Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Mokushita Hyuuga ❯ Chapter 22
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Moghedian 
Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters belong to Kishimoto, not me.
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 01.20.2007 | Updated On: 02.11.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 547 | Status: Work In Progress
Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters belong to Kishimoto, not me.
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 01.20.2007 | Updated On: 02.11.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.7K | Visits: 547 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 22
Katoki woke up when dawn first started to streak the skys. Rolling over and looking out window he saw that he could actually see the sky, and didn't have to look through the constantly blowing wind and sand. The wind country was aptly named.
Pulling a tight black shirt over his head, Katoki brushed the large scar on his chest, and not for the first time, tried to remember how he got it. Sighing, he tugged on his sandals and stepped out of his room.
Walking out into the streets, Katoki shivered slightly and rubbed his arms. Counting the streets as he walked by them, he turned down the 4th one and spotted the small ramen stand.
"Ah. It's nice to see you again, sir." The cook said as Katoki walked under the flap and sat down. Katoki nodded and said,
"I'm glad I made it before the wind picked up. It's unusually clear, or does the wind not blow in the morning?" The ramen cook was in the middle of taking out his fryer when he stopped and looked out the flaps.
"Ahh! My boy, you are right! The wind isn't blowing. That's a rare occurance, a good omen. Maybe that means the peace treaty with Tsuchi will go well tomorrow."
"Hmm? Peace treaty? How does a ramen cook know about that?" Katoki said. The ramen cook laughed and said,
"My son is a shinobi guard for the Kazekage. But now, what can I get you, kind sir?" Katoki grinned and ordered miso.
"I hope it goes well as well." Katoki said, as he paid and left.
Sauntering back to the building his companions were staying at, Katoki felt eyes on the back of his head. Looking up he saw Hinata leaning out her window.
"Oi! Hinata! You're up early!" Katoki shouted. Hinata's face grimaced and she said in a hushed voice,
"Shhh! Sakura-san is waking up! Uh, I'll meet you in your room?" Katoki grinned widely and nodded. Hinata blushed a tad and pulled herself back into the window.
When Katoki opened his door, Hinata was lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. Glancing at him breifly, she waved slightly and returned to the ceiling.
Katoki's face felt a bit heated as he noticed that Hinata's chest was rather obvious in the tight black tank she was wearing.
"Are you ok? You look a little flushed..." Hinata said, lifting her head up. Katoki turned around and deftly wiped the small amount of blood that had leaked from his nose, and said,
"Saa...I'm fine. I...I smacked into the wall on the way here. Yea, that's what I did." Hinata just scrunched her nose up. Staring at a small peice of the sandstone that was slowly wearing away, Hinata thought about the previous night.
Hinata stumbled into her room and onto her bed. She didn't even noticed that Sakura was in the room until she started to talk.
"Ah, Kasumi-san! I want to ask you something...but it's personal...so you dont have to answer it. Are you and Katoki-san an item?" Hinata blinked and rolled her head towards the pink haired woman.
"Uhn...No..." Biting back a small blush, Sakura just gave a tired laugh.
"Sorry, it's just that at home, my best friend and I are always in the latest gossip. Did you know that you look like her? She has the same colour hair, same style, even the same coloured eyes. She's just taller than you." Hinata pretended to look surprised, but inside she was giggling madly. She had developed the new look so that the old Kasumi would not be recognized, and she developed it after Ino.
"Mmm...You look like a friend, a different one." Hinata looked at Sakura again. "She worked at a barbeque restaurant I frequented. But she up and disapeared almost two years ago. I wonder what happened to her..." Hinata stiffled a sigh and relaxed into the covers of her bed.
Sakura continued to babble for another hour, but Hinata had fallen asleep after 10 minutes.
Hinata snapped out of her thoughts, when she suddenly rolled towards the edge of the bed. But before the edge came close, she was stopped but a fleshy lump. Katoki looked down at her, almost laughing at her bewildered face. He had layed down, and Hinata rolled into him.
"Today's the negotiations. You ready?" He said. Hinata shook her head.
"No. Why am I even here? I can't negotiate..." Katoki looked over at her.
"You aren't here to negotiate, remember? I'm the one that's good with politics, you are my body guard, and my nurse. You also dont have to pay attention, but just stand there and look pretty." Hinata blushed slightly, but she wasn't sure whether to be angry or take it as a compliment.
The two were silent for a good hour, just enjoying each other's presence before someone politely knocked on the door.
