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Chapter Text

“Lord Raikage do you even hear yourself? This just sounds stupid!” Yugito shouted, two tails chakra unknowingly flaring from her.

“Yugito, watch your tongue when you speak to the Raikage! Do you question my ability to lead my village?” A snapped back, shattering the glass he held in his hand.

“Well with your current decisions, yes! Do you not trust my intuition? The akatsuki are out to get us! Me and Bee both! Does that not matter to you?” she argued, it was infuriating how the Cloud had treated her, for the past 20 years she had just taken it but this, she would not stand for.

“Yugito, you know you do not have the right to speak up against me,” A shouted, he was getting as irritated by this conversation as was Yugito.

“Well maybe if you took my concerns seriously ‘Lord Raikage’ we wouldn’t be having this conversation in the first place!” Yugito snarled, internally taking a moment to calm herself down, this wouldn't work if she couldn't control herself.

“What kind of evidence do you even have that this small Organization is after you? We can’t afford to do unnecessary things just because you had a hunch,” he said, though he had also made an effort to calm down.

“Is my word not enough? Is the word of one of your best shinobi and Jinchuriki not enough for you?” Yugito questioned, it had always been like this, even if it wasn’t explicitly stated, everyone around her seemed to act like she wasn’t as trustworthy just because of what they put inside her. 

A opened his mouth, as if to respond before Yugito cut him off.

“No, I’m done with your excuses! Come talk to me once you’re ready to take me seriously,” Yugito interrupted before he could respond, storming out of the Raikage’s office. 

As she exited, one of the ninja came up to her, asking, “Yugito? What happene-” 

“Out of my way,” Yugito snapped, pushing the ninja aside as she marched out of the building into the streets of the hidden cloud.

People cleared the path as she walked, partially out of respect, mostly out of fear for her and what she could do. It infuriated her to no end, she was a ninja, a member of the village, and she was treated like nothing more than an unstable bomb, ready to burst at any minute(though at this time, they were probably right)

How can he not trust me on this! After all this time. After all I’ve done for this village, the countless times I’ve helped others, saved others, killed others on the orders of the stupid Raikage. I’m a sitting duck here, and so is Bee. If A won’t take the precautions to keep us safe from the ‘Akatsuki’ then I’m done being the Cloud’s canon(fodder).

Yugito had stumbled on the Akatsuki by accident, she had overheard them talking while she was on a mission. She had tried to warn A about their plans(even though she didn’t know them fully) but he didn’t believe her. Like she would make this kind of shit up.

If he thinks I like to lie or make up false information, then he clearly doesn’t know me as well as I thought he did. I don’t want to stick around in this forsaken village any longer then I need to . She thought scornfully as she entered her small apartment. It was far away from most of the other living quarters, like she couldn’t be trusted to even keep the people around her safe when that was literally her job.

But Yugito was never one for the spotlight, that was more Bee’s thing anyway so she was fine with it(barring the racist reasons).

She gathered all her things and money into a small pack, changing into some more casual clothes and placing her combat ones in a small wooden box.

As she looked in the mirror, all her armor and wraps gone, her eyes drifted towards her forehead, where her Hidden Cloud headband was shining brightly in the setting sun.

If I’m going through with this, and I am, then this has to go in the box as well. She told herself as she untied the headband, finally placing it in the box.

Looking at her new outfit, she almost looked unrecognizable to those who didn’t take a closer look. This was good enough for her, she just needed to find Bee now. 

Yugito traveled the rooftops until she reached Bee’s house deep in the city’s center. It was ironic how she was placed in the furthest outskirts of the village and treated like an untrustworthy spy while Bee, a fellow jinchuriki was placed in the most central area and treated as a savior of the village just because he was the Raikage’s ‘brother’. Yugito respected and cared about Bee a lot but that was, to put it frankly, insulting, offensive, rude.

Yugito didn’t bother knocking at the front door, Bee probably wouldn’t answer it or worse, think it was one of his (0) fans. Instead she pried open the kitchen window, forcing herself inside.

“How’d it go, Yugito?” Bee asked in his annoying verse. It had been with him forever, and no matter how hard anyone tried, no one could ever erase that cursed speech. 

“It went terribly,” she groaned, she didn’t want to remember that situation, “you’re ‘glorious’ older brother won’t take me seriously because and I quote they, ‘can’t afford to do unnecessary things just because I had a hunch,’” she said spitefully.

“I’m sorry it went south, my older brother can’t always watch his mouth. What’s the plan, you gonna side with that man?” he asked, his words surprisingly insightful for a man who couldn’t rap to save his life.

“Hell no Bee, I’m done being treated this way! I’m leaving the hidden cloud, we’re sitting ducks Bee, eventually the Akatsuki will come for us and we won’t have time to flee!” she explained, feeling slightly prideful that she had accidentally made a rhyme better than Bee’s entire career.

“Well Yugito, if you think it’s time to go, then I have no choice but to follow. What’s the plan my man?” he asked. Yugito smiled to herself, she had never expected to find a loyal friend who was willing to betray his own village to stay with her in Bee. As much as she hated to admit it, Bee was probably her only true friend in this village full of fakes.

“First of all, we can’t be seen walking around looking like Shinobi, we need to blend in more with the public, so you need more casual clothes like mine,” Yugito was wearing a regular t-shirt with cargo pants where she kept all her ninja gear in the large pockets. She took out the wooden box, “Then, put your ninja clothes and headband in here for safekeeping, we’ll open it once we return after defeating the akatsuki,” 

“I understand, even without the village we will withstand. Lemme change my clothes as you propose!” he told her as he ran into his room coming back minutes later, he was still wearing his signature scarf and shades, but with more casual pants and a regular shirt on as well. He didn’t have his 8 signature swords, in their place he

“Okayy! Let’s go Yugito!” he called, already at the window. It getting to be evening, so they could sneak out better without worrying about getting noticed by anyone else. 

“R-right! I’ll follow your lead!” she responded, following him as he jumped out into the now empty streets.

I can’t believe I’m finally doing this. No going back now, I will stop the Akatsuki with the other Jinchuriki, we’ve been away for so long, separated, but we are meant to be united together, as one.

Chapter Text

‘Are you sure about this Yugito? This is a big choice,’  the two tails voice rang in her head as she walked alongside Bee through the Land of Lightning. 

I can handle myself if that’s what you’re worried about . She retorted, she was in fact having second thoughts about her grand plan but there was no turning back now. She had made her choice. 

‘I know you can handle yourself, but I’m asking if you’re willing to leave the safety of your village to be in a place where no one will be there to act as shields,’   the two tails responded, the question in its tone clear, but no malice, just pure curiosity. 

Do I look like the kind of kunoichi who would  let other people try to act as a shield? My problems are my problems and nobody else’s. She thought sternly.

‘Yes, yours and the other jinchuriki of course,’   it’s sarcastic tone echoing through the back of her mind. The two tails weren't trying to be mean, just playful, like a cat.

Shut up , she shot back, a small grin on her face.

“Hey Bee, are you talking to your partner too?” she asked, they had both gone silent, presumably lost in thought with their tailed beasts, “8 tails says this is a terrible idea, but that’s not how I feel yeahhh!” he replied, smiling at her. 

This is going to be a long trip isn’t it.   

“What’s the plan my man?” Bee asked, facing her.

“Well, we first need to find the other 6 Jinchuriki, then we take down the akatsuki,” she explained, finding the others would be a pain though, especially since they don’t know how they look.

‘Bee fought in the Third Shinobi War as well, he’s probably met the four and five tails, even if you didn’t’  two tails suggested helpfully.

“Hey Bee, when you fought against the Hidden Stone in the Third Shinobi World War, did you fight the four and five tails, or know what the Jinchuriki looked like? Or anything about them” she questioned, literally anything would help, even if it were the most random piece of information. 

“Well Yugito, I got some info here I go! The four n five tails tried to fight me but failed! Four tails had red hair and almost burnt me bare, and five tails was big and almost made it such that I never had another gig! Their names were Roshi and Han and thankfully in the end I won!” he explained, that was strangely… a good rap with a lot of useful information. A regular person would have trouble deciphering what he meant, but Yugito spent enough time with him that she was fluent in Bee-rap.

Thanks two tails. She thought quietly, it was the least she could do.

“Thanks Bee, that helped a lot actually, and this time, your rap wasn’t that bad,” she complimented, patting him on the shoulder. Bee grinned, throwing up his classic ‘love’ hand sign. 

“I guess we gotta see the Land of Earth whee!” he called, the two of them were relatively fast travelers, they had avoided staying in Inns or places they might get recognized. They had planned to slow their pace once they exited the Land of Lightning and were outside the Cloud's jurisdiction. They had already entered the Land of Frost but it was too small and too close to the Cloud to be able to 

“You’re right Bee, by the looks of it, we’re getting close to leaving the Land of Lightning, we’ll need to travel through multiple different smaller nations, so we’ll have to lie low. If we keep traveling, we can make it to the Land of Hot Springs and take our first actual break for maybe two or three days,” she explained. Yugito always prided herself on having everything planned out, but this time, she felt nervous not having everything planned to the bone. She had been making things up as she went and just hoped nobody would catch her facade.

‘Live a little Yugito, not everything needs to be planned, you’ll figure it out.’   two tails reassured. Yugito waved it off, But now people are relying on me, I need to have it planned or we’ll all get caught and die!  

‘You underestimate the power of Jinchuriki and their Beasts, you can handle yourself if things went south,’

Yugito sighed, deep down she knew Two tails was right, but it didn’t stop her from worrying. 

The two of them had been traveling for a day straight, taking barely any breaks, all on the promise of a nice long rest once they reached the Land of Hot Springs.

Yugito’s feet have been aching for the past hour, and she guessed Bee’s were as well. Then again, he was just naturally stronger and also older so she didn’t know. 

“Yo Yugito, I know your legs hurt, but you know this trips’ worth! We gotta keep goin’ so just follow where the wind be blowin’!” he said, his words strangely insightful. It was like he knew what she was feeling and wanted to help her feel better, it was sweet.

“Thanks Bee, I can keep going. We’re almost there, just power through,” she said, though the words felt more like encouragement to her then to Bee, who at least acted like he was having less of a problem with keeping up than she was. 

