𓍊𓍊 ~ Chapter Forty-one — Frostbite ~ 𓍊𓍊
"Yora…"
Nothing.
Shinrai would've cried had he been capable.
Miya's guest room was his now. There was nothing but what was needed in here. Bed. Nightstand. Carpet. Black and beige.
It was just.
Nothing.
There was nothing but nothing in this room.
No… there was one something.
Yora.
The blade he cradled in his hand.
His beautiful midnight Grass Cutter.
He wouldn't trade her for the world. All of his worst times, she was there. All of them. All of them. All of them she could help.
Not this time.
Something.
Something.
Shinrai needed to feel something. Too much cold—there was too much cold. Miya was cold. Kusari was cold. Everything else was frostbite—fuck fuck fuck. Each hour, each day, each second each minute he could feel himself rotting in the cold.
Nothing nothing, he'd become what he felt.
No—no nono no more. He didn't want it anymore. Scarlet bled in the room. His Sharingan took in all of the nothing around him. Yora's eyes took in all of his lack of pain.
Shinrai stood.
Shinrai walked.
With each step he felt like a winter ghost.
He passed through the door he opened.
Miya's concerned gaze was like nothing as he slipped his sandals on and left.
No matter fucking what Shinrai was going to pry whatever feeling was left in the corpse he was piloting.
Even if everything around him fucking burned.
It wasn't worth caring.
It was worth nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing…
—
The dull light of the early morning woke Ryujin. It was quiet. It was always so quiet. It wasn't harrowing or lonely. But, it also wasn't comforting or peaceful. It just… was almost cold in the way it barely affected him. Despite the cold nothing that seemed to follow him like a ghost, Ryujin stood from his bed, folding the plaid sheets together for it to look presentable to himself. He dragged himself to the bathroom, washing his face, brushing his teeth. Neat, clean… now he could get started with himself.
His yawn followed him to his nightstand. The feather he used as a bookmark stuck out barely past the first five pages of the Koan Book. It'd been a week since he'd gotten the book, and almost no progress was made. Only one Koan was what Ryujin figured out. Vague, philosophical questions were much more of Dantai's speed, not his. Inch by inch, it was almost frustrating.
All the same, Ryujin grabbed the book, sitting down in the brown, cushioned chair next to his nightstand. With his thumb, he opened the book, amber eyes picking apart the text on the page. It read…
Whatever confronts you, don't believe it.
When something appears, shine your light on it.
Have confidence in the light that is always working inside you.
Ryujin blinked. "That's it?!" he couldn't help but say aloud. His eyes scanned the page for more that simply was not there. It wasn't even a question, it was just a statement, like advice being given to him. Was there something more? Something hidden beneath the hidden.
Kyuubi's amused chuckles only served to confuse and frustrate Ryujin even further.
If there was more, then Ryujin didn't see it. As he sighed, Ryujin closed his eyes, letting himself think.
All that was there was the cold void of his mind.
—
Lightning sparked around him as Sasuke heaved out every breath. The Cursed Marks of Heaven receded and he punched the charred grass below, his knuckles already raw and bloody. Sweat caked his skin and frustration grit his teeth. How the hell did the Hyuuga Heiress do this so easily?! Orochimaru's will was adamant on sticking with him, melding itself with his spirit. Each time Sasuke used the Curse Mark, he felt Orochimaru's claws sinking deeper and deeper into him the more he tried to pull them out.
Indra wasn't doing a damn thing to help.
It was all him; it had to be him.
"If you're going to purge Orochimaru from the Curse Mark, then your will is going to have to surpass his… and I don't see that happening." The following laugh made Sasuke's ears feel like it was being ground against a cheese grater.
Sasuke's twin tomoe glared behind him. A towering, lanky man with curly brown hair walked forward with a humourous, bouncy swagger that was already getting on Sasuke's nerves. "Who the hell are you?"
"You can call me, Dantai." A grin crossed his face. "Nice to meet you, Sasuke! Though it… isn't the first time."
"I've never seen you in my life." Sasuke stood to his full height, though it was barely anything to Dantai's towering height. How the hell could somebody be so tall?!
Dantai groaned. "Oh, c'mon! I know it was like, twice, and I didn't speak to you, and it was years ago—but still!"
"Just tell me what you want!" Sasuke's patience was being shaved away into dust by the second.
Waving his hand, Dantai shook his head. "Man, you're cold. I just wanna talk with you!"
"About what?!"
"I can already say we have something in common, though!"
"And what is that?"
"The death of Itachi Uchiha." Silence that held the weight of a mountain fell upon the air as Dantai lost his grin.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed, tomoe whirling in his eyes. He felt each second tick by like he was watching a clock. "I… see. Why do you want to kill him?"
"Well, if you don't remember me… I'm definitely sure you remember Miruni Uchiha." A fond, yet distant smile curled Dantai's lips.
Slowly, Sasuke nodded. "Yeah… Shisui's older sister."
"Bingo!" Dantai laughed, but it wasn't grating. An undercurrent of pain laced it, but that didn't make it any less joyous. "I loved her, man."
"...and Itachi killed her."
"Well, I was gonna blabber about how great she was, but yeah, sure, just jump straight to the point, I guess." Dantai let out a humorous yet defeated sigh. "Anyway, uh, I was thinking we should make a whole 'murder Itachi Uchiha' pact, y'know?" Dantai shot twin finger guns at him. "Sounds like a plan?!"
Sasuke didn't exactly like the idea of working with somebody else, especially about something like this. But at the same time, Sasuke despised the idea of denying somebody their vengeance. If anybody dared to deny him his, then—Sasuke's Sharingan burned at the mere thought of it. Again, the words on the tablet came back into his head.
Crimson soul overtakes the golden body; fight for that which you love.
With a sigh, Sasuke looked Dantai in the eyes. "I agree as long as I get the killing blow."
"Yeah, sure, he probably fucked up your life way more than he did mine." Dantai let out a laugh and scratched the back of his head with one hand. The other hand was outstretched for Sasuke to shake it.
Sasuke shook his hand, giving Dantai a curt nod. "Repeat what you said about the Curse Mark."
"At your current level of refinement, your will is not stronger than Orochimaru's." Dantai grinned, keeping a hold of Sasuke's hand.
Sasuke gripped Dantai's hand tighter, narrowing his eyes. "Elaborate."
"You don't know how to use your will, Sasuke." Dantai clenched his hand over Sasuke's—the Uchiha had to hold back his wince. "It's unrefined."
"Then teach me how to refine it." Even as Dantai overpowered Sasuke, he still fought back with his own strength.
A smirk curled Dantai's lips. "Sure!" He relinquished his hold on Sasuke and stepped back, rubbing his hands together. "I'm hoping you're at least somewhat familiar with Yin Style?"
"A bit…" admitted Sasuke. "I don't know any jutsu."
"Meh, alright, that's good enough." Dantai clapped. "It's not something you can do subconsciously; how you control your mental energy is with purpose." Dantai laughed. "Honestly, it shouldn't be all that hard for you. Concentrate your spiritual energy, your Yin, separate it from your Yang."
Nodding, Sasuke weaved his hand into the sign of the Mirrored Ram, the sign for Yin. Spiritual and physical energies separated in his chakra and a black aura flared over his skin.
An excited grin crossed Dantai's face. "Good, good! Now send that energy to your mind, where it's supposed to be."
Just that Sasuke did. Immediately, his Sharingan whirled with renewed strength and he felt a security in his mind that he didn't know was possible before. Layers of armor encased his mind at the very same time that blades formed to defend it.
Dantai's grin sharpened into a smirk. "And there you go."
"Thanks…" muttered Sasuke, sucking his teeth. Was it really something this simple the whole time?
"Since Orochimaru's an invader to your mind, you shouldn't have too much more trouble expelling him." Dantai turned his back and started to walk off. As he did, he waved his hand into the air and whirled his wrist. "My prediction, you'll have that Curse Mark figured out by the end of the week."
"By the end of the day," promised Sasuke.
In response, Dantai let out a laugh. "If you say so…"
Without another moment wasted, Sasuke got right back to work.
This power is mine, Orochimaru.
—
Baiko was getting used to his new eyes. Thanks to Lord Orochimaru, each punch that Baiko threw was sharper and harder than the last. All in all, Baiko was… happy. Lord Orochimaru was in great health now! Apparently, he conquered an evil beast and took its power for his own. Suigetsu agreed to train alongside him too! Lord Orochimaru was much more stern on Suigetsu than he was on him. What was even cooler was that Suigetsu was a whole lot stronger than Baiko was!
With his 'Byaku-Sharingan', as Lord Orochimaru called them, learning things was… easy. All he had to do was look and everything was embedded in his mind. Baiko had only been training for a day, and he already felt much stronger than he was before. What was unfortunate, was that Lord Orochimaru was also really busy. He had to leave in order to tend to some 'allies' that he had.
