Piercing Light

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

Seeing her father walk in nearly had Natsumi leap out of her sandals. She had just gone on about wanting to help, and with Kaede putting her on the spot she needed to say something. "Father, I.. umm..." She wasn't even sure if she should be calling him her father, or show him respect as the Hokage and refer to him as sir. Kaede told her that she was a symbol of good in the village, and that her parents cared about her more than anything. She had her duty as a ninja of the Leaf, but she couldn't ignore how those close to her were affected by her actions. When Konoha was taken by the Empire, she was captured. She could only imagine what that put her parents through, she didn't want something like that to happen again. Even still, as Kaede said, she was not a child anymore, she needed to grow up. She was a member of the proud Uchiha clan, and she had the powerful nine-tailed fox within her, to wait on the sidelines would be a waste of her ability.

Natsumi held up a finger, asking for a moment. She walked into a large closet, passing her myriad of clothes and shoes to reach the back wall. A pair of crimson feathered fans hung there, untouched for half a year. She took them from the wall, feeling their weight in her hands once more. It was as if she had always had them, the moment she unfolded them every technique flashed through her mind. Much like riding a bike, she never forgot how to kill. She despised killing, but she could not let that hold her back from protecting her village. She was more than a symbol of good, she was more than a demon fox.

Coming back to her father and Kaede, She wrapped an arm around the Hyuga. "Father, I'm going to assist Kaede in the battle tonight, I hope that's alright with you, because I intend to fight no matter what." She hugged Kaede tightly, forcing their cheeks to squash together. "We'll make a perfect team!"

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

Nazo Yagami is accepted.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

Accepted. Also in case I missed anything, here the updated character list.

Rebels

Kaede Hyuga - Soleaccord

Karela Yatoma - Chev

Natsumi Uchiha - Piercing Light

Senju Arano - Kaitou Kid

Yodai Touho - Tuujaimaa

Uchiha Katsu - Sketcher

Shiro Makoto - Seraph

Arashi Yatogami - Masaki Haruna

Souha Shizune - Tatsua Aiisen

Heihachirama Senju - Syn

Takeo Watanabe - SoleAccord

Hozuki, Sangetsu - Lyfe

Yukio Yagami - Kal-El

Dren Hyuga - Chev

Empire

Izari Turimora - Yog Sothoth

Hyakune su Jikankizami, Ra - Tuujaimaa

Shuya Hieantayatu - Durnehviir

Remi Mitarashi - AeronFarron

Yakoul Kakariko - Savato

Tetsujin, Iyana - yoshua171

Namine Akizakura - Ouroboros

Keiko Senju - SailorMoon

Nikuya - Piercing Light

Nara Shiō - Innue

Reitemu, Shijima - yoshua171

Switzerland

Ryozan Tanzo - ruronihs

Uchiha Sayaka - Masaki Haruna

Seijuro Kizaru Nandate - Lyfe

Taho - Azuris

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

that's alright. Don't see anything wrong with it.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

That's good Aeron.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

chukklehed said
List by your own petard, aren't you? You'll notice I said "I find it funny" before anything else I said. Now who's taking things too seriously, hypocrite?

I don't see where you said "I find it funny." chukkle, you appear to be terrible at portraying 'sarcasm' or a 'joking' mood. If you write a damn paragraph of text that looks to everyone's eyes as highly condescending, it really doesn't even matter what you thought you were trying to say. You should leave IC issues in the IC, and not let them bleed over into the OOC. I won't be saying this again, I can't have you in the RP if you're going to complain about everything that happens with your character. So drop it, and try not to 'joke' anymore.

Also it's "hoist" by one's own petard, fix your autocorrect before you use Shakespearean phrases.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

For now, you could simply have Remi fight with the others and attempt to restrain Shukaku. Or, if you want to push Remi's potential fighting ability with Gyuuki, have him discuss giving her a bit of his chakra. It's likely a bit early for her to be using him to the fullest just yet. It's up to you really, just try not to go gung ho with it.

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

"Remi sent you?" Shoko looked to the giant hornet speaking to her. Of all the creatures she's seen speak, Remi's hornets had to be the most surreal. She tried not to think about how it was even speaking with such a mouth, and answered it. "The enemy is thinning, but that should not grant Remi, nor the others any peace of mind. The fragile pawns of the army have been defeated, now the true threat will show, I am sure of it." With that warning Shoko sent the large insect off. Turning around, she watched as Namine took Ryuza down to the prison. "I will be down momentarily." She stated, letting them go ahead as she took another look at the forest below. Things were going smoothly, as they should, but that only made her feel more uneasy. Feeling comfortable... made her uncomfortable. Her hands resting at her sides hidden under her sleeves, she walked from the rampart and made her way down to the prison. As her wooden sandals clicked against the stone spiral stairs she could hear voices bouncing off the solid walls. The contents of said words sounded like a broken record to her. It seemed so few truly understood why she did what she did. Perhaps now was the time to enlighten a few of them.