Bee just gave her a thumbs up, pointing ahead, “Yo yo Yugito! Look up ahead and feel no dread! The Land of Hot Springs is here your eyes aren’t foolin’ ya, it’s real!” 

Yugito’s eyes widened as the sign declaring the exit of the Land of Frost and entrance to the Land of Hot springs came into view. She could feel her feet begging to rest, she just had to power through and get a little deeper into the Land of Hot Springs before she could rest.

Just a little further, I promise!  She thought to herself

Once they were relatively deep into the Land of Hot Springs, they finally settled down in a quaint looking inn with a few Hot Springs. They each got one room, next to each other in case anything happened. 

“Bee, I’m going to relax in the Hot springs for awhile, you do whatever you want, we’ll stay for two days then we’ll continue our way into the Land of Earth.” she explained, talking through Bee’s door, to not disturb whatever he was doing(probably writing raps)

“Okayyy!” he called from the room, giving her confirmation that he was alive and listening. 

Yugito sat down in the hot spring, allowing herself to relax even slightly for the first time in days. The hot spring was empty, she assumed that everyone was out doing night activities or sleeping as it was relatively late in the evening.

She sat down for planning, she knew that the Sand and Leaf’s jinchuriki were young, couldn’t be older than 14 at this point in time so they were likely still hidden away in their villages. She didn’t hear anything about the Hidden Waterfall, but regardless of the age of the Jinchuriki, they were also probably safe in their village not out and about.

She knew where one of the Jinchuriki of the Hidden Mist was, he was the Fourth Mizukage so he would be in the capital. It was both a problem and a solution at the same time, on one hand being the Mizukage meant it was easy to find. On the other hand, he was the Mizukage of the Blood Mist so convincing him to join or defect from his village was its own problem. And they also had no idea where the Six Tails Jinchuriki was, but if they could convince Yagura, they could find the six tails.

But as of now, the plan was to find Roushi and Han, go to the Hidden Mist because 4 Jinchuriki could probably convince Yagura better then just two and find the six tails after. Only after they collected the five adults and one likely not child, would they go find the two children and one likely not adult jinchuriki after splitting up. 

The plan was, to say the least, not her best plan. There were a lot of holes in it, but despite it all, Yugito truly believed she had a chance to help these people and together, they’d be more of a force than just being alone.

It would work out, definitely…

She hoped.

Chapter Text

2 days later… 

“Bee, come on! We’ve got to get going!” Yugito called from the front side of Bee’s door. She had been packed up and ready for the past few hours, but she wanted to give Bee time to sleep in. She had woken up Bee roughly an hour after she did for him to get packed.

They ate a breakfast brief breakfast before traveling through the rest of the land of Hot springs. After their long break of peace and quiet, they managed to clear the distance in roughly two days, stopping at various inns each night.

Because they weren’t in the Land of Lightning, they could afford to rest in actual rest areas because they were less likely to be recognized two nations away from their village(and their common folk disguises kept suspicion off them). 

Nearing the edge of the Land of Hot springs and border with the Hidden Sound, Yugito and Bee paused to rethink their travel plan.

“Bee, I don’t trust traveling through Orochimaru’s territory, we don’t know if he’ll recognize us or at least sense our Tailed Beasts, I don’t wanna risk getting caught. Any ideas on how we can skip the Hidden Sound?” she asked, they two stopped by a small creek on the evening of the second day. Yugito had already climbed into a tree with her back resting against the wall. Bee thought for a minute, “Well Yugito, if you don’t wanna pass through the Sound, then we’ll have to go around. We’ll enter the Leaf and our stay can be brief. Then we’ll go through Grass and arrive in Stone First class, yeah!!” he declared. Despite the terrible rap, Bee’s plan did make sense.

“Bee, that’s actually a good idea now that I think about it. Sure let’s do it!” she responded, offering a small smile. 

This is going better then I thought. Bee’s helping out more than I anticipated.

‘You should think better of your friends and companions, you aren’t alone Yugito. If I am not living proof of that, I don’t know what is,’

~~~

One week later…

The journey through the Leaf and Grass had been exhausting, long, but necessary. Yugito would pick that 50 times over if it meant avoiding confrontation with anyone connected to Orochimaru. Bee had later explained that the reason they didn’t go through the Hidden Waterfall was so if they returned for the Jinchuriki it wouldn’t be suspicious. Horrible rapping aside, Bee was one of the best companions someone running away to gather all other outcast weapons from each village could ask for. 

The two finally arrived in the Hidden Stone, faced with a new hurdle, “Bee, how the hell are we going to find two ninja who could be anywhere in the Hidden Stone?” Yugito asked, hoping Bee would have some miraculous plan, “We can’t seriously be going around asking if anyone knew where our old friends who just both happened to be jinchuriki went right Bee?” 

Yugito did not like the look Bee gave her.

~~~

For weeks on end, Bee and Yugito traveled around the Land of Earth asking if anyone knew where Roushi was, they were ‘old friends’ and Yugito and Bee wanted to surprise him for his birthday. Aside from the strange, weirded out looks they got from others, they got no information whatsoever. It also didn’t help that they could only ask Civilians because asking a ninja would result in a message to the Tsuchikage(which they couldn’t afford). 

“Yeah, I just really wanted to surprise him for his upcoming birthday, I live so far away and I know he’s a Shinobi so his job takes him all around the Nation. I was just wondering if you had seen him around these parts or not?” Yugito asked, trying to act like an innocent friend. Bee was out asking others but Yugito really didn’t want to find out how that was going for him. She had been asking around for Roushi while Bee had been asking around for Han

“Bee, we need a new plan, this one clearly isn’t working,” Yugito said, her tone laced with annoyance, “Unless one of the people you’ve talked to has any information on Han that would be useful in anyway,” 

Bee shook his head, “Nope, they just look at me with empty stares, I don’t think we’ll get anything from there,” he replied. Yugito facepalmed, this was his idea. She didn’t even know why she trusted him, then again, he had given her crucial information and ideas before. So now Yugito just needed to remind herself to not trust everything Bee came up with. 

“Well, we need a new idea, I can’t keep going around like this. It’s embarrassing to act that way,” she said. Being the innocent friend who wanted to surprise someone close to them was not a role Yugito ever excepted(or wanted) to play. For the first time ever in their trip, Bee was speechless, seemingly out of ideas. Their plans seemed hopeless, they’d need to find another way. There was no telling when the Akatsuki were ready to start collecting the beasts so they really didn’t have time to waste. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed the other Jinchuriki for her plans, or at least needed them alive. 

“Hello there old friends ,” a voice came from behind them. Yugito swerved around, her hand in one of her pockets where she kept her weapon pouches. Walking towards them was a short man in his early forties. He had striking red hair with a headband branded with the Hidden Stone’s symbol. Despite his (very) short stature, his chakra carried an air of danger around it.

Roshi . Yugito realized, play the part, even if he knows its fake.  

“Ahh Roshi! It’s been so long, how have you been! Come take a seat!” she gestured for him to sit beside them, he did, returning her smile, “It has indeed, so forgive me, but your names have been lost to my memory so if you could remind me, that would help a lot,” he said, acting as though it was just a reunion between friends, “Could you remind me of when my birthday is, because while I am grateful you came to surprise me, it is currently September and my birthday was in June,” he informed, singlehandedly crushing their alibis, all while wearing the smile on his face.

For the first time ever, both Yugito and Bee were at a loss for words, stumbling over weak excuses, “We must gotten confused you see, it’s been so long fool ya fool,” Bee explained. Yugito tried adding on but Roshi cut her off, “Cut the crap, I’ve never seen you guys in my life, so you better start explaining why you are looking for me and Han as well,” he stated simply, his chakra flaring slightly as if to threaten them.

“We’ll explain everything, but I can’t say it here, can we go into somewhere less crowded?” Yugito offered, her voice cold and analytical again, her chakra subtly flaring in opposition to Roshi’s. A look of shock briefly passed Roshi’s face, replaced by that stern curiosity it had previously reflected. He nodded, “Fine, but we aren’t going far,” he relented. The three of them found a small patch of rocks where there weren’t any civilians walking by, “Explain. Now.” Roshi said finally, crossing his arms in expectation.

“Listen Roshi, we are Jinchuriki like you, boo,” Bee explained, Yugito slapped his head. She understood what he meant, but there was so much more to explain then that. Roshi’s eyebrows raised in curiosity, but he said nothing, his face saying everything, ‘ you aren’t done explaining yet’

“Shut up Bee, let me do the talking,” she whispered angrily to him, “Listen Roshi, as Bee said we are also Jinchuriki like you, and I recently found out that the Akatsuki, an Mercinary group who fights wars and does things for hire has a higher goal of collecting and extracting all 9 tailed beasts from their Jinchuriki, which if you didn’t know, will kill us,” she started, gaging Roshi’s reaction. He seemed confused and a little bit shocked at what he was hearing.

“The akatsuki huh? Lord third uses that organization a lot to handle his dirty work. I never would’ve guessed that they were preparing for that of all things, continue,” he mused to himself, shifting his gaze back to her own, meeting it with equal intensity.

“So after I brought up that issue with my own Raikage, he refused to take the issue seriously because I wasn’t a credible source,” she continued, biting back her anger at the sheer disrespect she had been shown by her Leader, the one she respected and listened to above all else, “I decided to take matters into my own hand and left the Village with Bee, the 8 tails Jinchuriki,”

“8 tails that be me, the rappin’ Killer Bee, Yeah!” he chimed in, throwing up his signature love sign. Roshi shook his head, “I remember you, we fought back in the Third Shinobi war right, I was with Han when we did,” he told Bee, who nodded, confirming his memories, “So what you’re asking me is to defect from my village, and join you guys to take down the akatsuki,” he reiterated. It sounded like such a stupid plan once she heard it from another person’s mouth.

“Yes, that is the plan,” Yugito agreed, she couldn’t afford to look unsure in her judgement, others always trusted confident people more. Roshi thought for a moment, before turning back to face them, “Sure, I’m down,” he said, like he hadn’t just declared he was leaving his own village, “What do you need me to do?”

