A/N: Hey guys! So, SWaB is going to be going on break for a little bit. For u guys, about three days. Reason being because the current arc of SWaB ends this chapter, but for Daisugi, it goes on for another three chapters. Since I don't want SWaB to be ahead of Dai and fuck up the pacing and the like, SWaB will have to end here for three days until Daisugi catches up lol. Well, if you haven't checked out Dai, then this is the perfect time to do so!
ϟ—Chapter Thirteen — Black Rose Burns Blue—ϟ
Finally, Kumo was in sight. Even through the ash—the blackened sky. Neither Kay nor Arasei had seen the sun in nearly a week. Same went for Ka'rai, but he was too unconscious to notice. Kay felt too much agony to dwell on the lack of sun. However, her second sun was about to shine.
The moment Ka'rai awoke, he burst with blue flames. They were transparent and cold on Arasei's shoulder. The very same shoulder that Kinbo had nicked in the battle. In a matter of moments, the nagging sting of her cut soul was healed.
Ka'rai flashed a grin directly at Kay. If her ANBU training hadn't taught her any better, she would've run in the opposite direction. With a huff and a glint of the Nibi's eyes, Ka'rai leapt off of his mother's shoulder and toward Kay. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she was ignited by the cold blue fire.
She couldn't hold back the breath of relief. The agony faded from her—her mind could finally calm. "Ka'rai…" she gaped, struggling to form words.
He grinned. "Thank Nibi! She went against her hatred of humans to let me heal you."
"Thank you, Nibi…" Kay said with a bow, still alight with the fire.
After a beat of silence, Nibi responded with a reluctant, You're welcome.
Ka'rai forwarded that to Kay, and she let out a nervous chuckle. The boy looked at his mom. "How close are we to home?"
She simply pointed forward. Ka'rai's grin grew as he gazed upon Kumo. "Thanks, Mama! Okay, so uh… bye for now! I'll see you in a bit!"
"What do you mean—?" Before Arasei could finish her sentence, Ka'rai was already a blue streak in the distance.
Kay's brow furrowed. "Where is he going?"
"I…" She sighed and shrugged. "I really wonder what goes on in his head sometimes."
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
Ka'rai bolted up the many many stairs that led up to Kumo. The warmth of his one-tailed cloak shielded him from the massively colder temperatures.
Why are you using my chakra?
I wanna get somewhere fast!
Where?
Can't you read my thoughts, Nibi?
A beat of silence passed.
You're seriously using my chakra for such a foolish reason?
Didn't you say that using your chakra will help you regain your strength and stuff?
Indeed…
Ka'rai… can't this wait until the weather calms down? Climbing Nibasu right now would be suicide.
I climbed Nibasu before! I'll be fine!
Don't get yourself killed, Ka'rai. Especially in such a stupid way—
…I won't let it happen.
Ka'rai sent a wave of beaming intent to the two voices in his head.
Waitttt, Yugito. You're a girl, and you like girls too! Can you like, give me tips or something?!
Nibi, you're a girl too! So, can you also give me some tips on how I should do this?
I refuse to be a part of this endeavor.
Yugito sighed. The girl already likes you. Just don't do anything stupid and you should be fine.
"GREAT!" He sped up the stairs even faster—almost tripping over himself once he met the gates. The two guards at the gates spat their respective drinks out.
"What's happening?!" the woman on the right asked.
The man on the left pulled out his staff. "Are you being followed? What happened to your team?!"
"Oh, nothing's wrong! It's kinda cold and I needa get somewhere fast, so I'm using Nibi's chakra!" answered Ka'rai, still on all fours.
"..." The woman sighed. "Your team?"
"They're coming! Again, I'm in a rush…"
The two guards looked at each other. This time, the man sighed. "Let me see your ID so I can sign you in."
Ka'rai reached in his pocket and handed the ID to the guards. He was permitted entry. "Thanks!" he yelled before speeding past them in a blue blur. In that same blue blur, he bolted through the village, catching the attention of everyone he blasted past. It took about five minutes to reach the base of Nibasu.
He couldn't help but gulp at the sight. Nibasu's usual white was colored black with ash. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed at the mountain's summit. His intimidation roared into determination with the flaring of the Nibi's cloak.
