The Great Shinobi Empires of Jihopan (Naruto Quest, AU Canon)

[Megacookie]

You thrusted your hand forward and sent a wave of sand at Shigetaka, who flipped backwards to avoid the attack! You grinned and formed a wall of sand behind him in order to trap him, but Shigetaka rapidly made hand seals and a thin pillar of earth raised from the ground underneath him. Your sand crashed into the pillar and broke it, but Shigetaka had produced some kunai from...somewhere, and threw them at you! Your sand rapidly intercepted the kunai but in the time you blocked them, Shigetaka had vanished.

"Nou, behind you!" Sozen cried out. Spinning around you saw Shigetaka running at you, his fists coated in earth like a rocky glove! He threw a punch which your sand once again blocked, but suddenly the attack went through! You gasped in shocked and backed away, the rocky fists now were covered in a black coating with vicious looking spikes on the knuckles!

"How the hell?" you growled, creating a large wave of sand to engulf Shigetaka in. His 'gloves' suddenly shattered as he made more hand seals, creating a thick wall made of the same material in front of him, which easily withstood the sand! He jumped on top of the wall and glared at you before speaking, "I shall not explain my abilities."

Then with a single hand seal, his skin was now covered in a black looking armor with spikes emerging from his shoulders and fists. He jumped off the wall, right towards you! You threw another wave of sand, but he raised his arm in the air and chopped at the sand, cleanly splitting the entire wave in the middle! You sent multiple spikes of sand at Shigetaka, but as they crashed against his black armor and scattered into particles. Shigetaka then made hand seals and thrusted his fists forward, the spikes coming from his fist flying off them and right towards you!

What will you do?

[] Counter attack while your natural defense does its job!

[] Blow it away with a wind jutsu!

[] Take to the air to dodge!

[] Actively defend against the attack!

[] Write In.

 

[Megacookie]

Seeing how these attacks suddenly pierced your defense, you didn't want to risk merely blocking. Making a hand seal, you jumped backwards and landed on a platform of sand and flew into the air. Shigetaka looked upwards as the spikes flew into the distance, then made another hand seal. The armor covering Shigetaka suddenly converged onto one hand and rapidly fired off his fist! You threw wave after wave of sand at it to stop the attack, but it easily blew through your defenses!

Swearing, you flew downwards to avoid it, but then you heard the sound of metal tearing and scraping! Looking up, the orb had exploded into shrapnel! Thankfully you naturally defense managed to intercept the shards but now it was very clear as to what Shigetaka could do! Looking down on him you said, "you can manipulate metal? That would explain your defenses...though not how you could cut through my sand so easily!"

"Are you going to stay hiding in the air?" Shigetaka asked, staring at you.

"I don't have much reason to go down there," you snidely replied.

Shigetaka rapidly made hand seals and them slammed both hands on the ground, "Steel Release: Industrialization."

Suddenly, the ground underneath Shigetaka was covered in the black steel and it rapidly expanded! The expanding steel didn't just cover the ground, it also covered many of the trees, turning them into lifeless looking, bare spikes. Sozen had to jump to avoid being covered by the steel, as did Suguru, and you could only hope Sasori didn't get caught by the jutsu! Eventually the steel stopped expanding, but from your vision on high, you saw it had expanded for miles!

You tried to send a wave of sand at Shigetaka, trying to attack him from behind, but you felt nothing! You grimaced and tried again, and nothing happened once more. You manipulated some of sand from your platform, and you were still flying, so you knew he didn't negate your powers! But then it hit you, his jutsu must have turned all the dirt and soil into steel...so you couldn't create more sand! Focusing you chakra, you controlled deeper under the steel landscape and thankfully felt earth! You tried to make it spike up under Shigetaka, but the sand you created merely crashed against the steel, unable to get through it!

"You manage to create your jutsu by manipulating your unique chakra, crushing dirt and minerals into sand. As long as there is a proper amount of land, you can fight anywhere. A versatile ability," Shigetaka explained. "So I covered the land with my steel. My steel is much stronger than what mere weaponry is created out of, it shall not break easily."

"And what if I just fly to a place where there is earth for me to use!" you shouted back.

"You can, but it will make no difference," Shigetaka impassively replied.

