?￢ﾜ ? ~ Chapter Seventeen — Combusted Determination ~ ?￢ﾜ ?

Wow… Ryujin muttered, looking outside the window. It was noon, and he was only waking up. This is a first.

He had already completed his morning stretch, and everything ached. It was to be expected… that mission took damn near everything out of him. Well, the political ramifications of Iwa and Konoha were in the Hokage's hands now.

All he had to do was prepare for the worst. The potential war on the horizon. The Fourth Shinobi World War. Not only he needed to be prepared, but Team 5, Naruto, Miya, Kakashi, Yosei, Gai, Asuma… everyone.

He would not allow any further slacking. Especially on my part…

But, there was one thing he needed to do before that. He needed to see Aiko, to make sure that she was alright. To let her know that she was alive. Ryujin got dressed into his flame-decaled Jonin uniform and set out.

The Hokage gave her a studio not too far from his apartment. It didn't matter all that much. He would get her somewhere better, anyway. The lack of distance gave way to a quick midday stroll.

Ryujin stood in front of Aiko's door, and he knocked. There wasn't an ounce of nerve nor a buildup of anticipation. It was just calm. All he felt was calm, even as the door unlocked. When it swung open, he saw Aiko's diamond blue eyes. She looked at him with such joy and relief struck across her face, and Ryu simply smiled.

Before he knew it, she had wrapped him in a hug. He expected it, of course. So, he tried his best to reciprocate… it still felt awkward and wrong, stiff and cold… but he managed. He had to, for her sake.

Aiko pulled back and grinned. "You're alive!"

"Of course I am! You wouldn't think I'd die so easily, would you?" asked Ryu with a sly smirk, melded with the tone of accusation.

Aiko let out a breath-filled laugh. "No! I… I was just worried. When that man came, I don't think I've ever seen you so scared. Then, when you didn't come back…" She shook her head. "But none of that matters anymore! You're here now!"

Ryu couldn't deny the irrational shame that twinged with the narrowing of his gaze. But, Aiko was right; He was here now, and "Don't worry, Aiko. I'll never leave again," he assured with a strong, assuring glare.

Aiko exhaled, and her smile hardened. "Alright."

With a hum, Ryu stuck his head out and scanned the small apartment where Aiko stayed. It was simply a bed beside a chair, with a small walkway to where the kitchen was. At the opposite side of the bed, there was a door which he assumed led to the bathroom. "So, this is where the old man had you shacked up?"

"Yeah," she answered, motioning for Ryu to enter. "Not gonna lie, I think I kind of like it!"

His brow furrowed. "Do you now…?" he questioned as he stepped in.

"Yeah!" She nodded with a growing smile. "It's cozy. There's a lot less for me to clean, too."

Ryu tilted his head. "So, do you not want me to get you a different place?"

"NO!" she yelled, catching both herself and Ryu off guard. "Sorry—" apologized Aiko. "You've done enough for me." She paused, almost guiltily. "And I'm about to ask for something else too…"

"Uh, what is it?" slowly asked Ryu, looking at her as she closed the door.

"I want to become a Shinobi," she declared, and Ryu's eyes widened. "And that's something I obviously can't do alone. So…"

Ryu blinked, shaking his head. "Aiko…"

"Wait—what am I doing?!" she questioned. Quickly, she bowed to him and clasped her hands together.

Ryu was overwhelmed.

"Thank you so much!" Aiko said, channeling every ounce of gratefulness she had in her. "For everything. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you…" She laughed. "I'd be dead so many times over."

She stopped, as if to recall something, but she shook her head and continued. "But, I'm here, I'm okay, I'm safe, and I'm alive. All because of you."

"You don't have to thank me, Aiko," assured Ryu, but she popped up and grabbed his shoulders.

"Yes, I do!" Aiko argued with a nod, holding intense eye contact with him.

Ryu paused. "Uh…" What is up with her? "Are you okay?"

"I just told you that I was, dumbo!" she exclaimed, moving a hand from his shoulder to aggressively poke him in the forehead.

Sputtering, he dodged the finger assault and chuckled. "Alright… if you say so."

"I do!" she answered. "So…" she bowed again. "Can you train me please?"

Ryu couldn't hold back his frown. "Why do you want to become a Shinobi?"

"So I can make a difference in Grass, and help where it matters." Her fists clenched. "I was useless in my own escape. If I was stronger, then maybe I could've done something myself…"

It hurt. It hurt hearing it, knowing that what she wanted was impossible. Ryu sighed. "Aiko…"

"Ryu…" she started, the hurt in her tone made him wince. "Don't tell me you can't think I can do this too?"

He shut his eyes, feeling her gaze on him. "It's just too late. You're at the age where most Shinobi are at their peak already. There are plenty of other ways you can help Grass, but as a Shinobi is not one of those ways."

