Naruto Rebirth: Kakureyami (Complete)

[Pequeno Burraidh]

Hokage Mansion

Rei watched the scene unfold before her with a fair amount of scrutiny, watching Dove's face as Wunan left with her, watching how Wunan picked her up, the strength behind the grip and how strong she pulled the girl around. Overall she seemed safe, all the way up until Shinsei started interfering.


He was impatient, angry, brash, rude... He was going to be what sparked conflicts again, especially after what was below had slowed to talks. He cared more about what he himself wanted than the fate of all of those involved, as far as she saw the situation. She couldn't let him get away with it either. He was going to run any chance of peaceful resolution to begin with and that was going to be a problem for a slew of reasons, not the smallest being the risk of Dove siding with the Kakureyami should there be a fight, or worse, turning all the chakra against everyone instead.


That's the best expectation if Shinsei tore her again, if she lost herself in that divide of memories.


Shinsei was well on his way to hurting the one he seemed to care for so much, and was too much a bull headed fool to realise it. Idly, in the back of her mind, Rei couldn't help but notice her vocabulary seemed to have expanded widely since her access to other's memories.


Silence emanated from her being even as Shinsei leapt over the ledge, leaving her with the clone and a new arrival, the 'Giantess'. She watched as they plotted over striking down the King and Queen even as they spoke amicably. The cruelty behind the idea, the deception alone... even she could tell from the memories she'd found.... this was wrong. This wasn't how things should be done.


And she was the only one able to stop it.


She must have stopped breathing by accident at some point, because as soon as she brought in a breath she felt the clone's hands tighten on her shoulders slightly, but this bothered her little.


"Pathetic, shakkabrah. They're talking peace below, you're both talking hate above, seems like none of you ever seem to grasp the idea of chill the hell out, dudes. And Shinsei, brah, you can gather what your shadow clones know when their destroyed, right?," Rei asked rhetorically, twisting around and lashing out a kick at the chakra-shadow as he leapt back. She'd given him a clue, now she could talk longer still, "You're trash, man, talking big, acting tough. Likely you're not anything more than Dove, scared and weak on the inside."


Low blows.


"Like Dove's parents would be disappointed to see her now, you think yours would think any better of you? Especially given you inciting a fight with me earlier? Threatening me, brah? I mean, I don't care man, I don't, but your parents, they'd be so proud of the boy they raised to think picking fights with little girls is tough, or cool, or strong. You're just as pathetic and weak as the next Kakureyami punk, finding some easy target and going for them."


Very low blows. The clone seemed to think so too as a spark entered his eyes and he came lunging forward. Rei, rather than fight him, did her best to keep dancing out of his reach as she continued.


"Truth sting, brah? Certainly seems like it. And I've heard of retreating into fantasy, but this trash?"


Pulling out what she'd lifted from Shinsei's pocket when he'd walked by her and the clone, Rei eyed the book warily before opening it to a page, suddenly finding herself grateful she didn't have the blood to blush any more, quickly closing the book and shaking her head, getting her thoughts back on spot.


"Is this where you get your relationship advice? Or do you just fancy yourself the man with the girls fawning all over him? Finding that in fantasy since the reality is... well I mean, you got Dove brah, I guess."


Picking up an errant piece of sharp wood, she jammed it into her arm enough to break the skin and let the chakra seep out before holding the book over it and watching it alight with flames. The momentary stop to burn the book seemed like it did what she wanted it to as the clone's foot collided with her head and sent her skidding across the rooftop.


Sighing lightly as she did so, Rei didn't exactly relish what she was going to have to do next, but she couldn't risk Shinsei doing anything too crazy, couldn't risk the 'Giantess' ruining any chances at peace either. If needed she'd evacuate everyone else, use herself as a conduit for the explosive energy and sacrifice herself to let much of the expansive reserves loose, but if there was a chance as there was, she couldn't let it go.


Leaping back to her feet, she waited for the clone to charge forward again, but shifted her mass and remained planted as her hand wrapped around the clone's throat, her still holding the burning Icha Icha Paradise in her other hand. Tightening her grip more and more, she could feel her grip starting to sink through the skin of the clone and, holding back the urge to gag at the feeling, reminded herself this was a clone, not the real Shinsei, before squeezing hard enough to snap the clone's head off in a puff of smoke. Walking towards the ledge, Rei passed the 'Giantess' and gave her an appraising glance, smiling and giving a wave as she went by.


Approaching the edge, Rei gripped the final remnants of the book, mostly charred pages and ash by now, and threw them over the side and into the wind, looking down at the real Shinsei as she called out, "Did you get my message, Shinsei?"


It certainly seemed like it, and it almost looked like Shinsei himself was going to coming leaping up after her. It was what she was hoping for, and she could lead him on a merry chase whilst everyone else sorted their issues out, but he stopped suddenly as his hands went through a series of gestures. The next thing Rei realised, four more clones were on their way up to meet her. She didn't often curse, but-


"Shit."


Leaping backwards from the edge as the first one came up, she watched as he smashed through the place she'd just been, even as she was sailing backwards through the air the other three came over the ledge and through the debris in the air, making a beeline for her. In a flurry of movement Rei found herself hurtling through the air as the quartet traded off blows, knocking her further and further through the air before everything stopped momentarily as she through the ceiling of some ramen shop. Before her bearings could be gained she felt on of the clone's grab her left arm, and another on her right, lifting her up between them. The pair in front of her readied their fists as they spoke in turn.


"You l'il bitch,"


"You think we're worried about hitting you?"


"You can't feel it, even if you did we wouldn't care. If you ever bring up our old man again,"


"We're going to make sure we find a way to kill you!"


Rei closed her eyes as she saw both fists come forward, striking her harshly across the face and knocking her from the grip of the clones holding her arms. As the beating continued, she retreated into her mind as she realised just how far things had come. It was... well... it was basically hopeless to be honest and entirely realistic. Dove had done... hell, she didn't even know exactly what was going on with Dove any more, but remembering her sister striking her. Was that Dove forsaking her? Leaving her alone without family again? And Shinsei, now?


Was this all there was for her? A world of hate that hated her in turn?


Even now the clones too were speaking words of hate, though that was partly her own fault.


But then again, the world couldn't be this dark could it? Of all the lives she'd been blessed to see inside, of all the miracles she'd been allowed to see, it was that love was a constant. If there was ever a final goal, a single, last hope, or a destination at the end of the road, it always came down to love in some form or another.


That's what made it worth it, right? So that she could see her home made whole again. So that no one else had to lose their family, that no one else would lose sight of what always rested in her vision.


Tuning back into reality, Rei caught the end snippet of one of the clone's mentioning that eventually they'd wear her out, and that she would fall. Snapping her head up as she saw one come forward to punch her in the face, Rei's hand came up and wrapped around the fist, a calm and friendly smile growing on her face as she seemed to brighten up entirely as she spoke in a jovial manner.


"I may fall, shakkabrah, but it won't be by your hand."


Pushing the clone back and and pulling her hand back, Rei grinned as she rolled backwards and up to her feet, landing softly as she looked at the four clones, each one bearing a mixture of confusion and irritation upon their faces.


"See, I can't place the name, but I know the saying. Keep moving forward. Seems simple enough, but I'm fairly certain the person I'm thinking of was a hero in their own right. And if they can do it, then so can I."

Spoiler

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Lunging through the first three clones, Rei wrapped her arms around the last one and spun around, launching him into the air. It wouldn't hurt him, but it was enough to have the group disperse. Furthermore, since they had numbers, she wanted to get the space. Moving nimbly, she made her way back to the rooftops and looked around until she found the semi-ruined mansion. That's where she needed to get to.


As she started making her way back, the path became a dance of wills as she did her best to duck around and occasionally fight off the assailing clones while trying to reach her destination. Over all it was actually, in an odd sense, kind of fun, as she didn't have to worry about the well being of the clones, it made her reactions a bit easier, not having to worry about breaking bones or really harming them. Letting out a carefree laugh which only seemed to anger the clones further, Rei could only imagine the gaskets Shinsei was going to blow when she destroyed the clones.


Finally landing softly on the mansions roof, seemingly to the surprise of the Giantess, Rei turned and took out a bag from inside her sun dress, tossing it right at Shinsei. The clone, of course, opted the strike the bag instead, sending a spray of sand across the roof top and giving cause for Rei to giggle at the clone's obvious confusion at having a bag of sand thrown at him.


"You seem a little lost, brah. Need help figuring it out? See, Dove loves her people. Finds people, attaches to people, makes people gateways. Summoning people, summoning herself to people. Anything that totally keeps her close to the people she loves. I love people too, man, but I truly love the beach of my home village. Catchin' on yet shakkabrah?"


As one of the other clones came from behind, tackling Rei, the pair disappeared all of a sudden and, having caught on quite well, the other three clones stared at the pile of sand from the bag cautiously, waiting for the girl to make her return. Seconds passed before finally a body appeared and the clones responded faster than anyone had time to think.


Even faster than they had time to think apparently, as the fourth clone erupted in smoke and Rei appeared seconds later, rolling past the group as more sand came off her clothes and from her hair. Turning to face the trio, Rei ducked under a kick from one of them and drove a palm into the chest of the second before catching a hit from thrid that sent her sprawling across the sandy rooftop. As soon as she hit the ground she came rolling back to her feet on a beach front, and quickly grabbed a pair of coconuts before returning to the roof. Her return was, of course, met with trouble, but despite taking hits from the first two clones right off the get go, she managed to catch the third by smashing the coconuts across his face one after another.


"Knock, knock!"


The mirthful comment did little but further anger the clones, more than likely due to it's cheeky nature, but Rei wasn't worried about that yet. She just had to worry about it once Shinsei figured it out. As the clone she just hit and one of the other ones both grabbed her, she transported the pair to the beach where she immediately smashed the coconut clone's head into a tree, destroying him. The other clone responded by grabbing her and hurling her into the water. This would have been a problem for some people, but Rei grew up swimming in these waters, and while technically it was shark season, she had a habit of getting along with them just fine. Sticking out her tongue and blowing a raspberry at the clone, Rei watched as a fin appeared next to her, reaching out and grabbing it as the fin's owner pulled her along through the water. Angling herself around until she was under the water and under the shark, she summoned herself back to the roof top.


For the roof top clone, the sight was likely not one he would have ever expected, but was there none the less as a girl 'wielding' a shark over her head, swung the beast forward as it's jaws clamped down powerfully, destroying him in seconds even as Rei was already bringing herself back to the beach and tossing her aquatic acquaintance back into the sea.


"What's up Shinsei," she spoke to the clone as she let it rush forward and grab her by the throat, "I'll see you in just a couple of seconds, m'kay brah?"


The clone just snorted in derision.


"You know he can't hear that until I'm destroyed, right?"


"Oh I know. That's why your leaving."


Kicking out with her legs, Rei knocked the clone off of her and backwards to roll through the sand of the beach. Before it could rise up Rei was already standing over him, about to smash her foot down before stopping in thought.


"Say, does Shinsei experience the pain of the wounds inflicted on the clones?"


"What?" the clones asked rhetorically, "No, of course not."


In response Rei just nodded before picking the clone up and smashing him into a tree in a puff of of smoke.


True to her words, Rei reappeared on the roof top of the mansion, giving another friendly wave to the Giantess as she walked by, before leaping off the rooftop and landing amongst the crowd below, namely in between Shinsei and Wunan and Dove.




Naruto Rebirth: Kakureyami Final Battle


Hokage MANSION!

"What's up, man?" she spoke aloud to everyone, cheer well in her voice, "I think Shinsei totally wants to smash my, head, in, but what say the rest of us just chill and talk, sound good shakkabrahs?"

Jinan Is Feeling Therapeutic

Jinan


8/14


The Ninja

Chanda Senju


0/7


Kinnosuke Royama


1/7


Daradei


0/7


Orisas/Kurokan


2/7


Chiita Uchiha


1/7


(Lost Chakra) Sozoshi Washa


3/7


Akago Hideki


0/7


Shirokko


0/7


(Lost Isobu) Chiaki Yoshinawa


1/7


Romi Watanabe


0/7


Dru Rinha


0/7


Shinobu Otsutsuki


0/7


Kanami Sakurai


0/7


Hanbungetsu Hozuki


0/7


Shinsei Fugita


0/7


Anpan Uzumaki


0/7


Rei Manami


0/7


@White Masquerade @QuirkyAngel @clarinetti @IG42 @Kiyoko Tomoe @Strawberry Preserves @Anyone and everyone else around =P

 

[Lucem]

Kouki


In those final moments, he had resigned himself to his fate and a sight of nothing but darkness. He would not feel anything and he would see nothing. There would only be the wind blowing gently in his ear that could be heard as those bombs approached, serving as a signal of his incoming demise. This was what he had desired, yet it all came crashing down, just like his own body as it connected with a solid surface.


He did not feel pain from the impact, only knowing that his body had been in contact with something firm. However, an odd sensation washed over him, feeling as though he had been drained of something. His energy.


His breathing became heavier, each exhale causing the white strands of hair to rise and fall. While he could not move, the matching cloth that covered every inch of his body began to writhe, sleeves twisting until an exit was formed for the ones that had coiled around his body for so long. One by one, several serpents would slither out from their temporary nest, detaching their fangs from the flesh of their master. For each pair of sharpened teeth, holes would be left in their place, although the sizes would pale in comparison to the large set that remained hidden behind the boy's collar, marking his neck.


For each snake that detached themselves from Kouki's body, the ebony color would continue drain from his eyes as if it were being washed away like black dye, leaving the previous white to reclaim its place. The violet pigmentation would also fade, effectively leaving him without the traces of a Sage now that the ones responsible for supplying Nature Energy were gone. The myriad of colors began to wane, excluding the red glow from his recently opened eyes, one of the pair being the source of the almost numbing sensation.


Just like before, he was surrounded by darkness, yet there was more to it than that. Prisms were scattered throughout the area, one beneath him serving as a source of support. Taking in this familiar sight, he now knew where he was, yet this discovery was in no way pleasant. In fact, the revelation was accompanied by the slight sound of anger in the monotone voice that was directed toward the one responsible for bringing him here, said culprit looking down at him with slit pupils. "Fox."


Kurama remained silent as the two exchanged intense gazes, the atmosphere between them growing heavy and nearly hostile as both had their reasons to be upset. The Tailed Beast had expected such a reaction from his host, having taken over the Jinch?riki's body before the bombs landed in an effort to bring them to safety within the dimension connected to the boy's Kamui ability. However, whether or not his actions would be approved by him was irrelevant at such a critical moment, doing what needed to be done. Besides, something far more important needed to be addressed.


"Why did you do that?" As Kouki picked himself up from the ground, settling into a sitting position, he maintained eye contact with the massive Bijuu, the clouded vision resulting from use of the Sharingan beginning to correct itself. The child always looked at the creature with an unpleasant expression during their rare meetings, but the look on his face was filled with far more intensity than ever before, despite the appearance that remained mostly unchanged. "I thought you understood."


With the silence now broken, the fox being questioned brought down his arm with great force, creating several ripples in the water that filled their shared space. Sharp teeth were in full view as Kurama made no attempt to hide his frustration with Kouki, practically growling out each syllable. "Shut up! I should be the one asking questions! What was that?!" The boy thought he understood? He didn't understand anything that was going on in his mind!


It was true that he agreed to cooperate, having tried to on multiple occasions, but not with this. Kurama had been under the impression that Kouki only meant to seek answers for the questions he had before eventually becoming involved in a conflict with the Kakureyami. He knew that his decision couldn't be changed and agreed to help out in order to prevent things from worsening. He had never been able to properly read Kouki, despite the connection they shared, leaving him without any way of telling what he was really thinking. It was the same with the bastard that sealed him, completely blank.


"Why would I agree to something like that!? I'm not interested in dying!


"You'll just come back."


"That doesn't matter! I'll die all the same, reincarnation or not! Just what were you trying to accomplish?!"


Of course, Kurama knew what Kouki was trying to do. It was obvious what the result of that situation would have been. What he didn't know was why. For what purpose would he do something like that?


As the Tailed Beast continued to roar, Kouki directed his gaze to the ground, refusing to look the mass of orange fur in the eye, snow-like bangs shielding his face from view. The action only served to fuel his anger. "Destroy the Kakureyami." If he were to take out the leader at the army's base of operations, that would have it an end to it all. It would have been an end to the enemy.


The response continued to anger Kurama, yet he did not shout, his growls growing louder only due to his proximity, coming closer as he scrutinized the boy with sharp eyes. The answer, while expected, left something out, which he refused to let slip by. "And what about the others?" What about the ninja that shared the same goal, the ones that would have been killed as well?


"They're the same. Ninja aren't needed." The response, while expected, was not well-received. It didn't help that Kouki was being short with him, just as always.


"That boy, the pink-haired one you met before, stopped the Tailed Beast Bombs." He hadn't seen much of what occurred before they were transported, but he could never forget that sensation. Those black orbs and that chakra was unmistakably the power of Old Man Six Paths. The reincarnation of Asura. It was the same as what happened to Naruto during the last war. 'History repeats itself.'


At the mention of the one that interfered, Kouki said nothing, yet he knew who the fox spoke of. He was one of the voices he heard. 'Onii-san...'


"You would have been the only one to die." Either way, his plan would have failed. The war would have continued and everything he did would have been meaningless. Even so, it seemed that telling him this was also meaningless.


"That would have been fine..."


Kouki's voice was growing quieter with each response, as if was drifting further and further away as the bleak tone shrunk. However, Kurama paid no mind to that, what he heard making him far angrier than he had been this entire time. "That's not fine! Like it or not, our lives are connected! You may not care about death, but I do!"


"You're right."


As angry as he was, the response caused that rage to subside for a moment, Kurama looking at the boy in confusion. Something felt off. Something was different.


"You're right. I don't care."


Something was definitely odd. The way he spoke was changing. His voice continued to maintain the complete lack of emotion, but that wasn't all. It felt almost...forced.


"I don't care if I die. I don't care who dies. That's how I am."


Each word came out faster than the last, Kouki still refusing to look up. The tone remained the same, yet the volume was constantly changing, as if it was trying to be suppressed.


"I don't care about anything. I don't think about anything. I don't feel anything. I'm not a person. I'm a tool. That's how I am. That's how I'm supposed to be."


That's how he was raised. That's how he was treated. That's all he could ever be. He was something whose only purpose was to kill, nothing else. He didn't know how to think and he was never meant to. He wasn't capable of emotions and he wasn't capable of understanding them. He was just a tool intended to swing at others. That's who he was. That's how he was meant to be, but...


"But..." A pale hand gently pressed against his chest, white cloth being pulled as it clenched tightly over where his heart was meant to be. "It hurts." Still trying to suppress what threatened to come out, he harshly bit down on his lower lip, a thin trail of blood flowing from the recently broken skin reaching down his chin. "I don't feel pain...but it hurts..."


No matter how many times he was stabbed, burned, or shocked, he never felt the sensation of pain that others seem to suffer. Nothing ever bothered him, taking various forms of punishment without complaint. Despite that, it felt like someone had reached deep into his chest, squeezing his heart and refusing to let go.


From there, Kurama's perplexed expression had morphed into one of knowing. Now he knew what was wrong, why those words felt so off as they reached his ears. It was the very fact that he could pick up on something from someone he had never been able to feel anything from. Right now, the kid was trying to keep things that way. He was trying desperately to keep up an act that had started to crumble.


All those slight changes in expression and shifts in tone were not imagined. They were real, small slips in a degrading facade that Kouki had tried to maintain. He wore a mask modeled after the face he once had, the one of an emotionless killer that possessed no ambition and no connections. However, as time passed, that mask continued to chip away.


While he may have come to understand this one thing, the rest of the situation was still beyond him. The Jinch?riki still wasn't making sense, the connection between his words and his actions hard to identify. He had his suspicions, but nothing could be confirmed. There was still something missing.


"What were you trying to accomplish?" He had already asked this before, but had good reason to do so again. He wasn't simply referring to what Kouki was trying to do, but why he was doing it. An idea had formed, but he hadn't heard it from the boy himself.


"They need to pay for their actions." Ninja. The Kakureyami. There was no difference between the two of them, both committing vile acts to further their own motives. People like that needed to face the consequences of their actions. That was the task he had been handed. That was his job.


The answer confirmed Kurama's suspicions. He knew what had been the trigger for that motivation, where it was born from. He also knew that Kouki wasn't simply referring to the world's Shinobi or the forces that invaded the land. There were several more paths he could have taken if it was that simple. If that's all there was to it, he wouldn't have taken the one that led them here.


"That's not how you repent." That had been it. That was the end to the act that the boy had tried to maintain for several months, even trying to delude himself until he took it as truth.


"Then what am I supposed to do?!" Both Kouki and his mask had finally broken. The voice that once sounded so empty and lifeless filled the dark space, shouting out in a mixture of emotion.


His hand reached for the top of his head, pulling at the several hairs within his grasp as if he was attempting to hastily rip them out. "They won't leave me alone!" All those things picking at him, swarming around inside of his chest and brain. He tried to keep them locked up, act like he was supposed to and ignore them. Still, they kept gnawing at his insides. Those things people called emotions. All these new things kept trying to take him over, change him. What normal people knew as anger, confusion, and sadness. He didn't understand any of them and yet they were trying to consume him, destroy him from the inside. Was that scary? What did it even mean to be scared? Was he angry about it? What was anger? He didn't know.


