Kurai

Well, Demon country entrance here we go! Leave some reviews folks!

The journey to the Demon Country was no easy task. Frankly, I loathed it. Though I remained calm and charitable on the exterior, my Gēnin unfortunately didn’t get the memo. Regardless, the trip there was fruitful to a degree. They all three could now easily do the tree walking, and water walking was still a work in progress. Though I was happy with their progress on our journey there so far, only a day away, I was finally at my tether with Kiba. Hinata and Shino were angels and quiet but Kiba? No, Kiba was loud and quite vocal with his complaints. 

“Sensei-” I whirl, legs weary and sore and I snap. 

“Kiba, you are a shinobi of Konoha and you will undoubtedly go on much more strenuous and lengthy missions than this one. Yes, this is your first mission ever, so I understand your predicament. However, you still need to carry yourself like a veteran shinobi on this mission. Understand?” Kiba crosses his arms, staring up at me defiantly before finally caving in after a minute. With a mumble of ‘yes sensei’ and some choice words I choose to not hear, I watch and oversee as the three kids go about setting up camp. Meanwhile, I set up some security seals around the campsite as the sun slowly sinks beneath the trees. 

“Now, we are very far away from any reinforcements from Konoha. Thankfully, Demon Country is an ally country so we will be fine within their borders. Should our mission somehow extend past their borders, be wary of any foreign attacks. We are on shaky relationships with just about every major village, and a few minor ones as well.” I try not to glance at Hinata while bringing this up, but I can feel her stiffen slightly as her chakra slowly goes wild within her. 

“Also, let me do the talking once we get there. Miroku-Sama is the head priestess of the country, and we can’t afford to offend her in any way.” They all nod, satisfying me to a degree. 

“Now get some sleep you three, we got a long day ahead of us.” 

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arriving at the front gates to the village, I can feel the chakra of my students turn nervous in a buzz. I laugh internally, as we walk up to the guard. He places his hand on the scabbard of his sword, which causes me to frown. Does he really think that sword will stop me? I could kill him with my sandal if I wanted to. 

“Name and business here.” His rough voice, probably meant to be intimidating, does little to affect me. I glance over my shoulder to see the kids not affected at all by his little act either. I smile at their effort to be professional, as I grab the scroll out of my jacket. 

“Renshiro Nara, Jōnin leader of this team on a mission request from Konoha. Here to debrief with Miroku-Sama.” I hand over the scroll, watching as the guard checks the seal for authenticity. After a minute, he nods and hands the scroll back to me. 

“Follow me, I’ll take you to Miroku-Sama.” I nod, the huge wooden gate moving as we enter the village. Many people mill about, stopping to stare at us as we walk past. 

“Ano sensei, why are they all staring at us?” Hinata pulls on my sleeve innocently, which causes me to ruffle her hair out of habit. She pouts. 

“Demon Country doesn’t have a hidden village, so shinobi are an oddity here. While we are allies, they rarely ask for our help as most nations leave them alone. There was a legend long ago where they safeguard the tomb of demons, with the priestess family maintaining the barrier. So no countries really enter for fear of releasing the old evil.” Hinata nods, inquisitive as she looks around. I can feel the spastic nature of Kiba as he tries to maintain his straight visage, which makes something inside of me proud. 

We walk up to a large building, old in its structure as the clouds overhead turns slightly darker. Entering the building, the guard stops and turns to us. 

“Only the Jōnin leader may speak with Miroku-Sama.” I nod, turning to the kids. 

“Just hang out here and stay out of trouble. Not sure how long this will take, but shouldn’t be horrible.” They all nod, plopping down on the floor as I follow the guard in the main hall. 

The main hall is huge. Much larger than the Hokage office as I walk into the grandiose space. A small section is curtained off behind shadow curtains, only letting the outline of Miroku-Sama be visible as the guard stops a few feet away. He drops to a knee, bowing his head. 

“Miroku-Sama, Konoha shinobi Renshiro Nara here to see you.” She waves a hand, which causes the guard to back away and out the door. Silence fills the hall as I stand there somewhat awkwardly, fidgeting with my pockets as I can feel her stare from behind the curtain. Finally, the curtain slowly opens to reveal a snow-like face peering at me curiously.

