Disclaimer: I do not own any of the content following this statement. Masashi Kishimoto owns all titles, names, and plots.
Drums of War
Naruto stepped into the dense shadows of the Nara forest, the air cooler and thick with the scent of pine and moss. Moonlight filtered through the towering trees, casting pale beams across the forest floor, where roots twisted like veins over the rich, dark earth. The faint path ahead was purposeful, worn smooth by generations of footsteps, its history as old as the clans themselves.
Beside him, Temari walked with a stiffness that hadn't left her since they entered the forest. Naruto could feel her unease radiating from her, subtle but persistent. As a child of the desert, the forest at night must have felt like stepping onto another planet. The air here was dense, alive with the faint rustling of unseen creatures and the low creaks of ancient trees shifting in the breeze.
"This place is... suffocating," Temari muttered, her voice low but sharp, breaking the silence. Her green eyes darted to the shadows as if expecting something to emerge from the darkness.
Naruto glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the gravity of the night. "You'll get used to it," he said. "The Nara forest grows on you after a while. Just don't think about how many eyes are probably watching us right now."
Temari shot him a sharp look but didn't reply, her hand instinctively tightening on the fan strapped to her back.
The sound of distant drums reverberated through the trees, low and steady, a somber heartbeat that seemed to echo from the very roots of the forest. Naruto's expression grew more serious as they neared the heart of the Nara land. Temari's unease shifted to quiet awe as the massive structures came into view, illuminated by the flickering glow of torches. Yet the drumbeat never stopped, its sound growing louder, heavier, like the weight of an unspoken grief hanging in the air. Soon, the forest opened into a massive clearing, and Naruto froze, taking in the sight before him.
Rising from the earth like giants were the mansions of the Akimichi clan, their architecture as formidable as the clan itself. Each structure was crafted entirely of wood, its beams thick and polished to a gleam. Intricate carvings covered every surface—depictions of swirling winds, mighty beasts, and flourishing crops that seemed to dance in the flickering light of the torches scattered throughout the compound. The eaves of the mansions curved upward like reaching hands, their tips adorned with protective charms that shimmered faintly. Heavy iron lanterns hung from wooden posts, their warm glow casting long, wavering shadows across the ground.
In the heart of the clearing stood a vast circle of ōdaiko drums, each one taller than a man. Around them were the warriors of the Akimichi clan, their towering forms rising well above Naruto's head, their broad shoulders glistening with sweat as they struck the drums with all their might. Each beat echoed like thunder, shaking the air itself. Tears glistened in their eyes as they played, their faces set in expressions of grief and unyielding focus.
Scattered among the drummers were groups of Nara shinobi, their usual calm replaced with an air of somber focus. Their dark uniforms blended with the shadows, but their eyes shone with the weight of loss and the quiet fury that followed.
In the center of it all, Chōji Akimichi stood with his wife, Tenten. Chōji's immense form was still and imposing, his shoulders squared, his hands clasped tightly before him. His face was a study of grief and anger, his usual warmth replaced by the hard lines of a man carrying the weight of his people. Beside him, Tenten's sharp eyes scanned the crowd, her hands resting on the hilts of her twin scrolls. She radiated quiet strength, the perfect balance to her husband's unyielding presence.
Naruto stepped forward, the crunch of his sandals on the dirt catching the attention of Chōji, who turned to face him.
"Chōji," Naruto said softly, his voice barely audible above the drums.
Chōji's eyes met his, the sadness in them nearly breaking Naruto's heart. "Naruto," he rumbled, his voice heavy with emotion. "You've come."
"I had to," Naruto replied. He glanced at the drummers, their unrelenting rhythm matching the pulse in his chest. "The drums... They're a call to war, aren't they?"
Chōji nodded, his expression hardening. "Not just war. Vengeance. Our people have been slaughtered, Naruto. The Yamanaka... so many gone, so fast. And now, the Akatsuki dare to bring this to our doorstep." He clenched his fists, his knuckles white. "We will not stand for it."
Naruto felt the weight of the moment settles over him, his usual easy demeanor replaced by a quiet resolve. "I'm here to help, Chōji. Whatever you need."
Before Chōji could respond, a figure emerged from the shadows. Shikamaru Nara stepped into the firelight, his usual slouched posture replaced by a straight-backed stance that made him seem taller and sharper. His face, so often marked by boredom or mild annoyance, was now set with grim determination.
"Shikamaru," Naruto greeted, his voice steady.
"Naruto," Shikamaru replied, his tone clipped, his dark eyes betraying no hint of his usual indifference. "Good. We need you." He turned to Chōji, his voice lowering. "The Yamanaka are still gathering their strength. So many deaths, so quickly, have wounded their collective mind. Their connection to the living as they were killed was too strong to sever easily. They'll join us soon, but for now, we need to plan."
Chōji nodded. "The Akimichi stand ready. I have a hundred willing and able shinobi here in the compound."
Naruto watched as the two childhood friends exchanged glances—one filled with the weight of their shared history and the burden of the war to come.
"Good," Shikamaru continued. "I've ordered that all able-bodied Nara join us here tonight. My father is willing to lead the first wave."
Shikamaru turned his gaze to Naruto. "You've fought the Akatsuki more than anyone else. We'll need your insight. This won't be like anything we've faced before."
Naruto nodded, his jaw tightening. "I had a meeting with the Hokage before coming here. She said you can't just start a war without talking to her."