"Bastard...!" you growled.

What will you do!

[] Do as you said, fly until you find some earth, turn it into sand, and come back reloaded!

[] Assault Shigetaka with your wind jutsu! You aren't a one trick pony!

[] Use the sand you have to use Dance of the Drilling Sand and penetrate the steel!

[] Stay in the air and focus on dodging! You still have the aerial advantage, you can wait him out!

[] Write In!

Adhoc vote count started by Megacookie on Nov 27, 2018 at 9:54 PM, finished with 15 posts and 7 votes.

• ---

  3 people have voted

  [X] Use the sand you have to use Dance of the Drilling Sand and penetrate the steel!

  • Giga
  • Black King
  • Mizu0005

  2 people have voted

  [X] Take to the air to dodge!

  • Zero4Ever
  • w34v3r

  1 people have voted

  [X] Overwhelm him with your sand!

  • Joltikeon

  1 people have voted

  [X] Stay in the air and focus on dodging! You still have the aerial advantage, you can wait him out!

  • veekie

 

[Megacookie]

You were going to test just how powerful that steel of his was! Making hand seals, you formed compressed drills of sand and earth underneath the steel covered ground! Shigetaka was about make hand seals for his own attack, but you shouted out, "Dance of the Drilling Sand!"

You raised your hand, the diamond hard drills spinning underneath the steel. Shigetaka looked down as the drills suddenly pierced the steel! Before he could react further, you clapped your hands and had the drills converge on him, four of them easily piercing through his torso! Shigetaka then morphed into a weird, black statue of himself that fell to the ground, clanging like steel against...steel.

"Nou, to the left!" Sozen shouted, directing your attention to the side. You saw Shigetaka emerging from the steel ground, as if he was fused with it! He clapped his hands and suddenly dozens of thin, steel spires erupted from the ground! You flew out of the way, but the spires suddenly bent, changing directions to chase you! You cursed and quickly made some sand now available from the holes you drilled out.

"Let's see how you deal with this! Dance of the Cutting Sand!" you smugly declared, forming super compressed swords that surrounded you. You moved out of the way, dodging the spire once again, but you countered by slashing your swords at the spires! There was some resistance, but after a moment you cut clean through them!

"Ha! Your steel is durable, but my sand can cut through it!" you jeered at Shigetaka. He didn't respond, but he did make a single hand seal and swiped his arm to the right. You gasped as you felt your tool pouch powerfully move to the right, throwing you off your sand platform! He was controlling your shinobi tools! Before you could rip off the tool pouch, your heard the shattering of metal and agony spread over the right side of your body. He exploded your weaponry, shredding your pouch and sending dozens of shrapnel into your body! If it wasn't for your Armor of Sand blunting the damage, it could have killed you...!

Then suddenly your forehead protector slid down over your eyes, taking away your sight! He could even manipulate that bit of metal?! The cold claw of fear gripped your chest. Distantly, you could hear Sozen shouting that Shigetaka was about to finish you off! You had to do something...but what?!

Critical Moment!

[] Use a wind jutsu to blow yourself away from whatever will happen! But you don't know where you'll go...

[] Cover yourself in as much sand as possible to cushion the attack! But what if it goes through...

[] Use your Dance of the Unbreakable Sand to defend yourself! But could you get it off in time?

[] "You're in trouble, I don't wanna lose a fine piece of ass like you as a vessel...c'mon, let me go wild!"

[] Write In

 

[Megacookie]

"I don't want to do this...but...I can't lose! If I lose here...then I will have to leave the Sand! I can't! Shukaku...do what you must..." you bitterly thought. You shrieked as a sphere of sand surrounded you and you felt the left half of your body accumulate sand. You lost control of your body, but you were still aware what was happening. Something powerfully struck the sphere of sand and sent you rocketing to the ground, but a powerful burst of sand cushioned you from the fall. Without your doing, you opened your mouth and began cackling madly, ripping off your forehead protector with a monstrous claw made out of sand.

"HAHAHAHAAH! Finally, I get to play for a bit!" Shukaku bellowed out. Your left half was now covered by sand that looked like a miniature version of the One Tailed Tanuki. "Sorry to interfere, but you were gonna hurt this nice vessel of mine! Out of the three vessels I'm in, I admit, this one is my favorite! Nice tits, sweet ass...if only she wasn't a fuckin' prude!"