“It’s been quite some time since someone from Konoha has visited. I can sense the lingering shadow of doubt within you… Hmmm, your past is one of a dark warrior. You’ve lost much and gained little, yet it’s all you’ve ever known isn’t it… You poor soul.” I shift on my feet, trying not to shake in shock as I hold a steady gaze with her. A small, coy smile plays on her lips as the curtain fully opens, revealing her dark purple Kimono and long, shapely legs coiling about on a long platform full of blankets. 

“So, I doubt you’ve come from Konoha just to hear me speak. What have you brought me from dear Hiruzen?” I reach inside my jacket, feeling the hidden guards tense as I pull out the scroll. I walk up to the platform and hand it to her, keeping my head bowed as I do so. She takes the scroll as I back up, ripping the seal and eyeing the contents with a curious gaze. After a minute, she giggles and covers her mouth with her hand. Letting her giggles subside, she turns to me with a pitying gaze. 

“I always wondered what had happened to Bakemono. He’s managed to avoid my grasp for generations now. Well, considering you aren’t dead means the demon at least finds you amusing, which is curious considering Bakemono was said to be one of the more vicious demons. You are welcome to stay for some time, I will have to research the clans library to see about unsealing him from you possibly. Though as one who now shares the same burden as I do, I must warn you to keep your emotions in check.” I raise an eyebrow, as she simply gives me a playful wink. 

“I assume you must be tired from your journey. Go, rest and recuperate with your shadows. You will have a difficult journey ahead of you.” I nod, turning on my heel and walking out the door, more questions than answers filling my head now. 

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next day I woke at the crack of dawn, covered in sweat and my breath labored as my clammy hands cling to the bed sheets. My body shakes in fear as reality bends in shadows around me. The darkness wraps around my body, rubbing against me soothingly as I feel my breathing beginto slowly calm down. I touch my forehead, watching the sweat drops roll off my fingers as I stare off into space. 

“Dragon-Sama, we are surrounded!” I block the kunai of the enemy in front of me, ducking down into the mud as I slash his shins. Bone peeks out from the wound as he tumbles from his height down to his knees, screaming himself hoarse as I slice his throat the next second. 

Blood spurts onto my mask, bloodying the white porcelain as I jump back to Lion. 

“No shit we are surrounded. We walked into the Bloody Mist like we owned the place and now we are paying for it.” My voice, gravelly and husky grinds out from behind my mask, sweat making the porcelain stick to my face. My hair is down and hanging around my face, slick from the rain and blood as I shake my head. 

“I’m surprised we haven’t lost anyone from the squad yet.” Lion’s young voice, full of hope and adoration, makes its way to my ears as I circle back to back with him. Next to us, Leopard and Boar are doing much the same, except Boar’s left arm lies limp at his side. I close my eyes, mentally feeling my chakra reserves. 

With a sigh, I start gathering the shadows around us, which wasn’t difficult thanks to the dark clouds and rain practically blocking the sun from reaching us. 

“Stand down, Anbu-San! You won’t make it out of this alive and we swear that-” I tune the dumbass out, not listening to his surrender threat that was full of horseshit. 

“Lion, when I tell you to duck, hit the fucking dirt as low as you can.” I can feel his chakra spark in anticipation, Boar and Leopard’s doing the same as I wrangle the shadows under my control. 

“Now!” They all three hit the mud as large spikes of shadows pierce the platoon of shinobi surrounding us, blood showering us with the rain as the bodies sag on the spikes. I pant, knees collapsing into the mud beneath us as my eyes become half-lidded due to exhaustion. My body sags in the rain as rough hands drag me up, then sling my arms over a pair of soldiers. 

“Let’s get you home taicho.” That’s when the screams started-

Calming my breathing, I clench the sheets in my fists as I stare out the open window. Feeling my chakra out, I can still feel Kiba, Shino and Hinata asleep in the room next to me. A weary sigh escapes my lips as I run my hands through my hair. The moon still hangs high in the sky, though behind the dark gray clouds looming beyond the mountains and tree’s surrounding the village. Slipping out of bed, I move to sit on the roof, summoning Riku-Chan. She blinks up at me, before curling up into my lap on the roof. 

“Renshiro-Kun?” Her voice is soft and tranquil, matching the somber atmosphere as I sit in thought for a moment. 

“I’ve done bad things in this life, Riku-Chan, all in the namesake of peace. Though that’s what I told myself at the time, many have told me I was drowning myself to death in missions, so I wouldn’t feel anything again. Do you think they were right?’ I stare up into the dark sky, keeping my voice quiet as I let out a hollow breath. 

