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Hours later, the Reapers were moving fast through the trees, deeper into the Fire Country. The Reaper with the long blonde hair led the way near the Valley of the End.
“We are almost to our objective. Once there we will proceed with our mission.” He said.
At that moment a shuriken flew past the leader’s face. He barely dodged it. It did however strike another Reaper in the face. The Reapers came to a halt and stared down their attackers. It was Satori and Junshin’s team but Satori’s face was in total shock.
“What is going on?” Satori asked. “How is he alive?”
“Who is that?” Junshin asked.
“Ronin. He turned on us and joined the Rock ninjas. But I killed him a few years ago.”
“I saw it myself. He’s supposed to be dead.” Azumi said.
“Still looks dead.” Satori said pulling his two sai from their holdsters.
A smile appeared on Ronin’s face.
“How are you living?” Satori asked.
“I’m not sure myself. But that is what the Reapers are good at. I remember your fist going through my chest then the next thing I know I’m on a table with Reapers all around me. My team became Reapers as well. We assimilate ninjas from other villages into our own. You will either join us or die.”
“Well, we’re not joining and I hate dying so I guess we don’t like our options.” Satori said. “But there’s always as third option.”
“There is never a third option. Besides me, there are two other generals to this army that is before you. You’ll have to beat the three of us, not to mention this army of Reapers….”
Ronin was cut off by Satori instantly appearing next to him and kicking him in the side of the head, sending him skipping across the ground.
“Damn, shut up. Do you like to listen to yourself talk?”
Ronin stood up with a smile on his face. “Now you’ll die.”
“Good, I hate long waits.” Satori smirked.
The two former friends charged at one another to do battle. Meanwhile, the rest of the Konoha team faced off against rest of the Reapers. The other two generals stood proudly in front of the Reaper army. They drew their swords as their enemies got closer. Shuji activated his Sharingan and drew his two swords, Junshin molded his bracelets into kunai, the other five stood ready as they engaged in battle. Satori noticed that his team was greatly outnumbered. With his index and middle fingers extended from each hand, he placed his right hand in front of his left with his fingers touching.
“Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu.” (Mass Shadow Clone Technique)
An army of Satori clones appeared and ran to help fight the Reapers while Satori and Ronin battled it out. Junshin and Shuji fought against one general as the other five faced the other. Shuji attacked will full force but he couldn’t get past the general’s defenses. The only thing that was happening was his blades hitting the general’s blade. Even though Shuji had two swords, the general would block one and dodge the other. Junshin ran up behind the general, leapt into the air thinking he had the drop on him. He raised his kunai above his head and brought down upon the general. At the last second, the general turned around and blocked the kunai with his sword. Shuji saw an opening. He swung his sword downward but it was blocked by the sheath of the general’s sword. Shuji swung his reverse bladed sword knowing he had a shot to at least cut the guy but it was stopped by the bottom of the general’s boot. Junshin and Shuji stood there in total shock. The general, stepping on the blade of Shuji’s sword, spun around kicked and Shuji across the face causing him to drop his swords, then he picked Shuji up by the back of the shirt and threw him into Junshin.
“I thought you Sharingan users could counter any move and beat anyone.” Junshin said.
“I’m having a hard time reading his movements. It’s like I have normal eyes or something.” Shuji said.
The general appeared behind them and kicked them both in the back. Shuji was able to recover his two swords while sliding across the ground. Junshin however, looked unconscious against a rock.
“You’re friend looks like he’s done already.”
“That’s what you think.” A voice said behind him.
The general turned around to see Junshin standing behind him. The general looked back to see a log was in Junshin’s place.
“That’s cute.”
Junshin did a series of handseals.
“Raiton: Kane no…”
“I got this one Junshin.” Shuji said cutting off Junshin.
Shuji swung his two swords around his body.
“Katon: Kaen Bure-do no Jutsu.” (Fire Element: Flame Blade Technique)
Shuji charged in to fight the general while Junshin had a ‘what the hell?’ look on his face. The Reaper and the Konoha Chuunin clashed swords together. From Junshin’s point of view it didn’t look like either one could gain an advantage. The general blocked both blades with his own sword and sheath. Shuji held his own against the general for awhile and wasn’t letting up; of course he had the Sharingan so that helped him out a lot. Shuji swung both of his swords downward and at the last second the general stepped out of the way.  Both of the flame covered swords sliced into the ground. The general came down with a swipe from his sword. Shuji leapt out of the way.  The general was now on the offensive. Shuji held his swords horizonally above his head to block the general’s attacks. The general was making Shuji lose his ground. They backed out of the wooded area and towards the water. Junshin was tired of watching and decided to do something about it. He raised his fisted right hand to about face level and his left hand was positioned on his right arm’s elbow joint.
“Kinzoku Raishin.” (Lightning God of Metal)
The ground broke apart and metal rods appeared through the cracks all around the general. Lightning generated from the metal rods and struck the general. Junshin did his best not to injure Shuji in the process therefore he couldn’t go all out with this technique. The general howled in pain and dropped to the ground. Shuji was surprised.
“That was amazing.” He said.
Junshin smirked. However, their slight celebration was cut short by the general getting to his feet. He quickly swung his sword at Shuji but the Sharingan user quickly blocked it. Shuji then saw the muscles in the general’s shoulders move. He knew that the general was going to use his arms to attack another way but to Shuji’s surprise he felt a jarring in his chin from an unseen force. The impact sent Shuji flying through the air. The general had faked out Shuji by moving his shoulder muscles to get Shuji’s attention and make him think that he was going to use his arms to attack but in reality he kicked Shuji. Shuji was out cold when he hit the water. He was caught in the current of the waterfall and went tumbling over the edge between the two rock statues.
“SHUJI!” Junshin called out.
Junshin turned his attention back to the general. The general appeared next to Junshin and kicked him in the side of the head. Junshin flew through the air and landed next to a tree.
“That hurt a bit.”
The general charged and hit Junshin again only this time it was with the sheath of his sword. Junshin dropped to the ground. He was on his hands and knees. The general then kicked Junshin in the stomach, knocking the air of out of him. He then picked up the Leaf ninja by the back of the neck and slammed him into the near by tree. He then stabbed Junshin through the shoulder with his sword and let him hang there. He then repeatedly beat him with the sheath of his sword. After five or six times of hitting Junshin, the general threw Junshin near the river’s edge which was about a hundred yards away. Junshin unsteadily got to his knees, holding his bleeding shoulder.
“Still breathing I see. I’ll put an end to that.”
“We’ll see.” Junshin snapped.
