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 Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 9:50 pm
Discuss this in the OOC thread. I plan on updating this as the RP progresses, so don't worry if your character hasn't made an appearance... THEY WILL BE.
As you can tell from the first chapter, our RP begins on the same time as the first chappie of Shippuden. Differences in the story will soon become apparent. A few are going to be blatantly obvious. xD!
The Adventure Begins...
“How’s the boat handling kid?” Jiraiya yelled from the back of the small boat with dragonfly wings that was fluttering through the night sky, “They’re gaining on us!”
“Are you sure about this?” Naruto called back, “What if…”
“We’ll be safe there,” Jiraiya promised, “Kakashi’s already headed that way. I didn’t expect Danzo to take power so easily,” he chewed his lip, a sorrowful look on his face at the memory of his childhood friend, “But she was able to get most of your friends out with some help… that’s a good friend you made with the kid in Suna.”
Anymore that he had to say was lost as a large airship came into view, and both Naruto and Jiraiya wondered exactly how the damn thing stayed hidden when the blimp keeping it aloft was every color of the rainbow and at the stern end there was a giant a** drawn on it with a kiss mark on one of the cheeks.
“There it is,” Jiraiya said in quiet awe, “I bet you’re looking forward to see your friends again.”
The blond nodded, chewing his lip as he steered the flying boat into one of the gates on the port side of the airship.
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Shane sighed as he leaned back in his seat, tired of looking at the various complaints of gremlins down in the engine room or threats from Konoha for harboring refugees from that place. “I don’t remember them raising this much of a fuss when I left,” he snorted, as he took the latest correspondence from the new Hokage and crumbling it up, threw it in his wastebasket.
The door opened, and a blue haired nin peeked in, “Yaoikage-sama, there’s company,” Haru said, “You told me to get you when Jiraiya came… he’s here, and he’s asking a favor.”
“Let him in,” Shane said, sitting up in his seat to await the legendary Sannin.
However, when Jiraiya entered the room, he wasn’t the one who commanded the Yaoikage’s attention… rather it was the blond boy standing next to him.
Moments later, Shane had signed the paperwork enlisting Naruto as a new Danshoku nin and had arranged a mission for Jiraiya to gather information on the looming organization that seemed to be behind recent events…
But he didn’t really pay attention, and it seemed that neither did Naruto.
Finally Jiraiya sighed, “I’ll be heading out now,” he said, earning him a half hearted wave from both blonds, and grinning he left the room, “Where does a guy get a bite to eat around here?” he asked Haru.
“Over at Mira’s place,” the Yaoikage’s assistance smiled gently, “I was about to head over there myself,” he gave a glance back in the office to Shane and Naruto, “I suppose I better arrange for Shane to have a dinner delivered for two then.”
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Haru led Jiraiya through a bustling marketplace straight to a small place almost hidden in the chaos that surrounded it. “Here we are,” he said, and opening the door went inside.
“So you made it,” Kakashi said as Jiraiya noticed him and sat at his table, “I was a bit worried that Danzo might have succeeded…”
“That’s not the worst thing that’s happened,” Jiraiya whispered, ordering sake when the feathery red haired woman with a small gold wren perched on her shoulder came to take his order, “The Akatsuki are after something bigger than the bijuu…”
Kakashi nodded and the two continued their hushed conversation as the red-head went to the counter of the bar, where Lee and Neji were speaking with a purple haired girl, “Well, looks like Naruto finally made it,” she said nodding towards Jiraiya, and then turned to Haru who had taken a seat next to Neji, “Where is he?”
“He’s still in Shane’s office,” Haru said as he took a cup of sake and passed a message to Mira, who after looking at it nodded and as the wren flew from her shoulder, the letter burst into flames as she held it.
“Aww,” Umbra grinned, “Is Lord Yaoikage in love?”
“Wonderful, the springtime of youth is blooming all around!” Lee said as Mira handed him a plate of curry, “And our friend is safe! Neji, we should…”
“No,” Neji said as he sipped his tea, “We’re being kept busy enough as it is. Besides, we’ll see him soon enough.”
“You’re so cute,” Mira teased, “You were just as worried about him as everyone else was.”
“I was not,” he snapped as he placed his tea down then coughing as Kiba ran into him, followed by Tenten and Shino.
“Is it true?” the dog nin asked.
Mira nodded, “He’s at the Yaoikage’s office now, so he’ll be meeting up with all of you guys later,” her face darkened for a moment, “Which one of you is going to tell him about…”
The Konoha nin looked at each other for a moment, all nervously chewing their lips as they remembered the reason they were in Danshoku in the first place. Tsunade’s death… Danzo’s taking over… the fact that they and others were all now exiles…
How would they explain that to the hyper blond that had left three years earlier in his quest to get stronger so that he could save Sasuke?
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Many, many miles away, in the midst of a traveling sandstorm, a beige airship floated, and deep within it, the Kazekage stared out the window, his eyes searching the quiet skies for signs of news.
His desk was noticeably different than the Yaoikage’s, for one, it was much neater there was no clutter... At least not in this office. His unofficial one, which was supposed to be his bedroom, was strewn with books and scrolls.
After all, it wasn’t as if he slept… Shukaku made very sure of that.