"Nou!" Sozen shouted, gaining Shukaku's attention.

"Ah yeah, the family man! What do you say, big boy, wanna be my daddy?" Shukaku luridly said to Sozen, making the Uchiha cringe with disgust.

"I am your opponent," Shigetaka impassively said as he suddenly appeared in front of Shukaku. However, Shukaku lifted his monstrous arm to block Shigetaka's steel enhanced punch and push him away. Then the sand consumed the right half of your body, allowing Shukaku absolute control over your body.

"Aw man, this feels so damn good! Finally that bitch lets me top for a bit! Anyway, you emotionless fuckhead, I wanna play with you until you fuckin' break!" Shukaku threatningly said, looking at Shigetaka. "Then after that, I dunno, maybe I'll go fuck until I'm no longer backed up!"

"Filthy beast," Shigetaka muttered, making hand seals to form spires of steel once again, but Shukaku hardened his sandy skin to block the spires! With an insane laugh, he formed a massive sand drill in the sky, using all the sand he could currently muster!

"This metal is ruining my mood, how about I slip into something more comfortable!" Shukaku said as he made the massive drill pierce the metal floor Shigetaka had created. Everyone jumped backwards and defended themselves against the sandy debris as the sound of metal screeching and tearing rang throughout the sky. Once the sand settled, there was a large crater in front of Shukaku now, no metal within the immediate area to get in the way! "Let's go!"

What will Shukaku do?

[] Get under the earth and make a desert to play with!

[] Capture and crush Shigetaka!

[] Use some wind jutsu to inflict some pain!

[] "No...! I must...regain...control!"

[] Write In.

Nou's Battle Theme (Shukaku Full Control)

 

[Megacookie]

Shukaku jumped into the crater, his demonic chakra easily spreading through the earth and turning it into sand. The ground underneath the steel was soon sand and then Shukaku slammed his monstrous claws on the ground, sending a powerful ripple through the sand that bent and tore the steel ground!

"Steel Release: Shrapnel," Shigetaka emotionlessly said, exploding the steel around Shukaku into large chunks of steel. Shukaku madly laughed and easily pushed away all the metal with the large amount of sand he had created.

"Fuckin' prick! Take thiiiiiiis!" Shukaku bellowed before inhaling so much air that his stomach expanded. Then he slammed his arm on his stomach, belching out a powerful orb of compacted air! Shigetaka managed to raise a wall of steel before the attack hit, but this was merely a distract for Shukaku to send a massive wave of sand crashing on top of the Shimokage! After a moment, Shigetaka burst from the sand, covered in steel armor that was cracked and had bits falling off, revealing bloodied skin.

"Degenerate beast..." Shigetaka muttered as he made hand seals, but suddenly a geyser of sand sent him into the air! With a movement of his claw, Shukaku made a large sphere of sand that trapped Shigetaka! Before Shukaku could crush the Shimokage, a large steel trident pierced the sphere and Shigetaka, covered in black armor once more, escaped the sphere! He pointed the trident at Shukaku and launched it at the demon!

"Hey, maybe it's your turn to be penetrated!" Shukaku roared as he formed a large spear made of sand, compressing it as he threw it at the trident Shigetaka threw! Shukaku's eyes widened as Shigetaka's trident easily pierced the sand spear and was flying right at him! Shukaku raised a massive wall of sand that the trident still pierced through, and in order to avoid getting impaled, Shukaku merged with the sand at his feet and reemerged a few yards away. "I'm all for gettin' impaled on a rod, but how the fuck did your tiny spear go through my fuckin' sand?!"

"Steel Release: Trident of Perfection," Shigetaka said, forming the large, ornate trident, the three prongs were tipped with drills that spun rapidly! "This is a jutsu I invented, one that maximizes shape manipulation and chakra control to its highest point. I have not found anything that could defend against this weapon, truly perfection."

"The fuck is with that weapon, you compensating for your tiny cock?" Shukaku growled, getting ready to attack.

"To distract you," Shigetaka calmly replied. Suddenly, Shukaku felt cold steel touch his sandy body. Turning his head around, Shukaku saw a clone of Shigetaka that said, "Steel Release: Petrification."