So, once again, it was just him and Suigetsu. They both had matching water bottles; Baiko's was pink while Suigetsu's was purple. Together, they sipped as they walked through the prison cells. Baiko didn't know why they were walking through there… but Lord Orochimaru hadn't forbidden it, so it must have been fine.
They were all evil people. They all deserved it. Their suffering didn't matter.
So why did it make Baiko feel sad?
"Uhh…" Suigetsu swallowed hard. "I think we should turn back."
"Why?" Baiko looked to him with a raised brow. "What's up?"
"I don't like the direction we're going," he muttered.
Baiko gave him a disbelieving look. "It's just…" His eyes drifted down the monotonous lines of cells. "The same things over and over again."
"Oh no, trust me, it gets worse from here!" Whenever Suigetsu was scared, it looked like he was sweating, though he was actually melting.
Narrowing his eyes, Baiko flooded chakra into them. A flare brought his Byaku-Sharingan to life. He saw through the concrete like the air itself as everything slowed. At the end of the hallway, a chakra flared in a violent violet. It… reminded Baiko of Lord Orochimaru, but much more menacing.
Suigetsu didn't like Lord Orochimaru all that much. So. it made sense that this chakra would put him off. Ignoring Suigetsu, Baiko walked forward.
"BAIKO WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?!"
"Since you're scared, I'm going to investigate myself." Baiko kept walking.
Suigetsu ran forward and grabbed Baiko's shoulders, holding him back. "Bro! I'm scared for a good reason I'm telling you that much—"
"His chakra reminds me of Lord Orochimaru's."
"That is NOT a good thing!" Suigetsu groaned as Baiko walked out of his weakening grip. "Y'know what? Go get yourself killed! I'm not going to your funeral."
Continuing to ignore Suigetsu, Baiko walked forward. The violent violet chakra pulsed off of a man. He was large, muscular, with orange hair. In the corner of his cell, he grabbed his head, shaking it. The look in his eyes was so cold. Was he scared? A slash of guilt hit Baiko in the gut. Being here was making him feel worse and worse.
Baiko walked up to a massive metal door. There were chains and locks all over it. Like his parents taught him, Baiko knocked on it. "Hello? Are you okay, sir?"
"Fucking dumbass…" grumbled Suigetsu, rubbing his eyes.
A shift and a clang of metal made Baiko stumble back. "GET AWAY!"
"Are you okay?!" Baiko ran forward, putting his ear against the door. "Can you open the door? I want to help you!"
Baiko saw through the door. The man was really scared. He was shaking. Sweat was starting to drip off of him. His hands dug into his hair as he screamed. "You can't help me! If you stay I'll kill you! Please leave!"
"Oh, you caught him in a good mood." Suigetsu was next to him and Baiko didn't even know when or where he came from. "See this guy? His name is Jugo, and he's fucking insane."
"Crazy people can still be helped—"
"—Not this one!" Suigetsu shook his head and groaned. "Jugo's powerful and he's crazy. Whenever his Curse Mark activates, he turns into a mass murderer. He's in that cell for a good reason!"
"But he's scared! We need to help him!"
"YOU CAN'T!" yelled Jugo.
Suigetsu pointed at the door. "See! He agrees himself! Not even Orochimaru could control him!"
"Well, I'm not Lord Orochimaru!" Baiko clenched his fists, banging on the door. "I don't care what happens. I'm going to help you, Jugo!"
"How many times do I have to—" Jugo screamed. Black marks crawled over his skin and horror stabbed Baiko's face. After the screams came cackles. They were cold and evil. Jugo leapt up—it was faster than Baiko could see—A massive impact against the door sent Baiko flying over the corridor. "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"
Suigetsu scurried across the hall, grabbing Baiko by the collar and bringing him along. "Yep! Lesson learned!"
Baiko groaned as the pain echoed through his body. He didn't like being hurt. After Suigetsu dragged him out of the prison sector, Baiko stood, dusting himself off. His fists clenched as he grit his teeth against each other.
"Hey! Don't be mad at me!" Suigetsu put his hands up defensively.
Baiko shook his head. "I'm not mad… You saved me." A genuine look crossed his eyes as he looked at Suigetsu. "Thank you."
"...Don't sweat it…" Suigetsu crossed his arms.
Baiko let out a sigh. "I'm not going to give up on Jugo."
"SERIOUSLY—?!" Suigetsu slammed his palm into his face and caused a splash. "I just saved your life man, and you're gonna endanger it again?!"
"Not right now…" Baiko shook his head again. "I'm not strong enough to help him right now. I don't know enough to help him. So, I'm going to become better so I can help Jugo!"
"I…" Suigetsu blinked, looking at Baiko disbelievingly. "Y'know what man, okay. Go ahead. I support you on your journey."
"Thanks!" Baiko smiled. "I really appreciate that."
"I—that was sarcasm—" Suigetsu gave up and sighed. "Nevermind…"
Baiko walked the opposite direction of Jugo's cell, toward the library. "What are some books about helping people? I need to read some more…"
"I don't know man, I don't read." Shrugging, Suigetsu followed behind Baiko.
A frown crossed Baiko's face. "You should… it's good for you."
"Yeah, probably, maybe."
"I'm serious!"
"Bah!"
"C'mon!"
"Nyegh!"
"Ugh!" Baiko threw his hands up and groaned. "You're really frustrating sometimes, Suigetsu."
"Thanks!"
"That's not a good thing…" grumbled Baiko.
Suigetsu's sharp tooth stuck out with his grin. "To me it is."
With a sigh of defeat, Baiko led Suigetsu to the library. It took him too long to realize that Baiko left his cup in the prison sector.
Today was probably not a good day.
—
It was nerve-wracking. Gosei and Natsuyo stood shoulder to shoulder at the Senju Compound's gate, made of vines. Mother, after coming from her coordination, invited Lady Tsunade to come home. There was really only… one building in the Senju Clan. The Senju who founded Konoha never bothered to separate themselves from the other clans and regular citizens. So, it was just the home of the Shodai that was given the name of 'Senju Compound.'
"Do you think they're gonna get along?" asked Natsuyo, leaning toward Gosei.
He shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "They better. We're family! We need to stick together!"
"Yeah! Damn right!" Natsuyo agreed as she pumped her fist up toward the sun.
A loud sigh and footsteps alerted them to the arrival of their missing family member. It was Lady Tsunade. Immediately Gosei bowe—
"Stop it!" Tsunade shook her head and groaned. "No need with all the formalities and shit."
"It's basic respect…?" Gosei looked up at her.
Tsunade curled her lip as she said, "Meh. Just don't insult me and we'll be just fine." She shot a glare at Natsuyo.
In response, Natsuyo turned her head up. "I said what I said."
Tsunade rolled her eyes, and Natsuyo smirked. A silent glare shot from Gosei to Natsuyo before following Tsunade down the nature trail that led home. Walking up to match her pace, Gosei asked, "Do you need us to lead you?"
"Kid…" Tsunade let out an unceremonious snort. "I used to live here."
"Indeed you did," muttered Gosei, before his eyes went wide. "You met the Shodai, right?!"
"Yep! I didn't get my gambling habit out of nowhere." Tsunade's expression didn't change a bit.
Taking the words out of Gosei's mouth, Natsuyo asked, "Oh! What was he like?"
"I don't fucking remember. He died when I was like five. He was nice? I didn't hate him as a tyke, so that means something, I guess." Tsunade shrugged.
Both Gosei and Natsuyo deadpanned. Slowly, they looked at each other. Without saying a word, they both agreed that, 'this isn't good.'
They sighed as they kept pace with Tsunade. Soon after, Natsuyo opened her mouth. "Lady Tsun—"
"Just call me Tsunade!" She let out another long sigh. "We're family, all of these titles make me feel unwelcome."
"Well, you're very welcome!" assured Gosei with Natsuyo nodding in agreement.
Tsunade snorted. "We'll see what your mother says."
The siblings gulped and followed behind Tsunade once again. Dirt met water as the massive pond surrounding the towering tree, erected by the Shodai himself, that was the Senju Compound.
"Not a damn thing changed…" Tsunade chuckled. "I don't know if I love or hate that."
Slowly, both Gosei and Natsuyo joined Tsunade in her chuckles. Anxiety pulsed within Gosei with each step they took over the water. Usually, Gosei would trust his mother with anything like his life depended on it. Not right now. His gut betrayed his heart, and Gosei felt it.
A quick gaze to Natsuyo showed that she felt the same. Unlike him, Natsuyo still put a smile on her face. His sister's smiles brought a bit of relief to Gosei. Regardless of his own emotions, Gosei pushed forward.
This was all going to end well. It was all going to be just fine.
