A/N: Its been an eternity since last I did any fan fiction, but I'm here to retell rather then create, though I do have to do a bit of that in order to fill in some of the blanks. This fic is based of a Naruto RP Guild that I am a part of and thought that it would be fun to retell the story we've woven thus far. Hope you all enjoy:)

Disclaimer: I don't own some of the characters that appear in this fic. I don't own anything with the Naruto series.
Background info:

This story takes place about 100 years after the series. The Sound, after the death of Orochimaru regrouped and were united under the leadership of one of Orochimaru's devoted followers. The world of the Shinobi is a moderately peaceful one. Warring between villages had calmed downed over the recent decades. During this time new villages flourished and even a neutral zone was set up where Shinobi of any village could gather freely in a gesture of good faith. Key word "good faith."

Chapter1: The Legendary Sand Duo

The desert moon rose over the night sky; the cold air tossed the loose sand every which way. It was a still night. Nothing really seemed to stir in the desert then the sands began to shift and swirl as though the desert itself awoke in a rage. The sound of foot steps echoed through the night.

From the wind came forth a young man. He was a tan man who wore a tan brown coat that ran down towards his knees. His shirt was black with a white trim and ran up and covered his face up to his chin. It had no sleeves and over that he wore a brown leather vest, also without sleeves. His pants were a the same tan brown color that is coat was. He carried on his back a rather fine blade. It blade had a gentle curve to it and was made of a fine black metal. There was a distinct distortion in the metal where a guard could've been. It was clear like glass and created a spiral pattern.

He ran through the sands till he spotted a desert palm sticking out of the horizon. It was the oasis he and his team had found back when they were genin. The oasis had been his and his partner's favorite meeting spot, and this, a full moon, was their monthly meeting. A wide grin grew across his face as he could see the shimmering water of the oasis. He could see him. His partner.

He saw a young man clothed in a long black coat that was belted up to the collar. His hair was black and ran down his face and stopped short of a pair of deep purple shades. His pants, much like his coat was black. On his left sleeve was a hidden sand plate. He wore a pair of black pants, and from under his coat bandage hung towards his waist. He was juggling a black scroll with a hand and he sat and wait. "Your late Tyriel."

Tyriel stopped and squatted near the water's edge and chuckled, "we all can't not have a life like you Ruim, besides. I saw this fine honey and I just had to put the moves on her." He tilted his head towards Ruim and had a giant smile on his face, "long story short I'll be seeing her in a couple of days, but I doubt your interested in my love life."

Ruim shook his head as he crossed his arms over his chest and closed his eyes, "what you do in your free time is none of my concern, but its about time we begin our spar."

Tyriel shook his head, "You know Ruim you really need to quit the robot routine and join us in life. You know, eat, drink, be marry?" He sighed again, "but of course you would have to do something I haven't seen in almost four years. You'd have to have a sense of humor."

Ruim faked a laughed and allowed his face to settle into a neutral expression, "We should start before dawn," he rose to his feet slowly and looked about, "I have work that needs to be done back at my workshop."

Tyriel nodded as he turned his back towards Ruim and walked away from the Oasis as he brought his right hand to his blade on his back, "me and Tempest will here will break our little tie." He turned around and pointed Tempest at Ruim. The glass like spiral began to glow a dim green.

Ruim shook his head as he used his free hand to loosen the top belt of his coat which triggered the rest to simply fall open to reveal his torso, which was bandaged in a tattered cloth material, "sorry to tell you and tempest this, but its never that simple." He brought the scroll to his mouth and his hands together.

Tyriel didn't allow Ruim the time to perform any hand signs. He swung Tempest which triggered its ability. It had the ability to rip the air around and create bursts of displaced air, and by doing this he kicked up a cloud of sand that hid Tyriel's actions. He began to performs some hand signs of his own. The sand around Ruim began to take shape. There were now six sand clones of Tyriel that encircled Ruim. The clones charged in and grabbed a part of Ruim's body, and began to meld together to form a sphere prison of sand, as he then finished his last sign. It was a substitution, and what he substituted with was a large stone that had been sitting in the water of the oasis. Ruim reappeared off to the side of the sphere and wagged a his right index finger as he shook his head. "You'll have to do better then that Tyriel."