"Katoki-sama? Kasumi-sama? The Kazekage requests your audience." The voice behind the door said. But when Hinata got up to open it, no one was there. Shrugging, she and Katoki slipped their masks on, and headed towards the Kazekage tower.
Along the way they were joined by the rest of the group, minus Temari. Shikamaru had his beige ANBU outfit on, and his deer mask was secure on his face. Neji was in his white outfit, but his odd looking mask was hanging on his belt. Neji nodded slightly as a greeting, and Katoki returned the slight nod.
"Ahh. I see all of you are here, I'm afraid the Tsuchi ambassadors will only allow 2 representatives in at a time, as they feel that anymore would put them at danger." Gaara said as the group walked into his office.
"I will go to the hospital, then, I suppose." Sakura said, as she bowed and left.
Gaara nodded and led the rest into the small room adjacent to his office. The first thing that Hinata noticed was the large window off to the left, and that a sandstorm seemed to be brewing.
Gaara made his way to the back of the room and sat down on the cushion that was by a small table, set for two. Looking up at the tall blonde behind him, he flicked his hand, and the woman spoke.
"May I introduce Hyuuga Neji and Hatake Kakashi of the leaf, Katoki and Kasumi of the cloud, and Nara Shikamaru, and myself, Nara Temari, of the sand." Everyone bowed their heads toward the other figure at the table.
"May I introduce, Horibuchi Seiji, and myself, Ameda Yuki of the rock." Again, everyone bowed their heads.
The figure at the table took off his yellow hat that was enscribed with the kanji for 'rock', and set it on the table.
"Yuichi, let's get right to the chase. We want to avoid war at any cost." Gaara said quietly. The Tsuchikage blinked before grimacing.
"Shinobi are tools for war! Why should we not fight? What good is peace? Peace kills! Look at the Sandaime Hokage! All he wanted was peace, and it cost him his life. I dont know about you, but I want to live." a flicker of anger flashed on Gaara's face.
"Why did you demolish the Kemarigakure? How does this action help you?" Yuichi paused for a second, and a glint of something Hinata didn't like flashed in his black eyes.
"We needed the land. You know that Kemurigakure is stationed on a volcanoe? Volcanic soil is very rich in minerals, and plants can grow easily in it. We needed it, Tsuchi lives up to its name. Its mainly rocky cliffs."
"Is that it? Just for the soil? Why didn't you buy it off of them?" Gaara said, nearly showing astonishment in his voice.
"Because, killing hundreds of innocent people just for some food seemed fun." The room was dead silent, but you could cut the tension with a knife. Nearly all of the shinobi in the room had to restrain themselves from assassinating the man in front of them.
"I have made the smoke country, the entire thing, part of Rock country. Smoke is no more. Next I will be taking on the bird country. But since they dont have any shinobi to fight back, I supose, for your sake, dear Gaara, I can make it less...bloody." Temari was quivering with rage, and Shikamaru's calming hand on her elbow wasn't helping very much.
"I intend to start a war with you, Gaara. I will let you know now, I intend on slowly posessing all of this land. That way, there will be no war, as there will be no one to oppose me!" The middle aged man started to laugh madly, and his guards sniggered. Gaara was still calm, but his sister was another thing altogether.
"You can't do this! Do you know how many lives will end just for your silly little dream! No one will align with you! You're crazy!" the blonde yelled. Shikamaru grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Gaara rasied his hand and said,
"Temari, that's enough." Temari stopped struggling against Shikamaru's grip and settled back into her place behind her brother.
"Hmm? Quite the little wild one that one is. I say, if you ever bore of this desolate land, come to me, I'de gladly accept you as a concubine." Temari shuddered with disgust as Yuichi eyed her up and down quite visably. Gaara narrowed his eyes.
"As if I'de ever even think of degrading myself that low. You make me sick." She finished her statement by spitting on the ground near the Tsuchikage. His guards tightened their fists on their short swords, but Yuichi just laughed.
"Yes...I think...I think that when I take over this miserable desert, I will make you my prime concubine. You will do just fine."
"That's enough! Shikamaru, take Temari out of here." Shikamaru hesitated and said,
"But, Gaara-sama..." Gaara shook his head and frowned, wrinkling the 'ai' symbol on his forehead.
"I will be fine. I have 4 capapble shinobi here already." Shikamaru eyed Katoki and Hinata, but nodded and led his furious girlfriend out of the room.
The room was quiet for a full minute before Gaara finally said,
"That was mighty brave of you to pick on my elder sister, Yuichi." Yuichi's brows rose above the line of his unkempt black hair.
