Reborn
Kage in the Making 👑
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Chapter 7: Storm
The frozen tears of the Snow Country rain down heaviest in the winter. The numbing, chilling air sucks the souls out of the many who do not reside their entire lives in this frostbitten country. Just as it is said, the calm before the storm, it is only during the middle months of the winter that the Snow Country reaches it's worst. Now, as it is the end of the beginning of the winter season in the country, the inhabitants of the Yuki clan prepare for a pandemic of storms and biting cold. However, what isn't expected is the type of storm that awaits them at the edge of their country. Two figures dressed in black hooded robes, stand at the docks of the Snow Country.
???? “Hurry up, we don't know this terrain so this trip is going to take a while. We don't want to get caught out here when the moon becomes full, the storms in this country are legend for their brutality.”
??? “What about~”
???? “The snow is too thick even for me to see through, it would only be a waste.”
?? “It's freezing out here, why did we have to come along for this?”
???? “Don't complain, lets go.”
Two more hooded figures step out of a boat onto the docks of the country, and the four begin their way towards the Yuki clan.
In the Yuki Clan Confines
The days are short and the nights are long, despite being morning the sky is still illuminated with stars. In the training field of the Yuki clan, a child stands in the middle of a circle of death, surrounded by 7 other shinobi. The group of shinobi carry katana constructed out of ice at the ready in their hands. The child in the center, however, he carries a katana horizontally across his lower back, with a bo carried diagonally across his back, holds two tonfa in his hands, and he has a kusari across his waist.Note: The questions most/some of you are asking are about what tonfa are. Okinawan weapons traditionally, they're thick sticks of wood or sometimes metal (traditionally wood) with handles on them. They're held to that they match up to your forearms. A Kusari is a chain, translated in Japanese.
For a moment the group of shinobi and the child stand without movement. Suddenly, with a burst of speed, the child darts out towards his left towards one of the shinobi surrounding him. He leaps and launches his fist down as he descends. The shinobi backs up avoiding the strike, but the boy swiftly follows up with a powerful sweep, taking down the shinobi. The shinobi falls as the boy gets up, and the boy tries to land punch down towards the shinobi. The edge of the boy's tonfa gets caught on the sword of another shinobi who defends his comrade. Two more shinobi approach the boy from his rear and he leaps to his open side, breaking from the circle and getting all his opponents in his sight. Four of the shinobi rush the boy and he gets into a defensive stance. The four shinobi work in unison to barrage the child with strikes from their blades, however, the boy demonstrates masterful ability and defends against all of the attacks. The shinobi flanking the boy's rear swings his blade down, while the shinobi in his front attacks with a stab. The boy blocks overhead with his right tonfa and down with his left, staging off both attacks. As the two from his left and right sides proceed to strike his opening, the boy spins the handle of his weapon, forcing his opponent to fall in front of his left side attacker and he kicks the knee of his right attacks forcing him down, and the boy leaps up away from the four shinobi.
Yuki Shinobi “Hyuton: Sogeki Senbon (Ice Release: Shooting Needles)
One of the shinobi outside the four holds his ice blade up and begins shooting dozens of ice needles towards the boy. The boy laces his weapons with chakra and begins spinning rapidly and the needles bounce off his weapon, using amazing timing in to deflect the projectiles. As the boy lands he immediately shoots across the field to the four shinobi from before who are still disoriented and he takes the offensive. Keeping low, the boy takes out the first one, striking him in the left thigh and forcing him down to his knee. He swings his right tonfa across the shinobi's face knocking out cold. Another shinobi flanks his left swings horizontally but the boy blocks it with ease and swings his right tonfa across this shinobi's face as well. He leaps up and kicks another shinobi in the neck and swings his left tonfa at the face of the other, taking them both down simultaneously. The boy stands with the four unconscious bodies next to him and he takes and looks at the remaining three shinobi. He looks at his weapons, noticing the cracks and dents in them from fighting the others. He walks towards the remaining shinobi, dropping his tonfa and takes out his bo slowly. He twirls it as he walks over to his opponents, who back up as he gets closer.
