My Brother's a Jinchūriki! EXTRAS

2018 Halloween Special- Part 6

*Here it is! The long-awaited conclusion! Sorry it wasn't all ready by Halloween. I didn't expect it to become such a fully-fleshed short story, but I hope that you've enjoyed it!*

Lee turned quickly to the group. "We have to find her and give her the pendant!'

As he turned to rush away, TenTen grabbed his shoulder, shaking her head and holding up a finger.

"Wait! Remember what Oto-sama said?" She paused and looked at the group. "If you tell a spirit that they are dead, they'll regain their memories and become dangerous. We have to be careful of what we say if we see her."

They nodded in unison and Natsumi looked at her. "Oto-sama said that?"

Sakura nodded and Natsumi thought for a moment.

"I've never known her to be wrong about anything before." Natsumi smiled faintly. "So, we should all be careful, then."

"How do we find the Princess?" Naruto scratched his cheek.

"Good question." Ino thought. "If she wanders the forest, she'll be impossible to track."

Kiba sniffed the air and Akamaru did the same, then he crossed his arms. "And she doesn't have a scent, either."

"We don't have to track her." Shikamaru rested a hand on his hip. "We know where she has been seen before. If we go there, she's bound to show up."

"Oh, that's right." Sakura nodded. "That tree is meaningful to her."

"What are we waiting for?" Lee clenched his fist, then pointed. "Let's go!"

He bounded away and TenTen sighed with a faint smile. "He's always so energetic."

"It is getting pretty late." Natsumi shrugged. "So, we should hurry, I guess."

They nodded and followed Lee.

-

Standing in the center of the quiet glade was a tall Maple with vibrant red leaves. Despite the chill in the air, not a single leaf had fallen to the ground. A light mist filled the area and clung to their skin in a chilly, damp layer. All sound from the forest was absent and left a bubble of unnatural silence.

"I don't see her anywhere." Naruto turned his head to scan the area, and they carefully walked around the clearing.

"This is where Oto and Guy-sensei mentioned meeting her. She'll turn up." Shikamaru quietly studied the tree while the others looked around.

Lee circled the tree and found a small memorial alter. It was concealed beneath vines and moss and darkened by the shadow of the tree. He wiped the stone's face clean and read the epitaph.

In memory of the Princess Akahime, the lovely blossom of the Uzumaki. May her soul rest in peace.

His eyes widened slightly and he pointed at the stone. "Look at this!"

They gathered around the memorial and Sakura knelt to touch the stone.

"When I first heard the story, I was skeptical," Sakura admitted quietly and Lee glanced at her, blushing faintly at how close she was. "But she was a real person, just like us."

"Hello?" A soft voice entered the glade and a chill ran down their spines. The voice sniffed and drew nearer. "Is... is someone there?"

They turned slowly and peered out of the shadows at the form of the Princess.