“Well for one, you’ll need to blend in better, so you’ll need casual clothes and dress more like a civilian then you do now. And then, you’ll have to help us find Han so he can join our cause,” she explained.

“Yeah! And no more headband, or you’ll be found and canned,” Bee added. Roshi looked at him like he had just spoken a foreign language, “He means that if you keep your headband they’ll be able to find us faster then we’d like,” Yugito translated. Roshi nodded in understanding, clearly still a little perplexed by Bee’s speech style.

“Does he speak like that all the time?” he dropped his voice down to a whisper, leaning into Yugito. She nodded gravely, “Yeah, it’s annoying, but you’ll get used to it. It will all make sense after you hear it for awhile.” she reassured, though she doubted it did much to help.

 Roshi stared for a little longer before nodding, “You guys need to find Han?” he asked, changing the subject. Yugito nodded, “Do you know where he is?” she questioned, praying he did, she didn’t think she could take another one of asking around for him. It was embarrassing.

“Yeah I know where he is,” he responded, walking away. Yugito and Bee stared as he walked, “come on, do you want to find Han or not,” he asked gruffly, turning around, gesturing to them to follow him. 

Nodding quickly, Yugito and Bee scurried after him. Following him deeper into the Land of Earth.

~~~

“So what do ya know about Han bro?” Bee asked as they walked for what felt like hours. Roshi barely looked back, “He looks really big and intimidating, but the guy’s a big softy. He’ll probably join us,” he responded, continuing to lead them to where Han supposedly was.

We’ve been walking for hours, I’m starting to feel like we’re being led into a trap.

“Hey Roshi, where is Han anyway?” Yugito piped up, if Roshi had been lying, she would’ve been able to know from his response.

“He’s in a small town on the far coast of the Land of Earth, he spends most of his time there unless he receives summons from Lord Tsuchikage,” he replied smoothly, his tone giving no indication of lies, “Not my leader now Grandpa Onoki,” he muttered to himself, a hint of spitefulness in it.

“I see,” Yugito mused, taking a moment to look around and appreciate their surroundings. It was nothing special, just a barren wasteland with little to no plant life. But there was something different about it and the Land of Lightning, something exciting. During the war, Yugito had been occasionally sent to other nations to fight, but she had never really appreciated their geography(probably because she was fighting for her life). Despite it looking dead, the rock formations looked stunning, each unique with a different shape. It felt so nice to be in a new place and switch up the environment.

“Yo Roshi! Is that the town up ahead, or are my eyes just dead?” Bee asked, pointing to a small settlement gradually gaining size as they drew nearer. Roshi paused for a moment, as if translating Bee’s words before nodding, “Yeah, that’s the one,” he confirmed, turning back to them, “Come on guys, lets pick up the pace,” he urged, quickening his speed.

~~~

“Hey Han! It’s Roshi, open up!” Roshi called, banging on Han’s door. For awhile there was no answer. Roshi visibly fumed, his chakra subconsciously flaring, “Is the oaf on a mission or something?” he muttered to himself irritably.

The faintest sound of scuffling could be heard from inside the house, before the door clicked open. In it’s entrance stood a large man staring down at them, his eyes passing from Yugito to Bee, finally pausing on Roshi, who still looked offended.

“15 years of friendship and it still takes you a long time to open the door,” he grumbles. Yugito and Bee barely contained their giggles, the height difference was astounding. Han was practically twice Roshi’s height and yet was still be shouted at by the small man.

“Who are these people Roshi, and why are they at my house,” he asked, ignoring Roshi’s complaints. Roshi looked to the two of them, as if inviting them to introduce themselves. 

Yugito glanced around, ensuring no one was around before she spoke, “I’m Yugito Nii, formerly the 2 tails jinchuriki of the Hidden Cloud,” she introduced. 

“8 tails that be me, that rappin Killer Bee, yeah!” Bee added, giving his classic ‘love’ hand sign. Han’s eyes widened in shock, “Formerly?” he clarified, “Did you defect?” he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

“Yes, we defected after our Raikage refused to take our worries to heart and do something about the Akatsuki, who if you didn’t already know, have a higher goal of extracting all Tailed beasts,” she explained, “so that’s why we’re in casual clothes, we’re leaving to gather all 9 Jinchuriki, and we want you to join us,” she added. 

Han remained quiet for a moment, as if weighing his options. Yugito desperately hoped Roshi was right about Han being willing to join them. 

He slammed the door on them.

“Screw you,” Yugito muttered, her voice tinged with annoyance, “You’ve sentenced yourself to death,” 

“It’s okay Yugito, he’ll come around, fo sho!” Bee reassured, placing a hand on her shoulder, “Don’t touch me,” she snarled, causing Bee to recoil. Where, how could she have gone wrong? She had done everything to get there.

“We can do this without the oaf,” Roshi added, careful not to touch her but Yugito wasn’t in the mood to be reassured.

“Where are we going?” Han’s deep voice came from the entrance of his house, his ninja attire gone, replaced by more civilian liked clothes.

“Y-you came,” Yugito stammered, excitement creeping into her tone. Han nodded, stepping out of the house, he was really big.

“Well, where’s your steam pack?” Roshi asked, jumping up to pat him on the shoulder. Han pointed to his ‘backpack’, “It’s here, just transformed,” he explained curtly before turning to Yugito and Bee, “I’m Han, I’m the Jinchuriki of the 5 tails,” he introduced, reaching out his big hand for each of them to shake. 

Yugito and Bee took it each, “Well we better get goin, we don’t want other people knowin,” Bee said, reminding them that they were soon all to be considered Missing Nin. The three of them nodded, following him to the dock where the jumped onto a random poor civilian’s boat, sailing off into the distance.

As the Land of Earth grew smaller and smaller, Yugito smiled to herself, everything was going great.

Chapter Text

The trip to the Hidden Mist was not one Yugito ever hoped to repeat. 

It was long, boring and not to mention needed to travel on water more times then the Jinchuriki of the two tailed Fire Cat would ever like to repeat. Even if that wasn’t bad enough, they weren’t just 4 Jinchuriki traveling to the Mist, they were 4 Jinchuriki traveling to the Blood Mist. 

“Any ideas on how we can meet with the Mizukage and convince him of our cause?” Yugito asked, turning away from the ocean to face the group. 

“We could go in, take him back to base, and explain there” Han offered, giving a slight raise of his hand.

“Are you suggesting we attempt to kidnap the very bloodthirsty Mizukage? And what base are you talking about, we’ve been on the run since we’ve left our village!” Roshi retorted. In the past few weeks they had traveled together, Yugito had learned that Han, while a very nice and sociable person, did not really understand phrasing. Han shot him a brief glare before returning his face to his normal blank expression.

“Wow there Roshi, take a breather, Han’s tryin’ to help, even if his idea isn’t really a needer!” Bee explained, mediating between the two, a role he had taken on while they had traveled. Roshi, from what Yugito discovered, was a very hot-headed and stubborn individual, who had an unexplainable urge to always point out Han’s mistakes. Yugito almost felt bad for Han, but he didn’t seem to mind much, the glare just being a response to humor him. Roshi’s outbursts also helped Han learn how to better convey his thoughts, so it was helping people. 

“We could try to just request a private audience with him, then talk to him there.” Roshi said, shrugging as if he had nothing better to add, “Even if he is as powerful as everyone says, and I have no doubt that he is. There’s still 4 of us and only one of him, so if it boils down to violence, we can still probably take him,” he added. Not exactly reassuring them nothing would go wrong, but saying that the four of them could likely still handle what happened. 

“But what if they don’t let us request a private audience, even in our disguises, we still don’t look like Mist citizens or even as civilians,” Yugito pointed out, the plan itself was good but there were still a few loopholes in it.

“We could try sneaking in, but we’d probably get into a fight then,” Bee said, he made a good point, if they wanted to get on the good side of the Bloody Mizukage, sneaking in was not the way to show that they mean no harm. 

“We could try requesting an audience and if that goes south, we sneak in, then we go with Han’s plan if we really need to. We’ll handle the loopholes when we get there because we’re  arriving now,” Yugito decided. The team had made her the unofficial leader since she was the founder. The boat drew closer to the main island of the Hidden mist archipelago, docking in a secluded area off the coast of the Capital.

“Here we are,” the captain said, appearing from her quarters to hitch the boat to the docks, “Welcome to the Hidden Mist, I hope you enjoy and survive your stay here,” she said, ushering them off as though she didn’t want to stay in one area for long. 

“Thank you,” Yugito said gratefully, tipping the captain 500 ryo as she did. The captain gave a slight tip of her head in gratitude, “If you guys need a ride back, I come to this dock every other day from around 1-3pm, feel free to come back,” she explained, inspecting the knot to ensure it was secure.

“We’ll keep that in mind, thank you for your kindness,” Yugito answered, gesturing for the other three to follow her onto the path to the Hidden Mist Capital.

“So, has anyone here made a big enough name for themselves that they could be recognized by any ninja?” Yugito asked, if anyone was recognizable in the mist, they’d likely have to transform into someone else or stay out of the capital. 

Everyone’s eyes fell on Han, because of his big size, probably someone one would never forget. Poor Han didn’t seem to realize why everyone was looking at him until Roshi pointed out, “Did you ever fight any Mist ninjas who would recognize you and your giant body you oaf?” he asked, looking for every opportunity to take a jab at Han. Han shook his head, “None that got out alive,” he shot back curtly. The three shot back a skeptical look, before finally giving in, heading down the path.

The group arrived at the Hidden Mist Capital relatively quickly, arriving in the building where the Mizukage, “Let me do the talking,” Yugito explained as they walked up to the entrance, strange, Yugito thought to herself, there were no guards at the entrance like there should’ve been. She turned to face the group who just shrugged in confusion, clearly thinking the same thing.

Cautiously, Yugito pushed the door open, the entire first floor was empty, no sign of violence. 

“What’s going on?” Yugito murmured entering the room, drawing a kunai from her pocket. The others followed, scanning the room for any trap or anything that felt out of place. 

“There’s voices in the top floor,” Han stated, giving a slight tilt of his head to the upper levels. The three turned to face him, “How do ya know? Fool ya fool?” Bee asked, his normal rap tone dropping to a whisper. 

