A/N: Sorry about the delay! I've been both tired and busy these past few days. Dw bc now I AM HERE(all might voice). Very character heavy chapter. Enjoy!
?￢ﾜ ? ~ Chapter Thirty-four — Scarlet and Rose ~ ?￢ﾜ ?
His second time outside of Konoha. The stakes were… much higher. An unofficial S-Rank mission, pretty much. The objective was to assassinate Orochimaru and rescue Baiko. Shinrai himself, though… had a secondary objective. He looked toward the girl flashing through the trees beside him. Karin… with all the skin she showed, unbothered by the cold night air. Her genuinely flawless outward appearance was as hot and hazardous as looking at the sun. Her rose-red hair fell down her back like torn petals. Glasses framed floral firework eyes as they showed not a hint of emotion as they looked ahead.
Scarlet Sharingan eyes took in every detail of her.
Her.
Karin.
Karin Uzumaki.
The girl he wanted to love.
But, before that… he needed to do something else. He took out the seal that connected him with Naruto. Shinrai kinda left without telling… anybody. Preferably, it'd stay that way. But, especially after what happened when he and Naruto fused—
Time froze on the shock and horror on Naruto's face.
—Shinrai shuddered. Karin looked his way. "You alright?"
"Yeah… just gotta tell Naruto what's going on."
Karin's eyes went wide. "No, you don't."
"I will. He… already knows about you—"
"—You told him?!" Her exclamation wasn't angry. Fear crossed her face.
Shinrai bit his lip, guilt ripping him apart like a thorn. "I didn't mean to… Sorry. I have this seal, it's called the Fusion Seal. It fuses two chakras into one and makes both people much more powerful. But, because the chakras are shared… so are memories. Naruto gained everything I knew up to that point, and the same thing for me. I didn't know, and well… he knows about you now." Obviously, that wasn't the whole story. With how mysterious she was, Shinrai couldn't bring himself to trust her completely. She still didn't know about Yora, either. Opening up to anyone besides Miya made him go cold with fear.
In response to Shinrai's explanation, Karin narrowed her eyes, pursing her lips. "I see…" She cleared her throat. "Since we're going to be fighting together, it'd be best that we know of each other's abilities."
"True," agreed Shinrai before taking a deep breath. "My Grass Cutters, Fire Style, Water Style, about a dozen seals, Sharingan, as you can see… I have Two Tails of Kyuubi chakra sealed into me. Since I'm not good with the Eight Trigrams Seal, it's more like a one and done deal. Once I unseal it, I won't be able to seal it back up.
"From my Selective Absorption Seal, I have some Chinoike Blood, and two types of the Nibi's Fire stored up for later."
Karin nodded along. "You haven't discovered your special Chakra's Ability yet?"
"Oh! I did!" Shinrai put on a smile. "The more damage I take, the stronger I become, basically."
"It fits you…" Humor crossed Karin's face as she rolled her eyes.
"It really does." He met her eyes, scarlet reflecting in the rose. "What about you?"
"I have my healing Chakra, but because of that, my Ninjutsu has a healing effect rather than a hurting one. I have Water Style, but it's basically useless. The same goes for my Adamantine Chains. When it comes to combat—"smoke popped from the seal on Karin's wrist—"I just use my Grass Cutter." In her hand was her curved, thorny blade.
Shinrai smiled, shaking his head. "That still has to be the coolest sword I've seen in my life."
"It is one of the few things I'm proud of, yes," Karin agreed, an actual smile creeping on her face, even just the tiniest bit.
That made Shinrai grin. He used his eyes to spot a taller tree with thick branches. "C'mon, I have something to show you."
"Okay?" Karin furrowed her brow before following him up into the canopy. Her blade disappeared in the same puff of smoke it appeared in.
Shinrai landed on the thickest branch he could; it was twice as wide as he was at the shoulder. Starting to laugh, Shinrai scratched the back of his head.
Karin looked at him expectedly with her brow raised. "What is it?"
"There was a Jutsu I didn't tell you about earlier," he began, cupping his palm and making it face the stars above.
Slowly, Karin nodded along. "Uh huh…"
"It was shown to me by Ms. Miya, as a show of how much she loves me." Blue chakra whirled in Shinrai's palm. It was filled by the force of his smile, the force of his love, and it grew into a helectical sphere. "It's called the Rasengan, and I want to give this Jutsu to you, as a show of how much I want to love you."
—⊱✿⊰—
Karin wished Shinrai would just hurl the Jutsu into her skull and have everything just be over. At this point, she shouldn't be surprised by how pure his desire for love was. There was no point. It was… always in front of her, always on display. She felt it in his chakra.
But a Jutsu born from love had no place in her arsenal.
At the whirling helix of Shinrai's love, she shook her head. "No… it'd be useless. My healing chakra would turn that into a Medical Ninjutsu. I can't use it."
"So? Then have a healing Rasengan!" Shinrai pushed with a smile. "It'd fit you… your Special Chakra's Ability fits you. Ever since I've met you, you've done nothing but make me feel better, feel good.
"You're a healer, Karin. Everything you touch, you make better."
It took everything in Karin's power to not reel and cringe at the statement. What was worse, was that Shinrai believed every word of what he said. He was lying to himself and he didn't even know it. He viewed her so highly and yet… it just wasn't true.
His praises may have been real to him, but it was nothing but lies to her. She knew the truth, who she really was, what she was truly doing, why she even sought him out in the first place. Before Orochimaru… maybe his attempts at loving her may have gone somewhere, if she had come to him on her own terms, like she wanted to.
That was a fever dream. Nothing ever went the way she wanted it to. As long as she's alive, that was just how it went.
"Karin?" he asked, asked for her attention, asked for her.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, taking a deep breath. "I don't deserve a Jutsu like that… I don't deserve…" you.
It went unsaid, but Shinrai heard it nonetheless. Just that one break in character two weeks ago and it seemed that Shinrai saw through all of her lies.
"You deserve the world, Karin," Shinrai assured, a smile on his face as the Rasengan in his hand dissipated.
Karin couldn't hold back the flinch; she wanted to speak but her guilt wouldn't let her. She was leading him to his death via Orochimaru—He walked forward and grabbed both of her hands. Going cold, Karin looked at him in his coal-black eyes, dread crawling within her like a swarm of spiders. "I just have to show you!" His smile grew and he held onto her hands tight.
His hands weren't rough, but not quite soft, either. They felt like one big callace, tender, scarred. The grip of his hands exuded all the love he wanted to feel, the safety he wished to provide… all for her.
