Theater of War, Chapter Three
Oct. 20th, 2008 11:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alliancesjrWow, so this took me a long time to write. There's a lot about the last bit that doesn't flow right; comments and criticism are always appreciated.
Chapter Three
In which references are made, Yukiko's new team is revealed, SlutNinja is not a term to be used lightly, references to canon are essential to making horrible fanfic, and Team Gendou is confronted by the Power of Youth.
* * * * *
Kensuke yawned, barely noticing as Hayate followed suit. He and Hotaru had stayed up late the night previous at the new okonomiyaki shop. It was not a bad place at all, he realized, as he remembered the girl who ran it. She was an ex-genin who had decided to devote her time and effort into cooking, rather than killing.
He hadn't said so out loud, but Ukyo's skill with her spatulas was something he normally only associated with a kunai.
"Kensuke-kun?"
He looked up into Hotaru's smiling face. He grinned at her. "Sorry, just thinking about last night."
"Hmpf. And you didn't want to go in the first place."
Kensuke held up his hands in protest. "Hey, I'm not normally a fan of street cuisine. I'm a home-cooked man, you know!" He grinned at Hotaru.
Leaning against a street sign, Hiroshi chuckled. "What, did it turn into a date?"
Hotaru reddened as Kensuke waved him off. "What, are you kidding?" snapped Kensuke, even as Hayate snuffed quietly in laughter. "No way!"
His teammate continued to laugh. "Go on, protest some more, that'll really make her feel better."
Kensuke spluttered, and Hayate's snuffling turned into an abrupt snort of amusement. The Inuzuka glared at his dog in mock-affront.
"It wasn't a date, Hiroshi-kun," said Hotaru, adjusting the shoulder of her dress. "I asked if you wanted to come too, didn't I?" Her face settled into an evil grin. "Besides, with the way that Kensuke had been staring at Ukyo-san..."
"I was hungry! She was making my food!"
Hiroshi laughed. "I imagine her hands were a bit lower down." He tilted his head to allow the suddenly-thrown kunai to embed itself harmlessly into the signpost.
Kensuke sulked as Hotaru giggled. "Knock it off, will you? Gendou-sensei will be here soon, and we'll be off for our next border patrol."
"Yeah, I was kind of hoping we'd get a chance to stay in the village for a bit," said Hiroshi, grimacing. "Yukiko should be meeting her new Jounin-sensei about nowish, and I wanted to be around to hear all about it. I don't even know who she's going to be training under--"
The sudden appearance of Gendou halted his words. "You need not worry about your sister," said the dark-clothed man, pushing up his sunglasses. "She has been assigned to Ren."
Hiroshi raised his eyebrows at this news, while his teammates started grinning. They all knew Gendou's wife from their many years under his tutelage; she was an equally-accomplished jounin, albeit a bit more...specialized than her husband.
"Did she say who else was on the team?" asked Hiroshi. He started adjusting his flak jacket as the team headed out into the forest surrounding Konoha.
"She did not say," said Gendou, leaping into the trees. His team followed suit. "We must hurry. The team we are replacing is waiting for its chance to head home."
With a chakra-enhanced leap, the Leaf ninja made their way through the forest.
-----
This, decided Moriyama Yukiko, was decidedly not what she was expecting.
When Iruka-sensei had announced what team she had been assigned to and introduced the three new genin to their new instructor, she had honestly been expecting one of the Leaf elite that Hiroshi had mentioned. Yamanaka Inoichi would have been interesting, with his mental jutsu, and Akimichi Chouza and Nara Shikaku each had their own qualities. She had been dreading the possibility of apprenticing under an Aburame, but even the bug-user had his strong points.
This...woman didn't look fit enough to be an active-duty ninja, let alone a Jounin-sensei. She had led them out onto a balcony overlooking the Hokage Monument; the five leaders of the Hidden Leaf looked down peacefully upon the genin.
