from the trees, barricading the path to go into the village. Everyone immediately tensed up, looking around at all of the ANBU that blocked their way. There were about twenty ANBU, surrounding them; adding the two ANBU that were lunging at Rin with kunai in their hands.
But before the two could even attack her, a wall of sand shot up between them, halting their attacks.
A second after that, a foot slammed into one of their heads and sent him flying backwards, crashing and rolling across the ground before he was back up on his feet glaring at the one who had done it.
It was a surprise to the ANBU that it had actually been Anko who attacked them right back.
"What is the meaning of this attack?" Ibiki was the one to yell angrily as he quickly placed himself between Rin and the ANBU right behind her and Kakashi. He looked impressively intimidating, not that he wasn't already.
"Morino-Samma," One ANBU spoke up with a growl. "That is a Leaf traitor and we had it under orders to attack any traitors…."
"You will stand your ground, Ox!" Ibiki snapped savagely. "I don't give a shit if you got those orders from Danzo, himself! If I have someone who is suppose to be a Leaf traitor with me, you will let me deal with that traitor! Do we have an understanding?"
"But…..!" One tried to argue.
"I SAID DO WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING?" Ibiki snapped viciously, glaring around at everyone. The look in his eyes was deadly enough if his voice wasn't. He looked severely angry and everyone who knew him knew better than to contradict what he had said. Everyone who knew Ibiki Morino knew better than to try and attack someone that he was even escorting to the Hokage, herself.
So it was no surprise that the attacking ANBU immediately backed down, bowing to Ibiki as they all murmured, "Yes, sir."
With a sharp nod, Ibiki turned to look at Rin, just to make sure that she wasn't harmed. He was satisfied to see that she wasn't hurt in any way. He gave another sharp nod before looking around at everyone else. "Let us continue to the Hokage Tower to speak with the Lady Hokage." He said firmly.
Again, the entire group was moving, without the exception of the other ANBU that had been in Ibiki's squad. They were mostly just eyeing the other ANBU with warning, daring them to try and attacking Rin Hayashi again. Not that they needed to. The ANBU had seen the dark look of warning in Gaara's eyes as he watched them carefully, following the large group heading towards the Hokage tower.
As everyone walked through the village, there were surprised eyes watching them go by. The villagers were eyeing the new faces with uneasy but curiosity. More than once, there had been murmurs of alarm to see the Mist and Cloud Ninja and even the Shadow Ninja. A few of those gawkers were even Hyuuga, though Neji was quick to waving a hand at them to relax when he saw how tense they were to see a Cloud Ninja. They didn't look at ease but they did not follow Tokuma's reaction when he first saw Yugito Nii.
Finally they came to the steps of the Hokage Tower, only to find the one person that they had not wanted to see right at the moment before the Hokage. Everyone came to a halt to see who was blocking the door to the building.
Elder Danzo.
Rin immediately ducked behind Kakashi, who was frowning seriously up at the Elder. He kept a hand on her arm, even from behind him, giving it a light squeeze to let her know that he would protect her.
Gaara, his siblings, Sen and Chiro and even the Fourth Mizukage stepped closer to the two, almost serving as protectors for Rin. They were not the only ones. Even Naruto and Sakura moved closer, watching the bitter Elder carefully and daring him to try something. Sai, however, looked torn between the decision of bowing down to his supervisor or joining Naruto and Sakura.
Ibiki met Danzo's eyes rather firmly before stepping forward ahead the entire group. He did not look relaxed, nor on guard about the Elder. "Elder Danzo." He greeted almost impassively.
"Ibiki Morino." Danzo spoke in a very deadly tone. "I would like very much to hear your excuse about leading a traitor to the Hokage Tower and why you have not arrested or executed that traitor."
It was clear that he was talking about Rin because his squinty eyes flickered to her as she tried to hide behind Kakashi, who stood firm to protect her.
Dipping his head down a little, Ibiki stood just as firm between Danzo and the two Leaf Ninja. He did not tear his eyes away from the elder for one second. "Elder Danzo, there is no traitor amongst this ground but an informant. Rin Hayashi has returned to the Leaf Village with a message for the Hokage of great importance. I am merely escorting her to see the Hokage to deliver her message. And I would appreciate it if you allowed us to move on." He said his tone full of warning.