She didn't have an idea of what to think, what to do. She just… froze. So, she allowed him to lead her, to lead her to the massive trunk of the tree, to turn her around, and to have her sit between his legs where his lap would be.
No ill intent in his chakra. No arousal, nothing nefarious. That didn't stop Karin from being stiff, not wanting to relax at all or feel any comfort in the presence of a man—"You okay?" he asked.
No! "Yes…"
Shinrai's chakra shifted, questioning and concern clear in it. "You sure?"
Karin swallowed her discomfort and leaned back into his torso. She couldn't even force a smile anymore. She didn't speak from the fear of what her voice would do to betray her. The response she gave was a nod.
He nodded in response, putting his right palm on the back of her right hand, raising it up. "Spin chakra in your palm."
Just that Karin did. Her healing green chakra was visible to the naked eye. As Shinrai injected his into hers, Karin felt her heart shatter. Her flat whirl of chakra was given shape. An extra dimension was added to make it a sphere.
His chakra made hers into a green, medical Rasengan. Joy erupted in Shinrai's chakra and a scarlet flash whirled with the green. Red and green… just like a rose.
The Rasengan in their joint palms was beautiful.
All the pure happiness and love that Shinrai felt seeped into her chakra, into her. A smile—a real smile spread across her face. It was small, but it was still there. Karin didn't know how many years it'd been since she last smiled like this.
Her lean into Shinrai became true, and she bathed in the warmth of his firm torso. The feeling of her chakra in the spiraling ball was… the best thing ever. The best thing she'd felt in her life.
An itch.
An itch on her neck.
On her Curse Mark.
Reality hit like a truck, and her smile dropped. Her chakra died and the Rasengan dissipated. Melancholic longing for that insignificant bit of happiness felt like a craving for water in a desert. She wanted that again. She wanted Shinrai to love her. She wanted to just… turn back and go back to Konoha.
She couldn't do any of that. She didn't deserve any of that. She didn't have the right to hold him back from the true happiness he deserved. Not the stunted, damaged bitch that she was.
He deserved so much better.
Yet, with his fate on the horizon… she was all he had.
She had to be what he deserved; she knew that.
Karin couldn't be, could never be.
The lump in her throat became painful and she felt her eyes well. As quick as she could, she turned around and kissed him, pushing his body against the tree. For once, he didn't look surprised. He put his hand on her back and held on, kissing her.
The way he pushed his back off the bark and into her, giving himself to her… caught her off guard. Karin decided to reciprocate. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her lips into his.
Even through the showing of affection under the starlit canopy…
Karin still wanted to cry.
I wish I could love you, Shinrai Uzumaki.
—⊱✿⊰—
Naruto went out to look for Shinrai throughout the village and saw nothing. What time was it?! It was late as all hell and it was just so—"URGH!" screamed Naruto. He had no idea where the hell anyone was!? Why did Shinrai just fucking leave that fucking damned idiot—?
His chakra itched. It was Shinrai's chakra! Finally! You decided to speak up you fucking idiot!" he yelled to Shinrai, inside his head, not that he could hear.
Sorry for leaving. I'm outside the village with Karin. I'm going to come back in a few days after I kill the Snake Sannin. He's weakened and I have Kyuubi Chakra. I can do it. Do not tell anyone. If anybody else comes, it'll mess up the delicate operation that this is.
Shinrai's chakra left and Naruto blinked. What? With each interaction they've been having lately, Naruto wanted to punch the fuck out of Shinrai more and more. He just left Konoha without telling anyone?! To kill Orochimaru?!
Obviously. That was what he told him. What if he was lying again? But… this… didn't seem like something Shinrai would lie about. So, all he could really do was just… sit down on the rubble. He was pretty alone out here, wasn't he? Just like the little bit of time before Shinrai was there. Just like when he kicked Shinrai out—Naruto cringed—ugh! That was so stupid?! Why did he even do that again?!
Naruto didn't doubt that Shinrai wouldn't do something so drastic without a plan… like, he did have Kyuubi Chakra because of the… thing. Orochimaru was 'weakened' too. But, if the Pervy Sage was anything to go by, Sannin were strong, really strong, like Hokage strong, so like… he wasn't too sure.
But, at the same time… Kyuubi Chakra. Look how strong Papa Ryu was.
Karin was there too. She had a cool sword, passed the Chunin Exams by herself, had Adamantine Chains… and was the best healer he'd ever seen. That shouldn't be too bad, right? They could do it, right?!
They fucking better.
Naruto needed to break Shinrai's ribs.
What was better was that Karin could probably heal it! So Naruto could do it again.
Naruto needed to awaken his own Adamantine Chains so he could chain Shinrai down and force him to talk. That bastard wasn't going to get away again—
—"Naruto!"
"Ms. Miya!" he turned to see her speed-walking toward him. He grinned. "Nice to see you!"
"Why the hell are you up?! You're injured! It's late!" Miya grabbed him by the shoulders and glared at him.
Immediately, Naruto knew something was wrong. Her Adamantine Chakra was already active, he could feel it in her grip—it hurt—and see it in her eyes. They were gold. At the same time, the way her eyes looked was just so… wrong. It wasn't loving and concerned; it was scared and concerned.
"Are you okay?" asked Naruto.
She glared harder. "You should be in bed, Naruto."
This was not the time to argue with her. Instead, he put on his best grin to assure her. "Yeah! I'll uh… lay down. Yeah! Gotta rest up! Can't make a million clones to help the village in this state, y'know?"
Miya didn't laugh or brighten up at all. She just nodded and grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the Academy. "Ow—"
"Hurry up."
Naruto narrowed his eyes. Okay, something's REALLY wrong. He caught up to her pace and analyzed her. "Can you tell me what's up with you? You're not acting right."
She didn't even answer him.
"Ms. Miya!"
Again. Naruto grimaced—why is everyone fucking—"Ms. Miya!"
"Shut up!" Miya yelled.
Naruto wasn't phased. "Not until you tell me what's up with you!"
She groaned and went back into silence.
Naruto snarled and stopped moving. Miya had to pull—she was a lot stronger than him, so he was definitely budging. But Naruto made it as difficult as possible for her.
"Naruto can you stop being difficult—"
—"You first! Listen, I'm tired of everyone I care about writing me off and ignoring me and being mean to me! First Papa Ryu, Sasuke always does—even Shinrai! I'm done with this bullshit! Let me help you!"
"You're not supposed to help me."
"Yes I am! I care about you—"
"Naruto, stop—"
Naruto flooded chakra into his arm to escape Miya's grip. She finally turned to him with an Adamantine glare. "Naruto!"