"All right, you little brats, sit down and tell me all about yourselves." The woman (their new sensei, Yukiko grumbled to herself) plopped down unceremoniously onto a bench. Her kimono - if you could even call it that; it had been been either heavily modified from an existing robe, or else it had been purchased with the right sleeve missing, a decidedly unladylike neckline, and the left half of the skirt hemmed unevenly to expose the woman's thigh - parted, and Yukiko noted with disgust that her breasts were one step away from falling out completely.
The three girls stared at their new sensei.
"Oh, fine, I'll start. I am Kurobana Ren, a jounin specialist in poisons. I like drinking, karaoke, and spending time with my husband. I dislike many things that we won't go into now, for time." Ren paused, thoughtfully. "My dream is to spend the rest of my life here in Konoha. Now come on, brats, it's your turn."
The dark-haired girl to Yukiko's left nodded gracefully. "I am Hyuuga Hanabi, heir to the Hyuuga clan. I enjoy the intricacies of my clan's special abilities and taijutsu forms." She glanced around quickly. "I dislike those unenlightened enough to doubt the Hyuuga bloodline. My ambition is to become Head of my clan." She fell silent and looked at Yukiko, expectantly.
Yukiko hesitated. Compared to Hanabi, she wasn't much. "My name is Moriyama Yukiko. I like dango and sweet bean buns. I dislike--" She hesitated as the Hyuuga girl gave a derisive snort. "I dislike being treated as a lesser ninja simply because I do not come from a lineaged clan," she snapped, causing Hanabi to narrow her eyes. "My dream is to learn the jutsu my brother prepared for me." Yukiko patted the scroll-filled backpack for emphasis.
She could tell that the Hyuuga was not impressed. That was fine, for all Yukiko cared; Hanabi was always the youngest in the class, being hailed as "The Hyuuga Genius". Her early graduation was proof of her ability, true, but her arrogance... Yukiko had always stayed away from Hanabi. It hadn't worked, it seemed.
The last girl appeared to be trying to sink into the ground, with all three sets of eyes on her. She twirled a lock of reddish-brown hair around her finger, nervously.
"Ano...I am Shirai Keiko..." She paused, glancing around. "I like stir-fry vegetables. I dislike meat. My dream is to learn the greatest recipes in the world."
With that last proclamation, the girl's face turned serious. Yukiko clapped for her, while Hanabi snorted again.
"Lovely," cooed Ren, standing up. She snapped open her parasol and spun it idly. "In that case, meet me in Training Area 32 tomorrow. Bring all of your gear."
The woman formed a quick seal with her hands and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
Yukiko leaned over and lightly smacked Hanabi on the back of her head. "What the hell is your problem, Hyuuga?" she snapped.
Hanabi's eyes widened in disbelief. "You...you would dare strike...?"
"'Strike the heir of the Hyuuga'? Yeah, I really don't care about that." Yukiko pointed at the shivering Keiko, next to her. "Apologise."
"I..." Hanabi shook her head slightly. When she spoke next, her voice was a lot stronger.
"I have nothing to apologise for, Moriyama."
"Yeah? Well, I think you need to grow up. Not everything is about the 'all-powerful Hyuuga', you know."
Hanabi folded her arms as she stood up. "I have nothing further to say to you. Good day."
"Bitch," grumbled Yukiko as Hanabi stalked off.
She glanced back down at the shivering girl. "Are you all right, Keiko?"
"She...should not mock me..." whispered Keiko.
"I know, she's just being herself. I'm sure she doesn't mean to be cruel."
Keiko shook her head. "I like cooking..."
Yukiko sighed. "Yes, you're very good at it. Remember how much I liked the lunch you prepared for us today?"
Keiko nodded.
"It'll be fine. You'll just show Hanabi how good of a ninja you are, and then she won't have anything horrible to say to you." Yukiko stretched. "Come on, we should go home. We need to be prepared tomorrow."
Keiko nodded again, more confidently. "Right!"
-----
Hiroshi frowned as he followed Gendou through the trees. They were almost to the rendezvous point, but there was no sign of...wait...
"There!" he shouted, pointing to a clearing. The remains of a camp were just barely visible, as if a team had almost completely removed all evidence they had been there.
Gendou leapt down into the clearing, his chuunin following suit right behind him.
