The tremor woke up everyone in the campground. Konohamaru and Moegi quickly went on the defense while checking on the kids. They quickly realize that Sarada and Shikadai were missing.
"What was that?" Inojin questions.
"Where's Sarada?" Mitsuki became fearful for her well-being.
"Where's Shikadai?" Chōchō asks the others.
"Everyone calm down." Moegi tries to make sure nobody panics. Konohamaru sees the gas from the ravine in the air then disappear.
"The tremor came from the ravine. I'm going to check it out. You three stays close behind me." The group went into the forest closely approaching the ravine. They spotted two Shinobi with gas masks having a conversation next to the ravine. Everyone hid in a bush and overhears their conversation.
"And that's the last of the Gas. I can finally get out of this dump."
"What about the kids that were spotted earlier?"
"I don't know. Probably rotting in the ravine."
"They haven't found the bodies? Maybe those traitors could have saved them in time."
"I hope not. Less trouble for us."
"I bet the Jonin is around here somewhere. There's no way the Hidden Leaf lets its kids run around freely after the attack."
"They are search parties all over the forest. They'll find them in no time. Hey, have you seen Aka?"
Chōchō was hiding behind a tree when a Hoshi Shinobi emerges from the trunk of the tree with Kunai in hand. He places his hand over her mouth and raises his Kunai. From the corner of his eye, Mitsuki sees the Shinobi and extended his arm, wrapping his arm around him and yanking the Shinobi out of the tree. He threw him at the open, the other two witness the scuffle and went into the defense. Konohamaru and Moegi appear behind them with Mitsuki, Chōchō, and Inojin surrounding the Shinobi who tried to ambush them.
"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise."
"We are here on a mission, and we have the authority to pass through," Moegi explains to the Hoshi Shinobi trying to calm things down.
"We won't notify of any Konoha Shinobi visiting. Have you been informed Aka?"
"Nope"
"Then that means your trespassing. And our mission is to punish any trespassers."
"You dare draw blades with Konoha?" Konohamaru threatens.
"Hoshigakure couldn't care less about Konoha or its people."
"So you left my friends to die because you don't care?" Mitsuki was enraged at them yet it seems they didn't care.
"Welcome to the real world kid."
The Hoshi Ninja did a strange Hand Seals causing their Chakra to form of a feather-shaped array behind them. Aka's Chakra changes into to the form of a Dog and attacks the children. Seeing the Jonin lower their guard for a split-second the other Hoshi Ninja went for a strike but misses as Konohamaru and Moegi dodges the attack.
One of the Ninja extends their Chakra into a binding rope and wraps it around Moegi's ankles, launching her up in the air. The other flew into the air and tackled Moegi diving crashing in the nearby trees. On the ground Konohamaru clashes with the other Ninja engaging each other in Taijutsu.
Meanwhile, the kids were fighting Aka, Chōchō transformed into the Human Boulder form and clashes with the Chakra Dog. When Chōchō collided it cause the Chakra Dog to exploded on impact, the Chakra burns through her clothes and began seeping into her skin. Chōchō rolls back and reverts to her normal self.
"Guys, don't touch the dog! It burns!" Inojin pulls out his scroll and draws multiple Anomalocaris, which charges at the Shinobi. Aka regathers his Chakra and shapes it into a bubble around him. The ink animals made contacts making them explode. When the smoke cleared Aka was still inside his bubble, unharmed.
The Chakra went to the ground and busted up hitting Inojin. Mitsuki was able to dodge but landed near the edge of the ravine.
"Give up kid and maybe you can get out of this unharmed." Mitsuki scoffs at Aka. He needed a way to counter this strange Chakra and one item came to mind.
Mitsuki opens his mouth and extends a snake which then opens its mouth and produces a sword. Everyone was gross-out with the scene in front of them, including Inojin and Chōchō. Mitsuki grabs the sword and the snake return into his mouth.
"Behold! The Sword of Kusanagi!" Mitsuki dashes towards Aka, sword in hand. Aka regathers his Chakra then swung at Mitsuki, but Mitsuki cut through the Chakra with ease. Meeting face to face Aka pulls out a kunai trying to defend himself from Mitsuki's strikes. Mitsuki gave a swift strike cutting them in two, then places the sword on Aka's neck.
A loud crash was heard coming from the forest and one of the Hoshi Shinobi flew out forest shadows and crash into the ground. A large tree was thrown from the forest forcing Mitsuki and Aka to separate. Moegi came out of the forest, furious of being slammed into the ground.