"Sister? Then she must be worth a pretty penny! I might just have to kill my wife and marry her instead." Katoki cringed, and Neji sucked his breath in, but Gaara still sat still. The only difference was the intense killer intent rolling off the redhead in waves. Hinata's knees nearly buckled, but Katoki held her up. The shorter of the two Tsuchi guards dry retched, and even Neji seemed taken back.
"For health reasons, I dont suggest even thinking about messing around with a Jinchuuriki's family."
Yuichi hid a gulp, but still managed to show off a smile that was filled with pure evil intent.
An hour later, Gaara sat in his private quarters rubbing his forehead. Matsuri was sitting beside him, rubbing his back and mumbling soothing words. The treaty had not gone well at all. The Tsuchikage agreed not to attack the bird country, but buy it instead. A small victory on Gaara's side, but Yuichi was still a major threat.
"Are Jiraiya and Kouden still in the city?" Gaara said, leaning back. Matsuri thought for a second before saying,
"No...I think they left yesturday. Jiraiya-sama said something about waterfall...I think. He wasn't very...clear." Matsuri scrunched her nose up a little. It wasn't that Jiraiya wasn't clear, it's that when she asked him, he was drunk.
"Ah...pity. Well, I suppose we can tell the convoy that they can leave. We wont be needing them untill the Iwa-nin attack."
"Ah...Alright. I will send Kankuro out to tell them." Gaara nodded, his red hair swaying, and Matsuri smiled at him before leaving.
"Matsuri-chan! Seeeiiiikkkooooo-chhhhaaannnn!!" a deep voice called. Matsuri wilted.
"Kankuro...I'm up here." The tall man dressed in black looked up to the gallery on the second floor and waved when he saw his sister-in-law.
"Where's my little Kaisa-chan?" Matsuri resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Gaara-sama wants you to tell the convoy group they can go home, the Tsuchikage isn't willing to negotiate anything. The nin have no use untill the war actually starts." Kankuro's grin faltered a fraction.
"War? Are you sure?" Matsuri nodded her head grimly. Kankuro nodded again and spun off in the direction he came from.
"Oi." Shikamaru took off his deer mask and looked behind him. Grinning slightly, he said,
"Oi." the first man took off his odd mask and Shikamaru's eyes were drawn to the green tattoo engraved on his friend's forehead; a constant reminder of the rather horrid past of the Hyuuga.
Neji flopped, rather gracefully, onto the bench that ran along the wall on the inside of Shikamaru's Suna home. Glancing around quickly, Neji whispered,
"So Kumogakure let a Hyuuga join it's ranks, eh?" Shikamaru grinned.
"You noticed too? I almost didn't recognize her. She's turning back into her oldself." Neji nodded.
"Im bored. Wanna go tease her?" Shikamaru grinned even wider than before.
"Normally, that would be troublesome, but technically, 'Kasumi' hasn't paid us a visit yet." Neji laughed.
Walking out the wooden door, Neji coughed at the sudden winds that had picked up, but Shikamaru just adjusted his collar. The pair made it to the large round building that was host to both the Kazekage's office and the guest rooms. Climbing the stairs and counting the 3rd door on the left, Shikamaru rapped quickly on the plain door.
"Can I help you?" Sakura said, as she opened her door. "Oh! Neji, Shikamaru?"
"Uh, where is Kasumi-san?" Sakura blinked and said,
"Probably in Katoki-san's room. If they aren't there then you will have to wait." Neji nodded and waved at his pink haired medic friend.
Walking down the hall, two more rooms on the left side, Neji knocked this time. He heard scrambling and muttered voices before the door was answered.
"Ano, can I help you with something?" Hinata said, her fake blonde hair swaying down at her hips. Her face was tinged slightly with red and Shikamaru stiffled a giggle. Hinata didn't look at him, but her cheeks got even redder.
"Ah, I hope I wasn't interrupting....?" Hinata shook her head and said, souding defeated,
"Uhn...would you like to come in for some tea?" Neji smiled broadly and nodded. Hinata sighed and let her friends in.
"Ah, Nara-san, Hyuuga-san. It's a pleasure to meet you again." Hinata saw both Shikamaru and Neji jolt quite visably as they gazed upon her tall friend. Katoki shot a look at Hinata that was filled with curiosity and a touch of amusement.
"Ah..ah, please just call me Shikamaru." Katoki grinned and said,
"Then you may call me just Katoki." Shikamaru grinned slightly and sat down on the cushion that Hinata offered. Neji sat down as well, but unlike Shikamaru who looked like he was analysing Katoki, Neji was staring at Hinata, and making her uncomfortable.
