(Thanks for coming back to read the next chapter of the series. Kuroda has attained another "asset" but what will he do with her? I love feedback and constructive criticism, so please leave a review so I can improve my writing and storytelling skills. Enjoy!)
Kohaku stares at the deformed tree; caught in a state between life and death. The same tree that she has spent countless hours staring at, trying to deduce its origin and how to unlock the secrets it contains. A crinkly brown leaf falls off and floats to the ground, joining several others that have been gathering at the base for quite some time. She almost forgets that anyone else is in the room with her until the Leaf boy makes a noise to clear his throat, urging her to answer his question. Remembering the extreme pain she suffered due to the curse placed upon her she quietly replies, "The tree contains a very powerful summoning scroll, but it is sealed inside the plant and can only be obtained if the person knows the answer to the riddle engraved in the tree."
Kuroda studies the tree again, wondering what kind of sealing Jutsu was used to put it in the state of suspended animation. He makes a mental note to do research on the techniques necessary to accomplish such a task and then prods his new acquisition for further information. "So what is the answer?" he asks.
"I was bluffing earlier," she admits, averting her eyes, "I have been trying to figure it out for a while. I was trying to get it before you two got to me, but I would have needed more time to figure it out."
"I guess I will just have to do it then," he sighs, stepping forward.
"No way, you can't!" she objects, trying to protect her claim to the treasure that she discovered.
"And why not?" he responds, "You obviously haven't been successful, so let me take a shot at it."
"Do you really think you can get it?" she asks, distrusting his elate confidence.
"No harm in trying," he shrugs nonchalantly.
Kuroda walks over to the odd tree and looks for the riddle. It reads: One of element and one of animal; both these things are bringers of life and both have three stages of existence. Touch them both to the scroll and it will be released.
Kuroda ponders over the words for a moment and then walks outside. "I hope this is as straight forward as it seems to be," he thinks as he looks around the forest for what he needs, "It would be a great relief if I don't have to make my way through a hundred death traps like when retrieving the two pachyderm summoning scrolls in the Snow Country."
He searches around for a while and then returns to the tree once he has found what he needs. In one hand he holds his water pouch with the last of his water and in the other a butterfly. He pours the water over the scroll and sets the butterfly onto it. Then he grips the scroll on both sides, slowly and carefully he extracts it from the tree. After the scroll is completely out, the wing formations of the tree recede to the inside of the plant. The dead portions of the plant flush with new color and are returned to life.
Kohaku stares, amazed by process and by the ease with which Kuroda solved the riddle. "Damn, I've been trying to get that thing out for years and he goes and does it in five minutes. This is so unfair!" she thinks, trying not to let any of the jealousy show on her face, "Is this guy a genius or am I just an idiot? How did he figure it out so quickly?"
Knowing she has been struggling to retrieve the scroll for a long time, Kuroda decides to indulge her curiosity. He explains the answer, "Water is a source of life for both plants and animals, while the butterfly spreads pollen from one flower to another and helps them reproduce. Water can also be in the form of ice, water, or vapor. While the butterfly starts out as a caterpillar, then becomes a cocoon, and finally transforms into the butterfly. Thus, these two things were the key to unlocking the scroll. I predict it will most likely summon a butterfly."
Kohaku licks her lips, unconsciously taking a step and reaching forward. She catches herself before she actually tries to snatch the object away, remembering that she is not in control of her own life anymore. "Please allow me to sign the scroll," she requests, bowing her head and trying not to sound desperate.
"You already possess some very powerful Jutsu. I have someone else in mind that could use it," Kuroda decides, quickly dismissing her desire, "Now I need to figure out what to do with you." He turns his gaze away from the scroll and examines the room. He isn't looking at anything in particular and seems to get lost in his own thoughts.
"What do you mean?" Kohaku asks, quickly putting her rejected plea to the side and wondering what he possibly has planned for her.
"Well, I can't just bring you back to the Leaf Village, now can I?" he replies.
"But then why did you…?" she asks, confused about his actions.
He interrupts, "I was impressed by your strength and decided I could use you for my plan."
"Your plan?" she inquires, now completely lost.