Kiyoshi “Don't retreat!”
Kiyoshi darts out towards the remaining three shinobi and they yell in horror.
A few moments later Daichi and Manami appear on the grounds and they see the snowy field littered with bruised and unconscious bodies. They look at Kiyoshi as he takes off his mask and takes his long white hair out of his ponytail.
Manami “Aww, Kiyoshi-kun you look so cute with your hair in a ponytail.”
Kiyoshi “Manami-chan, Sensei, I thought you two were out for special training for the month.”
Daichi “The storm clouds started forming sooner then expected so we had to come back...I see that you took it upon yourself to do some training as well.”
Yuki Shinobi “Daichi-san...”
Daichi “Next time leave them capable of walking back.”
Manami “How's my little Kiyoshi doing?”
Kiyoshi “Uneasy, something doesn't feel right, the country seems colder then normal.”
Daichi “I feel it too, but it probably just means we're going to get a stronger storm season.”
Yuki Shinobi “Daichi-san...”
Daichi “Oh right, Manami, Kiyoshi help me with these guys will you.”
Daichi and Manami each make a single water clone and head to the shinobi on the ground and carry them back into the village and into their homes to heal. Manami and Kiyoshi head out onto the main road of the village together. As they head out of the village they pass by an official looking man with 2 armed bodyguards by their side. The man had a dark aura around him that put both Kiyoshi and Manami in a state of unease. Kiyoshi and Manami walked out of the village, and the ominous man walked into their village.
Manami “Don't be scared Kiyoshi-kun, I'll protect you.”
Kiyoshi “Protect me from what?”
Manami “I know you felt it, when we walked past those men.”
Kiyoshi “Something about him felt strange but it's probably nothing, nothing I need you to protect me from anyway. Who were those men?”
Manami gets a solemn look on her face and looks directly in front of her.
Manami “Officials from the Daimyou of this country. Technically we're not part of the country's empire we only pay tax to remain in this country. We're one of the few non-nomadic shinobi clans there are. The only times those guys come here is when it's something bad.”
Kiyoshi “Something bad?”
Manami “I mean, whenever the Daimyou wants something from our clan, something that goes against our natural values. Our clan teaches our style of the shinobi arts for the sole purpose of advancing the knowledge of the arts and our specific kekkei genkai. We don't do things like enter wars or become military power for other countries like you'd expect. My great, great, grandfather was the man who started our clan and held that as our highest code: 'never become tools of war, it's not the shinobi way'. Whenever my father refuses their offers they get upset and often enough raise the price of living here simply out of spite.”
Kiyoshi “They don't come here that often I assume, I mean this is the first time I've seen them and I've been here for years now.”
Manami “Last time they came, they wanted Daichi-sensei and his father to go to the capital and train their military in ninjutsu. My father didn't even run it by Daichi-senpai, honestly Daichi would've been more upset then my father, which is why he didn't tell Daichi-senpai when the men were here. You've never seen Daichi get angry the way I did at that moment. It was the principle of the matter. After that they ordered our clan out here, where the farming and resources were weaker. This is the first time they came back in six years...And I don't like the looks of it.”
Kiyoshi “Don't worry about it so much.”
Manami “This is the worst time for them to come, I know the next thing they're going to ask my father is going to deny. After that, they're going to have something done to us again and the storms are coming sooner then expected. They timed this perfectly so that we would accept whatever they're asking of us.”
Kiyoshi “We're strong, we'll pull through. Don't worry about it.”
Manami looks at Kiyoshi and smiles cheerfully at him.
Manami “Did you miss me Kiyoshi-kun?”
Kiyoshi “Yes.”
Manami “It doesn't sound like it.”
Kiyoshi “But I did.”
The two walk side by side, Kiyoshi's expression remains lifeless and emotionless, while Manami's is filled with a soft soothing smile. She grabs Kiyoshi's hand gently and leans her head on top of his.