Before long, Tsunade, Gosei, and Natsuyo reached the front door. Gosei took it upon himself to open the door, allowing for Tsunade to walk in. Inside, mother sat at the dining table, having their youngest, twin boys—Dojo and Shindo—barely over one, asleep in her arms. From the laughs outside, it seemed that father entertained the rest of Gosei's siblings outside.
"I'm surprised you showed your face, Tsunade," greeted Yosei, getting up with the toddlers in her arms.
Immediately, she groaned. "I forgot you had so many damn kids."
"Is that a problem?"
"Absolutely it's a fucking—"
"I don't need your foul language sullying the mouths of my children." Yosei's eyes gained a light glare.
Gosei gulped, grabbing at his pants. He hoped it would end right there—
—Tsunade, on the other hand, had a heavy glare. "I'm sorry if I don't want to deal with constant noise, with the smell of turds and piss invading my nostrils twenty-four seven."
"Oh? Is that so?" Yosei tilted her head. "I thought that you'd be used to foul smells and noise after spending years of your life in bars and gambling halls."
"That's different!"
"That is true, children are a blessing, while you, on the other hand, indulge in sin and vices." Yosei adjusted the children in her grasp.
Gosei urgently looked toward Natsuyo. She just shook her head as to say, 'What are we supposed to do?!' Sucking his teeth, Gosei looked back up between his mother and Tsunade.
With a haughty scoff, Tsunade crossed her arms. "Sin?! How much fucking did you do to get these kids here?! Very pure of you, Yosei."
Gosei wanted to gag. This was disgraceful.
Yosei's glare sharpened as she stepped forward. "Everything you spout has the content of feces—"
"You wanna say I talk shit?!" Tsunade stepped forward to match Yosei. "Oh! Is Ms. Proper Lady Hokage scared to say a bad word? To sully her purity with such naughty words?! You used to curse more than me back in the day—"
"I have improved my behavior." Yosei looked down and Gosei had never seen actual anger crack his mother's face before. "I improved the behavior you goaded me into having—you're a terrible influence and you always have been!"
"What?!" Tsunade let out a cynical laugh that made the toddlers shift—Yosei's face broke even more—"You regret looking up to me?! Well you shouldn't have in the—"
"You don't think I know that?" Yosei sneered and Gosei felt shame, fear and disdain all at the same time. Another step forward it looked like Yosei was trying to knock Tsunade off her feet. "You come into my home after leaving for yea—"
"Bitch you invited me here!" yelled Tsunade—knowing she couldn't push back on Yosei, lest she hurt the children. "You went all out of your way to find me, then you invited me back here and you have the nerve to complain about it?!"
"I have an issue with your attitude, your shameful vulgarness and—"
"Then why did you want me here?!"
"Because you're my family, Tsunade." Yosei took a breath as her composure fell to the wayside before Gosei and Natsuyo's very eyes. "I thought we would be able to make amends, I thought—"
"Then maybe you shouldn't have insulted me the moment I walked in!"
"You insulted my children!" Yosei came close to yelling. The children in her arms stirred awake, but she barely noticed.
Tsunade pretended to cry by balling her fists in front of her face. "Wah! Wah! Wah! Cry about it."
"You—" Yosei looked ready to lunge.
Before Yosei could speak, Tsunade's loud laughs filled the room. "Oh?! You wanna fight?!"
The toddlers in Yosei's arms started to cry. Gosei's fists clenched and even Natsuyo scowled. On the other hand, pure rage contorted Yosei's face as she screamed. "GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"
"Yeah! Bye! Fuck you too, bitch!" Tsunade turned her back and flipped a middle finger as she stomped her way outside. The door slammed shut and Yosei immediately attended to the crying children, soothing them.
Shame radiated off of her as she turned her back, walking away from Gosei and Natsuyo without saying a word. When she was out of sight… Gosei just shook his head. "What the hell was that?" he whispered—almost in a growl.
Natsuyo shook her head, disbelievingly, almost disgusted. "Whatever it was… I hate it."
"This…" Gosei's fists clenched. "Is this really my family?" All the burning shame and fire in his chest had to be swallowed.
"Hey, I'm not like that." Natsuyo huffed, still trying to be humorous.
It helped, just that little bit. "I'm going to go clear my head."
With that, Gosei walked out. That was despicable. That was deplorable. Never had he seen his mother so volatile! Maybe it was hypocritical to judge her for it—he acted the same way—but dammit! For years, since the day he could understand the world, Gosei had seen his mother as better.
This broke—damned near everything! His mother was capable of such emotions?! Never had Gosei thought it possible. Each step he took left a deeper and deeper imprint in the ground. Was his mother not as… Gosei shook his head. No, no, he needed to stop.
It was Tsunade's fault. Tsunade and her despicable behavior that pushed his mother to such a point—she acted like a damn child. Ironic that she hated them so much! The way she spoke and carried herself reminded him of Shinrai, and that was an insult. At least she was in Konoha. At least she was in Konoha, not wasting away as a nigh-defector.
Excuses, Gosei was trying to make excuses for all of them—Dammit he just wanted his family at peace! They were getting in the way of a united Senju family, and it infuriated Gosei to no end. He needed to go deep into the Senju Training Grounds. He did not need anything disturbing him after dealing with his family's wretched—whatever! A grassy clearing surrounded by bamboo. Perfect. This was exactly what he needed. The deep, clear breath he took in the outdoors immediately sent waves of peace throughout his body.
The sound of a thump on the grass destroyed said peace.
"Fight me."
With a brow raised and his nerves agitated, he looked at Shinrai. His… Sharingan were glaring and whirling with all three of its tomoe. When Gosei saw him with those eyes during Konoha Crush, he thought he was hallucinating.
"How the hell do you have the Sharingan?!"
"It doesn't fucking matter, just fight me Gosei!" He gripped his white Grass Cutter and his tomoe whirled.
Gosei growled. "Listen, Shinrai! I'm not in the mood for your—"
Before he could even blink, Gosei found his back slammed against a bamboo shoot. Pain radiated throughout his face—a broken nose pouring blood.
"I don't fucking care!"
This bastard—"You dare come to my home just to assault—"
Gold flashed and Gosei could barely dodge the spear-tipped chain that impaled the bamboo he just leaned on. Adamantine Chains—?!
Gosei buckled as a kick to his liver brought him to his knees. A glint of sun on steel warned him of the slash that was to come. His Godai formed a fist of earth around his arm that blocked it.
"Fine then you barbarian! I'll teach you the lesson you so sorely need to learn!" Gosei pulled his staff from his back and a pulse of lightning forced Shinrai back. His Sharingan picked him apart and Gosei diverted his eyes to avoid contact.
No wonder his Genjutsu was so strong—
A slash was blocked by Gosei's weapon—the beyond sharp blade left an indent in his staff. Earth quickly enforced his staff as Shinrai kicked Gosei in the chest. His entire body shuddered—a punch to the jaw rattled his spine. Adamantine Chains wrapped around his limbs and tossed him to the side like a rag doll.
"C'mon! Where's all of that Senju pride you fucking rattle on about?! Huh?!"
Gosei roared and the earth churned like a swamp. "I'll show you the strength that reinforces my heritage, you brain-dead bastard!"
Shinrai's footing was knocked out of whack. Gosei wasted no time. "Lightning Release: Ground Zero Thunder!" The churning earth shook with lightning bolts that shot out of it. Every single one was aimed at Shinrai. All of them struck true and Shinrai fell to his knees.
Even after a moment, Shinrai didn't move at all. Gosei, of course, took advantage. "Water Release: Great Flood!" Water spewed from Gosei's mouth at the same time lightning sparked from his staff. He conjoined the two elements to utterly assault the stunned Shinrai.
After the water died down… Shinrai was still on his knees. It obviously hit. Gosei could see the red chakra spewing out of him. What the hell is tha—?
Gosei didn't get to finish his statement before he found the White Grass Cutter impaling him through the stomach. His eyes went wide as blood pooled in his mouth. "When did—?"
Shinrai back handed him. "When did you become so fucking weak?!" Shinrai ripped the blade out and kicked Gosei back. With a bloody breath, Gosei whipped his staff at him. Despite the lightning that sparked from his staff, Shinrai grabbed it without issue.
He pulled it from Gosei's grasp and whacked Gosei across the head with it. With his own staff, Shinrai beat Gosei to the ground. It was too fast for Gosei to even do a thing—"You always went around! Talking about Senju this! My destiny that! What the fuck happened?!" Shinrai jabbed Gosei's blade wound with the staff, forcing it inside as Gosei nearly whined from the agony.
"You're supposed to be a challenge." Adamantine Chains constrained Gosei by the neck and he could barely breathe. Blood flowed freely from Gosei's mouth over the golden chains as Shinrai glared. All Gosei saw was a blur before he hit the ground. The chains dragged his face across the grass and dirt.
"Ah, I fucking hate you!" screamed Shinrai as he released the chains on Gosei.