"Talk? The time for talk is long past!" Tenten shouted, shoving her way into the center of the group. Her eyes blazing, her anger like a live flame. "She stopped the reforming of the clan council, and until someone is sitting in the Red Chair, she can go straight to hell!"
"Tenten, please... not now," Chōji said softly, his massive hand resting gently on her shoulder, his touch cautious, like soothing a wild beast he feared might bite.
"The village charter states that all alliances and bonds from before the village was formed will be honored," Shikamaru said, his voice calm but unyielding, as though quoting directly from the archives. "The bond of our three clans predates the village itself. The Hokage can't stop this."
"Fine!" Naruto snapped, his frustration mounting. "But you don't even know who did this or where they are!" He grasped at the slimmest chance to slow the rising storm.
"Oh, but we do," came a voice from behind him, chilling and sharp enough to still the air and silence the mighty drums.
The gathered warriors froze, parting like smoke before a gale. Ino Yamanaka, the head of her clan and the Master of Shadows, stepped into the clearing. A wave of blonde warriors followed in her wake, their faces emotionless and cold, carved like stone. Naruto's breath caught; he knew that look—the hollow, detached gaze of the Sealed Mind Jutsu, a technique that suppressed all emotion to ensure clarity and precision in thought.
"Ino," Naruto said, more emotion in his voice than he intended. The sight of her was like a dagger in his chest.
Dressed in mourning black, she was a specter of grief and resolve. Her warriors, cloaked in the same inky shade, seemed almost ghostly as they emerged from the shadows of the trees, their pale faces stark against the night. Each step they took carried the weight of loss and vengeance.
"I've spoken with the Hokage as well, Naruto," Ino said, her voice devoid of feeling, hollow and precise. The lack of emotion shattered him more than any display of anger or sorrow.
"She knows she can't stop this."
"If you know who did this and where they are, then wait and plan," Temari said, stepping out from Naruto's shadow to face the clan heads. "I've called my brother. Gaara will be here in a few days at most. With him and Naruto with you, the Akatsuki don't stand a chance."
"Wait!" Tenten yelled, "The time for waiting is long over, we have to…" but Choji was prepared this time. With practiced ease, he picked her up, carrying her away from the circle and out of earshot. After a brief moment, he returned, his expression resolute.
"She needs to check on our newborn," he said quietly, giving his wife a chance to save face for the way he had removed her from the heated discussion.
There was a brief, heavy silence before Noriko, Ino's mother, spoke. "We welcome new life, but on this day, we speak of the death of many." Her voice was calm, yet it held an undeniable sorrow as she and Inoichi stepped into the clearing, their presence marking a quiet solidarity with the gathering.
Inoichi, his usually stern expression softened, placed a comforting arm around Noriko's shoulders as she spoke again.
"I lost a sister... and a hundred other family members. I cannot wait," she added, her voice breaking slightly as the weight of her loss hit her once more breaking her hold on the Sealed Mind Jutsu. The group fell silent, the somberness of their shared grief settling in like a heavy fog.
Naruto stood still, searching for words that might alter the course of actions, but all he could hear was a scream followed by the rush of feet. Sakura came charging through the crowd, her eyes frantic. She collided with one of the Akimichi warriors, knocking him aside with a grunt before finally reaching the center.
"Ino, my god!" Sakura yelled, her voice thick with emotion as she threw her arms around Ino in a fierce embrace. "I was in surgery all day... I just heard."
Ino, who had been standing still, stoic amidst the gathering, finally broke. The Sealed Mind Jutsu slipped for a moment, her composure crumbling as she cried into Sakura's shoulder. Tears of grief streamed down her face, leaving wet stains on Sakura's shirt. The reality of their loss hit Ino hard, the weight of everything crashing down in that moment.
But with a sharp cry, Ino pulled away, her breath ragged. "No," she hissed, as if fighting herself. With a concentrated effort, she reasserted the Sealed Mind Jutsu, and the emotional wall came back up, locking her pain away.
"Sakura, my love," Ino said, her voice suddenly firm, her hands holding Sakura at arm's length. "Now is not the time for weakness." She placed a soft kiss on Sakura's forehead, the gesture almost too tender for the situation. "Later, forehead. We can talk later."
As Sakura nodded her understanding, the thundering beats of the ōdaiko drums pounded through the air, each reverberation seeming to strike directly into their chests, filling them with a sense of urgency. The Intensity of the situation weighed heavily on them all, and Naruto, unable to ignore the inevitable any longer, broke the silence.
"Can we find a place to talk?" he asked, his voice low but firm. "Even I know we need to plan this mission." His words hung in the air, blunt and to the point. He didn't need to say it outright, but it was clear—this was no longer just a mission but he didn't want to say war.
Without another word, Choji motioned for them to follow him. He led them through the compound, stepping away from the center of the chaos where the Akimichi warriors prepared themselves. The massive clan compound had a quiet Seriousness to it, a solemn energy that reflected the gathering storm outside. They entered Choji's home, a large, rustic building made of wood that towered into the tree, its walls adorned with intricate carvings that told the stories of his ancestors.
The great dining room was expansive, lit by the flickering glow of lanterns hanging from wooden beams. Platters of cold food sat on long tables, untouched, set out for any who might need it. It was a strange offering in the face of war—an attempt to keep some semblance of normalcy amidst the chaos—but no one not even the Akimichi had the appetite for it. Naruto, Choji, and Ino sat down at the table, the situation hanging heavy in the air. Soon the others joined them filing one side of the table.
