Enter the Women from Yuri no Kuni! As the two kunoichi reached the village gates, they noticed two exotic looking women dressed in a fashion that was alien and unusual to them leaving little doubt to them not being their clients. One wore an exotic hat over her short brown hair, a sleeveless robe, extending from an obi-like sash as loincloth like flaps in the front and back, over another garment with long sleeves that surpassed the hand and dangled near to her knees, puffy pants that bunched together at the ankle and two-toed shoes. The other dressed in a similar manner though her face was mostly hidden by a bandana with a veil covered the sides and back of her head. She also wore a light weight, flexible armor with vanguards the held the ridiculously long sleeves in place and greaves that bunched the pants at the knee. Combined with the spear and shield she carried, it was clear that the second woman was warrior, most likely the bodyguard of the first; the princess. The kunoichi stared at the couple with awe, forgetting momentarily their mission until the warrior looked behind her cautiously, in the direction of the wilderness outside of the village. "Forgive us for making you wait!" Tenten said, drawing near. As she got closer, she noticed something out of place with the women. The princess had a deep tan and the air of the soldier, her eyes turning quickly to the weapon master as soon she opened her mouth while the warrior seemed rather uncomfortable in the armor and slightly frail. However, the kunoichi knew better than to point this out and decided to let go. "We are simply grateful that Konohagakure would aid us in our time of need. Besides, we prefer waiting in the village, knowing that we are somewhere safe than in the wilderness, where we feel vulnerable," the princess said, she and the warrior bowing to the kunoichi. "Don't worry; with the two us around, I doubt the assassin would show his face without thinking twice!" Tenten said confidently, she and Hinata bowing in return. "Unfortunately, our comrades said the something on those lines and ended being killed by the assassin without having a chance to fight back. You can see how such words don't bring us that much comfort," the princess said in a sad tone. "Forgive me!" Tenten said blushing in embarrassment. "If the as assailant is as good as you say, there's no doubt it's a shinobi!" "Indeed, but do you mind if we continue our conversation on the road? We're anxious to return to our homeland," The princess said, looking towards the warrior. "Of course! Let's set out!" Tenten said. The party began their journey to Yuri no Kuni, unaware that they were being observed. From afar a trio of shadows watched the princess and her escort depart. "There they go," said one of the three with a cheerful feminine voice. "We should attack them when the leave sight of the village," said another of the three with a gloomy feminine voice. "We can't kill them right away! Where would the fun be in that?!" the first complained. "If we let them live, we'll loose our chance!" the second said in return. The third said nothing, but held its forefinger up and brought it to where its lips should be before pointing towards the traveling party. "Yes, cousin!" the first and second said, nodding their heads in understanding. All at once, the three shadowy figures disappeared. They were nearly out of sight of the village and Tenten found the princess's and the warrior's solemn silence to be unsettling. Realizing she knew not the name of either and unable to bear the silence anymore, she spoke up. "Excuse me, but I think we forgot to introduce ourselves. I'm Tenten and this Hyuga Hinata," she said. "I am Yurihime and this is my bodyguard Yuribuke. Forgive us if we don't stop to bow, but I think it's more important for us to get as far as we can before night sets in," the princess said in a stressed tone. What kind fake names are those? Tenten thought, growing agitated with the princess's rather unfriendly and straightforward words. She could understand the need for secrecy, the knowledge that a faceless assailant could be targeting her would have her suspicious of anybody she didn't know too well, but the princess seemed rather uncomfortable around them. "If you don't mind me asking... why are men forbidden?" Hinata asked, looking to the women. At first the kunoichi were afraid the women wouldn't answer until Yurihime spoke up, "It's because long ago, before the reign of the first Yurijo'o, a cruel and sexist Daimyo ruled, ruling all women to be treated no better than animals. Any woman that refused to obey him let alone their husbands or fathers, were beaten and tortured until their will was broken or they died. Any man who spoke against him was publicly executed to serve as an example for the rest of them. Life in Yuri no Kuni was hell on earth and the women learned to live in disgrace, but never forget the pain and suffering they experienced at the hands of men. "Eventually a bold and clever girl whose despise of men was so great that she wanted the Daimyo dead began to organize an underground resistance, promising that she will make the pay for what he has done. She was a clever girl, teaching the women how to drug the drink and food that the men without being caught and how to fight! She made an army of assassins out of the women, prepared to lay down their life to change the land for the future generations. Late one night, just at the turning of midnight, she had given the order for the women to begin the coup. Though the men of the land were superior warriors, they never expected their sisters and wives turn against them. Without shedding a single drop of blood, they neutralized the men, stealing from their weapons and tying them up. Armed, they gathered together and advanced to the castle. They made little work of the guards, distracting them long enough to knock them unconscious and tying them up before entering the castle and capturing the Daimyo. By the morning, the women brought the men out to witness their Daimyo beaten and tortured before being executed for his crimes. The men exiled, threatened to suffer the same fate if they were caught on ever again setting foot in Yuri no Kuni. From there began the rebirth of our country with the girl becoming the first Yurijo'o." The kunoichi listened to the story in silence and disbelief. "Country serves as a safe haven for women who seek absolute seclusion from men, allowing the country to thrive on," Yurohime said. "I see," Tenten said... A country where men are forbidden from entering. Could that mean...? She thought with a glimmer of hope. "It's getting dark..." Yurihime said, looking towards the darkening sky. The women decided to stop and setup camp, Tenten and Hinata going out to scout the nearby area. "Um, Tenten-sama?" Hinata asked, once they were out of earshot of the princess and her bodyguard. "Yes?" Tenten asked. "Have you noticed that there's something, weird, about the Yurihime and Yuribuke?" "Other than obviously made up names? Well I can't place my finger on it, but it seems like there's something they are keeping from us." Tenten said with a sigh. "I'm kind of scared," Hinata said, looking at the ground. "I-I don't why the Hokage chose me to go on this mission! I know that men are forbidden from entering their country, but there are far better kunoichi in our village that should have been chosen!" "I'm not too sure, but I think that the Hokage had chosen you because felt that she could rely on you," Tenten said. "Besides you're quite powerful. I've seen what you can do myself!" As she said, she felt great sympathy for the Hyuga. She had from her team mate Neji how her own father is considering her young sister over her for the leadership of the clan. Though she lacked confidence, she was very kind, never trying to hurt anybody and able to standup for herself when she needed. Tenten remembered back to when the two Hyuga cousins had to fight one another in preliminary round before the third Exam. Though Hinata had no chance in defeating Neji, she still stood her ground telling him that he limited views fate were wrong. "I, Is something wrong Tenten-sama?" Hinata asked, looking worried. "Uh, no... I was just thinking!" Tenten said, blushing as she realized that she was staring at the girl. "Well it looks like there's nothing dangerous around. We should be heading back." "Ok," Hinata said. The kunoichi turned about and returned to the camp, not aware of what awaited them that night.
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