Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Mokushita Hyuuga ❯ Chapter 29
[ 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: 04.03.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.6K | Visits: 510 | 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: 04.03.2007 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.6K | Visits: 510 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 29
Tsunade sat back and sipped the hot sake that Shizune had so thoughtfully brought a few minutes earlier. Sighing as the warm drink spread into her stomach, she picked up a scroll. Unrolling it to a set date, she started to read again.
It's so odd, to think that there is a separate life inside of me...He kicked for the first time today, while I was standing in front of the mirror. I was just standing there, rubbing my belly, which by the way, looks like I swallowed a melon, and he just kicked my hand. It was such an odd feeling, I think I screamed a little bit. I cant decide on a name...I dont even know if I should name him. Yes, him, I just have this feeling. I can almost imagine us, all three of us, playing in a feild of flowers. Naruto standing tall and proud, me sitting at his feet, my arms full of the bouquet that our son picked. I can see our child, with his blonde hair, and my white eyes... Although, I would be just as happy if he turned out to have my hair. Even happier with his blue eyes, but sadly, I cannot recall a child with a Hyuuga parent having anything other than the pupiless eyes we are so feared for. Oh! He kicked again! It's such a funny feeling. I wish Naruto was here to feel it too...
Tsunade choked on her drink.
"No way..." She said, and checked the date on the entry. It was about 5 months after the first entry, which Tsunade had noted to be ripped. Hinata had wanted her to read only this section. Checking down further on the scroll, she found a date that was written oddly.
"'Day 3, October 22nd' Hmm?" The blonde woman said. Reading on, she set her glass of sake on her desk.
I'm a little bit ashamed...the lady who found me where Neji-ni-san had left me, old Suzuki-san, refused to leave my cabin. She just showed up one day, with a bundle of food and said, quote,
"Imma not leavin' till that baby comes a cryin'." It was embarrassing...but my dear child chose that moment to try and come out. Labour is painful. Very painful. I dont even know how many hours passed, but without Suzuki-san, who later told me she was a retired medic-nin, now village midwife, I dont think that having a baby would have worked. I'm 17 years old, I have no idea how to raise a child. But I looked into my son's white eyes (as I had predicted) and melted. He was born three days ago, on October 18th...8 days after Naruto's birthday. Suzuki just left this morning with instructions. She also told me that when I felt up to it, to come and visit her in the village. Oh, he's crying...
Tsunade's mind was tickled. She knew a Suzuki, they were friends during their genin years, as Tsunade had become a genin a year before her. She thought the old woman had died years ago, as she had disapeared on a battle feild a few years after Dan died. Shaking her head to clear all thoughts of Dan, and Nawaki who always popped up, Tsunade started to read the next passage.
I've decided on a name for him. I tried on a whole bunch of names...I want this name to mean something. Nothing fit, and I was getting nowhere. Then I thought of naming him "gift" But most of the names that mean gift were girly sounding...But then...this child was my last gift from Naruto, a condolance gift. I shall name my son Uzumaki Kouden.
Tsunade dropped her sake bottle. It smashed on the floor, spilling it's contents everywhere. Shizune rushed in at the noise, but stopped when she saw her teacher just sitting there, her hand still raised, and her mouth wide open.
"Tsu-tsunade-sama? Is everything ok?" Tsunade turned her head to Shizune, and the mostly black haired woman noted Tsunade's pale face.
"Kouden...that little boy...where is he?" Shizune furrowed her brow.
"He's still training with Jiraiya-sama...He wont be coming back for another year and a bit. Why?"
"It's him...Shizune, what was the first thing you thought when you first met the boy?" Shizune moved her head.
"What? Uhnnn, probably what most of the village still thinks...That he looked an awfully lot like...Him." Tsunade smiled and found she couldn't stop.
"This scroll, Shizune, is actually a journal. Written by Kouden's mother." Shizune blinked, and blinked again.
"What!?!" She said loudly. Rushing to her teacher's side, she looked at where Tsunade was pointing.
""Imma not leavin' till that baby comes a cryin'." It was embarrassing...but my dear child chose that moment to try and come out' Oh my...does it say who she is? Does it say who his father is? Who sent this to you?" Shizune urged. Tsunade stuck her hand up and said, still smiling,
"This was sent to me by his mother. She sent it saying that if she doesn't come back from the war, we should tell Kouden what really happened to his father." the mostly black haired woman stomped her foot and said,
"Just tell me! You always do this!" Tsunade let out a laugh and said,
"Hinata! Hyuuga Hinata! His father, he was Naruto! It says here she got pregnant about a week or so before they died. I suppose that means that Hinata really didn't kill Naruto, like Hiashi said. Where is that old bastard?" Shizune shrunk back a little bit.
"Tsunade-sama...Hiashi-san has gone to fight in the war. Most of the retired jounin left to fight as well. I over heard Hiashi talking to Hanabi-sama, and he said that he wanted to fix his sins and fight for the country he loves." Tsunade brought her fist down on her desk so hard it cracked. Papers flew everywhere, and Shizune sighed, knowing she would have to clean it up.
"I hope I find him before he dies. That bastard will answer for this." Shizune, tomorrow I plan on joining the Medic team installed in Suna. I want you to stay here. You, Kotetsu, and Izumo will be in charge of the village. I will check back at the end of everyweek by bird. I expect a full report of the status of the village. If we need the Genin to help with the ends and the clean up, I will send for them." Shizune sighed loudly, but saluted her teacher.