A small chirping made him look up to see the golden wren that was his correspondence with his contact in Danshoku, someone he had met a year before under strange circumstances. The bird landed on his desk, and turned into the feathery golden haired girl that looked so much like Mira only a few years younger, “He’s at Danshoku,” she said happily, “And Mira wants to know when you’re coming to visit again. You at least have to meet with Shane to discuss the moving Akatsuki.”
“Is there any news on them?” Gaara asked, knowing that Jirayia was the person gathering information on the strange organization that was frequently becoming more of a danger.
“It seems that they are looking for something…” Phoenix chewed her lip, “Mira’s afraid that they may have found Kei’s old notes. But we’re not sure yet,” she smiled, “This form is pretty tiring when Mira’s so far away from me. Is there anything else you need to know?”
He shook his head, and suddenly she was a golden wren again, who hopped on his desk then flapped her wings and landed on his shoulder, giving an affectionate peck to his ear.
He gave a wry smile, “I do have a message for the Yaoikage… and three more personal ones for some others…”
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Naruto blushed as Shane pulled him into his lap, “I heard a lot about you,” the older blond whispered, “Do you know that you’re a lot cuter than your friends tell me?”
“I…uh…” Naruto was bright red, “You’re pretty cute too!” he finally blurted out.
Shane was about to say some more when a knock came on the door, and a boy with blond hair and green eyes peeked in, “Are you coming to eat?”
“Saisei,” the Yaoikage nodded to Naruto, “Kinda busy here.”
“You can’t tell him!” the teenager yelped.
“Have fun,” the boy said as he turned towards the door, “Oh dad…”
“DAD,” squeaked Naruto, causing Saisei to smirk.
“He’s not,” he said, “I’m an Eidolon. This is just the easiest way to get things done. You two have fun,” he closed the door, leaving a very confused blond on Shane’s lap.
“What’s a Eidolon?” he finally asked, chewing his lip.
Shane sighed, “I suppose we better do some work before we play,” he stole a kiss, before lifting Naruto off of him and standing, “Come on, we need to check the kyuubi’s seal anyways.”
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Below, on the floating continents that made up the world, two figures were walking across the desert as they headed towards the sand storm that hid Suna.
“Are you sure it’s this one, un?” one asked, blond hair flowing down his back.
The person next to him, a large shambling figure nodded, “I’m certain.”
“But there are so many sandstorms!” Deidara complained, “How can you tell?”
“This one doesn’t change, it’s the best type of art,” Sasori said, “It moves, but the storm itself is always the same.”
The comment of art started the old argument the two had on the subject as they walked closer to the tornado.
“And one’s been spotted here?” Deidara asked, his eyes searching the skies above, “I mean, I know the Kage’s a jinchuuriki… but an Eidolon is there too?”
“It’s a strange looking bird,” Sasori said quietly, “It’s very small, so most don’t notice it, but then it’s also an odd color. Our information says that it’s running messages between here and another village, and it just landed here.”
“Who’s giving you information like that?” his partner asked wide-eyed.
There was a good deal of smugness in Sasori’s voice as he said the next and flexed his fingers, “Just a fly on the wall.”
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In the Kazekage’s office, Gaara finished giving Phoenix his messages, “Be careful,” he said quietly, “It’s…”
Suddenly he stopped, whipping his head as he felt the chakra spike, searching for the source, outside the window a white bird flew by, and Phoenix sounded an alarming cry as she saw it.
“Stay with me,” he whispered, and sand seeped out of his gourd and surrounded him and the wren on his shoulder, drifting out the window, and finally on the top of the airship, “Akatsuki.” he said noting the black robes with red clouds embroidered onto them of the one in front of him.
“How’d you discover me so fast?” Deidara said from the back of his bird, “And you’re nice enough to have that Eidolon with you. I get to kill two birds with one stone huh!”
Below in Suna, Kankuro and Temari looked up as they heard the quiet alarming shifting of the sand storm, “Gaara’s up there!” Kankuro exclaimed.
Temari chewed her lip, “Why is the storm stopping though?” she asked, then heard the alarms, “We’re being attacked?”
Both siblings gave a worried glance to each other and ran off to their battle stations.
“The Eidolon does you no good if you don’t have the one she’s attached to,” Gaara said as he sized up his opponent, “And I won’t hand that one over to you.”
“Just as good, I get to blow it out of you,” Deidara grinned as the first of his explosives flew towards Gaara, hitting just the sand barrier that surrounded him.
As the grains making the third eye lifted from the sand, the bomb user studied his opponent, and gave a glance to the people below in the airship, “For a reconnaissance mission, you’re making this very interesting. The people got into action pretty quickly.” he flew the bird up dodging a blast of chakra from one of the cannons below.
Suddenly a sandy claw was around him, and he smirked as he saw the hole in the sand surrounding Gaara, “So that’s it.”
“Can you teleport back home yet?” he whispered to Phoenix.
She bopped her head but pecked his ear again, They wouldn’t forgive me if I left you! her voice sang into his mind.
“You’re going to have to,” he growled, “I can’t let you get captured here.”
Stubbornly she stayed on his shoulder and pecked his ear again, Concentrate on the fight. I’ll worry about whether or not I get captured.
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“Mira!” Umbra called as she ran into the bar, “There’s a hawk from Suna!”
“Hawk?” Mira chewed her lip, “Why hasn’t Phoenix…” a look at her friend’s eyes caused her to throw her apron off, “Go get Neji and Lee… Gaara’s in danger isn’t he?”