“I’ve always had good hearing,” Han replied, already turning to go upstairs. 

As they moved, the commotion grew louder, it didn’t sound like an attack, but had a sense of panic that made it clear this was just as urgent. The clamoring was indistinguishable for the group to understand until Yugito placed her ear on the entrance to the Mizukage’s office, careful to not alert anyone to their presence.

While Yugito was unable to hear any sentences in the panic, she could make out phrases like, ‘what will we do?’ or ‘lord Mizukage!’ came up a lot, “Sounds like the Mizukage’s incapacitated, we need to get into the room and knock out the ninja around him,” she instructed.

Bee removed his swords from the sealing scrolls he had carried, Han changed his backpack back into the furnace it was normally, lava glowed around Roshi’s hands, and Yugito’s short nails began to grow to unnatural lengths. At her signal, Han crushed through the door, catching the Mist Ninja by surprise. 

“H-hey!” a ninja shouted, “Get them!” he ordered, as the attending ninja stammered to confront the mysterious attackers. Yugito charged two of them, landing two sharp kicks into the first one’s stomach as the second one nailed her with a Water Style Jutsu. 

Yugito growled softly as she got up, her eyes blazing, she launched one of her Mouse Hairballs, watching as the small guided blue bombs followed the ninja, separating into tiny mice before exploding in the mist ninjas chest. The ninja staggered back, taking explosive kunai from his pouch, throwing them at her. Yugito barely dodged the attack, substituting herself with a log just in time. 

“Argh!” Yugito winced as she felt a sharp pain in her arm, she turned to examine it, seeing a kunai lodged into it by another Hidden Mist Ninja, “Stay away from Lord Mizukage,” the ninja snarled, her eyes sharp. Without thinking, Yugito dragged her clawed hand threw the ninja’s stomach, forcing her to recoil in pain.

Yugito shouted as she shifted to kick the ninja below the chin, jumping up and landing a punch square to the face, knocking the ninja prone. She ripped the kunai from her bloody back with a wince, seeing the wound begin to burn with the Two Tails regenerative chakra. She sighed in relief, accidentally relaxing herself.

“Die!” the ninja she had hit charged towards her, holding a sword in his hand as he did. Yugito braced herself for an attack, armed with the Kunai that had been previously used to harm her. 

“No way! Fool ya fool!” Bee shouted as one of his octopus tails grew from his back, slapping the ninja away. He slammed onto the wall, falling unconscious.

Yugito scanned the room, signs of a fight were everywhere, scorch marks, claw marks, puddles of both water and blood riddled the room as only the four of them were left standing. Yugito shook off some dust from her legs before turning to the others, “Is everyone okay?” she asked, her gaze turning to one particularly short shinobi who hadn’t participated in the battle, he was knocked out and seemed to be barely breathing, beside him was the all too familiar metal hook with the green flower on the top. This was the Mizukage.

Yugito rushed to him, placing her hand on his chest, “His heart is failing!” she declared, she was never the field medic and she didn’t think any of the others were either. Jinchuriki were never meant for the sidelines, they were always the main show on the battlefield. But that begged the question, Why isn’t his tailed beast healing him? Yugito wondered to herself. 

“What do we do? We aren’t seriously going to let him die on us, not after all we went through,” Roshi asked, joining her side, staring down at the Mizukage of the Blood Mist so vulnerable in front of them. 

“What are we gonna do? Fool ya fool?” Bee asked, he once again, made a good point. None of them had experience with healing people, there was nothing they could do, or nothing they knew how to do.

‘I have an idea,’ Two tails voice rang in Yugito’s head, ‘Switch with me’ it explained. Yugito paused for a moment, on one hand, maybe the two tails did have an idea and could save Yagura, but on the other hand maybe the two tails was just looking for a way to get out and wreak havoc. In the 25 years she’d known the two tails, it had never shown much interest in taking over her body and the two had gotten along relatively well or at least better then most other Jinchuriki. 

‘He’s running out of time, I may be his only hope,’ it told her. As much as Yugito wanted to refuse, the two tails was right, they had no other choice.

“I’m switching,” she informed the group, as to not scare them when two tails took over, “Two tails has a plan, be ready to get me back if anything happens,” she said, closing her eyes, go , she thought to the two tails, allowing it control over her body.

Yugito’s eyes reflected the blue and yellow eyes of the two tails. Roshi jumped, “You got creepy eyes, cat ,” he commented, regaining his composure after the initial shock, “What do you plan to do?” he asked, adding, “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“If you can switch with the four tails, it would make my job easier,” the two tails explained, Roshi scoffed, “Ha! I’d die before I trust it to be in control of my body, sorry, but that’s not an option,” he said. The two tails recoiled slightly, but shook it off as it placed its, or rather Yugito’s hand on the Mizukage’s chest.

“What are you doing?” Han asked calmly, unfazed by the transformation. 

“I’m giving him my chakra, it will help awaken the Three Tails to finish the job of healing him,” it said, gently closing its eyes, it’s hand glowing with red chakra over the Mizukage’s heart. 

For awhile, there was nothing, just the faint humming of the two tails dwindling chakra. It seemed to be getting more worried and tired by the minute, “He might be too far gone to save, I can’t sense the three tails within him.” it explained gravely, it’s face contorted with grief. 

“What was that? Don’t ya see? It’s like his body’s going wheee!” Bee said, as the Mizukage, carefully began to stir, “Keep going Twobi! You’re almost there, don’t ya see?” he encouraged, earning a soft smile from the two tails. 

“I believe I have finished my job here, I will send Yugito back now,” The two tails said, its eyes fading back into Yugito’s regular black eyes. She looked around, first at the group, and then at the Mizukage, who had been beginning to groan as he sat up. Jolting awake when he took in the scene of complete disarray around him, and more importantly, the four mysterious shinobi surrounding him.

“Who are you and what do you want? Are you with him?” He asked, his tone laced with anger and anger as he raised his staff defensively.

“We mean no harm, we just wanted to talk to you,” Han interjected carefully, it was quiet funny comparing the size difference between the two, it was like a chihuahua snarling at a doberman. 

“You’ve broken into my office, knocked out my guards, and are saying you mean no harm. Because of what you’ve done, I can tell you’re no weak shinobi, so I will ask you one more time, are you with him?” he repeated, his tone shifting from angry to calm to angry again.

“Who is he? We’re not with anyone ya see? We’re the same you and me!” Bee said offering his fist in greeting. Yagura whirled towards him, freezing in recognition, “You, you’re one of the Raikage’s secondhand. I see, you’ve been sent from the Hidden Cloud to kill me which is why you’re dressed as civilians,” he snarled, his chakra flaring. 

“What are you talking about ‘Hidden Cloud’? Do we look like Hidden Cloud Shinobi to you?” Roshi accused, clearly offended by the comparison. Han facepalmed, clearly embarrassed by the fact that Roshi had just made their situation worse, “What are you looking at, you oaf!” Roshi snapped at Han, his chakra flaring as well.

Oh boy, Yugito thought, exasperated, she turned to face Yagura, “Lord Mizukage, what my companions are trying to say is that we are no longer members of our former villages and are acting completely on our own. We are Jinchuriki like you and want you to join us to fight the akatsuki, a group of mercenaries who are hunting the Tailed Beasts like us. You were dying and we saved you,” she explained. That got Yagura’s attention, his gaze snapped back to her, his purple eyes piercing her soul. 

“Yes I am aware of the Akatsuki, and as a reward for saving my life, I shall spare yours as long as you leave my village and never come back,” he responded simply.

“W-what?! What do you mean sparing our lives?” Yugito sputtered, allowing her shock to fall through her normally calm mask.

“I meant exactly what I said, you guys snuck into my village, and attacked my guards, I should kill you for that,” he said, the common voice of the negotiator coming back in, “As for the Akatsuki, leave them to me, I will handle them on my own,” he explained, his voice turning bitter.

“You would’ve died if it hadn’t been for us! You owe us! And you absolutely can’t take on the Akatsuki by yourself, we don’t even know what they’re like!” Yugito argued, her tone similar to that of which she used when arguing with the Raikage. 

“I don’t owe you anything, this my village and I lead it so I’d suggest you leave before I decide to kill you,” he responded, his voice still eerily calm though hinted with an undercurrent of threat and danger beneath it.

Yugito seethed, snapping, “Why you small ass midg-” 

“What my friend Yugito means is that we don’t like the Akatsuki ya see? And if you wanna beat them, we’re better off as friends. You and me, we’re both perfect Jinchuriki. We can help the others and we’ll all be just like brothers. So what do you say? Fool ya fool?” he said, cutting her off before she escalated the situation. He once again extended his hand to Yagura, “We need you, ya see, just join us and you’ll be free!” he said with a smile.

Yagura stared at the fist, which was in line with his face. He stared at Roshi, at Han, and finally, at Yugito before begrudgingly bumping his fist with Bee’s, “I guess I’ll join, but I want to make one thing clear, the masked member of the akatsuki is mine ,” he said, his face burning with an unspoken hatred as he opened a tunnel by his closet, “We’re looking for the 6 tails aren’t we? I know where to find him,” was all he said before disappearing into the tunnel as the others trailed behind him.

5 down, 4 more to go. Yugito thought to herself, Next stop, 6 tails

Chapter Text

The Hidden Mist was in chaos. The ninja were frantically searching for their lost leader, behind it however, Yugito swore she noticed relief in each of the villagers eyes. 

Keeping Yagura hidden was not easy, he was bloodthirsty from the attempt on his life and years of manipulation, angry that his villagers seemingly celebrated his demise, declaring it as the ‘end of the blood mist’. Yagura was disgusted, he had been controlled and hadn’t even been in control of his actions during his reign. So naturally, being the leader he was, he desperately needed to explain everything. 

“These traitorous idiots, they know nothing,” Yagura grumbled his voice boiling with spite and hatred. The group traveled through a dense misty beach, away from the prying eyes of Shinobi. 

“Where is the 6 tails, without him, our plan will fail,” Bee asked, earning a glare from the former Mizukage. 