Ka'rai… warned Yugito. I understand that love makes you do crazy things, but—
I'm already crazy, Yugito.
With that, Ka'rai sprinted into the storm around Nibasu. Ash and snow fell in tandem around him. He made it about a hundred feet up the mountain in about a minute. His claws held him down as the wind picked up.
"Damn…" cursed Ka'rai. "This is kinda hard—"
You're an idiot.
I know!
Ka'rai bolted forward, his claws keeping traction in the snow, fighting against the stormy breeze. If he tried to leap, he'd be flung off the mountain. So, once he reached the vertical cliff face of the ashen glacier above, he was met with a dilemma.
"Wait, I have an idea…"
Oh, save us please, pleaded Yugito.
Jinsei burned from Ka'rai—hotter than ever. Snow all around simmered and melted. "Woah!" he exclaimed. As he looked toward the glacier, Jinsei formed into a sharp-bladed rope and embedded itself at the top of the ice.
"WOAH!" he exclaimed louder. "How did that happen?!"
With a long sigh, Nibi began to explain. Jinsei Flame responds to your will. If your will is weak, it won't listen to you. If your will is strong, it'll follow you, and the less you'll have to do to get it to do what you want.
Your will to… see this girl is strong. So, Jinsei follows suit.
"SICK!" rejoiced Ka'rai. He gripped Jinsei's rope and used it to scale the glacier. Halfway… he noted. A sudden grin split his face, and Jinsei burned joyously alongside him.
"I can't wait to see Hane!"
It took him little more than ten minutes to reach boot camp. His grin took up half his face and his bicolored eyes of green and yellow shimmered with excitement. He ran up to the gate and knocked—the intense wind of the storm blew his shaggy crimson mane and the cobalt blue fire of his cloak wildly.
See Yugito, Nibi! I did it!
Congrats!
…Good job.
Soon after knocking, the ward with the really long sword opened the door for him. What was his name?
Jay.
Yeah! Jay! Thanks, Yugito!
"Ka'rai, what the hell—?" he yawned in exasperation.
He let out a giddy giggle. "I came to see Hane."
"I…" He yawned again. "You climbed five-thousand feet in a storm just to see her?"
"Yup!"
"Whatever your goal is here, I pray that you succeed," murmured Jay as he opened the door for him.
I hope you succeed too, Ka'rai.
The boy giggled. I know, I can feel it.
With that, he followed his nose through the walls and also dorms of the camp. It really was structured like a prison… Halfway through, he remembered that he didn't need his cloak anymore. So, he turned it off. A wave of cold chilled him over. He was tempted to turn it back on.
It didn't take him long to find Hane. If he lacked self control, he would've sprinted down the hall. But he did have some form of the concept. With a deep, giddy breath, he knocked on the door.
An answer came immediately. The wooden door creaked open, and he saw her face. Her round yet sharp face, her soft narrow eyes which held twin gingerbread colored eyes. Most of her face, however, was covered by her dirty-blonde hair.
"HI!" Ka'rai greeted enthusiastically.
"Rai-rai…?" She rubbed her eyes. "Am I dreaming?"
He pinched her hand; she yelped. "Nope!" he answered for her.
"Why…" she blinked as reality set in. "Oh my! Your mission! The storm outside— you came here in a storm?!"
"Yup!"
"Just to see me?!"
"Yup!"
"I…" she tried to hide her blush with her hand. "I'm flattered—" she spattered. "But let's try and not do dumb things like that again! I know I'm great to be around, but you could've died."
"I won't die! Nibi won't let me!"
She shrugged. "I guess…" Hane grabbed Ka'rai's hand and pulled him in. "Talking to you in the doorway is getting awkward, so just come in here."
Ka'rai giggled again as she yanked him into her room. A joyous tingle fluttered around his body.
"I'm not letting you out here until the storm goes away."
"But, I kinda skipped out on all the official mission stuff so I can see you…"
"..." She let out a sigh. "Ka'rai—"
He simply grinned at her before popping a squat on her bed. "Also, I don't think the storm is gonna die down anytime soon. It was a volcano's eruption that caused it…"
"You just keep making yourself look dumber and dumber the more you talk."
His grin remained unfaltering. The tingling flutter only beat harder alongside his heart. He looked at her longer and longer.
Yugito… help.
Just say it, Ka'rai! The worst she can say is no at this point.