Junshin slammed his hands on the ground. The metal rods liquefied and swarmed around the general and eventually covered him and forming into a ball. Junshin could hear the general yelling from within the sphere. Junshin breathed heavily. He raised his right hand close to his face with his index and middle fingers extended.
“KATSU!”
The metal sphere exploded, leaving nothing of the general. Junshin smiled.
“I’m still breathing, you bastard, and you are not.” He said precariously.
He fell onto his back and looked up at the sky. He watched the semi-dark clouds go by.
“That last attack took a lot out of me. And hanging from that tree really hurt and will probably leave a mark. It better not end this way. I’ve come too far for it to end this way. I would like to see brother again too.” He thought to himself.
He slowly and painfully reached into his back pocket and pulled out a Rock forehead protector. He held it up so he could see it. He looked at it for a few seconds before losing the strength to lift his arm. His arm fell freely to the ground. His hand still held onto the head protector of his former village.
FLASHBACK
A twelve year old Junshin ran down the streets of the Rock village. He had just got back to the village from a mission and was on his way home. He had been gone for about a week and wanted to see his mother and older brother. He opened the door and too his surprise he saw his mother on the floor. He ran to her side and held her in his arms.
“Mother? What happened?” He frantically asked.
She slowly opened her eyes to her youngest son. Even though she was so weak and in so much pain she forced a smile for she was happy to see him.
“Oh Junshin. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Tell me what happened.”
“Your brother, Deidara,….left the village.”
“Deidara did what?!”
“He wanted to pursue his art and…being here in the village….wasn’t…enough.”
Junshin could tell that his mother was getting weaker. It was getting harder and harder for her to talk.
“I’ll get you to the hospital.”
“No. They…can’t do…anything. Physically….there is nothing wrong.”
“Then what is it?” He asked.
Junshin’s eyes widened. He thought more into it. Other than him, his brother was the only other person in the family. His father died shortly before he was born during the Great War with Konoha. He was beginning to understand what was wrong with his mother. She was dying of a broken heart. Her husband was killed, her oldest son ran off and he was all that was left of the broken family.
“Make sure you…tell your brother…what happened, if you ever…see him again.” She said.
“I will. I promise.”
Seconds later, his mother slowly closed her eyes and she was gone. Junshin didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t sure if he should cry or keep it inside of him. He had been trained as a shinobi to show no emotion. He decided to go with his training.
A few days later he stood at his mother’s headstone.
“Mother, there’s something I have to do. I’m leaving the village to go after Deidara. The village is practically rejecting me because of the family. Everyone thinks of our family as a disgrace. So I am leaving for good.”
He paused for a second as if he was expecting a reply of some sort. He stepped forward and placed a flower in front of the headstone. He then turned around and headed out of the village.
TWO YEARS LATER
Junshin stumbled down the road in total exhaustion. He was out of rations and hadn’t eaten for days. He hadn’t seen or heard about his brother since he left the village. He saw a village up a head and he headed for it. The village had large green wooden doors with red characters on them.
“A village. Maybe I’ll be able to get some food or something.” He said to himself.
He mustered up the rest of his strength and headed towards the village entrance. As soon as he crossed under the archway, he passed out. The two traffic reporters, Izumo and Kotetsu ran to him.
“Hey, are you ok?” Kotetsu asked.
Izumo’s eyes widened at the sight of Junshin’s forehead protector.
“He’s a Rock ninja. We better inform Hokage-sama.”
Junshin awoke a few hours later in a hospital room. He looked around but he didn’t recognize the layout. Then he finally remembered that he entered a village and passed out. He got out of bed and went to the window. He opened the curtains and peered out upon the strange village. He looked down at the people passing by the hospital. Then he noticed the head protectors were of the Leaf village, the enemy of Rock. Then the door opened behind him. He turned around to see two women behind him. It was Tsunade and Shizune.
“I see you’re awake.” Tsunade said.
Junshin stood cautious as he watched Tsunade approach him.
“Am I being held prisoner here?” Junshin asked.
“You came to us and looked like you needed some help. So we gave it to you.”
“But I’m from the Rock village. I always heard that anyone from the Rock you’d kill.” Junshin said.
“Rock ninja propaganda. It may be true that we aren’t allies but I won’t turn down someone in need. No matter where they are from. Let me ask you this, what brings you to the fire country?”
“I left the Rock village in search of my brother not to mention that they look down upon my family because my brother left. I didn’t realize that I came to fall into the care of Konoha.”
“I’m the Hokage and if you’d like, I can grant you asylum here.”
Junshin thought for a minute as he weighed his options.
“I’ll stay.”
“Great.” Tsunade replied. “Rest here until your better then come see me.”
She began to walk out of the room but stopped in the doorway.
“One more thing, if you are to live in Konoha now, you will not wear that head protector here.”
Junshin looked over at the table where his head protector lay. He nodded in acknowledgement.
After Junshin had recovered he stood outside of the Hokage’s door and knocked on it.
“Enter.” Tsunade said from the other side.
He walked in and stood in front of the Fifth Hokage.
“Ah, Junshin. Here is the place you’re going to be staying.” She said handing him a piece of paper.
“Right. There is something else though.”
“Oh?”
“I’d like to become a Leaf ninja.”
Tsunade rested her elbows on her desk and clasped her fingers in front of her face.
“In order for that to happen you’ll have to go through special training to wash your hands of the Rock. You are now a citizen of Konoha and will abide by our rules. Since you have ninja training I will be able to issue this.”
She pulled out a Leaf forehead protector out of a desk drawer and tossed it to him.
“Wear that however you want to, there is no right way to wear it but wear it with pride.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama.”
END FLASHBACK
The rest of the group minus Satori was having a bit of trouble fighting off the Reapers along with the second general. With his sword drawn he was able to fend off the attacking Konoha ninjas. Hanako pulled out her hair needles and threw them into the general’s chest but that had no effect. He just pulled them out and kept attacking. Azumi came in with kunai drawn but she was quickly discarded. Kuma leapt into the air and threw shuriken at the general but the general quickly moved out of the way. However, the two shuriken struck two reapers in the face, killing them.
“That works too.” Kuma said before getting kicked in the back by the general.
Rikku charged in kicking at the general but natuarally he ducked but shot back up with an uppercut, sending her almost over the edge.
“Alright, it’s on.” Yaiba said.