Aiko let out a long and heavy sigh. "That's the same thing Gosei said. I knew that he was kind of pretentious, so I tried not to believe him. But hearing it from you…"

"I'm sorry, but it's simply the reality, Aiko."

"Well, I still want to get better at fighting at least," she said with a resigned breath. "So, in case something does happen, I won't be a complete damsel."

Ryu forced a smile. "Alright, I can help with that."

Aiko met his smile with a fake one of her own. "Then let's go out and train!"

With that, the two set out.

—⊱✿⊰—

A day with the Uzumaki boys was… interesting, to say the least. She counted about eighteen times they threatened each other with physical violence, and fifteen out of those eighteen threats were followed up on.

Neji and her only interacted with any amount of violence during spars, and even then it was subdued… more so on his part. If anything, it was intriguing seeing a different view of the world. At most, it was sweet how they would be at each other's throats one minute and helping each other with something small the next.

In an odd way, it was relaxing to be around. Despite the multiple times she had to—

"YOU FUCKING FUCKFACE!"

"TAKE THIS, BASTARD!"

A glass plate sliced through the air like a shuriken. Kusari needed her Byakugan to catch it, and self-control to not throw it back.

Both boys paled as they looked at her pale lavender eyes glaring at them. "Please, be careful when I'm here."

Naruto chuckled guiltily while Shinrai shrunk next to him.

"Sorry Kusari!" apologized Naruto. "It's just that you're so quiet, that I forget you're there, y'know!"

"I don't have an excuse," said Shinrai honestly. "But it was Naruto who threw the plate—"

"—But it was you that put too much garlic in the ramen!"

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO SLAPPED IT OUT OF MY HAND!" argued Naruto. Shinrai started a tussle which resulted in a broken bowl and spilled ramen. Both boys cursed loudly.

Kusari sighed at their antics, putting the plate on the table. However, something she just remembered to notice caught her eye. Naruto's chakra.

"Naruto…" began Kusari, catching both boys' attention. "Your chakra is orange? Is it because of—?" she stopped herself. "I'm sorry, it's none of my business."

Naruto waved his hand dismissively.. "Oh, it's not that! Ms. Miya said that some Uzumaki have special chakra abilities! Mine is really strong and really orange chakra!"

"Interesting," murmured Kusari, deactivating her Byakugan. "Do you have one, Shinrai?"

He shrugged in response. "I hope so…"

There was a knock on the door, catching the attention of all three. Shinrai walked over to get the door. He opened it, and Neji looked down at him. However, Shinrai didn't seem to notice that it was Neji…

"Uh," stammered Shinrai. "Why is there a second pretty Hyuuga girl at my house? Not that I'm complaining but—"

"I am here for my sister," said Neji in his undeniably masculine voice, narrowing his eyes.

Shinrai froze. He allowed Neji to enter his house. "Take off your shoes…" he murmured, obviously embarrassed.

Kusari couldn't help but laugh, while Naruto seemed to be having flashbacks to… something.

"I do not intend to enter," Neji said, looking toward his sister, his gaze as cold and still as stone. "I just need my sister."

Shinrai looked toward Kusari and put on a grin. "See ya! Was nice having you!"

Naruto smiled and waved as well. "Yeah! Bye!"

"Goodbye," she said simply before putting on her shoes and walking out of the door beside Neji.

The Hyuuga brother nodded his head to Naruto and Shinrai. "Thank you for having my sister in these troubled times. I am grateful."

"Of course!" said the brothers in unison. "If she ever needs to stay here again, the door is wide open!" added Naruto.

Neji nodded again, then walked out beside Kusari. They remained silent until they exited the apartment. With each step Neji took, his composure dropped bit by bit. The worry in his eyes bled through, the stone of his expression broke, and the rhythm of his breath fell.

"Kusari…" Neji began shakily. "What happened?" was all he could manage.

Kusari let out a breath. "An elder of the Main Branch attempted to assassinate me."

"WHAT?!" Neji exclaimed. Outrage and fury flared his Byakugan to life. "Who?"

"All I know is that he has One eye," answered Kusari. Then, she met Neji's Byakugan with her own. "You do know what this means, right?"

"What?" asked Neji, leaning in with a glare.

She had never seen Neji this enraged before. The only reason she wasn't affected was because she was infinitely angrier herself.

"It means that we will eradicate the Main Branch," declared Kusari, drawing upon the foreign rage to drive her point home. Her glare was poignant. It even gave Neji pause.

He shook his head incredulously. "You know that's not possible," he spat.

"At this current moment, you are correct. But who's to say that circumstances cannot change?" inquired Kusari as her Byakugan receded.

"Because it's fate, Kusari!" argued Neji. "Fate cannot be changed."

"But… it can be wrong," said Kusari, earning a look of outrage from Neji. "That was a bad way to word it; what is wrong is how us as humans interpret fate. The Main Branch was wrong about the Branch Families, wrong about me."