"Rai-rai?"
"UH!"
She looked at him incredulously before sitting next to him. "Are you okay?"
"I…" Ka'rai let out a dramatic breath with wisps of blue fire. "Y'know, I went on two missions since the last time I saw you. I almost died like five times on both of them."
Hane's eyes bulged out of her head.
"So like, I realized that life is real short. I gotta live it to the fullest, have all the best things happen to me because, especially as a Shinobi, I could die at any time. And y'know…. you're one of the best things in my life!"
Aww, murmured Yugito.
Hane blushed again.
"So, right here, right now! I'm asking you to be my girlfriend! Don't wanna miss out on that before I die!" He asked her with a toothy grin, direct eye contact, and a pounding heart.
Hane gasped, blushing even harder as she covered her face.
His heart beat faster as he chuckled. Did I do bad, Yugito?
You did fine! Pay attention to her, not me!
"Uhm…" Hane attempted to get out a sentence. "I… Y-y… Uhh…"
"It's fine if it's a no…" mumbled Ka'rai.
"NONONO!" she exclaimed, leaning toward him.
"Wait, no?"
"NO—YESYES!" Hane nodded. "I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR GIRLFRIEND!"
Ka'rai gasped. "YAY!"
With no warning, Hane leapt forward and kissed him. Both of their eyes were wide as their lips touched. Ka'rai instinctively pulled back. "Woahh…!"
"Were you not ready?! I'm so sorry—"
"Nonono!" he spattered, desperately trying to hide that he was wiping blood from his nose.
Hane somehow blushed and paled at the same time. "You weren't?!"
"I think I'm ready now—"
Without warning, Hane kissed him again. "MMMM!" exclaimed Ka'rai. Quickly, he closed his eyes, not bothering to see whether his partner did the same. He held himself steady. Her lips… they tasted like ice cream.
Hane pulled back first, then Ka'rai opened his eyes. Her brown reflected in his black. "Heh… nice."
"Yeah… it was nice." She hummed in pondering as she sat back down. "It wasn't like the romance manga that I usually read, though…"
"Wuh?" Ka'rai almost panicked. "Did I do something wrong?!"
"No," she answered. "I don't know, it's usually less awkward when I read it…"
"Ohhh! Makes sense."
Silence fell.
"Wanna do it again?" asked Ka'rai.
Hane giggled. "Sure."
"Ka'rai!" Arasei's voice accompanied the knock on the door.
The boy paled. "Fuck—"
"Uh oh!" exclaimed Hane.
Another knock. "I know you're in there, Ka'rai!"
Ka'rai chuckled as he opened the door to greet his mother. "Hey, mama!"
"Could you have not been patient for just a few hours so we could file the mission report?!" questioned Arasei.
Ka'rai shook his head. "No."
"I'm taking another manga when we get home."
Ka'rai inhaled. "I would be upset… but I think this is worth it."
"What is?!"
Hane revealed herself from behind the door. "Hi…!"
"I have a girlfriend now, mama!"
"I…" Arasei let out a sigh. She couldn't hold back her smile as she shook her head. "Congrats, Ka'rai. I'm still taking your manga."
"I know…" drawled Ka'rai as he walked out of Hane's dorm. "Bye, Hane!"
"Bye, Rai-rai!" She waved him off. "We can kiss again later, okay!"
"You bet!" he called back as the door was closed.
Arasei looked at him with widened eyes. "You kissed her?!"
"She kissed me. Two times! We would've had three if you hadn't walked in…"
"Oh…" She shook her head. "At least you two didn't do anything beyond that, right?"
"Yuh-huh!"
"Good. Now, let's go. Kay's waiting for us at the Raikage's office."
With that, mother and son walked out of the Boot Camp and made their way down Nibasu.
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
"That was so boring…" drawled Ka'rai as handed the paper to the Raikage. The Kage took it alongside Kay's and Arasei's. Kay and Ka'rai had to hand in two separate reports, due to missing out on the last one.
The Raikage shook his head. "It's part of the Shinobi etiquette, Ka'rai."
He simply groaned in response. Before anyone else could speak, Arasei stepped forward unsheathing the black Katana on her waist. "Lord Raikage, what should we do with this?"
"That's the blade Hell is sealed within, correct?" he asked for confirmation.