He crossed his hands behind his back. "I can help you—just let me, please!"
"I don't care—"
"Ugh! You're acting just like Papa Ryu!" Naruto screamed from the growing frustration.
Miya looked like she just got stabbed.
Did he say something bad? Well, if it got her to listen then so be it. "Papa Ryu ignores me, Shinrai's ignoring me, now you are too! You're all acting just like all the villagers that've hated me for so long and I'm not having that do you hear me?! Stop acting like this, tell me what's wrong because I'll help you! Please!"
Miya stared at him, unblinking… the love returned to her eyes but she looked even more hurt. "I'm sorry," she said with a sigh, bringing a hand to her face. "You… can't help me. There's nothing you can do—"
"Sure there is—"
"Can you bring back the dead, Naruto?"
He froze. Oh… that's what's up… He pursed his lips and gulped. "Sorry… Uh—" he shut his eyes and threw himself into Miya, wrapping his arms around her. Naruto never lost anyone. But, with Shinrai's memories… and Yora… maybe he could say something? How did Shinrai feel?
It'd been months and he was far from over it.
Every day, he thought about her.
Yora's memory hurt Shinrai only like Orochimaru did.
Except where he hated Orochimaru, he was depressed over Yora.
It lingered and it hurt him, but he tried to find comfort in it, anyway. It hurt him, but it helped him… it kept him from feeling nothing.
He honored her by… learning Medical Ninjutsu, by using those blades, and moving forward.
That was how he felt.
How did Miya feel? Well, that would depend on… who died.
Asking felt wrong. All he did was hug her tighter.
Miya let out a breath, hugging him back. "Thank you, Naruto."
He could tell it barely did anything. Naruto tried to think of something to say—"Y'know… just, honor their memory best you can. That's what Shinrai did, y'know?"
Miya rubbed his head. "Alright… we need to get you back to resting. Where is Shinrai, by the way? I thought he'd be with you."
SHIT! He stiffened in Miya's grip. She noticed. Slowly, she took her hands off of him and crouched, looking him in the eyes. "Where is Shinrai?"
"I can't say."
Her look turned dangerous, Naruto couldn't help the shiver—he couldn't step back because she was holding him in place. It was like Miya just… flipped a switch—was he looking at the person he might've called his mom—?
"Naruto. Where. Is. Shinrai."
"I can't tell you! You won't make me!"
"Why?" she asked coldly.
"He told me not to."
"What made him do that?"
"What?"
"What made him tell you not to tell anyone?"
"Stop—you're being scary—!"
"Answer the question."
Naruto tried to analyze her but he couldn't get anything from her—"Because uh… it would mess up what he's doing! If other people invade… it's a secret thing."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Yeah! That's why it's important that nobody can mess it up!"
"If somebody interferes, will he die?"
"For sure!"
Miya's eyes widened—finally, something. It was gone as quick as it came. "Naruto, you need to tell me where he is."
"I can't—!"
"His life is on the line. Take this seriously and tell me."
Naruto clenched his fists. "I am being serious—you don't understand—"
"Then tell me so I can."
Naruto shook his head adamantly. "I can't!"
She tightened her grip on his shoulder. "Naruto. Tell me."
Naruto couldn't understand her—Miya couldn't understand him! It was going to mess up Shinrai's operation! Both of them, both them they just needed to really, truly understand! Instinct, Naruto put his hand on Miya's shoulder.
Ancient knowledge came up from within—it was teaching him to understand. Naruto's chakra whirled into gold and went into Miya's chakra. It wasn't Adamantine Gold, no… it was the gold of the sun.
A storm of so much roared into Naruto's system. Shino was dead. Bushier-brow-sensei was dead. Miya and Papa Ryu had so many arguments—they had to fight the Strongest Man Alive. They tried to kill Orochimaru and failed.
Miya's thoughts… they were full of failure. Failure as a sensei, a friend, a Shinobi, and a family member—she didn't want to fail Shinrai either. Despite the emotionless facade, Miya's horror and panic made her chakra feel like a spiky, mutant ball. But—the ball was crushed. Crushed, failure and sadness' weight crushed everything. The helix she should be was but a shattered spiral.
At the same time, Miya's eyes went wide. She felt all of Naruto's emotions, the betrayal the trust—everything. He hid what Shinrai was doing—but everything Naruto felt was poured into Miya. Naruto could read into her like a book, he felt everything she felt.
"You'll never be a failure, Ms. Miya!" Naruto assured. "Shino wouldn't say that, Bushier-brow-sensei wouldn't say that. I'm sure all they'd say is how great you are, y'know! I definitely don't think that you're a failure, I could go on and on and on about how much better everything's been since you came into my life, y'know? I had someone else that really didn't hate me, I had someone else that I could rely on…
"I always feel real safe around you, y'know?" Naruto grinned and Miya was just… speechless. "I would never call you a failure. Shinrai wouldn't either. You never failed me, him, or anybody for that matter! Don't you ever think that! You know how dangerous being a Shinobi could be, no matter what mission we go on, we could always die.
"You need to trust Shinrai, you need to trust that he'll come back because he will come back! Because you never failed him, he'll come back with the biggest smile on his face because he succeeded. Trust him! Trust that you've made him into such a good Shinobi that he'll outlive you by a hundred years! He won't fail because you never failed him! And that's a fact! Believe it!"
Miya stared at him, the light and love in her eyes right there—it felt like she was being torn in two by his words and her own feelings. Naruto poured his love into her and grinned even harder.
Slowly, she let out a ragged sigh. She pulled Naruto into the tightest hug ever. If he could move, he would've hugged her back just as tightly. "You really are one of a kind, Naruto."
Naruto couldn't speak because he was held so tight. The sweet release of Miya letting go of him allowed him to breathe again, but at the same time he missed it. "If Shinrai's not back by a week I will be sending a search party after him."
A sheepish chuckle and a scratch of his head. "Got it!"
Miya let out a shaky nod. "Okay… let's get you to rest."
Naruto grabbed onto Miya's hand and they walked through the rubble together. Biting his lip, he looked out into the distance, where he felt the direction of his brother's chakra.
C'mon… hurry up, Shinrai.
—⊱✿⊰—
How much Shinrai and Karin were kissing was honestly starting to get out of hand. It'd been almost thirty minutes of both of them just smooching. They were supposed to be tracking down The Snake Sannin…
Shinrai didn't much care. He just enjoyed Karin the best he could. The feeling of her body on his was amazing. People loved to rave about curvy girls a whole lot, but dammit thin girls were just as good. As long as she was beautiful, not much else mattered to Shinrai.