Umbra nodded, and Mira turned to Haru who had already put down his food, “Meet me at the harbor, we’re heading that way now,” she pulled aside one of her more trusted waiters, “You’re in charge until I get back.” and ran out the door, heading to the Yaiokage’s office, “Shane!” she yelled throwing open the doors.
“For ******** sake!” he yelped, “Mira! I’m trying to get laid here.”
She sighed, giving a quick glance at the blond lying on his desk with whipped cream carefully arranged on his stomach, “Look, if it were any other time, I would get Umbra to video tape. But Suna’s under attack, and I need approval to lead a team to help.”
Shane suddenly turned serious, and with a wistful glance to Naruto, who was chewing his lip in worry, he pulled out a report from the stack of papers beneath the blond and quickly signed it, “Who are you taking?”
“Umbra and Haru, and Neji’s team is our back up,” she said.
“Good,” he said, “That should be plenty. Make sure you send a report as soon as you assess the situation in case more are needed.”
She nodded and taking the report turned and ran towards the harbor, and Shane turned back to Naruto.
“Now that’s all taken care of… where were we?” he grinned as he leaned down and kissed the blond.
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Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 3:37 pm
A Looming Threat…
“She’s losing blood, prep her for surgery!”
White, there was white all around her, and she couldn’t move, couldn’t think… There was a burning pain in her head, and there was a sharp deep pain in her chest…
And something more, that didn’t make sense… she could feel life despite how close she was to death.
“Haru, Shane, wait outside, there’s nothing that either of you can do for her!”
White… and the red spots of blood…
She could only hear static and then…
“Mira!” a hand touched her shoulder, and she looked up to see Haru staring worriedly at her, “We’re almost there Mirrles,” he said, “We’ll be able to see what damage…”
“How long was I asleep?” she asked as she sat up, trying to make sense of the strange dream.
“Not long,” Neji answered for him, “Just a few hours. You had just completed your watch anyways.”
She nodded, and turned to Yuko, who had joined them at the last moment in the harbor, “Hopefully we won’t need you.” She rubbed her shoulders as she sat up, “But good thing Shane had the sense to change the team up a bit. I’d rather have a medic and not need one then have to scramble to find one.”
“Besides I like being on back up with Lee and Neji,” Umbra grinned, causing the round eyed taijutsu master to blush a deep crimson and Neji to sigh at the two while Tenten giggled.
“I don’t mind,” Yuko said as she prepared her supplies, “For an emergency happening though, Lord Yaoikage seemed rather happy… did something happen?”
“He’s found love,” Mira smiled gently.
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“So that’s what they are,” Naruto nodded in understanding as he and Shane sat at the desk, “But I don’t get how he can walk around like that… isn’t he sealed to you?”
“Eidolons aren’t like bijuu,” Shane said, “Course I’ve only seen two so far, but they serve and protect… and they’re close to gods or something. Even Saisei’s not sure on that point, but they’re supposed to represent everything good in the universe. On the other hand, there are these things called Aeons that represent everything evil… and the people who have those are cursed. My assistant Haru has one… and it’s pretty much a creepy Eskimo. Every time he’s summoned it takes some of Haru’s life…” Shane shook his head, “The Eidolons give life. It gets a bit weirder, but that’s the big difference between the two.”
“But what about the bijuu? Where do they fit in all of this?” Naruto asked.
“I guess they’re the balancing act,” the Yaoikage sighed, resting his head on his hand, “They can be either really destructive or the opposite of that…”
“Yeah,” Naruto crossed his arms, trying to make sense of all of this new information, “Hey, Ero-sennin… he said that the Akatsuki might be after these things right? Not just the bijuu?”
“Yeah, so?” Shane asked.
“Wouldn’t they try to attack here? You said you knew of two… Saisei and who else? And if Haru has an Aeon… wouldn’t he be in danger too?”
Shane stared wide-eyed at the jinchuuriki, “They wouldn’t be stupid enough to attack here,” he smirked, “And has anyone ever told you that you’re damn sexy when you figure things out like that?”
“Heh,” Naruto grinned, “You’re the first person… at least not without my Orioke no jutsu,” he looked up as Shane stood, “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to show you exactly why it would be stupid to attack here,” the older blond grinned as he took Naruto‘s hand, “Come on, you need to see our weapons room.”
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The sandstorm surrounding Suna still hadn’t been restarted when the small dragonfly ship approached it.
“That’s not good,” Haru murmured, “How long have their defenses been down?”
“Since they sent for help?” Mira asked, “But it’s been a day and a half,” her bluish green eyes looked around, “There’s a good deal of damage too… someone blew up the place.”
Temari was waiting for them as they landed, “Kankuro's in the hospital,” she said as they left the ship, “He was poisoned,” she looked at Yuko, “You’re supposed to be good with antidotes.”
“Who poisoned him? It’ll give me something to go on,” the red-head said as she gathered her medical tools from the boat.
“Sasori, Kankuro fought him alone and…” Temari said, and looked at Mira and Haru, “They got Gaara too, and that bird that was with him…” she chewed her lip, “They got the crown as well.”
“Crown?” Neji asked as both Haru and Mira’s eyes widened, “What…”
“Come on,” Mira called, “We need to get to the medical center now and get the information from Kankuro.”
No one noticed Yuko take a small vial from her vest and place it in her medical bag as she followed after them.