"I WANT IT!" exclaimed Ka'rai with his hand raised.
"No," immediately denied the Raikage. "You're too inexperienced and irresponsible to be trusted with such a powerful weapon."
"But! Hell is part of the afterlife… and Nibi is supposed to watch over any connection with the living world and the worlds of the dead! So, it's only right that the Nibi's Jinchuriki watches over the blade!"
Kay hummed. "He brings up a valid point."
The seal on Ka'rai's chest rumbled visibly. "See! She agrees too!"
"Do you even know how to wield a sword?" asked the Raikage.
"I can learn!"
Arasei stared at the Katana reluctantly. "This isn't just any regular sword, either. You'll have to learn how to control the seals that keep Hell at bay, like our opponent did."
"I can learn that too!"
The Raikage narrowed his eyes on Ka'rai, then the blade. "You will go on no missions until you've fully learned how to wield the blade with competence. Bee and your mother will train you in both of the respective arts necessary."
"YES!" he cheered, pumping his fists into the air. "Man… I got a girlfriend and a cool new sword in the same day! Best day ever…" His gaze shifted toward the Katana and he outstretched his hand.
His mother pulled her hand back. "You're not touching it until you can use a regular sword."
"Sad…"
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
Kay walked into the coyote's den. It'd been over a week since she last entered. Chills nipped at her like bug bites. Not because it was cold—even though it was—it was because of the anxiety. She wasn't there like she'd sworn she'd be. It was out of her control—but it was her decision to take the mission to guard Ka'rai.
All she could do now, was steel herself to the consequences. That was what she did when she opened the door and bowed to her father. Just her father… seemingly. Rare, but not out of the ordinary.
"I apologize, father. I didn't anticipate that guarding the Nibi's Jinchuriki would result in such an absence from the Cessitsu Family," she explained before he could scold her. "The two missions I've been on in my time away were considered the upper end of S-Rank. I was paid as such, and I've already deposited the funds into the family treasury."
"I'm aware…" he began with a hum. "With those two missions alone, you've increased our wealth by twenty percent. That is no small feat."
Kay nodded.
"That is why I am allowing you to continue on your mission to guard the Nibi."
With control, a relieved breath relaxed her tense posture. "You haven't brought it up with the rest of our family?"
"No, not yet. With the results shown, the decision is more than final. But, even with the great amount of money you're bringing into our family, you're not here to assist us with our smaller ventures. That is an issue."
"I'm aware…" answered Kay.
Her father leaned back in his chair. "I need you to get a copy of the Bingo book. Hand it to me. That way, I'll be able to see what rogue Shinobi we'll be able to hire to fulfill those tasks when you cannot."
Kay went silent. "That… could backfire, you know?"
"There's a price for anybody's compliance," was his answer. "Now, go fetch me that book."
"Yes, father," said Kay with a bow of her head. She stood, then exited the coyote's den.
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
Finally, he was out of that damned place. He would've been excited for some fresh air… but all he got was clouded ash with a black sky. Bee sighed.
That's why we need to recruit the help of the Nanabi.
Accompanied by another sigh, Bee nodded in agreement. I'll get Ka'rai to come with me. Meeting another Jinchuriki would be good for him.
Good idea.
With that, Bee set out to find his student. Hachibi's ability to sense strength made it quite easy. He made his way toward a training ground below the clouds, near water. Ka'rai was with his mother… Bee giggled. "Yo, yo, yo! If it ain't my Uzumaki bros!"
"Bee-sensei!" exclaimed Ka'rai with an apparent grin, getting up from the math book on the floor. "You've finally recovered!"
"Hey… what do you mean by finally?"
"It took you so long! I went on a whole other mission while you were on your ass!"
"...Huh? You did?!"
"Mhm." agreed Arasei. "I was there with him."
Bee's eyes drifted to Arasei's hips. Not because he found them attractive. No, totally not that. It was because there was a sword there! It wasn't there before. "Woah babe, what's with the blade?"
"It's MINE!" cheered Ka'rai—his brows furrowed. "Wait, what did you just call her—?"
"On the mission we went on, the Nibi said that we needed to take care of the Hell problem. I sealed the connection between the living world and Hell in this sword here. Ka'rai needs to learn how to use it. I'm teaching him the sealing necessary to use the special abilities it has, and you're supposed to teach him Kenjutsu," explained Arasei.