There was no sign of the other team.
"Maybe they went back to Konoha?" wondered Kensuke.
Gendou held up a hand, motioning for silence. Hiroshi kept his hands ready, just in case something happened.
"Konoha senpuu!"
The team ducked out of the way just in time to avoid being hit by a green whirlwind.
Hiroshi formed seals and slammed his hands into the ground. "Doton: Mud Ensnare!" His chakra guided tendrils of mud that burst out of the ground to trap the green blur. It wasn't enough to hold the figure, though, and the mud splattered against the ground.
Hotaru raised her knives and met the blur head-on. The clang of clashing steel rang throughout the forest.
"Hotaru!" yelled Kensuke, drawing kunai from the inside of his trenchcoat. He threw them at the blur, which simply spun quickly and knocked them aside.
Hiroshi groaned. There was only one way out of this mess. He performed the necessary seals for genjutsu, then touched his throat with his finger.
"Lee-kun! Stop this at once!"
The green blur froze in place, revealing a green-clad ninja with a distinctive bowl-cut. "Yosh, Gai-sensei! I have apprehended the intruders..."
He looked around. "Gai-sensei?"
Hiroshi grinned, keeping the finger to his throat. He took another breath.
"Moriyama Hiroshi, what a clever use of that technique!" boomed the same voice, from the other end of the clearing. "Surely you have not lost the power of your youth!"
Hotaru glanced over at Hiroshi. "You're getting really good at that," she whispered.
"That one wasn't me," Hiroshi said, his face pale.
A larger-version of the green-clad ninja appeared in the middle of the clearing in a swirl of leaves, striking what he probably thought was a dramatic pose.
"Gai-sensei!"
"You have done well, Lee-kun!" boomed Gai. The two rushed to embrace each other.
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee-kun!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee-kun!"
Gendou pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I apologise for interrupting, Gai-san."
"Just in time, too," whispered Kensuke. Hotaru hit him.
Hiroshi glanced between the two. He knew them, of course; who in Konoha didn't by now?
Maito Gai status within the village would surprise anyone who judged him purly on looks; he was Konohagakure's most prominent taijutsu specialist. He had mastered more styles than most ninja knew even existed. All of that skill, however, was hidden between a skintight green bodysuit and orange striped leg warmers. Hiroshi - and indeed, most of Konoha - secretly thanked whatever gods existed that Gai's uniform wasn't completely form-fitting. That, and his near-constant rants about the Power of Youthfulness and the Beautiful Green Beast (Hiroshi hoped that didn't refer to anything beneath the suit) would normally make him a laughingstock...were it not for his mission record.
His favorite student, Rock Lee, was about the same. Everyone knew that Lee idolized his sensei, to the point of making himself look the same. The bowl-cut, the bodysuit, the leg warmers. But the similarity didn't end there; out of Gai's students, only Lee was able to master Gai's most notable taijutsu style. He was also able to learn some of the more complex moves, including the forbidden Lotus-style.
He's wearing a new chuunin's flak jacket, Hiroshi noted. Must have been very recent. Lee-san was still a genin the last time I saw him.
"Now that you have caught us, Gendou-san, would your team like to test the power of their youth against my team?" Gai gave Gendoua thumbs-up gesture and grinned; the light reflected off his teeth in a very disturbing way. "Now that my Lee-kun has successfully passed the most recent Exam, all three of my students are now full chuunin."
"We are here to replace you in this duty, by command of the Hokage." Gendou produced a small red scroll from a pouch in his vest and tossed it to the other jounin.
Gai opened the scroll. When he finished reading it, he gave Gendou another dramatic "nice guy" pose, which Gendou dutifully ignored. "You are correct, Gendou-san! We will gather the remainder of our team and report back to Konoha. I wish you luck in your patrols!"
With another dramatic pose, Maito Gai and Rock Lee disappeared.
Gendou sat down on the ground. "We will break camp here. Hotaru, find us firewood. Kensuke, Hayate, secure the perimeter. Hiroshi, I want you to draw up a patrol pattern for the next few days."