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“Hey Milo, Kiki!” Shane called as he and Naruto entered the long room filled with cannons of every shape size and…
“Naruto!” Milo said happily as she waved, “I was wondering when you would get your a** over here. Kiba’s been missing someone to fight with, and Shane just doesn’t annoy him like you do,” she grinned, “So how’s it going?”
The blonde girl that was working on another gun looked up, “Welcome to the ship, are you going to be another worker here?”
“Nah, I’m making him my new assistant. Haru’s going to be in charge of the mission board now,” Shane smirked as he pulled Naruto close to him.
“’Sides, Naruto has such bad aim that it would be disastrous to put him in here,” Milo said, “Remember how you almost sank the Daimyo’s ship when he was visiting Konoha?”
“I was ten!” Naruto yelped, “I’m loads cooler now,” he crossed his arms, “At least I don’t smell like oil and grease all the time. I thought Kiba had a super sensitive nose, how can he stand that?”
Milo cracked her knuckles, “He likes the smell of oil and grease…” she started.
“And the bacon that Milo always carries in her back pocket,” Kiki teased.
“At least I didn’t fart on him in the exams,” the long haired girl stuck her tongue out at the jinchuuriki and then grinned, “Shane, you better watch what you feed him, or you’ll be on the raw end of a dutch oven.”
Naruto turned bright red, “I WOULDN’T!”
“Yup, this is going to be like old times,” Milo placed her hands at the back of her head, “Kiba and Shino are down by the gate checking people in if you wanna talk to them,” she turned to Shane, “Anything you need Boss? It‘s been pretty quiet in here today.”
“Nah, I was just reassuring him that no one would attack us with all these pretty guns,” Shane smiled, “Not to mention the many different S-class shinobi I have on board. Ever take a gander into the Bingo Book? It’s a who who of Danshoku nin now.”
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Yuko got to work immediately on Kankuro, “The poison is one I’ve seen before,” she said quietly as she made an antidote, and setting it aside used her chakra to pull out the poison in his system. She turned to the medics on hand, “Here’s what I need you to do…”
Mira was pacing, “I’m going after them,” she said, “I can track Phoenix…”
“It’s a trap,” Neji said with crossed arms, “You’re her host, they can’t do anything without you.”
“I’m supposed to just leave him? And that crown…” she chewed her lip.
“It’s dangerous,” Haru said, “We can’t leave it in thier hands. Luckily it’s broken…”
“Not for long,” Kankuro said and they turned to look at the puppet master, “Sasori’s the one who made that thing. He’s the one who knows how to fix it,” he winced as Yuko took another bit of the poison from his system.
“Which way did they go?” Haru asked.
“East,” Mira answered before Kankuro could, “They headed towards the Temple east of here,” she played with her pendant, “Phoenix is still with him… and he’s alive, for now…”
Neji and Lee breathed a sigh of relief at that, “The more time we take…” the Hyuuga started.
“I’m done here,” Yuko said as she left Kankuro’s side, “If you’re fighting against Sasori, then I should come with you…”
“As should I,” a voice said at the doorway, and both Mira and Haru bowed at the elderly woman.
“Chiyo-sama…” Mira started.
“Shush girl, I know what’s at stake here. That crown you used to wear will cause a greater tragedy if my cute grandson can fix it. He’s a bit more creative than the one who put it on you.”
Mira chewed her lip, “Let’s hurry then.”
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Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:37 am
Dreaming Death
He walked alone, the wind and sand his only companion as he passed through the dark desert, the moon didn’t even shine this night.
There was no demon now, no dark whispers that threatened his sanity and caused him to lose sleep… he wondered at it and looked to his left, thinking that someone was also missing there… someone important…
But who?
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The sleek air board cut through the night followed by a small speedy boat carrying just two passengers.
“Will they be alright?” Mira wondered as she knelt, trying to keep her balance on the converted scythe of Haru’s, with a backward glance at the wayward station they had snuck through at, and where Neji’s team had been left to buy them some time.
“They’re fine,” Haru said, as he waved at Yuko’s vessel, seeing her nod and steer it away from the two nin, “It’s easier to infiltrate with just two anyways. The question is whether or not there's a guard on his cell… which there more than likely is.”
Back in the vessel, Yuko and Chiyo stared forward, “He’s this way,” the old woman said, “I had heard rumors of his activities, but I never bothered to investigate them.”
The medic nin didn’t say anything, merely nodded as they went deeper into the small territory between Konoha and Suna, the country that was supposed to be populated with holy temples and peopled only by the very devout… it had been set aside as a religious sanctuary years ago after all…
Of course, that was before the wars… before this small country was made into a battle zone and the holy temples all but destroyed… Now the area was filled with orphans and the occasional hermit that had somehow survived the bloodshed.
“What better place to start a new world,” Yuko whispered quietly.
“What was that?” Chiyo yelled, not able to hear anything over the winds as they sailed to the temple. Their job was simple, create a distraction for Mira and Haru to get in and find Gaara, and then hopefully all of them could leave before the entire organization was alerted to their presence.
They landed at the temple grounds, and both looked up at the massive crumbling structure.
“Like the gods it worshipped, this place is lost in time,” Chiyo mused as the two went forward, walking past the twin cleansing pools to the entrance.
“I don’t like how many hiding places there are,” Yuko gave a wary glance to the decrepit columns that littered the courtyard, “This could be an ambush and we would never…”
“That’s the fun isn’t it?” a tired voice said as a shambling husk came out of the temple entrance, “Not knowing when it is that you’re going to die.”