"Now, to read the rest of this by tomorrow is going to take silence. I dont want any disturbances unless I call for you. Now go and get ready." Shizune nodded and left Tsunade to read the thick scroll.
"How did it go?" A light, feminine voice whispered. A tall man with sandy hair turned his head towards the woman and said, just as quietly,
"Fine, no problems, except that one guard. I don't know how much longer he's going to look, but my legs are getting sore."
"What about the little lightning boy there?" The woman said, blowing a peice of her red hair out of her eyes, while pointing at the bundle on the man's back.
"Tatari, for the last time, he's fine. Unconcious, but alive." Tatari huffed quietly and said,
"Well, I was just making sure, I dont want this one dieing as well, I dont know what Leader-sama would do if you lost another one, Satoshi-kun." Satoshi turned his head and caught sight of the guard again.
"Kuso...He's still looking! Won't this guy give up?" Tatari shifted her feet and said,
"Why can't we just kill him?" Satoshi shot her a look and the red head rolled her eyes. "Fine...fine."
Shivering, Sasami cuddled deeper into the warm blankets that covered the large bed she was trying to sleep in. All night she had been sneezing, and Souma, her sensei sent her to bed early fearing the young queen was coming down with a cold. Sasami's hand snuck under her pillow and her fingers brushed the corner of a letter. Pulling it out, she opened it with a warm smile. Squinting in the dim candle light, she brought the letter closer to her face.
Dear Sasami-chan,
Hey! I know it's been a while, and that I should have written you more letters, but I just found out that you were in the Lightning Country! A queen! Sasami-chan, that's so awesome! I asked Ero-sennin if we could go and visit you but he said that we weren't staying long. There's a war going in Suna, the Tsuchikage is crazy, he's trying to take over the entire land! I think Ero-sennin intends for me to fight, but since I'm only a chuunin...oh! I acheived chuunin! I took the test with one of the twins and Sakana-nechan. The other twin passed already, and they were short. I took it in Kirigakure. That place is kinda creepy. But anyway, how are you? How is being queen? I bet it's exciting! I found my Kaa-san, she had been hiding out here all along with Katoki-san. I met him a few months ago in the fire country, and again in the waterfall. I met Shiro there too! Surprise surprise! Shiro-teme got special permission from Tsunade to tag along with us, that's how I found out about you being a queen, I'm sorry I couldn't have been there to say goodbye... I have to get going now, It's almost time to leave, Ero-sennin wants to talk with someone, but Im not too sure whom yet. I will write another letter as soon as possible, but dont bother writing back, I dont stay in one place long enough.
Missing you,
Hyuuga Kouden
Rolling over, she hugged the letter again, and stuffed it back under her pillow. She got that letter a week ago, it was being carried in the mouth of a frog with an attitude problem, and the frog itself was being escorted in by Souma.
"Sasami-hime? Are you still awake? I can hear you. Go to sleep, you need your rest." A voice called from the hall. Sasami rolled her eyes, and yawned. Frowning at her body's disobediance, she sighed and snuggled deeper into the mounds of blankets.
Peeking in the pink haired queen's room, Souma waited until she saw the steady rise of Sasami's chest before closing the door. Turning towards the scarcely lit hall, Souma peered down the hall, her amber eyes allowing her to see everything as if it were daytime. Looking up at the inky black ceiling, Sasami's dark skinned teacher released the chakra she had concentrated on her eyes, and the amber slowly receded back into their normal green.
"Clear. Down." She said, being as quiet as possible. A small rustle of fabric was the only thing Souma heard as a figure dressed in black dropped down from the ceiling.
"Take this. The army has moved out of Raikuni, ample time is in the next few days. Give her my regards." The shinobi dressed in black nodded once and took the tiny scroll from Souma's outstretched hands. When the shinobi silently scaled the wall, Souma tapped her temple and whispered,
"Kohakugan!" Her irises bled amber and she watched as the figure disapeared silently into a hole that was very cleverly hidden on the ceiling. Smirking, Souma continued down the hall and out of the wing.
"I guess that you cant eat haddock sushi ether..." A sympathetic Katoki said as Hinata continued to retch over the edge of a bush. Waving her hand she said,
"Maybe...but I think it's my nerves. I used to get like this when I was younger. I remember before my first Chuunin Exam, I threw up for three days. Just, don't worry. I will be fine. Let's continue." Katoki looked at the small group of ANBU. the 11 other members were taking the momentary rest as a good thing. Ever since the ambush Katoki had been rushing the small group towards Sunagakure, only taking breaks to eat. The two injured ANBU that the others had been carrying had been reduced to one. Toshi, a boy who Katoki knew was no older than 19, died after fighting for a good number of hours to stay awake. He had been poisoned, and the medic ninjutsu capable shinobi had not been able to get all of the poison out.
"Katoki, how long are we away from Sunagakure?" a man asked from the small crowd. Katoki focused on him and said,
"Another few hours if we can travel at the same pace again." The man, and several other ANBU nodded. "Is everyone ready then? I predict we can be there by sunup." Katoki continued, and smirked. Hinata stood up fully next to him and adjusted her mask. Katoki slipped his now cracked mask over his face and said quietly to Hinata,
"Hinata-chan, I think, when I get to Suna, I'm gonna need a new mask..." Hinata gave off a few giggles, and jumped into a tree, following the other ANBU.