Using Chakra Threads Moegi starts swinging the tree forcing everyone to take cover. Konohamaru was able to reach the kids while the Hoshi Shinobi regroup on the opposite side. Exhausted Moegi stops and tries to catch her breath.
"Their bunch together, now our chance!" The Hoshi Ninjas fuse their Chakra together creating a large Dragon construct. Konohamaru steps forward and opens his hand. Chakra builds up at the palm of his hand and forms a large Rasengan. The two attacks clash causing a large explosion.
Konohamaru was still standing with minor damage done to his arm. He looks at his arm then at the opponent in front of him. He was ready to continue this fight.
"ENOUGH!" Everyone looks over and sees a Man with more Hoshi Ninja behind him. The Man has reddish-brown eyes and short smooth black hair that partly curls around his head and parts of his Hoshigakure forehead protector.
"H- Hoshikage!?" The Kage walks over his subordinates clearly enrage at them. The Konoha Shinobi stuck close together, not letting their guard down. After spending a few minutes talking to the Hoshi Shinobi the Hoshikage approaches the group.
"I deeply apologize for the misunderstanding. Hoshigakure never wishes harm to the Hidden Leaf."
"Your men will beg to differ." Moegi pointed out.
"They will be dealt with momentarily. I will personally make sure there will be no more hostility." After hearing the Kage's words the calms down and lower their weapons.
A snake slithers out of Mitsuki's sleeve and swallows the sword then returns to Mitsuki's clothing. Inojin and Chōchō were still crept out and took steps back. Mitsuki notices and gave them a heartwarming smile.
"Lord Sumaru, two of our kids went missing. Those two over there said they fell into the Ravine." Konohamaru told the Kage.
"That's bad. Very bad."
"But they said some 'Traitors' could have saved them."
"Well, that just makes things worse." The Kage receive a confused look from the group. Sumaru sighs. "It's a long story. Let's head to the Village. I'll explain everything the best I can."
It was a never-ending cycle. The memory continues to run in her head, the fear, the humiliation, Boruto's sacrifice. Black fire emerges from the forest, it forms into the Sarada Copy. The original was in the fetal position in the middle of the lake of blood. The Copy approaches the original hoping to enjoy herself.
"He lied to me." The Copy pause confused on what she said.
"Who lied to you?" Sarada didn't respond annoying the Copy. Suddenly the Copy found herself in the Third Training Ground where Sarada trained with her father after the attack. The Copy realized that she was reliving a memory.
Sarada was exhausted and land on her knees. Sasuke went towards his daughter and helps her up. They laid back on stumps that were in the middle of the glade and take a break from their training. Sarada stares at Sasuke's Rinnegan, she marveled at it.
"Curious about the Rinnegan." Sarada composes herself feeling awkward staring at her father's eye.
"How did you got the Rinnegan?"
"A ghost gave it to me."
"W- what?" Sasuke ignores his daughter confusion and asks his own question.
"Why are you asking?"
"I just thought maybe… I can get the Rinnegan."
"No"
"W- Why not!?"
"First, obtaining the Rinnegan is very convoluted. Second, you can barely control yourself with the Mangekyo Sharingan so just imagine with the Rinnegan. Third, the Rinnegan brings more trouble than solutions so were better off without it."
"Then why do you still have!?"
"To protect Konoha."
"Then what just happened a couple of months ago!?" Sasuke gave Sarada stern look, but she didn't faze. "Where were you when I needed you? When Boruto needed you."
Sasuke was shocked at her daughter's words. He did the first thing that came to mind and hugs Sarada. With tears in her eyes, Sarada hugs back.
"You can't let your emotion take control or else you'll end up like m-" Sasuke stops what he was about to say then breaks apart the hug and looks to the distance. Sarada laid her head on Sasuke side.
"I just want the pain to stop. The voices, the memories, I want it all to stop!"
"It will. That hatred that you feel will fade away. Trust me."
The Memory faded away and both Sarada's return to the middle of the lake. Sarada looks at the copy.
"I still feel the pain. The world keeps punishing me. It never ends!"
"I told you, this world is cruel. It will keep taking and give nothing in return."
"Then I'll punish the world and rip everything apart!"
"Eye for an eye." The Copy had a twisted smile that reached from ear to ear. The two Sarada's look at each other and notice that they were synchronizing.