“Sasori.” Chiyo said as she folded her arms in front of her, “Where is the boy that you took from Suna?”
“Are you the ones who want to know? Really?” he raised his hand.
Yuko froze, feeling as if all control had been taken from her limbs, and she found herself reaching into her medical pouch for her oinin senbon.
The old woman never saw the attack coming…
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Haru directed the air board to the top of the temple and he and Mira jumped off, both landing quietly as he caught his scythe.
The fiery haired woman made a handsign and he nodded as both ran into the maze-like structure.
Behind them Deidara came out of his hiding place, followed by a shadowy figure wearing a cloak.
“Want me to take care of them un?” the blond asked, “I could blow them up real good…”
“No. Let the mice find their friend…” the dark voice was amused, “Give them hope and then take it away… that’s the best way to control.”
In the tunnels, Mira stopped for a moment at a crossroads, placing her hands around her ruby as she concentrated on where Phoenix was. Haru waited on her, eyes darting around.
It’s too damn quiet… no way it’s going to be this easy.
Before Haru could respond to Sin, Mira tugged at his arm, leading him down the left tunnel, and making a series of signals to tell what she just learned.
Phoe says that they’re trapped. How the hell did they manage to contain Shukaku like that?
There are ways.
Haru chewed his lip, Sin was dangerously close to taking complete control, and he wondered exactly how he managed to keep the Aeon at bay, a small part of him realizing that it was because Mira was still in contact with Phoenix, that they knew for a fact that the Eidolon was safe, for now at least. He supposed the fact that he was currently the Kazekage’s lover might have something to do with it as well, Sin was letting him rescue Gaara.
Giving a glance to the woman ahead of him, the blue haired nin thought of another reason Sin hadn’t taken control yet, Mira was a wreck, despite her calm outward demeanor, as she led them through the tunnels, and he knew that it wasn’t Phoenix being captured that did that.
I wonder just how long before she admits her feelings for her master. Sin’s amused dark voice said.
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He was in the dark desert still, wandering as he tried to find his bearings when everything brightened and he looked forward, seeing…
Himself?
He blinked, recognizing the boy sitting on the edge of the tower roof overlooking Sunagakure’s trading district as his ten year old self.
“Look at her!” the boy was laughing, “Mother, she’s making them all pay!”
There was an intense heat below and he turned to look at the bright flames engulfing the trading district, the girl in the midst of the flames as she knelt down and hugged herself, tears falling down her cheeks.
“Why is she crying? Everyone deserved it. She shouldn’t be crying for them.”
He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to punch the boy, it wouldn’t do any good. This was only a memory after all.
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Phoenix had changed from her wren form to that of the girl, this time one ready for battle, her reddish gold hair pulled back in twin tails, her normal white dress changed for that of a light red halter top and flared skirt. In her hands was the staff that she had been given so long ago by her beloved, to defend in case he couldn‘t come... She never was a fighter, her magic lay in healing and support.
Behind her was Gaara, lying prone in the hand of the device, her healing magic the only thing that was keeping him from completely dying as Shukaku was being taken out. She eyed those in front of her as she stood at the ready, not sure how she was supposed to win if those vague images materialized and attacked her.
Her only comfort was that she was being ignored… it was possible that all the concentration was on the extraction process, and they simply haven’t seen her.
Possible… but not likely…
Sin… hurry. She chewed her lip, I’m not strong enough to fight them.
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Chiyo looked on as Yuko was able to shake off the chakra strings controlling her and body slammed Sasori into the temple, “Not enough…”
She struggled to get up, to help the medic nin who was ahead fighting on her own. Slowly she made her way to the temple entrance, trying to see where Yuko and Sasori had gone.
Vaguely she was aware of the ground below her becoming warmer, and suddenly she stopped before she walked into the molten lava on the floor.
Yuko stood panting in front of her, “I…I’m sorry… I had to release my kekkei genki, he was just too…”
Chiyo nodded, “He always was a strong person,” she said sadly, placing her hands together in prayer for her grandson, “I tried so hard to save him,” her prayers said, she looked up at Yuko, “Come. Let’s find the others.”
She turned and the medic nin nodded and followed her deeper into the temple. Behind them, a figure stood in the shadows, watching with tired brown eyes beneath red hair as he smirked.
“My best puppet yet,” he whispered.
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The memory was of one only one year back. The woman that had burned the trading district down had turned herself in… to save a thief from Tsuki, something that made no sense…
The thief would have only lost a hand… this woman was going to lose her head.
And yet she walked to the executioner’s block with not a single sense of fear in her eyes, instead a strange sorrow not directed at her, but rather at those whose lives she had taken.
She knelt down and the ax was raised…
…and stopped by sand as his younger self stood over her.
“Give me three days,” he heard himself say, “If I fail to provide evidence that this woman was not under control, then I will take the ax with her.”
The days were given, the proof… a rusted iron crown… was found. And instead of execution, the woman became his agent… not that he actually used her for espionage against her village.
They shared the same goal, redemption for past sins… she faced hers by providing a home and a place to forget the past. He faced his by becoming his village’s protector and leader.
