Paths of Divergence

Weathered

The picture above was drawn by jointrose. She's a fantastic artist, author and friend and I recommend going to her if you want a commission.

Chapter 10

-Weathered

The Hyuga assists his Uchiha captain through the forest as they head towards the sounds of ninja tools clanging off one another as well as explosions and ground rumblings coming from jutsu being used. Shizake carries his broken mask in one hand, his other arm draped around his friend and comrade. Nitatchi scans the forest with his Byakugan, using it to pinpoint the exact location of his other two teammates. After a few moments of searching the forest he sees four chakra signatures, two of them back to back with the other two on opposite sides of one another. Nitatchi finds a bush close by, observing the battle as he sets Shizake down who also watches the fight go on.

"Ready Shītto?!" Toshi yells, putting her palms together.

"Yeah!" The blonde and black haired ANBU replies, putting his palms together as well, "Wind style: Vacuum suction!"

As Shītto yells this, a tornado arises around him and Toshi, sucking in small twigs and leaves. As it gains more momentum it begins sucking in larger branches and rocks, shooting them up into the sky as they come within the tornado's walls. Soon enough, the enemy ninja begin skidding on their feet, slowly being sucked into the tornado of wind.

"Your turn, Toshi!" Shītto yells while keeping his chakra stream steady with his palms still together.

"Got it! Fire style: dragon blast jutsu!" The girl yells, spewing a stream of fire from her mouth at the wind tornado.

The fire is intensified by the tornado, flames flowing throughout the wind jutsu and combining with it to form a tornado of fire. With the intense velocity of the tornado, the masked enemies are unable to escape the tornado's suction. Within seconds they are thrown off their feet directly into the giant plume of wind and fire. After being caught up in the attack, they are thrown into the sky, which is right when the tornado of fire dissipates.

"Now!" Toshi and Shītto yell simultaneously as they both whip out kunai.

With the blink of an eye, they leap into the sky, striking their enemies in tandem. Blood gushes out of the masked men as they crash on to the forest floor with a thud. The two ANBU land, turning to one another and giving each other a high five for the job well done. They hear a rustling coming from some near by bushes, spinning the kunai into their hands once more. As Shizake and Nitatchi emerge, the two relax, putting their blades away. Shītto realizes his captain has been hurt as he rushes over to his side and drapes Shizake's free arm over his shoulder, taking some of the load off of Nitatchi's shoulders as well.

"I see you two are done with your fights," Toshi says to Nitatchi and Shizake.

"Yep! Shizake crushed that Kankaku dude," Nitatchi replies cheerfully.

"Couldn't have done it without you though..." Shizake adds.

"Well, now that we have everything done with, shouldn't we be getting back?" Shītto says, looking up at the sun hanging behind the gray clouds in the sky.

"Yes. We aren't too far away. It'll take a while considering my condition, but we should be back by sundown." Shizake says.

Toshi nods her head, "Right. Then lets get a move on."

***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***~~~***

The massive walls of The Hidden Leaf Village emerge over the horizon, the ANBU team setting their eyes on them. They pick up the pace, trying to make it within the gates as soon as possible before they are closed for the night. Several village ninja stand guard atop the gates as well as at the entrance, making sure enemies don't intrude at this time of night. As soon as the ANBU team comes into sight, the ninja atop the gate wave down to the ninja below who in return wave the ANBU in.