He unsnapped his arm and leg weights and threw them at the general. The general thought they were a mere five pounds a piece but was terribly wrong. He raised his sword to slice through them but the sword was pushed back as the weights hit him. The general was knocked back a few feet but recovered quickly. He looked back up at his opponents and noticed one of them was missing. He turned around just in time to see the business end of Yaiba’s foot come flying through the air and connecting with his face. The general stumbled back in a bit of a daze. Yaiba continued his assault. His punches and kicks were lightning fast. He kicked the general over the edge of the cliff and into the water below. Yaiba ran and leapt off the edge of the cliff and followed through with his attacks. The general stood on the water and waited for Yaiba to get into the sword’s range. At the last second Yaiba disappeared and then the general felt a powerful blow come from the left side. The general was sent skipping across the water. When he finally stopped, Yaiba appeared above him and backhanded him into the cliff’s wall. The general pushed the rocks off of him and stood up. Yaiba was rather surprised that the general was still standing.
“I’m going to have to finish it off with this next attack.” Yaiba thought.
He charged in and leapt into the air. He thrust his left leg forward and at the last second the general ducked.
“What?” Yaiba said.
The general came in with a powerful punch that sent Yaiba into the air. The general followed and kicked Yaiba higher. He continued to kick Yaiba higher and higher into the air until they were past the edge of the cliff. Then he grabbed Yaiba by the ankle and threw him into his observing comrades. The general landed a few feet away from the fallen Leaf ninjas. Hanako got to her feet but was knocked down again by a kick to the face. Kuma and Yaiba were held by their throats, knocked into each other and then thrown into Azumi and Rikku. The five of them were not too far away from meeting their end. Rikku coughed up some blood as she tried to get up.
“I’ve got to use it. I have no choice.” She said.
The Cursed Seal on her neck glowed orange as it activated. The general looked a bit confused by the activity. He watched as a tribal design spread all across the girl’s body. Rikku stood straight up as if she wasn’t harmed at all.
“This chakra seems so evil coming from someone like her.” The general thought.
Satori and Ronin stopped fighting for a second and looked in the direction of Rikku.
“Is that Rikku? What is this chakra?” Satori thought.
The two of them stared at each other for a few seconds before Rikku made the first move. She lunged forward and her first punch was blocked but her next few punches connected. She finished off her combo with a kick to the general’s face. The general swung at Rikku but she leapt back to avoid the hit. Rikku rotated her head and cracked her neck. She jumped into the air then went for the general’s feet. The general flipped over his opponent and landed a few yards away. He turned around only to meet Rikku’s fist and the next thing he knew was that he was knocked into a tree. He quickly moved out of the way as the airborne Rikku had jumped onto the side of the tree, pushed off of it to another tree that was about three feet away then she finally landed on the ground and continued to pursue the general. She caught up to him and kicked in the face, then brought her foot down and kicked the back of his head with her heel. The general grabbed his sword and hit Rikku in the stomach with the hilt. The impact fazed her a bit but that was enough time for him to stand up and kick her in the chest. She noticed him towering over her and she moved out of the way of his punch. His fist hit the trunk of the tree behind Rikku and became stuck. Rikku knocked his arm out of the way as she grabbed him by his shirt and lunged forward. She brought her feet up close to her hands and planted them on the general’s stomach. She then pushed off of him slamming him into the ground. He recovered quickly and grabbed Rikku by her ankle. She was a bit surprised. He swung her around like a doll, slamming her into a tree then finally releasing her into the air. She flipped through the air then finally caught herself against the back of the head of the First Hokage statue. She used her chakra to keep herself attached to the statue. The two of them stared at each other. She then brought both of her feet together, recoiled herself then sprung outward toward the general. The general readied himself but couldn’t react fast enough as she grabbed him by the face and held him to the ground as she ran. She threw him into the air, flipped to her feet and then jumped up and grabbed the general and threw him to the ground. The general slammed into the ground disrupting the roots of a few trees that were nearby. Rikku landed nearby and slowly stood up. The other four Leaf ninjas looked in complete awe at Rikku as she stood up. She then realized that she had shown everyone her secret. The Cursed Seal retracted to its original spot on her neck. Then out of no where the general shot up out of the ground and kicked Rikku in the back. He stood over Rikku with his sword raised over his head and was about to bring it down on her. Yaiba, Azumi, Kuma and Hanako all attempted to get there but they were too far away. Then without warning something shot through the general’s back and out of his chest. It was a blade made out of blue chakra. The general fell over revealing who had stabbed him through the back. It was Angirineko Tsuku.
“Tsuku? Where did you come from?” Rikku asked.
“Konoha. Duh.” He said with a smile.
On the other side river, Satori and Ronin continued to battle for the second time. Satori’s two sai clanged against Ronin’s sword.
“You’re not going to beat me this time. You can’t use Katon on me because it has already been used against the Reapers and we’ve adapted to that technique.” Ronin said.
“You think that Gokakyu, Hosenka and my own Ryu-ken are the only Katon I know? Please.”
Ronin swung his sword and Satori caught it with his two sai. With the exception of their weapons between their faces, only a mere few inches separated them. Ronin grinned thinking he had Satori on the ropes.
“I’ll give you something to grin about.” Satori said.
He then spit his senbon into Ronin’s right eye. Ronin leapt back holding his injured eye.
“You’ll pay for that one.” Ronin said sheathing his sword.
Ronin put his hands in the form of the Ram, then Horse, then Dragon.
“Doton: Doryudan.” (Earth Element: Earth Dragon Bullet)
A dragon’s head made of rock appeared next to Ronin and fired kunai shaped rocks at Satori. A few of the rocks struck Satori in the chest. Ronin smiled at the sight but his smile faded when Satori disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
“That Kage Bunshin usin’ bastard is really annoying.”
The real Satori was one the other side of the head of the Uchiha Madara statue.
“That’s it, Satori. Hide like you always do.” Ronin said looking around.
“I got something for you.” Satori said.
He began to do handseals. Ox, Monkey, Rabbit, Rat, Boar, Bird, Ox, Horse, Bird, Rat, Tiger, Dog, Tiger, Snake, Ox, Ram, Snake, Boar, Ram, Rat, Monkey, Bird, Dragon, Bird, Ox, Horse, Ram, Tiger, Snake, Rat, Monkey, Rabbit, Boar, Dragon, Ram, Rat, Ox, Monkey, Bird, Rat, Boar, Monkey, Bird, Dragon, Bird, Ox, Horse, Ram, Tiger, Snake, Rat, Monkey, Rabbit, Boar, Dragon, Ram, Rat, Ox, Monkey, Bird, Rat, Boar, Bird.