"That is not quite right, Yakoul. I did not create this Empire simply to gain power, and allow my subjects to do as they wished." Shoko stepped towards them, and grabbed Yakoul's tail with a firm grip. "You seem to enjoy beating people with this, even when it is not under my order. Quell your passion, and save it for your foes. I spared your life so it could be served for a greater purpose, not so you could satiate your primal desires." She let go of her tail, and patted her head once again. "I have high hopes for you, understand?" She lowered her hand, and looked to the others down here in the prison. "I will show you all something, something I have not shared with anyone in a long time." A black aura surrounded her, which slowly began to expand into a translucent bubble. "Oh... brace your minds, if you will." She warned, before her aura expanded suddenly and enveloped all of them. Sensations, images, smells and more would flood their minds. From the beginning of human history they would see an overwhelming amount of strife. War, bloody factions and clans killing each other, nothing but death and suffering would be what they saw.

"I have seen these same images many times, nearly every night they assault me. As a child, I wanted nothing more than to find a way to make them stop, and to find a way to prevent any future suffering." Shoko looked to Namine. "A noble cause, yes? And something I did indeed strive towards for many years. I have saved many people, yet watched many more die in the chaos of war. I could see them in my dreams, new forms of suffering as every blasted day passed..." The black aura caved back into the Empress, freeing them from the visions. "I eventually became accustomed to the visions, but my inability to change the world tormented me. How, I asked, does one change the entire world? How does one create a world in which as few people as possible are forced to suffer?" Shoko sighed, and knelled down to Ryuza's level, the young woman was shaking, with her immature figure she appeared to be a lost child. Shoko placed a hand upon her shoulder, and looked her in the eyes. "You have nothing to fear. Under my rule, the freedom to oppress and kill is monopolized. I will not allow anyone to be killed in the name of pride, land, or glory. This world will become a haven for the weak, and a cage for the strong and ill-willed." Ryuzu's shaking stopped, and her gaze moved to the ground.

"A cage for the strong?... But aren't you the strongest person in the world? And what of all the killing you have done?" She asked derisively.

"I know. I know the weight of the sins I have committed. It goes against every inch of my moral fiber. However, I am close to reaching my goal. Once the world learns how to live free of want, free of pride, I will loosen my grip."

"... What do you want from me?" Ryuza lifted her head up, and looked into Shoko's crimson eyes.

"I want you to join me, help me end this cycle of suffering." Shoko said, standing to her feet. She held out her hand to Ryuza.

"...Fine." She took Shoko's hand, and let the woman help her to her feet.

"You have my thanks, Ryuza, now, concerning the battle outside-"

"The one-tail."

"Pardon?" Shoko asked.

"The scroll containing the one-tails, I fled Suna with it. It was... The only way I was able to gather the other mercenaries." As Ryuza said this, the entire castle shook, causing dust and debris to fall from the ceiling. "Seems like... They've decided to use it."