"I'm tired of everyone and everything treating me like a nobody!"
"I'll take everything they love and use it to become someone!"
The Sarada's press their foreheads together creepily starring to each other. A twisted grew on Sarada's face, for the first time in months the visions stops. She was feeling whole again.
"Sarada! SARADA!" Sarada wakes up from her sleep. Shikadai had wakened her up, once he stops shaking her he sighs.
"Shikadai? Where are we?"
"We're in a shack, or what used to be a shack." Sarada glance at her surroundings. The shack had chunks missing from it and dust was everywhere. Realizing what happened Sarada covers her left eye.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to."
"Sarada, tell me. Are you even cleared to do missions?"
"Of course I am! Why are you asking such a stupid question?"
"Look at yourself! You're a mess! How can you defend yourself?"
"I'm FINE!" Shikadai sighs.
"Look at the mess we got ourselves into. This mission just became an A-rank. If we're going to get out of this alive I need you at 100 percent." Sarada opens her left eye and puts on her glasses.
"A-rank?"
A Female enters the Shack. She has fair skin traits with freckles along with brown hair in a high ponytail and indigo eyes.
"Is the young lady all right?" She pauses and realizes she was interrupting their conversation. "Oops, didn't mean to barge in like that."
"Sarada this is Hokuto, missing-nin from Hoshigakure."
"… Missing-nin…?" Sarada stares at Hokuto, her eyes slowly turning red.
"Easy, this is much more convoluted than it seems." Shikadai calms down Sarada. Hokuto checks her tablet then puts it away.
"Kids we need to move."
"Where are we going?"
"To the Rendezvous Point where Yui is located."
"And Yui is…?"
"A sweet and delicate soul. But you might know her as the Hybrid." Sarada was stunned. Did they actually found the Hybrid?
"Civil War!?" The group was dismayed at the news. They had reached the Village by using a man-made path through the Ravine. When arriving all they found was a War Zone.
"How come none of this reached Konoha?" Moegi asks the Hoshikage.
"You can blame the other side for that one. They cut out our communications to the outside world."
"A Village fighting each other all because of a little girl." Mitsuki was astonished. "Just how important is this girl?"
"The whole Shinobi world is after her. She priceless."
"But do you have to kill each other to get her."
"My concern is for my people well-being. These Rebels only care for the bounty on her."
"Those Rebels now have my students." Konohamaru intones.
"We received information on a possible Rebel hideout. If you want you can join us in the Raid. Any help will be well appreciated."
"Of course, you lead we follow." Konohamaru turns and faces the Kids.
"You three stay here."
"What? I'm not going to stay while my friends are still out there."
"You are not ready for this kind of fight. We'll bring back Sarada and Shikadai. Promise." Mitsuki sighs then nod in agreement.
Konohamaru pats Mitsuki on the back. He and Moegi went with the Hoshikage while kids were led towards a small residence where they could stay. Mitsuki and Chōchō relax on their bed while Inojin pulls out a scroll and begins drawing.
"What are you doing Inojin?"
"I'm going send a message to Konoha. I never sent a hawk so far so let's hope this works." After a moment of thinking, Mitsuki spoke up.
"Something not right." Chōchō and Inojin look at Mitsuki confused.
"What are you talking about?"
"The Village said that they were trapped in the village due to the Ravine sudden expansion, but could have sent men on foot to ask for help."
"They're at War. They need all the Manpower possible." Chōchō informs.
"That's it, why didn't they ask for outside help. It's like they don't want anyone to know about the War."
"You think they're up to something?" Inojin asks.
"Maybe. We should be cautious." A small Garden Snake slithers out of Mitsuki's sleeve and wraps around his finger. "Keep an eye on any individual around the area." The Snake leaves Mitsuki and slips through a crack in the wall.
"Great, now I can't sleep." Chōchō was still lying in the bed staring at the ceiling. She yawns.
Inojin finished creating the Hawk with the message tied to it. He opens the window and the Hawk flies through at high speeds heading towards Konoha. Inojin sits next to Mitsuki who appears to be pondering. They both heard snoring, it was Chōchō who was fast asleep.
"How!? Just seconds ago she was complaining that she couldn't fall asleep." Mitsuki glances at Chōchō then he goes back to himself. "Distracted? Inojin questions."
"Just keeping my guard up."
"Or are you worried about Sarada?" Mitsuki took a while to respond.