"Kazekage-sama...the Kumo ANBU just arrived...the leader wants to talk to you." Gaara sighed as he walked towards his office. That short and snippy little man that called himself the leader of the ANBU was not someone Gaara wanted to meet with again. He was rude and arrogant. Waving his messenger off, the young woman spun on her heel, a blush grazing her face.
Pushing open the door to his office, he was elated to see Kaisa and Matsuri quietly playing in the corner. Opening his mouth, Gaara was about to tell Matsuri to take the toddler out of the room, but was interrupted by the door opening.
"Gaara, the ANBU group is here." Gaara looked back to see his brother's heavily painted face sticking in.
Kankuro, take Kaisa-chan back to your quarters." Matsuri snorted and Gaara's lips flickered into a smile. "But dont let her near your bloody puppet room." Kankuro looked over at his neice and nodded.
"Kai-channnn, Let's go see what Kankuro-ji made for you!" The three year old red head looked over at the tall man and squealed. She squealed even louder when Kankuro picked her up. When they had left, Matsuri said, quietly as they could hear several people in the hall outside the office,
"Gaara...why did you choose me to stay?" Gaara turned to his wife and smiled gently.
"Matsuri...you are a fully capable shinobi, I taught you myself. You are also calmer and more level headed than Kankuro. I dont want to face the entire ANBU embassy by myself. Kami-sama, I told them to send their leader when they got here, not the entire group. I hope you are ready for a tight squeeze, unless they leave some outside." Matsuri smiled at Gaara's joke and settled into her place against the wall to Gaara's right.
"Come in, then." The Kazekage's chilling voice floated across the room. The door opened slowly, and a tall ANBU with a plain mask silently entered. Bits of blonde hair stuck out everywhere as Gaara's eyes widened slightly in recognition. Following the ANBU an organized stream of people flowed in, save the last, in which a woman was being carried by a taller ANBU.
"I count twelve of you." Gaara said, his voice containing a hint of question. The tall blonde nodded and said,
"Gaara-sama, we were ambushed by Ame nin. Although some of them looked to be ronin. They had nearly twice as many in their numbers as we did. What you see here, are the survivors. All of them. Keiko-san needs medical attention as soon as possible though..." Gaara flicked his hand and one of the guards at the door disapeared.
"This is it? Kami-sama...Have you sent a notice to the Raikage, Katoki-san, right?" Katoki nodded, and a few of the ANBU at the back of the group shifted their feet.
"I have a question, Katoki-san. Before you left, had you any word on Jiraiya-san? He was supposed to send me a report as soon as he got there...It's been over a month, and I havent heard of anything." Katoki hesitated and said,
"Saa...I did. I saw Jiraiya-sama, but he disapeared with his apprentices three weeks ago. We assumed it was to help fight the Iwa." He felt the tinyest flare in Hinata's chakra as she flinched slightly. Gaara noticed it as well as his cool turquoise stare was directed at her.
"You...I recognize your mask, but your name escapes me. Gomen, ANBU-san." Gaara bowed his head a bit and Hinata waved her hand.
"A-ano...It's not a p-problem. ANBU are s-sup-posed to be annoymous anyway." Gaara nodded in agreement and tented his fingers.
"Since there are so few of you, I can offer you shelter in the city with the Konoha and Kiri ANBU, or you can take up shelter in the camp with the Kumo Jounin who arrived last week just outside the city walls. It's up to you."
"Kiri ANBU? Has the Mizukage decided to help this time?" Gaara remained stoic but didnt say anything.
"It seems that the Mizukage is missing a child from his village. He told me that witnesses said that the kidnappers wore Hiteate from Kumo, Kiri, and Iwa. He sent a few, about twice your numbers to help fight the Iwa, and attain information on this child. He informed me that he wasn't sending anymore though." Katoki nodded and said,
"We will stay with the other ANBU." A few nods were colectively seen amung the ANBU. Gaara lowered his head once and after a few seconds said,
"Completely unrelated, but what happened to Hanzo-san?" Katoki, without missing a beat answered.
"He's dead. Killed in the ambush. I'm the group leader now." Gaara nodded and motioned Matsuri to show them out the door. Gaara's eyes followed the woman who's mask he recognized. Something was different about her, but no matter. He had paper work to do. At that thought, Gaara sighed and picked up his pen.
Closing his eyes he focused chakra to both of his hands. Even with his eyes closed, he saw the chakra pathways of his opponents.
"Two in front, one left, three behind..." He whispered to himself. Quickly forming a plan of movement, he suddenly charged at the nin to his left. The nin was surprised and didnt have time to react. Opening his eyes, he slapped the nin's torso as he spun around him and without losing a beat, moved to the next unlucky nin.
All he could hear was the sound of his feet scratching the sandy dirt and the last nin falling in a heap on the ground. Taking a deep breath, his calm was broken by his partner.
"Omedeto, Neji! That was brilliant! Do you know what would make it even better? Snakes!" Neji gritted his teeth as his partner started to laugh like there was no tomorrow. She appeared to be around 25 or so, but Neji knew that she was well into her 40's. In fact, from analyzing the genjutsu she used, he saw that she must have buggered Tsunade into teaching her. Neji looked over and dimly realized that she had changed her clothes from his childhood memories. Gone was the ankle long trench coat, and instead, she wore a form-fitting black jumpsuit. A large snake design was embroidered on the back. The snake wound it's way from the back of her right knee to her left shoulder where was was eating a red symbol. Neji recognized that seal as the cursed seal that Orochimaru had given her as a child. He had heard that it disapeared when Sasuke killed the snake sannin.