Karin fit every bill of beauty in the world.
Every time Karin pulled her lips off of him it felt like he was an addict getting his drug taken away from him. In all honesty, it wasn't inaccurate. If Karin was a drug, then was the junkiest junkie to ever taste addiction. With his arms he held onto her torso; he kept her close. Karin did the same with hers, though she liked to hold his neck.
His whole chest felt hot, tingly, and heavy. Even just the graze of her fingertips felt like a fully fledged massage. Having her body pressed into his was something that words couldn't even describe. The way he breathed felt almost thick. What made it better somehow, was that he knew Karin could feel it all. Though, it did kinda suck that he didn't know how good he was making her feel.
On top of that, Karin's kisses like this weren't like the other ones— it was deeper. Her tongue slipped into his mouth and Shinrai didn't know what the fuck to do with himself—obviously kiss her back. He held her tighter—kissed her just as deeply and he just… ascended into euphoria, with Karin's mouth guiding him skyward.
Despite how fucking heavenly everything felt… Shinrai couldn't help but feel… off about the whole thing. He hoped he wasn't doing wrong. Karin definitely wasn't doing anything wrong. But at the same time… if he could somehow absorb more joy from this, then he'd fucking do it.
"Karin…" he breathed between kisses.
She looked down at him, her hair blocking out the night on the left side of his face. "Mm?"
The song of her acknowledgement fanned the already burning flames of passion within him. "Sorry," he choked out. Karin giggled and blood flushed to his hot cheeks. "Uh… This feels… so fucking great."
"I agree… So why are we stopping?"
Shinrai nodded. "Uh… because like… I don't know…" He cleared his throat. "Something feels… off."
"...What?" asked Karin, her whole demeanor changing. She stiffened, pressing into him harder, holding on to him tighter. He loved how her body felt, but he couldn't exactly enjoy it when he saw dread darkening her eyes. "What does?"
Shinrai bit his lip, grabbing onto her apologetically. "I don't know… It's… Just… I don't know."
—⊱✿⊰—
Why? Why couldn't she just… Karin still wanted to cry. She couldn't give him what he deserved, she couldn't love him properly. She tried. She really tried. Karin resisted the urge to dig her head into his chest and sob. Her heart pumped ice into her veins. It took all the control she could muster not to tremble.
Shinrai… didn't stop looking at her.
She wished he did. Why couldn't he just look at her body? What was unaffected by the torture of her existence, the one thing about her that wasn't broken. Why did he have to see who she was, everything terrible about her that didn't matter.
The only part of her that was dysfunctional seemed to be all that he could care about.
Karin simply couldn't be who he deserved to love. It was that simple…
"Karin," he spoke her name.
Against her better judgment, Karin met his eyes, looking deep into the limitless black of his irises.
"Do you enjoy kissing me? Did you ever?"
Ice made her flinch in his arms. "Of course—"
"Don't lie to me, Karin." His tone hardened.
Karin shut her eyes because she couldn't bear to look at him any longer. She was losing it. She was losing her grip on who she pretended to be for him.
The cold seductress was already dead. Shinrai was simply picking for the girl that was trapped inside.
Why did he want her? Why did he care? She couldn't bear to ask him.
But… if Karin was who he wanted, then it wasn't her choice to refuse him that.
"No," Karin answered, truthfully. Simply saying no lifted a weight off of her. She… relaxed, letting out a breath as she let herself tremble. "I never enjoyed kissing you."
"Then we won't kiss again, not until we both enjoy it," Shinrai said, pulling away from her.
Karin's heart shattered.
All because she didn't adore his lips like he did hers, he would refuse the feeling of them—refuse the joy, the utter ecstasy she knew he felt kissing her.
All for her.
He did it for her.
She felt it in his chakra; he wasn't sad for himself—he was sad for her.
He was sad that she never enjoyed any of this, not because he wouldn't be able to enjoy it himself.
Karin wouldn't stop shaking. The feeling of her own heartbeat hurt.
"Karin…" Shinrai muttered; he went to hold her but hesitated. "Do you think you'll be okay with a hug? Those helped Naruto… when he was sad."
Not an ounce of deceit in his words.
All he wanted was for her to feel better.
As long as Karin was alive, her feeling better was impossible.
She was hopeless.
Shinrai would only hurt himself trying to make her better—all she'd do was hurt him.
All Karin would do was bring him down and down until he was just as fucked as her.
"No, it doesn't matter." Karin pushed forward to kiss him but Shinrai stopped her.
"Stop it," he almost spat, scolding. The bit of frustration in his chakra gave her pause.
She was already dragging him to the depths. It'd be better to just… do what he said, give him what he wanted… her. Karin. It'd cause him the least pain.
"I'm sorry," she said, breaths heavy as she crawled out of his arms.
Shinrai just… looked at her. His chakra felt like he was trying to solve a puzzle.
Karin stayed silent, hugging her legs to her chest and looking down into the night forest.
When she struck that pose, a slice of hurt slashed at his chakra. Quickly, Karin excited it.
Shinrai let out a sigh. "Karin, what's your story?"
He still cared about that.
Of course he did.
With a sigh, Karin opened her mouth to speak.
—⊱✿⊰—
"My father… died before I was born," she started. Shinrai listened intently to what she was saying, picking apart her words like his ears had Sharingan. She looked uncomfortable… still… Shinrai hated that.
He hated that she'd disregard her own comfort for his sake. In hindsight… all the affection just seemed wrong with that revelation.
But, all he had to do was start from scratch.
"My mother never wanted me to be a Shinobi, to live the same life that took her husband from her, that took my father from me. So… we just lived, happy.
"That didn't quite work out."
Karin let out a bitter, resigned sigh. "Seed found out about my mother and I's special healing chakra. They hunted us down for it. My mother took me and ran, and ran, and ran… but we could only do that for so long.
"Blade found us one day, my mother thought they'd keep us safe from Seed." Karin snorted. "That was a fucking lie."
Shinrai winced; he could see her previous discomfort aching into a bitter hurt. The way she held her face almost reminded him of Ryu. Even through the disgusting emotion, she still looked beautiful.
Karin let out a ragged sigh. "A way to use my healing chakra is to bite into me and suck it out. It's… disgusting, frankly. But, it's quick and efficient. Blade saw my mother as a battery of healing.
"I had to watch as they bit into my mother… and sucked and drained the life out of her." Each word was spoken like she was pulling sharp rocks from her throat. "She was a strong woman, a happy woman who always smiled. It took years for her to die, years for the last bit of Chakra to be taken from her before she closed her eyes for the final time.