“Suiton: Suiryudan no jutsu.” (Water Element: Water Dragon Bullet Technique)
Water in the shape of a dragon came up and slammed into Ronin’s position. Ronin had leapt out of the way right before it hit. It did however take out Ronin’s Doryudan. Satori leapt over the statue’s head and faced Ronin.
“Where did you learn that one? How did you learn that one? I thought you had fire chakra.”
“I also learned that I have water chakra as well.” Satori said smirking.
Ronin drew his sword and charged planning to take out Satori with this attack. Satori had other plans.
“Try this one.” Satori said doing the seals of the Ram, the Snake and the Tiger.
“Suiton: Koku no Jutsu” (Water Element: Black Rain Technique)
A black mist emitted from Satori. Ronin looked confused then a black rain drop hit his face. He looked up to the sky.
“Rain?”
He wiped the drop from his face and looked at his hand. He then noticed that it was black and it began to pour on him. He looked straight ahead and saw Satori arch his finger in front of his mouth.
“Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu” (Fire Element: Grand Fireball Technique)
Satori blew fire out and engulfed the oil covered Ronin. Even though, that the Gokakyu alone wouldn’t do anything against the Reapers since they experienced it before but combined with the Koku it will injure them greatly. Ronin attempted to put out the fire but it was no use. He was in too much pain to think straight. He didn’t even realize how close he was to the cliff’s edge. His foot took an errant step and he fell over the edge and into the water below. Satori peered over the edge and saw Ronin floating in the water. He let out a sigh of relief. He turned around and too his surprise, he saw his teammates coming toward him. Shuji and Junshin were using each other for support as they limped towards him. Satori was surprised to see Tsuku had arrived.
“How did you know we were here, Tsuku?”
“I was on the rooftops when you were gathering your teammates and was behind the traffic reporters post when you had said where you would face the Reapers. I figured I’d come out and see if any of you needed help.”
“It can’t be helped.” Satori said.
He looked around.
“It would appear that my clones had taken out the army of Reapers.”
“Actually, I helped them out quite a bit.” Tsuku said.
Satori looked a bit surprised but shrugged it off.
“I say it was a job well done.” Junshin said.
“I agree. Let’s get out of here.” Shuji said.
The others nodded their heads in agreement.
“Let’s go home.” Satori said.
The nine of them stood together as they started to leave the Valley of the End. Azumi and Satori stood side by side as they walked.
“You’re pretty dirty.” Satori said with a smirk.
“I’m even prettier when I’m clean.” Azumi said.
Satori let out a laugh as he pulled Azumi close. Then without warning Satori felt his arm pushed off of Azumi and in a flash Azumi was gone. He turned around to see Ronin holding Azumi about a hundred yards away.
“AZUMI!” Satori yelled.
Everyone turned around to see that their battle wasn’t over.
“Thought I was dead, didn’t you?”
“You look dead. You need to be.” Satori snapped.
“Is that anger I hear in your voice. Could that be because I’m holding your girl hostage?”
Ronin grabbed Azumi by her hair, forcing her head back. He then touched her neck with his index and middle fingers. Azumi let out a small scream as Ronin injected her.
“Now that I’ve injected her, she’ll soon become a Reaper.  There is no cure.”
Azumi reached into her leg pouch and pulled out a kunai, despite her pain and stabbed Ronin in the face. Ronin fell over dead for sure this time. Azumi fell to her knees and clinched her body.  Satori ran to her side. He looked into her eyes and noticed they were beginning to turn black just like the other Reapers.
“We’ll get you back and Tsunade-sama will help you.” Satori said
“Nope. It’s happening too fast. We wouldn’t make it in time.”
“Don’t say that.”
He held her close as she wrenched in pain.
“This is it. Tell Ishida and Masaki that I’ll miss them.”

“No, you can’t leave them. You can’t leave me.”
“You’re a Jonin. You can’t let your feelings get in the way of the mission. Just remember, I love you.” She said. “And take this.”
She reached behind her back and untied her head protector from her waist. Satori forced a smile and took the head protector as tears streamed down his face. “I love you too.”
Satori and Azumi leaned in for one last kiss.
“Now get away, I don’t want you caught in it.” She said as she pulled out a few explosive notes.
“I don’t know if I can leave you. Not willingly.”
Shuji appeared next to him and grabbed him. He wrapped his arms around Satori’s torso and pulled him back.
“AZUMI! AZUMI! WE CAN’T LEAVE HER. AZUMI!” He shouted as Shuji carried him away regardless of his objections.
Satori attempted to wrestle his way free of Shuji’s grip but then he felt something hit the back of his neck.
“Azumi. No. Don’t leave her.” He said as he passed out.
Azumi laid on her back. “Goodbye.”
A giant explosion erupted and shook the surrounding area. The leaving Leaf ninjas didn’t look back as they headed home.
A few days later, Tsunade stood in her office gazing out of the window. Shizune stood at her side. Tsunade was still thinking about the mission against the Reapers and its outcome.
“I’ve been thinking.” Tsunade said. “I was thinking about Satori and Azumi and their relationship. According to Satori’s reports the traitor Ronin was involved with the Reapers.”
“I don’t follow.” Shizune said.
“If you remember a few years ago Satori had fought Ronin after he had defected to the Rock and after that mission Satori’s and Azumi’s relationship had begun. It’s ironic for it to end with a mission that ended up involving Ronin.”
“Where is Satori now?” Shizune asked.
“I gave him a few days off.” Tsunade said.
Meanwhile, Satori sat on a hill where he and Azumi used to go. He reached into his vest and pulled out Azumi’s head protector. Tenten came up behind him and sat down next to him. He was a bit startled by her approach. He was deep into his thoughts and didn’t notice her come up to him.
“How are you doing, Nii-chan?”
Satori slightly nodded and tried to force a smile. Tenten put her arm around her brother. Satori rested his head on his sister’s shoulder and tried to hold back his tears but he couldn’t do it. Tenten ran her hand down his head. She even kissed the top of his head.
“It’s ok, Nii-chan. It’s ok to cry.”
After a few moments of silence the twins were joined by Hanako and Junshin.
“Well, we came to get you.” Junshin said.
Satori looked at Junshin confused.
“Come get me?”
“Yeah come with us.”
The four of them walked back into the business district of Konoha. They walked into a restaurant where a lot of their friends were waiting. The four of them joined the others and were given drinks. Ishida raised his drink into the air.
“Here’s to Azumi. She was a hell of a ninja and friend. She will be missed.”
The others raised their drinks to honor their fallen friend’s memory.