Bee nodded slowly. "Ohhh! Well, he's been unofficially commissioned on another mission!" He grabbed Ka'rai and pulled him away. "So, I'll need to borrow him, but don't you worry, I'll teach him the Kenjutsu tradition!"
"What? Where?" asked Arasei, grabbing Ka'rai and holding him with her.
Ka'rai groaned. "I just got a girlfriend and I need to go out again?!"
"So you see, we need the help of the Nanabi!" Bee pointed to the ash-ridden sky. "She'll fix that up high disasterology!"
"Would Taki even allow two foreign Jinchuriki within their village? Especially you?" she questioned.
Bee cleared his throat. "That's why I was gonna ask my bro to ask Taki! I ain't a fool, ya fool!"
"What if they say no?"
"Uh…" Bee coughed. "We don't go!"
"I don't know whether I want them to say yes or no… I don't wanna leave Hane behind—" Ka'rai gasped. "CAN SHE COME?!"
"Yeah sure!" answered Bee.
Ka'rai leapt in joy. "YESS! THEY BETTER SAY YES!"
"You're still gonna study your math while you're in Taki," ordered Arasei.
Ka'rai's smile faltered. "Yay…!"
"Alright so, let's go!" Bee announced as he attempted to pull Ka'rai away.
Arasei's grip remained. "No. He has no reason to go with you. Ka'rai needs to study."
"Why?"
"So I can use my hell sword! I should give it a name…" he murmured. "Wait, the Hell Scythe Hidan used is called the Jigoku Scythe, right?"
"Yeah…" Bee confirmed.
"The Jigoku Katana!" announced Ka'rai. "That's its name!"
"Real original…" Bee murmured before releasing his grip on Ka'rai and turning his back. "I'm gonna go so we can hopefully enter Taki in a way that is permissible!"
With that, both Arasei and Ka'rai waved as Bee flickered away with lightning.
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
Below the haze of Kumo, Cirru and Yowui faced each other. Cee stood watch on the grass while the water just below crashed. Sami and Clowui were with an illusionary clone of Cee's doing something else.
"Alright, you've been training with us for a week, Yowui!" announced Cee. "Show off the fruits of your training!" He chopped the air with his hand.
The moment Yowui attempted to charge, a gust of wind from Cirru sent him skidding across the grass. Immediately, Yowui stood, planting his feet with chakra to hold himself in place. With narrowed eyes, he spied Cirru weaving hand seals. "Typhoon Style: Cirrus Galestorm!"
"Shit—" cursed Yowui as he guarded himself. Tiny shards of ice dug into his skin—it reminded him of the glassy ash from Yakedo's eruption. The jutsu ceased. Cirru was in front of him, fist clenched. Yowui barely dodged it. He took the opportunity to knee Cirru's gut.
The boy grunted from the impact. All it took was a simple inhale then superpowered exhale to blow Yowui away from him. Chakra flooded into Yowui's legs and he sprinted forward. Cirru flew above. Yowui leapt, barely able to grab his ankle. With a scoff, Cirru simply flew higher and kicked Yowui off. He hit the ground with a thud.
Cirru plummeted down, hurricane shield swirling across his forearm. Yowui panicked as he attempted to dodge. He was too slow. The breath was forced out of him and Cirru cackled. His shield dispersed into the wind. Cirru grabbed his shirt, then kicked him into the water.
Yowui went under… but he decided to stay under. He kept himself afloat just under the surface. Chakra guarded his eyes from the water. There were plenty of times where Yowui had breath holding competitions with his brothers… he never lost.
Minutes passed. He heard his name being called through the waves. He could go for triple the current time. Eventually, Cirru's shadow shaded his face. The eyes of the floating boy widened. Yowui leapt from under the water and grabbed Cirru's ankle, pulling him under.
He managed to strike Cirru's throat, forcing him to gasp a mouthful of water. Yowui swam up and stood on the water, weaving hand seals. "Lightning Style: Stormbreaker Fist!" His right hand zapped and arced with electricity, which he punched under the water with. The lake for meters in all directions jumped with voltage.