Shikamaru, the group's strategist, leaned forward with a quiet intensity. His usual indifference was gone, replaced by the sharp focus of someone who knew what was at stake. He turned his gaze to Ino, his eyes searching for any scrap of information that might give them an edge.
"Ino," Shikamaru began, his voice calm but urgent. "Tell us what you know. Even the smallest detail might make a difference."
Ino, who had been silent until then, took a deep breath. Her usually composed face now reflected a mixture of pain and grief. She closed her eyes briefly, flicking through the memories of the grim events she had witnessed, the faces of her fallen clan members still fresh in her mind.
"My people in the Land of Rain... they heard rumors," Ino began, her voice steady but thick with emotion. "They were trying to track where the tailed beasts were being taken. They found them in a deep cave under Amegakure... but they were found out." She paused, swallowing hard, trying to maintain her composure. "There was a fight, one of the Yamanaka... one of my cousins—he landed a lucky jutsu. He managed to wound Nagato. But it wasn't enough. The fight escalated quickly. Konan, the woman with the paper jutsu... she lost her mind when Nagato was hit and killed everyone."
Her breath hitched slightly, and she glanced at Naruto as if needing his strength before continuing. "They came for us, Naruto. After they won the fight with my people... they tracked us down. They hunted us. They went to the Rain Village and wiped out every single Yamanaka they could find. Men, women, children—everyone. And then they didn't stop. They went farther. To every small surrounding village... for miles until the whole island was cleared of my people."
Ino's voice trembled, but she fought to keep it steady. "They killed us all. Every last one. Without mercy. Every blonde head they could find... they took them. We lost so much, Naruto. So much... I can't even describe it. The screams as each mind link was broken burned into the souls of the clan for all time."
As she finished her recounting, the room was filled with heavy silence. No one spoke, as the full weight of her words settled in, suffocating the air. The beat of the ōdaiko drums, still thundering in the background, was the only answer—its rhythm a relentless reminder of the war that was coming, the unrelenting wrath heading toward those they were about to face—the loss, the destruction, and the inevitable vengeance that would follow.
It was clear to everyone in that room—this was no longer just a mission to complete. It was personal. Now louder than ever, the drums were no longer simply the sound of war. They were a song called for death, a call for retribution. And as they sat in that room, the enormity of what lay ahead settled in.
….
The usual routine of putting children to bed followed by the endless cycle of stories—stories that were told and retold until small eyes finally closed in sleep—had become second nature for Tayuya. Tonight, with Karin's help, they made their rounds from room to room, checking on each little face, ensuring each child was safe, and their breathing steady. The headcount was completed, and every child was accounted for, safe behind the stone walls and steel gates, reinforced by the seals and jutsu of the clan.
As always, Tayuya found herself standing on the balcony overlooking the village, the dim lights flickering and growing in the distance, their glow soft against the rising darkness. In the distance the drums still beat, echoing through the night, an ominous reminder of what was to come. Naruto had gone to the Hokage and then ventured off to investigate the source of the drums. But since then, no word had come from him.
"Are you worried?" Karin asked, joining her with two cups of tea, one for each of them. She settled into a chair, watching Tayuya with quiet concern.
"Me? Fucking no, more like pissed," Tayuya shot back. But Karin knew her better than anyone, and beneath the sharp words, the worry was unmistakable. For Tayuya, this was as close as she would come to showing concern.
"If they're going after the Akatsuki, they better be ready for a lot of dead bodies," Tayuya muttered, turning away from the distant village lights. She joined Karin at the small table, her words carrying a truth that lingered in the air between them.
The silence between them was broken by a loud beep, followed by a flash of light from the seal on Karin's arm. "That's the fifty-floor trap," she said, her voice sharp, as she jumped to her feet. "How did someone get all the way to the fifty-floor?" Her eyes narrowed, and she immediately headed for the door. Tayuya, moving quickly behind her, paused for only a moment to grab her flute from the shelf by the door—a tool she had strategically placed in various parts of the building for just such an emergency.
"Should I call for Karui and Fu?" Tayuya asked, closing the door behind her.
"They went out to the hot springs about an hour ago," Karin replied, knowing they were the only ones in the building—at least on the upper floors.
Karin moved swiftly down the hall, activating the lockdown seals along the way. The doors to the building slammed shut with a thunderous sound, sealing off the entire structure from the outside world. Only those with the right knowledge and blood could open them. It would take something as powerful as a tailed beast to force entry—an attack Karin had made sure to prepare for. The seals, originally crafted using the chakra of the Nine-Tails, had been further reinforced with Fu's chakra from the Seven-Tails, making them nearly impenetrable.
"It's the fucking Yamanaka," Tayuya muttered as they both stopped at the door leading to the stairs.
"What do you mean?" asked Karin, ready to open the door.
"They're supposed to guard the lobby, but they all ran off to join the others," Tayuya added, pressing her back against the wall as Karin grabbed the door handle.
"We need to find other guards, I guess," Karin replied sarcastically, before pulling the door open and peering down the stairs.
"I can't see anything, but stay ready," she said, moving down the stairs one step at a time, her eyes scanning every corner, looking for any sign of an intruder.
Reaching the bottom of the flight of stairs, they turned to head down to the fifth floor when Karin stopped and waved Tayuya over, who immediately put her flute to her mouth, ready to summon her demons or ogres.
"Look, the trap worked," Karin said, pointing at the figure glued to the wall, it was the last of the non-lethal traps on the way up to the top floor. The shinobi had been walking on the wall when the trap was activated. A spray of goo, thick and sticky like the slime of a swamp toad, had dried as hard as steel in an instant, pinning the person to the wall.