The End

Description
Hours later, the Reapers were moving fast through the trees, deeper into the Fire Country. The Reaper with the long blonde hair led the way near the Valley of the End.
“We are almost to our objective. Once there we will proceed with our mission.” He said.
At that moment a shuriken flew past the leader’s face. He barely dodged it. It did however strike another Reaper in the face. The Reapers came to a halt and stared down their attackers. It was Satori and Junshin’s team but Satori’s face was in total shock.
“What is going on?” Satori asked. “How is he alive?”
“Who is that?” Junshin asked.
“Ronin. He turned on us and joined the Rock ninjas. But I killed him a few years ago.”
“I saw it myself. He’s supposed to be dead.” Azumi said.
“Still looks dead.” Satori said pulling his two sai from their holdsters.
A smile appeared on Ronin’s face.
“How are you living?” Satori asked.
“I’m not sure myself. But that is what the Reapers are good at. I remember your fist going through my chest then the next thing I know I’m on a table with Reapers all around me. My team became Reapers as well. We assimilate ninjas from other villages into our own. You will either join us or die.”
“Well, we’re not joining and I hate dying so I guess we don’t like our options.” Satori said. “But there’s always as third option.”
“There is never a third option. Besides me, there are two other generals to this army that is before you. You’ll have to beat the three of us, not to mention this army of Reapers….”
Ronin was cut off by Satori instantly appearing next to him and kicking him in the side of the head, sending him skipping across the ground.
“Damn, shut up. Do you like to listen to yourself talk?”
Ronin stood up with a smile on his face. “Now you’ll die.”
“Good, I hate long waits.” Satori smirked.
The two former friends charged at one another to do battle. Meanwhile, the rest of the Konoha team faced off against rest of the Reapers. The other two generals stood proudly in front of the Reaper army. They drew their swords as their enemies got closer. Shuji activated his Sharingan and drew his two swords, Junshin molded his bracelets into kunai, the other five stood ready as they engaged in battle. Satori noticed that his team was greatly outnumbered. With his index and middle fingers extended from each hand, he placed his right hand in front of his left with his fingers touching.
“Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu.” (Mass Shadow Clone Technique)
An army of Satori clones appeared and ran to help fight the Reapers while Satori and Ronin battled it out. Junshin and Shuji fought against one general as the other five faced the other. Shuji attacked will full force but he couldn’t get past the general’s defenses. The only thing that was happening was his blades hitting the general’s blade. Even though Shuji had two swords, the general would block one and dodge the other. Junshin ran up behind the general, leapt into the air thinking he had the drop on him. He raised his kunai above his head and brought down upon the general. At the last second, the general turned around and blocked the kunai with his sword. Shuji saw an opening. He swung his sword downward but it was blocked by the sheath of the general’s sword. Shuji swung his reverse bladed sword knowing he had a shot to at least cut the guy but it was stopped by the bottom of the general’s boot. Junshin and Shuji stood there in total shock. The general, stepping on the blade of Shuji’s sword, spun around kicked and Shuji across the face causing him to drop his swords, then he picked Shuji up by the back of the shirt and threw him into Junshin.
“I thought you Sharingan users could counter any move and beat anyone.” Junshin said.
“I’m having a hard time reading his movements. It’s like I have normal eyes or something.” Shuji said.
The general appeared behind them and kicked them both in the back. Shuji was able to recover his two swords while sliding across the ground. Junshin however, looked unconscious against a rock.
“You’re friend looks like he’s done already.”
“That’s what you think.” A voice said behind him.
The general turned around to see Junshin standing behind him. The general looked back to see a log was in Junshin’s place.
“That’s cute.”
Junshin did a series of handseals.
“Raiton: Kane no…”
“I got this one Junshin.” Shuji said cutting off Junshin.
Shuji swung his two swords around his body.
“Katon: Kaen Bure-do no Jutsu.” (Fire Element: Flame Blade Technique)
Shuji charged in to fight the general while Junshin had a ‘what the hell?’ look on his face. The Reaper and the Konoha Chuunin clashed swords together. From Junshin’s point of view it didn’t look like either one could gain an advantage. The general blocked both blades with his own sword and sheath. Shuji held his own against the general for awhile and wasn’t letting up; of course he had the Sharingan so that helped him out a lot. Shuji swung both of his swords downward and at the last second the general stepped out of the way.  Both of the flame covered swords sliced into the ground. The general came down with a swipe from his sword. Shuji leapt out of the way.  The general was now on the offensive. Shuji held his swords horizonally above his head to block the general’s attacks. The general was making Shuji lose his ground. They backed out of the wooded area and towards the water. Junshin was tired of watching and decided to do something about it. He raised his fisted right hand to about face level and his left hand was positioned on his right arm’s elbow joint.
“Kinzoku Raishin.” (Lightning God of Metal)
The ground broke apart and metal rods appeared through the cracks all around the general. Lightning generated from the metal rods and struck the general. Junshin did his best not to injure Shuji in the process therefore he couldn’t go all out with this technique. The general howled in pain and dropped to the ground. Shuji was surprised.
“That was amazing.” He said.
Junshin smirked. However, their slight celebration was cut short by the general getting to his feet. He quickly swung his sword at Shuji but the Sharingan user quickly blocked it. Shuji then saw the muscles in the general’s shoulders move. He knew that the general was going to use his arms to attack another way but to Shuji’s surprise he felt a jarring in his chin from an unseen force. The impact sent Shuji flying through the air. The general had faked out Shuji by moving his shoulder muscles to get Shuji’s attention and make him think that he was going to use his arms to attack but in reality he kicked Shuji. Shuji was out cold when he hit the water. He was caught in the current of the waterfall and went tumbling over the edge between the two rock statues.
“SHUJI!” Junshin called out.
Junshin turned his attention back to the general. The general appeared next to Junshin and kicked him in the side of the head. Junshin flew through the air and landed next to a tree.
“That hurt a bit.”
The general charged and hit Junshin again only this time it was with the sheath of his sword. Junshin dropped to the ground. He was on his hands and knees. The general then kicked Junshin in the stomach, knocking the air of out of him. He then picked up the Leaf ninja by the back of the neck and slammed him into the near by tree. He then stabbed Junshin through the shoulder with his sword and let him hang there. He then repeatedly beat him with the sheath of his sword. After five or six times of hitting Junshin, the general threw Junshin near the river’s edge which was about a hundred yards away. Junshin unsteadily got to his knees, holding his bleeding shoulder.
“Still breathing I see. I’ll put an end to that.”
“We’ll see.” Junshin snapped.