"A-ano...what b-brings you here?" Hinata asked, silently cursing her slip. Shikamaru shrugged and Neji said,
"Well, It's just that your chakra coils, from what I saw of them, looked very familiar. Have we met?" Hinata shot a death glare at the two and crossed her arms.
"Alright, you got me. I'm alive, surprise!" she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she flung her hands half heartedly. Katoki burst out laughing and startled the two nin.
"I like your new look. It distracted us by making us think about Ino. She's worried by the way. Where have you been?" Shikamaru said, thanking Hinata as she poured him a cup of tea.
"Mm...Well, I was trailing Jiraiya untill little over a month ago. I heard some stories about the man that made me...well, concerned about Kouden. But I met Katoki and decided to try and defect to Kumo. I made ANBU in a month. This is my first major mission." Neji grinned a bit and said,
"What about when you and Katoki escorted Sasami?" Katoki crossed his arms before saying,
"Well...about that, I'de be delighted if Yondaime-sama never found out. Hinata was impersonating an ANBU." Shikamaru's mouth form an 'o' and the two let the subject drop. An awkward silence ensued for the next few minutes while Hinata struggled to find another topic.
"A..er...So...How's life in Konoha? How is your baby doing, Shikamaru? And has Ino had hers yet?" Shikamaru leaned back and said,
"Tayoumaru is fine, and Ino had a baby boy about a week after Sasami left. I believed that she named him Haku. Speaking of Ino, I hope she's holding up. She and Sai are babysitting Tayoumaru. Two small babies don't seem that easy to handle.
"Ino is a good mother. I'm sure she knows what to do." Shikamaru nodded and Neji said,
"I'm sure you would be a good mother too, Hinata-sama. How are you going to explain a 4 year abscence from your son's life, may I ask?" Hinata set her tea cup down and said,
"I wont have to. ANBU often die on missions. It's best if he thinks I am dead now, so that when I do die, he wont have to mourn." Katoki's eyes closed slightly, and Neji shook his head.
"Well I --" THOCK THOCK Neji, who had been interrupted, looked at the door.
"I heard voices! It's Kankuro, and im here to tell you that the convoy can go home. Also, tell your respective Kage's that war in inevitable, and we appreciate as many alliances as well." Shikamaru opened the door, but Kankuro was already gone. Turning to the group, he said,
"Well, I suppose it's time to go home. Hinata, come and visit on your next mission to Konoha, please." Hinata nodded slightly and Shikamaru left.
"Hinata-sama, Katoki-san." Neji nodded a bow, and Katoki did the same. Closing the door on his way out, Katoki said to Hinata,
"Hinata-sama? I assume that you are in the same clan?"
"I was the clan heir, remember? He's called me that since we were children. He is my Otou-sama's twin brother's son." Katoki was going to ask more, but upon hearing the acid that she injected into 'Otou-sama', he decided to leave it for another day.
"He knows your son quite well?" Hinata nodded again.
"He is taking care of Kouden, like a step-father. He knew I was still alive all along, as he was one that was sent out to kill me in the first place." Katoki froze.
Hinata was cleaning up the tea when a pair of strong arms wound themselves around her middle and hugged her hard. Hinata fought back a tear as she dumped the cups on the small table in the room and without even slipping her sandals on, she left.
"Hokage-sama? You sent for me?" a boy with black hair and bright blue eyes asked, as he walked into his leader's office. The blonde woman in front of him stared at him with her young face.
Or, at least it looked young. Shiro heard rumours that she was over 60 years old.
"Shiro, I just received a message from Jiraiya, and he needs something delivered. I want you to do it." Shiro perked up slightly. A chance to visit his teammate. After Sasami left, he had been left alone, and things werent as colourful around without the mop of bright blonde hair that Kouden sported.
"Alright. What does he want delivered?" Tsunade looked at her feet for a second before reaching down and bringing up a scroll.
"This. He said that he was in the village hidden in the waterfall. At full speed, you should be able to get there tomorrow, if you leave now. To get in, you have to have permission, so take this as well." Tsunade tossed a much smaller scroll that Shiro caught. Eyeing the scroll on Tsunade's desk, he said,
"That thing is the size of my leg! What is it?!" Tsunade shrugged.
"I have no idea. He just said that when he sent for it, to send it to him where ever he was." Shiro nodded and walked over to the desk. Grabbing the scroll and slinging ot over his back, he sighed loudly at the weight.
