Ascension (Sequel to Ruination)

[18] Fog of War

Hope you guys enjoy! Fair warning there may be typos or grammar errors, when I write it's in the middle of the night usually because that's when I get my inspiration and sometimes I'm super tired when that happens :)

As soon as the team of ninja docked in the largest port of the Land of Snow they were met with an escort team. Two Shinobi and the Right Hand of the Feudal Lord. "Hello, thank you for coming. I trust your journey went well?"

"Yes, it did, thank you for asking," Neji spoke politely, ignoring the groans that TenTen, Kiba, and Shikamaru let out. Yuzuki deadpanned, embarrassed that she and Neji were making this mission more of an annoyance than was necessary.

"C'mon guys it's not that bad, is it?" She asked.

"This is such a drag."

"You guys are being so immature."

"This sucks."

The girl frowned, mumbling to herself about how much of a nuisance the Hyūga was making this mission out to be.

The man that greeted them ignored the rest of the team as well, setting his eyes on Yuzuki after talking to Neji. "Ah! The Hero! It's so nice to finally meet you. I'm a huge fan!"

"Huh?!" Said Yuzuki, who was startled when the stranger took her hands in his.

"Thank you so much for all you've done, you're truly brave and virtuous."

"Tch." The Hatake heard Neji scoff, she shot a glare towards him.

"Why thank you," she could feel Neji's glare on her back. "At least someone appreciates me." To say that Neji's annoyance was satisfying would have been an understatement.

"And Shikamaru Nara!" The man exclaimed as he approached the bored-looking boy.

"Hm?" He turned to the man and raised a brow at his excitement.

"It's so great to have you all here! Come, come, we should all hurry to the capital. The Feudal Lord is waiting for you!" The man told his escorts to flank the Leaf ninja, turning around and walking away from them. They all looked at each other, then followed behind the man.

He looked to be in his forties, his hair was a light brown with great streaks running through it.

Yuzuki and Shikamaru wondered if the rest of the people of the Land of Snow would react the same or if it was just him. It would certainly make for an awkward trip to the palace if the former were the case.

~

Everyone signed in with the guards at the front gates to the Land of Snow capital, being met with several more guards that flanked every side of the Leaf ninja.

"Hey, what's up with all the guards?" Kiba asked, Akamaru letting out a bark as well. They all looked to the man who turned his head in their direction to speak.

"They're for your protection. You see, with the invasion of the Land of Glass' Shinobi Forces, we've been ordered to keep the capital under tight security for fear of any attacks. We don't believe that our enemies know of our request for aid but we can never be too safe."

Turning down a new street, they entered an area of the capital that housed hundreds of tents lined up next to each other, there were clusters of Snow shinobi, many of which appeared to be injured. Some were missing limbs while others were sporting bandages on their faces and other areas of their bodies.