Tyriel appears in the distance again he brought his hands together, with Tempest on his back, and a powerful burst of wind kicked up. It was Daitoppa, a personal favorite of Tyriel's, but the power burst just kicked up more sand that covered most anything in its way. When the attacked settled there was no sign of Ruim. Tyriel looked around, he knew it wasn't going to be that easy. He began to feel the sand under his feet shifting and jumped into the air. Ruim busted out for the sand to find his target in the air. He caught eye of Tyriel about to create more clones and so he created some of his own. From the sand six clones of Tyriel spawned, where as Ruim's clones appeared in a cloud of smoke. He created twelve of his own. "Is this enough Tyriel?"

Tyriel chuckled as he reached for Tempest as he started to come down, "Two for one, tsk-tsk. No matter I will juts hit em' all!" The clones began to converge on the Ruims as The swung Tempest hard causing an uproar of air being split in two directions. The attack kicked up more sand. Tyriel landed in a crouching position with a smirk, "Tsk, tsk...I expected better."

The sand settled and now there were 24 Ruims that all began to talk in unison, "as did we." Each clone stood tall as though nothing had happened. Each with their arms crossed over their chest.

Tyriel began to get frustrated. He hated when Ruim used haze clones. They were a pain to get rid of, though they didn't do a thing other then stand there and look pretty. The Ruim's began to pull out a scroll each. Tyriel recognized the scroll and molded his chakra into the sand at his feet to create a dome of sand. The Ruim's had no problem with the action and simple ran past the sand clone, and in the process some were destroyed but only multiplied the confusion as they set their scroll at the base and opened them. The Ruim clones all jumped back and brought their hands to form the sigh of the rat, which triggered the scrolls to release their content. A fine black powder that then ignited. Tyriel in the dome used and escape jutsu to evade the explosion and reappeared outside the blast radius.

"Damn that Ruim is clever... however... can't hurt what you cant catch." His body faded for a second as he began to move at a high speed began around the clones. He was searching for the real deal amongst, and attempted this by cleaving each clone down. It was almost simultaneously that the clones burst and began to reform, but doubling in numbers. Ruim was stringing Tyriel along and it was really annoying him. He watch each one reform the best he could for the moment that Ruim would be revealed but all he saw was liquid like pools rising to reform into clones of Ruim.

The clones began to run around in a circular motion counter clockwise around Tyriel. He smiled and plopped down in the sand and crossed his arms, "I am tired Ruim. If all you can do is clone then this is rather pathetic." From under him a hand burst out and grabbed his ankle. The Tyriel sand began to melt as the real Tyriel appeared in the air with a spiraling air mass gathering in his mouth. It was a compressed air bullet and it fired out of his mouth at high speeds for Ruim's head. It collided with the Ruim's head which erupted into sand and melted away. The clones disappeared, as Tyriel, in the air searched for any sign of Ruim. Then out of nowhere he appeared in front of Tyriel's face. His mouth opened and a hazy poisonous purple gas came bellowing out into Tyriel's face. He tried not to breath any of it in but it was too late. His body it the ground. The poison was starting to take effect, as he was on his back. The Ruim that was staring him in the face began to melt to reveal a generic puppet. Then the sands began to shift as the real Ruim emerged from the sand. One hand in the direction of the puppet and the other in the direction of Tyriel, "good match."

Tyriel looked at it and shook his head. "Good match." he began to chuckle, "you got lots of lucky shots." Ruim shook his head at Tyriel's laughter and reached into his coat for the antidote. He pulled out a syringe and inject Tyriel with the antidote.

"You'll be fine, but your ego on the other hand won't." Ruim pulled on the low chakra threads that he had used to control his puppet and it jumped onto his back, "I'll be at my workshop. Stop by some time Tyriel."

Tyriel nodded, "right after I get some sleep." He began to shift in the sand and stared into the sky. He raised his right hand into the air, "later." Ruim nodded and took off to his workshop in the Village Hidden in the Sand. It would be day soon and his clients will be stopping by to pick up their orders.

In this time of calm the Hidden Sand had gain a form of prosperity. After a period of time in which their very existence was in jeopardy the village came up with a new method of income in goods. The Village Hidden in the Sand had become home to some of the best places to find weapons and one of those reasons was the genius of Ruim of the Black Sands. He was one of the three Puppet Masters of the Hidden Sand. His skills were indeed great, but he was brilliant with tools of all sorts. It was even safe to say that he supplied most of the Jounin for the great Shinobi Nations with their weapons. They were such high quality that even Kage and lords alike would pay top dollar for his work, but on his work as a shinobi made him feared. He was know for his ruthless cunning and his skills as the best Assassin in the village. He was also in the running as the next Kazekage, but refused the position three times.