This was something he didn't know about. A new, mysterious thing was presented to him. He had always sought out the unfamiliar, acting out on impulse and curiosity. However, this was something he did not wish to pursue. He was not interested. He never wanted to know about this. He was not curious in the slightest. He wanted to get away from it. That was what he wanted, but he couldn't distance himself. They wouldn't leave. Why wouldn't they leave? "Why won't they leave me alone?!"


The face he had kept hidden was now deformed, misshapen. It was no longer the permanent blank expression, contorted into a grimace that sunk into the palm of his hand, as if he was suffering from vicious migraines. That wasn't right. That wasn't normal.


"They won't leave me alone, but.." His voice trailed off, still filled with traces of confusion and subtle anger. As much as he disliked this, he knew why it was happening, why these things were inside of him. He understood his situation, but he also didn't. Kouki's mind was a complete mess. That was why he came here.


Did he hate the Kakureyami? Yes. That was one of the few things he was able to comprehend. Did he hate Ninja? That was something he was also certain of. Those two were the same, their crimes deserving of punishment. However, it was not just them alone. He had also done terrible things.


After that period of time he spent with those that were able to change his perception of humans, he also came to understand a concept that never weighed on his mind. Morality. In that time, he was taught what it meant to be bad and what it meant to be good, which actions were deemed evil and noble, and who could be considered saints and sinners. That was when he understood how he fell in the latter. He understood that he was a wretched existence.


That group was made up of those who claimed to be the same, those that had committed sin and dedicated the rest of their lives to make up for that, even though they could never truly wipe away the blood that stained their hands. They felt true regret, never allowing themselves to forget that heart-wrenching emotion. However, he was different.


He acknowledged it. He acknowledged that he had been taken over by those things that threatened to tear him apart, giving a mere tool a notion of what it meant to be alive. They were consuming him, attempting to break through the cage they had been confined to for many years and make up for that lost time in waves. However, none of that mattered. It didn't matter if he were to accept them. It didn't matter if he were to turn over a new leaf. Nothing he could possibly do mattered. Because...


"I don't feel it." It felt as though he was sinking into the deepest parts of the sea, struggling to come up for air as he drowned in the sweat that poured down from his temple. Aggravation. Futility. He understood those words now, but it didn't matter if he was missing what was most important. "I don't feel guilty."


So what if he understood what was bad? Did it matter if he knew everything he had done in life was terrible? That didn't change anything. Those were just words, definitions and ink on paper he had memorized after being taught. They didn't mean a damn thing. He had no conscience. No matter how bad he wanted to feel regret, how much he wanted to hate himself for what he had done, he couldn't. No matter how many of those other things tried to change him, he didn't feel bad.


He had killed children younger than him. He had taken the lives of their parents after they had been forced to watch with silent screams. He had murdered without reason, done so on the whim of whoever owned him at the time or on his own. He had burned villages, stepped over corpses, torn bodies limb from limb, and done every horrible thing that could be imagined by his handler. Still, he didn't feel guilty. He knew it was wrong, but he still didn't care.


Whether he was missing this one emotion or all of them, did it really make a difference? He was still abnormal. He wasn't a human, but he couldn't be considered a tool either. He was lying on the boundary, unable to go back to being a walking embodiment of death or pursue becoming a person. The only thing he could be considered was vile.


He spoke of how the ninja and Kakureyami were no different from one another, but in reality he was exactly the same, if not worse. Coming here to stop them. Coming here to change something. There was no way he could do something like that. He couldn't do anything. It was only a lie he told himself.


He hated them both, having more reasons than he could could to despise them. However, they were only a second thought. His mission had been to rid the world of those deserving of punishment so that good people wouldn't need to dirty their hands any longer. Despite that being the case, there was no way he could pursue such a goal as he was.


The others were only a secondary goal. He attempted to make the most out of what he had decided upon by choosing Konoha as the location. If he were able to destroy the Kakureyami leader quickly and without leaving opportunity for escape, the war would have been over. However, even if he had failed, that was acceptable. The Kage was not the true target.


He was aware that his life had no worth. He knew that what he did would ultimately be meaningless. It made no difference to anyone if he existed. However, if his death would even slightly appease those he had cut down, he would make if so. If the end of his life brought even a minuscule amount of relief to spirits that could not to properly rest in peace, that was more than enough for him. Even if he did not regret what he had done, despite desperately wishing to feel remorse, he would be able to fulfill his duties in this way. He would be able to deliver punishment to those that deserved it.


"Is that what you really want?" As he listened to Kouki's words, Kurama's anger over recent events lessened. He was finally coming to understand things. The boy was trying to end his life in order to make up for his wrongs. That was the conclusion he had reached with a mind that became more and more warped as it was tortured. However, while he understood, he did not accept this. There was more that drove him to this, something else that allowed the idea to worm inside his head. One way or another, he was going to hear it.


"Yes." He now spoke with a calm voice, but continued his earlier refusal to look the beast in its large eyes. This was what he had decided. This was the only thing he could do to make things right. To make up for every crime he had done in the past and all those he would undoubtedly commit in the future. He would bring things to an end just like them. Just like them.


That final thought in his mind did not go unnoticed by the fox, finally choosing to speak on his suspicions that had now been confirmed. That thing seemed to have cut deeper than he was led to believe. "That's not what happened. They didn't give up their lives for something like that." As soon as the words left his mouth, the Bijuu could feel a wave of anger from his host, something he had not yet grown used to.


"What do you know?!" The boy practically growled, a glare of pure red directed at the creature that spoke as if he knew the truth. He knew more than he did? The way he spoke as if he was superior only served to fuel his rage. "You don't know anything!"


"No, I don't." Despite the vehement screams coming his way and his own annoyance, Kurama did not respond with shouts of his own. That wasn't needed at a time like this. "But you do." After all, those words and anger weren't real or even directed at him. That boy was still trying to lie. However, that wouldn't work anymore.


The comment caused Kouki to hold back the emotion he had yet to gain full control over, gritting his teeth as he stared at his own reflection within the fox's eye. Yes, he knew. He only tried to believe that in order to justify his own actions, to assure himself that he was making the correct choice. He knew that what happened wasn't in order to make up for any sins or to repay any debts. That was what made him angry, what made him sad, what made him feel all these terrible things eating away at him.


"I killed them..." That was the truth he honestly believed in. It wasn't a lie meant to deceive himself. He truly believed that he was the cause of death once again. He believed that he had killed those close to him. It was the same as before. It was what he always did.


"That's not what happened either. What happened wasn't your fault." The words went ignored as the child bit his lip once again, attempting to stifle any reaction and the unpleasant memories.

Spoiler

When he had finally stepped out from the dark depths of the prison that once served as his home, night had already fallen, moonlight illuminating the barren land that had been a lush forest only moments ago. The smell of smoke and blood permeated through his nostrils. He recognized this as the scent of conflict, one that had recently ended on this battlefield.


Without paying much attention to the scene of destruction, Kouki continued to walk forward while picking at the blade embedded in his flesh that had gone unnoticed until now. Just as he felt nothing when it had gone in, there was an absence of pain as he dislodged the knife from his side, absentmindedly tossing it to the side like he had done with the owner's body. It was the second time he had killed that boy, something that he didn't know was possible to do until recently, introduced to the others he had previously murdered after being taken here once more.


The scent of blood grew more intense as he followed the trail of carnage, the sound of bones snapping under his foot going ignored as his curious gaze led him to the discovery of a relatively large crater, dark smoke still rising from the center. As he inspected the site, a familiar design caught his eye, the garb singed from recent burns. While the person wearing the clothing had been horribly disfigured, skin charred black as coal, he recognized them quite easily. It was definitely Ry?ma-nee. "Ah, he's dead." His voice contained no surprise, simply making an observation. It was nothing to be surprised about, after all.


The boy was able to recognize the nearby figure as well, able to do so much easier than before due to this one mostly retaining the appearance of a human. The particular scar that marred the dark face was no doubt one that belonged to Kei, the man who preferred to be called 'Aniki' for some odd reason. He must have made another big explosion. He did like those, after all.


Taking a few steps away from the corpse, Kouki noticed that the two bands that the pair wore had managed to stay intact, flowing amidst the dust that was continuously kicked up by the wind. He pinched the ends of the two pieces of cloth, eyeing them closely as he turned them over between his fingers. They appeared to be a bit worn, tearing at the ends from the slightest contact and detaching from the wearers.


Deciding to take the items with him, Kouki placed both hands behind his head as he continued on his way, leaving the bodies behind. It was strange to see them here, but he didn't think much about it, only wondering if the others came as well. Maybe that was why everything looked so broken.


Sure enough, the lifeless bodies of those he had traveled with for quite some time were scattered around what was previously a forest. The third he had found was the body of Kyo-nii, also in bad shape. Like with the others, he was able to recognize that large man by his striking orange hair and the strange pigmentation that appeared whenever he entered one of his random fits of rage. That made three bodies and three total bands added to his collection, the boy acting as if he were on a scavenger hunt that would be completed once he gathered all five.


It took a while before he was able to find Hisha-nee, her body quite a distance from the others. He had followed the scattered pieces that belonged to her many puppets like a trail of breadcrumbs, his destination at the end of the destroyed constructs. It was a shame that he was unable to take any of the parts with him, only able to scavenge the cloth that kept her long hair tied.


Finally, he would come across the last body. However, this one was different. Unlike the others, this one continued to breathe.


The faint beat of a heart filled his ears, coupled with the the deep breaths that sounded as if they required a tremendous amount of effort. The one that produced such sounds looked no better than the other bodies he had discovered, despite continuing to live. Black hair had almost completely been dyed red, blood flowing down an ordinarily youthful face now littered with wounds. Most of the bones in his body were undoubtedly broken, limbs normally unable to bend in such a grotesque fashion. It was surprising that the man continued to live, despite most of his organs being ruptured. There was no reason for him to be alive. Still, his voice, although weak, sounded the same as ever.


"Yo, Kou. Good timing." While his eyes may have been closed, Gin called out to him, knowing he was there despite saying nothing. "Come over see for a sec." As he beckoned with his remaining hand, Kouki did as he was told, kneeling down on the stained earth.


"Looks like you got out okay. That's good." He spoke as if nothing was wrong, sounding inconvenienced at the most as he released a large sigh. "Still, what's with that guy? He's way too strong, dammit. I went all-out too. Bastard even broke my lighter." Even though his body was in such a state, his voice retained its usual apathy, containing slight irritation as he spoke of the one he fought. He sounded the same way he did whenever someone would wake him up from a pleasant nap.


"Ah, that's not good. I'm starting to get comfortable. Might doze off any second." Even though the space beneath him was comprised of sharp rocks and broken lumber, the leader acted as if he was atop a mountain of pillows.


"But before that. I need you to do something for me." Opening his hand, Gin revealed two circular objects. While he had yet to see them like this, he recognized them quite easily by their red color and the unique design each orb possessed. As he stretched out his hand, Gin presented the boy with the eyes that no longer served him any use.


"That creep kept trying to take these while they were still attached to me. Said they'd be useful. Not sure how, but I don't like the thought of some stranger carrying my eyeballs everywhere." While his voice remained the same, there was an underlying tone of seriousness. "So, I'm askin' you to keep these safe for me."


Kouki gave no response, simply continuing to stare with a blank expression. He made no movements, remaining still without the slightest reaction. It was only when he felt a rustle within his clothing that he looked elsewhere, seeing the pale hand retract. "No need to be shy. You were interested in these anyway, right?" It was only when he brought up the Sharingan that Kouki first listened, when he agreed to follow them. "So, what do ya say? Think you can do that for me?"


"Yes."


The response earned a small smile from Gin, head turning to meet the red-eyed child he could not see. "Thank you." He knew he could count on him. Even if he was a handful and didn't always think things through, he trusted him.


At that moment, Kouki could feel the now empty hand run through his hair, crimson already beginning to take over portions of white. He couldn't feel the coldness off the man's skin or the usual energy that was put into the action by, yet he still managed to convey his usual message. "You're a good kid, Kou."


That was it. That was the last thing he heard as Gin's arm lost all strength, slowly drifting downward. No more breaths. No more more anything. No more Gin. He was dead.


He continued to watch the man without change, appearing as if he was only resting with the rather peaceful expression spread across his damaged face. Like the rest of them, he was dead. That was natural. Everything died. There was no reason to react. Death did not matter, regardless of who it was. It was meaningless. However, he never truly understood death until Gin's arm made contact with the ground and he released a blood-curdling scream.


It was only at that moment that it had sunk in. They were dead. All of them. No more. They were gone.


Why was he screaming? He didn't understand. Ah, his head hurt. What was hurt? What was happening? He was confused. Where was he? Where did everyone go? He couldn't hear. He couldn't see. Or could he?


'We are tHe Is rEaD as lisTening PropeRly aNd fire BoNes Goes doWnhill Quiet CelebRate to who Move and BOOm with Me and yOuR veIns SoNg it swirls in My head and CaRefully tweak Air through Adjustments AGaIn agAiN AgAin-'


Words. Words. Words. Whose? His? Theirs? Hers? Him? Who is him? Them? Yes, them. No. Yes. Maybe. He didn't know. He didn't know anything. Was he anything? Probably not. No, definitely not. No. No. No.


His mind felt as if it was shattered into a thousand pieces and he continued to step on each glass fragment. He had absolutely no idea what was occurring and had no awareness. His body felt like lead and the world was continuously spinning. Most importantly, the inside of his chest felt very strange.


"What's wrong? Are you alright, Kouki?" As everything spiraled out of control, a soothing voice reached his ears. It was tranquil, a caring tone accompanied by a soft face. While it did not show much in the way of expression, concern could be felt by looking into the gray eyes mildly obstructed by long strands of silver hair, practically glowing as it caught the moon's pale light.


Those eyes of steel rested on the sight of a familiar child, a hand burdened by burns and wires sewn into its flesh clasping the fallen arm of the man that had lost all signs of life. "Ah, I see." Closing his eyes, the silver-haired male dipped his head slightly. "My sympathies." Apparently, the man had succumbed to his injuries. It was a shame. He was truly a splendid combatant, the one that carried Uchiha blood undoubtedly a rare talent. Perhaps an individual far exceeding the abilities of a Kage. However, while he may have been a gifted warrior, the loss of such a life was not what he expressed his condolences.


"Poor thing. Look at what they've done to you." He did not speak in a condescending manner or in a way that hinted any sort of vile emotion. From the bottom of his heart, he felt sorrow for the one that had strayed so far from his path, crying out in agony that he was never meant to feel. All of this was due to those few involving themselves, following when they should have stayed behind. It was a regrettable chain of events. Once again, a hare had found its way into the boy's life. Now, he would act as he did all those years ago.


In an instant, the blade had appeared in his hand and returned to the scabbard beneath the floral-pattern robe once again. The distance between them meant nothing, appearing as if a single step had never been taken, only the sound of contact as the limb had fallen. With tender care, he made sure not to harm the child who had held onto it, not one drop of the remaining blood to stain him as he severed the man's arm and cut off the remaining contact they shared.


Extending his hand just as his fallen opponent had done so moments ago, he gently beckoned for the boy that had killed him once before, attempting to soothe him as he was infected by the poison that those five had sent coursing through his veins. "It's alright. Shall we go?"


He received no immediate response, left in silence as the child he had raised picked himself up from the ground. As he took the ebony blade formerly belonging to the body at his feet, he tilted his head a bit. "Oh?" It was not the actions of Kouki that caught his attention, rather the rising presence of the one within him. The one he had not spoken to in quite some time. "It's been awhile, Ky?bi."


"Kuuhaku..." Kouki's mental state had given him a chance to return once again, but it was the appearance of the the man whose name he spoke that truly allowed him to come forward. Just like with Orochimaru, the presence of Kuuhaku was enough to awaken him from forced slumber. However, the latter was far more dangerous than the Sannin member.


While the appearance of this man was definitely a cause for concern, the true problem lied with Kouki. Even though he continued to say nothing, even as he acknowledged his presence, the look on his face was worrying. Something had happened to him just moments ago, yet he appeared to be completely calm. Aside from those eyes.


"Fox." As the boy approached, a bad feeling formed in Kurama's gut. He was not being immediately pushed out, restricted by the seal. Kouki only walked forward, inching closer to the gate that separated them with an extended arm, the tips of his fingers brushing against the paper tag.


"Give..." The voice was low, unable to be heard even with the fox's large ears. However, there was not much time to dwell on it. Right now, they needed to escape, but it was impossible with to get through to the boy at the moment.


Considering who was nearby, there was no time to waste trying to get the kid to listen. If they were going to avoid death, they needed to cooperate. As apprehensive about lending power to the boy, that was what the situation demanded. Even it meant completed merging their chakra.


As much as he would have liked to assist with the mental anguish, surviving took priority. "Listen, we n-" He was never able to speak those words, the seal finally taking effect as he was bound to the floor of the subconscious space.


"Shut up." It felt as if he was being devoured, everything being drained from his body. "Give it to me." This was the reason for that bad feeling, the eyes that stared into his own void of anything, completely dead. His chakra was being forcibly taken and the boy wanted all of it.


<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/1528162.jpg.e7323e069ab3b791ea96b46c470f59c0.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="133831" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/1528162.jpg.e7323e069ab3b791ea96b46c470f59c0.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> "Is that your answer?" Even as he observed the child's flesh being torn from his body, replaced by a dark red that neared the color of black and surrounded by several bones that resembled the skeleton of the creature inside, he remained calm. The only response he received was a violent roar that could only belong to a vicious animal, one that sought the blood of its prey. "I see."


As the beast lunged, his expression turned into one of sadness. While his gentle features did not change very much, his eyes held a great amount of melancholy. It was sad that the boy had been tortured this much, pushed to edge by those individuals. The cruelty of humans would always find a way to spread. "Forgive me, Kouki."


His expression remained as the blade that had once been at his side now dug deep into the creature's eye. He took great care not to damage the brain as the steel tip violent scraped the surface, regretting that he had to cause needless harm. He did not take joy in violence without reason, especially when it involved someone he cared for. However, he would have to bear with it in order to bring this to an end as soon as possible.


While the particles around its mouth grew into a dark sphere, all seven tails thrashing wildly, he removed his blade, tossing the Jinch?riki to the side before it would be fired. Only Kouki would suffer damage as the blast was contained to the surface below, head forced into the ground as the explosion caused shock waves beneath the earth. Thankfully, it seemed as though the boy had lost control due to a combination of physical and mental stress, the blood-red cloak peeling away. "I'm sorry."


Kuuhaku observed until the appearance of the boy he recognized returned, thankful that the conflict had not been drawn out for very long. It was unlikely that he would ever be able to see with that eye again, but he would do his best to heal Kouki's injury. While he made plans for when they would return, the man would refrain from approaching, still detecting the lingering presence of the nine-tailed beast. "You're quite persistent."


Kurama had managed to gain control in those final moments, yet it wasn't enough to prevent the damages they had sustained. He could not move the majority of Kouki's body, legs refusing to respond. With his host losing consciousness and the chances of escaping on foot minuscule, there was only one method left that would enable them to flee with their lives. If there was any silver lining, it was that the injured eye provided plenty of blood to work with, making use of it as the two that shared a body vanished, their destination unknown as he performed a summoning without contract.




When Kouki had finally regained consciousness, the fox was no longer present within his mind and he found himself on solid ground, lost in a space of darkness. He could make out characteristics that seemed to be similar to those found in caves. While he questioned where he was, his mind was mainly preoccupied with his sight, or lack thereof.


He could see nothing from his left eye, as if it was no longer there. When his hand came to inspect the area, fingers came into contact with bandages, the cloth wrapped tightly around his head in addition to the large wound that left him partially blind. The discovery only brought more questions, unable to figure out how he had ended up in his current state and why he was here. Where had everyone else gone?


When he pondered over location of the other five, that was when he remembered, heading twitching slightly as memories flooded in. That's right. There was nobody else. They were gone. They weren't around anymore. There was nobody to control him, watch him, teach him, speak with him, or care for him. He couldn't see them anymore. He would never see them again.


As he sat quietly with that that repeating continuously in his mind, he heard a sound echo throughout the cave-like space. It sounded like rain, the tapping of drops that followed a great storm. However, that couldn't have been it, as he was indoors, far from any source of light. Despite that, the sound was very close.


His finger trailed through the air, traveling upward from the wet space at his feet until he had reached his own face. Was he bleeding. No, it felt different, much thinner. What was that? He didn't know. For some reason, he didn't want to.

<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/57a8cac26be60_tumblr_npkaylonQY1tkh8o4o5_500(1).jpg.8c6fe0764024f62dfedb5151985af963.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="133830" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/57a8cac26be60_tumblr_npkaylonQY1tkh8o4o5_500(1).jpg.8c6fe0764024f62dfedb5151985af963.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p>

​

Even if he wasn't a murderer, nothing would have changed. Wherever he went, people died. That's the way it had been since he was born, an omen that brought the end of life. His presence was a curse that others would always fall victim to, whether by blade or just being near him. That hadn't changed and it never would. That's why that happened. That was why they died. Because he was there. "It's my fault."