Junshin slammed his hands on the ground. The metal rods liquefied and swarmed around the general and eventually covered him and forming into a ball. Junshin could hear the general yelling from within the sphere. Junshin breathed heavily. He raised his right hand close to his face with his index and middle fingers extended.
“KATSU!”
The metal sphere exploded, leaving nothing of the general. Junshin smiled.
“I’m still breathing, you bastard, and you are not.” He said precariously.
He fell onto his back and looked up at the sky. He watched the semi-dark clouds go by.
“That last attack took a lot out of me. And hanging from that tree really hurt and will probably leave a mark. It better not end this way. I’ve come too far for it to end this way. I would like to see brother again too.” He thought to himself.
He slowly and painfully reached into his back pocket and pulled out a Rock forehead protector. He held it up so he could see it. He looked at it for a few seconds before losing the strength to lift his arm. His arm fell freely to the ground. His hand still held onto the head protector of his former village.
FLASHBACK
A twelve year old Junshin ran down the streets of the Rock village. He had just got back to the village from a mission and was on his way home. He had been gone for about a week and wanted to see his mother and older brother. He opened the door and too his surprise he saw his mother on the floor. He ran to her side and held her in his arms.
“Mother? What happened?” He frantically asked.
She slowly opened her eyes to her youngest son. Even though she was so weak and in so much pain she forced a smile for she was happy to see him.
“Oh Junshin. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. Tell me what happened.”
“Your brother, Deidara,….left the village.”
“Deidara did what?!”
“He wanted to pursue his art and…being here in the village….wasn’t…enough.”
Junshin could tell that his mother was getting weaker. It was getting harder and harder for her to talk.
“I’ll get you to the hospital.”
“No. They…can’t do…anything. Physically….there is nothing wrong.”
“Then what is it?” He asked.
Junshin’s eyes widened. He thought more into it. Other than him, his brother was the only other person in the family. His father died shortly before he was born during the Great War with Konoha. He was beginning to understand what was wrong with his mother. She was dying of a broken heart. Her husband was killed, her oldest son ran off and he was all that was left of the broken family.
“Make sure you…tell your brother…what happened, if you ever…see him again.” She said.
“I will. I promise.”
Seconds later, his mother slowly closed her eyes and she was gone. Junshin didn’t know what to do. He wasn’t sure if he should cry or keep it inside of him. He had been trained as a shinobi to show no emotion. He decided to go with his training.
A few days later he stood at his mother’s headstone.
“Mother, there’s something I have to do. I’m leaving the village to go after Deidara. The village is practically rejecting me because of the family. Everyone thinks of our family as a disgrace. So I am leaving for good.”
He paused for a second as if he was expecting a reply of some sort. He stepped forward and placed a flower in front of the headstone. He then turned around and headed out of the village.
TWO YEARS LATER
Junshin stumbled down the road in total exhaustion. He was out of rations and hadn’t eaten for days. He hadn’t seen or heard about his brother since he left the village. He saw a village up a head and he headed for it. The village had large green wooden doors with red characters on them.
“A village. Maybe I’ll be able to get some food or something.” He said to himself.
He mustered up the rest of his strength and headed towards the village entrance. As soon as he crossed under the archway, he passed out. The two traffic reporters, Izumo and Kotetsu ran to him.
“Hey, are you ok?” Kotetsu asked.
Izumo’s eyes widened at the sight of Junshin’s forehead protector.
“He’s a Rock ninja. We better inform Hokage-sama.”
Junshin awoke a few hours later in a hospital room. He looked around but he didn’t recognize the layout. Then he finally remembered that he entered a village and passed out. He got out of bed and went to the window. He opened the curtains and peered out upon the strange village. He looked down at the people passing by the hospital. Then he noticed the head protectors were of the Leaf village, the enemy of Rock. Then the door opened behind him. He turned around to see two women behind him. It was Tsunade and Shizune.
“I see you’re awake.” Tsunade said.
Junshin stood cautious as he watched Tsunade approach him.
“Am I being held prisoner here?” Junshin asked.
“You came to us and looked like you needed some help. So we gave it to you.”
“But I’m from the Rock village. I always heard that anyone from the Rock you’d kill.” Junshin said.
“Rock ninja propaganda. It may be true that we aren’t allies but I won’t turn down someone in need. No matter where they are from. Let me ask you this, what brings you to the fire country?”
“I left the Rock village in search of my brother not to mention that they look down upon my family because my brother left. I didn’t realize that I came to fall into the care of Konoha.”
“I’m the Hokage and if you’d like, I can grant you asylum here.”
Junshin thought for a minute as he weighed his options.
“I’ll stay.”
“Great.” Tsunade replied. “Rest here until your better then come see me.”
She began to walk out of the room but stopped in the doorway.
“One more thing, if you are to live in Konoha now, you will not wear that head protector here.”
Junshin looked over at the table where his head protector lay. He nodded in acknowledgement.
After Junshin had recovered he stood outside of the Hokage’s door and knocked on it.
“Enter.” Tsunade said from the other side.
He walked in and stood in front of the Fifth Hokage.
“Ah, Junshin. Here is the place you’re going to be staying.” She said handing him a piece of paper.
“Right. There is something else though.”
“Oh?”
“I’d like to become a Leaf ninja.”
Tsunade rested her elbows on her desk and clasped her fingers in front of her face.
“In order for that to happen you’ll have to go through special training to wash your hands of the Rock. You are now a citizen of Konoha and will abide by our rules. Since you have ninja training I will be able to issue this.”
She pulled out a Leaf forehead protector out of a desk drawer and tossed it to him.
“Wear that however you want to, there is no right way to wear it but wear it with pride.”
“Yes, Hokage-sama.”
END FLASHBACK
The rest of the group minus Satori was having a bit of trouble fighting off the Reapers along with the second general. With his sword drawn he was able to fend off the attacking Konoha ninjas. Hanako pulled out her hair needles and threw them into the general’s chest but that had no effect. He just pulled them out and kept attacking. Azumi came in with kunai drawn but she was quickly discarded. Kuma leapt into the air and threw shuriken at the general but the general quickly moved out of the way. However, the two shuriken struck two reapers in the face, killing them.
“That works too.” Kuma said before getting kicked in the back by the general.
Rikku charged in kicking at the general but natuarally he ducked but shot back up with an uppercut, sending her almost over the edge.
“Alright, it’s on.” Yaiba said.