"Anko-san...While I thank you for commenting on my justu, I do think that you should be fighting instead of loafing around. This is war, not the Chuunin Exams." Anko glared at him and Neji nearly sweatdropped.
"You know what? I heard that the chuunin arrived yesturday. Why dont you go see Chiyo? I'm sure she would like to her mother before the fighting actually commences." Anko scowled and sauntered off towards the midway camp in between the border of Kazekuni and Sunagakure, dodging a few shruiken now and then.
Neji sighed and observed the damage he had just dealt. All six of the nin he felled were mortally wounded or dead. Sighing again, he couldnt help but think of Chiyo. She looked almost identical to her mother, but lacked the ferocity that Orochimaru's former apprentice had. She had a scar that ran over her left brow and cheek, but to her relief, as Neji was sure, didn't damage her brown eyes. Neji knew from a breif guarding shift he had for Tsunade's office, that Chiyo loved to talk. She told him that she wanted to be a teacher like her father, Iruka.
No more than 15...she shouldnt be here...No chuunin should be fighting. Neji thought. He had hoped that Anko's scowl had been because he dismissed her. He knew, again from Chiyo's ramblings, that since Anko and Iruka's separation, Anko and Chiyo didn't get along very well. But Chiyo told him often that she wished she could see her mother more.
A kunai whizzed past Neji's face and brought his out of his daze. Looking up and to his right, he ducked again as a handful of shruiken passed over his head and embedded themselves into the ground.
Not saying a word, Neji jumped towards the airborne attacker and hit his heart straight on with a jyuuken strike. The attacker was dead before he hit the ground. As he landed, Neji spared a last glance at the man and sighed.
"Just a boy...from Kusa to boot. They shouldn't have gotten involved in this..." Kicking the boy's body over, Neji sighed and jumped away.
"Doton: Iwa Hebi no Jutsu!" A voice yelled. Neji looked down and was promptly struck rather hard in the side. Crashing down onto the ground, Neji rolled over and groaned. Looking in the direction he had been hit from, he saw a man with a black mask covering his entire face, save a slit cut out for his eyes, which glowed an eerie red in the light of dawn. Beside the man was a massive stone snake, It's middle was twice as thick as Neji's waist.
Standing up Neji wordlessly stood in his Jyuuken stance. The man pointed at Neji with two fingers and the stone snake lunge forward again. Neji dodged, but the snaked managed to catch his chest with it's tail.
Shouting, Neji hit the ground and rolled. Holding the gash that the snake opened from his collar bone to the bottom of his ribs, Neji slowly stood. Rushing towards the man with red eyes, Neji charged his hands up for a quick round of Jyuuken, but was knocked away by a smaller and much faster snake.
"There is no beating me, for I am Rouko of the Rock! Doton: Iwayado Kuzushi!" Rocks ranging from the size of the man's fist to the size of his head started rising into the air. Still falling, Neji's pale eyes widened as he saw the rocks start to hurtle themselves toward him. The rocks were gaining speed when Neji's foot touched the ground. Using his fall to his advantage, Neji shifted his body into a spin. Releasing chakra from every tenketsu on his body, he shouted,
"Kaiten!" The rocks bounced away with contact, but a few exploded, leaving the air dusty and hazy. "A few rocks isn't enough to beat me!" Neji shouted. The Iwa-nin took a step back and raised both his hands. More rocks, some twice as large as Neji's head raised up.
"Hmph! That same jutsu wont work twice on me!" Neji shouted, as he shifted his feet into a steadier stance and gathered chakra to perform another Kaiten. The man just laughed and Neji frowned, but didn't have a chance to think on it. The man made throwing actions with both his arms and the rocks that had been hovering around him suddenly shot towards Neji. Smirking, Neji lowered his stance and sparted to spin.
"Kaiten!" He shouted again. Chakra seeped out and the rocks once again bounced off or exploded.
"Doton: Chikyuu no tatekou!" Neji heard the man shout. A sandy brown column of rock jutted out from the ground beneath Neji's feet and struck his cheek. Neji's head whipped back and his Kaiten was halted. Neji body was instantly battered with whatever rocks still being thrown at him. Neji nearly screamed when he felt a sharp stone slice into his cheek and up towards his forehead. Hitting the ground and bouncing instead of rolling, Neji used a bounce to stand himself up, but nearly fell over again.
Rolling on the ground got bits of dirt and small rocks into his chest and face wound, making them sting like someone had drenched him in alcohol. Opening his eyes, the Hyuuga quickly found that he couldnt open his left eye, leaving it practically useless at the moment. Grinding his teeth, Neji started forming seals as fast as his body would let him. Dodging a strike from the larger rock snake, he landed a few feet away from the shinobi with red eyes and shouted,
"Kanashibari no Jutsu!" The nin's eyes widened as his body stiffened. Neji nearly collapsed, but pulled out the short sword that all ANBU were issued with in Konoha. Covering the last few feet that separated him and the Iwa nin, Neji took one look into his eyes and thrust his sword as hard as he could directly into the man's heart.
"That's for those damned snakes." The injured Hyuuga said as the man fell over, all effects of Neji's paralyzing jutsu wearing off as he died.
Collapsing to his knees, the last thing Neji though was about how Tenten was going to angry at him for getting injured. His mouth twitched into a smile and he closed his eye.
End Chapter 29
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~No more chapters for a bit. Sorry for the wait on this one, but I'm so behind in school, and I have major writers block. If I do submit a chapter, dont expect much plot.