“If he’s where I left him, we have a few more days of travel before we arrive,” he explained, the anger fading into a more calm and controlled tone, one fitting for the Mizukage. In the short days Yugito travelled with him, she learned that as long as the conversation topic wasn’t about his leadership or the akatsuki, he was a very calm and well-mannered man. 

“Who is the 6 tails Jinchuriki anyway?” Roshi piped up, during their travels with Yagura, he seeemingly had become less insecure about his short stature, considering Yagura was shorter. 

“I don’t know, we never met,” he responded curtly, his long hooked-staff slung across his back. He didn’t really change his style, he thought it was unbeffiting of the (Former)Mizukage to be dressed like a commoner. 

“What kind of Kage doesn’t even know his Jinchuriki,” Roshi scoffed, crossing his arms. He brought up a good point, most kage kept their ‘perfect weapons’ close by at all times and even if they didn’t have the relationship similar to the one that Bee and A had, all kage knew basic things about their jinchuriki. 

“One that wasn’t in control of their actions during their entire reign,” Yagura shot back through gritted teeth, glaring at Roshi. 

Before Roshi could snap back, Han stepped, conveniently blocking their views of each other. Yugito smiled in gratitude, Han slightly inclined his head in recognition. 

“Do you at least know his name?” Yugito asked, veering the conversation from its former topic as the group boarded onto a small sabani which Yagura began steering out through the ocean.. Yagura shook his head, “No, the Mizukage  kept him on this island having him do missions and other things,” he explained referring to himself as the ‘Mizukage’. Yugito nodded in understanding,

The Akatsuki must’ve kept the 6 tails on an island so when they needed to gather the tailed beasts, they wouldn’t need to go through the trouble of finding them. Yugito thought spitefully, the akatsuki were caging innocent people as pigs for slaughter.

‘It’s always been that way, one way or another, us tailed beasts were just kept in a cage until we were needed. I’m sure you know how that feels,’ The two tails said, Yugito nodded, she understood exactly how it felt to be in the 6 tails’ position.

He probably doesn’t even know that he’s being kept there to be killed on day. She thought, But when we find him, we’ll rescue him from that destiny. She smiled to herself, because of her others who shared her life wouldn’t have to live the way she and those before her did, they would stop the akatsuki once and for all, and even more importantly, they’d show that they weren’t just monsters or weapons.

“We’re here,” Yagura announced emotionlessly as he stepped off the sabani onto a beach that looked identical to the one they had previously been walking on.

“Are you sure we’re in a new place, this place is exactly the same as the one we were on an hour ago,” Roshi commented, looking around the foreign terrain with disdain.

“HEY! Each beach is unique and beautiful in its own way, they are not all copies of themselves you unintelligent monkey!” Yagura shot back defensively.

“Who are you calling an unintelligent monkey?” Roshi said, his voice heavily laced with anger and offense. 

“He’s not wrong,” Han said simply, shrugging as if it were just a casual topic. Roshi whirled around to face the giant, “So you’re gonna take his side huh you big oaf!” he argued.

“Woah woah woah, we’re friends can’t you see? We need each other don’t become enemies,” Bee said, raising his hands as he stepped between them, “We need to get over our differences, no need to be gettin’ all defensive,” he added, mediating between them. Han stepped back almost immediately, clearly just wanting to get on Roshi’s nerves.

Yagura and Roshi glared at each other, looked away, then glared again, “Such a Deidara thing to say,” Roshi grumbled before finally walking down the beach path into a small village.

“Guys wait, we need a plan, we can’t just charge in like we did last time,” Yugito pointed out, they had stopped off to a secluded side of the village, a place where nobody would find them unless they were looking.

“We can’t all enter together, some people will need to wait here, but not forever,” Bee suggested.

“I agree, there’s too many of us, we need to remain inconspicuous,” Yagura agreed, nodding. 

“I think I should go alone,” Yugito said finally, “Han’s too big and will draw too much attention, Roshi and Bee are clearly not from here, and Yagura…” she explained, no further elaboration needed. Yagura groaned, “I think we should go,” he corrected, “I can transform into someone else and besides I know the Mist better then anyone here,”

“If you went, you wouldn’t be able to take what your villagers had to say about you. Your body’s still warm in their eyes, you’re a hot conversation topic.” Roshi stated bluntly, looking up at Yagura from his rock. Yugito sighed, for once Roshi had actually helped, “BUT, you shouldn’t be going into unknown territory, especially not one that may be hosting a jinchuriki in it. You need to take me with you,”

“No, it should be me alone, I can handle myself and it will be easier to infiltrate-”

“ Enter ,” Yagura corrected.

“ Enter the village if I’m alone,” she finished, her tone leaving no room for argument. Bee shook his head, “I agree with Roshi, it’s not safe alone, don’t go off on your own. Bring Roshi, he can help, trust me,” he said. 

Yugito groaned, “No, I think I can do this better on my own,” she repeated, but clearly nobody else was listening to her.

“Either we both go, or we all go,” Roshi said stubbornly, daring her to argue. Yugito opened her mouth, prepared to argue, closing it after. She wasn’t winning this argument.

“Fine,” she grumbled, walking towards the village, “Roshi and I will go,” Bee gave a big smile and a thumbs up as she and Roshi disappeared from view.

“Your name’s Bee right?” Yagura asked, the remaining three of them had stayed in their little meetup place while Yugito and Roshi went to the town. 

“8 tails that be me, the rappin’ killer bee, yeah!” he said, pointing his two massive thumbs towards himself. Yagura nodded, “My apologies, I didn’t get your name,” he asked, turning to face the giant that was Han.

“I am Han, the five tails jinchuriki” he simply stated, he was a man of little words. 

Turning back to face Bee, Yagura asked, “You said you were a perfect jinchuriki like me?” he tilted his head up to be able to stare into Bee’s black shades. 

“I am Bee, the Cloud’s perfect Jinchuriki, yeah!” he responded, he was an interesting character to say the least, but Yagura pushed that thought aside, “How did you become one? A perfect Jinchuriki? Did you force your tailed beast to listen like I did?” being a perfect Jinchuriki took years for Yagura to master. Frankly out of all Jinchuriki he met, that one was not who he was expecting to be the other to share his title.

“Nah man, me and my beast are friends til the very end,” he said, giving his stomach, likely where the seal resided a small pat, “We talk all the time, he’s really one of a kind!” 

Yagura paused, he’d never had thought it possible that a tailed beast could form a strong bond with their jinchurki, he had never really bothered to talk to his beast. Taking small portions of its power when he needed it until he could handle using it fully. 

“That’s impressive, becoming so strong through friendship rather then power. What has your tailed beast told you, what’s it like?” he asked, he couldn’t help it, Yagura was always a very curious person and now that he finally had met others like him, he wanted to see how they achieved his level of power. 

“Well, he’s kinda mean to me, gives my rappin’ a total grade of D,” he said sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. Yagura sighed, as stupid as the information might’ve been, it proved that the tailed beasts have human feelings and opinions. 

“Five tails sometimes gives me advice,” Han spoke up, he was slightly hunched over, staring at his feet. 

“I see,” Yagura mused to himself, his gaze drifting over to the open sea. It had always been interesting for Yagura how something so calm, so peaceful, so beautiful could turn into something mad, violent, and chaotic in the blink of an eye. They were quiet for awhile, their minds elsewhere.

“I wonder if Yugito and Roshi have found the 6 tails yet,” Yagura said, his gaze briefly drifting back to the village before returning to the Ocean.

“I trust Yugito, ya know?” Bee declared loyally, he and Yugito had always shared a sort of respect and connection between each other, one that would never be broken as long as they lived. 

Yagura nodded in agreement, “It’s nice that you two have each others backs. I was always alone as I learned to control my tailed beast, looking back, it would’ve been nice to grow along with another jinchuriki.” he said, offering a small smile. He was a very civil and respectful person as long as the conversation was not on the akatsuki.

“Roshi and I fought together in the war, we were our own two man team,” Han added, his dull eyes faintly sparkling, reminiscing the life the two led.

“What do you mean he’s gone?” Yugito snarled, signalling for Roshi to release the man from his chokehold, “T-the six tails l-left during the reign of the blood mist,” the shinobi whimpered, carefully stepping away, only for Roshi to pull him back, “W-why you do care so much anyway?” he stammered.

“None of your business,” Roshi snapped, roughly shaking the man, “Where’d he go anyway?” he asked, eyes blazing. 

“He l-left into a small village by the mountains,” the man said, his eyes filling with tears. Roshi scoffed, “Wimps like you don’t deserve to call yourselves shinobi,” he said disdainfully turning to walk away, signalling for Yugito to follow. Yugito groaned, shooting one last glare at the cowering shinobi before following him.

“How’d it go?” Yagura asked as Yugito and Roshi returned to their ‘hiding place’ they both looked very irritated, “He left, ran away a few weeks ago to some forest on the mainland,” she explained, her voice dripping with annoyance.

“Then we have to go at once,” Yagura declared, standing up. The others followed him, albeit less energetic, “More adventuring, great.” Yugito muttered as she once again boarded the forsaken boat to travel across the sea.

“So are any of you guys perfect jinchuriki as well?” Yagura asked as he steered the boat away from the island and the hidden mist and back to the mainland continent. Roshi shook his head, “No, Han and I can fully transform but we can’t keep our heads for too long,” he explained simply, answering for Han as well.

“Same here, I just can’t maintain control over myself and will become more destructive if I stay in that form for long amounts of time,” Yugito confirmed, she felt a little embarrassed, she was the founder of the group and she wasn’t even the one with most mastery. 

‘This isn’t only your responsibility, this team will fail if there are any complete leaders. You all share the power and need to learn to work together, otherwise you’ve just made yourself a massive all-in-one target for the akatsuki,’ the two tails told her. Yugito nodded, she knew the beast was right but she still hated not being the best among them.

The three arrived on the mainland after a few hours at sea, they wondered around through the forest, looking for signs that a hidden mist shinobi had wandered through them.

“What’s this?” Han asked, feeling his foot step on something that wasn’t natural. The rest of the team stopped, watching as Han knelt down uncovering a dirt-covered hidden mist shinobi headband. Hidden under it was a scroll that when unsealed, the Hidden Mist Shinobi gear was sealed away in it.