He unsnapped his arm and leg weights and threw them at the general. The general thought they were a mere five pounds a piece but was terribly wrong. He raised his sword to slice through them but the sword was pushed back as the weights hit him. The general was knocked back a few feet but recovered quickly. He looked back up at his opponents and noticed one of them was missing. He turned around just in time to see the business end of Yaiba’s foot come flying through the air and connecting with his face. The general stumbled back in a bit of a daze. Yaiba continued his assault. His punches and kicks were lightning fast. He kicked the general over the edge of the cliff and into the water below. Yaiba ran and leapt off the edge of the cliff and followed through with his attacks. The general stood on the water and waited for Yaiba to get into the sword’s range. At the last second Yaiba disappeared and then the general felt a powerful blow come from the left side. The general was sent skipping across the water. When he finally stopped, Yaiba appeared above him and backhanded him into the cliff’s wall. The general pushed the rocks off of him and stood up. Yaiba was rather surprised that the general was still standing.
“I’m going to have to finish it off with this next attack.” Yaiba thought.
He charged in and leapt into the air. He thrust his left leg forward and at the last second the general ducked.
“What?” Yaiba said.
The general came in with a powerful punch that sent Yaiba into the air. The general followed and kicked Yaiba higher. He continued to kick Yaiba higher and higher into the air until they were past the edge of the cliff. Then he grabbed Yaiba by the ankle and threw him into his observing comrades. The general landed a few feet away from the fallen Leaf ninjas. Hanako got to her feet but was knocked down again by a kick to the face. Kuma and Yaiba were held by their throats, knocked into each other and then thrown into Azumi and Rikku. The five of them were not too far away from meeting their end. Rikku coughed up some blood as she tried to get up.
“I’ve got to use it. I have no choice.” She said.
The Cursed Seal on her neck glowed orange as it activated. The general looked a bit confused by the activity. He watched as a tribal design spread all across the girl’s body. Rikku stood straight up as if she wasn’t harmed at all.
“This chakra seems so evil coming from someone like her.” The general thought.
Satori and Ronin stopped fighting for a second and looked in the direction of Rikku.
“Is that Rikku? What is this chakra?” Satori thought.
The two of them stared at each other for a few seconds before Rikku made the first move. She lunged forward and her first punch was blocked but her next few punches connected. She finished off her combo with a kick to the general’s face. The general swung at Rikku but she leapt back to avoid the hit. Rikku rotated her head and cracked her neck. She jumped into the air then went for the general’s feet. The general flipped over his opponent and landed a few yards away. He turned around only to meet Rikku’s fist and the next thing he knew was that he was knocked into a tree. He quickly moved out of the way as the airborne Rikku had jumped onto the side of the tree, pushed off of it to another tree that was about three feet away then she finally landed on the ground and continued to pursue the general. She caught up to him and kicked in the face, then brought her foot down and kicked the back of his head with her heel. The general grabbed his sword and hit Rikku in the stomach with the hilt. The impact fazed her a bit but that was enough time for him to stand up and kick her in the chest. She noticed him towering over her and she moved out of the way of his punch. His fist hit the trunk of the tree behind Rikku and became stuck. Rikku knocked his arm out of the way as she grabbed him by his shirt and lunged forward. She brought her feet up close to her hands and planted them on the general’s stomach. She then pushed off of him slamming him into the ground. He recovered quickly and grabbed Rikku by her ankle. She was a bit surprised. He swung her around like a doll, slamming her into a tree then finally releasing her into the air. She flipped through the air then finally caught herself against the back of the head of the First Hokage statue. She used her chakra to keep herself attached to the statue. The two of them stared at each other. She then brought both of her feet together, recoiled herself then sprung outward toward the general. The general readied himself but couldn’t react fast enough as she grabbed him by the face and held him to the ground as she ran. She threw him into the air, flipped to her feet and then jumped up and grabbed the general and threw him to the ground. The general slammed into the ground disrupting the roots of a few trees that were nearby. Rikku landed nearby and slowly stood up. The other four Leaf ninjas looked in complete awe at Rikku as she stood up. She then realized that she had shown everyone her secret. The Cursed Seal retracted to its original spot on her neck. Then out of no where the general shot up out of the ground and kicked Rikku in the back. He stood over Rikku with his sword raised over his head and was about to bring it down on her. Yaiba, Azumi, Kuma and Hanako all attempted to get there but they were too far away. Then without warning something shot through the general’s back and out of his chest. It was a blade made out of blue chakra. The general fell over revealing who had stabbed him through the back. It was Angirineko Tsuku.
“Tsuku? Where did you come from?” Rikku asked.
“Konoha. Duh.” He said with a smile.
On the other side river, Satori and Ronin continued to battle for the second time. Satori’s two sai clanged against Ronin’s sword.
“You’re not going to beat me this time. You can’t use Katon on me because it has already been used against the Reapers and we’ve adapted to that technique.” Ronin said.
“You think that Gokakyu, Hosenka and my own Ryu-ken are the only Katon I know? Please.”
Ronin swung his sword and Satori caught it with his two sai. With the exception of their weapons between their faces, only a mere few inches separated them. Ronin grinned thinking he had Satori on the ropes.
“I’ll give you something to grin about.” Satori said.
He then spit his senbon into Ronin’s right eye. Ronin leapt back holding his injured eye.
“You’ll pay for that one.” Ronin said sheathing his sword.
Ronin put his hands in the form of the Ram, then Horse, then Dragon.
“Doton: Doryudan.” (Earth Element: Earth Dragon Bullet)
A dragon’s head made of rock appeared next to Ronin and fired kunai shaped rocks at Satori. A few of the rocks struck Satori in the chest. Ronin smiled at the sight but his smile faded when Satori disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
“That Kage Bunshin usin’ bastard is really annoying.”
The real Satori was one the other side of the head of the Uchiha Madara statue.
“That’s it, Satori. Hide like you always do.” Ronin said looking around.
“I got something for you.” Satori said.
He began to do handseals. Ox, Monkey, Rabbit, Rat, Boar, Bird, Ox, Horse, Bird, Rat, Tiger, Dog, Tiger, Snake, Ox, Ram, Snake, Boar, Ram, Rat, Monkey, Bird, Dragon, Bird, Ox, Horse, Ram, Tiger, Snake, Rat, Monkey, Rabbit, Boar, Dragon, Ram, Rat, Ox, Monkey, Bird, Rat, Boar, Monkey, Bird, Dragon, Bird, Ox, Horse, Ram, Tiger, Snake, Rat, Monkey, Rabbit, Boar, Dragon, Ram, Rat, Ox, Monkey, Bird, Rat, Boar, Bird.