Shukaku swung at the clone which exploded into a mass of metal that covered the demon! Shukaku madly screamed as he tried to rip off the steel, but it kept growing over his skin! Soon it was wrapped around his torso and covering his legs! It was rapidly spreading to Shukaku's chest as Shigetaka hefted the trident above his head.

"I'd rather not kill you but I cannot see a way of ending this without lethal force. The Uchiha will be a proper prize for the Frost anyway," Shigetaka said, throwing the trident directly at Shukaku!

"YOU FUCKER!" Shukaku howled.

What will Shukaku do?!

Critical Moment!

[] Merge into the sand underneath to escape!

[] Harden the sand on his skin as much as possible to defend!

[] Counter with a tidal wave of sand!

[] Blow that damn trident away with some wind!

[] Write In.

 

[Megacookie]

Shukaku growled as he removed the outer layer of sand covering his skin that was being overtaken by steel. He shrunk down to a size where he wouldn't be trapped within the steel coffin and dug his way under the ground. Shukaku felt the vibrations above from Shigetaka's spear easily piercing the steel shell Shukaku formerly was in!

"Alright you fuck! I'm about to take yer ass from behind!" Shukaku sneered as he emerged behind Shigetaka, the emotionless man spinning around to see the Tailed Beast. However, Shigetaka was too slow to counter as Shukaku reared back a monstrous claw and slammed it into Shigetaka's chest! Blood spurted from Shigetaka's mouth as he flew backwards, the claw of sand following him and trapping him against a thick, steel covered tree. He struggled to free himself, but Shukaku sent more sandy claws, smashing against Shigetaka who had no way to defend against the brutal assault.

"Take this! I'm gonna punch a new fuck hole into ya!" Shukaku roared as he sent one last sand claw at Shigetaka, breaking the steel tree and sending Shigetaka skidding across the sand until he lay still. He was breathing, but it was very clear Shukaku had won! "Fuckin' ya up was almost as good as actually stickin' it in ya!"

Shukaku was deliriously happy, almost overjoyed in fact! The taste of victory was sweet, and with that vessel of his stuck in the back of his mind, he was free to do whatever he'd want! He laughed madly into the air as he considered his options...

[] Been awhile since you were in control! Feel up those sweet tits your vessel has!

[] You got one win, you have a lust for another! Bring the pain on the other three!

[] You're super horny right now, see if anyone is down to fuck!

[] "I've...had enough...!"

Adhoc vote count started by Megacookie on Dec 24, 2018 at 1:42 PM, finished with 6 posts and 4 votes.

• ---

  2 people have voted

  [X] "I've...had enough...!"

  • JiggyStreet
  • Mizu0005

  2 people have voted

  [X] Been awhile since you were in control! Feel up those sweet tits your vessel has!

  • veekie
  • wingstrike96

 

[Megacookie]

"I've...had enough!"

"What...? Argh, shut up you dumb broad!" Shukaku growled out loud, pain throbbing through his head.

"You did your job, now return control of my body...!"

"Fuck you!" Shukaku roared, thrashing wildly as he sent wave after wave of sand in all directions.

"We gotta stop Nou!" Sozen shouted as he made hand seals and boy flickered in front of the Tailed Beast. His Sharingan was activated, but Shukaku raised a wall of sand between himself and the Uchiha. However, Shukaku then felt something touching his back. Turning his head, he saw Suguru with a single hand seal.

"Energy Release: Disruption!"

Shukaku bellowed out as the sand coating his vessel's body rapidly flew off, revealing her human form. Shukaku tried to push Suguru away with a wave of sand, but all that came was a small handful that bounced off his body! Shukaku felt his control over chakra come back, but he felt something getting jabbed into his neck!

"What the fuck...!" Shukaku screamed as he felt his body suddenly lose feeling. He fell to the ground, unable to move at all as intense pain wracked his body. "I'm into bondage and shit, but this is fuckin' ridiculous...! What the fuck is happenin'?!"

"I am unsure if a beast like you will understand, but it's my special poison," Sasori coldly said, shuffling up to Shukaku. "All of my weapons are coated in it, it leaves you completely paralyzed for three days before it kills you. I'd much rather have Saito back compared to you."