~Mog (Thank you for all your reveiws, you guys. It's much appreciated!)
Tsunade sat back and sipped the hot sake that Shizune had so thoughtfully brought a few minutes earlier. Sighing as the warm drink spread into her stomach, she picked up a scroll. Unrolling it to a set date, she started to read again.
It's so odd, to think that there is a separate life inside of me...He kicked for the first time today, while I was standing in front of the mirror. I was just standing there, rubbing my belly, which by the way, looks like I swallowed a melon, and he just kicked my hand. It was such an odd feeling, I think I screamed a little bit. I cant decide on a name...I dont even know if I should name him. Yes, him, I just have this feeling. I can almost imagine us, all three of us, playing in a feild of flowers. Naruto standing tall and proud, me sitting at his feet, my arms full of the bouquet that our son picked. I can see our child, with his blonde hair, and my white eyes... Although, I would be just as happy if he turned out to have my hair. Even happier with his blue eyes, but sadly, I cannot recall a child with a Hyuuga parent having anything other than the pupiless eyes we are so feared for. Oh! He kicked again! It's such a funny feeling. I wish Naruto was here to feel it too...
Tsunade choked on her drink.
"No way..." She said, and checked the date on the entry. It was about 5 months after the first entry, which Tsunade had noted to be ripped. Hinata had wanted her to read only this section. Checking down further on the scroll, she found a date that was written oddly.
"'Day 3, October 22nd' Hmm?" The blonde woman said. Reading on, she set her glass of sake on her desk.
I'm a little bit ashamed...the lady who found me where Neji-ni-san had left me, old Suzuki-san, refused to leave my cabin. She just showed up one day, with a bundle of food and said, quote,
"Imma not leavin' till that baby comes a cryin'." It was embarrassing...but my dear child chose that moment to try and come out. Labour is painful. Very painful. I dont even know how many hours passed, but without Suzuki-san, who later told me she was a retired medic-nin, now village midwife, I dont think that having a baby would have worked. I'm 17 years old, I have no idea how to raise a child. But I looked into my son's white eyes (as I had predicted) and melted. He was born three days ago, on October 18th...8 days after Naruto's birthday. Suzuki just left this morning with instructions. She also told me that when I felt up to it, to come and visit her in the village. Oh, he's crying...
Tsunade's mind was tickled. She knew a Suzuki, they were friends during their genin years, as Tsunade had become a genin a year before her. She thought the old woman had died years ago, as she had disapeared on a battle feild a few years after Dan died. Shaking her head to clear all thoughts of Dan, and Nawaki who always popped up, Tsunade started to read the next passage.
I've decided on a name for him. I tried on a whole bunch of names...I want this name to mean something. Nothing fit, and I was getting nowhere. Then I thought of naming him "gift" But most of the names that mean gift were girly sounding...But then...this child was my last gift from Naruto, a condolance gift. I shall name my son Uzumaki Kouden.
Tsunade dropped her sake bottle. It smashed on the floor, spilling it's contents everywhere. Shizune rushed in at the noise, but stopped when she saw her teacher just sitting there, her hand still raised, and her mouth wide open.
"Tsu-tsunade-sama? Is everything ok?" Tsunade turned her head to Shizune, and the mostly black haired woman noted Tsunade's pale face.
"Kouden...that little boy...where is he?" Shizune furrowed her brow.
"He's still training with Jiraiya-sama...He wont be coming back for another year and a bit. Why?"
"It's him...Shizune, what was the first thing you thought when you first met the boy?" Shizune moved her head.
"What? Uhnnn, probably what most of the village still thinks...That he looked an awfully lot like...Him." Tsunade smiled and found she couldn't stop.
"This scroll, Shizune, is actually a journal. Written by Kouden's mother." Shizune blinked, and blinked again.
"What!?!" She said loudly. Rushing to her teacher's side, she looked at where Tsunade was pointing.
""Imma not leavin' till that baby comes a cryin'." It was embarrassing...but my dear child chose that moment to try and come out' Oh my...does it say who she is? Does it say who his father is? Who sent this to you?" Shizune urged. Tsunade stuck her hand up and said, still smiling,
"This was sent to me by his mother. She sent it saying that if she doesn't come back from the war, we should tell Kouden what really happened to his father." the mostly black haired woman stomped her foot and said,
"Just tell me! You always do this!" Tsunade let out a laugh and said,
"Hinata! Hyuuga Hinata! His father, he was Naruto! It says here she got pregnant about a week or so before they died. I suppose that means that Hinata really didn't kill Naruto, like Hiashi said. Where is that old bastard?" Shizune shrunk back a little bit.
"Tsunade-sama...Hiashi-san has gone to fight in the war. Most of the retired jounin left to fight as well. I over heard Hiashi talking to Hanabi-sama, and he said that he wanted to fix his sins and fight for the country he loves." Tsunade brought her fist down on her desk so hard it cracked. Papers flew everywhere, and Shizune sighed, knowing she would have to clean it up.
"I hope I find him before he dies. That bastard will answer for this." Shizune, tomorrow I plan on joining the Medic team installed in Suna. I want you to stay here. You, Kotetsu, and Izumo will be in charge of the village. I will check back at the end of everyweek by bird. I expect a full report of the status of the village. If we need the Genin to help with the ends and the clean up, I will send for them." Shizune sighed loudly, but saluted her teacher.
"Now, to read the rest of this by tomorrow is going to take silence. I dont want any disturbances unless I call for you. Now go and get ready." Shizune nodded and left Tsunade to read the thick scroll.