Back then, Kurama had assumed that what he felt was the child's resentment toward Kuuhaku alone. He believed what he initially suspected as a change to be the work of his imagination, Kouki acting as he always did when they met once again. That was a mistake on his part, a big one that could have been prevented, along with all of these recent events. It was a mistake he would not allow himself to make again.


"Don't make yourself out to be so important. You had nothing to do with that. They made that decision on their own." The boy quickly raised his head, looking as if he was about disagree, but the fox wouldn't give him the chance.


"That was what they wanted to do. It doesn't matter if they failed or succeeded, since it was what they desired. Nothing else matters except for that one fact. If you learned anything from them, you should know that."


The large voice did not speak aggressively and the words were not carried out with a sense of superiority. He only told Kouki what he needed to hear, treating this conversation as one that held a great deal of importance. "Your past. Not feeling guilty. Things like that don't matter. If you really wanted to make up for you've done, something like that shouldn't stop you. Whether you should or you can is irrelevant. The fact that you want to is what's most important. Just focus on what you want to do and the rest will come naturally. However, that's only if you take the first step."


What he wanted to do? He already knew what he wanted. He wanted to make up for his wrongdoings and work towards the goal that he shared with others. He wanted to act on his own, rather than be a tool for others. Despite, how much he wanted to, he already knew it was impossible. Nobody would allow it. Not those he had killed, nor himself, unable to pay back everything properly without being able to regret what he did. However, here was the fox, telling him none of that mattered, even though he had already tortured himself thinking over it and coming to accept it. Why?


"Why do you care?!" The damn fox was always butting in. Ever since he became its host, it spent every second of every day trying to break its restrictions in order to speak with him. It tried to advise him and help him, always attempting to get through to him and get them to work together. Now, it was trying to help him through this, telling him that he could do what he wanted. For some reason, it cared about someone like him, a killer that constantly pushed him away. Why?


Ah, that was it. "I see." Of course, that was the reason. It was obvious, the fox saying it himself before. The answer was so obvious it was enough to make him laugh, but not one filled with cheer. With a sinister grin, the boy was becoming manic in every sense of the word. "If I die, you die." Yes, that was the only reason.


"Then, how about this?" The crazed expression remaining, Kouki's hand drifted toward his stomach, raising the curtain of white in order to reveal the seal that connected them. "I'll let you out." It was a simple suggestion that would leave them both satisfied. If he released the Tailed Beast, he would die and it would be fine, able to roam free. "That's what you want, right? That's why you care so much, right?"


"No."


The curt response wiped away the unnatural expression, returning to a display of anger. "Then, why?!" Why did it care so damn much about what he did? Why was it trying to help him? Why did it matter if he lived or died? Why? Why? Why?


As the question constantly repeated in his head, the anger faded. Body slumping over as if he had lost all energy, his voice came out soft, sounding defeated and weary. "Why?" Why wouldn't the fox just let it go?


"I..." It was a good question. Why did he care so much about what happened to this kid, if not for his potential death? He had been sealed against his will, constantly pushed back into the darkest corners of a child's mind as he acted alone. His words were ignored and his presence was unwanted. They didn't get along, neither quite happy about being stuck with one another. Just the mere sight of each other was enough to ruin their respective moods. Still, despite how much the brat annoyed him and how much he hated being confined after being deceived, he still cared. Even though he considered himself crazy for doing so, no matter how much he was pushed away, he would keep trying to help. All because of what he saw more than a decade ago.


When he first met his current host, he had been enraged. Someone had dared to trick him and confine him to a body with no way of escaping. He would never forgive it, no matter how much time would pass. However, the rage would subside as he took a good look at the small child.


His body was fragile, still developing through harsh training that qualified as torture. Despite his youth, the skin was already severely damaged, the pale complexion contrasted by wounds that had yet to be healed. While that alone was enough to grab his attention, it was the boy's eyes that caused him to completely forget about his anger.


They were dead, no warmth to be seen in the dark shade of red. No happiness, fear, or sadness, almost completely void. However, they were not empty, reflecting what little emotion remained. Although, it was nothing positive.


Those eyes were filled with hatred. It was not a hate directed at the ones who put him in such a position, rather humanity as a whole. It was utter disgust and anger born from what humans had done, cultivated by those that used him as a tool. Those eyes were the very same he had lost many years ago, the appearance making it seem as though he was looking at a reflection of his former self.


Ever since he saw those eyes, Kurama had come to a decision. He would do the same thing someone else had done for him, having cleansed him of the anger inside and teaching him to trust in humanity once again. It was his turn to continue from where his last host had left off, no matter how long it would take.


"I wanted to do something about that hatred of yours."


The response caused Kouki's body to twitch, as if he was shivering from the cold. He didn't make a retort, nor could he. His throat felt dry, no sound willing to come out. To hear such a thing made the pit in his stomach grow. It would have been easier to hear that the fox acted with an ulterior motive and was in it for himself. However, to feel genuine concern from the creature was something else. He couldn't handle something like that.


Even though he had been given a reason, he still couldn't understand why. Why were people trying to help him? Why were they changing him? He couldn't understand why another living being would concern themselves with him, showing even the slight amount of care. That shouldn't have been possible. It went against everything he had been told, contradicting what he remembered and had taken as an inescapable truth. He couldn't be normal. He couldn't be better. He couldn't change. He wasn't allowed to. And people weren't allowed to care about him. They couldn't.


Constantly trying to go against what he had been told just now and retreat to what he he had been told for several years, he tried to make that fox understand. He tried to make it understand why he could never do what he wanted and why it should just leave him be. "I'm...a demon."

Spoiler

The village was small, nothing in comparison to the grand ones that were home to the Kage of their respective land. The people enjoyed simple lives, adults tending to crops as the children played in the dirt and explored the nearby forest. There was nothing special about it, not much to do and no contact with world beyond their fields. However, it was peaceful.


The tranquility that the inhabitants had enjoyed for so long would one day come to an end. The destruction of their bright and cheery days would not arrive in the form of disease or the attacks of invaders, coming about from the birth of a new life, rather than the end of many. One day, a pair would bring a monster into this world.


While the creature may have had the appearance of a human infant, it took after neither of its parents. With hair as white as snow and eyes the color of blood, the child looked almost demonic, the unnatural characteristics were a cause for concern. Some within the isolated community truly believed it to be the birth of a demon. Said members suggested it be put to death, yet it was ultimately allowed to be raised within the village, fearing that taking action would result in something far worse. This decision was something they would all come to regret in the coming years.


Ever since that child had come into the world, harvests had suffered and bad weather became more frequent, resulting in a shortage of food and materials that were usually abundant. While the reality of the situation was nothing more than a coincidence, the slight disturbance in their paradise fed the flames of paranoia, leading to a further belief in the idea that the boy's birth was an omen. Animosity grew worse by the day, eventually causing the father to leave after being unable to tolerate things as they were. However, the mother that remained behind continued to raise her child.


The mother's decision left her isolated from the rest of the community, just as her child was. However, the boy subject to far worse treatment. He was never spoken to, ignored whenever he was around. If he ever approached someone, they fled. The other children were taught to hate and fear him, following the actions of their parents. To them he was simply known as a demon, even the mother that raised him never speaking of him by a name. He was only known by the title of a devil, a word that let others know when to flee. Oni.


Despite such harsh treatment by all those that surrounded him, he was never bothered by it. He acted normally, never minding when others would curse him or avoid his gaze. While it was sad that he was often left alone, the other children refusing to allow his company, he kept his head held high.


He took joy in interacting with the animals of the nearby forest, adoring the small creatures that never ran from him or tried to do him harm. Most days were spent there, a smile on his face as he rested on soft grass for hours as he was surrounded by what be considered to be friends. No one ever came looking for him, to call him back when night fell or the clouds began to gray. He liked that, being able to spend time in the forest for as long as wished. However, he always returned home on time to take care of the only person that would acknowledge him.


More so than the animals of the forest, he loved his mother. She cared for him when nobody else would and provided for him. It was because of her that he was never sad, always comforted by the sound of her gentle voice whenever he could feel negative emotions begin to creep up on him. Every day, she would speak those kind words that made him feel as though his life was good and he would always be fine. "I will always love you."


He did as much as he could to repay his mother, taking on the work she was unable to handle as she carried the second child that had been conceived shortly before his father's departure. He would venture out into the forest in order to gather would for the fire that became necessary as rain and cold temperatures took over the village. It was difficult work at times, but he enjoyed being able to help. However, it was often dangerous for him.


On a certain day, when the rain had momentarily cleared, a sharp pain caused him to fall into a puddle, leaving him covered in dirt. Like the stone that had been tossed, his head was covered with blood, the pain accompanied by a warm sensation. While dazed, he managed to to remove his face from the filthy water, taking deep breaths as he was finally able to see the attackers.


They were nothing but mere children, each with rocks in hand. While he did not look at them angrily, they were filled with fear upon looking into his eyes, quickly escaping and dropping the weapons they had prepared. It hurt, but he did not mind very much. That was just how things were.


While he was upset that couldn't make friends with the other children, he was even more upset that his clothes had been torn during the fall and that the wood he had gathered was scattered. However, he did manage to find a small bit of happiness as he looked at his reflection, white hair covered with brown mud and drying red. It made him smile. His hair had changed colors. Maybe now people like him.


The joy he felt that day was small in comparison to what came to him when he first took a look at the small figure in his home that had finally been born. It looked vulnerable, the small amount of dark hair matching the hidden set of eyes as it slept peacefully. This, as his mother explained to him, was his brother.


From now on, he was an older brother. It was his job to help the boy, protect him from others and keep him safe. The thought of having someone like that in his life that he could protect and cherish, someone he could love like he did his mother, brought a smile to his face. He was immensely happy, wanting to do everything that he could for the both of them.


When he reached out his hand to touch his new family member, the glee was replaced by confusion, his hand quickly slapped away by his mother. He looked to her with confusion, wondering why she had done such a thing. While it only stung a little, it felt like a small piece of him broke on the inside.


His mother's expression showed worry, but it was quickly replaced by a smile, one that was very forced. She explained to him how the infant was susceptible to disease, making it dangerous to touch, especially after being outside for so long. He didn't quite understand, concerned for her after the earlier look on her face, but he believed what was said. His smile returned, but the confusion remained, along with the pain.


He became quite familiar with pain in the near future, the day coming when all of his childish hopes of being accepted and living happily with his family would burn away with the forest he would always visit. Those men in armor took it all away from him, killing everything in their path, no matter who it was. No, the blame couldn't be placed entirely on them. He would discover that those dreams were never obtainable from the beginning when the army had left and he was left alone with true danger.


There were few villagers left, those that survived struggling to remain standing after suffering heavy injuries. Still, even with all the pain they felt, they managed to keep moving through their hatred. Although, it was not hatred for the armored men that slaughtered them, but for the child that managed to survive.


Left with nothing, they acted on emotion alone, irrational as they placed all the blame on the supposed demon, an omen that brought tragedy to them. This was the result of allowing him to live. It was a mistake they would correct.


Despite how battered the small group was, they were resolved to have their revenge, even if the child was truly innocent. The boy was quickly backed into a corner, fearing for his life. He had done nothing wrong. He had never done anything wrong, yet these people hated him so much.


He was scared, desperate for someone to help him. However, nobody would ever come to his aid. Even his own mother refused to step in.


Fear was mixed with shock at her refusal to do anything. Why wouldn't she help him? She was his mother, so why? He wouldn't have to ask, the answer reaching his ears in a fit of screams.


"You killed my son!" She did not mean the child right in front of her. She spoke of the son that failed to survive, killed by soldiers. As he would come to understand as the hysterical woman continued to shout, that was her only son. He was never considered her child, only raised in fear of what might happen if she ignored him. It was the same fear that others felt since he was born. Now that fear was gone, only hatred in its place. Hatred for the one that had ruined their lives. Hatred for the demon.


She had lied. She claimed that no matter how many people would hate him, avoid him, or wish for his death, that she would always love him. Those words were never true. Nothing was true. He had no family. He had no one. He never did.


As they came closer, fear had taken control. He was going to die. He didn't want that. He wanted to live. He didn't want to die. The fear of losing life had caused him to act on instinct, taking the blade of a fallen villager with closed eyes and thrusting it forward. That was when everything had stopped.


Everyone looked on in shock. His eyes had gone wide, along with the people that witnessed what he had done. Even the man he had stabbed was surprised, frozen in place just like the others as the life left his body. The horrified expression remained on his face to the end, his body falling into ash.


He had killed this man, an act that scared him. However, his body continued to move with the desire to survive, shaking hands gripping the weapon as he took action. They were unable to fight back, their injuries having taken their toll. It was a small group, yet it felt much larger.


With each cut, his emotions would change. His fear of dying became anger towards those that had tried to do him harm, the ones that had constantly made his existence miserable and labeled him a demon. He hated them. He could feel the same hatred they had towards him. However, it did not last long, his feelings continuing to change until nothing was left.


<p><a href="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/tumblr_lnc97iIblo1qbw3h7o1_400.jpg.ff8f1b5c6b3ebc42684749912ff3a3ee.jpg" class="ipsAttachLink ipsAttachLink_image"><img data-fileid="133832" src="<fileStore.core_Attachment>/monthly_2016_06/tumblr_lnc97iIblo1qbw3h7o1_400.jpg.ff8f1b5c6b3ebc42684749912ff3a3ee.jpg" class="ipsImage ipsImage_thumbnailed" alt=""></a></p> There was no fear. There was no hatred. As he cut down the woman he no longer recognized, he felt nothing. There was nothing left inside of him. He noticed that emptiness, allowing him to understand what he had always been told. He truly was a demon.


That feeling persisted, carrying it with him as he approached the burning wood that was once his home. He paid no mind to the flames, dying the floor red as he entered. This was where he had always felt calm, a warm place that made him feel loved and protected. Even if it was collapsing around him and that happiness had always been a lie, he wanted to try feeling that once again, huddling into a corner as he watched the embers. Sadly, the only warmth came from the fire. He would never have that feeling again.


He did not know how long he had been there, refusing to move as everything was consumed around him. All he wanted was to stay where he was, having no desire to move. There was nowhere to go and he had no reason to leave. He would stay like this forever.


As he remained crouched in his corner, knees held close to his chest, the sound of footsteps entered his ears. He didn't bother to look up, ignoring his surroundings as he remained in his position. Whether or not it was a returning soldier, the approach did not matter. He didn't care.


"How sad." Those words were filled with concern and pity, able to be heard clearly over the rising flames despite how gentle the voice was. "Are you alright?" It sounded as if this person already knew the answer, yet they asked anyway. However, the boy refused to look up, remaining in his own world.


When he felt a gentle hand upon his face, wiping away the blood that stained his features, he would finally lift his head to see the long-haired man, the silver color shining like metal as it was captured by the light. His face was filled with a tender expression, yet those eyes of his were empty, a contradiction from how he looked and spoke. Those eyes were something that the two had in common.


As he maintained his gaze, the same hand was held out, extended towards him with a soft smile. That hand offered to take him away from this place filled with bad memories, bring him somewhere he could have a purpose. He did not trust the man, the neutral expression he possessed never waning. However, he would take hold of that hand. There was nothing left for him. He did not care what would happen, no matter how awful.


He didn't know when they started moving, his body wrapped around the man's back as he was held close. The fatigue was overwhelming, compelling him to close his eyes and fall into a deep sleep. However, before he could drift into unconsciousness, a question was posed to him.


He was asked for his name. With eyes-have closed, he searched for an answer, but quickly came to realize one didn't exist. He was never given a name, only referred to as a demon and nothing more. Upon expressing that to the man, a sweet voice filled as ears before he would finally drift off.


"From now on, your name is Kouki."

"So am I." For years, he had been known as the demon fox, bringing destruction wherever it went as his hatred for the humans that tried to control him grew. He had killed several people, a fact that would never change no matter what he did. However, that was not the only thing that that defined him.


He was Kurama. He was one of the nine Tailed Beasts created by the Sage of Six Paths himself. He was an ally of Konoha. He was far more than what that old label made him out to be. The same went for Kouki.


"That doesn't change anything. I'll still do what I want and I won't let anything get in my way." His voice held a certain degree of pride, something that showed what he said was the truth. "So, what about you? Are you just a weapon that others control? Are you just a demon?"


The question replayed in his mind. No, he was far more than that. He was the Jinch?riki of the Ky?bi. He was the last surviving member of Zaiaku. He was Kouki.


It was time he started believing in that truth, rather than the truth of others. It was time to do what he wanted, rather than bend to the will of others.


"You're annoying." The comment erased the serious atmosphere that had been suffocating for quite some time, irking the individual it was directed at. "Watch your mouth, brat! You should be grateful that someone like me is around to keep you in line!"


"I know." Yes, he knew that. He should have been grateful to have had someone that was willing to help him, clear his mind of forming doubts, and care. He had lost the ones that allowed him to change, a fact that he would never truly be at peace with. However, someone else was still at his side and had been there for more than ten years. He just hadn't been able to see that until now. "Thank you." He had been taught to always show gratitude to those that had done right by him.


A smirk appeared on the fox's face. It was surprising to receive such a comment from the boy, the appreciation downright strange, but having his work appreciated did boost his spirits a little. Still, it was a lot of trouble to go through just for a 'thank you'.


"So, what now?"


"I'm going back to the mansion."


"You sure about that? The battle could be over by now. We might not even be needed.


As Kouki rose to his feet, he acknowledged the fact that the war may have been over by now, nothing left for him to go back to. However, it didn't matter if he was needed or not. This was his first step towards make things right. "It's what I want to do."


Settling his equipment, the boy took note of the missing serpents that once coiled around his body. That was right. He would need to make preparations for his Sage Mode before leaving. However, it would take a bit of time to put everything in place.


As if sensing what the boy was thinking, Kurama spoke up, earning undivided attention. "You don't have to do anything like that. My power's the only one you need." He felt a bit annoyed that someone like him was being put second to mere snakes.


Taking a deep breath, Kurama mulled over what he was planning to do. Before, they were merely cooperating, but this was completely different. There were no more secrets, no more masks to hide behind, and no more barriers between them. Even if they had truly come to understand each other, his host was still a handful. There was no telling what could happen if he was given full access to the power of a Bijuu, not to mention the Six Paths chakra he possessed.


Despite the worries and the potential risks, Kurama held out his large fist, awaiting the boy's next move. They could feel each other's emotions, understand what they were feeling. Right now, he had no doubt he was making the right choice. He could feel the same from Kouki as held out his own arm.


"Don't make me regret this."


"Same for you, fox." The comment, still spoken with the boy's usual rude tone, managed to get on said fox's nerves. He wasn't going to let that slide.


"My name is not 'fox', brat!"


"And mine isn't 'brat'!" The quick retort managed to replace the annoyance with surprise. It was not spoken with anger, simply firm as the Jinch?riki reminded the Tailed Beast that he also had a proper name.


The previous smirk grew wider, exposing the large set of teeth. "Don't get cheeky." Once again, he had gotten himself involved with a troublesome, yet amusing person.


As the white on his body was replaced by a warm yellow, chakra resembling bright orange flames licking off from the newly formed coat, Kouki could feel his eye well up with power. It was time to leave this place and leave behind who he used to be.


"Let's go, Kurama."


"Right, Kou."

 

[clarinetti]

The Field of The End




Torune Kurokawa

​

The fight had been brief, more so than he had expected, but far from easy: as hoarse screams erupted across the field, the reanimated Uzumaki whipped out a bunch of hand signs, and from the mass of smoke came a horde of clones, all racing towards his sister and her comrade. He didn't know how he pulled it off, but somehow he'd gotten up a barrier before the bulk of them could start their assault. It was all a blur after that, his mind getting lost in the slicing of blades and the crushing of bones and the odor of smoke. They'd gotten a few hits on him, but his earthen armour had shielded him from the brunt of the damage. And as quickly as it had begun it was over: the clones disappeared, and when turning back to his allies found the undead shinobi disintegrating into ashes as one of the swordswoman slashed his chest. Releasing the barrier, he could see his sister and her friend standing over the dismembered remains of the Kakureyami super-soldier, a grim look on her face. When Akane met his gaze, he simply nodded his head- they both knew that this wasn't over yet.


As his comrades departed for Konoha, Torune hesitated for just a moment, turning to look as the two reanimates deteriorated before his eyes. Both the Uzumaki and Uchiha were silent, their darkened eyes clouded with unreadable emotion. A small part of him wondered what they thought of all this, the brutal war which was being waged, what had become of the shinobi and the peace they'd fought so hard to foster in their lifetimes. Are they embarrassed by what we've become, angry, or just don't give a damn, more concerned getting back to whatever lies in the afterlife than our petty problems? Ugh, how the hell am I supposed to know?! After a moment of awkward silence, the Iwa-man turned around, unwilling to stare into those piercing eyes any longer. He respected these venerable men, and it was shameful that they were forced to die (again) in such a dishonorable manner. But he didn't know how to console the dead, and he wasn't going to waste time trying, not when there were people who were counting on him. "... Um, sorry, that you all got dragged into our mess. I hope you find some peace, wherever you end up." Torune said huskily, lifting his arm for a parting wave before sprinting off to catch up with the others.