"I will inform you when the time is right, but that won't be for a while. Anyways, I just decided what I will do with you," Kuroda reveals.
"And that is?" she asks, fearful about what is to come due to his incomprehensible reasoning.
"You can't go back to your village and I can't bring you back to mine. So the only practical solution is for me to leave you here," he explains, "You will become a personal guard for Princess Kyoko and protect her from any future attacks."
"What about the other Leaf Ninja?" asks Kohaku warily, "Will they agree with this?"
"The princess and the others have signed contracts like you have," he explains, "And the guy on the ground is not important. We can trick him easily."
Kuroda brings Kohaku with him back to the mansion. As they step out of the shadows of the forest they are immediately confronted by Sakura and Kayo.
"Oh, it's just you, Kuroda," the pink-haired girl says with relief, "I thought for a second that more enemies were attacking."
"There shouldn't be any others," he comments.
"Wait a minute, where is Jando?" Sakura says, raising her guard back up, "And what is she doing here? Is she holding him captive, or are you under a Jutsu?"
"Relax, Sakura," Kuroda replies calmly, "She is with us now."
"With us? What do you mean?" she replies, still not convinced.
"You know what he means, Sakura," Kayo interjects, having already deduced the situation.
"If that is the case then why did you bring her back here?" Sakura questions, distrustful of the ease at which her Sensei was convinced, "She was trying to kill Princess Kyoko."
"While I appreciate your caution, I'd like to get into the mansion as soon as possible," Kuroda says, a tone of command underlining his voice, "We can't have any of the staff seeing her dressed like this. Let's move."
Recognizing an order they quickly move inside the mansion without any further objections and slip into a secluded, scarcely used room.
Sakura eyes the Wood Ninja, closely inspecting everything about her. From the way she is dressed, to the way she styles her hair, and even her posture. Kohaku ignores her counterpart, seeming uncomfortable and out of place in the home of a wealthy leader of a nation.
"So this is Kohaku," Kuroda introduces, after securing the room with Kayo to prevent anyone from entering or hearing anything from outside, "She's got some very interesting skills that will be helpful to my cause. As for why she is here, well that is because it is the best place for her to be. From now on she will be serving as a bodyguard for our dear princess. We can't be here to protect Kyoko all the time, but since she abandoned her village she can. She'll also have an advantage of knowing her opponents in case anyone else from the Hidden Wood decides to go rogue."
"You're going to put her in charge of protecting the girl she was trying to kill?" Sakura questions, "How can you trust her with that assignment?"
"It isn't like I asked for this job," Kohaku scoffs, "I'd rather be back with my own village than serving some spoiled bitch."
"Now, now, language," Kuroda reminds her, "We don't want the royal heir to be picking up any ungraceful habits. As for trusting her with the job, there is no need to worry about that. I have already ordered Kohaku to do everything in her power to protect the princess and never to harm her in any capacity. So unless she wishes to end up writhing on the ground she will do as instructed."
"Where is Jando?" Kayo asks, having predicted that Kuroda would take the necessary action to protect one of his assets.
"He's back in the forest incapacitated," he reveals, "I'll go and get him in a bit."
"But what are you going to do? He will recognize her the moment he sees her," Kayo points out, "That is unless you got him to sign one of your contracts as well."
"Really, Sensei, you should know better. I have no interest in bringing Jando into our little group," Kuroda replies.
"Wouldn't it be easier if you did though?" Sakura suggests, "Plus he has the Byakugan, it could be useful for whatever you're planning."
"Even with his Kekkei Genkai, someone like Jando would be of no use in my plans," Kuroda states, "Now as for her appearance, that is where you two come in. You'll notice I didn't select just any room to convene in. This space should have everything we need to do a little makeover for Kohaku. Her cover story is that she is a security guard who came by looking for work and she was very helpful during the attack so she is being hired as a new assistant for Princess Kyoko. It gives us a lot of leeway in the different styles we can use. You two can get started, and I'll go and sort out the details with the princess."
Once they have finished the makeover Kuroda goes back to retrieve Jando. The Hyuga boy is just starting to regain consciousness when Kuroda arrives.
"Welcome back," he greets, offering his hand with a wide smile, "Good work."