"How did it go?" A light, feminine voice whispered. A tall man with sandy hair turned his head towards the woman and said, just as quietly,
"Fine, no problems, except that one guard. I don't know how much longer he's going to look, but my legs are getting sore."
"What about the little lightning boy there?" The woman said, blowing a peice of her red hair out of her eyes, while pointing at the bundle on the man's back.
"Tatari, for the last time, he's fine. Unconcious, but alive." Tatari huffed quietly and said,
"Well, I was just making sure, I dont want this one dieing as well, I dont know what Leader-sama would do if you lost another one, Satoshi-kun." Satoshi turned his head and caught sight of the guard again.
"Kuso...He's still looking! Won't this guy give up?" Tatari shifted her feet and said,
"Why can't we just kill him?" Satoshi shot her a look and the red head rolled her eyes. "Fine...fine."
Shivering, Sasami cuddled deeper into the warm blankets that covered the large bed she was trying to sleep in. All night she had been sneezing, and Souma, her sensei sent her to bed early fearing the young queen was coming down with a cold. Sasami's hand snuck under her pillow and her fingers brushed the corner of a letter. Pulling it out, she opened it with a warm smile. Squinting in the dim candle light, she brought the letter closer to her face.
Dear Sasami-chan,
Hey! I know it's been a while, and that I should have written you more letters, but I just found out that you were in the Lightning Country! A queen! Sasami-chan, that's so awesome! I asked Ero-sennin if we could go and visit you but he said that we weren't staying long. There's a war going in Suna, the Tsuchikage is crazy, he's trying to take over the entire land! I think Ero-sennin intends for me to fight, but since I'm only a chuunin...oh! I acheived chuunin! I took the test with one of the twins and Sakana-nechan. The other twin passed already, and they were short. I took it in Kirigakure. That place is kinda creepy. But anyway, how are you? How is being queen? I bet it's exciting! I found my Kaa-san, she had been hiding out here all along with Katoki-san. I met him a few months ago in the fire country, and again in the waterfall. I met Shiro there too! Surprise surprise! Shiro-teme got special permission from Tsunade to tag along with us, that's how I found out about you being a queen, I'm sorry I couldn't have been there to say goodbye... I have to get going now, It's almost time to leave, Ero-sennin wants to talk with someone, but Im not too sure whom yet. I will write another letter as soon as possible, but dont bother writing back, I dont stay in one place long enough.
Missing you,
Hyuuga Kouden
Rolling over, she hugged the letter again, and stuffed it back under her pillow. She got that letter a week ago, it was being carried in the mouth of a frog with an attitude problem, and the frog itself was being escorted in by Souma.
"Sasami-hime? Are you still awake? I can hear you. Go to sleep, you need your rest." A voice called from the hall. Sasami rolled her eyes, and yawned. Frowning at her body's disobediance, she sighed and snuggled deeper into the mounds of blankets.
Peeking in the pink haired queen's room, Souma waited until she saw the steady rise of Sasami's chest before closing the door. Turning towards the scarcely lit hall, Souma peered down the hall, her amber eyes allowing her to see everything as if it were daytime. Looking up at the inky black ceiling, Sasami's dark skinned teacher released the chakra she had concentrated on her eyes, and the amber slowly receded back into their normal green.
"Clear. Down." She said, being as quiet as possible. A small rustle of fabric was the only thing Souma heard as a figure dressed in black dropped down from the ceiling.
"Take this. The army has moved out of Raikuni, ample time is in the next few days. Give her my regards." The shinobi dressed in black nodded once and took the tiny scroll from Souma's outstretched hands. When the shinobi silently scaled the wall, Souma tapped her temple and whispered,
"Kohakugan!" Her irises bled amber and she watched as the figure disapeared silently into a hole that was very cleverly hidden on the ceiling. Smirking, Souma continued down the hall and out of the wing.
"I guess that you cant eat haddock sushi ether..." A sympathetic Katoki said as Hinata continued to retch over the edge of a bush. Waving her hand she said,
"Maybe...but I think it's my nerves. I used to get like this when I was younger. I remember before my first Chuunin Exam, I threw up for three days. Just, don't worry. I will be fine. Let's continue." Katoki looked at the small group of ANBU. the 11 other members were taking the momentary rest as a good thing. Ever since the ambush Katoki had been rushing the small group towards Sunagakure, only taking breaks to eat. The two injured ANBU that the others had been carrying had been reduced to one. Toshi, a boy who Katoki knew was no older than 19, died after fighting for a good number of hours to stay awake. He had been poisoned, and the medic ninjutsu capable shinobi had not been able to get all of the poison out.
"Katoki, how long are we away from Sunagakure?" a man asked from the small crowd. Katoki focused on him and said,
"Another few hours if we can travel at the same pace again." The man, and several other ANBU nodded. "Is everyone ready then? I predict we can be there by sunup." Katoki continued, and smirked. Hinata stood up fully next to him and adjusted her mask. Katoki slipped his now cracked mask over his face and said quietly to Hinata,
"Hinata-chan, I think, when I get to Suna, I'm gonna need a new mask..." Hinata gave off a few giggles, and jumped into a tree, following the other ANBU.
"Kazekage-sama...the Kumo ANBU just arrived...the leader wants to talk to you." Gaara sighed as he walked towards his office. That short and snippy little man that called himself the leader of the ANBU was not someone Gaara wanted to meet with again. He was rude and arrogant. Waving his messenger off, the young woman spun on her heel, a blush grazing her face.