Within a few minutes the shinobi reached the gates of Konoha, spying a silhouette darting up the walls near a dissipating puff of smoke. The fiery man leapt forwards, landing in step with his twin whilst silently noting the slight drag in her steps. He too felt the ache of fatigue in his bones and the notable depletion in his chakra stores, yet the pair continued on without pause- they could sleep when they were dead, after all. "Where are the others, the Kiri swordswomen and your friend?" he asked, just making out her low grunt of annoyance in response. "Hans and Yasashii went on ahead to scout and support their comrades.... Anpan decided to rush forwards as well." Akane muttered disdainfully, but he could hear the concern buried in her tone. She wanted to be there with them, with that red-haired punk, and he could practically feel the frustration emanating from her- for all the things the Kurokawa clan was known for, speed was certainly not included.


Frankly, Torune didn't know much about this kid, but based on first impressions he seemed to be a troublesome guy to be around, running about on a whim and without hesitation. Not that he himself was much better in all honesty... but maybe that's part of why they ended up together, he mused briefly as his sister filled him in on the situation. Apparently that weird guy with all those eyes had been a clone, and he'd managed to inform them of the situation in the village before disappearing. "So it's a stand-off now? Jinan, Wunan, this chakra-girl and an archer versus the alliance, including the jinchuuriki? Seems like pretty decent odds to me- hell, they might not even need us at this point to finish 'em off." he replied, but his sister remained silent, irises hard and gleaming like chips of ice. She was mulling something over, and as they drew closer to the Hokage's Mansion he was getting a feeling in his gut that told him he wasn't going to like what came next.


"Even if we kill them, it's not going to be over: we don't know for sure where they came from, whether they are simply part of a larger population or if they have smaller divisions posted around the continent, waiting to see what happens here." Akane murmurs, and the pit in his stomach is getting heavier and heavier with every passing moment. "What's your point?" "That although the shinobi may win today, we'll still be fighting for years to come. If we commit to this action, then the world will know no rest until every last member of either side is dead, not to mention the countless civilian casualties. It's genocide.... and history proves that a future built on that will crumble in on itself."


The two siblings had slowed their pace, but already the man could make out the individuals standing on the rooftop of the building. Some were more familiar than others, but Torune only had eyes for him- he could catch that disgusting creature if he was blindfolded. He had seen him once from a distance, back in that god-awful desert. He'd thought he'd worked through that rage, that the fire had died to smouldering ashes after his arrest in Kirigakure. But seeing that man, who was the source of all their misery and despair, it was akin to pouring oil over a dying wildfire. The Iwa-man's hands twitched, visualizing twisting the bastard's neck until his head popped off, watching the panic and fear boil up before those cruel dark eyes went glassy and vacant. Hadn't he boasted how he'd offer the alliance Jinan's head on a silver platter? He could do it, right now- he didn't care if their whole fucking army rose from the dead to stop him, he'd see to it that the vile excuse of a human being never drew breath after today, one way or a-


"Torune."


It was one word, and yet it was enough to pull him from his stupor to catch his sister staring back with piercing eyes, her hand firmly grabbing his arm to stop his movement. "I understand your grievance, your anger. But now is not the time to act on it- we must be smart in how we proceed here. And storming in to murder the opposition isn't our sole option." What was she saying?! She hated them as much as he did, had seen the destruction and death they'd sown upon their home like a vicious plague. "Don't go placating me like a child, act." he retorted, ripping her arm off him so he could face her, his anger coming off in waves. "Then don't behave like one." she snapped, expression growing frigid as she stood before him. "A predator is most dangerous when it's wounded and backed into a corner. Even now, the Kakureyami will not desist before dragging us down with them to our graves." "And what you're suggesting is, what? Make peace with the people who slaughtered thousands of our own? Leaving the enemy to rebuild and strike us down?! When did you become such a noble pacifist?"


Only once he finished does the Iwa-man realize that he's raised his voice, almost shouting at his sister. Part of him feels anger towards her, but the rage is equally reflected towards himself. They finally found each other, reuniting against the odds, and here they were quarrelling as children would. It made him feel sick, like bile was burning his throat. The guilt muddled his anger "No- the war's conclusion shall be determined today. The only question left is whether that end will be one that leads us to a better future, or one of ruin." the kunoichi responded, cold and steely in her resolve, and seeing that look in her eyes made the man pause, the slightest shiver of fear running down his spine. He'd almost forgotten this in his fond rememberings of her, how stony she was in reality. "... I'm not a pacifist, nor am I trying to be- I'm simply trying to be open in finding the most effective solution to the problem at hand.... Find somewhere to lay low and keep an eye on things- hopefully your outburst hasn't attracted too much attention. Should the situation begin to destabilize with Jinan and Wunan... well, you know what to do." she states dully in resignation. The Iwa-man opens his mouth to respond, but is cut off when he finds himself locked in a tight embrace, body being pulled down as arms tightly wrap around his neck. "Please, just trust me." she murmurs hoarsely, and beneath that hardness can sense the uncertainty in her, the fear and anxiety. And his rage is still there as raw as ever, but he manages to push it aside for a moment and return the hug, wishing he knew the words to console her, to convince her that she was wrong this one time. He knows now what she's going to do, and he doesn't like it, not one fucking bit... but he also knows there's no point trying to stop her, stubborn as she is. "...Yea, just take care of yourself."


Without another word, she's gone, a rapidly shrinking figure approaching the mansion rooftop. The man stands there for a moment, but eventually moves to sit atop an old water tower, plopping down to get a better view. Here, he can see everything- the group of shinobi confronting Jinan, Yasashii and her friend, that Wunan bitch and her dark tentacles encircling a couple other figures, even what looks to be the... (Nine-tails?) jinchuuriki arising from a pile of rubble not too far from himself. Casually waving towards the swordswoman with an easy smile, Torune watches and waits, gradually amassing whatever chakra he has left. He'll let her try to talk truce with them, see how much good that does anyone.... but if things look like they're going to shit he'll do what needs to be done. He lost his sister once, and he was not going to have that happen again- the Kakureyami weren't going to take that away from him too.


It wouldn't be as satisfying as physically decapitating the smug bastard, but it would suffice.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Naruto Rebirth: Kakureyami Final Battle

Hokage Mansion!




Akane Kurokawa
​

Akane's body felt heavy as she made her way to the Hokage's mansion, as though her bones had been turned to lead. Anpan's blood had healed most of her wounds, but fighting those clones was strenuous and used up more energy than she'd have liked. But more than anything, more than the physical and emotional pain, the kunoichi was exhausted. The argument with Torune drained her, sowing further doubt into her regarding this mad endeavor. She understood his logic, could agree with it to an extent even, making it all the more difficult for her to counter him. And that wasn't even considering their long fight with the summoner. Yet she was here still, for some reason or another.


She can see him clearly now, posing with that sword of his, ragged bandages and fiery hair blowing in the breeze. There's something about that shinobi, some aura of brightness that's almost like a ray of sunlight. She knows that part of its for show more than anything, has caught glimpses of the greyer facets that make up part of Anpan Uzumaki. But perhaps that's what one needs to do sometimes- play the part well enough, and you can convince the world, even yourself, that it's real, whatever it is you wish to convey, she muses quietly. The Iwa-nin also senses the presence of the One and Two-Tails, and upon catching sight of Akago and Shirokko, breathes the smallest sigh of relief- they are still alive, which is as much as she could have hoped for given the circumstances. There are others here as well: jinchuuriki, Han of Kirigakure, and even Lady Daradei hanging in the background, keeping an eye on the situation. But all eyes remained on the man of the hour.


There was no love lost between herself and the people who had attacked her home, who had slaughtered thousands of ninja and taken this world for themselves. Once, had she been presented with this opportunity, she would have gutted the man before her without hesitation, if only to ease her grief. But after so many years, the hate which once fueled her had evaporated, leaving her tired and hollow. And she'd seen that weariness in her travels on a thousand other faces, whether they be shinobi, Kakureyami, or the civilians who could only watch as the conflict unravelled before them. She knew the Kakureyami's ideology, and it was evident that they matched the ninja in pure stubbornness: neither side was willing to admit defeat so long as they believed they had something worth fighting for. Thus, so long as there was this unresolved tension between these groups of people, all the hopes and dreams of a better future were in vain. After all, blood begets blood- if it was not the Kakureyami, it would be another group who sought to eradicate all shinobi in the name of peace.


She was no savior: There was no all-powerful, charismatic, shining protagonist here today who could unify the masses and herald an era of peace. For all she knew, this was pointless, and her brother was right in saying they should just kill them all and be done with it. But still... there had to be a reason, that both sides had been able to pause the brutal violence for some form of dialogue. The Iwa-woman believed that had to mean something, that there was a chance to reach a better outcome in the long run. If it proved unviable, then so be it, but for the sakes of those here today and the generations to come, she was willing to temporarily suspend her cynicism. Landing next to Anpan, the woman turned to face her comrade, a weary expression on her face as her hand gently touched his shoulder. There were no words exchanged, but the sentiment could be seen in her eyes- she was there to support him and her comrades, whatever that may entail. You can be the hero, Anpan... but you don't have to do it alone. Don't you know all the greatest heroes have sidekicks? she considered, her lip twitching slightly at the thought. Now wasn't the time for such fanciful thinking, but perhaps she'd get to impart that to him, someday.


Her face grew grave as she shifted to address the Kakureyami King, stony eyes watching his every movement. "Lord Jinan." Akane greeted him, offering a polite bow of the head as she did so. She knew this man only from the murmurings of murder and bloodshed, and had no knowledge of his character... but still she would give him the respect befit of one in his position. "I am here on behalf of the Raikazekage, one of the leaders of this alliance." The woman paused, measuring her words before continuing to speak. "Let me be brief: both of our sides have suffered heavy casualties, and continuing to fight would only ensure further unnecessary loss of life. The sole beneficiaries of this conflict have been the crows and maggots."


"I do not ask that you forget the violence that we as shinobi have partaken in over the years. Nor can I promise that we will be able to forget the suffering which we were made to endure. All I want to know is whether it is possible that we may try to move past this blood-soaked history in order to build something better for the future generations. Frankly, it would be an arduous task, more than it would to just kill one another and continue as we have. But if there is a way that we can make such a notion reality... I think I speak for many of us here in saying we would like to hear your thoughts on the matter, whether you think it is possible and what it would take to reach that agreement."


Sighing as she finished speaking, the Iwa-woman stepped back beside Anpan, her muscles growing tense as she waited to see what was to come next. The kunoichi would be lying if she said she wasn't afraid, but she did not allow her face to reveal even a trace of that weakness. She had said what needed to be said, and now could only hope that her words might have some small impact on the man before her. Until then, all that was left to do was focus on that which mattered above all else: the safety of those most precious to her.

Jinan Is Feeling Therapeutic

Jinan


8/14


The Ninja

Chanda Senju


0/7


Kinnosuke Royama


1/7


Daradei


0/7


Orisas/Kurokan


2/7


Chiita Uchiha


1/7


(Lost Chakra) Sozoshi Washa


3/7


Akago Hideki


0/7


Shirokko


0/7


(Lost Isobu) Chiaki Yoshinawa


1/7


Romi Watanabe


0/7


Dru Rinha


0/7


Shinobu Otsutsuki


0/7


Kanami Sakurai


0/7


Hanbungetsu Hozuki


0/7


Shinsei Fugita


0/7


Anpan Uzumaki


0/7


Rei Manami


0/7


Kouki


0/7


@Veirrianna Valentine


+ Anyone else

 

[White Masquerade]

Naruto Rebirth: Kakureyami Final Battle(Part 1 Of The End)

Hokage MANSION!

Prelude to the End

Jinan (Kakureyami King)

Bending his head up to the noise of another entering their talks, but from the sky, Jinan's eyes widened as the girl seemed to be floating on the wings of Hagoromo's seven-tailed creation, Chomei.


"This...is not possible."


Mouth dropping ajar, the king pondered exactly what was going on. Shukaku. Matatabi. Son Goku. And now Chomei. Four of Hagoromo's nine, fashioned beasts were seemingly gathered in front of him, fighting on the ninjas' side.


But...


Why?


"Why?" He questioned again, slowly losing heart in his mission to rid the land of ninja. This couldn't be happening. If Hagoromo wasn't on his side...then what could possibly be done? The Kakureyami. He...never loved them. If that were the case, then why would Hagoromo go out of his way to teach them the ways of Wuji? To set them aside as a people to watch over the ninja? Was this some kind of...game to the man? Clearly, it had been the Kakureyami who were wronged by the acts of the others, yet the creator and the bijuu chose to side with...them.


"...."


Jinan stood at a loss as the Chomei-one would fall between him and Son Goku; her aura coming off in waves. What she said...was true. In the way she spoke of the conflict, it was not simple to deny that he and his people were indeed attacking the ninja in response to the actions of a select few. But what other choice was there? The ninja had robbed them of a normal life. Cut short the existences of so many innocent Kakureyami whose lifespans had been shortened by the lack of sun. Their subjects were lucky to live past the age of 50. What was supposed to be done in lieu of all those thousands of men and women mugged out of having a fulfilling future?


This girl could have talked all the peace she wanted, but until somebody addressed that, he wouldn't stop. He couldn't stop. The eyes of Hamura shone before him, those of Hagoromo's brother, but even they could not loose the grip of loss tied around his heart. Yeah..


Yeah.


The peace did end because of him, because of them. Because the Kakureyami invaded; that much was true. For that, Jinan would not apologize. The girl compared them, said that they were both of the same kind. Spitting to it, he only shook his head, not believing in the slightest he'd even share the visage of a shinobi, let alone the characteristics, roots, or ideology of one. He was getting tired of being told he was somehow wrong for wanting to kill ninja. Being told that his mindset and feelings were invalid. That what occurred was all a big mistake. That he should just lay down quietly, kiss, and make-up with those who doomed his people to a bleak fate. What kind of madness was this? It figured. If you wanted to keep your rights, you had to fight for them! He would not allow his people to end up like the indigenous peoples of the 7th dimension run right from their home. If the Bijuu nor the great creator, Hagoromo himself would aid them, then they would help themselves!


"You can keep your silly peace, Hagoromo and Hamura," he muttered under his breath, tossing his perfect image of them both off to the side. What use was following somebody who offered no help or support in whatever you were going through? Who didn't even see the tears rolling down your face as you cried out in pain? From that point on, Jinan cursed the Sage and his brother, pulling away to view only himself as someone he could lean on, somebody who truly had the well-being of the Kakureyami at heart.


Unflinching, not blinking once as the girl fell down to a glowing, white arrow, Jinan eyes set on the one that approached and offered her skills in aid to destroy the ninja that stood before them.


"Hmph. Fight by yourself, ninja filth," he spat, once again regaining his regal-like composure in the midst of the mess. The Kakureyami were a people that had rights and feelings to be respected just like everyone else's. He had already trusted the great creator to recognize this, to fight with them for a place in the world, but he did not. He instead sided with the enemy and sought to further emasculate the Kakureyami under the pretense of having lasting peace.


"Take your vendetta elsewhere, shinobi. It does not concern us. Nothing you do ever will. My people fight alone."

He had learned his lesson. He would not be tricked again.

​

@Kiyoko Tomoe


Eye In The Sky

Daradei (Tsuchikage)

What the...actual f*ck???


Daradei had kept an eye on the girl setting something up in the distance, but the last thing she expected was an arrow flying through the air, sinking right into the chest of Shinobu.


Kami goodness!


They hadn't exactly been on good terms but still! She at least held some feeling for the girl! Enough not to see her go down like this!


Watching another arrow pulled and Chiita already on the move towards Orisas, Daradei would have dropped in that instant from right out the sky to begin an assault if it were not for the oddity moving in fast from the horizon. Swiveling to a location almost directly below her, she judged it wouldn't overtake Nanko, Danhi, and the red-haired nin that traveled with them...but it was starting to get pretty damn fast.


..More shinobi..? But what from land?


Everyone was already here.


Squinting, the Tsuchikage shielded her lids from the glare of the sun. Yeah..something was definitely up. Eyes flickering between the Mansion, village, and the dust kicking storms beyond the line of the Field of End, Daradei stayed put against the reasoning of her heart, prodded by her mind to keep high; to keep elevated. Chiaki was already tending to Shinobu and Chiita would be more than enough to handle whatever that girl would throw her way. The Tsuchikage had to focus.


Clinging tighter to the neck of the pink, clay bird she rode, a command was given and the creation changed flight patterns with a sharp, wide turn.


'That's right,' she murmured to it silently.


'Take me there. Straight on to the Field of the End.'


I'm Not Alone Either

Shirokko (One-Tails) + Shukaku

The One-Tailed host watched the proceedings with neither her or her beast feeling a thing as Shinobu dropped lifelessly to the floor. There were only few things Shirokko cared about in this world and this girl, the apparent host to the 7-tailed beast, was not one.


Is she -


Dunno.


Ah. Hm.


Her bijuu didn't seem to care about it too.


The nin would gaze at the scene quiet, albeit a little bugged her 2-tailed companion showed such a compassion for the one who had fallen. Were it not for what happened at Kumo Castle, she would have thought there was something...more going on. However, before her mind had the time to delve into it, one line from a familiar voice threw her entire state of being out of whack.


Hanbungetsu.


Ohoho! Weeeeell! Isn't this some good news, host! The woman escaped! Hunh. I guess you weren't as thorough as you thought, girl.


Or maybe I just need a bijuu that gives me better powers.


Bwahaha! Low blow, host. You know anywhere you are in the Land of Wind, you are virtually invincible with me by your side. I don't even think the 9-tails fox would be able to match you there. Outside of Suna though. Well...that's a different story.


However, Shirokko wasn't paying attention to him. She stared at Han's arm as two more Kiri-nin saddled up beside her. With each end every word they gave of the situation, a bitterness in the woman grew. How could this kunoichi, somebody so nasty, somebody so foul, have anybody that wanted to be by her side? That giant, stupid Chiaki, and now these two lackeys updating her like some kind of commander of a platoon...it got on Shirokko's nerves. There was nothing more grating than seeing Hozuki, happy. Han...seemed to be doing very well for herself.


Wow...so now, mister, "My tails are better than yours," finally arrives.


A second stretch of annoyance, one that rivaled her burgeoning own, sprung up and coalesced to start a pulsing steadily rolling faster inside her chest. Shukaku was mad about something and he was forcefully pushing for her to do something about it.


What? I don't see it.


Keep looking. He's around here somewhere. I can feel it.


Teeth growing sharper and sand drawing to the centers of arms, Shirokko's eyes wavered from their natural color, overtaken by shades of black and gold.


Follow my lead. I will show you. Then afterward, we can go after and kill that water woman for sure this ti -


"Akane."


Sight locked square onto the brunette jumping into focus right behind a man with spiked, orange hair, the tension held tight through her body, gradually stopped and dripped from her bones. Regaining control of one iris and shortly the other, Shirokko smiled to herself, pushing the thoughts away about Han in the process. In truth...she was doing well too. Akane, Akago, Shukaku, Hoshie, the Lightning who stood and accepted them as if they were one of their very own. Shirokko had family too. And there was no way she would disappoint them.


No killing, she murmured in her mind to the seething bijuu. Whatever we do, we do it clean, and we do it good.


Pfft. Bor-ring. Fine. Whatever you say, host.


Thank you.


"Well I'm at least glad," she started, for the first time in months directly addressing Hanbungetsu with something other than murder and anger. "Something weak like that wasn't enough to kill you, Hanbungetsu."


Closing her eyes and dropping onto her back, the woman crossed one leg over the edge of the other.


"When we both get the rank of Jonin, we're going to fight Han, and I'm going to beat you fair and square. It's something I'll be looking forward to, Kiri-nin."


Shirokko flipped her hair to the side as she abruptly turned away.


"You better not lose to anyone else before then."


@IG42


@QuirkyAngel


@clarinetti


@Kinzu Hekmatyar


@Lucem Tenebris


We Are. The Shirotaiyo.

Orisas/Kurokan + Chiita Uchiha

"Hmm."


Spinning from Shinobu to Kanami, it could be seen that Orisas was not happy, nor was she upset. Upon Shinobu's death, the puppet-master did fully intend to snatch the girl's body and shape her into a puppet, but with the Otsutuski now actually laying down motionless in front of her, Orisas decided that she much rather preferred her alive to dead.


"Hm," she began. Directing her voice to the one that held the bow and arrow.


"You - "


"Made a mistake that you're going to pay for."


Finishing her sentence, the Uchiha walked straight ahead in the direction of Kanami, Sharingans swirling in the process.


"It's okay Orisas," the kunoichi spoke lightly, smiling as she turned to their group's head.


"Let me handle this. It's time I start taking my role in this club a little more seriously as well. All of you have already proved that you care deeply for what we all have. It's time I did too."