There was one other Shinobi who's skills were equally know. It was Tyriel of the Gale. He was know for his overwhelming displays of power, and his overwhelming ego, and his blade was legendary. It was one of the three cursed blades of the hidden sand, and he wielded it with great skill and grace. There were even stories of him defeating entire divisions of ANBU by himself. He was regarded as the strongest shinobi the Hidden Sand has to offer. He was even the leader of an elite unit for the Hidden Sand know as "The Sands of Time." The group was comprised of the strongest Shinobi the sand had to offer except for Tyriel partner Ruim, who refused a position to pursue the opportunity to train genin, all of which he had sent back after working to an inch of death.

Together the two are feared as a powerful force at the Hidden Sand's disposal and are requested only for the most dangerous of assignments, and as such have much time on their hands. Ruim, the emotional cripple, chooses to spend his time locked up with his precious puppets where as Tyriel sends his time tracking the most beautiful women the world has to offer. The two were the furthest thing from one another, but a long history made them what they were, friends.

It was the morning after Ruim's match with Tyriel. He was walking down the streets towards the small rundown shack he called home. He approached his door to see someone waiting at his outside his door. It was a man with short red hair and green eyes. Around his neck was a chain with various village symbols carved into small plates. He wore no shirt and blue pants. The man turned his head and waved at Ruim, "You the owner of this place?" Ruim nodded as he took a start up the three small steps that led to the front door. "Good. Then you can help me with something. I'm Tadao, adviser to Aju Shimimaru. the leader of the Hidden Sound." Ruim nodded as he opened the door.

Slowly the door swung open and from it a faint odor of gunpowder erupted from within. Tadao looked inside into the dimly lit waiting room and saw dismembered puppet limbs strewn every which way and incomplete puppets on the walls, barrels of gunpowder in a corner, and a table with scrolls, kunai, needles, and flasks of poisons on a table. To the left of those were various machines - there function was unknown to him.

Ruim extended a hand threw the threshold and looked Tadao dead in the eyes, "Welcome to my workshop. How may I help you."

Tadao looked around and gave a long whistle, "I have to admit. This looks impressive." He then reached behind him and drew a long curved dagger. The hilt blade had jewels running along the blade. A sapphire at the base, an emerald a couple inches up and a ruby towards the point. The guard was made of a fine ivory and was shaped in an intricate circle designs. The handle was made of a platinum gold mix. Tadao played with the dagger in his hands for a second before placing it down on the table in the room. "Can you add a little something to it."

Ruim nodded, "sure what is it you want?" Slowly he picked it up and examined it. The blades appearance hid its true nature. Though dazzling to look at it had details that would've been masked by its appearance. The first of were small holes at the base of the blade. He looked a little closer to see small scorch marks. Then at the noticed hair like switches along the handle.

Tadao scratched his head, "Well I want Dragon's Tooth to have some surprising, but effective, new trick. So surprise me." He smiled big, "oh and after this would you like to visit my bar?"

Ruim took a seat behind the table and reach for a scroll and opened it quickly. There was a brief cloud of smoke and thousands of pins appeared. They all laid atop the scroll as Ruim reached into his coat and pulled out a fine brush and began to draw a seal along the top of the card. He then performed some hand signs and another puff of smoke happened and then the pins disappeared. He offered the blade to Tadao, "Use the single handed tiger sign while channeling chakra into the blade. This will trigger the pins to fire."

Tadao took the Dragon's tooth from Ruim and examined the seal and looked back at Ruim, "so are you going to take me up on my offer?"

Ruim shrugged, "where's this bar," no sooner did he say it did Tadao put a finger on Ruim. The space around them became distorted. It was a space/time jutsu. When the world returned to focus Ruim was sitting on a bar stool in an old looking wooden building. He gazed over the counter to see various bottles lined up. "I guess I didn't have any choice in the matter. Where am I Tadao?"

Tadao hopped over the bar and grabbed a bottle marked "Warning: Will Cause Mass Organ Failure," and a shot glass. The bottle was dusty and an amber color. He poured the dark liquid into the glass and raised it before pouring it down his throat. He whipped is mouth as he made a loud grunting sound, "your in the Neutral Territory. Near the Revival Zone area. Have what ever you want. Its on the house." Ruim raised a hand and shook his head.