Danzo did not move at all but he did stand firm like a guardian statue of some sort. The only movement he made was breathing and tightening his grip on his cane. "Ibiki Morino, I will not allow that traitor to pass for any means at all. But I will order you to arrest Rin Hayashi immediately and transport her to the Konoha Prison for awaiting the proper execution for the treason she has committed. As Elder, I demand it. If you do not comply with my order, I will…." He was saying.
"As Head of the ANBU Interrogation and Retrieval Squad, Elder Danzo," Ibiki suddenly interrupted, surprising quite a few others for his brash interference of an Elder talking. No one had ever seen or heard him ever do such a thing. He was always about following orders and such. But right now, he was in a way disrespecting Danzo by interrupting him. "It is my job to retrieve certain bits of information from traitors. Now, I have already questioned her and I see no betrayal in her words. What she has to say is for the Hokage to decide her fate, Elder Danzo-sama." He spoke coldly. "As such, I will be taking Rin Hayashi to Lady Tsunade, one way or another. Right. Now. Now, please, Elder Danzo-sama. Step aside and allow me to take the 'traitor' to the Lady Hokage for interrogation."
Glaring at Ibiki now, Danzo raised his cane and then slammed it back down against the ground. "I will not and how dare you speak to me in such a manner, Morino! That is treason! As Elder of Konoha, I hereby order your removal from the…"
"Is that so, Danzo?" Someone asked rather coldly.
Everyone looked past Danzo just to see Tsunade, Jiraiya and the other two Elders walking out of the building, along with Gaara's young student, Quoi, who seemed to be occupying the Elders', himself. His hand was in Elder Koharu's own hand, as if he was escorting her. He looked rather comfortable with her and Elder Homura. Gaara could only wonder exactly what had been going on with his student while he'd been away.
It had been Tsunade who had spoken. It was clear that she hadn't noticed that it was Rin Hayashi that they had been talking about because she hadn't erupted just yet. It was more than likely she heard what Ibiki said then what Danzo said.
And now, she looked annoyed.
A scowl formed on Danzo's face as he turned to look at the Lady Hokage and his former team mates before he slammed his cane down on the ground in irritation. "Tsunade, in this case, you have no saying. I want the removal of Ibiki Morino from his position and arrested for undermining my authority." He growled at her.
"Overruled, Danzo." Homura suddenly spoke up, along with Koharu.
"I am curious to see what has you so uptight so suddenly." The Elderly woman spoke up before looking past him at the entire ground. Her mouth fell open slightly to see all of the new faces. "Well, Cloud and Mist Ninja in our very own village. They are either prisoners of war or they are here for other means. And I surely don't recognize those two. What village do you hail from, young man?" She asked, nodding to Chiro and Sen.
Glancing at each other, both of the Shadow Ninja stepped forward and bowed in respect to the elders. It was Sen, who moved closer towards the group at the top of the stairs. "I am Sen Zangetsu, Honorary Elders of Konoha. I am the Shadokage of the Hidden Village of the Shadows, Kagegakure." She stood up straight and motioned to Chiro. "This is my body guard and team mate, Chiro Nagataka." She smiled sweetly as she could at Tsunade and the two Elders, ignoring Danzo completely. "I come to bring peace between our villages and hoping to join alliances with our villages." She told them in a rather diplomatic way.
Gaara had to admit it. He was impressed with Sen's seriousness of the situation. He didn't think she could be so diplomatic.
"Man, beautiful, tough, and smart." Kankuro murmured beside him, grinning as he watched Sen as she took charge. He gave his younger brother a side glance, still grinning. "I think I'm in love, Gaara."
The young Kazekage just sweat dropped as he raised an eyebrow at him.
"And what of the Cloud and Mist Ninja? Our villages have been long time enemies, even in this somewhat era of peace. There has always been so much trouble between our villages. Why are they here?" Elder Homura asked.