The three chuunin nodded and got to work.
Chapter Two / Continue to Chapter Four
Chapter Three
In which references are made, Yukiko's new team is revealed, SlutNinja is not a term to be used lightly, references to canon are essential to making horrible fanfic, and Team Gendou is confronted by the Power of Youth.
* * * * *
Kensuke yawned, barely noticing as Hayate followed suit. He and Hotaru had stayed up late the night previous at the new okonomiyaki shop. It was not a bad place at all, he realized, as he remembered the girl who ran it. She was an ex-genin who had decided to devote her time and effort into cooking, rather than killing.
He hadn't said so out loud, but Ukyo's skill with her spatulas was something he normally only associated with a kunai.
"Kensuke-kun?"
He looked up into Hotaru's smiling face. He grinned at her. "Sorry, just thinking about last night."
"Hmpf. And you didn't want to go in the first place."
Kensuke held up his hands in protest. "Hey, I'm not normally a fan of street cuisine. I'm a home-cooked man, you know!" He grinned at Hotaru.
Leaning against a street sign, Hiroshi chuckled. "What, did it turn into a date?"
Hotaru reddened as Kensuke waved him off. "What, are you kidding?" snapped Kensuke, even as Hayate snuffed quietly in laughter. "No way!"
His teammate continued to laugh. "Go on, protest some more, that'll really make her feel better."
Kensuke spluttered, and Hayate's snuffling turned into an abrupt snort of amusement. The Inuzuka glared at his dog in mock-affront.
"It wasn't a date, Hiroshi-kun," said Hotaru, adjusting the shoulder of her dress. "I asked if you wanted to come too, didn't I?" Her face settled into an evil grin. "Besides, with the way that Kensuke had been staring at Ukyo-san..."
"I was hungry! She was making my food!"
Hiroshi laughed. "I imagine her hands were a bit lower down." He tilted his head to allow the suddenly-thrown kunai to embed itself harmlessly into the signpost.
Kensuke sulked as Hotaru giggled. "Knock it off, will you? Gendou-sensei will be here soon, and we'll be off for our next border patrol."
"Yeah, I was kind of hoping we'd get a chance to stay in the village for a bit," said Hiroshi, grimacing. "Yukiko should be meeting her new Jounin-sensei about nowish, and I wanted to be around to hear all about it. I don't even know who she's going to be training under--"
The sudden appearance of Gendou halted his words. "You need not worry about your sister," said the dark-clothed man, pushing up his sunglasses. "She has been assigned to Ren."
Hiroshi raised his eyebrows at this news, while his teammates started grinning. They all knew Gendou's wife from their many years under his tutelage; she was an equally-accomplished jounin, albeit a bit more...specialized than her husband.
"Did she say who else was on the team?" asked Hiroshi. He started adjusting his flak jacket as the team headed out into the forest surrounding Konoha.
"She did not say," said Gendou, leaping into the trees. His team followed suit. "We must hurry. The team we are replacing is waiting for its chance to head home."
With a chakra-enhanced leap, the Leaf ninja made their way through the forest.
-----
This, decided Moriyama Yukiko, was decidedly not what she was expecting.
When Iruka-sensei had announced what team she had been assigned to and introduced the three new genin to their new instructor, she had honestly been expecting one of the Leaf elite that Hiroshi had mentioned. Yamanaka Inoichi would have been interesting, with his mental jutsu, and Akimichi Chouza and Nara Shikaku each had their own qualities. She had been dreading the possibility of apprenticing under an Aburame, but even the bug-user had his strong points.
This...woman didn't look fit enough to be an active-duty ninja, let alone a Jounin-sensei. She had led them out onto a balcony overlooking the Hokage Monument; the five leaders of the Hidden Leaf looked down peacefully upon the genin.
"All right, you little brats, sit down and tell me all about yourselves." The woman (their new sensei, Yukiko grumbled to herself) plopped down unceremoniously onto a bench. Her kimono - if you could even call it that; it had been been either heavily modified from an existing robe, or else it had been purchased with the right sleeve missing, a decidedly unladylike neckline, and the left half of the skirt hemmed unevenly to expose the woman's thigh - parted, and Yukiko noted with disgust that her breasts were one step away from falling out completely.