“Suiton: Suiryudan no jutsu.” (Water Element: Water Dragon Bullet Technique)
Water in the shape of a dragon came up and slammed into Ronin’s position. Ronin had leapt out of the way right before it hit. It did however take out Ronin’s Doryudan. Satori leapt over the statue’s head and faced Ronin.
“Where did you learn that one? How did you learn that one? I thought you had fire chakra.”
“I also learned that I have water chakra as well.” Satori said smirking.
Ronin drew his sword and charged planning to take out Satori with this attack. Satori had other plans.
“Try this one.” Satori said doing the seals of the Ram, the Snake and the Tiger.
“Suiton: Koku no Jutsu” (Water Element: Black Rain Technique)
A black mist emitted from Satori. Ronin looked confused then a black rain drop hit his face. He looked up to the sky.
“Rain?”
He wiped the drop from his face and looked at his hand. He then noticed that it was black and it began to pour on him. He looked straight ahead and saw Satori arch his finger in front of his mouth.
“Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu” (Fire Element: Grand Fireball Technique)
Satori blew fire out and engulfed the oil covered Ronin. Even though, that the Gokakyu alone wouldn’t do anything against the Reapers since they experienced it before but combined with the Koku it will injure them greatly. Ronin attempted to put out the fire but it was no use. He was in too much pain to think straight. He didn’t even realize how close he was to the cliff’s edge. His foot took an errant step and he fell over the edge and into the water below. Satori peered over the edge and saw Ronin floating in the water. He let out a sigh of relief. He turned around and too his surprise, he saw his teammates coming toward him. Shuji and Junshin were using each other for support as they limped towards him. Satori was surprised to see Tsuku had arrived.
“How did you know we were here, Tsuku?”
“I was on the rooftops when you were gathering your teammates and was behind the traffic reporters post when you had said where you would face the Reapers. I figured I’d come out and see if any of you needed help.”
“It can’t be helped.” Satori said.
He looked around.
“It would appear that my clones had taken out the army of Reapers.”
“Actually, I helped them out quite a bit.” Tsuku said.
Satori looked a bit surprised but shrugged it off.
“I say it was a job well done.” Junshin said.
“I agree. Let’s get out of here.” Shuji said.
The others nodded their heads in agreement.
“Let’s go home.” Satori said.
The nine of them stood together as they started to leave the Valley of the End. Azumi and Satori stood side by side as they walked.
“You’re pretty dirty.” Satori said with a smirk.
“I’m even prettier when I’m clean.” Azumi said.
Satori let out a laugh as he pulled Azumi close. Then without warning Satori felt his arm pushed off of Azumi and in a flash Azumi was gone. He turned around to see Ronin holding Azumi about a hundred yards away.
“AZUMI!” Satori yelled.
Everyone turned around to see that their battle wasn’t over.
“Thought I was dead, didn’t you?”
“You look dead. You need to be.” Satori snapped.
“Is that anger I hear in your voice. Could that be because I’m holding your girl hostage?”
Ronin grabbed Azumi by her hair, forcing her head back. He then touched her neck with his index and middle fingers. Azumi let out a small scream as Ronin injected her.
“Now that I’ve injected her, she’ll soon become a Reaper.  There is no cure.”
Azumi reached into her leg pouch and pulled out a kunai, despite her pain and stabbed Ronin in the face. Ronin fell over dead for sure this time. Azumi fell to her knees and clinched her body.  Satori ran to her side. He looked into her eyes and noticed they were beginning to turn black just like the other Reapers.
“We’ll get you back and Tsunade-sama will help you.” Satori said
“Nope. It’s happening too fast. We wouldn’t make it in time.”
“Don’t say that.”
He held her close as she wrenched in pain.
“This is it. Tell Ishida and Masaki that I’ll miss them.”

“No, you can’t leave them. You can’t leave me.”
“You’re a Jonin. You can’t let your feelings get in the way of the mission. Just remember, I love you.” She said. “And take this.”
She reached behind her back and untied her head protector from her waist. Satori forced a smile and took the head protector as tears streamed down his face. “I love you too.”
Satori and Azumi leaned in for one last kiss.
“Now get away, I don’t want you caught in it.” She said as she pulled out a few explosive notes.
“I don’t know if I can leave you. Not willingly.”
Shuji appeared next to him and grabbed him. He wrapped his arms around Satori’s torso and pulled him back.
“AZUMI! AZUMI! WE CAN’T LEAVE HER. AZUMI!” He shouted as Shuji carried him away regardless of his objections.
Satori attempted to wrestle his way free of Shuji’s grip but then he felt something hit the back of his neck.
“Azumi. No. Don’t leave her.” He said as he passed out.
Azumi laid on her back. “Goodbye.”
A giant explosion erupted and shook the surrounding area. The leaving Leaf ninjas didn’t look back as they headed home.
A few days later, Tsunade stood in her office gazing out of the window. Shizune stood at her side. Tsunade was still thinking about the mission against the Reapers and its outcome.
“I’ve been thinking.” Tsunade said. “I was thinking about Satori and Azumi and their relationship. According to Satori’s reports the traitor Ronin was involved with the Reapers.”
“I don’t follow.” Shizune said.
“If you remember a few years ago Satori had fought Ronin after he had defected to the Rock and after that mission Satori’s and Azumi’s relationship had begun. It’s ironic for it to end with a mission that ended up involving Ronin.”
“Where is Satori now?” Shizune asked.
“I gave him a few days off.” Tsunade said.
Meanwhile, Satori sat on a hill where he and Azumi used to go. He reached into his vest and pulled out Azumi’s head protector. Tenten came up behind him and sat down next to him. He was a bit startled by her approach. He was deep into his thoughts and didn’t notice her come up to him.
“How are you doing, Nii-chan?”
Satori slightly nodded and tried to force a smile. Tenten put her arm around her brother. Satori rested his head on his sister’s shoulder and tried to hold back his tears but he couldn’t do it. Tenten ran her hand down his head. She even kissed the top of his head.
“It’s ok, Nii-chan. It’s ok to cry.”
After a few moments of silence the twins were joined by Hanako and Junshin.
“Well, we came to get you.” Junshin said.
Satori looked at Junshin confused.
“Come get me?”
“Yeah come with us.”
The four of them walked back into the business district of Konoha. They walked into a restaurant where a lot of their friends were waiting. The four of them joined the others and were given drinks. Ishida raised his drink into the air.
“Here’s to Azumi. She was a hell of a ninja and friend. She will be missed.”
The others raised their drinks to honor their fallen friend’s memory.
The End