Manami “I truly did miss you though. I felt so lonely, even with Daichi-senpai with me.”
Kiyoshi “I'm sorry I couldn't be there.”
Manami “You're so cute Kiyoshi, especially that long white hair.”
Manami begins stroking Kiyoshi's hair affectionately, still leaning her head on his.
Manami “I also love your personality. You're such a kind and caring person, but a little too serious all the time (chuckles).”
Kiyoshi “I have to be strong for the clan. You guys are my family now.”
Manami and Kiyoshi continue on out of the village and down a hill to a river. The river has frozen over but the evergreen tress overlooking are gently sprinkled snow, as if frosting on a cake. Manami grabs the rest of Kiyoshi's arm and jumps into a tree. She lands on a thick branch and leans against the tree, placing Kiyoshi in her arms, between her legs.
Kiyoshi “Manami-chan...”
Kiyoshi begins to blush, as his head rests on Manami's chest like a pillow. Manami smiles softly, stroking Kiyoshi's head. A sudden moment of warmth rushes through Kiyoshi's body. His heart begins beating faster and faster as Manami strokes his head.
Kiyoshi “*This feeling again, every time she holds me. I feel like~*”
Manami “Like you're being held by your mother?”
Kiyoshi's eyes widen, hearing those words from Manami.
Manami “You're probably wondering my secret, but I'm not going to tell you. Just know that you can't hide things from me Kiyoshi, so don't even try it.”
Kiyoshi doesn't say anything in reply, still in shock at what Manami.
Manami “I can't be your mother Kiyoshi, I don't know how. I will love you though, so you don't have to feel that emptiness. I don't know why, but from the first moment I saw you I just wanted to take care of you so I've decided that I will.”
Kiyoshi “Manami...”
Manami “Shh, it's time for our nap Kiyoshi-kun.”
The warm feeling continues to sooth Kiyoshi and he slowly begins to fall asleep in Manami's arms. Manami continues to stroke Kiyoshi's hair until she herself begins to fall asleep. The shade of the tree leaves and snow looms over the two tranquil children as they sleep.
Several Hours Later
Kiyoshi still remains asleep on the tree. He's deep within his subconscious feeling the warmth in his body suddenly slipping, piece by piece. He begins to hear a voice echoing in his head, calling his name. Each time his name is said it gets louder and louder.Manami “Kiyoshi!”
Kiyoshi awakes in fright and sees Manami standing over him with tears in her eyes, complimented by an expression of utter horror.
Kiyoshi “Manami-chan, what's wrong?!”
Manami “Look (points in the village's direction).”
Kiyoshi looks in the direction Manami points in and sees smoke rising from over the hill. Kiyoshi wipes his eyes, fully paying attention to his surroundings and he leaps up from Manami's grasp and up higher onto the tree. From the top he can see the smoke rising from the village. Kiyoshi's eyes widen in shock as he begins to see flames coming from his village. He drops back down to Manami and bares the same look of horror she does.
Kiyoshi “What's going on?!”
Manami “I woke up a few minutes ago because I smelled the smoke, we have to get back to the village!”
Kiyoshi nods his head, straps on his weapons and the two dart back to the village. On their way back to the village they suddenly hear an explosion, which rattles the earth under them. They hear two more explosions simultaneously as they continue towards the village. Once they arrive at the top of the hill overlooking the village they look down even more horrified at the sight. The village is in complete turmoil and mayhem as the villagers scream and yell in fear. Manami and Kiyoshi see their comrades fighting against soldiers of the Snow Country and they head down to assist. Manami and Kiyoshi work close together and begin taking down soldier after soldier until they hear a roaring noise overhead. They see a flying contraption above them and as it flies over them it drop a large ball covered in paper tags.
Yuki Shinobi “Everybody, take cover!”
On impact the bomb explodes and blows several people up, sending them flying through the air and whipping them through several structures. Many of the Yuki shinobi manage to use their ice based techniques to deflect most of the explosion from them and the civilians but not everyone is spared. The aircraft circles around again and it proceeds to drop another bomb. Daichi, who is holding a dead comrade in his arms, looks up with intense seriousness and begins making seals.