Bubbles rose where Cirru's head was as the boy screamed. A sudden omnidirectional burst of wind sent Yowui flying for meters across the surface. Yowui groaned on the grass, nursing his shoulder. Cirru rose from the water, fuming above the churning lake.
"You country skunk, bastard," he seethed. Cirru slammed his fists together and he was dry. "You'll pay every ryo from your pockets for this."
If Yowui lacked common sense, he would've laughed. Instead, he pulled out a kunai and weaved hand seals. "Lightning Style: Stormbreaker Point!" His right hand ignited with the clap of thunder once again. This time, all the electricity concentrated on the blade of his kunai.
That idea he had with Kay so long ago… he finally had the chance to use it for something important.
Cirru blew through the air like a gale. Appearing in front of Yowui in seconds. A gust of wind hit Yowui's gut like a fist. Another from the back. A real fist made contact with Yowui's face. Cirru growled as he struck with Yowui's kunai. It ripped Cirru's shirt. Before it sliced more than a couple of inches, an exhale of air hit Yowui's chest and sent him to the floor.
Levitating up, Cirru weaved hand seals. "Typhoon Style: Category Two Winds!"
A storm-level gust reigned from above. Yowui felt as if he was under the foot of a Bijuu. The air pressure was intense to the point of insufferability. He couldn't breathe, the kicked-up dust got in his eyes. He was forced to close them.
Yowui desperately attempted to move something—anything. None worked. However… the jutsu ceased after a bit. The relief of the inhale was like no other. His entire body ached from the gust as he forced himself to stand. When he took a step forward, he stumbled and collapsed.
"I'm done…" admitted Yowui, panting on his back.
Well, he knew he didn't have a chance. Didn't make the defeat sting any less… Especially as he heard Cirru's smug chuckles from above him. However, he heard… clapping?
"Good job, Yowui," Cee began. "You lasted for fifteen minutes against a stronger opponent… who wasn't holding back, I might add. When we started, you barely lasted three minutes."
"Eh? That so?" he murmured as he forced himself off his back. "Doesn't feel like a good job."
"You seriously expected to win against me?" asked Cirru with a scoff. "Don't give yourself too much credit. You did great for what you are."
"...Thanks?" said Yowui with a furrowed brow. Despite how backhanded and condescending it was, it was still a compliment of some sort.
Cirru shrugged in response before returning to ground level. As he walked forward, he wiped his forehead dry of… No. It couldn't have been. Sweat? I made him sweat? Yowui couldn't hold back his smirk.
His attention was brought to the Cee walking next to him. He stretched out a hand. Yowui took it and he was helped to his feet. "Do you think you've brought your durability and stamina to a good level?"
"Yeah, for sure!" Yowui responded.
Cee chuckled. "What's with the change in attitude?"
"I…" He looked back to see if Cirru was out of earshot. He was. "I made him sweat. That feels kinda good."
"Yeah! You did," Cee agreed. "You did a great job, Yowui. We can start to work on other things now."
"Like what?"
"You decide."
Yowui hummed. "Well, I think I'm decent at Genjutsu."
"Oh? You don't say…" Cee flashed a smirk. "I happen to be the best Genjutsu user in Kumo! Well, the best that doesn't have a Ketsuryugan. I'd still say I'm top ten, though…"
Pride swelled warmly in Yowui's chest as he grinned. It felt… foreign. It was the same type of foreign where you hate the cold, then go somewhere warm to bathe in the sun. He could stay there forever… Unfortunately, a blizzard came in full force behind him.
"Yo, yo, Yowui!" Bee rapped as he danced into the clearing where Team Cee was. "It's about time I come here and fulfill my sensei duty!"
"Hey, Bee-sensei…" Instinctively, Yowui shifted away from him.
Cee bowed to his superior. "Lord Killer Bee."
"Sup, Cee. Thanks for taking care of my student for me!"
"Of course!" he responded.
As they delved into small talk, Yowui was consumed by his thoughts. I don't wanna go back. Cold thoughts of inferiority, futility and utter isolation. 'The only human on a team of monsters.'
The only monster here was Clowui… and she was either absent or doing her own thing. Yeah, Kay was nice, Ka'rai was his friend… but here, he felt like he had a chance. Could he even make Kay or Ka'rai sweat? No. He'd be able to actually fight Sami. He chose not to think about Clowui.