Pulling out a kunai and throwing it to the dirt a feet before Kanami, Chiita's beam faded as she got into stance.


"When you attack one of us, you attack all of us. If you haven't heard, we are the Shirotaiyo. I, Chiita Uchiha. Love every single member of it. Present...and past."


Amekis. Gatona. Inpe. I won't hold back anymore. I promise from now on, I will let everybody know exactly how I feel. This is for you.


"Kill one of us, and I won't stop until I've torn you limb from limb."


@Kiyoko Tomoe


What Do We Do?

Romi Watanabe (Water God)

The God was relieved to see the arrival of Han and the other ninja here from Kiri, but with the advent of this fallen jinchuriki, Jinan's story, and the woman who shot her, Romi was thoroughly confused. It seemed the aggression between them had died down, but could still feel things were still liable to go to hell at a lightest flip of a switch. Ninja were coming out of the woodwork to arrive in the Mansion's courtyard and stand against the King of the Kakureyami. Left and right were either jinchuriki or shinobi she had met along her travels, some she didn't even know. This was the strength of the Shinobi alliance...and that was precisely the problem. One misstep and they could all be wiped out in one fell swoop. It would then be game over.


But...how were they supposed to come to an agreement with someone like the king? Their whole people had been sealed away by the first kage to a land without sun. The act was just so egregious the God had no idea how to appease the victim of that. Like...what could they possibly do??


Control loosening on the water tentacles she held up high in the air, the arms melted, dropping into streams with the water crashing down and the mini-receivers spread throughout the fluid, with them.


"Damn."


We really have to kill them, she thought, stunned by it all. Kill a people who've already suffered enough. It's not right but...but we..


"But we can't just let them kill us!"


Flipping to Dru, the God had no idea what she was supposed to.


"Dru? What do we do?" She asked weak.


"What we do..? It's not our fault. It's not theirs either. If anything...they are the true victims! I'm so confused..I-I..I don't know what to do. We...we can't just kill them."


Fully de-activating her technique, four pillars of rock rising out the floor to trap the incoming queen pushed Romi further to the edges of her fear.


"Kami no. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Dru. We're really going to do this. We're really going to fight. I can't do this," she cracked, stepping backwards.


"I can't do this. Knowing what went on, I-I-I can't be a part of this."


Her head shook as she quickened the pace, retreating from her spot at the mansion grounds.


"Dru, I can't. Leave with me. You heard the same thing I did. We can't do this. I-I can't explain it. This is just wrong. We can't. We just can't. Please! They're innocent, Dru. We have to stop. Come, Dru. P-please...leave with me."


@Drumonkey

Jinan Feels Betrayed

Jinan


8/14


The Ninja

Chanda Senju


0/7


Kinnosuke Royama


1/7


Orisas/Kurokan


2/7


Chiita Uchiha


1/7


(Lost Chakra) Sozoshi Washa


3/7


Akago Hideki


0/7


Shirokko


0/7


(Lost Isobu) Chiaki Yoshinawa


1/7


Romi Watanabe


0/7


Dru Rinha


0/7


Shinobu Otsutsuki


0/7


Kanami Sakurai


0/7


Hanbungetsu Hozuki


0/7


Shinsei Fugita


0/7


Anpan Uzumaki


0/7


Akane Kurokawa


0/7


Kouki


0/7


Dove


0/7


Rei Manami


0/7


Yasashii Riingo


0/7

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Naruto Rebirth: Kakureyami Final Battle!


Hokage MANSION!

Yasashii

Yasashii watched in mild amusement as the little girl jumped from the roof to stand between Wunan and Shinsei. It had little to do with her whether Shinsei’s clones were killed or not. Though the swordswoman had to admit, for a tiny child, it was an impressive feat. She seemed to be trying to goad Shinsei as well, riling him up, though for what reason, Yasashii couldn’t say. She would have jumped down to join the action, but Han had yet to give the signal. The large woman shifted impatiently on the rooftop as more ninja arrived.


Anpan showed up to stand beside the ninja. Then Akane. Yet the one who drew Yasashii’s attention was the person cloaked in yellow chakra who appeared on the roof. She didn’t know if he was ally or enemy, but could feel the power emanating from him which, oddly enough, reminded her of the living legend she’d fought at the field of the end. Perhaps it was the color scheme. Yasashii grinned. “ ’Lo there. Are you here to see to the end of this war as well?”


@Veirrianna Valentine




Chiaki + Son Goku

Meanwhile…


“I can’t believe it,” Chiaki(Son Goku) muttered lowly to Matatabi’s jinjuriki, or anyone within range who was listening really. “Did you hear what he said? The impertinent kid just insulted our father’s ideals didn’t he? The audacity!” *insert angry monkey screech*


That he did.


Chiaki made sure to note that that Son Goku had excellent ears. Or were they his ears? It was the first time Chiaki played host to another being and he wasn’t quite sure how it all worked. From within his mind, Chiaki watched the king struggle to accept the truth—that neither Hagoromo, their creator, nor the tailed beasts would side with him. He could sympathize with Jinan’s story. Trapped in darkness by the ninjas and then abandoned by the one who created them it was no wonder the man felt victimized. Chiaki wouldn’t be surprised if he even felt betrayed.


Are we done talking?


Not yet. He rejected the bow woman’s proposal, which means he doesn’t support her actions.


But he won’t back down either. Stubborn like a mule, that one.


…let me try.


A fight is inevitable. You’re only wasting your time.


Please?


Chiaki could feel Son Goku’s exasperation. Why are you begging? This is your body you know. The honorable Son Goku doesn’t resort to stealing from kids.


The pink haired ninja was relieved when he felt Son Goku retreat back into his mind. He didn’t want to have to fight Son Goku for control over a body they now shared. It would put a dent in their relationship and make their lives together much more difficult than it had to be. Yellow eyes returned to their usual hazel and the fangs disappeared. However Son Goku’s cloak of firey red chakra still clung to his body like a cloak.


Thank you.


I’ve already said my piece. The rest is up to you ninja. This is your war after all.


Chiaki nodded silently. His clone had healed Shinobu’s physical injuries, but the girl would not awaken. Whatever the strange woman shot at the jinjuriki, it clearly still affected her. It wasn’t genjutsu either. He glanced at Akago. “I can’t help Shinobu until I know what Kokoro did to her.”


That had been what Akago called Shinobu’s attacker. Akago had called the girl by name, which meant he knew her personally. If there was anyone who could get through to the mad woman, it was probably the two tailed jinjuriki. Chiaki could try, but he didn’t think anything he said would be useful in obtaining information from Kokoro. Chiaki didn’t even know her.


From the corner of his eyes, Chiaki could see that Chiita and Orisas were facing off against Kokoro. He fully expected Daradei to join them as she was a Shirotaiyo. However, much to his surprise, the Tsuchikage flew away. Perhaps she saw something…? Even more startling was the presence he felt from the roof. Chiaki turned briefly, his eyes zeroing on the tiny glowing figure that was mostly likely Kouki. Relief filled Chiaki. Han, Anpan, Akane, they’d all arrived to help…which meant the Field of the End had been taken care of.


Romi, on the other hand, seemed to lose her composure upon hearing King Jinan’s tale. It wasn’t just Romi either. He could hear the mutterings of the soldiers that stood back to watch, the Iwa-nin, the Kirigakure-nin, who knew nothing of Kakureyami’s story. It was all a shock for them as well, some responding in denial and others in anger. As for the rock pillars encasing Kakureyami’s queen…well…Chiaki wasn’t sure what to make of it. Amidst all the mayhem, Akane, representing the Raikazekage, called for an end to the fighting. Chiaki smiled, grateful to hear a reasonable voice in the sea of upturned emotions.


His eyes met that of the cornered king, who chose to fight alone. There was a level of passion and pride he could respect from the man. When Jinan refused Kokoro’s offer to help eliminate the ninjas, it told him more about the king as a person than his people’s tragic history did.


“The threat has no form,” Chiaki replied to Anpan Uzumaki's inquiry, though he didn’t look away from the king. “And no power in the world can truly be rid of it.”


Then Chiaki addressed the King of Darkness. “I cannot claim to represent the Mizukage, but I’m certain Tsukiko-sama would agree with the Raikazekage’s representative. I do as well. Isn't this enough?”


Chiaki had been fighting for peace. However, he’d taken the easy route…like he always did. Akane was right when she pointed out that the path of peace was arduous. True peace at least. Killing Jinan wouldn’t solve the issue at hand. Deep down Chiaki had known that. However, he convinced himself that it was the quickest solution to end the bloodshed…that Jinan’s sordid ideology would die with him.


“A future wrought from death will not last. Even if you manage to eliminate all of us ninjas here, others will rise in place of dead to fight you.”


Jinan was the same as he had been. Sumire had pointed it out to him, how Chiaki had chosen to become a ninja to fight for the dead. For the memory of his parents. He continued through the losses for Kenji’s sake. For everyone that died at Kumo Camp and even for the ones he’d killed in the name of war. It all weighed his sword. Now, however, he fought for his future and the future of his friends. He sought for a quick end to the war. When Hagoromo offered him the power to end the war, he took it. Just like he did with Orochimaru. And, once again, the snake Sanin played him.


Don’t compare the two. It makes my skin crawl.


Sorry. I hadn’t meant it that way.


Chiaki had promised Hagoromo that he would protect the ninja creed, but what it was exactly Chiaki still didn’t know. How was he supposed to protect it? Romi was right. From what Son Goku had told him, as well as the King’s own admittance, his people did not deserve death. Yet neither did the ninja. Chiaki glanced at Han, whose face was an unreadable mask. She could remember the horrors in Kirigakure better than he. “I was five when your people came and took my parents, my future, from me. Saved by a kind lady who took me away from the war, I could have stayed away. But I did not. The memories of my parents bloody death haunted me. I thought I owed it to them.”


Chiaki shook his head, his gaze briefly flickering to Kokoro. “I was wrong. The dead don’t want vengeance.” Then hazel eyes returned to Jinan. “If you care for your people, don’t let anger or hatred blind you from what’s in front of your eyes. If you are a king, don’t lead your people down a dark, bloodied path. Honor your dead, not with the blood of your enemies, but with the future of their children. It’s possible. Our ninja forefathers are dead and the ninja world is no longer the same as it once was. We can forge a brighter future, one where both the ninjas and the Kakureyami can enjoy the sun. But only if you can break away from the chains that the first five kages have you bound in.”


Chiaki stepped forward, the Truth-seeking balls floating behind him. He made no signs of aggression, but he watched the king closely for any signs of movement. “You say there is nothing us ninja can do to affect you, but you are wrong. The Kages who tricked your ancestors have succeeded in dragging you down to their level. You’ll inflict to innocent ninjas the same damage the first five kage’s inflicted to your people. You call us filth, but you’ve gotten your hands dirty all the same.”


The Kakureyami was just like them. Jinan could deny it all he want, but it wouldn’t change the truth. Chiaki had seen the horrors of the ninja through Orochimaru. He’d accepted what it meant to be a ninja. What it meant to be human. They were all bound by chains. The teachings of the Yoshinawa style of swordsmanship was to cut these chains, to allow the wielder to be swifter and soar higher than any other. That was what Sumire had taught him.


“Don’t let yourself or your people be weighed down by the past. If you can’t break free of the chains on your own, I’ll cut them for you.”


Chiaki didn’t know if his words would get through to the distrustful, hardened king, but he decided he would try anyway. To cut the chains that bound others. To allow them to soar high and free of restraint. That would be his style of swordsmanship.


His ninja way.

Jinan Feels Betrayed

Jinan


8/14


The Ninja

Chanda Senju


0/7


Kinnosuke Royama


1/7


Orisas/Kurokan


2/7


Chiita Uchiha


1/7


(Lost Chakra) Sozoshi Washa


3/7


Akago Hideki


0/7


Shirokko


0/7


(Lost Isobu) Chiaki Yoshinawa


1/7


Romi Watanabe


0/7


Dru Rinha


0/7


Shinobu Otsutsuki


0/7


Kanami Sakurai


0/7


Hanbungetsu Hozuki


0/7


Shinsei Fugita


0/7


Anpan Uzumaki


0/7


Akane Kurokawa


0/7


Kouki


0/7


Dove


0/7


Rei Manami


0/7


Yasashii Riingo


0/7


@White Masquerade


@IG42


@Strawberry Preserves


@Drumonkey


@Kiyoko Tomoe


@clarinetti

 

[Lucem]

Hokage Mansion

Kouki


"Yes." Facing the brown-haired woman, Kouki responded with a nod before returning his gaze to the scene below them, the glow from the flame-like cloak illuminating his pale face. His voice retained its usual lack of emotion, but there was an underlying calmness, contrasting from the chaotic state of mind that had previously overwhelmed him.


This was when everything would come to an end, deciding the future of the world. Even though he was never very good at paying attention to his surroundings or noticing a situation's severity, the importance of this moment was not lost on him. He took in every word spoken and every action taken. He even felt the emotions of those that had gathered, a particular one catching the attention of the Tailed Beast inside of him.


"Even after all this time, he still hasn't let it go." Taking note of his one-tailed brother's reaction to his sudden appearance, Kurama let out a sigh. Shukaku was still angry over his pronounced superiority from ages ago. It wasn't his fault that he happened to be far stronger than any of his siblings.


While his mind was filled with thoughts about the Bijuu, close to many of them for the first time in several years, they were quickly put aside. Like his host, he paid close attention to the standoff. Kurama wasn't completely sure what Kouki intended to do now that they had returned, but he would offer his full support, regardless of the decision. That was what he had promised.


Although his partner was unable to discern what was on Kouki's mind, the boy had already come to a decision. Observing the people below, both Ninja and Kakureyami, he somewhat understood their positions. He understood their motives, their goals, and their pain.


The emotions of the enemy were not unjustified. The Kakureyami had been robbed of their futures, the feeling of hatred and betrayal lingering for many years. It was natural to seek revenge, desiring to kill the ones that had wronged them. It would be hypocritical of Shinobi to deny them that, many seeking their own vengeance for the same reason, having felt great pain and lost many things since the war began. However, the "King" was foolish to believe that he was any different from those that had caused his people to suffer. His anger was misguided.


Their fate was a result of the decisions made by a small portion of those they despised. A foolish decision made by a Kage that furthered the chain of violence. The rest of the world would have to face the consequences of that decision, showing that something like a Kage was unneeded.


This war was undeniably the fault of the Ninja. However, the people that made those choices were dead and had been for many years. The Kakureyami unleashed their terror upon innocent people, mimicking the ones they claimed to be different from. While it was not wrong to desire revenge, they took their contempt out on the wrong individuals and only caused meaningless death. Neither party in this conflict was truly good, but to deny that they were in the wrong and insist on spilling more blood made it clear that the Kakureyami were the ones that needed to be stopped.


Despite the Kakureyami being the ones responsible for furthering senseless battles, the people that stood against them and proposed a peace were no better. Just as the King was foolish to deny responsibility, the opposing side denied the feelings of others. He could see that clearly as the pink-haired boy he once knew spoke aloud for all to hear.


Chiaki spoke of a brighter future, one forged without bloodshed and where both sides could live in peace. That was impossible. The young man couldn't see that and neither could the other woman that proposed an end to the violence.


Kouki could understand why these people wanted peace and he couldn't blame them for it. However, did they truly believe everyone would accept that future? Did they think everyone would be willing to coexist with the ones that had caused so much destruction?


He said that the dead did not seek vengeance. How could he know that? The dead did not speak. They did not think. They did nothing, since they were gone. How could anyone truly know what they desired? Nobody could possibly know. To say that they did not wish to see their murderers face justice was ignorant and selfish. It only served to convince the one who spoke that they were justified. Of course, he was guilty of that as well, believing the ones he had sent to their early graves would wish to see him rot away.


The people who had suffered losses from the enemy attacks, and the Kakureyami themselves could not simply throw away their resentment and live in harmony. To neglect their feelings and speak on their behalf was also an act of selfishness. To claim that he would cut away the chains himself was inappropriate.


No matter how much they claimed otherwise, there was no reason a future brought about by the King's death could not work. The long peace was only disrupted by an outside force, the Kakureyami holding on to a vendetta formed when the world was much different. Without Jinan, an enemy like that would cease to exist. His death would lead to a more stable peace than forcing the two forces to put their grudges behind them.


The same went for the Kakureyami. If everyone gathered were to be killed, what could possibly stop them from achieving their goal? With the ability to remove chakra, there was no chance of resistance. No one could stand against them.


As much as they did not like the idea and continued to reject it, death was the only option left. Humans would not accept anything less. Whether it was by the Kakureyami's hand or through the actions of a Ninja, the war would only end one way. That was why he decided to take action.


Descending from his perch on the mansion's roof, Kouki slowly approached the boy that attempted to convince the Kakureyami leader to stand down. As he did so, the familiar violet pigmentation returned to his illuminated face, along with the dark color that replaced the white within his eyes. With each step, he continued to observe Jinan, refusing to let the man out of his sight.


He truly believed that this war would not end until one side perished, which was a result the enemy seemed intent on reaching. It would have been simpler to kill the King and let the conflict be over with. However, that was not his choice to make.


While his life had changed greatly after those from the Land of Darkness had attacked his home, he was still an outsider in this conflict. He was loyal to neither side and did not even consider himself to be a human, rather a tool that had only recently developed an understanding of morality. He was no better than the enemy. Someone like him wasn't fit to make a decision. It wasn't his place to take an action that could change the fate of the world.


He would simply watch. While he believed it was impossible, he would wait and see what the result would be. He would see if his opinion of humanity could change once again. However, in the event that a peaceful end could not be reached, he would step in.


Stopping in front of Chiaki, Kouki observed the boy for a moment, the pattern of his Sharingan shifting as black spread across dark red. There was something he wanted to say, something he felt needed to be said, but now was not the time for such a thing. The situation at hand was far more important.


Turning away, Kouki turned his back to the only familiar face in a crowd full of strangers. These people desired peace, but it was unknown how Jinan would react. In the event that their pleas failed, there would be no choice but to strike the man down. That would be when he stopped watching.


While he did not share their views, Kouki would not allow someone who no longer wished to see death deal the finishing blow. That would be his role to fulfill. To stain his already bloody hands so others would not have to. That was his mission. It was the founding principle of the people who had changed him and he would not let it be forgotten.


No matter what the Kakureyami leader decided to do, he would be ready.

Jinan Feels Betrayed

Jinan


8/14


The Ninja

Chanda Senju


0/7


Kinnosuke Royama


1/7


Orisas/Kurokan


2/7


Chiita Uchiha


1/7


(Lost Chakra) Sozoshi Washa


3/7


Akago Hideki


0/7


Shirokko


0/7


(Lost Isobu) Chiaki Yoshinawa


1/7


Romi Watanabe


0/7


Dru Rinha


0/7


Shinobu Otsutsuki


0/7


Kanami Sakurai


0/7


Hanbungetsu Hozuki


0/7


Shinsei Fugita


0/7


Anpan Uzumaki


0/7


Akane Kurokawa


0/7


Kouki


0/7


Dove


0/7


Rei Manami


0/7


Yasashii Riingo


0/7


@Veirrianna Valentine

 

[Kiyoko Tomoe]

Naruto Rebirth: Kakureyami Final Battle
Hokage MANSION!
Kanami Sakurai
"So I've made the mistake, huh...? So it was my mistake for hating ninja..." Kanami said mockingly toward Chiita. Looking over to Jinan, she spoke with a rather angry tone in response to Jinan's comments. "As for you, don't you dare compare me to those filthy chakra-using monstrosities." Returning her gaze to Chiita, the girl had a leg-up on the woman. Kanami's eyes never looked at the Sharingan, but she definitely knew it was there. Closing her eyes, numerous lights floated outward from Kanami's forehead, taking stations all over the place in the very shape and form of Kanami, holding bows and all.

"Spirit Release - Judgment of A Million Souls."

With eyes still closed, Kanami, and all the spiritual copies of her, directed their bows right at Chiita. Three arrows to each of them, three arrows which were prepared to shoot at any moment and shatter Chiita's very soul. "Unlike you, I don't have to rely on eyes... I had to learn to live without the sunlight. Born into a realm where the sun didn't exist, there were only two sources of light in which we could ever access; the light emanating from the spirits, and that which we produced by our own means through fire and our own spiritual capabilities. You ninja were horrible vermin, even before being given chakra. You tried kill off my entire clan back before the time of Hagoromo, and still after you; not us, but you, were given chakra."

Middle finger releasing the center arrow, they flew at a godly speed from the many spiritual formations of the woman, piercing into Chiita's soul and seemingly being absorbed into the Sharingan-bearer's body. They would most-likely hurt greatly, and potentially even remove a part of Chiita's soul itself. Meanwhile, the arrow from Kanami herself flew right at Chiita's shoulder, filled by the same spiritual power in which had pierced through Shinobu.

"The only way we could defend ourselves was by breaking our very spirit itself to produce spiritual energy on the same level as your chakra; the only difference was, unlike you, we had to sacrifice ourselves just to live." Kanami said as she released wave number two of the arrows, the second of Kanami's real arrows flying at Chiita's side. "We were nothing but a small three large households by the time we had enough strength to push you back, and upon reaching the strength required to defend ourselves, you filthy ninja sealed us away in another realm!" Releasing the final arrow, they all flew right at Chiita's head. with Kanami's on a path right to the very center of Chiita's head, should it hit, Chiita would probably be dead then and there; if, the arrow's intent were to kill, that is.