"… I don't want to lose someone else close to me…" Inojin nodded. He decided to move on to the next another topic.
"So we're gonna stay awake and keep watch?"
"Seems like it. Can never be too careful."
Shikadai, Sarada, and Hokuto were climbing down natural-looking stairs on the forest, slowly reaching their destination. Sarada's mind was in her latest dream. The things she said was running through her mind. Did she really break this easily? The inner conflict in her mind cause Sarada to activate her Sharingan.
They reach the bottom and enter an open area surrounded by trees. The area was filled with Cows. On the other side of the field was an old shack. On said shack was a young female, the same age as Sarada. She has black hair with a blue tint, wearing sleeved long zip up coat-like shirt showing her midsection under which she wears a pair of short leggings. She has her ninja pack on her right thigh and a pair of knee-high shinobi sandals. Her left arm was entirely wrapped.
The Group approaches the girl. When she notices them she scurried and hid behind a Cow. Hokuto steps forward comforting the young girl.
"It's okay Yui. They're Shinobi from Konoha."
"Konoha?" Yui peaks at the young Shinobi. She notices Sarada's Sharingan and was amazed. "Your eyes are just like mine."
"What?" Yui eyes transform into the Sharingan with two tomoe, shocking Sarada.
"Impossible! I and my Father are the only Uchiha left."
"W-what's an Uchiha?" Sarada moves forward but Yui hid back behind the Cow. Shikadai held Sarada back.
"Who are you?" Shikadai asks her. Yui peaks again and responded.
"I'm Yui Senju from The Academy. Well, I was from the Academy."
"Senju? I thought you were an Uchiha?" Sarada questions. Then Shikadai figures it out.
"Half Uchiha, half Senju-"
"-Hybrid" Sarada finishes the sentence coming to the same conclusion.
"A-are you guys here to help me?" Yui asks.
"Yeah, of course!" Shikadai told her. Yui came out of cover and face Shikadai.
"Can you save my sisters? They stayed behind to let me escape. I need to go back and save them!" Yui starts hyperventilating. Hokuto calms her down.
"Easy, easy. One step at a time. Okay?" Yui nods. "I need to meet with Mizura. I'll be back as soon as I can." Hokuto disappears in a flash leaving the kids to themselves.
"Excuse me, I have to continue feeding the Cows."
"But we need more information on the Academy," Shikadai tells Yui.
"I'm sorry, it just that… Animals are easier to deal with than people." Sarada hums as if the statement connect with her on a spiritual level.
"The Hidden Leaf can help you. It's filled with nice people, some can even become your friends." Shikadai assures her.
"The Cows are friends..." Yui hugs a Cow and it returns the affection.
"…Now that just sad." Sarada remarks.
"Here, let me help you." Shikadai went towards and Yui follows behind.
Sarada didn't get it. Yui said she was from the Academy but unlike them, Yui seems… innocent. This conflicted with Sarada's view on the Academy, she thought every one of them was a monster. The Voices came back making Sarada clutch her head. The Sharingan began shifting slowly changing into the evolved state. Sarada calms herself down, stopping the process and returning her eyes back to normal.
Looking at her hand she notices that it had changed into a dark caramel color. Her skin becomes thicker with shards of stone and wood sticking out. Panicking, Sarada took a deep breath and her right eye softly glows red. Her hand returns to normal and so does her eye. It seems like Yui and Shikadai haven't noticed.
That could have been bad, Sarada almost lost control. Sarada sighs, no one must know. Not her eyes, her power or her nightmares. It's better that way.
A/N: Another chapter is done! I've could have finished this earlier but I got distracted with NJPW G1 Climax.
So must be wondering why Hoshigakure? Well, originally it was supposed to be an original Village with OC's. But while doing some research I discovered Hoshigakure. It was similar to the Village I had in mind, so I thought why not and put it in my story. I'm pretty sure people will be fine with it.
If you also notice I decided on Sarada's Mangekyo Sharingan ability. It going to be an original ability and I threw in some hints. I explained it on Reddit and people said that it was good. You can expect more on it soon.
If you enjoy the story go ahead and follow and/or favorite(Do it, I know you want too). And please leave a review, it's the best way to know your thought on the story. Don't be afraid of giving me criticism too, there's no way I'll improve my writing if nobody says anything. If you don't want to talk about it in the review then just PM me. With that out the way, have a fantastic day and hope to see you next time!