“You shinobi and your principles are so full of hypocrisy sometimes.” Not the answer I was expecting. I peer down at Riku-Chan, who is busy nibbling at the shell on her back. 

“I’ve heard stories from before your time, you know, of men who slaughtered hundreds. All in the name of some selfish goal or another. You, however, are different. You don’t have any ambition or lofty goal that would make you evil. Misguided or lost, perhaps, but not evil. There is no such thing as ‘right or wrong’ in this world, it’s all merely based on one’s perspective. Sure, someone may start a war, with the others thinking them evil. But what about their people starving on the streets due to no crops that spring? You are not a bad person, Renshiro-Kun. You are merely lost in the shadows you find so much comfort in.” I stare at Riku-Chan, who merely huffs in my lap and curls into a ball. I would continue to sit there on the roof until the rain started to fall in the early morning hours. 

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Breakfast was an interesting affair. I had assumed how Kiba would already act, hyperactive and annoying. What I was not expecting however, was the furious pace at which Hinata proceeded to devour all the cinnabuns within range. There had been about two platters full of the sweets on  the large table, and they were gone within minutes. I sat ramrod straight, somewhat shocked to my core as I watched Hinata smile at me sheepishly. I shrug, pretending to not be bothered as I proceed to dig into the rice and grains sitting at the table. 

With Shino quietly munching on what seemed to be some kind of bun, I drum my fingers on the table. The door at the end of the room opens, allowing a guard to walk in. The same guard from yesterday afternoon. 

“Miroku-Sama said you are free to explore the village, as she is still researching for your mission.” The guard is brisk and stiff, obviously uncomfortable with us. Or he doesn’t like shinobi. 

It’s the latter of the two, my container. On the outside, calm as a cat. On the inside? I jump through the roof in surprise. I gently set my chopsticks down, staring at the guard as he turns on his heel and storms out the room. Kiba looks at me quizzically. 

“Hey sensei, why does he seem so irritated with us?” I shrug, picking up my chopsticks again and proceeding to ignore the demon in my head. 

“Could be a number of reasons really,” here I pause to take a quick bite of lamb sausage, “but I am guessing it probably has to do with a shinobi attack of some kind. That’s the usual reason anyways, though it could really be anything.” Kiba nods, going back to his rice in somber silence as we finish breakfast. 

Moving out of the inn seemed to be a welcome idea to my three Gēnin, who, upon being promised training, visibly perked up. So here I am now, standing in the middle of an open clearing as my three little minions sit patiently in front of me. With a sigh, I finally reach inside my pocket and pull out some chakra paper. Waving them in front of them a bit, I smile. 

“So, who knows what these are?” Shino raises his hand. 

“You don’t need to raise your hand like you’re at the academy, but go ahead anyway Shino-Kun.” Shino nods, his shades hiding his eyes from me. 

“Chakra papers, which are used to test one’s chakra nature. I assume you have brought them out because you wish to see what nature we are. Am I correct, sensei?” I nod, a pleased smile on my face. 

“Your right Shino-Kun. Now, while I can honestly say I have a pretty good guess as to what you three will be, still doesn’t hurt to check. Better safe than sorry and all of that. So, each of you take one and gently let your chakra flow into the paper.” They all nod, taking the small, brown slip of paper in their hands. I watch as they all close their eyes, concentrating as they let their chakra enter the paper. 

What followed was a shock. Kiba’s paper burns to a crisp, an indicator of a highly strong fire nature. He will struggle to control it. Hinata’s paper crackles with electricity, while also shrinking in on itself at the same time. A Kekkei Genkai? Hm. Lastly, Shino’s paper split into two, then soaked itself. I struggle to keep my eyes in their sockets, squinting before shrugging. 

Well, time to get to work. 

“Ok, well, I’ll admit you three don’t have what I expected. Not in the slightest. As a matter of fact, you three are so far off that I don’t think I could have been more wrong. Interesting, and as much as I’d love to go through your chakra natures and figure out why that happened, you three need to train.” I get one vigorous head nod, a blank stare and a sheepish smile as an answer. 

With a small sigh, I shake my head and motion for them to stand up. 

“All right, so before we do anything with elemental ninjutsu, you get to learn the basics. Shunshin no Jutsu.” Disappearing with the wind, I reappear behind the three of them. I tap Kiba’s shoulder, who jumps off the ground a few feet, before falling back on his ass. Hinata giggles, covering her mouth with her hand. 