His sins were forgiven… he could finally sleep in peace…
She would understand, he knew that…
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Phoenix turned around in horror as she felt the fading heartbeat, her magic not affecting him, “No!” she cried out, running to him as the hand disappeared and his body started to fall, “Gaara… you can’t!”
“Meddlesome,” a voice said and she froze, whipping around to face the speaker, recognizing the voice from somewhere before she had awakened.
“You…” she whispered as she faced him, “Why? She gave you everything!”
“She was merely a weapon that I used,” the voice said, “And she’s about as useless as you are.”
Mira and Haru finally ran into the room, just in time to see the cloaked and hooded man take out his dagger and stab Phoenix… see her stagger and fall…
And then… everything went dark… and Haru did lose control to his Aeon.
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Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 3:09 pm
Life and Death, Love and Hate…
Phoenix staggered and fell and the room went dark as Haru lost control to his Aeon…
If you had kept it at that brat I wouldn’t have cared. You could have taken a million lives and I wouldn’t have given a damn.
Her sapphire eyes blinked as she recognized the voice, “S…sin…” she breathed, looking down at her hand that covered the area where she had gotten stabbed.
The second you dared to touch her… you sealed your fate.
The pain was there, but there was no blood, “It’s not a hell blade, I…I’m fine,” she started to get to her feet, to try and stop him before he completely took over Haru, as arms wrapped around her to support her.
Looking up, she saw Mira, who gave her a smile, “Let him have a bit of fun,” the fiery haired woman smiled, “Help me with Gaara?”
Phoenix gave a look back towards the hooded figure, “But…”
“Still as useless as ever,” the voice said as he looked at the fiery haired woman.
Mira froze as she turned to face him, “You…”
At that moment, the transformation complete, Sin struck, body slamming the figure and causing the hood to fall back, revealing the auburn hair surrounding the harshly burnt face, the cold green eyes…
“Kei.” Mira whispered, fear seeping into her voice as she stepped protectively in front of Phoenix and Gaara.
“Sin will defeat him,” the bird maiden said as she watched the two fighting, “We need to concentrate on saving Gaara,” she pulled at Mira, “He can’t hurt you anymore!”
She nodded and followed Phoenix to the Kazekage’s body, both reaching the still form as an explosion wracked the place, her arms flew to protect the other two.
“Get out of here!” Sin called from where he was fighting, “He’s not going to be the only one who comes.”
“Sin!” Phoenix cried, “Be careful!” she helped Mira lift up the red-head to their shoulders.
“I’ll protect her,” Mira yelled, “You get a few extra hits in for me!” she turned to the other woman, “Phoe… your powers are stronger in sunlight right?”
After the confirmation nod, she smiled, “Let’s get outside then, besides that means that Sin needs the dark so he can be his strongest.”
Kei moved to stop them, but was stopped by a scythe at his throat, “You’re not even worthy,” the Aeon said, “Might as well call out the rats hiding in the woodworks. I’ll take you all on.”
“What makes you think that I’m not here alone?” Kei asked, “The Akatsuki are more powerful than…”
“I don’t give a s**t what your little club does. I know you’re not alone because you’re the coward that sent an enslaved girl to do all your chores in an attempt to wake up my property. No way you’re the only one here,” he looked up with dark eyes, then whipped a chain with his other hand that went to one of the alcoves overlooking the room, “Thought so.”
The chain went crashing down, carrying the blond explosions master with it, “Crap that hurt, un.” Deidara muttered as he staggered to his feet.
Sin smirked, “You idiots set the trap to capture an Aeon… let’s see if you can actually manage it.”
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“This way,” Yuko said as she helped Chiyo climb through the temple, “I think I heard an explosion…” they came out to a roof top balcony overlooking a waterfall cascading into the sky seas.
“Yuko!” Mira’s voice called out, and she looked to see the fiery haired woman and her eidolon carrying Gaara out.
“What happened?” she asked, “Were we too…”
“They took out the bijuu,” Chiyo said sadly, “He’s dead.”
“He’s not!” Mira snapped, as she and Phoenix laid him down, sitting down beside him.
“Like I showed you,” the Eidolon said, “White flames,” she turned to the other two, “Any healing chakra will help.”
She and Mira’s hands glowed with holy fire as both pressed them against the Kazekage’s chest, Yuko nodded and knelt beside them, her hands glowing with the green chakra, “Mira… you never used medical skills before.”
The barmaid bit her lip, her face going pale, “It’s harder than I thought… Phoe’s changing my flames into something creative… it’s taking a lot of power.”
“Concentrate,” Phoenix whispered, her flames gently enveloping Gaara, “Just think of bringing him back.”
“It’s useless,” Chiyo said, staring at the three women, “Why do you want to save him?”
Mira looked up at the elder, now the only color left in her face was her deep bluish green eyes, “He did the same for me.”
“That’s not a reason!” the old woman snapped, “If anything this frees you of your dept to Suna! If he lives, you keep on being our slave… bought when he stopped that ax from doing it’s job!”
Mira turned back to Gaara, concentrating on the holy flames in her hands, “I’ll gladly serve him until the end of my days,” she whispered.
She couldn’t say love… that word had been cruel enough to the both of them…
Chiyo stared at the woman for a moment before kneeling and placing her hands with the other three, “There’s a technique I developed… it kills the user, but it’ll bring the dead back to life.”
“I won’t let it kill you,” Phoenix said, the Eidolon staring at the woman, “He’s not dead either… listen.”