"You essentially trapped our souls within a jar, a realm cut off from any means of survival by a normal civilization. Right now, it's our turn to let you all be the ones trapped, sealed away in a realm called death. For all the suffering of my people, I'll show you the true pain we've suffered; the pain of our souls ripped from our very bodies in order to create the ability to survive for those that lived. Remember the name of the Sakurai Clan's leader of hundreds years prior; Kanami Sakura. It's the name of the person who's come back from the dead to eliminate all of you, after all."


Shinobu! Hey, are you there!? Wake up, Shinobu! Come on, quit playing Hide n' Seek inside of here and wake up! There you are, Shinobu! Come on, wake up! You're lucky to have so many friends here to help you, Shinobu! you're going to be al-

"..."

Her arm moving smoothly across the ground, the girl slowly began standing up. Her eyes were blank, as though she weren't even there. An aura of anger surrounded Shinobu, with orange chakra slowly starting to flow all around her. "You... How dare you..." Chakra starting to boil with rage, patches of Shinobu's skin began flaking off and turning into ash, leaving a dark red and black coloration to her body from head to toe. "You give her back..." Chomei spoke through the girl's body.

"RIGHT. NOW."

With Chomei's wings exploding out of Shinobu's body in the crimson color of the girl's current state, heavy winds blew as the girl's body was becoming that of a human-shaped Chomei, horn on head included. He flew straight at Kanami without any hesitation, blinded by rage, hatred, and above all, sadness. This woman had taken Shinobu away from Chomei, and Chomei didn't approve one bit. Tackling Kanami, they hit the ground with Kanami rolling backwards and kicking Chomei off, both quickly returning to their feet. The sheer speed of Chomei's attack had released enough air pressure to redirect the arrow Kanami had released toward Chiita, diverting the arrow into the ground at the Sharingan user's feet.

"You'll regret taking Shinobu away from me!" Chomei said with a tear nearly forming in the eye of the body he'd taken complete control of, though it evaporating from the Bijuu's form before it could fall. jumping at Kanami again, the Bijuu flew at high speeds toward the woman who held the bow, Kanami dodging off to the side. As soon as Chomei landed, he leaped at Kanami again, and again, and again, the woman doing nothing but dodging with ease; eyes still closed. The woman could see it all through the very core of her soul. Her spirit itself was what she projected upon the world numerous times, granting her the same vision in which Kokoro had whenever the young girl projected her spirit out of her body.

"Tell me, beast... Do you loathe me? Does it hurt, losing something precious to you? Does it feel absolutely HORRIBLE LOSING THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE!? THAT'S HOW I'VE FELT FOR THE PAST TWO HUNDRED YEARS! THE GIRL WHO I POSSESSED IN ORDER TO KILL THESE FILTHY NINJA HAD TO SUFFER THE SAME! YOU NINJA ARE ALL HORRIBLE BEINGS WHICH DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE!" Kanami shouted at Chomei, releasing arrows upon arrows at the beast as it flew by her, many arrows from her projections as well, attacking the spiritual mass of chakra within the body that once belonged to Shinobu Otsutsuki.

With growls of pain as each arrow pierced the Bijuu's soul, Chomei became more and more violent by the minute. Chomei began attacking faster and faster, managing leave a few small cuts here and there on Kanami's shoulders. Kanami, however, didn't react to the burning pain. Instead she just stopped shooting, with Chomei having suddenly slowed down. "If you truly care about that girl so much, then go on. Her spirit's sealed in the arrow in which pierced her body. I doubt you could do anything with it though, considering there's no room left in that body of hers thanks to you. I doubt her soul could even last ten seconds with how much rage yours would cause to attack her."

As soon as Chomei had turned his head to look at the arrow that Shinobu had been struck with, Kanami released a volley of arrows right into Chomei. The arrows landed in Chomei's back and arms. "Do forgive me for that... I have a tendency to take advantage of what little emotion you creatures have within you... After all, such feelings aren't befitting of the vermin that are 'ninja'." Chomei fell to the floor, on hands and knees from the sudden assault of arrows.

"Grrr....! Y-you...!" Chomei growled in anger, hands digging into the ground. Slamming one in front of himself as though crawling, an orange chakra hand shot up from the ground below the arrow Shinobu's soul resided in, snatching it up and throwing it right into Chomei's physical hand. Clinging tightly to the arrow, Chomei could feel Shinobu within the arrow. Her soul was in there; somehow, some way, Shinobu's soul was within that arrow, and Chomei would get her out at any cost.

I told you, Shinobu... You're lucky... Your luck's not about to run out now...!

Pushing up slowly onto hands and knees, Chomei stabbed the arrow right into his shoulder.

Now let's do this together, Shinobu...! Let's beat this crazy woman, and live! Together! I... I love you, Shinobu, so please... I was lucky to have met you! Now it's your turn to be lucky! I'll share my luck with you!

With the crimson glow and orange chakra of Chomei slowly fading, Shinobu's body was being revealed one moment at a time. Shinobu's skin had been severely damaged by the intensity of the form it'd been in, parts of skin completely torn to reveal the muscle below. Her hair had turned white from the heat destroying all the proteins in which had given it color, there were tears within the girl's eyes, and they slowly began falling to the ground and Chomei wept for the one he had lost. "Dammit...!" Chomei cried, all the while Kanami watched in contempt.

"Enjoy the suffering while you can... You'll soon be dead from those wounds, as your soul itself cannot handle one more hit. You soul will leave your body soon, so cry while you can. You should be happy that I gave you the opportunity to weep over your fallen, for my clan were so busy trying to survive, that even one of us taking the time to cry would've given you ninja the chance to kill us all." Lowering her bow, Kanami's spiritual projections returned to her body. The woman turned to Jinan to speak with the man. "Jinan, I would like to request that these Shirotaiyo be left for me to kill. Their faces and words disgust me, as they're not at all befitting of how lowly and bloodthirsty beings they are. They're hypocrites, just like those who attacked my people many years back."

Don't cry, Chomei... Please don't... You're using up all of my tears...

Eyes opening, Chomei thought he was going insane. "Shinobu...?" Chomei questioned, only for the girl to respond within the very deepest crevice of her own body.

I really am lucky to have you at my side, Chomei... Without you, I don't know where or not I would be alive right now... It's because of you, that I'm able to realize just how precious my own life is...

No, I'm the lucky one here, Shinobu... You're a wonderful person, and if it weren't for you, I probably would be somewhere hidden in that sewer still filled with anger toward ninja...

Now, you said something about loving me... I love you too, Chomei, though as a friend... You see, I've... realized my feelings for someone else, a wonderful person who I've just ignored completely until now... I hope you understand, Chomei...

I-I... I understand... It's a little saddening to hear you don't love me the same way, but... I know that whoever it is you love, they're one really lucky guy...

Thank you, Chomei... Thank you for being here with me, and I hope that, someday, I can make it so you can roam free along with me in the outside world... That'll be my promise, to make it so you can enter and exit my body whenever you want without issues for either of us. That way, you'll be free, but still have a nice home.

Breathing heavily, Shinobu painfully elevated her right hand off the ground before slamming it down, arrows being shot out of her back and arms. Her Tenseigan had been activated, albeit chakra was greatly drained from the events. the only chakra she could rely on now was what she was given by him. She had needed some method of moving right now, and that was possible thanks to Hamura. Hamura's chakra, in its entirety, resided within her body at present time. Using the strength it gave her to stand, the girl stumbled to her feet before walking right toward Kanami. upon reaching the girl, who stared at Shinobu with eyes of disgust, Shinobu placed her hand on Kanami's shoulder.

"Get your filthy hand off of me!" Kanami said as she threw Shinobu's hand off and hit Shinobu in the head with her bow. Shinobu just took the hit, stepping forward and ignoring everything Kanami had just now done. Kanami, disgusted, started backing off but Shinobu just wouldn't stop getting closer. Eventually, Shinobu just suddenly forced Kanami into a hug. "I get it, Kanami... Your family has suffered.. But that doesn't give you the right to steal Kokoro's life from her... Just return Kokoro's life to her, let her choose what her body does... I understand that you're in pain from the losses your clan's suffered, but at least don't get your revenge by taking away even more of your clan's lives..."

Releasing the hug, Shinobu became enveloped in a cloak of purple chakra. Leaping backwards, Shinobu looked around to see if, by any chance, Nanko had arrived at the current location. Sensing as far out as she could, Shinobu barely managed find Nanko's location. "I'm... too weak to proceed with this situation, so... I hope all of you can resolve this peacefully..." Shinobu said with a smile toward everyone; more so toward Jinan and Kanami though, before she floated off and away right over to Nanko's location.


Konohagakure
Flight somewhat beginning to fail, Shinobu had just barely reached Nanko's location in her current state. Landing on the ground a little ways in front of Nanko, Shinobu stumbled to keep on her feet before stumbling over to Nanko and beginning to pant. "Ha... N-Nanko... Do you still... have an opening...? For, you know... a... lover...?" Shinobu said as her body was nearly collapsing; not from her lack of strength at the moment, however, no. Shinobu was blushing a little, the odd feelings going through her adding to her trouble of keeping stable. "Odd time, I know, but... It's befitting, don't you think...? I'm half-dead right now, and yet I'm making a confession of love despite there being others here too... Haha..."

Just about bout tripping, Shinobu stumbled into Nanko and gave a sudden hug. "I... need you in my life... I had a lot of freedom to think about it, and... I realized just how much I was losing out on by ignoring you as a part of my life... It... may sound funny, but... I experienced death there just a bit ago, and... It opened my eyes... I want to get to know you more... You were always a funny and laid-back person, and I kind of... admire you for it... I suppose it may be a little bit extreme, that I'm saying I love you, but... That's honestly how it feels, now that I'm actually paying attention to the kind of person you are..."

"Now then... I would like to talk to Daradei about our... bad start with one another, but... I'm out of chakra... Sorry to say, that I can't keep myself awake right now... Maybe after I've slept, we can... talk more..."

@Veirrianna Valentine

(Anybody I missed? If so, oh well, I tagged enough people.)​

 

[White Masquerade]

Let's get to it!
​

The Last Stop Simply put, if you post here, I will kill you. I will now begin working on the final post. Let me know in the OOC whether you want the Final Post all in one go, or broken up into "Character/Location Sections," I'll release as I complete them. Both options will take the same amount of time to complete (quite a few days), but option 2 will make it more dramatic (I guess?). For all those who want to post, too bad; you've had a year and four months. Really though, PM me about it and I'll see. Let's get to it!

 

[White Masquerade]

​

The Field of the End

Machi Uchiha

Bouncing neatly off the trunks of tree after tree in the forests surrounding the Field of the End, Machi's mind split half-and-half between the girl she left safely behind and the man who asked for the help of her Sharingan eye. Itachi Uchiha: a legendary fighter among her clan. Madara Uchiha: a ninja on par with one of the greatest Senju that ever lived, Hashirama, and ideological father to them all. She had the chance to be in the company of them both. Two famed men who had done so much to bring her clan to where they were today. It was just so surreal, and clutching her chest tight, Machi would shake uncontrollably from the thoughts of it all.


'Your life is your own. You're free to do with it what you wish. Though, just remember having a people and a village to call home is not something so bad.'


"..."


Thumbing the spot the blade from so long ago came and took her only child away, Machi thought to seeing Ryuu die and the hurt twisted on Kiyomi's face upon the destruction of Kumo Camp and later over the loss of that boy Keitaro.


In a fit of blind anger the elder missed a trunk to bounce off from and crashed to the dirt head-first, cursing the dead jinch's name.


"You silly! Foolish! Jackass! Dummy! Why'd you have to go and die you stupid idiot!? Right after you promised to be by her side! Right after you promised me that! Promised that you wouldn't make her cry again! You promised, you stupid asshole! She needs you, damn it! You lied to her! GAH!"


Slamming a fist into the ground, the woman would pull out a kunai and think about slicing her wrist right then and there, but froze, immediately choking and crying tears when realizing the act of committing suicide had actually crossed her mind. She needed help.


Wiping her eyes with a heavy sigh, the Uchiha would get up off the floor and continue on her way to where she last left her sister behind. Finding the crop of limbs smeared with a familiar light, red dye, Machi slowed as she followed the trail till' the one she sought was completely now in sight.


"Ki..yomi."


My. She looked as peaceful as ever patiently waiting in the exact same spot Machi had told her to.


"Augck..!"


..there was no way she could tell her Ryuu was dead. Couldn't tell her that yet another light of her life was snuffed out before its dying day. Yet..if that were so, then why were her feet drawing her close and lips threatening to make it known? Why was her body threatening to give away what her mind did not want to let go?Why was it...


"K-Kiyomi...I-I have s-something to tell you," she started, soon reaching the girl. "A-About Ryuu...h-he...ah...well...h-he had to...g-go away for a bit," she smiled.


"H-he told me he wants you to stay in Konoha and wait for him. H-he said it might take a while for him to get back, so d...do-don't wait up. I d-don't know the specifics Kiyomi, but he says he wants you to grow into somebody even more capable and strong so he has something to look forward coming home to. Home to. Home. Kiyomi. I've t-thought about it...and I want to wait in Konoha for him with you too. I d-don't want you to be lonely and b...by yourself while you do. That'd make me sad. We'll be there with you. Both me and Ja. I haven't talked to him about it yet, but I'm sure he won't mind spending the time with family. You're family. Kiyomi...I know it's a lot to take in at once, but just know that I love you. I will be by your side, no matter what, okay?"


Hugging the younger hard, the embrace was held by the elder who began to cry and sob once again on the shoulder of her sib.


It was painful. Really painful. A hard pill swallow that one day she'd have to tell Kiyomi the truth. Though that'd be in the future...and she would let future Machi handle it. Right now, she'd just sit and enjoy the happiness, scent, and warmth of her precious younger sister.


"Kiyomi," she choked through a sob.


"I love you. With all my heart, okay? Don't you ever forget it."


A loud rumbling in that moment came to sound from the Field of the End a hundred thundering steps, but Machi didn't pay it any mind. All that mattered right now was Kiyomi, and for as long as she could, Machi would savor the sweet, gentle, woman she knew might not remain forever.


"Kiyomi. Believe me. I, Machi Uchiha, will be with you. Always."


@Arkytior


@BlacklegSanji

 

[White Masquerade]

Kumogakure

Hanako

"Yuuui! Breakfast!!!"


Spinning around the griddle as it sizzled over the burner, the woman mewled over what a daughter she had. Clumsy, reckless, and too absorbed in what she was doing to notice anything else. Gah! She was a handful but...at least she was hers.


Hearing the flute play at late of hours the night and at least having someone else with her to say 'Good Morning' to, Hanako's joy of finding her daughter would overpower the rumbling exasperation every time. It was hard to believe that just a month ago, she was at her wit's ends trying to get Hoshie in the case of who killed Rozu.


"Wow.."


Closing her eyes, she would think about Akane and hope that the nin was alright. Going against a Kage as shrewd as that one with the whole ANBU at her disposal was no small task. Not to mention Hanako really had no idea if Hoshie actually did it. She trusted her gut the Kage did have a hand in it, but then again, it could have all truly just been a series of unfortunate circumstance. The pain and grief she must have caused the Kage if that were really the case..


"Ugh.."


Being a reporter was hard. Sometimes you just had to take the --


"Ahhh! No! No! No! Oh Shoot! Aww! It's all buurnnned..!"


Catching the eye of a cat stopping suddenly and staring at her near the kitchen's doorway, Hanako rolled her eyes and groaned loud saying, "Shizuka, whatever! Just go get Yui and tell her breakfast is ready! It's her fault this didn't come out right! She should have been down earlier! Jeez..."


Frowning toward the ceiling, Hanako wondered how the march of Iongakure's army went. If she guessed correctly, it was about this time they'd be right in the heart of Konoha. She would have liked to participate, felt that it was part of her duty as a ninja, at least to help those wounded, but felt an even greater one here. After being missing for the past 18 years of her daughter's life, the nin did not, or rather, could not, afford to miss another bit.


There were tons of strong ninja who'd enlist; among them, the jinchuriki from the Sand and the Raikazekage, Hoshie herself. She had not a doubt they would be fine.


"Yui!? What are you still doing?? GRR!! YUI! You come down here right now and eat this food!"


She had high expectations.


@Arkytior


@clarinetti


@SephirothSage


The Leave

Horosaki

A Traveler

Sitting in silence with a cloak draped thick around her head and neck, the passenger on the hollowed boat was swayed back and forth by the roll of the waves and enjoyed the winds against her skin. Besides the lone captain at the head of the dinghy rowing it with small wooden oar, there was only one other person sitting off to her side.


How they were going to make it over the ocean she had no clue, but apparently, these people turned back anybody trying to make into their countries illegal. If for some reason this boat wasn't able to make the trip and was caught or sunk, then she'd just get to escaping and making it there on her own. There was no other alternative; there was nothing left for her behind.


"Hey. Got no life too?"


Turning to her right, she would find the man looking at her, but returned to her starting position, looking down, not saying a word.


"Aha, well no need to be so sad. At least you're still alive. That's certainly something to be thankful for. This war between the ninja and Kakureyami...so many people have been murdered in the fight of it; not able to make it back home. And I honestly can't tell you in the name of what. If you ask me, both of them are knuckleheads. Someone should just say sorry and have it be over eh?"


"Pfft. Say sorry? It's not that easy."


"Ah! I knew you had voice! A pretty one at that, eheh! Alright then miss. Let's say, if you were a kage, what would you have done to fix the mess?"


Thinking long yet short on it, the girl turned her head and simply replied, "Kill them all."


"Mm-Mm. And that is the problem with all those fighting type folks heading the villages. Gaha! Never really did pay attention in class when I was schoolin' or fiddled much with politics. Being from the middle of a backwater land doesn't help either. Alls' I know is, they should be more like that man Naruto. Now he was something! If you heard the stories, that guy was great! Bet if he were here today, he would have got both sides to sit down and agree on something. This mess is only hurting the normal people like us. Giving us so much grief. Got anybody special this war took from you?"


"..my...village."


"Ah! You see that there?! And you had absoultely nothing to do with it! Now. Is that right? That seem fair to you? Say. What's your name miss? We're gonna be on the waters for a while, might as well get acquainted. No need to be shy, I'm just like you. Running away from a very big mess."


"..."


Fidgeting at the offer between heading right and heading left, the girl decided after a spiteful thought in the grand scheme of things, it probably wouldn't matter anyhow.


"My name...my name is...Akane Kurokawa. What's yours?"


The ninja would drive themselves into the dirt and that hussy would be killed right along with them. The outcome of her kind being destroyed was inevitable. It was unavoidable considering the way they act. More specifically, how one would choose exposing her for murder, over the safety of the whole ninja world.


She had low expectations.


@clarinetti


The Return

Eien No Yoru Palace

Sumire Yoshinawa

I sent Soba off to retrieve Masami a few days ago, or the very least, keep her safe. By my estimations, at this time today I imagine he'd have made contact and be watching her for me now. I hope he succeeds in his task. I know Soba is no longer a fighter, but when I look at him work in the kitchens as a cook, I see the same blaze in his eyes I used to have in mine. Haha. It's funny. He says he quit, but I can easily sense there's a bit of that ninja-passion deep down left in him still. I wonder if his sister knows.


I owe a lot to Masami. I'm drawn to Masami. Ever since meeting, I've always liked her. I feel so torn up inside over what I had her do, eventually leading to the culmination of her fighting against Kokuran in front of the home of Orochimaru. It was horrible. Seeing her body like that...cracked, cooked, practically dead...it's an image I've had burned forever into my mind. I can't let that go. I just just throw away Masami like that. It makes me...it makes me...well, I can't seem to find the right word right now, but I can't just let things go like that. I don't owe a lot to Masami. But I guess I do feel I owe...something.


Gah. It's always hard to write about Lily in this diary because I love her and it hurts so much, but like all things in life, there are some chapters that have to come to a close. Haruka, she calls herself now; one of my best geisha. Though not near the top as my lovable little button Chiaki. Still. She was stellar. If I could go back in time I would -

Knock. Knock.

​

"Yes? Come in."


Laying down the pen to her book, the woman welcomed the server in with a smile.


"Mistress Moon. A few people outside say that they have located Sakuya-getsu and want to pass along the information to you. It seems their mission to locate our missing member was a success."





"Ah. Thank you. Please, would you entertain them for a few? I will be right out in a moment to greet them, I just have to finish something up."


"Yes. Of course Mistress Moon."


Closing the door, the chief of Eien No Yoru was once again left to her thoughts, and placing her hand to her chin, picked up the pen and dropped the inked tip onto a new line.

Sakuya-Getsu Hozuki. It's been a few long years. Hm. It's quite the surprise that she's been finally found. Which...I like. I love a pleasant surprise. Though...I really shouldn't be stunned. Like with most things, including this war between the ninja and Kakureyami, I'll live, whatever things end up as. It's only an early grave to meet you when stress too much. It's no wonder I can still impress the guys after all these years. Haha. Yeah...it's pretty nice having no expectations.