Neji clenched his fists.

"I want you—no, need you to help me. This is not a goal I can achieve alone. I've already enlisted the help of Shinrai, and he is only the start." Kusari stopped, and Neji did as well.

Fear morphed the rage in Neji's eyes. "Kusari! Do you know how dangerous this is?! We have the seal. It doesn't matter how strong we get, it doesn't matter if we surpass them! They could just kill us using the seal, don't you understand?! There is nothing we can do!"

"If that is what you chose to believe, then there will be nothing we can do against the Main Branch."

Neji shook his head quickly—almost panicked. "Stop it! If you continue down this path, you'll end up dead!"

"If I am killed, then I'll be a martyr—"

"—You'll be remembered as a fool, not a martyr! I refuse for your delusions to be the reasons for your end! Stop this, now!" demanded Neji with a fierce Byakugan glare.

Kusari stood unmoving and met his glare with a simple look of her own. "You're the one living in delusion, and so is the rest of the Branch Family." She walked forward. "I will break you from your corrupted reality, just as I have been."

Neji stepped in front of her and grabbed her shoulders, staring her in the eyes. "Stop this madness, Kusari! Please!"

She could feel his racing pulse through his grip. Narrowing her eyes, she allowed her Byakugan to awaken. "If you are going to stand in my way, Neji, then I will take you down as well."

He paused, holding her tighter as his gaze shifted. "I refuse to fight you, Kusari."

"Then do not stand in my way," Kusari declared, walking out of Neji's grip and heading toward her home. With clenched fists, Neji followed behind her.

Kusari couldn't lie to herself… she was disappointed in him. Disappointed that Neji wouldn't help her, he hated being a Branch Member infinitely more so than she did before. The death of their father hit him harder than it did her.

With that, she could break his delusion. Not now, however. Not now…

—⊱✿⊰—

If Ryujin had to choose a favorite jutsu, it'd be the Shadow Clone Jutsu without a doubt. He could do so many things at once. He had a clone helping Aiko with her training. There was a clone notifying Team 5 of his return and informing them of the team meeting tomorrow.

The Kyuubi gave him the chakra reserves to use the jutsu, but not abuse it, like Naruto did. It was also a shame that the same Kyuubi corrupted his chakra control to the point of him being unable to use the Shadow Clones.

I can't have everything, I suppose.

His main body was going out to his only and favorite cousin's house. He had to get everyone together so they could train. He imagined it wouldn't be necessarily difficult, especially with the potential war on the horizon.

But he needed to be prepared for rejection, and in that case, he'd guilt trip them. Luckily, as he approached her house, he knew that Miya would agree pretty readily. The fact that his nerves persisted irked him… Why?

Ryujin shook his head and knocked on her door. His nerves jumped as Miya opened the door to greet him. "It took you longer than I thought to get here."

"I was with Aiko," he answered. It wasn't a lie, but he would never admit to oversleeping.

Miya nodded slowly. "Uh huh…" She seemed to analyze him. "You overslept, didn't you?"

"God dammit—"

She laughed, stepping out of her house and closing the door. Her Jonin uniform was on already. She must've been ready for a while. "Are we getting anyone else?"

"Everyone."

"Define… everyone."

Ryujin cleared his throat. "Kakashi, Gai, Asuma, Yosei, me, and you!"

"Oh." She hummed. "Should we split up?"

"Nah, if they see us together, they'll understand the gravity of the situation, more motivation…" He looked at her knowingly.

She frowned, and looked at him in a way to say, Why would you bring that up?

He looked away, and the Jonin flickered into the distance. A silent agreement said that they would be fetching Kakashi first. He lived in a secluded apartment, close to where the Uzumaki Brothers lived.

They entered the complex and stood in front of his door not five minutes later. Both Miya and Ryujin knocked on the door simultaneously. The sound was chaotic and loud. They snickered to each other, and barely able to hold back their laughter as Kakashi opened the door.

His bewildered expression was covered by his hair from the top, and by his ever present mask on the bottom. "I… What—why?"

"Long time no see, cyclops!" greeted Miya.

Ryujin snorted. "I forgot you called him that."

"Please, use my name; it sounds so much better," pleaded Kakashi.

"Shut it, cyclops," Miya commanded.

Kakashi scoffed. "Excuse me, you came to my house! Banged on my door, insulted me, and now you're telling me to shut up?! Where are your manners, little missy?"

"Little?!" questioned Miya with outrage. "I am taller than you, and older than you!"

"Oh yeah," Kakashi realized. "You are a grandmother! Pardon me for forgetting."

"You—!"

"Off topic!" announced Ryujin, pointing his finger up. "Kakashi, when was the last time you trained?"

"Why…?" he asked defensively.

Ryujin's look turned serious. "Because, because of my little mission, there might be a war with Iwa on the horizon."

Kakashi's non-closed eye widened. "What?"