And then Chiyo did hear it… faint as it was…
Gaara’s heart was beating.
The Eidolon smiled triumphantly, “My healing magic worked after all.”
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“How did you wake up the Eidolon?” Kei asked as he dodged the scythe, “I’ve been trying for years to get that blasted thing out of the ruby. It couldn‘t have been as simple as killing that brat.”
Sin smirked, “Simple.” he didn’t say anymore as he summoned the bones to shield himself from the bombs Deidara was throwing at him, “Stay down.” he ordered as he sent skeletal warriors to contend with him, “You’re fools for choosing a tomb for our battle.”
“We were only after the Eidolon,” Kei said, “We didn’t realize that an Aeon would actually fight for her… aren’t you enemies?”
That was enough to cause Sin to pause, “This wasn’t a trap to get me to come out?” he laughed, running a hand through his hair, “You just wanted Phoe… no you just wanted one of the Eidolons, you didn’t even care which one it was. You were hoping that by stabbing her you would incapacitate Mira enough to steal the ruby… am I right?”
At the stunned stare Kei was giving him, Sin laughed even harder, “Fool! Such a damn fool! And to think I actually thought you were a threat.” he paused a moment, listening inwardly, “Nah, I’ll finish the fight Haru… better teach them now while I have the chance,” he smirked, “Besides when else will I get the chance to show off to Phoe?”
Kei stared at him, “Why do you care what she thinks?”
“Scum like you won’t understand, better go run back to your Master and tell him that Sin has appeared,” he raised his scythe, “Because if you’re still here when this drops, you won’t ever see this world again. I’ll send you to the fires of the World Below.”
With those words, he brought it crashing down, summoning the skeletons and bones to him, sending them crawling out with the shockwave, grabbing at anything that they could grab, pulling them down into the great depths below.
Kei screamed as he was pulled under, Sin didn’t spare him a glance, his hand touching the bone mask that was on his face, “Only one more… the other must have escaped.”
He paused a moment, his form shifting back to Haru, who blinked as he looked around, “I wonder how the others are doing…” nodding he ran towards where Mira and Phoenix had taken Gaara.
After he left, a shadow appeared in the room and a tall pale girl with long golden hair stepped out, surveying the damage, “Oh me, oh my… Big Brother certainly had some fun didn’t he.”
“You could have helped us,” another voice said and a shadowy figure stepped out, “Isn’t that why you were sent?”
“Don’t be so haughty darling,” she said, “My younger Brother and I gave you that eternal life… we can take it away at any time,” she looked up at the column where Deidara was, “You’re smarter than you look, jumping out of the way at the last minute like that.”
“You said we would have an Eidolon,” the shadowy figure said, “We had a deal!” and she turned to him, iridescent eyes flashing.
“I said it was possible. If I knew which one the idiot had meant, I would have told you that it was useless from the start. We’ll have to send Ko after him… and then we can get that little brat Big Brother‘s so fond of,” she smiled, “You just have to think a bit more darling. I have another weapon that we can use to weaken them,” she walked over to him, smiling sweetly as her hand shot out and went through his gut, “As for our deal… don’t you know what happens when you barter with demons?” she asked seductively, “You want the moon… we’ll give it to you… but you belong to us… not the other way around.”
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A little ways from the temple, Yuko was steering the boat away from the place. In the back, Mira and Phoenix were still tending to the unconscious Kazekage. Tears were running down Mira’s cheeks as she looked down at his face, “Wake up,” she whispered.
The little girl was running through the crowds of people, searching for someone, not sure who… just that they were important.
Suddenly she was in the midst of a desert, all alone…
Grinning, she saw the lone figure on the horizon, she ran as fast as she could, catching up to the boy and holding out her hand.
Gaara took it, staring at Mira…
And his teal eyes opened, looking up in surprise at the woman above him, then to Phoenix and Haru, to Yuko and Chiyo, “What…”
Mira hugged him, “Don’t scare me like that again,” she whispered, “I couldn’t stand it if you died.”
He slowly nodded and his hand came up to pat her hair, “You wouldn’t let me.”
Phoenix sighed and glowed for a moment before vanishing into Mira’s ruby, her power for the moment spent.
The small vessel returned to Suna, paying no heed to the gathering storm on the horizon… those worries could wait for another day.
For now… the battle of life and death was won, and for once, life was victorious, a rarity in the world of shinobi…
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Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 2:47 pm
The Brewing Storm...
“Ah, Fugaku, and you brought your eldest,” Danzo said as the Uchiha head and Itachi walked onto the special viewing balcony, “He can stand there with the Hyuuga boy. Good idea bringing him along,” he turned to the stage below where a man was being led by four ANBU to the execution stand, “It’s good to know early on what happens to traitors of Konoha.”
“A quick clean death or even seppaku would be better than this,” Fugaku said, “I thought Sarutobi was working on outlawing this punishment.”
“The council wouldn’t let him… and look at the entertainment we have today,” Danzo almost smirked.
Itachi watched with wide eyes as Hizashi walked up the stairs and the executioner went for the first of the torture…
“It wasn’t him!” next to the Uchiha, the small Hyuuga had clenched his fists as tears fell down his cheeks, “It was Uncle that broke the treaties… Why is Daddy…”
He gave himself up for his brother? Itachi wondered, staring at Neji for a small second before the screaming drug his attention back to the spectacle below.