@QuirkyAngel


@The Suspicious Eye

 

[White Masquerade]

Tanigakure

Haruka + Izumi + Maruorochi

"And now, I shall attempt to drink from this glass so graciously placed for me by the keeper of this bar, using absolutely no hands."


Normally, an act like this would be nothing celebrate over.


"WHOO! WHOO! YEAH! GOO Haruka!"


...if only the Hebi woman weren't balanced on the counter in a handstand with her legs split wide apart. Walking with her arms towards a drink at the other end of the bar, Haruka snuck an obvious glance at Kokuran, catching his eyes in the process. The man and leader of Hebi was fully focused on her and staring a little too hard, but that was fine. Just this once she'd let his roving eyes wander; after all, she was doing this for Izumi. If she'd have to bear a bit of his ogling to make the woman smile, then that's how it would be.


"Izumi..? Are you enjoying yourself?"


Peeking up at Izumi was the snake of Hebi carefully shifting the glasses of Kabuto that sat on her nose.


"Well...aha. I am quite surprised Haruka can do these things. I certainly wouldn't have pegged her as the type. I mean...who knew she was that...flexible?"


Giggling, Maruorochi would feel peace knowing Izumi, at least for the moment, seemed to forget the memory of losing the chance to get through to her student, Shinsei. She was happy and even Kokuran appeared to be on good behavior as he set his eyes firm on Haruka.

What was that about..?

​

Did he not see flexible people like that often? Regardless, it was certainly made a nice feeling to see Hebi enjoying themselves together.


"Izumi?"


"Yeah?"


"What do you call a snake without clothes?"


"Hm...I don't know. What?"


"Sna-ked."


Bursting out into laughter, Maruorochi too began to snicker to herself, shaking head at the woman's elaborate response.


"Gee, Izumi. I didn't laugh that hard even when papa first told me that joke."


Well, at least she was in good spirits now. So would indeed be alright. All Izumi needed was to...relax.


@Veirrianna Valentine

 

[White Masquerade]

The Suna Desert: North

Traveler In The Sands

Uncharacteristic. Even for a land eternally shrouded in desert storm, the winds picked up, blowing around the man heavy walking down through its heart. Feeling the stream pick up to whip around his face, he'd be buffeted by sands in seemingly a freak-of-tempest. Stranger still, in the midst of the gale, the haze would break in errant strips affording him a jerky view of a lone woman making her towards him with eyes closed.


Coming to a stop a good distance away, she would pause in place, breathe, and fluid, shift into offensive stance. Eyes slowly creaking open, the bulge around her zygomatics swelled as her eyes rewound the packets of light entered upon the dawn of its inception. The commencement was too late capture the monster that killed him, but least they were able to record this one's marked reaction to the scene. Replaying the string of photons once again, the redone image played in her mind, unconsciously stoking the rage of her flames even more. Wordlessly, she turned to see him in the eyes, and spit.


Nana Uzumaki

"I'm giving you one chance, and one chance only. What happened to Roku?"


The wind finally subsided, and standing behind Nana, were clones of 100 more. "Lie to me," she'd state, training her gaze on the palpitations of his heart.


"And I swear on my life you'll never see the light of day again."


@GasMaskie

 

[hudhouse]

Location - ??? / Kirigakure Beach


Shisokoku's body raised from the Earth, finally alive after all this time. He grasped for his heart, his fanged snarling to the air. He looked left and right before realizing the truth. His white glowing eyes were weak, his chakra drained to the furthest extent. He was too weak to go on, so he dissolved away at first. But his heart was protected, at least one. He felt inside himself... and it was only one. He raised himself into a Humanoid form and began to use his chakra to compress himself. He compressed down and used his chakra to warp his form. When e was finished, he stood as a child. She tested her new voice,



She coughed before trying it again, highering her pitch.
Shisokoku changed her last name to Harukachou, 'Distant Butterfly' in the common tongue. She reached into her memory and came across a horrifying discovery. Most of her memory was gone, but where it went she had no clue. She looked around the beach where her corpse last was, a giant hole in the Earth that ran so deep light refused to shine. She reached her arms out, using the Earth Grudge Fear to climb out of the pit. She pretended to breathe as she awoken her Byakugan. She made false organs, replicating what a woman's body would be like around 14 years old. She further added onto her disguise by making her body cut itself up. She placed her hands on her stomach and played a little bit with it. Her heart finally felt at peace, though she couldn't tell why.

Spoiler

She limped towards the Hidden Village she was supposed to head towards long ago. Now all she wanted was to finally relax and have a home. Her sealed heart held the last of his memory of her past lives. With her most precious gift there, she limped towards Kirigakure. She held her fake clan of the Harukachou close, but knew she would keep her final name. She whispered it as she made her steps through the rain, "I am Mizutsune Harukachou. I am from the clan named after the Distance Butterflies, and I myself? I am the Bubble Fox, or at least that is the meaning behind it. And I love it all~!" Her little tale ends as she sung one of the many songs that she knew from heart...

The final ritual


One body is all we need for this to be complete


And when the day


Begins to take form


You won't be leaving those doors


You'll only live with us


Inside the darkness


As we tear you up inside


...I was left behind...


Through all this torture you will find


I was never all that kind...

 

[White Masquerade]

Kirigakure

To Tsukiko

"Misses Mizukage. Please. Come in."


Bringing out a gestured hand, the office aide promptly swept it towards the man who laid on the plain white bed. It was a curious thing; the man was sweating, deathly pale, with a look of pain across his face. Arms and legs both strapped to the rails of his bed, there was Kimura, nearly a vegetable after having Samehada pulled from his skin. At the behest of Chiaki, the doctors had been watching, waiting, trying to remedy the black sick that infested his brain...but to no avail. Psychology, physical therapy, pills...nothing seemed to be able to break the frenzy that cupped him still. The two ninja approached, one jerking when the patient convulsed and turned his head to the Kage, barking mad.


"...They have no idea what happened to him. The doctors have tried everything but he does not improve. The clinic is at an impasse with this, Mizukage. There isn't much left they can do to try and will him back. However, as workers in the medical profession, they are obliged to do all in their power to prolong his life until the last possible second. They can't just let him die. It goes against their creed. Unless, of course...the decision were to come from you. Kimura, that is his name, he was a prodigy here in the village, passing the Chunin exams with ease. There was a time where he'd fail them just to re-apply the following year and go through it again.


He eventually came to obtain the rank of Jounin and since then, has been working odd jobs for various villages around the continent. He was an excellent shinobi that made a name here before he left. Mizukage, if he were to be somehow cured, I believe he'd be a valuable asset for us. He'd owe a great debt to you personally for allowing him to be healed and serve this village with a passion in his heart. Mizukage, the choice is up to you. There is no guarantee we'll ever find a cure for him and the resources used to keep him stable are not making it to others this clinic still might have a chance to save. 9th. What is your command? Will you let Kimura live or will you let him die?"


@Arkytior


@Sinister Clown


Void

Hisao Hanashi

"****! ****! ***! THAT *****!! When I get my hands on him, he's going to PAY. HE'S GOING TO PAY!"


Raging inside of Toshiro's world, Hisao could barely keep his emotions at bay. How dare that chalk-headed pip do something like that!? The temerity! The arrogance! The disrespect! The second Hisao was out of here, he'd be on his way straight to Tsukiko! Straight to tell her that she call a decree for all of Kiri to punish that boy!


"EXECUTE THE ******! Cut off his head!! Oho, so you dare think you can touch me?! I'm Tsukiko's FATHER!," He yelled, kicking the air. "Release me now!! AHHH! You little twit! When I get out of here, I am going to wring your little neck! You hear that, ****??? That's a promise!! You're going to DIE!"


@Kiyoko Tomoe


@Arkytior


The Suicide Squad

Miku Shirogane + Rina Tenro + Emiko Kamizuru + Junko Yotsuki + Kokoro Shiin

"Uuwahhh?? Miku, Miku! Did you just see that?"


"Haha, yeah Emi...what the heck was that??"


"Some kind of shape-shifter monster! Oooh~ S-Scary huh? Miku...you scared?"


Rolling both her eyes, Rina would listen in on the two and watch as the monster who transformed into a girl made its way off the sands of Kirigakure's beach.


"Idiots. That's nothing to be scared of. You two need to man up."


"Wow, so you still haven't learned the definition of a joke."


"Kokoro, shut up."


"Oi, Rina!? No need to be so rude!! Apologize for that!"


"Miku. Make me."


"How about we just throw you in the water?"


"Do it, and Chanda will come back here to find you all dead."





"Ohoho, dead? Rina...is that a challenge?"


Uh oh. The green light was hit. All eyes turned to Junko playing with a mischievous grin above her chin.


"Junko...don't you..."


"Hm. Not for money...but I'll do it for free this time around. Miku, Emiko? To the front of Rina. Kokoro? Go around back. Ehehe, I'll pounce from the top."


"You guys. I will KILL YOU, if you throw me in the water!"


"On three everybody. Our gift to Aoi when she comes back will be a sopping, wet, dog! Er, wolf, haha! Ready?? Here we go...one...two...three!"


"NOOO YOU DON'T! Stop! Stay away! Stay away from me!!!"


So for a time, there would be peace and relaxation, the Suicide Squad playing and laughing together like all was well with the world. However, heading back to them now was Chanda Senju, armed with a dark piece of news. It was a news so dark, that once they heard it, they'd feel like they wanted to die.


@The Suspicious Eye


@hudhouse

 

[White Masquerade]

Konohagakure

Romi Watanabe (Water God)

Tears pooling toward the chin of her face, the God of Water bounded across the streets of Konoha, not looking back. She had thought Dru was someone she could live for; someone with which she could be and find joy. Pleading, begging, she asked him to leave the war. Abandon the senseless slaughter they were about carry out on those of the Kakureyami. It was clear that those who wore dark weren't at fault. Neither them, nor the ninja. Though thinking critically on it, the God had to be honest; she had no great solutions, nor could think of one sufficient for the matter at hand. All she knew was that she could do nothing...but nothing at all.


It was a quandary. Inside, she was mad at Dru, hated that he chose to stay and fight against the people who were wronged by the ninja first, but her mind; her mind knew this had to be done. The heart versus the mind. They pulled at each other as Romi left the mansion behind. In time her head would be able to forgive him. Convince the rest of the body that there was no other choice. But the question was...could it convince her heart? Coming up upon a woman in purple sending ordinary citizens out of the village, Romi landed just short of her, taking a time to pause and turn back around.


"Dru...I'm a coward."


Then maybe, the real question was if Dru, would be safe, both mentally and physically, if he allowed someone weak like her to be by his side..?


I cannot allow myself to hurt you.


@Drumonkey


The Once Enemy

Samantha Hale

"Miss! What are you doing?! Hey! Are you okay? Do you need any help in getting out??"


"Dru...I can't do anything."


"Huh? Of course not! This is not a place to be for ordinary folk! This is a battle between ninja and Kakureyami, you need to leave! Come with me, I will show you to the village exit!"


"...? But I am a - "


Stopping in that moment, the God mulled it over, and clenching her teeth, had something coalesce in her mind.


"Miss?"


"I...appreciate it," the Watanabe thanked. "But...there's somewhere I need to go," she said, slowly moving back in the same direction she came from.


"Hey! WAIT! It's dangerous that way!"


That Romi knew. That was why she wasn't heading back to the mansion, but to the village's outer wall where she could watch the fight from afar. As a ninja, she owed them...and Dru, at least that much.


"Hey! No! WAIT! Miss! Come back! It's not safe! They're going to hurt you!!"


@BlacklegSanji


@Drumonkey


Paper Plane

Masami Kusatsu (Fire God) + Nanko + Danhi

Eyes tipping to a lone figure jumping from the roof of hut to hut, Masami wondered, 'Romi?' She was too much at a distance to be sure the blur was in-fact her childhood friend, but could vaguely make out the faint white of a bandage under the whipping hair.


"OOOOOI! Up there! Guys! Look up there! Shinobu!!"


Pupils raised up in time to catch a shimmering woman darting through the air, losing altitude and momentum fast.


"Shinobu!"


Danhi and Nanko seemed to know this person too.


So decelerating her pace, Masami kept close as the two changed course from the rendezvous at the mansion toward where the girl fell. Arriving a few seconds after the point of first contact, the God was in time to witness the confession of the woman, dropping square in Nanko's arms. Eyes growing cold, Masami didn't have the hour or nerve to be bothered, much less warmed by such frivolous displays.


"Nanko," she interrupted with no ounce of disgrace. "I will be going on ahead then. You can join us whenever you're finished."





"U-uhm, yeah! Voiced the Jashinist, fully stunned at Shinobu's confession. "M-me too! I'll go on ahead with her!"


...For as much as Nanko hit on all of them at one point or another...someone actually responded back? Shinobu? Love? It was..shocking. Here she was thinking with a few more years getting to know each other, Nanko would eventually wake up and fall for the one whose always laughed with and been with him like just another guy...


Smiling to the ground, Danhi sighed, but accepted the outcome, leaving with a chipper wave and beam, "Welcome back Shinobu!" So off Masami and Danhi left, leaving the two Shirotaiyo alone.


Even up until now, red and choked up over the confession, Nanko was further dazed by how soft her body felt in his arms. So this is how girls feel like...


Heavy weights of responsibility, some he had never felt before in his life, began to settle on his chest as he watched the fluttering of her wearied eyes.


She confessed...


In truth, Nanko had no plan for if someone he liked, actually came and returned it back. It was usually now he would have something dumb or immature to say with his chest swelled, but the air of the girl kept him silent. Akin to an appraiser holding a precious object within their arms, the boy was careful to say, "I-I...want to get to know you too."


Seeing the fading of visible response, Nanko fumbled to answer the rest of her statements in short order sputtering, "Y-Yeah! Whatever you want! We can talk to Daradei! I know she doesn't really like you, Shinobu, but the rest of us do! I'll put in a good word! I'll get you there! You don't have to worry about it with me on your side! If you need me, I-I'll be there! Whenever! You almost experienced death?? C'mon, you have friends! It wouldn't kill you to ask us for help if you're ever going through something! You don't need to carry things on your own; me and the Shirotaiyo will protect you! You're one of us! Aha! Yeah...I know, I know I'm a little goofy, but it's great right? Haha! I like to see people laugh, Shinobu. I get I'm a little odd, but if I can get them to do one eye roll or one shake of the head, I know their day is made. When they go to sleep at night, I know they'd look back and have enjoyed that interaction! You know, ahah, I was a little surprised you used the "L" word. Though...uh, that's cool! Shinobu you're...Shinobu you're..."


Feeling the rise and fall of her chest, deep, steady breaths signaling the onset of sleep, Nanko exhaled and mentally rolled it down. Sinking to the floor with Shinobu held tight in tow, he'd sit on his bum and rest her head on the knee of one leg.


"You're...okay now, Shinobu," he murmured, looking down with a smile.


"We won't let anyone hurt you."


@Kiyoko Tomoe

 

[White Masquerade]

Hokage Mansion

Wunan (Kakureyami Queen)

"Tsk."


Him again. It was the annoying boyfriend. The one Dove raved over. The one she dared to hold equal in her heart right next to Wunan. Now...that would not do. If Dove were to accept, to fully understand and feel the extent of love Wunan had, this man had to be finished. Out of the picture. He had to be dealt with. No one. Absolutely no one, was going to lay a finger on her beautiful, little project. Dove...no, Raven; mind, body, and soul; was living property solely belonging to her. And that's how it would stay.


Peasants. The Queen had to admit, it was quite amusing listening to the vulgar barbs thrown so easily about her treatment of royalty. It was funny, the judgments these commoners, rather, filthy ninja, had the gall to say. It was the exact same drivel and ignorance of knowledge those of mundane birth would say and claim to know. No matter. She would set them straight.


"Aha! It looks as if you ninja apparently don't seem to understand the meaning of royalty. True kings, and true queens, are free to do whatever they wish. Everything they do, is proper law."


Whipping a long length of hair over the crest of her shoulder, the woman, with glittering fangs exposed, looked up to the man standing above her, chest pushed out between the bars of her two arms folded across the chest and grinned, stealing the question floating down Shinsei's lips from right under Dove's nose.


"Ahh. Yes. She does indeed want to leave with me; under her own volition. Is that a problem for you...trash...? Tell me something ninja. Is this, how you treat the somebody you supposedly love? Here, listen to this. On the rooftop...she practically begged me to take her back, trash. Haha. If you are too blind to see it, then I will speak up so you hear it. Loud and clear so that there's no mistake. You're incompetent, you hear? You don't satisfy her needs. There's something you're not doing right. You're wholly inadequate.


You should have seen the tears falling in pools running from her face! It looked like she was in such, such, pain while being with you. Lovers are supposed to help each other. Help each other grow. Am I not right? A couple learn from one another and uses the strength of the other for support. Yet...when I look at her, all I see is anguish and confusion. Face it, trash. You failed in taking care of her. It's only natural she'd leave you and choose to move with somebody else. Someone who treats her better. Someone not inept. Someone who actually cares. You had your chance ninja...and you blew it, haha!! I'll be the one to watch her from now on," the Queen taunted Fugita.


"Aw-wuh. Poor guy. How about after this, you go find a nice, quiet place, maybe a ditch, and kill yourself? You'd be doing us all a favor. Though...mostly yourself."


Turning lovingly to Dove, the woman brought her near in the band of tentacle and pulled the child into a tight hug.


"Don't you worry darling, Wunan is going to make everything alright. You won't be hurting anymore. I just need to deal with this failure and get you out of here. Dear...my dear child...you will never be neglected again." Eyes shining with devotion and a psychotic glint, she sank her face full into Dove's hair.


The free-wheeling tentacles moved in step with the gesture, swimming to the barrier of Shinsei's, shorting the current circling the pillars back to the form it was before. Blue wisps of the un-moulded chakra crumbled into nothings following the denaturation, accenting the scene of dark limbs rising up to meet and surround Shinsei in a swarm.


"Truth be told, I grow tired of you, worm. It is solely because the wish of my princess, I do not kill you right here and now. However, rest assured. Ripping the flesh from your bones," she asserted, licking the edges of her lips.


"Would be something I put on my best dress for."


Yet a growl escaped her mouth as she could no longer ignore the noises behind her growing in fever pitch. It was a shout, a shout in a familiar voice, that would pull the Queen from her jeerings to look across the courtyard. Eyes growing wide, her own Wuji spiked to top levels with tens upon tens of Kagune breaking from her skin and jutting into the air. Countenance first falling in the direction of that closest to her, the pupils of the Queen shone with unrestrained killing intent. So it was at Shinsei she stared, fully forgetting her vow to Dove.


He was dead.


Hand signals. Something she hated to use. But this was special. In this instance, just as in Amegakure, the bloodshed would be deserved.

[Dragon, Dog, Boar!]

"I am going to send you to hell like I did the people of the Mist, the Leaf, and Rain!!! Wuji Release..."





[Ox, Mokey, Horse!]





"Forbidden Steps of the Kagune..."





[Tiger, Serpent, Rat!]





"SHIKI'S DEA-..."
​

@Veirrianna Valentine


@IG42

 

[White Masquerade]

Naruto Rebirth: Kakureyami Final Battle
​

 
​

Field of the End
​

 
​

Hira


Corpses covered the ground, ninja and Kakureyami both, but Hira paid them no thought except quiet reverence. He had lived through this before, the slaughters in Amegakure, both of them, had left this image seared in his mind for many sleepless nights. Gone were his thoughts of reconcile and peaceful treatise, they had been crushed when Dove, the one he had been told to seek for such negotiations, had left with Shinsei to join the fray. Maika had stayed behind, watching from the distance of the forest beyond the village walls, desperately clinging to the belief that by remaining separate, he would not contribute to fueling the bloodshed. But he watched vigilantly, even noting when Shinsei and Dove reached the roof of the Kage building to battle Wunan. He recognized the Kakureyami Queen, even from this distance, her presence reeked of corrupted chakra, the very same that had annihilated his village in the near past. He felt rage boiling beneath his skin, cut short by the realization that she was not fighting, but discussing. She had taken Dove in, the one hope he clung to for resolution, and the two had now joined. All hope was lost for peace then, there would only be despair from this fight. He stood from his seat in the appearance of serene calm, but under his skin, hatred seethed. If there would be no peace, then he would commit to war. Violence to end violence.


"Are you certain of this, Byoki?" a crocodile had grunted. Chisanii sat next to Hira on the ground as the man removed his long black jacket, folding it neatly on the ground next to the reptile,"Think of what this means, not just of yourself. Think of Chiho!"


Hira glared at him, tossing his umbrella to the ground next, then a pouch of shuriken after it, nearly hitting the crocodile's nose, presumably on purpose, "Don't you dare bring my daughter into this, Sani. I think of her every waking moment, everything I do is for her, and this is perhaps the only time I am not being selfish about it. I want my daughter to grow old and happy, and if breaking my vow of peace is how it must be done, then Kami help me, I'll slaughter every last man, woman, and child in this village to do it."