“Someone had the same idea as us,” Yugito mused placing the gear back into the scroll, putting it in one of her pockets, if these clothes belonged to the Jinchuriki, maybe he’d want it back after they dealt with the Akatsuki.

“But whether or not he’s one of us, we’re still under the bus!” Bee added as they continued down through the forest. 

“Bee’s right, stay on high alert,” Yugito instructed, casting a glance behind her to look at the rest of them.

“What’s that?” Roshi asked, pointing up at a small circular object in the sky, so small one could miss it. Yugito squinted trying to focus on what it was, but it was too far away, aimlessly floating off into the distance.

“There’s a person in the bubble,” Han announced, his taller build allowing him to get even a slightly better view then the others, “How would there be a perso…” Roshi trailed off from his jibe, “Great sage, there is a person in the bubble,” he muttered in shock as he watched it.

“That’s an unusual, it’s not a kekkei genkai of any mist shinobi ,” Yagura noted, beckoning them to follow the bubble, “That’s our jinchuriki,” he said, bringing his pace to a run as he began to follow the bubble.

They found the Jinchuriki at a small creak that split the forest in two. There on a rock, sat the Jinchuriki of the six tails, messing around with a pipe which he blew bubbles from mindlessly. He seemed to be around Yugito’s age with long dark brown hair and yellow eyes. He was wearing a open-chested blue kimono.

Yugito blinked a few times, as if trying to make sure she hadn’t been caught in a genjutsu, “What’s the plan, my man?” Bee whispered, crouching next to Yugito.

Yugito shrugged, she had no clue, “I’m not sure, how do we approach him without looking hostile?” she pondered, her voice dropping to a whisper. 

“Come out, I know you’re there,” came a sharp, cold voice from the river bank. He had his pipe in his hand bracing for an attack. Yugito glanced around at the others, nodding to them. The five of them stepped out onto the rocky bank.

“Just who are you?” he asked his voice betraying a slight tremble as he looked among all the 5 of them, his eyes landing on Yagura. Recognition passed through his eyes as he grew more agitated, “I thought you were dead, you Bloody Traitor,” he spat, his yellow eyes filled with rage.

“You don’t know half the tru–” 

“What Yagura is trying to say is we don’t mean any harm,” Yugito explained, lightly elbowing Yagura in the gut, casting him a side-glare. The Jinchurki gave them a skeptical look, neither impressed nor believing them.

“Stop spitting out lies! I know why you’re here! You’re here to take me back to the Hell on Earth, to make me go back to the man who tried to kill me!” he accused, his voice laced with more fear than aggression, “What do you mean! Who tried to kill you!” Yugito asked, watching as he began using his pipe to blow bubbles. 

The group scattered, avoiding the attack, “Let me handle this,” Yugito said, gesturing for them to let her fight.

She rushed him, careful not to injure him too much. She had even kept her claws retracted to keep her from impaling him. 

He blew bubbles, keeping her at a distance, damnit, I can’t attack him from long range without injuring hurting him too much, she thought.

Yugito bobbed and weaved through the various barrage of bubbles, “Just listen to me!” she shouted, as she failed to get closer. The Jinchuriki ignored her, still continuing to attack her with bubbles. 

It was getting irritating, irritating that she couldn’t get him to listen, irritating that she was being kept at a distance. Yugito gathered her chakra, releasing it in a burst of speed, reaching him before he could move. Lightning fast movements were never really her style and even know felt weird doing it.

Yugito pinned the 6 tails to the ground, using her weight to keep him there. He layed sprawled beneath her, his arms spread out, held down by her arms. 

“Are you ready to listen now?” she asked, he wasn’t even struggling. Just staring at her with a look of nonchalant that made her want to scream. He rolled his yellow eyes, looking away, refusing to answer, “I beat you fair and square so you better listen bubbles,” she snapped, choosing to ignore his choice to ignore her.

“I am Yugito Nii, formerly the 2 tails Jinchuriki. I defected from the Hidden Cloud months ago and have been gathering the other Jinchuriki along the way,” she explained, calling the others forward as she tentatively stood up, freeing him.

“I am Han, the five tails Jinchuriki,” Han introduced, stepping forward to greet the new Jinchuriki, “What is your name?” he asked, offering one of his big hands. The 6 tails stared at his hand like it was a bomb before skeptically recieving it, dusting himself off as he stood up.

“I’m Utakata,” he said curtly as he took a few steps back, distancing himself from the others, his eyes glowing with distrust.

“The name’s Roshi, four tails,” Roshi said, squeezing between Han and Bee as he spoke. 

“8 tails that be me, the Rappin’ killer Bee,” Bee said as he held out his fist for a fist bump. Utakata regarded the fist with uncertainty, not returning the gesture, “Why are you here? I thought you were busy ordering around your people’s torment,” he asked coldly, his face twisting into anger and disgust.

Yagura took a deep breath, he looked almost ashamed, “I am ashamed of what I’ve done,” he started, his expression changing into one of anger and vengeance, “I was manipulated and controlled by a member of the Akatsuki. I will find him and he will pay for his actions against the Mist,” he declared, the look in his eyes almost manic as he recalled the person who had controlled him for all of his reign. The one who committed terrible acts and crimes against his people with his own face. Yagura needed vengeance.

Utakata paused, a brief look of shock passing through his face as he processed Yagura’s words, “Is the Akatsuki the reason my Master tried to kill me?” he asked finally, “Did the Akatsuki order him to do it?” his face reflected the one of vengeance Yagura had shown just seconds ago.

“What do you mean ‘your master tried to kill you’?” Roshi asked, his curiosity suddenly piqued as he brought himself back into the conversation. Yagura nodded, equally confused, “I don’t have any memory of doing that.” he added, waiting for Utakata to explain.

“Nevermind” he said, suddenly changing his mind. He went silent, his face going back to his neutral nonchalant one, “What happened?” Roshi asked, unwilling to give up.

“It’s… not important anymore,” he said, unwilling to say anything more. Roshi opened his mouth to speak again, as if to keep pushing until Han placed his hand in front of Roshi in warning to stop. Roshi glared at Han but said nothing.

“So will you be traveling with us, or will Yugito have to cuss?” Bee asked. Yugito shot him a glance in offense, “HEY!” she complained, elbowing Bee in the stomach, causing him to reel over, “He’s asking if you’re coming with us,” Yugito quickly explained, noticing the look of confusion on Utakata’s face.

“I guess,” he shrugged, resting his back on a stone, “What’s the plan to get the final three Jinchuriki?” he asked, his eyes closed, hands resting behind his head.

Yugito blinked, “There are only 6 of us here, we’re missing three Jinchuriki, how will we find them?” he restated, noticing her hesitation.

“Well–uh, I’m not sure yet, do you have any ideas. We know they are all children.” Yugito stammered, she hadn’t thought that far ahead.

“How do you know they’re all children?” Yagura asked, testing her knowledge.

“Well the 9 tails and the 1 tails are known by the nations to be young while the 7 tails Jinchuriki was never utilized in any of the wars so they have to be a child,” she explained confidently.

“Then we all split up into partners and each find one of the Jinchuriki,” Utakata said like it was the easiest thing in the world. 

“Not bad, I’m glad,” Bee complimented, “Let’s all go with the other members of our ex-villages, that way we can work together better on our pillages.” he offered, standing besides Yugito who nodded in agreement, “Good idea, who will go where. Bee and I can look for the 9 tails,” she said, looking around for answers.

“We can take the Hidden Waterfall’s Jinchuriki, I’ll probably be less recognized going to a smaller village rather then one of the five great nations,” Yagura explained, glancing at Utakata for his opinion, “Fine by me,” he said simply.

“Then Han and I will go to the Sand village,” Roshi said, “Sounds easy enough,” 

For a moment, they all stood there, 6 of their old Village’s most powerful weapons, all in one place in one time, “There’s no use waiting around here, we should all probably get going. If you follow the river south, there’s a cave at the end of it, meet there after you find the Jinchuriki,” Utakata said, he had finally opened his eyes and moved to stand(a reasonable distance from) where Yagura was.

They nodded, each scattering in their different directions, each with their own mission.

We’re getting there finally, Yugito thought as she and Bee began moving towards the Land of Fire.

Chapter Text

Roshi and Han trudged through the long winding road on the way to the land of wind. They had to stick to smaller, less reachable roads because of their very recognizable appearances, especially so close to their old home. 

As they trudged down the path, they(han) did get a few strange looks from passing civilians. Not because they knew who the two of them were, but rather because Han looked like a human giant.

“Who is the 1 tails Jinchuriki anyway?” Han asked, craning his head all the way down to look at Roshi.

“It’s some brat from the Hidden Sand named Gaara,” he explained, puffing out his chest in an (useless) attempt to look bigger then Han. He took out a picture, given to him by Yagura, who had pictures of all Jinchuriki(except for the 7 tails who remained unknown). He was scrawny, with wispy red hair and teal eyes. He was carrying a gourd on his back, supposedly full of sand but they weren’t sure yet.

“Is he the one who was crazy?” Han asked, examining the picture carefully. Roshi nodded, he felt bad for the boy, as Jinchuriki themselves they had dealt with their fair share of BS but pushing a child to insanity because of something that they created for themselves was a whole other level.

“Do you think we can help him?” Han asked softly. 

“He’s coming with us, that’s for sure,” he responded stubbornly, clenching his fists in determination. 

The two of them walked in silence for awhile, the Hidden Sand still far away, they had a at least a day left of traveling to go through.

“Roshi,” Han’s stoic voice broke the silence, Roshi hummed in acknowledgement, urging him to go on, “I want to make more friends,” he confessed after a long pause, his normally empty gaze showing the loneliness within.

Roshi couldn’t help but feel the same, between the two of them Roshi was always the more social while Han was more withdrawn. Roshi knew Han better then most people after being partnered with him for years, he could always see a look of longing when he gazed at people in large groups having fun. The life of a Jinchuriki was the life of a loner, and it made Roshi feel better that no matter what the kids experienced during their childhoods they would be welcomed into a new home and place that understood and cared about them more then just as weapons.