"Sorry. I don't drink." Ruim rose to the feet and began to think of how to get back to his shop. He began to recreate the map of the area in his head. He knew that the Neutral Territory was comprised from land that had been donated by the Hidden Leaf. It was south of the Hidden leaf and near the ocean. "I'll be seeing you around Tadao, but I need to get back to my work." He walked out into the city like place. He looked around and saw the giant dome like stadium that stood at in the middle the Neutral Zone and looked into the sky to determine the direction he would need to travel. Tadao's bar was on the outskirts of the Neutral Zone, and beyond that was the few miles till the end of the Neutral Territory. He began to go over the major zones that comprised the Neutral Territory. The first and most well know was the Revival Zone. An area dedicated to the health of all Shinobi that have fallen in battle. It was know for its powerful Shinobi and wealth of forbidden and medical jutsus. The second was the Neutral Zone. The Neutral Zone was home to the many shops but was best know for its stadium. The stadium was a place where anyone from any village could come and fight till their hearts content. It helped foster good relations between villages. The final Zone was referred to as the Test Zone. It had become the permanent home to the Chunin Selection Exams.

It was a little past noon and Tyriel was sitting atop the Kazekage's office building. He was watching clouds pass over the village and began to get bored. He had visited Ruim's shop only a couple hours ago and found that he wasn't home, which was unusual, but not worth looking into. He sighed as he sat up and looked around the village. Then he got an idea. Quickly his eyes darted about the city as he began looking for some potential excitement. He spotted it on the streets. It was a woman on her way to the village's medical clinic. He watched her red hair as it turned corners. He couldn't help himself. He had to get a closer look at her, or at least he was hoping it was a her.

Tyriel watched as the red head walked through the doors into the clinic. He waited a minute or two before descending from the roof tops and in through the doors. He walked in causally and tried to look incognito as he checked out some of the women who worked there, but he had to resist the urge to flirt as he searched out his target. Slowly we walked up to the reception desk and nodded at the lady who sat there. She was a little too old for him so after a few moments of light conversation he walking off to continue his search. He turned the halls and pressed onward, despite some of the looks people where giving him. Then he caught sight of the hair he had saw not too long ago. He smiled as threw himself to the ground as though he had collapsed. His body hit the ground with a loud thud which caught the ears of the red head he had been looking for. She turned around sharply and rushed to see what had happened.

Tyriel laid on the ground with his eyes shut. He could feel his body being lifted slightly of the ground and then followed by a famine voice. "Sir what happened," is what she said with concern in her voice. Tyriel began to think in his mind, 'score, she sounds hot.'

Slowly Tyriel allowed his eyes to flutter open as a slight grin grew across his face. He could see her now, and took note of her deep green eyes and fair complexion. He gazed into her eyes as he said, "You took my breath away." She looked at him funny then dropped him. His head hit the floor with a loud thud and he rolled to his side as he rubbed his head, "that hurt. I though these places where about helping people."

The woman rose to her feet and dusted off her hands, "we don't treat fake injuries sir." Tyriel turned to face her and caught sight of her name tag that read "Druesilla."

Tyriel smiled, "but Druesilla. I am hurt." He pointed to his head, "so how about a little professionalism and help me, please?"

Druesilla shook her head and then poked Tyriel's head and he winced. "Your fine sir."

Tyriel sat up and grabbed Druesilla's hands, "aw but my heart is not. How about it Druesilla. Me and you. A night on the village?"

She looked at him skeptic, "It would not be right s-" Tyriel interrupted her by bring his right index finger to her lips.

"Please. Call my Tyriel." She looked at him funny and then sighed.

"Only if you promise to let go of my hands." Tyriel nodded and released her hands and smiled. Again she sighed.

"You won't regret it. I promise you. I'll stick around and wait till your shift is over. I'll be at the front desk." He gave her a little wink as he turned around and started off towards the front desk. A smile on his face and a little skip in his step, only because he was sure Druesilla was watching him and it was funnier and would earn him some extra points. Five hours passed as Tyriel sat in a seat by the door waiting for Druesilla. He was on the verge of falling asleep. His eyes felt heavy and he started to nod off. In an attempt to wake himself up a little he slapped himself a couple of times. He stood up and jumped a bit and started to pace. As Tyriel was trying to wake himself Druesilla was watching him from around the corner. She had hoped that Tyriel would've left but he was still there. She started to think of a way out and decided to sneak out the back, but as Tyriel was trying to wake himself he could smell the aroma that Druesilla had given off when she had held him briefly. That's when he knew she wasn't going to go through the front door. He left out the front and began to circle around - determined and as confident as always.