Daichi “Hyuton: Suishouhyo Engai! (Ice Release: Crystal Ice Dome)”
Daichi slams his hands on the ground and a huge dome of ice begins to form over the entire village just as the bomb is released. The bomb explodes and the dome of ice holds up for the most of it. The aircraft leaves and the shinobi on the ground finish up the last of the soldiers. The attack of the village finally ends, and the sight of the proud village is nothing less then terrible. The entire village is chard from the flames, homes burned down, large craters in the ground, and so many shinobi and innocent dead. Those who still remained alive and conscious aided in the disposal of the enemy and the villagers in need of assistance. Kiyoshi and Manami see Yu standing in front of their home, which has been burned down to ashes.
Manami “Daddy!”
Manami cries out to her father as she runs to him. Kiyoshi begins to follow until he hears the faint sound of a crying child. He heads towards the sound and finds a little girl, no older then 8 or 9 years, sitting in the fetal position crying.
Manami “Daddy, what happened?! Why did they do this?”
Yu says nothing to his child, he doesn't even acknowledge her but continues to look at their home. He stares directly at the crest of the Yuki clan, which lays dead center in the pile of burned timber that was once his home.
**Flashback**
Note: This is right after Kiyoshi and Manami exited the village some hours ago.
The country official and his guards enter the village and are immediately intercepted by a group of Yuki shinobi.
Official “Out of my way! I'm here on official business with the leader of this clan. I'm under strict orders from the Daimyou himself.”
Yuki Shinobi “Sorry, but we're going to need to see some identification first.”
Bodyguard “Back off.”
The two bodyguards place their hands on their blades and the shinobi get ready to engage in a fight.
Yu “That's enough!”
The Yuki shinobi hear the voice of their leader from behind and they turn towards him. Yu and Daichi approach the official with serious looks on their face, while the official gives off an arrogant smirk.
Yu “I am Yu Yuki, leader of this clan, you say you have business with me directly from the Daimyou? What is so important that the Daimyou must interfere with my clan yet again?”
Official “I need to speak with you in privet.”
Yu “Very well.”
Yu leads the official into the village and they enter his house to speak. The official sits on one end of a table with his bodyguards close behind him, while Yu and Daichi sit side by side on the other side of the table.
Yu “What is the meaning of this unexpected honor.”
Yu's tone is less then flattering and the high pedestal the official places himself on, dislikes Yu's tone.
Official “You should be honored that the Daimyou requests for you. My message is to request the Yuki clan's assistance in the country's military to assist in an impending war between rebellious island of traitors in the Sea Country.”
Yu “You want us to be your tools for war is that it?”
Official “Now if you make it sound like that of course you're going to refuse. The Daimyou knows just how noble and honor bound your clan is, which is why he has made you offers that you simply can't refuse.”
Daichi clinches his fist, hearing the arrogance in the voice of the official, but he doesn't say anything.
Yu “Thanks but no thanks. Our clan has followed a code of neutrality when it comes to war and we won't be a part of any war.”
Official “But you don't know what the Daimyou has to offer you yet. Surely you cannot reject this offer without first hearing our proposals.”
Yu “You don't seem to understand that we don't do war on behalf of any body, for anything. We've maintained a comfortable lifestyle even after your lord exiled us from our previous home. We are content with what we have and don't desire anything more. I'm sorry to have wasted your time but~”
Official “The Daimyou has offered for you to become part of the main empire. Under him you will receive so much wealth and notoriety from everybody. You will no longer have to be content, you can be truly happy. Don't you owe it to your clan to do better then this?”
Daichi “Your arrogance is annoying. I suggest that you simply leave before embarrassing yourself even more. We've already denied your pathetic offer to join your country. We have done fine as a whole, and we seek what is truly the greater good for our clan, the legacy left behind by our founders. We're not joining war to decrease our population and to endanger our clan so you can get lost.”