“Why are you telling me this oaf?” Roshi scoffed, trying to maintain the appearance that he and Han didn’t like each other but he couldn’t help the undertones of softness and understanding below the jab. 

Han shrugged, ignoring Roshi’s outburst like he always had, “Because you know how to talk to people, and I want your help,” he explained, his eyes still gazing sharply ahead as the tips of yellow sand dunes slowly came into view.

The words hit Roshi in a way he had never expected, it was almost flattering that Han thought of Roshi as someone who could help him become a more social and likeable person. Roshi paused, considering how to answer, “It’s not really something I can teach,” he responded, dropping his normally aggressive facade in exchange for something softer, like he was talking to a close friend(which Han was probably the closest thing he had).

Roshi looked up at Han, watching as the faintest flicker of disappointment crossed through his eyes. To most normal people, Han was always expressionless, never revealing emotion, but to Roshi who had known him for most of Han’s life, he had learned to read his eyes. Han never showed more emotion then a brief gaze but Roshi knew him well enough to recognize it.

“I see,” was all Han said, his voice betraying no emotion. 

“It’s not something you have to worry about though, the other Jinchuriki trust you, they won’t judge. It’s not the same as it was in the Hidden Stone, you’re fine just the way you are,” Roshi reassured him, feeling bad for letting get his hopes up about learning to be social. Han gave a brief thankful nod, pausing before turning to face Roshi, a small smile ghosting across his lips.

“I see,” he repeated again, turning back ahead as if nothing ever happened.

Soon the feeling of the brown dirt path they had been traveling on changed into the hot sand of the Land of Wind. 

“How will we even find the Jinchuriki?” Han asked, Roshi had no clue if he was burning alive in his furnace armor. 

“We know what he looks like,” Roshi responded, not completely answering the question.

“That’s not an answer,” Han noted.

“Shut up oaf,” Roshi snapped, angling his head up to meet Han’s eyes high above him. Han didn’t respond, stopping in his tracks. He turned out to the right, veering far off the actual in the distance was a large sandstorm. 

“What are you looking at oaf?...” He asked, peering out from behind Han’s large build, his voice trailing off as his gaze landed on what seemed to be a massive sandstorm swirling around in the distance.

“Of all the possible times,” Roshi grumbled, “Come on oaf, we need to find shelter,” he instructed, tugging at Han’s sleeve.

“No,” Han didn’t budge, his gaze locked on the sandstorm.

“What do you mean no you oaf! Are you crazy?” Roshi snapped, his voice and chakra rising along with his anger.

“Look, it’s not moving,” Han said simply, tilting his head to the side. Roshi narrowed his eyes, turning back to the direction of the sandstorm. From afar, it looked wild and aggressive, but normal sandstorms wouldn’t be contained in just one place, they would be moving. This one looked almost artificial, like it was being controlled. 

Han nodded towards the sandstorm, then towards the crumpled picture of the Jinchuriki in Roshi’s hand, “Fine,” Roshi said, understanding what Han meant, “Let’s go check it out,” 

The two headed towards the massive sandstorm, the winds picking up as they neared it.

“This was a bad idea,” Roshi complained, walking behind Han like he was a human shield. Han seemed fine, his covers blocking out most of the sand. 

“There,” Han announced, pointing to the middle of the storm where a small redhead was, sand swirling around him. The boy and the Jinchuriki in the picture were identical(probably because they’re the same person but we’ll never know 🤷).

“Finally,” Roshi muttered to himself, excited to finally leave the burning hellhole that was the land of Wind, “Any ideas on how to approach hi–HEY!” Roshi shouted but Han was already gone, body flickering elsewhere out of sight. 

The Jinchuriki’s head snapped to Roshi in almost a puppet-like motion(creepy), his eyes widened as they landed on him. The boy began to cautiously approach Roshi, the sandstorm falling the moment he lost focus.

“Who are you?” He asked, his voice calm. Not in the way Han’s was, while Han’s voice was stoic and deep, more like an honorable Samurai, this boy’s voice was scratchy and detached, like his calmness came from the psychological affect of being crazy. 

“I uh am Roshi, I’m a jinchuriki just like you and the other Jinchurikis and I are trying to gather us all for safety against the akatsuki,” he explained, despite Han saying he was the social one, he had no clue what he was doing, especially not with Han beside him. 

The boy’s eyes widened at the mention of Jinchurikis before narrowing in disbelief, “How can I trust you, if you don’t even sound like you trust yourself?” the boy asked, his voice showing every ounce of skeptisism in his still completely calm voice. 

Roshi really must’ve lost his touch as he was currently getting interrogated by a 13 year old. 

“What is that? In your hands?” the boy questioned, sand yanking the photo out of his grasp. Damnit, Roshi really screwed over this time. Shock, worry, anger, defensiveness all passed through the Jinchuriki’s widened eyes as his gaze flew from the picture of himself to Roshi in a matter of seconds.

“My friend…Naruto warned me about you guys,” He began, “A group of people called the Akatsuki. He told me they all wear a black cloak and red clouds but it seems he is wrong. The akatsuki hides in plain sight, using deception to get their goals,” he finished, his voice rising as his chakra flared defensively, sand beginning to swirl around him once again, “I will not be captured, I will not die here, I will kill you to defend my friends and the others like me,” he declared, a sand spear forming.

Goodness, Roshi was going to have to fight, Kami this was going terribly, “Fine, if that’s how you want this to go,” he said, dropping all forms of diplomacy, as he shifted into a fighting stance, preparing his chakra. 

The boy launched the spear, it was too fast and too close to dodge. Roshi held his breath, preparing to regenerate after, hopefully the spear would avoid any vital organs. The spear hurled at high speeds, Roshi braced himself, then it…fell, collapsed, along with the Jinchuriki. Standing above him, was Han, holding a large potato sack.

“WHERE WERE YOU?!” Roshi screamed, his chakra flaring in his rage, “YOU LEFT ME WITHOUT TELLING ME ANYTHING!”

“I thought you could talk to him,” Han said simply, Roshi narrowed his eyes, but there was no bite or sarcasm in his tone, like he truly believed that Roshi would be able to talk to the Jinchuriki. 

“What are you doing..?” Roshi asked skeptically as Han handed him the sack.

“Hold it open,” he instructed as he gently lifted the unconscious  Jinchuriki and placed him in the bag, closing it tightly before slinging it over his shoulder, “Let’s go,” he said simply, turning around like he didn’t just shove a child into a potato sack. If Roshi were anyone else, he would probably object to the strategy, but even if he defected, he was still a stone shinobi through and through, and in the Hidden Stone they had a saying, ‘If it works, it works,’ and he and Han(like many others in their old village) lived by that saying.

“Yugito and the others are going to be mad at us, aren’t they,” Roshi mused.

“Mhm,” Han hummed, carrying the sack like Santa did his presents.

“How did you even hit through his shields?”

“I hit really really hard,” 

“I see…”

Chapter Text

Utakata and Yagura jumped from tree to tree together as they made their way to the Hidden Waterfall. The two were at least 6 feet away from each other, their mistrust clear in every step they took. They moved in complete silence, the silence made only from one who hated the other and the other who didn’t care about the one. 

“You don’t like me,” Yagura said bluntly, breaking the silence, it wasn’t a question, it was a statement. Utakata glanced over at Yagura, his face showed no emotion as if he didn’t care Utakata hated him.

“I don’t,” Utakata snapped, visibly bristling at him. Yagura didn’t even spare a glance at him, just let him be. He nodded thoughtfully. The conversation(if you want to call it that at all) died after that, the tension between the two of them far to much for either of them to handle.

“My life was ruined because of you,” Utataka finally said, “I-i thought that with you, finally my life wouldn’t be so bad, I thought that with you, I’d be respected, understood. I thought things would be different with A jinchuriki as the Mizukage. I was loyal to you! But you shipped me off to some island keeping me like some pig for slaughter!” The raw emotion in Utakata’s voice was bursting through, the powerful chakra from the 6 tails inside of him flaring out of him. He was clutching the part of his robes near his stomach, Yagura noticed, presumably where he had his seal branded on.

“I thought that too when I came into office, I thought that I’d make the Mist a better place, that I’d show not only our village, but the world as well that Jinchuriki weren’t just glorified weapons, that we were people with passions and dreams as well. I-i,” he chuckled to himself, “Was so excited to make new friends, new bonds, and show the side of me that nobody saw, the none clinical, kind, caring side of me that was forced deep below because of what I was raised to be. But all that flew out the window when the Masked Man came,” his voiced noticeably darkened, his fists curling into balls, “he placed me under a genjutusu days after I came into office, everything went down after that. He didn’t just ruin me, hah, if he did, I wouldn’t care. Even with all my dreams of making friends, finding others, I was a ruthless weapon, I’ve probably broken more families than I’ve ever hoped to join. But the Masked Man didn’t only do that. He ruined my home, my people, everything I vowed to change he ruined. Now I’ll be forever remembered as that Mizukage who spoke of greatness but delivered only trauma and hurt. I can never ask anyone to forgive me, I’ve hurt too many people, but you may as well be the only one of all my citizens, if you want to still call yourself that, who knew the truth about why I was like that. So all I ask, if you deem me deserving is understanding, understanding that I will do everything in my power to break the masked man as he broke me, to avenge my village and my people even if I go down in history as the worst they had. Just please, understand and help me with that,” He finished, his tone fluctuating from vengeful to pleading continuously.

Utakata was silent for a bit, this wasn’t like the Yagura he had seen or heard about. This was the Yagura he had imagined as a young-ish shinobi, someone who cared, who felt guilt, who wanted to be better. Not the puppet that wore his face. 

“You said your master tried to kill you but you never elaborated,” it was Yagura who broke the silence this time. Utakata flinched at the memory, his yellow eyes narrowing.

“He told me he was trying to help me,” Utakata spat, “Spouted nonsense about saving me from what was only hurting me. That fucker thought he’d ‘save me’ or shit when he tried to extract the 6 tails from me. Unfortunately for him, he let it out but not in the way he intended and now he’s dead,” his voice was laced with pain. 