“Kiba-Kun, I didn’t know you jump like a dog as well.” I whirl my head to Hinata, who is trying desperately to hold in her giggles after that scathing remark. I almost feel my jaw hit the ground, before chuckling to myself quietly as well. 

“That was the Shunshin no Jutsu as I am sure you three heard. It allows the user to vanish with the wind, reappearing anywhere within their sight. Very useful D-rank Jutsu that many high class shinobi use daily. Hell, I have used it in desperate situations before.” Kiba groans, rubbing his ass as he looks up to me. 

“Can you tell us what kind of situations, Sensei?” 

“That’s classified brat, ask your sister. She probably knows one or two. Anyways, you channel chakra into your hands, and envision the place you want to appear at. No hand seals needed, but the movement part is tricky. Nobody really knows why, but everyone has their own theories. Now chop chop, if you learn this by lunch, we move on to some other necessary Jutsu.” They all three nod, determined grins on the two visible faces I see as they all scram to some corners of the little clearing. 

I make the hand signs for summoning, muttering them into the ground as Riku-Chan pops up. 

“Renshiro-Kun, it’s been a couple days.” I bend down, picking her up and placing her on my shoulder. She nudges my face, pleased as she curls into a small ball. 

“Yeah, figured I would give you some time in the summon realm. Things are kind of boring right now anyways. Also, when am I supposed to meet your elders?” 

“Hanya-Sama said you may request to meet with him whenever it is convenient. Until then, he is patient enough to wait a few more weeks if need be.” I nod, scratching her ears as she hums in enjoyment. 

“As much as I would like to wait until this mission is over, I’m not really sure how long this mission is going to last.” Riku-Chan looks around quickly, just now taking in the different scenery from Konoha. 

“Where are you anyways Renshiro-Kun? Also, your female student seems to be moving in place?” I ignore Hinata for a moment, though that means she is close. 

“Demon Country, on a C-rank mission to try and figure out what’s going on with my little passenger.” I am not a passenger, you merely are a host. You wouldn’t even be functioning if that fucking little white- tuning out the voice in my head, I finally move my head to Hinata, just to see her vanish. My eyes bug, before she reappears right next to me. Her face is flushed, sweat dripping down her forehead as she pants slightly. Smiling, I ruffle her hair. She swats at my hand, annoyed yet a smile slowly worms its way onto her face. 

“Good job Hinata-Chan. Honestly, I expected you to be the first one to get it.” Next thing I know, both Kiba and Shino appear next to me. Shino doesn’t look all that worse for wear, but Kiba practically flops on the ground, exhausted. Akamaru licks his face, which he doesn’t even try to avoid as he closes his eyes and pants. 

“That was.. Tough, Sensei.” I nod sagely, crossing my arms and smirking down at the little pup. Akamaru paws at my leg, which I sigh and pick him up, scratching his ears. 

“Well, moving at that speed can take some getting used to. Anyways, what say we call it here and go get some lunch?” Kiba jumps up immediately, energy restored at the mention of food. I snort and shake my head as Hinata chirps playfully at him, which causes me to smile. 

Maybe this won’t be so bad after all. There is more to life outside of Anbu, isn’t there Hikaru?

—------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Something buzzes at the end of my brain as I toss in my bed. I slowly open my eyes, letting my chakra span over the village like a blanket. A dark feeling lurks on the outskirts as rain slowly falls onto the world like a silent breeze. The gentle sound of raindrops on the roof tiling is soothing while I stare out the window. 

The dark presence moves into the town, causing me to clutch my sheets as I grit my teeth. Moving out of my bed, I unseal my old Anbu uniform, dawning the old Dragon mask. The cold porcelain slides into my face as I strap my Tantō. Securing my kunai holster, I lean on the windowsill. I sway, moving back and forth as I wait. Then, the screaming starts as the smell of blood fills the streets, mixing with the rain. 

Memories #1

I sit on the swing, gently moving back and forth as rain slowly slips down my face. It mixes with my tears as I grip the cold metal in my tiny hands. Suddenly, I look up to see a young girl peering at me, red markings on her face and three dogs hovering at her feet. 

“... Those were your parents, right? At the funeral, I mean.” I nod, not trusting my voice in any capacity. Slender arms wrap around my waist as my hair covers my face. 

“My name’s Hana Inuzuka.”

“... Renshiro Nara.” She rubs soothing circles on my back, a gentle smile on her visage as her dogs nudge my legs. 

“It’s ok Renshiro-Kun. I promise you won’t be alone.” I let the tears fall freely.