His head was too rattled for him to think straight. The oxygen that was cut from his brain was too much. Just being conscious was exhausting. All of his training, his triumph against Tsunade… and yet here he was. In the dirt again. Being stepped on again. Being treated like an insect.
Gosei spit out a heap of blood as he brought himself to his hands and knees. "Shinrai Uzumaki… you are the worst kind of human being. Whatever evil brought your existence to be… did a great job shaping you in their image."
The glacial rage that pulsed off of Shinrai was impossible for Gosei not to sense. Another instant and Gosei had his face stomped back into the ground. Pain pulsed once again, and Gosei growled in the dirt. "Go to hell," sneered Gosei as Shinrai stepped on him.
Shinrai belted out a diabolically empty cackle. "Please… take me there—It'll be the best thing you could for me."
An eerie silence fell as Shinrai pressed Gosei into the dirt. The feeling of Shinrai's hand on his neck made Gosei squirm. It was on his Curse Mark. Gosei felt the cold sadism seep into him via Shinrai's chakra. He felt the seals spreading—breaking.
After that, he felt the malice course through his system.
Gosei screamed as his Cursed Marks of Earth consumed him. Shinrai flickered away and Gosei stood to his full height. The malice of the Curse Mark twisted the Natural Energy in the Senju Garden. "You despicable meat sack!" screamed Gosei, glaring at Shinrai.
Violent purple chakra spewed from Gosei. The grass beneath his feet withered. "You dare deface me like that?!"
"You dare be a weak bitch when I'm trying to fight you?" countered Shinrai, Sharingan whirling.
Gosei snarled, yanking his staff from his torso and holding it. The rudimentary healing of the Curse Mark repaired the wound and stopped the bleeding from his broken nose. "My lineage doesn't make me powerful you damned fool! It's my heart and my soul and my own will that empowers me! Your Sharingan and whatever Uzumaki abilities mean nothing!"
The slamming of Gosei's staff on the floor made the earth quake. "I will not prevail because I am Senju; I will prevail because I am Gosei Senju! And you will fall into your place as the scum of the earth."
Shinrai snorted. "Again… all of that fucking talk." A sharp glare accompanied his stance. "Let's see if you can finally back it up." When Shinrai flickered, Gosei could react. Shinrai was still faster, but that didn't mean a thing.
His earthen staff collided with Shinrai's blade. A quick few half seals were woven by Shinrai. "Fire Style: Entrusted Flame." Fire coated the white blade and matched Gosei's earth—Shinrai snarled and started to cut into the staff.
A flicker backward—Gosei weaved a half seal. "Earth Release! Granite Spear!" The earth around Gosei's staff formed into a spear before launching at Shinrai. Instead of dodging, Shinrai took the hit to his shoulder. Red chakra blasted from Shinrai. Another flicker led to a spear kick to Gosei's chest.
Shinrai's flaming blade came down—"Water Release!" Gosei screamed as water coated his cursed body. "Aquatic Armory!" A blade of water countered Shinrai's at the same time an oceanic axe slashed blood from Shinrai's side.
A scream of rage belted from Shinrai's throat as he sent his own armory of Adamantine Chains toward Gosei. They tore through the water like paper. Gosei was once again constrained—the power of his cursed chakra plummeted like a rock. How the hell do I fight these Chains?!
Like boas, the chains tightened and tightened. His skin bruised and Gosei's bones strained against the force. All Gosei did was inhale. "Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!" His fastest water attack. It cut through the air and pierced Shinrai through the chest. Keeping the stream active, Gosei looked upward and the water cut upward as well.
Another angry snarl seethed from between Shinrai's teeth. Blood poured from Shinrai's wounds, but that didn't seem to affect him at all. "You're so… fucking… pathetic." Fire flickered from Shinrai's mouth as he growled.
Just like Gosei, Shinrai inhaled.
Unlike Shinrai, Gosei guarded.
"FIRE STYLE! RAGE AGAINST EVERYTHING!"
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
Red-ish fire blew from Shinrai's mouth while Gosei guarded himself with a wall of water. It immediately boiled on contact with Shinrai's flames—the brunt of the jutsu was blocked. Even still, licks of fire burned Gosei's skin.
That was more powerful than I expected—he's as adept at Elemental Jutsu as a Senju should be! What is this?! Shinrai kicked Gosei in the gut, finally releasing him from the Adamantine Chains.
"WHY ARE YOU SO WEAK?!" screamed Shinrai, bleeding and bruised.
Gosei's face contorted into a questioning snarl. "You're obviously injured! What the hell do you mean?!"
"I've let myself get hit this whole time you fucking dumbass!"
That hit Gosei's cursed mind like a truck. "You're a liar."
"Am I?"
Again, the disparity in their speed was made clear. Shinrai cut Gosei's chest open with his Grass Cutter. He caught Gosei in an armbar, using all of his strength to break that arm. Gosei roared, lightning pulsing from his body as he swiped his staff. All Gosei hit was air. A snarl as lightning sparked in his staff. Before releasing the Jutsu, however, Gosei weaved a half seal. "Earth Release: Massive Bedrock Explosion!"
The entire clearing in the Senju Garden erupted in a destructive Earth Jutsu. It didn't matter how fast he was if he was guaranteed to be it. In the dust, Gosei felt where Shinrai was. Two more hand seals and his staff erupted with voltage. "Lightning Release: Heaven's Bolt!" At the speed of true lightning, Gosei launched the attack at Shinrai.
It was not dodged.
That didn't change the Adamantine Chains that blocked it.
The golden shield that Shinrai used was unscathed by one of Gosei's most powerful Jutsu. Key word… one of. Gosei slammed his staff into the earth, all of the dust fell in an instant and static made both boys' hair stand on end. "I will put you in your place you arrogant buffoon!"
"Do it."
Gosei glared. I'm done playing games! As fast as he could, he blitzed through over twenty hand seals. He pumped as much cursed chakra as he could into his attack. "Tri-Elemental Release: Super Charged Earth Water and Lightning Dragons!"
From the earth rose Gosei's Earth Dragon, dozens of times more dense than it ever had been before. Water was pulled from the surrounding plants, killing the garden even further as the aquatic beast whirled into existence. All it took was a flash of thunder for the lightning dragon to spawn above Gosei.
Anticipation filled Shinrai's Sharingan Eyes as he stared down the beasts. It was the most alive he ever looked in this entire battle.
Gosei roared, pointing his staff at the Shinrai. "ATTACK!" The three dragons heeded their master's command. The lightning dragon was the fastest. It sparked toward Shinrai just as he could barely react, hitting him right in the chest. The red of his chakra erupted like an icy volcano as he was blasted back by the Jutsu. His entire torso was charred by electrical scars and yet he only looked more powerful.
Even the impact of the lightning dragon didn't knock Shinrai off his feet. He cupped his hands as he stared down the water dragon spewing toward him. Red chakra formed and whirled into a ball twice the size of Shinrai's head. "RASENGAN!" It collided with the water dragon head on. Shinrai only struggled for a few seconds before it dispersed into mist.
The earth dragon was slow. It allowed Shinrai time to draw Shuriken from his pouch and hurl them at Gosei. With his focus directed on commanding the earth dragon, he simply dodged.
That was until Gosei heard a whisper behind him.
"Yora."
The blade of a black Grass Cutter pierced him through his chest as it spewed with red chakra. His eyes went wide—A clone?! When did he—
Adamantine Chains wrapped around the earth dragon, with Shinrai pulling with all of his might. The dragon missed its target. Shinrai directed it with his chains as it roared and fought against him. Gosei tried to control it, but Shinrai's clone twisted the blade in Gosei's chest.
Before Gosei could turn his full attention to the clone, a shadow blocked out the sun above. Gosei looked up to see his own earth dragon being slammed into him. The Shinrai directing it popped into smoke.
His eyes went wide—that was the clone?!
The real Shinrai behind stood up, yanked the blade from his chest and held him in place with a full nelson. There wasn't a thing Gosei could do as his own attack rammed into him with all of its force. Shinrai's body behind him was like an unbreakable wall—with Gosei stuck between the collision of an unstoppable force and an immovable object.
Gosei couldn't withstand the attack.
When he fell limp, Shinrai kicked Gosei to the side like a broken toy.
"You really are… everything you say you're not, Gosei. All bark. No fucking bite. I could've killed you without you even touching me had I really wanted to." Shinrai's Sharingan glare pierced the dust as Gosei's cursed body strained with agony.
"You deserve… the worst fate possible. I'd build you your own personal hell! Shinrai Uzumaki!" Gosei wailed like a broken dog.
Dark, cold chuckles echoed from Shinrai as he shook his head. "I'm already living it you dumbfuck."
Frantic steps came into the destroyed training ground. With blurry, bloodied vision, Gosei set sights on his sister. Her brown eyes were wide with shock and anger as she looked upon the scene. "What the hell?!"