"Fuck this, then that dumb bitch can deal with this!" Shukaku grunted, wanting to escape the pain. With that, Shukaku willingly gave control back to his vessel...

---

You suddenly 'woke up' with a loud gasp. It felt like every nerve was on fire and you couldn't do anything but moan in severe pain. Sozen knelt down beside you and angrily looked at Sasori.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Sozen cried out.

"I stopped that lurid beast in the quickest and easiest way I could," Sasori nonchalantly answered.

"Do...you have the...antidote...?" you gasped, powering through the pain.

"At my place, yes. So, if you want to live, then we best get going," Sasori bluntly said before shuffling away.

"You...!" Sozen muttered, but he shook his head and looked back to you. "We're gonna get you all back in order, alright Nou?"

You couldn't really reply at this point, but when Sozen lifted you it felt like fiery daggers were being inserted at every inch of your skin. You screamed and Sozen cringed as he realized what he did. "I'm so sorry Nou! Look, I can put you to sleep with a genjutsu, it'll stop you from hurting while we get you treatment. But it's up to you."

You groaned in pain, going to sleep would totally help with your pain levels, but going to sleep is dangerous...it means you'd have to meet with Shukaku and you have already seen quite enough of him...

What will you do?

[] Ask Sozen to put you to sleep. The pain is unbearable...

[] Stay awake. You'd rather be in ungodly pain than talk to Shukaku.

Adhoc vote count started by Megacookie on Dec 27, 2018 at 9:55 PM, finished with 13 posts and 7 votes.

• ---

  2 people have voted

  [X] "I've...had enough...!"

  • JiggyStreet
  • Joltikeon

  2 people have voted

  [X] Ask Sozen to put you to sleep. The pain is unbearable...

  • veekie
  • Black King

  2 people have voted

  [X] Stay awake. You'd rather be in ungodly pain than talk to Shukaku.

  • Giga
  • Mizu0005

  1 people have voted

  [X] Been awhile since you were in control! Feel up those sweet tits your vessel has!

  • wingstrike96

Adhoc vote count started by Megacookie on Dec 27, 2018 at 9:55 PM, finished with 5 posts and 4 votes.

• ---

  2 people have voted

  [X] Ask Sozen to put you to sleep. The pain is unbearable...

  • veekie
  • Black King

  2 people have voted

  [X] Stay awake. You'd rather be in ungodly pain than talk to Shukaku.

  • Giga
  • Mizu0005

Adhoc vote count started by Megacookie on Dec 28, 2018 at 2:51 PM, finished with 5 posts and 4 votes.

• ---

  2 people have voted

  [X] Ask Sozen to put you to sleep. The pain is unbearable...

  • veekie
  • Black King

  2 people have voted

  [X] Stay awake. You'd rather be in ungodly pain than talk to Shukaku.

  • Giga
  • Mizu0005

Adhoc vote count started by Megacookie on Dec 30, 2018 at 11:48 PM, finished with 6 posts and 5 votes.

• ---

  3 people have voted

  [X] Stay awake. You'd rather be in ungodly pain than talk to Shukaku.

  • Giga
  • Mizu0005
  • Joltikeon

  2 people have voted

  [X] Ask Sozen to put you to sleep. The pain is unbearable...

  • veekie
  • Black King

 

[Megacookie]

"No...!" you growled, "I'd rather...deal with the pain..."

"R-Really? I mean, I'm not gonna stop you, but it'll be rough," Sozen worriedly said.

"Nothing could...be rougher than having to...talk to t-that beast!" you spat out.

"Oh...I see. Well, alright then. We'll get you to the Sand as fast as we can," Sozen said. He then turned to Suguru, who was busy carefully healing Shigetaka with medical jutsu. "What about you? We don't want any more trouble."

"Miss Saito has defeated my father, thus by law of the Frost Empire, we are to follow whoever is strongest. The deal was if Miss Saito won, father and I would see if an alliance with the Sand is possible. I see no reason to betray the deal we have made," Suguru said softly.

"Alright then. Is he gonna be alright?" Sozen asked, pointing at the unconscious Shigetaka.