Tyriel spotted something trying to move away in the shadows. He smiled, "the thrill of the hunt." He began to use his infamous skills and began to follow. Swiftly and silently he moved as he kept sight of his prey. He hung back far enough to avoid being spotted. He was a bit surprised at how quick his prey actually was.

The shadow emerged from the shadows into the main streets of the village. It was Druesilla. She looked back and then around for any signs of being perused. She placed a hand on her chest and sighed in relief as she found nothing. She started to move as she turn, but she collided into someone. She fell onto her butt and almost apologized but stopped as she saw who she had walked into. She looked up to see Tyriel standing there with his hands on crossed over his chest. He had a stern look on his face, but that melted into a gentle chuckle as he offer her a hand up. "Sorry for that. But I couldn't just let you go without a chance. After all. You did promise."

Druesilla turned her head away, "you won't take no for an answer will you?"

Tyriel chuckled, "nope. After all. You did promise if I'd let go of your hand, and as you can see - I don't have your hand."

Druesilla sighed as she reached out and grabbed Tyriel's hand. He smiled and she frowned as he pulled her up. "Okay Tyriel, but just this time." Tyriel smile grew larger as he grabbed her hand and started off. Druesilla stumbled a couple of steps but managed to catch herself. She was now being led around by Tyriel and was wondering where he was taking her. Then they stopped in front of a rundown looking shop. Tyriel knew it very well. It was Ruim's workshop.

The door to the workshop was open and Tyriel's lighthearted expression shifted as they approached the open doorway. He understood better then anyone that looks can be deceiving especially when it comes to Ruim. He knew that the workshop was a trap within itself, and if to trek lightly through its door while its master was away would be a truly foolish error. He looked back at Druesilla, "I'll be back in a second. I need to get something from inside," he gestured towards the shop with a jerk of his head. He let go of her hand and began up the steps. He placed his back against the wall on the right side of the door frame and slowly looked in.

Ruim's workshop looked normal. Nothing was really off about it except the fact the door was left open, which Tyriel knew Ruim would never do. He remember all the chats he had with Ruim when ever he left the door wide open. He took a deep breath and slowly walked in, cautious of anything tripwires or loose flooring. Everything looked normal. It felt strange to Tyriel. He shook his head as he began to rummage around for a scroll. It took all of five minutes before he found the right one and raised it triumphantly before walk out and closing the door behind him.

Tyriel waved the scroll through the air as he looked at Druesilla who had an expression on her face that told him she wasn't having any fun. He walked down the steps and pointed the scroll at her. "This will be our means of travel for tonight Drue."

Druesilla's eye twitched at the mention of the name Drue. "Don't ever call me Drue," she began shaking her fists in a threatening manner, "or it will be your last damn it." Tyriel nodded, while laughing in his head.

Tyriel smiled at her again as he began to open the scroll. Druesilla wasn't done yet but was halted by the sudden puff of smoke. When it all cleared Tyriel was holding a rather large fan. He began to chuckle, "Don't worry. It'll hold the both of us."

Druesilla was a little shock at the fact that he expected her to ride a fan, "Your joking right? How the hell are we going to ride a fan?"

Tyriel smiled, "were not riding the fan. We're riding the wind." He smiled as he tossed the fan into the air and brought his hands together and took aim. It was Daitoppa. The great wind sent the fan high into the sky. He didn't have much time before the fan would fall. Quickly he wrapped his arms around Druesilla before leaping high into the air an onto the fan.

The fan was gliding through the air as Druesilla gazed in wonder at the sight from the fan. He let her go and began to perform some hand signs. Then he started move towards the back and let loose another daitoppa. The intense blast of air sent them propelling out towards the desert.

Druesilla was amazed. She had heard of both reasons for Tyriel's infamy, she thought they were both over exaggerated, but now actually witness to them she was beginning to believe it might not be so over exaggerated. Then she began to wonder where he was taking her. They were sailing over the desert sands as though they were a boat adrift the sea. Then she spotted something shimmering off in the distance. She started to strain her eyes as she looked outward towards the shimmer.

"Its an oasis," Tyriel said simply as he noticed Druesilla staring off at it. "I wanted to make it up to you for making you wait and bothering you. it's a special place that few now is out here." He shook his head and sighed, "and that's a shame. It really is an amazing little spot."