Cee-sensei actually paid attention to him. Everything felt equal, even though he wasn't his own student. He felt like an actual part of the team. As for Bee-sensei… it only felt like Ka'rai existed to him.
Only him and just him.
Most days, it was just him and Kay training together. He doubted she got any stronger since joining their team. He saw Sami improve over the past few days, just as much as he did. Hell, even Cirru was growing. Each day, his jutsu hit harder than it did the day before.
Bee looked at him expectedly. Yowui looked back. "Y'know, I think I'll stay here, Bee-sensei."
"Huh?" he spattered, taken aback. Cee looked surprised as well.
Yowui let out a breath, letting the warmth of pride grip him as he relaxed. "I'm better here with Cee-sensei, than I am with you. I'll still go on missions with you guys, since I'll still technically be a part of Team Bee, but I'll spend most of my training here. It'll give you more time to focus on Ka'rai with you two and your Jinchuriki stuff."
"Oh…" Bee cleared his throat. "Well, good luck, Yowui!"
"Thanks…"
With that, he waved bye to him and Cee before walking off. Cee leaned over to Yowui. "I think you hurt his feelings."
Yowui let out a ragged breath. "Eh, he hurt mine worse."
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
Weeks passed. The weather barely got any better. The ash was replaced with a springtime snow, which never seemed to stop. Lord Raikage summoned nine Shinobi to his office. Two sensei, six Genin, and a single ANBU. They stood diligently to their lord. Ka'rai and Hane held hands, while standing at attention, the latter sporting a pair of blue cat ears on her head.
"Good job, none of you were late." The Raikage set his sights on his brother. "Unfortunately, Taki denied your invitation to visit."
"Dammit," cursed Bee as he sucked his teeth.
Ka'rai pouted. "Dammit, indeed…"
"Aw, Taki seems like a nice place to visit—"
"—Silence!" demanded the Raikage.
Hane bowed in apology.
"Alright, in four months' time, the Chunin Exams will be taking place in Konoha. I've selected my two best Genin Teams to participate. Not only for you to gain a promotion, which you will do if I deem your performance acceptable."
"Yes!" whispered Ka'rai with a smirk.
"Kumo has made alliances with Iwa, Suna, Oto, and Kusa to crush Konoha during the final exams."
All the Genin widened their eyes. "Woah…" murmured Ka'rai. "I'll get to burn it to the ground?!"
"Yes…" answered the Raikage, visibly annoyed. Kay glared at Ka'rai to shut up. "Save all further questions until the end," ordered the Raikage. The Genin nodded, Yowui more shakily than the rest of them, although Hane seemed almost just as pensive.
"You six are to infiltrate the exams and kill as many Konoha Genin as you can. One purpose of the exams is to advertise how strong your village is to the world. If you show strength, then your village will receive more missions, more contracts, bolstering the economy of the nation as a whole.
"If you kill off most of Konoha's Genin, then Konoha will have nothing to show for their village. After Kumo and our allies burn it to the ground, it'll have no chance of recovering. However, there are certain targets that are valuable and cannot be killed under any circumstance."
The Raikage put up four fingers. "One of our allies desires the bloodlines of these targets and wants to have them for himself. Sasuke Uchiha, Shinrai Uzumaki, Gosei Senju, and Hinata Hyuuga."
Ka'rai almost spoke up, but he bit his tongue. "Uzumaki…" he murmured under his breath. Well, if they were on the list, then that meant they couldn't be killed. But, if that ally wanted them… what did they want with him?
"There is one more target that we cannot kill, my orders." Ka'rai turned his attention back to his Raikage. "Naruto Uzumaki."
Ka'rai's eyes widened.
"He is one of the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki. We capture him alive and take the Kyuubi for ourselves."
Ka'rai's fists clenched.
The Raikage let out a breath. "One more thing, Team Bee. Konoha has refused to allow Bee in its borders, just as Taki did. Instead, Kay, as an ANBU—"
The Genin not in the know—including Yowui—all reacted in surprise. Yowui almost had a look of realization on his face.
"—you are of rank to stand in for the sensei of Team Bee. Hane, you are here to round out the missing slot on Team Bee. As the strongest Genin on Nibasu, it is only your right that you have the opportunity to take the Chunin Exams."
She bowed. "Thank you, Lord Raikage."