Official “How dare you?! You are~”
Yu “Completely right. Daichi is my right hand man and everything he said is true. We will not join your empire, nor do we want to. You've allowed other small villages and groups of people to maintain their independence in this country, we are no different. We pay our way and we follow your laws as you are the owners of this country, but you have no say in our decisions concerning what we do with our people. We will remain out of the affairs of this country and live our way of life as you will live yours. Now, you've overstayed your welcome it's time for you to leave.”
Official “You have no idea what you're doing. You're condemning your entire clan. Your repentant defiance of the Daimyou is wearing on his last nerve.”
Daichi “We are not your servants nor do we need to oblige by your ways.”
Officials “You will suffer consequences for your defiance. Don't say you weren't warned.”
The official leaves with his bodyguards angrily. Daichi and Yu walk out of the house and notice that the sun has not emerged yet. The temperature gets even colder at that one moment and the two look at each other.
**End Flashback**
Yu “They couldn't accept no.”
Yu clinches his fist tightly as his daughter stares at him. Yu's expression remains calm but the tenseness of his body shows how he really is feeling.
Yu “And I have failed as a leader.”
Manami “Daddy, you~”
Yuki Shinobi “Yu-sama!”
Manami and Yu turn and see a shinobi running towards them frantically.
Yu “What is it?!”
Yuki Shinobi “It's Daichi-san...”
Both Manami and Yu get a look of horrifying shock on their face after the shinobi's statement. Meanwhile Kiyoshi continues to look at the little girl crying in the snow. Kiyoshi walks towards her and sees a small stuffed, toy bear near a support beam across from the girl. He picks the bear up and walks towards the girl. He moves her hands from her face and wipes her tears and hands her the toy bear. The girl looks at the bear for a few seconds and begins to cry yet again, much to the surprise of Kiyoshi. As she holds the bear tight, the little girl points to the support beam and Kiyoshi turns and gets a look of shock on his face to see the arm and leg of a person underneath the beam and rubble. He goes over and pulls the debris off of the man and sees the mangled body, covered in blood.
Aiko “Daddy saved me and my bear.”
Kiyoshi turns to the girl who now stands, holding her bear at her side.
Aiko “Daddy saved my bear.”
Kiyoshi “Why?”
Aiko “This was my mommy's bear. She died a while ago and she gave me this when I was a baby...this was all we had left of her. Daddy saved me and mommy but I'm still alone now. I don't have a mommy or a daddy anymore.”
The girl begins to cry again and Kiyoshi goes over to her and hugs her tightly. The expression on his face is pure sympathy and undeserved guilt. Remembering the warmth of Manami's embrace, Kiyoshi pulls away from the girl, sits down and puts her between his legs like Manami did for him and he holds her. He strokes the little girl's hair just as Manami did for him a while ago. Just as he did with Manami, the girl fell asleep in Kiyoshi's arms, however, Kiyoshi didn't smile. He stops stroking the girl's hair and strikes his fist to the side of the wall he leans against and begins to cry as well.
Kiyoshi “*Damn it! This wasn't supposed to happen...not to anybody else but me!*”
Kiyoshi holds the girl tight and affectionately as he cries. At that moment it begins to snow, more frozen tears drop down from the heavens, the tears of those who have fallen in this brutal attack on their home. They cry for the people they have left behind, and for the burden they can no longer help their village endure. The sun still remains blocked by the thick clouds, symbolizing a storm. This massacre of the Yuki clan officially begins the storms of war.
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~Reborn & naruto kyuubi~
I attempted to edit this myself instead of asking my sensei to do it for me. I hope you all like this chapter, I felt that this was the best way to open up the second part of the series. My partner feels the same as well.
I seriously hope that you all like this just as much or better then the previous chapters. If by some miracle my grammer in this chapter is better then before, I owe it to ThatOneChick-sensei. To those who comment and or rep kyuubi and I, we thank you.
lol yay! When can someone ever accept being told no? lol Good chapter liked it very much though I did see some minor repition, but then again it's probably something that only I would see after helping you so much 