Yagura remained emotionless while Yugito Nii waved merrily at them as she stayed beside her friends of Team Guy. "Hello! I am Yugito Nii! The Two Tailed Jinchuriki of the Cloud Village! I'm friends with Guy and his team now and I want to help protect the other Jinchuriki, Naruto and Gaara from the Akatuski!" She said brightly. "As such, I want to form peace between the Cloud and Leaf Villages!"
"And I am Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage of the Mist Village." Yagura spoke in a dead tone. "Third Tail Jinchuriki. As former leader of the Mist Village, I will form an alliance with the Sand Village. And because the Sand Village is allied with the Leaf Village, the brutality between our villages will cease immediately. I, too, come to protect the remaining Jinchuriki."
Tsunade, Jiraiya and the Elders looked quite surprised to learn who and what Yugito Nii and Yagura were, but there was somewhat pleasure to hear that they were bringing only peace. They never would have imagined that something like this would happen at all. "Cloud, Mist and Shadows?" The Lady Hokage asked in surprise before her head lift higher. "Well, this is surely a turn around. Here I was expecting a report from Team 10 about the Akatsuki and I get so much more."
"I think you're about to get a lot more than that, My Lady." Rin finally spoke up before she carefully stepped around from Kakashi, looking rather sheepish.
As expected, Tsunade's eyes nearly bugged out of her head at the very sight of Rin. She had not been expecting this at all. "Rin Hayashi? What the hell? What is going on here? I thought you were dead!" She yelped out, sharing a shocked glance with Jiraiya. Rin could only wince as she listened to the somewhat anger and surprise in her former Medical Mentor's tone.
"Enough of this! Arrest that traitor! Now!" Danzo snapped, jabbing his cane towards Rin. "I want her arrested and executed!"
"That is only because you do not want to tell Lady Tsunade and the other Elders of YOUR treachery, Elder Danzo!" Rin suddenly snapped, all friendliness out of her tone. She looked at him coldly before jerking her eyes back towards the surprised Tsunade. "Lady Tsunade, Elders, I can explain of why I am here, when you thought I was dead. I have been in hiding because…"
"I will not have another lying…" Danzo snapped, now starting to limp forward as if he was going to attack Rin, himself.
Suddenly, Sand and water, as well as fire and shadows sprung up between him and Rin and Kakashi, while the One, Two and Three Tailed Jinchuriki glared at him. "Lady Hokage, allow Rin to speak. She has good reason for her false death. And it all deals with….." Gaara was saying.
"I will not hear of her lies…!"
"DANZO! SHUT THE HELL UP!" Jiraiya suddenly snapped, glaring at the Elder. "I want to hear the excuse Rin has to say.
Tsunade nodded as she glared at the Elder, a twinkle in her eyes. It was to everyone else's surprise that Homura and Koharu were also nodding in agreement, much to the disapproval and anger of Danzo. And because his team mates were agreeing with Jiraiya, Danzo did not speak again but looked rather furious.
"Lady Tsunade," Rin began carefully, still eyeing Danzo uneasily. "I faked my own death because of Elder Danzo. The night of the Fourth Hokage's sacrifice, I overheard Elder Danzo plotting the assassination of Minato Namikaze, with Orochimaru. If anyone is the traitor, it is Danzo. If I had not pretended my death, I really would have been dead. He sent his Root ANBU after me to make sure I didn't alert the Third Hokage." She said firmly.
Everyone froze and stared at Rin with alarm. They were all stunned still while Danzo was fuming and glaring at the long lost but found Leaf Ninja. Gaara, however, was watching the old man very carefully. He was waiting for the reaction that he knew would be coming.
But for a long moment, nothing happened.
Everyone just stared in alarm and shock before the old finally did move. He was gone in a blur, making everyone jump and looked quickly around. Everyone tensed, wondering where he went before someone slammed into Kakashi, sending him flying through the air.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto and Sakura gasped, alarmed like everyone else.
"Kakashi!" Rin gasped, her eyes wide with shock and fear as she watched her former team mate go rolling and crashing against the ground. That is until she saw a flash of gray and jerked her head around to see Danzo coming at her with his staff. A blade sticking out from the bottom. She gasped, stepping back but knowing that she wouldn't escape in time.