"What do you mean?" asks Jando rubbing his head, but accepting the outstretched hand so he can get up on his feet.
"You killed that Tree Ninja with one of your exploding tags," Kuroda says, congratulating his comrade with a pat on the back.
"I did?" says Jando, still a little groggy. He tries taking a step, but his balance is still out of whack due to the head injury and he nearly topples over.
"Yep, but she got you in the head at the same time. You've been out for about an hour," the dark-haired ninja explains, sticking out his arm to help the other boy keep balance.
"What about the girls?" asks Jando, not even looking around to confirm the story.
"They are fine," says Kuroda, "Kayo-sensei sent Sakura to find us a while back. It looks like that girl was on her own, but I sent Sakura back just in case and did a little recon to make sure. You were waking up when I got back."
They return to the mansion and Jando does not recognize Kohaku in her new disguise.
A week later the King returns from successful negotiations and is told of about the attack and the new guard for Kyoko. Even though she is unhappy with the situation, Kohaku settles into her new life quite easily and actually gets along well with her new ward. Team 3 stays another few days at the behest of the King, but eventually it is time for them to return home. The trip is relaxed and uneventful. They travel as quickly as possible, not interested in enjoying the surrounding scenery that they have seen three times before.
Along the way, Kuroda decides to give his newly acquired summoning scroll to Sakura, figuring that would increase the diversity of attacks and strategies she could employ. Jando is understandably mad because he is now the only one without a scroll. Sakura immediately tests the scroll out and summons a normal sized white butterfly called Papilio.
Jando laughs at the size of the butterfly, finding it so hilarious that he can't bring himself up from rolling in the grass. His jealousy over not having a summoning scroll is quickly overcome.
Sakura seems disappointed, and starts to internally doubt her abilities as a ninja.
Recognizing her depressed state, Kayo tells her, "Even the smallest creatures can be valuable assets; maybe not in battle, but in other areas. You should get familiar with Papilio and practice with her. You should also practice the Summoning Jutsu so you can get better at it and eventually summon larger butterflies."
"All right, I will," she says with a determined look on her face.
Team 3 arrives back in the village after a successful mission.
"Again with this," sighs Kuroda. After giving a report on the mission the Hokage has informed him that he will immediately be put back on suspension and not able to leave the village.
"Pardon my asking, but is this really necessary, Lady Hokage?" Sakura says.
"Haven't I been on lock-down long enough?" Kuroda adds.
"It'll be over when I say it is over," commands the Hokage, growing annoyed at the young people rebelling against her orders, "Show some more respect for your Hokage and stop questioning my decisions."
"I apologize if I overstepped my place," says Sakura bowing.
"Whatever, I guess I'll go back to sleeping all day," Kuroda comments, leaving the room before being dismissed.
Kuroda's birthday comes and goes but the only one who notices is Ichimaru, who appears at Kuroda's door at the end of the day.
"Happy Birthday!" Ichimaru says cheerfully when the door opens up.
"I figured at least you would remember," Kuroda replies with a smile, not surprised that everyone else forgot.
"Sorry I couldn't make it earlier, I just got back from a mission," Ichimaru explains, handing over a banana peel with a bright blue bow on it.
"Ahh, I've been meaning to pick one of these up," Kuroda chuckles, accepting the joke gift and inviting his old friend inside.
The two spend the rest of the day together and talk about the times before they became Genin and how much they have changed.
At the end of the day Ichimaru mentions, "So the Chunin exams are coming up again in a few weeks. Team 10 is going to participate in them this time."
"I think that my team seems like it would be ready, but I doubt that the Hokage would let me participate. I'm still on suspension after all," Kuroda says, miming quotation marks with his hands.
"I can talk to the Hokage on your behalf," Ichimaru offers.
"I doubt it will make any difference, but go ahead if you want," Kuroda replies with a shrug, "It is worth a shot."
(That is the end of the chapter, what did you think? Just how long will this "suspension" continue on? As usual, if you want more information on my characters you can see their bios on my profile page. Be warned, there may be some spoilers. Also I'm in the process of getting pictures drawn for the characters, but I have no idea how long that will take. If you're interested in drawing and have a DA account then send me a Message. Enjoy the next chapter, and please review.)