"So, we're going to need to be prepared for the worst. I'll explain everything in detail when we get everyone else," Ryujin said. "Now, go get ready."

"Okay…" agreed Kakashi suspiciously as he closed his door. A short time later, Kakashi returned dressed with his headband covering his left eye. "Let us go, shall we?"

"We shall," answered Ryujin, and the three Jonin flickered out of the apartment complex.

Kakashi hummed as the wind blew on his masked face. "I think we should go get Gai next. He'll be eager without a doubt…"

"Yes!" agreed Miya excitedly.

"Oh lord…" murmured Ryujin, unexcitedly.

"Well, you've been out-voted Ryujin," said Kakashi with an eye smile. "Gai is more than likely at the training field."

With that, they flickered in that direction. It didn't take them long for them to reach the grassy place Might Gai called paradise. Only he and his star pupil, Rock Lee, were in Training Ground Nine.

On one hand, with their legs toward the sky, they slowly descended with the bend of their elbows, and they pushed themselves back up. It was a sequence they'd completed countless times that day alone.

Gai and his mini-me ceased their intensive training as the three Jonin landed in front of them. They flipped onto their feet and grinned.

"Kakashi! My eternal rival! Miya! My best friend!" His expression turned comically serious as he looked toward Ryujin. "And you!"

Ryujin made the decision to let Kakashi and Miya handle the diplomacy.

After greeting Lee, Miya was crushed by a hug from Gai.

He chuckled. Karma.

The moment Kakashi brought up training, Gai was on board. Then, he went into a spiel about the Power of Youth, and that even as we age, one can still contain youth! As well as all of that yadda yadda.

Ryujin learned to tune him out long ago.

"Ryujin!" exclaimed the Prophet of Youth. "It was you that suggested this idea?!"

He nodded slowly. "Yes…"

"I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!" Tears formed in Gai's eyes. "AFTER ALL OF THESE YEARS!" He sniffed. "YOU FINALLY OBTAINED THE POWER OF YOUTH!"

Ryujin sighed. "Let's go get Asuma now. I think that's a good idea."

"YES!" agreed Gai. "ONWARD!"

"It's a coin-flip on whether he's in the village or not," mumbled Miya with a shake of her head.

Kakashi looked at her with a raised brow. "He… has a Genin team, Miya."

"Oh right, he does," she realized with a sputter.

Ryujin stepped forward. "Then let's go."

"I wish you luck on your training, Gai-sensei!" called Lee as the four Jonin set off.

They entered the Sarutobi Clan compound not long afterward. It was positioned near the Hokage tower. The only clan compound closer was the Senju. At least, where the Senju resided at their peak. Yosei elected to move herself to a secluded corner of the village, close to the Forest of Death, which was once known as the Shodai's Playground.

Asuma lived on the direct opposite side of the compound where his father did. Their relationship was never the best… especially after Okane and her husband died, leaving Konohamaru orphaned.

His home was large compared to any of theirs, anyway. It had three stories and was constructed out of wood. It was traditional. The top floor had a balcony, where Asuma himself was smoking.

He looked down at them with a bemused expression. In a flicker, he was on the street in front of them. "Okay, what the hell is happening?"

"Eh, nothing much," Ryujin answered with a shrug. "Just a possible war with Iwa, is all."

Asuma's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, what?"

"That is why we must all channel our youth and train!" Gai exclaimed.

Kakashi and Miya nodded in agreement. "That's the gist of it," said Kakashi.

"Ryu said he'll explain more once everyone is gathered," Miya said.

Asuma looked at the group and inhaled on his cigarette. "And who is missing?"

"Yosei," answered Ryujin.

He let out a smoke-filled chuckle. "Alright… gimme a sec." Asuma flickered back up to his balcony and came back down a few minutes later. He was clad in his Shinobi gear, with the cigarette still in his mouth. "Let's get going."

With a nod, the squad of Jonin set out to the Senju Compound. It was near the outskirts of the village, so it took more time than the others. They entered and had to walk across the moat of the garden they resided in.

Yosei decided to make her home in a tree house. Literally. A house carved out of a gigantic tree which was made by the Shodai himself. It was megalophobic to an extent; Ryujin always felt small in the Senju compound.

Miya was the one to knock on the door of Yosei's home. An answer came nearly immediately, courtesy of Gosei. His eyes widened once he saw the group of Jonin at his door.

"Sensei…" he greeted slowly. The boy cleared his throat and stood up straight. "I'm happy to see you've returned safely."

Ryujin nodded. "I am too. There's a team meeting tomorrow at the usual time."

"Oh, great!" he cheered, before quickly composing himself. "Well, I can see that telling me about the team meeting isn't the only reason you're here…"

"Nope! Please go get your mother for us," requested Ryujin.

With a nod, Gosei closed the door. Soon after, Yosei opened it to greet the group of Jonin.