Sharingan eyes locked onto Natsuyo, narrowing, whirling, glowing. "Fight me."
"Shinrai—" Natsuyo sputtered. "You did this?!"
"Yeah… and you're next."
Natsuyo could barely react to the sword slash that cut through her gut. She cried out and weaved the Tiger Seal. "Scorch!" Golden balls of scorch erupted from her, creating a shower of mini-suns that rained down specifically on Shinrai.
"Listen Shinrai!" Natsuyo yelled, glaring as he coated his blade in water to defend against her assault. "Everybody here's been having a really bad day! We don't need you to come here and make it worse!"
"Bad… day…" Shinrai repeated, the assault subsiding as Natsuyo glowered at him. Slowly, chuckles rose. It was from Shinrai. They rocketed into laughter, cackling, cynical laughter. "A bad fucking day! Do you even know what that is?!"
All three of his tomoe locked in on Natsuyo. "I'll show you what a bad day is."
A blur and there were chains choking Natsuyo. Against the golden Adamantine, there was nothing she could do to defend against them—she could barely even breathe. A flicker and Shinrai's white Grass Cutter pierced her stomach. It did again. And again. And again. Natsuyo couldn't even cry out from the pain—blotches of black patched her vision from the lack of oxygen.
Next, Shinrai grabbed her by the hair, pulling her head back and looking her right in the eyes. Horror and pain overtook Natsuyo's air-deprived face. With that, Shinrai released the chain to keep her conscious as she fell to the floor, bleeding, eyes glossed over with whatever she saw in the Demons of Within.
She was a Senju… she'd be fine.
Gosei too.
So, Shinrai left.
They didn't do a thing to soothe the cold.
—
A cold breeze made Miya shiver. Shinrai was worrying her. Miya couldn't get her pseudo-son out of her head. Son. Was he a son to her? He might as well have been at this point. That only made her worry for him deepen. He'd been so… cold since he returned to Konoha. Barely any words, it was like he forgot how to be himself.
There were times where Miya couldn't even bear to look at him. But she did anyway. What happened with Ryu will never happen again. Not only did she look at him, but she stayed with him, was there for him, no matter how much it ripped her apart on the inside. Miya just wanted to see Shinrai smile again, for the light in his eyes to return, for the warmth to return to him.
But… he wasn't her only priority. That was why she was on her way to Naruto's home. After what happened with Shinrai she had to make sure her other pseudo-son was okay. On top of that, Miya needed to have a talk with Karin. But, first, much more importantly, was Naruto. As she stood in front of the door, she brought her hand up to knock—
The door flung open and Naruto wrapped her in a hug, his head digging into her belly. Without a moment's hesitation, Miya wrapped her arms around Naruto and held him close. Not a word was exchanged. Miya simply shut her eyes as Naruto grasped onto her. Neither of them bothered to count how long it lasted.
Eventually, Naruto pulled back, with that grin on his face. "Hey! Ms. Miya!"
"Naruto…" endearment rolled off her tongue as she said his name. "Can I come in?"
"Of course!" Naruto pulled Miya inside and she nearly had to duck to not slam her head on the doorframe. Once they were inside, Miya made sure to kick off her shoes. Their house was… not as clean as it usually was. Miya's eyes spotted flicks of dust, rough cleaning jobs, disorganization, sloppy placements of things. Her eyes tracked downward and she saw a bloodstain?! Shinrai had only been gone for two days, and this wasn't two days' worth of mess, especially that bloodstain. It was older. Miya couldn't hold back her wince.
Eventually, of course, Miya's drifted to Karin. She tried to hide in plain sight on the couch. It didn't work. The girl had on Shinrai's hoodie, Shinrai's sweatpants, Shinrai's socks, with the hood up in an attempt to shroud her face. The glasses were the main thing that stopped the attempt. As Miya's gaze focused on her, Karin hung her head and dug her hands in the jacket's pockets. "Hello," Miya greeted, doing her best to hide the disdain she had.
Barely, Karin choked out a, "Hi." She didn't even look up from her own despair. That almost made Miya feel bad for her.
Miya just sighed and turned her attention to Naruto as she ruffled his hair. A smile grew on her face. "How are you holding up? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm alright," admitted Naruto, letting out a sigh. "I'm just… trying to get used to it. Is Shinrai okay?"
"He's…" Miya… she couldn't lie to him. At the same time, she couldn't bear to lay it out with her voice. All she could do was shake her head.
The way that pain scrunched Naruto's face broke Miya's heart. "Well… he's going to be soon. I know that much!" There was so much light in his eyes, an indomitable spirit of will—Naruto had the eyes that made you think that anything was possible.
Miya's smile returned. "Yeah… he will." Her head tilted down toward him. "Do you need anything?"
"I just need you to make sure that Shinrai doesn't get worse. Karin told me that he's with you, so…" Naruto grinned. "Just keep doing what you're doing; it's going to work out, believe it!"
"Alright," Miya swallowed. "Are you sure you're fine, Naruto?"
"Yep!" he answered with a giggle. "I'm just fine!"
He… really wasn't lying. It was so easy for him to believe that everything was going to be okay. Miya decided to follow in his footsteps. "If you say so." Miya knelt down, embracing Naruto and giving him a kiss on the cheek before walking off to the living room.
Toward Karin.
The way Karin shifted away rang all sorts of alarm bells in Miya's head. What kept her from being somewhat drastic was the promise she made to Shinrai. Don't hurt her… don't do anything.
Miya sat next to her, looking Karin right in the eyes. "Are you still working with Orochimaru?"
"No. I'm not." Karin started to tremble.
Miya let out an even sigh. "I'm not going to hurt you."
"Okay…" Karin's breaths became thick with fear.
It was only then when Miya realized the Adamantine chakra that coated herself. With a sigh and a bit of effort, Miya pushed it down. "Shinrai… told me everything."
"...Everything?"
"Mhm," affirmed Miya.
Karin's face looked too much like how hers used to. The way the guilt made her look like a ghoul—self loathing piercing every possible nerve in her face. So, so much pain.
"I'm sorry…" Karin's face broke and she dug her palms into her face—her nails dug into the skin on her forehead as she gripped so hard that blood was drawn. "It's all my fault. I'm sorry—I can't…" Karin took a deep, ragged sigh. "I'm going to try and help him… it's my responsibility."
I don't want you near him for the rest of your goddamned life. Miya huffed. "I'd… rather you not."
"What else can I do?" Karin pleaded. It was broken.
The way Karin reminded Miya of herself was making her dislike the girl even more. That wasn't fair; it wasn't fair at all. Just like she once did… after Orochimaru's desertion, after the Kyuubi's attack… Karin needed help.
It's what Shinrai wanted. Judging by the look on Naruto's face… he wanted it too. "Well, first of all, I'm going to take you in for interrogation to make sure you're no longer working with Orochimaru."
"W-what—?"
"Hey!" Naruto interjected, running into the living room. "She hasn't done a thing since she's come here! She's innocent!"
"You can still be an unintentional spy." Miya's eyes narrowed on Karin. "Do you have a Curse Mark?"
Karin immediately grabbed her neck. The sudden jerk made her glasses fall off her face. Though the question was already answered for Miya, Karin gave a short nod.
"I'll seal it awa—"
"—please." Desperation gave a bit of light to Karin's eyes. It looked like she had to stop herself from lurching on Miya. She let down the hood and pulled the collar of her shirt to expose the mark. A collection of scars etched onto her neck in a swirl.
Narrowing her eyes, Miya concentrated chakra into her index and middle fingers. Adamantine weighed them down. She placed her fingers on the mark, making a half seal with her other hand. Adamantine Seals suppressed the Curse Mark entirely. It was sealed away and Karin let out a relieved gasp. "Thank you…" she breathed.
Miya gave her a nod before she let out a sigh. Silence fell. Karin seemed to be too enamored in her newfound freedom. If what Shinrai said was anything to go by… Karin was a terrible actor. "I'm still going to have you go under a more thorough Yamanaka interrogation."
"I… see. Okay." Karin still looked dead.
Naruto had left to do his own thing elsewhere in the home. They had privacy, though, Naruto probably knew, anyway.
"Shinrai." Miya said his name and Karin immediately threw her hood back up to hide the pain on her face.
Karin shuddered herself into a hug. "I'm sorry for taking him away from you."
It wasn't an apology that was asking for forgiveness; it was an apology of expressed guilt. Despite that, Miya still said, "I don't forgive you." A shuddering breath came before what Miya said next. "But… Shinrai wants me to give you a chance. So, I will."
Karin just grasped the fabric she wore into her hands. "Don't… you don't have to."
"But, it's what Shinrai wants." Miya swallowed, and Karin winced. There were so many things going through her head that she honestly didn't know where to start—fighting her own disdain for the girl. "What are you thinking right now? What's going through your head?"