The lord sighed. "That is all. Any other questions?"
"Do we have to kill Naruto?" asked Ka'rai immediately. "I mean… we could try and have him be loyal to Kumo! There's no point in wasting his life like that!"
"If a village were to eradicate Kumo and kidnap you, do you see yourself being loyal to that village? Even if distant clansmen lived in that village?" asked the Raikage.
"I…!" Ka'rai clenched his fists and looked down. "No…"
"Exactly," said the Raikage with a huff. "Anybody else?"
Silence.
He nodded. "Okay, you are all dismissed. Don't any of you dare slack off for a second. All of you will be in top shape for the exams. Do you understand me?"
The Genin bowed. "Yes, Lord Raikage."
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
Hidan, Kakuzu, and Kinbo were failures. The last boy was dead… but at least his research proved useful. It was even possible to put demonic creatures from Hell inside of a blade. There was not a single piece of information he didn't have backed up dozens of times over. The destruction of the Hollow Division meant nothing.
What did mean something was the loss of the Nibi. Machia provided him with a golden opportunity to snatch it. He failed. However, the third time would prove to be the charm. With his Konoha Crush plan.
The Nibi would be there. Not only that—Sharingan, Byakugan, Senju genes, and him. His bastard sensei and every jutsu he knew. It would all be his. It would all be his—along with the reveling sight of seeing Konoha burned to ash.
In just four short months, it would all be his.
But first, he had to accommodate his visitors. Behind him, bathed by the candlelight, were Machia and her daughter, Clowui. She would've been of interest to him… but he didn't quite want to lose his alliance with the Chinoike Clan by taking her. No, not until Baiko was ready, and not until the Tokeigan was secured.
Orochimaru turned to face them. "Greetings, Clowui. It is an honor to finally be meeting you."
The girl bowed out of respect, with her mother keeping her not a finger's distance away from her side. "It is an honor to meet you as well, Lord Orochimaru."
"I requested to see you, because I heard that your ability is far above par for any Genin, even by Kumo's standards. So, I have a task that only you can carry out, Clowui."
She nodded.
"In Konoha, there are two pairs of Sharingan. Sasuke Uchiha, and Shinrai Uzumaki. Shinrai was an old experiment of mine… he was born a pure Uzumaki, but I spliced the genes of the Uchiha within him. When I was ambushed by Konoha so long ago… I lost him. I would greatly appreciate it if you were to… get him back to me, alive."
"Why can't you do so yourself?" asked Machia with narrowed eyes.
Orochimaru chuckled. "I have many things on my plate, and I simply lack the time to execute them all. That is why I want your help. With that, everything I desire will be mine."
"What will we get in return?" asked Clowui, her gaze steeled.
His head tilted, surprised the girl had the nerve to ask him such a question. Surprised… but impressed. She would do well as a possible body for him to inhabit if Baiko took too long. It was something to note for the future. "You see, your clan and I have a similar goal in constructing the perfect Dojutsu. The Sharingan and the Byakugan are already within our possession, and I've already made steps toward combining the two Dojutsu."
Clowui's eyes widened slightly.
"Because of our similar goal, we've decided to form an alliance for our dreams to come true faster and easier. Now, as for what you will get, Clowui… I'll give you power." A laugh slithered from Orochimaru's throat. "May I imbue the Curse Mark?"
"Go ahead…" murmured Machia reluctantly.
The snake's fangs bared. Fear spiked in Clowui. In a flash, Orochimaru's neck extended and he bit her neck. Chakra seeped into her like venom—the girl screamed out in pain. He slid his fangs out of her flesh, pulling his neck back into place.
As Clowui sweat buckets, gripping her neck where Orochimaru bit her, her mother came to her side. "I've seen the process in its entirety. You will be fine and it will benefit you. I'll be there as well, watching you to make sure nothing happens."
"Touching," commented Orochimaru with a sly smirk that hid his teeth. He turned his back and walked off. "I'll give you some time to get accustomed to the first stage of the Curse Mark. When you are, I'll bestow upon you the second stage. After that, you'll spend some time training with me."
"Yes… Lord Orochimaru," strained Clowui through heavy breaths.
He simply continued to walk through the hallway. Not daring to look back. If he did, they'd notice that he never wiped Clowui's blood off of his fangs.
ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