Yagura nodded, his neutral features softening to show something akin to pity or sympathy, “I see, that must’ve felt terrifying.” He mused, at least trying (and failing) to be empathetic, “If it’s any consolation, I do not recall ever being forced to order your extraction. It is possible that your master truly wanted to help you but perhaps didn’t know of our inability to be separated from our beasts after bonding.” he pointed out. 

Utakata scowled, but Yagura’s words cut deep. He had never wanted to admit it, but Yagura had a point, his master had looked hopeful and honest when he said he’d help him. Like he truly believed it himself, “Hm,” was all he said, scared to admit to anything else. 

Slowly, their surroundings changing from a regular to a more tropical type, “We’re entering the Hidden Waterfall territory,” Yagura announced, Utakata nodded, a small stream catching his eye, “Let’s rest at the stream a bit,” he offered. Yagura paused, considering it before nodding and following him down.

The two sat be the rocky shore of the stream, the water quickly streaming down. Utakata sat on a rock, absentmindedly blowing bubbles on his pipe. Yagura stood by the stream, the top part of his staff submerged in the shallow water, the water changing its current around the new obstacle. Things were quiet, peaceful even. Utakata and Yagura didn’t speak, they had exchanged all that needed to be said on their trip. The two had an understanding, but nothing more, both of them(Utakata) had still found it difficult to accept the other(Yagura) for the trouble that was caused by him.

“OOH! BUBBLES!!” came the excited voice of a young girl. Their heads immediately shot up, staring into the forest across the stream where the voice had came from. Yagura glanced over at Utakata with a look that said, ‘Brace Yourself’. 

A girl burst out of the trees, landing right in front of Utakata. She looked young, only around 13 years old, “HI! I’m Fuu! Nice to meet you! What’s your name? Will you be my friend?”  she asked, bombarding them with questions.

Utakata looked confused, his gaze drifting from her eyes to the orange beetle wings fluttering behind her.

“Well? What’s your name silly?” Fuu repeated, flying back a bit. 

“Uh, I’m Utakata, why do you have…” he trailed off, he was never one for talking to others. This was way above his pay grade.

“Oh these little things?” She asked, glancing back at her wings, slowly pulling them in, “These are just something I got from a friend of sorts. You probably wouldn’t understand, buttttttt,” she said turning to Yagura, “What about you? What’s your name?”

“I’m Yagura, what is a young, I’m assuming genin like you doing so far out of the village?” he asked, something about this girl felt off, but he couldn’t place a finger on it.

“Welll,” Fuu started, placing a finger to her chin in thought, “I just felt a calling, you know? Like I sensed something, like maybe they would be people who will finally be my friends.” she said thoughtfully, a smile spreading across her face as she looked between the two of them, “Sooo I guess I was right and we’re going to be best friends!” 

“We don’t have time to make friends, we’re looking for someone,” Utakata said flatly, he did not want to be here and couldn’t have made it more obvious, “Ooooh! Who are you looking for? Maybe I can help, I’m a sensory ninja!” she offered, completely ignoring the first part of what Utakata said. 

Utakata glanced at Yagura, as if asking whether or not this was a good idea. Yagura shrugged, “Very well, we’re Jinchuriki and we are looking for our fellow Jinchuriki of the 7 tails,” he had his suspicions that she did know where that Jinchuriki was. He had that suspicion since he had seen her wings. Under the Masked Man’s control, he had researched the tailed beasts, he could recognize their features anywhere. She also talked about friends and being understood and sensing them. 

Fuu’s face lit up, “Really! You’re looking for the Jinchuriki? And you guys are Jinchuriki too? That’s so cool!” she exclaimed, clearing her throat, “Well, I might know where to find them,” she said, putting on her best serious voice, “But, just out of curiosity of course, why are you looking for the Jinchuriki?” she asked, still trying to be serious.

Yagura smiled to himself, this girl was adorable, “We’re gathering all Jinchuriki because of a group of people called the Akatsuki who plan on hunting them down, so we and a few others are looking for all the Jinchuriki first so we can save them,” he explained. 

“Aaaaaand, we-they’d all live together and be friends?” she asked, her excitement growing in her voice.

“If that’s what the Jinchuriki wants, I don’t see why anyone would be opposed.” he said, playing along. 

“Okay, okay, okay, so I’ll tell you who the 7 tails Jinchuriki is now, since you’ve passed my test to see if you’ll be nice to them, because they’re my friend…” she paused for dramatic effect, “TADA! IT’S ME!” she practically squealed.

“We know,” Utakata said emotionlessly, Yagura shot him a look. Utakata responded with one of his own.

“Wellll, what are we waiting for! Let’s go an adventure,” Fuu declared, summoning her wings again. 

“You have no sense of self preservation, we could be Akatsuki for all you know and you’d be dead within hours,” Utakata said bluntly. He had a point, probably the first thing she’d have to learn is that people want to hurt her and will lie about being her friend to do so.

“Well, are you?” Fuu asked, clearly not believing him.

“What if I said yes,” Utakata shot back.

“No,” Yagura said, shutting down the conversation.

“Than I have nothing to worry about,”

Chapter Text

“Yo Yugito, do you think that’s our 9 tailed bro?” Bee asked, nodding towards the large burst of chakra coming outside the Hidden Leaf. 

Yugito paused, examining the blast, “Maybe,” she agreed. The two had planned to make it into the village within the next day to search for the boy, but plans can change with new information. 

“Bee, let’s go check it out,” she declared, turning on her heel before taking off into the direction of the blast, “Of course Yugito, we’ll move fast, steady as a horse,” he concurred, following her. 

“W-what is that?” Yugito stammered at the sight in front of them: two young leaf shinobi were in the middle of a large valley, one clad in all orange laying unconscious on the top of the water, the other leaning over him. Both were exuding a lot of strong chakra, but the unconscious one was the one with the tailed beast chakra, the other one was releasing something dark, something evil, something that disgusted Yugito just sensing it. 

“Step away from the Jinchuriki,” Yugito commanded, stepping into the clearing with Bee following close behind her. The boy’s head snapped to her, his red eyes narrowing at the sight of the two of them

‘Sharingan,’ Yugito realized, ‘I heard all Uchiha were wiped out, guess this one was a survivor,’ she concluded, “Why should I?” the Uchiha asked, his voice dripping with arrogance and condescension, ‘What a little brat, thinking he’s better than everyone because of his sharingan eyes,’ Yugito thought disdainfully, Don’t underestimate him, he took down a Jinchuriki, we need to keep our guard up, Two tails told her. 

‘I know I know, but Bee and I can take him, I know we can,’ she promised, two tails growling in response and Yugito could imagine the beast rolling her eyes. “Are you one of the Akatsuki?” the boy asked, his gaze hardening in resentment. 

“Do I look like an akatsuki to you?” Yugito growled coldly, she was standing in front of him, her chakra bursting forward. The Uchiha staggered back slightly, blinking in surprise.

“Just who are you exactly?!” he demanded, jumping back, he looked as though he was trying to suppress a shiver. Yugito smirked, “Who do you think we are, Uchiha?” She prompted, tilting her head sideways as her red chakra flared around her.

“8 Tails that be me, the rappin Killer bee! And over there is my 2 tailed bro, Yugito,” Bee introduced her. 

“J-jinchuriki?!” the Uchiha stammered, taking another step back, “Just what are you doing here?!” he demanded, trying to sound threatening but his quivering lip gave his fear away.

“We’ve made ourselves very clear. Give us the 9 tails and then you can run away in fear. Yeah!” Bee exclaimed. The uchiha boy looked shocked, as though the suggestion of him running away was an insult to his greatness and honor.

“And why should I trust you?” he pressed, bristling slightly. It was pathetic how badly he was doing to hide his fear.

“You just beat him to a pulp, not giving a cat’s ass about whether he lives or dies. Why do you care now that we want him,” Yugito questioned, her eyes piercing his own. The Uchiha took another step back, “Maybe I want to fight him when he gets stronger,” he offered, his tone back to his annoyingly arrogant one, ‘I see, so he’s a coward’ Yugito realized, her respect for the boy dwindling the more their conversation dragged. 

“You’re going to leave your village I see, so why can’t he?” Bee asked, once again bringing great arguments to the table. The uchiha didn’t have a response for that one, no snarky remarks coming out of his stupid looking face. 

Yugito, you’re above the petty hatred of children. Control your thoughts. Two tails chided in her head, Yugito rolled her eyes, ‘I loathe anyone who hurts Jinchuriki. I don’t care about my age,’ she countered. We don’t know any of the context, perhaps the boy will give us good insights when he finally regains consciousness, it offered. 

‘Isn’t it ironic that the demon inside me is giving me life advice on how to be a good person?’ Yugito retorted, the two tails didn’t respond. Clearly growing annoyed by their banter. ‘Finally,’ she thought aloud, her attention snapping back to the Uchiha boy and the young Jinchuriki.

“My friend here has made it clear what we want. And I don’t give a damn about your feelings, or that ‘he’s my rival’ type shit. So run along now before Bee and I actually show you what it’s like to fight a trained jinchuriki,” she threatened, taking a step towards him. 

“Tch, fine,” the boy relented, as if taking someone else’s ideas was the biggest insult to his honor yet. Yugito was sure of it, this boy disgusted her. Everything about him, from his arrogance to his attitude infuriated her to no end.

The uchiha took off into the treetops, sparing one more almost pitiful glance at the 9 tails before disappearing out of sight.

“Good riddance,” Yugito exhaled, hoping this would be the last she saw of him for at least the next decade. “I agree, now let’s get this Jinchuriki back to the meeting place, shall we?” Bee asked, gently resting the boy on his shoulder. Yugito nodded in agreement, she hoped the other groups had as much success as she and Bee did when finding the younger Jinchuriki. She couldn’t wait to have them all assembled together.

~~~

The journey back to the meeting place was uneventful, the boy was stable, and his wounds were healing quickly from the 9 tailed chakra. She and Bee talked about simple things, like two friends catching up, rather than two accomplices running from their former nations. 

As they neared the spot, in the distance Yugito saw 5 figures and a potato sack. She shrugged, she’d ask Roshi and Han about that later for now, she smiled, all 9 of them had been united. Now and forevermore