Druesilla looked back at Tyriel and watched as again he smiled, but this time it was different. It was a warm and kindly smile rather then the playful one he had been flashing her with most of the evening. She started to blush and quickly turned her head. Her face was beginning to match the color of her hair. She shook her head as she closed her eyes. Then she felt a sudden dropping feeling in the pit of her stomach. They had began falling. Her eyes shot open as she watch as they were getting closer to the sand. She looked at Tyriel, worried that he might kill them both, but he stood firm as he watched the decent. His face didn't change, but Druesilla's did. She was about ready to abandon the fan when Tyriel brought his hand together and let loose another great burst of air. The fan began to move rise again as they approached the Oasis. He move closer to Druesilla and again he wrapped his arms around her before leaping off the fan and towards sands below.

Tyriel landed in a crouching position with Druesilla in his arms. Slowly he rose to his feet before setting Druesilla down. He smiled again and then chuckled. "Well. Here were are. All you got to do is turn around and peer into the water."

Druesilla looked into Tyriel's face and nodded. She did as Tyriel told her and turned around to see the oasis. The water shimmered brilliantly in the moonlight and for a brief second she was in awe. Then her eyes traveled further towards the desert palm that overlooked the pool of water. Then as she was looking at the water she saw Tyriel's reflection. She tilted her head up at Tyriel and smile. "I guess it wasn't all bad coming here with you."

Tyriel started to chuckle in his head as he thought, 'oasis for the win.' He scratched his head for a second before taking a seat next to Druesilla and letting his legs soak in the water. He then placed his hands behind him in the sand and tilted his head towards the stars, "the desert is a really amazing place. One moment is unforgiving to all those who may dare take it lightly, but then the sun sets and it's a whole new world. Its becomes more caring and beautiful...just like you Druesilla." Druesilla began to blush deeply and the turned her face away to hide it, but the water's reflection made it hard to hide. "At first your were unforgiving. Made me chase after you and everything, but now your so tame its just too cute!" He turn and smiled at her with his warm smile and the scooted into the water. It wasn't very deep. The water only reached up to his waist.

Tyriel squatted down in the water so that it came up to his neck. He looked up at Dreusilla and cocked an eyebrow. Then he splashed Druesilla playfully. She raised her hand in defense before starting to laugh. He smiled and splashed her again, but this time she splashed back. The continued for a minute or two more before they both fell back in laughter. Him into the water and her into the sand. Tyriel sat up quickly and started to cough out the water that had gathered in his throat as he had laughed. Then Druesilla sat up too. She looked at the soaking wet Tyriel and smile. He made his way in front of her and looked into her eyes, "would it be alright if I kissed you?"

She looked at him oddly and began to blush, "I should warn you. I'm a chunin and it wouldn't be wise unless you wanted a throat needle." She then gave Tyriel a twisted grin.

Tyriel laughed and scratched his head, "then it wouldn't be a very wise move but," he leaned in close and his lips made contact with hers. She was caught in a moment of shock but soon overcame than and relaxed a bit, but as she was beginning to enjoy the moment Tyriel pulled back and winked, "it's a risk worth taking." She blushed a deeper hue and he smiled. "Lets go again sometime drue-um silla."

She looked at him and pouted then crossed her arms, "sure," she said as he turned her head and closed her eyes, "and its ok if you call me Drue."

Tyriel's face lit up. "Wonderful Drue!" He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes, "I know this great place in the Neutral Territory. it's a little far, but we can get to know each other a little better," he wink and she blushed again, "we can take the long way or we can fly." His smile transformed into a rather large grin. She nodded and he was ecstatic.

"I have go now Ty." Druesilla pulled away gently, "but I'll definitely take you up on your offer to fly again." She rose to her feet and looked around to determine the direction of the village and looked back at Tyriel. He smiled and point. She nodded and started on her way, and as she did Tyriel laid back and allowed his body to float as he gazed into the sky.

"Ty...hmm...I like," he said to himself as he looked into the stars. Then he let out a heavy sigh and grinned, "I am one sly devil!" Then began to hold his sides and laughed.

A few days passed as Ruim walked through the Neutral Territory and through into the border of the Hidden Leaf. It took him a few more days but he arrived at the Gates of Fire of the Hidden Leaf sometime mid-afternoon. He stared up at the gate and then toward the guards at the he walked up and two Leaf ninja stood and watch Ruim as he approach. One of them got in front of Ruim and extended his hand, "please show your passport." Ruim looked at the guy's and then into his eyes.