His eyes flashed once last time before he covered them with his grinning porcelain mask, now dressed only in the armored vest and padded leggings of the Ame Black Ops. He began to arm himself again, first the umbrella sword at his back, then the pouch at his hip, but he left the coat where it lay.


"I won't need that here, keep it for me. I'll be back for it later. Give the elders my message, tell them why I broke my vow. And promise me... promise you won't tell Chiho what her father has become."


He turned without waiting for a reply, a slow step turning to a lengthy stride, and he was sprinting to Konoha.


"How could I keep it from her?" the summon breathed before vanishing in a cloud of smoke.

 
​

The King Answers Back
​

 
​

Hokage MANSION!
​

 
​

Jinan (Kakureyami King)


Eyes watching the girl covered in purple chakra hover off into space, the King grunted at the string of nuisance that seemed to test his patience. They claimed they wanted to be at peace, but person after person just treated this as a joke. From the small child he met early on in the courtyard, to the insane woman with the bow that asked to join him, these foreigners left terrible trail in his mouth. These people were truly nuts. He couldn't quite understand just how they were able to take over the world. At least...this part of it. There was a new movement; a new person appearing, and furrowing his jaw, Jinan prepared his mind for yet another fool to grace his presence: one with bright, orange hair.


Silence. There was no answer given to the question the ninja asked; only a stare that lifted to a black-haired woman stopping a good distance away him. Raising his head slightly, Jinan picked up on her demeanor. It appeared that this one wasn't like the others. She looked like she had something to say. Something serious. And when she did finish, the King chose to speak, finally meeting an enemy that had an ounce of sensibility in their head. Momentarily he was taken aback by her sincerity, questionings of what the two sides could do to stop the warring, but already knew his answer would be too much to bear. The shinobi had destroyed generations of his. Generations. Not even killing all of the ninja would be enough penance paid back. There had to be a lasting pain. Something near eternal. An enduring imbalance that kept the Kakureyami on top and transgressing ninja at heel.


"You don't understand the weight of the situation your leaders put you in," he began, calm.


"There is no crime without punishment. A grave act was committed and it does not go without consequence. Surely you understand that this is how the world works, woman? What your people do here, is not fight against the Kakaureyami, but fight against justice. You fight against the natural stream of the world when its outcome does not suit you. You are...cowards. Woman. Bring me the heads of each Kage from the five great nations on a platter. If you do that...then I will consider a large portion of your debt repaid. Hnh. Better yet," he mused.


"If you step in front of me now, turn to all the ninja gathered and kill yourself, I will also consider a large portion repaid at your sacrificial death. It astounds me. You talk peace like it's something you;re ready to fight on and accomplish. Alright then, we shall see," the king stood firm, his arms crossed.


"If you do not want to bring me the heads of your current kage, then give me yours instead."


And looking to Chiaki, he continued.


"So it seems we're at an impasse," he stated, neutrality on his mouth. "You are mistaken boy. No matter what shinobi rises against us, even those blessed by Hagoromo himself...I will destroy them. Our clan was made special to oppose what you are, and the advantage is inherent. You cannot win."


Dolts. All of them. Still before him they were defiant, cocky like they were the ones giving HIM a final chance at life, thinking they had a force to win.


"And hear me before you lecture me on what the dead means, boy. It is because I care for my people, I won't let their deaths be in vain, with nothing to gain. My offer for stopping stands as it is. Keep your words of peace, when your side was not the one abused. Take some responsibility for your race, coward," he spat.


"That's all your words are. Lofty judgments to a sinner when you yourself, were the ones who threw out the first stone. It is impossible for me to forget the past. Blood for blood, ninja. That is the only way I'll be freed from my chains."


The Kakureyami king wholly expected for them to all attack at once, as came the shifting of those from the water and the appearance of a boy who looked like the nine-tailed fox, yet decided to remain still, not wanting to make the first move. He laughed sneering at the boy's cloak, finally accepting that Hagoromo and his tailed beasts had truly abandoned them.

No matter. There will only be one winner in this war...and it won't be you.
​

A Lost Man's Way
​

Hira


The village road leading to the Hokage Mansion was desolate as bodies lay decimated, some crushed against debris, others horribly maimed and slashed, many left desecrated by all manner of violent jutsu. Maika passed by it all, taking in every moment he could, drinking in the hatred and vehemence and destruction. He would need such emotions to face what lay ahead, his life had been a lie up to this point, and the only way to end a war was with brutality, undeniable, impartial, savage. The courtyard door lay ahead of him, shattered open, and he entered it regardless of what lay ahead. He came upon a gathering of ninja and Kakureyami alike, bantering and bickering like old wives on a street corner. But he saw his target, the source of this war, Jinan, the Kakureyami King, one whom he had only heard of in terrified whispers, though he recognized Wunan all too well, her arms possessively around Dove between them. So the ninja had been betrayed after all, their princess had returned to her people, all talks of peace had been shattered. He took count of the ninja there, recognizing some, most surprisingly Sozoshi. So she was still alive after all, despite the rumours she had died in a conquest of blood and insanity. But she was unimportant now, bringing back the past would not bring his beloved Kamino back to him, and more importantly, he was now looking ahead to the future, specifically his daughter's.


"JINAN!" cried out, his hand flying out clenching a kunai which flew at the Kakureyami King head on.


Raising a palm to deflect the pressed steel with a blast of Wuji, Jinan's demeanor returned to one of disappointed birth. Haha! Of course! Yes. Why would it be any different? These ninja who claimed that it was the fault of their ancestors, that they truly wanted peace. Yet here they were. Speaking sweet words of love from the front while sending an assassin with mask to try and slit his throat from the back. This was ninja. Old generation; new. They hadn't changed.


Not. One. Damn. Bit.


"So you see...? This is it? I cannot believe that after all this," he spoke. "You move to assassinate me from the side! WELL," he roared, getting angry.


"I'm still here! I'm still alive! You people are disgrace upon the Earth! Hagoromo...with the Tailed-Beasts or not, no matter if everyone else is blind to it except for I...you will not get away with this. They say that it's the winners who write history...I fear for what lies you will feed the future yous."


Clapping his hands together, Jinan let the Wuji seep from his pores. "Ninja! Now. Witness the power the head of the Kakureyami is blessed with. The power of your destruction."


Maika felt a strange pressure as Jinan prepared to return his attack, he felt the aura locked deep inside of him being disturbed, like a kettle preparing to boil over. It was invigorating, infuriating, maddening, he felt it crawling beneath his skin, being drawn towards Jinan as if an unseen force was forcing them together, fate, chance, or some other ill wind. It was then that Maika began to fully understand, to comprehend what he was and what he had been given.


Tainan, you clever bastard. You knew it would come down to this, didn't you? Your blessing was a curse after all, this power was never meant for me, it was intended for him all along.


He gritted his teeth, resignation and defeat falling over his face, but his heart beat with triumph and determination. His voice gritted with fury, calm but forceful, "Jinan, you are mistaken. Sadly, pathetically, poorly mistaken. Ninja are not the disgrace, and neither are the Kakureyami people. Hagoromo blessed us both with power. But we were failures. Incomplete halves that never met, opposites that must be made to join. Strength and power. Light and dark. Life and death."


A deep sigh poured from his lungs as a look of serene peace washed over his face, and the aura pent up inside his body flowed gently out like a stream. He was no longer fighting to control it, he let it control him, washing away doubt and fear and hatred.


"What will this accomplish? Our people killed your people in vengeance for killing your people killing our people, the cycle continues, Jinan. There will be no end to it, there will always be another war after this."


The yellow aura grew brighter and stronger as he spoke, as if challenging Jinan to say otherwise, but still it flowed peacefully over his body, no sign of anger or venom in his words. "We do not want this war, Kakureyami King, and I suspect you do not wish it either. Why can we not join the two halves, Jinan? Why can the opposites not be in balance? Is your thirst for vengeance so strong as to completely destroy any chance of peace?" He stepped forward and held out his hand towards the dark king, bathed in the shimmering glow that was so soft, so calm,


"Can our people not be brothers once again, Jinan?"


"No...it can't be..."


Mouth dropped open at Maika, the King tried moving back, but it was already too late. An invisible force was literally pulling at his soul; drawing him closer and closer into Maika. The man tried to fight back, but the transparent grip was firm. The Wuji was being ripped from bones. Slow at first, then becoming stronger, the pull increased, and in one bright flash, a cyclone formed between he and Maika, its winds a swirl of both energies dragged from the two men. On one side, the leader of the Kakureyami, stumbling forward with his essence of spirit being sucked out of him. On the other, the one granted Tai Release, his own life wrenched from his cells to counter Jinan's. The act was a devious thing, an occurrence someone knew would happen if the two ever came in contact with powers at full blast, but in desperate times...were when desperate measures were called.


The courtyard was abuzz with furious wind, bright energy, flashing lights of purple and orange intertwining to make blue speckles of chakra that popped and showered over all that stood by. Weakly dropping onto both of his knees, then onto the ground, Jinan hit the floor hard, eyes sinking on the ground around him.


Tainan...you ungrateful bastard...after all we did for you..., were the thoughts running through his mind as his eyes began to close. I will never forgive you. The Ninja. I will never forgive...any of them...in as long as I...live...I will... kill...them...


It was at this the moment the Queen could be heard yelling from behind at the fate of Jinan, and ninja assembled in the courtyard looked towards Maika drained dry, stunned, not exactly sure what had just occurred. And not a muscle was moved as each and every shinobi there wondered if they had really done it.


Was Jinan, the king of the Kakureyami really...dead?


@Kinzu Hekmatyar


@QuirkyAngel


@Strawberry Preserves


@clarinetti


@Pequeno Burraidh


@Lucem Tenebris


@Stickdom

 

[White Masquerade]

Naruto Rebirth: Kakureyami Final Battle (FINAL POST!)
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Hokage MANSION!
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Jinan (Kakureyami King) + Wunan (Kakureyami Queen)
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​

....
​

.....
​

......
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​

A slow, dead, wind blew across the whole of the courtyard, the only other howl to sound besides that of the queen. Her husband. Friend. King. Love of her life, snuffed out before her very eyes. Nothing else mattered lot in that moment. Not the nin army, not Dove, not the promise of using hand signs only in unavoidable scenarios. The man she loved...gone.


Spiritual pressure rose and swelled in the area. Okay. If the ninja wanted to see her at her worst...then at her worst was what they would get. Wunan screamed with rage uncontrolled, moving to fire the forbidden steps of her hundred Kagunes; its highest tier of killing release, but stopped mid-way through, hearing a familiar voice place lips to the grief in her mind.


"I will...kill them all..."


Wunan's eyes lit up.


"Every...last one..."


But something was horribly wrong. The way Jinan rose. The way Jinan stood. The way Jinan moved. It was unnatural. It was as if he was pulled up by a cord of invisible string to come positioned upright, swaying unsteadily from side to side.


"I will...kill...them all..."


It wasn't hard at this point to see that the king, was not the king. And that much was true. Jinan was in fact dead, spiritually no more, but an anger so intense against the shinobi broiled in his heart, so much so, that even fractured beyond a million pieces, his soul kept locked to a dark single-mindedness: to pay back those that hurt him first.


"I WILL...KILL THEM...ALL!"


Warping into a wide shroud around him, a monster built of purple  and dark, towered above the structures in the skyline of Konoha.


"No...NO! Jinan, DON'T!"


"Wuji...Release: Black Soul End."


Many jutsu and ninja techniques launched, flew his way, but faded into nothing as the shade creature behind blew apart to wash the village in a wave of eerie, eternal dark. The King gave up any chance of his mind ever being able to be put back together again. A black soul end: it was the ultimate sacrifice of himself to make sure those that opposed him would never live again.

And for the next 15 years, not a soul; man, woman, or child'd come to live in this village land.
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A Boy and His Arms
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Field of the End
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Tainan


"Hurry! Move! Move! Move!"


Low on Tai-energy to keep his body electrified on the path to Konoha, Tainan looked sad to the dark orb that opened and covered the the land before him. So, it was too late. There was only one thing its use could have meant. That Maika failed to confront Jinan like he planned and now because of it, the ninja were all dead.


"...."


Grip getting tighter on his staff, the boy at least hoped they were able to do some damage to Jinan and Wunan before they went down. Even with his Tai reserves and the army empowered behind his back, he doubt it would be an easy win.


"Push harder," he'd shout again to those behind him. "Have no fear! This is the chance I've promised you! Today you make your destiny your own! Today you become part of a future you've help create with your own hands!"


The cast were now coming up on the gate of Konoha and Tainan prayed that somehow they were able to find a way to win. But...even if they didn't...then at least they could say they perished knowing that they tried.


"Okay! Arms up everyone! Here we are! Let's do this, people! Be on guard!"

Those Final Moments
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Hokage MANSION!
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Yet...they had found no battle.


Alighting onto the grounds of the courtyard after a long jump through the air, the boy was met with a light dusk and prone bodies of all those gathered at the Hokage mansion. Save for a frantic wailing from the queen Wunan, there were only two others that were still left standing: Kanami Sakurai and Sozoshi Washa.

The Blonde Bombs
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[SIZE=18.666666666666664px]Daradei (Tsuchikage)[/SIZE]

 
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[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Wh...what the hell...is this..?"[/SIZE]


Dropping off of her clay bird to the yard after trailing behind those following Tainan, the Tsuchikage looked dumb at the bodies of her comrades and acquaintances, not quite sure how to understand what was going on.


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Are they...Are they - "[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] [/SIZE]


"No they are not. You do not need to worry. They are merely unconscious." Yet Tainan knew that that would be the least of their problems.


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"The whole village is like this...everybody dropped everywhere. What's going on?"[/SIZE]


"I...do not have the answer to that que - "


"YOU!!"


Eyes turned to the woman who'd now gotten up seething, pointing a finger to the robed Tainan.


"You RUINED...EVERYTHING!" She screamed not holding back. "You failure of a son! I knew I should have thrown you out! Killed you when I saw you were different! You couldn't even use Wuji like us! They said you would trouble! Too much like shinobi! That you should be abandoned once you opened the door here! But I kept you because you were my son!! All that we tried to do...for our people...gone...TAINAN! YOU ARE TRASH! A piece of worthless trash! A disgrace to us and your race!! You chose the ninja over us and now...he's dead. Tainan...HOW COULD YOU!!??"


"Mother -"


"Don't you dare call me that! You no longer have the right to call me that! I no longer know who you are! YOU ARE DEAD TO ME, BOY! You are a worthless traitor!! I will rip out your insides and feed you to the  - "


"Mama...that's enough."


Appearing in front in a bright, orange flash, his fist found its way to her sternum, sending a shock-wave of force that knocked her out cold. Catching his mom in his arms, Tainan pressed his face to hers and said, "...it's over now. It's finally done. You don't have to fight anymore. You can relax now. You don't have to worry about our people. I promise that I will take care of them."


"I will...kill them all...


          I will...kill...them all...


                    I will...kill them...aughgghhggh..."


"...."


And carefully laying down the body of his mom soft to ground, Tainan made way to his father, who was on his knees catatonic, neck firm and tight in the grip of the Tsuchikage. Stopping to stare squarely at the blonde, Tainan waited for her to make her move.


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"He caused this all,"[/SIZE][SIZE=14.666666666666666px] [/SIZE] she murmured, eyes growing cold. [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Ten years of pain. Families torn apart and gone. Children growing up without parents. Parents having to bury their kids long before their own lives are done. We will feel these scars for generations to come."[/SIZE] Turning to Tainan, the girl choked, nearly breaking down right then and there when he asked, "May I have some final words with my father?"


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Final w...words...? NO!! Final words??! How dare you!? You come out of nowhere with an army of people holding Kami-knows-what in their hands! You get here, you don't explain a thing! I honestly don't even know who you are! Almost everyone I know is lying motionless on the ground! You have the queen calling you her son and now you want me to hold back my anger just so you and your jackass father can have some alone time!?? I'm sorry! HELL NO! Excuse me for not liking this one damn bit![/SIZE] " She blew, pulling out a wad of clay bubblegum from her pocket.


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Look at around you! This is what your 'Father' did!"[/SIZE] Daradei heaved, shoving the mini explosive into his mouth. [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"I don't even believe you when you say they're not dead! I don't know you! I don't trust! And he doesn't deserve it! So NO!"[/SIZE]


Kicking Jinan's body backwards, the kage lifted a finger to her lips and said, [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Sukat!"[/SIZE]

 
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BOOOOOM!
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Closing his eyes, Tainan felt the blood and guts of his dad explode and splatter across him.


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"I'm killing her too,"[/SIZE] the blonde barked walking slow towards Wunan.  [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"I'm going to make sure that the Kakureyami never rise again."[/SIZE]

*Chck-Chck*
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[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"What..."[/SIZE]


Tainan was holding up a hand, and all those men and women he brought with him, pointed straight the barrel of their guns.


Pausing suddenly, the girl eyed the shining weapons, eyes narrowing and looking to Tainan asking, [SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"What...are you going to do with those?"[/SIZE] They were somethings she had never seen before.


"A human invention created by scientists driven by my Tai-Release. They say they've envisioned new things and have solved problems in ways never thought before. In months, for what should have taken twenty, took two. While the ninja and Kakureyami both warred, I met with those damaged by it most: the regular humans. For 10 long years I have watched you two sides battle with no regard or care to the people around. Those who can use neither chakra nor Wuji. This world has been unequal for a long, long, time, leader of the Stone. I see my purpose for being born was to bring balance. For all sides. Kakureyami, ninja, and human alike."


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"I don't..understand. So what are you saying?"[/SIZE]


"I am saying that this is a new age. One where we all get along. That is why I cannot allow you to kill my mother, ninja. I will be transferring all of our people from the realm of darkness to their rightful place here in this dimension."


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"Are you nuts!? WHAT!? Bring them - "[/SIZE]


"And they will co-exist with you ninja, side-by-side. I will take my place as leader of the humans and my forces will act as the piece that keeps both of your kind in line. Revenge is  a concept I do believe in, leader of the stone. It is why I have allowed you kill my father, but now, the debt is repaid. So nothing more."


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"You...you can't just,"[/SIZE] the kage said, stepping toward Tainan, but was forced to stop as the guns were leveled her way again.


"These weapons, 'peacemakers,' as I like to call them, can fire kunai faster than the eye can blink. Do not obey my rules, and not only will you have to fight against the Kakureyami, but me and my people as well. Balance is what this world needs Tsuchikage, and for as long as I am alive, balance it will have."


Gritting her teeth, Daradei growled hands clenched, incensed by the cheekiness of the kid, thinking he could rule over them all with the wave of a hand.


"Fifteen years. Fifteen years from this day we shall come back to Konoha, and I will cleanse this spot of my father's influence. We will hold what you ninja call a 'Chunin Exam,' and Kakureyami will be invited to attend. My people and I will be there as well. In these coming years, I will reach out to each village and work out the details of how we can come together one. If you ninja truly do value the peace you speak of, then this will be the first step to opening the doors and reaching it. Now. I hope to see you and your growing ninja there, leader of the stone. Not attending would be a slap in the face to peace I will be trying hard to create. Until then, I will let the village stay cursed as reminder to all of what transpired these last 10 years. So that no one ever forgets."


[SIZE=14.666666666666666px]"It won't work out how you want,"[/SIZE] the kage replied cooly.


Directing his soldiers to put down their weapons, Tainan motioned for them to help carry those in the courtyard to the outside of Konoha's walls.


"We will just have to wait and see then."




Chiita:


Unable to use Chakra



Wunan:


Unconscious



Jinan:


Deceased



Orisas/Kurokan:


Deceased



Kinnosuke:


Unable to use Chakra



Haru:


Unable to use Chakra



Torune:


Unable to use Chakra


@clarinetti



Hanbungetsu:


Unable to use Chakra


@Kinzu Hekmatyar



Chiaki:


Son Goku deceased. Lost jinchuriki status


@QuirkyAngel



Akago:


Matatabi deceased. Lost jinchuriki status


@IG42



Hira:


Unable to use Chakra. Dying.


@Stickdom



Shirokko:


Shukaku deceased. Lost jinchuriki status



Shinobu:


Chomei deceased. Lost jinchuriki status


@Kiyoko Tomoe



Shinsei:


Unable to use Chakra



Yasashii:


Unable to use Chakra



Dru:


Unable to use Chakra


@Drumonkey



Dove:


Dissipated. Body no longer in Konoha


@Pequeno Burraidh



Rei:


Dissipated. Body no longer in Konoha



Akane:


Unable to use Chakra



Anpan:


Unable to use Chakra


@Strawberry Preserves



Sozoshi:


Unaffacted



Tainan:


Unaffacted



Daradei:


Unaffected



Danhi:


Unable to use Chakra



Masami:


Unable to use Chakra


Nanko:


Unable to use Chakra


Romi


Unaffected


Haruto:


Unaffected


@BlacklegSanji


Toshiro:


Unaffected


Hide:


Unaffected


Mekuto:


Unaffected


@Mekuto


Kouki:


Kurama deceased. Lost jinchuriki status


@Lucem Tenebris

The End
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