"Who the hell do you think it is?" Tayuya growled as she walked along the wall toward the figure. Taking a kunai from Karin, Tayuya carefully poked a hole where she assumed the mouth would be. The sharp intake of breath told her she was right. If they had waited just a few more minutes, they would have been peeling a lifeless body off the wall, not a prisoner they could interrogate.
"So, when you set up this trap, did you think about a way to get them off the wall?" Tayuya joked, poking at the figure but noticing there was no obvious way to remove them in one piece.
"When Jiraiya told me to use the toad slime, he did mention a release seal," Karin replied, making a hand sign. With a burst of chakra, the seal activated, releasing the figure from the wall. They immediately crashed down the flight of stairs, bouncing and slamming into the wall at the bottom.
Tayuya giggled at the whole scene, running down the stairs. Using chakra, she effortlessly picked up the figure, still completely covered in hardened slime.
"Where do you want to put them?" she asked, glancing up at Karin. "I'm not sure the underground cells are ready yet."
She continued to walk back up the stairs, holding the figure over her head with ease.
"The first room on the left isn't being used," said Karin as they walked onto the top floor to undo the seal holding the spare apartment closed. It was a standard clan apartment, at least on the top floor—two bedrooms, a living-dining room combo, with a kitchen off to the side.
Without hesitation, Tayuya dropped the figure in the middle of the floor with a loud thud.
"Should I get an ax or a hammer?" she asked, half-joking, but if Karin said ax, she was all in.
"No need," Karin said. "I can remove the slime, but go open that window. It's going to smell horrible when it releases."
Tayuya nodded and went to open the window, then took out her flute once again. With a flash of smoke, the seal broke open, and the slime released a foul-smelling smoke. Karin quickly used a wind jutsu to blow it all out of the room.
Looking down at the figure on the floor, they saw a small woman—or perhaps a girl—dressed in grey and black, her face covered.
"Well, let's see who our guest is," said Tayuya, walking over to pull the mask off.
"Oh, fuck, is that who I think it is?" Tayuya muttered, eyes widening.
"It's Hinata's sister... what's her name?" said Karin, staring down at the still form.
"Hanabi," Tayuya grinned, looking down at the girl. She had asked Ino to arrange a meeting with Hanabi before but had been shot down by Hinata. But now? Now Hanabi was all hers.
The slime, still lingering in the air, stank worse than anything either of them had ever smelled. It had soaked into Hanabi's clothes, clinging to the fabric like a horrible second skin. Tayuya and Karin hovered over her as she slowly began to stir.
Hanabi's eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she looked around, confused. The first thing she saw was the two redheads standing over her, looking down with mild amusement. But then the smell hit her.
She groaned, her stomach churning as the foul scent assaulted her senses. Her eyes widened in horror, and without warning, she rolled over, spewing all over the floor in a loud, disgusting mess.
Karin raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing at her lips. "Jiraiya did say that was one of the side effects," she said nonchalantly, clearly unfazed. Having seen much worse in her labs, a girl throwing up on the floor was nothing compared to some of the horrors she'd worked with.
Tayuya, though, couldn't help but laugh. "Well, that's one way to wake up," she said, crossing her arms and watching Hanabi's distressed reaction with a wicked grin.
Hanabi groaned from the floor, still trying to regain her composure. The overwhelming smell of the slime lingered, clinging to her clothes and making her stomach churn. Her head throbbed, and the cold sweat on her forehead didn't help the situation.
"Alright girly, time for a cleanup," Tayuya said with a smirk, grabbing Hanabi by the back of her collar and half-carrying, half-dragging her toward the bathroom. She shoved her into the tub, turning on the cold water with a snap. Hanabi yelped in shock, freezing under the blast of cold water.
"Perfect," Tayuya muttered, watching as Hanabi shivered. But before Hanabi could process what was happening, Karin stepped in, tapping Hanabi lightly on the neck with a well-practiced move. Hanabi froze, paralyzed in place, her body rigid in the tub.
Karin, satisfied with her work, handed Tayuya a kunai and smirked. "You've got this. I'm off to finish my tea and finish reading my book." With that, she left the bathroom, leaving Tayuya to deal with Hanabi's predicament.
Hanabi's breath came in shallow gasps as the paralysis from Karin's jutsu kept her rigid, unable to move or even speak. The cold water, now cascading over her exposed skin, only made the chill more intense. She could feel the soaked, heavy fabric clinging to her body, but the sharp sensation of cold wasn't what froze her in place—it was the overwhelming reality of her helplessness.
Tayuya stood over her, watching with a gaze that held no mercy, only calculation. Without a word, she reached for her kunai, the cold steel gleaming in the dim light, and expertly sliced through the wet clothing that clung to Hanabi's form. Each piece fell away, revealing the shivering girl underneath, but Hanabi couldn't move a muscle, couldn't even flinch at the intrusion. The coldness of the water seeping over her skin made her shiver uncontrollably, the smell of her drenched clothes filling the air, but she was trapped in place, unable to escape.
Tayuya's eyes never left her, the look in her gaze sharp and predatory as she worked. With swift, practiced movements, she discarded the last remnants of Hanabi's clothing, grinning at the fact that she was stripping the girl completely. The cold water made Hanabi's exposed skin prickle, but the shiver in her body wasn't just from the cold; it was the terror of knowing she had no way to stop what was happening.