"Hello," she greeted cooly, looking at all of them bemusedly. "Is there something happening?"

"Yeah, there might be a war with Iwa soon," answered Miya.

Yosei's brow furrowed. "So, Roshi attacking you wasn't just a coincidence?"

"No, it was not," said Ryujin.

With a nod, Yosei closed her door and stepped out. "If war is on the horizon, then we must prepare for it."

Ryujin put on a smile. "That's why we're here!"

"I assumed so." Yosei said with a chuckle. "I think it would only be right if I were to whip you all back into shape."

Ryujin scoffed. "If I were in top condition, I would refute that statement."

"I'm looking forward to it," said Yosei with a competitive smile.

"Okay, now that everyone's here, we'll go to an empty training ground and then I'll explain everything," informed Ryujin before flickering off with the others following suit.

The Senju compound was close to training grounds anyway, it was a short trip—under a minute, in fact. Amaterasu's light shone high above the sky, and Ryujin stood, facing his comrades with them facing him.

He was the center of attention. He had an announcement to make. "Alright," he began after clearing his throat. "During my mission to Grass, I discovered that Iwa was inciting a revolution to destabilize the nation and make Grass its puppet state. Due to circumstance, I needed to intervene and I at least delayed Iwa's plans.

"However, Roshi showed up a mere day after I eradicated the revolution. I battled him, barely escaped, and was left weakened. While I was on my way to Konoha, I discovered that Iwa sent a squad to track me down and finish the job that Roshi started. If it weren't for Miya, they would have succeeded."

Ryujin sighed before he continued. "Luckily, I captured a hostage who is currently locked in T&I. But the fact that Miya and I killed many Shinobi from Iwa and those they're allied too, and the fact that Iwa has attempted to kill me on multiple occasions, puts us at risk for war. So, I've decided that we all need to prepare for such a possibility because it's basically guaranteed at this point."

As Ryujin concluded his explanation, the Jonin remained silent. They mulled over the information, pondered it.

Yosei was the first to speak. "Well, let's not waste time, shall we?"

Expressing their agreement, the Jonin trained until the sun went down.

—⊱✿⊰—

Kusari sat in the lunar spotlight of the Main Branch's library. Her pale lavender eyes gazed into the tenth book of history she tore into. She found nothing. Nothing about this rage, the Ingoken or Shiroida.

She had risked her life sneaking into this library for nothing. No… It won't be for nothing. she declared. All the scrolls and books were title-less, and if one opened them without the aid of an active Byakugan, all one would see is blank text.

Only someone who knew the location of each and every book and its contents would find anything. She was not one of those people. All she had done for the last hour was aimlessly pick and skim, quiet as possible, keeping an eye out for any Main Branch members.

If she were to get caught…

A phantom sting enveloped her head.

She needed to hurry.

Kusari turned and her heart plummeted into the over-erupting rage both her and it felt. It was the heiress, standing there, looking at her. She stepped back and placed the scroll back in its place. How… How did I not see her?!

"There are ways to circumvent the Byakugan's vision, Kusari," said the heiress, as if she read her mind. "We keep those secrets hidden."

Kusari's Byakugan pulsed, looking for any method of escape, any others that may be coming—dammit!

"Why are you here, Kusari? You know it's forbidden for you to be here," asked the heiress, walking toward her.

"Why do you care?" seethed Kusari, feeling her back against the shelf of scrolls. I can't kill her right now…. No, not yet. Too much will happen!

The heiress tilted her head. "I'm curious," she said in her ever soft, ever perfectly composed tone. Even her chakra was unreadable under the Byakugan's scrutiny, no unintentional movement of her body. Everything was flawlessly controlled.

It infuriated Kusari to no end.

"You risked your safety to come here, so I assume it is something important," continued the heiress, looking Kusari in the eyes, unphased.

Each breath Kusari took enraged her more and more. Even through that, she thought. "Why aren't you using the seal? I broke a law, you should punish me."

"I do not wish to," was her answer. The heiress' eyes widened slightly, as if she recalled something important. "I assume you would like to know that my father killed the one who attempted to assassinate you. No other would dare to try something else again."

Kusari's eyes narrowed. "I see…" She fought her rage to think further. She's not hostile. That's so infuriatingly like her. Perhaps… I can use this to my advantage.

"Shiroida Hyuuga," said Kusari, feeling the unity from the utterance of his name. "Tell me what you know about him."

The heiress hummed. The hum faded into a pondering silence. Her face hardened. Kusari barely held back her glare.

"That name is forbidden to utter, Kusari," answered the heiress. "All information about forbidden knowledge such as this is within my father's study."

Dammit, she cursed, letting out a breath.

"All I know is that he is the reason why the Hyuuga Clan is the way that it is today. He created the Caged Bird Seal… and created the fate of the Hyuuga," she explained.

Kusari's brow furrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"I do not know more than that," she answered. "Is there anything else you need?"