The three girls stared at their new sensei.
"Oh, fine, I'll start. I am Kurobana Ren, a jounin specialist in poisons. I like drinking, karaoke, and spending time with my husband. I dislike many things that we won't go into now, for time." Ren paused, thoughtfully. "My dream is to spend the rest of my life here in Konoha. Now come on, brats, it's your turn."
The dark-haired girl to Yukiko's left nodded gracefully. "I am Hyuuga Hanabi, heir to the Hyuuga clan. I enjoy the intricacies of my clan's special abilities and taijutsu forms." She glanced around quickly. "I dislike those unenlightened enough to doubt the Hyuuga bloodline. My ambition is to become Head of my clan." She fell silent and looked at Yukiko, expectantly.
Yukiko hesitated. Compared to Hanabi, she wasn't much. "My name is Moriyama Yukiko. I like dango and sweet bean buns. I dislike--" She hesitated as the Hyuuga girl gave a derisive snort. "I dislike being treated as a lesser ninja simply because I do not come from a lineaged clan," she snapped, causing Hanabi to narrow her eyes. "My dream is to learn the jutsu my brother prepared for me." Yukiko patted the scroll-filled backpack for emphasis.
She could tell that the Hyuuga was not impressed. That was fine, for all Yukiko cared; Hanabi was always the youngest in the class, being hailed as "The Hyuuga Genius". Her early graduation was proof of her ability, true, but her arrogance... Yukiko had always stayed away from Hanabi. It hadn't worked, it seemed.
The last girl appeared to be trying to sink into the ground, with all three sets of eyes on her. She twirled a lock of reddish-brown hair around her finger, nervously.
"Ano...I am Shirai Keiko..." She paused, glancing around. "I like stir-fry vegetables. I dislike meat. My dream is to learn the greatest recipes in the world."
With that last proclamation, the girl's face turned serious. Yukiko clapped for her, while Hanabi snorted again.
"Lovely," cooed Ren, standing up. She snapped open her parasol and spun it idly. "In that case, meet me in Training Area 32 tomorrow. Bring all of your gear."
The woman formed a quick seal with her hands and disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
Yukiko leaned over and lightly smacked Hanabi on the back of her head. "What the hell is your problem, Hyuuga?" she snapped.
Hanabi's eyes widened in disbelief. "You...you would dare strike...?"
"'Strike the heir of the Hyuuga'? Yeah, I really don't care about that." Yukiko pointed at the shivering Keiko, next to her. "Apologise."
"I..." Hanabi shook her head slightly. When she spoke next, her voice was a lot stronger.
"I have nothing to apologise for, Moriyama."
"Yeah? Well, I think you need to grow up. Not everything is about the 'all-powerful Hyuuga', you know."
Hanabi folded her arms as she stood up. "I have nothing further to say to you. Good day."
"Bitch," grumbled Yukiko as Hanabi stalked off.
She glanced back down at the shivering girl. "Are you all right, Keiko?"
"She...should not mock me..." whispered Keiko.
"I know, she's just being herself. I'm sure she doesn't mean to be cruel."
Keiko shook her head. "I like cooking..."
Yukiko sighed. "Yes, you're very good at it. Remember how much I liked the lunch you prepared for us today?"
Keiko nodded.
"It'll be fine. You'll just show Hanabi how good of a ninja you are, and then she won't have anything horrible to say to you." Yukiko stretched. "Come on, we should go home. We need to be prepared tomorrow."
Keiko nodded again, more confidently. "Right!"
-----
Hiroshi frowned as he followed Gendou through the trees. They were almost to the rendezvous point, but there was no sign of...wait...
"There!" he shouted, pointing to a clearing. The remains of a camp were just barely visible, as if a team had almost completely removed all evidence they had been there.
Gendou leapt down into the clearing, his chuunin following suit right behind him.
There was no sign of the other team.
"Maybe they went back to Konoha?" wondered Kensuke.