"I wasn't even there."
A lump formed in Shinrai's throat.
"Even through all of that, Blade made sure I knew that I was next. That if I didn't learn how to properly use my healing chakra, then I'd share the same fate. So… I learned. I was only bitten and drained once…" Karin grabbed her forearm, shuddering. Where she was bit, he assumed. "It never happened again.
"From there… I was just a healer. I was worked to the bone. Nobody ever saw me, the girl who missed her mother, the girl who wished she could play, who missed being happy. Day to day, they all just… blend together. The same days repeating on an endless, brain-numbing loop.
"Before I knew it, I was older, coming into my own…" Karin clenched her fists, as if what she was saying was somehow harder than what she was already admitting. "It was a couple years ago… something broke the monotony.
"I wish it didn't. I can't help… being attractive, being a woman. It's just… what was given to me. Of course, I'm not the only one who noticed that. A certain… man did. He wanted to take what he wanted from me… forcefully."
Shinrai's blood went cold. His face ripped with emotion, a kind of rage, a kind of disgust, a kind of utter sorrow—for Karin.
"That's when my Adamantine Chains came to me… to protect me… from him. They held him off long enough for some men with sense to get him away from me. I never saw him again… I hope he's dead."
The hard resentment of her tone, the tension in her body… melted away into apathetic resignment. "He probably isn't."
"Karin—" Shinrai attempted to speak.
She didn't let him. "After that… I continued healing for Blade, didn't have much of a fucking choice. Then, your Sensei came, destroyed Blade… looking for you. I heard your name and I had hope. Blade was destroyed and I could leave The Land of Grass… I was heading for Konoha, headed to you…
"Then, well… I was kidnapped and given to The Snake Sannin as a peace offering… I don't need to explain to you… how that is.
"Now, I'm here." Karin finally looked at him, as Shinrai looked back trembling.
"I…" He blinked. "That's… a lot."
"It's what you wanted," she bit back.
Shinrai nodded. "It is… and… thank you, for telling me." He inched closer to her, Karin remained still, looking at him… confused and concerned. "Now I have a better idea of who I want to love."
Karin furrowed her brow. "What—?"
"Yeah… you're… hurt. But, I think I can help… I'm good at that. Well, with Naruto at least." Shinrai smiled at her, genuine, toothy. "I just need you to let me. I'll let you know that you're okay, I'll never let you go, and I'll never make you do anything you don't want."
Karin looked back at him, eyes wide.
Shinrai smiled back.
—⊱✿⊰—
That was somehow the most genuine smile Shinrai had ever given her. The traces of cold in his chakra were… gone. Utterly banished, banished by her. Karin was making him feel better… so much better. Feeling him was so warm, just being near him felt like a hug.
He was so pure, pure love and truth was what he was feeling.
Purity, spawned by the tarnished.
Truth, given to the liar.
Karin shut her eyes from the pain of how good he was. "Why?"
"Why what?"
Karin let out a choked up sigh. "Why do you still want to love me?"
"Why… wouldn't I?"
"I—" Karin stopped herself with a breath. When she tried to speak, she just couldn't find the words.
Shinrai just got up, holding out his hand, his eyes offering her to take it. Of course, she did. He pulled her to stand and simply held her hand tight as their eyes reflected off of each other's. Karin shook her head, looking away… telling the truth was hard for a liar. "You are… the best man, that I've ever met. You need to know that."
"That's… really fucking sad—" Shinrai almost laughed, but he caught himself. Karin furrowed her brows, feeling the… amusement? Pity? Sorrow? It was all there.
"I'm not a good person, I'm really not… I just care about the people I care about. That's all there is to me."
Even through all the terrors Shinrai had in his own life… he was still good. What was it? What was the thing that made him who he was? What was the thing that he had that she didn't?
All it took was a simple remembering of the story he told her.
Bonds.
He had Naruto, his brother.
He had Miya, his surrogate mother.
He had Kusari, a good friend.
Who did she have? Her mother… but she died long ago.
Karin had… nobody.
Well, she had him, now.
And he was going to die, too.
All because of her.
"We should get back to trailing The Snake Sannin… they're getting a little far, I can sense them about to stop," Karin suggested, letting out a breath.
Shinrai smiled, his Sharingan whirling back to life. "Alright… let's go."
Scarlet and Rose flickered away into the night.
—⊱✿⊰—
The way that girl was leading Shinrai was damned smart. With her Byakugan, Kusari saw that they were trailing an army of Otogakure Shinobi, staying near the army but not too close, using it as both a disguise and a shield. Kusari couldn't get close to them without going into the army.
It was frustrating.
Kusari simply had to… find a way to get around this. As the sun rose, the cover of night died and she couldn't use that to her advantage. Tracking and hiding from the Oto army was going to be a whole lot harder.
Another thing that was… odd was that Shinrai and this girl seemed to have some sort of romantic relationship. She didn't have any context; the moment she saw them kiss, she looked away. How long had they known each other and why didn't Shinrai scream that a girl finally kissed him from the rooftops and beyond?!
This whole situation was mind-boggling. Part of her regretted leaving Konoha, but this was not the time to regret in the slightest, this was the time to—dammit!
She was noticed. A squad of Jonin were coming her way—DAMMIT!
Kusari flickered away as fast as she could. She was not going to get captured; she was not going to die; she was not going to die because of Shinrai—she was going to escape the squad trailing her.
She was going to live. She was going to get Shinrai and this girl and knock sense into both of them.
Kusari… simply had to avoid a squad of Jonin first.
Great.
—⊱✿⊰—
Miya was… surprised. Her house still existed. Granted, the roof was gone and she could smell the flood damage. But it was there. The sunrise was pretty as well. It was a slap to the face considering the state of the village.
Slowly, she opened her wooden door… she pulled the doorknob out of what felt like wet paper. It made her skin crawl. She kicked down her own door and it just fell apart. When she walked inside, a roach immediately scurried down her soaked, shattered tile floor.
This is going to need so much work.
Miya let out a sigh and rubbed her temples. Why was she even here again? To clear her head? It was useless. All she could think of was what Naruto did and Shinrai. She didn't even want to think about what he was doing—she'd think herself into oblivion. But… out of all the children she took in, Shinrai was the one she trusted the most, ability-wise. He was like her, so young and already he was nearing the power and skill of a Jonin. Granted, by his age she'd been a Jonin for two years… but she had an earlier start. Whatever he was doing… he would be okay. Hopefully.