She needed to end this quickly. The foreign rage was rising and quickly. "Why did the elder attempt to kill me?" Kusari blurted, her control over herself slipping. She couldn't stop the furious tremble, the speed of her breath, her undeniable glare.

"I have a theory," said the heiress, stepping away from Kusari and turning her back. "When we were young, when I was loved… I was called many things. However, there was only one thing that the elders of the Main Branch called me, my grandfather especially."

Kusari's eyes narrowed.

"They called me Bontena."

That name ignited a fire like no other inside of her. Kusari consciously had to hold herself back, fight herself to merely stay still.

"In the same vein…" the heiress continued. "The elders always hated you, for as long as I can remember. They called you a murderer, they called you the one that would destroy the Hyuuga Clan, they said you were the one who killed Bontena and cursed the Hyuuga."

The heiress looked back at Kusari, her eyes shone like lavender moon under the lunar light. "The most forbidden name was what they called you. I only ever heard it once, and my father punished the one who said it, and told me never to repeat what I heard."

Kusari's eyes widened, listening intently.

"They called you Shivua."

That name… felt right. The rage inside of her was satisfied, like a craving spirit. As if it had just been called. The rage… it's Shivua.

"Is that all?" asked the heiress, an uncharacteristic waver to her voice.

Kusari forced her hands into her pockets. "It is."

"Alright," she said before fully facing Kusari. "Now, I will escort you out. Sneaking into the Main Branch's library was the most foolish thing you could have done. You are my guest, and I myself gave you permission to enter, that is what happened here. Understood?"

It was Kusari's rage that boiled at the heiress' words. She called her a fool, and had the nerve to order her around… but she had no choice but to comply. That enraged her even more.

Kusari and the heiress walked out of the Main Branch's Library in tense silence. Once the exit was in sight, Kusari speed-walked out of the heiress' presence.

"You're welcome," said the heiress.

Kusari ignored her.

—⊱✿⊰—

Hm… Ms. Miya only asks to see me if it's something important, pondered Shinrai. And she asked me to come alone… Didn't she just get back from a mission, too?! He shook his head. What the fuck is going on…?

His mind raced and his hand gripped Yora's hilt. When he reached Miya's home, she greeted him already outside the door with a smile. "Hey, Shinrai," she said with her voice soothing.

"Okay, what's going on—?" She shushed him and her smile grew.

"Just make yourself comfortable, okay!" assured Miya with an almost motherly tone of voice.

Shinrai slowly nodded along and kicked off his shoes before walking in. The house was only lit by candlelight; a calming fragrance soothed his nostrils… the atmosphere was so calming. "Is this some good job for not dying in Grass or something?"

Miya chuckled. "You could think of it as something like that." She led him in and greeted him with a bowl of sliced and ripe mangoes. His eyes beamed at the sight.

"Shit… those look good."

"And they're all for you!"

He took the bowl without hesitation. I'm gonna stop being suspicious…. I'd rather enjoy this kindness. Miya then led him to the couch; a warm blanket was ready for him. As Miya said, he made himself comfortable—very comfortable.

She gave him time to eat the mangoes; he savored every bit and every juice that blessed his tongue. "So… what's this all for?"

"I'm really proud of you, Shinrai," she opened with. He grinned his signature grin at her.

"Thanks… I tried my best."

"I'm sure you did," she assured… before letting out a heavy sigh. "I did read the mission report. I saw that… you got close with someone. Yoraika…"

Cold jolted like a shock in Shinrai's system—he froze. Miya winced at his reaction, but kept going. "She's not here anymore—"

"—You can just say that she's dead…" mumbled Shinrai—his voice shook like a half-cut tree.

WIth a frown, Miya nodded. "I just wanted to make sure that you're okay. I know you sign up for stuff like this in the Shinobi World, but that doesn't make it hurt any less when it happens, right?"

"I'm fine!" he assured with a fake smile—his heart raced and he could feel sweat forming on his face—"I only talked to her for a couple days! It's not like I was ever going to see her again, anyway…" FuckFuckFuckFuck—WHY?!

"If you're fine… then why are you shaking?"

Shinrai's eyes darted to the his right hand—holding a mango slice with a tremble worse than an earthquake. Quickly, he popped the piece in his mouth and grabbed Yora's hilt. "Uh… Just a bit surprised…" Another lie—a terrible one.

"It's okay to be sad, Shinrai."

No the fuck it's not. He shifted away from her, almost dropping his bowl of mangoes—he'd die before making a mess of her house—Shinrai forced out a laugh. It was unsettling, but hopefully that'd throw her off. Breath ripped itself in and out of his lungs and he held Yora tighter.

"You don't have to worry, Ms. Miya…" he squeaked out with a terrible crack in his voice. Fuck.

Her eyes shut with what seemed to be pain. "Stop it, Shinrai. You're hurting yourself."