"I…" Karin shook her head. "I should just be dead. Orochimaru should've killed me. I don't know what Shinrai saw in me. I don't know how to make the fact that I'm here mean something." Each word sounded like she was trying to lift a boulder. The more she breathed, the more she spoke, the easier it got.
"Shinrai saved me when he had every reason not to. He sacrificed everything to make sure I lived—I don't know how to make that worth something…" Karin grabbed onto herself and looked down at the ground.
Miya had to shut her eyes—dammit. The more Karin spoke, the more Miya wanted to hate her—the more Miya had the urge to take care of her. Looking into the decade-old mirror of Karin's face made the glass crack. "I used to be like you, once upon a time. My own short-comings made the people I loved suffer.
"There was nobody I could blame for myself. So… I hated myself. That only made things worse… and now they're broken beyond repair."
Karin sniffled, still like a corpse, as she listened to Miya.
"It's… hard getting out of it. I still haven't." Miya let out a bitter sigh that hurt. "Do things that you think Shinrai would be proud of. That way, you'll become a person that you think he'll be proud of. If you face him again—" Miya would rather that never happen. "—you'll be able to stand facing him with less shame in your heart."
"I see…" Karin nodded, sniffling again. "Okay… okay."
"I'll help you if you need it, okay?" Miya looked down at Karin and put an arm out.
Karin stared at the invitation for a hug with a ripping guilt in her eyes. Letting the care in her soul stay present, Miya left the open wide open for Karin. A heavy sigh weighed Karin down before she accepted. Karin grasped onto Miya—the desperation in her grip mirrored Shinrai's. Of course, Miya wrapped her arms around Karin, too.
Each of Karin's breaths were shaky; Miya felt her trembling in her arms. It was just… sad. The urge to hate Karin faded just that little bit needed for Miya to hug her as tightly as she needed. It had to have lasted for minutes before Karin pulled away, fixing her glasses.
"Thank you…"
"You're welcome, Karin." Miya put on a warm smile that made Karin look away.
With that, Miya stood, walking out of the living room. At the sound of her footsteps, Naruto popped out of his room. "You leaving?"
"Yeah! Sorry, I have to be in a lot of places. I just needed to make sure you two were okay." Miya chuckled, a bit embarrassed.
Naruto just tilted his head, confused. "Shadow clones…?"
"Too important for that," grumbled Miya. "I'd feel bad."
"Eh, yeah, fair enough." Naruto waved her off. "Have a great day! I know you will, believe it!"
"Thanks Naruto, you too!" Miya waved him goodbye as she slipped her shoes back on and left their home. Her thoughts drifted as she made her way down the corridor, ignoring the shudder as she walked past Ryu's door.
Meeting Karin was less… infuriating than she thought it would be. Karin was just a hurt girl—a victim of circumstance one that reminded Miya too much of her worst self. If only Shinrai hadn't ended up a victim of her, too… Miya let out a haggard sigh, walking outside and squinting at the sunlight.
She had to make her way to the Hyuuga Compound, where her student was. Hinata hadn't been present at the funeral yesterday. Naturally, Miya needed to see what that was about. With her back to the Uzumaki household, Miya trekked to the Hyuuga… to Hinata.
—
After another day, Kusari was finally done creating all the rebuilding materials with her Dead Bone Pulse. In three days, Kusari had made an entire compound's worth of structural material out of her very bones. Sweat caked her skin and the sweltering sun above made every breath she took heavy. She could barely feel her chakra network and her bones ached.
What made it all worth the effort were the cheers. Her supporters in the Branch Families—whose numbers grew by the day—all surrounded her. They gifted her with food, drinks, with others even trying to fan her as she just sat out in the open. Kusari simply took it all in, thanking everyone who attended to her.
Considering her birthday was yesterday, it seemed like the celebration came late. Kusari didn't complain however, and just let the Hyuuga Clan spoil her because dammit she deserved it. With her Byakugan active—despite the lack of chakra in her system—Kusari could take in the faces of her supporters. Kusari had to work on committing them to memory, their names as well. It was her responsibility to… at least it felt like it.
However, as she looked, her Byakugan spied a familiar yet alarming presence. Shinrai?! Why is he coming? His Special Chakra was over activated, with battle damage ripping over him like a paper through a shredder. It was easy to gather that he was coming to fight her next.
Considering that not only was she exhausted, but he was already in a state of elevated power, this fight was already not in her favor. What made her particularly care was the fact that she was in front of her supporters. If she lost a fight in front of them… then that wouldn't be good at all.
Before she could move, Shinrai had already arrived. A thump of dust filled the air as he landed. Immediately, her supporters mobilized on their guard. Electrical burns and bloodied scars littered his body as he stared at her with Sharingan eyes. He stopped bothering to hide them.
"Fight me, Kusari."
She couldn't help the churning concern that whirled in her gut. His state during training… this, and… the dead look in his eyes, the way he grabbed onto his sword like he was ready to plunge it into his own throat. The Hyuuga around her started to uproar, but she silenced them.
"Shinrai, do you really want to?"
"Yes."
"It didn't help you before," she reasoned, deactivating her Byakugan, forcing herself to stand. "Why would it help you now? You've already been fighting and it still hasn't helped—"
"Shut the fuck up!" Shinrai flickered. Kusari barely blocked his blade with her Dead Bone Pulse.
Immediately, the Hyuuga around her leapt to her aid—"Don't interfere!" ordered Kusari, bringing her Byakugan back to life. They stepped away, clearing the area for Shinrai and Kusari to battle. A sidekick to Kusari's liver was blocked by her protruding ribs. She created ribs to go down her torso and defend the entirety of it from his attacks.
Her dying chakra reserves screamed for Kusari to stop, but she didn't listen. A headbutt rattled Shinrai and he stumbled back. Immediately, Kusari fell into the Juken stance. Disable him, weaken him to my level, don't draw this out—Adamantine Chains rained down on Kusari. She couldn't dodge. More chakra used, her Dead Bone Pulse made her look like a bony porcupine.
"Fire Style: Rising Scorch." Flames boiled beneath Kusari before erupting at her. It burned her skin. Kusari grit her teeth—a flicker and the ball of Shinrai's foot slammed into her jaw. Her Dead Bone Pulse absorbed the impact. Shinrai grabbed her exposed ribs and tried to break her nose with his skull.
It was his skull that was broken. Kusari took the moment to crouch. "Rotation—" Shinrai was blasted back. A glacial roar as the spear tips of his Adamantine Chains attempted to pierce the Hyuuga's ultimate defense. It didn't work. Kusari used the momentum, dashing toward Shinrai and he simply clobbered her away with a chain.
Blood pooled in her mouth, and Kusari growled. Dammit, Shinrai—Another slash from his blade struck true and a clean slash across her face drew blood. A moment's opening, his stomach, the center of chakra. Kusari's Byakugan pulsed and she struck him. That stagger—it was exactly what she needed. Another Juken strike made him drop his blade. Kusari crouched back into the Eight Trigrams stance. "Sixty-Four—"
"Water Style: Water Fang Bullet!" Kusari saw the series of half-seals he wove too late. His frostbitten terror almost made his eyes look purple. A piercing jet of water cut through her shoulders and the pain made Kusari crumple out of her stance. A flicker and Kusari was knocked back again. One of Shinrai's chains grabbed her by the throat.
It whipped her to the ground—he was trying to break her bones! It didn't work, but even still, Kusari was disoriented. Whip after whip, fling after fling, it made Kusari's exhausted, oxygen-deprived brain nauseous. The next time she hit the ground, Kusari grounded herself with her Dead Bone Pulse. Shinrai tried to pull her away. It didn't work. Kusari managed to get her feet on the ground and she rotated once again.
This time, it was Shinrai being flung by his own chain. Kusari grit her teeth as Shinrai whipped closer and closer—he was right in front of her. Kusari's Byakugan pulsed and the rotation stopped. Suppressed Ingoken, right to his arm. His shoulder shattered like glass and Shinrai cried out. It wasn't pain—it was icy frustration. Kusari hated herself for making him scream like that.
Kusari looked him in the eyes as she tried to calm him. "Shinrai… stop," she roughly whispered in his ear. "This isn't helping yo—"
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT HELPS ME!" His tomoe whirled and Kusari's chakra was invaded.
Immediately, she froze, her mind going elsewhere—She slammed her hands together. "Release!" Shinrai had already woven hand signs, Adamantine Chains keeping his broken arm together.
"Water Style!" His frigid red chakra splashed around him in a whirlpool before it gained shape—a dragonic beast with glacial red eyes. Shuriken and kunai churned in the beast's flowing body. "Water Dragon Jutsu!"
It screamed with the same frostbitten horror that Shinrai did. The dragon whipped toward Kusari and her eyes went wide. "INGOKEN!" Her palm matched the dragon at full power—the utter destruction of her barbaric palm, however, turned the dragon to mist. The weapons kept moving toward her.