But Naruto. That boy… he just… said all of the right things?! Somehow?! She didn't tell him that Shino or Gai died—! How did he know?! She shook her head. All she could think about was that genuine smile. That grin as wide as the sky. Eyes pure and hopeful. Naruto was everything good about Minato and Kushina, amplified by ten. How did she ever have so much hope in one person?
It was him that stopped her from… doing whatever she was going to do—stopped her from becoming like Ryu. His words; she appreciated them, but couldn't fully believe them. Failure was… a concept for sure.
There were plenty of times she'd failed.
Her whole life for twelve years had been just one big failure. But… Naruto—he didn't believe that. Nothing about him believed it and as one of the people she failed the most—it… it.
It made her feel that little bit better about herself.
Shino wouldn't want her to waste away; he would go on about how illogical it'd be. The best thing intellectually would be to simply honor the memory of those you lost, to do what would make them proud. He would say that if she wasted away, then that would make their deaths in vain.
Gai, oh, Gai. Gai would have his entire speech about Youth! He would exclaim how unyouthful it would be for her to do nothing! She needed to keep her head up, she needed to power through! Gai would say that she needed to learn from her failures and become even more powerful and youthful from them!
Either way… she couldn't just waste. They would hate her for it. Kushina would frown from the pure lands. Minato would look away. Her parents would crumble with disappointment. That was the path she was going to go on.
Not anymore.
She needed to see if Lee was… he wasn't okay. But she wouldn't let him suffer alone. She needed to act fast… she couldn't wait.
Look what happened with Ryu.
Miya contorted with guilt and pain—she rushed out of her destroyed house. She needed to find Lee—
She stopped moments before colliding with somebody. Somebody that was her height? "Jiraiya…"
He smiled and waved. Considering his sensei was just murdered by his rogue teammate, Miya was surprised to see him so chipper. "Hey! You see, we're having an important meeting about what to do with Konoha. We need you there as one of the most important people in the village, y'know…"
Lee… Miya narrowed her eyes and nodded. "When?"
"Uh, now."
Miya blinked. "Oh! Okay."
The Toad Sage led her off toward the leaning Hokage Tower… toward whatever this meeting would entail. The moment it was over, she was going right to Rock Lee.
—⊱✿⊰—
She stirred. Completely submerged in Natural Energy waters, seeping from her vines. When she opened her eyes, it was complete darkness. She didn't expect any less. Every muscle in her body flexed per her command. When she moved her limbs, it was painless. In her entirety, she was healed.
The vines cocooning her fell and the water spilled into the soil below. Yosei Senju stood, breathing in the air for the first time in hours. Her fight with Killer Bee took a lot out of her, it seemed. Immediately, she entered Sage Mode. The first thing she noticed was how weak she was. Maybe only as powerful as Miya? A bit weaker? Perhaps she left her cocoon too soon.
Well, according to the state of the village, she left too late. Everybody in Konoha that wasn't evacuated was injured in some way. Her Senjutsu Sonar laid out the entire format of Konoha. It was in a similar state as to when she concluded her battle with Killer Bee. It must not have been too long after the invasion.
Lord Hiruzen… she couldn't sense him. Was he dead? If so, that meant only one thing. The title of Hokage fell onto her. Yosei narrowed her eyes. Under the Hokage Tower, there was a meeting.
Jiraiya, Danzo, Homura, Koharu, Ryujin, Miya, Kakashi, Shikaku, Inoichi, Choza, Hiashi, were all in attendance. Soon, she would be as well.
With that, the Fifth Hokage: Yosei Senju took her first step.
—⊱✿⊰—
Ryujin didn't quite know why he agreed to come here. Obligation, responsibility… he was barely paying attention to whatever they were talking about. The odds that it affected him were low. Hiashi, of course, vouched for support for the Hyuuga Clan, as their compound was allegedly flattened. That meant Kusari was homeless… so was he, apparently. He went to where his apartment should've been and found nothing but a toad's footprint. Could he have been angry with Jiraiya? Yeah, but it wasn't worth it. Not even Miya made him angry anymore… she was just there. She was just the same as every other person in the village. She just… didn't matter.
Nothing did, not anymore.
The Clan Heads of InoShikaCho all gathered together, talking in unison about how Shukaku eradicated their clan's numbers. Of course, they supported each other. It was almost touching how those who weren't even true family could be joined like that.
It was a miracle that anyone could form bonds, at all.
According to Homura, Konoha had no funds to work with. All the ryo in the treasury was stolen. Their strategy was to pump out as many missions as possible, since all economic infrastructure was destroyed. All they had were Shinobi to use.
How the hell was Konoha supposed to get back on their feet? They didn't even have a Hokage.
It was funny how Koharu brought up the subject immediately after. "With Lady Senju out of commission, we need somebody to pick up the hat until she awakens."
Jiraiya immediately put his hands up. "Not it. I have a plan to get someone."
"For Hokage?" Miya asked.
Jiraiya shrugged. "Well, she is Hokage material, but it'll take longer to find her than for Lady Yosei to get up, I imagine."
"The Slug Sannin?" asked Danzo incredulously. "The same woman who abandoned Konoha all but officially? She is far from worthy of the position of Hokage."
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes on him. "Have more faith in her than that. But, I don't want to get her to be Hokage, but in order to deal with the mass amount of injured we have on our hands. She'll train more medics and then more people will be available to rebuild, and we'll have more Shinobi picking up missions to bring in cash, it's only a good idea."
"I see…" Danzo considered. "I can't help but think that it'd be a waste of time… considering her reputation."
Jiraiya gave an assured look. "If anyone could get through to her, it's me."
"That's fine and all," Shikaku interjected. "But that doesn't answer the question of who should be Hokage."
Koharu narrowed her eyes. "Shikaku, with your intelligence, you would be an outstanding candidate to hold the village together."
"That's not a bad idea, no…" Shikaku considered. "But, I don't have the aura of protective power that the Hokage should have."
Homura grumbled. While Koharu nodded.
"Then who here has both?" asked Hiashi, analyzing everyone in the room.
Danzo eyed the Hyuuga Head. "You, I would say."
"I have my duties to the Hyuuga Clan, I cannot accept the title of Hokage at this time," Hiashi turned down with a respectful nod of his head.
The options were running thin. Kakashi spoke up for the first time. "I believe that Miya has the judgment to be a Kage temporarily… she certainly has the protective aura that's desirable."
Ryujin held back a snort.
"No… absolutely not, I do not have that type of…" She shook her head. "I don't believe I'm suitable for the role of a Kage, not right now."
"If all else fails… then I'll take the role," Danzo interjected smoothly.