Coal-black flashed to her amber. Amber shifted to scarlet and Shinrai flinched—tricks of his mind. "Uh…" She cares… she really does. I'm hurting her by being hurt… A sledgehammer of guilt smashed onto Shinrai. I really don't want to talk about this. He gulped. But if it'll make Ms. Miya hurt a bit less…

"I…" he croaked. "I am sad that she's gone." His eyes dampened with tears to never be spilled. "Yora was… the first girl to have ever liked me… y'know." A painful lump lodged itself into Shinrai's throat.

He just let out a sigh. "Her eyes were the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Shinrai opened his mouth—but nothing but a croak came out. He hunched over his bowl of mangoes in defeat. "I'm sorry."

The chills on his body subsided as two arms wrapped around him. Miya pulled him in and held him… like a child— because he was a child. "You don't need to be sorry. It's okay. It may not be right now, but you'll be okay." She held him tighter and rested his head on her chest.

Shinrai just… let it happen. He found control over his breath again, his racing heart slowed, and all he could wonder was, is this how I make Naruto feel?

"Let me know when you want me to let go, okay?"

Shinrai nodded and continued to sit in Miya's embrace. It truly was… the safest he'd ever felt in his life. If he was being honest with himself, he never wanted her to let go.

"How about… you don't let go."

Miya chuckled and hugged him tighter.

Shinrai relaxed in her arms.

So, this is what it feels like to have a mom.

—⊱✿⊰—

The sun rose on a new day. Ryujin walked through the morning's warmth to meet his team. It had been too long since they last met. He took a deep breath, feeling the normalcy enter his body.

Things were back to normal, but it was a new normal. A better normal, a stronger normal. But he wouldn't be the sole defender of this normality. Everyone needed to protect this normal… against anything that may threaten it.

Ryujin smiled as he looked upon Team 5. They were bickering, similarly to when he first saw them, just over a month ago. Has it really been a month already?

Time truly flew. "Team 5, it's been a while," he greeted.

"Yeah man," agreed Shinrai with a lax chuckle. "You really took your sweet time getting back here."

Gosei gave him an\ unamused look. "I don't think that's something to be joked about."

"Yeah…" agreed Kusari.

Shinrai shook his head. "Nahhh! Ryu! You have a sense of humor, right?"

"Meh, I didn't find it funny, but I also didn't find it offensive," he answered with a shrug.

Shinrai leaned forward. "Okay, so I'm gonna make you laugh now!"

"Now you see, I have something important to tell you all. And if you were to attempt to try to make me laugh, we would be sitting here until here we're both in our graves."

Shinrai huffed, and Kusari chuckled.

"Anyway," Ryujin started. "In about four months, Konoha is going to be hosting the Chunin Exams. I want all of you to attend."

Gosei smirked. "Yes, I heard as well! I was going to ask you about it, actually."

"Should've known," he remarked. "But, yes. I am going to be training you all even harsher than I have before. But, since you all have developed your skills in your own right, I would like to ask all of you about any goals that you specifically have for your training."

Shinrai was the first to speak up. "I want to learn medical ninjutsu!" he announced, his hand clasped around the midnight blade at his waist.

Ryujin's face softened just a bit. "I can arrange classes for you."

"Great!" cheered Shinrai.

Kusari was next. "Can you teach me how to use my chakra nature? It was… lightning? Right?"

"Wait—you what?" questioned Ryujin with a bewildered expression. "What caused the change of heart?"

"Do not worry about it," she assured. "This is what you wanted, correct? For me to expand my arsenal beyond what the Hyuuga provides? Well, what you desired is now here."

Ryujin hummed. "Alright…" He looked to his final student. "Gosei?"

"I want to spar with you daily," was his simple answer. "I've noticed I have not been training as hard as I should have been. I'm going to change that."

Ryujin smirked. "That's good to hear, Gosei." He crossed his fingers and three clones of Ryujin popped into existence. "Well, I'm going to be extremely busy myself. A piece of advice for you guys…"

The Genin listened intently.

"Even when you're strong, even when you're at your peak and you don't think you can get any stronger… don't slack. Don't for a minute think that the battle is over, that you can ever let your strength go. You'll be proven wrong, one way or another."

With that, Ryujin flickered away from his team, leaving the clones to train the Genin.

Ryujin, Shinrai, Kusari and Gosei. For the months ahead, they knew what they would need to do. They knew… they knew that they needed to grow.

—⊱✿⊰—

It was only the arm… he only needed that arm. Her regenerative abilities weren't drained and overused; perhaps Orochimaru was more intelligent than the idiots in Grass. She should've been grateful for that, but she couldn't help but be terrified.

Karin curled tighter into herself, placing her hand over that cursed mark of malice embedded into her neck. Her skin crawled at the recollection of the snake's fangs biting into her, feeling the venomous chakra seep into her system.