"Father is stable for now, but a more detailed analysis is needed, I only know basic medical jutsu," Suguru answered, now walking towards you. "I cannot rid you of the poison Miss Saito but if I may, I can soothe your physical injuries. Is that acceptable?"

"Do it," you commanded, wanting any relief from the agony you were in. Suguru nodded and placed his hands over you, green chakra flowing from his hands and into your body. Any injury from the fight was healed to an extent and you did feel better, but the pain and numbness of Sasori's poison was still rather overwhelming.

"Hurry it up, I won't wait for you!" Sasori yelled from a distance. Sozen sighed in annoyance before placing you on his back, carrying you in a piggyback position. Meanwhile, to the side, Suguru did the same with his father. As Sozen began walking, you gritted your teeth as each new step gave you a fresh throb of pain. You were going to have some words with Sasori...

---

The day went by excruciatingly slow for you. Despite making good time in general, the poison was simply unrelenting in it's effects. Eventually night fell and camp was made. You were exhausted, both physically and mentally. Not sleeping may have been a bad idea, but you were determined not to meet that damned demon in you. Sozen had propped you up against a small mound of earth he had created with some chakra, and began to prepare dinner.

In your sight, you saw Sasori with his back to the group, drawing designs in the dirt with his tail before quickly erasing them. Suguru was sitting with Shigetaka, who had regained consciousness during the journey. Barring a few questions, Shigetaka mostly kept to himself and Suguru was just as quiet.

Since you weren't going to sleep, you had to pass the time somehow...

What will you do?

[] Talk to Sozen.

[] Talk to Sasori.

[] Talk to Shigetaka.

[] Talk to Suguru.

[] Keep to yourself and practice your sand artistry.

[] Write In.

 

[Megacookie]

"Sozen, bring me closer..." you slowly said. Sozen turned around and gave you a worried look, but you explained that you wanted to talk to him while he made dinner. He was visibly relieved and slowly carried you over near the campfire and sat you up on a mound of earth similar to the one he made before.

"So, how're you?" Sozen awkwardly began as he began making a small spit over the fire.

"In pain..." you grunted.

"Y-Yes. I'm sorry Nou. If I was able to stop that demon before Sasori could get to you..." Sozen muttered, trailing off.

"Not your fault, but hopefully...Sasori will treat me as soon as we get to the village," you said, trying your best to relax through the pain.

"Y-Yeah."

"So Sozen...what's your story?" you asked, curious as to why an Uchiha would move to the Sand Empire.

"Hm...well. It's not really a secret, you do know the civil war in the Leaf Empire, yes?" Sozen asked in response.

"Bits and pieces, I know the Uchiha and Senju are against each other at least...ghk!" you said before a throb of pain passed through your body.

"Well, yeah. I was forced to choose between my family and my village and...I chose to escape both. Either way, I would've been dead if I had stayed," Sozen grimly sighed. "It wasn't easy escaping, there were weeks of my life spent fighting and hiding."

"Sounds...rough," was all you managed to spit out before another lance of pain went through your body. Sozen made sure you were alright several times before continuing.

"Rough...yeah, that's a good word for it. But that's behind me now. I found my soulmate in Pakura and I have my own family now!" Sozen cheerfully said.

"Do they know your past?"

"My wife does, the kids...well, they know they have Uchiha blood in them, seeing how they both unlocked the Sharingan," Sozen cryptically answered. "They don't need to know their...extended family."

"An Uchiha who ran from his old family and his village to live...while making a new family elsewhere. It's a miracle that happened while the war has been going on," you thought. You were curious about Sozen's life, so you decided to ask him about...

[] The specifics of why he left the Leaf Empire.

[] How he survived being hunted down by the Leaf Empire.

[] About his old family.

[] How he met Pakura.

[] About his kids.

[] Write In.

 

[Megacookie]

Not wanting to pry too deep into why Sozen left the Leaf, you decided to ask a lighter question. "So, how did you meet Pakura? Marrying one of the Hellfire Twins is impressive, hell it caused an uproar within the Sand Empire if I remember correctly."

'Heh...y-yeah," Sozen muttered with a small smile, his cheeks reddening. "Well, it was after my escape from the Leaf. I managed to reach the desert of the Sand Empire but I was out of resources. No food, water, even the clothes on my back were in tatters. I truly thought I would die in the desert. But as luck would have it, Pakura and a few other shinobi were out on patrol and they found me. I think she said they were gonna imprison me to make sure I wasn't a spy, but shortly after that a squad from the Leaf had caught up."