Pushing open the door to his office, he was elated to see Kaisa and Matsuri quietly playing in the corner. Opening his mouth, Gaara was about to tell Matsuri to take the toddler out of the room, but was interrupted by the door opening.
"Gaara, the ANBU group is here." Gaara looked back to see his brother's heavily painted face sticking in.
Kankuro, take Kaisa-chan back to your quarters." Matsuri snorted and Gaara's lips flickered into a smile. "But dont let her near your bloody puppet room." Kankuro looked over at his neice and nodded.
"Kai-channnn, Let's go see what Kankuro-ji made for you!" The three year old red head looked over at the tall man and squealed. She squealed even louder when Kankuro picked her up. When they had left, Matsuri said, quietly as they could hear several people in the hall outside the office,
"Gaara...why did you choose me to stay?" Gaara turned to his wife and smiled gently.
"Matsuri...you are a fully capable shinobi, I taught you myself. You are also calmer and more level headed than Kankuro. I dont want to face the entire ANBU embassy by myself. Kami-sama, I told them to send their leader when they got here, not the entire group. I hope you are ready for a tight squeeze, unless they leave some outside." Matsuri smiled at Gaara's joke and settled into her place against the wall to Gaara's right.
"Come in, then." The Kazekage's chilling voice floated across the room. The door opened slowly, and a tall ANBU with a plain mask silently entered. Bits of blonde hair stuck out everywhere as Gaara's eyes widened slightly in recognition. Following the ANBU an organized stream of people flowed in, save the last, in which a woman was being carried by a taller ANBU.
"I count twelve of you." Gaara said, his voice containing a hint of question. The tall blonde nodded and said,
"Gaara-sama, we were ambushed by Ame nin. Although some of them looked to be ronin. They had nearly twice as many in their numbers as we did. What you see here, are the survivors. All of them. Keiko-san needs medical attention as soon as possible though..." Gaara flicked his hand and one of the guards at the door disapeared.
"This is it? Kami-sama...Have you sent a notice to the Raikage, Katoki-san, right?" Katoki nodded, and a few of the ANBU at the back of the group shifted their feet.
"I have a question, Katoki-san. Before you left, had you any word on Jiraiya-san? He was supposed to send me a report as soon as he got there...It's been over a month, and I havent heard of anything." Katoki hesitated and said,
"Saa...I did. I saw Jiraiya-sama, but he disapeared with his apprentices three weeks ago. We assumed it was to help fight the Iwa." He felt the tinyest flare in Hinata's chakra as she flinched slightly. Gaara noticed it as well as his cool turquoise stare was directed at her.
"You...I recognize your mask, but your name escapes me. Gomen, ANBU-san." Gaara bowed his head a bit and Hinata waved her hand.
"A-ano...It's not a p-problem. ANBU are s-sup-posed to be annoymous anyway." Gaara nodded in agreement and tented his fingers.
"Since there are so few of you, I can offer you shelter in the city with the Konoha and Kiri ANBU, or you can take up shelter in the camp with the Kumo Jounin who arrived last week just outside the city walls. It's up to you."
"Kiri ANBU? Has the Mizukage decided to help this time?" Gaara remained stoic but didnt say anything.
"It seems that the Mizukage is missing a child from his village. He told me that witnesses said that the kidnappers wore Hiteate from Kumo, Kiri, and Iwa. He sent a few, about twice your numbers to help fight the Iwa, and attain information on this child. He informed me that he wasn't sending anymore though." Katoki nodded and said,
"We will stay with the other ANBU." A few nods were colectively seen amung the ANBU. Gaara lowered his head once and after a few seconds said,
"Completely unrelated, but what happened to Hanzo-san?" Katoki, without missing a beat answered.
"He's dead. Killed in the ambush. I'm the group leader now." Gaara nodded and motioned Matsuri to show them out the door. Gaara's eyes followed the woman who's mask he recognized. Something was different about her, but no matter. He had paper work to do. At that thought, Gaara sighed and picked up his pen.
Closing his eyes he focused chakra to both of his hands. Even with his eyes closed, he saw the chakra pathways of his opponents.
"Two in front, one left, three behind..." He whispered to himself. Quickly forming a plan of movement, he suddenly charged at the nin to his left. The nin was surprised and didnt have time to react. Opening his eyes, he slapped the nin's torso as he spun around him and without losing a beat, moved to the next unlucky nin.
All he could hear was the sound of his feet scratching the sandy dirt and the last nin falling in a heap on the ground. Taking a deep breath, his calm was broken by his partner.
"Omedeto, Neji! That was brilliant! Do you know what would make it even better? Snakes!" Neji gritted his teeth as his partner started to laugh like there was no tomorrow. She appeared to be around 25 or so, but Neji knew that she was well into her 40's. In fact, from analyzing the genjutsu she used, he saw that she must have buggered Tsunade into teaching her. Neji looked over and dimly realized that she had changed her clothes from his childhood memories. Gone was the ankle long trench coat, and instead, she wore a form-fitting black jumpsuit. A large snake design was embroidered on the back. The snake wound it's way from the back of her right knee to her left shoulder where was was eating a red symbol. Neji recognized that seal as the cursed seal that Orochimaru had given her as a child. He had heard that it disapeared when Sasuke killed the snake sannin.