Once Hanabi was left in nothing but her bare skin, Tayuya paused, turning off the water her eyes locking onto the girl with an intensity that made Hanabi feel exposed in a way she'd never experienced before. The cold air pressed against her bare skin, but it wasn't the chill that made her heart race—it was the way Tayuya's gaze lingered on her. Hanabi had never been looked at this way, so openly, so thoroughly. It made her feel vulnerable, stripped not just of her clothes, but of her dignity. The fear that gripped her now was unlike anything she had felt before, stronger than the chill in her bones, sharper than the terror of being caught. The silence between them was suffocating.
Hanabi's eyes flickered around the room, the reality of her situation sinking in deeper. There was no escape, no way out of this. She had been caught, and now she would have to answer for what she was doing here.
Tayuya looked at her like a predator sizing up its prey. "You came here for a reason. The only real question is... why?" Her voice was calm, almost detached, but there was a weight behind it—a tone familiar to anyone who had ever been forced to face their own truths under pressure. A hundred prisoners had heard it before, and they all knew the same thing: only the truth, or the best of lies, could set them free.
Hanabi's lips trembled, her body still locked in place by Karin's jutsu. Her muscles screamed to move, but she couldn't. Her mind, however, was racing. She could feel her heart hammering in her chest as the silence stretched between them. There was no easy answer to Tayuya's question. The truth had a way of finding its way out, especially in situations like this, but admitting it felt impossible. The weight of what she'd done, of what she was here for, was suffocating.
Tayuya stared at the unmoving girl in the tub, her red hair sticking to her face as water dripped off her arms. "Great," Tayuya muttered under her breath, running a hand through her damp hair. "Next time, Karin had better tell me how that jutsu works." Hanabi was deadweight, her slim body limp from Karin's jutsu, and the situation was becoming increasingly frustrating.
Bracing herself, Tayuya crouched beside the tub, her sharp eyes scanning Hanabi's paralyzed form. She slipped her arms beneath the girl's shoulders and knees, cursing under her breath as her grip faltered against the slick skin. "Damn it, you're like a greased pig," she muttered, her voice low and edged with irritation. With a determined grunt, she adjusted her hold and finally managed to lift Hanabi out of the tub.
As she adjusted her grip, the press of Hanabi's body against her's sent an unexpected spark through her—a mix of curiosity and something darker-edged with temptation. "Sexy and toned in every sense of the word," Tayuya thought, her crimson eyes lingering a moment longer.
"Cute face, killer legs, nice boobs with just the right amount of curve... too bad you're a stuck-up little clan princess," she thought with a mental snort, though her smirk softened slightly as she hefted Hanabi higher in her arms pulling her close. Tayuya's mind drifted, unbidden, to how someone like Hanabi—so refined and trained—might unravel under the right hands. It wasn't just about attraction; it was the challenge of it, the idea of making someone like Hanabi squirm, of finding the cracks in that perfect Hyuga façade.
Carrying Hanabi, Tayuya exuded a practiced confidence, her grip firm. She wasn't about to let a little dead weight slow her down. "You're lucky I'm nice enough not to just leave your ass in there," she said aloud, more for her own amusement than for Hanabi's benefit.
Reaching the bedroom, she kicked the door open with practiced ease and maneuvered to the bed. With a calculated motion, she dropped Hanabi onto the mattress, standing back with a satisfied expression as if she'd just completed an especially challenging sparring session.
"All right, princess," she muttered, crossing her arms as she studied Hanabi's wide-eyed, frozen expression. "You've got some explaining to do. Why the hell were you sneaking around my clan's compound? And don't even think about lying."
Tayuya leaned down, her face mere inches from Hanabi's. The predatory smirk that so often graced her features softened, though it still carried a wicked glint. "You're in my world now, sweetheart. Better get used to it," she said, her voice low and edged with amusement, her breath brushing against Hanabi's cheek.
Straightening, Tayuya's sharp eyes scanned the room. The jutsu that kept Hanabi paralyzed would fade soon, and while she enjoyed the control, she wasn't naive enough to leave things to chance. She grabbed one of the spare bed sheets, her hands working with practiced efficiency to rip it into strips. The fabric tore with satisfying snaps as she created makeshift bindings.
With deliberate movements, she tied Hanabi's hands and feet to the sturdy wooden bedposts, ensuring the knots were secure but not cruel. Tayuya's lips twitched in a smirk as she worked. "A naked Hyuga princess tied up spread-eagle in my house. Bet the clan elders would shit themselves if they could see this," she thought, suppressing a low chuckle. She wasn't worried about leaving marks—shinobi like Hanabi had seen worse.
Stepping back, Tayuya eyed her handiwork before running a hand up the inside of the girl's thigh only stopping a fraction shot and pulling out one of the hairs. Seeing Hanabi didn't move she knew the jutsu still held her in place. Stepping back she thought 'these makeshift restraints wouldn't hold long'
Hanabi was a trained kunoichi, after all—that was the point. Tayuya wanted to see how long it would take for her to break free and how resourceful the girl could be. This wasn't just about control or getting answers; it was a test. A game Tayuya loved to play.
Leaving the room, she spent some time tidying up and sealing the smelly rags that had been Hanabi's clothes into a trash bag. Once satisfied that everything was in order, she returned to check on her newest project, still tied to the bed.
She dragged a chair from the kitchen, its legs scraping against the wooden floor, and placed it near the doorway, just out of Hanabi's line of sight. With her flute balanced casually on her lap and one leg crossed over the other, Tayuya leaned back, her brown eyes fixed intently on the room's only exit. The anticipation danced in her gaze—a mix of curiosity and the thrill of the unknown—as she waited to see what the girl would do.