Orochimaru's chakra was the most vile chakra she'd ever sensed in her life. Now, she had the endure the torture of sensing it every waking moment on her. She could feel the cruelty, the hollow souls and agony of bodies past inhabited, the utter evil.

It was a part of her now. She hated—no, loathed that. She loathed the fact that she was here, the moment she finally thought herself free, she was thrown into something worse. She was going to invade the village she wished to join.

Konoha had no hope of surviving. Iwa, Kumo, Suna, Oto, and the remnants of Grass were all going to invade. It was hopeless… and there was nothing she could do about it. She was never able to do anything. No control over her autonomy, where she went, what she did. She even had to fight for control over her own body.

She should've been numb to it all, but she wasn't. Every violation she felt like a blade to her heart… or a severed arm in Orochimaru's case.

Most men didn't acknowledge her existence, maybe a glance of admiration. She didn't care about them more than they did about her. Those in power saw her as a useful tool; which she was. She couldn't exactly blame them for treating a Shinobi as a Shinobi.

There were a few which she detested like little else in the world. Those who she sensed sickening pleasure in when they bit her mother, apathetic to the life draining out of her. Those who looked at her with a glint that said, I can't wait to do that to you. Those who acted on their disgusting lust… she fought them tooth and nail.

Thankfully, nothing ever truly happened. She at least had control over that much. Under Orochimaru, she had no idea how much longer that would last. His desire for her was far different, far more twisted than anything else she had the displeasure of experiencing.

It wasn't sexual, but it was undeniably lust. She couldn't read it. It was like was torture to her senses; she hated it. Hate, loathe, detest, there was no word in existence to describe it. But… above all, she was scared.

There was nothing she could do to leave.

Nothing she could do to stop what was inevitably coming.

Nothing.

A knock on the door broke her out of her stupor.

Karin quickly fixed her glasses and stood up straight. "Yes?" she answered, extending her senses. Kabuto… she murmured.

Slowly, he opened the door to her quarters. The light reflecting on his glasses glinted the silver of his hair. "Lord Orochimaru requests your presence."

Her heart dropped, and her skin crawled. "Okay," she said diligently, following behind Kabuto. Is today the day it happens? Is this it…? At this point, she would rather get it over with. If it led to death… then that would be just fine.

I'm fucking sick of this place, anyway.

Walking through the torch-lit corridor felt like an eternity. She knew it wasn't, more like five minutes. But her damned brain slowed every step to a crawl and every breath to a drawl.

The five minutes of forever passed, and she was in the presence of Orochimaru. His slick black hair glossed like snake-skin. Karin didn't need to see his face to know he was pleased. His chakra churned with that feeling—

"Karin," he began slowly. "The time has come."

Her heart sank deeper.

"Konoha has opened up its village gates for foreign Shinobi to enter the Chunin Exams. Our window for infiltration has finally shown itself, so we must act."

Those words somehow calmed Karin. Whatever he was planning with her wasn't happening… today, at least.

"You will go undercover as Otogakure Genin, attempting a promotion. I will join in myself as well… I'll steal the identity of whoever I find suitable."

Karin fought the urge to step back, to shiver, to tremble. She stayed composed and listened to Orochimaru speak.

"I have four targets I need for my ultimate goal. Sasuke Uchiha, Gosei Senju, Hinata Hyuuga, and Shinrai Uzumaki."

Her eyes widened. Shinrai! The Uzumaki from Konoha…

"I need you to have them come to me. Preferably of their own volition. But, above all, they need to be alive. I will tempt them with power, and I trust you to add additional incentives as well."

"I want to handle Shinrai," Karin announced, stepping forward. Her heart raced and she could no longer stop her trembling… but that didn't stop her.

The Snake's golden eyes glinted as he finally turned to face them. "Oh? Is that so?"

"I theorize that she might have a soft spot… there aren't many Uzumaki left, after all," Kabuto suggested, a small smirk crossing his face.

Orochimaru couldn't hold back a chuckle, and he looked Karin directly in the eyes. Frozen chills enveloped her.

"Don't get attached, Karin," Orochimaru said chillingly. "He won't live long."

Karin stepped back, fighting the urge to clench her fists. "Y-yes, Lord Orochimaru."

"So, do both of you understand the plan I've laid out?" asked The Sannin as he fully turned to them.

Kabuto bowed his head. "Of course."

Karin gave a stiff nod. "Yes…"

"Good," he hissed with a serpentine smile. "Be prepared to leave for Konoha by nightfall."

Turning back, Kabuto walked forward and waved his hand at Karin. "Let's get prepared, shall we?"

Karin didn't verbally answer, instead following behind him in silence. Kabuto chuckled, and the two entered into the torch-lit corridors once again.

Karin hated every step, every breath she took, every time her heart beat, every sight she saw…

She just wished she was numb to it all.

?￢ﾜ ? ~ Chapter End ~ ?￢ﾜ ?