Why not you, Ryujin?
His eyes narrowed.
Think of all the vengeance you could enact as the one in charge. Run Konoha into the ground, make them all pay for everything…
I would rather die.
But… him, as Hokage. It seemed… laughable, his childhood, idiotic dream that Aiko just threw back at him as an ultimatum. What would he even do? How would he even handle the role?
At the same time… who else?
All of them were missing something.
Jiraiya would be gone.
Hiashi has responsibilities elsewhere.
Most of them lacked the power.
Miya lacked the mindset.
Was… he really the best option? He was the only one who had both. There was no way. Ryujin felt himself stop his body from shaking. Why—?!
Even Danzo was eying him. "Is there something you would like to say, Ryujin?"
The room's attention was on him. He didn't want to be the Hokage. That type of responsibility was the last thing he needed. But, well, when did that ever matter? "I believe… that I would be the best candidate for Hokage."
Miya's eyes went wide for a second, Kakashi looked dubious, Danzo considered it. Before anyone else could speak, someone else did.
"There's no need."
All of them looked back to see Yosei Senju entering the room, her outfit battle damaged to hell and back and already in her Sage Mode. "I am here."
"Well, that's a relief," Jiraiya muttered.
The tension in the room evaporated as she walked forward, to the center of the meeting room. Hell, even Ryujin himself felt calmer. Thankfully, he didn't have to deal with the responsibility he didn't need, didn't want—he let out a breath and looked to Yosei. All eyes were on her.
"I was listening in as I traveled here," Yosei informed. "I have the rundown of the situation." She looked to Jiraiya. "I support your endeavor to find Tsunade. In fact, I support you to the point where I wish to accompany you on that journey."
His eyes widened a bit. "Oh? Really? Well that's great!"
Yosei nodded. "Yes, a cousin and a teammate should be persuasive enough to have her back in Konoha before long."
"...then who is going to be the Hokage? If you're going to be gone," Miya asked.
"As I overheard your debate, I believe that I came up with a simple solution to this dilemma." Slowly, she held up her hand for everyone to see. "If there are two main roles that a Hokage must fulfill, then temporarily, I believe that two people should be able to handle that role, short-term." She held up two fingers to drive her point home.
Shikaku nodded in agreement. "I agree, I didn't think that would work with the undetermined amount of time that you would be out of commission."
"I apologize for worrying you all, but it will not take long for me to track down Tsunade. I estimate… a week at most. In that week where I am not present… Miya, you will be the figurehead. Everyone will see you as the Hokage. You're in charge of planning the mourning ceremony for Lord Third and everyone who sacrificed their lives during the invasion, as well as being the fire that everyone will look toward. Do you understand?"
Miya looked like—felt like a mountain was placed onto her shoulders. "Yes."
Yosei nodded in acknowledgement. "Danzo, you will have the power of the Hokage. Shinobi movement, promotions, the rebuilding effort, and everything else, do you understand?"
Danzo took it in stride with a nod. "Yes, Lady Hokage."
Yosei nodded to Danzo as well. Then she looked to Jiraiya. "Prepare to head out by tomorrow, I need to make my presence known."
Jiraiya nodded. "Yes ma'am!"
With that, the meeting was dismissed.
Damned Senju… Kyuubi snarled.
In all honesty, Ryujin was relieved that he wasn't Hokage. All he could feel from that sentiment… was disappointment.
—⊱✿⊰—
Oh BOY! The invasion of Konoha was a success success success. On so many levels too?! UGH! Zero felt as if he was orgasming a thousand times all at once. His dance through Iwagakure into Onoki's office could be seen by him and only him. Unfortunately, before he took his biggest step forward in his plan, he needed to put down a quick domino that he was going to knock down later.
With gusto, Zero kicked down the door to Onoki's office. Immediately, a Particle Style blast attempted to incinerate him.
"Old man! Keep acting as senile as that and you're going to end up like Hiruzen's dumb ass."
"YOU!" Onoki roared, furiously glaring at Zero as he walked out of the wall, unphased by Onoki's attack. "You are going to rue the day—"
"It's not my fault you lost all of your Jinchuriki!" Zero put his hands up defensively.
Onoki snarled and slammed his fist into his desk, shattering it into nothing. "I should've known better than to trust rouges!"
"Honestly, yeah, I agree. I suppose the wrinkles on your face doesn't match with your brain, eh?"
"ANBU!"
Immediately, a dozen Iwa ANBU came to pounce on Zero. The right side of his mask glowed the hypnotizing crimson of illusions. Before any of the ANBU could touch him, he simply whirled, making eye contact with each and every one of them. "All of you! KILL YOURSELVES!"
They stopped in their tracks and did just that. Blood spewed as the ANBU slit their throats and fell to the floor, limp.
Onoki blitzed through hand seals. "Particle Release: Atomic Incineration Beam!"
A high pitched screech blasted past Zero, destroying the wall and all of the ANBU's bodies as Onoki let out a breath of fatigue. As far as the Tsuchikage was concerned, Zero was dead—
"Oi, geezer. Would you believe me if I told you that it was Orochimaru that stole your two Jinchuriki?"
Onoki raged behind Zero to attack. "I DON'T NEED YOUR LIES, ZERO!"
"Hey! I never lied to you! Just manipulated you into making poor decisions."
"I'm sick of you!" Onoki yelled, holding his back and glaring at Zero.
Zero nodded, examining his nails which were covered by gloves. "Yeah, yeah, I would be too." Afterward, he seemingly teleported to the hole Onoki made in his own office and yawned. "Anyway, Orochimaru took Han and Roshi, backstabbing you on purpose. He pulled the same shit with Kumo. Y'know Killer fucking Bee is out of commission now?! Shit's insane.
"Do with that info what you will, baiii~!" he exclaimed with a voice that was so kawaii it'd make a kitten jealous.
Onoki attacked Zero and the man vanished like the ghost he was.
—⊱✿⊰—
Her father was busy, so it came down to Hinata to head the Hyuuga Clan's mourning. It was… not an extravagant gathering, far from it. She stood atop a pile of rubble, with the living members of the Main Branch in a ring around her. Hanabi was by her side, okay and unharmed. Toneri, of course, was chosen to stand by Hinata as well.
The rest of her beloved Hyuuga Clan surrounded her in droves. Each member that she saw not present chipped another crack into her aching hard. Too injured to make it… or dead.
Only one Hyuuga was totally unaccounted for.
Kusari.
As much as she wanted to, Hinata couldn't worry about her right now.