The room was quiet, the stillness punctuated only by the faint creak of bindings as Hanabi stirred. Her wide, pale eyes darted around, scanning the dimly lit space for any sign of Tayuya. A flicker of defiance crossed her expression, though unease lingered just beneath the surface.
In the hall, Tayuya tilted her head, listening to the subtle sounds of movement. Her lips curled into a smirk. "Let's see what kind of shinobi Konoha is churning out these days," she murmured, her voice low and mocking, tinged with a predator's anticipation.
Activating her Byakugan, Hanabi focused, hoping to discern her surroundings, but her confidence quickly gave way to frustration. Every wall, floor, and ceiling was shielded by intricate seals, obscuring her vision. She didn't know it, but these seals were one of Karin's crowning achievements, created under the watchful eye of Jiraiya himself. The old pervert had found the concept of an anti-spying seal amusingly ironic, considering the Hyuga clan's infamous tendencies to look into buildings and bedrooms. His laugh still echoed in Karin's memory as he muttered something about "perverts blocking perverts" being the title of his next book.
As the minutes dragged on, the tension thickened like a coiled snake ready to strike. Hanabi's breathing steadied, her mind racing with possibilities, even as her muscles tested the bonds around her wrists and ankles.
From her perch in the hallway, Tayuya sat comfortably, her flute balanced on her knee. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she listened to the girl's futile struggles. "This is my house, my game, little princess," she thought, her smirk widening. The thrill of control, the challenge of breaking another's will, coursed through her.
The waiting was the best part—the quiet before the storm. For Tayuya, this wasn't just about power or punishment; it was a test. A game. And watching how Hanabi would respond only made the anticipation sweeter.
"This is going to be fun," Tayuya murmured, leaning back in her chair, her gaze never wavering from the door.
…..
The sun was setting on the barren landscape, the sky painted in shades of deep red and gold. The desert wind whistled through the rocks, carrying with it the scent of sand and distant storms. Naruto stood alone in the clearing, sweat trickling down its brow, body tense as it faced the looming figure of Orochimaru.
"You've learned well," Orochimaru's voice echoed across the quiet expanse, his figure obscured by the twilight shadows. "But it's not enough."
Naruto squared his shoulders, his hand instinctively falling to the kunai at his hip. "What do you mean?"
Orochimaru stood at the edge of the clearing, his gaze sharp, watching as his pupil prepared. "You've felt the flow of nature chakra before," he said, his voice smooth but laced with a touch of something darker. "Now, I will show you how to use it to transform your body."
Naruto nodded, feeling the familiar hum of chakra around him. It was like the world was alive, breathing, and he could tap into it with ease, a skill he'd mastered during his time as a Sage. He had learned to tap into the vast power of natural chakra before, but now he would push it further, deeper into his being.
"Focus," Orochimaru continued, his eyes gleaming in the light. "Feel the pulse of the earth beneath you, the flow of chakra through the air. Now, use the seals we have been practicing and direct it into yourself, but not just to heal or empower your jutsu. This time, use it to transform your body."
Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had done this before—harnessed the chakra that flowed through all living things. But now, he was being asked to do something different. Instead of pulling the energy for a technique or a power-up, he would need to channel it directly into his body, enhancing his physical form itself.
Slowly, the familiar hum of nature chakra surged through him, his body responding instinctively to the energy around him. It wasn't like the calm, meditative flow he had used in the past; this time, the chakra twisted inside him, bending and reshaping his very form.
The transformation started subtly at first—his muscles tightened, his senses heightened, and the air around him thickened with power. But then the change became more pronounced. Naruto's hair began to grow longer, thickening, darkening. His body grew larger, and more muscular, his skin taking on a coarse, almost fur-like texture. The more he focused, the more animalistic the change became—his legs thickened with strength, his teeth elongated into sharp canines, his nails into claws.
Naruto's breath quickened as the power surged through him. It felt raw, untamed like he was becoming something more primal, something closer to the beasts that roamed the wilds. His heart pounded in his chest as his senses sharpened, the world around him coming alive in vivid detail. He could feel every movement of the wind, hear the rustling of every leaf, and smell the scent of the earth beneath his feet.
Orochimaru's voice cut through the haze of transformation. "You are becoming something more. But remember—this form comes with consequences. The longer you remain in this state, the more you risk losing yourself. You must be ready for that, keep your inner self focused and live."
Naruto's heart raced with exhilaration, but he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the sensation of power coursing through his body. He had tapped into something new, something primal, and it was intoxicating. He was stronger, faster, and more aware than ever before.
With a roar, Naruto's transformation reached its peak. He stood taller, his body a massive, powerful form, almost unrecognizable from his usual self. His body was covered in a rough, dark fur, his eyes gleaming with a golden intensity. He could feel the raw strength coursing through him, the power of nature chakra coursing through every fiber of his being.
But even as he reveled in the newfound power, a part of him knew that this form wasn't just a jutsu, it was a beast, a force that could easily consume him if he wasn't careful.
Slowly, he focused, willing the transformation to recede, feeling the power ebbing away as his body returned to its normal state. His muscles contracted, his fur receding, and his teeth and nails returned to their natural form. The transformation was over, but the surge of power still lingered within him.
Orochimaru stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You've done well," he said, his voice calm but edged with something more. "But remember, this power is not without its costs. The longer you remain in that form, the more you risk losing yourself."