Gendou held up a hand, motioning for silence. Hiroshi kept his hands ready, just in case something happened.
"Konoha senpuu!"
The team ducked out of the way just in time to avoid being hit by a green whirlwind.
Hiroshi formed seals and slammed his hands into the ground. "Doton: Mud Ensnare!" His chakra guided tendrils of mud that burst out of the ground to trap the green blur. It wasn't enough to hold the figure, though, and the mud splattered against the ground.
Hotaru raised her knives and met the blur head-on. The clang of clashing steel rang throughout the forest.
"Hotaru!" yelled Kensuke, drawing kunai from the inside of his trenchcoat. He threw them at the blur, which simply spun quickly and knocked them aside.
Hiroshi groaned. There was only one way out of this mess. He performed the necessary seals for genjutsu, then touched his throat with his finger.
"Lee-kun! Stop this at once!"
The green blur froze in place, revealing a green-clad ninja with a distinctive bowl-cut. "Yosh, Gai-sensei! I have apprehended the intruders..."
He looked around. "Gai-sensei?"
Hiroshi grinned, keeping the finger to his throat. He took another breath.
"Moriyama Hiroshi, what a clever use of that technique!" boomed the same voice, from the other end of the clearing. "Surely you have not lost the power of your youth!"
Hotaru glanced over at Hiroshi. "You're getting really good at that," she whispered.
"That one wasn't me," Hiroshi said, his face pale.
A larger-version of the green-clad ninja appeared in the middle of the clearing in a swirl of leaves, striking what he probably thought was a dramatic pose.
"Gai-sensei!"
"You have done well, Lee-kun!" boomed Gai. The two rushed to embrace each other.
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee-kun!"
"Gai-sensei!"
"Lee-kun!"
Gendou pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I apologise for interrupting, Gai-san."
"Just in time, too," whispered Kensuke. Hotaru hit him.
Hiroshi glanced between the two. He knew them, of course; who in Konoha didn't by now?
Maito Gai status within the village would surprise anyone who judged him purly on looks; he was Konohagakure's most prominent taijutsu specialist. He had mastered more styles than most ninja knew even existed. All of that skill, however, was hidden between a skintight green bodysuit and orange striped leg warmers. Hiroshi - and indeed, most of Konoha - secretly thanked whatever gods existed that Gai's uniform wasn't completely form-fitting. That, and his near-constant rants about the Power of Youthfulness and the Beautiful Green Beast (Hiroshi hoped that didn't refer to anything beneath the suit) would normally make him a laughingstock...were it not for his mission record.
His favorite student, Rock Lee, was about the same. Everyone knew that Lee idolized his sensei, to the point of making himself look the same. The bowl-cut, the bodysuit, the leg warmers. But the similarity didn't end there; out of Gai's students, only Lee was able to master Gai's most notable taijutsu style. He was also able to learn some of the more complex moves, including the forbidden Lotus-style.
He's wearing a new chuunin's flak jacket, Hiroshi noted. Must have been very recent. Lee-san was still a genin the last time I saw him.
"Now that you have caught us, Gendou-san, would your team like to test the power of their youth against my team?" Gai gave Gendoua thumbs-up gesture and grinned; the light reflected off his teeth in a very disturbing way. "Now that my Lee-kun has successfully passed the most recent Exam, all three of my students are now full chuunin."
"We are here to replace you in this duty, by command of the Hokage." Gendou produced a small red scroll from a pouch in his vest and tossed it to the other jounin.
Gai opened the scroll. When he finished reading it, he gave Gendou another dramatic "nice guy" pose, which Gendou dutifully ignored. "You are correct, Gendou-san! We will gather the remainder of our team and report back to Konoha. I wish you luck in your patrols!"
With another dramatic pose, Maito Gai and Rock Lee disappeared.
Gendou sat down on the ground. "We will break camp here. Hotaru, find us firewood. Kensuke, Hayate, secure the perimeter. Hiroshi, I want you to draw up a patrol pattern for the next few days."
The three chuunin nodded and got to work.
Chapter Two / Continue to Chapter Four