Kusari sucked her teeth, stepping back, seeing Shinrai's red chakra inside of them—clones! They puffed into smoke and a reign of Shinrais, all weaving hand signs, came down over her. "Fire Style: Burning Attack!" they screamed at the same time. Scarlet flames curled with icy dread as they shot toward Kusari.
Again, another rotation. She was scraping the bottom of the damn barrel for chakra. It formed a dome as she spun. His inferno poured over her. More sweltering heat made Kusari's Byakugan vision blur. Luckily, she could see him charging a Rasengan in his non-broken—non dominant—arm.
His supply of chakra was nigh infinite, and she was running on fumes. Kusari had to take an exhausted breath to prepare an Ingoken. Her rotation flung her toward Shinrai's Rasengan.
"INGOKEN!"
"RASENGAN!"
At the last moment, Kusari pulled back, allowing the Rasengan to fall into her palm. The skin on her hand shredded. but the Ingoken popped the Rasengan like a balloon. A swift sidekick fueled with the Juken brought Shinrai to his knees. A Juken strike to the throat cut off his oxygen supply. His chakra-core was struck and his entire system buckled. Seeing the fury, frustration, and fear in his Sharingan eyes broke Kusari's heart.
With grit teeth, her Byakugan pulsed. "Eight Trigrams: Sixty-four Palms!" Kusari forced the last embers of her chakra alight to close sixty-four of Shinrai's chakra points. Because Shinrai was who he was, that didn't mean the fight was over.
Both of them were on their knees. The Adamantine Chain holding his arm together dissipated into golden shimmers. Shinrai heaved and glared at Kusari, gritting his teeth. "Fuck…"
"Shinrai, please," Kusari begged, "Just talk to me… I'm here, I want to help you—"
"You're NOT!" Shinrai yelled, unsealing his white grass cutter once again. "You're not helping me—FUCK YOU!" Shinrai grasped at his blade and shut his eyes—like he was reaching for something that wasn't there. "You're a piece of shit! You've never done anything good for me!"
"I'm sorry…" That was all she could manage to say—pathetic. Shinrai was hurting—he was in so much pain and Kusari couldn't do a damn thing. The lump in her throat hurt more than any wound inflicted in this fight. "I'm sorry that I can't help you…"
"YOU—!" Icy rage flared in his eyes before it just… died. Shame pulled his head down as he cursed again—blade trembling in his grasp.
"You're okay." Kusari dragged herself over to him and put an arm around him in a hug. "It's okay—"
"WHY DON'T YOU HATE ME?!" Shinrai shoved her off of him. "YOU HAVE EVERYTHING ELSE—WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR YOU TO HATE ME TOO?!"
"BECAUSE YOU'RE MY FRIEND, SHINRAI!" Kusari barely managed to scream back.
Pain and horror crossed his face as he turned away, limping to his feet and bleeding. A flicker and he was just… gone. Kusari tracked him with her eyes, watching him speed off in whatever direction. All Kusari could bring herself to do was punch the ground. "Dammit…!"
"Lady Pearl Bones!" One of the Hyuuga watching came to help her to her feet. It was the same Genin that asked for her help before. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine…" she grumbled, more of the Hyuuga coming to assist her. She ordered them to get away once she was on her feet. Everything ached. She was going to pass out. Forcing herself to keep her Byakugan up, she looked to Shinrai. He was still traveling away; she was still here.
Forcing chakra she didn't have, Kusari tried to flicker after him but she just fell back on her knees. Her eyes burned and her Byakugan receded against her will. She couldn't see him, not anymore—dammit! Everything was blurry. Everything swayed. Kusari almost wanted to vomit.
Her supporters crowded around her, saying things that she couldn't understand—she wasn't enough to understand… she wasn't enough to help Shinrai. At the thought of him, she tried to stand back up… but everything went black.
Kusari fell to the ground, a failure of a friend.
—
A whirlwind of thoughts swirled into Miya's head as she entered the Hyuuga compound. First of all—they were building the compound out of bones?! What somehow became more pressing was the talk of the clan. Whispers of Lady Pearl Bones.
"Lady Pearl Bones was attacked by a barbarian!"
"I heard it was one of those wretched Demon Twins."
"The Kyuubi's Shadow still looms over the Hyuuga…"
"Did you hear he had the Sharingan?"
"He must've desecrated the graves of the Uchiha Clan to get them!"
"Lady Pearl Bones was being so kind to him as well!"
"That monster!"
"Barbarian."
"Demon."
"Devil."
Miya's mind whipped at a mile a minute. Shinrai… what did you do? Worry warped her heart as she wiped the sweat off of her brows. The sun was persistent on making things hot, but Miya still felt cold.
"Sensei?"
Looking behind her, Miya saw Hinata looking up at her, a bemused smile on her face. There was a tilt in her head that warmed Miya's heart. Right… that was why she was here.
Miya sighed and walked toward Hinata. "Hey, Hinata, how are you?"
"I'm alright."
Miya hated how she couldn't tell if Hinata was lying or not.
"Is there a reason why you're here?" asked Hinata, gaze even, as still as ever. At least she was still smiling.
Miya, keeping herself measured, decided to get to the point. "You weren't at the funeral…"
Immediately, hurt dimmed Hinata's eyes. A slight twitch made the girl look down, averting eye-contact.
"...I wanted to see if you were okay."
Hinata's even breaths hitched with a shudder. "My father ordered the Hyuuga Clan to stay behind so we could focus on the rebuilding effort. He himself attended on behalf of the Hyuuga Clan."
"What?" Fire burned in Miya's chest. She crouched down to Hinata's eye level. "Your father ordered you to stay here?"
Hinata simply nodded.
The hell… Miya swirled her head on her neck, trying to keep the anger on the inside. "Does he know about Shino?"
Hinata responded with another stiff nod.
A flare of anger made Miya's eyes glimmer to Adamantine. "O…kay." Miya stood. "Where is he?"
"He is busy."
"Hinata…" Miya paused to take a deep breath that failed to calm her down. "Where is your father?"
"Miya-sensei, whatever you're planning, I do not think is a good idea."
"I don't care." That came out blunter than intended. "As your sensei, it is my responsibility to assure that anything that would disrupt your growth as a Shinobi no longer does so. So, Hinata, let me ask again." An Adamantine glare sent waves down toward Hinata.
"Where is your father?"
—
Hinata shouldn't have agreed to this. Why did she? It was a terrible idea. This was going to end terribly. Miya-sensei and father were both too stubborn to get past this disagreement. Hinata's heart thundered like a storm in her chest. In the pockets of her thick jacket, her hands rested warmly. It was likely the only source of comfort she was going to have for the foreseeable future.
With a sigh, Hinata led Miya inside the Main Branch's tent, where—thankfully—it was just her father. Hinata did not want to think about what hell would befall Shouko had he been present. The thought made her shudder.
As Hinata opened the tent, her father looked up, narrowing his eyes. "Miya Uzumaki…" He cleared his throat. "Greetings. What brings you to the Hyuuga Clan?"
Miya sat at the opposite end of the short table that her father did, crossing her legs on the cushion below. "Hello, Hiashi Hyuuga. Your daughter brought a concern to my attention that I must bring to you."
Dread sank in Hinata's heart as she sat on the right side of the table, between her father and her sensei.
"That concern is…?" asked Hiashi, his gaze fixating on Miya.
She, unwavering, continued. "You didn't allow Hinata to go to the funeral yesterday." The Adamantine in her eyes glowed as she glared. "That's problematic."
"I attended on her behalf." Hiashi's tone was stern as he matched Miya's glare with one of his own.
Miya scoffed. "You do realize that one of her teammates died during the invasion? Right? You took the right for her to pay respects herself from her!"
"I did so for her," Hiashi almost growled.
"Are you a fucking idiot?!"
"Excuse me?!"
"You heard me!" Miya slammed her hand on the table. It cracked.
This is so much worse than I anticipated—
Hiashi stood to his full height. "Listen, Uzumaki. I will not allow you to come to my realm and disrespect me and the way I run my clan."
"Ask any member of your clan, right now. I dare you." Miya stood and put Hiashi's height to shame. "Do they like the fact that they were forced to stay home? Are they okay with not being able to pay respects to their fallen allies?! Hinata, are you okay with that?"
The attention to the room fell to her and Hinata was reminded how much she hated having the weight of the world on her shoulders. She either had to lie or go against her father. Among her two options, Hinata hated both.
"I…" Hinata felt her stutter so she breathed to stop it. "...believe that both sides have merit. The Hyuuga Clan's reconstruction has been a tough endeavor, so my father found it wise to maximize that effort instead.
"However, I-I—" Hinata cursed herself. "—am personally disappointed that I was unable to attend the funeral of my fallen comrades. Though, for the Hyuuga Clan, I was happy to make that sacrifice."