Naruto nodded, his breath heavy but steady. "I know. I'll be ready."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed, but there was something darker behind them—an unreadable intent that Naruto couldn't fully grasp. "We will see, Naruto. We will see. Now do it again and this time defend yourself."
As Naruto stood there, his beastly form pulsing with raw power, the air crackled with the energy of natural chakra swirling around him. His senses were heightened, his muscles thrumming with strength, but he knew this wasn't the end. He could feel Orochimaru's presence, still calm, still calculating, and it wasn't a comforting feeling.
"Impressive," Orochimaru said, his voice almost amused, as he stepped forward. "But now, let's see if you can handle this power."
Before Naruto could react, Orochimaru's hands formed seals in a blur. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!" Orochimaru shouted, sending a violent gust of wind rushing toward Naruto, the force knocking him back several feet, his feet sliding across the dirt. His body was pushed and battered by the sheer force of the wind, but the beast form Naruto had taken allowed him to remain standing.
Naruto gritted his teeth, growling as he fought to hold his ground against the wind. His beast instincts wanted to lash out, but he forced himself to focus.
Orochimaru didn't wait for Naruto to recover. With a quick hand sign, he vanished underground, leaving only the faintest ripple in the earth behind. Naruto's sharp eyes scanned the ground, but he couldn't detect where Orochimaru was coming from next.
Suddenly, the earth erupted beneath him as Orochimaru emerged with a massive mud-based clone, its arms reaching for Naruto. The clone, its body a mixture of thick mud and chakra, lashed out at him. Naruto dodged just in time, but the clone's massive fist grazed his side, sending a shock of pain through his body.
"Not bad, but you'll need to do better than that," Orochimaru's voice came from above, and Naruto barely had time to react as the ground beneath him cracked and splintered open. From the split emerged a fireball, massive and fierce, sent with a deadly force directly at him.
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!" Orochimaru yelled, the fiery sphere hurtling toward Naruto's chest. Naruto gritted his teeth, using his enhanced speed to leap out of the way just in time, but the heat from the blast singed his fur, and the heat of the flames was enough to rattle him.
Breathing heavily, Naruto focused, pushing through the pain. He couldn't afford to let Orochimaru get the upper hand.
Orochimaru's mocking smile widened as he reappeared in front of Naruto, his figure seemingly made of smoke. "Impressive, Naruto. But you're still far from your full potential."
Before Naruto could retort, Orochimaru raised his hand, and the world shifted as an immense shadow suddenly fell over him. "Yin Release: Dark Binding Technique!" Orochimaru's voice was cold, and a dark energy shot out, wrapping itself around Naruto's legs, and holding him in place. Naruto struggled against the dark energy, his powerful limbs fighting to break free, but it was like trying to move through quicksand.
"Now, let's see if you can survive this," Orochimaru said softly, and his eyes gleamed with a predatory intensity as he gathered chakra for another attack.
Naruto's beast form roared in fury, the natural chakra inside him roaring to life as he fought to break free from Orochimaru's restraints. The sheer force of his chakra began to push back against the dark energy binding him. Slowly, the shadowy tendrils weakened, and with a burst of strength, Naruto snapped the bind, his body surging with untamed power.
The moment he was free, Naruto rushed toward Orochimaru with a speed that was almost impossible to follow. He swung a massive clawed fist, but Orochimaru was ready. With a swift hand sign, he summoned another wind jutsu, sending a blast of air to deflect Naruto's blow. The force pushed Naruto back, but he landed on his feet, crouched low, ready for the next attack.
"Good," Orochimaru said, his voice cold and detached. "But now you face the real test."
Naruto's muscles tensed, his mind sharp with focus. The transformation had brought him strength, but he was starting to realize that raw power alone wouldn't be enough. He needed to outthink Orochimaru, to match his deadly precision with his own instincts.
With a snarl, Naruto rushed forward again, his beastly form a blur of muscle and raw power. Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. This time, he was not going to hold back.
…..
Naruto pushed open the door to his home, the faint glow of the lamps illuminating the quiet, empty hall. The weight of the day, the tensions of war, and the distant thrum of the drums still echoed in his mind. It was well past 3 AM, and as he stepped inside, he felt the calm of home settle around him, though it didn't last long. He could hear the faint sound of breathing coming from the bedroom.
He walked quietly down the hall, not expecting anyone to be awake, especially not after he'd left Temari behind with the clans. She had insisted on staying back, trying to convince them to wait for Gaara's arrival. He had trusted her to manage that, knowing she was better suited to it.
The door to the bedroom was ajar. He pushed it open, and the soft light from the bedside lamp cast a warm glow across the room. Karin was there, sleeping soundly, her hair spread across the pillow. Naruto smiled, tired but content, and silently slipped off his clothes, feeling the familiar weight of exhaustion settling in his bones. The long day had drained him, but the comfort of his bed, his home, and his family were all he needed now.
He crawled into bed, careful not to wake her at first, but his arms instinctively found their way around her. Karin stirred, a soft murmur escaping her lips, and she blinked up at him, her gaze soft and warm.
"Hi," Naruto whispered, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
"Mm... hey, you're late," Karin mumbled sleepily, her voice thick with sleep. Her eyes fluttered open, a faint smile on her lips as she turned toward him, resting her head on his chest.
"I know," Naruto said, his voice tender as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I didn't expect to be out this long."