Outside of the castle, The massive one tailed beast Shukaku was rampaging through the forest. It converged onto the empire force, crushing trees as if they were twigs in it's wake.

~~~

"Oh stop~" Natsumi patted Kaede on the back for her compliment, perhaps a bit harder than was normal, but her mother always did the same. "It's nothing compared your home, it has such a classic appeal." Natsumi sat a cup of tea down on the table in front of Kaede, not responding to the latter statement made by her friend. She knew it, she knew something was happening tonight. She didn't know where to fit into any of this. personally, she wanted to help the rebels, help them take back their home. But did her feelings matter? For all intents and purposes, she was the nine-tailed fox, a piece to play on this chessboard of war. Natsumi twiddled her fingers, deep in thought. She glanced up at Kaede, only to go back to staring at her fingers once she made eye contact. "I don't know, I haven't been told much of anything really. I don't even know what I'm supposed to be doing now. Should I stay here, or fight outside with the others?.. I want to help, I really do.." She stood up, nearly tripping over the table as she did so. "What do you think, Kaede? I should help fight,right? It's not like I'll be captured again, right?"

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

I'll be giving empire people something to do soon. and as for the rebels, the sun will be setting soon...

Naruto: Of Compassion and Tyranny

"They fight because they feel they have no other option, Yakoul. Mercenaries make a living by fighting for others, and my Empire has put them out of business." The Empress turned to her self-proclaimed 'pet' bodyguard. Yakoul was an oddity, for sure. Besides it's strange appearance and ambiguous gender, it had a small number of pastimes that bordered on the more 'insane' variety. However, Shoko saw the potential inside Yakoul, it was an adept ninja and one of her most loyal soldiers. Shoko placed a hand on top of it's head and gently ruffled it's hair, She knew it enough to know how badly it wanted to tear into the enemy army below. "Keep your ears sharp, alright?" She said, pulling her hand back just as Ra spoke up. She lived up to her position as adviser, as she had something to add in on the situation even now. "Survivors? I have little doubt some of them will survive, and as their loyalty is only to their coin purse I am sure we could pay for their services. However, I have no need for soldiers that do not believe in our cause, perhaps you could 'convince' some of them to join us, Ra?" Shoko said, her words full of sinister implications. As a master of genjutsu and manipulation, Ra could very well turn the minds of any weak willed captor.

The battle was unfolding as she had predicted, and it wouldn't be long before the entire army was defeated. Shoko turned from the scene of the battle, her gaze glancing over Namine for a moment. Namine was better served inside of the castle for the moment, as her sensory abilities were some of the most impressive she'd ever come across. She was also quite fond of prying into people's feelings. It was of no concern to her, as attempting to snoop into her mind would yield nothing, and those that tried to force their way in always ended up in... poor shape. The Empress began to walk into the castle, in that moment, a large, round shadow was cast upon her. Looking upwards, she saw that a boulder was flying directly towards her. "Catapults?" She mused, she did not see any large contraptions from where she was standing. "Some of them must be acting as siege weapons themselves, clever." The boulder came crashing down towards her, she reached out her right hand through her oversized sleeve, preparing to intercept the large chunk of earth. "Hm?" Right before the boulder struct, it vanished, and in it's place appeared to be a girl. She seemed to be around 14 years old, with short purple hair and matching eyes.

"I have you now, foul Empress!" The girl screamed, brandishing a dagger as she fell. Shoko stepped to the side, avoiding the assassination attempt and causing the girl to tumble across the ground, landing on her face.

"That is most assuredly the assassination attempt of the month..." Shoko said, clearly amused. The girl was still for a moment, though it was obvious she was still conscious. "Oh my, is she dead? What a shame, Yakoul, you can do as you wish with her." The girl's entire body quaked at the mention of Yakoul's name, She leaped to her feet, tears streaming down her beet red face.

"I-I won't be eaten! I am the leader of the Grand Victorious Dragons!" She screamed, holding her dagger out as more of a barrier between herself and others, instead of a weapon. Shoko glanced back to the forest below, there was no sign of anymore boulders being flung at the castle, the girl must have acted alone. Her crimson eyes moved back to the girl.

"Is that the name of the army you hobbled together? I never would have guessed they were led by a child, though hearing that name I can believe it."

"I am not a child! I am eighteen years old!" The girl protested, looking around her with panicked eyes, she now saw that she was surrounded. "Awawawa~ Y-You'll never take me alive!" She turned the dagger towards herself, pointing it at her neck. Black chakra poured from Shoko and yanked the dagger from the girl's hands, shocking her and causing her to fall to her behind.

"You won't be dying today. Tell me, what is your name?" She asked as the dagger was vaporized in the grasp of her chakra. Her chakra dispersed, and Shoko moved closer towards the girl. "That was an interesting jutsu you used, it would be wasteful to simply kill you. Why not join me?"

"My name is Ryuza... Wait what? I just tried to kill you, and your people are killing my soldiers as we sp-"

"Your soldiers?" Shoko interrupted. "I know how mercenaries work, they are only fighting this battle as a means to gain wealth. Do you truly believe they are following you out of loyalty? Tell me, why have you come for my head?" Shoko said, Ryuza remained silent. The Empress turned to Namine. "Escort her to the prison, we will continue our discussion once this battle is finished."

~~~

Standing in her room in the Uchiha compound, Natsumi was changing into a more comfortable set of clothes. She had been wearing a cotton kimono today, it was quite baggy and stifling. To mix things up, she put on a red silk kimono. She let out a sigh, stretching her arms and legs. She wanted to tend to her garden before the sun set, however she was told to stay in her room by her mother, which was odd, now that she thought about it. Her mother often spoiled her, and trusted her to stay up as long as she wished. She thought about her walk through the village, and how eerily silent it was. It was as if everyone but her was in on some joke. Nikuya's words echoed in her mind, the rebels were up to something, and she had a feeling that they were going to make their move tonight. Why couldn't they trust her? She wasn't weak, she had completed plenty of dangerous missions herself. She flopped down on her bed. "Heh, maybe I am an idiot..." She mumbled to herself. She was prepared to lay down, but shot up when she heard footsteps approaching. "Kaede!" She shouted as she saw the young Hyuga walk inside. As per usual, she nearly tackled Kaede with a hug. "How are you? Do you want some tea?" She asked, glad to have a friend here to spend time with.