"This a B rank mission, Be careful, Shiro." Shiro nodded and walked out the office doors.
End Chapter 22
Katoki woke up when dawn first started to streak the skys. Rolling over and looking out window he saw that he could actually see the sky, and didn't have to look through the constantly blowing wind and sand. The wind country was aptly named.
Pulling a tight black shirt over his head, Katoki brushed the large scar on his chest, and not for the first time, tried to remember how he got it. Sighing, he tugged on his sandals and stepped out of his room.
Walking out into the streets, Katoki shivered slightly and rubbed his arms. Counting the streets as he walked by them, he turned down the 4th one and spotted the small ramen stand.
"Ah. It's nice to see you again, sir." The cook said as Katoki walked under the flap and sat down. Katoki nodded and said,
"I'm glad I made it before the wind picked up. It's unusually clear, or does the wind not blow in the morning?" The ramen cook was in the middle of taking out his fryer when he stopped and looked out the flaps.
"Ahh! My boy, you are right! The wind isn't blowing. That's a rare occurance, a good omen. Maybe that means the peace treaty with Tsuchi will go well tomorrow."
"Hmm? Peace treaty? How does a ramen cook know about that?" Katoki said. The ramen cook laughed and said,
"My son is a shinobi guard for the Kazekage. But now, what can I get you, kind sir?" Katoki grinned and ordered miso.
"I hope it goes well as well." Katoki said, as he paid and left.
Sauntering back to the building his companions were staying at, Katoki felt eyes on the back of his head. Looking up he saw Hinata leaning out her window.
"Oi! Hinata! You're up early!" Katoki shouted. Hinata's face grimaced and she said in a hushed voice,
"Shhh! Sakura-san is waking up! Uh, I'll meet you in your room?" Katoki grinned widely and nodded. Hinata blushed a tad and pulled herself back into the window.
When Katoki opened his door, Hinata was lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. Glancing at him breifly, she waved slightly and returned to the ceiling.
Katoki's face felt a bit heated as he noticed that Hinata's chest was rather obvious in the tight black tank she was wearing.
"Are you ok? You look a little flushed..." Hinata said, lifting her head up. Katoki turned around and deftly wiped the small amount of blood that had leaked from his nose, and said,
"Saa...I'm fine. I...I smacked into the wall on the way here. Yea, that's what I did." Hinata just scrunched her nose up. Staring at a small peice of the sandstone that was slowly wearing away, Hinata thought about the previous night.
Hinata stumbled into her room and onto her bed. She didn't even noticed that Sakura was in the room until she started to talk.
"Ah, Kasumi-san! I want to ask you something...but it's personal...so you dont have to answer it. Are you and Katoki-san an item?" Hinata blinked and rolled her head towards the pink haired woman.
"Uhn...No..." Biting back a small blush, Sakura just gave a tired laugh.
"Sorry, it's just that at home, my best friend and I are always in the latest gossip. Did you know that you look like her? She has the same colour hair, same style, even the same coloured eyes. She's just taller than you." Hinata pretended to look surprised, but inside she was giggling madly. She had developed the new look so that the old Kasumi would not be recognized, and she developed it after Ino.
"Mmm...You look like a friend, a different one." Hinata looked at Sakura again. "She worked at a barbeque restaurant I frequented. But she up and disapeared almost two years ago. I wonder what happened to her..." Hinata stiffled a sigh and relaxed into the covers of her bed.
Sakura continued to babble for another hour, but Hinata had fallen asleep after 10 minutes.
Hinata snapped out of her thoughts, when she suddenly rolled towards the edge of the bed. But before the edge came close, she was stopped but a fleshy lump. Katoki looked down at her, almost laughing at her bewildered face. He had layed down, and Hinata rolled into him.
"Today's the negotiations. You ready?" He said. Hinata shook her head.
"No. Why am I even here? I can't negotiate..." Katoki looked over at her.
"You aren't here to negotiate, remember? I'm the one that's good with politics, you are my body guard, and my nurse. You also dont have to pay attention, but just stand there and look pretty." Hinata blushed slightly, but she wasn't sure whether to be angry or take it as a compliment.
The two were silent for a good hour, just enjoying each other's presence before someone politely knocked on the door.
"Katoki-sama? Kasumi-sama? The Kazekage requests your audience." The voice behind the door said. But when Hinata got up to open it, no one was there. Shrugging, she and Katoki slipped their masks on, and headed towards the Kazekage tower.