She snuggled closer, still half-asleep. "You should've come back sooner," she murmured, her fingers gently tracing his chest, a small smile tugging at her lips as she played with his abs and moved lower.
Naruto's hand gently rubbed her back, the warmth of her body a comfort against the coldness of the world outside. But then, his mind wandered slightly, and he realized something. "Where's Tayuya?" he asked, his voice quiet, though he had expected her to be in bed, given how late it was. "Is she still up with the kids, or...?"
Karin's expression shifted, even as her hand cupped his balls and she looked up at him with an unreadable look in her eyes. "Tayuya is... dealing with an uninvited guest," she said softly, her tone shifting. "She's handling things... her way. But... I am sure she doesn't want to get in the way of this." Soon Karin's hand had moved to his manhood finding it getting harder by the second.
Naruto frowned slightly, a little confused. Tayuya was the head of the clan when it came to the household and he trusted her to deal with things as she saw fit. "An uninvited guest?" he repeated, his brow furrowing even as Karin did her best to take his mind off it Tayuya.
Karin nodded, her fingers working their magic on him. "Yeah... it's complicated." Her voice was calm, but there was an edge of something else there, something Naruto couldn't quite place. "But don't worry, she can handle this all by herself, just like I can handle this." With those words, Karin ducked her head under the sheet, and Naruto soon found his mind going blank as her skilled tongue moved over him.
Naruto sighed, his mind still racing from everything that had happened earlier in the day. But Karin had told him not to worry, and he trusted her more than anyone else. He wasn't going to let anything pull him away from this moment. The world outside could wait.
"Faster," he said softly, pressing a hand on the back of her head. "Oh god yes, all I need is to be here with you." When his fingers gripped her hair and forced her down as he released into her mouth, she wasn't surprised. In truth, ever since that night when Sakura had slipped into their bed, she had come to enjoy the intensity some would call it freedom of surrendering to him so completely.
Karin sat up, slipping off her nightgown with a faint smile. Moving with practiced ease, she straddled his hips, her hands trailing lightly over his chest as she lowered herself onto him. "You've done enough for tonight," she murmured, her voice low and warm. "Let me take care of you."
…..
The soft clink of porcelain echoed through the quiet kitchen as Karin sat at the table, a steaming cup of tea cradled in her hands. The faint circles under her eyes betrayed her exhaustion, though a small, satisfied smile played on her lips. She blew gently on the tea, savoring the quiet after the whirlwind of the night before.
Naruto had gone off to find the Hokage just as the sun chased the stars out of the sky, leaving her worn but content.
The sound of bare feet padding across the floor drew her attention, and she looked up to see Tayuya strolling in, still wearing the same clothes from the previous night. Her red hair was tousled, and she moved with the slow confidence of someone entirely unbothered by the events of the last few hours.
"Morning," Karin greeted, her voice warm but tired. She gestured to the teapot on the counter. "Tea's fresh if you want some."
Tayuya smirked, running a hand through her messy hair as she moved to pour herself a cup. "You look like shit," she teased, leaning against the counter. "Rough night?"
Karin chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It's been a long time since I had Naruto all to myself. Let's just say I'm feeling it this morning."
Tayuya raised an eyebrow, her smirk growing wider. "Good for you. Guess I shouldn't be surprised he left you looking like you wrestled a bear all night." She took a sip of tea, her tone half-teasing but with an edge of genuine approval.
Karin rolled her eyes, though her smile didn't fade. "Yeah, yeah. But what about you? Still playing with your... new pet?" Her tone was light, but there was a flicker of concern in her crimson eyes.
Tayuya's smirk turned wicked. "Hanabi? She's fine. I've been... getting her adjusted to the new rules around here. I think she understands now."
Karin frowned slightly, setting her cup down. "Tayuya, don't go too far with her. She's young and, unlike most shinobi, she doesn't know what she's walking into. We will be giving her back to her clan—remember that."
Tayuya shrugged, her expression unreadable. "Relax. I almost have her where I want her." She set her cup down and stretched lazily. "It's not like I'm breaking her. Just... bending her a little."
Karin's frown deepened. "Where is she now?"
"Still in the apartment where we left her," Tayuya said nonchalantly, turning toward the door. "Don't worry, she's safe. Just learning the ropes. Speaking of ropes, do you know where we put the red ones we used on Samui? I'm gonna need them after my shower." She winked over her shoulder before disappearing down the hall.
Karin watched her go, her fingers tightening slightly around her teacup. She trusted Tayuya—most of the time—but there were moments like this when her methods made Karin wonder just how far she was willing to push someone. With a sigh, she took another sip of her tea, her thoughts drifting to the girl Tayuya had claimed as her latest project.
Thinking of Hanabi and how they found her last night, Karin called out, "Hey, did you find out why she was breaking into the building?"
Tayuya stepped into the doorway, completely naked except for the grin on her face. "Oh, yeah," she said casually. "She got fucked stupid by Naruto, and now she's craving more. Girls, right?" With a wink, she turned back toward the bathroom, entirely unfazed by Naruto bedding another girl.
As Karin watched Tayuya's shapely form disappear down the hall toward the master bedroom, she took a slow sip of her tea, her gaze lingering for a moment. "Just where did I put those ropes?" she murmured to herself, setting the cup down with a small smile.
….
Author's Note:
I had to rewrite this chapter because I went way over the top with the whole Hanabi scene. When I reread it, I realized it needed to be toned down by about 1000% to keep it as a side plot line rather than letting it dominate the story. Lesson learned—better sleep before writing next time!