You nodded, heavily invested in Sozen's story. After taking a deep breath, Sozen continued, "The Leaf demanded them to hand me over, but Pakura refused. She later told me that I looked so helpless, she couldn't just leave me to die. Heh...yeah, that's me. Always helpless. Anyway, they began to fight. But the Sand shinobi quickly lost, the Leaf shinobi only having some minimal losses. Pakura was the only survivor and she was close to death...these strangers fighting for me...I decided I couldn't let her die. Not for my worthless life."

"Don't tell me you managed to...fight off an entire group alone while nearly dead!" you exclaimed before cringing as pain throbbed throughout your body.

"Of course not. It was by sheer misfortune that...she appeared," Sozen sighed. "My sister, Ibuki, had been tracking me as well, and just caught up. Her appearing was...well. Ibuki was never the most stable and me leaving didn't really help. She interrogated me, asking why I left and such. When I gave her an honest answer she...became infuriated and blindly slaughtered her allies."

"Why the hell she do that?" you asked after another surge of pain.

"I don't know. With Ibuki...I've never known how she saw the world. But luckily in her rage, I managed to catch her in a genjutsu and put her to sleep. Then I took Pakura and ran. Pakura was still conscious enough to know of a small, hidden town where we could hide and heal. We were both on the verge of death when we collapsed near the outskirts where some of the villagers found us and graciously took us in. They weren't shinobi and their resources were scarce, so it took a very long time for us to heal. Thankfully the Leaf seemed to have call off the hunt at that point, I was probably a lost cause to them."

Sozen stretched and put some meat on the spit before going back to his story, "in that month, Pakura and I...talked. We talked a bunch. I learned about her, she learned about me and I suppose the sparks flew! Heh...but yeah. After that special month, Pakura and I were firmly in love. That's why it caused such an uproar when Pakura came back to the Sand. A famous kunoichi vanishing and thought dead after a mission gone wrong coming back holding hands with an Uchiha? An Uchiha who by all rights could have been a spy or assassin?"

"Yeah, that makes sense..." you muttered.

"So...yeah! That's how Pakura and I met. Probably not the most romantic way but fate has its way of working out," Sozen chuckled. You chuckled to yourself, but you were beginning to feel exhausted. You told Sozen this and he nodded. "Alright, just rest as much as you can. It was good talking to you, Nou."

"Same," you sighed as you laid your head back on the mound of earth. Thankfully, dinner was soon finished and having a warm meal helped ease your discomfort. Eventually everyone except you and Sasori (who was taking watch for the night) fell asleep. You didn't feel like talking to him yet, so you just ignored him and tried to keep yourself up.

---

Another grueling day of travel was settling down. It was much like the first, quiet, awkward, and exhausting. As the sun began to set, Sozen set you down and prepared to make camp, but Sasori eyed him angrily.

"What are you doing, Uchiha? The village is only half a day's travel away. We can make it if we keep on going. Hurry it up," Sasori coldly said.

"We can't!" Sozen shot back. "Nou can't continue for now, she is way too exhausted!"

"Then you are torturing Saito by delaying her treatment," Sasori responded.

"I would rather be out of this god-forsaken desert," Shigetaka monotonously added, while Suguru merely nodded with his father's wishes.

Well? What do you think of this?

[] You want to be cured as soon as possible, tell Sozen you are strong enough to reach the Sand.

[] You need the rest, you can't stand any more travel right now.

Adhoc vote count started by Megacookie on Jan 8, 2019 at 5:17 PM, finished with 4 posts and 4 votes.

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  2 people have voted

  [X] You want to be cured as soon as possible, tell Sozen you are strong enough to reach the Sand.

  • Giga
  • JiggyStreet

  1 people have voted

  [X] You need the rest, you can't stand any more travel right now.

  • veekie

  1 people have voted

  [X] You want to be cured as soon as possible, tell Sozen you are strong enough to reach the Sand.
  -[X] Tell him that really the constant pain makes it not that restful anyway

  • Mizu0005