Along the way they were joined by the rest of the group, minus Temari. Shikamaru had his beige ANBU outfit on, and his deer mask was secure on his face. Neji was in his white outfit, but his odd looking mask was hanging on his belt. Neji nodded slightly as a greeting, and Katoki returned the slight nod.
"Ahh. I see all of you are here, I'm afraid the Tsuchi ambassadors will only allow 2 representatives in at a time, as they feel that anymore would put them at danger." Gaara said as the group walked into his office.
"I will go to the hospital, then, I suppose." Sakura said, as she bowed and left.
Gaara nodded and led the rest into the small room adjacent to his office. The first thing that Hinata noticed was the large window off to the left, and that a sandstorm seemed to be brewing.
Gaara made his way to the back of the room and sat down on the cushion that was by a small table, set for two. Looking up at the tall blonde behind him, he flicked his hand, and the woman spoke.
"May I introduce Hyuuga Neji and Hatake Kakashi of the leaf, Katoki and Kasumi of the cloud, and Nara Shikamaru, and myself, Nara Temari, of the sand." Everyone bowed their heads toward the other figure at the table.
"May I introduce, Horibuchi Seiji, and myself, Ameda Yuki of the rock." Again, everyone bowed their heads.
The figure at the table took off his yellow hat that was enscribed with the kanji for 'rock', and set it on the table.
"Yuichi, let's get right to the chase. We want to avoid war at any cost." Gaara said quietly. The Tsuchikage blinked before grimacing.
"Shinobi are tools for war! Why should we not fight? What good is peace? Peace kills! Look at the Sandaime Hokage! All he wanted was peace, and it cost him his life. I dont know about you, but I want to live." a flicker of anger flashed on Gaara's face.
"Why did you demolish the Kemarigakure? How does this action help you?" Yuichi paused for a second, and a glint of something Hinata didn't like flashed in his black eyes.
"We needed the land. You know that Kemurigakure is stationed on a volcanoe? Volcanic soil is very rich in minerals, and plants can grow easily in it. We needed it, Tsuchi lives up to its name. Its mainly rocky cliffs."
"Is that it? Just for the soil? Why didn't you buy it off of them?" Gaara said, nearly showing astonishment in his voice.
"Because, killing hundreds of innocent people just for some food seemed fun." The room was dead silent, but you could cut the tension with a knife. Nearly all of the shinobi in the room had to restrain themselves from assassinating the man in front of them.
"I have made the smoke country, the entire thing, part of Rock country. Smoke is no more. Next I will be taking on the bird country. But since they dont have any shinobi to fight back, I supose, for your sake, dear Gaara, I can make it less...bloody." Temari was quivering with rage, and Shikamaru's calming hand on her elbow wasn't helping very much.
"I intend to start a war with you, Gaara. I will let you know now, I intend on slowly posessing all of this land. That way, there will be no war, as there will be no one to oppose me!" The middle aged man started to laugh madly, and his guards sniggered. Gaara was still calm, but his sister was another thing altogether.
"You can't do this! Do you know how many lives will end just for your silly little dream! No one will align with you! You're crazy!" the blonde yelled. Shikamaru grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Gaara rasied his hand and said,
"Temari, that's enough." Temari stopped struggling against Shikamaru's grip and settled back into her place behind her brother.
"Hmm? Quite the little wild one that one is. I say, if you ever bore of this desolate land, come to me, I'de gladly accept you as a concubine." Temari shuddered with disgust as Yuichi eyed her up and down quite visably. Gaara narrowed his eyes.
"As if I'de ever even think of degrading myself that low. You make me sick." She finished her statement by spitting on the ground near the Tsuchikage. His guards tightened their fists on their short swords, but Yuichi just laughed.
"Yes...I think...I think that when I take over this miserable desert, I will make you my prime concubine. You will do just fine."
"That's enough! Shikamaru, take Temari out of here." Shikamaru hesitated and said,
"But, Gaara-sama..." Gaara shook his head and frowned, wrinkling the 'ai' symbol on his forehead.
"I will be fine. I have 4 capapble shinobi here already." Shikamaru eyed Katoki and Hinata, but nodded and led his furious girlfriend out of the room.
The room was quiet for a full minute before Gaara finally said,
"That was mighty brave of you to pick on my elder sister, Yuichi." Yuichi's brows rose above the line of his unkempt black hair.