She had the Hyuuga Clan to worry about. All of them. No matter how deep Kusari's desire to kill her was, facing her would never compare to facing the expectation of Lady White Eyes. The silence screamed with anticipation—it was horrifying.
A horror that nobody but herself knew existed. With a graceful breath, she allowed her blessing to spread its wings across her body. Bontena's calming presence drifted over the Hyuuga with the wind, her White Eyes shone like the moonlight.
She saw her beloved clan calm in her presence. Hinata let her fake smile curl her lips ever so slightly—her soul was trembling within her. Her Mark allowed her to hide it flawlessly.
At last, it was time for her to speak.
"My Beloved Hyuuga Clan," she began, voice softer than cloth and smoother than silk. She projected it, having it spread like a blanket to warm the cold sadness of the Hyuuga with the love of her voice. "Yesterday, we experienced one of the greatest tragedies to ever befall us. A raid by the Chinoike Clan, which left us all without a home. Rightfully, you must be angry. They took our homes, our children, our fathers, mothers, friends, lovers, brothers, sisters, heroes, enemies, all of it."
She paused, allowing for her words to weigh on her clan. The reactions were varied, all agreeing, however. The Hyuuga were angry.
"I am angry too. I hate the Chinoike Clan for everything they've done." For taking… everything from me. It was the truth she admitted to her clan. Nobody was surprised. "More than I am angry, more than I am hateful, I am sad that the place I call home is unrecognizable. I am sad that I lost so many people that I love, all of you." Had her Blessing not supported her, her voice would have shattered… her stutter would have returned and she would have made a fool of herself.
"I love every single one of you, and not even death will kill my love for you. In times of hatred, in times of sadness, it is love that we need the most. Love stops our hatred from consuming us and corrupting who we are. Love stops our sadness from crushing us and allowing who we are to fade into nothing. Love keeps us centered and grounded in what is important, it gives us the strength to persevere when everything is hurtful, it gives us the peace of mind to know what is important." Her voice gained more and more power as she continued to speak.
The Hyuuga's gaze were centered all on her, all on her and all of her attention was on them.
"The Chinoike Clan is long gone, they are not our concern right now. What is our concern is the state of our bodies, our mind, our environment, we must give ourselves peace. The storm has passed, it leaves its remnants of hatred and pain but we must let it fade, let it fade as love grows in its place. Love will grow us a new home, a better home, one that is stronger and will be much harder to destroy than the last! Only the hands of love will be able to build it, made from the tools in our hearts that we will cherish until it never beats again!
"I love you, Hyuuga Clan. Love yourselves like I love you, and you'll live the greatest lives that you can imagine." Hinata bowed to her beloved and let out a breath. "Thank you, all of you for your time."
A beat of silence.
Hinata's heart went cold—
—A roar of applause followed. Hinata stood back to her full height and saw the Hyuuga smiling. They loved her. All of them loved her. Many had tears in their eyes, others had silent determined looks, some were grinning wide like the clouds above.
When Hinata smiled, it was real. Most of the fear evaporated… her soul stopped rattling like shivering bones. She did it. She actually did it. For the first time in years, Hinata didn't let her clan down. She didn't disappoint those she loved again. Finally… she succeeded at something. The weight was lifted, just that little bit and she was free. The full majesty of her Blessing spread her love like a freed bird's wings.
It was… ecstasy.
Hanabi grabbed her pants and tugged. Her little sister looked up with a toothy smile. "Good Job, big sis!"
"Indeed, that speech was magnificent, Lady Hinata," Toneri agreed, smiling and nodding at her.
Hinata's smile grew, and she bowed to Toneri. "Thank you both."
"Can you turn the mark off now? I still don't like it…" Hanabi requested.
Again, there it was. "Why don't you like it, Hanabi?"
"I dunno… It just feels wrong."
"Alright…" Hinata gave one last look toward the Hyuuga Clan, smiling softly yet strongly at them. With that, she walked off the rubble platform and down, disappearing into herself as her mark receded.
Before the hammer of her true emotions could slam into her, Hanabi latched onto Hinata and hugged her tightly. "Yay!"
Of course, Hinata hugged her sister back.
"I love you, Hanabi."
"I love you, too, big sis!"
Again, a real smile crossed Hinata's lips. It was only as she hugged her sister that Hinata realized her hand was trembling on Hanabi's back. Of course, that was so nerve-wracking. What made that fear worse was… she had to do it all again. That… would be dealt with when the time came.
One thing disappointed her heavily. Kusari was nowhere to be found. If Hinata was being completely honest, she came up with that speech with Kusari in mind… a naïve hope that she could help in purging the hatred of Shivua.
To think that Kusari wouldn't be there in her clan's most trying time… Kusari, where are you?
—⊱✿⊰—
Dammit, dammit, dammit all! Kusari couldn't shake them. The Jonin were fast, persistent—She couldn't even see Shinrai and that girl! They were long gone.
Everything was going to hell. Everything was going to hell. Was this karma for abandoning Neji?! What else was she supposed to do for him?!
She just saw Shinrai in danger and wanted to help—look where it got her. Ironic… this exact thing would've happened had she tried to find Ryujin-sensei after the fiasco in Grass. Gosei and Shinrai were right, she supposed.
Kusari landed in a clearing—a dozen Jonin flickered around her. What a pitiful way to die. All of them outmatched her individually. The amount of them was genuinely excessive. She didn't care. She wasn't going to die without a fight—I'M NOT GOING TO DIE AT ALL!
It was far too soon for her fate to end. She had far too much to accomplish. Kusari roared and Shivua's power—her hair rose—
—Bones impaled every single one of the Jonin. They were suspended over ten feet in the air, all of their heads were rolling on the grass.
What even happened? It was instant—? There was a man—Kusari screamed. The power, the chakra that spewed from his head, was brighter than the sun. It was cyanic white, the color of the stars, and it bloomed in the shape of a lotus—it was divine. She didn't see anything! The man just appeared!
Kusari deactivated her Byakugan so she could see. The man was pale as a ghost, hair white like spider webs with twin red dots on his forehead. His torso was bare—it was the most muscular and vascular physique she'd ever seen in her life. It didn't look human. His legs were concealed by a white robe. On his head, covering his right eye, there were bandages. It still glowed the color of the stars—same as that Divine Ocular Chakra.
In his hand, there was a blade made of bone. The bone's white was drenched with blood that dripped onto the grass.
He… he did this? Horrified but unphased, Kusari screamed, "Who are you?!"
"My name is Kimimaro Kaguya. It is an honor to finally meet you, Shivua."
?￢ﾜ ? ~ Chapter End ~ ?￢ﾜ ?