Suddenly there was an explosion of smoke and shadows before something large and white with blue and black swirls all over it sprang up between Rin and Danzo. Powerful jaws closed on the wooden staff, snapping it with its sharp fangs before jerking its head and sending the Elder scooting across the ground on his feet.
The giant Wolf King was standing before Rin, his eyes dark and his hassles raised as he snarled at the Elder who tried to kill the Leaf Kunoichi.
Before anything else could happen, black chains sprang up out of the ground and wrapped around Danzo, keeping him from moving. He did not look surprised for one moment but turned his glare onto Ibiki, whom had slammed his hand down on the ground, using his abilities to bind him.
"That will be enough!" Tsunade snapped, her tone very deadly as she turned a sharp glare on the Elder. "Well, I was questioning Rin's accusations towards you, Danzo! I didn't even believe her for a second until you decided to blow it!" She jabbed a finger at him. "Well, you just proved her right! As Hokage of the Leaf Village, I order you to be arrested! Immediately!" She shot a look over her shoulder at the other two Elders, daring them to say anything against her.
But it was clear that they were just as livid as she and everyone else was for the sudden act of violence against Rin. They both nodded their approval for Danzo's arrest.
"Hold on! I have only one question before that happens." Sen suddenly spoke up, surprising everyone.
"Huh?" Tsunade only asked in confusion.
Sen, her face quite dark with rage for what Danzo had nearly done to her best friend, turned towards him. She placed both hands on her waist, stepping closer but not too close because Chiro had grabbed her arm to keep her from doing so. She looked very serious for her age, taking the role she was suppose to have. "Where did Sai come from? Did a man name Caligo Zangetsu give him to you?" She asked sternly.
Again, everyone looked surprised while Danzo's head dipped lower. He did not answer at all but glared at her.
"Danzo-sama," Sai spoke up calmly, moving forward. He looked emotionless as ever but determined to know the truth. "Where did I come from?"
Shaking his head, Danzo lift his head again. "You are no one. You have no history. You do not have a past. You are only a nameless tool used for the purpose of the Leaf Village only." He said coldly. "And if you side with them, you are nothing more than useless to me."
Sai practically flinched away from his supervisor's harsh words.
"You son of a…..! How dare you say something like that to Sai!" Naruto burst out, furious that Danzo would even say something like that. Even Sakura was glaring at the Elder; and Gaara. And even Kakashi as he pushed himself to his feet, holding his very bruised side. "He is someone! He is Sai! Leaf Ninja and our friend!" The blonde snarled.
Danzo just shook his head as he tilted his head away. He was done talking to this band of miscreants. He did not have to explain himself.
"What I have told you, young pup," The large white, black and blue wolf spoke, surprising everyone who was unaware of his identity. The Wolf King stood tall again, though his moon like eyes was on Sai as he looked back. "You are who I said to be. Though you may have no memories of your past, erased by this man of deception, you are Sei Zangetsu, twin of Sen and son of the Shadokage of the Hidden Shadow Village. You may now be Sai of the Leaf Village, but in your blood runs royalty and nobility."
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!" The voice of the Fifth Hokage could be heard throughout the entire Leaf Village, making all of its people jerk their heads up and look towards the Hokage Administration building with alarm.
The only thing that everyone could do was sigh and shake their heads. There was a lot of explanations to cover. Starting with everything that Rin had said, who Sai really was and what everyone was going to do from there on. But one thing was for certain, at least they knew about the treachery that Elder Danzo had tried to commit at the time of Kyuubi's Destruction on the Leaf Village.
And the next question everyone had to ask, where did they go from there?
Author's Note:
*bows rapidly and repeatedly* I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm SORRY! I know it's been such a long time since I last updated but I swear to you that it has been one busy last year! SO MUCH has been going on that I haven't had time to update my story! But I swear to you that I'm not doing it on purpose and I have no intention of leaving this story without an ending!
Anyway, as you can see, things are changing dramatically and secrets will be outted. A new alliance is beginning and the next chapter is going to have a whole lot more drama and suspense, romance and friendships. If you're still there, please read and review and let me know what you think about everything. I'll try my best to update asap, a lot more asap than I had last time.