"Sister? Then she must be worth a pretty penny! I might just have to kill my wife and marry her instead." Katoki cringed, and Neji sucked his breath in, but Gaara still sat still. The only difference was the intense killer intent rolling off the redhead in waves. Hinata's knees nearly buckled, but Katoki held her up. The shorter of the two Tsuchi guards dry retched, and even Neji seemed taken back.
"For health reasons, I dont suggest even thinking about messing around with a Jinchuuriki's family."
Yuichi hid a gulp, but still managed to show off a smile that was filled with pure evil intent.
An hour later, Gaara sat in his private quarters rubbing his forehead. Matsuri was sitting beside him, rubbing his back and mumbling soothing words. The treaty had not gone well at all. The Tsuchikage agreed not to attack the bird country, but buy it instead. A small victory on Gaara's side, but Yuichi was still a major threat.
"Are Jiraiya and Kouden still in the city?" Gaara said, leaning back. Matsuri thought for a second before saying,
"No...I think they left yesturday. Jiraiya-sama said something about waterfall...I think. He wasn't very...clear." Matsuri scrunched her nose up a little. It wasn't that Jiraiya wasn't clear, it's that when she asked him, he was drunk.
"Ah...pity. Well, I suppose we can tell the convoy that they can leave. We wont be needing them untill the Iwa-nin attack."
"Ah...Alright. I will send Kankuro out to tell them." Gaara nodded, his red hair swaying, and Matsuri smiled at him before leaving.
"Matsuri-chan! Seeeiiiikkkooooo-chhhhaaannnn!!" a deep voice called. Matsuri wilted.
"Kankuro...I'm up here." The tall man dressed in black looked up to the gallery on the second floor and waved when he saw his sister-in-law.
"Where's my little Kaisa-chan?" Matsuri resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Gaara-sama wants you to tell the convoy group they can go home, the Tsuchikage isn't willing to negotiate anything. The nin have no use untill the war actually starts." Kankuro's grin faltered a fraction.
"War? Are you sure?" Matsuri nodded her head grimly. Kankuro nodded again and spun off in the direction he came from.
"Oi." Shikamaru took off his deer mask and looked behind him. Grinning slightly, he said,
"Oi." the first man took off his odd mask and Shikamaru's eyes were drawn to the green tattoo engraved on his friend's forehead; a constant reminder of the rather horrid past of the Hyuuga.
Neji flopped, rather gracefully, onto the bench that ran along the wall on the inside of Shikamaru's Suna home. Glancing around quickly, Neji whispered,
"So Kumogakure let a Hyuuga join it's ranks, eh?" Shikamaru grinned.
"You noticed too? I almost didn't recognize her. She's turning back into her oldself." Neji nodded.
"Im bored. Wanna go tease her?" Shikamaru grinned even wider than before.
"Normally, that would be troublesome, but technically, 'Kasumi' hasn't paid us a visit yet." Neji laughed.
Walking out the wooden door, Neji coughed at the sudden winds that had picked up, but Shikamaru just adjusted his collar. The pair made it to the large round building that was host to both the Kazekage's office and the guest rooms. Climbing the stairs and counting the 3rd door on the left, Shikamaru rapped quickly on the plain door.
"Can I help you?" Sakura said, as she opened her door. "Oh! Neji, Shikamaru?"
"Uh, where is Kasumi-san?" Sakura blinked and said,
"Probably in Katoki-san's room. If they aren't there then you will have to wait." Neji nodded and waved at his pink haired medic friend.
Walking down the hall, two more rooms on the left side, Neji knocked this time. He heard scrambling and muttered voices before the door was answered.
"Ano, can I help you with something?" Hinata said, her fake blonde hair swaying down at her hips. Her face was tinged slightly with red and Shikamaru stiffled a giggle. Hinata didn't look at him, but her cheeks got even redder.
"Ah, I hope I wasn't interrupting....?" Hinata shook her head and said, souding defeated,
"Uhn...would you like to come in for some tea?" Neji smiled broadly and nodded. Hinata sighed and let her friends in.
"Ah, Nara-san, Hyuuga-san. It's a pleasure to meet you again." Hinata saw both Shikamaru and Neji jolt quite visably as they gazed upon her tall friend. Katoki shot a look at Hinata that was filled with curiosity and a touch of amusement.
"Ah..ah, please just call me Shikamaru." Katoki grinned and said,
"Then you may call me just Katoki." Shikamaru grinned slightly and sat down on the cushion that Hinata offered. Neji sat down as well, but unlike Shikamaru who looked like he was analysing Katoki, Neji was staring at Hinata, and making her uncomfortable.