Miya gave her a blank—disbelieving—stare, and Hiashi had an affirmed sharpness to his gaze. "See, Uzumaki? You have no right mingling in Hyuuga affairs as an outsider."
"You don't even know your own daught—"
Okay, that was enough. Hinata's pale lavender eyes shone white as her blessing spread across her. The wind from her blessed aura made Miya and Hiashi's hair whip in the white breeze. "Miya-sensei. You are in the Hyuuga Clan. Because you are here, as the heiress, you are under my jurisdiction. Sit down. That is an order.
"Father, I suggest for you to sit down as well."
Shock crossed Miya's face. The Adamantine in her eyes faded just that little bit. Slowly, she nodded, sitting down and crossing her legs. With a huff, Hiashi did as well. Hinata let out a relieved breath.
"I apologize for leading to this disruption for both of you. Miya-sensei, I can assure you that I am okay and there is no need for you to be angry on my behalf."
"Hinata—"
"Sensei, please."
Miya sighed, rubbing her temples. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry." With that, she stood. "Goodbye." After that she exited the tent.
Hiashi pressed his index and thumb against his eyes, rubbing them. "That was unnecessary. Why did you bring her here?"
"I… do not know." Hinata allowed her blessing to recede, as well as the confidence that came with it. If only she could have it active forever… Unfortunately, that was not reality.
Hiashi let out a tired sigh. "Don't bring her here again without informing me beforehand."
"Understood."
"You can leave as well, daughter."
Wordlessly, Hinata did as her father said.
—
Oh boy. Naruto had never lived with a girl before. It was worse with Shinrai gone. Karin spent most of her time moping around, staring into space. Naruto tried to be accommodating, making food—thank the sage he had Shinrai's knowledge for that—and just… trying his best to be clean. Shinrai did a shit job keeping up with the house while he was gone. At least Karin appreciated him a bit. She hadn't smiled once, though.
Naruto didn't really know how to feel about his new situation. The only bad thing about it was that Shinrai wasn't there. Well, Karin was just a downer as a whole; Naruto was carrying the mood on his back. At least Miya came, that made things a whole lot better. Also, apparently Ryu was their landlord?! Old Man Third paid rent for his apartment for as long as he remembered—Shit! I gotta worry about rent?! I'm twelve for fuck's sake!
Kicking the dining table, Naruto groaned. Ryu wouldn't kick me out… he isn't that heartless… Naruto let out a sigh. Maybe Naruto should take a page out of Shinrai's book and live with Miya. But… that would open a whole new can of worms, the type of worms that go inside your gut and make you sick. It wasn't a good idea.
There were too many things going through Naruto's head. Shinrai wanted to forgive Karin for what she did—so Naruto was going to, too. Plus, Gaara was way worse than she was. They both had fucked up lives, and it wasn't like Karin was happy about how everything turned out. Gaara used to kill people with a smile… Well, he didn't anymore! At least Naruto hoped he didn't.
The main thing, was Shinrai—
"Someone's coming," Karin informed. Her voice was blank; there wasn't anything in it. True… neutral.
Naruto blinked, looking back at her as she just existed on the couch. The book she had in her hand had been on the first page for an hour. "Who is it?"
"I don't know… her chakra, it's hot. Like the summer sun… and she's angry as well."
As Karin described the person's chakra, an image in his head became clear. "Natsuyo? What's she coming here for? And she's mad?!" Naruto leapt up from the dining table. "How close is she?"
"She's in front of the do—"
A hard pound rattled the door of Naruto's apartment. "OPEN UP!"
Yep. She was definitely pissed. With a gulp, Naruto walked over to the door. Then he opened it. His eyes went wide as he looked over Natsuyo—she was injured. Her hand grasped her gut where Naruto spied cauterized wounds. A ring of bruises looked like a collar around her neck. Of course, there was the scowl that was clear on her face.
"Where the hell is Shinrai?!" She stomped into their house and Naruto found it wise to let her.
He put his hands up as Natsuyo stormed in. "He's not here!" said Naruto. Then he blinked. "Wait—" Naruto shook his head "—Shinrai did that to you?!"
"YES!" screamed Natsuyo. "He just came to my house, assaulted Gosei and did the same to me—" She shuddered, wincing. For her, it must've been a struggle to just stand. "He put me under a Genjutsu, too…"
"What the fuck…" Shock and horror gaped a hole in Naruto's chest. His fists clenched.
Footsteps from behind caught Naruto's attention. "If… you're injured." Karin walked up to the two. "I can help."
"You're a medic?" asked Natsuyo.
Karin gave her a short nod. "Yeah…" Her hands glowed green with her Special Chakra. All she did was put her hands on Natsuyo's shoulders. Natsuyo winced before her eyes went wide. Even Naruto couldn't help but watch in awe.
It only took a minute for all of Natsuyo's wounds to close up. She was as good as new. With wonder in her eyes, Natsuyo looked over herself. "You're—you're extraordinary!"
"Thanks…" The compliment didn't make Karin smile.
Naruto grabbed Natsuyo's wrist, looking her in the eyes. "Tell me what happened with Shinrai."
"I did!" She huffed, not bothering to exit Naruto's grasp.
Naruto tried to pull her to the couch. "No, I need details! This is serious!"
"Ah—" Natsuyo stumbled along in Naruto's grasp. "Fine! Okay!"
Karin closed the front door as Naruto plopped Natsuyo on the couch next to him. A haggard sigh escaped Naruto's breath as he put both his hands over his nose. "Alright… tell me what happened."
"Ugh." Distaste and anger curled Natsuyo's lips. "Something bad happened that I really don't wanna talk about. Gosei went to clear his head. I tried to talk with my mother. It didn't work! Nothing worked. But then I heard screaming and Jutsu from where Gosei went.
"I ran over to investigate, and I saw Shinrai standing over Gosei! Gosei even had his Curse Mark active! He'd never use that power… so Shinrai must've activated it himself." Natsuyo's fists clenched and golden fire flickered from her hands. "That jackass. I tried to fight him off, and explain that everyone was having a bad day—
"—He just laughed in my face! He laughed in my face and said that I don't know what a bad day is! Then he choked me, stabbed me, put me under Genjutsu, and just left me and Gosei to waste! I had to get Gosei to the Scarlet Sword so he could be healed." Natsuyo put on a smile and looked at Karin. "I should've just brought him here with me, then!"
Karin responded with a short, stiff smile.
Natsuyo's smile faded and she let out a haggard sigh. "But… yeah, that's everything that happened… everything that I can remember, anyway."
"I see." Naruto grabbed his face harder and harder. Dammit Shinrai… "I'm sorry he did that. He's… not in a good mood, to say the least."
"That doesn't excuse anything!" Natsuyo glared at Naruto.
He sighed, shaking his head. "I know, I know… I just can't help but feel bad since I'm part of the reason why."
"Don't say that, Naruto." Karin interjected, still aimlessly standing by the front door.
Naruto turned his azure eyes to her. "It's true… don't you try to convince me otherwise."
Karin didn't argue.
Natsuyo almost looked… confused. "Really? I didn't think there was anything that could get between you two."
"I wish." It was true. Naruto wished that with every bone in his body. "But, that's not how it is." Naruto punched his fists into his legs. "Because I'm gonna stop him. It doesn't matter how hurt Shinrai is, I won't let him hurt anybody else!"
Naruto stood from the couch and he tightened his headband. "If he needs someone to take his pain out on… then it's going to be me." Determination steeled Naruto's very being and he felt it. Both Karin and Natsuyo looked at him with widened eyes.
Natsuyo blinked, standing beside him. "I can hel—"
"No." His unbreakable gaze turned to her. "Shinrai already hurt you. I won't let it happen again."
Karin's silence became louder and louder. "I—"
"The same goes for you!" Naruto pointed a finger at you. "I'm his brother. Shinrai is my responsibility, nobody else's!" He walked toward the front door, gathering the Shinobi gear he kept near it. "This is something I'm going to do alone. Got it?"
Stiffly, Karin nodded. Natsuyo just watched him, a bit of a blush on her face that Naruto didn't really care to think about right now.
"Alright…"
With that, Naruto slipped on his shoes and walked out of the front door.
Shinrai was going to be taken care of. No matter what.
Not even death was capable of stopping Naruto.
Nothing was.
Not right now.
Shinrai needed him… more than ever.
So, Naruto was going to be there.
Like he should've been years ago.
đ“ŤŠđ“ŤŠ ~ Chapter End ~ đ“ŤŠđ“ŤŠ
A/N: This is what I like to jokingly call the "Shinrai Crashout Arc." Anyway, next week's chp is the best thing I've written in my life but also has like 10k and a half trigger warnings so likeeee uhhhh good luck i guess lmfao. Lytn, out o7