"Anko-san...While I thank you for commenting on my justu, I do think that you should be fighting instead of loafing around. This is war, not the Chuunin Exams." Anko glared at him and Neji nearly sweatdropped.
"You know what? I heard that the chuunin arrived yesturday. Why dont you go see Chiyo? I'm sure she would like to her mother before the fighting actually commences." Anko scowled and sauntered off towards the midway camp in between the border of Kazekuni and Sunagakure, dodging a few shruiken now and then.
Neji sighed and observed the damage he had just dealt. All six of the nin he felled were mortally wounded or dead. Sighing again, he couldnt help but think of Chiyo. She looked almost identical to her mother, but lacked the ferocity that Orochimaru's former apprentice had. She had a scar that ran over her left brow and cheek, but to her relief, as Neji was sure, didn't damage her brown eyes. Neji knew from a breif guarding shift he had for Tsunade's office, that Chiyo loved to talk. She told him that she wanted to be a teacher like her father, Iruka.
No more than 15...she shouldnt be here...No chuunin should be fighting. Neji thought. He had hoped that Anko's scowl had been because he dismissed her. He knew, again from Chiyo's ramblings, that since Anko and Iruka's separation, Anko and Chiyo didn't get along very well. But Chiyo told him often that she wished she could see her mother more.
A kunai whizzed past Neji's face and brought his out of his daze. Looking up and to his right, he ducked again as a handful of shruiken passed over his head and embedded themselves into the ground.
Not saying a word, Neji jumped towards the airborne attacker and hit his heart straight on with a jyuuken strike. The attacker was dead before he hit the ground. As he landed, Neji spared a last glance at the man and sighed.
"Just a boy...from Kusa to boot. They shouldn't have gotten involved in this..." Kicking the boy's body over, Neji sighed and jumped away.
"Doton: Iwa Hebi no Jutsu!" A voice yelled. Neji looked down and was promptly struck rather hard in the side. Crashing down onto the ground, Neji rolled over and groaned. Looking in the direction he had been hit from, he saw a man with a black mask covering his entire face, save a slit cut out for his eyes, which glowed an eerie red in the light of dawn. Beside the man was a massive stone snake, It's middle was twice as thick as Neji's waist.
Standing up Neji wordlessly stood in his Jyuuken stance. The man pointed at Neji with two fingers and the stone snake lunge forward again. Neji dodged, but the snaked managed to catch his chest with it's tail.
Shouting, Neji hit the ground and rolled. Holding the gash that the snake opened from his collar bone to the bottom of his ribs, Neji slowly stood. Rushing towards the man with red eyes, Neji charged his hands up for a quick round of Jyuuken, but was knocked away by a smaller and much faster snake.
"There is no beating me, for I am Rouko of the Rock! Doton: Iwayado Kuzushi!" Rocks ranging from the size of the man's fist to the size of his head started rising into the air. Still falling, Neji's pale eyes widened as he saw the rocks start to hurtle themselves toward him. The rocks were gaining speed when Neji's foot touched the ground. Using his fall to his advantage, Neji shifted his body into a spin. Releasing chakra from every tenketsu on his body, he shouted,
"Kaiten!" The rocks bounced away with contact, but a few exploded, leaving the air dusty and hazy. "A few rocks isn't enough to beat me!" Neji shouted. The Iwa-nin took a step back and raised both his hands. More rocks, some twice as large as Neji's head raised up.
"Hmph! That same jutsu wont work twice on me!" Neji shouted, as he shifted his feet into a steadier stance and gathered chakra to perform another Kaiten. The man just laughed and Neji frowned, but didn't have a chance to think on it. The man made throwing actions with both his arms and the rocks that had been hovering around him suddenly shot towards Neji. Smirking, Neji lowered his stance and sparted to spin.
"Kaiten!" He shouted again. Chakra seeped out and the rocks once again bounced off or exploded.
"Doton: Chikyuu no tatekou!" Neji heard the man shout. A sandy brown column of rock jutted out from the ground beneath Neji's feet and struck his cheek. Neji's head whipped back and his Kaiten was halted. Neji body was instantly battered with whatever rocks still being thrown at him. Neji nearly screamed when he felt a sharp stone slice into his cheek and up towards his forehead. Hitting the ground and bouncing instead of rolling, Neji used a bounce to stand himself up, but nearly fell over again.
Rolling on the ground got bits of dirt and small rocks into his chest and face wound, making them sting like someone had drenched him in alcohol. Opening his eyes, the Hyuuga quickly found that he couldnt open his left eye, leaving it practically useless at the moment. Grinding his teeth, Neji started forming seals as fast as his body would let him. Dodging a strike from the larger rock snake, he landed a few feet away from the shinobi with red eyes and shouted,
"Kanashibari no Jutsu!" The nin's eyes widened as his body stiffened. Neji nearly collapsed, but pulled out the short sword that all ANBU were issued with in Konoha. Covering the last few feet that separated him and the Iwa nin, Neji took one look into his eyes and thrust his sword as hard as he could directly into the man's heart.
"That's for those damned snakes." The injured Hyuuga said as the man fell over, all effects of Neji's paralyzing jutsu wearing off as he died.
Collapsing to his knees, the last thing Neji though was about how Tenten was going to angry at him for getting injured. His mouth twitched into a smile and he closed his eye.
End Chapter 29
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~No more chapters for a bit. Sorry for the wait on this one, but I'm so behind in school, and I have major writers block. If I do submit a chapter, dont expect much plot.
~Mog (Thank you for all your reveiws, you guys. It's much appreciated!)