"A-ano...what b-brings you here?" Hinata asked, silently cursing her slip. Shikamaru shrugged and Neji said,
"Well, It's just that your chakra coils, from what I saw of them, looked very familiar. Have we met?" Hinata shot a death glare at the two and crossed her arms.
"Alright, you got me. I'm alive, surprise!" she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she flung her hands half heartedly. Katoki burst out laughing and startled the two nin.
"I like your new look. It distracted us by making us think about Ino. She's worried by the way. Where have you been?" Shikamaru said, thanking Hinata as she poured him a cup of tea.
"Mm...Well, I was trailing Jiraiya untill little over a month ago. I heard some stories about the man that made me...well, concerned about Kouden. But I met Katoki and decided to try and defect to Kumo. I made ANBU in a month. This is my first major mission." Neji grinned a bit and said,
"What about when you and Katoki escorted Sasami?" Katoki crossed his arms before saying,
"Well...about that, I'de be delighted if Yondaime-sama never found out. Hinata was impersonating an ANBU." Shikamaru's mouth form an 'o' and the two let the subject drop. An awkward silence ensued for the next few minutes while Hinata struggled to find another topic.
"A..er...So...How's life in Konoha? How is your baby doing, Shikamaru? And has Ino had hers yet?" Shikamaru leaned back and said,
"Tayoumaru is fine, and Ino had a baby boy about a week after Sasami left. I believed that she named him Haku. Speaking of Ino, I hope she's holding up. She and Sai are babysitting Tayoumaru. Two small babies don't seem that easy to handle.
"Ino is a good mother. I'm sure she knows what to do." Shikamaru nodded and Neji said,
"I'm sure you would be a good mother too, Hinata-sama. How are you going to explain a 4 year abscence from your son's life, may I ask?" Hinata set her tea cup down and said,
"I wont have to. ANBU often die on missions. It's best if he thinks I am dead now, so that when I do die, he wont have to mourn." Katoki's eyes closed slightly, and Neji shook his head.
"Well I --" THOCK THOCK Neji, who had been interrupted, looked at the door.
"I heard voices! It's Kankuro, and im here to tell you that the convoy can go home. Also, tell your respective Kage's that war in inevitable, and we appreciate as many alliances as well." Shikamaru opened the door, but Kankuro was already gone. Turning to the group, he said,
"Well, I suppose it's time to go home. Hinata, come and visit on your next mission to Konoha, please." Hinata nodded slightly and Shikamaru left.
"Hinata-sama, Katoki-san." Neji nodded a bow, and Katoki did the same. Closing the door on his way out, Katoki said to Hinata,
"Hinata-sama? I assume that you are in the same clan?"
"I was the clan heir, remember? He's called me that since we were children. He is my Otou-sama's twin brother's son." Katoki was going to ask more, but upon hearing the acid that she injected into 'Otou-sama', he decided to leave it for another day.
"He knows your son quite well?" Hinata nodded again.
"He is taking care of Kouden, like a step-father. He knew I was still alive all along, as he was one that was sent out to kill me in the first place." Katoki froze.
Hinata was cleaning up the tea when a pair of strong arms wound themselves around her middle and hugged her hard. Hinata fought back a tear as she dumped the cups on the small table in the room and without even slipping her sandals on, she left.
"Hokage-sama? You sent for me?" a boy with black hair and bright blue eyes asked, as he walked into his leader's office. The blonde woman in front of him stared at him with her young face.
Or, at least it looked young. Shiro heard rumours that she was over 60 years old.
"Shiro, I just received a message from Jiraiya, and he needs something delivered. I want you to do it." Shiro perked up slightly. A chance to visit his teammate. After Sasami left, he had been left alone, and things werent as colourful around without the mop of bright blonde hair that Kouden sported.
"Alright. What does he want delivered?" Tsunade looked at her feet for a second before reaching down and bringing up a scroll.
"This. He said that he was in the village hidden in the waterfall. At full speed, you should be able to get there tomorrow, if you leave now. To get in, you have to have permission, so take this as well." Tsunade tossed a much smaller scroll that Shiro caught. Eyeing the scroll on Tsunade's desk, he said,
"That thing is the size of my leg! What is it?!" Tsunade shrugged.
"I have no idea. He just said that when he sent for it, to send it to him where ever he was." Shiro nodded and walked over to the desk. Grabbing the scroll and slinging ot over his back, he sighed loudly at the weight.
"This a B rank mission, Be careful, Shiro." Shiro nodded and walked out the office doors.
End Chapter 22