He wanted to look away… but couldn’t… what he saw that day…
His father was right, a quick clean death was so much better…
Thirteen Years Later…
“Are you sure that we’ll be safe there?” the feminine voice asked as two hooded figures drove their small beat up vessel through the rain to the bright multi-colored blimp, “Couldn’t we…”
“He won’t look for us here,” the quiet masculine voice of the other said, “It’s the last place he thinks that I would go.”
After that the two sailed in silence as they docked aboard the ship and checked in with the gate.
“You guys sure came in late tonight,” Kotetsu said as he looked over their paperwork, “Lord Yaoikage will be out of his office until tomorrow morning… late tomorrow morning…”
Izumo leaned his head against his hand, “You guys better go on to the tavern and inn,” he said gently, “Mira just got back, so it should be open. And you both look like you could do with a hot meal. Weather’s been rough for a week now anyways, get warmed up.”
The girl nodded, her hood still covering her face, and took the directions to the tavern.
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“But Zee…” Mira stared at the line of customers waiting behind the Lolita dressed curly red haired woman who was sitting in a lawn chair and writing in a book. With a rather large Siberian tiger growling at said customers. “Why is there a tiger holding up my customers?”
“You were gone for two weeks! Tavern no good without you,” Lackadaisy closed up her book and looked smiling at Mira, “”Now that you’re back, tavern can open again. Just in time too. I’m hungry.”
The fiery haired woman gave her a look before throwing up her hands and entering the tavern, “Alright, come on in everyone!” she called over her shoulder.
It was a good night it seemed, Mira and her small wait staff were kept busy enough to almost not notice the two hooded figures enter and go to a table near the back.
Almost. Mira was playing the violin for a drinking song when they came in, and from beneath her half closed eyelids, she watched them as she led the tavern in a few more rousing jigs.
Afterwards, convinced that her patrons were well distracted and happy, she went to talk to the odd newcomers, if nothing else, to make sure that they didn’t need any help.
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Kabuto mentally flinched as crockery hit the wall next to him, “Use your contacts if you have to… but find him, bring him back!” the hissing voice said from the darkness in front of the silver haired medic.
“Yes Lord Orochimaru,” he said simply as he bowed, “Would there be anything else before I depart?”
“I need more time…” the hissing voice whispered half to himself, “That person who called last week, the woman… Tell her that I accept her terms.”
“Are you certain?” Kabuto’s eyes widened, “You weren’t interested before…”
“I thought that she was lying. But look at the evidence she gave,” almost on cue, a scar recently given to Kabuto burned, “More power… it would give me an edge, and even more time to accomplish my goal, even if that damn brat actually does manage to escape.”
Kabuto smiled as he pushed up his glasses, “I’ll let her know then… and then I’ll be off to find him and bring him back to you.”
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Shane sighed as he looked out of the window and tightened his grip around Naruto, who was sleeping peacefully in his arms, “It’s been raining all week,” he complained.
“I don’t like it,” Saisei said from where he was doing paperwork that his chosen had unceremoniously dumped on him so that Shane could spend time with the jinchuuriki, “And Mira’s report… those bastards are on the move, and we’re letting one run free?”
The Yaoikage shrugged, “Mira said that he fought for your sister. And he gave that b*****d the final farewell… besides, I can’t just kick Haru out.”
“Who hasn’t even returned yet!” Saisei pointed out, “Neither have my sister! And this rain… it’s not natural,” he narrowed his eyes, “The war with Konoha’s going to be the least of our troubles.”
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The boy still kept his hood up, but the girl smiled as she ate the hot meal and tea, her blonde hair revealed as she happily took the meal, “Thanks so much!”
“Don’t mention it,” Mira smiled, “You act like you haven’t eaten in a week at least!” she placed some tea in front of the boy, “Look, you two need anything else, just call me. I have rooms too, fifteen ryo a night, and three meals are included.”
There was a slight “hnn” at that, and she raised an eyebrow, “And if you guys are looking to stay and work, there are all sorts of jobs over by the Mission’s Board and Yaoikage’s office. A lot of our refugees go there as soon as they can to get something to do.”
She turned as someone called her name, “Be right there,” she yelled back, before turning to the two, “Like I said, just let me know if you need anything.”
“You said that there were refugees here,” the boy suddenly said, “Where from?”
“Konoha for the most part,” she said, “Most of them around your age.”
“Was there… was there a blond boy with them?”
“Well, he came later, and I really haven’t met him yet. But yeah, Naruto just came a few weeks ago,” Mira smiled, “He an old friend of yours?”
“…something like that…” the boy muttered as she went back to tending to the bar.
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Yuko chewed her lip as she read the message that was just sent to her via crow, “Alright. Tell him that I’ll do it,” she whispered, “And another thing…” she stroked the crows beak, “I have a more personal message for…”
She whispered the next words in a low voice, and watched the crow disappear into the storm from her window before closing it and turning back to her office in the medical center, a hand on her abdomen, “No more missions for me I guess…”
A nurse came knocked on the door then, and Yuko nodded as she rose to get back to her work, “Time to make my honest living.”
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Morning came, though it was hard to tell with the storm still brewing outside, and Shane and Naruto were speaking quietly in their office when the door opened.
“So you are here Dobe,” a voice said as the hooded figure opened and uncovered his face.
Blue eyes widened as he saw the black hair, the onyx eyes.
“Sasuke…” he breathed.
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