"There is no need for that." Ruim raised his hands up into the air, "I guess you don't know who I am."

The guy looked at Ruim curiously, "I'm sorry but without a passport I can't allow you into Konoha."

Ruim shook his head and pointed to the partner of the ninja's in front of him, "can you please contact Hokage Tiger and tell him that Ruim of the Black Sands is here to speak with him."

The name Ruim of the Black Sands caused alarm in the face of leaf ninja and it didn't take long for his message to travel down the grapevine to the Hokage himself, and then back to the waiting Ruim. The Leaf ninja that had once stood in his ways lowered his head and apologized before stepping aside and allowing Ruim entry through the Gates of Konoha, but not before requesting some form of identification. Ruim nodded and reached into his coat and pulled out a black scroll. It had the seal of the "Black Sands." It was one of three special seals and their scroll. There were a total of three sands, red, whit, and black. These titles were given to only the most elite of Puppet Masters and were one of a kind. The Leaf ninja allowed Ruim entry into the great village hidden in the leaf.

The first thing that he had to do was see Hokage Tiger. He was the 9th Hokage in the history of the village, and, though his name wasn't known to all but a privilege few, he was a great man and leader. Ruim had recently done some work for the Hokage and crafted a marble statue for the Hokage who then gave it as a gift to the village. It depicted the first three Hokage sitting together. It wasn't very large but it stood proudly at the entrance to the build that housed the Hokage's office.

It took Ruim a few hours before he was in front of the statue he had crafted and the building it stood before. He stood and examined it for any hint of dirt or damage, but before he could finished he was greeted by a man clothed in the had and robe of the Hokage. "How are you Ruim." He said as he kept his head low to avoid his face from being seen. It was another one of his quarks. All that anyone knew of his appearance was that he had dark hair and dark eyes. Then a his assistant, a blond man wearing your standard jounin attire, who was in fact the Hokage's brother, came following after.

"Hokage sir. Please you can't just neglect your duty to take a walk!" His name was Sonjin and unlike his brother he did not take to the whole secrets thing. He looked at Ruim and blinked. "Oh! Ruim." He lowered his head, "I did not realize you were the reason for Tiger's sudden leave from his office. As always it's a pleasure having you here...when your not killing our people that is." Tiger chuckled at how blunt his younger brother was. Tiger then punched him on the head.

"I apologize from Sonjin's rudeness. He can get that was sometimes, but to the point. How long will you be staying in the Hidden Leaf?" Tiger crossed his arms as his brother took out a notepad and a pen.

"I'll be here for a couple of days. No more then three and no less then two. You can have me under surveillance if you so desire, though I can guarantee that I won't do anything wrong while I am visiting." He crossed his arms over his chest and peered into Sonjin's eyes. His gaze gave Sonjin the shivers.

Tiger nodded, "there will be no need for that. I have trust that you mean what you say. Sonjin? See to it that he has a nice place stay on his visit and please. There will be no need to watch him. The people can do that just fine." He turned around towards the door into the building, "have a nice day Ruim." He raised his head and walked back into the build.

Sonjin looked at the two and then gave Ruim a dirty look. It was no secret that Sonjin did not like Ruim in the least, but he bit his lip and did as his brother and the Hokage commanded. He led Ruim to a place he could stay. It was nothing special. It was just a one room shack on a hill. Sonjin found it to be a more fitting place for a person like Ruim, and Ruim didn't care. He just walked in and sat on the floor. He looked around the rundown room and nodded, "that'll be all Sonjin. Thank the Hokage for me when you see him." Sonjin nodded and walked quickly, all the while muttering on about his distaste for Ruim,

Ruim sat in his room and began to plan out his journey home. He decided to not simply return to the Hidden Sand, but to gather some information form his various contacts in each of the major villages. He was thinking about updating his files and profiles. He sat and thought so long and so hard that a day had passed before he got up. He went outside to this new day and decided he'd leave in the evening since is would harder for any pursuers to track him. He looked into the sky at sun and figured it was sometime after noon and he'd have maybe five or six hours before he'd be able to leave according to his schedule, and so he decided to walk around and take in the culture.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed the show. I promise thing will get very interesting, and if you liked what things thus far then leave a review. The more I get the quicker I will work, also. They make me happy :).

Next Chapter: Law of the Desert